The Connection Vol. 60 Issue 4 11/1/2012 by The Connection

Volume 58,Issue Issue Volume 60, 4 1

www.thecrcconnection.com

November 1, 2012

EDITORIAL

Proposition 30: a saving grace It is well known that the budgets of California colleges have been declining since the recession hit in 2007. But there is something we can do to stop that downward spiral. A yes vote on Proposition 30 is a yes vote for yourself and for the future of community colleges. By raising the state sales tax a quarter of a penny and income taxes on those who make over $250,000 annually, Proposition 30 would raise $210 million for community colleges AT A GLANCE alone and would stop the $338 million in trigger The Issue: Community cuts. colleges are facing millions Opponents say that of dollars in budget cuts. Proposition 30 has no Our View: Everyone needs guarantee that the monto vote "Yes" on Proposition ey raised will be spent 30 and "No" on Proposition on education, but that is simply not true. 38 According to the official voter information Agree? Disagree? guide, the money raised Send comments to for schools will be put connect@crc.losrios.edu into a special fund that the Legislature cannot touch or use for state bureaucracy. In addition, mandatory annual audits will be made public and insure that the funds are spent only on schools. Recently, Proposition 38 supporters have tried to convince voters that this is the bill that needs to pass because it ensures money for education. What they don’t tell you is that Proposition 38 is the death of community colleges and only funds K-12 schools. In the grand scheme of things, Proposition 38 does

Get Connected Campus-wide effort to go green comes to the spotlight. Features, page 6 Soccer player Rigo Gomez: the story behind the goals Sports, page 4 Through a college student's eyes: A letter to the President Opinion, page 3 Visit our website for additional content www.thecrcconnection.com

As Bill Clinton would say, “you do the arithmetic.” The passage of Proposition 30 would allow 20,000 new students to attend college. While this may not seem like much, it is godsend when you take a look at the numbers over the past three years. In those three years, community colleges have cut $809 million, 12 percent of funding overall, enrollment has dropped 17 percent and 70 percent of colleges have reduced the number of courses they offer, according to a survey conducted by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. If Proposition 30 does not pass, those numbers will only get worse. In addition to all those cuts, many colleges would have to cut staff members, mostly parttime employees. These employees are essential to running an effective college. These are our school nurses, janitors and professors. Not only does Proposition 30 help colleges, it would also do wonders for public safety. The initiative guarantees funding for public safety services, like police and fire departments. Like the education fund, the money for public safety cannot be touched by the Legislature. In fact, Proposition 30 is the only proposal that establishes a guarantee for public safety funding. Unfortunately, Proposition 30 and 38 are written so both cannot pass, whichever receives the most “yes” nothing for public safety, California colleges or jobs. votes will be put into effect. If you feel like we do at The Connection, the choice It also increases income taxes on annual earnings of $7,316, where Proposition 30 only taxes the wealthiest is simple: Proposition 30 does more to help California and its colleges. Californians who make more than $250,000. In the words of our student senate president Rich Compared to Proposition 38, Proposition 30’s tax increases are so minimal, yet do so much good for our Copenhagen, “no one can afford to have Prop 30 not pass.” schools, our public safety and our state.

New tech building brings new courses to campus By Britni Alford balford.connect@gmail Despite the cold weather, more than 50 Cosumnes River College staff members, students and other community members came together for the dedication of CRC’s Northeast Technological Building on Oct. 25. Those who attended were welcomed with coffee, muffins, pastries and bottled water. Guests were also welcomed by CRC staff members as they walked into the building waiting for the ceremony to begin. CRC President Deborah Travis thanked everyone, highlighting the students in attendance, as well as Elk Grove Councilman Gary Davis. Jon Sharpe, Interim Chancellor of the Los Rios District, then spoke at the podium and explained the background history of the building. The process to get the building to where it is today took 10 years and was covered by Britni Alford | The Connection Measure A and Measure M, Sharpe said. Los Rios Board of Trustees member Kay CRC President Deborah Travis and Board of Trustees Member Kay Albiani cut the ribAlbiani spoke about how the students will be bon to dedicate the Northeast Technical Building on Oct. 25. They were joined by Los able to understand the lessons they learn and Rios board members, CRC students and staff. apply them in real life. President Travis spoke again about how Some courses that will be offered include To conclude the festivities, the board important each contribution was in order to welding, construction and horticulture. members, CRC staff, the representatives from make the construction of the building successSharpe, Albiani and Travis then presented F & H Construction, DLR Group and some ful. the plaque that would be displayed in front of students from the welding program gathered “These things don’t happen without a team,” the building. outside to cut the ribbon. Travis said as she continued to thank everyone “We gratefully acknowledge the generosity Everyone positioned themselves and prewho helped the project become a success, in- of the Los Rios Community College District pared for the photo-op as Travis and Albiani cluding F & H Construction, DLR Group, an taxpayers,” Travis read from the plaque, “and cut the ribbon on the count of three. architecture design group, and the staff of CRC the California taxpayers who funded the con“We feel that the students learn from the that helped to move the equipment. struction of these buildings.” mind and heart,” Albiani said.

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Students take stand on presidential ballot

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

By: Brittany Patrick bpatrick.connect@gmail

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Hawk's Eye Hawk’s Nest book sale The Hawks Nest bookstore will be hosting the CRC Book Sale from Nov. 5 to Nov. 9. Books donated to the store will be sold for 50 cents or a dollar. All sales will support Cultural Competence and Equity Events and Activities on campus. Last day to drop classes The last day to withdraw from full semester classes with a ‘W’ on transcripts is Nov20. Students should speak to Admissions and Records or use eServices in order to drop classes. Any class that is not dropped could result in an ‘F’ on transcripts. Withdrawals, ‘W’, are not computed into GPA but can affect student progress leading to possible probation or dismissal.

Spring 2013 preparation

registration

Class schedules for Spring 2013 are now available on the CRC website. Registration begins on Nov 19 for veterans, current serving military personnel, former foster youths younger than 24, and students that are part of EOPS and DSPS. Registration for current students will begin on Nov 26. For students that are looking to begin their final semester for transfer or gaining their AA degree, there is a special priority registration date on Nov. 21. Only current students with at least 12 units taken in the Los Rios district are eligible for this special priority registration date. A counselor must be seen in order to determine eligibility.

Season of blood giving

Native American festivities

B l o o d S o u r c e bloodmobiles will roll back onto campus Nov. 7 and 8. The bloodmobiles will between the Learning Resources Center and the Science building from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Contact Michelle Barkley of Health Services at 691-7767 for more information.

In celebration of Native American Indian Heritage month there will be an evening of Native American music and dance on Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. in the recital hall. The evening will feature two time award winning flutist and singer Cody Blackbird.

Workshop to help graduate A Graduation Petition Workshop will be held on Nov. 13 and 14 at noon in the Orchard room. All candidates for graduation are encouraged to attend.

Counseling appoints Counselers will be seeing students by appointment only for student educational plans till Nov. 23. Students are advised to make appointments as starting Nov. 26 counseling will return to drop in hours and appointments.

Editors

Staff

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 Production Manager: Brittany Patrick Faculty Adviser: Rubina Gulati

Takara Campbell, Emanuel Espinoza, Kevin Frodahl, Mary Garcia, Latisha Gibson, Joshua Lee, Victor Macias, Osay Ogbebor, Jonathan Rich, Micah Meekins Simon, Mozes Zarate Editorial Assistants: Britni Alford, Cody Durham, Ariel Hevesi, Scott Redmond, Josh Slowiczek

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

News

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

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

There was little doubt in 12 Cosumnes River College students as to whom they were going to vote for in the upcoming Nov. 6 election. Barack Obama led Mitt Romney three to nine in the small interview poll. Two of the nine people said the reason they were voting for Obama was because of his follow through on the DREAM Act. “It is very considerate of him,” said Lucia Luna a 20-year-old human services major. “I never thought somebody would raise the DREAM act. They said Bush was going to do it at first, help the immigrants, but in the end it didn’t work. So did Gov. Schwarzenegger. And Obama is saying this and actually letting people already do it. So it shows.” Edrei Espinosa, a 23-year-old civil engineering major said Obama’s focus on the DREAM act will help illegal immigrants and that their ability to become citizens is something he looks forward to. Tori Tillman, 36, business major simply felt Obama was the man to “open doors” for her future. “I feel like he’ll straighten the mess up and make long term standing jobs,” she said. Another couple of students said they are voting for Obama because he is the “lesser evil” to place their vote on. “It’s a tough choice between bad and worse but I am probably going to go with Obama,” said 50-yearold Wendy Brown a business and real estate major. “They can promise you the world and I already know the world that Obama is not delivering. With Romney its like starting all over again.” Alex De Abreu, 17, astronomy major said though he cannot vote this upcoming election, Obama “is

not the best, but he will do a better job than Romney.” Kyle Knackstedt, a 22-year-old business major felt differently, siting multiple reasons why he felt Romney was his choice candidate.

“They can promise you the world and I already know the world that Obama is not delivering. With Romney its like starting all over again.” -Wendy Brown, 50 Business and real estate major “He’s going to create jobs,” Knackstedt said, “Since I am a business major, Republicans what they do is make it easier for smaller businesses which I what I plan to do when I get out of college.” Two Romney supporters voiced concerns, citing the overall government as the problem. “He has a better perspective of how a government should be, a little bit smaller,” said Carol Pellegri, 23, a food science major. “Where as Obama has governments it tends to be bigger. And if you have a bigger government is seems to be more difficult to accomplish things.” “I think Obama has had his chance, he has had four years to fix us,” said Chelsea Rea a 21-year-old veterinary major. “I think if he is able to handle his money the way he has, being a multimillionaire, I think we should trust him in handling ours.” This election has been predicted across all news media to be the biggest and most important election of our time and all the students universally just want a candidate they feel is “trustworthy.”

Hurricane Sandy: East Coast Emergency

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- Kaley Saari, 19,

Number of Times "Climate Change" Mentioned First 12 Hours - CNN

fine...They said the streets are empty." Theater Arts Major

Donate.

News Coverage

You can donate $10 via text message - text REDCROSS to 90999 Fill out a form online at the American Red Cross website. Call 1-800-733-2767 to donate by phone. Print a donation form that can be mailed to: American Red Cross P.O. Box 4002018 Des Moines, IA 50340-2018 Information compiled from Huffington Post, NY Times, CNN and Red Cross

Sports construction will be completed despite delays By: Zach Hannigan zhannigan.connect@gmail Construction on the sports facilities is nearly complete. The soccer fields will be ready to play on as soon as the grass roots deep enough to ensure the field last

over time and the bleachers are installed, said Director of Administrative Services Cory Wathen. The baseball and softball fields are nearly complete as well, but are awaiting bleacher approval from the Division of State Architects, similarly to the soccer fields. Along with the few minor installments, the recent rain has “highlighted a few problems with drainage” on the soccer fields, Wathen said. However, Wathen expects the facilities to finished soon, noting that “these fields will be here for years to come and will provide great venues for practice, games and tournaments of all levels.” A date for the first soccer game on the new fields has yet to be determined.

Opinion | November 1, 2012

A few choice words for the future president By Josh Slowiczek jslowiczek.connect@gmail Dear Mr. President, Congratulations on spending the next four years in the Oval Office. There can be no doubt that half of the people in the country are very ecstatic and the other half are very pissed. These sentiments aside, I am writing to inform you of a few problems occurring here in the states that you are obliged to watch over. If you have some time between national defense and an impending economic collapse, it would be very much appreciated if you could get to fixing a few things for “we the people.” I would like to address this first problem by starting off with a little quote from a predecessor of yours, John F. Kennedy, who stated that “our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education,” and that, “the mind is our fundamental resource.” Mr. President, when I hear of students dropping out of classes because they can’t afford to pay for their school books, when I see nickels and dimes being counted for a coffee, when I hear words like “trigger cuts” and “limited admission,” I can’t help but think that what was once the golden herald

of education, public colleges in the United States, and starting to look a little less golden and a little more like cheap bronze. I can’t help but feel that the “community” is slowly being taken out of “community colleges.” I also can’t help but wonder what educationally successful countries like Denmark, Cuba, Germany and Brazil are doing that we in the United States are not? These and just four of the 24 countries that offer a free college, or post-secondary, education to all of their citizens, regardless of age, race or gender. What does this mean for the good ole U.S. of A? Globally we rank no. 13 on the International Education Index, dropping from no. 12 last year. We are after all, a nation of winners. Assume that all of this free education is the result of an absurdly high tax rate and that, for the most part, the people of these countries are miserable and impoverished. You couldn’t imagine my surprise when I discovered that Germany wasn’t slowly marching its way back to the Third Reich and Cuba hadn’t turned into some kind of police state. You see Mr. President, the people in these countries have free healthcare too, and paid vacations! It’s a frightening concept I know, but students in some of those

countries don’t have to decide on whether to take a class or get that much needed dental work. Some students in the world don’t have to worry about trying to find a second or third job to fit between their afternoon and evening class so that they can pay the rent, their phone bill or buy groceries. Some college students, like those in Berlin, don’t have to worry about a poor job in the field they want after they graduate; in fact most of them are already working in their specific field by the time they do. After finding out all of this I turned to the last thing I could as a citizen of the United States, personal safety. There was no doubt in my mind that all of those other countries were violent and dangerous places where total governmental control was used to silence any who spoke against it. I thought that these countries must be really scary places. But after looking at the numbers and the charts I realized I was wrong. I realized what was truly scary. Do you know what is scary, Mr. President? A rack of shotguns and semi-automatic weapons at Walmart. A disgruntled youth who can purchase over 6,000 rounds of ammunition online and at his local gun store where, the day before, an office worker who just can’t do it anymore purchased

his first 9mm. The shop owner is a big fan of the Second Amendment and is allowed to openly carry in most public places just in case he has any confrontations. The recent statistics show that the United States had 104,852 gun related injuries last year. That’s 270 people a day shot and injured, 87 of which do not survive. Oh, and I forgot to mention. Of those 104, 852 gun related acts, 18,735 were suicides. Are we still the best and brightest country in the world? I’ll leave it at that for today Mr. President. You have a lot on your plate and the next generation- your sons and daughtersare counting on you to help steer the ship away from the rocks. You can start doing that by saving community colleges and the students who attend them. American citizens will expect and accept nothing less. If however you cannot fix these problems for whatever political purpose or another, I don’t want you to worry. After all, Germans have great food and I hear the beaches in Brazil are close to paradise. I’ll be sure to send you a post card. Good luck and best regards, Josh Slowiczek

Proposition 35: breaking the chains on human trafficking By Kevin Frodahl kfrodahl.connect@gmail The issue of human trafficking has grown rapidly in recent years, especially in Sacramento, so it's no surprise that new trafficking laws are appearing on the ballot this year under Proposition 35. The proposition, if passed, will increase penalties on those who force or coerce others into prostitution or other labor. According to the California Official Voter Information Guide, we can expect “increased costs, not likely to exceed a couple million dollars annually, to state and local governments for criminal justice activities related to the prosecution and incarceration of human trafficking offenders.” We can also expect an unknown amount of revenue from added criminal fines. Proponents argue that the bill sends

HAWK TALK

a strong message to those who practice human trafficking by imposing stronger prison sentences to pimps and doing more to prevent future crimes, like ordering offenders to register as sexual predators, while opponents say that it could potentially lead to the wrong people being punished. Human trafficking is a growing national issue, and California offers a lucrative position for the illegal trade. “The state’s extensive international border, its major harbors and airports, its powerful economy and accelerating population, its large immigrant population and its industries make it a prime target for traffickers,” according to a 2007 report from the California Alliance to Combat Trafficking and Slavery Task Force. Much of our state has been affected by the issue. San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles are listed by the FBI as three of the top 13 highest child sex trafficking areas in the nation, according to a report by

the U.S. Department of Justice. Weighing the information at hand, it's clearly essential that we do more to prevent human trafficking in our state, and Proposition 35 deducts little from the current state budget. So what are the downsides? Maxine Doogan, president of Erotic Service Providers Legal, Education, and Research Project, Inc. wrote in the argument against Proposition 35, “this shortsighted ballot measure relies on a broad definition of pimping. This includes: parents, children, roommates, domestic partners, and landlords of prostitutes to be labeled as sex offenders.” However, the broad definition of pimping that Doogan refers to is one that has already been drawn by Assembly Bill 22 in 2005, and by the California Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2006. Current human trafficking laws already rely on the “broad definition of pimping” that those created.

Proposition 35 will not change who is being punished or what they are being punished for, but it will change to what extent they can be punished. It's important that we do not trivialize the importance of strictly defining human trafficking, as our current laws can potentially result in more litigation fees as courts seek to define it themselves. But because Proposition 35 is merely playing off of a definition of human trafficking that already exists, and because human trafficking affects our state so acutely, Prop 35 is a step in the right direction. We cannot allow the pimping, abuse or forced labor of anyone, especially children, and Proposition 35 sets a strong example against that. Halting state efforts against the illegal trade merely because preexisting laws are written too broadly would do nothing but hurt progress in the fight against human trafficking for entirely the wrong reasons.

What is the American dream to you? Compiled by Mozes Zarate and Joshua Lee. Photos by Jonathan Rich.

“It means opportunity. This is a chance for those with very little to work hard, apply themselves and then wind up in a place much better than they, or their predecessors, ancestors, or parents started out.”

“To live in a peaceful environment with my fellow man. A working relationship for us all. To have a goal and be successful.” Jim West, 55 Photography Professor

Torrence Powell, 32 Dean of Communication, Visual and Performing Arts

“That any person,whether by race,creed, religion or disability can fulfill their dreams without persecution.” Nikki Jones, 34 Music

“Well it's not something I often think about. Getting my own house and having a family. Getting married. This economy, it's not too good, but we’ve been in worse. There are worse happening in the world right now. It’ll pick back up. It changes over time as well.” Colleen Crews, 19 Art Design

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Basketball team looks to build on last season By Zach Hannigan zhannigan.connect@gmail

After finishing second in the Big 8 Conference last season, the women’s basketball team looks to avenge their loss in the third round of the playoffs. The Hawks begin their season Nov. 8 with the CRC Invitational, a tournament in which they finished second last season. “I expect us to play hard and to play with heart,” said head coach Coral Sage. “This is a very strong team that has wonderful team chemistry and I know that will take us far.” The team only has two returners this season, but that did not seem to hinder Sage’s plans for the team. “This year we are striving to play on our home court at the state championships,” Sage said. “As long as we are always striving to get better that is our expectation.” Sage said that the team may struggle inside due to the team's height, but she thinks the team has a secret weapon. “I expect us to play hard and to play with heart,” Sage said. “This is a very strong team that has wonderful team chemistry and I know that will take us far. They have a never give up attitude and are always striving to get better.” For coverage of the CRC Invitational, log onto thecrcconnection.com and look for issue five on newsstands around campus Nov. 15.

Persistance pays off for soccer player Hard work and dedication leads freshman forward to prestigious CRC accolade By Victor Macias vmacias.connect@gmail They always say, “if you believe, you can achieve.” For the reigning Student Athlete of the Month, these words resonated in his ear. Rigo Gomez was raised in Long Beach, Calif. and now resides in Lodi. He was motivated by his father and grandfather at the age of 6 to start playing soccer. Thirteen years later, he finds himself starring on the Cosumnes River College men’s soccer team. An accomplishment he is most definitely proud of. “It means a lot to me, even though I could do more for the team but I know I’m working hard and trying my best,” Gomez said. “I appreciate whomever selected me athlete of the month because my friends and family were really happy for achieving an award.” That’s not the only accomplishment Rigo has achieved so far this season, he also leads the team in goals scored with six. “My teammates have trust in me to finish every play we start and put every ball in back of that net,” he said. “All my accomplishments I have done, my goals, my assists, are for the team to win.” Despite all the single accomplishments, Gomez isn’t one to put himself first over the team. He is the ultimate team player and knows that if it wasn’t for his teammates, all those goals wouldn’t be possible.

University of the Pacific is accepting applications for Spring, 2013 Deadline is November 15 Transfer housing available No application fee! For a list of open majors and more information call 209.946.2211 or

go.Pacific.edu/TransferToPacific

Pacific.edu

Sports

“I don’t score alone, we score together,” he said. It wasn’t always this way for Rigo. Growing up, life was difficult. It was hard for him to get to school everyday. His parents both worked and they hardly had any time for him, his brothers and his sisters, but one thing he was able to do was play soccer. “I had to wait until 7 p.m. until one of my parents could pick me up,” Gomez said. “It sucked but it was worth it for soccer.” Soccer was and still is his passion. He played on his dad’s friend’s soccer club for three years and then went on to play for Lodi Middle School. He wasn’t able to play his freshman year of high school because of his difficult schedule and not being able to find rides to and from practices and games. But he never gave up on his dream. “I was very disappointed because the coach wanted me to play,” he said. The rest of his high school years he played on the varsity team and kept in shape by competing in track and field for his school in the off season. “It helped me gain more speed and endurance and got me in shape,” he said. All of Gomez’s hard work has led him to the Hawks, where he once thought he wasn’t even going to make the team. “At first I didn’t think I would make it because there were so many other guys trying out,” Gomez said. “But my hard work and trying put me on the squad and I am proud to be a CRC Hawk.” CRC isn’t all that’s left for Rigo. He has his eyes set on bigger goals and more accomplishments. “My hard work playing soccer all my life and practicing to become better has rewarded my life,” he said. “Right now focusing in school, and playing hard in soccer is my way to a four-year college.”

Sports | November 1, 2012

The Cheap $eats By Mozes Zarate mzarate.connect@gmail Sports have never been for me. I’m an uncoordinated kid, physically. My arms are too slow to throw a good pitch, and my legs are too stiff to outrun anyone. I’m a pacifist, so trampling a guy in order to take control of a situation has never been my craving. Most of all, I’ve never been overly competitive or strung up in the outcome of competitions. I’ve always aimed to enjoy the process of things, regardless of the result. I figure if I enjoy the process, whatever the context may be, the results will take care of themselves and, win or lose, I’ll die a happy man with a full cup. I’ve covered two games this semester, and I’m surprised at how contrary things seem to be in the competitive ring. If a team loses, they’re beaten emotionally, thinking themselves terrible players because the results didn’t show. These were tense games where every player gave a piece of themselves out on the field. As a spectator ignorant of everything athletic, I envied everyone. But as anyone and their left brain would tell you, that doesn’t pay the bills. Mathematically, the other team outscored you. It doesn’t matter that you tried. The mistake you made is so simple: you lost. The idea is not farfetched, by any sort. We’re all getting our degrees because employers are most concerned with credentials, not how passionate we are about our majors. The “real world” thinks in terms of tangible results, and you if don’t have them, you lose. This prioritization of the outcome and contempt with failure is shared with business when talking about the bottom line, profit and loss. If a company experiences a loss, they alter the methodology of their business in a gamble to experience profit. If they experience a positive net, the team must be doing something right, and it’s a guessing game to figure out what exactly that was. How do they figure that out? More results! More numbers! More scores! So the riddles of correlation continue. In sports, the same miscorrelation between end scores and the game can happen. The coaches did speak to their teams about new strategies to apply and applications to improve, but sometimes winning isn’t dependent on perfect execution of play. Instead, it can come down to sheer, unchangeable luck. Who do you pin the losses on then? As a coach, you have no choice but to put it on yourself and the team in order to motivate everyone out of contention with failure. From my interactions with the players after the games, this is the mentality students in athletics appear to believe: success is measured on the bottom line, and failure means you must be doing something wrong. In my 21 years experience in the game, life has never been so systematic. There have always been opportunities to appreciate both the story and the ending. It’s a simplistic way of thinking that doesn’t belong in college sports.

Women's soccer beats Diablo, moves up in Big 8 standings By Mary Garcia mgarcia.connect@gmail

The women's soccer team won their rematch against the Diablo Valley College Vikings on Oct. 26. The Hawks’ first match against DVC resulted in a 1-0 loss on Sept. 28, due to injuries Cosumnes River College played the away game with only one substitution. “We’ve been struggling all season,” said Hawks’ head coach Cesar Plasencia. “But obviously at home is a bit of an advantage.” The Vikings started the match at full force with two shots on goal in the first minute. Several attempts on goal from both teams resulted in multiple saves for both goalkeepers. Freshman defender Kaylyn Toyama gave CRC a 1-0 lead with a shot in that snuck into the bottom corner of the goal in the 34th minute. In the first half both teams played aggressively, but in stoppage time the referee showed a yellow card to the Vikings’ defender Lindsey Parscal for unsportsmanlike conduct. The teams started the second half of the game and right away DVC showed the same force they showed in the first half and once again attempted to even up the game within the first few minutes of the half. In the 10th minute of the second half,

CRC’s sophmore defender Rachel Dube committed a foul resulting in a free kick. The kick was deflected out of bounds and gave the Vikings a corner kick. The kick was sent to the back post as DVC’s defender Cherie Lapating aimed for the goal but missed far left. Half way through the second half of the game CRC’s Mary Garcia | The Connection foward Alyssa Hanks passed Freshman midfielder Jessica DeAnda evades a Diablo Valley the ball to mid- defender on Oct. 26. DeAnda knotched two goals in the win. fielder Jessica DeAnda. Deto end the game in a 3-0 victory. Anda sent the ball over DVC’s goalkeeper Losing the first game against DVC Jenn Crider and brought the game to a 2-0 gave them motivation to win this game. CRC lead. “We’ve actually worked harder,” said Three minutes later, DVC had several CRC’s goalkeeper Joana Hernandez. “We opportunities but the Hawks’ goalkeeper actually came out with passion and wantJoana Hernandez was able to prevent the ing to win because we lost last time.” Vikings from scoring. The win put the Hawks in sixth place Several CRC attempts later and De- in the Big 8 and gives them an overall reAnda scored once more in stoppage time cord of 5-7-5.

Hawks' goalkeeper Marvin Hernandez makes a save against Community College of San Francisco on Oct. 23. San Francisco eventually won the game 3-0. The Hawks are winless in their last five games.

Mary Garcia | The Connection

Volleyball team stumbles, suffers loss to Delta won the first set with a final score of 25-9. “It was rough,” said head The Hawks volleyball team coach Natalie Wells. “There squared off against the Delta were times we could have done College Mustangs on Oct. 26 at better, but we had too many unforced errors.” Cosumnes River College. Delta College was the team The Hawks struggled to deliver the first point in the against the Mustangs, losing second set, but CRC tied things three consecutive matches up with a block putting the against them. score at 1-1. CRC got off to a good start The Mustangs scored more scoring the first point, but Delta points as the second set proCollege tied things up with an gressed. Still in the beginning, out-of-bounds call and contin- CRC was close in points up unued to score points from then til the 10 point mark. on. CRC and Delta College Freshman libero Mary were still close in the score Tamayo tried to save the ball but range but the Mustangs started it slipped from her hand, result- to pick things up as the second ing in a point for Delta College set finished with a final score of that added to their momentum. 25-14. At that point, the Mustangs “It sucks a lot that we lost were ahead 15-6. Delta College and we obviously did not play

By Emanuel Espinoza eespinoza.connect@gmail

to our full potential,” said freshTowards the end of the man middle hitter Marquesa third set, the Mustangs lead Harris. the Hawks 23-13. Despite the During the break, Spike deficit, the Hawks did not give and Slice Night was celebrated. up. They still managed to score Children in attendance took three more points, but the set part in a T-shirt contest where ended with a final score of 25they had to serve the ball onto 16. a shirt. The participant would The Hawks suffered a win a T-shirt if the serve was rough loss against the Mustangs. successful. The event also in- The players themselves said that cluded free pizza for everybody they didn’t play to their full poin attendance and there were tential. raffles as well. “We’ll be working much The celebration settled and harder than tonight,” said the player hit the court again for sophomore outside hitter Hosome more action. ang Nguyen. “We’re going to In the third and final set of be striving to be better in the the game, Delta College scored future.” the first kill, but CRC stayed Wells said that the team close behind in the early go- can do better than they did in ing bringing the score to 7-6. this game. However, the Mustangs kept “We could have played betthe pressure on the Hawks with ter,” Wells said. “Every dog has point streaks throughout the set. its day and today it wasn’t ours.”

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Features

Sustainability: keeping the planet in mind By Scott Redmond sredmond.connect@gmail.com

Cosumnes River College celebrated its very first Campus Sustainability Day on Oct. 24 with the future of the campus and the entire planet in mind. The Winn Center walk-around by architecture Professor John Ellis highlighted the long future ahead for the building and the campus as it shall stand as the campus’ greenest building. “Probably the biggest thing is we’ll be gone and this building will still be occupied,” Ellis said. “The building will keep on teaching. It will be a role model of what good teaching can be.” Ellis described the building as a living laboratory which demonstrates and celebrates sustainable environmental design. This includes exposed portions of the building structure for studying, a smart grid for monitoring energy use, shading devices over the windows to demonstrate solar heating and cooling and recycled materials for construction among other sustainable features. The Winn Center is a large move for the campus’ progress towards sustainability and going green, but it is not the only thing on campus leading us towards a greener future. It is hard to miss the newer trash cans on campus that have places for trash and recyclable products. In the cafeteria the bins go one step further with spaces for landfill and compost material. It was those bins that Professor Debra Sharkey’s geography 302 students emptied out in order to engage in the sustainability day trash audit. With gloves, protective vests and aprons, the students gathered the bags of trash and weighed them as Sharkey recorded the weight. After weighing came sorting. The goal of the weighing and sorting, which led to weighing again, was to see just how effective the bins were and if people were throwing materials away in the correct bin, Sharkey said. “A lot of people here have no idea where all this goes. A lot goes to the landfill,” said 21-year-old undecided major Abhishek Prasad. “I think people should know how to properly throw their waste away.”

Britni Alford | The Connection

Architecture professor John Ellis leads a group of students and faculty through a tour of the Winn Center set to open fall of 2013. Ellis also discussed features that the center will have, including: a removable ceiling and having QR codes scattered throughout the building for a self-guided tour.

As they sorted, Sharkey pointed out to the students where items belonged. Cafeteria plates and coffee cups could be composted, while the bottles from water or soda were to be recycled and things like Starbucks cups and plastic utensils were sorted into the landfill pile. “I really like the environment and seeing people doing this to the planet really affects me,” said Ignacia Ramos, 18, an undecided major. “And it really affects them but they don’t even notice.” Sharkey said that the next step in the

students project is to monitor the bins in the cafeteria to politely help people find the right bin for their waste, before auditing the trash again after a week of monitoring. “I think people in general want to do the right thing, but they just don’t know how,” Sharkey said. Both events were set to celebrate and mark a greater move towards making CRC a greener campus for future generations and making our impact on the community and the planet a positive one.

Britni Alford | The Connection

Students of Professor Debra Sharkey's environmental studies class conduct a trash audit outside of the cafeteria. The students gathered the recyclables, landfill and trash from the bins in the cafeteria in order to sort the waste into proper bins.

Students struggle to have healthy habits in lives The college schedule leaves students with a lack of exercise and healthy choices By Latisha Gibson lgibson.connect@gmail.com

As a college student, one is constantly on the go. Some are full time students, others work and have active social lives. Because of this thoughts of fitness are often furthest from the mind. With a full plate, how many college students are willing to schedule time to work out at the gym or even at home? Unlike high school, where there is a two-year requirement for physical education, there is only a one semester physical fitness course requirement expected of college students. Americans are heavier than ever before and it is estimated that by 2030, more than half the people in the vast majority of the

states will be obese, according to an 2012 article from Fox News Latino. “I have P.E. kickboxing a couple days a week but I still have the eating habits of a typical college student,” said Kat Maze, a 29-year-old business major. “It’s hard to stop the eating habits that I have because I work at a restaurant.” Depending on your environment, there can often be unhealthy food around or close by. Junk food can appear to be the quickest and cheapest way to eat as a student, who

“Pack healthy lunches so you won’t stop at any snack bar and spend money that you don’t have,” Schroeder said. Schroeder also recommended taking a fitness class because then students are held accountable to maintain a certain goal. A lecture presented by professor Andrea Salmia, in her biology class, explains the biggest benefit of exercise. When you exercise, endorphins are released into the body. Endorphins are chemicals that put you in a better mood and provide you with the energy boost that your body needs to perform better. For some students, school can acI have P.E. kickboxing a coutually be a motivation to exercise and ple days a week but I still have stray away from eating unnecessary junk. That is common to consume while sitting the eating habits of a typical on the sofa to watch that favorite televicollege student.” sion show. “Being at home, not doing anything, I would eat all the time,” said Tammie - Kat Maze, 29 Brown, a 44-year-old culinary arts major. business major “Now that I’m in school it keeps me busy and doesn’t make me want to indulge as much.” is often on a tight budget. With many students becoming indepenThough Kristy Schroeder, a fitness in- dent for the first time, not having the guidstructor at Cosumnes River College, de- ance of their parents, some may become scribes other options. overwhelmed with the hectic schedules of

school and work. All in which make it hard to maintain proper health and fitness. More than 28 percent of freshmen students have trouble balancing wellness and

“If you couldn't take a fitness

course, schedule in your daily planner some time to exercise...” - Kristy Schroeder fitness instructor

“

fitness with their busy schedules, according to a 2011 study presented by ScienceDaily website. According to Solstice Publications, having exceptional health can help you excel during your time as a student and, more importantly, practicing good dietary habits early on can impact the way you eat for life. “If you couldn’t take a fitness course, schedule in your daily planner some time to exercise,” Schroeder said. “Proper health and fitness is very important to a college student’s success.”

Features | November 1, 2012

'Sinister': A roller coaster ride of horror Scott Derrickson's horror film brings new heights to the meaning of bone-chilling scenes By Cody Durham cdurham.connect@gmail

Newly-released film “Sinister” provides viewers with a creepy, twisted yet comical movie that’s guaranteed to leave goosebumps on your skin. From the moment the movie starts, viewers realize what they have gotten themselves into as a highly graphic and compelling opening scene leaves you with the first of many spine chills. Ethan Hawke, most known for his roles in “Training Day” and “Before Sunset,” stars in this movie as a true-crime writer. Hawke moves his family into a smalltown house where a gruesome murder had taken place. He hopes to solve the mystery of the crime and write a top seller, something he hasn't done in a while. While cleaning the house and unpacking, Hawke stumbles upon a box of old super 8 film and this is where the film begins to pick up. From here on, the film is filled with bone chilling scenes that have you wanting to look away while you nervously nibble on your popcorn. Sinister was directed by Scott Derrickson, who directed notable horror films such as “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” and “Hellraiser: Inferno.” The imagery that Derrickson provides for the viewers is unbelievable. Some scenes were cringe-worthy, others were intriguing and enticing, and the rest were simply jaw-dropping. The images in this movie will be burned in your head and have you thinking about them for days after seeing the film.

Courtesy photo

Ethan Hawke attempts to defend himself against the mysteries of his new home in a scene from the horror film "Sinister."

This provides a segue to the next point: the films rating. Sinister is awarded a much deserved R rating, and is by no means suitable for children. The boundaries that Derrickson pushed in some scenes even had me, a 20-year-old, wondering if I should even be watching. In addition to the gruesome and sometimes terrifying scenes, Derrickson did a great job of adding comedy and drama to Hawke’s life, causing viewers to dive deeper into the plot and develop a relationship with Hawke’s character. You feel his pain, anger and happiness throughout the film, and find yourself rooting for his success.

Although there are a few scenes that will cause you to jump out of your seat, this film is not your typical jump scare movie. “Sinister” builds up anticipation, plays with your mind and torments you before it attacks. Though not perfect, Sinister does have a couple cheesy scenes that have viewers saying, “Come on now, you expect me to believe that?” For instance, in one particular scene, a face on a computer screen came to life and moved, however it didn’t really have an effect on the film’s overall feel, and Derrickson would have been perfectly fine leaving it out.

Despite that, Sinister is one of the best horror movies to come out in recent history, and is well worth the money. If you’re looking for a scare with Halloween right around the corner, Sinister is the movie to see.

Author’s score is out of five stars.

Internet addiction, a possible medical disorder? By Scott Redmond sredmond.connect@gmail

Logging in to check email or the latest tweets several times a day is behavior that would likely never be classed as a disorder of any kind by most people, but that might all change soon enough. In a recent decision, the American Psychiatric Association listed Internet Usage Disorder as a condition requiring further study in deciding if it shall be classed as a mental disorder for future diagnosis, according to the APA’s site.

"I think it could be a disorder if

people aren't social and on Facebook all the time. But mainly it’s just part of our society." -Khrystina Degazio, 21 anthropology major withdrawal symptoms when Internet is

taken away, increased time online as tolerance builds, continued use when knowing the negative effects, loss of interests "Everywhere you go, you see people outside of the Internet and using the Inon the phone or Internet," said 19-year- ternet to escape. old economics major Justin Vang. "Even Another possible symptom provided at home with their family they're on the by the APA includes lying to family or phone." friends about the amount of time on the The APA lists possible IUD symptoms Internet. Also losing or jeopardizing a as: preoccupation with Internet gaming, relationship or career for the Internet is

Mary Garcia | The Connection

included. IUD would be classified under drug and substance abuse and addictions, cementing it as an addiction should the APA research prove it to be a diagnosable disorder. "I think it could be a disorder if people aren't social and on Facebook all the time," said Khrystina Defazio, a 21-year-old anthropology major. "But mainly it’s just part of our society."

Defazio also said that classing it as an addiction or disorder should be based on or determined on a person's personality. "I think it is an addiction," said 27-yearold biology major Monica Benegas. "They [excessive Internet users] are not fully using their brains. They're just going the easy way and getting addicted." Mike Kyrios, a professor at Swinburne University of Technology and one of the authors behind the inclusion of the IUD amendment, told the Sydney Morning Herald that he is formally pushing for the expanding of IUD beyond just gaming. “With kids, gaming is an obvious issue,” Kyrios said to the SMH. “But overall, technology use could be a potential problem.” In a world that has seen an increase in technology use and options, a distinction between addiction and common everyday use is not as cut and dry to some. "I don't know so much a disorder but you could say it’s an addiction," Vang said. "I think now it's just a way of life." Psychiatrist Rhoshel Lenroot, the child psychiatry chairman at the University of New South Wales, told the SMH that it’s too early to know the detrimental effects of technology overuse. “I think [it] can be dangerous in not learning how to pay attention in a focused way,” Lenroot said in the SMH article. “But in balance there is nothing wrong with technology.”

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Photos

(Left) The latest Blue Line Light Rail construction project causes more traffic disturbance while the road on the Bruceville entrance will be closed until Nov. 4, barring any delays.

Mary Garcia | The Connection