The Guardsman, Vol. 159, Issue 1. City College of San Francisco by The Guardsman

Court ruling brings hope to City College By Patrick Fitzgerald

@theguardsmand pfitzgerald@theguardsman.com

Contributor

Judge Karnow’s ruling is a significant victory for City College Judge Curtis Karnow’s tentative ruling revealed a mixed victory for City College citing that the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) 2013 accreditation termination decision was unlawful, however it left standing the original Order to Show Cause issued July 2012. Judge Karnow issued a preliminary injunction in August 2013 which was in response to a lawsuit filed by the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office. The temporary ruling Karnow issued Jan. 16 is to be finalized sometime after Feb. 3 and will mandate that the ACCJC provide City College with the right to present evidence of progress before a final accreditation decision, thus

Judge Curtis Karnow (archive photo) by Khaled Sayed.

vacating the ACCJC’s accreditation termination order of July 2013. “When today’s ruling is finalized by the judge, we will take the opportunity to ask the commis-

sion to reconsider its termination decision and we will present evidence, as we have for the last two years of our continued progress and commitment to meeting the accreditation standards.”

Chancellor Dr. Arthur Tyler said in a statement released shortly after Karnow’s ruling. Two days before, the ACCJC granted City College a two-year extension to become fully compliant under a recently instituted restoration process, this is another pathway towards compliance. Under this restoration process, the unproven compliance standards may be even stricter and therefore trickier than the previous high standards to be met under the original Order to Show Cause. The ACCJC’s basis of the earlier Order to Show Cause centered on poor fiscal management, ineffective administrative governance and failure to properly measure learning outcomes. However, these issues were never formally presented to City College before 2012. Long simmering issues between the ACCJC and City College date as far back as 2006. However, the quality of education was never an issue cited by the

accreditation board and was actually cited favorably by the Student Success Scorecard survey released in 2014. “The ruling is not what we hoped for,” mathematics instructor Ted Lee said. “It didn’t vacate the original ‘Show Cause’ but allows the commission to review any evidence that we want to provide on our behalf that we made progress on most of the standards.” Judge Karnow did find convincing evidence that the ACCJC violated due process under the Unfair Competition Law (UCL). City College was given only one year before the ACCJC terminated accreditation without allowing City College the opportunity to present evidence of progress. “We are extremely gratified that after a full evidentiary hearing and extensive briefing by the attorneys, Judge Karnow essentially found that the ACCJC did not do anything wrong with respect to its

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granted: now what? Legendary football Restoration City College has two years to “fully meet” accreditation requirements coach steps down George Rush

By Alex Lamp

@theguardsman alamp@theguardsman.com

the guardsman

City College football Head Coach George Rush announcing his retirement at a press conference Jan 16, 2015. Photo by Khaled Sayed.

By Shaleisa Daniel

@theguardsman shaleisa_daniel@yahoo.com

Contributor

The mood was bittersweet as City College Rams head football Coach George Rush formally announced his retirement at a news conference held in the Health and Wellness Center on Jan. 16. Rush, who maintains the title of the most winningest coach in

junior college history, is set to retire after a memorable 38 year career with the Rams, which could best be described in his words as the “career of a lifetime.” Among those in attendance for the announcement were City College President Virginia Parras and Chancellor Dr. Arthur Tyler, who began the news conference with a

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Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) granted City College Restoration Status that allows the college two years to correct any remaining problem areas identified by the commission. The commission met for three days to discuss the future of City College. The Institutional Self Evaluation for Restoration Status and the November 2015 External Evaluation Team report were among the few documents reviewed during their brief assessment of the college at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento. Restoration status was announced in a letter dated Jan. 14, 2015. ACCJC President Dr. Barbara Beno informed Chancellor Dr. Arthur Tyler that the college would continue to be accredited through the restoration period that

ends Oct. 15, 2016, which is also the deadline for the college’s Institutional Self-Evaluation Report. The letter said the college may keep its Restoration Status if it “fully meets all Eligibility Requirements and has demonstrated either its compliance with all of the Accreditation Standards and Commission policies or the ability to fully meet all Accreditation Standards and Commission policies within the two-year restoration period.” However, Tyler said he was not clear what it means for the college to “fully meet” the requirements. “CCSF is very concerned about the language in the policy requiring the institution to ‘fully meet all accreditation Standards and Commission policies.’ The phrase ‘fully meets’ is used repeatedly in this policy, but does not appear anywhere else in the Standards or policies,” Tyler said in a prior letter dated July 28, 2014. If the college “fully meets” the standards of the commission during the two-year period, the status of the college will move from

Restoration Status back to fullaccreditation, Tyler said. However, accepting Restoration Status means City College is forfeiting its right to appeal and will be forced to close immediately if it fails to comply to the commission, he added. “This situation is more worrisome because at various points in this process the Commission would be authorized to ‘reactivate’ the termination and the effective date of the termination will be immediate and CCSF would have no right to request a review or appeal, regardless of how minor the deviation may be,” Tyler said. Although City College was not believed to be in compliance with the standards set by the commission, it manages to outperform almost every community college in California. “In terms of improvement it’s a joke,” teacher Timothy Killikelly, president of the American Federation of Teachers Local 2121, said. “If you look at the chan-

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news

Restoration continued from page1

Editor-in-Chief Alex Lamp

Culture Editor Patrick Cochran

Opinion Editor Matthew Patton

Photo Editor Ekevara Kitpowsong

Multimedia Editor Nathaniel Y. Downes

Production Manager Elisabetta Silvestro

Online Content Manager Khaled Sayed

*Based on April 15, 2014 Student Success Scorecard data.

Infographic by Alex Lamp.

Advertising Manager Calindra Revier

Design and Layout Saiya Yocum

Staff Writers Dina Boyer Michael Burkett Brian Churchwell Marco Siler-Gonzales Steven Ho Otto Pippenger Yesica Prado

Staff Photographers Dina Boyer Natasha Dangond Niko Plagakis Otto Pippenger Yesica Prado Khaled Sayed Jonathon Brooner-Contreras

Illustrators Paul Jones Olivia Wise

Contributors Shaleisa Daniel Patrick Fitzgerald Patrick Tamayo Marcus Tolero Cara Stucker

Faculty Advisor Juan Gonzales

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

Phone: (415) 239-3446

Advertising: advertising@theguardsman.com

@theguardsman

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facebook.com/theguardsman

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General contact: news@theguardsman.com www.theguardsman.com

New legislation to aid troubled City College In the face of an impending decision on accreditation, two legislative bills aimed at strengthening City College went into effect on Jan. 1, thanks to Assembly-person Mark Leno. One bill calls for stabilization funding for the college that was allocated in this year’s state budget. The approximately $20 million allocation provides critical assistance to the college during the next few years as it continues to make progress toward maintaining accreditation. “We were also able to help secure critical funding this year in the state budget for City College of

cellors statewide score card, City College performs better at almost every criteria on average than the rest of the state.” The City College 2014 Student Success Scorecard measures its total performance compared to other California community colleges. The scorecard data shows that City College performs higher than the statewide average in most categories. “We are way above in terms of transfer rates, graduation rates, degree rates, persistence rates, and the ESL is off the chart in terms of student success compared to the rest of the state,” Killikelly said. According to a City College Student Success Press Announcement, “City College is better than the statewide average in 10 out of 13 top metrics.” The press announcement also said, “The Student Success Score-

Campus Briefs San Francisco,” Leno noted in his legislative newsletter. “The funding strengthens CCSF’s fiscal stability and ensures that it has predictable financial resources throughout the next few years as it continues its progress toward full accreditation.” A second bill, Senate Resolution 47, urged the Accreditation Commission on Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) to acknowledge City College of San Francisco’s progress in making improvements toward retaining its accreditation and giving the school more time to continue making progress.

Food truck back in business at City College Crown Catering, the service truck that provides food and beverages in the Visual Arts building courtyard, made a triumphed return to City College this semester after facing the suspected loss of its contract at the end of the Fall semester. Although college officials renewed its contract with the food truck service, it will have limited hours of operation, the college website reported. Service hours will now be Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Visual Arts courtyard. As the Fall semester was wind-

card for City College puts City College’s completion rate at 56 percent, compared to the 48.1 percent statewide.”

“We are way above in terms of transfer rates, graduation rates, degree rates, persistence rates, and the ESL is off the chart in terms of student success compared to the rest of the state.” Most faculty contend that if the main concern of the commission is to uphold quality education in California, then City College sets the standard and does not violate it.

ing down, Crown Catering anticipated signing a new contract with the college. But the college was not quick to respond, so the food truck service took it as a sign that their 23 years of service at the college would end.

Tuition-free community college plan proposed A government program aimed at making community college tuition-free for millions of students is in the works, the New York Times recently reported The initiative, proposed by President Barrack Obama, plans to cover half-time and full-time students who maintain a 2.5 grade point average — about a C-plus — and who “make steady progress toward completing a program,” White House officials said. It would apply to colleges that offered credit toward a four-year degree or occupational-training programs that award degrees in high-demand fields. The federal government would cover three-quarters of the average cost of community college for those students, and states that choose to participate would cover the remainder, the Times reported. If all states participate, the administration estimates, the program could cover as many as nine million students, saving them each an average of $3,800 a year. About 7.7 million Americans attend community college for credit, of which 3.1 million attend full time, according to the American Association of Community Colleges, relying on 2012 data. Over all, the federal government provides about $9.1 billion to community colleges, or about 16 percent of the total revenue the colleges receive, the Times reported. Tuition from students provides $16.7 billion a year, or nearly 30 percent of revenue.

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news

Court Ruling

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decisions regarding the accreditation of CCSF,” said Barbara Beno, president of the ACCJC. Karnow noted that the UCL was designed to promote fair competition in commercial markets for goods and services and has never before been used to challenge an accreditation decision. The U.S. Department of Education requirement that community colleges be accredited is essential for City College to be eligible for federal financial aid and for student’s course credits to be recognized by other higher education institutions. “Finally, we have a ruling that says that the ACCJC was unfair and that they broke the law and that they need to remedy the situation,” said Tim Killikelly, “That is a really important step for CCSF and creating a fair accreditation process.” Killikelly is an instructor at City College and president of the American Federation of Teach-

ers Local 2121. In a statement issued Jan. 16, 2014, the City Attorney’s’ office said the contemplated injunction would allow City College to opt into a reconsideration process issued by the court, or opt out of the process by continuing with the restoration process accreditors created and approved for City College. “They (ACCJC) would rather tell City College what they need to do and when they need to do it instead of it being a more cooperative effort to further what I imagine should be both sides goals which is to keep City College open but make it a more efficient college,” said former student Shun Trenholm. Originally, the City Attorney’s Office lawsuit hoped to reset the entire accreditation evaluation process allowing City College to have a clean slate with regards to accreditation. However, Karnow’s

narrow tentative ruling states that no remedy would be applied because there was no valid evidence of unfair process to vacate the ACCJC’s original sanction. “This should serve as a loud, unequivocal wake-up call to accreditors -- that they are subject to laws, and will face consequences for breaking them,” said City Attorney Dennis Herrera. “Though Judge Karnow didn’t go as far as we asked in terms of his proposed remedy, I am impressed with his thoughtful proposal for a tough, enforceable injunction that forces ACCJC to correct its violations and assures City College its due process rights.” Karnow will be issuing his final ruling after the city attorney’s office submits input for a formal injunction and after he reviews ACCJC comments on the input provided.

Journalism Department Open House

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 12-5 p.m. • Meet City College journalists. • Explore Spring 2015 journalism classes. • Enjoy hot coffee, beverages and appetizers!

Meet Tim Redmond — 48 Hills online newspaper editor and former Bay Guardian publisher/editor. Plus, meet City College alumni and working professionals ~ Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez (Staff Writer, San Francisco Examiner) ~ Glenn Gullmes (Editor/Publisher, West Portal Monthly) ~ Rob Nagle (Reporter, San Francisco Examiner) ~ Alex Mullaney (Publisher, The Ingleside Light)

Ocean Campus, BNGL 615 (Below RAM Stadium) The last day to register for classes is Jan. 30! Discover what our department offers! For more information, contact (415) 239-3446

Auditor’s report questions ACCJC authority

Pages from the state auditor’s report sit on the counter of the downtown campus bookstore Jan. 13, 2015. The 74-page report released June 2014 states the accreditation commission was inconsistent, lacked transparency and could have allowed the school more time to address issues. (Photo by Patrick Tamayo)

By Patrick Fitzgerald

@theguardsman pfitzgerald@theguardsman.com

contributor

A Joint Legislative Audit Committee chaired by Assemblyman Adam Gray (D-Merced) found community colleges were treated inconsistently by the Accrediting Committee for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) and urged the State Community College’s Chancellor Office to advocate for accreditation reform. The report entitled “California Community College Accreditation” was published by the California State Auditor’s office in June 2014 and covers the January 2009 to January 2014 period. It substantiates a basis of inconsistent and unfair practices in the accreditation review process. “The audit report in particular highlights many of the things that we had been saying about the ACCJC from the very beginning,” said Tim Killikelly, president of the

American Federation of Teachers Local 2121. “The basic fact that we have been talking about in the trial is basic fairness.” One inconsistent action specifically cited in the report was the ACCJC decision to terminate City College’s accreditation, even after Special Trustee Robert Agrella was appointed. Fifteen other institutions were given up to two years and another six were given up to five years to come into compliance. Of the seven regional accrediting agencies in the nation, the California state audit report notes that the ACCJC sanctioned community colleges at the significantly higher rate of 53.2 percent compared to the next highest region’s rate of 24.3 percent. The ACCJC took action to terminate City College’s accreditation as of July 31, 2014, but was subsequently blocked by a temporary ruling issued by Judge Curtis Karnow on Feb. 16, 2015. This came after a lawsuit was filed by San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera’s office.

“Is it a democratic process; is there input from both sides and a way to streamline their way out of their predicament,” student Micah Johnson said. “We need these educational institutions. You have to have a certain amount of firehouses, a certain number of police and when one of them is just gone, what are people supposed to do.” Under oath at the City College accreditation trial, California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice Harris testified that City College graduates more students than the statewide average according to Student Success Scorecard survey. The scorecard puts City College’s completion rate at 56 percent versus 48.1 percent statewide and shows that the college did better in 10 of 13 metrics measured. The audit report also points to problems with the lack of transparency in the ACCJC’s accreditation status proceedings. The report found fault with the appeals process for not allowing City College a definitive right to enter new evidence of prog-

ress in addressing deficiencies. “This state audit was an important part of the volumes of evidence presented by the City Attorney of San Francisco, Dennis Herrera’s office to show that City College of San Francisco was treated differently from the way that other community colleges were treated,” retired CCSF instructor Jim McKinney said. Further, the report said the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) could do a better job in monitoring potential threats to all California community college’s accreditation thereby giving advanced warning to institutions of potential hazards. It urged that community colleges have options to choose their accreditors. However, CCCCO stated in a letter dated June 10, 2014 that this option should not be pursued as such action would in itself cause greater inconsistency as not all rules and standards of accreditors are the same. The findings of the report were submitted to CCCCO’s office, a

state-run agency to better protect the interests of California community colleges. The ACCJC is recognized by U.S. Department of Education as a regional accreditor. “There is no indication from the report that says any of the members of the team had the experience or competence to express opinions regarding matters of accreditation, matters that involve the decisions that ACCJC made that relate to CCSF, or about legal matters that involve federal law and regulations,” ACCJC President Barbara Beno said in a letter dated June 9, 2014. “For all these reasons, such comments in the audit should be viewed only as personal opinions of the team.” City College’s issues with ACCJC puts the school at risk of losing not only its accreditation but also has caused it potential lost revenue from enrollment declines. Meanwhile, Judge Karnow is due to make his ruling on the city attorney’s lawsuit before the end of January.

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news Civic Center Campus

Students/faculty protest last minute closure By Otto Pippenger

@theguardsman ottopippenger@yahoo.com

the guardsman

The sudden temporary closure of the Civic Center Campus days before the start of the Spring semester sparked a protest by some 100 demonstrators on Jan. 16 who gathered in front of the Eddy Street campus before marching to City Hall. Civic Center Campus, which mostly serves English as a Second Language (ESL) students, was ordered to close on Jan. 9 when college officials decided to act on an August 2014 architectural report that the building needed to be earthquake-proofed. TBP Architecture reportedly found numerous building and safety code violations in the building and recommended a renovation plan to bring the building into compliance with city codes at a cost nearing $13 million. Problems with the 100 year old building included earthquake risks surrounding the brick facade, a lack of a functioning water heater, asbestos usage, lead paint, and an outdated electrical system. These renovations were not expected to begin until 2016 at the earliest, with

the proposal being marked for the 2016-2017 budget. Students and teachers were not the only ones surprised by the closure. A Jan. 13 email from the Division of the State Architect (DSA) discussing the closure requested information, asking “Is it an emergency or something CCSF has planned for a while? For all structural safety work, DSA involvement is required.” Chancellor Dr. Arthur Tyler announced the closure after reportedly reaching the decision with other administration members on Jan. 5. The timing of the announcement left little time to prepare, so most students learned of the closure when they arrived for school on Jan. 12. Demonstrators questioned the timing of the decision and the necessity of the closure, which only became public knowledge on Jan. 9 before classes were scheduled to start. Classes will be moved roughly a mile away to the City College Administration Building at 33 Gough Street and are expected to begin on Feb. 2. During the march to City Hall, protesters chanted “Chancellor Tyler told us to move, we ask why?” and “Let us teach.” The college’s teachers union, AFT 2121, organized the demon-

Organizers teach “spelling lesson” to crowd of demonstrators on Jan. 16, 2015 at the steps of City Hall. (Photo by Otto Pippenger)

stration. Union organizer Athena Waid described the union’s position as “pressing for immediate reopening of the campus, barring evidence of immediate, life threatening safety issues” that would justify moving the renovations more than a year ahead of schedule. Engineering instructor and speaker Wendy Kaufmyn echoed this position. “The report indicates no emergency,” she said. Speakers included former state legislator Tom Ammiono, who

formerly taught ESL at the campus, District 9 Supervisor David Campos, and AFT 2121 President Timothy Killikelly. Citing the need for input from faculty on such important matter as the closure of a campus that affects many, Campos said, “We are protesting the lack of any other input on this huge decision.” Civic Center teacher Venette Cook also expressed concern over the accessibility of the change in location for the students residing

in the Tenderloin, citing numerous local programs, including youth leadership courses and night LGBT history courses whose future is uncertain. “Gough Street is quite a ways away for many of our students, who cannot easily change their work or childcare schedules” Venette said. “The people who live here have a real need for access and many must walk. I don’t think the decision was made with consideration of the students we serve.”

PAEC up in harmony over performing arts center By Marco Siler-Gonzales @theguardsman msilergo@gmail.com

the guardsman Led by a loud chorus of chants and songs, students rallied in front of Conlan Hall on Jan. 12, call-

ing for the construction of the $88 million Performing Arts Education Center, (PAEC). Student leaders of the Performing Arts Education Club, Dan Choi and Howard Scheiman, led more than 25 protesters comprised of students and faculty at 4 p.m. at the Ocean Campus. San Francisco voters approved bond measures in 2002 and 2006 to finance construction of the center, but Special Trustee Dr. Robert Agrella cancelled the project on

Sept. 17 , 2013. Protesters and administrators

“Anyone with a performance arts major will have a place to perform, practice, and grow. Currently, we are scrambling for resources.” met on the second floor stairwell of Conlan Hall where Choi passionately articulated the need for independent representation regarding the financial responsibility over the Performing Arts Center. “We will demand until we get this, it is a restoration of our taxation

with representation” Choi said. “ It is our money, not your money. Our education, our future is not something for you to play with.” Choi and the Performing Arts Education Club believe the accreditation crisis is a shallow excuse for the lack of education equality for performing arts students. Newly appointed administrator and spokesperson, Michael Poindexter, said the administration is open to listening and responding to students at the appropriate time. “We want to listen to the voice of the students. If the students are saying that’s a need for them, we want to address that need.” As far as the money is concerned, Poindexter said the college adhered

to other mandates that must be met. “We can’t build buildings and hope that other things will come. I’m going to have to read that bill a little more closely, but usually it doesn’t cover what’s inside the building.” Adina Pernell, PAEC’s outreach and communications director, said, “We’re trying to get a lot of people together from other departments because it will benefit these departments as well. Anyone with a Performance Arts major will have a place to perform, practice, and grow. Currently, we are scrambling for resources.” Various departments and student clubs did appear to show their support. Mike Sierra, of the Mechxa Club and the Diversity Collaborative Group that supports a solidarity movement aimed to uplift marginalized student interests, said, “Instead of going in 100 different directions, we decided to intertwine together and be more proactive. We just have a choice to accept things the way they are or accept the responsibility to change them.”

Members of the Performing Arts Education Club marching inside Conlan Hall, protesting for the installment of the $88 million Performing Arts Education Center, in the form of singing a song. City College, San Francisco. January 12, 2015. (Photo by Natasha Dangond)

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Je ne suis pas Charlie!

opinion

Have Your Say

How hard/easy was it to register for classes this semester?

Ashlan Finn

Illustration by Khaled Sayed

By Khaled Sayed

@theguardsman ksayed@theguardsman.com

the guardsman

The tragedy of the Charlie Hebdo journalists killed by Islamist extremists in Paris has touched everyone around the world. Amazing solidarity has followed on the street, online, and between both common people and the leaders of the world. The event has brought people together during difficult times, but the underlying issues are often much more complex than the slogans and headlines would lead us to believe. The horrible news was personally upsetting to me personally for two reasons: first because I grew up Muslim, and second because I’m a journalist and I enjoy the freedom of the press here in the U.S. Although I have drifted away from my faith, I know that this tragedy will reflect poorly on Muslims all over the world. In the midst of this aftermath we are witnessing yet another uproar of anti-muslim sentiment and insensitivity. My deepest sympathy goes out to the family and friends of those who were killed by these extremists. However Charlie Hebdo’s magazine isn’t an equal opportunity mocking comic strip as the media wants you to believe. In 2008, cartoonist and columnist Maurice Sinet was sacked after refusing to apologize for an anti-Semitic cartoon in which he expressed his opinion about Jean Sarkozy, a son of the former president Nicolas Sarkozy. Maurice Sinet declared: “I’d rather cut off my balls,” subsequently he was fired, according to a report in London’s Telegraph. Charlie Hebdo has also republished the controversial Danish cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad in 2006. In response, the French President Jacques Chirac issued a statement: “Anything that can hurt the convictions of someone else, in particular religious convictions, should be avoided – freedom of expression should be exercised in a spirit of responsibility.” While I don’t endorse what happened to the Charlie Hebdo employees, we should remain vigi-

lant of hypocrisy in the mainstream media when you see “Je Suis Charlie.” The Quran (the Muslim holy book) prohibited worshiping idols. Mohammed believed that people should be focusing on the word of God not the images of him, or anyone else for that matter. The Quran never mentioned anything about drawing Mohammed, only forbidding idolatry. However, in the Hadith, Mohammed’s teachings, he explains the passages of the Quran, asking his followers not to sketch or draw living things. “Ibn ‘Umar reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) having said: Those who paint pictures would be punished on the Day of Resurrection and it would be said to them: Breathe soul into what you have created.” (Sahih Muslim vol.3, no.5268) In Mohammed’s time the idea of worshiping one God (Allah) was very progressive, and Mohammed was criticized and targeted by the people in power for promoting it. What we call Saudi Arabia, where he lived, used to be divided between many tribes who had their own God statues that they worshiped. So when he came along he had to convince all of these tribes to give up their “false idols” for Allah. Mohamed’s philosophy was to point his followers to praise God, not his image. He understood that people like to idolize physical things and his image would be the thing they would idolize after he died. It was important for him to teach his followers not to depict him or any living thing. Freedom of speech and press doesn’t mean you should provoke or insult minorities just because you can. These liberties come with a huge responsibility to the people you project your message to. Before you rush to buy a t-shirt with “Je Suis Charlie” or support their cause you need to know that their cause is racist and provocative. One of Charlie Hebdo’s covers from last year depicts the girls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram last year in Nigeria portraying them as pregnant welfare queens. A monkey cartoon was published representing the French justice minister, Christiane Taubira,

who is black. While world leaders rallied in support of freedom of speech in Paris to show their support and solidarity, the Charlie Hebdo victims, many of these leaders are themselves a repressive force against freedom of speech in their own countries. Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel, whose forces killed seven journalists in Gaza last year, second highest after Syria. Prime Minister Mahdi Jomaa of Tunisia, which recently jailed blogger Yassine Ayan for three years for “defaming the army.” Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov of Russia, imprisoned a journalist for “insulting a government servant.” Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry of Egypt, detained journalist Shawkan for around 500 days. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu of Turkey, imprisoned more journalists than any other country in the world. Then there was the Saudi ambassador to France whose country publicly flogged blogger Raif Badawi for “insulting Islam.” The list goes on. Before you stand in solidarity with the French for championing the freedom of the press, consider that the French prison population is almost 70 percent Muslim, despite the fact that Muslims make up only 20 percent of the French population. Freedom of the press and freedom of expression do not make it right to insult or single out minority groups. However, if you are going to do it, you should do it all across the board or not at all. Charlie Hebdo has printed five million copies of their new issue with Mohammed on the cover carrying the slogan “Je Suis Charlie.” That might help them financially, but sadly it may also be more helpful for extremists to attract new recruits. The politicians using this tragic event to boost their own public image might want you to think this is a simple issue of freedom of speech. When it comes to our need to live together with mutual respect, there are always going to be many sides to consider. As intelligent consumers of the media, we all need to be aware of these gray areas and not accept at face value every headline we read, no matter how cleverly it is presented.

Environmental Engineer

Generally, pretty easy...only problem I had was initially not getting a math class I needed because of a prerequisite that I had already taken care of. I (eventually) had to get the department head of math had to sign something that would allow me to take the class.

Darnell Campbell Medicine I’ve had to go from building to building in order to sign up, and it’s pretty easy to get lost. But everyone (faculty and staff) has been very nice.

Lydia Chavez Child Development Really easy. Two days before the registration day, I walked into my counselor’s office and got the next two semesters planned out right there.

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culture

TV Review

A nod to funny and witty Broad City By Patrick Cochran

@thegaurdsman pcochran@theguardsman.com

The Guardsman

“Male Stacey,” and without revealing too much Abbi felt that she was a sexual predator twice during the episode.

Abbi and Ilana love Comedy Central’s hit show Broad City returned to television for its much anticipated second season. The show stars Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer as Abbi and Ilana, two best friends who always happen to find themselves in crazy situations during their daily life in New York City. The show is hilarious, and quite groundbreaking. The premise isn’t new, a show with two young stoners and their adventures, but the fact that it features two females in roles that are traditionally male oriented makes it so. The central theme of the show is Abbi and Ilana’s heartwarming friendship, and watching the show it is hard not to love the two of them. Abbi and Ilana love nothing more then getting ridiculously high and then going out and exploring New York City. They always find themselves in some ridiculous situations, like Abbi breaking up with her boyfriend when he refuses to go into Penn Station in Manhattan, and dumps her instead. I wonder if that has happened at Civic Center before? Season Two premiered with the episode “In Heat” and the writers did an excellent job making this an episode that challenged the viewers perception. Seth Rogen starred as

nothing more then getting ridiculously high and then going out and exploring New York City. Veteran comedian/writer Amy Poehler, of Parks and Recreation and Saturday Night Live fame, is a producer on the show, and you can tell her influence rubs off on the show’s warm vibe. Abbi and Ilana

But just similar to Poehler’s other works, the show makes you think critically about social problems, albeit in funny way most of the time. This week’s episode featured Ilana telling Abbi that, “You are raping rape culture.” Despite Poehler’s help in the production of the show, Jacobson and Glazer serve as the lead writer along with starring in the show. The two young up and coming actresses began Broad City as a Youtube short while they were in the same improv comedy group. Both of them have bright futures ahead of them, and Broad City is only the beginning for the two. Broad City premiers with new episodes every week at 10:30 PM

Movie Review

Roll the dice and and go see Inherent Vice By Otto Pippenger

@theguardsman ottopippenger@yahoo.com

The Guardsman

Photo courtesy of Comedy Central

are always upbeat, and the world they live in is generally optimistic, mirroring Poehler tendency to make fun/happy comedies.

after Workaholics on Comedy Central. If you like funny and goofy comedies you should definitely give it a shot.

REALIZE YOUR DREAM AT MILLS COLLEGE.

Paul Thomas “Anderson’s Inherent Vice,” adapted from the Thomas Pynchon novel of the same name, is a wonderfully easy film to watch and a hard one to figure out. With a plot centering around an ever widening conspiracy that only expands rather than explains, the film takes aim at the very concept of “solving” a crime. It addresses an end-of-the-sixties malaise that questions whether the hippy movement was laid low by government design or by itself. It also speaks to a more universal paranoia over whether any force has caused the disappointments of our lives or if the conspirators and powerful men of the world are as ineffectual as the rest of us. The film is also hilarious throughout, structured as a series of

This film is about the characters and scenes which Anderson has brought to life with the same sense of the surreal yet important he displayed in Magnolia’s biblical rain of frogs. Mills offers talented women who want an exceptional and personal education the ability to: • Transfer in fall or spring. • Get the classes you need to graduate on time. • Complete your GE requirements at Mills. • Earn merit scholarships of up to $15,000.

TRANSFER VISIT PROGRAM January 30 • 9:00 am–12:00 pm Discover how we help you achieve your goals—meet Mills students, explore our curriculum, and tour our campus.

MAKING THE WORLD MORE . . .

Oakland, CA admission@mills.edu www.mills.edu/transfer RESERVE YOUR SPACE AT WWW.MILLS.EDU/VISITPROGRAMS.

Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers

escalations that some how remain resonant no matter what degree of absurdity they reach. Set in Los Angeles at the onset of the seventies, the film follows parttime private eye and full time hippy Doc Sportello (Joaquin Phonenix) who is asked by his ex-girlfriend Shasta Fay Hepworth (Katherine Water-

son) to prevent a plot to commit her wealthy real-estate developer lover to an asylum. Shortly thereafter, black militant Tariq Kahlil (Michael K. Williams, well known for playing the infamous Omar on The Wire) asks him to track down one of the real estate developer’s Nazi bodyguards. Next Sportello quickly finds himself framed for murder. The plot proceeds from there into more convoluted territory that reviewers and the director himself have despaired of untangling. This film is about the characters and scenes which Anderson has brought to life with the same sense of the surreal yet important he displayed in Magnolia’s biblical rain of frogs. When the plot resolves it has not been solved by either the audience or Sportello. Despite the confusion at the end, viewers will appreciate being brought into such an intricate world during the course of the film. The strongest aspects of the film are its ancillary characters, from Josh Brolin’s Christian “Bigfoot” Bjornsen, avatar of police brutality, and part time actor, to former pornstar Belladonna’s brief but impressive turn as the sister of a murdered Nazi with a fondness for Nitrous Oxide. The plot is challenging, but every single scene is one that deserves to be viewed as its own entity. It is rewarding if you can give up on following the plot. The film is shot on 35mm film, and recalls both visually and thematically Robert Altman’s faded postcard take on “The Long Goodbye,” both being films showing a well meaning detective from an earlier era unable to find clear culprits amidst the universal culpability of the oncoming Nixon era. Similarly it also brooks an equally valid comparison to the “Big Lebowski.” If you have ever been captivated by a spectacular shot of LA, or have any interest in honest moral inquiry in a milieu that defies and negates it through force, ridicule, and pointlessness at every turn then there is no reason that this movie will not stand amidst its thematic peers as a film not just worth seeing, but owning. And hey, go ahead and read the book.

The Guardsman & theguardsman.com | jan. 21 - feb. 3, 2015 | 7

January 21-28 On-Campus Dining The main cafeteria has reopened. Breakfast will be available from 8-10 a.m. and lunch will be from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Thurs/22 Black History Exhibit

events

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

at Powell and Market Streets.

Tues/27

The Mississippi Freedom Summer 1964: The Old Jim Crow, The New Jim Crow exhibit will be FAFSA Workshops on display in Conlan Hall from through Feb. 27. The exhibit features over 40 photographs, post- Financial aid staff members will be available to ers, narratives, texts, and quotes. help students apply for FAFSA. The workshops *** will be held on Jan. 27 to Jan. 28, Jan. 30, Feb. 10 to Feb. 11, Feb. 25, and Feb. 27. Contact the Financial Aid Office at 415-239-3576 for locaFri/23 tions and times. Pierre Coste Dining Room has reopened. It is Anti-Abortion Protest open for lunch from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Stop Patriarchy will be holding a protest against Wed/28 sexist and racist lies of the anti-abortion movement on Jan. 23 from 12-2 p.m. at Frank Ogawa Journalism Open House *** Plaza in Oakland Meet Tim Redmond, editor of 48 hills, along with several journalism alumni who are workRadius 99 has reopened. It is open for lunch ing journalists, as well as the staff of the Guardsfrom 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Tuesday through Sat/24 man Newspaper and Etc. Magazine, from 12-5 Thursday. Dinner service will begin on Jan. 27 Opposing the Walk for Life p.m., in Bungalow 615 (just below the football from 5-6:30 p.m. field). There will be free food and refreshments. Stop Patriarchy will be holding a protest against For more information, call (415) 239-3446. the Walk for Life West Coast on Jan. 24 at 1 p.m.

Do you have one of these vision problems?

Lazy-Eye Strabismus Anisometropia

Scientists and eye physicians at The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute in San Francisco are studying visual development in adults. People with amblyopia (sometimes referred to as “lazy eye”), people with strabismus (misaligned eyes) and people with anisometropia (unequal refractive power) may be eligible to participate in the study. Currently we are seeking adults between the ages of 18 and 65 years old. ! Participation is totally voluntary and involves measuring eye movements and the ability to see certain visual targets displayed on a computer monitor. Other testing may include placing sensors on the back of the head (Visual Evoked Potential) to measure the brain’s response to visual targets on the computer. These tests are not invasive. We pay research participants $20.00 per hour to compensate for their time. ! To participate or for more information,! please contact Margaret McGovern at (415)345-2075.! e-mail: margaret@ski.org!

Smith-Kettlewell!

2318 Fillmore St., San Francisco, CA 94115! Between Clay and Washington! www.ski.org!

8 | The Guardsman & theguardsman.com | jan. 21 - feb. 3, 2015

sports

Eight players are university-bound By Marco Siler-Gonzales @theguardsman msilergo@gmail.com

The Guardsman

sports calendar Men’s Basketball: Jan. 21, 7 p.m. vs Ohlone College @home Jan. 23, 7 p.m. vs Canada College @HOME Women’s Basketball: Jan. 21, 5 p.m. vs Ohlone @HOME Jan. 23, 5 p.m. vs San Mateo @HOME Women’s Tennis Jan. 27, 1 p.m. vs American River @HOME Women’s Swimming Jan. 30, 3 p.m. Intrasquad Meet @HOME Women’s Softball Jan. 22, 12 p.m. vs Mendocino @HOME Jan. 22, 2 p.m. vs Mendocino @HOME Jan. 25, 1 p.m. vs Contra Costa @HOME Jan. 27, 1 p.m. vs De Anza @HOME

GO RAMS!

Eight City College football players have comitted to attend some of the nation’s most prestigious universities, one player has yet to sign. On offense the players include Malik Cervantes-Cuellar (University of Missouri), Dominic DeSouza (Baylor University), Connor Brennan (University of Illinois), and Cole Hikutini (University of Louisville). On defense the players Nehemiah Mitchell (Vanderbuilt), Isaiah Johnson (Rutgers), Shalom Luani (Washington State), and Tavita Faaiu (Oregon State University). Coach Rush attributes their accomplishment to their work on and off the field. “This is a tribute to them and their hard work in the classroom to be eligible for scholarships, their efforts on the field and innate athleticism,” he said. This signing class is yet another example of the affluent achievements by the Rams football program. “Over the years we have been the number one recruited college in the country,” Rush said. “These players continue that legacy.” For Coach Rush, it’s hard to distinguish the special qualities of any one player. More importantly, according to Rush, these players put the team’s success in front of themselves. “Its hard to separate it from the whole, he said. “These guys bought into what the team goals were, especially when we lost our starting quarterback, they raised their game.” Another signing class is expected in February, Rush added.

(L-R) Dominic DeSouza (#73), Isaiah Johnson (#29), Connor Brennan (#75), Cole Hikutini (#18), Shalom Luani (#15), Malik Cervantes-Cuellar (#77), Nehemiah Mitchell (#11), Tavita Faaiu (#45). Photos courtesy of Marcus Tolero.

continued from page 1 commendatory introduction of the football legend and highlighting the program’s many accomplishments under his leadership. Rush’s long history with the college’s football program includes playing defensive back for the Rams through 1966-67, becoming an assistant coach in 1972, and serving as defensive coordinator in 1973 before finally replacing head coach Dutch Elston in 1977. In his 38 seasons as head coach Rush has led the Rams to 326 wins, 22 conference titles, seven state titles, and seven national championships. As Rush took over the podium, an act accompanied by a welldeserved round of applause, the tone of the room quickly turned

emotional. “It’s a day that I never thought was really going to come, but it’s here,” he said in a tumorous voice. “There’s not many people that get an opportunity to get up every morning and do something they love and it’s very difficult to say goodbye to it,” he went on to say as his family and friends looked on. He also took the time to express his gratitude for the institution and his colleagues saying, “I’ve always had the support of this college. From the chancellor’s office to the custodial office, there was never anyone that didn’t share in our wins.” He concluded his speech with a heartfelt thank you to his wife, Jane, and a moment of acknowledgment for his running back coach Mike Perotti, who will also be retir-

ing after 36 respective years with the program. He then turned the microphone over to his successor Jimmy Collins. Briefly touching on his new task of taking over the program, QB Coach Collins was confident in his future as head coach noting, “I am inheriting the best junior college football program and I intend to keep it that way.” He also acknowledged any challenges he might be faced with in assuming the position, assuring not only is he aware of the challenges, but he also looks forward to them. Collins grew up in Marin and played starting QB for the Rams in 2005. After, he attended and played QB for Portland State University, earning a B.S. in Political Science and later a Master’s degree in Sports

Science from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Ala. He finally returned to City College in 2009 to coach under Rush for the next six seasons. As for Rush, when asked about what the future holds for him, he said he has approached Chancellor Tyler and President Parras on how he can still serve the college. “Hopefully we’ll find a role for me here,” he said. “I love this place and I’ve got a lot of energy.” Despite his many accomplishments Rush has maintained that the most memorable part of his tenure will always be his players. “I’ve had so much fun with our players,” he said. “Football is a game that should be fun; and nobody had more fun than I did. Nobody.”

Volunteer to Coach Noncredit ESL Students What is Project SHINE?  matches credit students with noncredit ESL classes  gives coaches community service experience to put on college applications

What do SHINE coaches do?  assist in noncredit ESL Classes  Work with individual students, small groups, or the whole class

Coach application online at ccsfprojectshine.com