WEDNESDAY l 11.11.15 OUR 66TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.
Renowned author stirs ‘curiosity’ Historical injustices displayed through published works
BY Robert Clinton
“It’s hard to tap into all of the knowledge. It’s nice to have educated positive people in life to look up to.”
SPORTS EDITOR
rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com
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tudents, faculty and family were treated to a presentation by an accomplished author who came to explain the metaphoric connections between socio-economic politics and everyday life in his new novel, “Dawn to Twilight.” The event, held Thursday in LA103, featured novelist and professor Daniel Kunene. Dr. Kunene is an internationally known translator of African texts into English. An author of more than one dozen books, his range spans time and topic, including the “Heroic poetry
— Somori Pointer, grandson
of the Basotho,” an ethnic group that has lived in South Africa since the fifth century, to poetic works like “A Seed Must Seem to Die.” In “Dawn to Twilight,” he chronicles the lives of two South African teenagers, Duma and Meisie, growing up in the despair of apartheid. They meet at a common water spigot only to find the well has run dry. The struggle for water is a recurring theme throughout the story; it finds common connections with
location, class and status. “’Dawn to Twilight’ resonated with me because it introduced me to a culture that I had never looked into,” forensic anthropology major Malea Reeves said. “I wanted to find out more — the book made me curious about curiosity.” To begin, Kunene, who is the father-in-law to Fritz Pointer, a humanities professor at Contra Costa College, requested two volunteers from the packed classroom to assist
in acting out a passage from the book to set the mood of the story. Ku n e n e’s 92-year-old frame and calm but powerful voice Pointer led the students through the reading. Then he asked the students to explain their own interpretations of scenes and character motivations. Born in South Africa, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Africa and his SEE DAWN, PAGE 4
Summary collection of works by Dr. Kunene: Examining the oppression of apartheid in South Africa, translating compositions by African authors “Dawn to Twilight” (2013) Two teenagers come across a dry tap while living in a white-controlled black township in South Africa. Their realization leads them in another direction in life.
“My Child! My Child!” (2010) The Zulu-to-English translated novel gives insight in rural and urban life in South Africa during apartheid, a system of racial segregation.
“Thomas Mofolo and the Emergence of Written Sesotho Prose” (1989) Kunene examines Sesotho literature and provides historical context to author Thomas Mofolo’s works.
“Pirates Have Become Our Kings” (1978) The collection of written poems highlights South African culture and ideologies. Poems include “Vortex,” “Madam belched” and “Zola.”
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MARCI SUELA AND CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE
ASU GRANTS FIRST SET OF SUPPORT FUNDING Board listens to six applicant petitions, approves only five BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR
lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com
The ASU Executive Board unanimously approved funding for five Grant for Support applicants on Friday after listening to most presentations on Wednesday. ASU Internal Finance Committee member Safi Ward-Davis said, out of the six applicants, only Senior Library and Learning Resource Center Assistant Tadalech Yoseph’s request for $2,500 to order 14 reserve textbooks and 10 reserve print cards for students at Contra Costa College has not yet been approved. SEE SUPPORT, PAGE 4
CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE
‘The Rock’ valiant in face of danger, education Speech professor translates supportive will into
SQUAD ON BRINK OF CLAIMING TITLE PAGE 7
his daily campus routine
BY Benjamin Bassham STAFF WRITER
bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com
When a fire has already rolled through an area, that area becomes surprisingly safe. The fire rages nearby, hot enough to melt aluminum, but here there are just smoldering cars, the occasional burning gas line and an investigator with a mission. Contra Costa College speech professor Hans Craycraft was an investigator for the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) for 21 years, investigating the odd, the dangerous and the dull, in the name of making our water get where it needs to go. “I just kind of fell into it. It wasn’t any kind of great plan,” Craycraft said. “The first eight
years, I spent building pipelines.” Once you know how the pipelines work you can be an investigator, he said. An investigator’s job is to be the EBMUD’s eyes and voice. “We had radios and they would tell us to go places and check things out. I would work with the fire chief, (and) I had to go to all three alarm fires,” Craycraft said. “I found myself on the nightshift quite a lot. The shift rotates, but I always seemed to be on nights. (I was) working in Richmond, Berkeley and around the East Bay — from Hayward to Crockett,” he said. “There were a lot of adventures that I had as an investigator that were one of a kind, (but) it wasn’t always a heart-poundSEE CRAYCRAFT, PAGE 4
ABOVE: Speech professor Hans Craycraft led an adventurous life in his previous profession as an investigator for EBMUD over a 21-year period before coming to Contra Costa College.
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Quotable “Liberty is the one thing no man can have unless he grants it to others.” Ruth Benedict anthropologist 1942 Christian Urrutia editor-in-chief Roxana Amparo Lorenzo Morotti associate editors Jared Amdahl opinion editor Robert Clinton sports editor Mike Thomas scene editor Jose Jimenez spotlight editor Cody Casares photo editor Marci Suela editorial cartoonist Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Asma Alkrizy Benjamin Bassham Joseph Bennett Keno Greene Xavier Johnson Magali Mercado Jason Sykes Mark Wassberg Larry Wickett Staff photographers Jordan Khoo Denis Perez Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2013 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Member Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us Phone: 510.215.3852 Fax: 510.235.NEWS Email: accent.advocate@ gmail.com Editorial policy Columns and editorial cartoons are the opinion of individual writers and artists and not that of The Advocate. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of student editors.
opinion
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11, 2015 VOL. 103, NO. 9
WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM
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EDITORIAL COMMUNITY NEEDS STABILITY Search for permanent college president must yield results
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lmost a year has passed since the search for Contra Costa College’s president began, and there has been nothing to show for the efforts other than having to turn away three presidential finalists last spring and spend $40,000 of the district’s money. During the 2015 spring semester, the Contra Costa Community College District contracted the Association of Community College Trustees Executive Search Service to advertise the position online and narrow the nationwide search down to 20 candidates. Meanwhile, the district appointed a Presidential Search Committee that was comprised of 15 members from various constituencies on campus and at the district. This group narrowed the list of candidates to three finalists. Based on district hiring procedures, members of the committee were solicited by Chancellor Helen Benjamin from the college Management Council, United Faculty, Academic Senate, Local 1, Classified Senate and the Associated Students Union president. At the district level, Dr. Benjamin appointed two representatives each from the Governing Board and Chancellor’s Office and one from the Diversity, Inclusion, and Innovation Office for the committee. So when an open forum was held on May 20 in the Knox Center, featuring the three presidential finalists, many faculty, students and community members took the time to show up to ask questions of the candidates — and they hoped their participation would show results. Instead, the only explanation Benjamin gave when the finalists were discarded after consulting with the Governing Board and the Presidential Search Committee was that they were “not qualified” for the position. Now, as the college begins its search for a president again, transparency is needed during this search to avoid unanswered questions that arose when the three candidates were turned away without much of an explanation. One hurried decision, however, needs no explanation. The Advocate commends Interim College President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh during her short term for taking charge to improve the college’s strategic plan — to address the accreditation stipulation given to the college earlier this year — and agreeing to hold the interim position until the presidential search process is repeated and the college has a new leader. There have been only 10 presidents in the college’s storied 66-year history. Yet, there has never been a time within the last 20 years that the presidency at CCC has loomed so precariously. Once the Campus Center and Classroom Building project is done by the fall of 2016, the college is expected to see an increase in enrollment. Inclusive decision-making is needed for the college to appoint a permanent president who is “qualified” to capture enrollment and grow FTES through stable leadership.
MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE
■ PROFILING
False accusation casts racial bias in society A
s a prideful African-American and a proud supporter of black culture, it is disheartening when we accuse one another simply for the way we look. A part of me dies when my oppressor is of my own color. A frustrating story happened to me the other day on my way home from work. While walking to the BART station, I decided to use one of the port-a-potties at a park that is on my path to North Berkeley BART station. As I was done using the bathroom, I heard a knock on the door of the port-apotty. As I walk out, to my surprise there are two Berkeley police officers staring at me and a black male behind them. The black man pointed at me and said, “Yeah, that’s him,” so the police officers command me to sit on the bench. One of the officer told me earlier that morning someone started a fire in the trash can by the park, and the man accused me of starting it. As I processed these words in my mind, confusion and anger started to build up. Controlling my emotions, I frustratingly told them it was not me. I was familiar with one of the cops at the scene because he frequents my store all the time to get a medium-sized coffee. They asked me a whole range of questions, like, “What am I doing in Berkeley? Where am I going? How long have I been working in this city?”
He found his car broken into while in front of his house. While he was trying to get his stuff out of his car SFPD tackled him and detained him, thinking he was the thief. He later found out a All I was trying to do was go neighbor had called the police on him. home. Who knows? It could So they proceeded to pat have been a made up story, me down but it did happen to change without my “I knew my perspective on how we consent. quickly judge people. They then that if I After his partner came asked me if I would have had a weap- back I was free to go, but what upset me the most is on. Of course a “brother” accused me of given him starting a fire at the park, I did not. solely based on the way I a sarcastic One of look. the officers In the end, the two police remark, then asked officers let me go. if I smoked it would I feel that the only reason cigarettes I was free to go was because and had a have I knew one of the cops, and lighter on he could vouch for the fact me. I said, brought “No, I do not that I work in Berkeley. It disappoints me that smoke cignothing a fellow black man was so arettes and yes I do have quick to judge me and claim good.” that I was a criminal, just a lighter on because of the way I look me.” One and the color of my skin. of the officers said, “Kind I have love and pride for of strange that you have a lighter on you, but you don’t my people, but hate it when we misjudge each other. smoke.” We should show love to So I decided to hold my each other, not pass judgtongue on that setup quesment. tion. He probably jumped the I knew that if I would have given the officer a sar- gun when he saw me look in castic remark, it would have the trash can before I used the bathroom. brought nothing good. Or maybe he felt obligatSo as time passed as I was detained, my frustration and ed to point out someone as the culprit to make sure he anger began to grow. wasn’t accused or suspected One of the officers went of the crime. across the street to talk to my accuser. Mike Thomas is the scene The officer I was familiar editor of The Advocate. with told me a story about Contact him at mthomas. himself when he was mistheadvocate@gmail.com. judged in the past.
mikethomas
CAMPUS COMMENT
What qualities should a college president possess?
“The president should be able to listen to the students.” Tayler Meulpolder art
“The president should be thoughtful and humble. He or she should be willing to give up time to benefit students. Carlos Huerta medical assisting
XAVIER JOHNSON AND DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE
“He or she should have a good sense of the school. Every school has its own identity and needs.”
“The president should be open-minded. If you’re selfish, you won’t benefit the school as a whole.”
Lana Pare
Tyler Nguyen
psychology
music
“He or she should be a strong and enthusiastic role model. The president should also be optimistic and want to better the college.”
“The president should set high standards and should inspire and perform all the duties expected of him or her.”
Brandon Washington
Gerwyn Madriaga
information technology
fire science
forum ■ POLITICS
markwassberg
LATINO IMMIGRANTS BREACH BOARDERS, FUEL CRIME RATES
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here are more than 11 million undocumented immigrants in America, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. Many have committed at least one crime such as murder, drug trafficking, gang violence, social security and voting fraud, causing what many would consider a burden on our social programs as well as cases of prison overcrowding. While most people are law-abiding citizens, immigrant activists are rallying U.S. lawmakers to endorse laws that protect the undocumented. President Obama’s immigration legislation supports millions of undocumented immigrants as they continue to stay in this country, while some of these individuals break the law. In 2009, the project “Fast and Furious” involved selling illegal weapons to the violent Mexican drug cartels. According to constitutional law, in order to be an U.S. citizen you have to be born in this country or become naturalized by the government. There are thousands of immigrants from other counties waiting for legal status to be American citizens, but the pathway to citizenship is filled with difficulty. Donald Trump, a presidential candidate for 2016, said America is a land with laws and borders. Without these laws in place a person can walk into your house without knocking on your door or ringing the doorbell. No human should have the right to enter into any other country without approval. The reason to enforce strict immigration laws is to stop citizens from one country from changing the other’s culture, language, heritage and religion. The war in the Middle East is causing thousands of refugees to flee from their homelands to other countries, especially into Germany where immigrants will have trouble assimilating in the newfound culture. The term “anchor babies” refers to when a non-citizen pregnant mother gives birth to her child in the U.S. so the newborn can become a citizen. This costs taxpayers money as their birthright citizenship gives an unfair advantage to their parents. The 14th Amendment was adopted on July 9, 1868 to grant citizenship to all born or naturalized in the U.S., including former slaves. It is unjust to grant these citizenships to immigrants without good reason. Former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush gave amnesty to millions of undocumented immigrants as part of the immigration reform laws at the time. The DREAM Act could serve as a nightmare for enacting immigration laws. It may turn out problematic because it allows undocumented children to receive an education at the cost of taxpayers’ money. In some cases, it creates competition against natural-born citizens’ right to an education as well. Mark Wassberg is a staff writer for The Advocate. Contact him at mwassberg. theadvocate@gmail.com.
WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 11.11.2015 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE
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■ KNOWLEDGE
Duality of humans denotes truth T
ruth is not dominated by one human’s definition of right, wrong, good, evil, rich or poor. Truth is as free as the wind, going wherever it blows. So I see it with myself, as well. The truth that governs my life is the creation of my own reality. For instance, there is no such thing as perfect, in any sense of the word. There is no perfection and that is truth. I don’t see a societal Utopia in my future. We are far from a Utopia. At the chance of sounding like a psychopath, I will let you know my mind is a messed-up place. The reason why I have no good in me nor bad in me is because I only strive to have truth. If you could read my mind you would see that I am racist. You would see that I am judgmental. You would see that I am pessimistic. All these bad things wander through my mind,
thing greater than both sides. To better myself, I have to create bad in me by bringing that bad out to light. I believe this works in the same way in society. To keep bettering ourselves we must bring truth to the table. We are all created equal. I’m not a bare-foot tree-hugbut the truth is I know that ging activist but I do advoI am at times racist, at times cate we take care of the judgmental and at times pes- Earth that has mothered us. simistic. I love nature too much to I found the truth. I am see it destroyed. I’m no conthat which I am. Just as the spiracy-theorist freak but I Utopia I will never see, I will believe our government has never see a perfect me, but become too corrupt. I believe an always bettering me and we must care more about that is the truth. our freedom by taking real I realize that you can’t action. have good without bad I am not an economic and vice versa. Cold is the graduate from Harvard but I absence of heat and evil is see the economic inequality the absence of God. I believe that is destroying American that oppositions create a bal- lives is more real than ever ance in my life. I learn from before. I am not a prophet the symbol of Yin and Yang. but I know we have to do I see that in everything there something drastic to change has to be included a balanced the course of history before opposition to create somewe end up in the wrath of
denisperez
our own indecisiveness to act. I do believe that by admitting our reality to ourselves, whichever it may be, then we can go forth and free ourselves. I agree with Cesar Chavez when he said that in giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free. I hope one day to find the freedom fighters of this age and live alongside them in truth until freedom is given to all who accept it. One day we will be judged by the content of our character and not by our skin, wealth or gender. I apologize for the romance. Maybe you are not used to it but freedom has that effect on me. It gives me wings to dream of the day when I write not about finding our truth but about keeping it. Denis Perez is a staff photographer for The Advocate. Contact him at dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com.
VETERAN AFFAIRS
through the Richmond lens African-American veterans renovate outdated viewpoint
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efore and after each visit to any Veterans Affairs (VA) facility, I practice counting my blessings and never consider demanding a recount. Five decades of visits to a variety of VA clinics and waiting rooms have allowed me to observe veterans in collateral compartments of disrepair due to loss of limbs, vision and mobility. Some utilize walkers, crutches or canes while an attendant alternative armada is rolling through life in wheel chairs. Others have been unfortunately bombarded with various levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and undiagnosed psychoses. Jim Jones and I met accidentally on Nov. 9, 2012. If you don’t believe in synchronicity, it was two days before Veterans Day. We were waiting to pick up our meds at the VA Medical Center Pharmacy in Oakland, California. Jones had the good fortune or misfortune, depending on your historical, ethnocentric or socio-cultural perspective, to be born in Richmond, California during the aftermath of World War II. His specific birth date was May 24, 1949. Jones is the generic nom de plume for every African-American male in the U.S. Jones, like the rest of us brothers, did not have any choice regarding the location or date of his birth, parents, gender, ethnicity or family socio-economic status. Today, he is a 65-year-old Marine Corps veteran and grateful survivor of the Vietnam War. Jim proudly and heroically served our country from Feb. 4, 1969 to July 27, 1971. His nickname is “Peja-Peja,” which is African for fisherman, because he loves to fish. Fate directed Jones to activate a land mine during a combat mission in Vietnam on Aug. 8, 1970. He had to have his right leg amputated just below the knee. Ironically, this fatalistic faux pas occurred on his only sister’s 18th birthday. He was awarded a Purple Heart and honorable discharge under medical circumstances. He returned to civilian life in “The Iron Triangle.” His spare time is now occupied as a community service volunteer hip-hop/reggae disc jockey at the Berkeley-based radio station. Jones serves sounds four shifts a week from 1:30 to 6 a.m. My over-sized inquisitive ears couldn’t help eavesdropping on the cozy conversation between Jones and another vet who happened to be Caucasian. “You sound like you’re from Brooklyn, New York bro. That’s my
guestcommentary Manning Peterson wife’s home turf,” Jones said. The Brooklyn non-draft dodger said, “You’ve got great rhetorical listening skills, my brother. That’s where I was born and lived growing up. “My birthday is on the Fourth of July,” he said. “The day after I turned 18, my patriotic papa marched my unpatriotic self down to the enlistment station at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He told me, ‘Da Navy will make a man outta you like it did outta me!’ “The U.S. Navy shipped me to the Alameda Naval Air Station here in California where I was assigned as a supply clerk trainee. Four years later, all the U.S. Navy literally did was create a certified alcoholic/dope-fiend monster.” Jones said, “Alameda sucks big time, bro. I was over there at a friend’s house party on Christmas night in 1976. “That night, I got drunk and wandered off to the northeast corner of Chestnut and Santa Clara to catch the #51 bus back to Oakland. “The fact that it was three o’clock in the morning and #51 buses don’t run all night never occurred to my drunken ass. I felt like I had been eating lit fireworks. My best booze-saturated thinking told me to lie down on the bus stop bench and take a snooze. “I tried to stand up, fell flat on my face and kissed a cold curbstone. I told myself, ‘Get up. You can’t be that drunk fool!’ “That’s when I observed what the crux of my problem was. I HAD GOT LEG-JACKED WHILE I WAS BOOZE-JACKED!” The former nautical night owl asked Jones, “What the hell does leg-jacked mean, bro?” He screamed, “SOME ROTTEN LOW-DOWN SUCKER STOLE MY PROSTHETIC LEG! “AND HE HAD THE COLOSSAL GALL TO LEAVE A NOTE ON MY LAP PRACTICING HIS SOCIOPATHIC SKILLS. IT READ, ‘THANKS FOR NOTHING, SUCKA!’” “So what did you do next?” I asked Jones. He answered in a jovial manner, “I managed to play a game of one-leg hop-scotch, fall down and crawl to find the nearest pay phone. I dialed 911 and had them contact Hal, my prosthetic services case manager, at the VA in San Francisco. I explained my dilemma to Hal.” Hal then told Jones, “Stay right where you are. I’m sending a taxi to pick you up and you won’t have to pay
any fare. The driver will bring you here to 1200 Otis Street. I’ll make you a new prosthesis and, with a little luck, you’ll be able to walk into your home tonight to have dinner with your wife. I don’t know if she’ll buy the AWOL all-night with your lost leg episode excitement, but that’s between you and her, ain’t it?” I asked Jones, “Have you ever considered counting your blessings or life gifts now that it is four decades since your original limb became a war casualty?” He quickly replied, “Sure, about 10 years after I got discharged, I chose to unconditionally accept the fact that I had lost the lower half of my right leg and it was not going to grow back. That was the bad news! The good news was I realized I didn’t lose my life like a lot of my buddies. I did some intense weekly therapy for two years, here at the VA, to neutralize my anger and grief.” Now, Jones’ thought processes have become more clear, specific and reality-oriented. He said he is focused on how fortunate he is, despite of all the previous years of lamenting his lost leg. “Like, I’m alive today and countless numbers of my fellow marines are not. I only lost part of one leg while they lost their lives, families and futures. SEMPER FI MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS!” My final question was, “(Jones), do you think you will ever forgive the person who stole your prosthesis?” He spoke swiftly in a voice filled with rage and resentment, “HELL NO! I’M TAKING THAT ONE TO THE GRAVE WITH ME! AND I HOPE THE HAIR ON HIS ASS TURNS TO BARBED WIRE AND THE ONLY JOB HE CAN GET IS DRIVING A TAXI. THANK YOU JESUS FOR RETROACTIVE RETRIBUTION!”
ASMA ALKRIZY / THE ADVOCATE
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Newsline PERFORMANCE
LOVE PLAY THROUGH LAUGHS COMMENCES Contra Costa College’s drama season continues with a series of vignettes showcasing the many facets of love starting with the performance preview of, “Almost, Maine” on Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Knox Center. The play runs through this weekend at the same start time, with performances on Nov. 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21. The story has been written with beauty and surprise, it is notably a delightful romantic comedy. According to The New York Post, the play, “Offers a sweetness and decency that’s become rare at the theater. A welcome breath of fresh air.” Audience members say the play is a gem, funny and moving, The comedic range conveys the idiom of fresh, offbeat thought provoking twists that love can offer. Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for general admission.
CrimeWatch Friday, Oct. 30: A student accused an instructor of physically grabbing a hold of him or her. Sunday, Nov. 1: A police aide reported suspicious threats but no suspect information was given. Monday, Nov. 2: A student felt she was being harassed by another student. She does not want the police to contact the student. She requested a police report for documentation. Tuesday, Nov. 3: A former student has been asking employees about another student’s personal information for approximately two years. — Christian Urrutia
Correction In the Oct. 28 issue of The Advocate on page 8, in the story, “Adelante program instills educational foundation,” the headline is incorrect. The headline was supposed to read, “Puente program instills educational foundation.” In the same issue of The Advocate on page 4, in the story, “ASU Grant Program Garners Requests,” the music groups Jazzanova and Jazzology trips for Jazzfest at Cuesta College on Nov. 5 and 6 is incorrect. The trips are for next semester, not this semester. In the same issue of The Advocate on page 4, in the story, “La Raza seeks to empower diversified ‘communidad’,” La Raza studies professor Agustin Palacios’ name was misspelled. The Advocate regrets these errors. — The Contra Costa Community College District is committed to equal opportunity in educational programs, employment, and campus life. The District does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, parental status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in any access to and treatment in College programs, activities, and application for employment.
Ph.D. from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. He came to the U.S. in 1964, where he taught at UCLA for six years, then at the University of Wisconsin at Madison for the following 33 years. “There is no personal experience to the characters in the story except for the schools they attended,” Kunene said. “I do, however, criticize the educational system and political system, so Duma (one of the book’s protagonists), in
that sense, is me.” Kunene said to the class that he did not only come to lecture, but also to inspire a conversation about the message behind the written words. The most important is the criticism of apartheid and the restoration of African literature. The students were engaged and often blurted out theories or ideas about character scenarios that for the most part fit the ideas that the author was trying to get across. As Kunene exchanged interpretations with attendees, others
in the room followed intently. The author referenced pages, as would a reverend in a sermon, and the good parishioners flipped back and forth through the pages to keep up with the assertive presenter. At one point, 30 minutes into the talk, the 92-year-old gave a thunderous clap with his hands, in a way only a grandfather could, to stop three young men in the back from speaking over students attempting to ask questions. “It’s really humbling,” Kunene’s grandson Somori Pointer said. “It’s
hard to tap into all of the knowledge. It’s nice to have positive educated people in life to look up to.” Continuing with his discussion, Kunene, impassioned about the topic of apartheid, spoke until only five minutes remained of the allotted time for the presentation. This limited the audience’s opportunity to ask questions, and also gave them an opportunity to request the author’s quick return. The lecture ended with the professor signing copies of his book for students and posing for pictures.
SUPPORT | First pool of applicants receive funds Continued from Page 1 “(The ASU) has not denied (Yoseph’s) application. The board agrees that it is necessary for students to have access to these resources because financial aid may not arrive on time,” Ward-Davis said. “But what we need to be guaranteed before we can stamp our approval is that the (LLRC) has a plan of action to monitor who is checking out these textbooks, so they do not keep coming back damaged. “(The ASU) is not picking favorites,” she said. “We must scrutinize every aspect of each application — we have to find a way to curb excess costs because the money for the Grant (for Support) is coming out of the ($5) student activity fee that comes out of students’ pockets every semester.” After the ASU Internal Executive Board meeting on Friday in AA-109, Ward-Davis said departments that have been approved for additional funding of up to $2,500 by an eight-member voting Board are:
“The Board looks at each amount and asks questions to see if prices could be reduced. The ASU likes to save money, especially if it comes out of student fees.” —
, ASU Internal Finance Committee member
asked the Board for $2,500 in funding to pay for live music and food at the event that was held at the Student Services Center Patio. “(Rahman) presented earlier than the other applicants because her event was coming up so soon,” Ward-Davis said. “The whole board knew what the event was and thought it was beneficial to students, but we needed her to bring back invoices before the (Grant for Support submittal) deadline.”
Counting pennies for pleas ASU Finance Committee Chairperson Jun Chen said the board received 19 applications from Oct. 2-19 from various departments and clubs. Representatives from the counseling department, Law Academy, Community Organizing Political Action Club, Per Ankh Academy and Yoseph from the LLRC will present their requests at the board’s meeting today in LA-204 at 2:15 p.m. Chen said, like the first round of applicants, this group will hear back from the board within 10 days of their presentations via email, explicitly listing how much they were awarded, and why, if any, funds were deducted from their asking amount. Greene said, “If they ask for the full $2,500 it does not mean they are guaranteed to get that much. Any applicant has to bring proof that the ASU is not the first place they came to ask for more funding.” Ward-Davis said that so far this semester, the ASU has given $9,155 out of the $25,000 available in its Grant for Support program budget this semester. Chen said this semester, the Grant for Support will only be awarded to 10 applicants Drama department Student Life Office for up to $2,500 in additional funding for The drama department’s request was Its application was approved for $2,000. campus events or purchases not covered by approved for $2,000. Drama adjunct professor Student Life Coordinator Erika Greene’s institutional costs. Linda Whitmore requested additional funding request to provide a total of 30 food and gas She said applications are reviewed based on of $2,450 to pay for stage props, promotional cards, 15 per, loaded with $25 to select students the time constraints of the event or purchase, fliers and recording of her “Hell or Highwater” on campus. Greene said DSPS, EOPS and the and not by the date they were turned into the special production on Dec. 4 in the Knox counseling department have agreed to develop Student Life Office. Center. a rubric to determine the requirements and Chen said any applicants who have events Whitmore said she plans to have two free process to receiving this financial assistance by slated for next semester but already turned in showings, one at 10:30 a.m. for 300 students the spring semester. an application will not have to reapply for the from Helms Middle School, and another at 7 She said she is also working on developing Grant for Support, if it reopens next spring. p.m. open to CCC students and people in the an emotional intelligence workshop for about “These applicants will have first priority for community. 20 students on Dec. 4 that would require about next semester. When we open the new date She said she and her drama students will $1,000 to pay for training. for submittal, they will not have to reapply.” ask for $1 donations at the door. These proBecause Greene had already contact- She said. ceeds will be given to Habitat for Humanity, an ed EOPS Program Manager George Mills, “It is the only fair way to manage the proorganization that works to aid the relief efforts Disability Support Services Manager Yasuko gram if they completed the paperwork and got in areas still devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Abe, and EOPS/CARE Coordinator Najia it in before the deadline closed.” Ward-Davis said the board reduced the Azizi, Ward-Davis said she was the only appliWard-Davis said the board, with recominitial requested sum because it did not agree cant so far that has been approved for the exact mendations from the Finance Committee, that Whitmore needed an extra $150 to pay amount stated in the application. including part-time Director of Training and for advertising and $300 for an undisclosed Recruitment Luanna Waters, makes the decireason. Jump for Jamaica sion as to how much the board will allocate. “(Whitmore) did not provide the invoices to Ward-Davis said the first application that “The board looks at each amount and asks give a reason for that portion,” she said. was approved granted $1,230 to adjunct sociol- questions to see if prices could be reduced.” ogy professor Majeedah Rahman’s Jump for Ward-Davis said. “The ASU likes to save Campus tutoring Jamaica event held on Oct. 15. money, especially if it comes out of student Campus tutoring was granted $1,550. At the ASU meeting on Sept. 30, Rahman fees.”
Tutoring Office Assistant Jordan Miller and Retention Specialist Tracey Nunley presented to the Board, asking for the full amount of $2,500 to pay for healthy food, promotional fliers for “pop-up” tutoring events and to fund student workers’ salaries. Miller said “pop-up” tutoring is aimed to help students struggling in Center for Science Excellence or STEM classes, as well as in basic English and math classes. He said tutoring takes place in three alternating locations on campus — at the Liberal Athletic department Arts Building Patio, behind the Health and The athletic department was approved for Human Services Building and at the LLRC. $2,375. Men’s soccer coach Nikki Ferguson, Ward-Davis said the Finance Committee speaking on behalf of Athletic Director John recommended that the board deduct from its Wade, asked the board to help support live request because they were asking to pay for online streaming of sporting events on campus three student salaries in total — two tutors through Bay Area TV sports with $2,475 in and a front desk student worker, and $950 for Grant for Support funds. healthy food and water. “We are trying to create advertising monShe said that they brought that amount ies that will lead local vendors to buy into down to $500 and also deducted the cost for a our athletic programs and, at some point, the front desk worker and marketing costs. department will be able to cover its own costs,” “The board would rather pay for ‘pop-up’ Ferguson said. “All eight sport programs would tutors around campus than pay a front desk be streamed online at some point.” person,” Ward-Davis said.
CRAYCRAFT | ‘Heart-pounding’ past builds resolve Continued from Page 1 ing adventure. It could be boring.” “I had a thing in North Richmond one night. A woman had cut her wrists, taken poison, jumped in her car and driven off with her eyes closed,” he said. She hit and broke off a hydrant. The water shooting up at 1,500 gallons per minute was damaging power lines overhead, he said. Workers couldn’t get close safely and couldn’t see what was going on in the torrent of whitewater. Craycraft said, “I took a vehicle and slowly drove it blind and backwards over the hydrant. That water is heavy.” A car hitting that wrong would flip over. The fire chief walked alongside because Craycraft couldn’t see. Craycraft said, “When the force comes down on you it’s intense.” The roar is too loud for people right next to each other to talk. The pressurized water broke the rear axle differential of the heavy truck, but the flow was diverted enough for workers to get close and shut off the water. “The water company plays a big role in these things, whether it’s the big fire, or the big earthquake, or whatever,” Craycraft said. “When you’re out there you’re by yourself. When the fire department or whoever call you for help, you need to have answers for them. Sometimes it was quite pressing, they need
answers now, not in half an hour.” In 1991 he responded to a call from an elderly woman. Craycraft said she was scared because she had heard funny noises behind her house and she said, “This house is all I have. I don’t know what I’d do without it.” He couldn’t find anything wrong, and told her so. “She expressed to me that she couldn’t lose (the house), so she was being extra careful. I tried to assuage her fears,” he said. “Two days later the fire monster came and swept it all away.” It was the Oakland Hills Firestorm. “It was by coincidence I was there. It was one of the days I was on dayshift,” Craycraft said. “I called it in on my radio. The dispatcher told me to wait, said the supervisor was in the bathroom. I said, ‘Go in the bathroom and get him.’ “It was a tough day, it was a long day. Smoke was so heavy it turned day to night. I couldn’t see the tops of the hills.” The fire was driven by hot 70 mph winds. Craycraft said, that in one place he was monitoring when the firemen had to pull out. The firemen had to cut the hoses from the hydrants to free their firetrucks and flee, he said. He said, “It must have been 7 or 8 o’clock at night. They needed someone to drive through the fire
“There were a lot of adventures that I had as an investigator that were one of a kind, (but) it wasn’t always a heart-pounding adventure.” —
, speech professor
(to manually check the status of Amito Reservoir).” Craycraft and another investigator drove through the fire to Amito Reservoir above the Claremont Hotel. The reservoirs were running out of water for the firefighters, and “we couldn’t pump to the reservoir because the (power) lines to it had burned through,” Craycraft said. He could see the fire burning toward the Claremont Hotel. On the hill past the main fire he said he was surrounded by small fires. “(There were gas) pipes belching out like flamethrowers, smoldering cars with aluminum drooling out the bottom and burning remains of buildings all around. Everywhere I looked for 360 degrees I could see burned homes. Hundreds in every direction,” he said. It was just a short distance from where the worried elderly woman lived. He said, “The center of the
fire was within maybe two blocks of where her house was.” After a total of 29 years at EBMUD Craycraft hit retirement age, and it was time to end his sometimes dangerous work. But, Craycraft said, “I didn’t want to just sit home and watch TV.” Craycraft changed careers, and has taught at CCC since fall 2001. “I was concerned whether being an inside sort of paper pusher would provide the daily adrenaline. It’s just as exciting in a different way,” he said. Speech department Chairperson Sherry Diestler said, “We lovingly call him ‘The Rock.’ He’s always willing to help. He goes to the tournaments, even out of state, to encourage the students, for very little compensation.” Speech professor Joseph Carver said, “He likes to go deep with everything. He always pushes students at least one level deeper than they expect to go.” Speech and debate team member Alfonzo Ramas said, “I hope he keeps teaching. I see the drive in him to educate.” Diestler said, “He will create useful classroom handouts and share (them) with all of us.” Craycraft said, “I need a little action/adventure in my life or else I’ll get bored. Life as an investigator is more of a physical adventure, while teaching is more of an intellectual adventure.”
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Speaker showcase enables learning Bi-annual speech and debate forum to highlight skills BY Xavier Johnson STAFF WRITER
xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com
The Student Speaker Showcase will feature speech and debate team members participating in various forms of speech on Tuesday in the Knox Center from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 general and can be purchased in advance from any speech staff member. Speech assistant professor Randy Carver said among the types of speeches performed will be debate, oral interpretation, impromptu and persuasive. A film will be shown along with a set of
speeches. Communications major Sakeema Payne said, at the showcase, she will be showing a film she produced. The film is a visual of the recent tournament the speech and debate team attended in Reno, Nevada. Payne said the audience will see the process of debate and what it is like for those on the speech and debate team. Speech department Chairperson Sherry Diestler said the film will show how friendly, focused and hardworking the team is. “I hope it encourages people to join the team,” she said. Payne said the goal is for the audience to be entertained and to spur conversation. He said the showcase will allow students to see the result of hard work and the various hours spent in the speech lab preparing for the
“It enables people to have a voice as a citizen, as a worker and through all their relationships.” — Sherry Diestler, speech department chairperson
showcase. Diestler said the speeches are meant to “educate, entertain and enlighten” the audience. She said the showcase will also give students a look into the many different ways speech can be applied. Among the speakers being showcased there will be a parliamentary style debate taking place. It will be a two-on-two debate with one side taking the agreeing position and the other side taking an opposing position.
“Speech is the way to use and apply everything you learn in college,” speech and debate team member Richard Pinkard said. Pinkard said debate reflects what college should be about, such as discussing values and policies. He said engaging in speech allows him to assess consequences and exercise his mind. Diestler said, “It enables people to have a voice as a citizen, as a worker and through all their relationships.” Speech is a way to establish a voice and work ethically toward a goal, Diestler said. Pinkard said speech is a way to keep the mind active. Diestler said the speeches will be thought-provoking and will create conversation and engage the audience. Communications major Daniel Santos will be doing a speech
Presentations aim to entertain: Various forms of speech include debate, oral interpretation, impromptu and persuasive. The event will be held in the Knox Center on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for general admission at the door. about the history and significance of graffiti. “I want to teach people about the history of graffiti art,” Santos said. “I hope I can learn a lot from the other speakers as well.” Carver said, “All of this is coming from the students. We are just facilitating a stage for students to showcase their skills.”
Poetry readings embody ‘voices’ Written works expose differing perspectives, ways to be published
BY Asma Alkrizy STAFF WRITER
aalkrizy.theadvocate@gmail.com
Although the Library and Learning Resource Center is known to be a quiet area, library department Chairperson Andrew Kuo stirred up the atmosphere by organizing a poetry reading and open mic event on DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE Nov. 3. English professor Benjamin Jahn presents a scene from his fiction novel during the poetry reading and open mic event in the Kuo invited five Contra Costa College Library and Learning Resource Center on Nov. 3. faculty participants to share their poems and to express,” she said. “I wrote a love poem such as the ones we spoke of today,” he said. stories along with other student participants “I wrote a love poem to to describe my love for Mexico, the place I “The works will probably be published in who volunteered at the moment to read their describe my love for Mexico, the seem to admire because of my ancestors and May (2016).” writings. family.” Kuo also had the opportunity to present “We heard a lot of written works from place I seem to admire because She also wrote another poem expressing a poem he wrote for a “vocabulary exercise.” different voices,” Kuo said. “Some were her sentiment toward the murder case of a His poem uses terms that are difficult to funny and some touching. We want students of my ancestors and family. to write more to have a voice.” — Norma Valdez-Jimenez, counselor photojournalist along with other women in grasp, such as “eros” and “prevarication.” Mexico. He said this is the second time he hosted The faculty members, who were mostly “I wanted to know who these women a poetry reading and open mic event. The English professors, showcased their written have a voice, had prompted him to write works, starting with English professor Jeffrey the poem concerning discrimination many were,” she said. “Why weren’t their names first time he organized the event with the help of Michels last spring in the Library. Michels, who presented a poem he wrote Iranian women, like her, had to live through. mentioned? Was it because of shame?” “There are Iranian girls attacked with English professors Dickson Lam and “I’m looking forward to doing another about the discrimination and challenges acid if they wore revealing clothes,” he said. Benjamin Jahn introduced their written poetry reading event this spring too,” he said. women tackled in Iran. The event was a huge success because “A friend of mine, an Iranian woman, was “That woman told me ‘build a shield of works. Lam said, “Names contain history and many students attended the poetry reading disturbed by my poem,” he said. “Referring words,’ and I did.” Poet and counselor Norma Valdez- meaning. I got the idea from Malcolm X. and open mic event, and some even volunto her situation in Iran, she said my poem shares a stereotypical view of Iranian Jimenez, who won a first place poem award The X expresses the unknown names of his teered to share their written works. in San Miguel Writers’ Conference 2015, (African) ancestors.” “I really enjoyed the event,” undecided women.” On the other hand, Jahn presented a major Nina Cestaro, who was also one of the Michels said the Iranian woman opposed said she started writing poetry after her son his poem, saying she lived a decent life in was diagnosed with a “rare genetic disorder.” scene he wrote in the fiction novel he is student participants in the event, said. “I tried to process what was going on at planning to publish. “I got the chance to read two of my Iran and she has never faced the kind of disthat time, so I turned to poetry,” she said. “Fictional writing has always been my poems about pining for someone that may crimination he described in his poem. Valdez-Jimenez said she goes by the pen favorite,” he said. “I joined a creative writing not love you back and about our confusing In response, Michel said he wrote a poem subsequently to express why he was dis- name “Norma Liliana Valdez.” “Every writer program in graduate school and didn’t like academic goals and life.” writing non-fiction.” “It was a great way to bring together turbed about how women live in Iran. In has a pen name,” she said. Valdez-Jimenez said her family came to He took advantage of the event to pro- faculty and students to share their ideas,” fact, he called his poem, “Why I am disthe U.S. from Mexico when her mother was mote the literary writing magazine initiated speech department Chairperson Sherry turbed.” last semester spring on campus. Diestler said. In this poem, Michels said an Iranian six months pregnant with her. “My relationship to Mexico is difficult “We can publish any poems and stories, woman, who was abused and wanted to
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS PRAISES CULTURAL HERITAGE Despite rain, La Raza Student Union organizes celebration
BY Roxana Amparo ASSOCIATE EDITOR
ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com
The scent of copal, a tree resin, filled the air as La Raza Student Union huddled under the gazebo last Monday evening outside the Applied Arts Building to shelter from the rain for Día de los Muertos to remember loved ones through prayers and a virtual altar. Celebrated in Mexico and throughout Latin America, Día de los Muertos brings family and friends together to celebrate the holiday through fiestas, prayers and ofrendas (offerings). “Día de los Muertos is a day for us to remember our roots, our family, ancestors, and to share stories about them,” La Raza studies professor Agustin Palacios said. The cultural traditions include decorating altares or altars, with candles, flowers, food and pictures as well as keeping it lively with music and the burning of the ceremonial incense, known as copal from the copal tree. As Danza Azteca Cuauhtonal, a ritualistic Aztec dance group from Oakland joined the estimated 30 attendees, there
was a change in the agenda due to the weather. “We wanted an outside event. We even thought about canceling because it was supposedly going to rain,” Dr. Palacios said. “On the bright side, at least we’re not dead.” Danza Azteca Cuauhtonal requested that the altar be completed before they began. “For the dancers it is a spiritual thing. They dance out of respect,” Palacios said. “We are going to do something never done before. Everyone, take out your phones,” Palacios said. Palacios suggested attendees find a picture of someone they wished to remember to put on the altar. Among the people celebrated on the virtual altar were father Óscar Romero, Maya Angelou, family members and other loved ones of the students. Claudia Morales, psychology major said, “I have a friend, an uncle, a family friend who I am celebrating.” Morales said she celebrated Día de los Muertos when she lived in Mexico and through the event was able to con-
nect with her roots. While the attendees finished decorating the altar, Danza Azteca Cuauhtonal recited a prayer in silence. Adding to the comfort of the attendants, hot chocolate and pan de muertos (bread of the dead) was provided while music played in the background. Due to rain restrictions, members of Danza Azteca Cuauhtonal held off the scheduled dancing and gathered for an intimate evening of prayer. To initiate the ceremony, Danza Azteca Cuauhtonal played a tune on a conch shell to show their gratitude for the four elements: earth, wind, water and fire, Danza Azteca Cuauhtonal leader Cristina Mariscal said. Everyone gathered in a circle and named who they wish to keep in their prayers. “I want to remember those who died due to social injustices,” LRSU President Maria Lara said. A Cempasúchil flower went around the group and the smoky copal burned throughout the cozy ceremony. Cempasúchil flowers, known as the flor de muertos (flower of the dead) are
placed on the altar for decorative purposes. Mariscal said the 20 petal flower carries a “pungent” smell. Palacios Known in the U.S. as “Mari Gold,” the flower carries deep roots in Mexican culture. For the LRSU celebrating Día de los Muertos has been a tradition carried throughout its years of activity on campus. It brings culture and celebrates heritage while fostering a sense of community. Palacios said other cultures celebrate Día de los Muertos in their own way, some connecting on a spiritual level. “We (also) celebrate Day of the Dead and Halloween. There is nothing wrong with that,” he said. Ricardo Sanchez, engineering major, said, “We want to show our culture, so we planned this event because it was the right opportunity.”
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Committee searches for president Group
meets, continues process to find potential candidates
BY Magali Mercado STAFF WRITER
mmercado.theadvocate@gmail.com
The search for a new college president has officially begun. Chancellor Helen Benjamin, the Governing Board, along with the Presidential Search Committee, will commence the search. The Presidential Search Committee had its first meeting on Nov. 3. It contains representatives from various groups at the college and the district, Director of Business Services Mariles Magalong said. The group consists of two members representing Management Council, one person representing United Faculty, three representatives from Academic Senate, one member representing Local 1, two members representing Classified Senate, the ASU president and two members from the Chancellor’s Office and Governing Board. Dr. Benjamin said that the com-
mittee has a good amount of say in the search because it manages the interviews and recommends the finalists. The chancellor also hired a search firm to coordinate and facilitate the whole process, Magalong said. Recruitments will continue throughout November until January. The search is opening up nationwide. “We want to get as many candidates as possible, as long as they fit the criteria,” Benjamin said. There is a list of qualifications that each candidate must have in order to be qualified and considered for the position. Benjamin said someone with integrity is one of the many characteristics she is looking for in the new president. The application is located online at 4cd.edu and lists the qualifications for the college president. Executive Vice Chancellor Eugene Huff said, “We need someone who will help the college grow.”
Huff said, “Contra Costa (College) is undergoing major changes and the president will inherit that. There are some challenges they have to be addressed, like low enrollment, but there are a lot of positive opportunities for them as well.” The Presidential Search Committee will screen the candidates. It will then have a meeting before interviews begin. According to the college website, three meetings involving the Presidential Search Committee are scheduled for February. The finalists that are chosen will then go through a series of informal meetings, public forums and interviews with the chancellor in early March. Benjamin said she will meet with the Presidential Search Committee to discuss the finalists. The Governing Board will also hold a meeting to discuss the finalists. Benjamin will be part of the final interview process along with the board.
The finalists will meet with the Governing Board on March 17, 2016. Community After this meet- needs ing, Benjamin will stability announce the new The Presidential president. The presi- Search Committee dent will be able to negotiate their and District begin start date for the the process again, new position. I n t e r i m they need to President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh will ensure that hold the presiden- the process is tial position until the search is com- transparent. pleted. Benjamin said, PAGE 2 “It is a very exciting time for the college. There is a lot going on and it is a good time for the college to be choosing a new leader.”
editorial
BIOTECHNOLOGY MAJORS ATTAIN FRESH COURSE Program gains transferable classes, path to employment BY Asma Alkrizy STAFF WRITER
aalkrizy.theadvocate@gmail.com
Starting this fall semester, Cell and Molecular Biology (BIOSC-147) is part of the biotechnology program. The BIOSC-147 course, a transferable course required for biology majors, now counts toward a student’s major in biotechnology at Contra Costa College. Biotechnology program coordinator Katherine Krolikowski said BIOSC-147 incorporates biotechnology techniques into its lab. “Now every biology major (student) will get exposure to the biotechnology program,” Dr. Krolikowski said. “(Students) will learn to use up-to-date equipment that we have in the lab,” she said. “That is the advantage of BIOSC-147 being part of the biotechnology program.” Krolikowski said BIOSC-147 became part of the biotech program for two reasons. The requirements for the biology major courses had to change because of the course identification numbering system (C-ID), a transfer system designed to ease transfer options for students and revise lower division courses. “It was the perfect time to make that adjustment,” she said. And secondly, to give biology majors a real life experience in labs. Krolikowski said biology majors did not have enough time to do lab work because of the demanding requirements of their science major. “I always felt that biology majors did not get the opportunity to actually work in a lab,” she said. “We have all of this good stuff in the lab, but biology majors are so busy with all the requirements they have.” Biology professor Gregory Ponomareff said the BIOSC-147 course can now be applied for two related subjects (biology and bioscience). Ponomareff said he does not see it necessarily a draw back. “In fact, I can see it potentially as a plus,” he said. “I suspect this (BIOSC-147) to be closer to what they are teaching in Berkeley right now than the previous one.” Cell biology major Daniel Ramirez, a student in the BIOSC-147 class, said, “We get to use huge microscopes, FPLC (fast protein liquid chromatography), PH meters, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and other fancy equipment in the lab. However, some of the machinery is unbelievably more complicated than the normal labs I had in my chemistry classes. FPLC was unbearably confusing.” Becoming a growing industry in the Bay Area, the biotechnology program involves hands-on training and laboratory skills, offering science majors a pathway to explore career options in bioscience while also completing other major requirements. Engineering major Irina Tabor said, “The (biotech labs) were really more helpful than the labs I took in my chemistry and biology classes. It feels like we’re in charge.”
DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE
Community Organizing Political Action Vice President Nora Rodriguez (left) dances with other participants in front of the COPA club stand during the all-sports themed Club Rush event at the Tennis Courts on Oct. 27 and 28.
‘All-sports’ Fall Festival, Club Rush fosters bonds BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR
rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com
Grey skies and a spritzing of rain was not enough to dampen the spirits of people in attendance of the ASU and Inner-Club Council sponsored “AllSports” Club Rush and Fall Festival at the Tennis Courts on Oct. 27 and 28. The event gives students a chance to connect with clubs at Contra Costa College and sample cuisines from local vendors and the Three Seasons Restaurant. “Club Rush is not a fundraising event. It is meant to give back to the students and generate interest and build relationships with campus clubs,” Student Life Coordinator Erika Greene said. “It went well. It even got warm after the sprinkles on the second day,” Greene said. Any money raised goes to the specific clubs but more importantly, there is a signature and table design competition between clubs meant to boost spirit and participation. The clubs set up tables offering candy or other forms of swag to attract potential members to their corner of the tennis court. After the event, the ICC tallies the signature count and judges which club had the most festive table set up and most signatures.
“We want to have people culturally aware of what’s going on on campus, people of all ethnicities.” — Gloria Pharn, education coordinator and international student adviser
Aside from food and fun, the purpose of the event is still to transform a loosely stitched campus into more of a tightly knit community. “We want to have people culturally aware of what’s going on on campus, people of all ethnicities,” education coordinator and international student adviser Gloria Pharn said. “We want people to know that we are here to help them get acclimated to the campus and the entire Bay Area.” Campus construction still is an issue as news of the event barely rounded the corner toward the athletic department. Athletic Director John Wade said he was shocked when ASU President Nakari Syon chose to go with an allsports theme for this year’s event. Tables near the entry point of the court were adorned with Comet gear including Go Comet glasses, CCC thunder sticks (devices used for making loud noises at sporting events) and ear-warming Comet headbands. People throughout the two-day event
hurried back to the table in anticipation, waiting for the return of the limited edition gear. “To me, the event was successful,” ASU Vice President of Club Affairs Safi Ward-Davis said. “I got good feedback from clubs and staff members that attended.” “We are here to promote our club and recruit new people,” biology major and Puente Club Vice President Esmeralda Madriz said. “There were more people at our table as a club this year compared to last year but I’m not sure about the event overall.” Music blared but nobody was more oblivious to the ear assault than the children from the Early Learning Center. They escaped the confines of their fenced-in playground and romped through the festivities, putting a stop to the Middle College High School and Gateway to College students domination of the bouncy house and jousting arena. Missing were the bails of hay and corn on the cob, as tailgate and stadium treats like turkey sandwiches and spools of cotton candy were offered. The culinary arts department offered carne asada tacos or nachos topped with fresh salsa. “Our table has been really packed,” Audrey Borreand, second year culinary arts student, said.
FINANCIAL AID LAUNCHES FIRST SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN Department tries to boost presence, ‘connect’ online BY Cody Casares PHOTO EDITOR
ccasares.theadvocate@gmail.com
For the first time, the Financial Aid Office has established a foothold in the social media world. “Five months ago we didn’t have a social media presence,” Financial Aid Supervisor Monica Rodriguez said. “We’re trying new ways to connect to students.” The department established its social media presence last spring,
Student Services and Instructional Support Coordinator Charles Ramirez said. Ramirez is in charge of the financial aid social media accounts. “Our goal is to provide an avenue to access deadlines, appeals, and new regulations to keep students updated,” he said. “Students don’t know where to find the information they are looking for and the social media accounts provide an avenue for them to find those answers that they are always on anyway,” Ramirez said. Rodriguez said the department created Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts in order to reach a variety of students to provide
information for them. The different types of information are posted on the three accounts range from deadlines for financial aid paperwork, workshop times and events hosted by the department. Rodriguez said the information offered to students spans beyond financial aid based information with posts of lab hours, selfies and videos taken at campus events and also non-financial aid department organized events. A Snapchat account is expected to join the ranks to strengthen the social media presence soon. She said, “We want it to be a well-rounded social media presence where we are not just
spouting out information. We want two-way communication.” Ramirez said financial aid is also looking to host live broadcasts where students can chat with a financial aid representative and have questions answered in an expedient manner. “We’re looking to have interactive Q&A where we can broadcast live and answer questions that students have,” he said. Students sometimes have to wait 15 minutes or more in line at the financial aid desk to ask a simple question, and the Q&A will eliminate the wait time and answer basic financial aid questions on demand, Ramirez said. The plan is to utilize all three
social media outlets to do the live broadcasts by establishing a predetermined period of time where a financial aid representative will be managing the accounts, answering the questions students post as they flow in, Ramirez said. Based on privacy issues students will be limited to general questions like important dates and general instruction of how to properly fill out forms avoiding posting personal information on social media, he said. The Facebook account has captured 269 likes, with Instagram garnishing 196 followers with 148 posts since last spring. The Twitter account has 94 followers as of press time.
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If these players win a conference championship, then they create a legacy for themselves as a team — and breathe hope into the future of this program.”
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— Nikki Ferguson, men’s soccer coach Comet forward Alan Morales (right) fires a shot toward the near post sending the ball into the back of the net for a goal during Contra Costa College’s 3-1 win against Merritt College on Friday.
CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE
Comets direct hunt for BVC supremacy Squad tops Merritt, could end decadelong drought without conference title COMETS
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TBIRDS
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Post game fight clears Mendocino, San Jose football benches, violation grants CCC win
BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR
lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com
The men’s soccer team snapped a 1-1 tie at halftime by scoring two second half goals against Merritt College at the Soccer Field on Friday to maintain its Bay Valley Conference lead with one game left to play this season. The Comets’ 3-1 win against the Thunderbirds increases their chance to clinch a second consecutive playoff berth, but more importantly edges them closer to claiming the 2015 BVC championship — after a decade without one. “It would be nice to go to the playoffs. It would be the second year in a row, but I am more excited for our sophomore players who turned the program around,” men’s soccer coach Nikki Ferguson said. “This group of men changed the cycle.” “Last season, as freshman, they ended the nine-year (playoff) drought, and this season they have the chance to say that they were the first (Comet team) in 10 years to go to the playoffs on top,” Ferguson said. “If these players win a conference championship, then they create a legacy for themselves as a team — and breathe hope into the future of this program.” Against Merritt, Contra Costa College (12-5-2 overall, 8-1-2 in BVC) freshman left wingback Ben Reiter and striker Alan Morales scored at minutes 21 and 50. Reiter scored by heading in a corner kick sent toward the far post and Morales cleaned up a loose cross into the penalty area with a left footed volley. But it was at minute 72, when center midfielder Jorge Avina tucked away a penalty kick, that the final result was sealed. Despite earning the desired win, Ferguson said at times his team was “sloppy and out of character” defending Merritt’s counter attacks, considering that the Comets have not allowed an opposing team to score more than one goal in 19 of their 20 games played this season. After its penultimate game of the season, the Comets are at the top of
SPORTS SHORT
EAGLES BRAWL ON HALLOWEEN, COMETS PROFIT BY Jose Jimenez SPOTLIGHT EDITOR
jjimenez.theadvocate@gmail.com
A decorum violation was levied against the Mendocino College football team for a brawl on Halloween night against San Jose City College, forc-
the conference with 26 points and a .675 win-loss percentage before their final game of BVC play at Folsom Lake College on Friday at 4 p.m. Since Yuba College lost its grip on a six-game undefeated streak with a 2-1 home loss against the Comets on Oct. 23, it has gone on a four-game winless skid. The 49ers were knocked out of BVC championship contention following a 1-0 loss against the Falcons on Friday in Folsom, California. The only team threatening the Comets for the BVC championship as of press time Tuesday is Mendocino College (11-5-2 overall, 6-2-2 BVC). The Eagles played at Merritt (5-13-1 overall, 3-7-1 in BVC) on Tuesday. The results can be found at cccaasports.org. But even if Mendocino won, it would still have to defeat College of Marin in Kentfield on Friday to share BVC supremacy — and the Comets would have to lose to Folsom Lake. “I do not think we played very well,” Ferguson said about the win on Friday. “We played well enough to get the result, but the defensive breakdown cost us going into the second half.” He said because Merritt played a lot of direct passes into its attacking third in the air from the backfield, the tempo of the first half was “chaotic,” and kept both teams in constant transition. Merritt was able to tie the game during the one minute added to stoppage time before the half, when Thunderbird midfielder Ivan Martinez rifled a right-footed shot with his laces past Comet goalkeeper Eduardo Escamilla from 23 yards out from goal with ample space in right center field. “It was a tough, hard fought match,” Reiter said. “We knew (the Thunderbirds) were not going to let up and on any other given day, they could have scored a few more.” He said going up a goal early in the second half helped, but it was when Avina scored the penalty kick that made the team more confident in pressuring and in possession. Thunderbird center attacking midfielder Pablo Perez said, “After (Avina) scored the (penalty kick) everything broke down — I tried to get my team-
ing Mendocino to forfeit its game last Saturday versus Contra Costa College. “It’s a free ‘W,’ you feel me?” quarterback Cameron Burston said. “If we win our next game this Saturday then we get to play in a bowl game.” The Comets technically won 1-0, per the NCAA forfeit guidelines, because Mendocino violated personal misconduct rules. CCC lost its last game to Shasta College 34-21, snapping a 15-game winning streak. The forfeit allows some players to sit back, reflect and build more motivation for the end of the season. Burston said Mendocino’s decision to fight is entirely on its players and they have to suffer the consequences. Plus he said the loss last week has not changed the way he, or his team-
CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE
Comet defender Jesus Villigrana (right) slaps hands with Comet right wing Jorge Avina (left), congratulating him for slotting in a penalty kick at minute 72 during Contra Costa College’s 3-1 win against Merritt College.
mates to keep their heads up and keep battling, but it is tough to go down a goal like that.” Despite being tied with four shots at halftime, the Comets would go on to outshoot the Thunderbirds 10 to eight by the end of the game — Escamilla would save four Merritt shots that were on target. The Comets’ decisive goal was generated off an errant pass in Merritt’s defensive backline. The pass was intercepted by Morales at the edge of the Thunderbirds’ defensive third. He then burst into an open space to initiate a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper that ended with center referee Ben Yates awarding a penalty kick at 72 minutes. The foul was awarded because the Thunderbird goalkeeper, Michael Rodriguez, rushed out from the goal line toward Morales, who had slowed down to place his shot just as he crossed
into the penalty area. Rodriguez tried to smother the ball by sliding to the ground horizontally, but he missed and tripped Morales with his outstretched arms instead. After a moment of clamoring from the Merritt bench, directed at Yates who had waited to call the foul until he was sure Morales’ shot was wide, Comet midfielder Jorge Avina stepped up to the spot and calmly slotted the ball into the left side of the goal with his right foot. After their loss on Friday against the Comets, Martinez said his team showed “heart,” but its players did not have enough skill to possess the ball while moving forward or communicate in the backfield to compete with CCC. “(The Comets) did not have a player that showed weakness. They are a solid team that had better movement on and off the ball,” he said. “The condition of the (Soccer Field) is sketchy.”
mates, will approach the season finale at San Jose (2-7 overall, 2-3 in the Pac 7 Conference) this Saturday at 3 p.m. “We’ll be ready,” he said. “We win and we’re in.” It has become a mantra of sorts because Burston says the entire team feels that way and several players agreed that while the loss versus Shasta feels “pretty foreign,” the ultimate goal is still the same. Defensive back Joshua Jackson said the team will practice this week the same, and nothing will change the fact that CCC is still in first place in the Pacific 7 Conference. “All we have to do is what we have been doing all year,” Jackson said. “Honestly, it’s the mental part of the game that we have now as an advantage going into San Jose because we’ve
had basically two weeks to prepare for them.” The layoff also comes at a time when coach Alonzo Carter is dealing with something that he is not familiar with since his team has not lost since Sept. 13, 2014. The effects of the brawl might have good implications, or could go wrong for a Comet team looking to reach its fourth consecutive bowl game. Defensive back Billy-Nicoe Hurst said, “Shasta was a tough one, but we won’t make mental mistakes like Mendocino and leave the box during an altercation on the football field. We’re better than them when it comes to that.” The Comets enter the San Jose game with an 8-1 overall record, 4-1 in the Pac 7 Conference.
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sports
WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 11.11.2015 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE
Comet defender Edgar Yepes (center) fools Thunderbird defender Shishay Sebatu (left) by cutting to the outside during Contra Costa College’s 3-1 win against Merritt College on Friday. Yepes has started 19 games this season, including 11 conference games.
“
Edgar came to me, told me he was good and that he would definitely make the team.” — Nikki Ferguson, Comet soccer coach
CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE
Making mistakes, amends on the path to prosperity Studentathlete overcomes adversity, empowers soccer team
BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR
rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com
As the Comet soccer players trickle into the training room, quietly confident before their last home game of the season, the prospect of becoming Bay Valley Conference champions and solidifying a playoff spot fills the room with anxious anticipation. That is until first year center fullback Edgar Yepes enters the building. The freshman’s energy consumes the room. His overwhelming personality and confident, borderline cocky, attitude is just what the Comet cast of ultra athletic nice guys needs. “It is just the way I am naturally. They feed off of me and I feed off of them,” Yepes said. “It relaxes them more and they know they can depend on me. When I come in I can feel our confidence grow.” Born in San Francisco, the 24-yearold relocated with his parents and two older brothers to Richmond when he was 9 years old. Graduating from Richmond High School in 2009, he now finds himself pursuing a career in nursing, which he has also chosen as his major. “I like to help people out.” Yepes said. “My brother used to work in a hospital when I was younger and I used to go see him on duty. Since I was small I always wanted to be a nurse.”
Learning to play soccer as soon as he could walk, his father (who also coached soccer) was the main influence in molding his athletic prowess. After high school, Yepes opted out of continuing his education because he said the prospect of economic independence was too much to resist. Instead he chose to work full time and watched as some of his friends transitioned from playing soccer at community colleges to accepting opportunities to play at four-year schools. As friends posted pictures of their out-of-state college experiences, Yepes found himself in legal trouble after intersecting the avenues of free time, money and hanging with the wrong crowd. Instead of cleaning his dorm room, Yepes found himself cleaning his mother’s raided home and at the center of a police investigation. After serving six weeks in jail, Yepes was bailed out with the help of lawyers and investigators. He was found not to be culpable, but was still slapped with five years of probation. “Everybody looked at me differently, like I was a bad person and not someone who just made a mistake,” Yepes said. “My parents were disappointed, but the lawyer proved I had nothing to do with it.” That crucial moment was a crossroads of sorts for the young man. This bad fortune offered him an opportunity
“He told me I was better than some of the players on that level and if I put my all into playing in college it could be a reality for me.” — Edgar Yepes, Comet defender
to reset and reshape the direction his life was headed. Determined to grow from his troubling experience, Yepes found inspiration from friend and former Richmond High soccer teammate Frances Kamai. Kamai played soccer at Southwestern University in Kansas in 2014. Yepes said Kamai told him to give school another shot, because with his soccer talent a four-year college could be in his future. “He (Kamai) told me I was better than some of the players on that level and if I put my all into it playing in college could be a reality for me,” Yepes said. After arriving at CCC, Yepes sought out Comet soccer coach Nikki Ferguson. He introduced himself and said he would be joining the team. “Edgar came to me, told me he was good and that he would definitely make the team,” Ferguson said. “He is Contra Costa College. He is part of the fabric of what makes this campus special. He embodies what it is
to overcome adversity,” he said. His teammates agree that Yepes has the intangibles that make a team complete. “He’s vocal, and most of us are not. But we get the job done. He has the charisma,” Comet defender Davis Okonkwo said. “I feel better when he is out there beside me.” After sophomore Charlie Mendoza (who now plays at Southwestern College in Kansas) left the team last year and Kevin Navas suffering an ACL injury earlier in the season, on-field leadership, not ability, was still in question. “(Yepes) keeps us together by always telling us what to do and where to be,” CCC right winger Missael Hernandez said. The rigors of maintaining a job, a 3.0 GPA and committing to a sports team is physically and mentally draining. Yepes works before every game and has just enough time to make it to the Soccer Field for the pre-game routine. “It is hard — it wears on you mentally,” Yepes said. “There is no time for treatment so each physical problem piles on to the next since most of us do not get to spend time getting treatment in the training room.” Yepes said he returned to school because there is more to life than good pay. Education and the opportunity for a better life are out there and Yepes is working to get his slice.
Losing streak continues as season nears its end Top team in BVC defeats squad in home blowout
49ERS DEFEAT COMETS
25-11, 25-13, 25-07
BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR
rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com
The volleyball team hosted Bay Valley Conference leader Yuba College (15-7 overall and 13-1 in the BVC) and kept the search for its elusive first victory alive, dropping straight sets 25-11, 25-13 and 25-7 again on Friday in the Gymnasium. After falling in straight sets to Laney College, which is on a threegame winning streak, earlier in the week on Tuesday, Contra Costa College (0-13 in the BVC) had to set realistic goals in order to find any morsel of positivity to take from this late season contest. “We knew we were playing the number one team in the league so we wanted to focus on playing hard from the beginning until the end of the game,” Comet coach Christy Tianero said. “It is a game where if one player stops working hard then the others will too. We just want to keep building on what we’ve learned and continue to improve.”
The team will again measure its progress against the College of Alameda on Friday in Alameda at 6 p.m. The 49ers pounced on the Comets early. After trailing 2-1 early in the first set, Yuba began to target openings in CCC’s defense. The 49er outside hitter Ava Payton tied together a string of eight consecutive points, forcing Tianero to call a timeout to settle her team down. The call proved successful and as play resumed, a block by Comet middle blocker Alejandra Galvez (four kills, seven digs) gave her team the ball. The home squad reeled off three straight points, bringing the score to 13-5. “I have been working really hard, and not missing practice,” CCC middle hitter Mariah Marinho (three spikes, one dig) said. “I can see improvement — I just want to keep it up.” Throughout the course of the season, volleying for the Comets has improved but executing on scoring opportunities remains lackluster. With meetings at the net, and
CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE
shots along the line seemingly all going in the 49ers favor, Yuba quietly put together an 8-3 run. A scoring drop shot by CCC middle hitter Skylar Moore (two kills, five digs) and another block score by Galvez pushed the Comets over the double-digit mark. “I was not there when we played (Yuba) the first time but I heard it was tough and that they were a good team,” Moore said. “After the first game I feel we were well prepared for this game.” Another thunderous spike by Payton ended the set at 25-11. Feeling some speck of momentum swinging in its favor, the Comets opened the second set ready to do battle with Yuba.
But Payton blasted a shot by CCC setter Paula Sanchez (three spikes, two digs), only to have Galvez return the favor by tying the set at two. Sanchez still showed some signs of life for the Comets, meeting the Yuba middle blocker at the top of the net and forcing the ball to the Yuba side for the Comet point. The effort was for naught, and CCC fell in the second set 25-13. As in the previous set the Comets came out battling. Yuba held its best player out of the final set but it was not enough of a break to allow CCC back into the contest. The Comets dropped the final set 25-7.
ABOVE: Right setter Amy Palomares (center) fails to dig against a 49er drop shot during the Comets’ loss to Yuba College in the Gymnasium on Friday.