Volume 24. Issue 7
November 12, 2013
The Veterans Resource Center:
www.thebreezeonline.com
Three years of guiding veterans’ success
MICHELLE MENES
After being resinstated, ASCC President Kevin Coduto leads his first weekly meeting on Nov. 4 in MACC-208.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JAKE BAYLOR
NANCY YEANG Since opening on Veterans Day in 2010, the Veterans Resource Center provides an array of services for about 400 veteran students. In just its third year, Chaffey College is listed as one of the top 20 percent of military-friendly colleges in the nation, according to G.I. Jobs. The center was formed to increase the number of veteran students to pursue an educational path, and to also provide more support and services to student veterans. The VRC has a full-time counselor, assists with Veteran Affairs communications, and provides a motivational and relaxing environment for students to study and socialize. “Transition from the military to college can be very daunting,” political science major Guillermo Lopez said. “You come to the Veterans Center and they make it easier.” Lopez completed his services with the Coast Guard last month and went to the VRC to help him continue his education. “It is a big task to transition out of the military,” Lopez said. “You stop getting paid. You stop getting life insurance
and health insurance. Then, you add on to that a college degree. If you’re moving from where you’re stationed back to your hometown, it’s like another add-on. The Veteran’s Resource Center gives you more support on what you have to do and take care of.” According to Lopez, the VRC digests the technical information and paperwork from the VA to help veterans understand the rules and regulations. The center also smooths out the process for veterans looking to have full advantage of their duty benefits while being a student. Fellow veteran student assistants are available to provide more personal guidance for completing degree plans. Criminal justice major and former Marine Thomas Troutman attended school before the VRC was available. “Trying to get things done was kind of a pain,” Troutman said. “If I had a question, I would have to go to one of the counselors, and if they didn’t know, I’d have to call the VA. I’d call the VA, and they’d say to talk to the counselors. Once this place started, it was good because it was one central location and then everyone would be able to get stuff done.” There were also a few misconceptions
that kinesiology major and former Army soldier Sam Wies wanted to clear about the VRC. “We are not a recruitment center,” Wies said. “Some people come in here and look timid and scared, like when family members come to collect service benefits.” To many of the veterans, the VRC provides a good environment for a melting pot of the armed forces. Through their services in different fields, they are still able to connect and maintain their camaraderie and brotherhood that formed most of their everyday life before becoming a student. “We’re like a family because we’re all veterans,” pharmacy technician major and former Army soldier Tyke Johnson said. “We stick together.” The total number of veterans or dependents using GI Bill education benefits: 2008 — 541,439 2009 — 564,487 2010 — 800,369 2011 — 923,836 2012 — 945,052 Source: U.S. Veterans Administration
Soundless Inspiration GLORY PIÑA
Trying to find direction in a world full of scandalous pop stars and news that seems to give more questions than answers is hard for any student. Angel Carranza is deaf. Despite his condition, he has dedicated himself to being an
No. 1 Panther football team can’t be stopped. Page 8
inspiration to all students. It only took the graphic design major two years to transfer, and he will soon graduate with a 3.4 GPA.
see INSPIRATION page 4
ASCC President reinstated RYAN GELUZ
Less than a week after the student body president was removed from office, Kevin Coduto was reinstated as ASCC President/ Student Trustee. Associate Superintendent Sherrie Guerrero released a memorandum on Oct. 25 stating that the ASCC governing body was indeed subject to the Brown Act, and all the closed sessions held by the council over the course of the school year were in violation of the act. While this finding restored Coduto to office, it simultaneously nullified the appointment of several ASCC senators, as well as former Vice President Carlotta Bohon. “The District has also been informed that the Campus Council attempted to remove Mr. Coduto from his position as President/Student Trustee in a closed session meeting on October 21, 2013,” the statement said. “The District cannot recognize the Executive Board or the Campus Council’s actions with regard to Mr. Coduto at this time.” Coduto was removed from office by a majority two-thirds vote by the ASCC on Oct. 21 in a session later determined to be illegal. According to an official statement released by the student government on Oct. 21, Coduto was in violation of Article III of the ASCC Constitutional bylaws – failing to act with integrity and allowing his personal views to be confused with that of the ASCC, among other possible allegations described in the article. The ASCC held an informal meeting on Oct. 28, publicly announcing Coduto’s reinstatement, as well as other actions reversed.
see ASCC page 3
News - Sexual assault suspect caught.
Page 3
/chaffeybreeze
Features - Hot sauce in hot water.
Page 5
@chaffeybreeze
Reviews - ‘The Counselor’ disappoints.
Page 6
/chaffeybreeze
Opinion - Drones shooting from sky.
Page 7
@chaffeybreeze