The Connection Vol. 60 Issue 2 10/4/2012

News

Sports

Features

“[It's] not a matter of politics ... this tax proposal is a clear step in the right direction,” Student Senate President >>Prop 30 conference, page 8

Shakeseare's “Hamlet:” zombie adaptation comes to CRC

Defender Rachel Dube returns to women's soccer after skipping a season

>>Learn more on page 7

Volume 58,Issue Issue Volume 60, 2 1

>>Find out why on page 4

www.thecrcconnection.com

October 4, 2012

Community colleges of California choose new Chancellor Osay Ogbebor kogbebor.connect@gmail

While Proposition 32 states that it affects corporations too, opponents say the wording is deceptive and that it doesn’t tell the whole story.

“I think that Prop 32 is a trick of the Republican Party to reduce the power of labor, reduce the power of unions, reduce the power of the middle class and reduce the power of the Democratic Party,” said English as a second language professor Sandra Carter.

The president of the Los Rios College Federation of Teachers, Jason Newman, believes it would hurt the teachers union’s voice in politics.

“If Prop 32 passes, the ability of the LRCFT, our faculty union, to impact local and state election campaigns will be severely curtailed,” he said.

Former Los Rios Community College District Chancellor Dr. Brice Harris was named the 15th California Community Colleges Chancellor on Sept. 26 by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors.

He will be responsible of leading the 72 districts in California and representing the 112 community colleges, the largest system of higher education in the country.

“Harris is absolutely the right leader for the position,” said Cosumnes River College President Debbie Travis.

“He embodies the historic knowledge about the community college and he understands the principles upon which community college education was built in California. He has the connections, the relationship and the belief that our mission needs to be part of the recovery and the continuing vitality of California.”

Harris was the longest serving chancellor for 16 years as the Los Rios Community College Chancellor according to an article in the Sacramento Business Journal and Sacramento Metro Chamber named him Sacramentan of the Year in 2011.

The ability to make access for more students was one of his accomplishments.

Other program accomplishments, like the Task Force Program and many of the Work Force Programs, were the result of his partnering with community members and business industry.

Travis described him as an individual who believes in education for all students and is committed to making sure that students have access to higher education.

Campus facilities like the Winn Center and expansion on the cafeteria and bookstore resulted from his leadership with the Board of Trustees to get bond measures passed.

Harris will replace Jack Scott, who retired earlier this month.

“I am sad that he is no longer with Los Rios, but I think the statewide community college system picked a great leader,” said computer information science professor Markus Geissler.

According to press release California Community College Chancellor’s Office, Harris has served on a host of local, state and national boards and commissions.

He was the first educator to serve as president of the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and also served

>>See Chancellor, Page 3

>>See Chancellor, Page 3

Mary Garcia | The Connection

Students gather around the quad at for transfer day. Over 40 universities came to the campus on Oct. 1. Among the universities were Arizona State University, The University of Montana, University of San Francisco and Alaska Pacific University.

Education to benefit from Proposition 30 Stephan Starnes sstarnes.connect@gmail If Proposition 30 fails to pass, community colleges in California stand to lose approximately $550 million, California Community Colleges Vice Chancellor for College Finance & Facilities Planning Dan Troy said during a conference call for college newspapers.

Proposition 30 proposes a tax increase for those who earn over $250,000 annually for a duration of seven years, and an increase in sales tax by one quarter of a penny for four years, according to the official voter information guide.

"One of the strong parts of the measure is that it generates $6 billion in the near future for public education and safety in our local communities," Cosumnes River College President of the Los Rios Colleges Federation of Teachers Jason Newman said.

According to the official voter’s guide, spending reductions which center primarily on education would not occur for 2012-2013 school year if Proposition 30 passes. Besides education, money from Proposition 30 would go to police departments, CalFire and other public safety institutions.

Political science professor Elizabeth Huffman said that Proposition 30 “significantly impacts our ability to provide high quality education at an >>See Prop 30, Page 3

Proposition 32 limits payroll deductions for political force

using payroll-deducted funds for political purposes and would change the state campaign finance laws, according to the California official voter information guide.

According to the official voter’s guide, a payroll deduction is when an employer withholds money from an employee’s paycheck.

Unions, as defined by the voter’s guide, represent employees in the collective bargaining process by negotiating terms of Zach Hannigan employment with their respective employzhannigan.connect@gmail ers.

In further detail, the bill would prevent Some are calling it the end of the unions and corporations from contributmiddle-class, while others call it politi- ing to candidates and candidate-controlled cal reform and the end of special-interest committees, but the restrictions do not affect spending for federal offices, like the spending.

The passage of Proposition 32 would President of the United States, according to prohibit unions and corporations from the voter’s guide.

Graphic by Tammi Kolesinski

October 4, 2012 |

2 | www.thecrcconnection.com

News

Students seek affordable, accessible textbooks

By Ariel Hevesi ahevesi.connect@gmail The Cosumnes River College bookstore offers everything from e-books, to loose leafs, to the good old-fashioned hardcover textbooks. What may start as a personal preference in style can easily lead to a planned investment.

Students vocalized their frustrations over loose-leaf texts and appeared baffled by the word “ebook.” One commonality among the student body: the cheaper the better.

Compared to many online booksellers, “the campus bookstore has really good prices,” said 30-year-old alumni Mike Licciardello, an international relations major. “And the rental program at CRC is amazing.”

Bookstore manager Maria Hyde emphasised that students really enjoy the rental program.

This semester, students rented on average two to three books each, Hyde said.

If rented versions are not available, then used textbooks are preferred in terms of pricing, said bookstore employee Gina Rosner.

Sociology professor Paul Zisk

said he only offers his introduction text in the loose-leaf version because “books are just too expensive.”

“It saves the students 40 bucks upfront,” Zisk said.

Although loose leaf is less expensive than hardcover texts, the pages get easily ruined, torn and crumpled, said 19-year-old undeclared major Salvador Vargas.

Devin McCowan, a 19-yearold film and media major said he hatesexpressed his frustrations towards loose-leaf texts.

“The regular hardcover textbooks are already put together, it’s just more simple,” Mccowan said.

Nutrition professor Timaree Hagenburger encourages her students to purchase the e-book for her introductory nutrition courses.

Britni Alford | The Connection “E-books are the most economical, as they’re accessible from Textbooks in the Hawks Nest bookstore come in a variety of options for students, including hard anywhere that has internet access,” cover, loose leaf, new, used and rental. Recently, e-books have become the cheapest option.

Hagenburger said via email, callChante Clark, 19-year old lib- comes to purchasing textbooks. ing online texts an “interactive” in a New York Times article. way to learn.

Despite its innovative fea- eral studies major, coming straight It’s no longer a matter of afIt’s crucial students have both tures, e-books account for only 2 out of high school, prefers to stick fordability, but rather a method of a price alternative and experience percent of the campus bookstore to the familiar hardcover book. learning best-suited for the indialternative provided through vari- sales, Hyde said.

“It’s just nice to have a book in vidual student. ous forms of texts, according to Many students, like 20-year- my hands with pages to turn,” Lic“Affordability is the headline, Vice President of learning solu- old welding major Andrew Ma- ciardello said. but student success is what needs tions and services for McGraw- han, have never heard of e-books, The student body is no doubt to be the headline here,” Malek Hill Higher Education Tom Malek, much less purchased one. a group of savvy shoppers when it said.

Senate clears path for transfer students New degrees will allow students to complete transfer requirements within 60 units

By Josh Slowiczek jslowiczek.connect@gmail Acquiring a bachelor’s degree from a California State University may soon be easier.

In September 2010, the California Senate passed the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act, officially known as SB 1440, a bill designed to create a clear path for community college students who sought a bachelor's degree from a CSU. The bill states that prior to entry into the CSU a student must complete an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science Degree for Transfer, which the California Community College Chancellor's Office defines as a degree “having 60 transferable units that include the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum or CSU General Education Breadth pattern and 18 units in a major or area of emphasis.”

Many students would prefer to skip the general education requirements and delve straight into their major but David Aagard, the Transfer Director of Cosumnes River College, emphasizes that these classes are important.

“I think the philosophy behind general ed is to give a broad education,” says Aagaard, “[it] gives you time to help get exposure.”

Students who work towards an AA-T or AS-T Degree have two options in regards to fulfilling their general education requirements, Breadth or IGETC. Breadth, also known as the blue sheet, is a group of re-

quired courses designed specifically for the completion of general education classes offered by community colleges.

Once completed these classes are then recognized by the CSUs as legitimate and whose units are transferable.

The other general education option for an AA-T or AST, IGETC, also known as the white sheet, will permit a student to transfer from a community college to a campus in either the California State University or University of California system,” according to the IGETC course form.

While they may seem one and the same, IGETC and Breadth are differentiated by two aspects. The first is that Breadth is designed specifically for entry into a CSU whereas IGETC is recognized by both the CSU and UC systems.

The second being the difference in minimum grade requirements, a factor which can easily be overlooked.

Breadth requires an overall C average, meaning that a student may receive a D in one or two of the required classes and still be accepted as long as the final average of all courses amounts to a C. IGETC, being recognized by the UC system, asks that students receive a grade no lower than a C in each of it’s classes, meaning that a final grade of D in a class will mandate it’s re-taking in order to be recognized as completed.

With completion of either IGETC or Breadth, students are also required to complete a mini-

News Briefs New bill will develop open source college textbooks

The government wants to help students get free textbooks for their classes.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed California Senate Bills 1052 and 1053 on Sept 27., two bills which place into motion a project that will “establish development of open source digital textbooks for 50 lower division courses which students can electronically access for free,” according to a press release from California Sen. Darrell Steinberg's office.

Graphic by Josh Slowiczek

mum of 18 units in their desired field. These added courses are acknowledged by the CSUs as lower division major preparation and help bring the final unit total to the required 60 for an AA-T or AS-T degree.

Sounds like a lot of work for just a transfer, doesn't it?

Lynn M. Fowler, the Articulation Officer here at CRC, describes in simpler terms the degree as “a package of coursework that you get to take with you.”

This degree, or 'package' of 60 units, will then be recognized by the CSU as completion of the first half of a bachelors degree giving the student 'priority admission' above other transfer students and upon entry will “prohibit the CSU from requiring students to take more than 60 units to complete a 120-unit baccalaureate degree,” according to a fact sheet from the Chancellor's Office.

These days, the concept of priority admission is becoming increasingly significant. In response to the current economic climate and cuts to state funding, the CSU system will only be accepting students with an AA-T or AS-T in the Spring of 2013. All

other transfers have been placed on hold until the fall.

Currently the degrees cover only five subjects: sociology, math, psychology, communication studies and physics. However, four other degrees, early childhood education, business, theater arts and anthropology, are being developed in a joint effort by community colleges and CSUs. Anthropology professor Amanda Wolcott-Paskey is one of three community college professors developing a statewide AA-T degree for anthropology.

“We have a lot of students going to the CSUs,” said Paskey, “and if it helps them get a leg up, great.”

With changes being made to transfer degrees, repetition, repeatability and even admissions, it seems that the structure and purpose of community colleges are beginning to change.

“I would encourage students to make sure that early on, when you first get here, make sure you're meeting with a counselor, with someone in the discipline that you're interested in,” Fowler said. “To get a sense of 'Is where I think I'm going where I really want to be going?'”

Governor signs Student Success Act

Gov. Jerry Brown signed the Student Success Act of 2012 on Sept. 27 to “initiate superior student education and strengthen tomorrow's workforce,” according to a press release from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

Brown plans to provide a path for college students that was previously missing before the act.

New Associate Degree for Transfer website launched

California Community Colleges and California State University launched a new website, ADegreeWithAGuarantee.com, which provides information about the new Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T/AS-T) pathway, according to a press release from CCC Chancelor's office.

This pathway is designed to aid students in earning their degrees without wasted units and transferring with ease, according to the release.

News | October 4, 2012

Follow us on twitter @CRCConnection | 3

Chancellor: Prop 30: The ticket to keeping more courses California picked a great leader, Geissler says Continued from page 1

affordable cost.”

The current state budget is written with the assumption of Proposition 30 passing, according to the official title and summary of Proposition 30.

If Proposition 30 fails, community colleges will face approximately $338 million in automatic reductions, known as trigger cuts, CCC Acting Chancellor Erik Skinner said.

However, if the proposition passes, then not only would these cuts be avoided, but community colleges would gain $210 million through the increased taxes.

“The impact to me seems really well written,” Mike Licciardello, a 30-year-old campus political organizer for the LRCFT and CRC alumnus said. “It would actually be used properly for schools.”

Newman outlined the different scenarios for the Los Rios Community College District regarding Proposition 30.

“If Prop 30 passes, we’re looking at an extra $2 million for our district that won’t be

The Connection Brice Harris attended a fundraiser at CRC in April 2012.

Continued from page 1

as president of the Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization.

Harris served on the American Council on Education board and was a member of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Student Success Task Force.

“As he always said for us, we go out and we work at a state level that were representing Los Rios and now that he’s the state chancellor he’s still representing Los Rios and makes us all very proud,” said President of the Academic Senate Dr. Charles “Kale” Braden.

Approximately 2.5 million of California’s workers are represented by unions.

These employee union dues are spent on things like Social Security, income taxes and health care.

But unions also use some of that money to fund activities outside of collective bargaining, like political expenditures, according to the official voter’s guide.

Proponents of Proposition 32 claim that it would cut the money tie between special interest groups and politicians.

In other words, politicians receive money from the unions and then vote the way they tell

Staff

Editors

tally for those filing taxes over $7,316.

Munger’s initiative would generate $10 billion annually and rather than be part of the state budget, the money would go directly to school districts, according to The Sacramento Bee. Licciardello disagreed with Proposition 38 in favor of Proposition 30. He said that the sliding tax scale would affect everyone, which would only hurt those who need help the most.

Since Propositions 30 and 38 both affect personal income taxes, only one can take affect.

In the event of both propositions passing, whichever gets more “yes” votes will go into effect.

In the event that both pass and Proposition 38 gets more votes, then community colleges would still face trigger cuts. “[Proposition 38] doesn’t do anything for higher education,” Licciardello said. “It’s only shooting people in the foot by not supporting their educational goals.”

Prop 32: changes unions and corporate campaign them to.

Opponents of the bill say However, many union that although Proposition 32 inmembers don’t believe that the cludes corporations in the prohisupporters of the bill are being bition, most corporations do not completely honest. use payroll deductions to fund “Prop 32 claims to be po- politics. litical reform; in reality, it’s really According to the Los Andeceptive,” Newman said. geles Times, these corporations Mike Licciardello, cam- fund politicians with the money pus political organizer for the they made via the sale of goods LCRFT Alumnes of CRC, be- and services these businesses lieves that the bill is not only dis- provided. honest, but it makes politics for “I find it curious that it’s unions unfair. making it easier for corporations “The most important thing is and harder for unions to parto preserve some type of balance ticipate in the same thing,” said in politics,” Licciardello said. political science professor Eliza“Even though that is what 32 beth Huffman. claims to achieve, if 32 passed, Both unions and corporait would make the political dia- tions spend millions of dollars logue decidedly one-sided.” annually to fund campaigns;

however the amount of money each group gives varies widely.

According to the Center of Investigative Reporting, the top labor unions spent $284 million on initiatives, candidates and parties from 2001 to 2011.

During that same span of time, business contributors spent $931 million.

“Collecting union dues from members is the only way that unions can influence political campaigns in the favor of working class and middle class people,” Newman said.

Like many union members, he believes the bill is just another attempt to throw unions out of government.

NATIoNAl UNIVersIT y®

The Connection Editor in Chief: Zach Hannigan News Editor: Stephan Starnes Features Editor: Ashley Boucher Sports Editor: Zach Hannigan Opinion Editor: Alex Mosqueda Online Editor: Stephan Starnes Faculty Adviser: Rubina Gulati Editorial Assistants: Britni Alford, Cody Durham, Ariel Hevesi, Scott Redmond, Josh Slowiczek

there if Prop 30 does not pass,” Newman said.

Newman explained that this would not be adding any additional courses or students to the college, but that “it will stop us from cutting more classes, that’s the absolute bottom line.”

“Overall in the district we’ll see 600 and perhaps as many as 800 classes cut between now and 2014 if Prop 30 doesn’t pass,” Newman said. “That will be a total of a 15 percent reduction since 2009 in Los Rios.”

Beyond that, Newman said that faculty would be facing a 6 percent decrease in pay starting “in January or February,” and that approximately 20 percent of the student body would be unable to attend school.

Proposition 38 is a competing tax initiative that looks to increase taxes to fund early childhood programs and K-12 schooling, according to the voter’s guide.

Civil rights attorney Molly Munger has opposed Proposition 30 in favor of backing 38 to guarantee money to education. Munger’s initiative would increase taxes incremen-

Takara Campbell, Emanuel Espinoza, Kevin Frodahl, Mary Garcia, Latisha Gibson, Joshua Lee, Yegor Lyashenko, Victor Macias, Osay Ogbebor, Brittany Patrick, Jonathan Rich, Micah Meekins Simon, Jacqueline Williams, Mozes Zarate

Transferring? finish school Your WaY!

The Connection is an award-winning newspaper published bi-weekly by the Journalism 400 newspaper production class. Editorials and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the students, staff or faculty of CRC or Los Rios Community College District. The Connection is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC).

Letters to the Editor must be typed, signed and include the first and last name of the author and a phone number. They must be 200 words or less and may be edited for length, clarity or taste.

The Connection Cosumnes River College 8401 Center Parkway Sacramento, CA 95823

Telephone: (916) 691-7471 Fax: (916) 691-7181 Website: www.thecrcconnection.com E-mail: connect@crc.losrios.edu

Like The Connection on Facebook and follow @CRCconnection on Twitter to stay up-to-date with all the latest CRC news, trends and stories. facebook.com/CRCconnection

twitter.com/CRCconnection

© 2012 National University 10591

It is the duty of The Connection to report all news with the highest accuracy, brevity and clarity as possible. All feedback regarding stories and photos should be sent to connection.crc@gmail.com

At National University, we know you can’t sit in class all day or lock yourself in a library.

You want to finish your degree and move on into a new career. National University makes that possible.

» streamlined admissions

3 coNVeNIeNT locATIoNs IN SAcrAmeNto

» scholarship programs

» no enrollment fee » flexible scheduling » a unique one-courseper-month format

The UniversiTy of valUes

800.NAT.UNIV | getinfo.nu.edu/transfer

September 20, 2012 |

4 | www.thecrcconnection.com

Sports

Lack of energy proves costly for Hawks

By Cody Durham cdurham.connect@gmail The women’s soccer team lost their second straight game to the Delta College Mustangs on Tuesday.

Unable to get anything going offensively, the Hawks were shutout 1-0.

“They were better than us today,” Hawks’ head coach Cesar Plasencia said. “We were flat and very lazy. They out-hustled us.”

Although neither team came out in the first half with much energy, the Mustangs controlled the ball on offense early and often. Because Delta was able to control the ball, they kept a significant amount of pressure on the Hawks’ defense, forcing them to play on their heels for the majority of the first half.

The Mustangs nearly broke the tie in the 17th minute when sophomore midfielder Megan Mata sent a cross that went just in front of the net and was met by a group of Mustangs and Hawks. However, the ball dribbled past the Mustangs attacker, and the Hawks were able to clear the ball.

The rest of the first half was much of the same; the Mustangs controlled the possession battle, rarely allowing the Hawks’ offense to get past midfield.

Right before halftime, Delta had another chance to take the lead when sophomore midfielder Kylie Gacer broke past the Hawks defense and sent a shot that was blocked by Hawks‘ freshman goalie Oliana De La Torre.

The tale of the tape for the Hawks in the first half was a lack of energy and aggression. The Mus-

Mary Garcia | The Connection

Freshman midfielder Jessica DeAnda falls between two Delta defenders at the Hawks Oct. 2 home game. DeAnda recovered, but the Hawks have battled injuries all year long. "We have to get healthy. We are asking our players to do a lot," Coach Plasencia said. tangs hustled to every loose ball, which was one of the main reasons they maintained possession on offense.

“We need to be more hungry for the wins,” freshman midfielder Jessica DeAnda said. “We need to want it more.”

The Hawks came out in the second half with a lot more energy.

Just four minutes into the sec-

Big 8 Standings Men's Soccer Team

W-L-T

Santa Rosa American River Modesto San Joaquin Cosumnes River

3-0-0 2-1-0 1-1-1 0-2-2 0-2-1

Women's Soccer Team

W-L-T

Sierra Diablo Valley Santa Rosa American River San Joaquin Cosumnes River Modesto Sacramento

4-0-0 3-1-0 3-1-0 2-2-0 2-2-0 1-2-1 0-3-1 0-4-0

Volleyball Team

W-L

Sierra Santa Rosa American River San Joaquin Cosumnes River Diablo Valley Modesto Sacramento

2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2

ond half, the Hawks had their best lucky bounce, freshman midfielder chance to score on a corner kick Crystal Vega was called for a handthat bounced around in the box. ball inside the goalie box, which However, the Hawks were unable resulted in a penalty kick for the to get a foot on the ball and the op- Mustangs.

Gacer was called upon for the portunity was missed.

The Mustangs regained pos- penalty kick, and she would not session after CRC’s miss and put disappoint. Gacer put the ball into the pressure back on the Hawks the back of the net, which broke the tie and put the Mustangs up 1-0. defense.

“Penalties are always hard to In the 9th minute, after an un-

take,” Gacer said. “All eyes are on you. I just have to breathe and put the ball in.”

The Hawks were unable to tie the game. In their last six games, they have only won once.

“I think they are a little injured,” Mustangs’ head coach Adrienne Sorenson said. “They are definitely a talented team. When we play again it will be a battle.”

Sophomore captain’s love of the game inspires her leadership style With just two returning players, Dube hopes her experience brings consistency and work ethic to the women’s soccer team

By Scott Redmond sredmond.connect@gmail There is one word that encompasses Rachel Dube’s focus as soccer team captain this season: passion.

As one out of the two returning players to the team, Dube hopes that her passion for the sport can help her in leading a group of new players.

“My parents had a rule that we could play any sport we wanted as long as we played a sport,” Dube said. “My father was a soccer fan so he wanted me to play. I started playing and fell in love with it.”

After She's very strong. taking a She plays hard and semester gives it her all every off to focus on classes and units game. She could be in order to make an all-conference the transfer to a performer...” four-year university ­ smoother, Dube has —Cesar Plasencia returned to the sport Head Coach she loves.

“Honestly I wish they were an older groups of girls, but it’s nice and I love it,” Dube said. “It’s hard though, to work with a team that's never been together.”

Dube’s promotion to team captain demonstrates that passion for the sport is a key in her plans for the game.

“I hope to put some passion in the girls mainly,” Dube said. “We have the skills individually to play, but with the

“

younger girls they lack the experience.”

When it came to her becoming the team captain head coach Cesar Plasencia said that the experience of having a season under her belt and knowing what college-level soccer is like gave her an advantage for the position.

“She brings experience and leadership qualities needed for our team as we’re very young,” Plasencia said.

Learning what losing a game means was another area that Dube felt she could expand on with her team. Dube said that losing needed to be seen as a big thing by the team.

“I know I have the leadership to get these girls where they need to be,” she said.

Plasencia said that Dube is already working to instill passion through her play. The team is very young though and haven’t picked up on her cues yet, he said.

“She’s very strong. She plays hard and gives it her all every game,” Plasencia said.

“She could be an all-conference performer if she continues at the level she plays.”

With the season underway and quite a few games under their belt, Dube believes that her team has shown a lot of potential so far. She said it would be a struggle to make the playoffs though.

“With the number of injuries so far it’s a toss up,” she said. “Every girl has to be able to commit fully.”

Even with the pressures that come with being captain, at the end of the day Dube said she enjoys being captain and being a role model for her team.

“Be the best you can be and never give up,” Dube said. “Those were things my parents hammered into me. Those that work hard will get what they deserve.”

Sports | October 4, 2012

The Cheap $eats

By Zach Hannigan zhannigan.connect@gmail According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of a lockout is the withholding of employment by an employer and the whole or partial closing of the business establishment in order to gain concessions from or resist demands of employees.

According to National Hockey League owners, the definition is ripping off the players of as much money as they can.

According to fans, like myself, the definition is a ridiculously long process that involves grown men acting like crybabies over millions of dollars, while depriving the average American of his or her sports.

In the past two years alone, fans have had to deal with that “L” word in three of America’s four major sports: the NBA, the NFL and now the NHL. It gets even worse when you consider the NFL locked out its referees as well. We all know how that went.

What happened to touchdowns and dunks? Now all sports fans can talk about is collective bargaining and player pensions.

Let’s move down a level and hit on Division I collegiate sports. While you won’t have to deal with lockouts, you will have to deal with more scandals than a Britney Spears night on the town.

The latest hullabaloo involves former University of North Carolina basketball star Tyler Hansbrough and his mother. Tami Hansbrough allegedly used money that was raised by UNC to fund trips to see Tyler play at away games. Reports have also surfaced that she used some of the money to see her other son Ben play as well. Ben is currently playing for Notre Dame.

Scandals and improper benefits are prevalent throughout Division I sports and I won’t even get into Penn State’s issues.

I’ll move yet another level down, to our own backyard. Community college sports are all around us. In fact, outside of the Olympics, they may be the last pure athletic competition left.

While the New York Yankees are busy trying to buy a World Series, our very own Cosumnes River College Hawks baseball team went out and won a State Championship. By the way, none of those players are paid and none of them had a home field to call their own.

While San Francisco Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera was busy taking steroids, Hawks outfielder Colby Brenner was busy stealing 29 bases, making him second in the state in that category.

And while Los Angeles Lakers forward Dwight Howard was busy asking for a trade from the Orlando Magic, CRC was busy hosting the 2012 Basketball State Championship.

Our view of professional sports may be from the cheap seats, but make no mistake, the fans do not miss anything.

We simply want our sports, we’ll buy the $10 beers and the $5 hot dogs if that’s what it takes to see our teams in action.

But why?

We get the same sports at our own school for less than $10 a game. We don’t have to deal with lockouts or scandals, we simply get to enjoy the competition.

So next time you turn on ESPN and hear about a lockout, don’t fret. CRC and community college athletics have you covered.

Follow us on twitter @CRCConnection | 5

Hawks lose in stoppage time Hawks are winless in last seven, fall to fourth place in the Big 8 Conference

By Mozes Zarate mzarate.connect@gmail

The men’s soccer team squared off against conference rival American River College Beavers under the lights on Sept.

27.

Midfielder Joel Torres sparked high hopes for the Hawks, putting the ball in the back of the net within the first three minutes.

The fire didn’t last long, as ARC responded with what head coach Ron Preble described as a more “direct style” of play.

“Right when we score, we get too excited,” said Hawks’ freshman captain and midfielder Bernie Gonzalez. “We’re running like wild animals after that. We need to contain. We need to stay solid.”

Throughout the rest of the half, the Beavers maintained control of the ball and shut down any Hawks' attempts to intercept in the midfield.

Fifteen minutes in, a dash towards the Mary Garcia | The Connection goalkeeper was halted dead in its tracks ARC forward Jamiu Folorunsho makes his way between CRC defenders Christian when Hawks' defender Mohamed Jaqun Ballesteros and Johnny Cuantecontzi to score a goal in stoppage time. was stopped just yards before the goal line.

By the end of the first half, ARC frontation, with failed goal attempts, con- ing team gets scored on and feels like crap, evened the score 1-1. stant offside calls and several injuries. and if the other team is a technically and At the start of the second half, CRC During stoppage time, ARC managed mentally skilled team, they’re going to keep freshman forward Rigoberto Gomez ex- a final goal midfield, sealing the deal at 3-2. attacking them.” ecuted a successful play and gave the team With three ties and three losses, it’s now Fellines hinted that the Hawks seem to another goal, all in the first two minutes. seven games since the Hawks’ last victory. have a hard time closing out games.

ARC responded to the pressure quickTaking note of the result, defender “Kick them while they’re down,” he conly, landing a goal of their own less than one Demitri Fellines argued that in order to tinued. “You have to go for the throat. In minute later. make the next game a victory the team this case, we let AR get back up and square Both teams fought for the next half needs to be more predatory. with us again. We don’t have that killer inhour, each working hard to tip the scales.

“After the first goal, the next minutes stinct. We have it to score the first goal, but Each seemed desperate in the restless con- are telling minutes,” he said. “The oppos- not two or three more in the next minutes.”

Interim coach brings new philosophy to team Natalie Wells looks to prepare volleyball athletes for life

mental athletes 12 years old and under. She now finds herself as interim head coach of the Cosumnes River College volleyball team, a team she once played for.

By Victor Macias For Natalie Wells, volleyvmacias.connect@gmail ball is her passion and she is exIt was the year 2004 when cited to take on a greater chalher coaching career began, lenge, like coaching her former coaching a team of develop- team.

“I am very excited to step into this new role as the interim head coach for the women’s volleyball program,” Wells said.

“Although I was nervous because I have some good shoes to fill, I am excited to take this next step in my coaching career.”

Wells temporarily takes over for Coach Minet Gunther, who has been granted sabbatical leave to further her education.

Having played and been around the game for 14 years, Wells has developed quite a resume.

As a player, she was a libero and captain for both CRC and California State University, Sacramento. She was named Best Defensive Player on the Sac State club team and had some of her best matches at Nationals; a nationwide tournament.

As a coach, she helped lead her team at Franklin High School to the playoffs for the first time in school history.

Along with coaching at CRC, she is also currently the coaching director at Sunset Volleyball Club where she coaches the 18 and under team, a team in which she lead to the championship flight of Regionals, the highest of any team in club history.

Her coaching philosophy is simple.

“My coaching philosophy is to train athletes in volleyball as well as preparing my athMary Garcia | The Connection letes for what will come in life,” CRC volleyball coach Natalie Wells watches her team practice. Wells said. “Since volleyball is a

failure sport, I want my athletes to learn from our mistakes and failures to make us better at everything.”

Like any coach, Wells has expectations, but her expectations don’t necessarily revolve around winning.

“I expect and want my athletes to learn something new about their sport that allows them to fall in love with it over and over again,” she said. “I expect them to work hard and strive to get better.”

With Gunther expected to return next season, Wells will continue to be the assistant coach to the team, but that’s next season. For now, this is her team.

“I want to bring some new things to the program and different things that the athletes hopefully take too.” Wells said.

“She has taught us new drills, a new and positive attitude and a winning mindset that keeps us pushing each other and ourselves,” sophmore outside hitter Hoang Nguyen said.

Win or lose, as long as the athletes take in what she expects them to, she has done her job.

She refers to a quote by Mike Krzyzewski, coach of the men’s basketball team at Duke University and Team USA's men’s basketball team.

“Sometimes in defeat, you can set the stage for future victory. I wanted to feel good about what they had accomplished. Not to like losing but to like the success they had.”

October 4, 2012 |

6 | www.thecrcconnection.com

Romney's 47 percent raises questions

By Scott Redmond sredmond.connect@gmail Politicians past and present have tried to turn the ear of those within their party.

So it came as a surprise to many to find Mitt Romney declaring, in a secretly shot video released recently, that he didn’t care about 47 percent of the American populace to a crowd of wealthy donors of his own party.

Romney described the 47 percent, those who don’t pay federal income tax, as perceived victims of the system that are dependant on the government for handouts.

But who are the 47 percent really?

One has to wonder are there people who just want to take a handout from the government in order to never work, or is there something more there?

The problem is Romney drew a picture of these people that is not entirely accurate. There is in fact around 47 percent of people who don’t pay income taxes, but there are numerous reasons why.

According to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, a little less than half of the nation does not pay federal income tax but they do pay various other taxes encountered in our daily lives, including state and local sales tax, property taxes and federal payroll taxes.

The biggest reason behind many who are not paying federal income tax is that their wages are not enough to equal them paying any taxes. The system is working as it was designed.

Attributing laziness and wanting nothing more than to suck off the government’s teat to those who don’t pay federal income tax is a fallacy.

Take myself for example. For the last four years I have been without work.

My lack of work is not for a lack of trying, and because I have no work I have not paid income tax in years as I have no income to report. Does that automatically make me lazy and government dependent?

I personally have every intention to find work if I can and begin to be able to pay my fair share back to the country. No doubt many other Americans out of work or down in wages feel the same.

Going forward we must forget the 47 percent and only think of the 100 percent.

The 100 percent that make up a truly united nation.

Opinion

Sugar and spice, not always so nice

By Ariel Hevesi ahevesi.connect@gmail From pretty pastel pens to curvy girl Legos, it seems as though companies desperately try to rope in the female audience by altering their products to be female-friendly.

Bic now has a new pastel-colored ball point pen called “The Bic Cristal for Her,” which allows women to write “elegantly and in style” as described by the packaging.

The “For Her” pen offers a thinner, tinted barrel, more suitable for a woman’s hand, according to ABC News.

An Amazon reviewer referred to Bic sarcastically as “The Great Liberator,” describing the pen as, “A womanly pen that my gentle baby hands can use without fear of unlady-like callouses and bruises.

Thank you, Bic!” Women of the new era can now express their thoughts with a pastelcolored pen that fits their delicate grip.

Perhaps she might keep these trendy pens in the kitchen drawer in case she might need to jot something down in the midst of doing dishes. How did we ever survive before these dainty pens?

But wait, the bedazzlement doesn't

stop at pens. Females have taken over the Lego company as well. Up until recently, Lego stores lacked pink and purple colors, sending many young girls away and into the safe hands of Barbie.

Thankfully, Lego now has a new line of figurines called “Lego Friends,” which are mini-figures with shapely bodies that lock into pastel colored settings such as, “a dream house, a splash pool and a beauty shop,” according to an article published by Huffington Post.

Young girls can now join the Lego fun and build beautiful kitchens and hair salons as they gear up towards the tough life of womanhood. “ O u r daughter wouldn’t touch Legos until they made the girly sets,” said someone responding to a post on Baby Center Blog.

Industries have done a remarkable job

with gender-based marketing, so women too, can sit pretty with pens and Legos.

It’s no surprise companies have geared their products towards the financial mastermind of the household.

Women control 88 cents of every dollar spent, said Krysten Crawford in an article with CNN Money.

We’ve already claimed lipstick and mascara, why not take all that glam towards tires and hand tools? Whether she writes with a pastel pink “For Her” pen or a half used pencil laying around the house, at least she’s got choices. Whoever said having options was a bad thing? No matter what new savvy female-friendly product companies try to sell, women will always be one step ahead of the industry.

With their keen and levelheaded shopping skills, there’s simply no fooling the female buyer.

From sugar and spice to everything nice, it’s just a matter of time before someone designs the next sparkly-pink urinal.

Budget cuts belittle education for students

By Mozes Zarate mzarate.connect@gmail The recent budget cuts have hit everyone. Unit prices have increased, there are fewer part-time teachers than before and next semester’s course selection is looking less variable with cuts being proposed in every department.

I’m not an economist, and that’s the last thing I want to major in but as a student, I can feel the losses that are a direct result of the shift in focus towards saving money.

I’m talking about an illusion, a naïve ideal I’ve been raised to believe since grade school; the education system is here to nurture me generously with its big bottle and bib. Provide me all the classes I want, offer those extra-curricular activities, and don’t forget about my scantrons. I’ll need those A’s in a few years to land that job that doesn’t involve customer service.

I might actually have to start thinking about the teachers, those

majestic providers of knowledge, some of member of those clubs in jeopardy. whom could be one pink-slip away from Petitioning, marching, fundraising: I disappearing from next semester’s course need to figure out what can be done and catalogs. how to do it. Sound like another ideal? It As the fog of naivety settles, what certainly isn’t as cloudy as the first one. becomes apparent is the I referred to this business that supports hullabaloo as the “business this whole shenanigan of education,” though it’s not n this of knowledge-exchange. exactly that. This isn’t “Get With less money being business of More, Save Big,” like your allocated towards education local retailer might lead education, only the classes you to believe. Saving big is deemed most necessary for students have detrimental in the form of transfer or graduation will fewer courses, services and be maintained. Elective to quit being other offerings students are courses suffer unless so passive accustomed to. The crisis students can attest to demands that I don’t just the importance of those think like a consumer. classes.

So what more can I be?

In this business of There’s a certain word education, students have to quit being so for this hoo-ha that we’re all enrolled to passive. and it’s part of an ideal that is most at stake If I want a large helping of creative in this conversation: community. writing, archery and table-manners, I Stop acting like a student. Start better figure out a way to increase demand working as a member of the Cosumnes for those classes. I need to be an active River College community.

“I

,

.”

Presidential candidates target college campuses Editorial AT A GLANCE The Issue: College students show little interest in the current election.

Our View: Students need to take a stand and voice their opinion that greatly influences our future.

Agree? Disagree?

Send comments to connect@crc.losrios. edu

President Barack Obama and Republican information and and educate ourselves on the candidates' true nominee Mitt Romney are visiting college cam- It's not too late to constant statuses of intentions. puses and joining the social media craze in or- register to vote: the election at our We can break down the propositions to their der to target young voters. fingertips. true intentions, understanding just what effect How: Submit an Why is our generation such a great target?

With all the in- they will have if passed. online application to Because little engagement has been shown in formation that surIt is bewildering that the small amounts of www.registertovote. this year’s election. rounds us, we, as a young voters is not registered or are not followca.gov or pick An election that has multiple propositions generation need to ing through with a vote. This choice of inaction up a paper voter dealing with education and employment, make be better informed gives the idea that we don’t care to be a part of registration this election one we should be voting in more and engaged in pol- decisions that have a major affect on our future. application at your than ever. itics.

In this election alone there are many bills county elections It is hard to disagree with the assumption Yes, we are a that have a profound affect on colleges. office, DMV or U.S. that this generation is lazy considering recent generation that was In California’s general election, Proposition post office. Be sure to statistics show only 50 percent of 18 to 29-yeartaught to expect in- 30 would stop the decline of community colleges. register by Oct. 22, olds are certain they are registered, according to stant results, but on The bill would raise for CRC alone. It would also the Pew Research Center analysis released on Capitol Hill we will allow 200,000 more students to attend college.

Sept. 28. find that is not the It is one of the most important bills in recent Of those 50 percent young voters that are case, as it takes months to complete the legisla- history and it is up to the young voter to get it registered, only 61 percent are highly engaged in tive process. However, that does not say the votes passed. the election, according to the analysis. will not be put into place.

If we choose not to vote, we are essentially That’s down 14 percent from the 2008 elecNot voting because there is uncertainty of letting others choose the future for us. And that tion where young voters crowded the polls put- whether Romney's path is suitable or whether has never been the American way. ting Obama in the White House.

Obama has benefited the U.S. has been an overThe idea of going to college and making a We are less engaged four years later when used excuse. With a little research and self-en- better living is still alive, but isolating ourselves we have advancements in technology to provide lightenment, we can clear up these uncertainties from things that impact that idea do not help us.

Features | October 4, 2012

Follow us on twitter @CRCConnection | 7

A comedy of terrors, 'Hamlet: Zombie Killer of Denmark'

By Mozes Zarate mzarate.connect@gmail “Neither a borrower, nor an undead

Denmark isn’t a place where the dead are resting easy, especially when its current king, Claudius, is plotting to turn the entire kingdom into an Elizabethan prequel to “28 Days Later.”

It’s “Hamlet: Zombie Killer of Denmark.” Written by contemporary playwright Chris Stiles, the play is a comical adaptation of Shakespeare’s most wellknown tragedy, adding fleshy puns, all while maintaining the iambic pentameter that the expired writer’s dialogue is known for.

The theater department chose this play to run as this semester’s brown bag production.

“You can literally go brown bag it and watch a play,” explained Director Scott Gilbert, also a member of the Adjunct Faculty at the Cosumnes River College Theatre department. “The plays are free, so anyone can come, bring their lunch, eat and watch.”

The play will be featured outdoors in the CRC music quad, which is “a great coincidence,” according to Gilbert, given that Shakespeare’s plays were originally performed in the outdoor globe theatre

Latisha Gibson | The Connection

Shawn Ferguson, who plays King Claudis, gets into zombie mode during the rehearsal of “Hamlet: Zombie Killer of Denmark” along with fellow actors and actresses and Director Scott Gilbert (right). The play opens on Oct. 8, in the music quad at 12:30 p.m. in the doublet-n-hoes days.

What’s different is that the performance will take place in public, rather than in an outdoor theatre, which is a challenge known to any thespian, alive or undead.

“It’s just like if you were trying to preach in the quad,” Gilbert noted. “It’ll be hard to get people to keep from just walking by you.”

The set is also minimal, leaving much to the imagination, and much on the actors to paint the picture.

Gilbert clarified that fun is the priority of the production. “If you’re going to sit out at lunch time and watch, I don’t believe that tragedies are really appropriate in that situation, under the sunshine, at noon," Gilbert said. “This should be a

lot of silliness, and lot of foolishness.”

Costumes and make-up will be consistent with that tradition, the actors and actresses wearing both contemporary clothing, like Chuck Taylors, paired with Elizabethan garments.

When comparing Shakespeare’s characters to this zombie-rific adaptation, Gilbert said, “some of the characters are really close to Shakespeare…. and then they turn into zombies. Some of the characters are zombie-like from the start.”

“But for a half-hour play, the actors do get to do quite a bit of Shakespeare,” he continued. “Hamlet has his share of Hamlet-y lines”.

It’s not easy being “one of the great directors of America”, as Scott jokingly

Trending Now

MLB

ne 5

Apple’s iPhone 5 went on sale Sept. 14 for pre-orders. It’s 4G LTE capable with the new A6 chip processor which makes the updated iPhone run faster. It also has an added row for applications, making it bigger in height.

"It’s cute and cool and has a lot of features," business major, 31, Karina Mendez said. "But I don’t think it’s worth the cost.

Playoffs

Baseball playoffs start on Oct. 4. The two final teams will move on to the World Series, playing a series of seven games. The World Series starts Oct. 24 and ends Nov. 1.

“I want the Giants and A’s to play in the World Series and have a ‘Battle of the Bay’ World Series,” Communications major, 19, Melina Velarde said.

“Go Giants!”

gnam

Gan

iPho

Complied by Josh Lee and Victor Macias. All photos are courtesy photos “Gangnam Style” by Psy debuted on YouTube on July 15 and became a hit in Korea, but only recently became popular in the U.S. It is now number two on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Songs. Architecture major Stephanie Orton, 19, thinks "it is interesting and different."

"It shows the different syle of music between Korean and American."

h Perfect

Pitc

be.”

“Pitch Perfect” is a comedy movie about an all girl’s acapella group trying to make it to the acapella finals to win the competition.

“Pitch Perfect” came out into theaters on Sept. 28.

“It was a lot funnier than I thought it would be," business major 24, Amanda Dibbini said. "[It] reminded me of 'Glee.'"

lamented. Either way his take on directing is clear. “You don’t have to do everything, but you have to keep everything in mind.” Scott sees his job as a coach for the players, not so much a disciplinarian, but a leader.

Talking about his favorite Shakespeare plays, Scott praised King Lear. “It’s the greatest play ever written by a human being,” he said. “I also like Twelfth Night a lot.”

So how about it Scott? “Twelfth Night of the Living Dead”? “Lich King Lear”?

“Hamlet: Zombie Killer of Denmark” plays Oct. 8, 10, 15 and 17, at 12:30 p.m.

And with that, a word from a reanimated Julius Caesar: “Eat-you, Brute?”

Student ID, discounts

By Scott Redmond sredmond.connect@gmail Riding public transportation free of charge is a well-known perk of a Los Rios student ID, but there are a lot more available if you look in the right places: Yogurt cravings can lead right to Yogurtville Lounge off Bruceville where students can enjoy a cool 20 percent discount on a yogurt purchase.

In the mood for burritos and tacos?

Head on over to Baja Taco and purchase a burrito and receive a free fountain drink to wash it down with.

Is your mouth watering for a cheesy pepperoni covered pizza? If so you might like the sound of a 20 percent discount off your pizza at Laguna Pizza. Though, student discount not applicable with any other sales offered.

Put up your dukes at LA Boxing, located near the Target off Bruceville, as they knock 50 dollars right off the enrollment fee for full-time students.

Grab a bucket of popcorn at the United Artist theaters to enjoy 75 cents off the ticket price every Sunday through Thursday.

For your cellular needs phone in a discount with Sprint to get 10 percent off your monthly bill.

If you have printing needs FedEx has got your back. All printing done at a FedEx Kinko’s gets students a 10 percent discount.

Because such deals are not generally advertised, the easiest way to find them is to just ask chosen venues.

October 4 2012 |

8 | www.thecrcconnection.com

News

California faces a state of crisis “No one can afford to have Prop 30 not pass.” ­-Student Senate President Rich Copenhagen

By Zachary Hannigan & Stephan Starnes zhannigan.connect@gmail sstarnes.connect@gmail

State Funding for Community Colleges 2012 - 2013

Projected earnings from Prop. 30 being passed: $210 million Trigger Cuts enacted if Prop 30 does not pass: $338 million Remaining Funding if Prop. 30 does not pass for 2012-2013: $4.5 billion Graphic by Josh Slowiczek

California community colleges will cut $338 million in the event that Proposition 30 fails to pass in the November election, California Community Colleges Acting Chancellor Erik Skinner said during a conference call held for student newspapers on Sept.

26.

Proposition 30 calls for a raise in sales tax by one-fourth of a cent for four years and an increase in personal income tax rates on annual earnings of more than $250,000 for seven years to fund education.

Eleven percent of the earnings would go to community colleges.

Over the past three years, community colleges have cut $809 million, which is approximately 12 percent of funding overall, Skinner said.

Since 2008, enrollment has dropped 17 percent, 80 percent of colleges reported longer waitlists for fall classes and 70 percent of colleges have reduced course offerings, according to a survey of community colleges by the Chancellor’s Office.

Many colleges will also have to cut staff members, with parttime faculty being the first to go.

“Despite those best efforts, there is nothing colleges can do to overcome those deficits,” Skinner said.

The current budget assumes that Proposition 30 passes. If it does pass, then it “helps prop up education budget for the state,” CCC Vice Chancellor for College Finance & Facilities Planning Dan Troy said.

While community colleges would be gaining money from Proposition 30, a lot of it would

“not [be] going directly into the classroom,” but rather to pay back deferrals.

If the proposition passes, 20,000 new students would be able to attend college, Troy said.

In addition to the $338 million that would be cut if Proposition 30 fails, community colleges would not receive the $210 million of new money that would be gained if the proposition passed.

The approximate $550 million would account for “10 percent of total system funding,” Troy said.

Failure of the proposition would force community colleges to decrease enrollment by approximately 180,000 students.

Troy said that community colleges “can’t afford that type of devastation,” and that we “would feel that impact in future years.”

In the event that Proposition 30 fails to pass, the state has no further options to help the budget deficit that California colleges face, Skinner said.

Skinner said that colleges “can’t expect much of a recovery in future years.”

The current budget is written as if Proposition 30 has passed because “in part [it] reflects optimism of it passing” as well as Gov. Jerry Brown’s unwillingness to raise taxes “without approval of the people,” Skinner said.

Another proposition on the ballot, Proposition 38, aims to increase personal income tax.

However, Propositions 30

and 38 cannot both go into effect.

If both were to pass, then whichever received more “yes” votes would be put into effect.

This means that if Proposition 38 gets more “yes” votes in the event that both propositions pass, then community colleges would face the $338 million in trigger-cuts.

Student Senate President Rich Copenhagen spoke during the conference call in order to give a student perspective.

Copenhagen said that the cuts are “very criminal things” and described them as “draconian.”

Copenhagen called community colleges one of the most important parts of California and said “California has devalued higher education.” “[It’s] Not a matter of politics … this tax proposal is a clear step in the right direction,” Copenha-

gen said.

Copenhagen said that support services, such as Extended Opportunity Programs and Services, Disability Support Programs and Services, financial aid and CalWORKs need to “protect

“Gov. Jerry Brown is not inclined to do anything

further to raise taxes if

Prop 30 fails.”

­ —Erik Skinner CCC Acting Chancellor

and empower students who need help.”

He continued on to tell horror stories of students who went homeless trying to finish their degrees because financial aid offices are understaffed as it is and could not process the paperwork

fast enough.

While students who are not as reliant on financial aid may get through, cutting the budget would be “devaluing the students who need to be valued the most,” Copenhagen said.

If the proposition fails, Copenhagen said we would be “facing a California that looks very different than it does today.”

Colleges would be unable to train workers, students would be derailed from career paths and California would be “shipping out our successful students to other states,” he said.

Copenhagen said that from a student’s perspective, class size would increase, which “inherently lowers” the quality of education.

Part-time faculty would also decrease and campuses would be “losing a lot of innovations” that comes along with part-timers," Copenhagen said.

Six new student government officers take oath of office

By Scott Redmond sredmond.connect@gmail The newly elected officers of the Associated Students of Cosumnes River College took their oaths of office for the fall semester on Sept. 26 surrounded by their fellow officers, board members and members of the student body.

After voting was tallied from the previous two days, six new officers joined those already in office. Sabrina Garcia, a current member of ASCRC, was appointed to and sworn into a new position which was still vacant.

“I’m really happy about it,” said new Representative Zach Davidson. “There were only three individuals serving before. Now we can bring more ideas to the table.”

One by one each new member was brought forward as the responsibilities for their position were read aloud. Student Associ-

cers to be able to experience both feelings as they moved through their time in office.

CRC Foundation Treasurer Donald Wallace also spoke, stating that few step up to be part of such an organization and that a miniscule percentage goes on to represent an entire student body.

Wallace offered thanks to the officers for stepping up.

Several speakers from the CRC Foundation, including Executive Director Kenneth Cooper, spoke as well emphasizing the importance of student voices in the difficult times ahead for education and the campus itself.

“As an elected member I hope Kevin Frodahl | The Connection to better understand the needs of ASCRC members listen as Deborah Travis delivers a speech at the ASCRC swearing in ceremony. students on campus,” new Senator of Science, Math and Engineering ate Adviser Winnie LaNier led was among those thanking the leadership at this time is essential. Michelle Lymas said. each of them through reciting new officers for their service.

We need to hear your voices.”

As the ceremony wrapped up their oath of office before they “I really want to express my Leadership is both an excit- glasses were passed around and a signed the printed version. gratitude at your willingness to ing privilege and a weight upon toast of sparkling cider was raised After they were sworn in, step forward as leaders in your one’s shoulders, Travis said. She to the new officers and their fuCRC President Deborah Travis community,” said Travis. “Your added that she wanted the offi- ture as part of the ASCRC.