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sports X page 5
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campus beat X page 4
Program offers film certificate
Comet defense holds strong
New media lab provides pupils with chance to develop skills
Men’s soccer team victorious over Beavers, 1-0
VOL. 101, NO. 2
SINCE 1950 6 PAGES, ONE COPY FREE
THE STUDENT VOICE OF CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE, SAN PABLO, CALIF.
Student charge raises $60,000
DIGGING FOR THE FUTURE
By George Morin EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
gmorin.theadvocate@gmail.com
By Jared Amdahl OPINION EDITOR
ground. Governing Board Trustee John E. Marquez said the Humanities Building, which will be demolished over the next few months, was his “house” in 1962. “I started my professional career here in this building (H Building),” Marquez said. “It was here at the college where I gained the experience for politics.” One problem that will soon face students is that they will have to adapt to the new pathways designated for foot traffic to get around the construction zone, which is right in the middle of the campus. Once fences go up, signs will be posted around campus telling people where to go to
The Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board has lost an “ideal” member of its team. District Governing Board President Sheila Grilli, 75, died on Aug. 31. Grilli represented Ward 3, which includes most of Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Concord and Pacheco. District Chancellor Helen Benjamin said, “I really enjoyed working with her. She was an ideal board member who always put the students’ needs first.” Grilli Grilli was first elected to the district board in 1998, District and was serving her fourth Governing consecutive term of office. Board presGrilli is only the third ident dies member to represent Ward 3 after longsince the district was founded term illness in 1948. Other Ward 3 repre- on Aug. 31. sentatives included founding Leaves lastdistrict board trustee George ing legacy. Gordon, for whom the district office in Martinez is named, and Eugene Ross, for whom the District Office boardroom is named. “(The district board members’) prayers and sympathies are with the Grilli family and friends,” board Vice President John Marquez said. “Sheila was a feisty “I really advocate for students enjoyed and she knew what was best for students.” working Students and their futures were always on with her. Grilli’s mind, Marquez She was an said. After Grilli earned ideal board her associate of arts degree at Diablo member who Valley College, she always put attended UC Berkeley, where she graduated the students’ with a bachelor of arts needs first.” degree in English and journalism. Helen Benjamin, She then went on district chancellor to San Francisco State, where she earned her general secondary teaching credential. Shortly thereafter she taught at Clayton Valley High School. She also studied for her master’s degree in English at Cal State-Hayward and taught writing there for four years. During her 15 years as a district board trustee, Grilli was a supporter of the commu-
Q SEE CONSTRUCTION: Page 3
Q SEE GRILLI: Page 3
jamdahl.theadvocate@gmail.com
in brief
Q SEE FEE: Page 3
‘Ideal’ trustee passes Board president dies after long-term illness
Activity fee brings in large sum of money
The Associated Students Union, with leftover funds from last year, will soon have more than $60,000 under their control to use for student activities and benefits. “We don’t know exactly how much money the fee will generate because, just like tuition, students have until the end of the semester to pay the fee,” ASU President Ysrael Condori said. The student activity fee was X Associated implemented in Student Union early 2012 and raises $60,000. charges each enrolled student X Funding is $5 that goes planned to toward studentbased activities go to departments, scholar- and perks. ships. “The decision for the fee X ASU donates was made by the $15,000 to the district a little more than a year book rental ago,” Condori program. said. The fee generated $46,600 last year. Even though money was spent on numerous activities, almost $35,000 rolled over into the current year’s budget. Students are allowed to opt out of paying the fee, but the cutoff date for applying for the waiver was Aug. 27. Any students who did not opt out must now pay the $5 fee before being allowed to register for classes next semester, Condori said. “As much as we try to advertise the fact that students can opt out of the fee, a lot of them just end up paying it,” he said. Director of External Affairs Kirsten Kwon said that with such a large sum of money at their disposal, the ASU now looks forward to using it to benefit students, the people who generated the money in the first place. “It is my goal to use the money for the students to make their education better,” Kwon said, “It is essentially their money and we’re just giving it back to them in
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11, 2013 ACCENTADVOCATE.COM
CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE
Ceremonial event — (left to right) President Denise Noldon, Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson, Director of Admissions and Records Catherine Fites, Athletic Director John Wade, Director of Business Services Mariles Magalong and Interim Dean of Student Services Vicki Ferguson dig up dirt during the Campus Center Groundbreaking Ceremony in front of the vacant Humanaties Building on Sept. 4.
PROJECT UNDERWAY Construction, hinders student mobility By George Morin EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
gmorin.theadvocate@gmail.com
The college Campus Center Groundbreaking Ceremony was held in front of the vacant Humanities Building on Sept. 4. During the groundbreaking ceremony, classified staff and district officials shared words with the audience and finished with groups of staff and officials using shovels to break
Leaders push for student involvement
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events
Condori, Vice President Luanna Waters and Director of External STAFF WRITER Affairs Kirsten Kwon, the ASU cmcfarland.theadvocate@gmail.com Board is actively seeking new representatives with seven petiStarting the semester with tioning reps lined up already. a board of Condori three, the hopes for a ““We have more say full board of Associated than we think we Students 20 senators Union hopes by the end of have.” to grow and October. He promote explained Ysrael Condori, shared govthat though ASU president ernance it will take among stusome time JANAE HARRIS / THE ADVOCATE dents under the leadership of and effort to form, he is deterPresident Ysrael Condori. mined to build a strong and Shared governance — Associated Students Union President Ysrael Condori plans to Consisting of President Q SEE ASU: Page 3 increase student government membership and involvement on campus. By Cody McFarland
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Group plans for more support, senators,
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