Spring 2015 - Issue Four

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Swim team dives into first season See Page 14 Ceejay Willis | The Connection

Higher One

Campus ATMs cause controversy News, Page 2 ISSUE 4 3/26/15-4/22/15 Student voice of CRC since 1970

Stay Cool This Break Best spots to grab a cold treat on a budget Features, Page 8

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College Caps

State should not limit local enrollment Opinion, Page 10

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Title IX Today

How it changed the course of women’s history Sports, Page 16

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March 26, 2015

>>News

Bank’s fees, faulty ATMs draw criticism

By Scott Redmond sredmond.connect@gmail.com Connecticut-based bank Higher One, the leading provider of campus debit cards, according to the Huffington Post, is an organization that is very familiar to most Cosumnes River College students who use financial aid.

Even those who don’t use financial aid are likely to have heard of the controversy plagued bank either from the news, or potentially from the complaints of those students who use the bank and their ATMs. The bank has battled various investigations and class action suits, including an investigation by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation which accused the company of violating college students’ consumer rights that led to an $11 million settlement in 2012, according to an article from the Huffington Post.

In 2013, they reached a settlement of $15 million to settle a handful of class action suits filed by students from various colleges across the nation that were compiled into one case, according to Inside Higher Education.

Plaintiffs in the case alleged that the company engaged in “unfair and unconscionable practices of automatically creating bank accounts for college students, depositing students’ financial aid funds into Higher One accounts without students’ permission, deceptively discouraging students from opting-out of such accounts and assessing deceptive and unusual bank fees on student accounts.”

Yolanda Garcia, the financial aid supervisor at CRC, said that the campus is aware of the various suits.

“Although Los Rios was not a party to the lawsuits and we are not aware of any Los Rios students being a party of the lawsuit, we are glad to see that Higher One is working with the Department of Education and Consumer Affairs in developing regulations through the negotiated rulemaking process that share our interest in providing quality services to students,” Garcia said.

Class actions suits about deceptive practices are far from the only complaints students have.

Part of the suits filed included the fees that are placed upon users of the cards.

When the Higher One card provided to students is swiped and used as a credit card, there is no fee charged. If students chooses to use it as a debit card by using their PIN number they are charged 50 cents per transaction.

Other fees, all listed on the CRC financial aid page of the campus website, include $20 to replace a stolen or lost card and a charge for using non-Higher One ATMs, which results in a $2.50 charge from Higher One as well as a usage charge from the other bank that the ATM belongs to.

“We are aware that some students are concerned with the fees charged by Higher One,” Garcia said.

“On the college financial aid webpage, we have shared with all students methods on how to avoid these fees. Students are encouraged to visit the fee schedule on their OneAccount or on our webpage. This schedule provides methods for avoiding fees including the 50 cent debit fee charged at retailers,” she said.

While there are ways to avoid the debit card charge, not all students are aware of this fact.

“I didn’t know it was charging me 50 cents to use it as a debit card,” said TJ Deed a 20-year-old business major. “I wasn’t informed about that till now.”

Others like John Nyman, 40, a communications major said they were aware of the charges.

Nyman said he’s been using Higher One for two and a half years and had no problems, and he was fully informed about the charges that were possible.

“Yeah, and also if you use it outside third party places will charge more as well.

It’s always a risk. If I use it at Wells Fargo, or something, I think it’s $3,” Nyman said.

Another issue reported by students is that at times the ATM has not worked or takes multiple times of sliding a card before the machine will allow them access to their ac-

Nick Valenzuela | The Connection

A student uses the Higher One ATM in CRC’s library building. Some students have reported problems with getting the ATM to accept their cards, and have to pay extra fees to use their cards at other banks’ ATMs.

count.

If the machine isn’t working, students have to use the other ATM on campus meaning they’ll potentially have to pay the outside Higher One charge. Another option is to travel to another Los Rios Campus, as each campus has one ATM and those are the only places Higher One can be accessed without a charge.

Currently, the machine is working, and Deed said he’s had no issues with it since he began using it this semester.

“I’ve only been using it for a month or two, I just got my financial aid. It hasn’t been giving me any problems yet.

I’m fine with it,” Deed said.

“They helped me with everything. It took me awhile to get everything going but they helped me.”

Garcia said that if the machine isn’t working it is the responsibility of Higher One to fix it.

“The ATM is connected to a network that automatically informs Higher One if an ATM is not functioning properly and Higher One schedules a service technician from the local area to resolve the issue,” Garcia said. “Additionally, the college has the ability to inform Higher One if they are aware of an ATM that is not functioning properly. Students experiencing issues with the ATM are encouraged to let us know. If the Higher One ATM on campus is not functioning properly, students can request a refund of Foreign ATM charges from Higher One.” While there is controversy

surrounding Higher One, Garcia said that the choice to go with the bank as the district’s go-to for financial aid came from input from the students and college and district staff.

“Students were surveyed for input and a committee representing all colleges and the district was formed to develop a Request for Proposal that was sent to many vendors,” Garcia said.

“The responses from the RFPs were evaluated by a committee and different vendors were invited to present their services to the committee. After a careful review and analysis of the different services and cost offered by the vendors, the committee recommended Higher One to provide the disbursement options the students wanted.”

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Page 3

Campus crime: student’s phone stolen amid string of petty thefts on campus

By Taylor Gomez tgomez.connect@gmail.com A Cosumnes River College student had her smartphone stolen by suspects in a moving vehicle while on campus March 2.

Zuleyma Trujillo, a 22-year-old communications major, was approached by a middle aged, African American couple in a dark blue vehicle at 3:45 p.m. near the west stairs of the CRC main campus.

Trujillo said the couple claimed they were on campus to pick up their niece and approached her for directions.

The couple proceeded to ask Trujillo if they could borrow her cell phone to make a call, even offering her a dollar to use it, Trujillo said.

After Trujillo declined the dollar and let the couple use her phone, they immediately drove away with the black

Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

“I used a phone that was close by to call my husband and tell him to cancel the phone to get it disconnected,” Trujillo said.

Trujillo has since filed a police report, but no suspects have been charged due to limited information, said Los Rios Police Sgt. Brian Washington.

Three cases of petty theft at CRC have been reported in the month of March alone, according to the Los Rios Police Department crime logs.

The Los Rios Police Department website says that “opportunity theft is the most prevalent crime on any college campus” and suggests several tips to prevent yourself from being a victim.

“Number one, be aware of your environment and everything that’s around you,” Washington said. “I see a lot of students with their heads

down, texting and things like that.”

However, not all students on campus practice these safe-

someone on campus who appeared to be a student borrow her phone.

However, she said she

“Number one, be aware of your environment

and everything that’s around you. I see a lot of students with their heads down, texting and things like that.”

-- Brian Washington

Seargent, Los Rios Police Department ty tips.

“I haven’t thought to take any precautions, I don’t even have a case on my phone,” said 25-year-old biology major, Nicole Olesen. “You know, sometimes I’ll just be using it out and around. Technically someone could just rip it out of my hand and run away.”

Olesen said she would more than likely still allow

would be more skeptical if they were in a moving vehicle.

A similar crime to Trujillo’s was also reported to have occurred on American River College’s campus by a couple fitting the same description but in a different car, Washington said.

“I think that there should be more, you know, cops going around and checking

around for cars that are suspicious,” Trujillo said.

“I think there should be more surveillance around the parking lots,” she said.

Trujillo said she remained phoneless for about a week, is still waiting for police to contact her back regarding the suspects being found and charged.

“As for the cell phone snatched from the car, if someone asks to borrow your cell phone, I would tell them no,” Washington said.

“Offer to dial the number for them and put it on speaker, or stand back and hold the phone. If that’s not good enough for the person, they can take their business elsewhere,” he said.

Scan this QR code if you have any information regarding this occurence.

End in sight for CRC light rail construction

By Omar Chan ochan.connect@gmail.com For more than a year, construction of the Blue Line light rail has been prominent in the East Entrance of CRC. Assembly of railway tracks and construction of new light fixtures now have an end date, Sept. 6.

“Construction of the the light rail extension to CRC is currently on schedule,” said Ed Scofield, director of project management for Sacramen-

“It would be a lot easier to go in and out of campus when it is all done,” said Sasha Parker, 20, a communications major. “They made more lanes in the entrance and I think that will help during busy hours.”

“Ideally we’d like to open it a couple weeks earlier to coincide with the start of CRC’s fall semester,” Scofield said.

“But there’s a lot that has to be done between now and then, so we can’t make any promises.”

“Ideally we’d like to open it a couple weeks ear-

lier to coincide with the start of CRC’s fall semester. But there’s a lot that has to be done between now and then, so we can’t make any promises.”

-- Ed Scofield

Director of project management for SRT to Regional Transit District.

“There haven’t really been any major obstacles during construction of this project.”

Now that construction has an end date in sight, some students are looking forward to the opening of the new light rail extension.

Although an end date for construction may provide a sigh of relief, there is also a degree of uncertainty, some students say.

“I don’t know what traffic is going to be like when the trains start running,” said Brandon Reynolds, 19, a busi-

Nick Valenzuela | The Connection

Construction workers continue making progress on the Blue Line light rail, located near the east entrance of CRC. Students can expect to see the finished product in September.

ness major.

“I saw that there are new train lights and when it goes on, that could really back up traffic,” he said.

The light rail extension is meant to alleviate traffic congestion due to growth in the South Sacramento and Elk Grove area. This allows for students who live in the Mead-

owview area a public means for transportation to CRC. “I think it’s going to help with traffic,” said Johan Pablo, 28, an engineering major. “I would take this to school and I think less people will be driving to campus.”

No matter the effects the Blue Line light rail extension will have, students can now

look forward to a definitive end to construction, so long as progress continues smoothly.

“Things have progressed smoothly up to this point,” Scofield said.

“Thanks in large part to the cooperation and support we’ve received from CRC and the Los Rios Community College District,” he said.

PAGE 4

THECRCCONNECTION.COM

Students weigh in on vaping vs. cigarettes

By Tim Taylor ttaylor.connect@gmail.com

While controversy is occurring on campus over the use of electronic cigarettes and vape pens, students at Cosumnes River College are taking sides about whether or not there should be more regulations.

Seven out of 12 students interviewed said they did not have a problem with students using these smoking devices on campus.

“It hasn’t been proven to be more harmful [than normal cigarettes],” said Eric Vasquez, a 19-year-old social science major. “So I don’t think it matters where people do it.”

SAVE THE

DATE FOOD FILM FESTIVAL

The Sacramento Food Film Festival will continue to hold events through March 29.

The events will take place in various places around Sacramento, and include a combination of food and food-related films.

Some events are age-restricted while others are available for all ages.

Prices for remaining events range from free to $35 per person and can be purchased at foodliteracycenter. org

THE CITY’S BEST BLOCK PARTY

On the second and fourth Saturday of every month, the Franklin Community Library hosts a Lego Block Party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

People are invited to come to the library to build whatever their imagination comes up with. Duplo and Lego blocks will be provided.

The next two events will take place on March 28 and April 11.

However, not all students on campus share this opinion.

“I don’t want to be around

“[Vape users] would be forced to breath cigarette smoke and that could be a trigger for a user trying to quit.”

-- Brandon Reza

19, undeclared

that [vapor from an e-cigarette],” said 19-year-old Lejae Thompson an undeclared major.

“People shouldn’t be

forced to breathe that in on campus,” he said.

Some students on campus are bothered by e-cigarette vapor regardless of its odor and believe they should be restricted to the same designated smoking areas as normal cigarette users.

According to a CRC campus map, there are 13 designated smoking areas on campus which all smokers, including vape users are expected to be limited to.

“It is fair to put them in the same smoking area,” said 18-year-old bioscience major Hylace Khalayi. “Either way they are still going to do it.”

Users of e-cigarettes are treated just the same on campus as regular smokers on

campus because either way.

Brandon Reza, a 19-yearold undeclared major and vapor user, said he never uses a vapor on campus out of respect for other students, but does think it is an inconsiderate policy for people trying to quit smoking. “[Vape users] would be forced to breathe cigarette smoke and that could be a trigger for a user trying to quit,” Reza said.

Some students interviewed said people on campus expect the freedom of breathing clean air regardless of the unknown health risks of e-cigarettes.

However, due to the amount of smoking areas in place, students may find it

difficult to avoid second hand smoke and vapor.

“We have the most designated smoking areas in the Los Rios District ... We have 13,” said RTVF Professor Robert “B.J.” Snowden at an Academic Senate meeting.

It is known that using them at high voltage for prolonged periods of time is just as harmful as smoking a cigarette, according to a Huffington Post article by Toni Clarke.

“Vapor is still a harm to the body,” said 21-year-old psychology major Igzabihair Yamakosi. “I’m just saying, be more aware of your surroundings.”

Nick Valenzuela contributed to this article.

GET UP AND GO

Elk Grove will hold its second annual GO Fest on April 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Presented by Kaiser Permanente, the event will consist of various fitness activities including a fun run, rock wall, fitness classes and kids activity zone, all in the name of fitness for all ages.

Food vendors will also be present at the event, which will be located on Longleaf Drive near Laguna blvd. and Big Horn blvd.

WORLD’S LARGEST EASTER EGG HUNT

Sacramento is going big for this year’s Easter.

The city seeks to break the Guiness world record for the world’s largest Easter egg hunt. The hunt will have more than 500,000 eggs and will take place at the Sacramento Capitol building from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 4.

The event, produced by Blue Heart International, is free to participate in, but a paid VIP option is also available.

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RUN LIKE AN ELK

The fourth annual Running of the Elk half marathon will take place March 29.

The event will include a half marathon, a 10K and a 5K run and a kids fun run. The day will kick off with the half marathon and 10K at 8 a.m.

Registration prices range from $22 to $60, depending on event and participant’s age.

Participants who complete the events will receive finishers medals.

Participants can register at runningoftheelkhalf.com.

Don’t think you have time to learn something new?

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2/25/15 4:05 PM

PAGE 5

THECRCCONNECTION.COM

Academic senate sees unusual contest

By Stephanie Lopez & Scott Redmond slopez.connect@gmail.com The Cosumnes River College Academic Senate has begun the process of electing officials for the 2015-2016 term, but unlike previous elections where many candidates ran unopposed there is competition for the top spots this year.

The senate positions of president and vice president are igniting competition while geography Professor Scott Crosier is running unopposed for secretary.

Psychology Professor James Frazee and biology Professor Julie Oliver are the candidates for president, while economics Professor Edward Fagin and anthropology Professor Shannon Mills are running for vice president.

Oliver, currently serving as vice president for the senate, said that her running for president is a continuation of her long service in the senate.

“I have been a member of the CRC Academic Senate for 13 years, first as a science, mathematics and engineering division senator and then as chair of the health and facilities committee,” Oliver said.

“Most recently I have served on the academic senate executive team as the secretary and for the past two years as the senate vice president. I feel faculty leadership is important, and I enjoy serving the faculty at CRC in regard to academic and professional matters,” she said.

Frazee said he had his own reasons for running for the president position.

“I’ve noticed that we’ve had a lack of faculty voice and faculty should be the ones who are guiding the academic decisions on campus and that faculty need to be represented whether it be the loudest group or the group that might not have their voice recognized,” Frazee said. “All people who are faculty members have contributions to the academic side of the house and what I saw happening was that there was a need in that area where we need to actually improve our inclusiveness of people who have different viewpoints and that wasn’t happening.”

Frazee said that “recently our academic expertise has not been the thing that’s deferred to in making decisions” and that “a small group of people have made unilateral decisions without democratic processes.”

Philosophy Professor Charles Van Patten, who has been critical of the senate, said that this election will bring democracy back to the Senate.

“I think it’s a very important elec-

tion that will have a lot to do with whether or not the campus is democratic or not,” Van Patten said. “CRC was once democratic, but it isn’t democratic anymore and there’s some things that could be done to make CRC democratic again and one of them is to change the leadership of the academic senate.”

Van Patten said he is supporting Frazee and Fagin as candidates because he believes they can bring democracy back.

“A couple of people have stepped up with the willingness to try and make CRC democratic again and that’s what the election is all about for me.

That’s the reason why I support James and Eddie,” Van Patten said.

He said he has nothing against Oliver and Mills but feels they “are part of the existing senate leadership” and “that senate leadership is part of the reason why democracy has faded.”

The divide within some of the faculty is something Oliver said she feels needs to be addressed no matter the outcome of the election.

She said there needs to be an attempt to build bridges and bring faculty to an agreement to work together collegially and respectfully.

“Faculty with all opinions and viewpoints need to use the participatory process to have their voices heard,” Oliver said. “We have a structure in which issues may be brought to the Academic Senate or a participatory governance committee for discussion by the body. The body may then proceed with the necessary response to the issue.

People with concerns about the functionality of the Academic Senate need to become involved with the process and work with colleagues to come to solutions.”

Current Academic Senate President Robert “B.J.” Snowden said that the perceived divide is more a difference of opinion than an actual divide.

“I think it’s less of a divide and more of a perspective,” Snowden said.

“I think that everybody who is running for office has the best of the college in mind, I just think there are different philosophies on how that can happen.

Again, I think everyone is definitely qualified, I think that this is going to be an interesting election and it’s not the first time there has been a contested election and it certainly won’t be the last.”

One thing that Snowden said he hopes to see happen, no matter the

outcome of the election, is for the senate to forge a closer relationship with the students.

“I hope that we have a closer relationship with the students, and I think that if we found topics that we were both looking to make action or make traction on, I think that would be something I would really want to stand behind and really see happen,” Snowden said.

“For example, if the college wanted to take a harder look at campus safety, I think that’s something that the students and the faculty could really stand behind,” he said.

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March 26, 2015

>>Features

Professor’s passion for photo guides his teaching

By Tierra Palumbo tpalumbo.connect@gmail.com

F

or the last 27 years Cosumnes River College photography professor Jim West has retained the same enthusiasm when it comes to teaching students the art of photography and has been a guiding hand in shaping the department.

West has made a name for himself on campus and in the photography world, but he said he still makes teaching students his first priority.

“Students come first for me, they have always been first to me,” West said.

Rather than overloading students with information, West said he wants to bring out the information that is already inside them, to make them a better person as well as a better photographer.

West said he believes that the way he was raised has a lot to do with the photographer he is now, and he wants to instill that in his students as well.

“How I was raised is that you do the best job that you possibly can and realize that everything in life is tenuous,” West said. “I came from a family of six children, and I’m the only college graduate out of six children, and I can do this, I did it, and so can you.”

Cat Lenoir, a 19-year-old photography major, is taking her first class with West.

She said she always heard good things about him and she’s happy to be taking his class.

“What people have said about him is true,” Lenoir said. “He is the coolest teacher I’ve had here. He’s more than a teacher, you could be friends with him if you wanted to.”

Kenneth Bloyd, a teacher’s aide for West, said he’s known him for two years and he appreciates the way that West teaches his students.

“I like that he teaches from a photographers point of view, not an art perspective,” Bloyd said. “He is always listening to his students, and helping them whenever he can.”

West said he believes that life is about the present and that whatever happened in the past is in the past.

“It’s what are you doing now and what are you plan-

Ceejay Willis |The Connection

Photography professor Jim West (left) takes his Advanced Portrait class off campus, near the Golden Corral, for a photo demonstration on March 24.

ning to do in the future to make a difference to the people around you,” West said.

West will soon have one of his photos published in USA Today.

“It’s great news that they are going to be publishing one of my images. I am very excited that it’s going to go on the web and that millions of people are going to be seeing it,” West said. “But to me it’s about when you do something that you try to do the best that you can possibly do in it, and then

expecting, from speaking engagements to training and technical education,” West said. “And [they] opened doors for what we are doing here at CRC and for corporations to come and see what we are doing here.”

With these two awards, West said he now has the opportunity to travel the world and shoot photos, and he was happy that the school allowed him to take a part-time sabbatical.

West was invited to go to

West said he also has an appointment at the White House where he is hoping to meet with the main photographer for President Barack Obama and meet with the editor of National Geographic Magazine.

In addition to traveling the world, West is also attending conventions where he is able to meet different photography companies that he said believe in what he is doing at CRC and want to work with him.

“I haven’t gotten one single bad review. He is the coolest teacher I’ve had here.

He’s more than a teacher, you could be friends with him if you wanted to.”

—Cat Lenoir

19, Photography Major you share that, and it’s done, and then think about what are you going to do next.”

Last year, West won the Nikon Teaching Award as well as the Dean Collins, Scott Kelby Educator of the year award, which was given in Las Vegas at Photoshop World by Kelby.

“These two awards opened up doors that I wasn’t

Cuba and China but said since he wasn’t able to receive a full sabbatical he won’t be able to go to China but is working on going to Cuba.

In the meantime, he said he will be going to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. and working in the photography department there.

“A lot of the companies that I met with, I at least met with 20 companies maybe even 30, and most of all of them said ‘we want to be part of your program. We want to partner with CRC and with your students,’” West said.

West said his goals for his sabbatical are to bring partnerships to the photography pro-

gram, and to let them come in and bring free education to the students. These partnerships include groups bringing their equipment in so students can use it so they’ll have an advantage when they go into the workplace, West said.

Many of West’s students said his accomplishments are an inspiration to them.

“This little community college in Sacramento with this awesome well known photography teacher, it’s cool to think about how he’s done all these things and he’s my teacher,” Lenoir said. “ He knows that he is accomplished and he doesn’t act like it. He wants us to be accomplished as well, and that is nice to have.”

West said that photography is more than a job for him because he sees photography everywhere.

“Photography is the idea of bringing light onto a subject, just as an artist puts paint onto a subject. The idea of capturing the elusive,“ West said. “I live, breathe and eat photography. That’s who I am and it’s what I do. I don’t know how to live in any other way.”

thecrcconnection.com

Page 7

Classic Zelda game gets new life with a 3D remake

By Bobby Bishop bbishop.connect@gmail.com A scary-faced moon, a creepy mask salesman, the land of Termina and the song of time should bring back a lot of memories for fans of the long-running “The Legend of Zelda” video game series. Memories that Nintendo hoped to capture with the release of “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D” on the Nintendo 3DS. An updated version of the original Nintendo 64 “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask,” the 3DS remastered version is remarkable as it has the same great game play with beautiful new graphics.

The storyline is the same as in the previous edition. The hero Link must race through the land of Termina over the course of three days in hopes of saving the world, all while traveling through various temples, collecting new items for his quest and defeating bosses.

Just like the original, Link must warp back in time to relive the three days over and over in order to prevent the world of Termina from ending.

This game is everything fans of the original will re-

Courtesy Photo

member, while still adding things that set it apart. Some of these additions arguably make the game easier than the original version.

Located in the town’s clock tower is a new item called the Sheikah Stone that

will tell the player where to go if they are lost or just can’t figure out a part of a puzzle. It helps with the typical frustrations that come with the series and its sometimes complicated puzzles.

Alongside the Sheikah

Stone, there is another major addition to the game. The fan-favorite fishing mini-game from games like “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” has been added to the remastered game.

Slight differences are

prominent throughout the game. From different dialogue to different terrain to even differences in the opening scene where Link falls through to the world of Termina.

Playing through each of the dungeons, moving the player closer to the final boss battle with the Majora’s Mask-wearing Skull Kid, it became apparent that the boss battles were slightly easier in the 3DS version compared to the N64 original.

Perhaps it could be the fact that I played the game before and remembered how to fight the bosses, or it could be they changed how difficult the actual battles are. Either way, the bosses come off as easier to defeat in the new version.

Playing through the game brought back fond memories of “The Legend of Zelda” series as well as the frustrations with the temples and the puzzles that are a mainstay of the game series.

“The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D” is a worthy addition to the series and it’s worth picking up for nostalgic fans of the series.

Score out of 5 stars

‘Divergent’ sequel is full of dark twists and turns

By Nicole Goodie ngoodie.connect@gmail.com “Insurgent” is truly what a sequel in any trilogy should be. The sequel to the popular film “Divergent” is a roller coaster of thrills.

The film guides you through exceptional character development and by the end it leaves you begging for more.

Robert Schwentke, director of “R.I.P.D.” and “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” does an incredible job of moving the plot forward while also giving glimpses into the main character Tris’ psyche.

Schwentke keeps the viewers at the edge of their seats by continuously mixing nightmare with reality. Although he didn’t direct the first film in the series, Schwentke packs “Insurgent” full of dark twists and turns.

The film takes place right where the first one left off. Tris and Four, played by Shailene Woodley and Theo James,

must hide from the faction Erudite while attempting to convince the other factions to join them in fighting against the power hungry Jeanine, leader of Erudite played by Kate Winslet.

While the five factions are introduced in the first film, “Insurgent” offers a deeper look into how the other factions operate. The factionless also play a much bigger role this time around.

The film still holds onto its young adult romance roots, but it is so much more than that.

Even though it is shown how Tris and Four’s relationship is growing, it is fortunately not the main focus of the plot.

In fact, James and Woodley’s chemistry is nothing compared to that of Woodley and Winslet’s. The intensity between the two actresses keeps eyes glued to the screen.

Winslet herself gives a titanic performance by showing

Courtesy Photo

how truly Erudite she can be.

She perfects the cold and calculated demeanor that an Erudite leader should possess.

Luckily, Schwentke brings back the idea of simulations that were introduced in the first film. The computer graphics make these scenes stunning and impossible to look away from.

The best part, unless you

have read the books, is the complete unpredictability throughout the entire movie.

Just when you think you understand, Schwentke throws in another twist.

“Insurgent” truly is a stunning portrayal of what a sequel should be. You’ll feel like you just stepped off a roller coaster instead of stepping out of a movie theatre.

Score out of 5 stars For more reviews, please visit www.thecrcconnection.com and follow The Connection on Twitter @crcconnection

PAGE 8

THECRCCONNECTION.COM

Compiled by Bobby Bishop, Omar Chan, Scott Redmond, Jasmine Teng & Ceejay Willis All photos by: Ceejay Willis

Gunther’s Quality Ice Cream

This ice cream parlor presents a classic facade that offers ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes, sherbets, yogurts and fruit freezes as well as sandwiches. Gunther’s Quality Ice Cream provides a classic environment with a family atmosphere and the treats are good, too. However, depending on what you get, it can be a bit overpriced for its portions. If you’re willing to pay for that homemade guarantee and friendly ambiance, then Gunther’s is the right place for you.

What we ordered: Single scoop sundae $4.25 & single scoop waffle cone $3.60

2801 Franklin Blvd.

Sacramento, CA 95818 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

7 days a week

Moo Moo’s

Entering this cafe, you immediately realize that the name fits the decor.

With its all white walls patterned with cow spots and quotations in black font, Moo Moo has a unique scene. They offer a variety of snow bubble and milk tea selections. The most popular drink is Moo Moo’s Milk Tea. Caramel and strawberry are the popular snow flavors. The milk tea snow bubble with boba was sweet but not overbearing and the boba was soft, chewy and cooked to perfection.

What we ordered: Regular milk tea snow bubble with boba $4.65

8698 Elk Grove Blvd. Suite 2B Elk Grove, CA 95624 Mon-Thur 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Fri-Sat 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.

Sun 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.

The Italian Delicatessens & Fine Foods This quaint deli offers an array of food and desserts including cannolis, mousse cake, tiramisu and a delicious gelato menu. Their gelato is made only with fresh milk, fresh fruit juices and other premium ingredients. The selection of flavors changes due to seasonality and availability. Of the six flavors offered the day of our visit, vanilla was a standout. It is unlike any other vanilla we ever tasted with its sweet, authentic flavor and creamy texture. With each bite, it left a titillating cookie dough-like aftertaste.

What we ordered: Large gelato $4.99

9020 Elk Grove Blvd. Suite 102 Elk Grove, CA. 95624 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

7 days a week

Vampire Penguin Vampire Penguin offers a vast assortment of shaved snow desserts that is presented in an aesthetically pleasing fashion. We highly recommend the Mexican Candy, which is a concoction of mango shaved snow with fresh watermelon, caramel sauce, salt flakes and chili powder. The composition of spice from the chili, and the salt flakes, along with the sweet from the caramel sauce and watermelon, offers a delecatly sweet and spicy combo. Don’t forget to try their macaroons as well.

What we ordered: Large Mexican Candy $7

9135 West Stockton Blvd.

Elk Grove, CA 95758 Sun-Thur 12 p.m. –8 p.m.

Fri-Sat 12 p.m. –9 p.m.

The Parlor Ice Cream Puffs Like ice cream? Like donuts? At The Parlor Ice Cream Puffs, you can enjoy both at the same time. Implementing a twist to the ice cream sandwich, this parlor fills a donut with homemade ice cream. A choice of eight different ice cream flavors that can be scooped into a classic glazed donut, apple fritter, or a macaroon. This creatively tasty delight is a nice warm bite of donut that is followed by cool ice cream. This is an extremely gratifying sandwich that truly leaves you speechless. On Tuesdays they have $2 single scoops and $2.95 ice cream puffs.

What we ordered: Glazed donuts ice cream puff (no toppings) $3.95

2620 Fair Oaks Blvd.

Sacramento, CA 95864 12 p.m. – 12 a.m.

7 days a week Scores out of 5

THECRCCONNECTION.COM

Meet the Kingdom Builders

PAGE 9

Sparks said these types of games are healthier for the mind and bring people together. They also help with critical and strategic thinking as well as resource management.

Sparks said his main reason for starting the group was to help people who are struggling with disorders such as PTSD and suicidal thoughts.

In the six years the group has been meeting, Sparks said they have transformed into a safe place for anyone looking to kill some time, relieve stress or make new friends.

Naboa said even though strategy games require a lot of thinking, it actually helps relieve stress.

“If you’re stressed out because of school work, The word gamer typically brings to mind the or just life in general, every Thursday there’s a image of people sitting at their computer or televiboard game club here that pretty much helps relieve sion, fighting off an array of nightmarish enemies stress and it’s a good time killer,” Naboa said. out to get them. For some, those images and plots Members of the club said that no one should be can be too intense because of what they have experiafraid if they don’t know how to play the games. enced in the real world.

They are more than willing to show people how to Some of those individuals at Cosumnes Rivplay and even share a helpful trick or two. er College have come together to form their own “I would love to see the club grow,” said group of gamers called the 20-year-old Gavyn Anderson, Kingdom Builders who focus a biology major. “These games If you’re stressed out because of school work or just life in general, every Thurs- are really fun, and not too many on a different type of game: board games. play them.” day there’s a board game club here that pretty much relieves stress and it’s a good people Although they are not an Anderson said that comofficial CRC club, the Kingdom time killer.” pared to enduring socialBuilders are just as passionate ly-awkward group projects, the about their purpose as any Kingdom Builders help with other club.

—Angelo Naboa social communication.

“The board games can be “It’s a good way to get out 19, Accounting Major used to really bring people of your comfort zone but in a together,” said Kingdom Builder’s founder and Sparks said that students who are not a part of very friendly and fun way,” Anderson said. president Richard Sparks. “The people are more the mainstream find themselves in a battle to move During a lively debate between Sparks and the important than the games.” forward. rest of the members, they said the club’s three most Sparks said he and the other leaders of the club “Bullying is something that can ruin kids,” popular games are Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan make sure that anyone who joins them feels welSparks said. and Carcassonne. All three are worker placement come.

Bringing the game Settlers of Catan to the cafstyle games that originated in Germany.

Sparks said he is a veteran of the Kosovo war eteria and playing with friends is what Sparks said They also play classic strategy games like Risk in Yugoslavia, which was a time of genocide and started the group. and Go. The latter of which was developed in China depression for the Serbians and Albanians. Because As the group of gamers began to grow, Sparks over 2,500 years ago. of what they had to witness, many veterans develop said the original members began forming the club Shane Rigsby, a 20-year-old architecture major, post-traumatic stress disorder, including Sparks. into what it is today. is one of the leaders of Kingdom Builders and said “One of the things that helped me deal with Angelo Naboa, a 19-year-old accounting major, he works hard to advance the club.

PTSD is gaming,” Sparks said. “Not the gaming that said his friend would bring him to the cafeteria after “I try to give general ideas of what games we has demons and spells and witchcraft and sorcery, class to play with the club. can play, figure out the guidelines and basically give none of that darker side stuff.”

“We started just playing board games and it was a specific idea of what to obtain,” Rigsby said.

Kingdom Builders usually play strategy and so much fun,” Naboa said. “I actually had someThe Kingdom Builders meet every Thursday worker placement board games of all types. Some thing to do in between classes. Every Thursday I in the cafeteria from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and said they are based off historical places or points in time. look forward to it just because it is a relax day.” welcome anyone.

By Nicole Goodie ngoodie.connect@gmail.com

“

#TrendingNow As part of a campaign to get customers talking about race, Starbucks began writing the words #RaceTogether on cups.

They ended it on March 22, but said it is just the first step in the campaign.

“I feel it is not a good idea because most of the baristas are not informed enough in the topic to hold a civilized discussion,” said 29-year-old communications major Monica Gallagher.

Seven’ The seventh installment of the “Fast and Furious” series races into theaters on April 3, after being delayed a year because of the death of star Paul Walker in November 2013.

“I’m excited,” said Maricella Velasco 18, an engineering major. “I love the amount of action that they pack in the films to keep you enthralled the entire time. It’s also a way to pay tribute to a great actor in his final film.”

Election

ether

‘ Furious

Race Tog

Compiled by Ceejay Willis All photos are courtesy photos

2016 Republican candidate Ted Cruz was the first to declare his intent to run for president in the 2016 election at an event at Liberty University on March 23.

“I really find it mind boggling that Ted Cruz is signing his family up for Obamacare, but he promises to get rid of it if he wins,” said Ronaldo Cruz, 36, an English major. “That kind of discredits him as a viable candidate in my opinion.”

PAGE 10

MARCH 26, 2015

>>Opinion

EDITORIAL

UC needs to hold itself accountable for CA students The University of California claims to be accountable to the people of California.

“As a publicly funded institution, the University of California is accountable to the people of California for how well it performs,” according to the UC’s 2014 Accountability Report on its website.

However, just three months into the following year, the UC has chosen to ignore this statement.

The UC will begin limiting California student enrollment in place of more out-of-state transfers while negotiating for an increased budget with Gov. Jerry Brown, according to statements made by UC President Janet Napolitano earlier this month.

The UC will only be admitting students that it knows it has funding for, Napolitano said.

This bold move has caused quite a response from San Diego Assembly Speaker Toni G. Atkins, who questioned the UC’s “$7 billion in existing resources.”

“Over the past seven years, UC’s core spending has increased 27 percent, while the enrollment of California undergraduates rose only 4 percent. Between 2007 and 2013, the number of UC employees making over $200,000 doubled,” Atkins said in a statement regarding the UC’s plan to limit in-state students. “Last year was the highest number of out of state and out of country students ever.”

And now the UC is asking for more money.

The UC tries to paint a picture of financial need in its 2014 Accountability Report, stating that “the University’s share of the state’s general fund dropped from 8.1 percent in 1966–67 to 2.7 percent in 2013–14.” But what the report forgets to mention are some other key changes.

In 1967, the UC student to faculty ratio was about 14:1, according to a 2006 UC report released by the Committee on Planning and Budget. The same report states the student to faculty ratio has been at least 19:1 since the 1990’s.

What does the UC state about this ratio in their accountability report?

“One widely used measure of academic quality is the student-faculty ratio. The lower the ratio, the better for the student in terms of focused instruction and faculty contact,” according to the report. The report goes on to list the current student-faculty ratio at 21:1.

And the amount of funding that the UC received in 1967 compared to the “$7 billion in existing resources” that Atkins questioned? According to the Postsecondary Education Commission, the UC needed less than $250,000 in 1967.

Californians, it is time that we take a stand against the UC’s demanding more funding and using California students as leverage.

Yes, there have been funding cuts across the board. And yes, one way the UC can quickly fix this problem is by opening up the floodgates for out of state students, who, according to the UC website, pay an average of $24,000 more than California residents.

But to whom is the UC supposed to be held accountable to?

According to the first sentence in the 2014 UC Accountability Report, “as a public entity, the University is accountable to the people of California and it must and it shall remain accountable to them for its actions, past and present, and for its future developmental trajectories.”

The UC system needs to reevaluate its goals and remember the reasons it was created. If it wishes to continue to refer to itself as a state-funded entity with California’s students’ and residents’ interests in mind, then perhaps it should start playing the part.

We invite all California residents to join us in reaching out to UC President Janet Napolitano via email at president@ucop.edu, regardless of stance. The UC has forgotten its purpose and to whom it remains accountable. Will you help us remind them of this?

HAWK TALK Do you think the University of California should limit California student enrollment in place of more out of state students as a response to budget cuts?

Anthony Smith 19, visual and performing arts “A lot of instate students should leave to out-of-state college instead of staying here and going to a usual California school.”

Josh Singh 19, business marketing “The California students [who] are living here should definitely get priority because they live here. The whole UC system is just trying to do whatever they can just to make money.”

Compiled by: Bobby Bishop & Stephanie Lopez

THECRCCONNECTION.COM

PAGE 11

Learning how to deal with stress LISTEN TO MUSIC

MEDITATE

“Daily meditation may alter the brain’s neural pathways, making you more resilient to stress,” said psychologist Robbie Maller Hartman, PhD, a Chicago health and wellness coach.

BREATHE DEEPLY “Deep breathing counters the effects of stress by slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure,” said psychologist Judith Tutin, PhD, a certified life coach in Georgia.

GET MOVING All forms of exercise, such as walking or yoga, help the brain release feel-good chemicals known as endorphins, which block pain receptors in the brain.

By Tierra Palumbo tpalumbo.connect@gmail.com

Being my third year in college, I have become accustomed to waking up every morning worried if there is enough time in the day for me to complete all of my tasks.

I used to believe that stress was something that just came with being a college student: being a full-time student with a part-time job as well as trying to maintain a social life seems typical at Cosumnes River College. I figured that the stress associated with everything wasn’t that big of a deal.

That was until I had my first, but certainly not last, anxiety attack.

My heart began beating rapidly, my palms became extremely sweaty and it became hard for me to breathe. I decided to speak out and ask for help.

That was when I was able to find the help that I needed and I learned that I am not the only one who has gone through this.

One in every four young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 have a diagnosable mental illness, which includes depression, anxiety, eating disorder and addictive behavior among students, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

John MacPhee, executive director of the Jed Foundation, which oversees an online resource center for students dealing with emotional issues, said “by far, depression and anxiety are the most prevalent mental health problems students confront.”

Brushing stress off as if it is something that will go away isn’t the type of life that I would recommend for any student to live.

Stress is something that you deal with all your life, and the best way to fix something in your life is to be educated about it.

On our campus, we have a health service center where nurses are there to help and educate students on how to relieve stress in their everyday lives.

I was able to speak with CRC’s

Head Nurse Michelle Barkley and I brought up the possibility of having an event on the campus called Mental Health Awareness.

This would be a collection of stress-relieving events leading up to finals week, which are no doubt some of the most stressful weeks for a college student.

Some of the mental health awareness events that other schools have had for students were creative and fun for both staff and students preparing for finals week.

Humboldt State University hosted a puppy therapy de-stress session during midterms and finals to relieve stress from the students’ last year at their campus.

Dalton State College in Georgia had a “No Stress Zone” where students could escape from their responsibilities for a moment and enjoy simple activities such as creating models with Play-Doh. Students at CRC can benefit from similar experiences.

The campus is planning on hosting mental health awareness events to educate students about stress and help relieve them of it, but I believe that even more change is needed.

Students should not have to wait hours before being able to talk to a counselor, and the counseling resource on the school website never seems to work.

In order to make a change on this campus it is up to both the students and the school.

The students need to speak up about what they want to see changed on the campus and the school needs to listen to their requests.

That is the only way that anything will ever get done.

So speak up students, because the staff members are ready to make this change.

“We are striving to be the best that we can and with the feedback of the students I know that we can do that,” Barkley said.

Research shows that listening to soothing music can help lower heart rate, blood pressure and even anxiety.

Upbeat music can also help others blow off some steam.

LAUGH OUT LOUD Laughing lowers cortisol levels in the body, which are the stress hormones, and boosts brain chemicals called endorphins, which help your mood.

SLOW DOWN Be present. Try to focus on details such as how the air feels against your face when you are walking, or how your feet feel with each step you take.

Information from Web MD

PAGE 12

THECRCCONNECTION.COM

modern. However, the convenience of using a voice command application on a remote to search for television shows and movies does not make it acceptable for Samsung or any third parties to have access to a user’s privacy.

Whether or not that was the intention while the device was being engineered, the use of television commands being used for third parties research is deceitful.

Huxley focused on the relationship between technology and science but he also made observations about consumer society. Huxley proposed that society would turn into something where the economic values consist of an individual’s needs being satisfied.

Huxley was right; our economic values revolve around our own particular wants. We are highly concerned with how technological advances help our personal convenience. However, exercising our right to use technology does not authorize third parties to use our private information.

A simple solution for those who do not want to be recorded is to turn off the voice command application in the settings menu. But those who are more concerned with speaking what they want to watch rather than pressing the button on a remote should still be reassured their personal information is being kept private.

Today’s electronics offer much more than they did in the past; color, Wi-Fi, and different apps. Sure, giving voice commands to a recordBy Jasmine Teng ing device is of someones own jteng.connect@gmail.com free will. But, to what extent should that recording be used?

For those who have heard of Aldous Huxley and perhaps have read Voice recognition should be used to search telehis most popular novel, Brave New World, the idea of the advancement in vision shows or movie suggestions and end there. Samsung technology taking over society might sound familiar. Anyone who owns a should neither provide nor sell Samsung Smart TV that features a voice their customers’ requests to third parties to command option may very well be living Voice recognition should be used to search television use for their own marketing.

Huxley’s prediction.

To clarify , a smart TV will not turn on Samsung’s smart TV’s offer a voice com- shows or movie suggestions and end there. Samsung in the middle of the night to record your mand application that essentially translates should neither provide nor sell their customers’ requests conversation and sell it back to third parties. speech into text. The voice commands are The issue is that third parties can keep the recorded, sent to a third party in search of to third parties to use for their own marketing. recordings we willingly record when we say what was requested, researched for results our voice commands. and then sent back to the TV. Changing the channel on a television set has advanced over the years from Samsung states in the fine print that, with the voice command option walking to the set to sitting back in a chair and speaking into the remote. turned on, it could record your living room conversations, or essentially anyToday’s obsession with watching TV and love for advancement in technolthing said within distance of the recording remote. But what Samsung forogy is possibly taking control of our lives. We are willingly giving away pergets to mention is that those commands are stored in a database of said third sonal information without considering the consequences. In that case, Aldous parties.

Huxley seems to have known what he was talking about.

Speaking into your remote and telling it what you want to watch is very

Smart TV’s are violating our privacy

New editions of textbooks not worth the cost

By Johny Garcia jgarcia.connect@gmail.com

COST OF SUPPLIES

“Do we really need the newest edition of the textbook?”

This is a question that is often asked during the first meeting of a college class and more often than not, the professor answers with yes.

Unfortunately, colleges in America are stuck in an ever-repeating cycle of textbooks and the losers of this cycle end up being the students themselves.

Each semester it is the same story: the publishers release a new edition of almost every textbook they printed the year before. Then the new textbooks are raved about by the publishers and the authors, claiming that the newer textbooks have so much more information than the previous editions. Then professors around the nation put the newest edition as a required text for their classes and the students suffer with the new textbook price tags.

This cycle needs to stop.

Too many times have I purchased or rented the newest textbook, compared it to older copies of the same textbook in the library and found that the only thing different between the two are the current events mentioned in relation to the main points.

Instead of requiring the newest textbooks that only feature updated examples from the media, professors could discuss the recent examples in-class while still using the second to the newest editions of textbooks that have, almost word for word in some instances, the same material as a previous edition.

One example of this is the eighth edition of the textbook “In Mixed Company: communicating in small groups” by J. Dan Rothwell. This textbook is listed at $150 to own a new copy or $37 to rent a copy from Amazon and was listed as a required text for one of my classes this semester.

Before purchasing the text, I visited the campus library and compared the newest edition of the textbook, which is on reserve in the library, with the sixth edition of the textbook, which is in library circulation and was printed in 2004.

Besides the front covers, the textbooks were nearly identical. The chapter titles, the chapter order and even much of the wording are exactly the same in the two editions of the textbook.

I figured that the information in the newest edition surely had to be on the unit test, be a topic of discussion in the class or be the basis of some homework assignment – nope.

So why is the newest edition of the textbook listed as the required text for the class, again?

The only reason is for the publishers to maximize profit for the publishing companies, which is not maximized when students purchase older versions of textbooks.

Professors need to do their homework when it comes to choosing the textbooks they require for their classes. And as students, we need to speak out about this trend that is occurring all over the nation.

If not, then the publishers and the authors of these textbooks will continue to profit off of the ignorance of us all.

The College Board estimates college students spend between $1,225 and $1,328 on books and supplies each year.

MARCH 26, 2015

PAGE 13

>>Sports

Coach travels from abroad to help tennis team

By Heather Kemp hkemp.connect@gmail.com After having a tough time last season, the Cosumnes River College men’s tennis team began to search for a new coach that could breathe life into the program. They found that coach in Matthew Emmett, a man who said he is focused on changing everyone’s perceptions about the team.

While getting a new coach is pretty ordinary in the world of sports, Emmett’s journey to CRC is anything but.

Not only has Emmett never played tennis, he also moved from his native England to the United States to coach the team.

“I have an unorthodox, nontraditional background in that I have never played tennis,” Emmett said. “At 17 or 18 a really successful tennis coach moved to my hometown and I just built a connection with him and he was starting a junior tennis school and asked if I would be his assistant. The first day I stepped on the court I knew nothing about tennis.”

Emmett said he grew up playing soccer, but quit when he was 15.

He then spent the next few years continuing his education until he found his passion, coaching.

“When I was at university I really realized that my passion was coaching and I wanted to become the best coach in the world,” Emmett said.

“It sounds a bit out there, but that’s my goal.”

Emmett received a bachelor’s degree in sports coaching from Leeds Metropolitan University in England in 2009 and a master’s in sports psychology from California State University Fresno in 2013.

While studying at Leeds, Emmett made a connection with a professor named Dr. Simon Jenkins who encouraged him to move to the United States and learn from Dr. Wade Gilbert at CSU Fresno.

“I didn’t even know Fresno existed and I’d never heard of Dr. Wade Gilbert, but I heard that he was the leading expert in the world in sports psychology and sports effectiveness research. The decision in my mind was made that I needed to go to Fresno,” Emmett said.

Emmett was an assistant coach at CSU Fresno and then went back to England for a period of time before returning to be head coach at CRC. While CRC’s tennis program has had a rough run with countless losses and a revolving door of coaches, Emmett said he felt like it was the place for him to create what he wanted.

“I wasn’t coming here and working under any restrictions. They were saying come and be you,” Emmett said.

Emmett said he is taking steps towards building a great team and program for the spring and is putting a lot of time into recruiting the right players.

“I’m not looking for the best players, I’m looking for the right ones,” Emmett said.

Ceejay Willis | The Connection

New men’s tennis head coach Matthew Emmett, pictured left, giving advice to sophomore player Bryan Leung, pictured right.

“I’m looking for those players who have good skill, but believe in achieving the impossible and want to create a piece of history.”

Emmett said traits such as a dedication to personal excellence, enthusiasm, resilience, accountability and a laser-like focus are crucial to creating a successful and championship-winning team as well as support from coaches, other staff and players.

“I want for people in and around the campus to understand what it is I am trying to do here,” Emmett said. “I talk a lot about this vision, and it is to create the most successful tennis program we’ve ever had here, but also as an extension of that to create the most successful program in our conference.”

When he is not busy coaching, Emmett writes articles for academic publications.

Recently, a book review

Baseball Home Games

Emmett wrote was published in the International Sport Coaching Journal, according to the Feb. 9 edition of Inside CRC. Gilbert and Dr. Cliff Mallett, another professor Emmett grew close to in college, both encouraged him to write after he received his master’s.

“That’s how it started, but I’ve started to branch off into writing about coaching effectiveness,” Emmett said.

“Specifically about coaches who weren’t players, but great coaches.”

Emmet said he is very familiar with the obstacles that coaches who never played their sport face.

“There are a lot of traditionalists that have the mindset that to be a great coach you’ve got to be a great player,” Emmett said.

When he started coaching, Emmett said he was very self conscious of the fact he had never played tennis, but

got over it and realized that across sports there are plenty of top coaches who never played.

Sophomore player Bryan Leung had high praise for Emmett.

“He’s the best coach I’ve had so far and the most active coach,” Leung said. “He actually cares about the team and the program and where it’s going.”

Instructional assistant Brandon Ellis said that Emmett is doing a good job as well.

“He’s been recruiting well, so in terms of looking ahead we’re optimistic that we’re going to have a growing program,” Ellis said. “I think that he’s dedicated to looking both short term and long term.”

While Emmett said he enjoys working out, watching movies and reading, he admits that his life is consumed by coaching, not that he minds.

“I get up in the morning and the first thing I think about is coaching and when I go to bed the last thing I think about is coaching,” Emmett said. “Everyday is an opportunity to get better.”

Emmett said he is committed to making his vision come true and will not deviate from his plan until he succeeds.

“I quite honestly would not have come 5,000 miles across the world if I truly didn’t believe in my heart that it was possible to create the best team in the conference,” Emmett said.

Softball Home Games

March 28

American River College 1 p.m.

March 31 Santa Rosa

3 p.m.

April 2

Santa Rosa

2:30 p.m.

April 3

Modesto

12 & 2 p.m.

April 7

Diablo Valley

2:30 p.m.

April 11

Diablo Valley

2:30 p.m.

April 9

Sacramento City College 12 & 2 p.m.

April 16

Sacramento City College 2:30 p.m.

April 21

Diablo Valley

3 p.m.

Page 14

thecrcconnection.com

Campus launches women’s swim team

By Scott Redmond sredmond.connect@gmail.com Cosumnes River College’s female athletes were given an opportunity this season to be on the ground floor of an entirely new program as the campus added women’s swimming to their list of sports.

Part of being a new program means there are things the team has to deal with that more established programs might not have to. While they began recruiting last semester when the program was first approved, the team only has five swimmers and most of them do not have competitive swimming experience.

Another obstacle the team must face is that while CRC has a pool and facilities to practice in, they can’t compete at home. All of their meets have been on the road.

Despite all these limitations, head coach Liz Abrams said their season is going very well.

“So far it’s going remarkably well,” Abrams said.

“Granted we do have a small team, but one of the benefits to that is they are getting a lot of one-on-one direct attention and practices will be tailored to what specifically they need.

It’s a really special opportunity to have such a small close knit group and environment.”

Abrams said that they are hoping to grow the team but are appreciating the time that they have to be able to build a solid core. Assistant coach Andrew Sieger said he agreed.

“We are building this program from the ground up and it’s amazing to have members

who have never swam competitively be interested and join our team,” Sieger said.

In order to bring a swim team to the campus, Athletic Director Liz Belyea said that they just had to switch some of the budget around in order to fund the team and hire coaches.

“Having a swim team meets the needs of the surrounding community,” Belyea said. “There are many swim programs in the area and female swimmers will be able to have the opportunity to swim competitively.”

Besides providing a space for local female swimmers to swim competitively, Belyea said there are other ways having a swim team benefits the campus.

“The use of our pool facility by our students is also increased,” Belyea said. “Having this team helps us to meet Title IX requirements.”

Title IX is the U.S. Department of Education’s guidelines and rules for equality in various areas of education, including athletics.

Basically, the law says that there needs to be an equal opportunity for the same amount of men and women to play sports. The loss of the women’s tennis team this season left an opening for a new sport to take its place without having to make shifts on the men’s side to make sure that opportunities stayed equal.

Besides just giving more opportunities to female athletes in the community, having a bigger team would help them in being able to score more points at their meets, Abrams said.

During their meets there

are various events, everything from to the 200-meter freestyle relay, that swimmers can participate in. Multiple swimmers from a team can compete in these events and they are broken up into heats, which are groups of swimmers that compete at the same time in the given event.

Times and where swimmers placed are compiled for each heat and then the results are posted after all heats of the event are completed.

“So, your goal would be to place first, second or third and depending where you place you are allotted points for your places,” Abrams said. “So the more swimmers you have to place in those top events the more points you score. So it behooves you to have a lot of swimmers because it gives you more opportunities to score more points.”

Choosing who to let swim in each event depends on a few things Abrams said.

Swimmers who have swam before tend to “have preferred events or events they’ve trained for in the past or that they’re more naturally good at,” Abrams said.

When it comes to the CRC team she said that it comes down to not only what events the women might prefer, but also their time.

Abrams said that they try to put the swimmers who are faster at certain types of swimming into those events in order to up their chances that they’ll place and score higher.

During the preparation last semester there was an entirely different head coach.

Abrams said she was called in as the coach shortly

Scott Redmond | The Connection

A swimmer for CRC’s women’s team diving into the pool during their team relay at the Big 8 Invitational at ARC on March 13.

before the season began.

“I took on the job in January, and the season began in January,” Abrams said.

“So it was a short amount of time to prepare for the season, but surprisingly things have been going well for the short amount of time I had to prepare. There’s a lot in the works for next year and planning for next year.”

Sieger said he has his eyes set on the future as well.

“I feel we are setting the groundwork for seasons to come,” Sieger said.

“As a team we have improved and the rate of our improvements are helping set the state for what this program can be,” Sieger said.

Like Belyea and Abrams, Sieger said he hopes to tap into the local community more going forward.

“We have a lot of talented swimmers in the area,” Sieger said. “And now with another opportunity for them to compete, that is in its early stages, we have a chance to make something great here at CRC.”

Swim team participates in their first Big 8 Invitational

By Ceejay Willis cwillis.connect@gmail.com As part of their inaugural season, the Cosumnes River College women’s swim team competed in the Big 8 Invitational Swim Meet, which was held at American River College on March 13.

During the four and a half hour meet, the team got a chance to showcase some of the improvements they have been working towards. While they may not have taken any

top spots in the competition, the team continued to set up the foundations for the seasons to come.

“The events went really well,” said head coach Liz Abrams. “For a lot of these girls, each meet is a new experience. Half of them swam some best times in their events, [and] they’re doing well.”

As a team, Abrams said their goal was to tighten up their technique and to shave seconds off their times. That showed in events like the

200 meter freestyle relay in which the team dropped two seconds off their time.

“Times and everything are improving. We’ve been getting our best records [and] we work really hard, but we have fun out here,” said freshman swimmer Seanna Estes.

While the team as a whole dropped seconds in the relay, their hard work paid off as they individually improved their times.

“In our 200 freestyle event, Seanna dropped 13 seconds and Katarina [Perez]

dropped a second as well,” Abrams said.

The team is showing improvement, but they are only at the beginning of their journey with this time being a pivotal point in their season, said assistant coach Andrew Sieger. Hard work and consistency is key for them, he said.

“The mentality of technique and the idea that they need to put in that work, especially right now, we are eight weeks into our season, physiologically they are all hitting walls now they really

have to start upping their training and staying committed,” Sieger said.

Freshman swimmer Megan Lapomardo said she is committed to training.

“Overall, it was a pretty good meet, but I didn’t do so well as I usually do in other meets, but I still tried my hardest today,” Lapomardo said. ”I am gonna take next week’s practice and work as hard as I can and swim harder and faster than I did before in practice and it will totally show in the next week.”

THECRCCONNECTION.COM

PAGE 15

Athlete of the Week award highlights student triumphs

By Tierra Palumbo tpalumbo.connect@gmail.com More than 200 student athletes have been crowned athlete of the week since the weekly acknowledgment began at Cosumnes River College in 2011, said the program’s creator and assistant coach for the men’s basketball team Nicholas Podesta.

Coaches nominate athletes for the recognition based on who they see excelling throughout the season, Podesta said. Besides being recognized by their coaches, Podesta said there are more benefits to the program.

“They receive statewide recognition, if chosen, on all the major [sports] websites,” Podesta said. “It’s great

publicity for the college and the student athlete. It’s a great thing that they can attach to college applications.”

Podesta said the award is also a team award, as the individual player could not do great without their team.

“We want to recognize someone on a team that is winning so that we can showcase that player and that team,” Podesta said.

While being recognized is important, Podesta said athletes who are featured get another big reward from the program.

Every month, one of the chosen athletes of the week is nominated for the California Community College Athletic Association Award. The association recognizes a male

Ceejay Willis | The Connection

Former athlete of the week recipient Josh Dela Cruz, a sophomore guard on the men’s basketball team, playing against Butte College on Feb. 27.

Editor in Chief: Heather Kemp Features Editor: Scott Redmond News Editor: Nick Valenzuela Opinion Editor: Johny Garcia Sports Editor: Heather Kemp Visuals Editor: Ceejay Willis Faculty Adviser: Rubina Gulati

Staff: Bobby Bishop, Omar Chan, Taylor Gomez, Nicole Goodie, Stephanie Lopez, Tierra Palumbo, Francisco Rodriguez, Tim Taylor, Jasmine Teng

The Connection is an award-winning newspaper published bi-weekly by the Journalism 410 & 411 media 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 and California Newspaper Publisher’s Association.

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.

and a female student athlete each year for their excellence in athletics and academics, according to the CCCAA website.

Podesta said he believes that the athlete of the week and the CCCAA award are great ways to show recognition to student athletes who deserve it and are performing well in both their studies and in their sport.

“That’s very difficult to do. It’s a full-time job as a student athlete and if you are excelling in the classroom as well as in your sport, it shows how successful you can be under pressure,” Podesta said.

Mitchell Love, a sophomore guard on the men’s basketball team, has been athlete of the week two times.

“I was surprised that I was going to get it and I was happy that I was able to get it since there are so many different athletes that go here as well,” Love said.

Love said that he doesn’t go into the game thinking about what acknowledgments or nominations he might receive. Instead he said he goes in thinking about how he can help the team win the game.

“It’s a great achievement but it’s about being the best player every week,” Love said.

Josh Dela Cruz, another sophomore guard for the men’s basketball team who has won the award, said he agreed that winning the award should not be the focus on the court.

“When on the court, it’s not about the recognition. It’s all about the win,” Dela Cruz said.

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Sandoval won’t be missed after Giants diss

By Scott Redmond sredmond.connect@gmail.com When fan favorite San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval decided to take an offer from the Boston Red Sox, there was a collective sigh of disappointment from many fans.

As of last week though, those sighs might rightfully be turning into grumbles and shaking fists.

Originally, during the parade that celebrated the Giants World Series win in 2014, Sandoval claimed that he hoped to stay on the team and would be happy to retire as a Giant. Later on, he said that he chose the Red Sox because he had been with the Giants since he was 16 and wanted to try something new.

The feeling of growing up and wanting to branch out is normal and seemed like a reasonable move for Sandoval.

Then last week in a shameless backstabbing move, Sandoval revealed in an interview with The Bleacher Report that he was glad to be gone from the team and would miss no one besides team manager Bruce Bochy and outfielder Hunter Pence.

Sandoval claimed in the interview that he knew he was going to leave during spring training last year, because he felt slighted by the fact that he wasn’t offered a more substantial contract by the Giants.

Sandoval wanted a fiveyear deal, like Pence got, but the Giants countered and offered a four-year deal for $75 million with an option to turn it into a five-year $85 million deal.

This move by Sandoval is a slap in the face to fans that cheered for him as well as the teammates who stood

beside him in what is generally believed to be one of the best clubhouses in the sport.

It made perfect sense that the Giants were wary of offering too much to the third baseman when he’s had numerous problems with keeping his weight down, especially between the end of the regular or postseason and spring training.

Instead of keeping his mouth shut and just surging ahead in his new home, Sandoval felt it was necessary to take a swipe at his old team. There is nothing classy about throwing people under the bus.

In fact, it just proves that the Red Sox and their fans had better be careful. In the interview he claims he is now home with them, but the man was just claiming that the Giants were like home and he gave them a foam finger sized middle finger.

Who knows what he might say about the Red Sox if he doesn’t get his way.

Sandoval claims that Boston is home now, but he said that about San Francisco in the past.

Ego does this sort of thing to too many athletes.

They start to believe the accolades and hype and it turns them into poor sports.

Sandoval was a great member of the Giants and his accomplishments will remain as important parts of this era of Giants history, but they will forever be tarnished by the fact that he turned on those who helped him become who he is today.

Good riddance to Sandoval and his negative attitude.

Hopefully for him the Red Sox and Giants don’t end up in the same stadium together anytime soon.

PAGE 16

MARCH 26, 2015

Title IX:

Still shaping women’s history decades later

By Heather Kemp hkemp.connect@gmail.com Just over 40 years ago, 37 words were passed into law that changed the world of college sports forever.

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance,” according to Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972.

After its passing, colleges were required by law to adjust their sports programs to allow for equal athletic opportunities for women and men as well as equal facilities. This requirement is a main reason that Cosumnes River College is home to five different women’s teams.

“It gave equal educational opportunity to women in all aspects,” said head softball coach Kristy Schroeder.

“There’s a lot more scholarships, and all of these schools have huge facilities. If you look at our facilities, it’s one of the nicest in the state and we would not have that if it wasn’t for Title IX.” Kinesiology Professor Cheri LaDue, who was previously CRC’s softball coach, said that the law also pushed women’s sports into the mainstream.

“It put pressure on the schools to open up and funnel some money towards women’s sports, which then opened the eyes of the public and that’s when you saw women’s sports really grow,” LaDue said. “Women’s teams like Baylor [University] and UCLA filled their stadiums.

As a matter of fact, I went to Baylor, and for a number of years the women were outdrawing the men.”

Women’s soccer head coach Cesar Plasencia said that while there are differences in coaching women’s and men’s teams, he enjoys them both.

“Whenever someone asks me what it’s like coaching women, I always tell them first and foremost, I coach soccer,” Plasencia said. “[Coaching men’s and women’s teams] both have their challenges and rewards.”

Both Schroeder and women’s basketball head coach Coral Sage said that playing college sports got them to where they are today.

Sage said. “I know my daughter is watching them and I maybe don’t want someone on the team that I don’t want her looking up to.”

“It put pressure on the schools to open up and funnel some money towards women’s sports, which then opened the eyes of the public ... ”

-- Cheri LaDue

kinesiology professor “It was my vehicle to pay for my education,” Sage said.

“There was no way I could have paid for college without playing sports. But it also gave me a purpose and direction and taught me about life.”

With March being Women’s History Month, the topic of how women’s programs came about is an especially timely subject.

“It’s always important to look back at your history and know where you come from and how far you’ve come,” Sage said. “Even in my program, I tell every team we have to know the history behind why you’re here.”

Schroeder said that women who play sports at the college level are inspiring the next generation of women athletes.

“It’s made a huge impact especially with all of the little girls out there,” Schroeder said. “Look at all of the little girls out there playing soccer, basketball and softball. That wouldn’t have been happening because people weren’t encouraging women to play sports. Now they have role models.”

Sage, who wrote her master’s thesis on the effects of playing sports at a young age and how it impacts the rest of your life, said that knowing young girls like her daughter are looking up to players on her team is always in the back of her mind.

“Now I have my daughter and she’s with me quite a bit and comes to practice,”

Schroeder said that learning to be competitive through sports is a good skill to have.

“Being competitive is an advantage to have in everything in your life and so to play a sport growing up gives you a competitive edge against people who don’t do that because in the business world that’s what you do everyday,” Schroeder said.

Freshman swimmer Seanna Estes said that playing sports has more than one benefit.

“Our self esteem can come from anything, but the important thing about playing a sport is that it’s a personal

achievement and you’re getting fit and that makes you feel good

about yourself,” Estes said.

Plasencia said he also sees many life-long benefits to playing sports.

“It gives self-confidence and you get to build relationships,” Plasencia said.

“It teaches you how to deal with group settings and at the intercollegiate level it’s that much more magnified.”

Schroeder said that while CRC has done a good job at implementing Title IX through the years with women’s teams, coaches, and female athletic directors, some other colleges aren’t as lucky.

“There are some colleges and universities that still don’t provide things equally to women and men,” Schroeder said.

“At CRC we are lucky.

Today, I don’t think the girls see it as much because they have the things that the guys have,” Schroeder said.

LaDue shared similar sentiments to Schroeder.

“Some of the athletes do take it for granted that things have always been like this and just because something is here now does not mean it’s going to be here in 20 years or that it was here 20 years ago,” LaDue said.

Schroeder said that the Title IX creators deserve more credit than they get.

“The people who created Title IX probably don’t get as much credit as they should for making all of these changes, but we are lucky that they did,” Schroeder said.