Connection Volume 59, Issue 1

Volume 59, Issue 1

Get Connected Falling marriage

Recent studies show that fewer and fewer people are getting married in our modern age. What is happening today that might reflect negatively on marriage rates? Is it just not important anymore?

See Page 3

Love and texting

We live in an age that goes far beyond simple interactions, with texting, statuses and social media leading the way.

But do students think our way of communicating today is more or less romantic than the past? Also check out Valentines given by CRC students.

See Page 4

First place in Big 8

Freshman forward Nikki Gordon

The CRC women's basketball team is 18-5 this season, and in first place in the Big 8.

Read about some of its important most games and challenges.

See Page 7

Los Rios Chancellor announces retirement

Brice Harris served the district for 16 years and will retire in August. Read about how he impacted CRC and community colleges and the changes he made in a time of budget cuts.

See Page 8

Get connected.

Stay connected.

Scan this QR Code with your smartphone or visit thecrcconnection.com to read the latest CRC news, vote in our poll, view photos and more!

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february 9, 2012

Freshman seminar earns award for promoting college success Award recognizes class for engaging students and helping them reach their academic goals and achieve success

By Ben Levy blevy.connect@gmail.com The bright, low-ceilinged classroom buzzes with discussion. Small groups of students huddle together around long paper lists hanging on the walls. In one corner, members of another group eagerly suggest words such as money, social life and family, while one member writes. A casually but well-dressed professor moves from group to group, giving encouragement and joking with students.

The students are doing a brainstorming activity in Freshman seminar, a class designed to help first-time college students succeed. The class introduces students to support systems such as tutoring and financial aid, teaches skills such as time and money management and integrates students into Cosumnes River College by introducing them to faculty, staff and other students.

Jon Peralta | The Connection

Dr. B.J. Snowden holds a discussion with students in the Freshman Seminar class on Feb. 2. The class received recognition from the California's Board of Governors for helping increase college success.

The freshman seminar recently earned the 2011 Exemplary Programs award from the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. The award recognizes community colleges that “engage [students] and help them stay on course and reach their academic goals,” according to a press release from the

California Community Colleges ard, an 18-year-old communicaChancellor’s Office. tions major. “I’ve learned the imThe kudos for Freshman portance of community college.”

Seminar goes beyond the award.

The class also helps students Only three weeks into the 12- after community college. week class, students have plenty “I know exactly what I need of praise. to get in and get out,” said Teonna “Anybody who plans on com- Brown, a 24-year-old criminal ing to community college should justice major. “It’ll be really helptake this class,” said Chris WoodSee SEMINAR, Page 2

Student Success Task Force recommendations passed by California’s Board of Governors “

It was never my wish to ration attendance at community colleges, but this was forced upon us by the very severe budget cuts. The reality is we just can't offer everything to everybody.

”

Jack Scott California Community Colleges Chancellor

cess by aligning classes based on the needs of students, increasing college readiness by collaborating California’s Community Col- with K-12 and improving the baleges Board of Governors unani- sic skills of first-year students. mously voted to adopt the 22 “At a time when resources are recommendations made by the scarce, our system must impleStudent Success Task Force on ment solutions that improve stuJan. 9, according to a press release dent outcomes, deliver an edufrom the California Community cated and trained workforce and Colleges Chancellor’s Office. ensure the efficient use of state The SSTF final report, which investment in higher education,” will be sent to the state legislature California Community Colleges for full review, includes plans to Chancellor Jack Scott said in the increase community college suc- press release.

By Imran Majid imajid.connect@gmail.com

California’s community colleges are in the midst of a fiscal crisis brought on by cuts in state funding that has limited the spending power of community colleges by 10.88 percent since 2009, according to the final report.

In 2010, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1143 and forced the Board of Governors to come up with a plan to increase college success by 2012, according to the press release.

The result was the SSTF, and its See STUDENT, Page 2

Students discuss possible effects of state tax increase people,” Brown said. cut from schools and community If the initiative passes, sales colleges. taxes would increase by half a Eight out of 12 interviewed In the State of the State Ad- percent, and income taxes would students at Cosumnes River Coldress on Jan. 18, Gov. Jerry Brown be raised on those who earn lege said they support Brown’s proposed tax increases as a way to $250,000 or more a year, accord- proposal. balance the state’s budget and pre- ing to the governor’s budget sumWilhelm Lichnock, a vent deeper cuts in education. mary.

19-year-old physics major, said The Address was part of his These tax increases would be that the wealthy should be taxed campaign to put the tax measure in effect until the end of the 2016 because they “can afford a little on the November ballot. tax year, according to the budget bit more of the tax.”

“Putting our fiscal house in summary. If the proposal does “If you are making that much order is good stewardship, and not pass, the budget summary es- money, you can afford a little bit it helps to regain the trust of the timated that $4.8 billion would be See TAXES, Page 2

By Vince Schwede vschwede.connect@gmail.com

Need to Know • Gov. Jerry Brown's tax proposal recommends increasing taxes by half a percent • Income taxes would also be raised on those who earn $250,000 or more.

• If the plan does not pass, the budget summary estimates that $4.8 billion would be cut from schools and colleges.

February 9, 2012 |

2 | www.thecrcconnection.com 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

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Hawk's Eye Internship program offers information to students On Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Cooperative Work Experience and Internship program is setting up an event to spread the word about internships.

Internship Developer Leigh Ann Rogers will set up a table in the Library building and provide students with information about the program. The event is called the Traveling Road Show and more information can be found by contacting Rogers at (916) 691-7343.

Give an hour, save a life The Cosumnes River College Blood Drive will be held on Feb. 21 and Feb. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bloodmobiles near the LRC and Library will allow students to participate, and all participants will receive a BloodSource t-shirt.

In order to donate, students must eat and drink plenty of fluids and have a valid photo ID. More information can be found by contacting Michelle Barkley at (916) 691-7767.

Literary Series set to continue on Feb. 21 The CRC Literary Series will continue on Feb. 21 at the Hawks' Nest Bookstore.

The event will last from 12 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. and will host three writers from the Sacramento News & Review: Rachel Leibrock, Kel Munger and Ginny McReynolds.

McReynolds, the dean of humanities and social science, at CRC, has written many stories that were published in the News & Review. More info can be found at crc.losrios.edu.

Free income tax preparation for eligible students Students who have $50,000 or less income may be eligible for a free income tax return preparation.

Staff is available every Friday through April 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in BS 140 to assist students with the process.

Scholarships available The Los Rios Community College District Online Scholarship Program is offering scholarships to students who meet the minimum requirements.

The deadline is March 2 and more information can be found by visiting scholarship.losrios. edu.

Police captain hired as interim police chief Cheryl Sears, the longtime police captain at CRC, was selected as the Interim Chief of Police for the Los Rios Community College District.

The Police Department is looking for potential candidates to fill the interim position of police captain at CRC. More information can be found by contacting Brenda Balsamo at (916) 568-3103.

Ready to graduate?

Students who are eligible to receive a AA/AS degree or certificate must file a petition by March 2.

The process will take about five weeks after the deadline and the commencement ceremony will be held at the end of the spring semester, on May 16. More information is available at crc.losrios.edu.

Editor-in-Chief: Imran Majid Campus News Editor: Imran Majid Opinion Editor: Takara Campbell Lifestyle Editor: Ashley Boucher Online Editor: Tammi Kolesinski Copy Editor: Stephan Starnes Faculty Adviser: Rubina Gulati

Staff

Editors

The Connection Will Bouzeneris, Cody Durham, Carlo Dela Cruz, Demitri Fellines, Tracy Gilkerson, Ian Graves, Zachary Hannigan, Erik Juarez, Joshua Lee, Ben Levy, Alex Mosqueda, Jon Peralta, Joseph Roberts, Vince Schwede, Jake Walker, Jon Wilson

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

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 connect@crc.losrios.edu.

Campus News

Seminar: Class familiarizes students with college education the seminar.”

“We are giving students the ful in the long run to me because toolkit to avoid obstacles that I’ll be prepared.” typically come up while trying Brown isn’t the only one bento earn a degree,” said Dr. BJ efiting from Freshman Seminar.

Snowden, a professor of radio According to the Chancel- and digital media, who teaches lor’s Office press release, “stu- one of the Freshman Seminar dents who complete the seminar classes. “There’s always a light enrolled in more units, achieved bulb going off.” higher or comparable GPAs, and As the class comes close to an stay enrolled at higher rates than end, the groups break from their new students who did not take huddles to face the whole class.

Continued from page 1

From each group, one member shares something their group sees as an obstacle to college success.

The class is relaxed and the students speak openly. They interject their experiences into the discussion, talking about how they overcame their own obstacles.

“It’s not just about memorizing dates and facts but it’s about literally learning and becoming a master of your own pathway through college,” Snowden said.

Student: Plan includes ending funding for enrichment courses Continued from page 1

recommendations make “good policy sense and will help ensure that the community colleges are leveraging all available resources to help students succeed,” according to the final report.

However, not all students at Cosumnes River College agree.

One of the recommendations made by the SSTF would require all students to declare an area of study by the end of their third semester in order to maintain enrollment priority, according to the final report.

“I don’t really think it’s fair since some students haven’t decided on a major and are still exploring around,” said 19-year-old horticulture major Omar Espinosa.

The SSTF defines success as the percentage of community college students completing their educational goals and earning a certificate or degree, transferring, or achieving transfer-readiness, according to the final report. William Raasdh, a 22-year-old general education major, agrees with the recommendation because “we only want to look at the successes in life.”

“You can look at the failures but they want to know what the main concern is,” Raasdh said.

“And by looking at successes we can learn what the main concern is.”

Another recommendation made by the SSTF is to align course offerings based on the needs of students.

The plan recommends ending state subsidies for classes that "solely serve an enrichment or recreational purpose,” according to an article from the Sacramento Bee. "It was never my wish to ration attendance at community colleges, but this was forced upon us by the very severe budget cuts," Scott told the Sacramento Bee. "The reality is, we just can't offer everything to everybody."

CRC Academic State Senate President Charles Braden said the work of the senate will focus on influencing how the recommendations are implemented. Many of the proposed changes will require legislation, and the recommendations were left specifically vague, he said.

“Cosumnes River College’s faculty and administration are committed to the success of all of our students and will continue to advocate for a measured, equitable and logical implementation of the task force’s recommendations,” Braden said.

Student Success Task Force Areas of Recommendations "Taken together, these recommendations would strengthen the community college system by expanding those structures and programs that work and realigning our resources with what matters most: student achievement.

1. Increase student readiness for college 2. Strengthen support for entering students 3. Incentivize successful student behaviors 4. Align course offerings to meet student needs 5. Improve the education of basic skills students 6. Revitalize and reenvision professional development 7. Enable efficient statewide leadership and increase coordination among colleges 8. Align resources with student success recommendations."

(Information gathered from the SSTF final report)

Taxes: Economics professor says increase is needed for economy Continued from page 1

more of the tax,” Lichnock said.

He said that the flow of money is what the economy really needs, and that consumers who refuse to spend money are hurting the economy more than anything.

Phuoc Doan, a 19-year-old biological sciences major, said he hopes the proposal passes because he doesn’t want to see more cuts to education.

“Things are already pretty slim and lean as it is. I really don’t want to see that getting any slimmer. I was barely able to get any classes,” Doan said.

Other students disagreed with Brown’s proposal.

Damien Lee, 25, an emergency medical technology major, said that taxes give the government too much power.

“When you control the money,

you really control the people,” Lee said.

He said that increasing taxes will eventually destroy the state from the inside out.

Matthew Theodore, a 26-year-old radio major, said that taxes should not be raised.

“I’m already a poor college student. I don’t need to spend another cent on food or what-not or shelter or anything like that,” Theodore said.

He said the problem is that the government isn’t handling the money properly.

“Manage the money first,” Theodore said. “Then start talking about making cuts.”

Elizabeth Huffman, a political science professor at CRC, said she supports Brown's proposal.

She said the best way to balance the budget is to reduce spending and increase income.

"You can't balance the budget just doing one or the other," Huffman said. "A balanced approach seems to be the most reasonable."

Richard Le, an economics professor at CRC, said these tax increases will have positive and negative effects in terms of consumer spending and education.

“Either you pay a higher price and you have the same service continue, or you don’t pay a higher price and the service will be cut,” Le said.

However, Le said that these are the measures that are needed for the economy.

“I always liken the economy as a patient in hospital,” Le said.

“The patient is dying. The patient needs a blood transfusion.

What do you have to do? You have to give the patient a blood transfusion. Otherwise, the patient will die," he said.

Opinion | February 9, 2012

www.thecrcconnection.com |

Editorial

California colleges face harsh changes at a glance

The Issue: The Student Success Task Force considered the idea of outcome-based funding.

Our View: Outcomebased funding is not the answer, rather we need a dramatic overall change to improve colleges.

Agree? Disagree?

Send comments to connect@crc.losrios. edu

In the past few months, the Student Success Task Force has developed a plan to improve community colleges in California.

Many ideas were discussed: outcome-based funding, improving K-12 education and tracking each student’s history.

After months of meetings between the members, they split over the issue of outcome-based funding, recommending that California sit idle for the time being, while surveying the results of states that have implemented outcomebased funding.

What community colleges need is an overwhelming change. This can be a similar funding procedure to the one already proposed or something else, as long as there is a change.

The point is that a change is needed, and it is needed now.

There have been too many factors changing for

students to keep expecting the same level of success from them. Classes have been reduced in size, questioned on their necessity and others have been completely removed from the list of offered classes.

And on top of that, students’ resources have also been cut. Part-time professors have become a rarity, while the professors left on staff are now being asked to do more, overextending their already limited availability.

Students in a situation of outcome-based funding would be expected to do better, and such a task is unimaginable with budgets cutting students hopes before they are even had.

There are fewer classes being offered year-by-year.

Furthermore, additional cuts are discussed every semester as of late. Student enrollment is still high, and many classes are full while students are left looking for

an open spot.

And the human component is being left out of all of this debate. Even if enrollment stays at a consistent, manageable level and students can get into the classes they need, the school can’t be responsible to keep students from dropping. When a steady number of students continue to drop, the success of the remaining students won’t seem a higher percentage.

Especially when there is an overall smaller numbers of students to look at..

It is not the college’s job to force students to stay in classes, and there will always be a number of students who drop any given class. That itself is something that won’t change on a yearly basis, so how can we grade success when there will always be room for improvement?

In economics class, a phrase gets thrown around quite often: ceteris pari-

bus. What it means is “all else constant.” The phrase is used to explain that you can measure an overall change when one factor is your variable, and all other factors are not changing— ceteris paribus.

Right now, with the negative impacts that community colleges in California have experienced, the success of students is in jeopardy. Ceteris paribus, the success of students seems as if it will be challenged and slowly but surely diminished. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

If another factor is changed, if California doesn’t wait and watch other states’ college systems as its own deteriorates, then things could change for the better.

But until a big change like that is made, until the phrase ceteris paribus is no longer applicable, we will see a decline in the success of students in California community colleges.

3

Hawk Talk What is your ideal Valentine's Day date?

dinner, but it “hasA tocandle-lit be a home cooked meal. ”

Arisha Miles, 21 Psychology major

I'd like to go to another “country.

Have fun by going to the local clubs. ”

Sachin Sewal, 28 RTVF major

Economic issues lead to decline in marriages

By Takara Campbell tcampbell.connect@gmail.com Daydreams and fairy tales filled my days when I was younger. I never had many friends as a child, so I immersed myself into the world of imagination.

One of my common daydreams was being a princess, waiting in a tall tower for my prince to come save me. We would have an elaborate wedding, three children and live happily ever after.

Of course, real life isn’t so idealistic. As I got older, my fairytale world vanished but I never let go of the dream of my elaborate wedding and my perfect husband. It saddens me to see that others have.

Since the ‘60s, the marriage rate has been steadily decreasing, according to a 2010 study by Pew Research Center. As people become more career focused and less family orientated, this out-

come is normal.

However, in the span of one year, the marriage rate fell 5 percent. Now, barely half of all adults are married, not including those who have been widowed or divorced.

I wondered what was wrong.

Why weren’t people getting married? Everyone dreamt of getting married, right?

Apparently I was wrong.

The decreasing marriage rate plus the increasing divorce rate paints a very sad picture in the world of nuptials.

Of course, we can all blame the economy. Let’s face it, weddings, like most other things in life, are expensive.

According to The Wedding Report, a company that gathers wedding data and statistics from all over the country, the average price of a wedding is $26,542.

That figure doesn’t include the price of the honeymoon or the engagement ring, meaning the

true figure is likely much higher.

That’s a lot of money to put into one event. Marriage is sacred but so are my life savings.

At the heart of the issue is the cost. When couples realize how expensive the caterers, venue and entertainment costs, they forgo the wedding and getting married.

In a time of economic turmoil, no one can afford to throw bags of money into a mere ceremony.

We can’t put all the blame on the economy however. There are many ways to get around the cost. If a couple really wanted to get married, there are plenty of “churches” in Las Vegas to elope at.

An even better idea is holding the wedding in the backyard and only invite friends and family. Or better yet, split the cost between both marriage parties. Any of those options can lower the cost of the wedding by thousands of dollars.

Since we’re playing the blame game, let’s focus on the next cul-

prit, the media. The romance genre is one of the best cash cows in the industry.

Many people, myself included, flock to the next romantic movie release, whether it be a modern tale about vampires and werewolves or the classic star crossed lovers.

We eat that up and take it to heart, leaving us an idea of what true love is supposed to be. Then we look to our own love life and feel horribly disappointed.

The media causes many of us to have sky high expectations of what our significant other should actually be like. None of these expectations are realistic and not every relationship on T.V. we see is healthy, no matter how ‘romantic’ and ‘sweet’ .

Maybe we’re living in a cynical world where we want fantasy to be reflected in reality. Whatever the case, I’m still holding out hope for my prince to sweep me off my feet.

“

I'd like to hang out and watch movies. You don't need to spend a lot.

”

Samantha Fox, 19 Business major

Use our QR code to view our Hawk Talk video at THECRCCONNECTION.com!

Compiled by Alex Mosqueda Photos by Carlo Dela Cruz

February 9, 2012 |

4 | www.thecrcconnection.com

The Love Connection "I would just like to wish all the ladies out there a most joyous Valentine's Day. I hope everybody will make this Valentine's Day one to remember."

- Devan Burg "Happy Valentine's Day. I love you a lot."

- Delanie Balanay "I love you, Ashley. Thank you so much for being there for me during these hard times.

Happy Valentine's Day." - Thomas O'Brien "We have been through so much and I am glad you are still here. Happy Valentine's Day." - Emely Zavala

Lifestyle

Modern romance: is technology a friend or foe in your romantic life? changed,” Espinoza said. “It’s just different, it is so easy to sit behind a computer or a phone and Cosumnes River College express your feelings nowadays.” student Joseph Espinoza wakes Espinoza said he didn’t meet up every morning to a text from his girlfriend on Facebook, but his girlfriend, then rolls out of admits it was easier to flirt and bed and checks his Facebook feed communicate at any time. for any exciting news from his “A lot of our getting-to knowfriends. each-other conversations took The 18-year-old psychology place through text,” he said. “I major sees that his friend changed was also able to plan dates and his relationship status to in a rela- hangouts a lot easier through text tionship, and it’s accompanied by and Facebook.” many comments and likes.

Communications professor Now that the relationship is Colette Harris-Mathews agreed Facebook official, the romance that while definition of romance can begin. hasn’t changed, the way people In the days of Facebook, engage in it has.

Twitter and cell phones, the way “The way people engage in people conduct in romances has interpersonal relationships has changed. Love letters have be- changed based on social media come text messages and valen- and how people construct a relatines cards have become ecards. tionship,” she said. “But the defi“I don’t think romance has nition of romance or a particular

By Zachary Hannigan zhannigan.connect@gmail.com

that technology is available to us.

“You can meet someone over the Internet or you can tweet someone, you can create a whole persona,” she said. “You can meet someone over Twitter, you’ve never seen them, you don’t know them. It’s the type of persona someone's created that attracts type of love has not changed.” you.”

Although Espinoza said roCommunicating through mance hasn’t changed, the way the Internet or text can be more we communicate is not romantic. stressful than face-to-face inter“I’m a bit of a Casanova, I en- action said Harris-Mathews. joy hand written letters, poems According to Match.com, and giving flowers,” Espinoza said. 1-in-5 relationships start online, Some students haven’t had as and that number is still growing. much luck as others.

“I have lots of friends that “When someone breaks up met their girlfriend or boyfriend with you through text, it hurts through social media,” Espinoza more than face-to-face, it feels like said. a lack of respect,” said 19-year-old “I won’t comment on how business major Rickey Banks. they are doing, but let’s just say Harris-Mathews said that that they didn’t quite live up to relationships have changed now their Facebook biography.”

Zero waste event a step towards campus sustainability

By Tammi Kolesinski tkolesinski.connect@gmail.com

Cosumnes River College held the pre-semester convocation, a faculty meeting for professors, faculty and staff on Jan. 13.

Food was served and everyone spent the day being educated.

“Working together, we made history within our district yesterday,” said geography professor Debra Sharkey. “We completed the first known zero waste event at a Los Rios Community College District convocation.”

The zero waste event generates little to no landfill waste.

“Four years ago this campus wasn’t thinking very sustainably,” Sharkey said. “Spring 2007 we really started thinking sustainability.

I think it’s a process. People are becoming more aware.”

CRC offers several classes, clubs and the Sustainability Committee where students can get involved.

“This all began with a student project in Geography 302, Envi-

ronmental Studies and Sustainability,” Sharkey said.

Students in Sharkey’s Geography 302 class interviewed horticulture professor Dave Andrews about composting some of the waste generated from the cafeteria at CRC, but his composting efforts could only handle 20 pounds of the waste.

Sonya Marshall-Bruner, a 46-year-old sociology major in Sharkey’s class, had already contacted Atlas Disposal, the school’s current waste disposal service, and surprised everyone with a viable solution, Sharkey said.

“Atlas had all the resources available, we just weren’t using them,” Marshall-Bruner said.

“They even provide training from staff on what to do.”

Aramark, the company who runs the CRC cafeteria and their manager Jeff Caponera got on board with the idea, as did culinary arts professor Cynthia Torres.

They had recycling bins and the new composting bin in place.

The faculty, especially President Debbie Travis, got on board.

A week before fall finals the planning began for the first ever zero waste event.

“I was surprised,” Sharkey said. “It’s critical to have staff on board. It all fell into place.”

There was one pound of garbage from Aramark and the food prep was not completed with zero waste in mind, Sharkey said.

On the consumption side of the event, 94.8 percent of waste materials were diverted from traditional disposal such as land-filling or incineration to be recycled, composted or re-used.

Students will be affected by this landmark event through the resulting little blue composting buckets Aramark has already put out in the cafeteria for student use.

They are also looking into getting the kind of eating utensils that were used at the convocation, Sharkey said.

Torres ordered the compostable silver ware from Restaurant Depot for the convocation

and it only cost $10 more than the regular non-compostable variety.

The cost has gone down on such items because “everyone wants it now,” she said.

She is helping the cafeteria kitchen to reduce waste by color coding trash cans and educating her students.

“It’s just education and it’s a school so we can educate them,” Torres said.

While it is a huge accomplishment for everyone involved and a feather in the cap of CRC, outside of green classes, student clubs and other carefully planned events, students aren’t likely to see campus grown fruit and veggies on the cafeteria menu, probably not for a while, Sharkey said.

“The challenge is, you have to educate people,” Sharkey said. “We don’t have a program. We need to

educate and change behavior. We need something to get student attention.”

Marshall-Bruner had a life changing experience in Sharkey’s class.

“I’m living more green. I’m recycling and thinking about what I’m throwing away,” MarshallBruner said.

“We've only got one planet.”

Students attempt to keep New John Green, faultless novel Year's resolutions despite struggles

Yes, the narrator, 16-year-old Hazel Lancaster, has cancer, but it is not the forefront of the story.

“The Fault in Our Stars” is It is of her and Augustus Waters, young adult author John Green’s whom she meets at a cancer supfourth solo book. After reading it, port group.

I can honestly say it is Cancer merely nothing like I had explays the role in bringpected, in the best posing the two teenagers sible way. together and helps give When I heard one them a maturity not of my favorite authors usually found amongst was writing a new book people their age. my excitement skyAs most of Green’s rocketed, and when I books, romance is one heard that it was about of the themes prevalent a girl with cancer my in the story. excitement diminished.

“I fell in love the A book about cancer makes way you fall asleep: slowly, and me think of something sad, de- then all at once,” Hazel said. pressing and heart-wrenching.

“The Fault in Our Stars” is The only other possibility, which long enough to stand alone and I was hoping for, was a sad but engaging enough to keep you reading to the very end. empowering story.

By Stephan Starnes sstarnes.connect@gmail.com

By Joshua Lee jlee.connect@gmail.com Every year, people make New Year’s resolutions whether they want to achieve goals or do things they’ve never attempted. But are people sticking to their New Year’s resolution and how are they doing it?

The top New Year’s resolutions of 2012 are to lose weight, try new things and enjoy life, according to an online journal from USA Gov. “This year, my New Year’s resolutions are to experience new things, be healthier and to travel,” said 22-year-old Alicia Saelee, a liberal arts major. Saelee said that she has been taking short trips out of Sacramento to the Bay Area to get started on one of her

new year’s resolution.

“I’m also cutting my sugar consumption and being more aware of what I eat,” Saelee said.

“If you’re going to change a habit, you have to find something to replace it,” said Professor Hagenburger, a nutrition professor at Cosumnes River College.

In order to be successful in keeping a New Year’s resolution, people need to be specific in their goals, be inspired and set one’s self up for success, according to Duke Today, an online journal.

“One of the major mistakes with people and setting goals is they’re not specific,” said Hagenburger. “You have to include the ‘how’ and have your goal set."

For those whose New Year’s resolution is either to lose weight or eat healthier, Hagenburger rec-

ommends on planning an exercise and what to eat a day ahead.

Another one of the top New Year’s resolutions is to try new things. Jennifer Sernholt, a 26-year-old accounting major, said she plans to run the Tough Mudder, which is a half a marathon that is taking place in September in Sonoma, CA. “I run six to seven days a week in order to train myself for the marathon,” said Sernholt. “I eat healthier and I work out at the gym to prepare myself.”

The best way to keep up with a New Year’s resolution or a goal is to have a motivation said Professor Hagenburger.

For Sernholt, her motivation was her son. “Everything I do is for him.”

Lifestyle | February 9, 2012

www.thecrcconnection.com |

Smashburger delivers a spin on the classic burger

By Cody Durham cdurham.connect@gmail.com If a large, juicy, all-around American burger is what you desire, then Smashburger is the place to go. With an upbeat environment, a vast menu and great customer service, Smashburger earns its spot as one of the top local burger joints.

Smashburger, located at 7701 Laguna Blvd., held its grand opening Feb. 1, and was greeted with long lines of customers that wrapped outside the front door.

Smashburger surprisingly pumps out burgers and serves its customers in a quick and efficient manner which effectively eliminates the dread of long lines. Upon entering the restaurant, customers are introduced to a unique modern industrial design with adequate lighting inside and out.

The seating can sufficiently seat large crowds of burger lovers.

Smashburger portrays a casual, relaxing and fun environment to eat and is supported by its extensive menu. Although some of the items on the menu may be a bit expensive, they definitely earn their price in quality.

Expectantly, their burgers are the focal point. The manner in which their burger patties are made is exactly how the name implies. They take a large ball of burger meat and smash it down with an iron press, leaving customers with a great sized, flavorfilled burger that sticks outside of the bun.

If the burger is not your thing

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5

Smashburger provides everything one would want in a great American burger joint..

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don’t worry, Smashburger also Cody Durham has a wide variety of all-white Staff Writer meat crispy or grilled chicken sandwiches, complemented with a large list of sauces, toppings and buns. You can’t go wrong with a burger or chicken sandwich.

Author’s score is out of five The list, however, does not stop there. They have varieties of veggie burgers, hot dogs and sides such as traditional fries, sweet potato fries, haystack onions, fried Cody Durham| The Connection pickles and hearty beef chili that will definitely satisfy.

Smashburger also offers a veggie frites side and a variety of salads for the vegetarian individuals. To wash it all down you can either go with classic fountain sodas, iced tea or savory Häagen-Dazs shakes. Smashburger’s menu provides plenty of delicious meals and sides that are sure to please even the pickiest of customers.

Customers are sure to leave with smiles on their faces and a satisfied feeling in their stomachs.

Manager David Cannon, 43, who has been running restaurants for 23 years, emphasized that great customer service is the main expectation of his employees. With the speed, quality and politeness of his employees, it’s clear that Cannon’s expectations are being met.

Smashburger provides everything one would want in a great American burger joint. With a delicious menu, upbeat environment and employees that are dedCody Durham | The Connection icated to their customers, Smashburger deserves a visit from all A create-your-own burger with a crispy chipotle bun and pepper jack cheese sitting next to a large tray individuals. of sea salt fries and a classic soft drink, just one of the many options on Smashburger's extensive menu.

Audio visual technician by day, rock star by night

Share your thoughts at thecrcconnection.com

Compiled by Stephan Starnes All photos are courtesy photos

b

At 53, Madonna played the Super Bowl halftime show, showing that she can still wow the crowd.

"I thought she was a trend back in the past," 18-yearold language studies major Zack Gonzalaz said. "I didn't know that she still had what she had."

of music.

“It started a dance band, but now we’re a variety band because we cover southern rock, classic rock, latin, dance, disco and hard rock,” he said.

Playing live shows is one of the bands best traits and they love doing it, Lovett said.

In 2010, the band played at the Fountains in Roseville in front of a crowd of more than 300 people.

“As a musician, you always wonder what it would be like to play in front of your screaming friends and this was it, those people were screaming and yelling and dancing to every song we Professor James Lovett played,” Lovett said.

This year's Super Bowl, and its commercials, had a record 111.3 million viewers this year, according to NBC. "The M&Ms commercial was unique, interesting and unexpected," said Bryan Lindsley, 19, undecided major. "It was not the typical commercial."

Tech

"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close," adapted from the novel by Jonathon Safran Foer, hit theaters on Jan. 20th.

"I'm looking forward to it," Robert Ventura, 21, cinematography major.

"Mostly for the cinematography and that it looks pretty interesting."

is a big transition, Lovett has a few skills that made the switch a little easier.

“I knew enough about harmonic theory that I could weave my way around things,” he said.

“Being a tech I can program keyboards and come up with the sounds that are pretty close to the records, and I think that’s one of the things killing the keyboardists around here, is they’ll just use stock patches.”

Lovett said he really enjoys playing with this band and that “there are no major egos, everyone does their homework and comes in prepared.”

Lovett would not categorize Groovethang as any sort of genre

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New Cosumnes River College audio visual technician James Lovett can not only set up any event, but can also liven them up with his own music.

Lovett was exposed to music at a young age and credits that to his love of music.

“Back in those days, parents didn’t use babysitters, so they took you to the bar with them,” Lovett said. “They gave me money to play with the jukebox, it was right when Ray Charles was coming out and I was hooked.”

Soon after falling in love with music, Lovett started to get into

the audio and visual side of technology. At CRC, Lovett assists in the support of all audio and video systems, such as projectors, amplifiers and new system integrations, he said.

Lovett said he really enjoys his job at CRC and likes how friendly everyone is.

“There is a real energy to this place,” he said.

After playing jazz guitar for almost 30 years, Lovett switched to keyboards and started playing for his current band Groovethang.

“Keyboardists in this town work,” he said. “You got a million guitarists and you have like three keyboardists.”

Although guitar to keyboard

Cele

By Zachary Hannigan zhannigan.connect@gmail.com

Apple's iOS 5 came with iMessage, letting people text for free, according to Apple.

"Its one of the best ways for communication," said 21-year old kinesiology major Sagar Gupta. "It's the best way to communicate around the world without spending a nickel or a dime."

February 9, 2012 |

6 | www.thecrcconnection.com

Sports

Hawks set to be road warriors, coach says on the field. However, the Hawks also have the least amount of players of any team in the Big 8 After the 2011 season ended this year with 24 players on its just one game short of making roster. the State Finals, the baseball team But Bloomfield said fewer will face an unusual obstacle in players might give the Hawks an getting back to that point this advantage. season.

“We think our guys have With construction underway better team chemistry. We think at CRC, the baseball field was we get along better. They buy-in,” demolished and will not be rebuilt Bloomfield said. “We think we until next season, meaning the can beat anybody. If you walk Hawks will play all of its games through the gate every day with away from CRC this year. that mentality then you got a Hawks’ head coach Tony chance.”

Bloomfield said being away from The Hawks have lost a lot home won’t have an impact on his of players from last year, as only team. nine players have carried over to “We’re not even talking about this season. it. It has no relevancy on what One of the returning players our season ends up to be like,” is sophomore catcher Shawn Bloomfield said. “Our kids will Wheeler, who Bloomfield said led be mentally tougher for it. They’ll the team in hitting last season and learn to play on the road. We’re is one of the team’s best players. going to be the road warriors.”

And while his plans are to In lieu of a home field, win the Big 8 championship for Bloomfield said the Hawks' the fourth time in what will be players have spent a limited time his 14th year coaching at CRC, practicing at nearby Sheldon High Bloomfield doesn’t have a win/ School, and have spent the rest of loss prediction because his team their time in the weight room and has been focused on the present. in CRC’s indoor batting cage.

“We’re thinking about the Bloomfield said he is strict next pitch, the next inning. We on his players in practice and don’t think in advance at all,” believes that disciplined practices Bloomfield said. “We’re a oneallow the team to play more freely pitch group. This is one inning, during games. one game at a time.”

“It’s a different program than Despite having fewer players some of the other programs,” said on the roster, only nine returning Bloomfield. “Our kids are more players and no games at CRC, accountable.”

Bloomfield said the Hawks don’t Bloomfield said experience plan on letting anything get in may help the Hawks this season, their way of winning. as the Hawks have one of the “No excuses. We’ll be fine,” he oldest teams that he’s ever put said.

By Jon Wilson jlwilson.connect@gmail.com

Ian Graves | The Connection

Freshman pitcher Jared Ney throws a pitch against his teammate in a scrimmage at Sheldon High School on Feb. 6. Due to construction, the Hawks will practice and play all of their games away from CRC.

Softball team loses in opening day doubleheader

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Chris Beckham | Special to The Connection

Freshman shortstop Alyssa Greenhaw gets ready to lay down a bunt in the first game of the season. The softball team kicked off the 2012 season on Feb. 4 in front of a crowd of approximately 70 people at home against the San Jose City College Jaguars.

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Sports | February 9, 2012

www.thecrcconnection.com |

7

Women's basketball team keeps winning Hawks are in first place in the Big 8 with 18-5 record Vince Schwede vschwede.connect@gmail.com The Cosumnes River College women’s basketball team has plenty to be excited about this season.

With its strong defense and screen-and-cut offense, the Hawks have soared to the top of the Big 8, with an 18-5 overall record and a 9-1 conference record.

“I think so far this has been the best season we’ve had since I’ve been here,” head coach Coral Sage said.

Although the team is having a great season, the Hawks still need to work on turnovers and team rebounding, Sage said.

The Hawks began their season with the CRC Invitation on Nov. 11-13.

CRC won the first two games of the tournament but lost in the championship game against the Fullerton College Hornets 70-44.

The loss didn’t stall the Hawks, as they went on to win five out of the next six games.

Freshman guard Brooke Fletcher said the team has learned to fight through adversity.

“I’ve actually learned that

we’re really strong women,” Fletcher said.

After two straight losses to Solano and Moorpark, CRC went on a nine game winning streak.

Sage said the recipe for the Hawks’ success has been its intense half-court defense and its free-flow offense.

“It makes it hard to scout because there isn’t really a set to it,” Sage said.

One game ended dramatically when the Hawks beat the Santa Rosa Bear Cubs 60-59 on Jan. 24.

At the end of that game, sophomore forward Natalia Gibson hit a jump shot with three seconds left, giving CRC its first ever victory against Santa Rosa.

“It felt amazing,” said Gibson.

“I was in shock for awhile. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh! Did I just make that shot?’”

The win also put CRC in first place in the Big 8.

The Hawks’ nine game winning streak, however, came to an end in a loss to Delta College 80-50 on Jan. 27.

“We were just out of it,” said sophomore guard Andraquay Quinnine. “We kind of got lackadaisical, since we were 8-0.”

Sage said the loss was a wakeup call for them.

“We can’t rest,” Sage said. “We have to keep pushing and keep pushing.”

Like the team did after the CRC Invitation loss, the Hawks bounced back, beating Modesto

Ben Levy | The Connection

Sophomore guard Andraquay Quinnine moves up court, leaving a Santa Rosa defender on her back on Jan. 24. The Hawks won the game 60-59. The win also put the team in first place in the Big 8.

Junior College 80-64 and American River College 64-46.

With three games left before the playoffs begin on Feb. 22, the

Hawks are positioned to finish on top of their conference.

The Hawks will play their next game against Sierra College

on Feb. 10 at 5:30 p.m. The Hawks last played Sierra on the road on Jan. 17 and won the matchup 6650.

Men’s basketball team stars in Feb. 3’s televised game Hawks improve record to 16-9 and remain in third place in Big 8 Jon Wilson jlwilson.connect@gmail.com The Cosumnes River College Hawks beat the American River College Beavers in a game that was broadcast live on Access Sacramento on Feb. 3.

It was also Breast Cancer Awareness Night for the men’s and women’s basketball teams, as the stands were decorated in pink streamers and both teams wore pink warm-up tees.

Hawks’ men’s head coach James Giacomazzi said the night meant a lot to the college.

“It’s a great cause. We have a lot of faculty and staff here that have survived cancer. They come out and they support it,” said Giacomazzi. “I’m rocking my pink tie.”

The Hawks controlled the opening tip-off, scored the first basket of the game and never lost control of the lead from there on out.

The Hawks leading scorer this season, sophomore forward Tony Gill, had a hot shooting hand all night and finished with a game-high 29 points from mostly jump shots.

“Coach has been on me the last few games for not being aggressive enough and not looking for my own shots,” Gill said. “I got going in the first half.

The second half they gave me more attention, which opened up everything for everybody else.”

There were stretches in both halves where ARC shot well from the perimeter.

But the Hawks showed resilience and composure and found a way to counter the Beavers every time ARC looked like it may have a shot to close in on the lead.

One such counter came with less than a minute left in the first half. ARC climbed to within three points before the Hawks scored an easy two, and then Hawks’ sophomore forward Ryan Salmonson blocked a Beavers layup attempt to set up a layup of his own.

“I saw a lot of heart. I saw a lot of fight. I saw a lot of grit,” Giacomazzi said. “When they made a little run we didn’t really panic. We stayed composed. We made some shots when we had to and we shared the ball well.”

Sharing the ball led to a big play for the Hawks early in the second half when sophomore forward JJ Mina blocked an ARC layup attempt, passed the ball up-court to sophomore guard Allan Brown, who then found sophomore forward James

Tillman near the basket. Tillman dunked the ball, which brought the crowd to their feet.

“When I’m running, I dunk every time,” Tillman said, who had 18 points and was a huge source of energy for the Hawks.

“I’m just that type of guy who just runs and just keeps going. I just work myself until I get tired.”

The Hawks also made their mark on the game through interior defense.

The Beavers were forced to score most of their points from jump shots, as Hawks’ forwards Mina, Salmonson, Gill and Tillman all made scoring points in the paint tough for ARC. Mina, Salmonson and Tillman even came up with some blocked shots.

“We just wanted to pack it in.

No drives to the basket,” Tillman said. "Nothing inside. Just let them shoot because they’re not a very good shooting team.”

This was the second time the Hawks beat the Beavers this season, with both wins coming by double-digit margins.

The Hawks will play their next home game on Feb. 10 against Sierra College. The team last played Sierra on the road on Jan. 17 and lost the game 90-77.

With three conference games left in the regular season, the Hawks need to win in order to hold on to third place in the Big 8 and earn a chance to make the playoffs.

Ben Levy | The Connection

Sophomore forward Ryan Salmonson goes for a layup against ARC freshman guard Elliot Collins on Breast Cancer Awareness night.

February 9, 2012 |

8 | www.thecrcconnection.com

Campus News

History professor receives award for exemplary service and teaching Professor Mukantabana recognized for work in raising genocidal awareness

By Imran Majid imajid.connect@gmail.com Cosumnes River College awarded the Crystal Apple Award to history professor Mathilde Mukantabana at its annual Spring Convocation on Jan. 13.

The award, given to professors who display exemplary service in teaching, is bestowed annually by the CRC faculty. In the process of earning the award, Mukantabana was also nominated for the Hayward Award, which is given by the California Community College State Academic Senate, said CRC Academic State President Charles Braden.

“Professor Mukantabana is not only an amazing instructor, but a great person,” said CRC Public Information Officer Kristie West. “Her work with the Rwandan community and her efforts to raise awareness about genocide is to be commended.”

Mukantabana lost many of her friends and family to genocidal killings in Rwanda at an early age. The experience has shaped her life and she said she believes that “each individual has a responsibility of trying to mend that society.”

“If there's such a capacity for violence and by so many people,

what does this say about our hu- within the academia and teach manity? I really don't know,” Mu- about genocide then it will be the kantabana said. “I don't want to first step to fight against it,” Mubelieve that I could ever entertain kantabana said.

Mukantabana has also spothe thought of killing fellow human beings but killers in Rwanda ken at many major universities, and anywhere else are not always including Brown University and University of Southern Califormonsters.”

Mukantabana founded the nia. She believes that students are Friends of Rwanda Association in an extension of her and that “if 1995. Her purpose was to provide they are willing to work, they are relief to those affected by geno- willing to engage, then they can do well.” cide.

“We are all here for “It gives a It is the realization the same thing,” Mukanpurpose to life, tabana said. “As human to people there,” that I am not alone beings, we want peace, Mukant abana in understanding said. “It’s given the serious nature of we want happiness. We hope to people this issue. I am happy want to improve our lives who thought that my colleagues at wherever we are.”

Mukantabana said they were com- CRC are as concerned and are supportive that winning the Crystal pletely gone.”

Yet Mu- of my efforts in many Apple Award was “humbling” and is thankful for kantabana re- different ways. the amount of support alized she was Mathilde behind the award. also confrontMukantabana “It is the realizaing a “mounHistory Professor tion that I am not alone tain-wave of negationism.” in understanding the In 1999, she added teaching and serious nature of this issue,” Muorganizing international confer- kantabana said. “I am happy that ences about genocidal awareness my colleagues at CRC are as conto her program’s list of goals. cerned and are supportive of my “You could either really re- efforts in many different ways.” coil and die and not say anything Lisa Abraham, an English or try to address what has hap- professor, traveled with Mukantapened,” Mukantabana said. “And bana to Rwanda last summer and that was part of the healing pro- said that the trip “deepened my cess.” understanding of both her expeSince 1999, Mukantabana has riences as an individual and her helped organize four major con- philosophies.” ferences in various universities “I can’t think of anyone who and countries, including Rwanda exemplifies more than Mathilde and Argentina. Scholars around the idea of making the connecthe world attend and discuss the tion between the intellectual acavarious aspects of genocides and demic exercises that we practice holocausts, including the eco- on a college campus and creating nomic and social impact. real change in the world outside,” “We believe if we can go Abraham said.

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Imran Majid | The Connection

History professor Mathilde Mukantabana presents a lesson on the process of Reconstruction after the Civil War. Mukantabana said she believes that students are an extension of her and that “if they are willing to work, they are willing to engage, then they can do well.”

Los Rios Community College Chancellor announces retirement after 16 years of service Brice Harris served during times of expansion, budget cuts

chancellor in the history of the LRCCD and was named Sacramentan of the Year in 2011 by the Sacramento Metro Chamber, according to an article in the Sacramento Business Journal.

Harris said he originally began his work with the American community college system in 1972 where he was part of the

By Alex Mosqueda faculty for Kansas City Commuamosqueda.connect@gmail.com nity College in Missouri. Eventually he made his way to CaliforAfter serving the Los Rios nia when he accepted a position Community College District for with Fresno City College. Then in more than a decade, Chancellor 1996 he applied for chancellor of Brice Harris announced on Jan. the LRCCD where he worked to 12 his plans for retirement at the improve the community college end of August. system in Sacramento.

“Dr. Harris’ retirement will “Chancellor Harris has been be a great loss to the Los Rios a huge asset to Cosumnes River Community College District,” College and the Los Rios Comsaid Markus Geissler, professor munity College District,” said of computer information science. CRC Public Information Officer “His outstanding ability to unite Kristie West. “He has accomall of our district’s stakeholders plished a great deal during his through the development of our time here, including advocacy for shared value, and his consistent California community colleges, reference and adherence to those transforming the district colleges values, will continue to allow us with the passage of bond meato serve more students efficiently sures and most recently, providinto the future.” ing the college staff with a sense Harris is the longest serving of calm during this budget crisis.

He will be greatly missed and his shoes will be difficult to fill.”

Since beginning his career in education, Harris made himself known as an advocate for community colleges and the benefits they provide to the students.

“American community colleges are the youngest segment in the higher education system,” Harris said. “They in the past have been overlooked but in the past 10 years there has been a dramatic uptake and real improvement in image. Unfortunately in this economy climate the money hasn’t caught up.”

Harris was recently praised for his accomplishment of leading the district through two local bond measures, which provided funds to renovate and expand facilities at all four Los Rios colleges.

“Dr. Harris’ greatest contribution to our district was his ability to unite the community behind the bond measures that have allowed our district to expand and modernize its facilities to help us serve our students,” Geissler said.

However, Harris insists he

didn’t work alone throughout these contributions.

“I haven’t accomplished anything, but we as a team have,” Harris said. “Our greatest achievement has been one, the improved performance of students, two, raising awareness of these colleges and three, the dramatic improvement of the facilities. One person can’t accomplish all this on his own, this is all dependent on a team effort.”

When asked for any suggestions for the next LRCCD chancellor, Harris had only one piece of advice.

“Anybody joining the Los Rios community must seek to understand the values of the things we value, which is the students and the facilities. You should be encouraged to do whatever to keep those values in.”

As Los Rios’ longest serving chancellor, Harris said he will mostly miss the students and staff that make the Los Rios districts.

“I’ll miss the the students, staff and the faculty,” Harris said.

“It’s been a wonderful 16 years that I’ve had.”

Courtesy Photo

joining the Los “RiosAnybody community must seek to understand the values of the things we value, which is the students and the facilities.

You should be encouraged to do whatever to keep those values in.

”

Brice Harris Los Rios Community College Chancellor