The Connection Vol. 61 Issue 3

The power of storytelling Five hundred books read in 100 days? The Child Development Center has taken on the lofty challenge to expand literacy and broaden taste in literature.

News | Page 2

Volume 61, Issue 3

CAMPUS PULSE

Students react to online courses

www.theCRCconnection.com

March 14, 2013

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

By Courtney Rich crich.connect@gmail

Students at California colleges may have greater opportunity to attend highdemand classes if Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget is approved this May. In an attempt to alleviate high class enrollment rates, Brown has proposed a $37 million investment in distance education at California colleges, according to the Sacramento Bee. The proposed investment is meant to allow more students to take popular classes and do so without hiking enrollment prices.

Brown’s focus on high enrollment will benefit students at Cosumnes River College who have issues enrolling in classes.

“I have to sign up for [prerequisite] classes the minute they become available, or I won’t be able to get into them,” said culinary arts major Jacquie Robinson.

Brown plans to give $16.9 million of the allotted $37 million to community colleges, according to the Sac Bee. However, CRC may not see a difference in online courses offered.

“We cur“We currently rently offer more offer more online online courses the state will courses than the than reimburse us for,” state will said CRC Vice President of Inreimburse us struction Whitfor.” ney Yamamura. “[So] we will -Whitney Yamura probably absorb CRC Vice President the funding, and if there is additional money next year, we may add more distance education.”

Online courses have a higher enrollment speed than traditional courses at CRC. “They fill up first. All classes are filling, but the fill rate is faster for online courses,” Yamamura said.

Despite their popularity, there are students on campus who would not take online courses even if it meant getting into a class that they were formerly unable to enroll in.

“I don’t really care too much for online classes because you can’t really communicate with the teacher,” said 25-year-old automotive major Steve Walker.

Most students who avoid online courses have qualms with their capacities to get distracted.

“Personally, I feel like I have a shorter attention span when I’m online because ‘oh there’s facebook,’ or ‘oh there’s a social media site,’” said 21-year-old English major Cody Simpson. “So for me it’s harder to concentrate.”

Dominic Orage, a 22-year-old journalism major, shared a similar sentiment.

“I know me, and I wouldn’t really go online to do it,” Orage said. “So coming [to campus], I know I’d actually get work done.”

Online | Page 2

Stephan Starnes | The Connection

Guitarist Sean Kennedy and banjo player Jake Gates practicing their song “Fifteen Minutes” with their band The Vietnams.

Elk Grove indie band steps into spotlight

By Mozes Zarate mzarate.connect@gmail In a crammed living room in suburbia, folk songs of heartache and human experience filled the practice space as The Vietnams rehearsed “Empty Sea.” The name was the “brainchild of a three-hour long Denny’s session,” said banjo player Jake Gates.

On Jan. 25, the Elk Grove band released their debut album, “Garston Parade,” with the support of a loyal fan base of friends and strangers around the world.

On March 20, the band will perform their first live showcase on Good Day Sacra-

mento.

History is moving quickly for the band, who have been playing together for almost a year now.

“There’s definitely a good group dynamic, especially considering a year ago, none of us were even hanging out,” said vocalist Sean Kennedy. “It’s kind of crazy.

But it’s certainly a good thing.”

The band was the result of a jam session between Kennedy and guitarist Brent Elkings, a student at Cosumnes River College. Impressed with a compilation of acoustic recordings Kennedy uploaded onto the internet, Elkings reached out to him.

The album’s single, “Oh Miss Deceiver,” was written from a sheet of lyrics and a chord progression Elkings kept on the backburner for years.

“It set the tone for everything else,” Elkings said.

The subsequent members joined with CRC music major Seth Coalwell on keys, Gates with the banjo, Byron Rosario on ukulele and Karen Huntington with backing vocals. The musical energy was instantaneous.

“In the past bands that I’ve been in, it’s been a struggle just to get five or six songs together to put onto a CD. Once I Band | Page 7

CAMPUS GROWTH

Photo department: a picture perfect move

By Stephan Starnes sstarnes.connect@gmail Tucked away in the corner of the Business and Social Science Building at Cosumnes River College, the photography room is hidden in a recessed wall along a row of offices.

Walking inside can be a jarring experience, since most classes on campus look like they serve a single purpose.

However, in the nearly windowless room in the old brick building, you’ll notice rows of chairs, tables lined with computers, backdrops and electrical outlets hanging from the ceiling, as well as other equally isolated rooms off to the side.

That’s not to mention the darkroom itself, as well as another room filled with printers.

Students say it can be difficult getting used to not having a desk to write on, and each day they hope to remember to bring a thicker notebook or a clipboard to write

on.

can expect a completely revamped expe“That photo lab now, it’s like you rience, as the Winn Center for Construcwalk in there and you’re in a cave,” pho- tion and Architecture is set to open. to professor Patty Felkner said. “It’s just Winn Center | Page 7 dark and gloomy.

You can literally go in and come out and it’s dark or the weather’s changed and you won’t even know.”

Felkner described even feeling sick to her stomach, as there are no windows for the smells of chemical toners to escape through.

Stephan Starnes | The Connection How e v e r, starting next se- The Winn Center for Construction and Architecture is set to mester, students open in time for the fall 2013 semester.

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NEWS

MARCH 14, 2013

www.thecrcconnection.com

The Connection Editor in Chief Zach Hannigan News Editor Josh Slowiczek Features Editor Britni Alford Sports Editor Cody Durham Opinion Editor Brittany Patrick Online Editor Scott Redmond Photo Editor Britni Alford Multimedia Editor Mary Garcia Copy Editor Kevin Frodahl Stephan Starnes Faculty Adviser Rubina Gulati

Editorial Assitants Ben Brown Emily Collins Rachel Norris Sean Thomas Elizabeth Witt Mozes Zarate

Staff Katana Brown Latisha Gibson Oswaldo Guzman Justin Lane Victor Macias Courtney Rich Jonathan Rich Nick Valenzuela

The Connection is an awardwinning 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).

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They must be 200 words or less and may be edited for length, clarity or taste.

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Online: students weigh in Continued from page 1

Some students, however, are able to work around the distractions of working at home and enjoy the luxury of taking classes online.

“I like that I had the ability to take them late at night, early mornings, in my pajamas, that was a good thing for me,” Robinson said. “There was a lot of flexibility.”

Flexibility is a major selling point for students interested in taking online courses.

“I work full time, and coming to Elk Grove to take classes all the time can be really inconvenient,” said Emmanuel Valadez, a 22-year-old English major. “That’s why I like taking courses online, I

can fit them into my schedule that way.”

Not having to commute to campus is another motivation for taking online courses.

“I live half an hour away,” said Tyler Austin, an 18-year-old with an undeclared major. “So it would save me a drive.”

Students at CRC acknowledge the positive aspects of online education, but also remain aware of their ability to focus in such a setting. With the pitfalls of at-home courses, there are still benefits for students.

“In this day and age, where it requires you to work like 70 hours a week to sustain a living, I could see how it’s a lot more convenient to be able to do online classes,” Simpson said.

Study Abroad in London

By Josh Slowiczek jslowiczek.connect@gmail The Northern California Study Abroad Consortium program for the fall 2013 semester in London is fast approaching its priority application deadline of April 19.

The program offers students from Cosumnes River College and other campuses in the consortium the opportunity to live and study in London for a period of four months, starting Sept. 5.

“It’s about personal growth,” said Colette Harris-Mathews, a communication studies professor at CRC who will be one of four professors travelling with students. “More organizations are requesting that students have global confidence.”

During their academic stay, students will have the chance to visit locations such as Scotland, Paris and Stonehenge, along with the opportunity to use the University of London library, HarrisMathews said.

Students will be required to maintain a total of 12 units with a 2.25 minimum GPA during the

semester. Six of the units must be taken from CRC while the remainder may be from courses offered from other institutions through the program, according to the Los Rios Study Abroad website.

“It’s about the attitude enhancement and change of a student, having an understanding of how others live and how others value,” Harris-Mathews said. “I think that students will see that we look at the world through a western lens.”

The cost of attending the program is comparable to what a student would spend in the United States over the same period, Harris-Mathews said. Certain scholarships are available for students, who may also apply financial aid funds towards the cost of the program.

Students interested are encouraged to attend one of the remaining open orientation meetings this month. The dates and times of these meetings, along with more information on the program, may be found on the Los Rios Study Abroad website or by contacting their office at 916691–7187.

Armed robbery occurs near Calvine entrance

By Josh Slowiczek jslowiczek.connect@gmail A Cosumnes River College student was robbed at gunpoint on the evening of March 7 while walking along Calvine Road just east of the campus entrance, according to a Los Rios Police Department campus crime bulletin.

The robbery occurred around 9:30 p.m. when an unknown suspect armed with a semi-automatic handgun, wearing a ski mask, white hooded sweatshirt and dark pants approached the student from behind and demanded the student’s personal items, according to the bulletin.

The student was leaving the campus after a night class and

was not harmed during the incident, said Sgt. Brian Washington, a spokesperson for the CRC Police Department.

After the robbery occurred the suspect fled into the Calvine townhomes. The suspect is described as being between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall and having a thin build. Currently, it is not possible to determine the suspect’s relation to the school, Washington said.

Students are advised to walk alone, to keep their cars parked in the campus lots and to be aware of CRC’s location in a “high-crime” area, Washington said.

Anyone with information related to the robbery is encouraged to contact the Los Rios Police Department at 916-558 -2221.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Nick Valenzuela | The Connection

James Frazee, a professor of psychology at CRC, spoke to students about contraception in the Recital Hall on March 12. as part of Women’s History Month. Read the story online.

Child Development Center takes on 500 book goal

By Emily Collins ecollins.connect@gmail The Child Development Center set a goal to read 500 books to the children who attend their center within 100 days in an effort to provide and encourage exposure to a variety of literature.

The idea is an expansion upon the goal last semester of one of the teachers for 4-year-olds, Kim Stevenson, to read 100 books to the children in her classroom.

This semester the entire CDC has gotten involved and hope to read 500 different books within 100 days.

“We, as early childhood educators, know the importance of reading to your children at this age,” said CDC supervisor Becky Halligan.

The goal of 500 books in 100 days serves two purposes, Halligan said. First, it encourages

parents to spend time with their child and second, it gets them interested in reading.

“Reading is such a critical piece of their education,” Halligan said.

As of March 8, the children had read a total of 262 books.

“It’s a great incentive to get kids to read,” said Renee Woodward, a 35-year-old human services major. “This is a great place and it’s a great idea.”

Faculty and staff at Cosumnes River College are invited to attend as guest readers and read aloud to one of the classrooms to help the CDC achieve their goal.

A few faculty members have already participated with several more scheduled to read to the children, including CRC President Deborah Travis, Halligan said.

There are many ways reading has become a priority in the CDC. This semester the classrooms

offer a lending library and every room has about 10 bags with two to three books in each that the children can check out and take home for a few days, Halligan said.

The children are also able to utilize the campus library, giving them the opportunity to read a variety of books.

The classroom, with children ranging from kindergartners to 10-year-olds, go about once every two weeks to the campus library.

While there they check out a few books for their classroom in an effort to continue the “theme of keeping reading as a priority,” Halligan said.

It doesn’t end there as the children can get credit for reading outside of the classroom, too.

Parents can read to their child at home and bring in the title to be recorded, Halligan said.

“Reading is a very big part

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of our lifestyle,” said Angela Stacey, 28, a human services major.

“Books are kind of a way to utilize your imagination and the resources that you’re given.”

Some of the children enjoy reading the same book over and over again, but each book can only be counted once for the purposes of the goal.

“In the 2-year-old room they can’t read ‘Five Little Monkeys Jumping on a Bed’ enough. They read it eight, 10 times a day but they only get to put on one sticker,” Halligan said.

Each time a new book is read, either in class or at home, the students get to place a sticker on one of the tracking boards.

“The kids think that is the best thing ever,” Stacey said.

If you are interested in helping them reach their goal by reading to one of the classrooms, contact the CDC to schedule a reading at 916-691-7380.

NEWS

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MARCH 14, 2013

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Protesters march for the statewide prioritization of education

By Sean Thomas sthomas.connect@gmail A sea of students, educators and supporters stormed the steps of the California State Capitol on March 4 to make their voices heard at the annual March in March event.

Frustrated with tuition costs, class availability and legislative actions, Cosumnes River College students and members of the Associated Students of Cosumnes River College joined supporters from across California to march from Raley Field to the Capitol.

“Even if a lot of the people at the Capitol were not listening, it really brought together students from different walks of life to really focus on the single cause, which is funding for education,” said D.J. Mitchell, the Director of Legislative Affairs for the ASCRC. The increasingly vocal crowd marched across the Tower Bridge, down Capitol Street shouting slogans like, “students united, we’ll never be divided,” “when they say cutback, we say fight back” and “2-4-6-8, budget cuts are what we hate,” over the jumbled

sounds of air horns, police sirens and drums shots.

The energy only increased when the parade of students reached the steps of the Capitol. Speeches by fellow students, faculty and legislators riled up the crowd of sign waving students as they passionately cheered for higher education reform in California.

Devin Murphy, a University of California, Los Angeles Associated Student Body member urged the collective student body to cooperate and fight for their education.

“We’re done with people pitting people against each other,” Murphy said.

“We’re fighting today as a unified front. We’re fighting to ensure that the services that we need are provided to us because we need them.”

Murphy wasn’t the only speaker calling listeners to action.

Sen. Noreen Evans was the only legislator that spoke at the march, calling upon the government to “fill in with additional funds,” before introducing Senate Bill 241, better known as the Oil Severance Tax Law. The bill would require separate taxation for

oil companies which Evans said would generate almost $2 million for higher education.

A warm reception greeted University of California, Santa Barbara AS President Sophia Armen, who engaged listeners with her words at the podium.

“Knowledge is not only a commodity,” Armen said in front of scores of onlookers. “Knowledge is for the betterment of our community.”

Armen also spoke about possible issues college students will face in the future, namely the possibility of debilitating debt.

“This is about priorities,” Armen said. “This is about me and you graduating with debt as shackles.”

College debt is a reality for students at California colleges. According to the College Institute for Access and Success, 51 percent of California college graduates take on student debt with the average loan totaling $18,879.

The event concluded on a lighter note with more chanting and cheering. Sabrina Garcia, a 25-year-old business major, was just one of the multitudes of students that were sent home

Nick Valenzuela | The Connection

Students and supporters rally together in Sacramento on March 4 to protest the rising costs of tuition and limited budget for higher education in California. inspired by the speakers.

“A lot of students came from Northern California and Southern California and we all just walked together and came together, and we were all bonded by this moment,” Garcia said.

“I think that ideal of being part of a whole is what was memorable for me.”

Much like Garcia, Jasmine Phillips, a 23-year-old radiology major, appreciated being able to experience the march with the rest of the students.

“It was fun. It was a different experience,” Phil-

lips said. “I think we made a huge impact even though we didn’t have a lot of people from our school.”

Although the bus did have more than a few empty seats upon return to CRC, ASCRC Advisor and Campus Life Coordinator Dr. Winnie LaNier was content with the student response.

“I think the turnout was good this year,” LaNier said. “A lot of times students have classes and it’s hard for them to get released.”

The ASCRC expects a bigger student response next year. A response that

Garcia feels lawmakers will have to pay attention too.

“I think that [the government] will see by numbers,” Garcia said. “That the more and more consistent this rally becomes, the more and more it’s hard to ignore.”

Scan the QR Code or check out our website for more rally photos, protest signs and film clips of the day

University researcher addresses “subtle sexism” Los Rios email system changes from iMail to Google’s Gmail

By Emily Collins ecollins.connect@gmail

A researcher at the University of California, Davis, Jen Pokorny, who holds a doctorate in psychology, spoke March 6 to students at Cosumnes River College as a keynote speaker for Women’s History Month.

Her presentation, titled “From Primatology to Neuroscience: A Female Scientist’s Journey Through Academia and Beyond” walked the audience of approximately 30 students through her educational and career experiences as a woman.

“The things that bother me probably the most are the comments that people may not even realize are being sexist,” Pokorny said. “They do affect women and they degrade what we do, the intelligence that we have and what we have to offer.”

Pokorny spoke about “subtle sexism”, the use of negative, gender-based remarks in a joking manner, and how detrimental it can be.

“One, it’s just degrading and annoying,” Pokorny said. “But two, these ideas, even if they don’t verbally say this, they do seep into decisions that are being made that can directly harm and hold back women.”

During the course of her career, Pokorny has been subjected to inappropriate comments about her being an educated woman.

“The [patient’s] father asked my assistant whether I really had my PhD. because I was too attractive to be a doctor, and that’s not a compliment, that is degrading and insulting,” Pokorny said. “It seems like you can’t be both intelligent and attractive.”

Another point made in the presentation was that sometimes opportunities arise when they are least expected. While working in the mailroom at her school Pokorny was presented with a unique opportunity.

“The chair of the department came in

and asked casually what I wanted to do and I said I wanted to study primates. He said, ‘Well we just hired a woman who works with monkeys, you should go talk to her.’

So I did,” Pokorny said. “She hired me even though I had no experience.”

Much of the presentation covered Pokorny’s past work with primates, her involvement in a non-profit organization and her current studies of autistic children.

“It was very educational,” said Tasbeir Singh, a 20-year-old psychology major. “I learned a lot of stuff about capuchin monkeys.”

Others were not so satisfied with the information that was shared.

“It was nice to learn about primates, that’s always fascinating,” said Damien Lee, 26, a nursing major. “My emphasis was on the perspective of sexism in the field of science, I wanted to see her opinions and listen to her experiences and what she went

through. I haven’t really gained anything.”

Pokorny spoke about one of her educators who was influential in her career choice, her high school science teacher Mr. Murphy.

“He was incredibly supportive and so excited and interested in what we were doing and to this day I give him credit for that,” Pokorny said.

Pokorny is also involved with a nonprofit group called Think Elephants International, which encourages children to pursue their interests in science and animals.

“Most kids are interested in animals but they think the only job out there is being a vet and that’s not true,” Pokorny said.

Pokorny is currently working at UC Davis in the Center for Mind and Brain, conducting postdoctoral research investigating brain functioning of children and adolescents with autism.

Stephan Starnes | The Connection

Jen Pokorny, PhD., delivering her keynote lecture for Women’s History Month to students, staff and faculty in the Recital Hall on March 6.

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By Nick Valenzuela nvalenzuela.connect@gmail The Los Rios Community College District has chosen to move to Google’s Gmail as its email service of choice after long using its signature iMail.

The change comes after a district committee’s decision that iMail is unfit to keep up with technological advancement. “[iMail] has its limits and we found Gmail provides more storage than iMail and provides our students with a stateof-the-art email experience,” said Kristie West, Cosumnes River College public information officer and a member of the committee.

“There’s the added benefit of Google Apps, which some students will take advantage of,” said West.

“This feature will allow students to create and share documents, spreadsheets and presentations and calendars in a collaborative way.”

For some students, the switch will have little effect on their communication with professors and peers.

“I don’t like iMail or Gmail. I like just having my own email address,” said Rosalie Roth, a 63-year-old art major.

“It’s just easier.”

Regardless, West is confident the switch will be beneficial to all who use the district’s email system.

“So far, we’ve had positive feedback,” West said of the current results.

“I hope current students will make the change soon and I think they’ll find it a much better experience.”

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MARCH 14, 2013 www.thecrcconnection.com

SPORTS

Hawks drop two in three-game series with Sac City The baseball team fails to execute on defense, start conference play with only one win

By Britni Alford balford.connect@gmail Fresh off a win in the second of a three game series against the Sacramento City Panthers, the Hawks’ baseball team hoped to end the series on a high note but were overcome late in the game.

Hawks’ freshman pitcher Shane Martin managed to shut down the Panthers for two innings until Hawks’ sophomore catcher Bryan Case dropped the ball at the top of the third inning, allowing Sac City’s freshman outfielder Jake Sexton to score a run.

“Oh they [Panthers] played very well, competed hard and went up early,” said Panthers’ head coach Derek Sullivan. “Got down in the middle, got a couple things to go our way, and they kept playing hard and got us a win.”

The Hawks continued to attempt to score in the bottom of the third, but Sac City would not allow that as sophomore pitcher Matt Maher contributed to a double play which resulted in the end of the inning.

The top of the fourth inning began with a switch from Martin to freshman pitcher Zach Stilwell. Stilwell’s pitch to City’s sophomore infielder Orlando Ortiz resulted in a double play in which Ortiz and freshman outfielder Jared James were tagged out.

“We’d like to score more wins early, but to be honest, today I thought we did very well,” Sullivan said. “Again, we competed a lot of pitches regardless of [if] things went our way or not. We just kept going and going, and I thought all around it was a very good effort.”

Hawks’ freshman infielder Hunter Carolan scored a run at the bottom of the fifth

Scott Redmond | The Connection

Sophomore catcher Bryan Case at bat in the bottom of the fifth, after the Hawks’ score their first run against Sac City on Mar. 9.

inning after sophomore infielder Luke McDonald hit a double. With the bases loaded, Stilwell came to bat and was walked, allowing McDonald to score and leaving the bases loaded and the score 2-1 in Hawks’ favor.

The Hawks held the Panthers back from scoring any more runs until the top of the eighth inning as Panthers’ sophomore infielder Anthony Enriquez and freshmen utility Marc Fackrell scored two more runs,

leaving the score at 3-2, in Panthers’ favor.

In an attempt to keep Sac City from scoring, Hawks’ sophomore pitcher Blake Harrison relieved Stillwell before striking Ortiz out, bringing an end to the inning. “[We] played okay up until the last two innings,” said Hawks’ head coach Tony Bloomfield. “We walked two lead off guys and they ended up scoring. Didn’t field our bunts, and just didn’t perform well at the

end when we had to.”

The Hawks tried to rally back, but the ninth inning sealed the deal. The Panthers’ scored four more runs bringing the score to 7-2, Panthers’ favor.

“We didn’t function real well on the mound today,” Bloomfield said. “We just didn’t execute the last two innings, we didn’t make the plays we had to make. We didn’t hit, we didn’t hit. We hadn’t hit for a while.”

CRC’s new athletic fields get dedicated before game

By Scott Redmond sredmond.connect@gmail

Britni Alford | The Connection

Los Rios Community College chancellor Brian King speaks about the impact that the new sport facilities will have on CRC student athletes at the dedication ceremony on Mar. 5.

Cosumnes River College President Deborah Travis spoke to members of the board of trustees, administration and the athletics department as they gathered for the dedication of the Cosumnes River College Physical Education and Athletics Fields on March 5.

Travis thanked all those involved in the process that led to the new facilities.Los Rios Chancellor Brian King mirrored many of Travis’ words as he thanked all those involved in the project and spoke of the excitement about the fields and the future.

“I think it’s great to have facilities as great as the teams,” King said. “I think we want to be committed to maintaining these facilities. There isn’t really a next step, just maintaining these facilities.”

Travis made it clear that the features that the new athletic facilities provided are essential to supporting athletics and the athletes. Matching the quality of the facilities to the quality of the athletic program in order to entice new recruits was another goal of the project.

“Overall I think it does allow for the college to recruit athletes,” Travis said. “It allows us to serve the community in a new way.”

It was the commitment of funds through taxpayers in the form of bond measures that helped make the fields a reality, a fact not lost by those gathered.

“I want to take a moment to thank people we don’t forget about but don’t always mention, the taxpayers,” said Los Rios Board of Trustees President Pamela Haynes. “As their commitment

through measures M and X helped make these fields possible.”

Liz Belyea, the dean of the Kinesiology & Athletics Division, spoke of how some community colleges in the state did not have much in the way of facilities or funds for their athletics departments.

“I feel very blessed to be at a college that understands the value of athletics,” Belyea said. “To be in this district that understands the value of athletics.”

Belyea added that in the 23 years she had been at CRC, she had nothing but support from the administration and district when it came to the athletics. Belyea also mentioned that the fields would bring a higher level of competitive athletes to the campus.

“We’re going to start attracting the premier athletes,” Belyea said. “We did it without fields so just imagine with fields.”

As the proceedings moved towards wrapping up, CRC alumni and sports reporter for The Sacramento Bee Joe Davidson took the podium and spoke of his time at CRC. “I went to school here in the mid 80’s,” Davidson said.

“The coyotes were gone but the jackrabbits were still running through.”

On a more serious note, Davidson spoke on the impressive nature of the CRC athletics department as he said that the baseball team’s state championship win without having a home field last season was “I think the most impressive thing I’ve seen.”

As the national anthem played in the background for the start of the baseball game against Sacramento City College, the event came to an end with the softball team and gathered administrators standing behind as student Steve Papadopoulos, billed as the Hawks’ number one fan, cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially dedicate the campus facilities.

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SPORTS

Softball can’t overcome early deficit, lose to 49ers

By Stephan Starnes sstarnes.connect@gmail

The Cosumnes River College Hawks’ softball game against Yuba College on March 9 was different from the start, with the National Anthem CD having been forgotten. An announcer in the box had to sing the National Anthem to start the game, with the Hawks losing 11-6.

Another rare occurrence thus far in the season, sophomore Allison Barsetti was not the starting pitcher, instead she played first base for the entire the game.

Freshman pitcher Brittney Jones started the game, with freshman outfielder Jessica Venturelli coming in to pitch in the top of the third inning. Venturelli was relieved halfway through the top of the sixth by sophomore outfielder Ariel Corona.

“I just wanted to give her [Barsetti] a chance to breathe,” said Hawks’ head coach Kristy Schroeder. “We have a big conference game on Tuesday and so I just thought we could give her a break, give somebody else a chance to start a game, see what they’re capable of doing … She’ll be starting Tuesday.”

Sophomore catcher Lauren Szoboscan said the pitchers played well.

“They did good,” Szoboscan said. “They noticed what they were doing wrong … and kept it low and battled back and forth.”

Szoboscan said she personally felt confident in her at bats, but could have improved her blocking and catching.

Yuba took control in the top of third inning, scoring three runs and bringing the score to 5-1.

The Yuba 49ers went through seven batters that inning, two of whom were

walked. The runners took advantage of dropped balls to steal bases, while the batters advanced.

Sophomore catcher Dyllanne Brown, the first batter of the inning, was walked.

After a sacrifice bunt to move her to second, sophomore first baseman McKenzie Kraus hit a groundball single to bring her home.

The Hawks tried to battle back late in the game, but a full comeback wouldn’t occur.

The Hawks were trailing going into the bottom of the sixth inning and put on a strong show with nine players at bat, scoring an additional four runs to Ben Brown | The Connection bring the score to Hawks’ sophomore pitcher Brittney Jones winds up for a 9-6. pitch against Yuba City 49ers. She only pitched two innings.

Sophomore top of the seventh inning, effectively ending utility player Gabrielle Magana started the inning with a the game.

“We had a couple of sun balls that we double before being substituted at second usually make and it cost us some runs in the base with freshman pinch runner Laura end there too that kinda put us out of reach,” Villano. Szoboscan was next at bat, hitting Schroeder said. a single just right of center and batting VilYuba’s head coach Stephanie Reynolds lano in for the first score of the inning. said that her team communicated better than Sophomore shortstop Alissa Greenhaw usual, and that she was pleased with the way hit a line drive double down third to bring her team played. in two runs before freshman second base“It’s the last game we have going into conman Amy Pedretti hit a single over first base ference, and its always nice to come up with a to bring Greenhaw home. win going into conference, so it’s a big win for The 49ers scored two more runs in the us,” Reynolds said.

Hawks’ Scores: Baseball: March 5 vs. Sac City Loss 18-1 March 7 vs. Sac City Win 4-1

This momenT began wiTh a choice.

March 9 vs. Sac City Loss 7-2

Softball: March 8 vs. Diablo Valley Win 7-4 Game 2 vs. Diablo Valley Win 10-2 March 9 vs. Yuba Loss 11-6

Men’s Tennis: Feb. 26 vs. Modesto Loss 8-1 March 1 vs. Fresno City Loss 9-1 March 8 vs. Reedley Loss 7-2

Women’s Tennis:

He chose to make a difference. Chose to get a degree. To learn new skills. And it was all made possible by the National Guard.

Feb. 26 vs. Modesto Loss 6-3

Education BEnEfits • skills training • Part-timE sErvicE

March 1 vs. Fresno City Loss 7-2

Contact Sergeant First Class Antonio Costa at 916.233.7613

March 8 vs. Reedley Loss 7-2

1-800-GO-GUARD 10BW-04_5.88x7_Costa.indd 1

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1/15/13 11:38 AM

The Cheap $eats An increase in NFL safety is a necessary evil

By Sean Thomas sthomas.connect@gmail The amount of injuries in the NFL has been a source of great concern the past few years, and with good reason.

Facing congressional hearings and hundreds of lawsuits brought against the NFL by thousands of former players, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has had no choice but to make a strong effort to improve player safety.

On Feb. 1, Goddell spoke at the annual State of the NFL press conference. During his speech, Goodell made a pledge to “do anything to make the game safer and better,” and it would be foolish to say he hadn’t to that point.

A focus on head trauma, particularly the kind that lead to concussions, have been the driving force behind the string of rule changes and fines that are supposed to help curve the amount of dangerous plays on the gridiron.

Rules for “defenseless players” have expanded to include punters, kickers, quarterbacks and even some defensive players on certain plays, which admittedly takes some of the contact out of full contact football.

However, this is just the new direction football is going to have to take.

When asked whether or not he’d allow his hypothetical son to play football, President Barack Obama told the New Republic that he’d have to think long and hard on the decision. When has the President of the United States ever openly questioned the value of football?

Football is as American as apple pie. If the president is openly questioning the sport’s safety, then the NFL is in some serious trouble.

With every alteration, the NFL runs the risk of alienating football traditionalist who considers blood, sweat and tears as a vital part of the game.

At the same time recent tragedies believed to be caused by repeated head trauma, like Jovan Belcher’s murdersuicide, or Junior Seau’s suicide, show that something needs to be done to protect the long term health of players.

The NFL has begun research on improving helmet technology and will require all players to wear protective thigh pads and knee pads beginning in the 2013 season, which is just a start to the changes that might happen in the near future.

The NFL is also doing everything in its power to take the head out of football, which includes fines and suspensions for head-to-head collisions and a complete refocus on tackling fundamentals.

If rule changes result in a league where contact and physicality is second to safety, then so be it.

Every year players get bigger, faster and stronger. The competition gets tougher, and the hits get harder. For the next few years, the NFL needs to slow down, and just focus on getting safer.

6

MARCH 14, 2013 www.thecrcconnection.com

FEATURES

English professor brings unique approach to CRC

By Zach Hannigan zhannigan.connect@gmail A civil rights activist, a staple in the global films series and a member of the teacher’s union are all things that were used to describe English professor Linda Sneed.

But her colleagues agreed that she is more than that.

A part-time instructor at Cosumnes River College since 2003, Sneed has brought a new approach to the classroom and beyond.

“Linda is the real deal,” said the Dean of the Humanities and Social Science Department Ginny McReynolds. “She is honest, funny and observant.”

Fellow English professor Lisa Abraham echoed that sentiment.

“She’s committed to doing her job to the best of her ability. She is serious about the work she does,” Abraham said.

However, that work goes well beyond the classroom. As a member of the California Federation of Teachers, Sneed is “interested in workplace issues, teachers’ rights and students’ rights,” Abraham said.

Sneed became active in the Los Rios CFT in 2007 and never looked back.

“I started out as a member of the executive board representing part-time faculty,” Sneed said. “Then a couple years later I got involved at the state level.”

She currently serves as a vice president at the state level and represents the whole union.

Not only is Sneed a community activist, but she is also an activist when it comes to global issues.

Sneed took a trip to Bethlehem through a sister city delegation that Sacramento holds with Bethlehem. The idea was to spread awareness of person-to-person diplomacy and “build a sense of kinship,” Sneed said.

“We brought a gift and a letter from

Zach Hannigan | The Connection

English Professor Linda Sneed reads sample essays on March 12 to prepare her students for an upcoming writing assignment in her English Writing 300 class.

Mayor [Kevin] Johnson and delivered it to the mayor of Bethlehem,” she said. “Our delegation got to spend several hours in her home with her and her daughters.”

That passion for civil rights is not lost on her colleagues at CRC. “As a colleague, I found she has a curiosity about the world, learning new things and sharing them with us,” said English professor Heather Hutcheson.

Sneed said that passion was definitely built when she was a kid.

“I’ve always had a strong feeling for jus-

tice. I definitely felt it as a kid,” she said.

“My dad was very committed to civil rights.

He was very dedicated to giving charitably.”

However, Sneed wasn’t ready to give all the credit to her dad.

“Given the various ways I rebelled against him, I don’t know if that was entirely it,” she said jokingly. “Kids tend to have a very fierce sense of justice and equality, and when I became a teenager, I got pretty interested in it.”

That fierce sense of justice was something that was brought to CRC by Sneed.

n Ation A L Uni v er Sit y

But it was her willingness to share her knowledge and help others that McReynolds wanted to point to.

“She is extremely bright and well-read, sensitive, and dedicated to the educational process,” McReynolds said. “She is very empathetic toward her students and her co-workers and frequently goes out of her way to help people who need it.”

However, Hutcheson said it is also that fire that Sneed pos“In general, she has a sesses that very confrontational is admired by her coapproach to issues, workers. which challenges us “In general, she to think.” has a very -Heather Hutcheson English Professor confrontational approach to issues, which challenges us to think,” she said. “It can be difficult at times, but it yields powerful results.”

Sneed brings that very same approach to the classroom as well.

“Students have a lot more skill than they realize they have, and what’s often missing is the confidence,” Sneed said. “If their own existing skill and their own ability to learn has been bolstered, then I feel I have done my job.”

With a work ethic as strong as her willingness to help people, Sneed simply wants to bring awareness to others.

“I’ve had friends say to me ‘gosh, how can you think about that stuff, it’s so depressing’ or ‘how can you think about Israel-Palestine? That stuff is so depressing,’” she said. “I would be depressed if I knew this reality existed, and I pretended it didn’t. Actually facing it and asking what can be done makes me a healthier person.”

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MARCH 14, 2013 www.thecrcconnection.com

FEATURES

Winn Center: modernized classroom provides new opportunities for students

Courtesy Photo

A blueprint of a corner of the second floor of the Winn Center provided by Director of Administrative Services Cory Wathen shows the rooms of the photo department. This is the first time the photography classes will have dedicated rooms for specific purposes.

Continued from page 1

Photography is getting a reworked set of rooms to fit the need of the ever-expanding department.

Jim West, a photography professor, said that an overcrowding problem in the department was identified years ago. What is now the primary classroom for students in various courses, was once just a studio.

“Since the school has been so busy, what happened is that we had to go into the studio as a classroom space because there was no other classroom space for us on campus,” West said.

The Winn Center will give the photography department dedicated rooms for a digital lab, a studio, a dry finishing room and a dark room. The studio will have room for six different shooting bays, West said. He also said the dark room will be able to be taken out and replaced, depending on the direction photography turns.

“We have to really think about our classes and reorganize them because they’ve been in one place for so long and we’re so used to multitasking and using things in a multipurpose function,” said photo instructor Kathryn Mayo.

“So it’s going to be nice to have spaces where they’re dedicated to

Band: prepares for their TV debut Continued from page 1

realized we had so much momentum going, writing an album eventually became the goal,” Elkings said.

And so began making of “Garston Parade.” The six met in Kennedy’s studio, a converted Tuff shed that could only house two to three people comfortably.

“The windows would steam up,” Rosario remembers jokingly.

“It would just smell like musk and perfume, like five guys and a girl.”

The shed would become the workshop for the album, the band composing, recording and rehearsing.

“It was a new experience for all of us,” Elkings said. “We were almost writing the tracks as we were recording them.”

For several months, Kennedy devoted 16 hour days to record, mix and master.

On Christmas Eve, Kennedy tweaked one last note and placed the orders for “Garston Parade.”

“Malnourished, dehydrated, sleep deprived ... and yet proud,” the band said in a Facebook post to fans that night. “It’s honestly been a journey that none of us will ever forget.”

The band utilized Kickstarter, a growing online service based on crowd funding, as the springboard for the album. With Kickstarter, users pitch projects and supporters pledge donations to fund them.

“We got profitable before we even released the album,” Elkings said.

They were able to raise more than $2,500 to make and distribute the record, produce CDs and promote their music on every online storefront they could find.

Business was handled independently by the band members.

The move has become commonplace in the industry, with many artists, like Gates, seeing major distributors as increasingly unnecessary.

“Record labels are sort of di-

one particular thing.”

RJ Simpson is a 21-year-old photo major currently enrolled in beginning digital photography on Fridays, which is taught in a computer lab in the Learning Resource Center.

“It’s great to know that the photo department will have specific spaces for different things like a studio, darkroom,” Simpson said. “It’s fine how it’s all meshed together [in the BS building] but it would also be nice to have individual spaces for different types.”

A classroom will be next to the digital lab and will be used for a lot of the lecture portions of photography classes, West said. He nosaurs stomping around a playground they’re not familiar with at this point,” Gates said. “They’re definitely behind the times, trying to capitalize and control the Internet. Subscribing ourselves to a record label is kind of working backwards. Remaining independent would be in the spirit of our band.”

Although they acknowledged the benefits of working under a label, the band agreed that creative freedom was paramount.

“Realistically, none of us are going to trade the integrity of our music just for a paycheck and ease,” Kennedy said.

Recently, the band was contacted by the senior producer for CBS 13 to perform songs from “Garston Parade” on Good Day Sacramento. They are currently rehearsing to prepare for the broadcast debut.

Speaking on the future of the band, Coalwell stressed the importance of a natural dynamic between the artists and their sound.

“Music is something that changes with you,” Coalwell said.

“Your mood is going to change as you grow up. You change as a person and you change as a musician.”

added that the instructors would like to keep as many courses in the Winn Center as possible, but they may have to offer classes outside of the building if there are any overlapping class times.

West described the classroom as an “electronic classroom.” He said that students will be able to plug their laptops in at their tables and will have access to wireless internet. Images will also be able to be projected onto the walls, West said.

West said he wants his classes to be active, with an auditory element.

“You’ll notice I put music on right at the beginning of the

class,” West said. “The reason that I do that is that I don’t want to come into a quiet space. Students want to come into a highly-active space. And so what I do is I try to bring the energy so that if I bring the energy up and we’ll do something special in this space.”

All three instructors were excited for the same reason: windows. West said the windows will give opportunities for shooting photos with natural light.

“It’s going to give us so many more opportunities to be able to change the way we teach, and I think improve on our teaching, I hope,” Mayo said. “I have a lot of high hopes.”

The photography teachers’ offices will also be moved into the Winn Center.

“In my office right now, I have been in a closet. For the last twenty years I’ve been having a closet as an office, so again, no window,” Felkner said. “Now all of a sudden I’m going to have a window, and it’s going to connect me to the outside world. And our offices are a lot closer together, so I think there’s going to be a lot more collaboration between the instructors.”

West said he felt that the photography department has the feel of a community to it, a sentiment echoed among the instructors.

“To me, it seems that teaching a photography class in these rooms, there’s something different about it,” Mayo said. “And I hope that that stays when we go over there … it’s not that [we] want to remain separate, but we have something that’s really great where our students connect with each other.”

Stephan Starnes | The Connecton

Cosumnes River College student Seth Coalwell plays the keyboard between song rehearsals with his band The Vietnams the house of one of his bandmates on March 8.

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8 EDITORIAL

Community colleges hurt by unit cap

Aspects of Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget proposal for 2013-14 may keep California’s once thriving public education system alive, but the 90-unit cap he’s suggested will remove the very roots which community colleges have grown from.

If enacted, this legislation will require California community college students who have acquired more than 90 units to pay the AT A GLANCE nonresidential tuition fee for each The Issue: consecutive unit Gov. Brown sugthey wish to take. gested a 90-unit For Los Rios cap for state subsistudents past the dized classes. limit it would mean over a 550 Our Stance: percent increase The cap goes in fees; turning a against the roots unit that generand purpose of ally costs $46 into community col$254. leges.

Recent data compiled from the Agree? Disagree?

2009-10 school send us your year has revealed thoughts at that over 117,000 connection.crc@ community colgmail.com lege students have exceed the cap of 90 units, according to the educational resource website EdSource.

In an otherwise logical budget proposal, this bad seed threatens to change the very concept of community college while simultaneously harming a wide range of its students.

The justification is that “90 units reflects roughly 150 percent of units to the 60 units needed to transfer,” according to the 2013 Budget Webinar from the California Community College Chancellor’s Office and the Community College League of California.

That would be a valid point if the role of community colleges was to mass-produce students who had the sole intent of transferring after two years, but it’s not.

With this limit, those that actively seek out education are the same people who will be denied it.

Enforcing a 90-unit cap would dismiss the Los Rios vision statement of providing “outstanding programs and services so that all students meet and exceed their personal, education, career and social goals.”

However, this legislation would do more than just violate Los Rios’ mission statement and goals.

Community colleges are required “to admit any student capable of benefitting from [the] institution,” according to the Master Plan for Higher Education in California, first developed in 1960.

But throughout the years and revisions, nowhere has it said students may be financially discouraged from attending classes.

After all, these are the same students filling the 29 million jobs that don’t require a bachelor’s degree; thirty percent of which pay more than those that require a BA, according to a recent study by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce.

California community college students will be the primary taxpayers and voters of tomorrow; impeding their right to education is a short term solution to a long-term issue.

Sometimes it is necessary to trim a few branches in order to save the whole, but Brown should be careful not to cut off too many, it might just kill the tree completely.

MARCH 14, 2013 www.thecrcconnection.com

OPINION

Rihanna likes the way it hurts too much young fans who look up to her and what lesson is she teaching them by taking Brown back?

That being physically assaulted is not the biggest deal in the world and that it can be for-

By Rachel Norris rnorris.connect@gmail Four years ago as Rihanna glammed up for the Grammy Awards on Feb. 10, 2009 she had no idea that she would become the victim of a brutal domestic violence attack by former boyfriend Chris Brown.

The attack left America in complete shock of Brown doing such a thing, and many fans questioned their loyalty towards him after the morally wrong act.

Anybody want to have an even bigger shock? Rihanna is taking him back. After being humiliated, hurt and disrespected the hip-hop music artist is giving Brown a second chance.

“When that sh*t came back [love for Chris], it hit me like a ton of bricks,” said Rihanna in her interview with The Rolling Stones magazine. “Like, God, you’ve got to be kidding me.”

You’ve got to me kidding me, too, Rihanna. The bricks must have hit her in the head harder than Brown did if she’s going to overlook the fact that he physically abused and embarrassed her in front of the entire world.

Rihanna is idolized by millions of

given.

I understand that everybody should be forgiven if they are truly sorry for what they did, which is fine and understandable.

What I don’t understand is learning how to love somebody again after they shatter your sense of integrity and self-respect.

The moment that Rihanna took Brown back she lost the battle. Anything he has done in the past to her, and what he will do to her in the future, she has allowed it.

The backlash from countless fans and fellow celebrities about the two getting back together may be a danger to Rihanna.

She was even attacked in London by a former fan who threw a glass bottle at her and continued to scream at her.

“Even if it’s a mistake, it’s my mistake,” Rihanna said. “After being tormented for so many years, being angry and dark, I’d rather just live my truth and take the backlash. I can handle it.”

Rihanna took Brown back because she thinks she can handle whatever he throws at her and she’s trying to prove herself.

Sometimes the better thing to do is just let go, which is just as hard and admirable.

On the flip side some of Rihanna’s friends are supporting the relationship.

“I think people put so much pressure on her being a role model and that’s a lot of pressure when you’re just trying to live your life,” said basketball wife Evelyn Lozada. “I hope he’s [Chris] changed and he respects her and loves her and obviously will never go down that path again. I think he’s learned his lesson.”

Many men who have hit their wives promise them they will never do it again until that one push sends their anger over the edge and it happens again. I think it’s just a matter of time before Rihanna does something Brown doesn’t like and his anger takes over.

Whether Brown has learned his lesson or not, Rihanna still has a lot of learning to do from her mistakes. Hopefully her choice to get back with Brown does not backfire on her or put her skyrocketing career in jeopardy.

I guess she “liked the way it hurt,” just a bit too much.

How to save your job, leave a woman for dead

By Nick Valenzuela nvalenzuela.connect@gmail As Lorraine Bayless collapsed on the floor of an independent living community’s dining room, a nearby staff member refused to give the 87-year-old CPR as she called 911 and watched Bayless die.

The resident services director who called 911 asking for assistance for Bayless said she couldn’t administer CPR because it was against Glenwood Gardens’ policies.

The 911 dispatcher grew so desperate to get immediate help to Bayless that she asked the Glenwood Gardens employee to have another employee or even someone from out on the street administer CPR. The dispatcher’s pleas were all ignored, and by the time the ambulance reached Bayless and brought her to a hospital, she had already died.

The question that immediately stands out in this situation is why? Why was this woman allowed to lie dying on the floor when there was a possibility she could have been saved?

Glenwood Gardens stands by the employee’s decision and while they sent condolences to Bayless’ family, they do not accept any fault in her death.

Even more surprising, Bayless’ family places no responsibility on Glenwood Gardens and did not want her resuscitated. Regardless, the facility was not aware of this in advance and denied the dying Bayless assistance.

Whether administering medical attention to a person in need is against the rules or not, if the resident services director knew CPR she absolutely should have acted to attempt to save Bayless.

A job can’t possibly be worth more than a human life can it?

Apparently that question is subjective.

Otherwise Bayless would have received medical assistance from someone at the facility.

This should not be a dilemma for anyone who gives any value to human life.

By denying medical assistance to a dying woman, Glenwood Gardens has presented a message that rules are more important than even attempting to save someone.

The reason the employee didn’t ask anyone on the street for assistance at the suggestion of the 911 dispatcher is also up for speculation.

Even if the employee had initially been

afraid of a possible lawsuit should anything go wrong in the administration of CPR from a third party, the 911 dispatcher informed her that 911 took all responsibility in the situation once the call was made.

So even with that responsibility lifted from her shoulders, the employee still refused Bayless the attention she so desperately needed.

If an independent living community’s rules really prevent a capable employee from helping a dying person, something is seriously wrong.

I can’t imagine having idly stood by while someone I may have been able to help died right in front of me, even if my job was at stake.

These rules clearly need a strong restructuring to prevent any future situations such as this. Capable employees should be freely allowed to provide medical assistance to anyone under their care.

If this is impossible to implement, then perhaps medically certified professionals should be included on the staff of these facilities. Such employees could be held responsible for any such situations and be allowed to help whoever needs it.

A change clearly needs to be made, lest more situations of people dying helplessly arise.

Hawk Talk “How do you feel about the [Roseville] Galleria kicking out a gay couple for kissing?”

“Honestly, if it was my mall I would probably kick them out myself. At the same time, people are people. They felt offended by that, overall we’re straight in the world.”

David Cook, 18 Radio Production

Check out the full video and other Hawk Talk content on our website.

Joaquin Oliver, 22 Biology

May Virax, 25 Early Childhood Ed

“I think it’s wrong to kick them out. That’s pretty hard and extensive for just kissing, especially since people are always showing public affection. I know people have their own opinions with the whole gay rights thing, but if they’re just kissing they should be allowed to [do it] just like everyone else.”

“Honestly, I think that’s really rude because if it was girl on girl action, they would have been fine with it just like a straight couple. Two guys kissing is not a problem. [It’s] personal opinion because sure, it’s a public affection but it doesn’t mean anything.”

Compiled by Jonathan Rich and Oswaldo Guzman | Photos by Ben Brown

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