The Guardsman, Vol. 159, Issue 7. City College of San Francisco by The Guardsman

Student aims to inspire others

The Environmental Horticulture and Floristry Department uses low volume drip systems in order to conserve water. (Photo by Natasha Dangond)

Drought prompts horticulture dept. to cut down on water usage By Steven Ho STAFF WRITER

Syed Hassan (Photo by Khaled Sayed)

Networking and well-established connections are key for aspiring City College entrepreneur and business student By Alex Lamp EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Syed Hassan, a determined City College honor student, is studying business and entrepreneurship with a specific goal in mind. “I want to open my door to success so I can help guide others to do the same,” he said. Hassan, 21, was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh and moved with his family to the U.S. at the age of three. After graduating from George Washington High School in San Francisco, Hassan pursued a professional soccer career overseas. He briefly played for a soccer club in northern Italy, but felt that he belonged in the Bay Area. Hassan made the decision to return to San Francisco to start something new. After returning from Italy in 2011, he planned a return trip to his hometown, Dhaka. While on vacation, Hassan experienced poverty in Dhaka that was caused by cheap labor in the textile industry. Hassan could not overlook this problem and went out to find a solution. He became acquainted with many levels of the industry, from workers to business owners. The Bay Area tech boom beckoned to his growing interest in technology and startup businesses. Hassan returned to San Francisco

with a business plan and enrolled at was impressed with because it was a City College in fall 2012. socially conscious idea,” McKeever Since his arrival, Hassan has said. “He is very concerned with the simultaneously dedicated time to very poor wages and conditions of multiple startups, honors classes, the people in Bangladesh.” and has started his own club at Hassan and City College stuCity College while maintaining the dent Sasha Tetra co-founded CCSF position of Global Ambassador at Entrepreneurial Group to bring Startup Socials. aspiring entrepreneurs together. The “Just because you are in junior club’s membership has increased college doesn’t mean you can’t be exponentially since its inception last doing things that students are doing semester. when they’re graduating,” Hassan “When I started this club, we said. first got around Hassan thirty people, remains deter- “Just because you then we built mined to establish up to around a fair trade busi- are in junior college 300 students,” ness in Dhaka. Hassan said. doesn’t mean you “I’m going to “It’s a pretty good have handmade can’t be doing things increase for just a garments from that students are few months.” Bangladesh sold Hassan to people in the doing when they’re claims the club U.S.,” Hassan graduating.” could not have said. “The people been made poswho personally -Syed Hassan sible without make these garthe support and ments will get guidance of a big chunk of the profits that are McKeever. McKeever said the club’s made.” purpose is to cultivate student’s Hassan presented his plan to startup ideas providing them with a City College economics instructor, pathway to success. Michael McKeever who has been “I was hoping that we would teaching economics at City College find a number of students with spefor twelve years. cific ideas that they want to form “His idea was something that I into a company; we haven’t yet,”

McKeever said. “The idea was to get a structure so when they have that idea, they can take the next steps, and get funding to form a business.” While running his club, Hassan was networking with hundreds of startup CEOs and entrepreneurs through LinkedIn. Brian Hoskins, CEO of Ario Living, a Seattle, Washington based startup featuring Ario, the “World’s First Healthy Lamp,” took a particular interest in Hassan. Hassan is thrilled to work with a startup company that positively influences students health and wellness. “I thought about how it would affect students, and later on I found out that it not only had the benefits of balancing your circadian rhythm but it would also help students with memory,” Hassan said. Hoskins hired Hassan in February. Hassan is now managing public relations and marketing development at Ario Living. “It’s great that Syed took the initiative to reach out, and I think it is important for students as they’re networking and building careers to take that leap of faith,” Hoskins said. “Syed did that and it worked out.” @guardsmanlamp alamp@theguardsman.com

Horticulturalists at City College are using hardier plants and new irrigation methods to keep the campus grounds green during the current drought. The buildings and grounds department decreased its water usage last year after receiving a letter from the public utilities commission. “We have decreased our water usage in the landscape by 35 to 40 percent,” Landscape Supervisor Stephen Peterson said. Peterson said vegetation that was watered once a week is now watered every other week for 10 minutes. The college is working to upgrade its irrigation system from a high volume overhead water spray to a more efficient low volume drip system. Peterson said City College’s sustainability plan calls for the removal of lawns that are not used by students, because it requires a great amount of water to maintain. Students in the horticulture department have planted California natives in areas that were once covered in grass around Cloud Circle. Peterson said the use of droughttolerant plants along with the low volume drip system resulted in a 90 percent reduction in water usage. He also said the overall goal is to change the landscape, so it won’t need as much water in the future. Greenhouses in the horticulture department help create a humid environment, which decreases the frequency of watering. Water vapors trapped in the greenhouses can be absorbed through the leaves of the plants. Nursery Specialist Erick Bautista said that “water loss is very minimal” for the plants in the greenhouses. Outdoor plants live in an uncontrolled environment that includes a great loss of moisture on very sunny and windy days, Bautista said.

Drought continued on page 3

2 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | APR. 29 - MAY 12, 2015

news

Campus Briefs Pay increases for faculty and administration

Editor-in-Chief Alex Lamp

News Editor Marco Siler-Gonzales

Culture Editor Patrick Cochran

Sports Editor Shaleisa Daniel

Opinion Editor Matthew Patton

Photo Editor Ekevara Kitpowsong

Copy Editor April Chan

Design Director Elisabetta Silvestro

Special Trustee with Special Powers Guy Lease approved pay increases of one-half of one percent for faculty and administration at the board meeting on April 23. “This is not an increase, rather it’s a restoration of what the union deferred on during the last contract negotiations (2012),” said Tim Killikelly, president of the American Federation of Teachers. “This is the

money we agreed to being cut from our salaries then.” Carol Meagher, a business instructor, said that many people in San Francisco already have a negative view of City College and pay raises now may foster more negative opinions of the school. “The top administration of this school makes over $200,000 a year and a raise, no matter how small, is obscene,” science instructor Simon Hanson said. “The administration

does not need more money.” After public comments, Chancellor Arthur Tyler explained that in the previous practices dictate a simultaneous increase in the administration’s salaries when faculty received pay increases. The board and Lease ultimately agreed to change the language from increase to restoration.

Advertising Manager Calindra Revier

Design and Layout James Fanucchi Matthew Patton Calindra Revier Khaled Sayed Elisabetta Silvestro

Staff Writers Michael Burkett Steven Ho Otto Pippenger Yesica Prado

Staff Photographers Natasha Dangond Otto Pippenger Yesica Prado Khaled Sayed Franchon Smith

Illustrators Serina Mercado

Contributors Keiara Allen Cassandra Ordonio

Faculty Advisor Juan Gonzales

Social Media

@theguardsman

theguardsman

facebook.com/theguardsman

theguardsmanonline

Online news@theguardsman.com www.theguardsman.com

Mail: 50 Phelan Ave Box V-67 San Francisco, CA 94112 Bugalow 615

Phone: (415) 239-3446

Advertising: advertising@theguardsman.com

City College employees at 33 Gough Street will not be moving to 450 Winston Drive, according to Special Trustee Guy Lease at the board meeting on April 23. “We looked into the costs of refurbishing the building (450 Winston Drive) and they are not cost effective,” Lease said. “Instead we may be, depending on the city, staying (at 33 Gough Street) while the building is renovated.”

Mayor Lee appoints prominent LGBT community leader to City College board By Marco Siler-Gonzales NEWS EDITOR

Online Content Manager Khaled Sayed

Winston Drive

Mayor Ed Lee appointed Alex Randolph, a former San Francisco City Hall aide and LGBT community leader, to fill Natalie Berg’s seat on City College’s Board of Trustees last Tuesday. Berg resigned after 18 years of service for personal reasons. Randolph believes his past as a community college student and wealth of public service experience will help him on the job, as he tackles disaccreditation and low enrollment problems. “Being on the board of directors for the LGBT center where you actually are in a judicial role where you have to pass the budget and make sure that the leadership complies with the policy and regulations,” Randolph said. “Being a trustee of this board is a similar role where you make sure this college operates on a certain level.” Born in Germany from a black father and white mother (neither attended college) Randolph moved to San Diego to live with a host family when he was 16. As an English as a second language student, Randolph said his SAT scores were terrible, so he turned to community college as a viable option to continue his education. After attending Grossmont Community College in San Diego for three years, Randolph transferred to University of California, Berkeley where he studied political science and public policy. In 2006, then-mayor Gavin Newsom hired Randolph to be LGBT liaison and community representative for districts 7 and 8. Randolph was then hired in 2011 as deputy director of community and government affairs for the parks and recreation department. By 2014, Randolph was appointed by President Barack Obama to become the presidential appointee of his administration

New board of trustee member Alex Randolph (Photo by Yesica Prado)

in San Francisco. Randolph now adds trustee for City College to his lengthy resume as public servant. Besides keeping the school accredited, Randolph said his other main priority is providing students with accessible student services. “As a former community college student, and bi-racial trustee, access to student services, counseling and overall support for students, thats what im going to be focused on.” Randolph said. If Randolph wins his seat as trustee in November to complete the four-year term, he plans to run again in 2016 and see the college through 2021. “This is my passion, I don’t see this as a stepping stone or short term responsibility,” Randolph said. “One of the reasons I took on the position is because I have a long term interest in making sure we get past accreditation and run a college that people are happy with.” @mijo_marco mgonzales@theguardsman.com

THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | APR. 29 - MAY 12, 2015 | 3

news

City College earns grade ‘A’ credit rating

Chancellor Arthur Tyler (Photo by Yesica Prado)

By Michael Burkett STAFF WRITER

The nation’s top credit rating agencies have upgraded their outlook on City College that translates to $48.7 million in savings on borrowing costs. Moody’s, Fitch and Standard and Poor collective gave City College the best ratings in four years, citing increased confidence in the college’s revised financial practices and policies According to an April 14 news release from the chancellor’s office. “We’ve made significant progress here at City College and it is gratifying to know that this is starting to be recognized by our ratings agencies,” said Ron Gerhard, City College’s vice-chancellor of finance and administration. Board of trustees President Rafael Mandelman also praised the rating upgrade.

Drought continued from page 1 Misting systems, wands with water breakers and low volume drip systems for irrigation help limit water usage to only what is necessary. The department is looking to modify its greenhouses to collect water runoff from the potting benches, which would result in nearly zero water loss.

“Anytime we (City College) can save money, that’s a good thing. It will mean significant savings when the school borrows money,” Mandelman said. The college district refinanced approximately $271.8 million in outstanding general obligation bonds, according to a spokesperson for Jeff Hamilton, City College’s director of marketing and public information. The refinanced bonds will lower the district’s debt servicing costs and ultimately benefit San Francisco property taxpayers. The administration assembled a refinance team that includes Chancellor Arthur Tyler, Gerhard, Morgan Stanley, KNN and Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth. “I’m incredibly proud of the work our administrators, staff and faculty are doing … an effort that’s clearly paying off for the college as a whole,” Tyler said. @mjburkettinsf mburkett@theguardsman.com

To decrease the need for watering while keeping the soil moist, students use mulch to cover the soil surrounding outdoor plants and in lathe houses. Bautista said the program is teaching future gardeners and landscapers to be more conscious about plant selection and the amount of irrigation required. sho_803 sho@theguardsman.com

Demonstration on the use of water breakers in the greenhouses at the Ocean Campus. (Photo by Natasha Dangond)

San FranciSco PeninSula

eST. 1851

Transfer this fall. We’ll show you how. Our smaller, private college may be just what you’re looking for. SUMMER OPEN HOUSE

JUNE 5 or JUly 10 1-3 pm RSVP nOw ndnu.edu/ugevents (650) 508-3600

Our agreement with CCSF gives you flexibility. ■ Finish your bachelors on time ■ Scholarships/financing options ■ Start fall or spring ■ Minimum units/AA not required

Not for profit. 1500 Ralston Avenue, Belmont CA

Est. 1851.

4 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | APR. 29 - MAY 12, 2015

news

Best of CCSF photojournalism on display By Patrick Cochran CULTURE EDITOR

On Thursday April 23 there was a large turnout for “Life on the Hill: City College and All Its Glory,” a photo exhibition on the Ocean Campus that featured some of the best photos that Guardsman photographers have taken during the past two years. Bungalow 615 was packed to capacity, with the drinks flowing and the cheese being gobbled up, with numerous visitors walking through to take a look at the photo gallery. The event was the first of its kind for the Guardsman, and journalism department chair Juan Gonzalez was very pleased with the turnout. “For our first time doing this we had a lot of people come, I so excited,” Gonzalez said. Besides displaying the work of the photographers, the event also served as a great way to raise awareness for the journalism department. Two of the the most notable images were “Students and Police Clash” taken by Santiago Mejia, and “32 and a Fire” by Franchon Smith. “Students and Police Clash” was taken during the Spring 2014 semester during the tumultuous Conlan Hall student/police clash. Mejia, the former editor-in-chief at the Guardsman and now a current intern at the San Francisco Chronicle, is immensely proud of his photo, which captures the emotion of that violent day. “That image opened up a lot of doors for me,” Mejia said. “It is the only reason why I got accepted into this two week New York Times workshop in Tucson, Arizona. One image can make you if its good enough. It is the first photo I show to people in my portfolio, I am very proud of it.” Smith’s “32 and a Fire” was taken back on Jan. 28 of the devastating 22nd and Mission fire. When the fire broke out, Smith was in her Journalism night class at the Mission Center. During her break ran outside and started snapping away. “I was late coming back to class, but my teacher, professor Rochmis, was understanding,” Smith said. One of the most high profile visitors to the gallery was Judy Walgren, the director of photography

(L-R) Department of Journalism Chair Juan Gonzales and San Francisco Chronicle Director of Photography Judy Walgren, give speech to gallery attendees during photo exhibition’s opening reception in the Front Page Gallery, Ocean Campus. (Photo by Ekevara Kitpowsong)

More than 100 people attended the Front Page Gallery’s opening reception of “Life on the Hill: City College and All Its Glory,” photo exhibition by Guardsman photographers on Thursday, April 23. (Photo by Ekevara Kitpowsong)

Franchon Smith is one of 11 photographers featured in the group photo exhibition. Smith’s two photographs on display were taken during a massive fire in the Mission District on Jan. 28. (Photo by Yesica Prado)

James Fanucchi, former photo editor of The Guardsman hangs his picture, “Chinatown,” for the department’s Front Page Gallery. (Photo by Yesica Prado)

at the San Francisco Chronicle. Walgren was highly impressed by much of the work, and was particularly enamored by Smith’s “32 and a Fire” . “Its a very good photo, and I like that there is a lot going on. It captures the moment so well, and the color and the fire hoses in action really make the shot,” Walgren said. “The fact that she took the photo during her class break makes me like it even more!” Besides the chance to show-

case their photographs, some of the images were also up for sale. James Fanucci was able to walk away with $80 after selling a copy of “Chinatown”, a beautiful image with great use of shadow and light. “Hopefully this is the first of many events of this kind,” Gonzalez said. With the opportunity to show off their best work and possibly make some scratch most students would certainly agree. pcochran@theguardsman.com

Journalism department hosts symposium City College’s journalism department will host a symposium on ‘Why Journalism Matters’ on May 5 between 7 and 9 p.m. at the Mission Campus. The symposium includes a panel of distinguished City College alumni: Cheryl Jennings, news anchor for ABC7, Molly Oleson, editor for The Pacific Sun, Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez, reporter for The San Francisco Examiner, and Alex Emslie, KQED-FM reporter. Former San Francisco Chronicle editor Tom Graham will moderate the panel discussion and

the Q&A session to follow. “The participants – former students who are now professionals – will share their insights on the vital role that the news media plays and the opportunities that exist in this challenging field,” said Graham, who currently teaches journalism at City College. The event is free and open to the public. Snacks and refreshments will be served before the event. For more information, contact Cara Stucker at caranicole9@ yahoo.com.

Journalism Department www.ccsf.edu/journal

FALL 2015

City Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award-winning students

photo by Natasha Dangond

Journalism students capture 22 awards, plus the coveted Pacesetter Award, at the 2015 JACC state convention in Sacramento on April 9-11.

Professionals share experience with eager journalism majors

Wanted!

he journalism department at City College dates back to 1935. For more than 80 years, hundreds of our students have pursued successful careers in the news media. Many of them got their start on our award-winning campus publications. Our students consistently do well in statewide journalism competitions, which speaks to the quality of the education that they receive here. The campus newspaper and magazine have won numerous awards for writing, editing, photography and publication design. They have been recognized by the Journalism Association of Community Collegesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as among the top student publications in the state. The faculty itself is comprised of professional editors, writers, photographers and designers. They teach from first-hand experience. News writing and reporting, feature writing, photojournalism, and contemporary news media will be offered this spring, as well as editing and production courses for work on the campus newspaper The Guardsman and Etc. Magazine. Additionally, introductory courses in public relations (Jour. 26), internet journalism (Jour. 35) and another in investigative reporting (Jour. 36), bolster specialized journalistic training.

page

3 Frequent questions 3 Department awards

Writers, photographers, cartoonists, layout design artists and ad sales reps. for The Guardsman and Etc. Magazine. You can get 3 units of credit. Sign up for Jour. 24 or 29.

Questions?

Contact Juan Gonzales 415-239-3446

page

3 About the faculty 3 Mentoring program

page

3 Fall courses 3 Notable graduates

Journalism Department

Students receive state’s top recognition for journalism C

ity College’s journalism students captured the coveted Pacesetter Award that recognizes the best of the best at the 2015 State Convention of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges held April 9-11 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Sacramento. Etc. Magazine and The Guardsman Online also captured General Excellence honors along with 18 individual competition awards Aside from the competition awards, three City College editors earned Editor Recognition citations. The citations went to Michaela Payne, editor-in-chief of Etc. Magazine, Alex Lamp, editor-in-chief of The Guardsman in Spring 2015, and Santiago Mejia, editor-in-chief of The Guardsman in Fall 2014. Calindra Revier, advertising manager for The Guardsman, also won a $100 JACC Scholarship Thirty-nine community colleges representing some 485 students attended this year’s convention that included 40 journalism-training workshops, 17 On-The-Spot journalism contests and three critique sessions of published work. Convention goers also celebrated the 60th anniversary of JACC with a toast at a gala banquet. “Our students once again excelled in competition and proved they are among the best in the state,” Guardsman Faculty Adviser Juan Gonzales said. “Their success is our success as an institution of learning. We should all be proud of them.” He added: “To win the coveted Pacesetter Award is a great achievement. It is a testament to their abilities and their passion for journalism.”

Students from The Guardsman newspaper and Etc. Magazine at the Journalism Association of Community Colleges State Convention in Sacramento.

See a list of City College’s JACC award recipients at TheGuardsman.com To join The Guardsman, email Juan Gonzales at: accionjg@aol.com To join Etc. Magazine, email Jessica Lifland at: jess@jessicalifland.com

Journalism Association of Community Colleges awards THE GUARDSMAN JACC Pacesetter Award

2015 2014

2009 2005

JACC General Excellence

2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006

2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

Vol. 155, Issue 2, Feb. 6- Feb. 19, 2013

CIty College

san FranCIsCo |

1935 | theguardsman.Com | @sFbreakIngnews

By Jandean Deocampo THE GUARDSMAN / JDEOCAMPO@THEGUARDSMAN.COM / @BANANAISAFRUIT

The conference room looked more like a war room scene from a movie than the site of a City College Board of Trustees meeting. Cameramen checked their machines. Soundboard technicians busied themselves over dials and switches. They were all waiting. Waiting for the hush, the brief silence that would signal Board President John Rizzo to announce the beginning of the Jan. 24th meeting. A crowd of 20 consisting of spectators, faculty, students and journalists gathered behind the elevated red seats and square tables reserved for the Board and their guest, California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice Harris. Harris attended the meeting for one reason: engaging with local leadership in a conversation on the issue of accreditation. “Please stand,” said Rizzo, CHANCELLOR: PAGE 2

DR. BRICE W. HARRIS, CHANCELLOR OF THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES SHOWED HIS SUPPORT AND WILLINGNESS TO SAVE CITY COLLEGE BY ATTENDING THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY JAN. 24, 2013. “THIS FAVORABLE OUTCOME WILL ONLY COME THROUGH URGENT AND FOCUS ACTION ON YOUR PART” HARRIS TOLD THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. PHOTO BY JUAN PARDO/THE GUARDSMAN.

Students in dark about accreditation Forums held in Ram plaza to educate campus community By JennVerzosaaand JacksonLLy THE GUARDSMAN / NEWS@THEGUARDSMAN.COM / @SFBREAKINGNEWS

As the deadline for City College’s Show Cause and Closure Report looms, Student Trustee William Walker organized two town hall-style forums Jan. 24 at Ocean Campus’s Ram Plaza to educate a student populace largely in the dark about the facts surrounding the school’s precarious accreditation status. Around 30 students gathered for the first forum at noon, with the second one drawing a much smaller crowd—less than a dozen— including Walker, Associated Students President Shanell Williams and Vice-President Melanie Ortanez. The crowd’s size appeared to have no effect on Walker’s appar-

“I don’t know what to believe. The SF Chronicle is telling us one thing, and our professors are telling us another.” -student Griffin Robbins ent fervor, who eschewed the traditional question-and-answer format in favor of singling out participants to see what they knew about City College’s accreditation. “I don’t know what to believe,” second semester student Griffin Robbins said. “The SF Chronicle

Non-resident fees might increase this summer By Cecilia Ren

THE GUARDSMAN / JCREN@THEGUARDSMAN.COM / @RENCECILIA

and Junior Colleges. In its evaluation report, the commission made 14 recommendations that detail areas in which the college needs to make improvements.

Not even a month into the new semester, City College has already proposed its plans to increase nonresident fees at the beginning of 2013 summer session. An open meeting that addressed a possible out-of-state tuition increase was held on Jan. 29 inside the Associated Student Body building. About thirty students attended the meeting to voice concerns. Staff members from the International Students Department, as well as the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration, Peter Goldstein, spoke at the event. “By law, all California commu-

TEACH IN: PAGE 2

FEES: PAGE 2

SHANNELL WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATED STUDENT COUN CIL CCSF ANSWERS SEVERAL QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE “SHOW CAUSE REPORT” AND THE SAVE CCSF COALITION DURING THE STUDENT FORUM THAT TOOK PLACE THURSDAY JAN. 24, 2013 AT THE RAM PLAZA. PHOTO BY JUAN PARDO/THE GUARDSMAN.

is telling us one thing, and our professors are telling us another.” Currently City College is a fully accredited community college, but it was found to be in “substantial noncompliance” with the regulations of the Accreditation Commission for Community

INSIDE: NEWS: How to stay healthy against the flu Pg. 3 NEWS: Construction begins on bus station Pg. 4 NEWS: City Currents will never look the same Pg. 4

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Grammy nominee Pg. 5 VOICES FROM CCSF’S PAST: Alumni speak up Pgs. 6-7 CULTURE: How to be a good date on St. Valentine’s Pg. 8

OPINION: UC Regent whines over “small” salaries Pg. 10 SPORTS: Baseball season swings into action Pg. 11 SPORTS: A slam dunk for basketball Pg. 12

THE GUARDSMAN ONLINE 2006 2005 2004 2000 1998 1997 1996

ETC. MAGAZINE

JACC General Excellence

www.TheGuardsman.com

NorCal General Excellence

2015 2014 2013 2012 2010 2008 2007

sInCe

State Chancellor optimistic about the future but warns City College is not ‘too big to fail’

JACC Online General Excellence

2015 2014 2011 2009

2005 2003 1999

NorCal Online General Excellence

2015 2014 2012 2010

2008 2004 1998 1996

2015 2014 2013 2011 2010 2009

2008 2007 2006 2005 2001

Frequently asked questions about the journalism program What is so special about City College’s journalism program? Our program offers a state-of-the-art computer lab, two award-winning publications, instructors who are working journalists, a coaching program for students, internship opportunities and a curriculm that keeps pace with the changing needs of today’s newsroom. Does the journalism program offer transferable courses? Yes. Three courses in our program are transferable to four-year institutions. The three courses are Journalism 19 (Contemporary News Media), Journalism 21 (News Writing and Reporting) and Journalism 37 (Introduction to Photojournalism). Do any of the courses in the department fulfill general education requirements? Yes. Journalism 19 (Contemporary News Media) meets the GE requirement in humanities.

Can I get a degree or certificate in your program? Yes. The department offers an AA degree in journalism that takes about two years to complete and leads to transferring to a four-year college. A Certificate of Award in Journalism is also available for those students wishing to gain journalistic skills for possible employment within an 18-month period. If I complete two years of study in your program and want to transfer to a fouryear college, is that possible? Yes. It is possible to transfer to a four-year institution. Students in our program have enrolled at San Francisco State University, UC Berkeley, San Jose State University, Humboldt State University, and UC Santa Cruz, to name a few. Will I encounter any problems enrolling in one of your courses? No. Enrollment in our deparment is easy.

Class size averages about 20 students per class, which allows for plenty of opportunities to interact with teachers, advisers and fellow students. What kinds of jobs can I qualify for once I complete your program? The program prepares students for entrylevel positions in news writing, copy editing, photography, and newspaper design and pagination. Does the department offer any scholarships? Yes. The department has a $100 scholarship for continuing students. The application deadline is April 1. The department also makes avaialble information on journalism scholarships offered by local and statewide organizations. Are internships available to students in the program? Yes. The department has working relations with numerous neighborhood newspapers

and some alternative publications in the area. Instructors in our department also have connections with the two dailies: the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Francisco Examiner. Are there any other resources offered through the department? Yes. The department sponsors a mentoring program, a student press club, a media career fair, and a “Brown Bag” lecture series. It also has an extensive library of mediarelated books and videos. If I need to talk to a journalism adviser is there someone I should see? Yes. You can contact Department Chair Juan Gonzales, who has been with the program since 1985. Call (415) 239-3446. The Guardsman campus newspaper is available online at: www.TheGuardsman.com Etc. campus magazine is available online at: www.etc-magazine.com

Journalism Department

Working journalists share skills, experience with students Juan Gonzales W ith a career in journalism dating back to 1970 as a reporter and publisher, City College journalism department Chair Juan Gonzales draws upon his varied professional experiences to instruct his students. As the founder and editor of El Tecolote, a biweekly, bilingual newspaper published since 1970 in San Francisco’s Mission District, he continues to cover the issues that affect the neighborhood. Gonzales was honored in April 2011 with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism Education by the California Journalism Education Coalition. Currently, Gonzales is project director of Voices for Justice: The

Tom Graham

Tom Graham, instructor

t took Tom Graham six years to walk every street in San Francisco. All 2,612 of them. He wrote about it for the San Francisco Chronicle, where he worked for 22 years as a feature copy editor. A former City College student and editor of The Guardsman, Graham has taught journalism part-time here for 27 years. Graham teaches courses in Contemporary News Media (Jour. 19), Magazine Editing and Production (Jour. 29), and Public Relations (Jour. 26). At the Chronicle, he edited, designed and paginated the daily Datebook, Pink, Style and Review sections. He wrote numerous stories for the Chronicle, including a popular series called “Walking Man” that documented his walk along every street in San Francisco. Some of his stories appeared in the Outdoor section, includ-

Juan Gonzales, instructor, department chair

Enduring Legacy of the Latino Press in the United States. The project documents 200 years of Latino journalism through film, a

ing first person pieces about bungee jumping, backpacking the 212-mile-long John Muir Trail, skydiving out of a plane, and rock climbing in Yosemite. Before joining the Chronicle, Graham was editor for the Pulitzer Prize-winning Point Reyes Light newspaper in West Marin. He also worked as managing editor for the California Farm Bureau in Sacramento. Earlier in his career, he was editor of the Mountain Messenger newspaper in Sierra County and worked as a reporter for the Tahoe World in Tahoe City. In addition to City College, Graham has taught journalism at College of Marin, Solano Community College, the University of San Francisco and San Francisco State University. He received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Jose State University. This semester he will be teaching courses in Contemporary News Media and Fundamentals of Public Relations. “People know so little about how the news media and public relations really work and how they exert such a strong influence society,” Graham says. “Both classes are designed to reveal the reality of these media industries and how they influence everything we do. We’ll look at the positive and negative forces behind both and show you how it’s done.”

companion book and an interactive Web site. In 2010, El Tecolote celebrated its 40th anniversary. For those years of service, Gonzales was honored by the Society of Professional Journalists with its “Distinguished Service Award.” Similarly, he received a “Heroes of Excellence” award from KGOTV. In 2009, Gonzales was inducted into the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Hall of Fame. He was also honored by KQED-TV as an “Unsung Hero” in the Latino community. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom also recognized Gonzales as a Latino media leader during Hispanic Heritage Month in

September. Gonzales serves as adviser to the campus newspaper, The Guardsman. He is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges, the San Francisco Newspaper Association and the New American Media. Gonzales possesses an associate degree in journalism from San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, a bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Francisco State University and a master’s degree in mass communications from Stanford University. He worked as a reporter for the San Francisco bureaus of the United Press International and the Associated Press.

Jon Rochmis Need to get in touch with us? Call us at: Mission campus 415-920-6156 Ocean campus 415-239-3446

Jon Rochmis, instructor

on Rochmis has been at City College since 2000, teaching News Writing and Reporting, Advanced Reporting, Feature Writing, Copy Editing and Internet Journalism. He is also an adjunct professor of journalism at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, where he teaches Mass Media of Communications. Previously, he has been a lecturer at San Francisco State and at Skyline College, where he taught News Writing and Mass Communications. With more than 25 years of experience in Bay Area journalism, Rochmis has been an editor and reporter in sports, news, business, technology and feature departments. After graduating with a degree in journalism from UC Berkeley, Rochmis began his career at the Berkeley Gazette/Richmond Independent.

He then covered sports, news and business at the Oakland Tribune for nine years, with six years as the beat writer for the San Francisco 49ers. Following his 15-year stint in newspapers, Rochmis was a book/magazine editor for a small publishing house in downtown San Francisco. In 1995, he jumped online as the first editor at SF Gate.com, where he helped conceive and administer the tone and presentation of one of the first news sites on the World Wide Web. Rochmis also helped launch BayInsider.com as senior content producer, and then worked for three years as content editor and then executive editor at Wired News. Currently, Rochmis is a marketing writer with a marketing/communications agency that specializes in high technology.

Mentoring program links students with professional journalists

he journalism department’s mentoring program has helped many students network with professional journalists and photographers. “You look at these mentors and they are top-flight. They’re names in the business,” said journalism instructor and writer Jon Rochmis. Department Chair Juan Gonzales attributes the success of the program to the support it receives from the Bay Area’s media. The mentor program encourages students to take advantage of the

Bay Area’s large population of professional journalists. Students learn how to pitch story ideas like a pro and have an opportunity to talk one-on-one with writers, editors, photographers and designers. Gonzales believes being mentored can improve a student’s ability to get a job. KGO TV news anchor Cheryl Jennings knows just how hard it is to break into journalism. She was rejected by 19 of the 20 television stations she originally applied to. “I think the program is an

Jessica Lifland

Jessica Lifland, instructor

essica Lifland is a San Francisco-based photographer with more than 20 years of experience as a photojournalist working all over the United States and internationally in places such as Kosovo, Burma, Italy, Haiti, Jordan and Palestine. She was a staff photographer for the Contra Costa Newspaper Group and the Evansville Indiana Courier and Press. Since returning to the Bay Area in 2002, she has been involved in a variety of projects as both an editor and photographer. At City College Lifland teaches introductory and intermediate photojournalism courses. This Fall she will also be the adviser of Etc. Magazine. As a photojournalist, she has photographed a variety of assignments for magazines like Newsweek, Fortune, Forbes, Stern and Le Monde. She works on-assignment for newspapers such as The New York Times, USA Today and the San Francisco Chronicle. Lifland is represented by the Polaris Images Agency. Over the last five years Lifland has worked on a personal project documenting the lives of Cowboy Poets of the American West. She has edited and photographed for several book projects, including Extreme Digital Photography and We Do. Lifland has a BFA in photography and a BA in art history from Cornell University. She has a Master’s Degree from Ohio University’s School of Visual Communication. See examples of her work at: JessicaLifland.com

Fall 2015 Advising Hours Meet with Juan Gonzales, journalism department chair, to discuss opportunities in the field of journalism. Ocean Campus 50 Phelan Ave. Bungalow 615

“It’s an outstanding way to learn the business from the inside.”

Monday and Wednesday 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Tuesday 1 – 2 p.m. Journalism instructor Tom Graham mentors students. outstanding way to learn about the business from the inside,” Jennings said. “I would highly recommend it. I wish it had been

in place when I attended City College. It makes me re-evaluate what I do every time I explain the business to a student.”

Thursday 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. For an appointment, call (415) 239-3446

Journalism Department

FALL 2015 Journalism Classes The courses below currently appear in the online schedule.

To register for courses go to www.ccsf.edu/Schedule/Fall/Journalism Classes start August 17, 2015. Jour 19: Contemporary News Media - 3.0 units

76160 001 Lec. T R 09:40 - 10:55 a.m. Health Center/Rm. 205 Graham 76881 001 Lec. W 06:30 - 09:20 p.m. Mission Campus/Rm. 217 Graham Introduction to modern mass communication, with an emphasis on development of news media, analysis of the credibility of the media and its impact on daily life. CSU/UC/CAN

• EtcMag • TheGuardsman @TheGuardsman TheGuardsman.com Etc-Magazine.com Our journalism students produce one issue of Etc. Magazine and eight issues of The Guardsman newspaper each semester.

Jour 21: News Writing and Reporting - 3.0 units

Where have all our graduates gone?

Jour 22: Feature Writing - 3.0 units

Jennifer Balderama

76162 001 Lec. MWF 10:10 - 11:00 a.m. Health Center/Rm. 203 Gonzales Techniques of newspaper reporting, developing and writing and a news story, training in information gathering and interviewing sources. CSU/CAN 72111 551 Lec. R 06:30 - 09:20 p.m. Mission Campus/Rm. 217 Rochmis Fundamentals in feature writing for magazines and newspapers with special emphasis on profile and interpretive news features. Practical experience in interview and in-depth research techniques. Training in how to write a freelance story for publication. CSU

Jour 23: Electronic Copy Editing - 3.0 units

76415 551 Lec. W 06:30 - 09:20 p.m. Mission Campus/Rm. 218 Rochmis This course is for writers, working editors, and those considering a career in editing or copyediting. Students learn to edit newspapers, magazines and web site articles for accuracy, style and organization. The writer-editor relationship, and ways to keep it healthy, is emphasized throughout the course. CSU

Jour 24: Newspaper Laboratory - 4.0 units

76882 001 L/L MWF 12:10 - 01:00 p.m. Bungalow 615 Gonzales An advanced journalism course that trains prospective print editors on all aspects of operating a publication, such as developing a publishing schedule, creating story assignments, coordinating a writing staff, designing a page, writing headlines and cutlines, sizing photographs, understanding the business side of print journalism, and working with other editors and printers. CSU

Jour 26: Fundamentals of Public Relations - 3.0 units

74606 551 Lec. T R 11:10 - 12:25 p.m. Health Center/Rm. 205 Graham Prepares students to create an effective public relations campaign which includes writing media releases, “pitch” letters, public service announcements, managing media outlets, coordinating mailings and designing leaflets and posters, as well as setting up news conferences. Special attention given to in-house public relations duties for corporate and non-profit entities.

Jour 29: Magazine Editing & Production - 3.0 units

75930 551 Lec. T 06:30 - 08:20 p.m. Mission Campus/Rm. 217 Lifland _____ 551 Lab. TBA Mission Campus/Rm. 217 Gonzales Students will study the editorial, business, graphic, and production skills required for publishing a campus magazine. Course is appropriate for students interested in creative writing, graphic and fine arts, photography, business, and journalism. CSU

Jour 31: Internship Experience - 2.0 units

72312 001 Exp. Hours Arranged Bungalow 615 Gonzales Supervised on-campus or off-campus employment in a branch of journalism or a closely allied field to which the student shows him/her self to be best adapted. CSU

Jour 35: Internet Journalism - 3.0 units

75932 551 Lec. T 06:30 - 09:20 p.m. Mission Campus/Rm. 218 Rochmis Internet Journalism focuses on three topic areas: examination of the role of the online journalist, web publishing, and using the Internet for investigative purposes. CSU

Jour 36: Advanced Reporting - 3.0 units

75932 551 Lec. M 06:30 - 09:20 p.m. Mission Campus/Rm. 217 Gonzales The course introduces advanced concepts of news gathering, interviewing and writing with an emphasis on investigative reporting. Extensive research, interviewing, meeting coverage and writing involved. Students will improve and expand their news-gathering and writing skills. CSU

Look out for our late start classes Jour 37: Introduction to Photojournalism and Jour 38: Intermediate Photojournalism

Questions? Call Juan Gonzales at 415-239-3446

Former Book Editor New York Times

Johnny Brannan

News Writer Honolulu Advertiser

Tim Brown

Reporter New York Times

Colleen Cummins Photographer The Appeal Democrat

Alex K. Fong

Deputy Design Director San Jose Mercury News

Glenn Gullmes

Publisher West Portal Monthly

Cheryl Jennings News Anchor KGO-7 News

Paul Kozakizwic

Publisher Richmond Review and Sunset Beacon

Alex Mullaney

Publisher The Ingleside Light

Rob Nagle

Page Designer San Francisco Examiner

Jim Powell

Copy Editor Los Angeles Times

Lubna Takruri Copy Editor Associated Press

Dan Verel

Reporter North Bay Business Journal

THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | APR. 29 - MAY 12, 2015 | 5

culture Diego Rivera Mural

Former professor dedicates time to preserving mural By Patrick Cochran CULTURE EDITOR

The world-famous Diego Rivera mural housed at City College’s Ocean Campus is turning 75-yearsold, and one former City College instructor is determined to preserve it longer. William Maynez taught physics at City College for 33 years. Since retiring in 2012, Maynez has made it his mission to promote and pre-

serve this unique piece of art. Despite the murals old age, it is apparently improving with age. “Frescos are like a wine,” former City College instructor William Maynez said. “They get better with age.” To celebrate the murals birthday, researchers are taking a “high tech selfie” to determine the best way to preserve the fresco using new technology. Images from the mural “selfie” will be made available online.

Pan American Unity mural at the City College’s Diego Rivera Theatre on Ocean Campus. (Photo by Khaled Sayed)

President and board member of Cultural Heritage Imaging Mark Mudge demonstrates Reflectance Transformation Imaging on a fossilized fish to attendees at its organization’s open house on Sunday, March 22. (Photo by Otto Pippenger)

Maynez has partnered with the nonprofit Cultural Heritage Imaging to utilize their recently developed Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) technology to make a digital version of the mural. The digital images will allow viewers to see the mural in lifelike fidelity, including hidden parts of the fresco that is not visible to the naked eye. RTI is a 30-minute process in

which numerous pictures of an object are taken while exposed to a barrage of intense and varied light. Using these images researchers will be able to understand how the fresco is aging. The fresco’s current location is far from ideal, according to Maynez. “In its current location, you can only step back 14 feet. The fresco is over 75 feet long. That is not adequate, you need to be able to see it in

WED/6 Walkout

The World Music Club is hosting “World Music Showcase Concert XXIV” at the Diego Rivera Theatre at 7 p.m. For more information and to reserve tickets, contact worldmusicclub@gmail.com.

Save CCSF Coalition has organized a walkout to fight for education. Meeting at Rams Plaza at 12:30 p.m. Visit saveccsf.org for more details.

TUE/5 “La Classique” The fashion show will feature outfits from Goodwill and local boutiques. Smith Hall Cafeteria from 12-12:30 p.m.

THU/7 Flower and Plant Sale The environmental horticulture/floristry department is having a sale of flowers and plants from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

TUE/12 “Seduction”

pcochran@theguardsman.com

events

May 1 – 14 FRI/1 Free Concert

its entirety, and right now you can’t,” Maynez said. Maynez supports the creation of The Center for Pan American Unity, which would be the future home of the mural. The purpose of the center would be to, “ethically fulfill City College’s stewardship of the world famous Diego Rivera mural.”

WANT YOUR NEXT EVENT IN THE CALENDAR? EMAIL THE NAME, DATE, TIME, LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF YOUR EVENT TO SHO@THEGUARDSMAN.COM

The fashion show will feature a collection of spring/summer clothing for men and women that are sophisticated and seductive. Smith Hall Cafeteria from 12-12:30 p.m.

THU/14 Film Festival The City Shorts film festival features work from students in the cinema department. The event will be at the Diego Rivera Theatre. Reception starts at 6 p.m. and screening will begin at 7 p.m. $3 suggested donation.

Student Services EOPS: Program for low-income and educationally disadvantaged students. CARE: Assistance for single-parent EOPS students.

Second Chance: Assistance for students who are formerly incarcerated, on parole, on probation, or in rehabilitation. EOPS Bungalow. M-TH: 8a.m.-4p.m. & F: 8a.m.-12:30p.m. 415-239-4562. HARTS: Provides support for homeless, formerly homeless, and at-risk students. Student Union, MLK Center, Room B. M-TH: 9a.m.-5p.m. & F: 11a.m.-4p.m. 415-4525234. Single Stop: Services include health insurance, food programs, child care and etc. MUB 105. M-TH: 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m. & F: 8a.m.-2:30p.m. 415-239-3266. MCI: Provides educational, cultural, and social support for men of color. MUB 140. M: 4-6p.m. 415-239-3682.

6 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | APR. 29 - MAY 12, 2015

opinion

Point your anger where it really belongs

Photo by Mandy Godbehear

Football is awesome, right? We canFootball is awesome, right? We can’t get enough of it in this country. It’s a year-round obsession, even though the regular season is only

16 games spanning three or four months. Each game is hyped and treated as if they are a can’t-miss event featuring some of the best athletes in the world. Those athletes can (and do) put on quite a show on the field on Sundays. Everybody is entertained, the curtain falls and we get back to reality. So do the athletes. And that’s where things have gotten convoluted. I’m sure that you have heard of the rash of domestic violence incidences plaguing the National Football League over the past year or so. A seemingly endless parade of football players that cannot seem to avoid involvement in one domestic violence issue or another. Ray Rice, Ray Mcdonald, Greg Hardy, Bruce Miller and others, the list goes on and on. Too many athletes have made headlines for assaulting women, allegedly or oth-

Too many athletes making headlines for assaulting women, allegedly or otherwise. erwise. The recent outcry against this trend (that apparently has been ongoing in the NFL for years) has reached a tipping point loud enough to prompt stricter punishments and policies from the league regarding its players. But that outcry was sorely misdirected. Why do we look to these sports leagues for accountability in matters like these? At what point did we have elevate these athletes to such lofty positions that we should look to them to be moral beacons of our society? It’s a contradiction of wants and desires; on the field, we want you to be as competitive and rough and tumble as the rules allow.

Be aggressive. Do whatever you can (within the rules) to win. But the instant those qualities manifest themselves negatively in their social lives, we collectively wag our morally righteous fingers at them. How could you do such things, we say to them. They should know better. They have a responsibility to the kids that look up to them, that want to be like them. Since when? Do you know who is actually responsible for being a responsible example for the kids? Their parents. Their teachers. The people that occupy actual positions of authority in their lives. Those athletes don’t have a “responsibility” outside of being a productive

member of society, and if they run afoul of the law that governs us all, they should be punished accordingly. Speaking of which, what confused me most was the lack of outcry against our justice system. Where was it? Why is there no chorus of change being directed at the lawmakers and those charged with upholding laws against domestic violence? It felt like pointing the finger at the NFL was a case of lowhanging fruit, whereas addressing the laws against domestic violence is a fight for a day that rarely comes. That’s what the law is for, to handle people that step out of line. That’s where we need to be directing our desire for change, not these athletes. They don’t owe us anything other than a good performance. @koldest_wynter mpatton@theguardsman.com

More Money, More Problems: College Style By Keiara Allen contributor Imagine that you just got accepted into that dream university. You know the one, that college that you rushed to meet the application deadline, typed the statement of purpose until your fingers pulsated in agony, and begged your professors to complete the letter of recommendation for you and finally

after all that you’ve been accepted! After the initial wave of excitement, reality sets in, more likely than not you’ll have to apply for some sort of loan. Unfortunately, the loans you apply for will be tacked with a multitude of fees and extras. One being the origination fee. This fee is given to the loan lenders for “processing” the loan application. Why they need money to have a computer collect loan applications is unbeknownst to me. Anger, rage,

and pure confusion sums up what I felt when I discovered that this fee and if you feel it too, you can do something and let the lawmakers know that this fee sucks! H.R. 1285 is a bill that recently got introduced in the house of representatives this month. It aims to eliminate the hidden student loan fee, aka the origination fee. So let your voices be heard: https://www. govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/ hr1285.

THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | APR. 29 - MAY 12, 2015 | 7

Eliminating Pacific Islander Stereotypes

opinion THE 4TH ESTATE by matthew patton and serina mercado

By Cassandra Ordonio contributor When do you ever see Pacific Islanders in the media? How are they portrayed, in your eyes? During my first year at City College, I was reading the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle and there was a headline that caught my attention: “Bay Area baby may be California’s biggest.” A Pacific Islander couple gave birth to a baby of 15 pounds and two ounces. I can see why it’s newsworthy. It’s unusual for an infant to be over the “healthy” weight limit compared to the average American baby weight of 7.5 pounds. Comments were posted online about the article that said “future starting left tackle for the 49ers.” Another comment read “I wonder if the family’s hearing from the football scouts yet. ProTip: don’t give newborn sized clothing as a gift to a new mom. Give her clothing sized for a six-month old. Oversized clothing can easily be worn. Undersized clothing can’t.” Finally, the last comment said “Samoans are just big people. I grew up with a lot of them and they are just ALWAYS big so this is not that surprising. In fact, when I started reading it, I said to myself, ‘I’ll bet the parents are from Samoa. The kid will be a great lineman for the Niners someday.’” This wasn’t surprising to me, really. I’ve heard it all before. Weight isn’t the only thing stereotyped in the Pacific Islander community. There are stereotypes stating Pacific Islanders are lazy and alcoholics. Other stereotypes say Pacific Islanders are uneducated and can only be in gangs. Instead people state their own facts or making fun of the stereotypes. Why not do something about it? Raise awareness. Actually take the time to educate yourself on Pacific Islander culture. Also, educate yourself that it’s not an issue in just the U.S.: it’s a global issue as well. During World War II, the U.S. demonstrated a nuclear device on the Bikini Atoll. The Marshallese mistook the nuclear fallout for snow, resulting in burned skin, women conceiving jelly babies and forced migration from the Marshall Islands to the poverty areas of Hawaii. This incident wasn’t considered newsworthy back then. Today, there are parts of Marshall Islands still considered unlivable. Also, take a look at U.S. territories such as: American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands having limited

voting powers. Lastly, take a look at the issue of rising sea levels affecting Pacific Islanders. This is one of the issues I dread the most. No Pacific Islander wants to become a climate change refugee. Imagine the loss of culture. Here in America, we’re considered the land of opportunity. According to recent demographic polls, native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NPHI) are one of the fastest-growing racial groups statewide, with a population of 29 percent in California. Studies also show about 19 percent of NHPI attain their Bachelor’s degree, 17 percent have health insurance, and only 46 percent own homes in California alone. Instead of preparing Pacific Islander youth to graduate high school, prepare them for college. This isn’t just for the Pacific Islander youth, this is for all younger generations who grew up in the middle-class and working-class. Because knowledge is power. Samoans are not destined to be football players or security guards. Filipino and Chamorros are short and stumpy, Fijians are not Indians, and not every girl who wears a flower in her hair is Hawaiian. Pacific Islanders are not and never will be a failing statistic and will not be subjected to the stereotype we are portrayed by.

REALIZE YOUR DREAM AT MILLS COLLEGE.

Mills offers talented women who want an exceptional and personal education the ability to: • Get the classes you need to graduate on time. • Earn merit scholarships totaling up to $15,000. • Transfer with no minimum number of credits. • Transfer without completing your GE requirements. There’s still time to apply for fall 2015! Call or email today to meet with an admission counselor and tour the Mills campus. Learn about our generous financial aid opportunities and our admission process.

MAKING THE WORLD MORE . . .

Oakland, CA www.mills.edu/transfer MEET WITH A COUNSELOR: 800.87.MILLS or ADMISSION@MILLS.EDU

8 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | APR. 29 - MAY 12, 2015

sports

The Dexterous Vincent “TwoTwo” Golson: A portrait of the 5’8 point guard

Vincent Golson (Photo by Khaled Sayed)

The dexterous Vincent ‘Two-Two’ Golson: A portrait of the 5’8” point guard By Shaleisa Daniel SPORTS EDITOR

Rams’ sophomore point guard Vincent “Two-Two” Golson has drawn a lot of attention this past season. Golson joined the City College team in 2013 after being recruited by Rams’ former player Ike Count. That year he played close to only ten minutes a game. After spending hours practicing in various gyms around the Bay Area in the offseason, his game had evolved tremendously. When he stepped on the court at the beginning of the 2014 season, his ball handling skills, quickness and ability to shoot deep three-pointers effortlessly made him difficult for opponents to slow down, and even more difficult to predict. “He couldn’t do most of that last year,” said Assistant Coach Adam D’Acquisto. “His entire game went from average to above average. And that’s just from all the practice he did. He’s probably the hardest working player we’ve ever had.” When the team won the Coast Conference North Division title this year, every member of the coaching staff was in agreement that it was largely due to their dynamic point guard. He was their saving grace. “He put us on his back for all of our big wins,” Head Coach Labagh

said. “He shows up consistently and plays big. There are no excuses he just kind of does everything.” Golson first started playing basketball in the summer of 2008 after watching an Amateur Athletic Union team practice at Tassafaronga Recreational Center in Oakland, CA. The following summer he worked with the coach, Gemeny Givens, until he was finally able to play along with them. After a year at Oakland High School, he transferred to Skyline High School and continued to play basketball under Head Coach Terrance Ransom and later Max Langaard. He finished his high school basketball career averaging 13.1 points a game and four and a half assists. He then was off to Jackson State University on an academic scholarship, with no plans to pursue basketball, but after just one semester at Jackson State, he had a change of heart. “I left because I wanted to play [basketball] somewhere,” he said. Golson has been described by coaches as being the “first and last person in the gym.” And he is the only player from last season who continues to work out with the team in the offseason, which has provided a great deal of support to the teammates that he will be leaving in the fall. “[I] got smarter over time,“ he

said. “My attention level went up a lot because they focus on little things like where you shoot from [and] how much time you put in besides practice.” When asked about where he draws his passion from, the primary thing that fuels him to play and train at such a high level became very clear. “It’s just something about height and sports now,” he said. “It really irks me when people don’t take into account the heart and intensity level and what you can do. “Everyone doubts the guy that’s shorter and everyone [usually] wants to draft the guy that’s taller.” But after the phenomenal season he just had with the Rams, who was doubting him now? Nobody. Perhaps one of the biggest testaments to his maturity as a player is an occurrence that took place right after the Rams had been beaten by Merritt College in the postseason. Golson had left the gym visibly upset after the 101-77 loss. D’Acquisto’s godfather, who had frequently attended their games but had not met Golson, approached him to congratulate him on a great season. “This was after a loss and we were all pretty down,” D’Acquisto said. “And he just turned to him with a great smile and said ‘thanks a lot I appreciate it.’ And he didn’t know who the guy was. It was just

some fan coming up to him five minutes after his [junior college] career was over, and he went from being totally down to that. Because he knows how to put it all into perspective. He just gets it.” Golson has received several basketball offers from various schools such as Marist College, Texas State University and CSU Bakersfield. He has not yet decided where he would like to go.

He would ultimately like to play overseas after playing at a four-year college. His coaches feel he has a chance in the NBA if he continues to elevate his game as he previously demonstrated. The sky is really the limit for him. Just ask around. shaleisad@gmail.com

Vincent Golson (Photo by Khaled Sayed)