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‘Grand Theft Auto V’ steals spotlight
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Newest installment in series provides gamers with brand new options
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VOL. 101, NO. 4
SINCE 1950 8 PAGES, ONE COPY FREE
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25, 2013 ACCENTADVOCATE.COM
THE STUDENT VOICE OF CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE, SAN PABLO, CALIF.
District board in need of filler
Alternate transport explored
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Committee in search of sustainable solution
By George Morin EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
gmorin.theadvocate@gmail.com
By Lorenzo Morotti
The Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board is soliciting applicants to serve as an appointed member for Ward III of the board until the next regularly scheduled election for board trustees on Nov. 4, 2014. Applicants must be residents of Ward III, which Marquez includes most of Concord, Marquez Martinez, will be the Pleasant Hill interim and Pacheco. Governing The previBoard presous district ident while Governing the district Board presiboard waits dent and Ward to fill the III board trustvacant seat. ee Sheila Grilli, 75, died on Aug. 31, leaving a vacant position to be “That filled. money The new could and district board trustee will be should seated at the district board go to meeting on students Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. Due to the — not an vacancy of the election.” board presidency, Trustee John John Marquez, E. Marquez has interim Governing taken the reins Board president as the interim district board president. The board gave approval at its Sept. 11 meeting to fill this position by provisional appointment instead of the more costly option of an election, which would cost up to $417,000, district Chancellor Helen Benjamin said. “This would be an economical solution to this issue,” Dr. Benjamin said at the district board meeting on Sept. 11. Marquez agrees. “We chose the provisional Q SEE WARD III: Page 3
EDITORIAL CARTOONIST
lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com
dents build their confidence and become effective public speakers. And in doing so they learn that through the power of public speaking, they can transform their lives, their communities and our world.” Speech department co-Chairperson Sherry Diestler said, “They (the speech and debate team) are the wonderful fruit of the department.” Students of any major can overcome their fears by taking advantage of the speech classes offered at CCC, Diestler said. The college now also offers an associ-
People who commute to campus are being encouraged to participate in an online transportation survey created by the Sustainability Committee to determine possible incentives for alternatives to automotive transportation. The survey was implemented to allow students, staff and faculty to decide X The what would be the next Sustainability step taken in support of a Committee more sustainable Contra is conductCosta College. ing an online “We need support from transportation students and administra- survey. tion if we want to spend money on transportation X The results alternatives that would will influence in turn save them money decisions and help get them onto made to campus,” Sustainability improve green Committee member transportation and geography profes- on and off sor Christopher Johnson, campus. said. These alternative transportation options include programs like the AC Transit Easy Pass, new and improved public bicycle facilities and an online carpooling network called Zimride. “We hope to get people out of their cars,” member of the Sustainability Committee and Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said. “If we want to keep CCC green, we must consider the alternatives.” If people choose an alternative transportation option it would help clear up automotive congestion on and around campus as well as reduce CCC’s carbon footprint, King said. The Sustainability Committee is responsible for the maintenance of the local ecosystem by meeting goals set by the California Sustainable Community and Climate Protection Act, he said. The act, passed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2008, allowed the California Environmental Protection Agency to create emission reduction goals that local governments must meet by 2035. “There has been a big push in California focusing new development around transit hubs or existing high density areas,” Johnson said. These “big pushes” include local governments adhering to the transportation and housing planning process to achieve goals set in place by the California Global
Q SEE SPEECH: Page 3
Q SEE SUSTAINABILITY: Page 3
in brief
CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE
Developing an idea — Speech and debate coach Darren Phalen (left) listens to English major Hayley Callaway as she prepares her speech during a Argumentation and Debate class in AA-113 on Thursday.
OVERCOMING FEAR By Veronica Santos SCENE EDITOR
vsantos.theadvocate@gmail.com
A crowd stares, heartbeats race, palms sweat, anxiety kicks in and words become almost obsolete — glossophobia, or fear of public speaking, is the number one fear of most Americans today. The student tutors and professors in Contra Costa College’s speech department aim to get rid of those fears in their students. Speech department co-Chairperson Connie Anderson said, “What we try to do is help stu-
Ampim receives AGS Golden Apple award By Brian Boyle STAFF WRITER
bboyle.theadvocate@gmail.com
History professor Manu Ampim is anything but ordinary. The Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society recognized that as well when they awarded professor Ampim its Golden Apple award. Every year the AGS selects a professor whom they believe does the most to help students achieve academic success. “We’re an honor society. We choose the professor that we believe helps students choose their academic goals,” AGS President Rodolfo Orellana said. Ampim is certainly the professor to do that. He is driven by a desire to see his students succeed.
“I love hearing that my students have gone on to be successful and happy,” Ampim said. Having not only traveled the world, he was able to observe and practice teaching at all levels and in other countries. “I’ve taught high school, middle schools, elementary schools, all sorts of community and private schools. I’ve seen so many teaching scenarios. I have even taught in England, in adult schools,” Ampim said, recalling his travels. “I’ve been to 19 different countries,” he said. Life of a scholar Ampim was born in Mobile, Ala., but he grew up in the Bay Area. Q SEE AMPIM: Page 3
GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE
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Professor honored for ability, work that inspires student body
A worthy recipient — History professor Manu Ampim was awarded the Alpha Gamma Sigma Golden Apple award for his desire to see students succeed.
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