The Connection Vol. 56 Issue 3 10/14/2010

Page 1

Hawks split two with a win and loss

Sanchez gets the boot

SPORTS } Pages 6 & 7

Oodles of noodles at Noodles & Co.

OPINION } Page 2

FEATURES } Page 4

The Connection The student voice of Cosumnes River College since 1970

Volume 59, Issue 3

www.crcconnection.com

October 14, 2010

Club fair aims to capture student attention Raynisha Taltoan Connection Staff Students came together at the Club Activities Fair event in hopes of raising school spirit as well as collecting votes to be the winner for best club, on Oct. 7. There were tables bearing fliers and information regarding various clubs, as well as huge poster designs declaring a club’s name, such as the Anime Club, the Make Beats Not Beat Downs Club and the Brothers and Sisters Club to name a few. The walkway along the quad and surrounding areas were filled with a windy breeze, smells of food from all different cultures, while music played through blaring speakers. Many clubs on campus were present for the event with a message to put out to students or who simply just wanted more support and increased membership. Most believed the fair would be a good way to make students more knowledgeable of what is happening on campus. “Anything you can do to bring life to the campus will help,” said Eartha Williams, commissioner of public relations on the student senate, in regards to what she was looking to achieve at the fair. She expressed enthusiasm on wanting to get more student participation on campus.

Sana Abebrabbo, a member of the Muslim Student Association, really wanted to spread the word about what Islam really is. She said people have a stereotype about Islam due to the media, but that is a misconception. “The religion is based on peace,” Abebrabbo said in regard to the rising perception of Islam as a war-inclined, fundamentalist religion. Abebrabbo said the club is a good source to retrieve information on a religion that many students may not understand. Each club’s goal was to gain more members and so they used the fair as publicity. They had banners, sign-up sheets and even some people screaming while dressed in costumes and wigs, all aimed to attain votes while having fun. “So far a good turn out, a bit of a challenge though,” said Dylan Lawton member of the club Brothers and Sisters. One student was surprised in how the event affected her. Ayana Hudson, 20, human services major, said she initially came for the food but she learned a lot. Hudson didn’t know there were so many things you could be a part of on campus. Though she’s only at CRC for one semester, felt strongly about the Associated Student Government.

Mikha Collins | The Connection

The Associated Student Government table was a crowd favorite on Oct. 7 as they sold fresh fruit smoothies at the Club Activities Fair.

>> CLUB FAIR, page 8

Campus responds to recent ‘Transfer Day’ colleges reach out to student body ‘Obamacare’ additions Alex Mosqueda Connection Staff More than 50 universities participated in Cosumnes River College’s annual Transfer Day on Oct. 6. Many schools, from California State University, Sacramento to the University of Nevada, Reno, welcomed CRC students to learn more about their prospective university. “Some people don’t realize that community college is typically a stepping stone for a lot of students,” said Karl Cameron, an admissions representative from the New School of Architecture and Design in San Diego. “This event really is a good opportunity for them to get the information that they need to eventually move on.” The 50 plus universities set up booths with representatives answering an assortment of questions from interested students. Along with counselors and representatives, many brochures filled with information ranging from tuition, undergraduate programs and housing were handed out. “I remember at my high school we didn’t have real representatives from colleges come and talk to us,” said Paul Burgos, a 19-year-old undecided major. “I’ve only been here 20 minutes and I’ve learned way more than I did in my senior year.” While Burgos joined the mob in front of Cogswell Polytechnical College’s table, it was clear that many shared Burgos’ enthusiasm. Many of the

representatives said they were pleased with CRC’s student participation. “It’s not every day that you get to speak with an actual counselor from a school you’re interested in,” said California State University, Monterey Bay admissions counselor, Maria Cejea. “So it’s good to see that many students are taking advantage of this occasion and getting all the essentials that will help them.” Aside from providing answers on the general questions, the counselors and representatives offered their own personal advice as well. Cameron recommends that community college students take all their general education classes and see what they like. He said that students can figure what electives to take through their G.E. courses. “Sometimes students don’t see that G.E. classes could lead you to something that you like,” Cameron said. “But then again, that’s part of the whole learning experience.” A few students were already wellinformed on their preferred school, but they still explored the services that were being offered. Several pointed out that there was some information available that wasn’t available on a university’s website. San Francisco State University provided a handout on recommended classes for any given major. When a student would approach SFSU’s table, the counselor would ask what major they were interested in pursuing and then gave them the >> TRANSFER DAY, page 8

Johny Garcia Connection Staff

Numerous presidents have tried to restructure health care in America, but President Barack Obama took the first steps by getting the Affordable Care Act pushed through Congress and put into effect Sept. 23. There have been a number of changes recently instituted. Changes include more than 2,000 businesses received help insuring retirees, one million seniors received $250 checks for prescription drugs, insurers must pay for preventative services. Additionally, individuals under the age of 26 can now be

covered by their parent’s health insurance, according to whitehouse.gov. Allowing students to stay on their parent’s insurance until they’re 26 as opposed to when they finish school is wise, given current economic circumstances, said Michelle Barkley, Cosumnes River College’s nurse. “It will take students even longer to graduate and enter the work force,” since college courses are disappearing, Barkley said. “Twenty six is a more appropriate cutoff age for students.” Barkley said medical costs are expensive, even for insured people. >> HEALTH, page 8

Assembly bill eases student ability to transfer quickly Raynisha Taltoan Connection Staff There is something to talk about amongst community college students due to a new bill passed, called the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act, signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sept. 29. Senate Bill 1440, better known as the STAR act, is said to speed up the transfer process, alleviate a lot of frustration and put an end to students taking unnecessary and non-transferable classes. It also allows the state to save up to an estimated $160 million annually just by the transfer process being more efficient, according to the official fact sheet of Sen. Alex Padilla, author of the bill.

The idea is to first mandate California community colleges to actually create A.A. degrees that transfer to California State Universities. The new bill will enable students who complete 60 transferable units guaranteed admission to the CSU of their choice, according to a press release by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. Students have largely welcomed the changes upon hearing of the STAR Act, as there are many who have seen that the needs of higher education are being ignored or losing priority within the administration’s concerns. Nakia Zinsky, 18, bio-life conservation major, was happy to hear the bill was >> STAR, page 8


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The Connection Vol. 56 Issue 3 10/14/2010 by The Connection - Issuu