The Advocate 10-23 by The Advocate

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WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013 ACCENTADVOCATE.COM

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

WE R EADY ? X T HE

H AYWAR D

FAULT

Law allows student fee to increase

AB 1358 mandates funding for college lobbyist organization By Brian Boyle NEWS EDITOR

bboyle.theadvocate@gmail.com

Legend Hayward Fault Trace faults AlquistPriolo zone

PTREPAREDNESS hursday marked the 24-year anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake. The Advocate examines the effects of the 6.9 magnitude temblor that rocked the Bay Area in 1989 and investigates Contra Costa College’s preparedness for a similar disaster on the Hayward Fault that some say is overdue. That fault line, considered by experts to be the most dangerous in the nation, runs directly through the 58-year-old campus. Student, staff and faculty safety is in the hands of clear communication and active preparations that could save lives in the wake of a catastrophe.

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD B1

B4-B5

Memoirs

Planning

Recollecting the devastating impact of the disaster that sent the Bay Area ground shaking

Buildings in need of maintenance, retrofits. Foundation of some buildings not sturdy, strong

Advice

Information about what to do before, during, after a possible disaster broken down into detail

The California Legislature passed, and on Oct. 10 Gov. Jerry Brown signed, Assembly Bill 1358, which gives individual student governments the ability to increase their college’s student representation fee. The old law allowed for student governments to hold elections that require two-thirds of students participating to vote in favor of a $1 student representation before “We want fee, it could be people to implementbe able to ed.U n d e r vote for AB 1358, govtheir repre- student ernments sentatives. can now hold elecStudents tions for a $2 student will not represenhave con- tation fee. trol where The new law only money requires goes, and am a jsimple ority that just is (one more 50 not demo- than percent) to cratic.” pass. The extra dollar will then be Curt Hagman, California assembly- donated to man the Student Senate for California Community Colleges. The SSCCC is an organization whose goal is to represent community college students’ interests at the state level. They have, in the past, opposed student fee increases. SSCCC President Rich Copenhagen said, “The SSCCC opposes enrollment and other service-related fee increases that provide for services which we believe should be subsidized by the state.” Copenhagen justified the SSCCC’s sponsorship of AB 1358 by saying the board of the SSCCC does not believe student representation is something the state should subsidize.

Copenhagen said the SSCCC approached Assemblyman Paul Fong (D-Cupertino), who sponsored the bill in the Legislature. Fong said, “With a sustainable funding source, community college students will have a greater presence in advocacy, similar to their counterparts at the UC and CSU levels.” T h e California Community College Board of Governors has recognized the SSCCC as the body that Condori represents c o m m u n i t y ASU college stu- President dents state- Condori wide, Fong does not said. Echoing support the F o n g ’ s additional c o m m e n t s , $1 student Copenhagen represensaid that the tation fee SSCCC is cur- allowed by rently named AB 1358. in Title 5 as the organization that represents the students of the California Community College system. An uncalled The bill for fee passed the AB 1358 Legislature increases the by a vote of $1 student 48-29, with representation one mem- fee to $2 at ber of the colleges that A s s e m b l y adopt the new absent for the law. vote. The bill was not without its critics. Assemblyman Curt Hagman (R-Chino Hills), who voted against the AB 1358, said he opposed it mainly due to the lower percentage of votes needed to pass the fee. “It’s trying to unionize our students,” Hagman said. “There’s a big wave to bring (elections for) fee increases down to a simple majority. The

edit orial

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Q SEE AB 1358: Page 3

Forum details city’s eminent domain plan By Jeff Baker STAFF WRITER

jbaker.theadvocate@gmail.com

The mayor of Richmond addressed students and local citizens in the Eminent Domain Forum on Oct. 16 in LA-100, explaining how the city would like to use “eminent domain” to prevent further foreclosures in Richmond. Steven Gluckstern of the Mortgage Resolution Partners firm joined Mayor Gayle McLaughlin in the co-address. “Eminent domain and its processes are just the tail end of the dog. The real story is how to fix the situation middle class families are in,” Gluckstern said.

He said mortgages in America make up a $10 trillion business. In the last six years of the country’s mortgage crisis, more than 10 million families have been badly affected. As much as 40 percent of American household wealth has been lost, according to similar reports. The proportional loss is even greater for Latinos and African-Americans who were “targeted with bad loans,” Gluckstern said. Richmond, a “majority minority” city where Latinos, African Americans, Asians and other minorities comprise over 75 percent of the population, has just over 106,000 residents. Gluckstern’s figure on houseQ SEE FORUM: Page 3

In detail — Mortgage Resolution Partners firm consultant Steven Gluckstern explains eminent domain to students and local residents in LA-100 on Oct. 16. GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

CMYK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

ASU forum analyzes seizing private property from local residents

CMYK

A2 THE ADVOCATE Quotable “We overcover the obvious and undercover the difficult. And there is a tendency to substitute easy cynicism for hard reporting.” Gerald F. Seilb deputy bureau chief, The Wall Street Journal 1997 George Morin editor-in-chief Rodney Woodson Cody McFarland associate editors Brian Boyle news editor

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013 VOL. 101, NO. 8 L

Editorial

Fee ironic, moronic Law to increase fee to $2 not necessary

Jared Amdahl opinion editor Mike Thomas sports editor Veronica Santos Heather Wallin scene editors Qing Huang Christian Urrutia photo editors Janae Harris assistant photo editor Lorenzo Morotti editorial cartoonist Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Jeff Baker Jose Jimenez Ryan Margason Jamah Butler Evelyn Vazquez Stephen Son Marci Suela Anna Madoshi Staff photographers Camelia Dillard Staff illustrators Joel Ode 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 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Member Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us Phone: 510.235.7800 ext. 4315 Fax: 510.235.NEWS Email: advocate@ contracosta.edu or letters.advocate@ gmail.com Editorial policy Columns and editorial cartoons are the opinion of individual writers and artists and not that of The Advocate. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of student editors.

OPINION

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013

ssembly Bill 1358, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Oct. 10, allows community college student governments up and down California to increase student representation fees from $1 to $2, and lower the voting threshold student governments need to increase the fee. The law also requires that the extra money generated by the fee be donated to an outside organization, meant to represent student concerns at the state level. The organization chosen to receive the funds is the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC), a group that opposes student fee increases, but sponsored the creation of AB 1358. The bill lowers the voting threshold needed to enact the fee at any given community college campus by lowering the percentage of votes needed to pass it. It is apparent that the bill is little more than an attempt to sneak the fee past unsuspecting students. Prior to the signing of AB 1358, student governments in California were allowed to hold elections to enact a $1 student representation fee, which can be used by the Associated Students Union of each college. The old law required that 66 percent of students participating in the election vote “yes” for the fee to be enacted. AB 1358 makes several changes to the law. Under the new law, only a simple majority (one more vote than 50 percent) of students participating need to vote “yes” in order to enact the fee. The law still requires that students vote in order to enact the fee. But by requiring fewer votes than before for the increase to be enacted, it is hard to see it as anything more than the SSCCC attempting to rip money from the hands of the students they claim to represent. Contra Costa College ASU President Ysrael Condori said, “The SSCCC supporting AB 1358 contradicts their message of opposing fee increases.” Condori said he believes the SSCCC’s support for the bill stems from its desire for a new office, or office building. The SSCCC wants to represent community college students in the same fashion students at UCs and CSUs receive statewide representation. The SSCCC claims to represent student interests to state officials. It is supposed to lobby politicians to pass bills that address the concerns of students. However, AB 1358 is little more than them representing their own interests. Funding may be required to accomplish the SSCCC’s goal, but an attempt to sneak extra money out of the pockets of their constituents is a despicable means of obtaining it. Without any control over who the members of the SSCCC are, no CCC student should donate a cent to the socalled “student representation” group.

LORENZO MOROTTI / THE ADVOCATE

N Laziness

Procrastination leads to self-realization

have a horrible time dealing with procrastination. The daunting task of starting something, even if it may be unimportant, motivates me enough to drive it away from my attention and place it aside for later. Considering how silly and unproductive this is, why would anyone practice such a lazy habit? Simply said, it is just way too easy to shrug things off. Neglecting homework or putting aside paperwork from a job requires no effort, compared to finishing a challenging or complicated task. Primarily, technological distractions nowadays pave the way for procrastination for many young people. Never before has there been a time where everywhere we turn we find ourselves looking at a technological device that can help us take part in any endeavor we choose. But this leads to an almost non-existent attention span, aside from actual attention deficiencies that many children or young teenagers encounter, whether it is diagnosed or not. Thankfully I never needed medication for concentration and focus, but still find myself easily distracted enough at times. My procrastination tendencies grew after my sophomore year in high school when I had transferred to Vista High School in Richmond, where students are only required to show up to school a couple times a week. Having a drastically

a paper. Feelings of guilt and disappointment slowly prevented me from stealing someone else’s work as I furthered my academic career — but the damage was already done. Every time I would begin a writing assignment I felt shortened but personalized frustrated at the lack of creexperience with my teacher ativity my mind came up allowed for more avenues with and was tempted to in which I could put off an revert back to my old ways. assignment. Nonetheless, By showing that I I am at a point was caught up with It does where my writwork and understanding process does ing the content I connot matter not need someone vinced my teachers else’s ideas, but to give me extra time what requires more in order to complete time to formulate everything else. my own original No matter how subject ones. far I got behind in Now that it schoolwork, I had it is, I takes longer to made up electives write I often feel here at Contra Costa College through con- procrastinate inspired to read something unrecurrent enrollment, the same lated or check so I felt I could lose unnecessary a grade and remain items such as comfortable academi- with it. bank accounts or cally. emails as I am trying to do As much as I took away from Vista High, I picked up homework. It does not matter what an annoying habit of doing everything at the last minute. subject it is, I procrastinate the same with it. The leniency I developed Ultimately this slows my from not completing work on work rate and my transcript time turned into plagiarism has suffered for it. that had gone on unchecked Either way, starting things into my first couple years is often times the hardest after graduation. obstacle to overcome for My excuse was that no many dealing with procrasone would find out in my tination and is one task I’m homework assignments if I trying to improve. could mask it well enough with my own writing. Christian Urrutia is It started out light with a photo editor of The copying some sentences Advocate. Contact him at here and there, but changed entirely to where it consisted currutia.theadvocate@gmail. com. of one or two paragraphs of

christianurrutia

CampusComment

Should the ASU increase the student representation fee from $1 to $2?

“If it betters the campus then it’s OK. I would like to know where the money is going or would want to be informed.”

“If they have reasonable cause for the increase than they should if its something that’s beneficial to the students as a whole.”

Yesenias Panuco

Valencia Webster

nursing

“They should for one reason — because they carry a lot of responsibilities and have to make sacrifices. So the more money the better.”

“I think it would just stay the same for me and I do not think they do much for the school. But also I am not that involved here to begin with.”

“Not unless it would significantly improve or increase the quality of work that they are doing. I do not believe we should pay them anymore money.”

Elisha Grimsley

Maria Ferreyra

Andrew Castro

business CHRISTIAN URRUTIA AND JANAE HARRIS / THE ADVOCATE

nursing

business

“I do not care that much. It is only a dollar so I do not really mind.” Sofia Esparza liberal arts

CAMPUS BEAT Follow The Advocate

Newsline Q CITATIONS

Tickets can be challenged Students can have their parking citations that have been issued on campus appealed by picking up a citation appeal request form from Police Services. On the form, students must give a brief description of why they would like to appeal the citation. Do not send any money with the request to appeal. Include copies of information detailing the explanation of why you are disputing the citation. Upon receiving the citation, students have up to 21 calender days to appeal it. Failure to pay or appeal the citation within 21 calender days may result in additional late penalties being assessed. Repeated unpaid parking citations may result in the vehicle being towed and/ or impounded. Please forward your citation, completed agency review form and any supporting documents to: Contra Costa Community College District, c/o Citation Processing Center, PO Box 22814, Denver, CO 80222-2814. It can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to receive a response. For more information about the citation appeal request from, contact Police Services at 510-2362820.

Q SUPPORT

Walking to fund veteran’s center The Rotary Clubs of El Sobrante and San Pablo will sponsor a WalkA-Thon at Kennedy Grove Park in El Sobrante at 10 a.m. on Nov. 2. The walk-a-thon will raise funds for a veteran’s center at Contra Costa College. The veteran’s center will help the successful transition from the military to college along with providing benefits and resources for veterans. Anyone can be a walker or a sponsor for the event. For more information, to sign up as a walker or to make a donation contact event coordinator Randy Stevenson at 510-313-0885.

CrimeWatch Saturday, Oct. 12: No reports were taken on this date. Sunday, Oct. 13: No reports were taken on this date. Monday, Oct. 14: Officers responded to a report of a subject sleeping in front of the Library doors. Subject was found to have a warrant for his arrest. Subject was arrested and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility. Sunday, Oct. 15: No reports were taken on this date. Wednesday, Oct. 16: Subject in a vehicle followed victim from her home to the college campus. Officer received a report regarding a missing person. Officer contacted subject via cellphone and left two messages. An unknown subject struck subjects parked vehicle. Thursday, Oct. 17: An unknown suspect stole a student’s cellphone from the Women’s Locker Room. — George Morin

AB 1358 | Law gives chance for extra funds Q FROM: Page 1

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WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013 l THE ADVOCATE

general concept is to force everyone into paying for representation that they have no control of.” Hagman said that the fee increase is not being handled in a democratic way. “We want people to be able to vote for their representatives,” he said. “Students will not have control where money goes, and that just is not democratic.” Fong and Copenhagen disagree with Hagman on the voter threshold. “The vote threshold change (to a simple majority) is in line with changes being carried forward in much of state politics, including the bond measure threshold,” Copenhagen said. “Because the fee only requires a majority vote to be eliminated on a campus, it makes sense that a majority should be needed to adopt it.” Fong said that the threshold was lowered because the fee has been difficult for some college campuses to establish. He said that the burden of acquiring a super majority of voting students was too much for the student governments at some colleges, and the lower threshold will make it easier to get the fee passed. Contra Costa College’s Associated Students Union President Ysrael Condori said that he believes supporting AB 1358 is out-of-line with the SSCCC’s goal and vision. “I think the last thing students need is an increase in fees,” Condori said. He said that with questions on how the student activity fee is being spent still present, that the ASU has no plans to hold an election to

Copenhagen also credited his organization with securing priority enrollment for CalWORKs students, and in passing SB1052, and SB1053, which will assist students in paying for textbooks. Though the bill allows for schools which have already enacted a $1 student representation fee, such as CCC, to keep the fee at that amount, it mandates that any election on establishing a student representation fee after Jan 1, 2014, will be for the $2 fee, and will require half of the money collected be donated to the SSCCC. Fong and Copenhagen both stressed that the fee was voluntary, however, unless students submit a fee waiver application to their colCurt Hagman, California assemblyman lege’s cashier’s office (CCC’s is in the Student Services Center), the fee will be added to their increase the student representation fee to $2. bill each semester. “Though I do think a simple majority still Condori said that he believed there was nothrepresents the interest of students,” he said. ing the ASU could do to prevent elections being Copenhagen said, “The bill comes from over held on increasing the student representation fee 40 years of funding-related challenges which in the future. statewide community college student organizaHe said the ASU also could not pass any tions have faced.” addendum to its bylaws requiring a super majorCondori said he believes the SSCCC would ity for increasing any student fees. like to purchase another office for itself or a Fong confirmed Condori’s beliefs. Fong small office building with the new funds. said, “Any regulation being drafted must be The SSCCC, according to Copenhagen, has done in policy to state statute.” been instrumental in passing legislation to creThis leaves the future of the student repreate the associate degree for transfer program sentation fee in the hands of each year’s ASU (SB 1440). board. Condori said that the current board is Copenhagen said, “(The SSCCC has) fought against increasing the fee. off proposals to cap students taking classes at 90 lifetime units.”

“It’s trying to unionize our students. There’s a big wave to bring (elections for) fee increases down to a simple majority. The general concept is to force everyone into paying for representation that they have no control of.”

Forum| Public

Q FROM: Page 1

hold wealth loss in Richmond is $264 million. Many of the foreclosure horror stories and minority-targeted loans come at the hands of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage corporations, he said. With the non-guaranteed loans of the past, Gluckstern said homeowners could not even discuss their loan with the loan owners if they were “nonguaranteed” and not backed by a huge corporation like Bank of America. Sometimes the loan owners were hundreds of separate entities without a single responsible party. The loss of homes is now, and has been for years, an American crisis. So where does this eminent domain business come into play? Mayor McLaughlin and Gluckstern would like for the city to legally obtain underwater mortgages in Richmond and reduce the principal on properties that simply do not hold the value they once did. To Gluckstern, this is the only way to solve this issue. Mayor McLaughlin’s plan is for the city to make offers to the banks to purchase homes at lowered, more pragmatic, values. If the banks refuse, McLaughlin will, with the aid of Gluckstern’s Mortgage Resolution Partners firm and other allies like the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, take the banks to court. Eminent domain, the power to take private property for public use, would be what McLaughlin’s group uses to purchase the properties. The definition of eminent domain is: “The power to take private property for public use by a state. It can be legislatively delegated by the state to municipalities, government subdivisions, or even private persons or corporations when authorized to exercise functions of public character.” The key is that the state must be taking private property for a public use. “The public purpose is to invigorate and stimulate neighborhoods with a legal and just solution,” McLaughlin said. “This is not for a private gain, it is for a city purpose.” McLaughlin reiterated that when citizens lose their homes, nobody wins. The actual process of using eminent domain to support families facing foreclosure gets cloudy. If the city could obtain the loans, they plan to work with the homeowner to adjust the loan into something “fair,” McLaughlin said. How will they do it? She said the city would enlist the help of its many departments in some capacity. As far as the more precise details of how city workers would be giving citizens qualified loan advice, McLaughlin said, “We have not gotten that far yet.” The city does not know if it will be taking banks to court. Eminent domain has not been used to obtain private citizens’ homes and provide the people with more manageable mortgages anywhere in the country, McLaughlin said. Any court ruling citing eminent domain as the tool would be precedent-setting. City officials from cities across the nation have shown interest in this use of eminent domain. McLaughlin and Gluckstern said they were not certain they would win in a court battle. But if it came to that, McLaughlin said they are “very confident.” Gluckstern also cited the legal advice from Cornell University law professor Bob Hockett, who advised this would be seen as a proper use of eminent domain.

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A4 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013

Treatments Breast saving surgery: Lymph node surgery may be done with both types of breast cancer surgery. Re-excision surgery: Takes out more tissue from where the first lump was removed. It is done to get clear margins around where the tumor used to be.

October brings Breast Cancer Awareness Month, importance of annual screenings to catch early signs of cancer predominantly in women By Veronica Santos and Marci Suela STAFF WRITERS

letters.theadvocate@gmail.com

Lymph node removal: During or after surgery the surgeon may need to remove small organs called lymph nodes. This is because breast cancer cells may travel from the breast to these nodes. Radiation: The most common type of radiation sends a highenergy beam to the breast area and sometimes to nearby lymph nodes. This is done in case cancer cells remain after surgery. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells. They stop them from growing and making new cells.

Hormone therapy: The hormone estrogen can make some breast cancer cells grow. Hormone therapy uses drugs or surgery that keep estrogen away from breast cancer cells.

Aromatase inhibitors: The most commonly used SERM is tamoxifen. It has the longest track record for the best results. Tamoxifen can reduce the chances of breast cancer coming back, spreading or starting in the first place.

Immune therapy: The immune system is the body’s way of fighting disease. Immune therapy helps this system control or kill cancer cells. Source: www.breastcancer.org

Nearly 232,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and more than 40,000 will die from it, according to www.cancer.org. Breast cancer is an illness where infectious cancer cells form a tumor in the tissues of the breast and can spread to different areas of the body. It can vary by person, age and kind of cells that collectively form within the lump. Breast cancer is the most common cancer to affect women in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On the third Friday of every October, a National Mammogram Day is held to remind women to schedule their annual breast exams. According to the American Cancer Society, early detection can lead to a greater range of treatment options, less extensive surgery and better treatment outcomes. The group has performed studies that found early screening has been linked to reducing the chance of death by breast cancer. Warning signs include swelling or inflammation of the breast, discharge or nipple retraction. To receive screening reminders, individuals can sign up through the American Cancer Society’s website. Reminders are sent based on age and other risk factors for the disease. Due to the heightened risk of developing breast cancer in women over 50, annual exams are encouraged. Younger women should periodically receive breast exams, preferably every 3 years. Men, although at lower risk of developing breast cancer, should also inform

SERMs (selective estrogen receptor modulators): SERM drugs block estrogen by filling up all the parking places on breast cancer cells.

Ovary shutdown: Removing or shutting down the ovaries is a very effective way to lower estrogen levels in women before menopause.

Fighting

B reast cancer

Breast removal: This surgery removes the whole breast. The nipple and area around the nipple are also removed.

ERDs (estrogen receptor down regulators): ERDs are drugs which block and destroy the estrogen receptors on breast cancer cells.

SPOTLIGHT

Estimated new breast cancer cases in 2013

fewer than 5,000 5,000-9,999 10,000-19,999 more than 20,000

1 muscles 2 lobes 3 milk ducts 4 nipple 5 fatty tissue 6 ribs

How to perform a self exam 2 1 After showering, check breasts thoroughly at least once every month.

physicians of any changes in their breasts. The cancer can sometimes spread to the lymph nodes under the arms creating lumps or swelling in areas other than the breast. Since 1990, reports by the American Cancer Society have shown a 34 percent drop in death rates from breast cancer. They have found that women who participate in daily physical activities have a decreased risk of developing the cancer. To commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the American Cancer Society will be hosting its annual Making Strides Walk at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. By participating in the walk, supporters raise money for breast cancer research, free services to individuals fighting the disease and access to mammograms, Contra Costa College administrative assistant Shondra West said. “It’s all about raising money to find a cure. It is used also to help people with financial hardships,” West said. “The (American Cancer) society pays for the hospital treatments. They provide a shuttle for my friend Ann to go to her hospital appointments, and also for school. The money helps in different ways.” West attended the Making Strides Walk event last year in support of her friend Ann Johnson. Although she did not participate in the walkathon, she said the American Cancer Society held contests and had booths handing out breast cancer information. “If (you) haven’t gone to a cancer event, (you) should go to the (Making Strides Walk) to see all kinds of venues,” West said. “There are cancer survivors, people who lost their loved ones because of the disease and a lot of volunteers. It’s a humbling experience.”

Stand in front of a mirror and look for any visual changes including redness or swelling.

Lay down and push into the breast with gradually increasing pressure to check for any lumps.

Still laying down, go over the entire area of each breast with zig-zag patterns. Source: National Cancer Institute

Source: National Cancer Institute

Are you at risk? YES

NO Are you over the age of 35?

YES

NO Does someone in your family have the disease?

YES

NO Have you previously had breast cancer?

YES

NO Did you begin menstruating at an early age (before 12)?

YES

NO Did you start menopause late (after 55)?

YES

NO Have you ever had children?

YES

NO Did you give birth after the age of 30?

YES

NO Is your diet high in fat?

YES

NO Do you consume alcohol regularly?

YES

NO Have you had benign changes in your breast tissues? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions you may be at risk for breast cancer. Contact your local physician for a breast exam. Source: National Cancer Institute

FOCUS

Hungry for pumpkins — Contestants age 11 and under participate in the Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest near Main Street at the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013 l THE ADVOCATE

Festival Parade in Half Moon Bay on Saturday. The parade features the biggest pumpkin grown in the United States.

The Great

pumpkin patch Photos by Qing Huang

Heavyweight champion — The nation’s biggest pumpkin, weighing in at 1,985 pounds, is displayed on a float being carried down Main Street at the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival Parade on Saturday.

Empty tray — Half Moon Bay resident Alberto Vel Asquez shows off his empty tray after being the first to finish the Pumpkin Pie Eating Competition at the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival Parade in Half Moon Bay on Saturday.

Massive affair — Andy Vana (left) and Clay Johnson ride skateboards down Mill Street at the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival Parade on Saturday.

A6 THE ADVOCATE

CAMPUS BEAT

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013

Solano Jr. transforms classroom Instructor uses Zumba to help keep students fit By Heather Wallin SCENE EDITOR

hwallin.theadvocate@gmail.com

Within moments of the music pulsing through the speakers, Oscar Solano Jr.’s Zumba Love event had transformed the room from a group of awkward students into an exuberant Latin dance club. The Center for Science Excellence Program introduced this unique event in the form of a one-time class to engage students in a healthier, exciting new way. A student of Zumba, Dr. Setiati Sidharta, director of the CSE program, introduced Solano to Contra Costa College personally. Dr. Sidharta’s assistant, Danielle Odeh-Ajero, said the program does an activity every Friday. She said the Zumba event is different than what CSE students usually do on Fridays, but still focused on wellness. Before the class began, students filled GA-10 and began signing up for it. The event’s pre-sign-up date guaranteed a spot for many students but others anxiously waited to see if there would be room for them to join. For the most part, students came prepared in workout-specific clothing, aerobic shoes and bottles of water. Others were inappropriately dressed in jeans. Solano, more than ready to start moving, began clapping his hands and speaking to the crowd. “Zumba is for everybody. You’re just here to have fun—try not to get hurt.” He encouraged everyone to clap their hands and to all yell “hurra.” Standing small in stature with

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

With some energy — Zumba instructor Oscar Solano Jr. performs an upper-body aerobic exercise as his class follows specific dance moves in GA-10 on Friday. slicked back hair and a hoop pierced through his left ear, Solano inspired confidence in his students, and his presence had a relaxing effect that transformed the energy of the room during the first song. His aura engulfed the room and his excitement was contagious. At one point, Solano left the dancers to turn up the music to a deafening level as an Enrique Iglesias song started. After the first few verses, everyone’s breathing became heavy, faces wet in a sheen of sweat, and Solano’s shirt was drenched from exertion. Despite his outward exhaustion, Solano spoke effortlessly. He said, “Men, don’t feel like you’re not trying hard enough. And ladies, I don’t think you’re

doing anything wrong.” His moves were seductive as he demonstrated what everyone should be mimicking as if there was no exhaustion involved. His face lit up with smiles and winks as his body rolled to the beat. One-third of the way through, the class broke for water. On her way back from hydrating and cooling a reddened face, CCC Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson said the class was so much fun. “I came out to show support to the students and the program,” Gilkerson said as she hurried back to the front row along with Dr. Sidharta and Mayra Padilla, CCC’s academic student services manager-Title III. The air became thick and the

temperature made the large room feel like a sauna. And when people appeared to lose momentum, Solano danced through the crowd and personally motivated those in dire need of moral support. Students lightly bumped into each other as they tried to coordinate their moves to Solano’s. Everyone was in good spirits laughing and sweating as they looked around for guidance. Taking a break to rest her sore ankle, student Marjorie Chatman said, “I really think this is wonderful. I love it.” She put her hands on her waist as she caught her breath, “It’s so high energy — I could lose weight off this.” Within seconds Chatman was

back following Solano’s lead, her earrings dangling back and forth as her long hair swept the back of her hot pink tank top. She let out a “woo” as she deliberately stomped her feet with the music. Before the cool down started and heart rates could be elevated, student Diana Dela Torre snuck out, but not before saying she would take his class again. “(It’s great because) he tells us to go at our own pace and gets us out of our comfort zones,” Torre said. Zumba finished on a slow beat and involved lots of stretching and “great jobs” all around. The air buzzed with accomplishment as students talked about how hard they worked in the past hour. Mechanical engineering major Ivan Linares said, “(Solano’s) so energetic — I’d take it (his class) again.” Solano shared hugs and wished everyone well as they left. He added an electrolyte supplement to his water and changed his drenched shirt into something fresh. A former architectural designer, Solano found Zumba during a time of his life when he needed a new direction. He moved to Alabama after being laid off three years ago, and “felt withdrawal from the Salsa world.” After taking a Zumba class at the YMCA, Solano was challenged to get back in shape and get ready for the next class. He warmly spoke of a Dr. Paula, who encouraged him to become an instructor. Back in the East Bay, and teaching for the past three years, Solano said he’s much happier than he was before. Rumors of a P.E. position for Solano surged through the class. Solano said that offering Zumba classes to CCC students would instill the idea that fitness must be a part of your daily or (even) weekly life.

Career workshop highlights services Speakers showcase, push for employment By Brian Boyle NEWS EDITOR

bboyle.theadvocate@gmail.com

Employment was the theme of the evening on Friday in LA-100 when the early childhood education department hosted its career workshop. A panel of five speakers, comprised of professors and former students from the department, greeted students as they poured into the room. The board consisted of early childhood education department Chairperson Intisar Shareef, professors Troy Porter and Sandra Moore, and former students Rima Goode and Cecilia Ornealas. Dr. Susan Lee, dean of the Liberal, Applied Health, Vocational Education and Athletics Division (LAVA Division), described the board as “a brilliant group of speakers.”

Attendees were given an in-depth look at what services the department offered its students, in order to help them succeed. “(The early childhood education department) is an exceptional department,” Dr. Lee said. “You’ll never get this amount of support from other departments.” The empathetic demeanor of the panel and the relaxed nature of the audience served as evidence of Lee’s claim. As each presenter would stand to speak, each started with a short story of how they got to where they are. More often than not, laughter could be heard ringing throughout the lecture hall. Early childhood education major Sara Moy said, “Dr. Shareef and Mr. Porter were my favorite speakers. I loved hearing all the information about the different careers that are available (to early childhood education majors).” And the careers are vast. Each presenter detailed his or her own storied resumé. Careers ranged from day care directors to social workers. Despite the different career paths, each speaker stressed the importance of education.

Counselor Sherry Fahey said, “We encourage all of you to continue your education.” She was speaking about how many different paths were offered by the department. The presentation outlined that students could receive a permit to work in an early childhood education field with as little as six units under their belts, and students can go on to earn an associate, bachelor’s or even master’s degree if they wish to. Attendees could been seen scribbling notes down as the power point presentation detailed the department’s text book assistance program, and their tutoring programs. Lee described the sheer amount of support the department offers as “phenomenal.” As would be expected from a group of early childhood educators, the importance of reading and writing was stressed throughout the evening. Dr. Shareef said, “You need to practice reading and practice writing. It’s important. I hate writing, but I make myself keep journals so that I can practice.” Shareef described the dedication her

department has to preparing all of their students for work and for higher education. “We are committed to getting you through the program,” she said. “We don’t want to send ill-prepared people out into the world. We want to maintain our reputation.” The closeness the members of the department had with their students was visible throughout the workshop. Cries of support from the audience followed much of what professor Porter and Shareef said. Student Isela Panting said, “Everyone knows each other (in the department.) Everyone is very supportive.” Panting said her favorite part of the evening was the information provided about the variety of degrees offered in the field and the paths on how to achieve them. Shareef offered students a few words of advice. She explained that the most important part of finding a good job in the field was an excellent work ethic. “It’s hard work dealing with children every day,” Shareef said. “You need to be disciplined. Once you’re disciplined, you can do anything you want.”

Campus palate excited by culinary department event By Heather Wallin SCENE EDITOR

hwallin.theadvocate@gmail.com

JANAE HARRIS / THE ADVOCATE

Chocolate stout — Culinary arts student Theresa Powell pours a glass of chocolate flavored beer during the Chocolate, Cheese and Champagne event at The Three Season Restaurant on Saturday.

Palates were comforted with chocolate delicacies and champagne at the 3rd Annual Chocolate, Cheese and Champagne event on Saturday in support of the culinary department’s study abroad program to Italy. The event was hosted in the Three Seasons Restaurant on campus from noon to 3 p.m. This event is complimentary to the spring semester’s 7th Annual Food and Wine Event. Cecilia Romero-Chavez stood at the front taking tickets and checking people in. Romero-Chavez said, “(We) wanted a smaller scale event than the spring.” Nader Sharkes, chairperson of the culinary arts department, said there was almost double the number of attendees compared to last year’s event. The capacity is 100, but Sharkes said, “We expect 150 guests.” Pre-sale tickets were sold for $25 through the Contra Costa College Bookstore’s website. Tickets were $30 at the door. Culinary arts students were encouraged to sell tickets as well since this event was for them, Romero-Chavez said. All the money earned at the event will go to support the scholarship fund for

the culinary arts students’ study abroad trip to Italy in the summer of 2014. Only the baking students in the department were made to assist with the event. The students who participated in the event were required to reach a certain number of catering hours worked. Sharkes said, “Our spring event is savory food and (Chocolate, Cheese and Champagne) is for the baking students.” Culinary student Ron Webster, who qualifies to go to Italy in 2014, was asked to DJ the event. Sharkes requested he play “Motown music.” Webster’s various picks from his collection added a nice ambience to the mid-day gathering. Guests enjoyed the open-house-feel of being welcomed into the kitchen. Student chef Elisabeth Schwarz made sure everyone was informed to explore the entire kitchen where they would find a fondue tower at the last table. The Gil sisters were among those who could not stay seated long enough. “Everything is so delicious and looks very beautiful,” they said finishing each other’s sentences. They were invited by their niece and said they were feeling really good after a couple glasses of champagne. CCC alumnus James Butler also attended and boasted over the chicken mole and lamb on plantain — a couple of the savory dishes. “I’m anticipating the champagne to

wash down the food,” he said. The event was sponsored by Guittard Chocolate, Elite Associate, US Foods, Chrissa Imports, Rockwall Wine Company, Rosenblum Cellars and Mega Wine Inc. Only a few tables were set up by vendors, including Elite Associate’s representative broker Janet Beardsley from Sacramento, who brought a chocolate cake from Dianne’s Fine Foods that guests consumed, in some instances, with two or three helpings. Chocolate overpowered the event with an evident lack of cheese. There was even a chocolate-crusted shrimp cake that simply missed the mark with a dull taste and unpleasant texture. But among the hits were the infamous “Mudslide,” an accidental house creation by head of the baking department chef Claire Legas. Toward the last hour, champagne glasses were being refilled, with an obvious favorite running out too soon. Mega Wine brought a Grandial Brut Rose that poured its last glass well before any other champagne. “The rose was the best,” Martha Larin said, sitting across from her mother visiting from El Salvador. Larin’s son, George Larin, is a current culinary student at CCC. “This is my second year (attending), and it’s a lot better than last year,” she said of the event.

SPORTS

Cougars pounce, crush Comets

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013 l THE ADVOCATE N football

ABOVE THE REST

mikethomas

Game brings back love for gridiron

Volleyball team falls flat in three sets By Jose Jimenez STAFF WRITER

jjimenez.theadvocate@gmail.com

The intensity was there for the women’s volleyball team, and outside hitter Jessica Neville’s’ pre-game warm up shots echoed ferociously throughout the gym. But after all of that the Comets (2-6 in the Bay Valley Conference, 2-8 overall) lost in three straight sets to College of Alameda in the Gymnasium Friday. In the first set CCC kept it close at 6-6 and even took a 7-6 lead, their only lead of the night, only to quickly fall back behind 9-7. After back-to-back great digs by the ScoreBoard Cougars the Comets trailed 13-7 midway Cougars def. through the first set. Comets, 25First place 16, 25-11, Alameda (8-0 BVC, 25-8 14-4 overall) executed its game plan Next game: of double teaming Friday vs. Neville every time College of she went up for a kill Marin, 6 p.m. shot. “ T h e y ’ r e (Alameda) a really good team,” Comet middle blocker Valeria Avila said. “They are a very organized team and they knew what they were doing. But in the end they’re still human and they just beat us in sets. I actually thought that we could win this.” Alameda wanted to keep two bodies up with Neville and they did by winning the first set 25-16. The Cougars’ game plan worked as Neville was forced to make adjustments by increasing her distance on point of attack — she had to get farther from the net to score a point. In the second set the Comets got off to slow start, falling behind 5-0. Halfway through the second set CCC was down 14-4. “In every game we really try,” said CCC setter Richelle Ledesma. “We put all our efforts and our hearts into it. We fight for every game. Even against other teams not as good as Alameda.” CCC connected on four straight points to make the second set seem closer at 22-11, but ultimately lost 25-11. The Comets’ rally cry sparked the team before play in the third set. Neville led off the set with two kill shots. CCC kept it close at 4-4 but then faltered and before the Comets knew it, they were down 15-5, and looked tired

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Not high enough — Comet outside hitters (center) Rebecca Gehlen and Valeria Avila attempt to stop a kill by Cougar outside hitter Rebecca Moore during the second set of the CCC game against College of Alameda on Friday in the Gymnasium. midway through the third and final set. A bad serve by middle blocker Rachelle Cuevas put CCC down 20-6 and the Comets took the loss 25-8. Outside hitter Rebecca Gehlan said that she thinks the Comets played their best game against the Cougars. The team is midway through its season. Alameda came into the game undefeated in conference play at 7-0

and have established themselves as the team to beat this year. “Think about it,” Gehlan said. “Sometimes our spirits come up and sometimes they go down. When it’s up, our energy and everything else works together. Just not tonight.” The Comets next game is against the College of Marin (3-5 in the BVC, 3-13 overall) on Friday in the Gymnasium.

Soccer squad gives up six goals Falcons start scoring goals early in game By Ryan Margason STAFF WRITER

rmargason.theadvocate@gmail.com

FAIRFIELD — The women’s soccer team struggled offensively and was shut out 6-0 in its attempt to win a second Bay Valley Conference game in three days Friday here against Solano Community College (5-2-1 in BVC, 6-6-1 overall). The Falcons started their offensive pressure just two minutes into the first half with a goal by SCC forward/midfielder Bryce BranaganFranco, making the score 1-0. “We were not controlling the ball in the first half of the game.” sophomore midfielder Yvonne Alanis said. As the Comets (3-5 in the BVC, 5-8 overall) tried to match Solano’s offensive “Solano is a pressure in the first half, Falcons forgood team. Megan Welsh They defend ward scored the second goal to make it 2-0 well, which 32 minutes left. makes it tough with The Comets missed to create scor- two shots at a goal with 10 minutes left ing opportuni- in the half. “The ball just ties.” didn’t go in the goal,” Alanis said. Nikki Ferguson, As the second women’s soccer coach half started, Solano was a lot more physical on the field. The Falcons scored the first of their four second half goals with 42 minutes left in the game. “My defense was not prepared today,” Comet keeper Jazmin Escobar said. As the Comets continued to struggle throughout the second half, CCC gave up back-to-back goals. The first goal was scored by Solano with 35 minutes left on the clock. Two minutes later

QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

Fighting for possession — Comet midfielder Laura Hurtado (left) battles with Falcon defender Elizabeth Grones during CCC’s 6-0 loss to Solano Community College in Fairfield on Friday.

ScoreBoard

Falcons 6 Comets 0

Next game: Friday vs. Folsom Lake College, 3:30 p.m. Follow this game live at twitter.com/accentadvocate

the Falcons scored again, making it 5-0. “I have to talk with my defense more,” Escobar said after the game in reference to a way for the team to play better defense. As the Comets attempted only eight shots

during the game, they could not score a goal and fell victim to a shutout. With less than six minutes left in the game Solano scored its last goal of the day, making the final score 6-0. “We are a little banged up right now,” coach Nikki Ferguson said. “We’re trying to get healthy and find ways to say competitive. Solano is a good team. They defend well, which makes it tough to create scoring opportunities.” The Comets had a scare when midfielder Terra Johnson collided with a Falcon player. Johnson was taken out of the game due to a nose injury. “She got hit in the face but she’s doing fine,” Ferguson said. The Comets’ next game is at home against Folsom Lake College at 3:30 p.m. on Friday.

ootball will always be my favorite sport to watch and play. Every Sunday growing up I would watch and cheer for the San Francisco 49ers. I was reminded of that love for football on Oct. 5 when the Comets visited Sacramento City College. The game was like a scene out of a movie. In the fourth quarter Contra Costa College bounced off the floor to eliminate a 15-point lead the Panthers had established and force overtime. Optimism filled the sidelines as CCC players were in the midst of their fourth quarter comeback. This would be the first time a CCC football team has beaten Sac City over the past 20 seasons. It was quite memorable. And CCC’s 23 penalties for 210 yards illustrate that the referees were certainly not favoring the Comets during the game. During pre-game warm-ups the teams were hurling taunts and battle cries at each other, with the Comets yelling, “All day all night, WE EAT.” When the shouting match was all done it was time for the kickoff. In the first half both teams played physical football and at its end CCC trailed 14-13. After halftime, things started to go south for the Comet defense. They could not stop the Panther rushing attack. Sac City running back Henry Enyenihi led the charge with a 2-yard touchdown run with 10:02 left in the third quarter. The Comet defense gave up 235 rushing yards that night. Enyenihi’s TD lengthened the Panther lead to 21-13. The Comet defense allowed a passing touchdown before getting into sync. After three brutal quarters, and trailing 28-13, CCC finally started generating points during the fourth quarter. With the clock ticking precious seconds away, it was starting to look bad for the Comets. But they refused to give up the fight. It was door-die time for CCC’s football team. With the score 28-20, the final scoring drive started on SCC’s 39 yard line. The Comets marched up the field to score on a 10-yard passing touchdown from Malik Watson. This brought the score to 28-26. CCC needed a twopoint conversion in order to tie the game and force overtime. The play was a halfback draw for running back Davonte Sapp-Lynch, but the Panthers called a blitz to counter it. The SCC defense had Sapp-Lynch wrapped up, but his instincts made him throw the ball back to Watson before his knees touched the ground. That gave the Comets another opportunity to convert the two-point conversion and Watson made the most of it. He completed a pass to wide receiver Terrance Barnes to tie the game at 2828 and force overtime. And the Comets won it in overtime 35-28. Games like this are the reason I love football. CCC went through a lot of adversity but their comeback had to be one of the most memorable moments in Comet football history. Mike Thomas is the sports editor of The Advocate. Contact him at mthomas. theadvocate@gmail.com.

A8 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013

Comets crush 49ers, 47-21

SPORTS

OVER THE LINE

By Jeff Baker STAFF WRITER

jbaker.theadvocate@gmail.com

It took until Oct. 19, but the football team finally secured the runaway win it had been looking for all season. The Comets overpowered the Yuba College 49ers 47-21 Saturday, behind spectacular efforts on both sides of the ball. Contra Costa College made the most of its Homecoming game, having not played at home in nearly one month since its Sept. 21 victory over Gavilan College. With the victory, the Comets improved to 4-2 overall (1-0 in the Bay Valley Conference). Yuba fell to 2-4 (0-1 in the BVC). CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE Coach Alonzo Carter has emphasized Diving for glory — Comet wide receiver Terrance Barnes scores a touchdown in the second quarter giving the Comets his squad’s resilience and that “the team is a 20-0 lead over Yuba College at Comet Stadium on Saturday. CCC beat the 49ers 47-21 in its conference opener. equipped to come back,” citing the close games it has played this season as evidence. Carter said. Carter stressed how important the action. facture a touchdown, cutting the score to Fortunately for him, the Comets never had the Homecoming was to the whole team. Receptions from White and Cornish III 33-14. to play catch-up in this one. Sapp-Lynch’s touchdown put the Comets had the Comets threatening again just before The 49ers managed only 91 passing Sophomore quarterback Malik Watson ahead 13-0. halftime. Momentum was halted, however, yards in contrast to the Comets’ 219. said post-game, “Offense came from our In the second quarter, defensive back when Sapp-Lynch was stopped with a yardSapp-Lynch ran for a second touchdown defense. (The defense) stepped up big Dominique Harrison intercepted a pass from age loss on a pivotal third down. with 12:52 to go in the fourth quarter. He time.” Yuba quarterback Datwon Melvin as Yuba “It makes no sense. None,” Carter hol- finished with 146 total yards. A prime example of Watson’s conclusion was about to score. This led to a sustained lered at his offensive unit for its failure to Was it his best game? “Maybe. Maybe was a pivotal sequence in offensive drive capped capitalize on the opportunity. not. I’m just striving to improve every week the first quarter. A sack off by freshman Terrance The Comets would score anyway via a just like the team,” he said. ScoreBoard by Comet sophomore lineBarnes’ reception from touchdown pass from Watson to freshman The scariest moment of the game came Comets 47 backer Jarmon Coleman Watson for a touchdown. receiver Anthony Stewart and headed into with 7 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, forced Yuba to punt. Then, 49ers 21 “It’s like pick-your- halftime cruising behind a 33-7 lead. with the Comets comfortably ahead 40-14. poison with our receivers. Both teams were heavily penalized in Freshman defensive back Greg Chucks a 25-yard punt return from Next game: sophomore wide receiver More than one got close to this emotional game. The Comets lost 100 got more of his teammate than the opponent Saturday at Shasta Phadrae White left the 100 yards,” Watson said yards due to their penalties, not to be out- on an attempted tackle and was temporarily of his offensive weapons, done by 130 yards lost by Yuba College in stunned and not moving. Both teams took a Comets a mere 26 yards College, 6 p.m. which include Barnes, the same category. knee and play was stopped for several minfrom the end zone. Follow this game live at White and Larry Cornish “We’re still trying to cut down on penal- utes until Chucks was able to move to the Running back Davante twitter.com/accentadvocate Sapp-Lynch then took III. “Our offense is click- ties,” Carter said. sidelines with help. over. What ensued was not ing. Our offensive coordiEarly on, when the game was still in Each team scored another touchdown question, CCC benefitted more from Yuba’s to close the fourth quarter, including a kick only the play of the game, but one of the nator was great in calling the game.” CCC was ahead 20-0 and, despite a few sloppiness. return where Comet sophomore back Josh most impressive runs of the year. The Comet defense continued to shine in Covington outdid Yuba’s earlier feats and After the first 5 yards Sapp-Lynch gained lapses, the team never really looked back. on his run, his offensive line pushed the runOne such lapse immediately followed the third quarter behind sacks from sopho- went 90 yards for the score. ning back as he pedaled forward and carried the Barnes touchdown. Yuba kick returner more defensive lineman Da’Seion Cole and In addressing his team post-game, Carter Brandon Williams went 88 yards on the freshman linebacker Darnell Dailey. Dailey thanked the players for their effort and him 20 more yards into the end zone. led the team with nine tackles. reminded them to keep their focus for their “All I did was keep moving my feet. The kickoff to cut the lead to 20-7. Following an impressive 20-yard touchStill, the Comets were not mistake-free, next practices and two road games against O-line was carrying me,” Sapp-Lynch said, giving his line the well-earned credit. down run by Sapp-Lynch’s cohort in the and had the strange occurrence of back-to- Shasta College and Mendocino College. “(Davante) had a lot of family here and backfield, freshman Marshon Ardoin, the back interceptions called back while Yuba “Your energy should not change,” he really wanted to have a standout game,” Comets took a 27-7 lead and tried to press was in the red zone. Yuba would manu- said. “Maintain your level. Period.”

Resilience earns squad another victory Merritt backline stopped most of the plays before CCC was able to produce a goal off of them. The Comets break away style of play usually caused a foul or clearance by a Merritt defender, resulting in set-pieces, when the game is brought to a halt for a corBy Lorenzo Morotti ner-kick, free kick or throw-in. EDITORIAL CARTOONIST Both of the Comet goals were lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com produced from set-pieces. Bay Valley Conference leader Zeller told his team during Merritt College was outplayed and a pre-game huddle that it had a beaten 2-1 by a nine-man Comet chance at beating the first place team Friday on the Soccer Field. T-Birds. Contra Costa College (3-1-2 in “You guys should be salivating the BVC, 7-5-2 overall) went from over this opportunity,” he said. the usual 11 men on the field to “This game is the most important just 10 with 25 minutes left in the game of the season. It’s a game first half when starting goalkeeper that we need to win if we want Gustavo Rojas was shown off the to be serious contenders for the pitch after receiving a red card. playoffs.” Later in the second half, Comet The opening minutes of play striker Marcos Solis and Merritt saw possession going back and midfielder Rubio Omar were also forth between both teams attemptred-carded and ejected from the ing to take an early lead. Merritt game. eventually took “What a seacontrol of the ScoreBoard son,” Comet midfield by Comets 2 coach Rudy applying off-theZeller said from Thunderbirds 1 ball pressure to the sideline with shut down space, 25 minutes left Next game: and limiting Friday at Yuba College, in the game as passing options the Comets led 4 p.m. for CCC players Follow this game live at by one goal after bringing the ball twitter.com/accentadvocate Solis was ejected. down the field. “Everything that At the 13th can go wrong has,” he said. minute the Comets were able Even so, the Comets held on to score. A run down the left for the win thereby moving into wing ended with a clearance by second place in the BVC behind a Thunderbird defender about 30 the first place Thunderbirds, who yards out from goal. fell to 5-1-1 in the BVC (8-3-3 Left-centerback Machado overall). Klebber stepped up for the throwOrganization by the Comet in. defense in the backfield kept the He slowly jogged up to the ball. Thunderbirds’ relentless offensive Reaching down he spun it on the pressure out of the Comet penalty grass to clean it. box. Closing down space in front “I was aiming for Solis’ head of the goal funneled the plays to by the far post,” Klebber said the wings of the field. post-game. His overhead throw Turnovers in these areas were went over the entire Thunderbird seized by CCC, which played the defense and the ball dropped deep counterattack quickly and fluidly in the penalty box. up the field in a break-away-style “He flicked it up and when it of play. came down (Jose Aguilar) was Tactical off-the-ball runs into there and able to just roll it in,” open space during a counterat- Klebber said. “I always aim for tack often put Comet strikers in the box.” dangerous attacking positions. The Trailing 1-0, the T-Birds tried

Solid defense withstands offensive pressure

to keep the tempo of the game fast-paced in hopes of catching the Comet defense off-guard. Minutes later, a bad pass in the midfield resulted in a CCC turnover. Merritt was able to take advantage and counter quickly by lobbing the ball into space. Keeper Rojas rushed toward the player as soon as he realized that the last defender would not reach the striker in time. Rojas seemed to be setting up to kick the ball out clear from danger, but before he could the attacking striker got a foot on it, flicking the ball up in the air. Rojas covered his face with his hands for protection. He was outside the box when the ball made contact with his hands and he was given a red card by center referee Andrew Hanks. Reserve keeper Max Sonnier was sent onto the field by Zeller to defend from a relentless barrage of T-Bird crosses into the box. “This was my second game playing (this season). I wasn’t mentally prepared,” Sonnier said post-game. For the rest of the half the Comets held back and played a defensive formation of 4-4-1. The Thunderbirds were able to hold the ball in CCC’s half of the field the majority of the half. Merritt crosses from the wings, or corner kicks, were constantly punched away by Sonnier rising above the strikers who were hunting down aerial balls in the penalty box. “I was nervous at first,” Sonnier said. “I think I started really playing better after I hit the first couple of people. Adrenaline took over.” Sonnier had a total of five saves in the half, dominating the penalty box. The first half ended with the Comets leading 1-0. CCC was awarded a foul 30 yards out from the Merritt goal just five minutes into the second half. “Here is a chance,” Zeller told defensive right-back Sam Mendez as he was setting up to take the free kick. Mendez curled the ball up and over the barrier toward the far post,

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Above the rest — Comet forward Marcos Solis jumps to head the ball above Thunderbird defender Jose Santos during the second half of Contra Costa College’s 2-1 win over first place Merritt College on the Soccer Field on Friday. The win moved the Comets into second place in the Bay Valley Conference. delivering it to striker Solis’ head. “I saw Sam about to take the free-kick and I knew it was coming to me,” Solis said. Solis said he jumped up and aimed for the opposite corner. The lobbed header floated just over the diving keeper, hitting the inside of the post to creep into goal, giving the Comets a 2-0 lead with almost an entire half left to play. T-Bird striker Julio Cervantes was able to close the gap to 2-1 with a penalty kick when Sonnier received a yellow card for fouling center midfielder Francissco Mendoza in the box at the 70th minute.

Tensions almost boiled over moments later when a 50-50 chance on a loose ball brought Solis tumbling to the ground. Merritt midfielder Omar used his body to bring him down and followed through with his run, landing his cleat into Solis’ thigh. An exchange of shoves and heated words earned both players red cards and an ejection. “We played 70 minutes with 10 men on the field and 25 with only nine,” Zeller told his squad after the game. “Every single player stepped up today. I couldn’t be prouder.”

CMYK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

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SPOTLIGHT

SECTION

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013

ARE WE READY? X THE HAYWARD FAULT

COLLEGE RESTS ON UNSTABLE LAND

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Quake rattles memories Do you think Contra Costa College is prepared for an earthquake?

No: 77%

Historical data:

By Brian Boyle

magnitude

Yes: 23%

Out of 100 people randomly surveyed on campus, 77 percent said CCC is not prepared for an earthquake.

editorial Outlook negligent

The college approach to earthquake preparedness lacks foresight and sufficient effort.

NEWS EDITOR

bboyle.theadvocate@gmail.com

t had not lasted long, somewhere between 10 and 15 seconds, but by the time the world had stopped shaking that Tuesday evening, the Bay Area had changed. While standing in a small room filled with tools and work benches inside the physics lab in the Physical Sciences Building, senior electronics technician Jeffrey Kamalian recalled the events of the Loma Prieta Earthquake, “I had just left work (as an audiotech in Berkeley). My boss was the only one left in the building. Amplifiers and equalizers went flying off the shelves.”

Kamalian said that after the earthquake, he drove to the Cypress Viaduct on Interstate 880 to look at the collapsed portion. “I stood outside of my car and just looked at the collapsed part of the Cypress structure,” he said. “The freeway had fallen over. It was like a sci-fi movie. You could see smoke rising out of the side of the collapsed portion. And I knew people were trapped in there, which just made it even worse.” The Loma Prieta Earthquake happened at 5:04 p.m. on Oct. 17, 1989. A lot of things were happening at that time. People were driving to and from San Francisco, leaving work and going home. Commuters were coming and going from

Oakland for much the same reason. Families were sitting down to dinner. And thousands of people were flocking to Candlestick Park in San Francisco to watch Oakland A’s Pitcher Bob Welch continue the A’s sweep of the San Francisco Giants in the “Battle of the Bay” World Series. At that time, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a 6.9 moment magnitude earthquake with an epicenter located in the Santa Cruz Mountains shook the Bay Area. The earthquake would claim 63 lives and injure another 3,757 people, according to a report released in 1994 by the California Department of Health

6.9 63

deaths

3,757 injuries

$6-$10 billion

in property damage

Q SEE HISTORY: Page B3

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page B2

Recollecting details of temblor after 24 years reveals deficiencies in disaster preparedness

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Preparedness:

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B2 THE ADVOCATE

OPINION ARE WE READY? X THE HAYWARD FAULT

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013

ILLUSTRATION BY LORENZO MOROTTI/THE ADVOCATE

Editorial

Worst-case scenario P

Imminent threat of Hayward Fault, which runs through campus, demands better emergency procedures, supplies, retrofits at college

eople across the disaster area rushed to help their friends, loved ones and even strangers injured in the wake of the Loma Prieta earthquake, which rocked Bay Area 24 years ago this month. A sense of urgency and a list of explicit priorities were more than enough motivation. Sure, they had help from firefighters, police officers, military personnel and other civic services. But the fact remains that hordes of strangers, without hesitation, came together into one gigantic rescue effort with the sole purpose of helping their fellow humans. If our communities can band together during a panic to save lives, then surely we can band together during relative serene moments to save lives by preparing for disaster. Although the 25-mile long rupture along the San Andreas Fault happened in the Santa Cruz Mountains, perhaps the most drastic effects of the 1989 quake were felt far away in San Francisco’s Marina District and on Oakland’s Interstate 880. This calls to attention the effect of soil conditions and the strength of building foundations. A major earthquake is likely to occur on the Hayward Fault within the next 25 years and it is likely to be even more severe than

Loma Prieta, Contra Costa College geography professor Chris Johnson said. Unfortunately for Contra Costa College, the Hayward Fault, regarded by the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute as the most dangerous fault in the nation, runs right through campus. The college was essentially unharmed in 1989, mostly because the earthquake erupted on the San Andreas Fault. But when a major quake hits the Hayward Fault, the college probably won’t be so lucky. Campus emergency procedures exist but aren’t being communicated regularly to students or staff. Emergency supply cabinets are not regularly stocked and plans for retrofitting many buildings have been delayed or put on hold. In tough economic times this would be more understandable if college and district officials were trying harder to improve campus safety. But even the actions taken with earthquake safety in mind seem to appear half-hearted. Fliers have been posted around the college informing students of what to do if there is an emergency, but nothing more has been done to relay information about safety procedures to people on campus.

Emergency supply cabinets located throughout campus should be stocked with supplies necessary to survive a disaster. Currently, however, most of these cabinets contain some food and water items, but many of them are expired or in short stock. The Library, Liberal Arts and Music buildings have undergone seismic retrofitting projects. But other structures on campus in need of such work, such as the Physical Sciences, Biology and Art buildings and the Gymnasium that hosts many high school and college sporting events, remain neglected as plans for retrofitting continue to be delayed. In fairness, the projected cost of retrofitting the Biology Building alone is more than $640,000. But by not addressing all of these areas and working together to improve them, student, staff and faculty safety is being neglected. United Faculty Vice President Jeffery Michels accurately summed up CCC’s present outlook on natural disaster safety. “You don’t realize you need emergency supplies until there’s an emergency.” Sadly, this may be the legacy of current district and college administrators should the Hayward Fault rupture.

CampusComment

Do you think Contra Costa College is prepared for another earthquake?

“Mostly no because of the old buildings. They also don’t teach us what to do. I only know from high school.”

“No, because I don’t see any information or activities or awareness.”

“No. Most of the school is made out of brick. It would come straight down. I wouldn’t even know what to do.”

Raquel Perez Kulwinder Singh

psychology

criminal justice

“I don’t think so. The buildings are old. I’ve seen some earthquake signs (around campus), but no one has told me what to do.”

D’Angelo Ray undecided

Denny Reyes

“I think we have new buildings that are safe, but I think the old ones need upgrades.” Jaswant Singh

Francisco Becerril graphic design

HEATHER WALLIN AND JANAE HARRIS / THE ADVOCATE

“Some parts seem stable, but the Humanities Building is the oldest and would just fall apart.” law

dental assisting

SPOTLIGHT WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013 ARE WE READY? X THE HAYWARD FAULT

l THE ADVOCATE

History | Earthquake points out areas for improvement Q FROM: Page B1

Services. A portion of the Bay Bridge collapses and the Cypress Viaduct on Interstate 880 collapses as well, killing 42 people and trapping more for 90 hours, as emergency responders and members of the community struggled to free them. The temblor had the distinction of being the first major earthquake ever broadcast live. Viewers of the televised 1989 World Series got to witness the first few seconds. Sportscaster Al Michaels was seen saying, “I’ll tell you what – we are having an earth-,” and the live feed cut from Candlestick Park. A report released by the USGS in 2009 that compared the Loma Prieta Earthquake to the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 said that 3,000 people were left homeless by the earthquake. The same report estimated that there was $6$10 billion of property damage done during the Loma Prieta earthquake. The repairs and retrofits needed in wake of them have just begun to be completed. Music department Chairperson Wayne Organ said, “If you had told me in 1989 that it would be a quarter century before the Bay Bridge was finished, I’d have laughed in your face. But here we are. They just finished it this year.” Home of the Hayward Fault The Loma Prieta Earthquake occurred on the San Andreas Fault, in a remote location in the Santa Cruz Mountains, yet the devastation was felt throughout the Bay Area. The San Andreas Fault runs through the Santa Cruz Mountains into the San Francisco peninsula. But another fault line presents a much larger risk to the East Bay; the Hayward Fault is a 74mile fault, according to the USGS, that runs through most of the East Bay. Cities such as Richmond, El Cerrito, Berkeley, San Pablo,

Emeryville and Albany all feature the Hayward Fault running through their streets. Contra Costa College is bisected by the fault. The Hayward Fault runs underneath the Bus Transfer Center, Lot 1 and Lot 10. Where an earthquake on the San Andreas Fault could occur on any spot on that fault’s 810-mile length, one on the Hayward Fault would occur much closer to home. The USGS estimates that $1.5 trillion of property sits in the Hayward Fault zone. The last time the Hayward Fault experienced a major earthquake was in 1868. A 6.7 moment magnitude quake left 30 people dead, according to a 2010 study done by Risk Management Services, an investigative insurance agency. The USGS wrote in a report in 2008 that a 6.8 or great magnitude along the Hayward fault is “increasingly likely.” A seismic hazard evaluation done in 2003 by William Lettis Associates showed that many buildings on CCC’s campus sit on top of active fault traces. Geography professor Chris Johnson said, “An earthquake along the Hayward Fault would be a lot worse than the (Loma Prieta) in 1989.”

building a rank from I-VII. The report shows multiple buildings on campus have a risk level of V, which is described as representing a “substantial risk to life during the expected seismic loads.” CCC is in the midst of its Master Plan to retrofit the campus, yet the surrounding area is under just as much risk as the campus. Jean Perkins of the Association of Bay Area Governments said, “People should realize there is a possibility that they won’t be able to drive home from work or pick their kids up from school. A Hayward Fault earthquake could close 1,100 roads.” Campus condition The campus was constructed in 1955-56. The buildings on campus are mostly old, and worn. If one takes a trip to the Art Building, visible cracks can be seen in the structure. The Physical Science Building was built in 1955. While the LA Building was retrofitted in 2009 and the Humanities and Student Services Center are being demolishing, proving CCC is on its way to catching up to the safety standards of the modern day, there is still a long way to go. Johnson described evidence that the Hayward Fault is moving parts of the campus around he said, “The sidewalk on the left side of the street leading from the Student Services Center to the Gym Annex is warped due to the shifting of the Hayward Fault.” The Gymnasium’s roof, according to the Thornton Tomasetti report, is expected to collapse in a strong earthquake. Police Services Lt. Jose Oliveira said that the Gymnasium is supposed to be used as emergency community housing in the event of a major earthquake.

Learned lessons The college is taking steps to make sure an earthquake along the Hayward Fault will, hopefully, cause only minimal damage. In 2009, the Liberal Arts Building was earthquake retrofitted to improve its chances of standing against a strong earthquake. A Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit Studies report done by Thornton Tomasetti Building Solutions, which explains the deficiencies present in each building on campus, describes what these deficiencies are likely to lead to come an earthquake. What’s expected This report also gives each There is a plan in place come

a major earthquake. Every building has an evacuation plan posted somewhere within the building. And campus faculty are supposed to be trained in how to assist students during an emergency. Lt. Oliveira said, “Each building has an emergency cabinet stocked with supplies, and every building has buildings monitors to assist students and lead emergency efforts during an emergency.” Dr. Cheri Etheredge, chairperson of the nursing department and a security monitor for the Health Sciences Building, said, “I don’t know of any cabinets anywhere.” Sociology department Chairperson Manu Ampim said, “We are not adequately trained for emergencies.” Ampim also said that there was often confusion over who the security monitor in each building was. He said that faculty are not alerted when the assignments change. Ampim is currently listed as a security monitor on CCC’s website, but said that he is not one. Referencing the drills that Police Services has run on individual buildings on campus, Oliveira said the average evacuation time per building was three to four minutes. Among faculty, there still lies confusion over where the evacuation points are. Natural, Social and Applied Sciences Division senior administrative secretary Maritza Guerrero said she believed the PS Building is supposed to be evacuated to the small quad between the Physical Science and Biological Sciences buildings in the event of a quake. Kamalian said the evacuation point for the PS Building is the Music Building parking lot. Each building’s safety monitor is also supposed to have an emergency kit containing some supplies to help them lead and command the situation in an emergency. When the bags were examined,

many were missing key elements required to be present, while others were overstocked. The Art Building’s emergency bag has nine emergency blankets in it, while the Health Science Building’s has only one. Disparity of resources is apparent in many of the safety measures around campus. The emergency cabinet in the Liberal Arts Building is currently being used to store tables and chairs, instead of supplies. The campus does have Police Services to rely on. They are housed in a building ranked seismic risk level V by the Tomasetti Report. The building is described as representing a “substantial risk to life.” Communications in an emergency are also expected to be out of service. Oliveira said, “We may just have to resort to good old fashioned carrier pigeons.” Helping yourself Many Californians already know what to do come an earthquake. The drills done in school are still fresh in many peoples’ minds. But it is always important to have a refresher. The USGS website suggests in the event of an earthquake, it is important to find the sturdiest surface one can crawl under, and hold on. People should remember to protect their heads and necks from any debris, and to be as far away from any glass as possible. Preparedness is key, according to the USGS. In elementary school, students often make emergency kits at the beginning of the year. The USGS website maintains it is important to have food and water available. The events of Hurricane Katrina illustrated how slow the response from emergency aide organizations can be.

College lacks adequate preparedness supply Emergency plans need more attention By Brian Boyle NEWS EDITOR

bboyle.theadvocate@gmail.com

A mere 15 seconds in 1989 was enough to shake the confidence of the entire San Francisco Bay Area. The Loma Prieta Earthquake, a 6.9 moment magnitude earthquake, according to the United States Geological Survey, caused billions of dollars in property damage, claimed 63 lives and injured 3,757 people. Sociology department Chairperson Manu Ampim said he was in Germany when the earthquake happened. “I grew up in California, so earthquakes have never bothered me,” Ampim said. “When I got back to the states after 1989, the first little jolt I felt, something was different. The first tiny little earthquake caused everyone in the room with me to freak out. I had never seen it before.” The Loma Prieta showed that the Bay Area simply was not prepared for a major earthquake. Plans would need to be drafted, buildings better prepared and supplies gathered. In the event of a major earthquake, employees of Contra Costa College are instructed to refer to the Earthquake Disaster Plan and Emergency Operations Plan in the Procedures Handbook. Marshall Alameida, director of the nursing department and safety monitor for the Health Sciences Building, said that being able to calmly refer to the safety instructions and act accordingly during a major earthquake is easier said than done. “We (building monitors) should be committing this to memory,” Dr. Alameida said. “(During an emergency) you wouldn’t have the time to play with a checklist.” Emergency training The Contra Costa Community College District has a system in place to deal with any emergency that may arise on campus: all three of the colleges in the district have a Police Services department on their campus, staffed by a lieutenant in charge of campus safety. CCC’s is Lt. Jose Oliveira. “There use to be a district safety coordinator in charge of overseeing campus preparedness,” Lt. Oliveira said. “That position has been eliminated due to budget cuts, though.” Oliveira said that Police Services runs evacuation drills on two buildings each month throughout the academic year. He said the average evacuation time per building is around three to four minutes. “That’s really fast. I’m very pleased with our evacuation drills,” he said. CCC also has a Safety Committee, which meets once a month to discuss safety concerns on campus, and many members of

the committee are responsible for the general preparedness on campus. Director of Business Services Mariles Magalong is the chairperson of the Safety Committee. Oliveira said that each building has a set of building monitors, who are staff or faculty members designated to safely facilitate evacuation and make sure that all students have exited the facility in the case of an emergency. The building monitors are given an emergency kit filled with a variety of items that are supposed to assist them in commanding the situation and assisting students in need. The kits come equipped with such items as emergency blankets, a first-aid kit, a safety monitor ID vest, a hard hat and a flashlight. Each building monitor is responsible for maintaining his or her kit. Each monitor is also given a bright yellow “Contra Costa Community College District Safety Monitor Manual,” which details the plan for emergencies such as bomb threats, fires or earthquakes. The manual also contains a checklist detailing what is supposed to be in each kit. Safety monitors are encouraged, but not required, to also become Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers, and receive CERT training. Magalong said she is unsure which safety monitors have completed the training, but that she believed some had. The list of who is a building monitor and for which building is posted on CCC’s website, www.contracosta.edu. Ampim is listed as a building monitor for the Liberal Arts Building, but he said that he has not been a safety monitor for some time. “I’m not sure who it is for the LA Building,” Ampim said. “I used to be one, but I’m not anymore. They don’t really alert people when the assignments change.” Oliveira said building monitors are also supposed to have access to walkie-talkies that they have to periodically check in with, to ensure they are working. He also said building monitors have keys to emergency cabinets, which are supposed to be located in each building. The emergency cabinets are supposed to be stocked with food, first-aid kits, blankets and other supplies necessary for an emergency, Oliveira said. Building monitor for the Health Sciences Building Dr. Cheri Etheredge said, “I’m not aware of any cabinets anywhere.” Senior electronics technician and building monitor for Physical Sciences Building Jeffrey Kamalian said, “They gave me a megaphone, but no, there’s no cabinet filled with food in my building.” Kamalian said that during an earthquake he would rely on his common sense in order to assist students in need. Oliveira noted that each police officer on campus is trained in CPR and first-aid, a requirement to graduate from the Police Academy.

with food and supplies. Safety of buildings Inspecting each cabinet, if a building In 1989, the Loma Prieta Earthquake even actually has one, shows that this job is caused the Cypress Viaduct, part of Interstate not being adequately performed. 880, to collapse, as well as a portion of the The Art Building, for example, has its Bay Bridge. emergency cabinet in the rear of the faculty The quake occurred on the San Andreas offices. The cabinet sits unlocked and inside Fault, a fault line that does not run through of it there are emergency rations, but they CCC’s campus. have been expired for seven years. The college sits atop the Hayward Fault, Packets of instant soup sit in a plastic a 74-mile-long fault that stretches through bag with visible bite marks along the sides most major East Bay cities, from Richmond of the bags. to Oakland and beyond. The Liberal Arts Building’s emergency Geography professor Chris Johnson cabinet is currently being used to house said, “An earthquake on the excess tables and chairs. Hayward Fault would be a Oliveira said each buildA R E WE R EADY ? lot worse than the (Loma ing with an elevator should Prieta) in 1989.” also be equipped with evacThe Thornton Tomasetti uation chairs: large, rolling Building Solutions group chairs that look similar to a completed a Seismic T HE H AYWARD F AULT stroller and are fit to safely Evaluation and Retrofit transport disabled persons Study report for CCC in 2010. down stairs. The study details the major structural and Building monitor for the Applied Arts nonstructural deficiencies of each building Building Nick Dimitri did not know what on campus, and explains what is expected to an evacuation chair was, but said the AA occur in the event of a powerful earthquake Building does have a stretcher that can be along the Hayward Fault. used to carry disabled students down stairs For example, the report lists that due to in the event of an earthquake. the poor existing wall-to-roof anchorage Magalong said, “We do have emergency connections along the east and west walls, supplies. Do we have enough? I don’t know the Gymnasium’s roof could potentially if we could ever have enough.” collapse during an earthquake along the Hayward Fault. Student preparation The report ranks each building’s seismic As it has been since elementary school, risk level, ranking the buildings from levels when students would be required to make a I to VII, with risk level I as very safe to small “emergency kit” filled with nonperishoccupants. The rankings are based upon able foods, students in California are largely how damaged the building may become in to rely on themselves come an earthquake. an earthquake, whether or not the systems Nursing major Michelle Hillard said, in the building will remain operational, and “I haven’t been given any information (on what the “risk to life” each building repre- college emergency procedures). I think it sents in the event of a major earthquake. should at least be posted in each building.” The Physical Sciences Building is ranked The USGS, as part of its website, has at V — which represents a substantial risk to seven steps to preparing for an earthquake. life, for example. Most buildings on campus Four of the seven steps involve preparaare seismic risk level IV — a moderate risk tion. The USGS advises people to secure to life. their space by securing any potential hazCCC’s Master Plan calls for retrofitting ards such as glass that could fall. They also each building on campus, yet there are still advise people to create a disaster plan, orgamany buildings and years left to go before nize their disaster supplies and minimize the buildings represent less than a “question- financial hardship by securing important able risk” to the lives of students. documents. The only advice they can offer people Resources during an earthquake is, “Duck, cover and “We have a converted bus we can bring hold on.” in and use as a headquarters,” Lt. Oliveira The final two steps are to remove yoursaid. “It’s at Diablo Valley College right self from continuing hazards and to reconnow, I think, but it’s a district bus we can nect with friends and family. move around.” The USGS recommends that people keep Oliveira said that Police Services has a as many supplies as they can in a secure “bunch of blankets” and about 75 to 100 location in their home. surplus army cots in case bedding is needed Supplies such as nonperishable food, for people on campus. He said that Police bottled water, medication, sturdy shoes and Services also has a generator that is capable dust masks will be invaluable during an of producing power after a catastrophe. earthquake. Magalong said that Darlene Poe, the Johnson said, “There is no way to stop custodial services manager and Safety an earthquake, all you can do is prepare for Committee member, is responsible for see- when it happens.” ing that each emergency cabinet is stocked

B4 THE ADVOCATE

SPOTLIG

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013

ARE

WE READY?

The Advocate investigates the uncertain future of Contra Costa College’s 58-year-old San Pablo campus perched atop the Hayward Fault — an active fault which geologists call the nation’s most dangerous

Seismic retrofits needed to ensure student safety Buildings on campus in need of repairs to strengthen footing on unstable land By Lorenzo Morotti EDITORIAL CARTOONIST

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

Since the Hayward Fault, an active main fault that geologists consider past due for a major earthquake, runs directly through campus, seismically retrofitting older structures on campus has become a chief concern for the college administration. To ensure the safety of students, staff and faculty alike in the event of an earthquake, buildings aging from 40 to 60 years old are planned to receive necessary retrofits beginning as early as May 2014. The Contra Costa College Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit Studies report prepared by Thornton Tomasetti Building Solutions in November 2010 details the extent of structural and non-structural deficiencies of all buildings on campus. Each building was assigned a seismic risk level between I and VII, with level VII posing the highest risk to the lives of occupants during a major earthquake. The study placed 13 of the buildings on campus at levels of IV and V, three of which are considered threatening to life at risk level V and will be addressed and corrected in the first two retrofit projects. “There are a lot of old buildings on campus,” Building and Grounds Manager Bruce King said.

“The ones most at risk are the Biology and Physical Sciences buildings and the Football Press Box.” District Chief Facilities Planner Ray Pyle said that planned seismic retrofits to older buildings on campus will be grouped together into four separate projKing ects, with the first beginning as early as May 2014. Project one will provide the Biology, Physical Sciences, Football Press Box, and Maintenance Warehouse buildings with necessary seismic retrofits. Thornton Tomasetti Inc. officials estimate that the soft cost to fix the structural and non-structural deficiencies would be just short of $2 million. Support sections of any building’s infrastructure that are unable to withstand the seismic force of an earthquake are considered to be structural deficiencies, including cracks in support beams, inconsistencies in the building diaphragm and lack of necessary wall anchors. Any of these deficiencies could compromise the integrity of any building on campus during a major earthquake. Non-structural deficiencies are objects inside a building that could come loose during an earthquake and cause bodily injury, including shelves, cabinets or lighting fixtures. Project two clumps together the portables that house Police Services, Buildings and Grounds and Campus Receiving, all at seismic risk levels of IV out of VII. It would cost an estimated $182,208. Projects three and four are both still in the planning stages, but when finished will include what to do with the Applied Arts and Administration

“There are a lot of old buildings on campus. The ones most at risk are the Biology and Physical Sciences buildings and the Football Press Box.” Bruce King,

Buildings and Grounds manager

Building, Gymnasium, Performing Arts, Gym Annex and Art buildings. Funding for the later retrofit projects will be allocated from the district budget at a future date, but for the time being, CCC is focusing on project one, Pyle said. He said that the funding for the project is coming from a 2006 California State Bond measure rebate of about $8 million. He plans to obtain additional funding for the retrofits by asking for donations from local redevelopment agencies. Some of the older structures on campus have undergone retrofitting haphazardly over the past decade, he said. “These were done on a project-by-project basis before I stepped into the position 10 years ago,” Pyle said. Buildings on campus that have already been retrofitted are the Early Learning, Computer Technology, Library and Learning Resource and Student Services centers and the Liberal Arts Building. Pyle said these facilities were chosen Q SEE SEISMIC: Page B6

Historical quakes in the Golden State Oct. 21: Magnitude 7.0 earthquake strikes the Hayward Fault, killing five people. Becomes known as the “Great San Francisco Earthquake” — until 1906.

1868 Source: U.S. Geological Survey

April 18: America’s most infamous earthquake and resulting fire kills 3,000 people and destroys San Francisco. The San Andreas Fault ruptures for more than 300 kilometers.

1872

1906

March 26: Massive quake in the Owens Valley virtually destroys town of Lone Pine, leaving 7-meter fault scarp.

March 11: Devastating earthquake in Long Beach destroys dozens of schools, pushing state legislators to enact Field Act, state’s first earthquake building code.

1922 Jan. 23: Faults offshore in the Juan de Fuca Plate cause 7.4-magnitude quake west of Eureka.

1933

Feb. 9: A 6.6-magnitude earthquake hits Southern California’s San Fernando Valley, killing 65. Hospital and freeway collapses result in major building code revisions.

1952

July 21: Twelve people die and the town of Tehachapi is ruined by 7.3-magnitude quake on White Wolf Fault.

1971

May 2: Quiet Centra town of Coalinga sha by magnitude-6.5 ea which obliterates 8-b in city’s downtown a ness district.

1979

Oct. 15: Imperial County earthquake destroys county office building, built under earlier, weaker building code.

OTLIGHT

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013 l THE ADVOCATE

Art Building (built 1971)

Biology Building (built 1960)

Seismic issues: Built on unstable fill, the Art Building has been sliding down the hill it sits on since the day it opened. New seismic work discovered faulting above and below it. Seismic risk rating: IV (moderate risk to life) Retrofit costs: Estimated at $229,787, but district officials have decided to keep the building open and in use.

Seismic issues: Inadequate shear wall, roof diaphragm, x-bracings and wall anchorages will not be able to maintain the weight of the building during an earthquake. The x-bracing is overstressed and needs more bracings to prevent a collapse of the building. Seismic risk rating: IV (moderate risk to life) Retrofit costs: $640,421

Campus map

Physical Sciences Building (built 1955) Seismic issues: K-bracings near center of the structure could yield under seismic strain, the roof diaphragm has inconsistencies. During an earthquake the shaking could cause the building to collapse. Seismic risk rating: V (substantial risk to life). Retrofit costs: $355,849

Gymnasium (built 1956)

Legend Legend

Hayward Hayward Fault Fault Trace faults Trace faults AlquistAlquistPriolo Zone Priolo zone

Seismic issues: The existing walk-to-roof anchorage connections are inadequate for the seismic loads which could lead to a potential partial roof or wall collapse. Connections are inadequate at the most highly stressed locations. The covered entrance walkway on the west and east ends of the structure could collapse in the event of an earthquake. Also cracks are visible in the concrete walls and columns outside. Seismic risk rating: IV (moderate risk to life) Retrofit costs: $183,346

Gym Annex Building (built 1967) Seismic issues: The seismic forces in the rood can only transfer to the shear walls through weak concrete beams. The deficiency of the beams to carry a seismic load could result in potential roof collapse. The wall anchorage is not adequate for expected seismic forces. Seismic risk rating: IV (moderate risk to life) Retrofit costs: $581,410

Source: Kleinfelder geotechnical report, Forell/Elsesser seismic engineering study

Fault walk Contra Costa College’s unstable underpinnings can be seen in slow motion at several spots on campus. A brief stroll through the college along the Hayward Fault reveals several locations where anyone can marvel at the power of plate tectonics. They’re visible reminders that in the San Francisco Bay Area, we live on shaky ground.

Cracks in Lot 7 in front of the Student Activities Building trace the Hayward Fault. The pavement is being slowly stretched to its breaking point.

Bricks laid in a patio near Lot 12 years ago aren’t straight anymore — the Hayward Fault saw to that.

et Central Valley alinga shaken up de-6.5 earthquake erates 8-block area wntown and busi-

nty county nder g code.

1983

Oct. 1: Eight people killed in east Los Angeles as 5.9magnitude Whittier Narrows earthquake ruptures another previously-unknown Southern California thrust fault.

1987

1989

Oct. 18: Magnitude 6.9 Loma Prieta quake strikes San Francisco Bay Area, killing 63 people and destroying major bridges and freeways.

PHOTOS BY CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

1994 Jan. 17: San Fernando Valley again hit by a major earthquake, killing 60. Dozens of apartments and freeways collapse in 6.7-magnitude temblor.

2003 Feb. 22: Southern California mountains shaken up by 5.4magnitude quake centered near Big Bear City.

B6 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013

SPOTLIGHT

Seismic Retrofits required because of fault proximity Q FROM: Page B4

to receive retrofits because of their high seismic risk levels and frequent foot traffic, because they were recently built and are up to modern standards, or, in the case of the Early Learning Center, because of the young age of regular occupants. The California Division of the State Architect created the seismic risk level scale in the late 1990s. Information on the structural deficiencies and the building’s proximity to nearby fault lines is used to determine how the facility would withstand an earthquake of

high magnitude. After the buildings on campus were graded on their seismic risk levels, the college administration began prioritizing which buildings should receive retrofits first. “We are going off this report and trying to retrofit the buildings most at risk first,” President Denise Noldon said. “I would love to retrofit all of the buildings at once, however, that is just not possible. Students wouldn’t have anywhere to go to class, and the funding just isn’t there.”

Pyle said that because the Hayward on campus by various third-party contractFault runs beneath CCC’s campus, it “falls ing engineering firms studying the effects under the Alquist-Priolo of the fault on CCC’s camZoning Act.” pus. A R E WE R EADY ? He explained that the The most recent trench California state law, passed study was conducted by in 1972, created a 2,000Kleinfelder, Inc. in 2012, square-foot zone on either he said. side of an active fault line T HE H AYWARD F AULT Dr. Noldon said that where buildings cannot the results from the trench be built unless comprehensive geological studies were used to expand the “Habitable studies are done at the site. Zone” on campus in which buildings could Pyle said that through the years there be built. have already been dozens of trenches dug

Emergency cabinets lack adequate supply Disaster lockers missing needed materials, food

“Good to see we have a couple of tables and some chairs to set up if there’s ever an emergency.”

By George Morin

Jeffery Michels,

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

English professor

gmorin.theadvocate@gmail.com

As history shows, the disaster had no supply cabinets. supply cabinets on campus, meant In addition to finding inconsisto ensure campus occupants access tent distribution of supplies, such to first aid materials, food and as the Art Building cabinet having water for three days in case of more supplies than the one housed a major disaster, in the Student have not been regServices Center, it A R E WE R EADY ? ularly maintained. was clear that the The idea of cabinets had not having emergency been replenished cabinets originatin some time. ed when a former T HE H AYWARD F AULT The expiration professor’s son dates on packaged began the project as part of an goods found throughout the surEagle Scouts mission in the early veyed cabinets will notify potential 1990s, former Safety Committee disaster survivors that the cans of member and art professor Richard soup they expected for nourishAkers said. ment expired in August 2011 and In recent years, the care of the their evaporated foods passed their cabinets has fallen off. prime back in November 2006. Director of Business Services Also, only a single 24-pack case Mariles Magalong, who also serves of water, or less, was found in each as Safety Committee chairperson, cabinet. said Safety Committee member Magalong said that although the Darlene Poe is responsible for Safety Committee would like to checking emergency equipment, purchase pricier foods with submedical supplies and replacing stantially longer shelf lives than expired food in the cabinets at what are currently in the closets, it least once a year. is necessary for the committee to The cabinets, housed through- operate within its means. out the campus in the Applied Arts Some other supplies found in and Gym Annex buildings, the the cabinets included first aid kits, Early Learning, Student Services portable toilets, radios, extra batand Automotive Technology cen- teries, blankets, water purifiers, ters, the Gymnasium and Police basic medical supplies, flashlights, Services, generally contain the hygienic products, trash bags and same supplies, Poe said. caution and duct tape. The Advocate observed six “In terms of first aid, what we cabinets during the week of Oct. have would be enough until help 14-18 in the Police Services, arrives,” Poe said. “If people are Student Services, Early Learning, hurt, that is our priority.” Automotive Technology centers, The supplies, however, varied and Liberal Arts and Art build- from location to location. ings. For instance, cots for sleeping The Physical Sciences Building and a checklist of recommended and the Health Sciences Building inventory and inspection logs,

though last dated Feb. 7, 2002, were found only in the Art Building. Dr. Akers said these things were put in place while he was the building monitor years ago. One possible reason for the disparities is because these designated building monitors, who are volunteers, hold keys to these cabinets and can make individual maintenance decisions without the knowledge of the Safety Committee. Previous Art Building monitor John Diestler said the art department made it a habit to consume foods when the expiration dates were near and someone would simply pay a few dollars out of pocket to replace them. Diestler, former art professor and department chairperson, retired in June, but is still listed as the building monitor for the Art Building according to the latest Contra Costa College Procedures Handbook. History professor and Liberal Arts Building monitor Manu Ampim said he was no longer a building monitor as of this academic year, but was unaware that he was still listed in the CCC Procedures Handbook as a monitor for the building. The Advocate observed the Liberal Arts Building emergency disaster cabinet on Oct. 17, after Liberal Arts Division dean and Liberal Arts Building monitor Helen Kalkstein unlocked the emergency closet’s door. The cabinet contained about a dozen chairs stacked on top of each other and two foldable tables on their sides. Inside of the closet was another cabinet with a lock on it that, according to Kalkstein, she did not have the key for. “I believe custodial services has this key,” she said. English professor Jeffery Michels, while walking by the Liberal Arts Building cabinet, said, “Good to see we have a couple of tables and some chairs to set up if there’s ever an emergency.”

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Lacking attention — The Liberal Arts Building’s emergency disaster cabinet was stocked with chairs, binders and a couple of tables on Thursday.

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Not looking good — A beef barley soup box that expired in August 2011 was found in the Automotive Technology Center emergency disaster cabinet on Thursday.

Residents recall devastating temblor the 63 deaths and was due to obsolete bridge models and a lack of anticipation for large weight loads during a seismic event, according to a USGS report. Prior to the Loma Prieta quake, The Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 shook the Bay Area, proving to be one of the most damaging earthquakes in U.S. history at a magnitude of 7.8. Sometime during By Christian Urrutia the 83 years that elapsed between the two PHOTO EDITOR disasters, Northern California residents got currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com comfortable. The lull in major earthquakes in the With an epicenter 10 miles northeast of Santa Cruz, a 6.9 moment magnitude earth- Bay Area had created a false sense of secuquake was emitted from near the peak of rity until the Loma Prieta Earthquake, Dr. Loma Prieta in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Holzer said. California Geological Survey Public 60 miles south-southeast of San Francisco, Information Officer Don on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 1989. Drysdale said the San The main shock occurred A R E WE R EADY ? Francisco Marina District at 5:04 p.m. when a segment saw a lot of damage during of the San Andreas Fault the 1989 quake due to the ruptured, half an hour before underlying soil reacting to the third game of the “Battle T HE H AYWARD F AULT liquefaction. Soil liquefacof the Bay” World Series tion is a process in which between the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s was scheduled to soil loses strength and stiffness in response to applied stress and causes it to behave like begin. Due to the game, the Loma Prieta earth- a liquid. Holzer said that soft soil underneath the quake was the first major quake to ever be first floors of buildings around the Marina broadcast on live television. The disaster resulted in 63 deaths, with District collapsed and ignited the gas pipes 3,757 reported injuries and $6 billion worth once gas had started to leak. “A lot of the collapses we saw were of property damage, according to the United caused because of soft first story soil,” he States Geological Survey (USGS). Around 16,000 housing units were said. Drysdale said, “The ‘rule of thumb’ is deemed uninhabitable after the tumult, including 13,000 in the San Francisco Bay that if it is (an earthquake) greater than 5.5 (magnitude) you will have structural damregion. Dr. Tom Holzer, an engineering geolo- age, especially for older brick masonry that gist for the USGS, said, “The Loma Prieta is not reinforced.” Charlie Eadie, land use consultant for reawakened people’s notions of how devasHamilton-Swift Land Use, was the recovery tating an earthquake can be.” The collapse of the Cypress Street plan project manager during Santa Cruz and Viaduct in West Oakland resulted in 42 of Watsonville’s reconstruction efforts follow-

1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake leaves damage in its wake

“As time passed, (the USGS) learned a lot and now we can closely look at how earthquakes shake. We lost power here at USGS at the time (of the Loma Prieta) and our networks were not on backup generators. But we have (generators) now and our network and monitoring is in much better shape.” Larry Hansen,

San Pablo resident

ing the temblor. He said the soft soil also, in combination with unreinforced masonry buildings, led to the many buildings collapsing in downtown Santa Cruz. As a resident of Santa Cruz, Eadie remembers seeing brick houses in his neighborhood crumble during the earthquake. “The brick housing didn’t have rebar so it shook to pieces and I saw a cloud of yellow dust rising. I knew that the other (like) buildings were falling down in downtown,” he said. Six deaths were recorded in Santa Cruz and roughly 1 million square feet of office and commercial areas were impacted. Drysdale said, “It wasn’t clear at first, but the real significance (of the Loma Prieta) to scientists was how much damage the seismic waves could cause at a distance, simply because of the soil type.” Holzer agrees. “I think it was a surprise

to seismologists to see how much damage was done from afar (due to) the soft soil, which amplified the shaking velocity,” he said. Since Loma Prieta, the USGS has strengthened its system in order to operate and record an earthquake while one is occurring, Holzer said. USGS Public Affairs Specialist Leslie Gordon, said, “As time passed, (the USGS) learned a lot and now we can closely look at how earthquakes shake. We lost power here at USGS at the time (of the Loma Prieta) and our networks were not on backup generators. But we have (generators) now and our network and monitoring is in much better shape.” San Pablo resident Larry Hansen, who managed a Safeway where the San Pablo Library is currently located, was on his way outside to check on a pumpkin display in front of the store when the quake struck. “I saw the windows flex and what were almost like waves ripple in the parking lot. People ran out of the store immediately,” Hansen said. Hansen, now owner of the Grocery Outlet on 23rd Avenue in San Pablo, said that after closing the store for eight hours following the earthquake, people “panic bought” groceries and supplies once he reopened. “There were no deliveries for two days so a lot of panic buying went on. People wanted what they wanted and if they could not get it, they would fight over it,” he said. Hansen said he could imagine people rioting for food if another earthquake were to hit the Richmond and San Pablo area. Holzer said, “Unfortunately we have the Hayward Fault right in a densely populated urban area. We still have a lot of old buildings and, as far as damages, you can be looking at tens of billions of dollars and thousands of fatalities.”

SPOTLIGHT

Bay Area sits atop dangerous faults

A closer look Rodgers Creek Fault: Nearly 40 miles long, it is expected to slip within the next 30 years.

Rohnert Park Petaluma

Vacaville

Napa

Strain mounting on Hayward line

Fairfield

San Andreas Fault: A 25-mile long rupture along it caused the Loma Prieta earthquake.

Novato Vallejo

San Rafael

San Pablo Bay

Contra Costa College

San Pablo

Oakland San Francisco

Alameda

Daly City

Hayward Fault: Running through the college, it is deemed the nation’s most at-risk fault. San Leandro Hayward

steadily moves, about 5 millimeters a year. There is evidence of movement throughout the campus. Shifts along sidewalk curbs, cracks in paths and warped fences are only By Lorenzo Morotti EDITORIAL CARTOONIST a few. An earthquake occurs when lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com energy, stored miles beneath the ground is released. In an abrupt The Bay Area is at risk of shift, one side of the fault moves experiencing a 6.7 or greater earth- to the right, while the other moves quake within the next 26 years left causing the telltale shaking according to the United States which occurs during an earthGeological Survey (USGS). quake, Johnson said. Running through Contra Costa The last time the Hayward Fault College, reports done by the USGS released a large amount of energy show that the Hayward Fault has was in 1868. It was known as the a 31 percent chance of hosting “Great San Francisco Earthquake” a “devastating” earthquake along until the 1906 quake that devasits cracked line. Labeled by the tated an ill prepared city. The 6.7 USGS as the fault “most at risk” shockwave started in Fremont and of producing a major earthquake, ripped along the fault until reachthe fault’s presence leaves stu- ing Berkeley. Thirty people died dents on campus and $350,000 at risk. worth of damage A R E WE R EADY ? “The fault is was done to the considered dansparsely populatgerous because ed Bay Area. of how long it’s A special been since its last T HE H AYWARD F AULT 2010 report big shift,” geograissued by Risk phy professor Chris Johnson said. Management Solutions (RMS), an Studies conducted by the investigative insurance company, USGS estimate that the fault shifts detailed the 1868 Hayward Fault violently every 150 years. “We earthquake. are due for another one,” Johnson Based on the latest U.S Census said. data, seven million people live in The 74-mile-long Hayward the Bay Area. At least 2.4 milFault starts in the San Pablo Bay lion live within the Alquist-Priolo near Point Pinole, just south of Zone, a 2,000-foot area running where the Rodgers Creek Fault parallel on either side of the active ends. The fault cuts underneath Hayward Fault line. the campus through the Bus In 1972, a law was created Transfer Center, Lot 1 and Lot suggesting retrofits to buildings 10. It brushes along the foot of within the Alquist-Priolo zone. the East Bay hills until connect- The law prohibited future develing with the Calaveras Fault in opment without seismic studies San Jose. by a third party within the zone. USGS official seismic reports “We rest on the Hayward say that the fault “creeps,” or Fault here on campus. We are

San Francisco Bay Fremont

Half Moon Bay Mountain View San Jose San Gregorio

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013 l THE ADVOCATE

at a greater risk,” Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said. “Construction on campus cannot start until we make sure we are not building on a fault.” Communities that the fault directly cuts through include San Jose, Oakland, Fremont, Richmond, Berkeley, Hayward, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, El Cerrito, Emeryville, Kensington and Milpitas. UC Berkeley seismology lab Operations Manager Peggy Hellwag said the shaking caused by an earthquake on the Hayward Fault would cause landslides in Bay Area hills and liquefaction in the low-lying cities. Some parts of Richmond, Berkeley, San Pablo, Oakland and Alameda built on artificial landfill are at risk of sliding. Johnson said artificial fill is when people dump garbage and other debris (construction debris, or just soil) to fill them in so they can build on them. “This makes the ground underneath very unstable,” he said. “It turns the soil into quicksand.” CCC is too far away from the coast to be susceptible to liquefaction. Johnson said, “Landslides are a greater threat to the campus than liquefaction.” Roughly $255 billion of residential and commercial properties in Contra Costa County are at risk in the event of a major earthquake on the Hayward Fault based on the 2009 RMS U.S. Industry Exposure Database (IED). Within the Bay Area’s eight counties the combined damage cost is estimated to be $1.9 trillion. “In the best case scenario, it will be very bad,” Hellwag said. “In the worst case, it will be extremely bad.”

Art Building rests on shifting foundation Foundation needs repair

without first making the costly repairs to the foundation and that the finalized plan for the building is still “up in the air.” Senior Dean of Instruction By Cody McFarland Donna Floyd said that retrofitting ASSOCIATE EDITOR the Art Building is “cost-prohibicmcfarland.theadvocate@gmail.com tive” and that all decisions must While other campus build- be made with the college’s budget ings that are 40-60 years old are in mind. Buildings and Grounds receiving seismic retrofits, the 42year-old Art Building will not Manager Bruce King said, “For receive a retrofit, as it awaits its now, we can only do what our eventual fate: being demolished or budget allows.” Former art department chairconverted into storage. Classes have continuously person and professor Richard been held in the facility since Akers, who has been on mediit first opened in 1971, despite cal leave using banked classload evidence, which first appeared for the past two years, was very more than 13 years ago, that the active and dedicated while chairbuilding’s structural foundation person, leading the initiative to move the department out of the has shifted. The Hayward Fault, an active Art Building in favor of a safer location in 2006. fault that is conDr. Akers sidered by geoloA R E WE R EADY ? based his position gists to be overon the various due for a major cracks snaking earthquake, runs directly through T HE H AYWARD F AULT around the walls and floors of the Contra Costa College’s campus. In spite of this Art Building, the warping of door threat to campus structures, the and window frames and the visArt Building will not receive nec- ible southward shift of the floor essary seismic retrofits because its from the wall in rooms A-6A foundation has moved since it was and A-6B. The sliding partition that once opened to unite the two set 42 years ago. After more than a decade’s rooms is now a permanent wall, as worth of decision-making, the its track jammed years ago from seismic studies conducted on the the building’s movement. Since then, people’s opinions building that analyzed the soil for potentially active fault traces have changed on the status of the and the plan for what to do with Art Building, Akers said. It is still the facility have turned up incon- in use seven years later. “It’s amazing the way opinions clusive. However, a 2010 study, done change,” he said. “A verdict from by Thornton Tomasetti Building one study can change when a secSolutions, assigned the Art ond opinion is given by a different Building a seismic risk level of study. But it all comes down to the IV out of VII, meaning occu- call of the engineers, whether they pant safety inside the building is say it is safe or unsafe.” According to the Tomasetti “questionable” in the event of an study, the Art Building’s seismic earthquake. Deciding what will eventually risk level of IV represents a “modhappen to the building will require erate risk to life.” The seismic risk scale is based further deliberation by engineering and seismology groups, Contra around a “design earthquake,” Costa College’s administration which details the effects of a and the district Governing Board. major earthquake with the closest “The issue with the Art nearby fault as its epicenter and an Building is related to its foun- even stronger magnitude than that dation and foundation work is of the Loma Prieta, Justin Fahey, very expensive based on its com- senior associate for Thornton plexity,” district Chief Facilities Tomasetti, said. If the building were a hospiPlanner Ray Pyle said. Pyle explained that retrofitting tal, police station or hazardous the building would be ineffective materials facility, a seismic risk

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

level IV would deem it “unacceptable for occupancy.” But, since CCC falls into the category of public schools, it is only ranked as questionable. Also, the presence of approximate potentially active fault lines directly north and south of the Art Building, as detailed by the CCC Amendment to Master Plan Seismic Study conducted by Kleinfelder seismic solutions group in 2012, presents further concern. While these red zones on the perimeter of the building are considered building exclusion and setback zones, the area directly underneath the facility requires “further investigation.” As far as William McCormick, principal engineering geologist for Kleinfelder, knows, no geological study exists of the land beneath the Art Building. He said there is a “pretty good” likelihood that the approximate fault lines north and south of the facility are connected, meaning there are potentially active faults directly beneath the building. “They may be secondary traces of the Hayward Fault,” McCormick said. “There was not enough soil in that area to determine if the faults are active or not. We have to be conservative when it comes to schools; the key here is that these traces are not necessarily active. We just cannot prove that they are not active.” The visible cracks and warping of frameworks around doors and windows in the Art Building and signs of slight landslides around the premises were the evidences Akers used to support his claim years ago. Fahey said, “The cracking of floors and walls, windows pop-

ping out of place and other like symptoms may be disturbing to occupants, but do not necessarily implicate a risk to their lives. They (the symptoms) are not grounds to say the building is unsafe.” Fahey said he understands the concern, but it does not imply an immediate safety hazard and further observation and review is required before an accurate verdict on occupant safety can be made. “The threat (of the effects of an earthquake) is not imminent,” he said. “It is dependent on an event that is very rare.” College President Denise Noldon said it is impossible to tell what may happen in the event of a major earthquake. Because that threat is not imminent, more time to consider the fate of the Art Building will be taken before reaching an absolute resolution, Dr. Noldon said. Dr. Floyd said that CCC being built atop the Hayward Fault definitely raises questions concerning infrastructure and student safety. She assures students that the college would not use any building deemed by the California Division of the State Architect to be uninhabitable. Noldon agrees. “We would never have people working in a facility deemed uninhabitable,” she said. “Some of the buildings on campus may not be in tip-top shape, but they are habitable and safe.” Pyle said that with new college leadership comes new ideas on what the priorities for CCC are. He said that the Facilities Master Plan made by the college can provide them guidance for up to 15-20 years. Akers said that, like it did in 2006, any notion of change in the master plan raises questions as to what may happen to the art department if it has to move. He said there

A peaceful scene — The Art Building rests on an unstable foundation and has multiple structural deficiencies.

is the potential for reduced offerings or department termination. King said the construction of the new three-story classroom building, slated to open by fall 2016, will allow for many classes regularly held elsewhere, as well as office space for professors currently in the Liberal Arts Building, to convene in the new facility. The Art Building, however, is a facility that requires specific tools, materials and appliances for classes such as welding, darkroom photography, ceramics and sculpture. Such classes would not be able to move to the new building based on their needs, he said. Noldon said the college administration makes the best decisions possible with the information they have at any given time, but when new studies or current information is brought to light, that scope broadens and plans may change. King said a bond measure slated for June 2014 could provide $450$650 million in funding for the college to continue the construction of new structures and the retrofitting of old buildings on campus. The bond money could set in motion the necessary construction projects and retrofits detailed in the CCC Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit Studies conducted by Thornton Tomasetti, he said. According to Floyd, the first retrofit project prioritizes retrofitting the Biology and Physical Science buildings and is slated to begin by the end of July 2014. Project two still requires state review and approval for allocation of funding, and the remaining two building projects, which include what to do with the Art Building, are still under discussion and in the process of development, Floyd said.

B8 THE ADVOCATE

SPOTLIGHT ARE WE READY? X THE HAYWARD FAULT

l WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013

Preparing for shaky ground

o one can ever be prepared enough for an earthquake. Disaster can strike at any time, and without an emergency survival plan, safety is knocked off the list of guarantees. By knowing and understanding the critical elements needed before, during and after an earthquake, however, a portion of the chaos can be avoided. In times of disaster and distress, education is paramount and can ultimately determine the degree of repercussions felt during and following the occurrence. Providing a list of necessary supplies and advice, The Advocate hopes to assist readers in remembering that safety is everyone’s concern and can be attained through proper planning.

BEFORE

Set aside packaged food with a long shelf life and water must last at least 72 hours.

Sustenance Safety

Preparation is essential when ensuring access to basic necessities after an earthquake. The storage of vital supplies and equipment helps to provide comfort and relief. It is through safety preparedness that most are able to pull through disastrous quakes.

Electronics

Emergency provisions

Radios channel updated information and developments throughout the disaster.

Keeping a first aid kit at hand offers medical relief for injuries and wounds.

Stored vitamins and medications provide special nutrients needed for deficiency.

A flashlight and extra batteries fight power outages by providing an alternative light source.

Fire protection devices prevent the inhalation of fumes and the spread of flames.

Dealing with a disaster

Driving

Outside

Finding the right source of protection during an earthquake can save lives and prevent injuries.

Inside

DURING

In older buildings, find refuge under a doorway, that is within close reach.

Beware of standing near objects that might break or fall, like glass windows or vases, during the earthquake. It is best to stay in an open area or take cover, holding the same position until it is safe to move.

A stable piece of furniture can also serve as a safe area for protection from falling objects.

Avoid standing close to surrounding trees and other debris that could potentially be loosened by the earthquake.

Take caution near light posts and utility wires. If the structures are broken, they may cause severe physical damage. Standing beside wires and posts could result in being electrocuted by any dangling power chords.

When on the road, stop as quickly as safety permits and remain in the vehicle. Do not stop under or close to buildings, trees, overpasses or utility wires. Seek a detour to avoid traveling on roads and bridges that may have been damaged by the temblor.

Prepare

Measures toward coping with disaster revolve around treating wounds, ensuring security and listening for further news regarding the aftermath of an earthquake. Having proper medical and utility supplies handy can prove to be beneficial for addressing these dire emergencies. It is also crucial to keep a close listen to a radio for prompts regarding further instructional assistance and special guidance.

Secure

Action will save lives

Revive

AFTER

source: Federal Emergency Management Agency and United States Geological Survey

Treat wounds to prevent infection by applying rubbing alcohol and fresh bandages over injuries. Turn off indoor water lines and gas valves to reduce the risk of dangerous floods and gas leaks. Keep an ear out for breaking news updates and more information regarding the status of the disaster.

Contact 911 for an ambulance to receive emergency medical attention from trained professionals.

Create a list of emergency contact numbers. When safe, locate the nearest landline and dial close family and friends.

Prepare for secondary shockwaves that may be strong enough to inflict additional damage. They can occur within hours, days or weeks of the earthquake. INFOGRAPHIC BY SAM ATTAL/THE ADVOCATE