The Guardsman, Vol. 159, Issue 2. City College of San Francisco by The Guardsman

Accreditation

Board of Governors Ends ACCJC Monopoly

Illustration by Serina Mercado

By Otto Pippenger

@theguardsman opippenger@theguardsman.com

the guardsman

The California Community Colleges Board of Governors has effectively revoked the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges’ monopoly over community college accreditation within California as soon as the current accreditation cycle ends. As of Jan. 20, changed language in the Title 5 Regulations has opened the door for new accrediting organizations to be formed and assume the duties that until now have been the sole province of the ACCJC. This decision does not necessarily mean that the ACCJC will

be removed, only that there will be a period of competition to select a new agency. If a credible alternative does not emerge, it is possible that the ACCJC will resume the position, though the changes set a precedent that could be repeated in the event of future complaints. As former City College Teacher’s Union AFT 2121 President Alyssa Messer said, “In many ways this is the best thing that could have happened.” Coming only days after Judge Karnow’s tentative ruling that the ACCJC has in fact broken four laws in it’s dealings with CCSF, this decision represents a huge victory for City College and other schools around the state. The changes were made based on recommendations to the Board of Governors made by the

Bureau of State Audits in April, and recommended by Chancellor Brice Harris. Most attribute these changes to widespread public and official indignation with the conduct of the ACCJC in dealing with City College in particular. The scope of this decision cannot be understated. The ACCJC has been essentially dissolved in an unprecedented change to state law. “If you look at the original regulations and see that their (the ACCJC’s) name is written into state law – that they had to change state law because of their behavior is huge. There’s a reason their name had to be there and deciding that they had to remove that sends a very strong signal,” Messer said. The California State Auditor’s

recommendations were partially prompted by and included a detailed examination of the ACCJC’s treatment of City College. California Community Colleges Vice Chancellor for Communications Paul Feist has been quoted as saying that new accrediting bodies will most likely emerge as expansions of existing bodies in other states, or which are currently overseeing four-year colleges. “This is a huge opportunity for us to make sure that the ACCJC is not our only accreditor,” Messer said. As accreditation is based on a seven-year cycle however, this does not free the school from the ACCJC’s oversight. CCSF will

continued on page 4

Lou Seal’s scooter

Women’s tennis

Giants make pit stop at City College

Rams ahead and off to a good start

Page 3

Page 6

Page 11

Inside

Kicker: ESL department New plan to shit cla Plan bla marginalizes minorities

Agrella retires

Special Trustee Robert Agrella will retire this month, California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice Harris announced Jan. 30 on Twitter. “Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Robert Agrella for all he has done to support #CCSF in its recovery and best wishes for a well deserved retirement,” Harris wrote. Agrella will continue serving as special trustee until a replacement will be found this month, the San Francisco Examiner reported.

2 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | FEB. 4 - FEB. 17, 2015

news

Grant funds BOT training program Board of Trustees

By Marco Siler-Gonzales @theguardsman mgonzales@theguardsman.com

Editor-in-Chief

the guardsman

Alex Lamp

Culture Editor Patrick Cochran

Sports Editor Shaleisa Daniel

Opinion Editor Matthew Patton

Photo Editor Ekevara Kitpowsong

Multimedia Editor Nathaniel Y. Downes

Production Manager Elisabetta Silvestro

Online Content Manager Khaled Sayed

Advertising Manager Calindra Revier

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

Staff Photographers Dina Boyer Jonathan Brooner-Contreras Natasha Dangond Otto Pippenger Yesica Prado Khaled Sayed Franchon Smith

Illustrators Paul Jones Serina Mercado Olivia Wise

Contributors Dan Harrington Morgan Henry Eder Melo Bridgid Skiba 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

theguardsman

facebook.com/theguardsman

theguardsmanonline

General contact: news@theguardsman.com www.theguardsman.com The Guardsman newsroom is located at Bungalow 615 on Ocean Campus.

Reinstating City College’s democratically elected Board of Trustees moved one-step closer to reality with the attainment of a $200,000 grant to fund board training. Chancellor Arthur Tyler made the announcement at the Jan. 22 meeting of the board headed by Special Trustee Robert Agrella. The grant from the Haas Jr. Foundation supports a six-phase training program aimed at seating the board no later than July 1, 2016. Students demonstrated outside calling for the end of Special Trustee Robert Agrella and Chancellor Arthur Tyler’s takeover of the elected board of trustees. In October 2013 the California Community Colleges Board of Governors suspended the board following a threat by the Accrediting Commission for Junior and Community Colleges to de-accredit City College. It then appointed Agrella as Special Trustee with Extraordinary Powers to run the college. At the meeting, board member Rafael Mandelman raised concerns

about the vague and open-ended time frame for this reinstatement plan. “I think it is important that we devise milestones and come up with something a little more definite for us and others,” Mandelman said. “We’re clearly in phase one, and I think it would comfort people

to know how were going to move through the next phases.” Student Trustee Shanell Williams called for student involvement during this process. “I think it’s really critical for the design and agenda of this training to include student listening sessions focused on their expectations are for the board

because there’s 75,000 students here that really need their voices heard.” “I know there are speakers here that want to discuss bringing the board back,” Agrella said. “I can assure you that no one wants to bring the board back more than me.”

Student Organizer Lalo Gonzales from MeChXA De CCSF calls for the end of Special Trustee Robert Agrella and the restoration of the elected Board of Trustees on Thursday, Jan. 22 at Multi-Use Building on Ocean Campus. (Photo by Bridgid Skiba)

Campus Briefs

Seismic safety concerns ficult to offer the number of courses marketing campaign that utilized mission. also force Gough Street they once did. television, radio, social media, billThe study also includes planned At press time, 105 credit secboards and transit shelters. meetings for community input. campus closure City College students from the Civic Center campus still face an uncertain future when it comes to instruction in Spring 2015 following the sudden closure of the Gough Street Center over seismic safety concerns. Gough Street campus was to serve as an alternative site when the Civic Center campus was closed days before the start of instruction because it too was seismically unsafe, the San Francisco Examiner reported. “You can imagine people were upset, angry and frustrated about what was going on,” said Tim Killikelly, president of the faculty union. “You really feel like enough is enough.” “It’s not ideal; it’s highly disruptive to our students and faculty. We’re sorry about that,” school spokesperson Jeff Hamilton told the Examiner. “The chancellor has apologized for that.” Meanwhile, the college has a plan, the Examiner reported. College officials said students would be allowed to take classes at numerous campuses and even possibly offer taxi vouchers and buses to transport people where they need to go.

City College cancels 105 courses in Spring 2015

As low enrollment continues to plague City College, academic departments are finding it more dif-

tions were cancelled affecting 522 students, according to recent data released by college officials. The downward enrollment spiral surfaced after the Accreditation Commission for Junior and Community Colleges threaten to de-accredit City College in 2012. In the meantime, counselors, faculty, student ambassadors, department chairs, and school deans are being asked to guide into open course sections those students whose classes were cancelled, college officials said. Also, the college was calling, emailing and mailing information to all affected students to help place them in 486 alternative sections with 4,705 open slots, the Examiner reported.

City College sees lowest enrollment drop since 2012

Although City College still struggles with low enrollment, the size of the drop is not as great as it once was, according to campus officials. This semester the enrollment drop is 5.6 percent lower than it was in Spring 2014, the San Francisco Examiner reported. Overall, the college’s enrollment is down 27 percent after it was place on show-cause by its accreditor in Spring 2012. College officials, according to the Examiner, credit the turn around to an aggressive $500,000

“We really did a major push in terms of making direct personal contact, [especially with] students who had been at City College and dropped out,” City College spokesperson Jeff Hamilton told the Examiner. “I think it made a real difference.”

The first took place Jan. 21 at LickWilmerding High School. A second meeting is planned sometime during the spring semester.

A renewed study of the western portion of the Balboa Reservoir is underway that could thwart the college’s future college development plans. The Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the Planning Department and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission have initiated the study to address the city’s need for affordable housing, transportation access, and neighborhood sustainability and resiliency, according to the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development website. But City College faculty and students are concerned that any new development plan could spell the ultimate doom for a Performing Arts Center, as well as needed parking space for students. Under San Francisco’s Public Land for Housing Program, agencies that own public land must fulfill their missions to the citizens of San Francisco. In the case of 17-acre Balboa Reservoir, the owner is the San Francisco Public Utilities Com-

Governors gave initial approval on Jan. 20 to 15 colleges to develop bachelor’s degree programs. The pilot program targets 13 fields of study. “These colleges are embarking on a new mission for the California Community Colleges that will expand opportunities in public higher education,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice W. Harris in news release. “Students will have a range of programs from which to choose to earn high quality, affordable and in-demand degrees. California employers win too, as they will have improved access to highly qualified candidates in these fields.” The degrees, according to the news release, are in fields of study not currently offered by the California State University or University of California and they must be operational by the 2017-18 academic year. Pending positive reviews of the pilot program, the state legislature can renew it after the 2022-23 school year.

Community college bachelor’s degree programs get initial approval

In a landmark move for public Current study to guide higher education, the California future of Balboa Reservoir Community Colleges Board of

THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | FEB. 4 - FEB. 17, 2015 | 3

news

Department reorganization

Faculty oppose the restructuring of departments Steven Ho

@theguardsman Sho@theguardsman.com

the guardsman

Faculty members are opposing a new plan by the City College administration to reorganize departments in fall 2015. The reorganization plan was announced in 2013 by the City College administration to make departments more manageable, according to Alan D’Souza, Vice President of American Federation of Teachers Local 2121. The plan involves merging smaller departments together and splitting larger departments throughout the college. City College currently has 60 departments. The number of departments will decrease, according to a document by the Department Chairperson Council (DCC). The administration has said that they are making data-driven decision for changes and improvements at City College, according to D’Souza. He believes that the need for a department reorganization is not backed by any data. Department chairs are upset with the administration over the reorganization, because the proposal was developed without any discussion with the faculty. Several department chairs believe that the reorganization will have negative impacts on students and faculty members. The English as a Second Language (ESL) department will be

Illustration by Paul Jones

split into two separate departments, non-credit and credit, according to the reorganization plan. “They want all the departments to be the same size. How is that an educational decision,” said Greg Keech, ESL Department Chair. The ESL department has set up pathways between non-credit and credit. Currently, students can start in non-credit and transition to the credit program within the same

department, said Keech. The administration wants to merge smaller departments, including the Photography Department and the Visual Media Design Department. “The Visual Media Design Department and the Photography Department work well collaboratively; however, we do not feel that we are a good fit to be a combined department,” said Erika Gentry,

Photography Department Chair. “I can’t find anywhere at a community college where a photography department has been merged with a graphics department and how that is managed,” said Gentry. “It makes no sense to me and the Visual Media Design Department why the two departments would be combined. We have nothing in common,” said Gentry. She added that we only share lab facilities in

order to save the college money. “We recognize the district’s right to reorganize the departments; however, we feel that this was not done thoughtfully and it certainly was not done collegially and openly,” said D’Souza. The DCC is currently handling negotiations between the City College administration and department chairs.

Reorganization endangers non-credit ESL By Marco Siler-Gonzales @theguardsman mgonzales@theguardsman.com

the guardsman

A controversial move by City College administrators to re-organize the ESL department faces continued skepticism from faculty and students who say the move will undermine educational goals for thousands of students. At the special trustee board meeting on Jan. 22, Chancellor Arthur Tyler rationalized the need to reduce the number of ESL department chairs from 61 to 53 and to split credit and non-credit into separate departments. Chancellor Tyler said the move would not only induce a more manageable supervision, but it would lend more voice for unique student learning requirements. “We’re concerned about the student’s goals. About 60 percent of our credit students have non-credit backgrounds.,” ESL Department Chair Greg Keech said. “We haven’t heard any real reason for the split -what we’ve heard is a management reason. That’s not student centered.” Department cutbacks, according to Keech, contradicts the student population between credit and non-credit. “Last year we served

20,000 non-credit students and 2,600 credit. So if this goes through there’s still going to be 20,000 students in one department. What does that accomplish?” Keech said the success of noncredit students, specifically Latinos and Pacific Islanders, has not been measured. “In non-credit, students progress at their own rate. What they’re trying to do is acquire the language, in order for them to do whatever they want. They can decide what their goals are, we don’t need to decide that for them.” The intangible success of noncredit ESL students, according to some faculty, provides serious doubt that their interests will be adhered to in the restructuring. Dr. Steven Mayers of the literature department said the success of non-credit ESL students is harder to track, making it less feasible for the state to fund. “There’s not really anyone tracking what were the goals of non-credit students, and how they fulfilled them or not. Student success comes in many forms, like language and job skills, not just degrees.” The apparent disregard for non-credit student success also concerns Professor David Palaita, a spokesperson for the Pacific Islander community at City College. “We’re not paying attention to the

ESL Professor Susan Lopez teaches basic conversation to her 28 ESL students on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at the Mission Center. (Photo by Yesica Prado)

working-class students. When you re-organize, were restricting access for these students. What does that say to students when they see their department’s put into a box?” The administration’s elusive reasoning for ESL reorganization has led faculty and students fearful for the future of their disciplines. “Anytime you restructure, someone’s about to lose out, but

what’s not clear is who,” Palaita said. “The less information people know, the less upheaval people will create. I think that’s the approach here.” This top down decision to split the credit and non-credit ESL departments have led faculty to consider a harsher reality. “People don’t support noncredit because they don’t understand the funding formula,” Keech said.

“Another thing people don’t understand is that it’s open entry open exit. People see non-credit as nonacademic.” Due to the unrecognized success of non-credit ESL students, faculty fear student’s ambitions (other than a degree) will ultimately become marginalized within the restructuring, and even become obsolete.

4 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | FEB. 4 - FEB. 17, 2015

news Accreditation

continued from page 1 remain in it’s precarious position with the ACCJC at least until the end of Restoration Status in October 2017, barring further actions by the court or state. It is in fact most likely that City College will be forced to remain with the ACCJC for the better part of a decade, according to Feist, due to the nature of laws regarding the changing of school accreditors. Messer said “at the moment this doesn’t change anything for CCSF.” The Board’s analysis of the changes specifies that the Board of Governors, at the recommendation of the chancellor will eventually specify a different accrediting agency to oversee California’s community colleges. Assuming the ACCJC is not specified, there will most likely be a “migration period” in which more than one agency would be responsible for the state community colleges. After this period of possible competition, only a single agency would be responsible. California Federation of Teachers Communications Director Fred Glass lauded the decision, but stressed that it does little to change

the current accreditation situation, saying “the CFT’s next move is to use the Title 5 Changes as an opening to ask the state legislature or Department of Education to take a role in selecting the new accrediting agency. “ Messer described the search for a new accreditor as a vital part of securing the future of City College. As Messer said, “The most important thing now is to see who will accredit fairly.” While not immediately impacting the day to day affairs of CCSF this ruling represents the latest in a series of censures to the ACCJC by state politicians, San Francisco courts, and now the Board of Governors. As CCSF moves into the Restoration Status process, the ACCJC’s decision will be watched by organizations throughout the state. After City College’s cycle with the agency ends, their continued existence will rest in the hands of the Board of Governors. Messer offered a description she had heard others use, saying, “I’ve heard this described by others as “The Nuclear Option.” Harris would not have done this if he saw any other option.”

Balboa Reservoir residents rebel against development By Otto Pippenger

@theguardsman opippenger@theguardsman.com

the guardsman

Community members gathered to discuss the future development of the Balboa Reservoir Wednesday Jan. 21. Representatives from San Francisco Planning, the SF Public Utilities Commission, and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development invited public input regarding the local implementation of Mayor Lee's Public Land for Housing program in the Balboa

Reservoir which is one of five pilot locations. The meeting's purpose was to “understand community priorities” on the seventeen acre lower lot of the Balboa Reservoir, owned by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission but currently used for parking at City College’s Ocean Campus. As part of the continuing 2009 Balboa Park Area Plan, the reservoir is under strong consideration to be sold by the SF Public Utilities Commission to create housing by a Private Developer yet to be determined. As the doors opened at Lick Wilmerding High School that eve-

ning, more than 120 citizens filled the school's spacious cafeteria. Members from the pro developments SF Bay Area Renter's Federation, angry City College teachers, and various environmental groups all arrived inforce to make certain that their positions were taken into consideration. After the crowd circulated around prospective maps of possible areas for change, the lights were dimmed and a fifteen minute presentation by SF Planning members began. Planning/Process official Jeremy Shaw explained that the current goal for the area was to develop

Local woman writes her suggestion for the development of the Balboa Reservoir at Lick Wilmerding High School on Wednesday, Jan. 21 2015. (Photo by Otto Pippenger)

mid -income housing in the next few years, saying “middle income (housing) is what is in our sights. A developer will be chosen based partially on input from the meeting, with a design slated for 2016-2017 and construction beginning thereafter.” The meeting turned contentious before the presentation had even finished. As Shaw said “everything you write down tonight will be compiled to become the basis of our plans” City College Biology Professor Simon Hansen interrupted from within the crowd, saying “what if our input is that we don't want it developed?” Crowd members were repeatedly told “there is no design or proposal on the table tonight.” Nevertheless, presenters continued to outline a timetable of prospective development at the end of the ten month public input phase. As one attendee said “it seems like a done deal and that angers me.” After the presentation, the city representatives each took a table full of attendees and asked them to rate their priorities according to a checklist provided, which included “open spaces” “affordable housing for all income levels” “housing for local workforce” “parking” and “public art.” Throughout the room questions were asked about the definition of “affordable housing,” transit and sewage considerations, the future of City College's parking, the Performing Art's Center, and many other elements. The prospective price of the housing was a frequent question

that went largely unanswered. Though one official offered “less than 30% of your income annually” as a definition, there was no clear answer to “what affordable housing for all income levels” literally meant, whether the constructions would offer mixed unit types or not, or how many occupants any construction would be intended to accommodate. One of the most consistent question of the dissenters was what would become of City College's space and parkingthough only the western 17 acres owned by the SFPUC were up for sale, City College owns the eastern ten, and uses all 27 for parking, while the Performing Art's Center is already slated to be built on City College’s land. “Where do you plan on putting all of CCSF's cars?” one woman asked. A number of priorities emerged as presenters summarized their group's desires. Concerns about the influx of new people on transit and utilities systems, a desire for open spaces, and for affordable housing were all heard. One summary was interrupted by local Gabriel Medina, who cut off the speaker to say “our group is not proposing development. Our group wanted something that worked with City College and its commuters.” After a strong mandate against development, it remains to be seen whether or not plans will be changed. As community member Adrienne Go said, “A private developer means more than open space.”

THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | FEB. 4 - FEB. 17, 2014 | 5

news

Mission campus offers shelter to fire victims Text by Calindra Revier and Bridgid Skiba A four-alarm fire broke out in the building on the corner of Mission and 22nd streets on Jan. 28. Twelve people escaped, 6 were injured and 1 was pronounced dead at the scene. Fifty-four people were displaced from the 18 residential units on the top floor, as well as many local business and commercial storefronts from the bottom two floors. The Red Cross assisted displaced people from the fire that evening at City College’s Mission Center. Alberto Campos at Cafe de la Mission provided refreshments and pastries to the displaced families. The Red Cross worked out of the Mission Center until the next morning assisting the families and their children. Sup. David Campos and Chancellor Arthur Tyler were also in attendance as the fire raged into the evening. It is still unclear as to what started the fire but an investigation is underway. Unfortunately the families affected have lost most of their personal belongings and for the time being their homes. The following day, a GoFundMe campaign was started, raising more than $100,000 in five days. The campaign founder, Zack Crockett, a private citizen, said the vast majority of the people who lost their home are low-income, latino families who had been in their apartments for more than 20 years.

All photos by Franchon Smith

Downtown Center

Court date set for campus coffee shop scandal Dina Boyer

@theguardsman dboyer@theguardsman.com

the guardsman

Former Bean Scene Operators and Owner’s Amy Nget, Vannary Seng and Ho Seng, are scheduled to appear in court April 6, 2015 for failure to pay rent on space they leased at the City College Downtown Center. But Deputy General Counsel Leilani Battiste submitted documents on Dec. 16, 2104 seeking a “summary judgement” in favor of City College. Defendants Hoa and Vannary Seng owe the college for 25 months of back rent, but Battiste said, “it’s a debt and not a legal matter,” so

the college filed a motion to dismiss the hearing because it’s not a triable issue. Superior Court of California documents show the defendants have not provided a defense to the complaint. Nget was granted the lease in 2005 to run the Organic Coffee Company at the Downtown Center. Superior court documents also indicate Nget transferred ownership of the Organic Coffee Company to Hoa and Vannary Seng in 2007. After the Seng’s took over, they stopped making rent payments that ranged from $4,050 to $4,500 per month. Nget has an address listed on the court documents in both Hayward and Sunnyvale, and the Seng’s also have addresses in Sunnyvale, but they could not be reached for

Illustration by Olivia Wise

comment. An online business search identifies a company called The Bean Scene Cafe that was dissolved in 2004, but a company with the same name shows it as an active busi-

ness in Sunnyvale, California. The owner’s names on the business in Sunnyvale do not match the names of the individuals involved in the lawsuit. Bean Scene was also part of an

investigation led by San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris involving former Chancellor Philip Day for illegally directing funds to a college-sponsored bond measure campaign. Local news reports triggered the investigation. Records show that Bean Scene operator Nget issued a check for $20,000 to the political action committee, which was returned to her following the investigation. The whole ordeal was resolved after Day pleaded guilty. Geisce Ly, Downtown Center dean, said the space is now being used by the college’s culinary department.

6 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | FEB. 4 - FEB. 17, 2015

culture

Lou Seal’s own student pit crew at City College By Dan Harrington

@theguardsman dharrington@theguardsman.com

contributor

City College students Adrian Gomez, Stephen Orquiza, Dorian Rosales and instructor Nick Rothman often act as the pit crew and machine shop of an elite stunt racer. That is because when San Francisco Giants’ mascot Lou Seal is in motion entertaining the crowd at AT&T Park something is likely to get broken. City College’s most knowledgeable and enthusiastic mechanics stand ready at 1400 Evans Avenue to fix and improve the scooters used by the portly yet swift fan favorite. The four, with cameos from other students in the City College Automotive Technology Department, ended up creating their own high performance vehicle used in the reigning World Series champions’ playoff run. It all started when Rothman did (L-R) City College Automotive Instructor Nick Rothman and his students Andy Chen, Carlos Hernandez, Stephen Orquiza, Jaime Garcia, drop off and repair work for a com- Jesus Jimenez and Adrian Gomez pose next to the scooter ridden by San Francisco Giants’ mascot. Left is an older scooter that needed pany that made electric scooters. repairs on April 2014 at the Evans Center. (All photos by Morgan Henry) The company folded and the Giants kept asking Rothman where Lou 22 years old, Rosales picked up a going over a berm on the warning Seal, ever in character, he doesn’t he’s loved the combination of his Seal could get his next ride. baseball in 2006 upon his arrival track, and encouraged a repeat per- talk much to reporters - or anyone hometown team and scooter sci“I realized they needed some- from Guatemala, a bit earlier than formance at the next game. for that matter. He still made time ence. thing specific, more durable and the mechanic’s wrench. “The scooter broke on touch- for a brief off-season interview. “I know Hunter Pence likes more powerful than off-the-shelf Now they go hand-in-hand. down,” Rothman said. When asked how he liked the scooters, too,” Gomez said, as he scooters,” Rothman said. “Just being able to help fix the The student team was ready for He also had the presence of mascot’s scooter was an extraordi- the call to the major league fix-it mind and confidence to involve his nary experience because I am a huge game. The team put in three to four students at City College. fan of the Giants,” Rosales said. extra hours a week for over a month, “There is a lot of wiring involved “And as apprentice mechanics it all volunteer, while the Giants made in building a scooter and all three helps us gain experience to become due with the other vehicles. got placed in industry jobs with master mechanics.” “Coach” Rothman developed a specialization in auto electrical,” “It seems amazing how when full slate of lineup changes for Lou Rothman said. Gomez and Orquiza I was little and I used to love the Seal’s mobile needs at the outset, have full duties as fleet technicians sport, then got the chance to come and the job was complete by the with City Car Share and Rosales has over to San Francisco and see the deadline – ready for the Giants latest earned a position at Pat’s Garage. Giants play for the first time in World Series win. “I was looking for enthusiasm 2005,” Gomez said. “Now I had “We welded in I-beams and and work ethic and they were at the the chance to be part of helping my replaced plastic parts with metal advanced level,” Rothman said in favorite team and the fans.” parts – it’s steel reinforced,” Rothforming his squad of what baseball The scooter support staff cele- man said. “We switched to heavy folks call five-tool players, those who brates Lou Seal’s antics that include duty tires, upgraded wiring, motors. have the potential to be superior wheelies, fast turns and jumps as The finished product has four to City College Automotive Instructor Nick Rothman and his students; among all players. much or more than any fan at the five times the power output of an Jesus Jimenez and Adrian Gomez repair wiring on Giants’ mascot scooter. The three impactful students park. off-the-shelf scooter.” supplied various motivations. “He’s pushing the limits of the “We’re running three 12-Volts, presence of college students on the and others witnessed on television The husky Gomez wanted to machine,” Orquiza said. “That gets putting out a horse-and-a-half,” scooter team, and the continued alli- when the Giants’ outfielder inadverprove to the doubters that he could us more experience to build an Gomez said in trade lingo. ance between the Giants and City tently buzzed a news reporter after be a great mechanic, just as he had even better scooter to deal with his “You can easily count the College, the mascot gave a salute a playoff game. “Maybe he could shown he could throw a baseball extreme showcasing.” number of original parts and two thumbs up. Regarding come down Third Street and see if with authority or drum the chimbao During the late by the time we were done, the quality of work on the scooter he wants us to work with him on in his native Mexico and his adopted season, players on the and there weren’t that many fleet by Rothman’s crew, Lou put his scooter.” City by the Bay. Giants congratulated (left),” Rothman said. “The a number one forefinger high over “All the Giants are welcome Rosales remembered being with Lou Seal on saving one standing product can do a his Giants’ ball cap as he repeatedly here,” Rosales said. He will be ready his father in a stalled car when he perilous betweenstanding wheel- nodded. for them. was a youngster. The two of them innings ride ie and smoke the The City College crew is willing “I’m planning on taking engine figured out how to get the car start- where it seemed back tire.” to help the Giants, the only major performance, brakes and suspension ed, and he vowed he would learn he lost control UCSF professional sports team now in San and the hybrid class, and the ASE everything he could to never be in donated some Francisco. They might consider a (Automotive Service Excellence) jeopardy again. special electron- motored two-wheeler for old Can- certification,” Rosales said. “My ultimate goal right now ic components dlestick Park “anti-mascot” Crazy Returning students in the is to become an F-1 mechanic,” used in the Crab - maybe a chopper instead of automotive and motorcycle techsaid Orquiza, 22. The Visitacion upgrades and cioppino - but no associations with nology program look forward to Valley resident, who grew up in new edition to other team mascots. more handy work next season on the Philippines dreaming of being the fleet. Mate“We don’t want to be spread Lou Seal’s fleet. an international auto racer, now rials that made too thin,” Rothman said. “Even the The instructors and alumni of has some connections at Sonoma up the bulk of best scooters might last two to three the program welcome new students Raceway in addition to his local the new ride seasons, and they get so trashed that eager to learn and make a commitwork commitments. were crafted you have to start from scratch.” ment to the coursework and special “When the Lou Seal projfrom the “Lou Seal gives us plenty of spe- projects, whether or not they like ect was announced, my eyes welding and cial volunteer projects,” Rothman the Giants. opened up wide,” Orquiza said. motorcycle said. It’s hard not to like Lou Seal, “I joined the auto program departments’ Tenderloin resident Gomez, 24, though, especially at 20 to 30 miles in 2012 and it has been quite supply on the is looking forward to returning for per hour whizzing by the box seats an adventure,” said Bayview San Francisco Giants’ mascot Lou Seal and Evans campus. instruction on hybrid and full elec- on a high performance, City Coldistrict resident Rosales. Now older Giants scooter (08’-10’ seasons.) “As for Lou tric vehicles. Speaking of hybrids, lege-crafted machine.

THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | FEB. 4 - FEB. 17, 2014 | 7

culture

Exhibit honors Mississippi Freedom Summer By Yesica Prado

@theguardsman yprado@theguardsman.com

the guardsman

In the celebration of black history month, City College’s department of African American studies opened a new exhibition entitled “Mississippi Freedom Summer” on Jan. 22, which will run until Feb. 27 at Conlan Hall located 50 Phelan Ave. The exhibition pays homage to the Mississippi summer project launched in 1964, which was a campaign founded by the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) to attempt and register as many African American voters in Mississippi. At the time, African Americans were excluded from voting because of the intimidating voting procedure that required literacy to fill out and answer the 21 question registration form. Although the campaign failed to register a great amount of voters, the exhibition gives a well rounded presentation of all the other projects from the Mississippi Freedom Summer that also include the Freedom Schools and Freedom Houses. Using text and passages from the book “New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” by author Michelle Alexander and archival photographs from Wallace Roberts, Donna Garde, Bill Steber, Mark Levy, Galen Gockel and Heather Booth, participants in the Mississippi Freedom Summer. The exhibition does an excel-

lent job at presenting viewers with the history of this event. However, the plain and small presentation in the two glass cases of Conlan Hall defeats the purpose of this exhibition, which is getting this unknown history to be known since using that elementary school style of presentation leaves the exhibition oblivious to our eyes. The work consists of 41 mini

passages briefly explain the history of the Mississippi Freedom Summer, using blocks of endless text with different colors and fonts. Although the history and the parallel that exists with police brutally we face today is interesting in itself, the random arrangement of the passages, the long dense blocks of text and the variation of the size takes away from catching our atten-

Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” which states, “the most important parallel between mass incarceration and Jim Crow is that both have served to define the meaning and significance of race in America…Slavery defined what it meant to be black (a slave), and Jim Crow defined what it meant to be black (a second-class citizen). Today mass incarceration defines

City College students gather in Conlan Hall to view the photo exhibition: “From ‘Mississippi Freedom Summer 1964’ to ‘Hands Up Don’t Shoot, Ferguson 2014’: Battling the ‘Old Jim Crow’ and the ‘New Jim Crow’” in Conlan Hall on Thursday, Jan. 29 at Ocean Campus. (Photo by Natasha Dangond)

posters that are composed of both text and black and white photographs, which are all arranged in a nonlinear manner. Most of these

tion. The quotes are inspiring and powerful, take in for example a citation from Alexander’s book “New

the meaning of blackness in America: black people, especially black men, are criminals. That’s what it means to be black.”

Curator of this exhibition, Lawrence Bush—who is also editor of Jewish Currents magazine, carefully choose significant text to give a broad perspective of what it meant to live through this time and age. But most importantly, it also draws our attention to similar problems our community faces with police brutality today. “Even though this was before my time, it’s still relevant because the South is still yet to change … I mean we can all relate to that I see it as in back in the ‘60s when a black man can be killed just for walking down the streets that happened in that time and is still happening today. And police officers were getting off and they are getting off now, so it’s almost as nothing has changed,” said City College student Terrilyn Woodfin, whom attended the opening reception on Jan. 29. The long trails of words endlessly continue to stretch across these two walls, screaming words of courage, sparking inspiration, telling stories of injustice, yet it leaves the viewer overwhelmed with too much information and we become lost in this ocean of past voices. It’s like being attacked by the ghost of Christmas past. The photography used in this exhibition was in itself beautiful and captivating. Although most of these photographers were amateurs and volunteers in the program, they did an excellent job at portraying the voices of the people.

A linear perspective of City College Text by Ekevara Kitpowsong Photos by Eder Melo

metric cylinder, horizontal and vertical lines found at City College. Each photo tells a tale of the peaceful times and downSometimes we are too busy to look times when students aren’t running to class. around at our surroundings — the sky, the buildings and classrooms — and appreciCheck out more photographs by ate them with our naked eye, but not so Melo on his Instagram @Miglu_Miglu for City College photography student Eder or on his Flickr www.flickr.com/Miglu. Melo. After taking a couple of photography classes at City College, he made a habit of walking around the campus with his camera. Interested to submit your images? Send subSince then, his perception of the campus has missions to our photo editor: changed. Ekevara Kitpowsong at Melo captured the beautiful moments ekitpowsong@theguardsman.com. and subjects around Ocean Campus. The images focus on the often overlooked geo-

8 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | FEB. 4 - FEB. 17, 2014

feature Speech and debate

Forensics team outperforms the competition Cara Stucker

@theguardsman caranicole9@yahoo.com

contributor

If public speaking makes you anxious, yet you think like lightening and are undoubtedly competitive, joining the forensics team might be an idea worth contemplating. Out of about 30 students on City College’s speech and debate team half are brand new members, while the rest are yearly-returning students who have found forensics to strengthen the shape of their life. At the start of the spring semester, 15 students will be returning to the team to comprise some 40 members. “We have a tremendously talented squad this year,” said coach Nathaniel Steele as he merits his present members. Joining the forensics team is not only easy with a simple enrollment in Speech 37 or Speech 38 but the team is beyond welcoming. They encourage new members each year, and only grow in success with the help of these new students, Steele said. The speech and debate team has been around since 1976. In the past five years speech instructor Steele has served as one of the co-coaches and Robert Hawkins has assisted

“It’s like a drug that’s not so bad for you.” Steele for the past two years. Steele said he got involved with forensics when he was just in middle school. He said his passion for it carried over through high school where participated tournaments and other public speaking competitions. Both coaches work with every student in individual sessions, giving feedback from two perspectives to perfect their presentations. Steele focuses on management and the debate events itself. “I focus on tournaments and

City College’s speech and debate team pose with their new awards on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 at the Golden Gate Opener speech and debate competition at San Francisco State University. (Photo courtesy of Nathaniel Steele)

competition, preparing students for advance public speaking and working with them to craft their presentation,” Hawkins said. Although the speech and debate team is an elective course, the lessons students acquire go beyond the simplicity of other curriculum also considered optional, according to Steele. He said the students on the forensics team are a dedicated bunch, spending anywhere from 50 to 200 hours on their speeches outside of class time during the semester. “Extra curricular doesn’t sum up the value of what we do,” Steele said. The students are exhibiting their competitive side, and that outlet to perform allows them to gain confidence along with a polished articulation in communication, Steele said.

“It’s like a drug that’s not so bad for you, but you get hooked,” he said. Regarding competitions past and present, Steele is quick to mention the success of an English as a Second Language student taking second place in a pro tournament a just a few years back. The student, Sergio Suhett, had learned to speak English just a couple years before joining the forensics team and had grown so much during the time he decided to compete. He is now pursuing a BA in communication studies at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Steele noted this as a favorite moment, being proud of the fact that his speaker had accomplished more than just an award for public communication and debate, but a

personal growth and achievement in himself. “The hidden victory is the students realizing their goals of transferring. Many of these programs have funding and are looking for talented junior college students to finish out their last two years of undergrad,” Hawkins said. The forensics team has always been wildly successful. They take home first place awards at every competition and the team continues to grow stronger with the help of new faces and the determination of natives, Steele said. Although the squad takes home anywhere between three and 20 awards per competition, there are just as many beautiful accomplishments in personal growth. Diego Perez, a returning member who placed first in three

categories at the Santa Rosa Junior College Invitational last semester, also earned himself the Jack Perella top speaker award. “He’s kind of a big deal,” Matt Pating, another team member quickly said after Steele pointed out Diego’s many accomplishments. “Honestly I’ve never won that award before, it was an overwhelming feeling.” said a very humble Perez. Perez, who won awards at almost every competition for two years now added that “if you love doing what you do, keep doing it.” The first competition of the semester, Talk Hawk, will be at Las Positas on Jan. 31. “We are also hosting the NCFA championship tournament,” Steele said. The tournament will be held on the Ocean Campus Feb. 20-22.

THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | FEB. 4 - FEB. 17, 2014 | 9

America’s College Promise

Obama’s free education comes with a cost By Matthew Patton

theguardsman Mpatton@theguardsman.com

the guardsman

Free stuff is awesome. Who doesn’t like free stuff? Free food, free furniture, free video games… free rent… the list goes on and on. No one wants to pay for something (of value) if they (legally) don’t have to. And apparently, President Obama thinks the same way when it comes to our education. Now, that last line right there is a drastic oversimplification of the Commander-in-Chief’s stance on community colleges and how education is key in improving the socioeconomic standing of us young people. He is of the mindset that a community college education is (and should be) as universal as a K-12 education, and he wants to make that idea reality, mirroring our European counterparts and the program started in Tennessee (that he modeled this program after). And to be clear: I’m all for free stuff, just like most people. But. My first reaction to this was “no way this is happening anytime soon.” I’m not trying to say it’s impossible, because historically speaking, education in this country has slowly evolved from being the privilege of the affluent to being a basic right of the masses. So it’s not impossible. In fact, you could argue that the direction The President is trying to take this country in is just a part of the natural “evolution” of the education continuum. But. There is no way this is happening anytime soon. There is no way it should. The program, which is titled “America’s College Promise,” is estimated to cost upwards of $60 billion by the White House. Aren’t we a nation mired in debt? A debt to the tune of around $18 trillion? Didn’t we recently, as a nation, suffer our first credit downgrade in modern times? And yet he wants to introduce a program that, by his own design, holds the federal government accountable for 75% of the

costs? With what money? Wouldn’t a change like this be more feasible if we didn’t have so many other more pressing financial concerns? I don’t know if the President noticed, but that Republican-led Congress that sits across from him is not about to let him do this (which has been their stance on virtually everything he’s attempted to push through). Not to mention the fact there are grumblings within his own party about this. And then you have to question the intended efficacy of this program. You’re talking about providing a free education to a demographic that overflows with youth. Youth, which at this stage of its development, has no real idea of what it wants or how to get there. Yes, I’m this close to yelling “get off my lawn.” But when you’re young, and you don’t know what you want, and you don’t have the requisite discipline to weather the various currents of life until you figure it out (as most young students don’t), you know what you don’t do? Give them (the general youth) free stuff. Certainly not a free education. Things need to be earned, and at this stage of life, that reality needs to be hammered home. You know what accomplishes that in a really effective way? When the student has to foot some of that bill. When we have to work a job to make ends meet. You can bet that if we have to produce some funds towards the betterment that an education promises, we will not be so inclined to Snapchat on our cell phones while the professor is giving a lecture. Another thing that bothers me about this program: it applies to everyone. Including those that come from affluence. That is a complete load of junk as far as I’m concerned. Why does someone that comes from a well-off family get to use this tool? If they’re already in a position to where college tuition isn’t a problem for them because community colleges are already cheap, why should they get a share of something that should be geared more towards people who struggle to make ends meet? In fact, the more that I think on this, why even initiate this pro-

gram in a universal form? Why not dedicate the money and resources that would be used for this program towards bigger Pell Grants? Towards more scholarships and benefits for low-income families, people that would really need the break that a program like this would provide? It seems so misdirected, it’s aggravating. Do you know what else I find aggravating about this initiative? It operates under the premise that a college education is what will propel more people in the middle-class of the socioeconomic stratosphere, a premise that is antiquated at best, naive at worst. And the President should be anything but naive (or overly idealistic). You know what having a college degree guarantees you? It guarantees that you’ll have a piece a paper that denotes the educational program you completed and the difficulty level associated with it. That’s it. There are no jobs that come attached. Not a single interview is promised on that piece of paper. And it’s not like that piece of paper is unique: you can walk the streets and find any number of people with similar paperwork working jobs that are not commensurate with the degrees they’ve obtained. Having a degree does not guarantee you a place in the workforce. Employers have tightened the screws in their hiring processes so much (due to general dissatisfaction with current degree-holders) that companies like Adobe and Google recruit straight from programs like Dev Boot-camp, a 19-week workshop that focuses on the skills that companies like that really want. None of them that graduate have a Master’s degree. Really, this comes off to me as Obama swinging for the fences during his final term. I think he genuinely believes that something like this would make us as a nation more competitive for jobs. But the economy doesn’t support that premise as much as it did when he came up through the ranks, and unless there’s a smattering of open jobs hiding in locations unseen, I just don’t think this idea has any chance of becoming reality.

Photo by Pete Souza, courtesy of the White House.

opinion

Black History Month: an outdated notion By Matthew Patton

theguardsman Mpatton@theguardsman.com

the guardsman

Black History Month is now upon us. There will be posters and flyers galore. There will be special programming on any number of TV stations backdropped with a rousing image of Martin Luther King Jr peering off into that eternal blue sky, dreaming visions of the real American ideal, with a recording of his now historic “I Have A Dream” speech playing wistfully in the background. It’s going to make me puke. Seriously. Speaking as an African-American male in this notso-post-racial-society, I can’t help but look at Black History Month as an extremely outdated concept, one that has devolved into an endless rehashing of landmark events and borderline “hero worship” of specific individuals. I don’t often attempt to speak for the dead, but I can’t imagine that this is what Carter G. Woodson, the African-American historian and journalist that essentially founded the concept of black history in this country, had in mind when he authored the celebration of “Negro History Week” back in 1926. This week, which was expanded to cover the entire month of February and officially recognized by the U.S. government in 1976, was devised by Woodson as a cultural survival tool within the greater context of America, and society as a whole. He went on to elaborate at Negro History Week’s launch, saying: “If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated. The American Indian left no continuous record. He did not appreciate the value of tradition; and where is he today? The Hebrew keenly appreciated the value of tradition, as is attested by the Bible itself. In spite of worldwide persecution, therefore, he is a great factor in our civilization.” While I would dare say he made some statements that were ignorant to the traditions specific to Native Americans, his stance is clear: we can’t let our accomplishments disappear from the consciousness of the society we live in. And that line of thought has all but disappeared from Black History Month in favor of a more streamlined overview of certain historical figures, the “hero worship” model I referred to earlier. Why is it that the stories/lessons contained in Black History Month

invariably revolve around Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, etc.? Why is it so rare for anyone to go deeper into the annals of this country (or the world, for that matter) when it comes to the contributions of Black people to society? For example, on a worldly note; why is it that so few people know about the Moors, a group of North Africans traveled from Morocco all the way to Spain? People should know who they were, considering that it was their advances in math, astronomy and agriculture that had a direct influence in pushing Europe out of the Dark Ages and into the Renaissance. It was the Moors that brought the concept of universal education to Spain, which then spread throughout the rest of Europe. Keep in mind, that before their arrival, 99% of the European population were illiterate, including a few kings. At that time, Europe only had two universities, one in Paris and one in Oxford. Neither of those were built until after scholars from Europe visited many of the 17 campuses in a Moorish Spain. Public libraries didn’t exist in Europe for generations, while Moorish Spain had more than 70. Do you see what I’m getting at here? Can you see how such a massive shift in disseminating information (and making it available) to the public could have such a large impact on a region like Europe? And that’s only a little bit. This doesn’t even address the lack of overall knowledge that’s closer to home in America in terms of the contributions of its African-Ameri-

Carter G. Woodson (Image courtesy of Biography.com)

can citizens. Why do things like this get overlooked/left out when it comes to Black History Month? Why has the entire month of February been condensed and smashed down to repeat the same awe-inspiring stories of a handful of individuals? I have my theories on that, but that’s another column altogether. The biggest point to all this is that the original purpose of Negro History Week/Black History Month has been lost for a long time, both in spirit and application. No one seems to be learning anything new. What’s worse, no one really seems to care. Black History Month, as we have known it, has become pretty useless. I really don’t see a need for its current iteration to be here.

10 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | FEB. 4 - FEB. 17, 2014

events

February 10-20 African American History Month TUE/10 Dr. Johnetta Richards is hosting a lecture and discussion on Black Women in the West at the Mission Campus in the Bartlett Building, room 454, from 7-8 p.m.

WED/11

WANT YOUR NEXT EVENT IN THE CALENDAR? EMAIL THE NAME, DATE, TIME, LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

UNTIL APRIL 30 Free Tax Return Preparation

TUE/10 Safer Sex and Wellness Fair

Monday through Friday.

Project SAFE is holding its annual Valentine’s Safer Sex and Wellness Fair at the MUB, room 140, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be free candy, condoms, safer sex info, and HIV/STI testing referrals. Cupcakes will be sold for $2.

Ocean Campus - MUB room 130A Mission Campus - room 123 Southeast Campus - room 203

Jarrell Phillips is hosting an AVE and Capoeira Ijexa demonstration at the Ocean Campus in the MUB, room 140, from 2-3:30 p.m.

Evans Campus - room 220A

THU/12

WED/4 Forum Launch Party

Aliyah Dunn-Salahuddin is hosting a lecture and discussion on 1968 Bayview Hunters Point Uprising Part 2 at the John Adams Campus in the auditorium from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

TUE/17 NoViolet Bulawayo is hosting a talk and discussion on her book We Need New Names at the Ocean Campus in the Rosenberg Library, room R304, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WED/18

OF YOUR EVENT TO ALAMP@THEGUARDSMAN.COM

Drop by or call 415-391-7427 for more information.

Forum Magazine is holding a launch party at Bird & Becket Books located at 653 Chenery St. The event will be from 6:30-8 p.m.

THU/5 Queer Art Show City College art student Martin Olivares is having an opening reception for his art show Friends and Friends of Friends: Rabitt Garcia’s new works on paper. The event will be held at 1111 Post St. from 6-10 p.m.

TUE/17 Pierre Coste Room Pierre Coste Room will have a special event at lunch from 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in celebration of Mardi Gras.The fine dining experience includes a multiple course meal for a little over $20. Students welcomed. Call 415-239-3855 for reservations.

FRI/20 Fight Against Cancer CCSF Athletics is participating in the Coaches vs. Cancer program to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living. Women’s basketball will start at 5 p.m. and men’s basketball will begin at 7 p.m. Donations collected will go to the American Cancer Society. Order a “Rams Believe” t-shirt (tinyurl.com/pzx3ccx) to show support, orders must be submitted by Feb. 6.

Naomi Jelks is hosting a discussion on the film Dark Girls by Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry at the Ocean Campus in the Rosenberg Library, room R304, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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

THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | FEB. 4 - FEB. 17, 2014 | 11

sports

Women’s tennis team is heating up By Dina Boyer

@theguardsman dboyer@theguardsman.com

The Guardsman

sports calendar Basketball: Men’s

Feb. 4, 7 p.m.

vs Skyline College @HOME

Basketball Women’s:

Feb. 4, 5 p.m.

vs Skyline College @HOME

Baseball:

Feb. 3, 1 p.m. vs Gavilan @Fairmont

Tennis women’s

Feb. 3, 1 pm

@ Santa Rosa

Swimming

Feb. 6, 12 PM

CSM/Foothill/Chabot @Home

Softball

Feb. 12, 3 pm

The City College women’s tennis team is warming up for the spring season in a round of scrimmages held with competing teams. The first scrimmage was held on the City College home courts Tuesday January 27, 2015 at 1p.m. The scores are not reported from the scrimmage games, but they are conducted like official games. Head coach Kelly Hickey said players are matched according to their strength ratings. A second scrimmage match was held in Los Altos against the team Foothill Doubles. The teams played 3 pro sets of doubles, with the Rams coming out on top 2-1. Six single matches were Theresa de Robert’s and Emma Stoep, from City College women’s tennis team the Rams plays their first double pro set against American River. (Photos by Dina Boyer) played. The roster for the scrimmage game held on January 27 2015 i ncluded: Theresa de Roberts, Vivian Dao, Shirley Zhang, Savannah Hayes, Emma Stoep, Alina Styrstova and Jesse Ikhbold. Going forward, Coach Hickey says the women’s tennis department remains hopeful during the accreditation crisis because “the athletic department has been proactive and on-top of making the course outlines in compliance with AGCCC standards.” Additionally there are no minimum or maximum student course limitations in the athletic department.` The first official match will be held in Santa Rosa against Santa Rosa Junior College on February 3, 2015 at 1p.m.

@ Diablo Valley The American River tennis team and the City College Ram’s team shake hands and offer high fives before their first scrimmage game of the spring 2015 semester.

Men’s basketball pushes on through bracket By Shaleisa Daniel

@theguardsman sdaniel@theguardsman.com

The Guardsman

Rams Forward Julian Harrell (11) anticipating his next play, Wednesday, January 21, 2015. (Photo by Jackson Ly)

The remainder of the season looks promising for the Men’s Basketball team who are currently 4-3 in the conference and hold an overall record of 15-8. One of the highlights of the past couple of weeks was the team ushering in a win against one of its biggest competitors, Ohlone last week (77-72) at home. Most recently, the team fell just short of a win at Chabot College on Jan. 30 with the final score being 67-70. Coach Justin Labagh has since stressed how important it is for the team to play better defense, “We have to get tougher and stay more aggressive throughout the entire 40 minutes.” He said. When asked of one of the biggest challenges they have been faced with so far he replied, “Getting into a rhythm with guys being sick and injured.” Those who have gotten injured throughout the season have been Julian Harrell, Jonathon Bennet,

Carlos Mancasola, and Rams’ star player, Gabe Bealer. However, there is no lack of confidence coming from the coaching office, “We can beat any team on any day.” Said Labagh; while adding that preparation is undoubtedly essential in doing so. Among Coach Labagh’s highly favored shooters this season have been Mancasola, Troy Thompson (guard), Jerrod Nodar, and Julian Harrell, who was the highest scorer against Ohlone, putting up 25 points and shooting 7 of 9 from the 3 point line. The team now has five more games remaining in the regular season, and Labagh has cited the upcoming game against Ohlone on Feb.13 as being a particular challenge because it will not be at home. The Rams will also have to contend with Canada College who is now tied with Chabot for the highest conference standing (5-2). The team is preparing for a fight ahead in hopes of making it to the State Championships; while the short-term goal in everyone’s minds right now is just making it to Regional Playoffs.

CAN YOU MAKE THE SPOT LIGHT

CITY COLLEGE GUARDSMAN NEWSPAPER WANTS YOUR STORY ALAMP@THEGUARDSMAN.COM