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SINCE 1950 8 PAGES, ONE COPY FREE
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5, 2014 ACCENTADVOCATE.COM
THE STUDENT VOICE OF CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE, SAN PABLO, CALIF.
Budget restores funding, classes
HEART OF THE CAMPUS
Proposal may freeze $46 per unit tuition fee By Cody McFarland ASSOCIATE EDITOR
cmcfarland.theadvocate@gmail.com
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Last month Gov. Jerry Brown gave his budget proposal for the 2014-15 fiscal year, in which he proposed an increase of close to $1 billion for community colleges throughout the state. For the Contra Costa Low enrollCommunity College District, ment blues that means there exists the CCC is forced potential to earn an addition- to augment al 850 Full-Time Equivalent outreach to Students, which translates to attain pro$4 million. The proposal also posed funding. details a 0.86 percent cost of living adjustment, meaning an additional $1.2 million for the district. If approved by the Legislature, the proposal will freeze fees at $46 per unit and allow col-
edit orial
LORENZO MOROTTI / THE ADVOCATE
Off limits — The construction zone where the Student Activities Building, Amphitheatre and quad once stood is making it difficult for students to get from one side of campus to the other. The SA Building was demolished in early January, and the Amphitheatre and quad were dug out, but workers left a palm tree standing amid the construction. A new Campus Center will rise in the area soon, but is not due to be completed until fall 2016.
ADAPTING TO OBSTRUCTION
Students forced to find alternate routes By George Morin EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
gmorin.theadvocate@gmail.com
With construction taking place right in the middle of the campus, students find themselves having to adapt to the new foot paths to get around from class to class. Biology major Chris Moratay said, “Instead of just walking through the quad to get to the Biology Building, I had to walk all the way up (Campus Drive) to get to class.” The approximately $52 million construction of the new three-story classroom building and student activities building, or Campus Center, began with the demolition of the 57-year-old Student Activities Building during winter break, before the spring semester began. There are two main ways for students walking from either end of the campus to get to their destination. The first path takes students between the Student Services Plaza and the Computer Technology Center. It goes across the footbridge and along a newly c o n structed pavement walkway behind where the
“We want to maintain the two-way road usage for cars to be able to go both ways, so we decided on the k-rail idea to maintain the road while widening the walkway for students.” Dr. Denise Noldon, college president
Humanities Building stood (prior to its demolition), up to the Biology and Physical Sciences buildings. There is a wooden staircase on this pathway that restricts this walkway from being used by people in wheelchairs. The other walkway will travel from the Student Services Plaza across the footbridge to the parking lots that lead to the Physical Education Complex, and then back across the car bridge to Library Drive, which leads students to the other side of the college by the temporary Bookstore and Subway truck. There are plans to make the sidewalk that runs along Library Drive wider by putting in place orange k-rails that will widen the sidewalk by up to 3 feet for students. The discussion of cyclone fences being put up on Library Drive to give students more room to walk without being in the street was the initial plan. After discussion, the construction team decided to go with krails similar to the ones already in place in front of the Bookstore and Subway truck, Senior Dean of Instruction Donna Floyd
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Influenza fatalities escalate
said. The safety of students traveling from class-to-class on Library Drive is the top concern of the college, President Denise Noldon said. “We want to maintain the two-way road usage for cars to be able to go both ways, so we decided on the k-rail idea to maintain the road while widening the walkway for students,” Dr. Noldon said. Construction began in November when fences were put up blocking off the construction area located between the King Library and the Student Services Center. On Jan. 27, Lathrop Construction Associates, Inc. began to demolish the 60year-old Humanities Building. Removing asbestos from the buildings and disposing of it properly took about a month, Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said. Once demolition of both the Student Activities and Humanities buildings is complete, Lathrop Construction Associates, Inc. will then level the surrounding ground. “They will have to grade the land to make sure everything is balanced,” King said. Once the foundation of the buildings
Sneezing, sniffling and coughing — these activities greet students at Contra Costa College at the beginning of every year, to herald the dreaded influenza, or flu, season. This season, however, looks like it may be a much more dangerous flu season than any in recent memory. On Friday Director of the California Department of Public Health Ron Chapman announced that since October, the official beginning of the flu season, 147 people in California have died
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By Brian Boyle NEWS EDITOR
bboyle.theadvocate@gmail.com
Lowered enrollment limits college finances Building of new Campus Center restricts space for classes, students
By Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR
lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com
Enrollment numbers at Contra Costa College for the spring semester are 2.2 percent lower than they were in the spring 2013 semester as of Jan. 27. CCC has 6,782 students in its classrooms surrounding the new Campus Center construction zone in the heart of campus. “Construction has definitely had an impact with enrollment,” ASU President Ysrael Condori said. “Classrooms are at a premium this semester.”
The demolition of the old Humanities Building has forced the college to condense classes. Challenged by impacted classroom space, administrators and the Associated Students Union Board have been working on attracting more students to enroll through different marketing tactics, installing new resources for students and focusing on community outreach. “It will be difficult to keep enrollment up during the upcoming three years because of the construction.” Condori said. “After we get our new buildings we have to be ready to enroll as many students as Q SEE ENROLLMENT: Page 3
GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE
scene X page 8
campus beat X page 4
sports X page 7
Eddie Rhodes Gallery displays faculty, staff work
Lecture to inform public
Women’s basketball team crushes Laney
Nubia
Comets dominate
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Eclectic art showcased
Floor seating only— Biology major Courtney Nwuke sits on the floor in an attempt to save her spot in parttime professor Terence Ivory’s Theater Appreciation class in AA211 on Jan. 21.
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2 THE ADVOCATE Quotable “First Amendment freedoms must be fought for and won over and over again. The first step in this battle is to understand the threats we face.” Donna Demac lawyer, educator 1997 George Morin editor-in-chief Cody McFarland Lorenzo Morotti associate editors Brian Boyle news editor Jared Amdahl opinion editor Mike Thomas sports editor Veronica Santos scene editor Qing Huang Christian Urrutia photo editors Janae Harris assistant photo editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Fanisha Ayatch Joseph Bennet Jamah Butler Nina Cestaro Daniel Cifuentes Sharrell Duncan Florinda Hershey Ryan Holloway Sinoti Iosua Jose Jimenez Van Ly Ryan Margason Manning Peterson Stephen Son Mark Wassberg Sean Whatley Madisen William Staff photographers Cody Casares Jordan Khoo 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, 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 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
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WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5, 2014 VOL. 101, NO. 13 L
Editorial Possible funding
Proposed budget could provide $1 billion
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ov. Jerry Brown has proposed a budget aimed at increasing the funding available to California community colleges. In May, the Legislature will review the budget proposal, and after members make revisions, the proposal will be voted on by July 1. The proposed budget would provide $1 billion in funding statewide, which colleges meeting their Full-Time Equivalent Student goals would have access to. The budget proposal would allow for the Contra Costa Community College District to earn an additional $4 million in funding – with the caveat that the district must obtain an additional 850 FTES across the three colleges. While this sounds great, it denies the reality that Contra Costa College has been facing over the last few semesters. Enrollment has done everything but increase. The college’s goal and focus should be on helping students achieve, whether that achievement be a degree, transferring to another college or just enriching their lives through life-long learning. The governor’s proposal would require the college administration to act as an advertising firm, on top of its current responsibilities. While the increased funding would certainly help not only the students at CCC, but also the surrounding community, it is just a carrot on a stick. It is a treat that everyone in the area wants, but is not likely to ever get. Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College are positioned in areas where they were capable of erecting second-campuses. DVC has the San Ramon campus, and LMC has the Brentwood center. CCC, however, is in an area surrounded by impacted urban sprawl. The campus is currently undergoing construction. This construction has, and will continue for the next three years, to severely limit the amount of space, and thus access to, the campus that students would otherwise have. The governor’s heart is certainly in the right place. California’s community colleges need help. With the ever-rising cost of higher education, people need a way to educate themselves in a way that does not put them in debt for the rest of their lives, and community colleges provide that opportunity. But if the governor and the state Legislature really want to do something positive for the state, they need to find a way to inject funding into community colleges without all the red tape and conditions attached to it. Maybe the governor needs to hire an advertising firm to convince Californians that giving more to state education is the answer, instead of requiring educators to act as a marketing department.
LORENZO MOROTTI / THE ADVOCATE
N Reflection
A vacation of fear, loving in Mexico
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fter 25 hours on the road, the city of Gomez Palacio in the state of Durango flickers into view as we burn through the desert night on a military controlled highway in Mexico. At this point, we are 1,600 miles away from San Pablo, Calif. — home. The day before, 10 of us had piled into twin Ford Expeditions that were weighed down with enough suitcases to eclipse the trunk windows of both vehicles. I spent two weeks over the winter break roaming a city dominated by the cartels in Northern Mexico. It is an ugly city full of resilient people, innocent people who are demanding social and economic change. Unfortunately, that process requires immense time and effort when the divide of wealth is so drastic and alcohol so bountiful. This desert sprawl is host to the bloody conflict between El Chapo cartel and Los Zetas. These two entities are fighting to control drugs, weapons and human trafficking in the city. Neighbors living together in a sea of hate are forced to band together to create a community of love beneath a turbulent surface. The city is under martial law. The federal police replaced the corrupt Durango state police. They patrol the cramped streets of the city in large blue pickup trucks with soldiers sitting in rows along the truck bed. Each soldier is armed with automatic weapons and bulletproof vests over their deep blue fatigues.
at the second quinceñera that I attended. Our gazes met but we didnt speak until we danced together. After hours of danceing we went back to my uncle’s fortress with all my cousins, who were set on finishing all the bottles they had I spent most of my first started. week in town lounging in I told her I don’t drink my uncle’s pool house, playoften. She empathized with ing video games with my cousins and little brother and me and invited me to hang out the next day. smoking spliffs We drove to myself. After I It is an around talking had done that for about our lives multiple days, I ugly city for hours until the became restless. mountaintops craI rarely drink at full of dled the sun as it home and had was slowly forced entered a land resilient downward by a where almost darkening sky. everyone did. people, Once the sun My uncle is is gone, the city a pediatrician changes. for a hospital in innocent Fewer and downtown Gomez fewer people Palacio and owns people remain outside a small doctor’s as the evening office where he demanding descends. helps local famiBy 8 p.m. there lies at a low cost. socioeconomic were barely any His mansion is people on the more like a forstreets. They are tress. Jagged, bro- change. inside, with their ken glass bottles families. ran along the top of the 20What fear does to the foot walls that surround the property. Stepping inside the people is create an unbreakable bond with those you house you were greeted by high brick ceilings and mar- find trustworthy — it creates ble floors. I, at times, forgot a family. Uniting these masses I was in Mexico. plagued by death and oppresHis was the nicest house sion will strike immeasurable in the entire neighborhood, but I didn’t come to Mexico fear into those in power. to see the inside of my Lorenzo Morotti is an uncle’s mansion. I wanted to associate editor of The experience what it was like to be a normal person living Advocate. Contact him at lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail. a regular day in Mexico. I met a woman named Liz com.
lorenzomorotti
CampusComment
Have you had any issues with the recent construction on campus?
“I’m upset because I have to walk really far to class and I get confused. They should have big signs to help direct traffic.”
“It’s kind of annoying. Obviously you have to walk more distance and it takes a lot of time to get to class.”
Natalie Cordozo Justine Adviento
Lashan Jackson
“I’m new to this campus and it’s kind of confusing getting around.”
human development
business
CODY CASARES AND MIKE THOMAS/ THE ADVOCATE
undecided
“I think it’s dumb and it’s killing all the trees. I don’t know what they are building, and they’re killing all the oxygen here.”
“For one I have allergies and the dust affects me. I don’t like it because we used to hang in the Rec Room and now its gone.”
Tyus Christian
Michael Green
sociology
computer science
“I hate it. It takes long to get to class, and it’s inconvenient for students.” Ayana Hill nursing
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WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5, 2014 l THE ADVOCATE
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Construction | Routes to classes blocked Q FROM: Page 1
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Newsline Q HERITAGE
Knox Center to hold celebration An African Heritage Month celebration will be held on Feb. 13 from 6-8 p.m. in the Knox Center. The event will showcase the history of the African drum and the traditional form of communication, as well as how it was used for various purposes, such as orally recording, preserving and sharing community history and culture. The event is sponsored by the African-American studies department, the African-American Staff Association and the ASU. For more information contact African-American studies department Chairperson Carolyn Hodge at 510-215-4934.
Q LECTURE
Ampim to speak with public The Richmond Public Library Foundation presents the 2014 Lecture and Debate Series, which will be held on Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Richmond Public Library Community Room at 325 Civic Center Plaza in Richmond. The first lecture of the series will be the “Ancient Africans in the Americas before Columbus.” The lecture will present conclusive evidence of the presence of Africans in the Americas before the arrival of Columbus. The lecturer will be history professor Manu Ampim, who is also an internationally known historian and primary researcher in the areas of African and African-American history and culture. For more information contact history professor Manu Ampim at 510-620-6554.
CrimeWatch Wednesday, Jan. 15: Property was turned over to Police Services for safe keeping. Unknown subject(s) were collecting donations on behalf of the EOPS program. Thursday, Jan. 16: A theft in the Student Services Center was reported to Police Services. A staff member reported her phone lost while running to work. An unknown suspect vandalized the men’s restroom in the Liberal Arts Building. Tuesday, Jan. 21: A student’s smartphone was stolen from the Library. Wednesday, Jan. 22: An officer conducted a traffic stop and it was determined the driver was an unlicensed driver. The subject was cited and the vehicle was not towed. A student’s wallet was stolen. No witnesses or suspects. Friday, Jan. 24: A theft in the Physical Sciences Building was reported to Police Services. Tuesday, Jan. 28: An unknown suspect wrote graffiti on a computer monitor in the Liberal Arts Building. Wednesday, Jan. 29: An officer received a report of a disturbance. The subject in question was arrested and later released from the station with a citation. Victim reported that an unknown vehicle hit her vehicle. Thursday, Jan. 30: A student’s mother reported that her daughter was harassed by a male student while attending class.
are in place, Lathrop Construction Associates, Inc. will begin to place utility lines from electrical, gas and water lines. From there they will then be able to finish with the construction of the new buildings, he said. There are weekly construction meetings Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the AA Building Conference Room where Lathrop Construction Associates, Inc. workers and college officials discuss different issues and topics that relate to the construction on campus. Lathrop publishes a weekly calendar that is available at every meeting. “It’s just a way we can keep in touch on issues and stay relevant with each other,” King said. Lathrop has also installed two cameras on top of the Library and the Physical Sciences Building to watch the progress of the demolition and construction of the Campus Center project, King said. “We (the college) got the idea for the news site and cameras since they have the same thing in place at our two sister colleges, Diablo Valley and Los Medanos colleges,” Floyd said. The camera feed for the two cameras is available to watch on Contra Costa College’s website at www.contracosta.edu in the construction news link that will bring
Construction pathways Legend ADA compliant Pathways
up the college’s construction news site that has maps of the student pathways made around campus, as well as all ADA compliant pathways for students with mobility disabilities. The construction team that meets at the weekly meetings came
up with the idea to have a website that students could go to for information. Due to the construction, the college has closed down Lots 5, 7 and 8 to store construction equipment. Parking at CCC is already hard to come by, with students often
Budget | Possible funding Q FROM: Page 1
leges to add 3 percent more students to their rolls. Recognized as a restoration of access, the increase of funding would allow for more students to enroll in classes, more classes to be added, and for more counselors to assist as many students possible in achieving their academic goals and transferring. Funding for community colleges is based on FTES. Colleges receive state funding per FTES, or for every 15 units being taken by students. And the district would love to earn the additional FTES included in the governor’s proposal, despite one problem. “The students have to be here. The district has seen a decline in enrollment,” President Denise Noldon said — “both at CCC and DVC this year.” Due to that decline in enrollment, it appears as if CCC will not meet its FTES goal for fiscal year 2013-14, falling more than 200 FTES short, CCC Director of Business Services Mariles Magalong said. The decline has had Magalong and other CCC administrators asking themselves, “If we cannot make our goal this year, how are we going to meet the goal, plus the proposal’s additions, in the next year?” District Chief Financial Officer Jonah Nicholas said, “If the FTES were divided proportionally according to college size, the breakdown would be 167 for CCC, 451 for DVC and 232 for LMC. Dividing the FTES proportionally by size is not always what happens. The Chancellor’s Cabinet, which includes the college presidents, discusses how the division of FTES will be done.” As of right now, the breakdown of FTES between the three sister colleges is uncertain. “Yes, there is more money on the table. But we have to earn it,” Magalong said. “We have to grow. Those students must come through our doors first before we are able to earn those dollars.” The need for increased enrollment is challenged, however, by an economic upturn that has opened up the job market and sent students back to work, as well as the limited daytime classroom
competing for parking spaces in order to get to class. “Parking has been a pain this semester,” business major Jessica Kahn said. “You have to leave your house earlier than in previous semesters just to make sure you have a parking space.”
Flu | Virus
space at CCC during the construction of its new Campus Center. The college is using community outreach to attract more students. “We want to touch students earlier. We have to,” Vicki Ferguson, dean of student services, said. “We are working on our end to revamp the services we provide. If (students) are not coming to us, then we’re coming to them.” Ferguson said that the college began student recruitment efforts in November by going to local high schools and mailing newsletters and spring course schedules to nearby residences. So far this semester, counselors have opened their doors early to meet more students’ needs as soon as possible, she said. “Student Services utilizes counselors to find out what students are asking for,” Ferguson said. Computer science major David Ahmad said that CCC should add more physics and higher level mathematics courses, as it is stressful for many engineering and science majors to get their requirements for transfer in a timely manner. “There is only one Intro to Physics class offered every semester that only lets 25 students register,” Ahmad said. “And the second part to that class is only offered once a year. If there were more physics and (higher level math classes) available, I would have transferred by now.” The proposed increase in funding allows colleges statewide to open their doors to more students and create more sections. Whether that entails more core classes or more variety in certain subjects is yet to be determined. According to Dr. Noldon, classes that will end up seeing this restoration of access will likely be those with full waitlists, the courses for which there is the most demand. Noldon and Magalong both expect the budget to be approved on time, by July 1, 2014, keeping in mind that this is only a proposal and subject to change. “The governor’s proposal is only the first look at the potential budget for 2014-15,” Nicholas said. “The Legislature still needs to weigh in. The May Revision provides a much clearer picture with more details. Point is, things are almost certain to change.”
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because of the flu, and another 44 cases are under investigation. Specifically, this season and the deaths associated with it are due to the return of the H1N1 strain of the influenza virus, more commonly known as swine flu. Every week during the flu season, the Center for Disease Control releases a report on how large every year’s flu outbreak is. The flu’s prevalence in California is ranked “widespread” by the CDC’s website. CCC Nursing Director Marshall Alameida said, “People can’t take lightly how quickly it (the flu) can spread, or how serious it can be.” Dr. Alameida said it is frightening how many people have died because of the flu. According to CDC officials, someone who is coughing and sneezing can transmit the virus to anyone within 6 feet of them. Despite how infectious and easily spread the flu virus is, there are steps people can take to arm themselves against the flu. “Hand washing is the number one factor in not transmitting the flu,” Alameida said. “We would be so much better off if people regularly, and diligently, washed their hands.” Alameida went on to say that if a student, staff or faculty member is exhibiting signs of the flu, then that person should stay home and take at least one day off from work and school. Vaccines against this season’s strain of the flu virus are also readily available. Officials in the CDC and CDPH urge people to go to their local pharmacy to be vaccinated against the flu. Though the vaccine is not a guarantee that one will not contract the flu, it can be a big step in helping prevent the spread of it. The website WebMD.com urges people to stay hydrated if they have the flu. The website details that water, non-citrus-based fruit juices, decaffeinated teas and milk can help people stay hydrated.
Enrollment | Low head count hurts college Q FROM: Page 1
we can.” The Enrollment Report as of Jan. 27 shows CCC’s head count shrunk by 153. The Contra Costa Community College District is shy of meeting its base enrollment target by 401 students — down by 1.2 percent from the spring 2013 semester. “It (enrollment) is extremely important,” college President Denise Noldon said. “That’s what we base our budget on. Lower enrollment means less FTES.” A student taking on a full course load of 15 units a semester is equal to one Full-Time Equivalent Student. The base target of FTES required by the state is 5,774. This information is collected annually. This number is directly proportional to state funding given to every community college in California. Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson said there are many factors that can influence spikes or drops in enrollment, but a major factor could be that students are going back to work. “It’s a cyclical thing,” Gilkerson said. “We are in a period coming out of a major recession and now it’s a time for economic growth.” If the number of students enrolling at CCC were to drop dramatically, the effects would result in “less money, fewer programs and fewer services,” Dr. Noldon said. To increase enrollment, Gilkerson worked on designing the new class schedule booklet that was sent out to 2,100 homes in CCC’s service area, which spans from Pinole to Kensington, over the winter break.
“Administration mailed class schedules to everyone in the area and I think it’s a really good approach,” Condori said. “However, they should have done this before the end of the fall semester instead of closer to the beginning of this one. Timing can limit enrollment.” Many students are enrolling online. Anthropology major Myesha Pruette said she used the Insite Portal to get her class schedule this semester and experienced fewer problems than normal by going online. “It’s easier and quicker. Usually when I have to come in person, it’s crowded,” Pruette said. “You have to be here super early.” The ASU approved a Grant for Support of $1,500 for Student Services to help pay for food and set up costs associated with Super Saturday. Where counselors invite hundreds of high school seniors to the campus for orientation and to help them enroll at CCC. Super Saturday, a CCC recruitment fair, is scheduled for May 10 and is expected to affect next fall semester’s head count. “Students are assessed and oriented here on campus. We help students create their education plan and register on the spot,” Admissions and Records Director Catherine Fites said. “It’s like an open house, where you can also register for college.” Fites said the goal of Super Saturday is to make students see CCC as an option for their first college choice, instead of a back-up plan. To help the program and enrollment numbers grow, the ASU has been working with Student Services by assigning a student ambassador to
each local high school where they will talk to students about their options once they graduate, Condori said. “We want to also designate each ambassador to a club here on campus,” he said. “So when they go to the high schools they can promote the club to students. If they do decide to enroll, it will be into a comfortable and friendly environment.” In the Student Services Center, there will be a Welcome Center installed before the end of this semester, Noldon said. “The student ambassadors have been very helpful,” she said. “The ASU has done a wonderful job providing various grants to clubs and programs regarding enrollment.” Gilkerson said, “We are in the process of making the conversion now. We will make space for a bank of computers outside the dean’s office. Here students will be able to go to get enrollment information or help with registration.” Student Nate Simpson said that enrollment could be low at CCC due to students choosing colleges like Diablo Valley College instead. “People go to DVC because they have this image that it is nicer. That stereotype needs to be broken,” Simpson said. “Teachers here make it easier to succeed. At DVC they have a bar and, if you don’t meet it, you are out of luck.” Noldon said there are many schools out there that people perceive to be “less desirable.” “More often than not, people are surprised when they come (to CCC) for the first time — pleasantly surprised,” she said.
4 THE ADVOCATE
CAMPUS BEAT
l WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5, 2014
Hopeful Berner keeps organized Former tutor takes on new dean position By Veronica Santos SCENE EDITOR
vsantos.theadvocate@gmail.com
The Liberal Arts Division has found its new dean. After the retirement of Helen Kalkstein last semester, the division dean position has been given to former tutoring coordinator, Jason Berner. Kalkstein said that Berner is the right person, at the right time to lead the LA Division. Berner has been the LA Division dean for three weeks. “It hasn’t been easy. It’s been quite a bit of a learning curve already,” Berner said. “But it’s been in a sense “I want to help smooth that I worked in make adminis- this division so everytrative burdens Ibodyknow and everyas manageable body knows me. that’s made it as possible so So somewhat manageable.” that faculty He said the can focus on biggest part of his teaching and job is dealing with what arises. improving the “And I kind student experi- of like that, when something is ence” thrown at you,” Berner said. Jason Berner, He currently Liberal Arts Division dean does not have personal plans for the division, but said that in a general sense he wants to ensure that the division functions. Once everything is settled, Berner said he wants to take some time to speak with department chairs and faculty who can let him know of any plans or wishes they may have to determine which direction they would like to head. “I want to help make administrative burdens as manageable as possible so that faculty can focus on teaching and improving the student experience,” Berner said. English professor Jeffrey Michels, who has worked with Berner for 10 years and calls Berner “His Deanship,” said, “He is thoughtful, smart and pragmatic.” He said that Berner is very organized and is the type of individual who can get every-
one together and work. Dr. Michels said he sees a lot of opportunity in the division. This includes outreach with Middle College High School and developing learning communities. He said Berner’s communication and organization skills can make this possible. Kalkstein said when she was dean, she remembers always having a question for Berner in the morning — so much that it became a tradition for Berner to come by her office to ask her what the question was for the day. “It is reflective of the fact that Jason has the answers to so many questions because he has worn so many hats at the college,” Kalkstein said. Berner has been a department chair and has served on many college committees. He has served as a chairperson for the Basic Skills Committee, College Instruction Committee and Student Success Committee to name a few. “Jason is going to be a real asset to the college,” Michels said. Berner applied for the position after hearing about Kalkstein’s retirement. “Part of me felt more comfortable with me than some unknown quantity,” he said. “I’ve had other responsibilities here at the college. So I kind of have a pretty good understanding of the way the college works, the way the division works, so I thought I’d be good at it. So now we’ll just see.” He said one of the reasons he applied for the job was to maintain the collegial atmosphere. Changes within the division, he said, are currently unknown and depend on its needs. As a former professor, Berner wants students to know that he can be easily approached, and he is willing to help with questions concerning the LA Division. Berner holds a master’s degree in English from Hunter College in New York and a master’s degree in public administration from New York State University. He said it was fate that led him to Contra Costa College after finding a job announcement while working at La Guardia Community College in Queens, NY. “There were five or six people that letter could have ended up with and it ended up in my box. The job description corresponded really well with my resumé and I applied on a whim,” he said. “Over the years, I’ve developed a real affection for this place,” Berner said. “I really have grown to love this college, the people, the atmosphere. I welcome the chance to be able to maintain that atmosphere and that commitment to students.”
FRIENDLY FACE
QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE
Hands on — The newly appointed Liberal Arts Division Dean Jason Berner, who was previously a tutoring coordinator, plans to meet with department chairpersons and faculty to learn their plans.
Save Nubia Project to inform students Ampim to shed light on ancient civilizations By Ryan Margason STAFF WRITER
rmargason.theadvocate@gmail.com
The Save Nubia Project Seminar will be held on Feb. 22, from 13:30 p.m. in LA-100. The event will cost $10 for general admission, or $5 with a student ID. The historical African civiliza-
tions of ancient Kush and Nubia are in jeopardy of being flooded by dams along the Nile River in Sudan. History professor Manu Ampim and his research team are documenting archaeological evidence before the flooding begins. Ampim and co-coordinator Naeem Deskins started the program in the spring of 2012. “It is an important project that helps preserve the threatened cultural heritages of people of African descent,” Deskins said. There are two phases of the project. The first phase is to raise
“The past gives students the understanding of the present.” Manu Ampim,
history professor
$50,000 to document what is left of ancient Sudan. The second phase is to have the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization make Nubia a heritage site, Deskins said. At the seminar later this month, Ampim plans to educate students
on the history of Sudan. “The past gives students the understanding of the present,” he said. “I also want people to understand Sudan’s past.” African-American studies department Chairperson Carolyn Hodge said she is helping promote the project because of her African descent and because it is important to preserve the cultural heritage of people of African descent. For more information, contact the Save Nubia Project at 510-2732456, or online at www.savenubia. com.
The 5 w’s Who: History professor Manu Ampim What: Save Nubia Project When: Feb. 22 at 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Where: LA-100 Why: To inform students of historic African civilizations of ancient Nubia.
Lack of rubber hose leaves bicycle repair pump airless Essential bike tool stolen over winter break, still missing By Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR
lmorroti.theadvocate@gmail.com
JANAE HARRIS/ THE ADVOCATE
Out of air — The Bike Repair Station, behind the temporary Bookstore, has been without a rubber hose for the bike pump due to a theft over the winter break.
Students commuting to campus on bicycles will be unable to fill their tires with the pump at the Bike Repair Station because the rubber hose was stolen over the winter break. “I still need to order the rubber hose; it should take about two weeks to a month,” Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said. “Right now, I’m buried in issues that are higher priority — like construction on campus. Not that it isn’t important, I plan on ordering the missing piece soon.” The pump is bolted to the ground and every tool is tethered to the stand with metal. Without the hose, a pump is useless. With a hose it becomes a cyclist’s most important tool, especially in an area with bike lanes that provide anything but a smooth ride.
“Last week I went with a student to check out a green bike locker for him,” Police Services Lt. José Oliveira said. Students who pay a flat rate to Police Services will be able to store their bikes in the green bike lock-ups for the entire semester. One of the lock-ups is adjacent to the Bike Repair Station. “We saw that there was a pump bolted to the ground,” Oliveira said. “But were trying to figure out how you would get the air from the pump into the tire without the rubber hose.” Before this instance, Oliveira did not know about the missing hose. The theft was not reported in Police Services crime log, he said. Construction on campus has increased the number of students riding their bicycles to campus because of the lack of parking space. More bikes can be seen locked to railings, poles or the designated bike racks located in front of the Library, Student Services, and the Bookstore than last semester. The existence and whereabouts of the repair station however is not generally known on campus. “I first saw the bike stand when
they moved the Bookstore to the parking lot,” humanities major Marcelo Santos-Perez said. “ I don’t think a lot of students know about the stand.” He said since he regularly rides a bike to the school he always carries small repair tools in his bag just in case something goes wrong on the road. “I was only able to use it for a week or so cause someone cut off the rubber tubing on the pump. There is no point in using it now,” SantosPerez said. The theft came as a surprise to King who said he noticed the missing hose when he was walking by the Bike Repair Station at the beginning of this semester. “I don’t see the value in stealing a hose. If it were made out of copper, maybe,” he said. “It seems like it was done just for the sake of causing mischief.” Oliveira said, “Nothing is 100 percent fool-proof, but there are ways to make it more challenging.” He added that if the rubber hosing were securely fastened to the pump with a lock maybe it would not have been stolen.
CAMPUS BEAT
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5, 2014 l THE ADVOCATE
‘Hidden gem’ provides quality
5
By Jose Jimenez STAFF WRITER
jjimenez.theadvocate@gmail.com
This past August marked the 10-year anniversary of the opening of the Early Learning Center, located on the west side of campus on a hill just above the Bus Transfer Station. In October of 1993, the State Department of Social Services granted a license to operate a child care center called the Contra Costa College-Early Childhood Lab School. Dr. D. Candy Rose was president of CCC at the time and the lab was housed in a portable located on the east side of campus, right across from the Building and Grounds offices. This was meant to be a temporary location until the college acquired state funding to build a permanent facility. Barbara Grillo and leaders of the department met with architects and project planners in the late 90s to design the new facility. In 2003, the new ELC Building opened boasting 6,000 square feet containing three preschool classrooms, three observation rooms, two infant/toddler classrooms, three offices, a library, kitchen, three restrooms and one smart classroom which allows for early child courses to be held on-site. “It’s the hidden gem here at CCC,” Grillo said. “Many people don’t realize we’re located on this campus.” The ELC has received accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children and was one of 21 child care sites to participate in a pilot with Quality Rating and Improvement System. In 2011, Contra Costa was one of 15 counties in California to receive a federal Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant to develop QRIS. QRIS programs are designed to improve child care quality and provide a way for parents to easily identify high-quality programs. This year a total of 65 sites have joined QRIS and by the end of 2015, the First 5 Contra Costa Children and Families Commission expect to engage a total of 90 child care sites. Grillo said with that alone, the ELC goes above and beyond all of the minimum requirements to be a five-star center for chil-
CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE
Circle time — Early Learning Center instructional assistant Linda Tiggs (left) leads a group of children ages 2-5 in a playful dance in ELC-110 on Monday. The ELC is encouraging more parents from outside the campus to enroll their kids. dren. However, that is not the biggest challenge the ELC is up against this year. The ELC is in the middle of a program review, and even though they are in collaborations with First 5, the ELC still needs to improve finances and enrollment. “The main expense is personnel costs,” Grillo said. “If our classes were fully enrolled with children we could meet our financial demands. Currently we have six openings and since we’re a non-profit organization, we want our income to cover our expenses.” She said that full enrollment is critical because that is how they hire quality teachers. In fact, the NAEYC standards are made up of about 50 percent children and the other half broken down into teachers, families, community relationships, physical environment and management. Grillo said since the primary focus is the children, the other five standards establish an effective and durable support structure for a quality program, which she added the ELC has. “Early intervention is key,” she said. “We set high standards of quality and are a model program because we’re training teachers in our practice. We want our child care to be the very best and it starts with the teachers here to the working parents at home.” Carla Yepiz, a parent with a child enrolled in the ELC day care, agrees and said that the stamp of approval, Preschool Makes a Difference (PMD), made a major impact on her decision to enroll her child. “They have quality staff members and it’s very convenient,” Yepiz, who is majoring in early childhood development herself, said. “It’s well worth it.” She said that this is her fourth semester at CCC and she is juggling math classes with
Arts and crafts — Early Learning Center instructional assistant Linda Tiggs supervises free time activities in ELC-110 on Monday. CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE
other demands as a student and a parent. She said the ELC’s flexibility is astronomical. Her child is attending the ELC for the very first time, proving that the ELC can work for any parent. “That is one of my favorite things about this place,” office assistant Robert Zunter said. “How diverse we are here. One thing I think the administration at CCC can help us with is to get the word out about us because when the school campus closes at times, we stay open most of the time.” Grillo agreed and said that websites, such as Yelp, can help with positive reviews by parents who have already experienced the ELC as a family. “We could use some help from the social media,” she said. The ELC, which is open to the public, can care for children until the age of 5. This role is a service to students for the college, providing a high quality preschool for the
children and their families through a laboratory school setting. Parents who are achieving certificates in certain programs offered at CCC, or who have children under the age of 6 and are looking for help with child care, are strongly encouraged to enroll. Grillo said that she sees subsidies, mostly involving CalWORKs, or families that have been receiving welfare and that seek employment, excel the most. “About 50 percent of our families are receiving some type of subsidy,” she said. Tuition and hours vary for part-time and full-time monthly rates, pricing anywhere as low as $600 to a high of $850 with ample options to choose from for any time of the day not exceeding 6:30 p.m. The ELC also proudly offers Montessori classes and traditional classes. For more information call the ELC front desk at 510-215-4885.
Practice competition starts off semester Soul food theme excites students, patrons alike By Christian Urrutia PHOTO EDITOR
currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com
Returning culinary arts students received the chance to hone their talents for the community during the Iron Chef Soul Food Battle in the Three Seasons Restaurant on Jan. 23 as preparation for its spring semester opening. The competition was held in AA-239 and students who have completed their first semester within culinary were chosen to participate. Older community residents and plenty of students stopped by to taste and judge each one of the seven teams’ incarnations of soul food. Culinary arts assistant Angel Chau said, “We decided to make the theme soul food because it is something that you wouldn’t normally see on a menu.” Nader Sharkes, culinary arts department chairperson and professor, backed up Chau’s state-
CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE
Dishing out deliciousness — “Closer to Our Dreams” team member Fatimah Hanif serves up a portion of Chicken Macaroni and Cheese Casserole to Middle College High School student Ryan Belan during the Iron Chef Soul Food Battle held in the Three Seasons Restaurant on Jan. 23. ments. “We tend to have competitions based on one thing, either chicken or pasta, but this time we had various materials and we wanted to make simple stuff,” Sharkes said. He added that the theme allows the students to do much more with the food. Sharkes had checked with the students days before the event, and most had said Cajun or soul food should be the theme.
The winning team, “You Can’t Touch This,” provided what they called a “soul food explosion.” Team member Patchell Windom, a third semester culinary arts student, said, “We went with cornbread muffins and black eyed peas inside, garnished with greens and we smoked the turkey the day before, under a light bake setting.” “You Can’t Touch This” won the competition with more than 25 ADVERTISEMENT
votes by the end of the hour and half event. Patrons had the option of choosing dishes that ranged from pulled pork chili with rice to a white sausage dish, boudin and candied yams. Team member Maryum Simpkins, another third semester student, of “The Mission Bells,” served veal with red beans and rice.
“We tenderized the veal and marinated it and had it sit overnight and then we soaked the beans 24 hours in advance and cooked it with vegetables. We are serving it with a garnish of bacon bits,” Simpkins said. “Our team went with the definition of soul food.” Second semester student Armando Brito of “The Tourists” said they chose a casserole because it was simple, nice to use and has rich flavors. “It is a fusion with Spanish and Soul food: a pork and beef casserole that we cooked in an oven with layers on top of cheeses and spices with a garnish of sour cream and lemon zest,” Brito said. Chau said, “This event is not a fundraiser, but more like practice for the students to start cooking in the kitchen.” Despite not being officially a fundraiser, the event took in $600 from an entry fee of $5 and the $5 charged to patrons, Sharkes said. El Sobrante resident Judith Petersen said she knew about the restaurant from working close to the campus but decided to start visiting after she retired. “This event is a great motivator and the kindness that is experienced here is better than most restaurants,” Petersen said.
6 THE ADVOCATE
SPORTS
l WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5, 2014
Missed opportunity — Comet outfielder Brandon Brown misses an opportunity for a catch during CCC’s game against Cañada College on the Baseball Field on Friday. The Comets fell to Cañada College, 8-1. GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE
First victory eludes squad, 8-1 Cañada’s starting pitcher Sam Alton went five innings with three strikeouts, and gave up two walks, three hits and one earned run. The Comets scored the first run of the game, but were unable to score another run By Ryan Margason for the remainder of the game. STAFF WRITER Right fielder and sophomore Tyrone rmargason.theadvocate@gmail.com Bowie went 1-4, with one RBI and two The baseball team was defeated by the stolen bases. Bowie hit a double to bring in Cañada College Colts 8-1 on Friday on the second baseman and sophomore JR Davis to Baseball Field in the season opening game. make the score 1-0 in the first inning. The Comets (0-3 overall) played a douCañada countered when left fielder Rico bleheader on Saturday at Cañada (3-0 over- Caravalho, 3-5 on the day with three RBIs, all) in San Bruno and lost both games 5-4 hit an RBI double to tie the game in the top and 8-1. of the third inning. In the opener, Comets’ sophomore rightIn the bottom of the third inning left handed starting pitcher Christian Suarez fielder and Brandon Brown, 1-4, bunted for pitched 5 1/3 innings giving up three walks, a single and stole a base. six hits and four runs until he was called Webb said, “We are going to improve out of the game by baseball coach Marvin little by little and game by game.” Webb. Cañada College coach Tony Lucca said, “I kept working hard on being able to “We came out early. It was good for us that finish the game,” Suarez said about being Contra Costa scored the first run. It woke pulled from the game. “But it was the right us up.” decision for the first game of the season.” As third baseman, Chris Miguel, 1-5 with
Baseball team allows eight runs, scores one
ScoreBoard
“We need to get rest and to eliminate mental mistakes.”
Colts 8 Comets 1
Marvin Webb,
Next game: Saturday vs. Alumni Game, 1:30 p.m.
baseball team coach
two RBIs, hit a RBI double in the fourth to make the score 3-1, Cañada ahead. As Cañada’s momentum continued, center fielder Maurice Fuller, 3-5 with a single, a double and two RBIs, hit a double to bring in two runners, making the ball game 5-1 in the sixth inning. “Cañada did more than us on offense and defense,” Webb said. “We just lost our concentration in the middle of the game.” In the eighth inning, Bowie reached third once more when he was hit by pitch and then another stolen base but could not score. “We’re still learning and improving. We must annihilate our mistakes,” Webb said. Cañada’s shortstop Steven Gomez, 1-5, hit a double. Fuller then hit a single, and with the bases loaded Caravalho hit a double
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to bring two RBIs making the score 7-1. Bowie and Justin Myers, 1-4 with a single, both were hit by pitches during the game. In the ninth inning Cañada’s right fielder hit a leadoff triple. Then Miguel hit a 1-1 pitch for a sacrifice fly to end the scoring at 8-1 in nine innings. The Comets were 1-6 with runners in scoring position for the day. “We need to get rest and to eliminate mental mistakes,” Webb said. The Comets host their alumni Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on the Baseball Field.
Linoleum tiles create change of atmosphere By Mike Thomas SPORTS EDITOR
mthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com
The rugged carpet on the first floor of the Gym Annex Building has been replaced with linoleum tile, giving the building a whole new look. The floor was replaced during winter break, and it took four days to install. “It brightens it up. It’s a brighter surface,” Athletic Director John Wade said about the new floor. “It seems to brighten the whole building.” The linoleum floor in the GA Building cost $9,529 to the maintenance budget. Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King choose between three contractors and he went with BT Mancini Company because it was the cheapest out of the three contractors. The GA Building gets a lot of students who walk back and forth through it daily, and that can
rapidly wear out the carpet. It also does not help that there are three vending machines on the first floor that can damage the carpet. The tiles are easier to clean when there is a spill on the floor, unlike carpet where it just stains. “Two things — in a heavy traffic hallway carpet wears out fast, and plus we have three vending machines,” King said, “It helps the cleaning process if someone spills they will be able to wipe it up, and the custodian will be happy about the floor.” The linoleum floor is durable and is easy to replace. Whenever carpet gets damaged the whole floor has to be replaced, but with linoleum the damaged tile can be replaced. “Depending on the usage of the floor it should last about 15 years before it needs to be replaced, but only if its not mistreated.” King said. Contra Costa College football coach Alonzo Carter gave high
Box scores Men’s basketball (Jan. 31) College of Alameda (78) Rollins 12-16 3-3 29, Morton 8-15 3-5 19, Ginns Jr. 5-10 1-2 11, Guest 3-7 1-3 7, Moon 2-6 0-0 5, Kemp 1-1 0-0 2, 0-1 2-2 2, Callahan 1-3 0-0 2, Granger 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 33-59 8-13 78. Contra Costa College (87) Mize 6-10 2-7 14, Workman 11-16 4-6 26, Jones 4-5 3-5 14, Newell 2-4 1-2 5, Vance 2-3 0-0 7, Outing 2-5 3-6 13, Carney 3-3 0-0 6, Refferd 0-1 2-2 2. Totals 29-43 17-31 87. Three-point goals Alameda — Rollins 2 Booker 1 Moon 1. Contra Costa — Outing 2 Brown 1, Vance 1 Jones 1. Fouled out Alameda — Guest, Morton. Contra Costa — None.
Women’s basketball (Jan. 31)
Laney College (62) Moore 10-22 2-2 28, Delos Reyes 4-17 2-2 11, O.Johnson 1-5 2-4 4, J. Johnson 2-7 4-8 8, Mills 0-7 1-2 1, Howard 1-1 0-0 3, Tataroglu 2-5 0-0 4, Gardener 1-8 0-0 2, Brewer 2-5 0-0 1. Total 21-75 12-20 62. Contra Costa College (92) Adams 8-21 2-5 22, Caldwell 7-21 5-16 21, Rogers 5-10 2-5 13, Coleman 3-6 6-12 12, Wyatt 4-7 4-5 12 , Mass 1-2 0-2 2, Jones 3-7 2-2 9, Oldan 0-2 1-2 1. Totals 31-76 21-38 92. Three-point goals Contra Costa — Caldwell 5, Rogers 1, Adams 2, Jones 1.
JANAE HARRIS / THE ADVOCATE
Light the way — The rugged and aged carpet in the Gym Annex was been replaced with linoleum tile over the winter break giving a new look to the previously dark interior. praise to the new floor and he thinks it’s good for recruiting athletes to CCC. The floor can make an impact on how it presents itself to new recruits, and a good impression can always affect a decision. Carter said all of the construction on campus is good for the college. He said when recruiting players, appearance is one of the deciding factors for many student-athletes. “It gives a new feel to the building, and it helps with recruit-
Laney — Moore 6, Delos Reyes 1, Howard 1. Fouled out Laney — J. Johnson, Contra Costa — Mass. Rebounds Laney 46 (Mills 12), Contra Costa 53 (Rogers 13,Wyatt 13).
ing,” he said about the new floor. “When we come into the (GA) building it’s like a new place – it brightens up the whole hallway, and it makes you feel good about working out and what you are doing.” Wade was skeptical about the new floor at first. However, when the floor was installed that all changed. The floor worked out for everyone in the long run. Wade said he has always been a carpet guy, and still is.
Game of the Week Women’s basketball Contra Costa College
Assists Laney 10 (Delos Reyes 3), Contra Costa 25 (Caldwell 8).
VS.
Mendocino College
Baseball (Jan. 31) Cañada College AB R Zirbes 2b 4 0 Caravalho lf 5 0 Cook 1b 5 1 Gubser c 4 1 Marley dh 4 0 Barden rf 5 2 Miguel 3b 3 1 Gomez ss 4 1 Fuller cf 5 2 Eastman ph 1 0 Defieasta ph 1 0 Totals 41 8
“I didn’t see why we needed to change the carpet, but it turned out nicer than I thought or hoped,” Wade said. The GA Building is not the only building that has a new linoleum floor on campus. The Health Science and the Applied Arts Buildings have the same floor. “We did the same thing with the Health Science Building and some spots in the Applied Arts Building.” King said of the linoleum upgrade.
Contra Costa College AB R H RBI Hughes cf 4 0 0 0 Brown lf 4 0 1 0 Davis 2b 4 1 1 0 Bowie rf 4 0 0 1 Myers 3b 4 0 0 0 Buckley 1b 4 0 1 0 Smith dh 4 0 0 0 Weisner ss 4 0 1 0 Padilla c 4 0 0 0
H RBI 0 0 3 3 1 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 1 2 1 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 13 8
36 1 4 1
Cañada College Contra Costa College
001 102 121 - 8 100 000 000 - 1 IP
H R ER BB SO
Contra Costa College Suarez (L)
5.1
6
4 4 3 1
Cañada College Alton (W) Rios Brown
5.0 3.0 1.0
3 0 0
1 0 2 3 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 2
*No current standings for preseason play
When: Friday, 5:30 p.m. Where: Gymnasium Records: CCC 16-6, 8-2 in the BVC. Mendocino 12-8 overall, 7-4 in BVC. Background: The Comets are preparing for a rematch against the Eagles after losing 91-70 on the road during their first game in January. Mendocino is in third place in the Bay Valley Conference, one spot beneath CCC by a margin of two games. Boasting a home court advantage, the Comets have to win in order to compete with first place Solano Community College, which has gone 11 games undefeated in conference play. More importantly, the game gives the Comets an opportunity to extend the gap between second and third place to three games. — Lorenzo Morotti
SPORTS
Comets bounce back to trounce Cougars, 87-78 Defensive fuel stops Alameda in nail
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5, 2014 l THE ADVOCATE
7
FULL EXTENSION
ScoreBoard
Comets 87 Cougars 78
Next game: Today at Napa Valley College, 7:30 p.m.
By Mike Thomas SPORTS EDITOR
mthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com
Down by three points at halftime, the men’s basketball team dominated defensively in the second half to secure its win against College of Alameda (2-7 overall, 2-17 in the Bay Valley Conference) 87-78 Friday in the Gymnasium. The strong defensive effort brought the squad back to a .500 record, and kept its playoff hopes alive. The Comets (11-11 overall, 5-5 BVC) underestimated the last place “I felt like Cougars in the I got called first half and some bad out the most made shot attempts. from the Yuba CCC failed to score points game, so I just off of the turnovers it created, went back neglected to and worked and attack the basket on my game against a matchthat had a and kinks. I’m up height advantage the big man on them. “We made of the team, some bad shot so it’s my job selections and some turnovers,” to make those men’s basketball coach Miguel plays.” Johnson said about the first Darius Workman, half. Comet guard “(Alameda) has a lot of size, and when we attack the basket it makes it very difficult for them to stop it.” Johnson had to use all two 30-second timeouts in the first half, but they paid off when the Comets started to find success attacking the basket. At the end of the first half, the Cougars held on to a 42-39 lead. In the second half, COA maintained its lead, but could not stop CCC from getting to the paint. The Comets stuck to their game plan of attacking the basket and that
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kept the Cougars’ defense on its heels. The team also started to capitalize on Alameda turnovers to keep up with the Cougars. CCC took the lead in the final 10 minutes of the game and never looked back after that. “We started attacking the basket and, once we start attacking, it’s hard to stop us,” freshman guard Marcel Jones said. “We started to execute and play defense.” The Comets forced 21 Cougar turnovers and freshman center Darius Workman’s rebounding played a huge factor in the game. According to Workman, he did not play well in Wednesday’s loss against first place Yuba College, and he wanted to improve from the last game and help his team. “I felt like I got called out the most from the Yuba game, so I just went back and worked on my game and kinks,” Workman said. “I’m the big man of the team, so it’s my job to make those plays.” Workman gave his matchup, Cougar forward Desmond Gray, a lot of problems with how physically he was playing. Workman scored most of his points off of rebounds. He also got Gray into some early foul trouble in the first half. “He has a big body, soft hands and he knows the game,” sophomore guard Davion Mize said about Workman. Johnson agreed. “(Workman) gives us more possessions,” Johnson said. “Plus he can score.” The Comets’ next game is at Napa Valley College (7-14 overall, 3-8 BVC) today at 7:30 p.m. The next home game is against QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE Mendocino College on Friday at 7:30 Above the rest — Comet forward Jovell Vance jumps up for a layup against Cougar p.m. center Tre’Quan Rollins during their game against the College of Alameda in the CCC is 5-1 at home this season. Gymnasium on Friday. The Comets record is 5-5 in the Bay Valley Conference.
Strong defense shuts down Eagles Quick, energized team stops Laney College By Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR
lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com
Laney College women’s basketball team struggled to penetrate a solid one-on-one defense or contain the Comets’ blistering full-court offensive breaks, resulting in a 92-62 win for Contra Costa College in the Gymnasium Friday. CCC (16-6 overall, 8-2 in the Bay Valley Conference) still rests beneath first place Solano Community College (20-4 all, 110 BVC). The Falcons also beat Laney (8-13 all, 5-6 BVC) nestled in sixth and, more recently, fifth place Napa Valley College (10-11 all, 5-6 BVC). “We are now two games ahead of the third place team. This win acts as a buffer for us,” women’s basketball coach Paul DeBolt said post-game. “Now if we win our next couple of games, we can finish second and make the postseason.” The Comets last confrontation against Solano ended 86-62, the team’s only conference defeat at home this season. “Solano has got to lose,” DeBolt said. “We have to beat them the next time we play.” The Eagles coach Ron Williams also felt the wrath of the Falcons’ quick offense in a 98-62 away loss. “That’s what Solano does, and they’ve been doing it to every team in this conference,” Williams said as his team practiced shooting drills minutes before facing off against CCC. It has been a turbulent season for the Laney team. It has gone 3-3 in its last six matches, seeing alternating results each time. “With nine freshman and two sophomores on a team, you’re
going to have inconsistencies in their play,” Williams said. “But this is a team that is more than capable of playing well. We have to transition buckets quickly, not by just jogging.” He said that the Comets are capable of the same level of play as Solano. “We have to make sure to keep them behind us,” he said. During the opening two minutes of play, neither team was able to score. The Eagles won the tip off, but possession alternated quickly when full-court breaks turned into defensive rebounds underneath the net or put the ball out of bounds. Comet guard Raven Caldwell opened up the scoreboard when she drove into the key to dribble the ball past two Eagle “A good players, defense usu- sinking the layup. ally turns E a g l e g u a r d into a good Charmayne offense. We M o o r e responded play as a with a jump team, we shot from behind the win as a center of the team.” 3-point line. It was the first of her Tynisha Adams, Comet guard six completed 3-pointers by the end of the match, the most out of both teams. Caldwell would finish just one shy of Moore. Jewel Rogers answered Moore when she intercepted a bad pass forced by the Comet defense that shut down passing options for Laney with its coverage. Rogers only scored two points in the first half. A minute after scoring a layup on the turnover, she was subbed out by DeBolt because she had already accumulated two personal fouls. The tempo of the first half was controlled by the defense. CCC’s one-on-one coverage left almost no room in the key for an Eagle drive. Good spacing and defensive foresight by Comet guards
ScoreBoard
Comets 92 Eagles 62
Next game: Today at Napa Valley College, 5:30 p.m. Follow this game live at twitter.com/accentadvocate
Caldwell, Joie Wyatt and Ahjahna Coleman propelled CCC to have 53 rebounds, 16 steals and 13 turnovers at the final buzzer. “This was one of our best defensive efforts of the season,” DeBolt said. CCC guard Tynisha Adams scored four field goals on full court breaks when the defense forced a turnover. This counter-attack style of play kept CCC in the lead. The Eagles collected 12 team fouls during the half trying to defend against a relentless Comet attack. When a team accumulates more than 10 fouls during a half, a double-bonus free throw phase is initiated. Any foul committed against the Comets would mean two shots. The team sunk 55.3 percent of its shots at the free-throw line. The Comets’ defensive fullcourt pressure often held Laney players at midcourt during breaks. This tactic forced the Eagle players to go for the 3-point attempt or drive the ball into the key, where space was at a premium. Offensive efforts on the part of Eagle guards Moore and L. Delos Reyes kept the point margin at halftime to only nine points. CCC led 34-25. The second half was a more offensive one for both teams. DeBolt put Rogers back in and she made her presence known by rebounding 13 times, scoring half of her 10 field goal attempts ending the game with 13 points. Caldwell totaled 21 points at the end of the half with seven field goals and five 3-pointers. Adams led both teams in points scored with 22, eight inside the 3-point line and two from a distance. Comet assistant coach Chanel
QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE
Way ahead — Eagles’ guard Brianna Howard (12) attempts to chase down Comet guard Jewel Rogers from behind during the Comets’ 92-62 victory over Laney College in the Gymnasium on Friday. The Comets remain in second place after the win. Antonio said pre-game that, in order to win, they have to be able to play together and sink shots when they can. “When we are in our offensive flow, no one can stop us,” Antonio said. The full-court breaks were faster and produced more points for both teams late in the game. CCC’s defense kept the Eagles from scoring under the net consis-
tently, allowing the offense to have more chances to score and extend the point difference. Five different Comet players exceeded 10 points by the final buzzer. CCC scored 58 points while Laney had 37 points during the second half. “A good defense usually turns into a good offense,” Adams said. “We play as a team, we win as a team.”
8 THE ADVOCATE Unleashed
Movies
l WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5, 2014
SCENE
Gallery provides eclectic art Materials used represent staff, faculty vision
This week: “The Lego Movie” (PG) “The Monuments Men” (PG-13) “Vampire Academy” (PG-13) “A Field in England” (NR)
DVDs
New releases: “About Time” (R) “Baggage Claim” (PG-13) “Dallas Buyers Club” (R) “Escape Plan” (R) “Free Birds” (PG)
CDs
New releases: Katy B: “Little Red” Maximo Park: “Too Much Information” Bombay Bicycle Club: “See You Tomorrow”
By Cody McFarland ASSOCIATE EDITOR
cmcfarland.theadvocate@gmail.com
“We are here, whether paid or unpaid, because we believe that art is important and that nurturing the making and appreciation of art in others is essential, ennobling and, quite honestly, a lot of fun.” Speaking on the importance and rewarding nature of art education, part-time photography professor Dana Davis used these words to describe the motivations of those in the art department responsible for last month’s gallery exhibit. The Faculty and Volunteer Staff Show, an exhibition of artwork created by either parttime art professors or unpaid volunteer staff members, was on display from the first day of the semester up until last Friday. Davis said there was an equal balance of faculty and volunteer submissions in the show and that the gallery was very eclectic overall. “The gallery shows a lot of diversity,” Davis said. “The work of the volunteers really speaks for itself — they are very much their own artists. Their work doesn’t necessarily reflect their instructor’s work.” Often times, volunteer staff are students who have taken the maximum number of units available in their area of concentration and therefore sign on as an unpaid volunteer to assist professors in teaching that art or trade while they continue to practice themselves. The works within the gallery presented a wide variety of media and materials, ranging from pastel, acrylic and oil paints to ink and enlarged prints of digital photography,
CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE
Wide spectrum of pieces — The Eddie Rhodes Gallery in the Art Building hosted the Faculty and Volunteer Staff Show, an exhibition of artwork created either by part-time art professors or unpaid volunteer staff members. on materials varying from paper to wood panels and ceramic tiles. There were also various ceramics and sculptures on display, including bowls, vases and a clay horse bust. Titled “The Year of the Horse,” the detailed sculpture was submitted by fine arts professor Jiajun Lu, who said he selected it because this is the Year of the Horse according to the Chinese zodiac. Lu, who was excited to see the works of his colleagues on display, said the art department holds faculty and volunteer staff shows every year. It serves to show students what sort of artwork is being created in the department and hopefully inspire them to take an art class, he said. “We want to get students thinking creatively,” Davis said. “They can bring something to the party that is this department.”
“We want to get students thinking creatively.” Dana Davis,
part-time photography professor
Health and human services major Delton Marbray said, “You don’t have to ask what the artist is doing because the art tells a story. Art opens up your mind and your heart. You’re never too old to take an art class.” Unfortunately, the art department is a bit under used these days, Davis said. “When the economy picked back up, a lot of students went back to work,” he said. “I keep on top of my students and, most of the time, if they don’t make it to class it’s because they’re working.” Due to a lack of funding, among other reasons, the department chose not to hold a
reception for the exhibit. So far, instructors have been paying out-of-pocket for department needs, so they did not have a reception for purposes of saving money, he said. Lu also said that low enrollment in certain art classes, coupled with the gallery opening so early in the semester, fed an uncertainty as to whether there would be a large enough turnout at the reception. Human services department chairperson and professor Aminta Mickles took her Tuesday night Multicultural Issues in Human Services class to the gallery because she heard it was diverse, plus wanted to give her students the chance to
see more of the campus. “Often times students taking night classes don’t get to see the whole campus. It was also an opportunity to see diverse art for free,” she said. Health and human services student Mark Thompson said that one particular painting stood out to him — an untitled painting by part-time hot metals jewelry professor Wendy McDermott that depicts a younger person partially veiled in shadows. “I can relate to that,” Thompson said. “A lot of the time we are just standing in the shadows, not letting people get a view of who we really are.” The Faculty and Volunteer Staff Show was taken down Friday in order to free the gallery for its next exhibit, which opened yesterday. The new exhibit, though its reception has passed, will be on display all of February in the Rhodes Gallery.
Charter school makes waves By Christian Urrutia PHOTO EDITOR
Broken Bells: “After The Disco” Mark McGuire: “Along The Way” Sun Kill Moon: “Benji”
Games
New releases: “Rayman Legends” (E) “The LEGO Movie Videogame” (E) “Thief” (M)
Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.
currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com
RICHMOND — “Since my brother came here, he’s improved in school,” seventh grader Miguel Hernandez said, “He would get C’s mostly and now that he’s here, he has choices on where he wants to go to for college.” Nestled in a corner, behind high concrete walls and chain link fences, between Richmond Parkway and San Pablo Avenue, stands an institution dedicated to improving the lives of economically disadvantaged students. San Pablo resident and parent Victor Quintanilla said, “I like the academy because of the education. They teach students how to be respectful to others, no nicknames and these kids are paid attention to.” Making Waves Academy’s chief executive officer Alton Nelson said his theory of action is that schools are the hub for a solid community and connections for the students and parents validate the school. “Access to rigorous education for communities in need is a must have and a city like Richmond deserves to have a high quality public school,” Nelson said. Director of Communications Krista Martin said, “These kids were not provided the same opportunities, and so over the course of 20 years we were able to mold a stronger program.” The Making Waves Education Program began in 1989 when investment fund manager John H. Scully and Rev. Eugene Farlough decided that they wanted to improve the educational environment for impoverished youth in Richmond. It started as a yearlong after school program for fifth-12th grades, where teachers in schools within Richmond who were eligible would nominate students they felt were academically advanced and if accepted, placed in tutoring and mentoring environments. Forty-six fifth graders were the first
CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE
Changing lives — Victor Quintanilla Jr. enjoys dinner with his sister, Vanessa, mother Anna and father Victor Sr. in San Pablo on Sunday. Making Waves Academy began as an after school educational program serving African-American students, but now the demographic is comprised of mainly Latinos.
“This school takes care of its students.” Miguel Hernandez,
Making Waves Academy 7th grader
wave in Richmond. Since then, Making Waves has opened an education program in San Francisco and built a permanent academy at Richmond on Lakeside Drive in 2007. Martin said, “Making Waves Academy is one of the premier schools in the area. Most schools around Richmond are well below the 800 score line.” The California Academic Performance Index measures the academic performance and growth of schools on a variety of academic measures. Making Waves is ranked at 822 out of 1000 on average compared to West Contra Costa School Unified district’s average of 717 based on 2013’s API results. “What we’re doing is clearly working,” Martin said. “This school takes care of its students. The staff at Grant Elementary, where I was before, was not as dedicated and the school wasn’t as clean,” Hernandez said. “There is a lot of competition with other smart students, but it gives you motivation to do well in class.” Fellow seventh grade student Carol Luna praised the strict no bullying policy, saying it makes her feel safer to come to school. “Staff here have better control over their students and so if you’re rowdy, you are out,” she said.
Sixth grader Amari-Lynn Brown said, “It is so different because when you move up a grade and do well at the same time, you notice it, unlike my other school where it did not feel important. This place is like gold.” Yasir Alkaheli, also in sixth grade, said, “I had problems before because of distracting people and here (disruptive) students are placed with non-talkative students and that way they’re able to pay attention and not talk.” When asked about the coursework, fine arts teacher Stephen Von Mason said, “The higher the expectations, the higher they climb and I don’t believe in teaching to the middle and lower expectations.” Science teacher Karen Bush agreed. “We expect the students to reach our standards and hold them to it,” she said. “That is our constant expectation. We don’t fool around. Kids are here and ready to go and we do not want to hold back kids who are ready to flourish.” The academy practices extended hours within the school day, which many students find beneficial. “We get a whole period just to do homework and many students help each other out,” sixth grader Victor Quintanilla Jr, whose sisters were both part of the Making Waves Education Program, said. Nelson said, “Our charter targets specific kids in Richmond. We prioritize students who have siblings enrolled in the school and most kids who come here, tend to stay.” But Vanessa, one of Victor’s sisters says otherwise. “The (education) program I feel was a lot better than the academy, and when the middle school was opening, most of
CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE
High expectations — English teacher Kassandre Harper-Cotton explains a homework assignment in her first period class at the Making Waves Academy located on Lakeside Drive in Richmond on Jan. 28. the people involved with the program were fired,” she said. She cites the lack of communication between counselors, directors and tutors with students that deteriorated once the academy was established along with the failure to keep in contact with current college attendees. “If you ask anyone who was in the program before they would say it’s changed.” “Of course kids who weren’t in it say it’s a different learning environment compared to other schools,” she said.