The Advocate 10-22

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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WEDNESDAY l 10.22.14 OUR 65TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

YOU WILL BE WATCHED 3

Police Services adding three security cameras to college campus

The number of security cameras being added to campus

To provide real-time intel for officers

BY Cody McFarland ASSOCIATE EDITOR

cmcfarland.advocate@gmail.com

$1 mil.

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hile the district shapes a new policy and procedure for the installation and regulation of security cameras on its three college campuses, the project to erect cameras at both entrances of Contra Costa College and one near the Early Learning Center remains in its early stages.

Campus and Police Services officials from the three colleges met on April 16 at the District Office in Martinez to discuss respective locations and infrastructure for new security cameras on the district’s three college campuses — CCC, Diablo Valley and Los Medanos colleges.

A project to install three new security cameras at CCC was approved by the Governing Board and received funding for the programming and initial design of the project. The program level estimate, District Chief Facilities Planner Ray Pyle said, is $1 million.

“The security consultant helping us plan the

The programming onetime budget estimate for the new security cameras. Installation will begin following the Governing Board’s approval to fund the fully developed project.

Imminent policy Police Services Chief Charles Gibson continues to develop a districtwide standard for security cameras on campuses.

SEE CAMERAS, PAGE 4

International representation

CLUB STILL INACTIVE AFTER TWO DECADES

BY Jared Amdahl STAFF WRITER

jamadahl.theadvocate@gmail.com

A unified voice representing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community has not existed on campus for the last 20 years.

The last time a club advocating for the representation of LGBT students was in 1994 when the then Gay Straight Alliance was deemed an inactive club.

“What it comes down to is if there is the student interest or not,” business major Mark David said in regards to why there is no club on campus for the LGBT community.

LGBT David is an openly gay student who has legacy attended both Contra at CCC: Costa College and Diablo Valley College X There and has participated in has not DVC’s Queer Straight been an Alliance (QSA), a club organizathat reaches out to the tion to LGBT community at represent LGBT stu- DVC. “I think (an LGBT dents in 20 club) would be benefiyears. cial because identity is such a huge issue,” he X The last Gay said. “You have kids Straight struggling with idenAlliance tity problems and a lot was on of the time they have campus in no one to turn to. It 1994. would provide people who have been in similar situations to confide in, resources such as health services and access to counseling.

“One thing that has to be understood, however, is that there needs to be a number of students that want to run the club,” he said, “I don’t know if there is that at CCC.” Vice President of Clubs Safi WardDavis attributes the absence of an LGBT club to the possibility that there is not enough demand for one at CCC. “Honestly, I don’t think anybody has thought about starting an LGBT club here on campus so far this semester, and if they have, nobody has approached us or mentioned it to anybody,” WardDavis said.

“I feel like it would be one of the more valuable clubs on campus. It would bring awareness to the student body and add diversity, and diversity is one thing CCC is huge on,” she said.

The Comets keep momentum in conference play after defeating Yuba College 49ers.

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STUDENTS COMMIT BATTERY ON OFFICERS PAGE 5

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Students from different countries immigrate in pursuit of college degrees

Quilt art admired at gallery, promoted The Eddie Rhodes Gallery in the Art Building hosted a reception for community members.

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BY Jose Jimenez SPORTS EDITOR

jjimenez.advocate@gmail.com

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tudents within the International Students Program could be accommodated with a more suitable way of living, coordinator Sui-Fen Liao said.

Liao said the new Welcome/ Transfer Center is a comforting place on campus for all international students, but localized housing for them would be great since many international students do not live near the college.

Congolese, Nigerian, Vietnamese, Columbian, Filipino, Brazilian and Korean lineages represent half of the students associated with the program here at Contra Costa College.

The other half is Chinese and currently no European students are on the program roster.

Catherine Fites, director of admissions and records, said the program has 140 international students enrolled in courses at CCC. She said about three years ago CCC had a plan to start building “dorm like facilities” around campus, however the city of San Pablo disagreed with the idea and the funding for the project fell through.

President Denise Noldon said CCC lost its funding from the Rural Development Advance.

Dr. Noldon said most four-year institutions, as opposed to two-year colleges, have some private funds and that is how those campuses are able to host living quarters on col-

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

SEE LGBT, PAGE 4

Football squad preserves streak

lege grounds.

When asked if CCC will continue to pursue any type of affordable living space near or on campus, she said, “We’re not in that type of business right now.”

Because of the strict homeland security regulations established after Sept. 11, 2001, Liao said she works closely with Fites to make sure all student documents are filled out correctly and filed, including host living associated with the Diablo Valley College International Homestay Program.

“There are more serious rules and guidelines we, as an administration, have to abide by because of the status of foreign students who come from other countries,” Liao said. “We have to report all of our documentation to government officials, so any process in our program will be looked upon differently.”

She said the hardest circumstances while filing documents are reinstatements for international college students because many colleges refuse to file reinstatement papers for students.

She said CCC administrators welcome the situation since students are moving in and out of the country, most of the time, because of their family situations.

Liao said most international students at CCC live in Hercules.

While some students blend in well, others find the assimilation process very difficult.

SEE INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 4

CMYK

Community lacking strong LGBT voice to spark progress

Criminal justice major Juliana Cardoso goes through registration forms with international students coordinator Sui-Fen Liao in the Welcome/ Transfer Center on Friday.

Cardoso immigrated from Brazil.

CMYK

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Hunter S. Thompson journalist 1988 Lorenzo Morotti editor-in-chief George Morin art director Cody McFarland Rodney Woodson associate editors Roxana Amparo news editor Van Ly opinion editor Robert Clinton Jose Jimenez sports editors Mike Thomas scene editor Brian Boyle spotlight editor Qing Huang Christian Urrutia photo editors Janae Harris Cody Casares assistant photo editors Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Jared Amdahl Salvador Godoy Krysta Gonzalez Florinda Hershey Princess Hughes Mickalea Manuel Marlene Rivas Jason Sykes Manning Peterson Mark Wassberg Sean Whatley Staff photographers Jordan Khoo Staff illustrators Mayra Garcia Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 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, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 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: accentadvocate@ 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. 22, 2014 Vol. 102, No. 7

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Editorial

CAMPUS SUPERVISION College cameras opens up debate on privacy issues

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he number of security cameras on campus will soon increase, after the district Governing Board approved the adding of three more Police Services monitored cameras at Contra Costa College.

One would imagine a Governing Board vote would be required to add any camera to the campus, though this is not the case.

Numerous other cameras, which are not monitored by Police Services, exist on CCC’s campus. There are at least 16 cameras in the CTC building, though according to computer and communications technology professor Rick Figuera there are hidden cameras in the building as well as microphones that capture audio.

Cameras which monitor the Three Seasons Restaurant are also in the Applied Arts Building.

Though these cameras have administration approval, the fact that district Police Services Chief Charles Gibson is currently working on drafting a policy on camera placement, use and authorization, to submit to the Governing Board for approval, means they should disappear until such a time as a policy exists.

Having cameras of nondescript purpose with only shaky approval opens them up to the possibility of abuse. Students should know when they are being monitored and for what purpose.

No “hidden” cameras should exist in any shape or form at CCC. If the college has cameras students cannot see, then students should refuse to accept that the cameras are present for benign reasons.

The cameras Police Services have access too are motion activated, do not capture sound and only hold data for seven days unless explicitly marked by a police officer. The cameras on campus not monitored by Police Services store images and audio recordings of students, both minors and adults, for an indefinite amount of time and a policy regarding the access of that video is nonexistent.

Crime is no stranger to CCC. The fact that crime is prevalent in the surrounding community is the reason students are OK with cameras in parking lots or at the college’s entrances in the first place.

Yet a desire for safety in the community should not be seen as carte blanche to blanket the college in surveillance cameras.

Students want to feel safe. They wish to know that their bodies and their property will not be hurt or vandalized while on campus, and cameras are a powerful tool in ensuring that.

The lack of a Governing Board policy regarding placement of cameras on campus was taken advantage of by several departments, and it should be rectified now that a policy is in the works.

Police Services officers are incapable of placing cameras around the college without first seeking Governing Board approval. The college faculty, staff and administration should follow suit in order to make sure students, and themselves, are protected.

LORENZO MOROTTI / THE ADVOCATE

N PASSION

Seeking other interests through gaming I n the United States soccer is not that popular, but it is starting to grow. According to sporteology.com, soccer is ranked fifth on the list of the most popular sports in America.

Growing up in an African-American family, I grew up watching football and basketball. As years passed, my mind started to open, and other sports started to seem more interesting. The way I got into these other sports was through playing sports video games.

After I attempted to cover soccer games for The Advocate, I realized I had no clue what was going on during the majority of the game. A couple of games later I was picking up the fundamentals of the game.

However, the schemes of soccer are still confusing to me. When it comes to the genre of sports video games, I have always chosen football and basketball.

NFL Streets 2 is my alltime favorite sports game.

I have to show some love for the FIFA series for the complexity of how one scores in the game. In football and basketball video games, I expect to score effortlessly. However, in FIFA it takes mental skills and effort to score a goal in the game.

In games like Madden and NBA 2K, gamers have

mikethomas to press one button to make a scoring play and are provided a choice of structured plays, much unlike the free flowing nature of soccer. In FIFA, one must come up with strategies in game while playing, with no timeouts.

I consider myself to be horrible at FIFA, but when I score a goal in the game it makes me feel like I accomplished something.

All of that hard work I just put into getting the ball into the back of the net is rewarded with my players celebrating. Getting a chance to play FIFA gave me respect for the game of soccer, and it shows how complicated the sport of soccer is. Did I mention that the game is also addicting?

The challenging part is controlling the ball, maintaining possession and knowing the right time to attack the ball as a defender. FIFA also keeps an inexperienced player on his heels about making the next move. It is also fun playing desperately when

you are down 3-0 and slide tackling becomes your best friend.

Playing FIFA 14 helped to heighten my expectations for the World Cup during the summer, and I was surprised by how many people were talking about the tournament.

ESPN coverage of the 2014 World Cup was excellent, and shows that soccer has come a long way in the U.S. The ABC network was the go-to outlet for World Cup coverage in 2010, but that was not the case this time. This time ESPN gave viewers access to a majority of the games.

ESPN’s announcers knew the sport, and announced it clearly and thoroughly.

They made soccer friendly for viewers who did not know anything about it before the World Cup. I still prefer football to soccer any day, but my mindset about soccer has evolved since my exposure to it at CCC and playing video games.

It is crazy the way my views can change by simply picking up a little black controller with an “X” in the middle.

Mike Thomas is the scene editor of The Advocate.

Contact him at mthomas. theadvocate@gmail.com.

CampusComment Where should surveillance cameras be installed on campus?

“In the parking lots, so people don’t steal or vandalize cars.”

Kwame Baffo-Gyam undecided

“The Bookstore area so people won’t litter because there is a lot of trash at the end of the day.”

Emmanuel Doherty undecided

ROXANA AMPARO, MAYRA GARCIA AND CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

“Areas that are not heavily populated to keep people safe.”

“On College Drive by the back parking lot in order to avoid rape incidents.”

Khailah Ayroso undecided

“In front of the student store and other places where things are sold.”

“A place that is not populated with a lot of people, like the Biology Building.”

Mia Alexander Raquel Navas undecided

psychology

Allase Shambe undecided

forum LACK OF CONNECTION WITH AFRICAN-AMERICAN CULTURE DISTURBING, SADDENING Editor: My name is Ejhane’ Lyons. I am a student at Middle College High School on the Contra Costa College campus. I read “Shameful society focused on race” by Rodney Woodson, Oct. 1.

I became disturbed and saddened all at once after reading the first sentence of this opinion article. It seems that Woodson is ashamed of his African ancestry and does not want to be a part of it.

He identifies himself as “American” rather than “African-American” dismissing his African roots.

He states, “Embracing one’s culture

SEPARATION OF GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES BASED ON RACE APPALLING Editor: After reading Rodney Woodson’s “Shameful Society Focused On Race” that was published in The Advocate on

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 10.22.2014 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

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MailBag and remembering ancestral origins is all fine and dandy, but at some point, enough has to be enough.”

I am not sure exactly what he means by that because there is not enough recognition of African culture to begin with.

He then goes on to bash the African-American graduation ceremony stating, “We don’t need an African-American graduation. It sounds a little too close to a ‘white’s only’ graduation?”

His opinion regarding the black graduation is all fine and good; however participation in the AfricanAmerican graduation is up to everyone’s own discretion. No one is forcing all blacks to participate in the black graduation.

Although Woodson does not agree with the black graduation cere-

mony it does not mean that the right should be robbed from the other students who disagree with him.

I believe that every race should have their own graduation if they please to do so, in addition to the general graduation.

I personally will be participating in all the graduations that I am eligible to participate in because I have worked hard for my degrees and I want the recognition.

African-American graduation is important to me because blacks deserve the right to be recognized for doing something good. It is too often that we get recognized for doing bad things.

Woodson argues his point very well, however I do not agree. His disassociation from his African roots simply amazes me.

His identification as “American” does not take away any of the melanin in his skin. The way he speaks is definitely influenced by the African blood that runs deep throughout his body because “American” certainly is not a language.

Perhaps there is a disconnection between his racial background and the life he lives here in the Americas; however we do not have to visit Africa to know where we come from.

He seems to be confused with differentiating race and culture.

I suggest that Woodson registers for one of professor Carolyn Hodge’s courses because I’m sure he will walk away with a new outlook on life and who he is as a person.

Oct. 1 I strongly agree with his point of view.

From personal experience, I agree with the part when he addressed black graduation ceremonies.

I remember as a kid when my brother came to CCC and was part of the African-American graduation.

I felt appalled. To me, having a separate ceremony says that black people

are not considered American.

Hell, it felt as if we are still thought of as being only three-fifths of a person. As I thought about it more, a black graduation also sounds as it is trying to glorify a race for its accomplishments.

I do not want that. I want us, of all ethnicities, to graduate in the same ceremony.

I don’t want to be part of any ceremony that only glorifies one race.

I want it to glorify what we have all accomplished together.

I want it to be more of a preparation for us all to get ready for the next college and step in our lives.

Ejhane’ Lyons, MCHS student

Tory Wilkerson, CCC student

panies that utilize meat by-products and expired meat to make things such as glue. This is done despite the fact that freezing meat can often extend the shelf life of it by six months, if not more. A package of pork ribs is usually given 13 days on a shelf while being refrigerated, but is given 180 days if frozen.

BY Brian Boyle SPOTLIGHT EDITOR This waste of food calls the condibboyle.theadvocate@gmail.com tion in which American livestock live into question. he way Americans raise and Since 2002, when People for the handle the meat they eat is costing them far more than money. Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) The American food system is filled started their “Meet your Meat” campaign against KFC and the pig-farmwith bad practices, be it poor feed ing industry, the conditions those and overuse of medication, poor living conditions for animals and blatant two animal species are raised in have been widely discussed. The video waste of food. shows scenes of farm workers brutalAt the retail and consumer level — it has reached supermarkets or has izing and torturing pigs and chickens.

Though the shocking nature of the been purchased — Americans waste about 24 percent of the beef they pro- video should be balanced against its source, PETA made Americans’ quesduce, about 32 percent of pork produced and about 20 percent of chicken tion where the food on their plate came from. produced, according to the United Chicken and pig farms are squalid States Department of Agriculture’s Adjusted Food Availability Report for places. Animals are packed together in a manner that provides them 2013. unlimited access to food, while limitTo put that in perspective, Americans throw away approximately ing their movement. According to the National Chicken Council’s Animal 500 million whole chickens annually.

Welfare Guidelines, the humane This waste most likely comes from a number of factors. Supermarkets strive stocking density of chickens is 7.5 pounds per square foot of cage space. to have their shelves packed to the brim, regardless of whether or not the Chickens are bred to be approximately 4-5 pounds before being slaughtered, items will sell. The “Use By, Sell By” and expiration date system, which has meaning their short lives are spent in no actual regulation tied to it, is filled less than a square foot of space. One square foot is the size of a classroom with nonsensical practices. tile.

The dates one sees on packages For chickens exhibiting deformiinside a supermarket are there to alert ties or sickness, humane euthanasia the store when items may begin to look less fresh and often have little to is recommended. The humane euthanasia methods the National Chicken do with the safety of consuming the Council recommends are rapid decapproduct. itation, rapid cervical disarticulation Having worked in a supermarket’s (including tool assisted) and oxygen meat department, I have witnessed displaceboxes of ground beef, which are not ment. vacuum sealed to ensure freshness, have an expiration date over a month This means after the meat arrived in the store, which itself is a date usually separated gassing by at least a week from when the ani- chickens, mal was slaughtered. That same beef, or which was only transferred from a box cutto cellophane wrapped Styrofoam, is put on the shelves with an expiration date of only two days.

Somehow, in the transfer from a 32-degree refrigerator to a shelf kept at 32 degrees, the beef lost the vast amount of its shelf life. Yet, the exact same beef will sit and quietly age in the backroom for the remainder of its original expiration date.

Huge amounts of meat are further wasted in supermarkets from being packaged with far more perishable items, such as the cookies or pudding cups in Lunchables.

The “expired” meat is collected in bulk and sold off to com-

Americans waste about one quarter of meat purchased

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ting off their heads are the preferred methods of slaughter as they deny chickens a chance of pain or life almost instantly. Rapid cervical disarticulation means snapping their necks, the addendum that tool assisted neck breaking is allowable indicates it is the exception, not the rule.

Free-range organic chicken at Trader Joe’s costs $2.69 per pound for a whole chicken. A Foster Farm’s factory farmed whole chicken is $1.79 per pound. Trader Joe’s sells organic boneless-skinless chicken breasts for $6.99 per pound. Foster’s Farms boneless-skinless chicken breasts cost $6.59 per pound.

Cows fare little better than chickens. The American beef industry practices farming methods that are expensive and harmful.

Most beef in America is corn fed.

Grass fed beef is always advertised in large lettering. The problem with corn fed beef is simple — cows cannot digest corn. According to Michael Pollan, the author of such books as “In Defense of Food,” and “The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” corn became a popular feed for cows after World War II, when the United States government began subsidizing corn. Beef farmers saw that corn fed beef fattens quickly and has more marbling than grass fed beef. Marbling of beef is indicative of its internal fat content.

Stripes of white fat throughout a cut indicate tenderness and flavor.

Farmers soon learned that cows fed corn experience acidosis. Acidosis is when a cow’s stomach becomes more acidic, causing it to rupture and kill the cow. Antibiotics were introduced to cows’ diets to keep them alive until reaching the slaughterhouse.

This medication presented another challenge — it created the perfect environment for the bacteria E. Coli to exist.

E. Coli is about 315 times more prevalent in corn fed beef

than grass fed beef. In a study done

by Bill Kiernan, the director of the Global Agricultural Investing Research and Insight group, corn fed beef was found to have about 6.3 million E. Coli cells per gram, while grass fed beef had only 20,000.

The study also showed corn fed beef has 15-50 percent less Omega 3 fatty acids than grass fed. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential to a human’s well being.

Grass fed beef has been shown to have Vitamin A, Vitamin E, as well as more potassium, iron, zinc, phosphorus and sodium than corn fed beef.

These vitamins and micronutrients contribute to a person’s well being.

Corn fed beef has been shown to be higher in fat than grass fed beef.

Grass fed beef also has five times the amount of conjugated linoleic acid than corn fed. CLA has been shown in laboratory settings to be anti-carcinogenic, anti-diabetic and to contribute to heart health.

According to U.S. Census Bureau data looking at causes of death in 1900, before corn fed beef was poplar, and 2005, at the relative height of its popularity, the causes of death in America differed greatly.

Heart disease in 1900 was responsible for approximately 137 deaths per 100,000 population. Cancer was responsible for 64 deaths per 100,000, and things such as cerebrovascular diseases (hypertension) and chronic lower respiratory diseases did not even make the list.

In 2005, the causes of death were considerably different. Heart disease was responsible for 210 deaths per 100,000, while cancer was responsible for 184 deaths per 100,000.

Cerebrovascular diseases and chronic lower respiratory disease, both associated with dietary fat, were responsible for 47 and 43 deaths per 100,000, respectively.

A USDA prime rib-eye steak costs approximately $19.99 per pound.

This steak will be corn fed, and is only labeled prime based on its marbling and age. A grass fed rib-eye steak costs approximately $14.99 per pound. A USDA select sirloin steak, a slightly lower quality than prime, is about $5.99 per pound, while grass fed sirloin steak is about $7.99 per pound. The comparison between the prices of grass fed beef is closer to the non-prime corn fed beef, yet the tenderness, marbling and taste are closer to USDA prime cuts.

The way Americans treat their meat is not only damaging American pocket books, but also costing Americans their health. A change in the way we treat the meat we eat cannot only provide better tasting, more nutritious meat, but it can come at a lower cost.

MAYRA GARCIA / THE ADVOCATE

Don’t mistreat your MEAT

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Newsline Q research

LYMPHOMA SOCIETY PLANS WALKATHON Lymphoma Society’s blood cancer research walkathon will be held on Saturday in Walnut Creek at Civic Park.

Beginning at 5 p.m., there will be food and festivities, and the twomile walk starts at 7 p.m.

Participants who raise $100 or more become a Champion for Cures and receive a lantern, T-shirt and dinner.

To register for the walk go to www.lightthenight.org/gba/register.

Q fun

LA RAZA CLUB HOSTS DIA DE LOS MUERTOS La Raza Club will host a Dia De Los Muertos Papel Picado workshop on Thursday in LA-26 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Students will be crafting decorations for a Dia De Los Muertos altar in honor of those who have passed away.

For further questions contact La Raza Club President Jeannette Martinez at 510-672-9466.

work is TEECOM,” Pyle said. “We have a budget estimate of about $1 million for the total project, but we don’t have a detailed cost estimate because the project has not been designed.”

Pyle approximated that the security cameras would be likely to arrive at CCC within four to eight months.

History major Cesar Cortes said security cameras are a necessary crime deterrent, “especially down at the parking lots and by the Bus Transfer Center,” locations where he has heard of the most occurrences of crime.

“The cameras are going to be useful. They are something we needed a long time ago,” Cortes said. “It’s kind of surprising that they’re just doing it now.”

Police Services Chief Charles Gibson agrees, referring to the security cameras as “long overdue,” as monitoring the entrances to campus has been on Police Services’ agenda for some time.

Over the course of the last few months Gibson has worked with district officials to write a district policy and procedure for the installation and monitoring of security cameras within the Contra Costa Community College District.

The policy and procedure will detail who is allowed to install and monitor security cameras, what type of technology is allowed and what signage is necessary, among other specifics.

There are currently nine total security cameras on campus monitored by Police Services; three at the Bus Transfer Center and six within the Student Services Center, Lt. Jose Oliveira said. “(The new cameras) would be

a valuable resource. They allow us to review tapes of when suspects come to campus and when they leave,” Oliveira said. “Monitoring the entrances to the campus was the logical starting point.”

The last time Oliveira was consulted about the cameras was in early September when TEECOM visited campus to survey the college’s entrances and the parking lot outside of the ELC to determine the best infrastructure for the cameras.

Oliveira said that Police Services is looking to institute more security cameras on campus in the future and that security arrangements for the still under construction Campus Center are being planned. It is likely that areas on campus with the largest volume of reported crime will be targeted, Oliveira said.

“We prioritize based on past reports and focus on areas with the most reported crime,” he said.

He said he could not independently determine the next plausible locations for security cameras on campus, as such a decision has to be made by many and garner approval from various shared governance committees.

As a districtwide service, Police Services has always had to get permission from the district Governing Board before securing funding for and erecting new security cameras.

Requests made by individual departments on a district campus have thus far been handled caseby-case by local administrators, in lieu of a districtwide policy.

Any department requesting security cameras must have the expenses approved by an administrator on a case-by-case basis, likely by the department’s dean,

Technology Systems Manager James Eyestone said.

Gibson said formation of the new policy is not the result of any formal complaints, but that developing these standards was “just the right thing to do.”

Beyond the nine security cameras at CCC monitored exclusively

by Police Services, there are an indefinite number of cameras throughout campus buildings.

Locations of some conspicuous cameras include the Bookstore, Computer Technology Center and in and around the Three Seasons Restaurant.

Within the CTC there are 16 surveillance cameras, both functioning and inactive dummy cameras that serve as crime deterrents.

Some of these cameras are imperceptible at a glance — hidden within signage and elsewhere in the CTC — and there are also two microphones to pick up audio.

Computer and communications technology professor Rick Figuera, who teaches CCT-171 Security Systems for Home and Small Business, said the cameras and other systems within the CTC were approved by administration and done in accordance with lab instruction for that class. All factors of installation — running cables, avoiding interference, positioning and mounting — were handled inlab by students, Figuera said.

“It’s no different than automotive students working on cars next door (in the Automotive Technology Center),” he said. “We do it because we have a physical place to do it at.”

The monitoring of these cameras, however, is done strictly by college administrators through a private server and not by students, he said.

Bookstore Supply Buyer Nicholas Dunn said that when criminal activity is detected in CCC’s Bookstore, he and lead Darris Crear determine what specific merchandise is missing and inspect the video footage to see if there is evidence of it being stolen.

Only after they are certain beyond doubt, Dunn said they would then contact Police Services about the incident and burn them a copy of the footage for their investigation.

Chemical engineering major Allison Pack said having additional security cameras would do well for campus safety and that it would be most cost-effective to have one group on campus monitor them, likely Police Services.

As a student who takes night classes, Pack said she appreciates the presence of police aides patrolling in their carts and that the campus is well lit. Adding the crime deterring ability of security cameras would only be a plus, she said.

“The college is a public area, so I don’t see it as a problem,” she said. “It would be a big benefit to security.”

Oliveira said, “Hallways are considered public places and students can be monitored there with no invasion of their privacy.”

Cortes recalls when he originally registered at CCC years ago for Middle College High School, he sat in with a counselor who explained every document he was signing to officially become a student. One was a waiver informing him that the college is a public place and that he is subject to being photographed or recorded while on campus. He signed.

“They have permission from us if they have our signatures on record,” Cortes said.

LGBT | Club missing from college for 20 years Continued from Page 1

Q culinary

RICHMOND CHEVY’S SETS FUNDRAISER The culinary arts department will have a fundraiser at Chevy’s located on 3101 Garrity Way in Richmond from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday.

Chevy’s will donate 20 percent of the profits made within that time window to the culinary arts department at Contra Costa College.

For further information call the culinary arts department at 510215-3878.

Q festivities

ASU TO HOLD FALL FESTIVAL BY LOT 2 Fall Festival/Club Rush is scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Tennis Courts near the Gym Annex and Lot 2.

There will be food, a live disc jockey, jumpers, a bouncy obstacle course and a costume contest, among other festivities.

For further questions contact The Associated Students Union at 510-235-7800, ext. 44871.

CrimeWatch Wednesday, Oct. 8: An officer conducted a traffic stop for a violation and it was determined the driver was driving on a suspended license. The subject was cited and the vehicle was not towed.

A student caused a disruption inside the Student Services Center.

The student was hostile and scared the staff. The student was asked to leave and he refused. The student challenged a police officer and tried to fight him. Use of force was used to overcome resistance by the student. The student was arrested and transported to the jail.

Thursday, Oct. 9: A student reported being threatened causing her to fear for her safety.

— George Morin

I came for a Degree.

I discovered my Purpose.

INTERNATIONAL Continued from Page 1 Kaigang Lin, an 18-year-old communications major, said adjusting to a different culture, especially the food, were habits he had to get comfortable with when he first arrived from China.

Lin is involved with the International Students Club as its campus activity instructor.

He said English as a Second Language classes help out in essay writing skills and give him ideas for his club that meets in LA-103 from 4 to 5 p.m. once a month.

He said the CCC campus is smaller compared to his high school in China called Changnan, but that it is a good thing.

Brothers Miguel and Rico Salvador, who are from Qatar, have family that have been located in San Pablo for more than 20 years.

Miguel, 18, said the westernized style of education they received in Asia helped them transition so easily when they decided to come to the United States and attend a community college.

He said instructors teach English out there so it made all the difference for him and his brother upon arrival.

Rico said the struggles are real, but different for everyone, and wishes he can work since international students cannot receive any type of financial aid from any association.

“We don’t just get green cards automatically,” he said. “Some of us wish we could work outside of school legally to help out with the high cost of a Californian education and making about $10 (an hour) to work on campus just doesn’t cut it.”

Berkeley

Saturday Oct. 25 10:30 a.m.

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Saturday Nov. 1 10:30 a.m.

Pleasant Hill

Saturday Nov. 8 10:30 a.m.

Attend an Open House © 2014 National University JFKU14_974

Tuesday, Oct. 14: An officer conducted a pedestrian stop by the Knox Center and it was determined the subject was in possession of drug paraphernalia. The subject appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance.

“We provide a safe area for our LGBT and it gives the chance for any of these stucommunity. Its the sort of place that lets dents to get help with any difficulties they David attributes it to something a little differ- LGBT students know that they’re not alone, may be having,” McCormick said. ent.

“I think a part of it, having grown up in ADVERTISEMENT Richmond, is that everyone is a lot ‘harder’ out here towards the LGBT community and their views. It is sort of less forgiving in a sense, if you really think about it,” David said.

While diversity is normally celebrated here on the campus located in both Richmond and San Pablo, Calif., history shows that the LGBT community has been underrepresented for some time.

Seven years ago in an article published in The Advocate, the conditions of the LGBT community at CCC and its surrounding community throughout the Bay Area and California were examined.

A total of 24 schools located all the way from Santa Rosa Junior College in the north to Mission College in the south were surveyed to see which had LGBT clubs on campus, and which did not.

The Advocate has re-examined the status of the LGBT community on campus and the lack of a voice for LGBT students here at CCC. In 2007 throughout the 24 community colleges that were surveyed, 16 of these colleges had LGBT clubs on campus and 8 did not have them. Now, seven years later, out of the same 24 campuses surveyed, 17 of them have LGBT clubs on campus and just 7 do not, adding up to a one college difference over that length of time.

CCC is still the only college in the Contra Costa Community College District without an LGBT club or organization to represent students.

The president of the QSA at DVC, Dilon McCormick, said that these clubs offer LGBT students the opportunity to receive help, who would otherwise be left to fend for themselves.

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BUSINESS I PSYCHOLOGY I HEALTH & HUMANITIES I LEGAL STUDIES An accredited nonprofit university. An Affiliate of The National University System.

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Campus police officer assaulted Two officers involved in separate altercations

BY Cody Mcfarland ASSOCIATE EDITOR

cmcfarland.theadvocate@gmail.com

A traffic stop on campus resulted in the arrest of a student for battery on a police officer on Oct. 1.

One week later, that charge found its way into Police Services’ paperwork again after a student refusing to leave the Student Services Center had to be removed by force by two officers.

“Everybody came out unscathed,” Polices Services Lt. Jose Oliveira said.

“Now everyone has to face their consequences, and the academic consequences as well.”

On Oct. 1, following multiple reports of someone driving recklessly on campus, it was observed by Officer Tim Thomas that an adult male was driving in excess of the speed limit along Library Drive near the Bookstore, and engaging in reckless activity commonly known as “peeling out,” Oliveira said.

The suspect was stopped by Thomas in Lot 10 and it was determined that the driver of the vehicle, a student of Contra Costa College, was driving on a suspended license, Oliveira said.

Prior to the student’s arrest, Thomas read him his rights and informed him that his vehicle would be towed and stored. The student struck Thomas, who immediately summoned aid from the San Pablo Police Department and Police Services, Oliveira said.

Rushing from the nearby Police Services Building, Oliveira said in under a minute of his arrival the accused was subdued and under arrest by Thomas.

The accused was then sent to the hospital to be checked for injuries, of which there were determined to be none caused by the incident, before he was sent to West County Detention Facility in Richmond, Oliveira said.

Exactly one week later on Oct. 8, charges for violation of California Penal Code Section 243 (b) battery on a police officer were filed against another adult male student, among other charges.

This occurred, Oliveira said, following multiple reports from students and college employees of a disturbance at the Financial Aid Desk in the SSC. “Cpl. Charles Hankins arrived to escort the student out of the building and the suspect physically resisted,

Incident timeline Oct. 1 Traffic stop results in arrest of student.

Oct. 8 Financial aid dispute results in resisting student being taken into custody. resulting in him being taken into custody,” Oliveira said.

Thomas was called to the scene to assist Hankins in the student’s escort out of the SSC. Oliveira said the student was acting disruptively due to “a frustration with the process” of financial aid.

As of press time Tuesday, Financial Aid Supervisor Monica Rodriguez had been repeatedly unavailable for comment and had not replied to a message left on her office answering machine by The Advocate.

Until the police reports are finalized, Thomas and Hankins are not at liberty to discuss the details of the two cases.

As lieutenant, Oliveira was able to provide the basic details surrounding these two events.

In the Student Code of Conduct section in the CCC Course Catalog, 26 Grounds for Disciplinary Action are listed and detailed. Types of disciplinary action include warning, restitution, projects and assignments, disciplinary probation, loss of privileges, removal, suspension, expulsion and, in extreme circumstances, revocation of degree or certification.

Expulsions and revocations are handled by the district Governing Board.

Disciplinary action for the two students has not yet been determined and falls under the jurisdiction of Dean of Student Services Vicki Ferguson.

Ferguson said it is her job to review the Student Code of Conduct with students in need of disciplinary action to determine the nature of their violation or violations and then help those students address such areas that need correcting.

“A lot of the time, the students I have coming in here for disciplinary action were already having a bad day before class,” Ferguson said. “Your code of conduct here is paramount to you being successful in college.”

RALLY TO END BRUTALITY HIGHLIGHTS NATIONWIDE POLITICAL ACTIVISIM Project works to put a stop to mass incarceration, racial injustice

BY Rodney Woodson

Police aide carts are normally used to provide students with rides across campus but will not be available on rainy days.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

rwoodson.theadvocate@gmail.com

FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE

Students left without ride during downpour Wet weather brings decrease in campus patrols

BY Marlene Rivas STAFF WRITER

mrivas.theadvocate@gmail.com

The police aide carts normally used to assist students with physical disabilities and increase police presence on campus will experience lapses in service in the event of rain.

The only days on which the carts are unavailable to all are rainy days, Police Services Lt. Jose Oliveira said. The carts have no windshield or anything to protect the drivers from the elements, and there is no kind of harnessing for the passengers. Along with that, the pavement is also slippery and can be hazardous, Oliveira said.

On dry days, however, it will be business as usual for student police aides at Contra Costa College.

Oliveira said he wants to dismiss the popular belief that police aides will give rides to anyone on campus.

“Obviously, there are not enough carts to go around for everyone on campus to get a lift,” Oliveira said.

The carts’ secondary use, he said, aside from providing quick transportation for police aides, is to assist students that are a part of the Disabled Students Programs and Services. DSPS students, whose physical conditions can often hinder their walk from building to building on campus, are a priority to help, he said.

Luanna Waters, who makes use of the rides when her fibromyalgia acts up, is very content with the service. She takes consideration of others who may need the service more than her, and tries to use it only when completely necessary.

Waters believes that the privilege for use of the carts should be granted to those who need it and cannot physically get themselves from place to place.

There are a few other exceptions to being given a lift by one of the police carts, Oliveira said. One of those is if a student has a temporary injury, such as a sprained ankle or broken leg. These students can without a doubt be granted a ride as well.

There can also be escorts, provided by police aides, to anyone who fears for their safety, so long as the escorted person needs to be taken somewhere on campus, such as a parking lot.

The fact that some of those escorted are transported with the police carts is purely coincidental, Oliveira said. If an aide has the cart at the moment they are needed to provide an escort, then they will go with the cart rather than on foot.

Waters says that it is great that Police Services has stepped up and helped with the disabled students that need their assistance, but there should be a more specific service, in charge of just helping the disabled students.

“Other than that, (Police Services) are really good with accommodating and attending to people,” she said.

Outside of rainy days, any other day the carts can be requested, if one meets the requirements for a ride, Oliveira said.

Students can directly connect to Police Services through use of the red emergency phones available in almost any campus building. If a red emergency phone is not readily available, one can call the Police Services Office at (510) 236-2820.

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OAKLAND — Oakland resident Joey Johnson was arrested for his participation in a peaceful protest with city residents in objection to the murder of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Mo. “It can’t be the case that black people have to go through this alone,” Johnson said referring to the latest string of young AfricanAmerican men gunned downed by aggressive police officers.

“It’s like a slow genocide gathering momentum — if it’s not stopped now, it will only get worse,” he said.

In unison with the Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization organization, co-founded by activist and author Cornel West and activist Carl Dix, Johnson and others will join the San Francisco chapter of the Stop Mass Incarceration Network in a march and rally demonstration today at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza in Oakland at 1 p.m.

SMIN is a registered nonprofit organization project of the Alliance for Global Justice.

The AFGJ supports organizations that seek global, fundamental change in economic and war conditions that leave innocent people impoverished and in danger.

On its website, SMIN states that the mission of the organization is to help put an end to police brutality and racially biased police, court and legal systems across the nation.

Frank H. Ogawa Plaza is also known as “Oscar Grant Plaza,” mostly referred to as such by protesters and activists.

Just two days after Brown’s murder, Johnson, Oscar Grant’s uncle Cephus Johnson and his wife, joined Johnson and went to Ferguson to join with the citizens in protest.

Johnson, a white male, also went to Florida in protest of Trayvon Martin’s murder shortly after the incident.

He talked about the “war on drugs,” and the “war on crime,” and how both loosely deemed law enforcement strategies were just ways to profile people of a certain race and incriminate them, murder them or put them in jail.

“People see genocide as the mass slaughter of a race of people, but they don’t often see the steps preceding,” Johnson said. “How can black people be 5 percent of the world’s population and 25 percent of the world’s prison population?

“It’s the new ‘Jim Crow,’ it’s just not based on slavery — it’s based on mass incarceration, in particularly the black and Latino inner-city youth.”

He talked about the war-like tanks and armored vehicles the Ferguson police used to disperse what he described as peaceful protesters.

Oakland resident Anita Wills had more detail regarding a close encounter with the mayhem she said took place on Chambers Road in Missouri one evening.

“The police were coming up the street toward us,” she said, “wearing riot gear, riding in tanks.

The crowd was mostly made up of younger people and they were peaceful.”

She said a police helicopter shined a bright white light on the crowd as the police on the ground steadily approach until law enforcement started the violence.

“They started lofting tear gas into the crowd then they hollered, ‘Disperse!’” she said. “Then all hell broke loose.”

D’Andre Teeter, an activist working with SMIN, said he is the Bay Area organizer for the network who was in the Navy during the Vietnam War. “We want to stop the massive amount of young AfricanAmericans and Latinos with targets on their backs being murdered by police,” he said.

“We’re going to hit this (problem) from many different angles.

We want to light a fire under the people. We want to wake up and shake up millions of people.”

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DIA DE LOS MUERTOS NEARS La Raza Club members share cultural traditions

BY Mayra Garcia STAFF WRITER

mgarcia.theadvocate@gmail.com

Gathered in the Liberal Arts Building on Thursday from 2 to 3 p.m., La Raza Club members shared thoughts and ideas for their upcoming Day of the Dead event.

Day of the Dead, most commonly known as “Dia De los Muertos,” is a Mexican holiday of remembrance and prayers to the deceased.

Jeannette Martinez, Latin American studies major and president of La Raza, said they plan to set up an altar inside the Library to honor the dead. Martinez said a display case has also been set aside for added decorations and will remain on display until Nov. 4.

Aside from the planned altar, Maria Lara, a political science major and La Raza Inter-Club Council representative, said La Raza will have a screening event titled “Feeding our Ancestors,” on A few Tuesday in LAplans 26, a film to educate La Raza further people about has to the relevance of cultural tradioffer: tions.

Martinez As part said educating people about of the Day of the Dead the culture is celebration, important. She said there are La Raza plenty who seem Club plans to set up an to have lost their culture and put altar inside aside their trathe Library ditions. to honor “It is importhe dead, tant to continue and a discultural pracplay case with added tices in order to decorations pass down the beauty of these will remain traditions,” she on display until Nov. 4. said.

Hopeful to touch the hearts La Raza of some and will also bring engagehave a ment, La Raza screening studies proevent on fessor Edgar Tuesday in Mojica said that LA-26. sometime during the screening event, students, staff and La Raza members will all be given the opportunity to recite poems.

Lara said there is also contemplation of a “Best Mole” contest.

Students and staff who sign up will be required to bring their own mole, a traditional Mexican dish that consists of many ingredients served with chicken, to be judged

by La Raza members.

Alejandro Gonzalez, history major and vice president of the club, said the contest will serve to get people together and that anyone is welcome to come eat some mole, provided there is enough for all.

In their last meeting, several La Raza members, along with help from some Puente Club members, were seen working on clay figures and “skulls made out of paper mache,” Martinez said.

Re-using materials and skulls from last year, the group has a total of about 100.

ICC representative Lara said the painted skulls, which root to traditions of indigenous people, will beautify the altar once it is set up.

“This is one of the few customs that has been fortunate enough to stick around,” she said.

Martinez said it seems like La Raza has more fire this semester.

She said the unity, energy and consistency of the club this semester is a result of schedules meeting up, and said she hopes to see more involvement of La Raza as opposed to last year.

Being part of a club not only allows one to participate but also to experience and learn about the culture, computer engineering major Ogheneyengbame Akpojiyovbi said.

A new member of La Raza, Akpojiyovbi said, “(The club) leaves me with a good mindset of family appreciation.”

There is a lot that you can learn from being part of a club, Max Rivera, physics major and La Raza’s newly positioned treasurer, said.

Rivera said he looks forward to teaching and the culture.

Future meetings will be held in LA-26.

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

Computer engineering major Ogheneyengbame Akpojiyoubui paints a paper mache skull for La Raza Club’s planned Day of the Dead event during its meeting on Thursday in LA-26.

New light installation gives students safer walking path Shadowy route now illuminated by fluorescents

BY Cody Casares ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

ccasares.theadvocate@gmail.com

New lights have been installed along the temporary walkway behind the construction area of the new Classroom Building.

Prior to the installation of the lights, the area behind the construction was dimly lit by distant lights on either end of the pathway, which raised concerns for the safety of those crossing campus at night.

“People were nervous out there,” Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said.

“Lighting is something that just makes people feel safer.”

The cost of the new lighting system was about $3,500. It was installed by Contra Costa Electric last week, King said.

Student Jose Trujillo said, “The lights help a lot. Before you just didn’t know what was out there.

I now feel safe walking around (campus) at night.”

The lights are hooked into the electrical grid on campus and are hung from the top of the chainlink fence along the walkway.

Marisela Tanori, a nursing major who was walking along the path with her son after a meeting with her professor Monday, said she had previously avoided the temporary footpath before the lights were installed because of

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Growing concerns over dim lighting at night behind the construction of the new Classroom Building led to the installation of lights located on the fence along the temporary walkway.

how dark it was there.

“It was around 8 p.m. the last time I got out of a meeting, so it was really dark. We walked (along Campus Drive) instead, but now that the lights are here I will just walk this way,” Tanori said.

“When there’s no lights, anyone could jump out at you.”

King said the lights are on a timer system that is set to have them turn on at 6:30 p.m. and turn off in the morning at 7 a.m.

Those times will be adjusted to account for the end of daylight saving time, he said.

In November, Buildings and

Grounds will walk through the campus to look for any trees that need to be trimmed to allow more ambient light to shine, and to see where lights could be installed to improve the feel, he said.

Five lights have also been installed along Campus Drive, starting at the entrance to Lot 14 and leading to the Physical Sciences Building. The plan is to provide ample lighting for anyone walking out of the PS Building or the Biological Sciences Building at night, he said.

He said that he is still receiving bids for the completion of light-

ing starting at Lot 14 to the PS Building and that Buildings and Grounds expect to have the additional lighting in place soon.

The lights can be seen from Castro Road, King said. “When I was walking down the street (Castro Road) I could see the lights up there. I was like, whoa, that’s us.”

Student Zitlali Resendiz said, “I think there’s enough light on campus now, but it does get a little creepy behind the college at night.

One time walking from class I had to use my phone to light my way.”

ERRATIC AC UNIT CAUSES DISCOMFORT Music Building AC chiller to soon be replaced

BY Lorenzo Morotti EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

Temperatures inside the recently remodeled Music Building are erratic and have caused students discomfort due to a broken air conditioning chiller module.

Music major and Guitar Club member Jesus Pastrano said the temperature in the main circular hallway has been uncomfortable when the weather outside is warm.

“When I was walking around the circle (hallway) looking for my classroom toward the beginning of the semester, it was hot as hell,” Pastrano said. “The temperature was hotter inside the building than it was outside.”

The AC chiller, which is supposed to water-cool air and distribute it through out most of the building, is past its 25 year life expectancy and needs to be replaced, Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said.

Critical Solution’s, Inc. project manager Ron Johnson said the new AC chiller is already ordered and the start date of the project is anticipated for Oct. 28. “(The replacement) may start late next week, but we plan to begin the project on Monday,” Johnson said.

Project prognostication 25 year life expectancy on 30-year-old AC system. $70,000 bid to replace unit accepted from local shop.

Projected completion date Nov. 16.

He said the installation of the new chiller will take about three weeks and should be done by mid-November, and it will not disrupt any classes on campus.

Martinez Sheet Metal, Inc., a mechanical contractor, came to inspect the old chiller and won the contract bid at $70,000, King said.

He said the AC unit is about 30 years old and its replacement should have been part of the building remodel, but it had to wait about eight months.

“The new unit will be much more energy efficient,” he said. “And it will save the college money in the long run by cutting down on our carbon footprint.”

King said the broken AC chiller,

enclosed near the footbridge in the atrium, still distributes air throughout the building, but is not water-cooled and the temperature of the air is at the mercy of the weather.

The lack of a functioning AC chiller has made areas in the building unusually warm or cold for some students.

King said he provided the small practice rooms with portable fans to help students deal with the irregular heat.

Music major Michaela Overall said she has classes in the Choir Room, M116, and the larger Piano Room. She said both of these rooms are “really cold.”

“The smaller practice rooms still get really hot,” Overall said. “To the point where you become uncomfortable and have a hard time concentrating.”

King said while the new AC unit will only fix the heat problem, it is unknown why some areas are too cold because the boiler, which provides heat to classrooms, is still working.

He said the unusually colder areas could be because different people are used to different temperatures.

Lorena Alm, music major, said M116 makes her feel like she is “frozen” when she is in class.

King said the state mandates that the temperature in any public building must be within the range of 68 to 72 degrees.

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CAMPUS PROGRAM OFFERS AID, GUIDANCE

BY Mayra Garcia STAFF WRITER

mgarcia.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Disabled Students Programs and Services Office provides the extra support needed for students with physical and psychological disabilities.

DSPS helps increase opportunities for students throughout the semester by providing guidance through programs and an array of support services.

Though DSPS offers assistance for students at Contra Costa College who need it, many students are unaware of the available help.

“A syllabus tells students where to go if they have a disability or feel they have a disability,” Richard Stollings, senior instructional aide, said. “Students do not take advantage of the information presented to them, and many times they are unaware of the aid that is out there.”

It is unfortunate that students walk into Interested the DSPS Office midin learning semester seeking help, more about he said. While workers in the DSPS do all they the Disabled can to help at any time Students in the semester, he said Programs and it would make it easier on the students if they Services? came in earlier.

Accommodating DSPS offers extra to the students’ needs support and direction is an attribute Nichole for disabled students Solis, DSPS student worker, has developed Office is located and found pleasure in inside the Student doing.

Services Center, Students often come room 109 unprepared and so it makes helping them a Open Mondaybit difficult, Solis said.

Thursday: 8 a.m.Making sure they come 4:30 p.m. in with verification of Friday: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. their disability can expedite the process, she said.

When walking into DSPS there are plenty of workers who students can talk to for assistance.

Yvonne Farr, coordinator of Supported Education Services, said, “I am always here to help ease the (burden of the) college experience.”

Farr helps students by referring them to community resources. Big on advocacy, she said she likes to help close the gaps students are dealing with and does all she can to assist them with their various personal challenges.

Only at times does Farr find herself overwhelmed.

Generally she helps students with simpler tasks.

Students can receive help registering for classes or are referred to other areas to get help, she said.

Students are constantly coming in, sometimes only looking to be heard, she said. Hearing them out is important in times of stress, she said, and by understanding their issues she can better help students figure out what exactly what they need to do to get help.

Lending a hand has been the ultimate goal for DSPS workers. In order to further provide assistance, a Behavioral Assessment team has been organized.

“Our campus is not equipped with mental health counselors,” Single Stop program Coordinator Teresa Archega said.

The team, comprised of CCC staff, teaches how to better approach the areas of professional development when handling mental health concerns, Archega said.

“We are neither specialists nor professionals,” she said, highlighting the mental health information packet commonly used as reference material while assisting students.

She said the packet serves some good in helping the team to further help students.

Biology major Andrew Almacen grinds transgenic plant samples to disrupt tissues and break up cells to detect specific proteins in the sample, during the Foundations of Biotechnology lab course on Oct. 15 in B-18.

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

Select biotech students apply for local grant funds

BY Christian Urrutia PHOTO EDITOR

currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com

An agreement between the San Pablo Economic Development Corporation and Bridge to Biotechnology is in final negotiations to financially help qualifying San Pablo residents enroll in the program.

Approved at the company’s September board meeting, the grant assistance would affect only those enrolled in the Bridge to Biotech program within the biological sciences department at Contra Costa College, San Pablo EDC manager Leslay Choy said.

Once enacted, 10 qualified students would then sign up for an account with the college Bookstore in which each student would receive a grant up to $250 for book fees and material lab fees associated with the biotechnology courses.

The grants will be available on a first come, first served basis. The first 10 San Pablo residents to apply and enroll will be eligible. Then, the Bridge to Biotech program coordinator and biotechnology professor Katherine Krolikowski will share that list with the EDC’s coordinator for verification of residency.

Once verified, the accounts will be set up, Choy said.

If there are more than 10 residents, additional applications will be placed on a waiting list in the event someone drops

out in the first two weeks.

To enroll in the program and qualify, the student must be a resident of San Pablo and commit to at least two semesters for a certificate of achievement for either laboratory assistant, consisting of 12.5 units, or biotechnology technician, which would be coursework of 17 units.

Choy said plans are being made to have the grant money in place and available sometime between Nov. 12 and 19.

Measure Q, a 2012 ballot measure that increased the sales tax and was proposed originally due to a fiscal emergency in San Pablo, provides the funding for the grant assistance.

The measure is meant to focus on services ensuring public safety, job training and youth programs in San Pablo, Choy said.

Dr. Krolikowski said a department of labor grant, the Design-It, Build-It, ShipIt initiative from the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant program sponsored Bridge to Biotech’s development.

Bridge to Biotech, a cohort-based program, is only in its second semester and Krolikowski and Choy, through the program, hope to expand job opportunities in San Pablo.

“I know that the San Pablo EDC had an interest in expanding jobs in the city and biotechnology drew interest because it is a growing industry,” Krolikowski

said.

Choy said when the EDC was looking at job training programs, they wanted to partner with CCC to build opportunity for local employment for students interested in medical and clinical roles and a quick way to start a career.

“I thought it was a great way for students to use the skills gained from this type of program and translate it into a job,” Choy said.

Pre-science, nursing, technical and transfer students seek employment in lower level lab positions once they complete the Bridge to Biotech program.

Many are urged to pursue advanced degrees for higher paying job possibilities or certified nursing and medical assistant programs.

“We want to get our students ready for these high wage jobs. Those who noticed an interest in science but did not know how to get started now have an entryway for science careers,” Krolikowski said.

Adjunct English professor Ben Jahn, who teaches the English 142B that is part of the cohort program, reveres the personalized and contextual education the biotechnology students are receiving.

“I’m teaching them English with their other courses in mind, personalizing their experience with shared vocabulary from their science classes with readings that pique that same interest,” Jahn said.

Planning of future museum brought to light, awareness

BY Jason Sykes STAFF WRITER

jsykes.theadvocate@gmail.com

Humanities professor Fritz Pointer switched up his usual class curriculum Oct. 14 to do something that could have an impact on the world.

Guest speaker Alan Dones, CEO and managing partner of Strategic Urban Development Alliance, LLC, shed light on his recent project to help develop the Ghana National Museum of Slavery in Africa.

The project involves 15 West African countries and is geared toward the preservation of many ancient artifacts, documents and the accurate interpretation of the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade.

“This is a chance for us to tell our journey,” Dones said. The museum will tell stories of the past through more than just artifacts and will include educational videos and traditional music selections.

The development of the museum is going to take about 10 years, he said, and the overall production of the entire project is estimated to cost $200 million.

Dones said actors like Danny Glover are doing voice-overs that will be telling the stories at each audiovisual station within the museum. President Obama and his family have visited the site of the museum.

Along the celebrities who are participating is the Google Earth department that is mapping out what each part of the building is going to look like. Also, the Chinese government is donating $17 million to the construction process, Dones said.

He said he wants to “educate the younger population” and wants to allow all people to know that our cultures go everywhere because they travel with us. This will be the first museum containing more

CEO and managing partner Alan Dones of Strategic Urban Land and Development speaks to professor Fritz Pointer’s AfricanAmerican Humanities class on Oct. 14 in LA103 about a potential Museum of Slavery in Ghana.

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

than just the African-American side of the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade, he said.

The museum is going to have more than the traditional facts and is going to talk about how people of all colors were brought along as well. It will even mention the European ship builders that were brought along just because they were driving. The museum would

be with us for hundreds of years, he said.

Dones’ company has been involved in many different projects such as the Oracle Arena in Oakland, among other things.

The government of Ghana approached the CEO and his company and asked him to contribute and use his skills to help develop the museum.

Although the construction of the museum will take roughly a decade, it is an important project in the making.

“There will be no wasted time,” Dones said.

It will educate everyone around the world and it makes a difference because it is in Africa, the Cradle of Life where the majority of people came from, he said.

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Unleashed

FAMOUS PLAYWRIGHT ABRIDGED FOR OPENER

BEACH GOTHS

MOVIES

This week: “John Wick” (R)

Drama takes on Shakespearean lore

“23 Blast” (PG-13) “Ouija” (PG-13)

BY Christian Urrutia PHOTO EDITOR

currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com

“1,000 Times Good Night” (NR) “Citizenfour” (NR)

BLU-RAYS

New releases: “The Purge: Anarchy” (R) “Earth to Echo” (PG) “Sex Tape” (R) “Autumn Blood” (R) “Cannibal” (R)

MUSIC SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

New releases: Foo Fighters: “Sonic Highways” Cold War Kids: “Hold My Home”

‘Chinese Fountain’ refines musical scope The Growlers’ latest album blends genres to create a unique sound that embodies a new generation of angst, love

Little Big Town: “Pain Killer” Neil Diamond: “Melody Road” Billy Idol: “King & Queens of the Underground”

GAMES

New releases: “Bayonetta 2” (M) “Shadow Warrior” (M) “Just Dance 2015” (E) “Samurai Warriors 4” (T) “Dreamfall Chapters” (T) Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.

BY Lorenzo Morotti EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

I

n its fifth album, The Growlers have managed to blend pop, beach and classic rock with underlying psychedelic and gothic influences to produce its best album yet.

Titled “Chinese Fountain,” this is the band’s most refined album. It was released on Sept. 23 by Everloving Records and has since made “Beach Goth” a viable music genre.

This latest album is the band expanding its sound into a more modern realm while not forgetting the sounds and consciousness of the 1960s culture it has been so heavily influenced by.

The title track is the third song on the album and is the most experimental.

It combines synthesizers with whiny guitar riffs and a disco-influenced bass line to create a fresh sound that it has been unable to achieve in any prior album.

The Growlers have finally reached a new threshold of sound that can influence a wider range of listeners by introducing more variety with each track.

The lyrics are slightly distorted but resonate with a new technology depen-

dent generation of millennials — a generation so lost within its egos and social media that has created a whole new set of problems with which it must cope.

“Every little kid wants a computer in his pocket/ The trophies are on the mantel of the digital prophets/ The internet is bigger than Jesus and John Lennon/ And nobody wants to know where we’re headed.”

The cheerful tempo of the chorus masks the somber lyrics that the band emphasizes, which is also highlighted throughout the entirety of the band’s newest effort.

“He drops his quarters in a Chinese fountain/ Hills scraped dry with no choice but being creative/ Everybody’s sick and tired of waiting/ Couldn’t get any harder to be patient.”

The most hopeful song is the sixth track, “Going Gets Tough.” It starts slowly with melodic guitar strumming and immediately goes into the lyrics.

“Off work in the morning/ Up at the crack of dawn/ All my money worries/ Wherever I go come along.”

It is an anthem to the every day stressors that many people have to deal

with while coming to terms with the inevitable death we are all headed toward.

“Still always remembering/ When the going gets tough/ That the labor of our love/ Will reward us soon enough.”

Love is the answer to get people through their problems is the underlying message of the track and, ultimately, the entire album.

“Rare Hearts” is the second to last song. It is the most inspirational love song on the album.

The guitar throughout the song drifts the listener down a stream of consciousness that would ultimately be too painful to think about without a melody.

“Is it too much to dream/ That we can forever be/ Rare hearts that never disagree.”

It will be difficult for the band to improve on this album due to the ambitious scope of sound it has achieved by combining thoughtful lyrics with a developed sound.

The Growlers have weaved a tapestry of sound with “Chinese Fountain” that can be admired, emulated and expanded upon by listeners and musicians for years to come.

Three actors are tackling scenes from 37 plays from the most famous bard in “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” which premiered Tuesday night and will continue each night through Saturday in the Knox Center.

Improvisation and audience participation are noted highlights in this version of the play. The first Adjunct drama play of the professor and director of the semester: play Angelina LaBarre said it was “The originally written Complete by the Reduced Works of S h a k e s p e a r e William Company and, Shakespeare when the play was (Abridged)” put together, it was opened on meant to act as a Tuesday at 8 highlight reel for p.m. people unfamiliar with Shakespeare’s Tickets for plays. students are “If you do enjoy $10 and $15 Shakespeare’s work, for non-stuthen you’ll find the dents at the inside jokes hilari- door of the ous,” LaBarre said. Knox Center.

Three actors — Stephanie Rivas, Justin Hernandez and Oz Herrera-Sobal — perform scenes from 37 plays and convey all the styles and emotions of the Shakespearian comedies and tragedies.

There is a lot of audience participation planned and part of the show is how these three actors use them or the improvisational direction they want to take and therefore makes each performance unique, LaBarre said.

“Whatever the audience brings to the table, the actors will use. So for people sitting close, they Since it is might want to anticipate being in the show just abridged, like any other show we don’t where the audience is involved or picked on,” know how she said. it is goThere is no formal plot, since each actor is ing to turn impersonating differ- out with ent characters to show the audience what each the actors play is about, so wild trying to interpretations are made while retaining make the their own real names audience a throughout the show.

Herrera-Sobal said part of it. all three actors play Carlos-Manthemselves and perform uel Chavarthe plays as fast as pos- ria, drama sible in order to keep assistant to the time limit of an professor and hour and a half while department explaining the impor- chairperson tant details of the most well known scenes.

“If you don’t know much about Shakespeare, we go into detail for you, but if you do know, then everything will make sense and the lingo makes it funnier,” Herrera-Sobal said.

He added, “It will all tie together.”

As a drama major, Herrera-Sobal is excited for his first college play despite having only two months to prepare.

Carlos-Manuel Chavarria, drama assistant professor and department chairperson, said the drama department is hoping to open with a big bang with its first play of the season.

“This play has come to draw large audiences and so I want to get all the attention of students and faculty so we can show that we have a new program, new instructor and a whole new season — we’re starting everything from scratch,” Chavarria said.

He said the play is a screwball comedy and all the plays have to be touched on in less than two hours, each introducing Shakespeare in a different way.

“Since it is abridged, we don’t know how it is going to turn out with the actors trying to make the audience a part of it,” he said.

Chavarria wants to show that the theater is not only a viewable experience, but a participatory one as well, to become part of the story and have a fun, more enjoyable time during the show.

LaBarre said the show is going to kick off the theatrical year in a fast paced, fun direction.

The performances began on Tuesday night and will happen each night until Saturday beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets will cost $10 for students and general attendees will pay $15.

“

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CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

Quilt art exhibition attracts crowd Eddie Rhodes Gallery hosts decorative tapestries, promotes artists

BY Mayra Garcia STAFF WRITER

mgarcia.theadvocate@gmail.com

“It made sense to have the separate art shows in one reception,” Eddie More, a class assistant of Contra Costa College’s ceramic classes, said during the integrated Quilt Gallery and ceramic Harvest Show get together.

Dana Davis, who is in charge of organizing art shows and is an adjunct professor in the fine and media arts department, brought Layers of Meaning, a quilt group, to display its profound variety of quilts in Eddie Rhodes Gallery in A-5 from 4 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 15.

Linda Lewis, a CCC art major, said that in order to best present the ceramic Harvest Show, she and other students took care to clear the outdoor atrium area in the center of the Art Building where the ceramic students’ art pieces are displayed.

Extra work to further enable a successful event was also needed.

More said help from members of Layers of Meaning took some time and effort off his hands. The group hung all the quilts themselves in the gallery.

Consideration of color display could not have gone unnoticed.

Fern Royce, a volunteer at Berkeley High School, said there had been attention to detail. She pointed out the bright, happier tones of quilts hung on one side of the wall as opposed to the reflected earthy colored quilts on the other side.

Also a quilting teacher at Stone

Mountain and Daughter and at New Pieces, both in Berkeley, Royce displayed knowledge of the execution needed to prepare for such an art event.

The process of selecting quilts can be tough, she said, given that every quilter must select three or four of his or her best pieces.

Displaying the pieces is an exciting feeling. Robin Halprin said some of her quilts had been displayed at the Berkeley Public Library, and that this was her first time showing work in the Eddie Rhodes Gallery.

Halprin said she enjoys the free form techniques of quilting and that her favorite is a technique called “split rail log cabin,” which is a free form of art.

Barbara Ramsey, quilting teacher at New Pieces, explained some of the different quilting techniques where she focuses on improvisational quilting. This style does not start off with a set pattern, she said, but involves freely cutting shapes.

Ramsey said the beauty of this style is enjoying the spontaneity.

Planning the whole thing quilt out beforehand isn’t as fun, she said.

After just half an hour of both shows being open, there had been many more people walking around the building paying attention to the exhibits and socializing.

Betsy Livak, retired director of graduate admissions at UC Berkeley, had been eyeing a quilt piece that had been hanging from the center of the room. “(The quilts) all share a sense of playfulness,” she

TOP: Community members look at different quilts during the Quilt Gallery exhibit reception held in the Eddie Rhodes Gallery on Thursday.

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

said. “Quilts, like any other art, can portray an artist’s emotion.”

Halprin said that quilting, unlike a painting, creates a surface that invites people to touch. It’s never behind glass, she said.

For many who took pleasure in eyeing art pieces from quilts by Layers of Meaning, being able to view something different had been a plus. Barbara Ramsey, a local nurse practitioner, found herself inside the Harvest Show.

Though Ramsey said she came to show support to her friends from Layers of Meaning, she found appreciation seeing other forms of art. Pieces from the ceramics students were interesting to view, she said.

Unaware that his ceramics piece would be displayed along the quilts gallery, ceramics student Anthony Garcia, a mechanical engineering major, said he was happy to see his lion piece up on the wall.

Finding guidance by a former

colleague, Garcia said this piece of art took him two to three weeks to complete.

Taking consideration to little details had been really important to him, but he but pointed out another piece — a sculpture of a skull with animal tusks. He said the tusks came from an idea of an elephant, which he models as strength, wisdom and knowledge.

Though one tusk had been broken and glued back on, Garcia said he never considered tossing it away.

“An artist manages to correct a mistake into something beyond beauty.”

Davis’ arrangement of the two shows, a combination of distinct art forms, left an impression on those who showed up to either one of the exhibits.

“It’s really nice and well put together. It highlights the diversity of (artists),” quilter Sandy Goldstein said.

LEFT: El Cerrito residents Sandi Goldstein (far left) and Renee Cohen look at different quilts during the Quilt Gallery exhibit reception held in the Eddie Rhodes Gallery on Thursday.

Community brings appetite, funding to culinary arts Three Seasons hosts chocolate, drink fundraiser

BY Jason Sykes STAFF WRITER

jsykes.theadvocate@gmail.com

Students, community members and their families came out to support the culinary arts and music departments during the Chocolate and Champagne fundraiser on Sunday.

The annual fundraiser was held in the Three Seasons Restaurant located on the top floor of the Applied Arts Building.

Tickets for the event were $30 at the door, but people who prepurchased their tickets received a $5 discount.

Many families decided to end their weekend with delicious desserts and elegant drinks here at Contra Costa College.

Guests had the option of sitting inside the restaurant or mingling outside while a live jazz band, comprised of CCC music students, performed. The entertainment

gave the event a lively feeling, and as one approached the restaurant the band could be heard from the parking lot.

Unlimited desserts and beverages seemed to bring the community together. Former students and local residents all came out to be a part of the event.

Culinary arts department Chairperson Nader Sharkes said the event almost always draws at least 100 or more customers. He said this year they attracted nearly 150 attendees.

Students crafted 25 different types of desserts, Sharkes said.

Attendees walked through the kitchen and surveyed each table, sampling the desserts and pastries as they did. The culinary students prepared large amounts of each of the culinary treats, in preparation for the all-you-can-eat advertising.

Visitor Kenny Alvarado said he was “very much impressed” with the treats and he would definitely come back to another culinarysponsored event.

“Food, wine and music is a good combination,” Sharkes said.

A chocolate fountain, a staple of chocolate-themed fantasies, was

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

Culinary arts student Fatimah Hanif (right) serves Richmond resident Sandra Tramiel chocolate cake with blackberries and strawberries during the annual Chocolate and Champagne fundraiser held in the Three Seasons Restaurant on Sunday.

also present at the Three Seasons Restaurant on Sunday. The fountain attracted more attention than any of the other desserts.

Former culinary arts student Kendra Tramiel said that she enjoyed the wine selection.

During the event, a raffle was held for the guests. Sharkes raffled

off a prize every half hour to an hour up until about 2 p.m. The jazz band also played until 2 p.m.

Sharkes said the event is a “long term investment.” The vendors and the culinary department have a close relationship with one another.

“Vendors get promotional ben-

efits and love to do it,” Sharkes said.

Representative from the Rock Mall wine company Phaedra Burnett said, “Our wine makers want to support our community.”

The proceeds from the Chocolate and Champagne event go directly to student scholarships.

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TEAM EDGES MARIN IN SHUTOUT Mariners defense capsizes under offensive pressure

COMETS

1 0

MARINERS

BY Lorenzo Morotti

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

KENTFIELD — The Comets smuggled a win out of the College of Marin after scoring a lone goal and containing a frantic Mariner offensive during the final minutes of play on Friday.

Contra Costa College (7-51 overall, 4-2 in the Bay Valley Conference) controlled the quick momentum of the first half but could not finish any of its six shots on goal.

The Mariners were out-shot 3 to 1 by halftime and accumulated six fouls to CCC’s four in a physical battle for possession.

College of Marin’s (5-4-4 overall, 3-3 in the BVC) positioning and pressure in its defensive third made it difficult for the Comets’ attacking players to find themselves in enough space for a clear shot on goal.

The game-winning set piece, however, was not prompted until late in the second half when a Mariner fouled Comet midfielder Rafael Torres 35 yards out from goal in left field.

Comet centerback Bradley Alman said, “(COM) didn’t know that we have guys on the team that will make you pay for giving away too many free kicks and we proved that today.”

At 78 minutes, left back Jesus Villagrana set up to take the resulting free kick and delivered an aerial pass toward the far post.

Villagrana said, “I always look for (Alman) because he usually wins the header.”

Alman leapt above two Mariner defenders to header the ball back into the center of the penalty area to assist Navas, who was unmarked by the COM defenders.

“I backed up into the guy behind me and gave the guy in front of me a little shove so I had enough room,” Alman said. “I tried to header (the ball) somewhere in the (penalty area) where I thought someone would be and just so happened that (Navas) was there.”

Navas struck the ball with the inseam of his right foot on a volley from 18 yards out to curve it just out of the Mariner goalkeeper Will Finnie’s reach and into the top right corner of the goal.

The Mariner coach Swap Mushiana said, “We were a bit stretched defensively later in the second half and frustration set in.

I told them to watch the fouls but when you’re chasing the game and spread so thin, it’s hard not to (foul).”

By the end of the game, CCC had 11 fouls and was awarded three yellow cards, while the Mariners 17 and two, respectively.

In the first half, substitute Comet striker Bryan Santos saw a collided with Finnie During the first 15 minutes of the second half, COM produced three goal opportunities. More than it managed to create during the entire first half but were either blocked by substitute goalkeeper Jose Ayala or simply off target.

The Mariners best chance to score came at 50 minutes when they were awarded a foul roughly 30 yards out from goal during a quick counter attack down the left center of the field.

COM striker Jose Martinez took the free kick and rifled a low shot under the wall that was on target but he was denied by the far post and ricocheted out of bounds for a goal kick.

When CCC held the majority of possession, the first half and toward the end of the second, it was when it stretched out the Mariners form through fluid passing plays along the wings.

The Comets short give and go passes, which would explode into long filtered passes into the final third, produced six corner kicks to COM’s two by the final whistle.

Mushiana said his team held more possession of the ball during the second half and did well to slow down the flow of play but lost focus as the game progressed.

He said frustration began to create a sense of panic when the Mariners were unable to break the Comet defensive backline when they were down 1-0 with only about 10 minutes left and ceded too many turnovers.

Comet Coach Nikki Ferguson said, “We needed (a win) and we got it, that’s all that matters.”

Comet winger Missael Hernandez slide tackles the ball during CCC’s 1-0 win over the Mariners at College of Marin on Friday.

QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

Diverse campus offers comfort to 17-year-old soccer player Personal pride, individualism motivates athlete

BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

Being a new face in a new school is a challenge for any student.

But 17-year-old Comet defender Taheerah Brewer is comfortable knowing there are not many people like her.

Brewer was born in Vallejo but was raised in Oakland. Home schooled by her mother, her family also realized peer interaction was important for healthy development.

By the time she was 10 years old, she had tried out for some of the popular sports.

“I tried basketball, baseball, nothing really grabbed me,” Brewer said. “I liked soccer, so since then it’s been family first, then soccer.”

The game has been with her for most of her life. Since her days on the little Giants soccer squad, Brewer has enjoyed many winning seasons.

“I’m not used to seeing our team lose,” Brewer’s mother, Amelah ElAmin, said of the 1-12 Comets. “I just need to see one goal — just one.”

Brewer’s late addition to the team, and insertion into the starting lineup happened smoothly with no internal problems.

“The team gets together really good, and I just want to help us get better,” Brewer said. “Sometimes

QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

Comet defender Taheerah Brewer has had a passion for soccer since a young age. Brewer has been a key element in the style of play for the women’s soccer team.

we trust each other more off of the field than we do on it.”

The forward prides herself on the uniqueness of her personal style, and her upbringing.

Brewer was raised Muslim.

She, as well as the other women in her family, cover their hair and skin in public. They can also opt to cover by wearing a hijab, when around men not in their immediate family.

Brewer thought long and hard about which college would make her transition the most enjoyable.

The diverse range of students

here at Contra Costa College make the day-to-day activities of college normal — as normal for a African-American soccer player in a hijab could be.

People think that covered students are only yielding to their parents wishes, she said.

Brewer knows it represents modesty, respectability and, on top of that, dedication.

“It gets hot,” Brewer said of playing while covered. “I wear it when we play in the rain too, but it doesn’t get heavy or anything.”

She said people look, but I

never have any problems at CCC. Last year before a soccer game the referee delayed the game for 30 minutes so he could look through the rulebook to find any reason not to allow me to play.

“There was no rule. I had been playing for years and all of that year.” She said he was just a racist, hateful old man.

The defender has simultaneously brought youth and experience to the Comet squad.

The women’s soccer team will face off against Folsom Lake College at home on Friday.

SQUAD STAVES OFF SWEEP, STILL LOSES Lack of focus, costly errors generate loss

MARINERS DEFEAT COMETS

25-9, 25-11, 21-25, 25-21

BY Jason Sykes STAFF WRITER

jsykes.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Comets continued to struggle in Bay Valley Conference play as they lost to the Mariners at the College of Marin (5-9 overall, 3-4 in the BVC) on Wednesday.

Contra Costa College (3-9 overall, 1-6 in the BVC) is now on a three-game losing streak after the Mariners beat them 3-1 by scores of 25-9, 25-11, 21-25 and 25-21.

The trend of slow starts continued as the Mariners took advantage of the sloppy play during the first two sets of the contest.

Marin abused the Comet defense and dominated them in the first set by winning 25-9.

The CCC attack was nonexistent during the first set, only scoring nine points.

“We were unfocused and carelessly not getting into our position on time,” Comet outside hitter Kailey Walker said.

Comet coach Zachary Shrieve said

the team made too many mistakes that they were unable to correct.

COM played well and controlled the game in the early parts of the match.

Mistakes have been a bad habit that CCC cannot shake off. Early mistakes forced the Comets to play from behind for most of the game.

COM kept CCC off balance the whole match. The Comets had 19 errors, compared to the Mariners’ 16. COM out scored the Comets by 17 points.

The sporadic and inconsistent play of the Comets allowed the Mariners to take a commanding 2-0 lead.

After the first two sets it was clear that mounting errors would block the Comets’ path to victory.

CCC lacked the energy it needed to be able to compete in the opening sets of the contest.

“We have to avoid slow starts and can’t making these minor mistakes,” Shrieve said.

The Comets began to play harder after falling behind 2-0 and played more competitively at the start of the third set.

They cut down the number of turnovers and played a much cleaner game that allowed the team to play with more

continuity, offensively and defensively.

Shrieve said the squad started playing better as the game progressed. The Mariners’ defense momentarily could not find an answer for the offensive firepower of the Comets.

Comet setter Richelle Ledesma said, “Shrieve talks to us, and he reminds us that we were the underdogs. We were in the same situation last year, and came back and won it.”

Outside hitters Walker and Rachelle Cuevas led the team offensively in the game. Walker with 13 kills and Cuevas had 10 of her own as well.

Their late offensive surge could not overcome the attack of the Mariner offense on display throughout the entire game.

The Comets would go on to lose in an intense final set. COM’s defense seemed to be too much for the Comet offense to breakdown so late in the game.

The team could not find the gaps in the Mariners’ player positioning as they were digging out a lot of the CCC kill attempts.

The Comets next conference match will be at Yuba College in Marysville today at 6 p.m.

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“

11

We are coming together as a unit. We put in a lot of work on our own time — on nonpractice days, so we could come in here and make plays.” — Harold Holcombe III, Comet running back

COMETS

48 21

Comet running back Harold Holcombe III charges up field during CCC’s 48-21 win against Yuba College at Comet Stadium on Saturday.

49ERS

QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

COMETS STILL UNBEATEN IN PAC-7 Football squad set defensive tone early

BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Comet football team returned from its bye week to successfully extend a three-game winning streak, knocking off Yuba College (3-3 overall, 2-1 in the Pacific 7 Conference) 4821 Saturday afternoon at Comet Stadium.

Contra Costa College (5-1 overall, 2-0 in the Pacific 7) made good use of the week off, dialing up the offensive intensity, while working to reduce costly penalties that have plagued the team this season.

“I brought the wood to our team over the bye week. We challenged and disciplined them,” CCC coach Alonzo Carter said. “These guys have pride, and studying film makes players own their mistakes and take them more seriously.”

Discipline will be important as the team takes an overnight road trip to face the College of the Redwoods (2-4 overall, 1-2 in the Pacific 7) Saturday in Eureka at 1 p.m.

The defense set the tone against Yuba on Saturday, giving up only six yards to the 49ers in their first offensive series, forcing a punt and giving the offense a chance to make its presence felt early.

CCC quarterback Jonathan Banks’ first pass hung receiver Frank Stephens out to dry, leaving the receiver exposed to a hit that knocked the wind out of him.

After catching his breath, Stephens left the field under his own power.

The early pressure was too much for the 49ers. The Yuba defensive line was baited into an offside call (on fourth down) that eventually led to a CCC running back Harold Holcombe III touchdown for the game’s first score at 11:05 in the first quarter.

Comet defender DeOnte Reynolds stuffed the run and con-

trolled the line early. A defensive missed assignment in the CCC secondary allowed Yuba quarterback DaTwon Melvin to connect on a 63-yard strike. Setting up a short TD pass to Dylan Campbell, tying the score 7-7.

On the next Yuba offensive possession, running back Joseph Thurman played hot potato with the short pitch, fumbling the ball directly into the hands of defensive lineman Clarence Corbin. Corbin galloped into the end zone for the Comets’ first defensive score of the game.

The 49ers struck gold again quickly, completing a 67-yard touchdown pass, cutting the CCC lead to three at 17-14.

From the time Yuba scored, until 4:28 in the second quarter the teams exchanged punts. The 49ers even used its quarterback to punt in hopes of catching the CCC defense off guard. The punt-fest ended with Fonseca connecting on a short field goal with 4:28 remaining in the second quarter.

CCC’s defense smothered the 49er offensive efforts. A near interception saw defenders SirDevonta Stewart, Demarius Brison and Greg Chuks participate in an unsuccessful tip drill where all three had their hands on the ball, but none came away with the pick.

The ensuing 49er punt was blocked by Comet Lynn Simmons then returned for a TD by Jackson Finch.

Another Yuba punt, coupled with another 39-yard burst up the middle by Holcombe III, allowed Banks just enough time (9.1 seconds) to hook up with receiver Stephens to make the score 34-14 at halftime.

“We are coming together as a unit,” Holcombe III said. “We put in a lot of work on our own timeon non-practice days, so we could come in here and make plays.”

QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

Yuba forced a CCC punt in the first series of the half. They rode the defensive momentum to a 15play 81-yard scoring drive, punctuated by a two-yard TD, — the 49ers’ final score of the day.

With Yuba focused on Holcombe III, Banks orchestrated his best drive of the season. He scrambled for two first downs and spread the ball around to three different receivers, eventually connecting with Raquan Jones for a 19-yard touchdown reception.

“We set high goals for ourselves this week, rushing, passing and especially taking advantage of scoring opportunities,” Banks said.

The Comet defense ate every offensive plan the 49ers placed on the table. Even when a shin contusion caused Banks to fumble, the defense saw it as an opportunity to put an exclamation point on the game.

Yuba recovered the fumble in prime scoring position. A sputtering running game left no other option but going through the air. A 49er fourth down pass attempt was intercepted and returned 75 yards to the 23-yard line, giving CCC another opportunity to score.

Comet quarterback Emmanuel Williams came in to close the game out and threw an interception with his first pass attempt.

But the quarterback atoned for his mistake after another strong CCC defensive stand. Receiver Raenard McPhee gave a double move to Yuba defender Anthony Dugas, leaving the receiver all alone in the end zone to catch the afternoon’s final touchdown from Williams.

“Sometimes how you win games is important,” Carter said.

“You want to be able to peak at the right time.”

Comet defensive back Lavon Washington holds onto a 49ers receiver’s leg during CCC’s 48-21 win against Yuba College at Comet Stadium on Saturday.

Overcoming obstacles a driving force to success Avila stays dedicated, positive while inspiring others socially, mentally

BY Jason Sykes STAFF WRITER

jsykes.theadvocate@gmail.com

Some people have a knack for overcoming obstacles and using life experiences as motivation to get better.

While living in the United States for only three years, Valeria Avila has wasted no time beginning her quest for success in academia and sports at Contra Costa College.

Nineteen-year-old Avila plays middle-backer for the Comet volleyball team while also studying to become a mechanical engineer.

Avila represents the ability everyone has to thrive in almost any environment, and her determination toward success and accomplishing goals is the definition of what a student-athlete should be.

Originally from Mexico, she enrolled at Hercules High School as a junior soon after arriving to California.

Facing culture shock, adapting to the lifestyle of the United States was a welcomed challenge. During her transition she noticed the opportunities that are provided and quickly began taking advantage of them.

“Energetic, studious and hardwork-

ing” are words Avila used to describe herself.

On the court, her enthusiasm along with her spirited play is contagious and spreads throughout the team.

“Valeria is easy to teach and she’s willing to learn,” CCC assistant volleyball coach Christy Tianero said.

She belongs to four campus organizations and clubs — serving as president of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, an outreach ambassador for the Educated 4 Fair Consideration, a stem ambassador to the Adelante program which focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and as a member of the ASU. Even with such a full plate she is still able to maintain an impressive 4.0 GPA. Avila aspires to transfer to UC Berkeley or a private school when she continues her education beyond CCC. As an active member of so many academic groups, Avila comes in contact with people from all walks of life, but she still says her biggest influences in her life are her parents “My parents have always pushed education,” Avila said.

It’s not hard to see why she is always on top of her schoolwork and takes

every opportunity she can to further her education in pursuit of achieving her goals.

Avila’s hardworking mentality does not go unrecognized. Teammate Rachelle Cuevas said, “She inspires me because she’s an athlete, student and a part of other things.”

Avila works with Spanish and English speaking families through the E4TC to discuss new legislation, financial aid, and in special circumstances she refers families to legal council.

On the court, Avila said she plans to make her final season as part of the Comet volleyball team a memorable one. Her main goal for this season is to have as much fun as possible. She said the team’s chemistry is growing from practice-to-practice.

“She’s has a positive personality and is a supportive teammate,” volleyball coach Zachary Shrieve said. He said Avila carries a positive aura around her that makes people gravitate toward her.

Beneath Avila’s infectious smile and bubbly personality hides a fierce competitor that reveals itself at gametime.

Playing on a team with a short roster leaves plenty of room for high motor players to be influential at many differ-

ent positions.

Juggling different responsibilities can be an overwhelming task for the average student, but Avila is doing a good job of balancing all of her duties.

Her teammates also Avila enjoy being around her because she is an She belongs to easygoing person.

First-year teammate four camMicaela Zaragoza-Soto pus organisaid that Avila encour- zations aged her to become and clubs, more involved with plays for the volleyball team. the volleyAvila said that the ball team thing she noticed most and mainabout the transition tains a 4.0 from high school vol- GPA. leyball to the college game is that it is more competitive and less drama-filled.

Avila is on track to achieve her academic goals, and helping others in need of support along the way is an added bonus.

The volleyball team returns to action today at Yuba College at 6 p.m.

12

campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 10.22.2014 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

“

I would definitely come again. It is not only students who can benefit from meditating. It can help just about anyone.” — Genelle Perez, student

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Workshops held to alleviate stressors Students invited to STEM, METAS event to help deal with issues

BY Marlene Rivas STAFF WRITER

mrivas.theadvocate@gmail.com

Stress is something everyone experiences throughout his or her life.

Students at Contra Costa College are being offered a chance to shed some of life’s stress via a series of mediation workshops, hosted by the STEM grant and METAS program Manager Mayra Padilla One such workshop was held Thursday in the Liberal Arts Building from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

Those present formed a semicircle and were instructed on meditation techniques from a sitting position.

Students were instructed to straighten up, close their eyes and relax, while focusing on breathing. Dr. Padilla said there is a great positive effect to be taken from meditation.

During the workshop, Padilla talked about the benefits of mediation, which include stress relief and a deeper observation of one’s thoughts.

There is much that goes on outside of school that may interfere with focus and even promote anxiety.

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Lalina Binaley, who said she recently lost a close family member, said that she enjoyed the workshop because she was able to relax rather than go through the anxiety usually brought on by class.

Padilla said mediation also leads to more awareness of the body and any problems it may be having that go unnoticed throughout the day.

Padilla said she saw the relationship between mediation and brain development while working on her degree in behavioral neuroscience.

She said she has received experience from Stanford’s Center

for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, and various other institutions, in meditation.

She said something as simple as breathing properly can be better taught through meditation. Padilla said meditation and academics go hand-in-hand.

She said meditation can bring about better grades and, with practiced and controlled breathing, students can learn to be more relaxed before and during tests.

Student Genelle Perez said the workshop relaxed her and brought her to a place of peace. “I would

definitely come again,” Perez said.

“It is not only students who can benefit from meditating. It can help just about anyone.”

During the workshop, Padilla explained how meditation is being used to help all kinds of people to calm anxiety and relieve stress, as well as self-control.

Through the self-awareness created by meditation, one can gain more control over automatic reactions, she said. Creating a pause between an instinct and action can help to avoid being in unwanted situations.

The Stanford Research Institute is using meditation as therapy for those who have struggled with substance abuse, suffered trauma or have damage their frontal lobes, she said. Meditation is also being used by young men in maximum prison facilities.

There will be more upcoming sessions throughout the semester to experience different kinds of meditation.

Padilla said she wants people to find which mediation techniques work best for them so they may use it to their full advantage.

She said she hopes students will continue to find relief and help through her workshops.

department chairman engages students with theater

BY Lorenzo Morotti EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

The new drama department chairperson at Contra Costa College has been passionate about the art of acting and theater ever since he was a young boy living in Mexico.

Carlos-Manuel Chavarria began working in his new position as the department chairperson in August. His brother, Arturo Anaya, who is seven years younger, remembers a time where his older brother showed his commitment to theater during a play at his junior high school in Cojumatlan, Michoacan.

He was playing the part of a lonely child who was spoiled because he had no brothers or sisters, Anaya said.

During the performance, a child from the audience hoisted himself onto the stage and began to play with the props that were supposed to be Chavarria’s character’s toys.

“When he saw the boy touch his toys, he jumped up but stayed in character,” Anaya said. His brother was only playing a part, but he made the boy cry when he told him that he could not play with his toys.

To diffuse the situation, Chavarria and the other actors apologized to the boy immediately and told him it was all a part of the show, which seemed to satisfy the young impromptu actor who now felt he, too, was part of the magic of theater.

“This made the mothers in the crowd burst

LEFT: STEM grant and METAS program Manager Mayra Padilla speaks of the benefits of meditation during a workshop held in LA-202 on Thursday.

Drama department Chairperson CarlosManuel Chavarria teaches a recent Theatre Appreciation class.

Chavarria has had a passion for theater ever since he was a child.

New chairperson teaches through passionate acting Drama

TOP: STEM grant and METAS program Manager Mayra Padilla leads a meditation session during a workshop held in LA-202 on Thursday.

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

into laughter. I knew then that he was going to be good as an actor,” Anaya said.

Chavarria said, “Acting and theater have always been a part of me.”

Chavarria moved to Stockton, Calif. from Mexico with his family in 1984 and graduated from a local high school in the city.

After receiving his master of fine arts degree in playwriting and screenwriting in 2007, he did a graduate assistantship at Arizona State University.

He went on to be an adjunct theater professor at San Joaquin Delta College and a full-time professor at Bellarmine University in Kentucky.

Since 2010, he has also had three books published that discuss his experiences being a Chicano male coping with the struggles of being an openly gay immigrant in an unwelcoming society.

He said CCC is the perfect fit for him to be able to put on the multi-cultural plays he was unable to do at Bellarmine because of the lack of cultural diversity among students.

Chavarria said he plans to put on plays that

cater to Caucasian, Latino, Asian-American and African-American actors who are trying to pursue dreams of theater just as he did.

“There is a community here at CCC to put on the plays I never could do anywhere else and I hope they come to fruition,” he said.

La Raza studies professor Agustin Palacios said, “(Chavarria) will be a great addition to the campus. He brings a lot of experience and seems to be excited and energetic to get to work.”

Palacios said he and Chavarria have begun talks about collaborating with La Raza and the drama department to create a Chicano Literature course next semester.

“I’m very excited for this next endeavor,” Chavarria said. “It’s nice to have a theater for young people so we can cultivate interest in acting at a young age.”

His directorial debut at CCC, a production of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf,” will grace the Knox Center toward the end of November.