Vol. 166, Issue 5 | Oct. 24 – Nov. 7, 2018 | City College of San Francisco | Since 1935 | FREE
In the Line of Fire journalists discuss photographing war
Department chairs voice concerns about Education Master Plan By Patrick Cochran pcochran@theguardsman.com
“I am not here to provide bodies for your photographs, he said.” — Kim Komenich
Lou Dematteis, a San Francisco based photojournalist and filmmaker, speaks about reporting and photographing in Nicaragua during the 1985–1990 U.S.backed Contra war during City College's Journalism Matters month on Oct.19, 2018. The stack of books in front of him are titled “Nicaragua: A Decade of Revolution,” published in 1991. Photo by Cliff Fernandes/ The Guardsman
By Cliff Fernandes cferna44@mail.ccsf.edu
Pulitzer prize-winning photojournalist Kim Komenich talks about the responsibilities of a war photographer during the time when he was embedded into the military as a part of City College’s Journalism Matter month on Oct. 19, 2018. Photo by Cliff Fernandes/ The Guardsman
during the height of the U.S.-backed Contra War. In 1986, his photographs of U.S. mercenary Eugene Hasenfus being captured received international recognition and inclusion in The New York Times’ and National Press Photographers Association’s Pictures of the Year.
Cool evening winds hit the walls of a bungalow classroom where eager guests attended the war photojournalist panel “In The Line of Fire” on Oct. 19. Weathered photojournalists Kim Komenich The Journalist’s Role and Lou Dematteis sat at the head of the room behind a stack of thick photo-story books As technology and social media bring showcasing their coverage of mid-’90s war images worldwide into the spotlight almost zones. Moderated by war journalist and author instantly, it is more important now than before Mary Jo McConahay, the two guest speak- for journalists to understand what makes them ers discussed why they believed journalism different from most people who snap photos matters, now more than ever. with their phones, Komenich said. Photojournalism is about putting a face “We’re not just out there to do the write up on the events happening around the world, of the day. We’re out there to cover people’s Komenich said. It’s about taking the conflicts lives and what it’s like growing up in poverty,” happening overseas that get broadcasted on TV, Komenich said. and introducing the human element. He raised above his head a black-andBe it domestically or internationally, white image of a woman and a girl next to Dematteis said that an ethical press covers a some tombstones. story to document the truth. The objectiv“This was a family that lives in the cemetery ity journalists strive for should not be about in Manilla, right next to the Wall Street of presenting two opposing arguments — it means Philippines,” he said. finding the truth, he said. For him, that meant He revisited them as well as others in his exposing the U.S. government’s claim that photos decades later, and learned that the girl Nicaragua was a threat during the Reagan Era. in his picture would have her own family and “It was the poorest country I had ever continue to live in the same cemetery. In the been in, and [it was] a ridiculous claim that same vein, Dematteis decided early on that this country could somehow militarily threaten he would return to Ecuador in 1993 and the United States, so as soon as I got there, I continue photographing the Texaco corporaknew the story that should be told is not being tion’s oil exploitation and pollution well after the told,” Dematteis said. mainstream media had left. Dematteis spent six years in Nicaragua The panel said that the news media’s
unfavorable reputation will make people, especially authorities, even more resistant to working with the press. They referenced specific attempts from the military to control what gets published, and agencies using reported content to inject their own agenda. They explained the importance of sticking with a story. Documenting people, war and poverty is a process that people unfamiliar with journalism may not be aware of, Komenich said. When he needed a press pass to do coverage in San Salvador, he went to authorities for clearance and entered a room where a man was stamping papers. “‘I just want you to know something — I am not here to provide bodies for your photographs,’” Komenich recalled the man saying. “And he looked me right in the eyes and almost cried. I was just another guy to him, out to get pictures of dead Salvadorians.” The guest speakers said that despite people’s attempts to control the publication of information, it remains essential to show the public what happens as it is and to leave it to viewers to decide how to respond. Komenich added that organizations have been built to support the people that they saw suffering, such as a starving boy he photographed in the Philippines. The journalist’s job, he said, is to just show things as they are. “It seemed obvious that there’s a strong connection with ethics, empathy and the importance of what you put in the work you do, and that really talked to me,” said Celine Wallace, who follows Dematteis’s work.
CRADLE WILL ROCK CULTURE - PAGE 4 MEET STUDENT TRUSTEE, MAX HIRSCHFELD OPINION - PAGE 6
City College has progressed with its Education Master Plan (EMP), and some department chairs feel that they are not being heard. A listening session was held to hear their concerns, but the forum did little to alleviate their worries. The EMP is the college’s longrange blueprint for institutional and program development. To help shape it, a series of listening sessions were held for the college’s constituency groups throughout October. The EMP is a crucial part of Vision 90, which sets goals for the college through 2025, City College’s 90th anniversary. The plan must answer to key issues concerning development and funding. “The Education Master Plan will be reviewed annually in conjunction with resource and support plans such as the Facility Master Plan, Technology Plan, Student Success and Support Program Plan, and Student Equity Plan,” the college’s Media Relations Director Connie Chan said. Some staff, including former and current faculty chairs, feel that ideas proposed for the EMP gloss over important issues and instead move full-steam ahead on ideas such as faculty housing, which some call unrealistic and impractical. Judy Hubbell, who recently retired as the dean of continuing studies for seniors, expressed concern that individual departments are understaffed. She said that the college is not investing enough resources in programs for senior learners, and that Vision 90 will overlook the department. “Everybody is part time,” Hubbell said. “I worked an 80-hour work week but was only paid for six. No secretary, no administrative aid, no help, nothing. So the person coming in now may face the same thing. We have 35 faculty, 75 class, 27 sites at five campuses, and there is no way I can do that without help.” EMP continued on page 3
2 | NEWS
BRIEFS
Program coordinator discusses entrepreneurship opportunities for immigrants By David Mamaril Horowitz dhorowitz@theguardsman.com
A City College resource center coordinator talked about entrepreneurship opportunities for immigrants, especially students without citizenship status, on Oct. 18 in the Multi-Use Building. Voices of Immigrants Demonstrating Success (VIDA) Coordinator Alejandro Jimenez said California is a place where any person, whether they are a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy or not, can pitch great ideas to people in power. Immigrants in particular, he said, already have experience being creative. “As an immigrant [...], when you’re in a new country, you don’t know the culture, and you have to adapt,” Jimenez said. “You have to continuously be creative. You have to continuously reinvent what you do and how you do it.” He manages the program Dream Summer, which began as a research project that highlighted economic disparities in immigrant communities in Silicon Valley, focusing on San Mateo and Santa Clara County. The program grew a brand called “Stay Hacking” to give immigrant youth fellowship,
mentorship and other opportunities with tech companies in Silicon Valley and beyond. They received backing from Netflix, which helped fund their first hackathon — a 24-hour, problem-solving event for DACA recipients and undocumented youth alike with technical experience, such as those who engineer, code and design. “It was our way of saying, ‘OK, we’re not just talking about the lack of opportunities. We’re not just saying there are talented youth. Watch — we’re going to bring them to you,’” Jimenez said. The presentation was one of five events hosted by VIDA from Oct. 15 to 19 as a part of Undocumented Student Week of Action. The college promoted the event as well as two webinars organized by Immigrants Rising, an organization that provides resources for undocumented youth. “We are a sanctuary college in a sanctuary city in a sanctuary state, and I tell students all the time that the safest thing you can possibly do is to be a registered student,” Rocha said. “However you feel, short of federal ICE coming into the office, there is no way anyone can get your record.” He also stressed that he had genuine hope that difficult times will pass, and the most important thing to do was to stay in school.
Vol. 166, Issue 5 | Oct 24 – Nov. 7, 2018
CCC Chancellor talks California initiatives with media students By Casey Ticsay
and administrators as part of its meant to encourage all 73 districts yearlong study to examine major to prioritize access to educacticsay@mail.ccsf.edu components of the new work plan. tion and ensure that proposed Student newspaper and radio Mathematics professor investments focus on advancing representatives across California Frederick Teti, who serves as student success and eliminating spoke with California Community City College’s Academic Senate equity gaps. Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz President, believes that there is Vision for Success calls for a new Oakley in an Oct. 18 teleconfer- a population of students who funding formula that will require ence, where he discussed initiatives could benefit from having explic- the state’s community colleges to that will shape the future of itly delineated paths. But he also integrate Vision for Success’s goals the state’s 114 community colleges. added that there is a large student within each college’s educational One of Oakley’s main focuses population who want to have master plan. The most controverwas the progress of Guided the freedom to select from course sial aspect of the formula is a a Pathways, a $150 million invest- offerings and experiment before student success incentive grant, ment meant to build structured settling on a specific discipline. which will allocate additional curricular pathways that help “There’s certainly a fear that funding for college districts that students achieve their academic once the pathways are established, have more students who complete goals in a timely manner. The if a particular course or program degrees or certificates, especially in program supports a 5-year plan- isn’t on one of the paths, then less than three years. ning and implementation process that program’s enrollment will Oakley said the initiatives for colleges that implement it. wither and the program could aim to improve outcomes for all Since beginning Phase I of possibly be suspended or deacti- Californians, particularly those the Guided Pathways effort, City vated,” Teti said. who have not been well-represented. College has conducted a series of Last year, the college system’s inquiry workshops and listening board of governors also adopted sessions with students, faculty, staff the Vision for Success, a plan
COMMUNITY CALENDAR Tuesday, Oct. 27
Friday, Nov. 2
CCSF Men’s basketball team would like to invite you to a fun afternoon/evening at the Philosophers’ Club to benefit their team. 3–7 p.m., 824 Ulloa St. Price of admission is $50 and covers two drinks and light hors d'oeuvres generously provided by Original Joe’s and Roxies. Raffle and Silent Auction items will include sports memorabilia and assorted sports related prizes.
“Dia de los Muertos” procession, 7 p.m. at 24th & Bryant Streets, in the Mission District. It ends in Garfield Park at the Festival of Altars, 8:30 p.m., 26th & Harrison Streets.
Tuesday Oct 25 Film Showing of “To Kill The Messenger,” the true story of San Jose Mercury News journalist Gary Webb and his mid-1990s investigative reporting that uncovered CIA’s role in importing cocaine into the U.S. to support the Nicaraguan Contra rebel army. 2–4 p.m. Rosenberg Library, Room 304.
Tuesday, Oct. 30 Filipino American History Month, “We Are the Change; We Want to See: Art & Activism,” 2–4 p.m., Sci. 211.
Thru October Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship worth up to
$40,000 per year renewable is open to all City College students. For all the details, application procedures, and fall deadline go to www.jkcf.org and apply now.
Thursday, Nov. 1 “The Entrepreneurial Mindset,” 5–7:30 p.m., Collaboratory Space, Rosenberg Library, with light dinner provided.
Monday, Nov. 5 The Facilities Department will be continuing to host a series of workshops to discuss the college's Facilities Master Plan. The next workshops are Monday, Nov. 5, from 12–1:30 p.m. in MUB 361 (lunch will be provided), and from 6-7:30 p.m. in Conlan Hall 101 (Public Forum). For more information, visit www.tinyurl.com/fmpccsf or call 415-239-3055.
Monday, Nov. 5 Join the City College community at Education Master Plan workshops, which will work play a role in blueprinting the future of the college’s institutional and program development. The Nov. 2 workshop will be held from 1–5 p.m., in the Multi-Use Building, Room 140. The next workshops will be held in MUB 230 on Monday, Dec. 3, 3–5 p.m., and Monday, Dec. 10, 3-5 p.m. To read a summary of the previous EMP, visit https://tinyurl.com/ empsummary For more information, visit www.tinyurl.com/empccsf.
Thru December Apply now for the 2019-2029 for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Check out new myStudentAid app on iOS and Android.
Alejandro Jimenez, program coordinator for Voices of Immigrants Demonstrating Achievement, watches the movie ‘Halmoni’ held during the Week of Action for DACA recipients at Ocean Campus's VIDA Center on Oct. 19, 2018. In the scene, a teary Ju Long speaks to his grandmother 13 years after being away from South Korea. Photo by Cliff Fernandes/The Guardsman
Staff Editor-in-Chief Peter J. Suter News Editor David Mamaril Horowitz
Culture Editor Lisa Martin
Opinion Editor Matthew Cardoza
Photo Editor Sarah Berjan
Copy Editors Antoinette Barton Deidre Foley Nancy Chan Ad. Manager Ivan Torres
Designers Chiara Di Martino Mar Lar Thin Online Editor Fran Smith
Staff Writers Sarah Berjan Andy Damián–Correa Patrick Cochran Cliff Fernandes Corey Holt
Lisa Martin Michael J. Montalvo Casey Ticsay
NEWS | 3
Vol. 166, Issue 5 | Oct. 24 – Nov. 7, 2018
Amid a climate of skepticism, survivors of violence use t-shirts as a medium By David Mamaril Horowitz
“What’s happening in the Supreme Court right now doesn’t affirm and doesn’t validate the dhorowitz@theguardsman.com experiences of women and men, It was two days into Domestic and people who are in between, Violence Awareness Month that who may have experienced domesPresident Donald Trump, to rally- tic violence and sexual assault,” ing cheers in Mississippi, ridiculed said EdianBlair Schlofield, a Dr. Blasey Ford for testifying that former City College student and she was allegedly sexually assaulted member of Project Survive. by now-Supreme Court Justice City College student Dale Brett Kavanaugh. Smith said the project gives surviAnd it was two days later that vors of violence a sense of hope, City College’s program Project a feeling of community and Survive hanged 67 t-shirts beside an understanding that they’re the cafeteria’s east windows. Each not alone. Installed and known t-shirt, designed by a City College nationwide as the Clothesline student, carries a message related Project, the practice emerged to sexual or domestic violence. in the ’90s to raise the public’s Every October day, window awareness of domestic and sexual light has radiated through the violence. The college has particiarray of t-shirts, illuminating pated for more than a decade. messages such as “Let your voice “Not every survivor can speak be heard” and “I don’t blame about what happened to them,” myself.” Another reads, “The pain said Olivia Baumgart, Project needs to stop.” Survive’s Inter Club Council Side-by-side with 64 other Representative. “But when you statements, they speak in solidar- give them a paint brush, some ity to the prevalence of violence glitter and a t-shirt, and allow in society during a period when them to be creative with their skepticism and mockery have story without ever having to actubecome normalized responses ally disclose it, that gives them an to narratives of violence from outlet to express the pain that they America’s highest powers. felt from what happened to them.”
Hand designed t-shirts denouncing sexual violence are hoisted up in the CCSF cafeteria as a part of the Clothesline Project, a nationwide campaign, during the month of October. Photo by Cliff Fernandes/ The Guardsman
The City College cafeteria features a display of 67 t-shirts that advocate against violence as a part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Photo by Sarah Berjan/ The Guardsman
The concept of using t-shirts day, according to homicide data is a nod to times when neighbors collected by the FBI. were more close-knit. Women Other colored shirts — blue, would secretively exchange conver- green, purple, brown, black and sation over their fences while gray — have their own meanings drying clothes, according to the that speak to the different types Clothesline Project website. of violence. Baugmart said the Clothesline “I know a lot of survivors,” Project gives a face to survivors’ Baumgart said. “[The project] stories, and the statistics. means the world to me because Yellow shirts hang in remem- literally it is the world.” brance of physical assault or Telling stories through domestic violence survivors. t-shirts allows survivors to bring Between 2003 and 2012, 15 the public into the private, percent of national violence Women’s Studies and Project was committed by an intimate Survive Coordinator Adele Failes partner, according to the Carpenter said. T-shirts also have Department of Justice. added significance because they Red, pink and orange shirts are constantly in contact with a honor survivors of rape or sexual person’s body, she said. assault. Across the states, 627,700 But spreading those messages, people are sexually assaulted even through clothing, is not annually, according to a report easy for survivors of violence, by the National Sexual Violence Schlofield said. Resource Center. “Many people actually have to And white shirts commemorate relive their experiences in a way those who were killed. In 2015, 928 that is traumatizing, [yet] cathartic women were killed by an intimate and healing for them,” Schlofield partner — or 2.54 women per said. “There is a contradiction of
those feelings — between being liberated and empowered, and at the same time, feeling the experiences [...] of their past.” He stressed that there is also great value in showing solidarity with people who may have had similar experiences, adding that he hoped for equal representation between women and men because many of their experiences are valid. Smith called it essential that people — and men, in particular — speak out and step up against violence to create an impact in preventing it. “It’s got to be a group effort to really make a change,” he said. City College’s clothesline project will remain up until Oct. 29. If you are interested in designing a t-shirt for next year’s exhibit, contact Women’s Studies and Project Survive Coordinator Adele Failes Carpenter at afailes@ ccsf.edu or or visit Cloud Hall, Room 402A.
EMP continued from page 1 She considers the department a lifeline for retired citizens in the city and fears that Vision 90 will hinder the college’s ability to address more pressing needs in the continuing education department. “I’ve felt that I have really advocated for this program. It is really important,” Hubbell said. “We have been recognized by national committees for our senior program at Aquatic Park. It is famous. It was the first [non-profit] senior citizen program in the United States.” She and others felt that Vision 90 was too ambitious, and that the college should instead focus on fixing existing problems meant to be addressed in the last EMP. They also said other issues have turned up that require more urgent addressing. Illustrator Cleo Cabanez Quip Johnson Veronica VossMacomber
Photographers Sarah Bejran Cliff Fernandes Andy Damián–Correa Lisa Martin
One such issue was the college’s class section cancellation policy, which resulted in 235 class sections being canceled due to low enrollment this semester, with an average enrollment of six students each. About 130 were cut before the semester began, according to a class schedule report. Department chairs felt the school was too stringent with its rules, and that too many classes had been canceled because of unrealistic attendance benchmarks. Over-enrolled classes were a concern to department chairs as well because many older classrooms do not have sufficient capacity to service them. “In the effort to create a college-wide average class size of 32, ensure that classes which could meet or exceed that number Faculty Adviser Juan Gonzales
aren’t scheduled in a room with at 24-seats “In each of the bonds, for horticulture, max,” states one listening session note. [improvements] were postponed. The last Some expressed worry about school’s time, it got canceled because the MUB inability to properly maintain its facilities, needed to be finished,” Brown said. which had $450 million in deferred needs He said that when San Francisco State in 2016, according to a facilities commit- University pulled out of the joint collaboratee capital plan update. Department chairs tion to share the Multi-Use Building with said the college should focus on making City College, it resulted in the latter owing sure facilities are in working order and on millions of dollars. modernizing classrooms. “That is why a lot of other projects Floristry department chair Steven Brown were put on hold. That is why we have said that proposals to improve the environ- asphalt outside of the MUB instead of mental horticulture and floristry department landscaping — because the money was put have been waylaid, snafued or postponed. on hold,” Brown said. He referenced the last 5-year plan that promised improvements on the north side of Ocean Campus, as well as City College’s 2001, 2005 and 2012 facilities bonds.
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4 | CULTURE
Vol. 166, Issue 5 | Oct 24 – Nov. 7, 2018
Cradle Will Rock
A play that combines art, comedy and censorship By Lisa Martin lmartin@theguardsman.com
Cradle Will Rock is an ambitious theatrical adaptation of the Tim Robbins film that will be opening at City College’s Diego Rivera Theatre on Friday Oct. 26. Set during the Great Depression, the play weaves together the historical events and entertaining fictions to tell a lighthearted comedy about dark times. During the ’30s as part of the Federal Theatre Project, Orson Welles tried to direct a play called “Cradle Will Rock” about a steelworker strike, but was shut down at gunpoint when officials decide the play is too left-leaning for federal funding. At the same time, Diego Rivera was commissioned to paint “Man at the Crossroads” for the Rockefeller building in New York City. It was later painted due Actors rehearse a scene featuring the seven deadly sins from the play Cradle Will Rock on Oct.19 at the Diego Rivera theatre. Photo by Sarah Berjan/ The Guardsman. to its controversial, left-leaning nature. The play tracks these two events in American history and weaves them together. “It’s about censorship and the arts and the government’s relationship to people through that lens,” director Patricia Miller said. Although the play takes place during the ’30s, there are many parallels to modern times — police brutality, rise of fascism facilitated by corporate interests, a sharp divide between the haves and have-nots. For City College, there is an especially close connection at the heart of this story: a mural by Diego Rivera. Currently, there are plans to move Rivera’s “Pan-American Unity” mural from the Diego Rivera Theatre to MoMA while the college builds a new Performing Arts Center. “We’re fighting to keep it [the mural] here at City College,” said Miller. The play has an cast of 36 Zola Hanson and Milan Whitfeild reherse for the upcoming play Cradle Will Rock Actors Game Huerte and Nicolas Ruiz play the role of two aspiring actors stealing actors, ranging in age from 9 years at the Diego Rivera Theatre on Oct. 19. Photo by Sarah Berjan/ The Guardsman. the act of a well known vintrillaquest on Oct.17 during their rehearsal of Cradle Will Rock. Photo by Sarah Berjan/ The Guardsman. old to 70 years old. Although many of the historical figures featured in the play were white, the cast reflects said Miller of the cast. will have you laughing in your seat. 8 p.m. showings on Fridays and are $15 for general admission the diversity of City College. Despite the heavy subject The play opens this Friday, Saturdays, and 2 p.m. showings on and $10 for students, seniors and “I’ve never seen so many people matter, there’s a thread of humor Oct. 26, at 8 p.m. It will be Sundays. The final performance TBA members. work so hard to be in the room,” that binds together the play and open for two weekends with will be Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets
CULTURE | 5
Vol. 166, Issue 5 | Oct. 24 – Nov. 7, 2018
All female cinema panel share experience in the industry By Sarah Berjan sberjan@mail.ccsf.edu
Workforce Wednesday presented their sixth event on Oct. 17, an open panel discussion with four film producers in the Bay Area. The panelists shared their experiences of being producers and women in the film industry. Arya Zarrinkelk, an employment and training specialist for City College’s Strong Workforce Program, facilitated the event in order to help promote careers in arts, media, entertainment and other creative disciplines. “This is my first actual immersion into film school, so I find it very humanizing to see all the ethics that goes into the profession like building character rather than having a lot of experience,” said City College student Anthony Francis, who attended the panel. “Since this is my first semester here, I am still trying to feel my way out, still trying to meet people. I find it very reassuring and ensuring that I am still interested in film.” Panelists included Wendi Jonassen, an active producer and journalist; Yasmin Mawaz Kahn an interactive film producer and artist; Natalie Teter a film producer and media strategists; Nomi Tailsman, an Oscar nominee, award-winning independent filmmaker and new media artist. To begin the discussion and introduce the panelists, they were questioned about the challenges and pitfalls in the course of their careers. “I feel like I am still building my career. I began 10 years ago, but I am still hungry, I am still striving and I am still learning,”
Active film producers Wendi Jonnasan, Natalie Teter, Yasmin Mawaz Kahn and Nomi Tailsman introduce themselves to Workforce Wednesday attendees on Oct.7. at MUB 238. Photo by Sarah Berjan/ the Guardsman
Jonassen said. “It’s important to remember, as much as it sucks, that unpaid work gets you work. It’s hard to swallow your pride but remember every person in and outside this industry had peaks and valleys.” The four panelists also discussed gender, racial and age discrimination they face in an industry dominated by white men. According to Teter, the biggest challenge is to combat internalized inferiority and discrimination. “I get what I call ‘the little lady talk.’ It goes like ‘little lady, do you understand editing?’ Then I remind them that I am at their level,” Jonassen said. “I just need to be a little more authoritative to remind them I am in the industry at their level and they need to speak to me as such.”
In response to questions about discrimination, Tailsman advised “you can always make your own crew.” She also recommended that the audience adopt skill sets that would give an “edge.” “Being in solidarity with your people, you will find yourself in positions where you are firing or recommending and just remember who your people are and help them fill those positions out,” said Tailsman. The panelists agreed that communication was a large component of their productions’ sustainability. Producers need to understand how someone listens and how one responds, making the communication process much smoother, according to Khan. A large part of their work in production is also inspired
by the voices that are not being heard. As a San Francisco State University alumna in cinema, communications and ethnic studies, Teter described her college experiences as being very “politicizing” and attributes much of her career trajectory to her experience at SFSU. “In 2010 there was a bill in Arizona that outlawed Mexican American studies in public schools, inspiring a documentary called ‘Precious Knowledge.’ That was the first time I saw a film that resonated to a larger political context. That was a big ‘aha’ moment for me,” Teter said. “Realizing how films can move you emotionally is a really big part of political struggle and social change.”
Social Media and the Arts By Corey Holt and Michael Montalvo
cholt3@mail.ccsf.edu michaeljmontalvo@yahoo.com
Artists in the age of technology have an advantage when it comes to sharing their art with the world; everyone is connected. From photographers who want to sell their services, to artists looking to collaborate on projects, to recording artists who want to share their music with the world, they are all using social media to share their work. Social media has become the easiest way to connect with people. While Instagram provides a platform for visual artists to share their portfolio, music platforms such as SoundCloud have done the same for music artists. SoundCloud created routes for artist to grow a following, and some rappers have created fan bases that lead to sold out concerts. For photog raphers, Instagram can be a valuable outlet, as was the case for first year student Mario Jordan. “I just started taking pictures of all the cool things I would see. People liked the images, so they started inviting me to take cool pictures of them,” he said. “When I did start shooting, it was easy to start marketing my business, because I had Facebook and Instagram accounts already.”
Not only have the internet, social media and technology single handedly opened doors for photographers, Instagram models and artists looking to share their work, it also has made the music industry more accessible without the help of established production companies. Hip hop artists and music producers now have access to potential fan bases across the globe with the help of social media and other internet devices.
Illustra
tion by
Quip J
ohnson
Just like in the popular television series “Empire,” where the main characters use social media to build their following, independent artists and companies utilize social media as a tool to market and sell their product.
“What really got me into music was ‘Empire’,” said music producer and City College student Angelo Bishop, referring to the popular television series about a fictional hip hop and entertainment company. “I just felt like if he [referring to Terrance Howard] can do it why not me.” “Right now, I’m just trying to build my portfolio,” Bishop said. “I work for non-profit. We work with kids around the city. We teach them how to make beats, edit their videos and engineer a track. This way they know how to do everything so they can go build their own studios one day and put their music out to the world.” “Promotion is easy, you can put your stuff on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, just about anywhere. People have to see it. My job is to get them to listen,” Bishop said. Being connected on social media also gives rap artist and producers alerts to underground concerts and open mic events. “Local open mics
are always good since you start to see regulars coming to see you and it’s a pretty good feeling,” said singer Heather Snare. In the big cities like San Francisco and Oakland, there’s a lot of people scouting for new talent at clubs and open mics.
“Promotion is easy, you can put your stuff on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, just about anywhere.” — Angelo Bishop, CCSF student Online is a way to share your music and songs with a lot of people with little effort. “SoundCloud and iTunes are probably the best ways to get your songs to a lot of people,” said local rapper Robert Luca. “There’s a strong community and loyal fans that will share your music with their friends and family like on Facebook or Twitter.” Local artists risk a lot trying to make it big.“I produce more than one song at a time, so I have different artists who are free at different times. I have to miss class and work to get studio time with them,” Music Producer Matt Allen said. “These are my first songs I’m producing so I have to show everyone that I can do this.”
6 | OPINION
HAVE YOUR SAY BY MATTHEW CARDOZA
WITH THE NOVEMBER MIDTERM JUST A FEW WEEKS AWAY, DOES VOTING SEEM LIKE A PRIORITY FOR YOU?
“Yes. Because it’s more important to get the representatives that you like in power, especially in these hyper-partisan times.” Ph
— Lucas Carter, Undeclared
ot os
by
M
att
h ew Ca rdoza
“Yes. I think it’s important and I already voted. I feel that voting is something that doesn't affect us immediately but will affect us in the future.” — Kimberly Guimaraes, Child Development
“Yes. Our opinions need to be heard on an individual level. Voting is one of the only ways to truly get our voices heard.” — David Terry, Psychology, minor in Business
Vol. 166, Issue 5 | Oct 24 – Nov. 7, 2018
Dear Editor: Hello Students! My name thousands that attend CCSF. is Max Hirschfeld, and I am While I can present my own your Student Trustee for this opinion at these meetings, that academic year. I am writing is not my job. Instead, my job is to let more students know to represent all of the students about the role of the Student here at CCSF. Trustee here at CCSF and Important issues like the the leadership opportunities development of the new Performing available for students on campus. Arts Education Center and the First, who is the Board of future of the Free City Program Trustees? The Board of Trustees are decisions that students need to is the governing board of CCSF. help with. When we the students It is made up of seven do not speak out, these decisions positions elected by the are made without us. voters of San Francisco; three I am a student leader of which you can vote for in this here on campus, but upcoming November election. more importantly, I am a In addition to these student messenger. It is my job to seven elected spots, there is take the students’ message to the one Student Trustee. The Student Board of Trustees every month Trustee is a current CCSF and speak on their behalf. student tasked with representing With that in mind, I am all CCSF Students at the monthly asking for your help. If you, Board of Trustee meetings or any of your peers would like where the Board votes to approve to reach out to me and talk to items put together by the me about what you want from CCSF administration. your college, or if you would like Here is my problem: I am to speak on a current student only one student out of the many issue, I encourage you to do so.
My email is studenttrustee@mail. ccsf.edu and I also have an office in Student Union 202 that you can drop by. Lastly, I would like to share with you my goal for the year. I would like to make sure that every single student representative role is filled next year starting with the leadership at the Associated Student Council. The student council is a great opportunity for those seeking real leadership experience. This not only looks good on transfer applications but also counts as work experience to put on your resume. If you would like more information about these leadership opportunities, feel free to contact me or stop by the Associated Students office at Student Union 209.
Max Hirschfeld, Student Trustee
Wake Up, Mr. West! By Matthew Cardoza kmcardoza13@gmail.com
Kanye West, for the past few years, has kept himself in the news for many reasons, from the mundane to the infamous. He has elevated his career since his debut album, The College Dropout, released in 2004, to becoming known today for his rapping, producing, songwriting and fashion with is line of Yeezy clothing and shoes. Now he has entered the political realm, buddying up with President Donald Trump and even floating the idea of running for president in the year 2024. While Kanye is not the first celebrity to go in to politics, the way he’s been going into it is not the traditional way people of his status get into politics. Recently, Kanye has preached a gospel of love from his social media accounts such as Twitter, appearing to reject the notion of political party to express free thinking and free thoughts. Tweets like, “I love when people have their own ideas. You don’t have to be allowed anymore. Just be. Love who you want to love. That’s free thought. I’m not even political. I’m not a democrat or a republican…”
While Kanye is free to join anyone or group he likes, vague tweets and publicity stunts alone aren’t enough to run on. If Kanye is serious about running for political office, then he should stop preaching his empty calorie philosophy and clearly articulate his stance as an independent to make the audience understand his plights. While Kanye is a man who is very musically gifted, he is kind of hard to understand at times. For every issue he wants to help solve like prison reform, he drowns his ideas in long, unarticulated ramblings that go on for more than five minutes. His speeches often drag on and on, such as the one he gave at the College of Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan where he asked people to leave Tesla CEO Elon Musk alone, leaving the audience in attendance confused. The man is chock full of ideas on how to better the world, which I personally admire from someone with his level of celebrity status. But by being ambiguous about his political leanings and by being overall a man always embroiled in controversy, I don’t see his causes advancing further beyond the celebrity realm, as the people outside his fanbase won’t take him seriously due to him being all talk and no action on the issues.
“Yes. People like to stick to their routines and not take the time to vote. I feel that some people worry more about their current problems than what they’ll be like in the future, and this shouldn’t be the case.” — Jessica Galaraza, Engineering
“Yes. I feel that regardless of what’s in your life, if you don't act now and vote for what you believe in, you won’ t get the results you want.” — Gino Pretelin, Psychology Illustration by Cleo Cabanez
NEWS | 7
Vol. 166, Issue 5 | Oct. 24 – Nov. 7, 2018
BRIEFS
Journalism department celebrates National Newspaper Week
CCSF journalism student Jackelinne Gramajo, right, interviews student Paloma ParraMcglothin, center, as Jornalism and BEMA department partner during the 78th anniversary of National Newspaper Week to discuss with CCSF community why journalism matters. Photo by Andy Correra/ The Guardsman
By Andy Damián–Correa acorrea@theguardsman.com
City College’s journalism, broadcasting and photography departments worked with the California Newspaper Publishers Association in hosting six events in October to recognize of the significance of journalism. The events celebrated the 78th anniversary of National Newspaper Week, which is centered around the impact of newspapers to communities large and small. For about 227 years, freedom of the press has been one of the key tenets
of a free democracy. Smaller newspapers in particular provide local news about communities that are frequently overlooked by bigger news outlets. City College’s student-run newspaper the Guardsman, for example, reports on issues concerning the college community. This month, the staff joined other newspaper staffs across the nation in celebrating the First Amendment and the free press. The departments gathered at Ram Plaza on Oct. 10 to host an information table, where students spoke about journalists’ role in society. Two days later,
Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Jonathan Freedman joins KCSF broadcast regarding President Trump's attacks on media with award-winning student journalist Victor Tence as the moderate on Oct. 8. Photo by Andy Correra/ The Guardsman
journalism department chair Juan Gonzales discussed the news media in the age of Trump on KCSF. On Oct. 17, award-winning Washington, D.C. journalist Ronald Cohen, who reported on the resignation of President Richard Nixon, spoke to a crowded Rosenberg Library room. A day later, the film “All the President’s Men,” which covers the Watergate Scandal, was played in Rosenberg Library. The next day, the photojournalists behind the exhibit “Photojournalists in the Line of Fire,” Lou Dematteis and Kim
Komenich, discussed the role of reporters especially when covering war zones. The movie “The Post,” which covers journalists’ attempts to publish the Pentagon Papers, was shown on Oct. 23. City College’s Journalism Matters Month will conclude with a showing of “Kill The Messenger,” which concerns a journalist’s coverage of Contra cocaine trafficking, from 2–4 p.m. on Oct. 25 in Rosenberg Library, Room 304.
As scholarships remain underutilized, a CCSF student wins seven By Lisa Martin lisamartin.562@gmail.com
After moving to San Francisco in 2011, Vernon Roark said he was at one point delivering pizzas and wishing he had a degree to make more money and continue living in the Bay Area. Originally from Kentucky, the former philosophy major now studies physics at City College. Here, he utilizes college resources to help him pay the bills while he works toward transferring to an astrophysics program. Roark tutors students in the Science Building planetarium as part of Federal Work-Study, receives federal grants, and takes advantage of Free City. Scholarships, he said, have also played a small but essential role in allowing him to focus on college. In the past two years, Roark has earned six different scholarships: the Osher Endowment Scholarship, the Osher Initiative Scholarship, the CCSF faculty association scholarship, the Darwin Scholarship and the Koret Foundation scholarship (which he won twice). In total, he has earned $4,800 in scholarship money, which he said goes toward rent and food. Astronomy professor Melinda Weil, who helped Roark with his letters of recommendation, said having extra money, usually ranging from a few hundred to a
few thousand dollars for the year, is usually good for any student. She also mentioned knowing another student who turned in a scholarship application a few days before it was due. “He ended up with $8,000,” Weil said. “There’s a lot of opportunity here. A lot of it is being passed up because many students aren’t applying.” She added that the majority of students who have a financial need and complete their general scholarship applications — which require students to meet a minimum GPA — are getting money. Math professor Michael Greenberg introduced the idea of scholarships early one semester. Greenberg, who is also the resource coordinator for the math department, runs workshops and programs designed to help students find opportunities for funding their education. “I realized that some of the things preventing our students from succeeding is they’re struggling to pay for school, struggling to pay for textbooks,” said Greenberg, who took his position in part to change that. Greenberg said that while many students might not know if they qualify or how to apply for scholarships, there are many scholarship opportunities available to City College students. He referenced the Osher Scholarship, which he said has more money
available than the amount given away to students who apply. “I talk to so many people [about scholarships]. Everybody’s like, ‘Nah. I just never applied. I got this excuse…,’ Roark said. “If
somebody’s going to win, it might as well be you.” Deadlines for scholarships are usually in the first or second month of each semester so that the money can be transferred to students
quickly enough to go toward that same semester’s costs. But for Roark, scholarships are not just about money. He said that although grants are also essentially free money, scholarships are way better and something to add on a resume. “A scholarship means that you won something,” said Roark. “All of a sudden, I have people who believe in me.” Roark wants to transfer into University of California, Berkeley or University of California, Santa Cruz for their astrophysics programs. “What I really hope to achieve is basically helping humanity get into outer space and onto other planets,” Roark said. For him, winning scholarships is just one small step toward that goal.
For information about scholarships, visit https:// www.ccsf.edu/en/studentservices/Scholarship.html. The Scholarship Office can be reached at (415) 239-3339 and is located at Cloud Hall, Room 324. Office hours are Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Vernon Roark is a City College student who won $4800 through scholarships. October 17, 2018. Photo by Lisa Martin/ The Guardsman
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Vol. 166, Issue 5 | Oct. 24 – Nov. 7, 2018
CCSF Board Of Trustee election coverage By Peter J. Suter suterjpeter@gmail.com
O
n November 6th, four candidates will be running to fill three positions available as CCSF Board of Trustees in the general election open to all registered voters of San Francisco. The Guardsman reached out to each candidate for comments on why they chose to run. Here’s what they had to say.
Q& A Question #1: What are your two top concerns facing San Francisco City College and how do you plan on addressing them if elected? Question #2: Why have you chosen to run for the CCSF board of trustees position and what about City College do you like most?
I am proud of my record as a Trustee of fighting for City College through the accreditation crisis and helping to make City College free for San Franciscans. I am currently working to make sure Free City remains free, and to expand it. Second, I am working to upgrade College’s facilities, to give students the City College they deserve. Many classrooms are in bad shape or outdated. I am working on a Facilities Master Plan to address these issues. I also believe City College needs to offer housing to students. This is why I'm working to build affordable student housing.
My top concern is getting our fair share of Prop W monies. San Francisco residents voted Yes to Prop W to fund Free City, yet only a small portion goes to CCSF. I believe CCSF should get its fair share of Prop W to fund a permanent Free City. I would also prioritize securing a Student Transit Pass subsidized with state and/or local money. I have already identified a grant that was used by SFSU and am working with the Chancellor to apply for it. I am also meeting with the Associated Students and environmentalists at CCSF to discuss the student-led campaign for the vote.
Getting students classes they need and ameliorating the fiscal issues from the drop of enrollment and the accreditation crisis. 77% of students report scheduling as a major obstacle while CCSF has operated under 3 deficit budgets and exhausted the reserves over the last 3 years. This is unacceptable. Block scheduling needs to be a top priority, so students can get the classes they need and CCSF can become more fiscally-stable, but CCSF also needs more innovation in creating new pipelines from education to employment through partnerships with companies offering jobs.
I am running for re-election to finish the projects I have begun as a trustee. I'm proud of having led the effort to make our campuses smoke-free, to create the College’s environmental Sustainability Plan, and to have created the College's first local-hire program for construction project. I have been working to see the Performing Arts and Education Center built, to reduce the achievement gap, to fund all classes. What I love about City College is the way it changes lives for the better. I’ve met so many students who we have been able to help in many different ways.
I have been a Trustee over the last four years and we have turned CCSF around; we hired a permanent Chancellor, reaffirmed our accreditation for the maximum amount of time, and implemented Free City. I know that I can take what I have learned over the last four years, governing CCSF at a difficult time, and help guide us to fiscal stability and strong enrollment once again. Students are what I like the most! I take classes most semesters and have been blown away by the talent, tenacity, and diversity of the students.
CCSF is there for our underserved and underrepresented communities with academic, vocational, and community classes, that’s my favorite part, but CCSF needs to do better. I'm running because I was worried about CCSF’s future. I was a community college student who struggled to make ends meet and the first of family to attend after immigrating to the U.S. I am now a City Commissioner and a delegate of the California Democratic Party. I have a Ph.D. in Political Science and I have taught at the university level. I have been a U.S. Army Officer and a senior university administrator.
— John Rizzo
— Thea Selby
— Victor Olivieri
Our budget and related transparency issues should be a top concern for candidates. The board has steered CCSF through some rocky areas, but much must still be done to keep the college on a steady course with our budget constraints. We also must keep the college on track for increased funding from the state and other areas. I am pursuing HSI grants, which benefit all students, and I want to maximize the state’s performance funding. I will also prioritize permanent Free City tuition as well as tutoring, resources, mentorship and anything else to support students' educational goals. As faculty do more with less, it is particularly important to support students so they can succeed. Our board has steered CCSF from survival to thriving mode, and I want to finish the job and make CCSF the best it can be. I have learned so much in my term, and I want to apply this knowledge base to the many challenges facing CCSF. What I love about CCSF are the faculty and students. I take classes in VMD, and I can see the creativity and knowledge building sparked in the classroom.
— Brigitte Davila
Illustration by Veronica Voss-Macomber