Second Saturday Overview
Volleyball Classic Results
>> FEATURES, page 7
Islamophobia
>>SPORTS, page 4
>>OPINION, page 3
The Connection The student voice of Cosumnes River College since 1970
Volume 59, Issue 1
Students voice concerns over district court’s Prop 8 decision
www.crcconnection.com
Semester begins with anniversary celebration
>> PROPOSITION 8, page 8
Budget woes continue to affect campus Johny Garcia Connection Staff
Jennifer Parsons Special to The Connection The current state of Proposition 8 has college students talking about the future of gay marriage. Proposition 8 was approved by 52.3 percent of California voters in November 2008, which eliminated the right of samesex couples to marry, according to the Statement of Vote released by California Secretary of State Debra Bowen. U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker overturned Proposition 8 on Aug. 4, calling it unconstitutional. According to his ruling, Proposition 8 violated the equal protection and due process rights of gays and lesbians. In 20 interviews at Cosumnes River College, the majority of students said they agreed with the judge’s ruling. “I think by definition of democracy and freedom for all, everyone should have the same rights to marry whomever they want,” said Alan Valencia, 21, an architecture major. Nina Brown, a 22-year old transfer student, disagreed. “If this is a democratic society, then the government is ruled by the people,” Brown said. “One person shouldn’t be able to overrule the majority.” The proposition has been appealed, and same-sex marriages will not resume until December, according to a ruling by the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
September 16, 2010
Branden Wiens | The Connection
Cosumnes River College President Deborah Travis spoke on the steps of the fountain area during the opening event for the yearlong celebration of CRC’s 40th anniversary. An hour before, Travis spoke at the dedication ceremony of the science building, on Sept, 1.
Students and staff members have been forced to either adapt or be left behind due to recent budget cuts. With the state budget at a standstill, students are struggling to cope with the problems that have risen as a result. “I was dropped from my mom’s health insurance last semester because I couldn’t get into all of my classes,” said Lupinder Atwal, a 20-year-old computer sciences major. “When I first started going here almost any teacher would add students from the waitlist, but now things are different.” Students have said waitlists have become more prevalent. “I was stuck on the waitlist for every class this semester and didn’t get into some of those classes,” said Michael Tang, a 22year-old sociology major. Students have said the budget cuts have also affected their transfer plans. “Since I can’t get into biology or chemistry I won’t be able to transfer when I want to,” said Tyler Huber, a 19-year-old biological sciences major. Staff members said they’ve been affected by budget cuts. “Dozens of classes have been cut from part-time teachers,” said Jason Newman, a full-time history professor and the Faculty Union President. “In particular, part timers in P.E. (Physical Education) have experienced disproportionate, unfortunate, and severe reductions.” Professors are encountering new >> BUDGET, page 8
Fee payment Cafeteria sales drop due to lack of awareness policy arouses student anxiety Varsha Narayan Connection Staff
Carlo Dela Cruz Connection Staff Changes to Cosumnes River College’s fee payment policy have been creating problems for students, including those who are trying to enroll in classes. The newest criteria for paying for classes became effective during the 2010 summer ssession. After the beginning of a semester, all students are required to pay for their classes in full on the same day they were enrolled, according to the official press release on CRC’s website. Failure to do so would result in an email notice stating that the payment was not received as well as automatically being dropped from an intended class. If a student was dropped from their unpaid class, they woudln’t be able to reenroll but would still be required to immediately pay. Crystal Woycheshin, a 24-year-old English major, said the policy should be extended. >> PAYMENT, page 8
With the recent completion of the renovated science building, Cosumnes River College students and faculty alike await the status of both the bookstore and cafeteria. While construction on both of the facilities continues, students and faculty have voiced their concerns. The purpose of the construction in the cafeteria is to expand the space to provide more seating for students and a bigger kitchen to accommodate more students, said Cafeteria Manager Jeff Caponera. Caponera noticed a drop in sales ever since construction began, which he said is due to the cafeteria’s temporary relocation on the second floor of the Community & Athletics Center. “The fact that there are people who don’t know where we’re located has really affected sales”, Caponera said. There are limited signs posted around campus directing students to the new location. The school is doing what they can to direct students to the new location, but there is only so much they can do, Caponera said.
Cynthia Mach | The Connection
Students gather on Sept. 14 in the cafeteria, which was relocated to the Community & Athletics Center last semester to accomodate construction. The school is also beginning to use “The new location of the cafeteria is social networking sites, such as Facebook a major inconvenience,” said 19-year-old and Twitter to inform students about ren- Marisa Moralez, an undecided major. ovations, Caponera said. “I hope they speed up construction Students who are aware of the reloca- and finish it faster because it’s just so out >> CONSTRUCTION, page 8 tion find it to be an inconvenience.