The Advocate 9-14

WEDNESDAY l 9.14.16 OUR 67TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Stroll builds community network Annual festival raises funds, brings people together

BY Dylan Collier ADVOCATE STAFF

dcollier.theadvocate@gmail.com

ALBANY — Families and vendors alike enjoyed the sunny day at the 42nd annual Solano Stroll on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., along a twomile stretch on Solano Avenue in here.

With rides at the beginning and end of Solano and vendors spread throughout the middle, it offered something for everyone.

Filmmaker and father of two Ian Burbage expressed his feelings about what the stroll had to offer for the younger generations.

UC’S GLOBAL RICHMOND CAMPUS SUSPENDED

“

“Yeah, it’s definitely very family oriented and there are three toy shops on this street alone. There are three kid’s consignment shops where they sell clothes and toys. This is a lot bigger than I thought it would be,” Burbage said.

Parents and community members took an active role in raising money for their local high school programs.

Albany High School volleyball fundraiser volunteer Suzanne Frew and Albany High Athletic Boosters Treasurer Yasmin Wofford managed tables selling t-shirts and tickets for a raffle that would fund the grad night trip for senior-year students.

“Albany is such a small school district and our geographic region isn’t as large as El Cerrito or Richmond, so we have to raise money for the volleyball team,” Frew said. “Every family donates $200 to the volleyball team.

“The parents have to come up with half the budget for the entire athletic department at Albany High.”

Wofford described how their largest revenue was through T-shirt sales and had a goal of raising $2,000, which would surpass the $1,300 they made last year. They dropped the price per shirt by $5 each at the stroll.

SEE STROLL, PAGE 3

ABOVE: Participants with Cornell Elementary Afterschool Program perform for viewers during the Solano Stroll on Solano Avenue in Albany on Sunday.

FOR MORE PHOTOS, SEE PAGE 12

In the fossil record we can see how the climate has changed in the past.”

— Dr. William Collins, nobel laureate

BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

The indefinite suspension of the $3 billion UC Berkeley Global Research Campus Project in South Richmond due to a lack of funding shocked many people in the East Bay community.

But UC Chancellor Nicholas B. Dirks’ announcement on Aug. 26 did not surprise those who were involved in the project’s Community Working Group, or who were aware of UC Berkeley’s $150 million budget deficit when it was announced in February.

Contra Costa College Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson is the college’s sole representative on the UC Berkeley Global Campus Community Working Group (CWG) and the lead of its Education Subcommittee for 11 meetSEE GLOBAL CAMPUS, PAGE 3

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

Nobel Prize laureate explains climate issue Center for Science Excellence hosts climate

GABRIEL’S LEGACY ‘INCOMPARABLE’

change panel

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BY Benjamin Bassham NEWS EDITOR

bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com

Nobel laureate William Collins spoke in GE-225 Friday on the state of the climate and the consequences if humanity fails to act.

Collins said what he had to show the approximately 110 attendees at Contra Costa College was “not my own work, but the results of many, many people.”

Collins was a lead author of the fourth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment report that won the Nobel peace Prize in 2007. The report combined the work of more than 2,000 scientists in fields ranging from chemistry and physics to biology.

“Climate science is really an international effort,” he said.

Collins said, “The very first person who TWITTER: @accentadvocate

predicted climate change did it in the 1880s with a pencil and paper.” He said it isn’t hard to work out that climate change will happen. “(Now) we use very basic physics to build very fancy models.”

Collins said data about climates from before modern record keeping is collected through proxy records, like fossils, ice cores, tree rings and pollen. Tree rings are useful because each year’s growth is shown in order and gives information on local temperature and precipitation.

The ice cores, taken from places like Greenland and Antarctica, catch volcanic ash, and trap pockets of air that can be analyzed for Carbon Dioxide content. The pollen is collected from sources like the pollen sacks of bees trapped in amber. Pollen shows what plants

ABOVE: Nobel laureate William Collins speaks to audience members during his visit in GE-225 on Friday. Collins presented data on climate change and greenhouse gases.

SEE COLLINS, PAGE 3

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Quotable “Speech or self-expressive conduct is protected not as a means to achieve a collective good but because of its value to the individual.”

Edwin Baker, author, 1989 Roxana Amparo editor-in-chief Christian Urrutia web editor Marci Suela art director social media editor Lorenzo Morotti associate editor Benjamin Bassham news editor Robert Clinton opinion editor sports editor Xavier Johnson scene editor Cody Casares photo editor Denis Perez assistant photo editor Tashi Wangchuk multimedia editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Advocate staff Sean Austin Vianney Carrillo Jose Chavez Dylan Collier Salvador Godoy Naylea Hernandez Edwin Herrera Karla Juarez Perla Juarez Anthony Kinney Christopher Parker Jaleel Perry Julian Robinson Reggie Santini Michael Santone Jessica Suico Jason Sykes Mike Thomas Efrain Valdez 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, SEPT. 14, 2016 VOL. 104, NO. 3

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EDITORIAL LET THERE BE GREED

Astronomical salary budget leaves little for Global Campus

W

hile many argue that the suspension of UC Berkeley’s $3 billion Global Research Campus Project (GC) in Richmond is just a hiccup in the master plan to inject a research industry into the city, others insist it is the end of a vision.

The decision made by UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas Dirks, due to a $150 million budget deficit at Cal, comes at a disastrous time for the university. But the victims of the indefinite suspension of the project are high school and community college students in West Contra Costa County.

Rather than invest into a low-income community to transform it into a global beacon for research work in environmental, health and medical science, UC Berkeley and UCLA spend billions of dollars to recruit a brigade of administrators and coaches.

According to tranparentcalifornia.com, in 2014 the UC system, at its 11 campuses, spent about $11 billion in base pay for all employees, $2.7 billion in benefits, $1.5 billion in “other pay” and about $17 million for overtime.

The institution spent about $15.4 billion in total employee costs. But the median, center of the data, total pay and benefits for an employee at UC system in 2014 was about $28,555.

It is unfair that the UC system cannot find funding for this project, yet UCLA football coach Jim Mora and basketball coach Steve Alford were the highest paid employees statewide in 2014.

Even more concerning is the fact that Mora and Alford made $3.5 million and $2.7 million respectively, while Chancellor Dirks made $574,072.

While UC Berkeley may not be the worst offender in terms of overpaid staff, it does have the highest ratio of administrators to professors in the UC system. From 2005 to 2015 the number of full-time administrators at the university swelled by 56 percent — from 821 to 1,281. Over that time period full-time faculty only increased 1,261 to 1,285 — or nearly 2 percent.

The decision to suspend the Global Campus in Richmond helps support that insatiable greed. As a result, a large and diverse group of students interested in science won’t have a facility in their hometown.

Just imagine having a thriving community of problem-solvers of the world’s most daunting challenges less than five miles away from Contra Costa College and two miles away from some Richmond high schools.

But, CCC Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson said, this is a project that was still 40 years from completion — before it was put on hold on Aug. 26. While the project is in limbo there is reason to be optimistic. Gilkerson said negotiations between CCC, the City of Richmond, WCCUSD, UC Berkeley and the Lawrence-Berkeley National Lab will set project guidelines.

Blame as to why GC won’t be finished any time soon has been cast on lengthy negotiations, Dirks’ leadership abilities and the mired UC Berkeley funding procurement process.

But the university did not just shoot itself in the foot. The bullet ricocheted and crippled a project that could have transformed the East Bay community, and the world.

MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

■ CONTROVERSY

Film fuels discussion, relays historic story D

irector Nate Parker’s film “The Birth of a Nation” based on the Nat Turner-led slave rebellion in 1831 will be released Oct. 7 amid a storm of consternation and dispute.

The film received national acclaim after its debut at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, held annually in Park City, Utah.

I was excited for the film and I know of plenty of people who were excited as I was after seeing the trailers.

Unfortunately, “The Birth of Nation” has been soured for me and many others due to the resurfacing of a 1999 case where director and top-billed actor Nate Parker was charged with sexual assault while he was attending Penn State University.

In the trial, Parker was found to be not guilty.

I want to see the movie and I want to support films that tell the stories of blacks in the United States.

But can I separate the art from the artist? The answer is complicated.

If we only enjoyed art by artists with clean pasts there wouldn’t be any art.

Picasso abused women but he’s still a revered artist and Dr. Dre battered reporter Dee Barnes but is still one of the most respected hip hop artists ever.

Clearly, as a society, if Chris Brown still tops the charts, we can separate the art from the artist.

I find myself being able to make the separation as

xavierjohnson well. I can still watch the matches of professional wrestler Chris Benoit who killed his wife and son before taking his own life in 2007.

There will I still listen to Eminem in be a spite of his clear lyrics that are filled separation to the brim with toxic between views about women.

Parker I even enjoy some and Chris Turner.

Brown songs.

There are cases where I simply can’t separate the art from the artist.

One example is Bill Cosby.

After the flood of sexual assault accusations that surfaced last year against Cosby I became soured on Cosby’s work. I recognize him as an incredible comedian but I can’t watch his work anymore.

I haven’t even watched the great sitcom “The Cosby Show” since the accusations. It was one of my favorite shows. But watching Cosby portray Heathcliff Huxtable in the show is troubling.

In Cosby’s case, the issue was how similar Cliff

Huxtable the character was to Cosby the actual man. In that case, it’s difficult to separate the art from the artist because they are essentially the same person.

The ideals and personality traits of Huxtable were the same as the public persona of Cosby.

This brings me back to “The Birth of a Nation.”

Parker’s portrayal of Turner will not be as closely connected as Cosby to his portrayal of Huxtable.

There will be a clear separation between Parker and Turner.

At least, that’s how I choose to rationalize it.

This is all very complicated.

I realize I’m a hypocrite in a way for not taking in Cosby’s art because it’s too tied with his personal life, but still listening to Eminem whose music reflects his genuine views.

And also for watching Benoit when professional wrestling characters are a direct extension of who they are in real life.

I will probably still watch “The Birth of a Nation.” When I do I will try my best to appreciate the film for what it is.

I will most likely feel conflicted while watching, but that’s the nature of the beast when consuming art from troubled artists I guess.

Xavier Johnson is the scene editor for The Advocate. Contact him at xjohnson.theadvocate@ gmail.com.

CAMPUS COMMENT

Do you feel the financial aid should have a GPA requirement?

“I think it’s reasonable.

There should be regulations to see that students are working (on their GPA).”

Bryce Baker

computer science

“I am OK with it, but it can be hard on students who don’t know how to get their benefits and don’t know how the system works.”

Jesame Bueno nursing

JESSICA SUICO AND DENIS PEREZ/ THE ADVOCATE

“I think that it will motivate people to keep their grades up and stay in school and work hard. It can be stressful also.”

Kourtney Jackman undecided

“It makes sense. There is no reason to find people who don’t put any effort in school.”

Michael Murray fire technology

It allows students to work hard and strive for their goal, as well as stay motivated in school and continue with their studies.”

“I think it is fine because I always thought there was (a GPA requirement).”

Christopher Harvey business

Christine Homan nursing

campusbeat

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NEWSLINE STROLL | Annual gathering bolsters camaraderie PLAGIARISM

WORKSHOP TO HELP AVOIDING CHEATING

A workshop on how to avoid plagiarism will be held in the Library Learning and Research Center on Sept. 26 from 2:30-4 p.m.

This workshop will teach students how to avoid accidental plagiarism when using Noodletools to cite sources.

This assistance can help students organize their notes, track resources and make sure the cited sources are in the correct MLA format.

The workshop will also show how teachers can check if a paper or part of a paper is plagiarized by using Turnitin, a tool that highlights all sentences in a paper containing previously published phrases and sentences.

For more information about the workshop, visit the CCC Library reference desk or call 510-2154921.

TRANSFER

NURSING AGENTS AIM TO EASE QUANDARIES Transfer representatives from Samuel Merritt University Nursing will be visiting Contra Costa College today, Oct. 18 and Nov. 10 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Transfer/ Career Center in Student and Administration Building SA-227.

The representatives will be answering students’ questions about the transferring process.

To schedule a 20 minute appointment, students can contact the counseling office in the Transfer/Center now located in the SA-227.

CRIMEWATCH Monday, Aug 15: An unknown suspect broke into the Critical Solutions construction trailer in Lot 5. The suspect stole various tools and equipment.

Wednesday, Aug. 17 An employee reported hearing a derogatory phrase.

Thursday, Aug. 18 An intoxicated male was unable to care for himself near the Bus Transfer Center and was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Friday, Aug. 19 A district vehicle was involved in a minor, non-injury, traffic accident on campus.

Monday, Aug. 22 A staff member crashed into the gate leading to the upper part of Campus Drive.

Wednesday, Aug. 24 An instructor stood in between two students who began arguing in class. One of the students pushed the instructor.

Thursday, Aug. 25 A student reported threats received off campus. While the student also filed a report with the San Pablo Police Department, he or she refused to prosecute.

Friday, Aug. 26 A student was transported to the hospital because of a pain in the abdomen.

Friday, Sept. 2 A Middle College High School student reported she misplaced her school issued laptop.

Wednesday, Sept. 7 An officer received a report of petty theft on campus.

Wednesday, Sept. 7 An officer responded to a report of a suspicious male that entered the Art Building. The subject was detained and escorted to the Bus Transfer Center.

— Lorenzo Morotti and Salvador Godoy — 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.

Continued from Page 1 “We buy our shirts in bulk through Mary & Joes, who sells them to the Albany School District and gives us a discounted rate on the shirts for fundraising,” Wofford said.

But Wofford said his favorite part of the Solano Stroll was the camaraderie of the community, seeing the diversity in the neighborhoods, and re-connecting with old friends.

Store owner of Arts Africans, Aisha Kone, drove from Emeryville to sell her authentic products, which come all the way from Africa.

The broad array of products-from the bracelets, to hats, to the African beads, to the leather sandals-all come from Africa. Kone said her

intention was to not merely turn a profit, since it was her first year at the Solano Stroll, but also to grow their business through community connections.

“Our goal is to network, and let people know about our appreciation for African products. We have homemade bracelets from Mali, which show a different side of African culture,” she said.

The intricately handcrafted safari-horn spoon sets were made out of wood for the handles, with the bottom made out of cow bone.

Other people counted strongly on turning a profit to not only come out ahead of what they paid for their spot, but to support their entire family.

You could see East Bay resident Louis Morales’ Native American roots glimmering through his precious products that he took much pride in making.

“I have been coming to the ‘Solano Stroll’ for 12 years, and my family and I, whom I traveled with from Oakland, make all of the products together. Everything is very authentic and I rely on all my sales as a street vendor because I don’t have my own shop,” Morales said.

Morales’ bracelets seemed to sell like hotcakes, ranging anywhere from $3 to $30. The materials that the bracelets were made out of included metals, leather and bone.

“I can make one bracelet in three to four hours,” Morales said.

GLOBAL CAMPUS | UC budget crisis halts project Continued from Page 1 ings, each.

“The (Education) Subcommittee became my child,” Gilkerson said. “But UC Berkeley could not agree to make an investment based on its budget deficit, so we cannot start the (construction) work.”

She said while the project is not canceled, it is impossible to know when UC Berkeley, the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab or the City of Richmond will find the funds locally, or from the state, to lift the suspension so the 40-year project can begin to materialize.

But until then, Gilkerson said the CWG will continue to negotiate community agreements with UC Berkeley, the LBNL and other city, state and national constituencies in terms of the project’s education, funding procurement, local hire and workforce development, housing and displacement policies.

The CWG is made up of constituencies from UC Berkeley, the LBNL, West Contra Costa Unified School District, CCC, the City of Richmond, local faith groups, non-profits, labor, business and national housing organizations while negotiating community agreements.

“I was disappointed, and I voiced my disappointment at the (Community Working Group) meeting last month,” Gilkerson said. “I was not very surprised, but it makes sense why a lot of people were.”

Dirks’ announcement came six months after UC Berkeley’s $150 million budget deficit was publicized, and nearly two years after the CWG held its first meeting on September 25, 2014.

Since the CWG’s first meeting, a broad spectrum of people throughout the community have become more involved at various meetings to make sure UC Berkeley’s project plans and policies are in accordance with the City of Richmond’s Bay Specific Plan, Gilkerson said.

This plan entails a drastic redesign of approximately 220 acres of an area located south of Highway 580 to create a sustainable shoreline district with businesses, housing and recreation options — UC

Berkeley Global Research Campus Project (140 acres) is linked to the site and the City of Richmond’s project.

But in lieu of the suspension, UC Berkeley and LBNL have provided public statements that promise to continue negotiations with the CWG, boost educational outreach into Richmond, and San Pablo K-12 schools and community colleges, and a possible “largescale construction” project at this site.

Gilkerson said these groups are negotiating legally binding language to write into the project master plan, so once the project can move forward it will have collected enough input to have a sturdy foundation of community agreements that will not impact Richmond negatively.

“The project is likely to continue at this site,” she said. “Richmond’s south shoreline is a prime piece of real estate for redevelopment projects, but this is a lengthy (40 year) project.”

Local minds, global solutions In Dirks’ open letter to the Richmond community on May 28, 2015, he said, “We have the opportunity to become the first American university to establish an intesrnational campus in the United States, right here in the East Bay.” He said the campus would unite the Richmond community with academic and private organizations from around the world to research global issues such as climate change, medicine and public health and find solutions.

Fortunately, some local minds are already seeking to solve some of those global issues.

UC Berkeley graduate students at the Richmond Field Station are analyzing permafrost soil samples from Alaska to determine the rate that carbon gasses are being released into the atmosphere — one of them is CCC alumnus Robin Lopez.

While Lopez said he is restricted from speaking about the decision to suspend the UC Berkeley Global Research Campus, he can talk about his experience as a

graduate and undergraduate student working with LBNL at the Richmond Field Station.

He said doing research at LBNL as an undergraduate at UC Berkeley is “exciting” because you get to choose what field you want to pursue. He said the uncertainty of conducting research experiments is what made him stay out of the engineering industry.

“Uncertainty is key. The people who embrace uncertainty are much more passionate about their profession, and are a valuable resource to an institution or community,” Lopez said.

“That’s why I didn’t go into the corporate industry. They will pay you substantially well, but at the end of the day it is about being a Richmond resident and giving something back to the community I came from.

“I love to give back, and if the (Richmond Field Station) enables me to do so through scientific research then that’s what I am going to do, and that’s why I am happier now.”

CCC HSI STEM Manager Mayra Padilla said UC Berkeley’s decision to suspend the project that would have created a larger and more modern research facility in Richmond came just before the restructuring of the STEM program to be geared toward growing fields in environmental science.

But because the project is suspended, Dr. Padilla said it will be more difficult for students like Lopez to get undergraduate experience close to home.

“There are a lot of resources at UC Berkeley and it is not too far away. But if it were in our city it would make it more accessible.

CCC tends to be underrepresented in scholarly programs at UC Berkeley because other community colleges, like Laney College and Berkeley City College, are closer and have more contact and access to their resources.”

Public statements from Dirks, the LBNL have promised that negotiations and expanded community outreach in Richmond will continue, but the project will likely not keep Dirks’ vision of a global research campus community.

editorial

In his Aug. 26 weekly report, Let there R i c h m o n d be greed City Manager UC Berkeley Bill Lindsay Global Campus said because suspended due of this prom- to funding crisis ise, “I believe R i c h m o n d PAGE 2 should view this ‘suspension’ as a new chapter for ultimate development of the underutilized site that is the Richmond Field Station — not the end of an aspiration to see development of the Richmond Field Station as the Global Campus.”

Funding purgatory CCC biological science Chairperson Katherine Krolikowski has attended some meetings and has followed the development of the project since it was originally proposed by the LBNL in 2012, before its own budget crisis allowed for UC Berkeley to pick up the project in 2014.

Krolikowski said while the Global Campus negotiation focuses more on preparing K-12 students who want to enter the scientific field, the decision to suspend the project is an unfortunate setback for STEM and the Center for Science Excellence programs.

“I do not have a sense that this project is not going to happen — it is going to happen, but just not in this version,” Krolikowski said.

“UC Berkeley still owns the right to build on the site, but because the Chancellor (Dirks) is leaving, the project was stopped to let the next chancellor pick it up.”

But she said one of the big issues aired at the meetings was that the procurement of investors to fund the project has to come from all groups involved, but it is nearly impossible for small businesses in Richmond, or the neighboring city of San Pablo, to navigate the complex bureaucracy of UC Berkeley procurement rates.

The 21-member Community Working Group is still scheduled to meet on Sept. 27 at the Richmond Field Station in Building 445 at 6 p.m.

COLLINS | Speaker exposes record climate changes Continued from Page 1 were flowering in the past. He said historical records of harvests and droughts see some use.

In the present, temperatures are measured directly from satellites and ground instruments.

“In the fossil record we can see how the climate has changed in the past,” Collins said.

The climate has been changed by volcanoes, and solar output. The Sun has gotten fractionally brighter, and there is slightly less volcanic activity. “(But) those explanations can not explain what we’re seeing (now).”

Climate change normally takes tens of thousands of years at least, but Collins said, “We’re making it happen in 200 years,” at over 20,000 times the natural rate.

“The year 2012 was the hottest year in U.S. history and 2016 is stacking up to be the hottest in world history,” Collins said. “Every single month this year is breaking records. July was the hottest month ever recorded.

“We’re hearing more and more about extreme weather — like the floods in Louisiana.”

Collins said he was in Tasmania, off Australia’s coast, working on the fifth IPCC assessment report in 2013. That was the year Australia was ravaged by what came to be called the Angry Summer. “(The Angry summer) broke 120 (weather) records in 90 days while we were there.”

It was the hottest January on record, the hottest summer, had the hottest day recorded for Australia as a whole and had seven consecutive days where the continent averaged above 39 degrees Celsius. The Bureau of Meteorology had to add new colors to their chart, which previously stretched to 50 C, to denote temperatures as high as 54 C, 129 degrees Fahrenheit.

Collins said he could see the smoke from the enormous Tasmanian brushfires.

Collins said the greenhouse effect is mostly a good thing, pointing out that the Moon gets the same amount of sunlight as the Earth.

“Carbon dioxide turns out to be a very powerful greenhouse gas. Without it the Earth would become a snowball.”

CO2 is 75 percent of greenhouse gas, and globally CO2 is rising 2 percent per year.

The fraction of the atmosphere that is CO2 rose by 47 parts per million (PPM) between 1750 and 1970, and 70 PPM since 1970, and is now over 400 PPM for the first time in 4.5 million years.

As far as removing CO2 goes, Collins said, “Mother nature will do it for you, but it will take a really long time.” It isn’t like mere smog, and on average it lingers 120 years. Chemistry teacher William Michaely said it could last as long as 200 years, depending on the area.

“We have accumulated a huge debt of carbon,” Collins said.

Collins said, “(California) has enjoyed a very stable, mediterranean climate for about 8,000 years.” The patterns of our lives, the cities, crops, the cattle all depend on the climate’s stability. He said, “One feature we’re used to is we don’t get hurricanes. Yet.” He said heat, water and sea level rise are the ways Californians will experience climate change most.

“Almost the whole (of California) is two degrees warmer than it was historically.

This is what I mean when I say we’re not living in (the same climate anymore),” he said.

“One of the most important changes is (the) snowpack (that) provides approximately 30 percent of California’s water supply. When you heat the air it tends to melt snow. Even though we’ve been getting about the same total amount of precipitation (it runs off into the ocean.)

“None of this is at the point where it’s active-

ly intruding on our lives, but this has been going on for a while. Climate change, as it goes on, speeds up. The dangerous levels of climate change are at about 2 C. We’re about half way (to) where major global changes start. “(Only) 10 percent of California’s snowpack will remain by the end of the century.”

Michaely said, “Think about our forests.

They’re dead and now they’re burning. (Those) trees can take 100 years to reach full size.”

Collins said, “We’re moving the habitability zones for forests (north) twice as fast as the forests can shift to keep up.”

Collins said California will not be as hard hit as other areas because the Pacific Ocean is a buffer, absorbing the extremes of temperature.

He said most heat goes into the ocean.

Currently three-quarters of sea level rise is from thermal expansion. In the future sea level rise will be split about equally between thermal expansion, and melting land ice and glaciers.

He said, “In the U.S. we think of refugees as a problem affecting places elsewhere in the world. People (are already) climate refugees in Louisiana and Alaska due to rising waters.”

The issue of climate change has been unfortunately politicized, and turned into an almost a tribal issue, he said. “The solutions take longer the more you wait to start.”

The lag time for the benefits to be visible means it has to be sold on side benefits, like better air, energy independence and savings.

The choices made now (or not made) can affect the climate in 2075 enormously.

California produces 1 percent of total global emissions, which is low for its economy, and is twice as energy efficient per capita of the rest of the nation.

Governor Brown has pledged to reduce emissions further. “We think we can reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2030,” Collins said.

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campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.14.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Transfer Coordinator Andrea Phillips (center) helps two students access the Transfer Admission Planner website during the Transfer Admission Guaranteed workshop in the Library on Aug. 29.

DENIS PEREZ/ THE ADVOCATE

Guaranteed admission explained Transfer

BY Denis Perez

program

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com

guarantees spot at six UCs

ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Students from distinct majors, all looking to transfer with guaranteed admission to a University of California campus, attended a Transfer Admission Guaranteed (TAG) program in the Library on Aug. 29.

Transfer Coordinator Andrea Phillips said TAG is for students who are planning to transfer from a community college into any of the six UCs that offer the program.

The universities are UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC Merced, UC Santa Cruz and UC Santa Barbara.

Phillips said students who qualify for the program are assured admission into their chosen university as long as they meet the requirements of that university.

Each UC TAG application has its own requirements.

Students can visit www.admissions. uci.edu for more information about TAG requirements.

They must start by filling a Transfer Admission Planner (TAP) and reviewing it with their counselor or designated TAG adviser.

A UC TAP is a “communication platform,” Phillips said.

It is an online planner where transfer students track and plan their coursework.

Students can submit their TAP and TAG applications from Sept. 1 to Sept.

30, and their UC application for undergraduate admission to a university prior to the Nov. 30 deadline.

Students will be notified if they were approved in November.

Phillips said the process for a student to transfer into a UC takes up to a year.

It starts on Sept. 1 when they are able to submit their TAP application, and it ends on July 1 when all of their units are completed.

Phillips said the students should create a separate email for the TAP process.

There will be emails with important information that students must be able to access easily.

She said the “bulk” of the TAG process is inputting a complete college transcript into their TAP account.

Any AP tests the student took in high school or career and technical education courses must be included in the application, she said.

The information students provide in the TAP application is used to fill out the TAG application and the information then helps fill out the UC application, Phillips said.

Students can fill out one application for TAG to one of the six UCs offering the opportunity, but can still send their application to other UCs, Phillips said.

Psychology major Stephen Belisarno said, “It’s up to you what you want to do with the information (from the workshop).”

Belisarno said he has two universities he would like to attend, but the workshop solidified his decision to choose UC Santa Cruz as his main option to submit his TAG application.

He said going on college tours is exciting as he looks forward to trans-

in brief The Transfer Admission Guaranteed (TAG) program is available at six UCs. Students who plan to transfer to a UC from a community college can TAG to UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC Merced, UC Santa Cruz or UC Santa Barbara.

The TAG application period is from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30, 2016.

The Transfer Admissions Planner allows students to track and plan their coursework online.

Students can visit www.admissions.uci. edu for more information about the TAG requirements.

ferring.

Phillips said the students who attended the workshop have “dibs” on free material and tours of campuses as well as emails of programs related to TAG.

Malfunctioning parking meters spur replacement Machines allow for enforcement

by Police Services

BY Edwin Herrera ADVOCATE STAFF

eherrera.theadvocate@gmail.com

The recently installed parking meters in Contra Costa College’s parking lots could limit students’ ability to park for free now that purchasing a parking pass is required to park on campus.

The daily parking passes are $3 and can be purchased with a debit card, Apple Pay or with coins.

With the previous meters out of service for almost two semesters, students found a way to take advantage of the situation, Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said.

Many students decided not to pay for semester permits, avoiding citations, he said.

“I forgot to buy my permit on the first day of the spring semester and noticed the parking machine was down,” Jennifer Brooks, nursing major, said.

“So I left my car on the lot and didn’t get a ticket.

“I decided to do that all semester. I never got a ticket and didn’t buy a permit,” Brooks said.

“I forgot to buy my permit on the first day of the spring semester and noticed the parking machine was down. So I left my car on the lot and didn’t get a ticket. I decided to do that all semester, never got a ticket and didn’t buy a permit.”

— Jennifer Brooks, nursing

King said the old meters were down due to low energy from the solar panels used to power them. “(The meters) were getting worn out,” he said.

King said the solar panels have weakened over the years and now only work for roughly an hour and then shut off for the rest of the day.

He said there were other difficulties with the older malfunctioning parking meters so it was their time to “retire.”

King said he has been working at CCC for 10 years and the meters have been here longer than him.

He said he estimates that they are 15 years old.

During the last fall and spring semesters many of the muted yellow colored parking meters across campus were out of service.

ROXANA AMPARO / THE ADVOCATE

Recently installed parking meters have replaced the old out of service yellow parking meters.

Students may purchase daily passes for $3 through debit cards, Apple Pay and coins.

But by the start of this 2016 fall semester students were able to purchase a daily parking pass with their debit card, coins or using Apple Pay. Biotechnology major Lizette Hurtado said, “I guess since they are working now I don’t have an excuse (to not purchase a parking permit).”

One of the affected groups on campus is Police Services, King said.

He said CCC was the campus with the lowest number of citations issued compared to Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College.

He said it was due to either the meters not working or low parking enforcement from Police Aides on campus.

King said the parking rules were rarely enforced.

Info box: Previous malfunctioning meters taken down.

The recent parking meters are colored black instead of the old yellow.

Working parking meters are a step to enforce policies that have rarely been enforced.

Although students were being issued citations, he witnessed cars parked on staff parking without consequence.

Hurtado said, “There were times that I would have to come (to the college) early to try to find parking.

“When I couldn’t find any I had to park outside of campus

while others who didn’t took a spot (inside of campus parking lots).

“I feel like I wasted my money on a stupid (parking) sticker,” she said.

King said compensation for tickets issued while the parking meters were out of service will not given to students, but hopes parking tickets will be enforced.

Hurtado said, “I think it was unfair that students had to pay for parking permits while other students who didn’t buy a permit got to park free anywhere they liked.”

Michael Sandholm, a police aid, was not available for comment due to his hectic schedule.

But police aides are unable to comment on the department’s parking policies.

campus beat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.14.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

5

CLUB PROMOTES PROFESSIONALISM

LEFT: Computer science major Marcella Navas makes several announcements during the SHPE meeting on Sept. 1 in PS-107.

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

BY Marci Suela ART DIRECTOR

msuela.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers plans to build socializing skills and offer professional development this 2016 fall semester to prepare science, technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) students to enter the workforce.

“SHPE is a nationwide organization that aims to empower the underrepresented individuals through STEM awareness while helping them reach their full potential,” Contra Costa College SHPE President Anthony Garcia said.

“Although the club has an emphasis in the STEM field and includes the word ‘Hispanic’ in the name, all majors and all ethnic backgrounds are more than welcomed to join.”

Although other plans are still being formalized, Garcia said SHPE’s goals this semester are to attend two major

conferences, introduce internship opportunities, to visit universities and host various resumé and personal statement workshops.

The club meets every other Thursday from 3-4 p.m. in PS-107. During its first meeting on Sept. 1, the members also discussed about becoming mentors for Richmond High School students participating in the E-Bike Challenge funded

by Chevron Corporation.

CCC students who are interested will meet with their Richmond High counterparts once a week to assist them as they build motors for bicycles, Garcia said.

The competition will be held in December this year.

Physics and engineering professor Mark Wong, who advises the club, said the E-Bike Challenge is an opportunity for CCC STEM students to give back to the community and demonstrate knowledge from their courses.

“It is more of an opportunity of

young people, such as high school students, to have a fun STEM experience,” Wong said. “The E-Bike Challenge has a lot of engineering (involved), such as building, dealing with circuits, batteries and all that stuff.”

CCC SHPE Vice President Abigail Serrano said the SHPE Bay Area outreach coordinator invited the CCC chapter to participate in presentations to families at the Latino Engineering Day event at the Exploratorium on Sept.

25.

Wong said the involvement of SHPE members in science workshops for elementary and secondary students expands their social skills and builds professional connections. “(The members) are much better ambassadors for STEM. Unlike me, who is out of the age bracket that can make science cool,” he said, “they fit into those big brother or big sister roles.

These younger students can identify with them, serving as mentors and role

models.”

Garcia said another goal for SHPE is for its members “to have a family-like bond.” SHPE is planning to host a bowling night, paintball session and ice skating event later in the semester.

“Students majoring in STEM fields are often competitive and focused on taking their prerequisites. Socializing can boost your speaking and networking skills,” Serrano said. “Building a community can help you connect with others of the same major. You can talk about your frustrations together. They understand where you’re coming from and they can help you get through your classes.”

Wong said because no one lives on campus at CCC, students have a harder time building lasting relationships.

Students need clubs like SHPE to use an outlet to discuss courses, make student groups or find “a friendly ear to talk about homework or when teachers are being mean.”

Club plans to give students a chance to grow their skills

Funds give veterans more space Furnished, larger room provides a modern lounge

BY Cody Casares PHOTO EDITOR

ccasares.theadvocate@gmail.com

Veterans have more than a corner to access resource and assistance with the Veteran Students Resource Center (VSRC) relocating to SA-101 as of Aug. 30, within the Student Life Office.

Contra Costa College’s “Veterans Corner,” which was located in the Student Services Center, originally provided services to student veterans.

The VSRC is currently open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and accepts any veterans with needs. A grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 10 in the pavilion in front of the Student and Administration Building.

“We thought it would be festive to combine the three events of the Marine Corps birthday on the 10th (of November), Veterans Day on the 11th and the grand opening of the center,” VSRC volunteer Dedan Ji Jaga said.

Admissions and Records assistant Trinidad Ledesma said the center has been furnished, using $50,000 that was donated by Sentinels of Freedom, a veteran non-profit scholarship organization. with an all-in-one printer, leather couches, smart television, a refrigerator for food storage between classes and open tables for veteran students use.

Four desktop computers also have been set up for veteran stu-

dents to use, he said.

According to The Advocate’s Sept. 2, 2015 issue, Sentinels of Freedom donated $150,000 to the Contra Costa Community College District, $50,000 to each of its three colleges to furnish veteran centers while establishing certain criteria that the student veterans and college administration must adhere to in order to receive the financial assistance.

The process began when Diablo Valley College veteran Brad Vargas reached out to Sentinels of Freedom last spring for assistance in acquiring a designated space where students could receive academic and counseling specific to veterans, DVC student and Marine Corps veteran Ryan Kellei said.

Ledesma said, “The way the $50,000 works is to get the space up and running.

“If the space was larger and there were two lounge areas, they would furnish it up to the $50,000.

But if the space was smaller they wouldn’t gold leaf everything.

“If there is something down the line that student veterans need (that surpasses) $50,000, a request could be made to the administration who would forward reasonable requests to Sentinels of Freedom to ask for assistance in acquiring it,” he said.

The Armed Forces Service and Support Group student club President Leon Watkins said, “I’m trying to give Sentinels of Freedom as much respect as possible with this because not everyone can drop fifty grand.”

One of the Sentinels of Freedom’s stipulations for the donation was student veterans at each of the campuses in the dis-

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

The Veteran Resource Center was relocated to the Student and Administration Building on Aug. 30.

The center, in SA-101, includes $50,000 of furnishings donated by the Sentinels of Freedom group.

“My goal here is to provide information, support and assistance to veterans who have questions about getting back into the academic arena and about their entitlements and hopefully becoming a mentor and peer adviser.”

Dedan Ji Jaga,

VSRC volunteer Deden

trict must maintain an active veterans club that is maintained by a veteran student adviser and must participate in at least one community event a year, according to The Advocate’s Sept. 2, 2015 issue.

Watkins said the club has yet to have its first official meeting with members and is waiting for final certification.

Meanwhile, the group is working on finalizing the framework as far as positions of office, procedures and policies.

Ji Jaga said a rapid response team of designated faculty and staff members has been established in coalition with the VSRC in order to streamline veterans with needs from financial aid, tutoring, men-

toring, or for veterans simply seeking advice or counseling by targeting specific representatives to address those needs.

“We are somewhat the intermediaries. (Veterans) hopefully confide in us in things that they might need that they aren’t comfortable talking to anyone else about and we will find out specifically who we need to connect them with,” he said.

“My goal here is to provide information, support and assistance to veterans who have questions about getting back into the academic arena and about their entitlements and hopefully becoming a mentor and peer adviser,” Ji Jaga said.

“My main thing is to make sure that I connect the veteran to the raw resource that he or she needs as opposed to another referral,” he said.

“It’s one of the most frustrating things that veterans have to deal with in the military.”

As well as volunteer staff members who will be available in the VSRC, Watkins has office hours at the VSRC to be available for veterans to communicate any needs or assistance. “(The VSRC) is impressive. I think most veterans would walk

through here.

Without the placement of the military insignias they probably wouldn’t think this is something for them.

“I’ve been to other campuses that have veteran lounges. Some are larger, but this to me is a state of the art deal, with the computers and the plush furniture,” Ji Jaga said.

Ledesma said changes are planned to move some furniture around in the center to maximize the space’s productivity, but the process is slow with any requests from the Armed Forces Service Support Group student club to the proper college administrators.

The process then requires communication with Buildings and Grounds and the IT Department to move computers and tables separately to the newly desired locations in the VSRC while still maintaining communication with the Sentinels of Freedom, he said.

“There’s a working hand-inhand because the administration shouldn’t be making requests for things the students don’t want.

“We need to make requests (for changes) as it relates to education, the office or more computers,” Ledesma said.

6

campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.14.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

ADDED SIGNS DESIGNATE PATHWAYS

BY Jose Chavez ADVOCATE STAFF

jchavez.theadvocate@gmail.com

Parking lot signs have been added to the campus grounds in hope of offering more effective directions to get around campus.

There are about 30 of these giant blue signs, indicating where the nearest parking lots and buildings are.

The signs were introduced to campus in response to feedback on the old directional signs, which were found to be less helpful than they should be.

The completion of the new buildings on campus also played a role in the decision to add these

new signs, as returning students may not know where the new buildings are.

Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said he is unhappy with the sign on the corner of Castro Road and Library Drive, which gives directions to Lots 1-7, the Student Services Center, the Gym Annex Building and the Student Administration Building.

He said the huge sign covers much of the new concrete “Contra Costa College” sign that it has been placed in front of.

This might result in the directional sign being relocated.

When asked where the sign

would be relocated, King said it would be more convenient if the sign was placed back-to-back with the sign across the street, so cars driving from either direction would still have a guide, and the concrete sign displaying the college’s name would not be blocked.

King said the next step will be to remove all the remaining old signs around campus and replace them with new ones.

He said he is unsure when this next phase will take place.

CCC student Jocelyn Cortez said she has only noticed the sign located on the corner of Mills Ave. and Campus Drive.

She said they can get a little

confusing when it comes to reading them, as some of the signs have arrows pointing in more than two directions.

Physics and astronomy department Chairperson Jon Celesia said, “It does seem that students are arriving on time more than before,” when asked if he has noticed a change in his students arrivals to class compared to previous semesters, prior to the signs being added.

He said he personally does not make use of the signs, as he does not leave the Physical Science Building that often.

CCC student Brenda Martinez said it was not hard for her to find her classes this semester.

The construction of the buildings affected her route last semester, forcing her to detour around the construction to get to her classes.

She said it was a lot more walking because the middle of the campus was blocked off and she would always arrive late to her classes.

But now that the construction is completed, students are able to walk through the campus without a problem, she said.

She said she makes use of the signs and feels like they are helpful and self-explanatory when it comes to figuring out where you are trying to go on campus.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Brix cook Christopher Cabizo prepares a Philly cheesesteak sandwich from the Brix menu on Monday in the Student Dinning Hall. Brix is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday to Thursday and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays.

Brix adds options in Dining Hall, customers decry ‘overpriced’ menu

BY Anthony Kinney ADVOCATE STAFF

akinney.theadvocate@gmail.com

Since the opening of Brix, students and staff have been flocking into the Student Dining Hall to explore the cuisine the new food vendor has to offer.

But some are not as thrilled with the higher prices.

“The food is really delicious but it’s just too expensive for college students,” Contra Costa College liberal arts major Semaj Mitchell said as he points down to his lunch.

“I got a bacon cheese burger, fries, and no drink and paid $8. That isn’t cool.”

Sitting between the Bookstore and the Student and Administration Building, Brix stuns by-passers with its window front that “blends perfectly” with the new campus buildings.

“The cafeteria matches the new contemporary modern look of the campus. It’s

always clean and the big windows in the front makes it look pretty nice,” CCC music major Thomas Higgins said.

“I love the openness and sunlight the windows provide. Even when it is packed, it doesn’t feel stuffy,” he said.

Many returning students seem to agree that Brix is an upgrade from only having the Three Seasons Restaurant, Subway and the Bookstore as food options.

DD Farrell, computer science major, said that her only complaint with the new cafeteria is the food prices.

Farrell said, “The staff is really nice and it’s always clean, but the food is just too expensive.”

Biological science major Teaya Moody said, “It’s nice but it’s too expensive. We need Brix food but with Three Season (Restaurant) prices.”

Freshman students, like nursing major Melissa Velasquez, also agree the prices are

Group offers political insight through talks

BY Reggie Santini ADVOCATE STAFF

rsantini.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Community Organizing and Political Action (COPA) club gives students a voice and puts them in charge of their political domain.

Contra Costa College COPA club President Alex W. Griffin said, “I want to get more people politically involved in what’s happening within their community.”

The club offers a safe environment for students, regardless of political opinion, who want to have a better understanding of how politics affects their lives.

too high.

Velasquez said, “The food is good. The (Student Dining Hall) is always clean and the food is reasonably priced, but the drinks are a little overpriced.”

The menu prices have increased due to Brix being operated by a third party vendor, unlike the old Three Seasons Restaurant, which was fully operated by the culinary art department.

Brix helps ease its customers’ minds and wallets with a daily “meal deal” that includes a hamburger or a deli sandwich, fries and small drink for $5.99.

Brix General Manager Jon McMahon said it is tough battling the high volume during the busy breakfast and lunch hours, but is hopeful once the Student Dining Hall is properly staffed issues of long lines will be resolved.

The staff is also preparing to install a fountain drink machine.

The COPA club has multiple events planned for the upcoming semester to get students involved in the community and the upcoming election in November.

“Street Fight,” the Academy Award nominee film about running for office, will be shown as COPA club’s first event and will be followed by a panel of Richmond city council members who will answer student questions.

The event will be held at the General Education Building in room GE-225 on Friday.

Griffen said, “Part of the goal here at COPA club is to help students get politically educated.”

COPA is currently looking to fill two open officer positions — a secretary and Inter-Club Council representative.

To be eligible for these positions students must be enrolled in at least six units, have a grade point average of 2.0, and be available to attend executive community and general assembly meetings twice a month.

Standard student membership only requires students be enrolled in a mini-

“I love the openness and sunlight the windows provide. Even when it is packed, it doesn’t feel stuffy.”

mum of three units.

“The students of COPA are the moving force of this club. It’s about your community and your political beliefs,” club adviser and political science department Chairperson Vanna Gonzales said.

Dr. Gonzales said helping students’ voices to be heard in the community is also a main focus for the COPA club.

An example of how politics can influence decisions is when students complained about a lack of dining options for students and faculty that were available last year.

Gonzales said, “We help students get their message out so that change can happen.”

She said students cared that Subway was the only thing we had to eat on campus and their voices weren’t being listened to.

Fourteen students were present during the club’s first meeting on Sept.

1, not including the executive members Vice President Jose Arrebalo, ICC representative Emma Mink, Griffen and Dr. Gonzales.

Thomas Higgins music major

Maryuri Hernandez, a business major at Berkeley City College, has been working at Brix as a cashier since the opening and she enjoys the work she does.

Hernandez said, “I love this job. Every day I come ready to provide service and a smile for all the students here.”

She said she enjoys helping and getting to know the students on campus.

“This campus has all kind of students — introverts, extroverts, the quiet ones, the socialites — but they all have a sense of community.”

Students were constantly commenting and asking questions on the club’s plans for the upcoming presidential election.

More questions were asked when Gonzales said that a vote drive will be held on campus.

Psychology major Annalise Velazco said, “I have always been interested in politics, especially during this election.

I heard the club is a good way to dip your feet in the political pool.”

Arrebalo said, “We want to teach club members how to respect, understand and debate all the political aspects.”

Mink said she has been part of COPA since the club started three years ago.

She said the biggest difficulty the club faces every semester is replenishing its members to remain as an active club.

“It makes it hard to build a strong foundation— I love the club and all the people that are involved in it. It’s a great community.”

The COPA club meets every third Thursday of the month in the GE-305 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. for students interested in joining.

7 campus beat Pronto offers choice, bargains WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.14.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

BY Dylan Collier ADVOCATE STAFF

dcollier.theadvocate@gmail.com

There is a rejuvenated energy this fall semester within the Contra Costa College culinary arts department.

Pronto, which provides on-the-go food items similar to that of The Switch previously next to the now closed Three Seasons Restaurant in the AA-Building, is open.

The recent addition to Pronto is the menu located outside the front door, in between the dine-in restaurant Aqua Terra.

Although Pronto still lacks an official menu on the wall inside, it is an upgrade from the old area.

Even the menu items resemble what was offered at The Switch and Express Café within the culinary arts department.

These include grilled sandwiches, bacon cheeseburgers, chicken burgers, chicken “I wasn’t Cs aal ea sdas r, impressed and rice noodles. with the All the food at burgers (Brix) in the and sandwiches Student c o m e Dining Hall. w i t h and It was sub- fries everypar when I thing is exactly went.” $3 cash, —Irina Tobar, except for engineering major the soup of the day and the fries for $1.75 each.

While the goal was to mimic The Switch, the culinary arts department ended up surpassing that goal with items served at Pronto that were never offered before.

Engineering major Irina Tabor said just because Pronto did not have an official menu, that never stopped her from ordering food.

“I would simply ask them what they had on the menu for the day,” Tabor said.

“If there weren’t people at the front ready to take your

order, I just thought they weren’t open.”

The menu is the heart and soul of any restaurant.

She said, “I feel like (Pronto) should probably have a menu after tomorrow, and there’s no excuse, even if it’s a makeshift, real basic one.

Even if it’s on a white board, and they write it down it’s very useful.

Many students on campus think that the flavors and prices mesh well with each other.

“So far I like the food at Pronto, and the quality of the food is not bad for the price.

“I wasn’t impressed with the food at (Brix) in the Student Dining Hall. It was subpar when I went,” Tabor said.

Culinary arts student Ram Umali said, “I think there is going to be a difference in the items on the menu (compared to what was offered at The Switch).”

Even the message on the old chalkboard at The Switch still reads, “Restaurant moved to SA Building.”

But The Switch was never designed to be a restaurant.

It was originally an old phone operator’s circuit board converted into a place to get a quick snack.

Pronto, however, has moved past the goal to offer only what The Switch used to offer and gives the college little downtown Berkeley bistro vibe at its new center.

Culinary arts department Chairperson Nader Sharkes said, “I feel like Pronto will draw more people than The Switch did during the spring semester because it is located on the ground floor rather than the second floor.”

As for the faculty members who work on the second floor, they felt like having the menu outside wasn’t a problem at all.

“You figure about 80 percent of the students walk right by, and it’s perfect for the ‘grab-and-go’ nature,” Sparkpoint Coordinator Bill Bankhead said.

Pronto draws a lot of

COURSE IMPROVES CARDIO THROUGH KICKBOXING, GETS ‘HEART PUMPING’

BY Dylan Collier ADVOCATE STAFF

dcollier.theadvocate@gmail.com

Most people have a passion for one sport that they carry with them for the rest of their lives.

It will always be a part of them, and people find a way to share that passion.

Physical education adjunct professor Alena Sumner teaches a very unique class that gets the heart and lungs going without the contact aspect of the sport.

Sumner has taught here at Contra Costa College for approximately three years and

foot traffic in a centralized location on campus with the majority of students walking right by the front door.

This location also provides students with the option of deciding whether they want a to go meal from Pronto, or if they would like to dine at a table inside Aqua Terra Restaurant.

“This was the first day we had the outdoor menu up in front of Pronto and it’s increased our efficiency,” culinary arts professor Elisabeth Schwarz said.

Culinary arts major Deirdre Kelly said, “We’re currently working on the permanent production of the menu. When the restaurant opens we will produce it.”

Kelly said she completed the cooking portion of the program, took a break from school and returned to earn her baking certificate.

She said, “They decided not to put up a permanent menu because the advanced class and Nader make all the bigger decisions, Kelly said.

ASU Treasurer Francis Sanson said, “I feel like (Pronto’s outdoor) menu is in a good location for now.

It is right next to Aqua Terra.

“It really draws your attention from the outside to bring students inside, and students will realize they have options before they enter the restaurant,” Sanson said.

For the time being, it makes sense to keep the menu outside because all one has to do is quickly glance at it, make their selection and get their food quickly.

Everything associated with the new Pronto food is quick, speedy and efficient with a newly upgraded twist.

Even the name is an upgrade from previous semesters.

Sharkes said while The Switch has a decent ring to it, Pronto defines everything that goes on behind the counter.

You get your food in a speedy, yet efficient and

worked in the district since 1996.

Her voice reverberates through the air inside GA-10, as she works with students from all walks of life.

The kickboxing class is made up of a few high school students, CCC students, and one senior taking the class.

Sumner focuses on the healthier side of the sport—cardio.

The way that she has the class structured is so that they are constantly moving, especially while working on the kickboxing drills, and run one-and-a-half miles once a month on the track.

“Most of the time we do our kickboxing in the (Gym Annex Building),” she said.

“This is where we work on techniques,” Sumner said. “Once a month I focus on aerobic endurance and have the class run around the track for one-and-a-half miles, for assessing their time.”

All students enrolled in her class agree that it is a good workout and they are tired by the end of the hour-and-twenty minutes.

“I like physical activities and also have a background as a kinesiology instructor,” Sumner said.

It makes sense that cardio kickboxing is taught all three semesters, because exercise is

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Criminal justice major Aaron Hernandez (right) puts in his order to culinary arts major Elizabeth Rago (left) at Pronto in the Student and Administration Building on Aug. 29.

inexpensive way.

He said, “Pronto will draw more people to good, but well priced, food.”

Sharkes requested that the current bulletin board be moved directly to the right of Pronto by the elevator, and that a menu be put on the left on the brick wall.

But school codes don’t allow drilling into brick material, so the process in still under review he said.

For all students wondering when exactly Pronto will have a permanent menu be patient.

“My favorite part of the class is warming up, and when we are using muscles I didn’t even know were stretchable.”

Then, they do stretching and a “shuffle” exercise that works the Unique class thighs, glutes and core offers cardio withmuscles. out actual combat Next, students work style contact. on maneuvering an Aerobic endurimaginary jump rope, ance training is followed by an imaginary featured in the speed-bag. course objectives.

Sumner periodically Kickboxing prowalks around the room providing feedback to the vides a complete students who need it the workout in minimal time. most.

Kinesiology major The class caters Denise Smith even com- to everyone from pared part of what they teens to senior do in the kickboxing class citizens. to another rather rhythmic activity.

“My favorite exercise technique is the shuffle because it reminds me of dancing,” Smith said.

“I like the class, because I enjoy getting the heart pumping. It makes me happy and improves my mood,” she said.

Jose Medina,

engineering major

a necessity for people to stay healthy and the key to longevity.

Sumner is a good model for people of all walks of life to stay very physically active, and values physical fitness above all else.

“We offer the class during the fall, spring and summer,” Sumner said.

The diverse group of students each has their own favorite part of the class.

For example, some prefer the cardio, some prefer going through the routines of the kickboxing, but most seek to improve their stamina.

“My favorite part of the class is warming up, and when we are using muscles I didn’t even know were stretchable,” engineering major Jose Medina said.

“I enjoy it because it’s a good workout in such a short period of time.”

First, the class does a warm-up session.

in brief

Workshop simplifies Microsoft Word for inexperienced

BY Michael Santone ADVOCATE STAFF

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

This semester the Library Learning and Research Center staff is offering a variety of free workshops to help students learn and refine their writing, organization, and research skills.

Contra Costa College Librarian Megan Kinney kicked things off, leading an informative hour -long workshop on Aug. 30 about Microsoft Word and the basics of the MLA (Modern Language Association) format.

The room was filled with about 21 eager students. This was apparently unexpected because many of the handouts, which were received at the door, ran out halfway through.

The workshop, which was held in the LLRC-107, helped introduce and familiarize students with Microsoft

Word and how to set up a paper using the MLA format that most English teachers ask for.

This includes the use of one-inch margins, a heading, Times New Roman 12 point font, double spacing, indentation, as well as page numbers.

Kinney herself was enthusiastic because she had taught this same workshop three times before and never had a turn out as big as this one.

Kinney started off explaining some of the tools to setting up your paper, including the ‘navigation’ bar introduced in Microsoft Word 2007 called the ribbon which holds the tabs home, insert, and page layout, with the commands such as cut, copy, paste, margins, page numbers, space options and font style and size.

By this point, she had already been interrupted at least a dozen times by

students who were all eyes and ears from the moment she began, and even more engaged and enthusiastic as they raised their hand to question and inquire about every word she spoke.

Kinney persevered through, but with limited time and such a live audience, she promised to try and leave time for questions at the end which she did, and was flooded by many students who asked for follow up workshop.

CCC student Felipe Garcia said, “I learned much and wish there was more time.”

“Microsoft Word is set up the wrong way when you open it”, she said.

She demonstrated how to change the auto formatting for spacing by clicking the command under style on the ribbon from normal to no space and then clicking on paragraph and then double space.

She moved on quickly with how to setup the header, which includes your name, the professor, and the class name.

Moving on with making everything correctly center, she explained how changing the justification, which is the alignment either left, right, or center helps with the one-inch margins and indentation that the MLA format requires.

After discussing how to indent your paper with tab and not the space bar, and with only a few minutes left, Kinney explained how to put page numbers onto your paper and concluded with a tip to saving your document after making all the technical changes and creating the MLA format; documents ending in .x can only be read by Microsoft programs after 2004.

For those older than 2004, use.doc.

Word processor complex functions made simple through shortcuts

8

campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.14.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Student therapy counseling now open Wellness Program provides stress relief for students in need

BY Salvador Godoy ADVOCATE STAFF

sgodoy.theadvocate@gmail.com

Last summer a new therapeutic service called the Student Wellness Program launched to help students, who are facing stress, family conflicts and emotional challenges, to perform academically.

Students can meet individually with a therapist, or choose to meet in a specialized group with other students to share feelings.

“I’m proud to see our district is finally supporting a new mental health program on campus to help those students in need for counseling,” Dean of Students Vikki Ferguson said. “Having a (therapeutic) program like this, especially in an urban environment, is necessary.”

The service consists of three therapists on campus, and is associated with the Contra Costa Community College District and

MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

JFK University’s Community Counseling Centers.

Therapists who are affiliated with the Student Wellness Program are graduate trainees from JFK University and are supervised by licensed clinicians.

“Students are sometimes in a crisis, and they need to be protected and supported. The wellness program will enhance their lives,” Counselor Dionne Perez said.

Today’s generation of college students can often encounter social and sentimental challenges that occur on, or off campus, and it is paramount they receive a consultation to better improve their way of life.

Humanities Professor Karina

Gill said, “Often when we are most busy is when we most need to stop, and give ourselves time to reflect on what is happening for us.”

Gill said being a college student almost inevitably brings up real challenges socially, emotionally and academically.

“It is tempting to compartmentalize our experience, trying to put aside our feelings, for example, in order to meet a deadline,” Gill said.

“I think we all discover along the way that we need to care for our whole selves in order to achieve our goals, and be happy with our results.”

Gill said challenges can also offer real personal insight and possibility for growth if we use them to

get to know ourselves better.

Psychology Professor Michel Arnold said, “I find it beneficial to have an additional counseling program here at CCC, which will help boost student’s confidence.”

The service is not only about controlling stress and assisting families with their issues, but the program is also here to assist students who intend to drop out of college.

“Our goal for this program is to also keep students in college and be active learners. We want students to have a successful semester while taking courses,” Ferguson said.

For more information about the visit the SA-219 (second floor) or call 510-215-3960.

The Contra Costa Community College District and JFK University recently formed a partnership over the summer to provide mental health counseling for students on campus.

COOP gives transferable Club provides credit through concurrent merit for grades employment program

BY Karla Juarez ADVOCATE STAFF

kjuarez.theadvocate@gmail.com

BY Salvador Godoy ADVOCATE STAFF

sgodoy.theadvocate@gmail.com

Employed students who have restricted time taking courses at Contra Costa College may earn transferable units through the Cooperative Education Program (COOP).

COOP provides a significant amount of benefits to help raise the standard of job performance by providing an improved position for salary increases, challenging work, job satisfaction and more unique job assignments.

According to a study by the University of Pittsburgh, COOP students saw an improvement in their grade point average and a retention rate of 95 percent on engineering students who participated in COOP education.

COOP instructor Adeelah Baatin said the program is for students who are working with the community or volunteering and can earn elective credits by satisfying their general education requirements to transfer to a CSU. “The program benefits students by enhancing employable skills and a student’s setup goals at the beginning of the semester,” Baatin said. “They agree with the supervisor by building up their current job competence.”

General Work Experience (COOP-160) is a supervised work experience course for students who work in any job position from paid or unpaid with a choice to enroll in 1-3 units.

Occupational Work Experience Education (COOP-170) requires students whose job or volunteer work relates to their college major or career goal with a choice to enroll in 1-3 units. “The COOP program

allows students to take credits on what they are already doing.

The course is not stressful as long as they file the proper paperwork,” Baatin said.

Early Childhood Education major Kilber Molina said he is a part-time student and wants to receive additional units for his major.

He recently learned about the program and plans to take a COOP class next semester.

“I heard some positive feedback from students here at CCC about the (COOP) program. I might as well take it next semester and see how it goes,” Molina said.

Psychology major Sergio Corona said students often don’t have time to take courses on campus. Taking a COOP class is the only useful course to earn additional credits while working at the same time.

“I’ve taken the program and found it to have helped me in earning more credits towards my major,” Corona said.

For paid positions, at least 75 hours must be completed per unit. Students who are on unpaid positions must complete 60 hours and may earn a minimum of 1 unit and a maximum of 4 units per term.

Students enrolled in a COOP class must participate in a one-time semester meeting located in LISC-107 and are required to bring in the required forms and meet with the instructor.

“The majority of the students aren’t aware of COOP. Some counselors let students know the courses are available,” Baatin said.

COOP forms can be accessed through the Desire2Learn (D2L) website once students are enrolled into the courses.

The Greek letters Alpha Gamma Sigma represent excellence, knowledge and wisdom.

Contra Costa College’s AGS Honor Society gives students the chance to improve academically while actively engaging in the community.

“We work together for one common goal, which is to help students reach their full potential as a student and community server,” Maria Rodrigues, AGS member, said.

In 1925, the head Administrator of Fullerton Junior College, Dr. William T. Boyce founded AGS, Patricia Herrera said.

“The idea was to promote a statewide junior college honors scholarship that mimicked what was being done at the universities,” Herrera said.

AGS promotes scholarships for its members, helps build leadership skills and connects people.

Rodrigues said, “Being in AGS has been a rewarding experience.

It has allowed me to connect with students from other majors and backgrounds and gain insight about other career possibilities outside my intended major.”

AGS club president Xu Haosen said members attend a regional state convention every semester and receive a gold scarf and recognition at graduation.

“Another cool activity is attending conventions. This semester we are going to Los Angeles,” Haosen said.

Rodrigues said, “It has allowed me to step out of my college student shell to build relationships with students outside of the classroom.”

Two annual conferences, state and regional, bring together members from other honor societies around California to receive transfer information and even scholarship opportunities, Haosen said.

AGS member Mai Pham said, “I have been a member of AGS for two semesters and it has helped me a lot.

We do voluntary work, and the more voluntary work you do (gives you the chance ) to go to conferences for free.”

In order to be an official member of AGS, students must complete 10 community service hours, have a minimum 3.00 GPA, enrolled in at least 12 units and pay for their membership and gold scarf, Herrera said.

Students who receive financial aid through EOPS can have their membership and gold stole waived, she said.

Herrera said students who do not have a 3.00 GPA still have the opportunity to join the club but must talk with an AGS member.

She said one of the benefits AGS members receive is a 15 percent discount in tuition when they transfer.

The list of universities that offer the discount is available for AGS members.

Hawaii University is one of the listed universities.

Herrera said the number of members vary per semester.

Last year AGS had about 25 students, yet some years they had 10 and other semesters had 40 members, Herrera said.

“Every semester the club loses its members when they transfer to UCs and CSUs. “It’s a good problem to have,” she said.

AGS club participates in activities like groundwork around campus and around the community as well.

They go on field trips and hikes as part of their fun activities.

Herrera said, “The club’s goals for every semester boil down to increasing membership, increasing volunteer efforts, fundraising for scholarships and conferences, promote our leadership abilities and increase campus awareness of our club,” Herrera said.

Generator to prevent system crash

BY Benjamin Bassham NEWS EDITOR

bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com

A diesel generator will be installed behind the Library and Learning Recourse Center to power several systems including the server that runs www.contracosta.edu during power outages.

Building and Grounds Manager Bruce King said the installation is part of a project throughout the Contra Costa Community College District, at Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College and DVC’s San Ramon campus. Skills Center

Coordinator Mark Williams said the concrete pad for the generator has been poured.

King said the hookups are ready to go and the generator is ordered. Depending on conditions and delivery, the installation could begin in three to five weeks.

According to the district website, Day’s Generator Service bid the lowest and will perform the installation at CCC for $130,000, DVC for $223,000 and the San Ramon campus for $180,000.

The server already has some tolerance for outages, Technology

Systems Manager James Eyestone said. “Any server array is going to have some amount of backup batteries. You don’t want to suddenly shut down any computer, but particularly a server,” Eyestone said.

He said the batteries keep the server and some systems working for about two hours, which gives some grace time to outlast a short outage, or at least shut things down neatly. The internet, however, still goes down for the college.

King said, “PG&E is pretty good about getting it back up within 24 hours, but being shut off (unex-

pectedly) fouls up some of the systems, (even if it is) just for an hour. We always have to reset the lights and air conditioning in the Library.”

The generator will keep internet access, the website and the LLRC’s landline phones working as long as fuel lasts. For reasons like these Eyestone said, “Los Medanos College has already had a generator for a number of years.”

The air conditioners in the Library will run on the generator because the server room needs to be cooled as long as it runs, he said.

“The AC is probably more load than the equipment itself,” Eyestone said. Having an independent source of power is a good idea, given that the Hayward Fault runs under the campus.

“There’s a lot of safety implications for it,” Eyestone said. “The college has more than its share of power outages, where the college is without power for more than 30 minutes.”

Though, the system has been better last few months, since the reconstruction replaced much of the campus’s old power system.

spotlight

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9

‘Mexican icon’ leaves legacy behind

Juan Gabriel, born, Alberto Aguilera Valdez, was considered by many to be the most successful entertainer in the history of Mexican popular music.

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

By Efrain Valdez ADVOCATE STAFF

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

I

conic Mexican singer and producer Juan Gabriel (Alberto Aguilera Valdez) died of a heart attack on Aug. 28 in Santa Monica, California.

He passed away while on his “MeXXIco Es Todo” tour in the U.S. Immediately after his death, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto offered The Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City as a place for his fans to view and pay respects to his remains.

But as an orphaned teenager, Gabriel traveled to Mexico City three times in search of getting discovered in the music industry.

Gabriel’s low income status led him to sleep in a bus and train stations during his journey.

Once he was imprisoned for stealing a guitar. Gabriel denied that he stole it and openly claimed he was wrongly accused of that crime.

Contra Costa College counselor Norma Valdez-Jimenez said, “His music crossed borders. We are going to listen to his music for a very long time.”

At age 21, Gabriel signed his first record deal when he made his third trip to Mexico City and shortly after he released his first major hit called “No Tengo Dinero.”

Valdez-Jimenez said, “Even though I do not know much about his discography, I can tell what is a Juan Gabriel song when it comes on the radio.”

Some of the most popular songs by Juan Gabriel are tied to his life and family struggles. “‘Amor Eterno’ is a song he wrote for his mother when she died. That song is now popular at funerals,” ValdezJimenez said.

CCC student worker Arlette Ordaz said, “(Juan Gabriel) one of the best Mexican artist and producers.”

The news of his untimely death came as a shock to everybody who was a fan of music.

“A friend of mine posted on Facebook the day of his death and said ‘Mexico suffered a heart attack today’,” Valdez-Jimenez said.

Many reports have said that pneumonia played a part in his death, but that is yet to be confirmed.

Ordaz said, “Juan Gabriel’s death was

Moments in life

felt very hard around Latin America and also here at home in the states.”

Gabriel won 17 Billboard awards in categories like Artist of the Year, Track of the Year and Duet of the Year.

Valdez-Jimenez said, “My favorite Juan Gabriel song is ‘El Destino,’ featuring Rocio Durcal.”

Durcal and Gabriel had a very loving friendship that echoed through their collaborative music projects during his long career.

Also, he has won an MTV music award for Best Track of 1999 and got a star on Hollywood walk of fame.

He is compared to Elton John, Prince and Elvis Presley by many media outlets, but he was unique and special to be compared to anyone.

“Some of the songs he wrote were specifically related to his life, but others were just vessels for his fans,” Ordaz said, Valdez-Jimenez said it perfectly: “You cannot compare him to American icons because it does not do him justice. He is his own persona and his upbringing is incomparable.”

Gabriel was born in Paracuaro, Michoacan on Jan. 7, 1950 into a low income farming family where he was the youngest of 10 children.

His father was taken to a psychiatric hospital when he was very young, so his mother moved the family to the border town of Ciudad Juarez to take a job as a maid.

Once in the border town of Juarez, Gabriel’s mother could not support her all of her children and Gabriel became an orphan.

But even after losing his family, he always kept performing in restaurants, composing songs and practicing his talents.

He leaves a superb, lasting and extensive discography for to be enjoyed by generations to come.

Juan Gabriel was honored with the 2,196th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 10, 2002 during which he celebrated the 30th year of his career. During his acceptance speech Gabriel gave all appreciation to his fans by saying, “I want to thank all of the time that we have shared over these 30 years. I thank you indefinitely. For the reason that I am here is thanks to the radio that made me known from 1971 to 2002.

Thanks to all that made this star possible, all the moms that requested my songs on the radio.”

Juan Gabriel has the highest YouTube views of any artist in Mexico. Gabriel has the highest ticket sales of any Latino artist ever.

His popularity has won him multiple Billboard Music Awards throughout his career as well as Latin Billboard Music Awards. In 1996 he was inducted into the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame and in 2003 into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame. At the 2016 Billboard Awards, Gabriel won the award for Top Latin Album with Los Dúo and was nominated for Top Latin Artist. of the year.

Juan Gabriel was given the Telemundo Star Award at the 2016 Billboard Latin Music Awards. The honor recognizes the achievements of musical artists beyond performing.

The show is the longest running and most prestigious awards show in the Latin music world. Gabriel’s contribution to Latin music over a 45-year period is unmatched. His songs have been muse to more than 1,500 artists around the world. He said in his Billboard biography, “I compose songs with a lot of simplicity because the streets were my school and people my books.”

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Critically acclaimed works by Juan Gabriel: “El Mexico Que Se Nos Fue” (1995) “El Mexico Que Se Nos Fue” is his 21st studio album. The album won the 1996 Premio Lo Nuestro Award for Regional Mexican Album of the Year.

His albums are known for their versatility and were very similar to the content of Spanish telenovelas.

“Juntos Otra Vez” (1997) “Juntos Otra Vez” is his 23rd studio album. The album won the 1998 Premio Lo Nuestro Award for Regional Mexican Album of the Year.

“Con la Banda” (1997) “Con la Banda” is his 25th studio album. It was made in collaboration with the group Banda el Recodo.

“Los Duo, No. 1” (2015) “Los Duo, No. 1” is his 30th studio album.

It was nominated for Album of the Year at the Latin American Music Awards of 2015.

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sports

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“

We were up 14-7 at the end of the first half. They (Sacramento) scored 10 points after the break and we scored none in the second half.” — Alonzo Carter, football coach

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

PENALTIES DOOM HOME OPENER Team opens season with two losses PANTHERS

17 14 COMETS

BY Anthony Kinney ADVOCATE STAFF

akinney.theadvocate@gmail.com

The football team (0-2) continued its gloomy start to the season after suffering its second straight loss to Sacramento City College (2-0) in its home opener Saturday in Comet Stadium.

The Comets fell to the Panthers 17-14.

It was the first time the team has lost back-to-back games since its days in the Bay Valley Conference back in 2013.

After two games, the team sits in an unfamiliar position at the bottom of the National Bay 6 Conference.

The Comets get a chance to end the losing trend, traveling to Rocklin to play Sierra College (0-2 overall) Saturday.

“It is football. It is aggressive and it gets no easier,” coach Alonzo Carter said.

The loss came after a hardfought defensive game that resulted in the Comets losing a 14-7 lead at halftime leading to an eventual three-point loss.

An abundance of penalties and an untimely fumble by Comet quarterback Cameron Burston helped secure the win for the Panthers.

The Comets accumulated a total of 18 penalties Saturday which cost the team a staggering 187 yards.

In contrast, Sacramento had

seven penalties for the entire game.

The Panthers scored first on running back Tyree Hanson’s oneyard dive over the Comet defensive line for a touchdown with 8:14 remaining in the first quarter.

The touchdown would be the lone score of the quarter as both teams settled in defensively, which forced a number of shoddy punts until early in the second quarter.

Burston (19-41, 230 yards passing and two touchdowns and 48 yards rushing) answered for the Comets by connecting with receiver Marquis Pippins (five receptions for 47 yards and one touchdown) for a 20-yard touchdown pass with nine minutes to play before halftime.

The touchdown was followed by a successful 2-point conversion which gave CCC its first lead at 8-7.

The Comets continued to score adding another touchdown pass.

This time Burston found receiver Willie Williams (one reception for 80 yards and one touchdown) open for an 80-yard pass that resulted in Williams sprinting to the end zone untouched.

The Comet’s second two-point conversion failed as backup quarterback Louis Michael was stuffed on an attempted quarterback sneak into the end zone.

The play ended in a Comet illegal use of the hands penalty, leaving CCC with a 14-7 lead and 2:17 to play in the half. At halftime

“The more we work together, the better our chemistry will be. The long touchdowns were a result of a breakdown in communication.

— Rodney Washington, Comet safety

the Comets led 14-7.

The Panthers began to ignite offensively in the beginning of the third quarter starting with a 37-yard pass from quarterback Justin Yeaton (13 for 33 for 108 yards two interceptions) to receiver Jordan Moore.

The connection set up the game-tying pass from alternate quarterback Tyrell Shavers to running back Deon Drake for a 6-yard touchdown.

Coming into the season, the Comet secondary was projected to be the strength of its defense. So far, the unit has shown moments of promise but has yet to play to its full potential.

“It’s the little things, we need to put in more time together after practice,” Comet safety Rodney Washington (seven tackles and one sack) said. “The more we work together the better our chemistry will be. The long touchdowns were the result of a breakdown in communication.”

The score and extra point tied

the game at 14 just two minutes into the third quarter.

The following Comet drive fell flat as Panther’s defensive lineman Josh Johnson forced Burston to fumble the ball while attempting to escape the collapsing pocket.

The fumble gave Sacramento the ball and an opportunity to convert a go-ahead field goal with 8 minutes to play in the third quarter.

Neither team scored in the fourth quarter and the 32-yard kick would ultimately decide the outcome of the game.

The overwhelming pressure the Panther defensive line delivered seemed to keep the Comets’ running game from developing and kept Burston out of sync for most of the game.

“No excuses. My job was to get the ball out and I didn’t deliver.

They were bringing the pressure,” Burston said. “We have to go back to the drawing board, practice some more, watch some more film and prepare better for next week.”

Burston fumbled four times Saturday, however, he only lost one after getting blindsided by a defender who slipped through the Comet offensive line.

“We were up 14-7 at the end of the first half. They (Sacramento) scored 10 points after the break and we scored none in the second half,” Carter said. “That shows me a breakdown on both sides of the ball.”

ABOVE: Football coach Alonzo Carter seeks clarification from the referees after a penalty call against the Comets during CCC’s 17-14 loss to Sacramento City College at Comet Stadium on Saturday.

■ OFF THE RECORD

Athletics apathy reflected in participation F

or the second season in a row the Comet women’s soccer program will forfeit all of its scheduled games and the strange thing is, nobody seems to care.

It’s easy to point out sociological reasons as to why participation rests at an exaggerated lull. But these factors only blame student-athletes.

The problem with sports at Contra Costa College is deeper than societal baggage that students carry with them to the field.

All of the four women’s sports programs had participation problems during the 2015-16 year. The women’s basketball team finished its season with just six players.

In spite of low numbers, the team won the Bay Valley Conference, made the playoffs and former coach Paul DeBolt won BVC Coach of the Year honors.

In addition, men’s soccer coach Nikki Ferguson, men’s basketball coach Miguel Johnson and football coach Alonzo Carter all were named Coach of the Year in their respective sports in 2015-16 and their teams won conference championships and participated in the postseason.

Their success as coaches, however, shines a spotlight on the larger systemic problem regarding athletics on campus, a problem that has nothing to do with the players.

directly addressing the lack of support given to the athletic department, the dean would actually have to attend some of the games.

In comparison, I have seen CCC President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh at games for all of the eight sports offered on campus — at least once.

Here, with outdated facilities and dilapidated equipment, the only campuswide recruiting draw is the family By the looks of it, LAVA Division atmosphere available to students.

Dean Susan Lee contributes to the apaOutside of the athletic department, thy surrounding athletics on campus. on the other side of the creek, studentLibrary, allied health, vocational athletes rarely receive any level of education and athletics are all part of encouragement. the LAVA Division.

Teaching athletes to make due with Taking a walk through the spawhat they have or learning to function cious new Bookstore, students would on a shoestring budget are not sucbe hard pressed to find any evidence cessful recruiting tactics, yet, it is the that there is an athletic department on truth when coaching or playing for the campus, not to mention, a department Comets. with championship-caliber teams.

It is easy to compare the plight of Recruiting in college sports is essen- the athletic department to the suctial and for most schools their athletic cesses measured in the culinary arts facilities are the first stop on a recruit- program, both of which fall under the ing visit.

LAVA umbrella.

The lack of administrative attention Both departments have resumés given to the athletic facilities here is a ladened with success, however only reason why many local athletes forgo culinary arts receives any modicum of CCC. support.

Does Dr. Lee get some nostalgic As it stands, the kitchen has more delight out of hearing parents tell pizza ovens than the athletic departstories of how Comet sports facilities ment has ice machines. have remained the same for decades?

That is two ice machines for over To hear these comments from fans 200 student-athletes that put their

robertclinton

physical health on the line for a department that treats their effort as an afterthought.

To be certain, a majestic train ride through the Italian countryside would inspire any division dean to invest in international cuisine. But how many pizzas are we going to have to make at one time?

In past years, Dr. Lee has traveled with the culinary department on its study abroad scholarship trip to Europe. This past year the destination was Italy.

The men’s basketball team traversed Northern California playing as one of the Elite Eight teams competing for a state title and not one administrator showed up to support them.

Worse, when they returned, it was as if it never happened. Nothing was even posted on the new $80,000 electronic billboard on Mission Bell Drive.

Athletic accomplishments at CCC are rarely celebrated by the campus.

The lack of support is reflected by the questionable health of the athletic department altogether. To inquire as to when the athletic department will be upgraded to match the rest of the campus contact the LAVA Division dean at 510-215-4908.

Robert Clinton is the opinion editor for The Advocate. Contact at rclinton. theadvocate@gmail.com.

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“ game.” —

11

Both teams pretty much had the same number of opportunities, but whichever team that could put away its opportunities first would win the

Russell Taylor,Trojan forward

LEFT: Comet George Borrows (left) goes for a high ball as Skyline College player Daniel Segura pressures him from behind during CCC’s 2-0 win against the Trojans on Sept. 9.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Team seals chances, secures win Comet strikers pick up groove, defense holds down line through second half

BY Efrain Valdez ADVOCATE STAFF

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

SAN BRUNO — The men’s soccer team (4-2) is starting to find good form after a tough 2-0 win against Skyline College (0-2-1) in San Bruno on Friday.

After a its first home game of the season Contra Costa College was back on the road, but unlike the match against Santa Rosa Junior College the team was able to keep a clean sheet against the Trojans.

“We found a way to keep the clean sheet today even though we were sloppy at times in the backline,” Comet coach Nikki Ferguson said as his team cooled down under rolling fog and gusts of wind after the game.

The game was full of chances to score as the Trojans outshot the Comets 12-11 by the end of the game.

But the winning goals were scored in the second half despite both teams only firing three shots on goal each.

CCC striker Christian Geronimo broke the deadlock at minute 62 when he trapped a loose ball that bounced off a Trojan defender at the left edge of the

penalty area.

Geronimo then broke two more Trojan players at the top of the penalty area, dribbled a little further to the right to rifle a low shot across his body, past lunging goalkeeper James Brignoli, and into the far side of the goal.

For the majority of the first half both teams shared the same number of possessions, scoring opportunities and quality saves.

Comet center fullback Alfonso Munoz said, “Our problem in the first half was that our defensive line sat back too much and that created a gap between our backline and midfielders.”

However, in the second half the Comets started to find their groove and looked much more dangerous in the final third of the field. “(The Trojans) midfield held a high line, but after the halftime break we regrouped and were able to open the scoreboard,” Munoz said.

Trojan right-winger Russell Taylor said while it was an even game in the first half, the Comets played more aggressively for most of the final 45 minutes.

“The difference between us was that we did not put away our chances. Both teams pretty much had the same number of opportunities, but whichever team that could put away its opportunities first would win the game,” Taylor said.

Midfielder Jordan Fletchero doubled the Comet lead with 7 minutes left in the game after Trojan goalkeeper Brignoli miscalculated a lobbed backpass and dropped the ball.

Fletchero capitalized off the goalkeeping error with an easy tap in goal.

“Jay (Comet forward Jahrie Gray) is probably mad at me because I have been getting the easy goals and he always has to work hard for his,” joked Fletchero.

Skyline tried to make a late comeback and pushed up high on the pitch but failed to convert some chances.

The Comets were able to milk the clock, secure the victory and keep the clean sheet intact.

Trojan coach Gabe Saucedo after the game said, “We got very good looks on goal but we did not finish. The Comets on the other hand finished the opportunities they got.”

A word that COMETS describes this CCC men’s soccer team perfectly is opportunistic.

While Bay Valley Conference play has not begun, if the TROJANS Comets can continue this winning streak, they could open conference play with the best record of any team within its conference.

The 2015 BVC champions have been very good at finishing the chances they get in front of goal and have been solid defensively.

The Comets most recent game was on Tuesday against Butte College in Oroville, after press time. Depending on the results of this game, CCC could face City College of San Francisco at the Soccer Field on Tuesday at 4 p.m. with a three-game winning cushion.

CCC has two games against at Evergreen Valley College and Lassen College before its conference opener against Mendocino College on Sept. 30 at 4 p.m.

2

0

SQUAD FINDS FORM IN HOME VICTORY 3 1

BY Efrain Valdez

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

After an uncertain start to the season on the road, the 2015 men’s soccer Bay Valley Conference champions beat Modesto Junior College 3-1 at the Soccer Field in its home opener on Sept. 6.

This result came as a surprise for Contra Costa College (3-2 overall) because in its non-conference game against the Pirates (0-1-2 overall) last year it lost 6-1 in an embarrassing fashion.

Comet sophomore defender Edgar Yepes said, “(The Pirates) really walked over us last year and that has been stuck in my head ever since.”

However, this recent game was much different. For the first 25 minutes of the game the Pirates had most of the possessions while CCC was running around trySoccer standings/schedule Bay Valley Conference Team GP W-L-T Contra Costa 6 4-2-0 Napa Valley 4 1-3-0 Mendocino 5 0-4-1 Yuba 5 0-4-1 Merritt 3 0-3-0 Marin 5 0-5-0

ing to get in the rhythm of the game. “For the first 25 minutes we were running around like chickPIRATES ens with their heads cut off,” Yepes said.

The Pirates did have their fair share of chances in the first half hour of the game, but failed to finish those opportunities.

“Contra Costa College finished off opportunities it got to score,” Modesto coach Sebastian Gutierrez said. “And unfortunately we did not.”

The 0-0 deadlock was broken

by Comet forward Jahrie Gray with eight minutes left to play in the first half.

At minute 37, Gray finished a sweet chip through pass by Comet COMETS

ADVOCATE STAFF

Pct. .667 .250 .000 .000 .000 .000

Last week’s non-conference games: Contra Costa 2, @Skyline 0 - Sept. 9 @Contra Costa 3, Modesto 1 - Sept. 6 @Chabot 1, Napa Valley 0 @Shasta 9, Yuba 1 @Napa Valley 1, Redwoods 0 Redwoods 5, @Marin 2 Antelope Valley 5, @Yuba 0

Streak Won 2 Won 1 Tied 1 Lost 3 Lost 3 Lost 5

midfielder Jordan Fletchero from 8 yards out from the far post.

Comet coach Nikki Ferguson said, “We struggled to settle into the game in the first half but I thought we did well.”

After halftime CCC continued to add pressure on Modesto and started to gain more possession of the ball.

Ten minutes into the second half CCC’s high press paid off when striker Christian Geronimo capitalized on a Pirate turnover in their defensive third of the field.

Geromimo smashed an insane strike from an incredibly tight angle just before the ball rolled past the end line.

With 28 minutes left to play, Fletchero finished an easy open goal shot after an error by Modesto goalkeeper Drew Graver.

Ferguson said, “In the second half we played much better. We

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Comet forward Saul Munoz (right) and Pirate midfielder Angel Hernandez battle for possession during CCC’s game against Modesto Junior College at the Soccer Field on Sept. 6.

settled in and fortunately found the net a couple of more times.”

Modesto began to build more attacks at minute 75, but the Comets still asserted control in possession and surgical passes.

Finally, with five minutes left

This week’s non-conference games: San Francisco @Contra Costa, Tuesday, 4 p.m.

Yuba @Feather River, 2 p.m.

Marin @Monterey, 2 p.m.

San Joaquin Delta @Napa, 2 p.m.

Mendocino @Folsom Lake, 7 p.m.

Marin @Skyline, 2 p.m.

Modesto @Napa Valley, 4 p.m.

Modesto @Lassen, 4 p.m.

Merritt @Chabot, 4 p.m.

Yuba @San Joaquin Delta, 4 p.m.

Goals/Assists 1. CCC, striker Christian Geronimo (unassisted), 62nd minute 2. CCC, center forward Jordan Fletchero (unassisted), 83rd minute.

Soccer boxscores Contra Costa 2, Skyline 0

Cards/Ejections - none

At San Bruno, Calif. (Sept. 9) CCC 0 2—2 SC 0 0—0

First Half Shots - CCC 9, SC 9 Corners - CCC 2, SC 2 Fouls - CCC 3, SC 7 Saves - CCC 4, SC 3 Second Half Shots - CCC 3, SC 3 Corners - CCC 3, SC 1 Fouls - CCC 4, SC 4 Saves - CCC 2, SC 0

Referees - (Center) Steve Ariantaj, (AR1) Mike Houseman, (AR2) Alex Tkachenko

Contra Costa 3, Modesto 1 At San Pablo, Calif. (Sept. 6)

before the end of the game, Modesto midfielder Issac Vazquez capitalized on a Comet defensive error and made a shot that hit the crossbar, bounced in, and then out of the goal for the Pirates’ only goal.

CCC 1 2—3 MJC 0 1—1 Goals/Assists 1. CCC, striker Jahrie Gray (J. Hernandez), 38th minute 2. CCC,striker Christian Geronimo (unassisted), 55th minute 3. CCC, center forward Jordan Fletchero (unassistsed), 65th minute 4. MJC, forward Issac Vazquez (S. Espindola), 80th minute First Half Shots - CCC 7, MJC 8 Corners - CCC 4, MJC 3 Fouls - CCC 4, MJC 3 Saves - CCC 4, MJC 2 Second Half Shots - CCC 6, MJC 2 Corners - CCC 1, MJC 1 Fouls - CCC 6, MJC 3 Saves - CCC 2, MJC 2 Cards/Ejections - none

focus

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ABOVE: Gen Bonondoe of Anouphab Mud Muay Thai Lao Academy (left) explains a punching drill to a volunteer during the Solano Stroll on Solano Avenue In Albany on Sunday.

LEFT: A Head Over Heels Athletic Arts member runs and vaults from a spring board to perform a front flip during the Solano Stroll on Solano Avenue in Albany on Sunday.

RIGHT: Six-time world kettlebell champion Denis Vasilev, of the Orange Kettlebell Club, performs 203 jerks in 10 minutes without putting the bells down during the Solano Stroll on Solano Avenue In Albany on Sunday.

ABOVE: Berkeley resident Steven Mercy lifts a truck tire during the Solano Stroll on Solano Avenue in Albany on Sunday.