The Advocate 9-28

WEDNESDAY l 9.28.16 OUR 67TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

Money talks, fear mutes opportunity Nonresident fee per unit:

$269 A Full-Time Equivalent Student (FTES) is a student enrolled in 15 units total.

A nonresident student registered in 15 units would have to pay a total of $4,035 for one semester in tuition. This is compared to $690 tuition cost for a resident student.

AB 540 breakdown: AB 540 exempts students from paying nonresident tuition at California community colleges if the student attended high school for at least three years and graduated, received a GED or certificate of equivalency.

T

he Advocate takes a closer look at the resources available for undocumented people who are unable to meet the requirements to qualify for financial aid to help pay for their college tuition.

Contra Costa College is known for its diverse community and attentive staff, willing to help students through their academic journey. But for some students the lack of financial resources and the fear of being exposed due to their undocumented status deters them from enrolling here.

Undocumented students unable to qualify for AB 540 status, the Development Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), need help to pay for nonresident college tuition.

Qualifying undocumented students receive financial aid,

PLATFORM IMPROVES DIGITAL EXCHANGE Canvas establishes ‘fluid’ learning experience online

BY Reggie Santini ADVOCATE STAFF

rsantini.theadvocate@gmail.com

Online classes are providing students with advanced study options.

Contra Costa College currently offers 68 online and hybrid courses to help students achieve their educational goals as quickly as possible.

“I advocate for online courses because they are a necessity. They are convenient for students who are very busy,” drama department Chairperson CarlosManuel Chavarria said.

Online, The online classes hybrid offered at CCC range courses from general education courses to major Canvas specific classes. platform CCC describes a provides a interface with class as online when social media 51 percent or more of the course mateaspects and rial is taught online. allows stuA hybrid class uses dents and online features, but is teachers to communicate less than 51 percent online. Both course 24/7. types require some in-person class meetCanvas ings. offers stuChavarria said dents the option to despite the accessibilwork remote- ity of online classes, ly, but are they do present some still connect- challenges to the stued to class dents and the profesresources sor. such as video Most online classlectures. es give students the opportunity to do the bulk of their work from home.

“It is easy to forget to keep up with SEE HYBRID, PAGE 3

FACEBOOK: /accentadvocate

but those who do not meet the criteria must pay for college themselves.

To provide undocumented students resources and support, a CCC Undocumented Student Resource Guide, funded by a one-time equity fund of $22,440, is in the process of being completed. The guide will include stories from CCC alumni, locations of safe spaces on campus, scholarships and information to help undocumented students.

The Advocate reports that although the guide is a step in the right direction, there is a lack of available resources on campus due to the fact that there is little understanding of the needs of undocumented students.

ILLUSTRATION BY MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

SEE PAGE 5

Eclectic works reveal artistry Football team wins first game at home The Comets break their three-game losing streak with a 42-34 win against Modesto JC PAGE 7

HIP-HOP TRIO PUTS EMPHASIS ON STORY PAGE 6

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Hobbyist, alumnus displays surreal, realistic sculptures in gallery

Comets secure home win PAGE 8 INSTAGRAM: @cccadvocate

BY Michael Santone ADVOCATE STAFF

msantone.advocate@gmail.com

An intimate reception filled with family, friends, students and art enthusiasts showed their support for two local artists from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday in the Eddie Rhodes Gallery.

The exhibit features the works of Contra Costa College alumni Allen Perlof and C.E. Small, made in various mediums including ceramics, mixed media and sculptures.

Perlof ’s delicate ceramics juxtapose Small’s intricate sculptures.

Perlof ’s collection in the exhibit was made throughout his 47 years of making pottery.

The collection includes an eclectic mix of beautifully made plates, bowls and vases with different textures, finishes and designs.

He said the variety of texture and style in the exhibit was a result of trial and error.

TWITTER: @accentadvocate

Perlof said, “It’s more experimental than inspiration.”

The style depends on how he feels at the time he begins to work, but he said the simplicity of the shape eventually takes the lead in the direction how the visual of the piece will finish.

Music student Nina Cestaro said the craftsmanship, time and dedication seen through the art work of the two artists are what brought her into the gallery.

“The tea pot is one of my favorites. (I don’t know) how he got the color. It’s amazing and almost iridescent,” she said of one of Perlof ’s pieces.

Perlof has been a staple in the art department for more than 15 years, volunteering as a studio assistant.

He holds a large role in ceramics as he handles many of the daily duties including heating the kiln for

Health and human services major Carolyn Tran surveys a sculpture

by CCC alumnus C.E. Small in the Eddie Rhodes Gallery on Thursday.

SEE POTTERY, PAGE 3

YOUTUBE: /accentadvocate

SNAPCHAT: @cccadv0cate

campusbeat NEWSLINE CALCULATIONS

WORKSHOP TO HELP UNDERSTAND GRADES Workshops focused on preparing transferring students are scheduled for this week.

The “Counting 60: Calculating Your Transfer Unit and GPA” workshop will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in SSC-104 today.

Another workshop, “Writing New UC Personal Insight Questions” will be held from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the same room today.

The “UC TAG and Transfer Planning Tool” workshop will be held in the Library Skills Center Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon and 3 to 4 p.m. and on Friday from noon to 1 p.m.

TRANSFER DAY

ADMISSION NETWORK INFORMS STUDENTS Transfer Day will be held on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the College Center Plaza.

Students can meet admission representatives from UCs, CSUs, out of state colleges and private colleges.

Different booths will have informational pamphlets and handouts about enrollment requirements, majors, financial aid, campus life and other transfer information.

For more information on the event contact the counseling department at 510-215-3914. For students with disabilities needing special accommodation call 510215-3061.

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.28.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

3

Council approves policy for online ‘transparency’

BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

To improve transparency, the online file storage to which Contra Costa College committees upload their minutes and agendas will be standardized.

While the Brown Act, California’s open meetings law, does not require that committee minutes be posted online, music department Chairperson Wayne Organ presented the Planning Committee’s recommendations to the College Council meeting in May. “We want to be more transparent than we have been and actually post (minutes and agendas),” Organ said. “They are the history and workings of the college in a lot of ways.”

He said the recommendations that were approved at last May’s meeting will have committees upload their minutes in a PDF format. The Senior Executive Assistant to the President Michael Peterson will conduct a yearly audit.

“The reason we made this an action item in the May meeting was to create a policy for (uploads of agendas and minutes) because a

lot of committees and work groups were not posting anything,” Organ said. “The motion passed and now we are taking this semester to clean it up and the (Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson) will notify each committee chair.”

Technology System Manager James Eyestone said committees will have to upload their own minutes and agendas under the approved recommendations, but using a PDF format will increase transparency.

Eyestone said the reason for uploading a document as a PDF is that it cannot be tampered with once it is uploaded.

“Creating standardized minutes online is to show that the committees are meeting the requirements to have agendas and minutes readily available,” Eyestone said. “That means these documents can be checked on from anywhere by anyone.”

The governance bodies that must adhere to the Brown Act are the College Council, the Classified Senate Committee, the Academic Senate and the Associated Student Union.

ASU Vice President of Club Affairs Jose Arebalo said that they are currently working on meet-

ing the College Council’s online upload recommendations.

“The traditional means is not a good system,” Arebalo said. “We needed to make this transition to show more transparency and throw (agendas and minutes) online.”

Other main committees that are not directly tied to the Brown Act, but were created by a Brown Act governance body, are the Planning Committee, the Operations Council Committee, the Budget Committee and the Student Success Committee.

Organ said because changes to the website were approved this summer, many committees have approved their minutes, but have not uploaded them to the current file storage.

On the file storage page, www. contracosta.edu/docs/committees/, only five committees have uploaded at least one agenda or minutes for the 2016 fall semester.

Under the approved recommendations, Organ said sub-committees that were not established by main committees will now be considered working groups — but will be required to upload minutes and agendas.

Eyestone said, “I think we are

exceeding the “We level of transparency man- needed to dated by the make this Brown Act. transition And creating this high level to show of transparen- more transcy is useful for parency accreditation.”

Committees and throw that adhere to C a l i f o r n i a’s (agenopen meetings das and law must post minutes) their agendas on doors and online.” bulletin boards — Jose Arebalo 72 hours before ASU vice president of club their meetings. affairs But the Brown Act does not require them to upload documents online.

Best Best & Krieger Law firm’s Public Policy and Ethics Compliance Group Chairperson Gary Schons supports what Eyestone said.

“Minutes are not required to be posted anywhere according to the Brown Act,” Schons said. “But they are public records and the public can request them.”

POTTERY | Ceramic works transcend ‘inspiration’

UNIVERSITY

UC PLANNING SLOTS FOR PROGRAM OPEN Students in the Transfer Application Planner (TAP) program can schedule a 20 minute appointment to meet with UC Davis representative Renelle Green on Oct. 3, 10, 17 and 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in SA- 227.

To schedule a 20 minute appointment to meet a transfer representative contact the Counseling Office by calling 510215-3936.

DSPS

FILM SHEDS LIGHT ABOUT DISABILITIES The “So You’re Going Crazy: Living with a Delusion Disorder” a film in the Disability Awareness Film Series will be screened in LLRC-107 on Tuesday.

The film details the director’s descriptions of hallucinations and disturbing situations brought on by a delusional disorder as well as discussion with mental health experts and people who learned how to live with mental illness.

CRIMEWATCH Saturday, Sept. 17: Two suspects in an auto burglary were taken into custody off campus by San Pablo police officers with CCC Police Services providing backup.

Monday, Sept. 19: A staff member turned in a small amount of marijuana to Police Services.

Tuesday, Sept. 20: A victim reported her vehicle was hit while parked in Lot 1.

— Lorenzo Morotti and Denis Perez — 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.

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Self portrait sculptures of the featured artist and CCC alumnus C.E. Small are on display in the Eddie Rhodes Gallery until Oct. 7.

Small said he completed a realistic portrait of himself first to avoid having to use a mirror for the more abstract versions.

Continued from Page 1 firing the pieces, Cestaro said.

The exhibit also features Small’s sculptures and mixed media.

He said he considers himself as a “talented hobbyist” because some of his pieces in the exhibit date back to the 1970s. Small said he passed through seven eras of individual style over the years.

This resulted series with pig faces, oversized hands, fish, masks and faces.

He also featured elongated necks and torsos, with some of his work made out of body

castings.

All of his work is done in clay. Some pieces have an additional element such as glasses, walnuts, or headphones for design.

Art major Taze Etibo said he admires the work produced by Perlof and Small.

He said, “The art is nice. I like the ones with the faces.” Etibo said his favorite was a huge pig head popping up from a manhole, smoking a cigar and wearing a hard hat.

Etibo said the piece involving the pig is attractive because “the shadows, color and depth” make it stand out from all of the other works in the exhibit.

“It’s more experimental than inspiration.”

— Allen Perlof, CCC alumnus

Fine and media arts professor Dana Davis, who is also the curator for the Eddie Rhodes Gallery, said it is a tradition of the gallery’s exhibits to hold a reception to honor the featured artists and “to bring it into a person realm.”

The exhibit featuring Perlof ’s and Small’s art works can be seen in the gallery until Oct. 7.

HYBRID | Canvas weaves tools into online resource Continued from Page 1

By having online classes, professors have an easier time assigning your routine and assignments,” students movies, plays and other nursing major Amanda Fletcher types of media as study material. said.

“We don’t necessarily have the Despite having to meet a few budget to take 30 students to see important deadlines, students can a play in San Francisco, but I can choose to do their work whenever use a video of the play to teach it is best for them. students. Online classes allow you “One of the challenges of teach- to be more extravagant,” Chavarria ing an online class is that you said. are connected 24/7, so my class is CCC’s online classes are slowly seven days a week,” Chavarria said. moving from their current plat“Sometimes I get emails at three in form on Desire2Learn to their new the morning,” he said. home on Canvas.

Online classes give students the “I was worried about the ability to take more classes than switch, but Canvas is super userthey normally would during the friendly and all the material is very length of a semester. detailed,” Garcia said.

Business major Carolina Garcia It can be a little over simplified said, “I finished my online speech at times but it helps, she said. class and now I am taking library All online courses will be offistudies online. They are not super cially moved to Canvas by next long and are usually more fun.” semester despite not all professors

“It is almost like social media. It is much more fluid. I am really into the idea of using technology, even though I am not a millennial.”

— Manuel Chavarria, drama department chairperson

being on board with the change.

English professor Melinda Roberts said, “I hate learning new programs,” when students asked why they would not be using Canvas during their English 1A class.

Canvas gives you the same tools as D2L and also provides students with the ability to communicate with other students taking the

same class.

“It is almost like social media.

It is much more fluid. I am really into the idea of using technology, even though I am not a millennial,” Chavarria said. “I have used Blackboard, Doodle, D2L and now Canvas,” he said.

CCC’s online classes are evolving alongside the technology that surrounds us.

“With more choices online, I can give my students more creative work. It is important for us to keep up with technology. Use Facebook, use your cell phone, these are all things that can help our students learn,” Chavarria said.

As online course offerings grow so does the importance of Canvas.

“They are much better then traditional classes. I don’t have to see a professor everyday,” Garcia said.

2

Quotable “When government, in words and deeds, seeks to shield its actions from public view and wave off the media, the public should be forewarned – and suspicious.”

Tony Mauro, journalist 2001 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 Jaleel Perry Julian Robinson Reggie Santini Michael Santone Jessica Suico 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. 28, 2016 VOL. 104, NO. 5

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

●

EDITORIAL RESTRICTIONS BURY DREAM

Undocumented students bend to financial aid criteria

F

inancial aid restrictions on undocumented students who do not meet certain criteria are counterproductive for an institution funded by its enrollment.

But that is exactly what is happening here at Contra Costa College and statewide.

CCC Counseling Office assistant Leticia Mendoza said, “When (some) undocumented students (visit the Welcome Center) I refer them to adult school. There is really not much we can do (for them).”

Most of these students emigrated from Mexico, Central America or South America as children or teenagers with their families.

Some undocumented students do not meet the requirements in California’s AB 540, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA-2012), or the federal government’s Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM-2009).

These students are expected to pay nonresident tuition at $269 per unit.

So if an undocumented student takes 15 units, he or she is expected to pay about $8,000 in tuition per year.

One example of leadership that helps undocumented students is the creation of booklets that provide information about legislation, financial aid and the personal experiences of other students.

CCC’s Hispanic Serving Institute/STEM Coordinator Mayra Padilla and CCC alumna Valeria Avila allocated $25,400 to fund the project.

According to the Chancellor’s Office Special Population Report, for 2015-16 about 692,000 California community college students have parents who did not receive an associate or bachelor’s degree.

Making a resource booklet for undocumented students is a good idea but it does not help undocumented students who cannot afford nonresident unit fee costs.

Undocumented students left out are those who arrived five years after these laws were passed, were older than 16 when they came to the U.S. and did not complete three years of high school. They cannot receive financial aid, like the California Board of Governors fee waiver or federal FAFSA funds.

An AB 540 affidavit verifies that a student meets educational requirements and certifies that there is intent to establish residency in California to receive financial aid. And through DACA and DREAM students can receive state and some federal grants.

Latinos make up about 43 percent of the 2.3 million community college students statewide, and 40 percent of the nearly 9,000 students at CCC according to the state Chancellor’s Office online DataMart 201516 Enrollment Report.

Many of these prospective college students have parents who raise their children with a mindset that if they draw attention to themselves they could be deported.

Undocumented students ineligible to receive financial aid need organizations like the CCC Associated Student Union to create discussions about undocumented students at the district level and in the California Community College Chancellor’s Office.

Without more resources, or changes to the DACA and DREAM legislative requirements, hundreds of thousands of Californians will never consider education an option.

MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

■ POLICE BRUTALITY

F

Unpacking the myth of the ‘good cop’

or as long as police misconduct has been reported, whether prosecuted or not, the same narrative gets repeated — there are just a few bad cops ruining the reputation of the many who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.

To be perfectly clear, there is no shortage of bad cops in America.

Although some find themselves forced into the role of villain by use of intimidation and retaliatory tactics by fellow officers, this does not excuse them from being added to the list of outlaws.

Much of America’s policing problem stems from “good cops” turning a blind eye while other police operate unchecked, acting as judge, jury and, occasionally, executioner.

Even if many join the police force to uphold the law and protect citizens, once behind the blue shield, expectations change and an unwritten code of conduct takes precedence and fuels an infectious atmosphere that remains prevalent in precincts across the country.

The “blue shield” or “blue wall of silence” is a traditional agreement among officers not to confess a fellow officer’s errors, crimes or misconduct no matter how egregious the offense may be.

The code crosses racial lines and religious boundaries that police use to compartmentalize average Americans.

It is essentially the work-

robertclinton place equivalent of what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas and when colleagues break this unofficial omerta (code of silence), retaliation can be Police are swift and harsh. hailed as There are orgaheroes, nizations like the presented National Association publicly as Against Police if they all Brutality ran into that work to combat collapsing abuse in police work and to pro- buildings tect police on 911. whistleblowers.

Until groups like these are teeming with police looking to expose and transform the broken system, all of them will be tainted by helping to maintain the shroud of secrecy.

The intimidation tactics can range from the benign, like the rat placed on the windshield of a whistleblowing former Baltimore police detective, to the severe.

Officers from departments across the country are routinely placed on indefinite suspension, lose

security clearance or rank before harassment eventually leads some to resign.

In many cases, whistleblowers get little to no response from fellow officers when calling for backup after reporting conduct by officers that fall short of the commitment to “protect and serve.”

Cops who have been victims of internal blackballing point to this as the reason more police don’t speak up about wrong doings.

The threat of retribution is no cause to remain silent; to the contrary, it enables a system of lawlessness and by default exposes many officers as complicit in unjust policing.

Police are hailed as heroes, presented publicly as if they all ran into collapsing buildings on 911.

In recent memory, there has been no case of a principled officer exposing internal misconduct without retaliation being as much a part of the story as the initial corruption.

Constructing the image of a police officer as a paragon of virtue is false and as each case of cop-on-cop crime is exposed, trust in law enforcement dwindles — if any remains at all.

When are “good cops” going to make public statements to denounce police misconduct? The public is tired of waiting.

Robert Clinton is the opinion editor for The Advocate.

Contact him at rclinton. theadvocate@gmail.com.

CAMPUS COMMENT

What would you like to see in campus vending machines?

“I have an obsession with Red Bull. We need more Red Bull, energy drinks and simple sandwiches.”

Jemar Mendoza

“I would like espresso from Starbucks that are in a can or just espresso in general.”

Katie Caldern art

biology

ROXANA AMPARO, ROBERT CLINTON, AND JESSICA SUICO / THE ADVOCATE

“One specific thing I would like to see is coconut water.”

“I would like to see fruit and oat snacks.”

“Some Z-bars or energy bars would be nice.”

“I would like to see sugar-free candy and organic chips.”

Polo Pimentel

Raymond Dao

Fernanda Orellana

Jessica Moreida

business

computer science

dental assisting

early childhood education

4

campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.28.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Website links transfer resources

BY Salvador Godoy ADVOCATE STAFF

sgodoy.theadvocate@gmail.com

Assist.org is an online resource meant to help students learn which community college courses are transferable to any UC or CSU campus in California.

The Assist.org workshop held in LLRC107 on Sept. 16 was an occasion for students to voice concerns or make inquiries about intersegmental general education transfer curriculum, transferring to another institution or seeking information about which courses to take in order to receive a degree.

Counselor Luci Castruita led the onehour workshop and covered a step-by-step tutorial on how to navigate through the student-transfer online system, exploring

“I found it really helpful, especially about transferring. Before I wasn’t too familiar using the website. Now I have the concept of which course to take for my major.”

— Karen Gonzalez, physiology major

majors offered at UC and CSU campuses and which courses satisfy the subject matter requirements for admissions.

“I found it really helpful, especially about transferring. Before I wasn’t too familiar using the (Assist.org) website. Now I have the concept of which courses to take for my

(physiology) major,” student Karen Gonzalez said.

Computer science major Haosen Xu said, “I wanted to receive the insight of what (Assist.org) is about. I didn’t know how to select the college and major on the drop down menu items.”

Castruita said universities will require students to take upper division general education courses to fulfill requirements when completing a major.

“Students are encouraged to take as many lower division courses as possible (before transferring) when attending a community college,” Castruita said. That way they won’t have to take them at a four-year college after they transfer.

Taking the necessary courses is essential at a community college, but applying for

internships and working in an organization is imperative to start developing the work experience for a major, Castruita said.

“Sometimes primary counseling services at Castruita both UC and CSU campuses can be full when booking appointments. I suggest students also look through alternative counseling services such as (the educational opportunity program) to receive that support,” Castruita said.

The Assist.org website is not the only resource where students can find which courses are transferable to UC and CSU campuses. Students may also look through the Contra Costa College catalog.

Alumna discusses empirical research

BY Benjamin Bassham NEWS EDITOR

bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com

A chemical engineer spoke on the need for determination, flexibility and social support when studying the hard sciences Thursday at one of Adelante STEM Academy’s STEM cafés.

The cafés allow professionals in STEM fields to come talk with STEM majors at Contra Costa College. In AA-109 at 1 p.m., Gabriela Alva, a graduate of Middle College High School and CCC, spoke to students.

MCHS is a program that allows high school students to attend college credit courses while simultaneously earning a high school diploma.

Minority Student Retention Specialist Kelly Ramos said Alva grew up in Berkeley and San Pablo. Alva said her family moved from Berkeley to San Pablo when she was 8 to save money. Alva said she was the first in her family to go to college.

“Dad finished middle school. Mom finished second grade,” she said.

Alva said her parents made her apply to MCHS, though she didn’t want to go.

“Coming here was awesome. I never actively thought about going to college until I started going to Middle College and talking to people.”

Alva said she didn’t like math and science when she started out. She started thinking about an English major, but said that despite the many short stories and poems she has written, English is her hobby, not her career.

MCHS student Nantahya Verweij said, “It’s nice to hear someone who has experience. I like STEM — I would like to see more events like this.” Verweij said she intends to go into water management and civil engineering.

Alva’s next interest was psychology, but the chemistry class she took in her junior year of high school showed that chemistry, for her, would be a better fit than psychology.

Ramos said that while working at CCC toward her associate degrees in chemistry, math and physics Alva took the oppor-

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Chemical engineer Gabriella Alva speaks to the crowd about her professional career during the Adelante STEM Academy’s STEM cafés. The cafés allow for professionals to discuss their careers with students.

tunity do a 10-week internship at IBM. “I realized most of the jobs I liked (involved research). I would need at minimum a masters degree, or five years experience,” Alva said.

She said that when she transferred in 2011 it was a choice between UC Berkeley and UC Davis. Alva preferred Davis, but she was friends with two other chemical engineering students, and wanted to transfer with them for mutual support.

After they were all enrolled at Berkeley, it turned out all three wanted to go to Davis and were only going to Berkeley to be with each other.

Alva said since she had been a straight A student at CCC, it was a nasty shock when on her first exam at Berkeley she only answered two out of five questions.

“There were times when I felt like I wasn’t good enough to be there,” Alva said.

She talked to her friends and found out they felt the same way. They also had fared similarly in their early exams.

She said, it is important to have “people to remind you that you can do this. It’s just a bump in the road.”

Alva said that when she asked why she had been accepted at Berkeley, she was told it was because of a teacher’s recommendation.

They also liked that she was careful in the lab.

She said, “Every time, the first thing they ask is if you’re safe in the lab.”

When the project involves toxic and explosive chemicals, nobody wants to hire, or work with anyone who doesn’t take safety seriously.

She started researching lithium ion batteries at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. She said the work she did there may be used in electric vehicles, but that sort of work takes years to apply.

About this time she said she decided she liked materials science better than chemical engineering, and wanted to switch her major.

When she talked to more experienced people in the industry they recommended she stay in chemical engineering.

“When you look at the two majors — how flexible are they?” She said materials science was more flexible, even though it is what she wants to do is a narrower field, and could limit her prospects, so she continued to focus

on chemical engineering.

When she graduated from Berkeley, Alva pursued her masters degree at San Jose State University.

For her thesis, she went to work at IBM’s Almaden Laboratory on the directed self-assembly of block copolymers.

The idea is that layers of immiscible polymers are laid out that will self-assemble into a pattern of tiny, densely packed integrated circuits. “By applying heat to take out one of the two (polymers), they self-organize,” she said.

Alva said they called on her for that work because of her previous work as an intern at IBM. She said, “(When I started) I’d had no idea that this was even going on. I learned about it as I was doing the research, they don’t expect you to know everything (as long as you display competence). I had to learn so much.

I’m still learning.

“Six or seven years (studying for a masters degree) goes by fast. Get as much experience as you can. Networking is important, don’t procrastinate, talk to everyone.”

FINANCIAL AID FILING WINDOW OPENS EARLIER

BY Jessica Suico ADVOCATE STAFF

jsuico.theadvocate@gmail.com

Financial aid is a cause of confusion for many students at Contra Costa College.

Financial Aid Assistant Patricia Herrera said her team is working to ensure that all students are well informed about changes to grants, scholarships and loans so they can achieve their goals.

Herrera said the 2017-18 application window for financial aid, scholarships and grants is opening on Saturday. She said this is earlier than last the window opened last year.

She said about 80 percent of students at CCC are on some form of financial aid.

Students who meet certain academic or income based criteria have access to various federal and state financial aid, she said.

Business management major Lydia Johnson said, “I don’t think I would have made it in school without financial aid. I feel everyone needs it because it helps where other funds don’t help or are not there.”

Some options are the California Community College Chancellor’s Office Board of Governors Fee Waiver which covers $46 unit cost for a state resident, or the Cal Grant — both are state funded grants.

Herrera said financial aid is money that

does not have to be paid back unless a student falls under academic probation or progress probation.

“We also offer loans and scholarships,” she said. “But just know all loans have to be paid back, it is not free money. Loans are not automatically provided in most financial aid packages.”

Herrera said she wants to provide students with as much information about financial resources available on campus as possible.

“I encourage everyone to sign up for financial aid, the BOG waiver any type of state or federal grant to help you with school,” Herrera said.

“Say you are on financial aid and you win a scholarship, then your financial aid could potentially be reduced depending on how much the scholarship award is (worth).”

She said most student do not think they qualify for financial aid, but they most likely meet the requirement.

“Just apply and see if you qualify,” she said. Students can apply online at www.fafsa. gov.

She said if students are confused about the application process or have questions they should visit the website or go to the counter at the Financial Aid Office in the

“I don’t think I would have made it in school without financial aid. I feel everyone needs it because it helps where other funds don’t help or are not there.”

— Lydia Johnson, business management

Student Services Center.

Herrera said the Financial Aid Office also has workshops on campus like FAFSA night, or students can get help during online labs.

CCC Financial Aid Supervisor Monica Rodriguez said students should apply as soon as possible, and not be scared to ask for help.

Financial aid applications have to be renewed every academic year, and the money is dispersed during each semester.

Students could receive a total of four disbursements throughout the year she said.

Two in the fall, and two in the spring total about 25 percent of their annual award amount, however, the amount can also vary depending on the student’s course load.

Students can still receive financial aid grants if they are not full-time students based on their income, but the amount may

be less if their income is high, she said.

Rodriguez said like most government funded programs processing applications takes time.

“That is the most dif- Herrera ficult part for students,” Rodriguez said. “From application to disbursement the total processing time can average from two to 10 weeks.”

She said applying early makes the financial aid process more efficient.

“Check on your file status regularly using InSite Portal, or visit the office for one on one assistance if you are confused,” she said.

Undocumented nonresident students must fill out the California Dream Act application online at www.caldreamact.org.

She said depending on income, household size, and other factors the state will determine what types of aid an undocumented student could receive.

Rodriguez said if you need to submit additional documents, you will be notified via your school email on InSite Portal.

spotlight

“

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.28.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

When (some) undocumented students (visit the Welcome Center) I refer them to adult school — there is really not much we can do.”

5

LAWS FAIL TO ADDRESS FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES

— Leticia Mendoza, counseling assistant

DACA

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is an immigration policy passed

by President Obama through executive action on June 15, 2012. It allows undocumented immigrants who entered the country before their 16th birthday and before June 2007 to receive a renewable two-year work permit and exemption from deportation.

DREAM ACT

ILLUSTRATION BY MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

Undocumented students lack support, resources AB 540 leaves enrollees searching for solutions, pathways to success

BY Roxana Amparo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

Limited financial resources and support for undocumented students raise the question of whether this invisible population is served fairly at Contra Costa College.

An undocumented student is a person who does not have full citizenship, despite living in the United States.

To help ease undocumented CCC students’ college experience, there is an ongoing effort to create an Undocumented Student Resource Guide that would provide essential information for those students.

CCC Hispanic Serving Institutions/ STEM Manager Mayra Padilla said a onetime equity fund from the state was given to help undocumented community members.

Padilla said $22,440 was allocated toward creating an undocumented student resource booklet.

“The state gave us an opportunity to ask for one-time additional funds to augment the work we are doing around equity,” she said.

UC Berkeley mechanical engineering major and CCC alumna Valeria Avila said, “In my experience, there was little support for undocumented students at the college that was visible. All the support I found was because I asked questions.

“As an institution its (students) should be able to go up to anyone and feel confident and supported.

“I didn’t find any support for undocumented students at the administrative level, or at least any visible support where students could get some information,” Avila said.

“This is why I realized that according to the undocumented student body at CCC, there must be some sort of visibility of the already existing support at CCC. There are many professors and staff willing to help students get through college with or without legal status, and that should be visible.”

Avila said she understands that it is a delicate situation and other undocumented students may not be willing to ask for help.

Dean of Student Enrollment Services Dennis Franco said, “They should reach out to a trusted counselor, one of the counselor assistants in the Welcome Center or financial aid representatives.”

The Welcome Center is located inside of the Student Services Center.

Here, students can ask for information about academic programs and support services that help students meet their academic and personal goals.

Although the Welcome Center is open for all students, there is a group of prospective students who are turned away before they fill out any paperwork.

CCC counseling assistant Leticia Mendoza said, “When (some) undocumented students (visit the Welcome Center) I refer them to adult school — there is really not much we can do.”

Mendoza said adult school is not equivalent to taking classes at a community college, and most students who attend are English as second language (ESL) students.

“Not everyone knows of the resources available for undocumented students,” Mendoza said.

Economics major Oscar Martinez said

that although the Welcome Center helps students know which resources they have available, there needs to be a more targeted source of support for undocumented students like himself.

“We need a more direct source that helps target us — a source of support,” Martinez said. “We need a center.”

When Martinez immigrated to the U.S. from Chimalhuán, Mexico in 2002 he was 5 years old.

“I didn’t adjust so easily. I spoke Spanish and was always an ESL student growing up.

I was always told by my parents ‘don’t ever tell people about your status’,” Martinez said.

“I knew about my status from a very young age. And I heard stories of my cousins going to college, but I knew I couldn’t afford college.

“College was not on my bucket list.”

Psychology major Ivan Rochea Martinez said, “Se siente uno mal — inferior. (Being undocumented) makes a person feel bad — inferior.”

When Rochea Martinez immigrated to the U.S. from Cuautitlán Izcalli in Mexico in 2002 he was 9 years old.

He said the transition was difficult and he noticed the language barriers immediately when enrolling into the fourth grade at Ford Elementary School in Richmond.

Rochea Martinez fits the qualifications for the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act and was able to qualify for the Board of Governors Fee Waiver to pay for his CCC classes.

According to CCC’s website, under “student fees and tuition,” the cost per unit for a California resident is $46.

But nonresident students pay $269 per unit. This combines the $46 per unit for enrollment fee, $213 in tuition per unit of credit and $10 for a capital outlay fee.

A student needs to take 12 units to be considered a full-time student.

Financial aid assistant Patricia Herrera said, “If (undocumented) students take a full load of classes, that’s thousands of dollars.”

An undocumented student enrolled in 15 units in a semester is paying about $4,000.

But residents’ fees per unit totals about $690.

Financial Aid Supervisor Monica Rodriguez said nonresident fees apply to undocumented students and international students as well.

In the process to ease an undocumented student’s educational path, state legislation has been passed to help students qualify for financial aid.

Living in the margins Assembly Bill 540 was signed into law by Gov. Gray Davis on Oct. 12, 2001.

AB 540 exempts students from paying nonresident tuition at CCC and other California community colleges and universities if the student attended high school for at least three years and graduated, or received a GED or certificate of equivalency.

Students submit AB 540 affidavits to the Admissions and Records Office here at CCC. This form requests their immigration status be waived to permit them to go to school and pay the in-state resident tuition of $46 a unit.

CCC counselor Norma Valdez-Jimenez said, “AB 540 opened a lot of doors, but there

still is a whole population (of undocumented students) left out.”

Franco said, “Not every undocumented student is AB 540 eligible, which means that the per unit cost is much higher for them.”

Valdez-Jimenez said, “We can’t assume all AB 540 (students) are undocumented, and we can’t assume every nonresident (student) is undocumented.”

Rodriguez said students who meet the nonresident label are students who have left California for at least one year and one day prior to the start of the semester.

Nonresident students will be required to pay out-of-state tuition ($269 per unit).

Herrera said, “AB 540 law seems to be almost like something to make undocumented students feel like they have a lucky chance — hope. But only if they qualify for it. Otherwise they have to pay through scholarships, out of pocket or loans.”

Franco said when undocumented students come to a community college they often don’t know that AB 540 exists.

CCC lead Admissions and Records assistant Trinidad Ledesma said once students submit their application, if they are nonresidents, the application triggers an email.

Ledesma said the CCC staff knows just enough information to assess whether a student has that nonresident status to get them started on their (AB 540) paperwork.

Rodriguez said if a student qualifies for AB 540 then they can apply for Cal Grants, the Board of Governors Fee Waiver and state financial aid from the DREAM Act. Anyone who came to the U.S. before the age of 16 and was younger than 31 on June 15, 2012 qualifies for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Avila said once the college has the Undocumented Student Resource Guide, it will include information on how to fill out the DREAM Act application.

In the guide she said, “There will be real testimonies from successful CCC undocumented alumni regarding all kinds of topics like getting support, motivation, getting financial aid, coming out and art pieces.”

Rodriguez said, “There is a stigma about AB 540 students. There is the fear about going through the process because for a lot of these students they are the first in their families going to college.”

Rodriguez said the deadline to register for the DREAM Act is March 2, 2017 and it is important for AB 540 students to start their applications now.

Overcoming hurdles The secretary of Homeland Security released the immigration policy, DACA on June 15, 2012.

It allowed undocumented immigrants who had entered the U.S. before their 16th birthday and before June 2007 to receive a renewable two-year work permit and exemption from deportation.

Students who meet DACA requirements also qualify for state aid through the DREAM Act, Rodriguez said.

Avila said there will be a list of local scholarships open to undocumented students and a section for non-AB 540 or non-DACA students on how to fund for school.

There is also a list of CCC supporters who are willing to work with undocument-

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors is a package of two state laws, AB 130 and AB 131. These laws allow immigrants who came to the U.S. under age 16, have attended high school for three years and meet in-state tuition and GPA requirements to apply for financial aid.

It was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2011.

TUITION FEES

The resident student fee is $46 per unit. The nonresident fee is $269 per unit.

Undocumented students, who don’t qualify for AB 540 status or the DREAM Act, must pay the nonresident fee. ed students so they have more access to resources.

Martinez said, “When I applied for the DREAM Act I felt tossed to the side. They told me ‘dreamers’ are on the bot- Martinez tom of the list (to process and approve their applications.”

“Even though it (the DREAM Act) was made for us, we are still seen as less worthy than those who are documented,” Valdez-Jimenez Martinez said. “I detest how we are viewed. We are marginalized and viewed as unworthy of having a college education.”

Martinez said he remembers talking to a Franco counselor at Richmond High School who told him he had the grades to go to college during his senior year.

“That day when she told me I could go to college, I didn’t believe it,” he said. “I rushed home to tell my parents, but they were working late.

“It saddens me how our parents work so hard, but still live paycheck to paycheck.

I don’t want that life. I told myself ‘I am going to go to school. I am going to provide for my parents and help them have a good retirement’.”

Martinez said he applied to San Francisco State University during his senior year, but because of financial issues he could not enroll.

“My parents didn’t want me to go far away because they didn’t want to spend money.”

Valdez-Jimenez said, “Fear is a real thing (for undocumented students).”

Padilla said, “My hope is that students from different backgrounds feel more welcomed so they can attend school with less fear.

“There are a lot of students who are talented and have a lot of potential. The message (the undocumented student resource booklet would bring) is that they deserve to be heard.”

She said, “(Undocumented students) feel a sense of isolation. They can’t express their reality. Especially in this (current national) political climate.”

Padilla and Avila are currently working on the Undocumented Student Resource Guide for the college to support a marginalized population.

“Right off the bat they (undocumented students) are the ones who are treated different,” Padilla said. “My advice to professors is to not shy away from controversial topics.

To make them mainstream — you can be an ally.”

This booklet will be unveiled during the Dreamers Conference on Oct. 22 in the Student and Administration Plaza from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., she said.

6

scene

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.28.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Unleashed

MOVIES

This week: “Masterminds” (R) Clipping members Daveed Diggs (right), William Hutson (center), Jonathan Snipes (left) explore themes of isolation, love and slavery in their newest concept album release.

“Deepwater Horizon” (R) “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” (PG-13) “SandStorm” (R)

BLU-RAYS

SPECIAL TO/ THE ADVOCATE

ALBUM BLENDS HIP-HOP, SCI-FI

By Xavier Johnson SCENE EDITOR

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

New releases: “Warcraft” (PG-13) “Cell” (R) “The Shallows” (PG-13) “Grimm Seasons” (Not Rated)

MUSIC

New releases: Yellowcard: “Yellowcard” Eric Clapton: “Live In San Diego” Craig David: “Following My Intention” Hayley Kiyoko: “Citrine”

T

here won’t be many concept albums this year quite like what experimental hip-hop trio Clipping delivered with its new album “Splendor and Misery.”

It’s a short, direct and atmospheric album driven entirely by the dense lyricism of the group’s sole rapper Daveed Diggs.

Clipping is a hip-hop group known for pushing its town boundaries on the lyrical and audio production end.

ALBUM REVIEW Diggs and producers William “Splendor and Hutson and Misery” Jonathan Snipes Artist: Clipping further push Genre: themselves creExperimental atively with this hip-hop hip-hop album Label: Sub pop release, which has Release Date: Sept. 9 a narrative set in space.

The album is about Cargo 2331, the sole survivor of a slave rebellion on a spaceship and explores the concepts of isolation, love and slavery.

In order to build the atmosphere, Snipes’ and Hutson’s sample heavy production is sparse and has minimalist themes.

Snipes and Hutson use sounds

in Sparta’ expressed through body movement, puppetry

New releases: “FIFA 2017” (E) “Forza Horizon” (T) “Quantum Break” (M) “Yo Kai Watch 2: Fleshy Souls” (E)

Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.

— Cody Casares

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

Hip-hop trio Clipping released its latest album “Splendor and Misery” on Sept. 9 featuring rapper Daveed Diggs.

Diggs’ rapping particularly shines.

Diggs’ delivery gets loose and more aggressive to match the tone of the beat.

The best aspect of “Splendor and Misery” is its short runtime.

Clocking in at 37 minutes leaves little room for unnecessary filler tracks. Each track advances the story or adds to the atmosphere.

Filler content is something that hurts most concept albums, so it’s nice that Clipping avoids that.

Clipping couldn’t avoid a common problem that concept albums face, which is a lack of replay

value. Each song fits perfectly into the album, but there isn’t a song that stands on its own.

It makes for a solid experience when listening to the album straight through but this doesn’t make for a good experience when only wanting to listen to one track.

“Splendor and Misery” is an ambitious concept album that is unique in today’s hip-hop landscape.

It’s a showcase of Diggs’, Snipes’ and Hutson’s versatility as artists.

Unfortunately, there aren’t any truly standout tracks that make the album worth coming back to.

Director modernizes classic story ‘Achilles

GAMES

like the soft murmur and common technologic beeps typically heard on classic sci-fi spaceships like the USS Enterprise from “Star Trek.”

The minimalist approach to the production feels intentionally done in order to put an emphasis on the narrative.

Clipping had the opportunity throughout the album to further expand and explore certain musical ideas, but the production seems to be lacking on purpose to focus more on Diggs’ lyrics.

Diggs’ rapping is wordy and is often delivered with the rapid fire flow that he’s known for.

His technical rapping skill is immediately evident to the listener in the track “The Breach.”

Diggs sets the scene in this track delivering 220 words in 40 seconds. That is impressive.

Diggs’ storytelling throughout “Splendor and Misery” is layered and theatrical.

The storytelling seems to be inspired by Diggs’ time on Broadway as Thomas Jefferson in the hit musical “Hamilton.”

His time on Broadway ended up being beneficial for learning how to craft a story.

Alongside the spacious beats are moments of dissonant chaos.

In “Break The Glass” and “Wake Up,” Snipes and Hutson assault the listeners’ ears with beautifully textured noise.

It is during this chaos that

techniques

BY Reggie Santini ADVOCATE STAFF

rsantini.theadvocate@gmail.com

A modern day play adaptation of the Greek myth of Achilles is due to open at the Knox Center in October.

The play, “Achilles in Sparta,” will be drama department Chairperson Carlos Chavarria’s first directorial role since arriving at Contra Costa College in 2014.

The drama department will be performing Sharr White’s version of “Achilles in Sparta” but will feature Chavarria’s own editorial touch.

“Achilles in Sparta” will have six different showings throughout the month of October.

The first performance will be on Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Knox Center.

There will be other performances on Oct. 7-8 and 13-15.

Tickets are $15 general admission and $10 for senior citizens and CCC students with an ID. “Even though it is a classical story, it is a very modern tale,” Chavarria said.

The story is about Helen of Troy, the national figurehead of beauty and hope, being abducted from Sparta.

In response, Sparta’s people ready themselves for war.

Stage Manager Ashleigh Worley said, “Carlos is definitely putting his own spin on it. It is an abstract piece and I cannot give too much away.”

The production will feature contemporary issues, modern themes and mix them into the traditional story of Helen of Troy.

“You are watching the Spartans going to war in the past, but the story is set in recent times,” Chavarria said.

“Achilles in Sparta” will deal with modern

“It has a modern twist to it. It attempts to modernize the story into terms that today’s people can relate to it.”

— Ashleigh Worley, stage manager

issues such as the war on terror, how people feel when they are going to war and when they are there, Chavarria said.

“It has a modern twist to it. It attempts to modernize the story into terms that today’s people can relate to it,” Worley said.

Some of the modern elements used by Chavarria in the play are modern electronics and the use of everyday language.

Auditions were held during the middle of August for the play.

The ensemble cast of “Achilles in Sparta” consists of 10 actors portraying various roles.

One of the biggest difficulties of this production is how it is heavily based on movement, Worley said.

The production has a lot of body movement, puppetry and devising techniques for its actors to memorize.

The cast demonstrated confidence during its practices

despite the challenges the performance presents.

“There are certain sequences of steps we have to do that are difficult, but we know how to think on our feet,” liberal arts major Irena Miles said.

Chavarria Some of the difficulties comes from people missing rehearsals, she said.

Because an actor is missing, the other cast members are unable to react to their body movement and energy.

Miles said, “If someone is not there we have to pretend they are and that throws everything off.”

“With movements you have to be here to rehearse. It is not like lines where you can go home and sit down to memorize them,” Middle College High School student Jelaine Maestas said.

Liberal arts major Nichole Aiwaz said, “I have been involved with theater since I was 6 years old. Lately I have not had much time to be in a play so this semester, even though it is a tough performance, I want to do it.”

Miles said, “As you do it more and more it just gets into your brain and all of a sudden it is not so bad.”

sports

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.28.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

COMETS

42 34 PIRATES

PHOTOS BY CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

7

LEFT: Comet wide receiver Marquis Pippins catchevs the ball for a touchdown during CCC’s 42-34 win against Modesto Junior College at Comet Stadium on Saturday.

STREAK SNAPPED WITH HOME WIN Comet

defense, offense combine to outshine Pirate onslaught

BY Dylan Collier ADVOCATE STAFF

dcollier.theadvocate@gmail.com

The football team put an end to its three-game losing streak, winning by one touchdown, 42-34, against Modesto Junior College (1-3) Saturday at Comet Stadium.

During the national anthem, many of the Comet players chose to kneel or sit as a sign of solidarity with national protests symbolizing the need to end systematic oppression and police violence.

“I didn’t even know that many people on my team were going to (kneel or sit). I did it on my own,” Comet receiver Josh Walker said.

“When I saw the shooting in Tulsa, Oklahoma when the guy (Terence Crutcher) was shot for no reason after his car broke down, it pissed me off and I felt like I had to get involved.”

In Saturday’s contest, communication between sophomore quarterback Cameron Burston (24-34 for 362 yards and five touchdowns) and his receiving corps was spectacular, resulting in a game where CCC (1-3) passed the ball for more than twice as many yards (362) as they did in the last game (94) adding five touchdown passes.

Burston said, “Our running game opened up the door a lot.

Our running backs played a good game because they kept moving the ball well.”

Comet running backs totaled 145 yards rushing against the Pirates.

CCC secured this win against a team that averages 30.5 points per game by making big plays on defense, first with big plays in the secondary, then on the defensive line with a goal line stand in the closing minutes of the game.

The Comets will seek to keep their momentum going when they host Laney College (3-1) on Saturday at 7 p.m. So far this season Laney has averaged 188 pass-

ABOVE: Comet wide receiver Jaylin Hayward (left) jumps into quarterback Louis Michael after a Comet touchdown during CCC’s 42-34 win against Modesto Junior College at Comet Stadium on Saturday.

ing yards per game, with 402 total yards per contest.

After trailing 14-8 early, Burston found Walker (three receptions for 55 yards and one touchdown) open and connected with him for a 39-yard touchdown pass followed by a two-point conversion, giving the Comets the lead by 16-14 with 4:29 remaining in the first half.

The Comets maintained control of the game throughout the entire second half, using their running attack to inch closer to securing their first victory of the 2016 campaign.

One of the highlights for CCC’s offense was running back Harris Ross’ 32-yard gain in the third quarter, which added to the tempo of the game.

The sideline erupted with cheers adding to CCC’s dominating demeanor in the second half.

“I had the longest run of my season so far, and that gave me a huge spark,” Ross said.

The Comets committed five

fewer penalties than they did during their last game against Sierra College, which significantly contributed to the team’s overall positive performance.

“Our offense played a good game and we came out and did what we had to do. Our offense didn’t give up,” Carter said.

“There was no moment when (the players) felt like they wouldn’t win the game. When you’re playing Division 1 football it’s all about who makes the least amount of mistakes.”

On defense, the Comets neutralized the Pirates’ offense.

With 8:57 left in the fourth quarter, Modesto had the ball on the Comet 10-yard line with four downs to get to paydirt. Defensive back Rodney Washington (nine tackles) and the Comets defended their end zone for the next three plays in a row, forcing the turnover on downs and reclaiming possession of the ball.

In the last two minutes of the

game, Modesto started a drive in one last attempt to put more points on the scoreboard. But CCC’s overwhelming pressure by its defensive line halted the Pirates once again, sealing the victory.

Ross said, “The line stepped up thoroughly. I have to thank the line, because without them I wouldn’t be here today. I have to give credit to the defense (too).

They stepped up tremendously.”

As for the display during the anthem, Carter said he didn’t know about the team’s intentions.

“I give them the freedom to express themselves and they did this on their own,” coach Alonzo Carter said. “I want them to be socially conscious.”

In Carter’s mandatory Monday study hall for players prior to Saturday’s game, the coach had each player write an essay on social issues. Players had to finish the essay to be excused from study hall to practice.

ABOVE: Football coach Carter Alonzo (right) celebrates with offensive line coach Alex Beglinger after CCC’s 42-34 win against Modesto Junior College at Comet Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM FOLDS DESPITE HOPE, GOALS Dwindling

interest dooms season before it started

BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

Despite contrary reports that the women’s soccer team was on the path to resurgence after purging its former coaching staff and injecting Brittany Castillo into the vacancy, surprisingly, the 2016 season has also been scrubbed due to substandard participation.

Before the season started, Castillo, had an adequate number of players sign up for the program and she bolstered those numbers after setting up a booth in the Campus Center Plaza for All Comet Day to recruit women who were new to the campus. “(Canceling the season) was a safety issue. We didn’t want to go out there with just enough players to field a team and put our players at risk of injury,” Castillo said. “It’s part of the rebuilding process. Even though there will be no games this season I still treat this like more than just sports activity class. We still prepare and practice like a team.”

The team still holds multiple practices per week and though dedicated players remain, there simply are not

enough players to field a California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) regulation match.

Per CCCAA Castillo rules regarding soccer in Bylaw 4 section 4.2.9, all games must begin with 11 players but play may continue with only seven players on the field.

In certain cases, the referee can begin a match with a minimum of seven players, however, planning a season with minimal players is a recipe for disaster.

Initially, the team had adequate numbers to instill hope in Comet fans who felt cheated when the program abandoned the season in 2015. But as the season grew near, commitment began to fade.

Castillo lost four players at once due to family obligations, unsympathetic employers and a host of other life issues that plague athletes at the community college level.

For most of the players, the situation

was just a disappointment.

“It broke my heart because I was really inspired and ready to go all in and now I don’t get to play,” freshman midfielder Martha De Jesus Espinoza Castillo said. “We didn’t have enough players and coach (Castillo) really tried to reach out to as many of the local area players as she could to complete the team.”

Athletic Director John Wade points to a growing trend in Bay Valley Conference women’s sports that shows participation numbers dwindling across a range of athletic activities.

Last year, Napa Valley College and Merritt College had to forfeit their women’s basketball seasons and this year the College of Marin and the College of Alameda had to forgo their women’s volleyball seasons.

“I don’t want to play some of the games, I want to play all of them. But we have to have enough players to start the season,” Wade said.

Some of the remaining players came later in the process so even if there were enough bodies to field a women’s soccer team, some of their Form 1 applications

were still being checked at the start of the season to verify CCCAA eligibility.

A Form 1 is a student eligibility report submitted for all athletes to verify academic eligibility.

CCC’s athletic department does not have a full-time employee designated to ensuring student-athletes’ academic schedules align with the athletic calendar.

Each student-athlete is mandated to be enrolled in 12 units of instruction with nine of those units designated toward associate degree requirements, transferable classes or major preparation courses consistent with the student’s educational plan before eligibility can be granted.

To compound problems, Castillo was hired late in the summer and some of the women joined the team after the fall semester already started. This contributed to the lack of continuity between the academic and athletic aspects of the team.

Although expectations were high, fans of Comet women’s soccer will have to wait until next year to see a Castillo coached team take the field.

8

sports

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.28.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Offensive effort saves win streak COMETS DEFEAT EAGLES

25-21, 25-16, 25-21

BY Jaleel Perry ADVOCATE STAFF

jperry.theadvocate@gmail.com

The volleyball team took a step forward Wednesday night, winning 3-0 against Laney College (0-3 overall and 0-2 in the Bay Valley Conference) while extending its undefeated run in the Gymnasium.

The Comets got off to a bad start this season after losing their first four games but managed to win both of their home games in an attempt to get back on course.

CCC started off all three sets in front, gaining the lead quickly over the Eagles.

Laney had three fewer players than the Comets, giving CCC the opportunity to take advantage of the other team’s exhausted players.

“I feel really good. The players work so hard during practice. They deserve to get the W.,” coach Christy Tianero said.

The next game will be at Colombia College where the team will try to keep its two-game winning streak alive.

CCC got off to a good pace in the first set, gaining the lead over the Eagles 13-10 before the Eagles managed to surge back and regain the lead 20-18.

Shortly after, the momentum that Laney had came to an end as the Comets begin to push back and take the lead 22-21.

The Eagles began making mental errors on offense such as reaching over the net or having the same player touching the ball twice in a row on the same possession.

It was unforced errors like these that allowed the Comets to pull away in the first set.

To close out the first set, Comet outside hitter Jaqueline Tianero (3 points and 9 digs) saved the ball from touching the floor by hitting the ball over the net quickly and leaving the undermanned Eagles without enough time to react to the ball.

The Comets took the first set 25-21.

The second set began with CCC jumping out to an early lead of 7-1, forcing Laney to call a timeout. The Comets’ offensive continuity forced Laney to play out of sync and

“I’m really proud. We’ve been talking a lot more on defense and really improved from last year. I feel really good about this year.”

— Alejandra Galves, outside hitter

miscommunicate on rotations.

CCC was in control for the entire second set eventually jumping out to a 23-13 advantage. With every point being applauded and amplified by chanting teammates, CCC began to gain more confidence with every play, and it showed.

“I’m really proud. We’ve been talking a lot more on defense and really improved from last year. I feel really good about this year,” Comet outside hitter Alejandra Galvez said.

The Eagles continued to struggle on offense with another bad serve to give the Comets the final point to win the second set 25-16.

The Comets faced pressure all throughout the third set but never showed signs of doubt.

Every point was cheered on by the crowd and CCC led the game early 10-5 in the third.

Laney began to surge back and scored five unanswered points to tie the game at 10, causing Tianero to call a timeout.

Shortly after, a monstrous spike by outside hitter Alejandra Galvez gained momentum for the Comets, sparking a four-point run, giving CCC a 17-12 lead. Suddenly, the Eagles forced their way back into the game with timely scores, yet they still trailed 21-20 in the third set.

After stretching their last home match to five sets after leading 2-0, the Comets had no intention of giving up the lead or the match.

CCC managed to hold its lead through a tough fought third set.

Right side hitter Amy Palomares delivered the game-winning spike for the home team.

“I feel pretty good. We have a two-game home winning streak, so yeah, I feel pretty good right now,” Palomares said.

The Comets took the third set 25-21 and the match 3-0.

PHOTOS BY CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Comet outside hitter Alejandra Galvez spikes the ball over Eagle middle blocker Da’ja Archer during CCC’s 3-0 win over Laney College in the Gymnasium on Sept.

20.

LEFT: Comet right hitter Joshleen Ayson (center) congratulates outside hitter Alejandra Galvez (right) after scoring a point during CCC’s 3-0 win over Laney College in the Gymnasium on Sept. 20.

COMETS RUE LOSS, LACK OF ‘PHYSICALITY’ Cougars shut out Comets; goalkeeper keeps hope alive until final whistle COUGARS

1 0

COMETS

BY Lorenzo Morotti

Cougar forward Carlos Cusatis (left) takes a penalty kick and sends it past Comet goalkeeper Eduardo Escamilla (right) for the game’s only goal during CCC’s 1-0 loss to Lassen College at the Soccer Field on Saturday.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

One goal in a shutout loss against Lassen College sealed the Comet’s fourth consecutive defeat in non-conference play against some of the top 20 men’s soccer teams in Northern California.

Contra Costa College (4-6-1 overall) lost 1-0 after ceding a penalty kick against the Cougars (5-0-3 overall, ranked No. 4 in Northern California) 17 minutes into the game at the Soccer Field on Saturday.

Comet coach Nikki Ferguson said his mostly freshman team lost because it could not keep possession, create scoring chances or match the level of physicality of the Cougars until late in the second half.

“Our goalkeeper kept us in the game,” Ferguson said. “But we have to find ways to score goals for him.”

The Cougars outshot CCC 12-3.

More than half of those shots were saved by Escamilla.

He tallied eight saves by the end of the game — two of those shots were taken within 6 yards from goal.

In those two close range saves, at minute 40 and 85, Lassen forward Carlos Cusatis took the shots. But Cusatis’ game-winning shot from the penalty spot was enough to secure a win for Lassen on the road.

“I am happy we won, but it is frustrating knowing we could have scored three or five goals,” he said. “I had a lot of chances, but the goalkeeper stopped me. I tried to change my finish (each time) but he is a really good keeper.”

Escamilla said there was never a point that the Comets stopped trying to break through Lassen’s backline — even if that meant dropping back to cover the counter attack.

“It was never over for us. We always play our hearts out until the referee blows the whistle,” he said. “We were always fighting. Even though we didn’t score we were still in the game — we

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

were alive.”

Lassen’s coach George Kee said he is proud of his team for getting a win on the road in a game that he expected a single goal difference, but was “impressed” by CCC’s level of play.

“Coming into the second half our game plan was to stay calm and get another early goal, but we were unable to do that because (the Comets defensive backs) closed down space,” Kee said. “And when we did break through (their backline) their goalkeeper made some huge saves to stay in the game.”

Ferguson said CCC will need to improve offensively before its first Bay Valley Conference game on Friday against Mendocino College (at the Soccer Field at 4 p.m.

“If we want to make a run for playoffs, we need our players to realize the importance of doing the little things right. Our goalkeeper made a couple huge saves to keep us in the game, but we have to focus on possession, physicality and finishing,” he said. “We are going to have a target on our backs as last year’s BVC champions. But 90 per-

cent of this team had nothing to do with winning the conference championship last season.”

Against Lassen, by the end of the half the Comets, ranked No. 9 in Northern California, were outshot 9-2 and committed six fouls to Lassen’s two.

The Cougars’ right back Oliver May said their style of possession play throughout the first half drained the Comets going into the second.

“We controlled the first half and had them chasing the ball. As the game went on (the Comets) became more desperate to get in to score and would come forward more, but that left them exposed defensively so it became an end-to-end kind of match.”

At 16 minutes into the game, Lassen’s game-winning counter attack ended with Comet center back Edgar Yepes missing the ball and slamming into Rai Ramus at high speed in the penalty area.

“It started right here. In their (defensive) half,” Ferguson said immediately after the referee awarded the penalty kick. “Something so simple (like)

challenging for possession cost us. We needed to challenge and deny them (in their half).”

The play started when Comet striker Christian Geronimo tried to volley a short pass out wide to Comet striker Jahrie Gray from center field, but the lobbed pass was intercepted by Benjamin Westfield.

Westfield dribbled past two Comet midfielders and gave a short forward pass to center attacking midfielder Louis Callaghan just past half field.

Callaghan then sent a filtered through pass on the ground in between Comet center back Eduardo Torres and left back Jacob Daughtery to Ramus who was in full stride into the right side of the penalty area before Yepes drew the penalty kick.

CCC right back Francis Semilla said it was difficult to keep up with Lassen’s quick and organized offense as the game continued. “(The Cougars’) plays were fast and were well structured. But I think we did a good job overall defending against their attack.”