The Guardsman, Vol 178, Issue 4, City College of San Francisco

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Associated Students Council Hosts Mayoral Debate Watch Party to Encourage Civic Engagement

The Associated Students Council of Ocean Campus (ASCO) hosted a watch party for San Francisco’s televised mayoral debate on Thursday night in the Multi-Use Building to encourage greater political awareness and engagement as election season quickly approaches.

Associated Students Council Hosts Another Successful Unity Day Event for Students

The Associated Students Council (ASCO) hosted its biannual Unity Day event in Ram Plaza on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 25. The event encouraged new and returning students to familiarize themselves with the many student-led Unity day continued on page 2

The Asian Pacific American Community Center hosted alongside the ASCO, with a table displaying poll worker opportunity forms, information for both San Francisco and California’s ballot measures, ranked-choice voting information and voter registration forms. Stickers and pop-it fidget toys were also up for grabs.

Accompanying the ASCO’s table sat Vice President of Finance Tiffany Liao, along with senators Isabella Hui and Lilia Lei.

“Our main purpose of this event was to educate voters on the mayoral candidates and get students more involved, because there can be a bit of a disconnect with young voters – especially with local policies and elections,” said Liao. “With elections coming up, we wanted to bring people together, encourage more voting and make sure people are registered and ready to vote in November.”

Alongside ASCO members in the audience sat Hing Potter, the ASCO’s Advisor and City College’s Assistant Director of Student Life and Leadership, who emphasized the importance of the council’s efforts to encourage civic development.

“It’s important our students learn about civic engagement opportunities as a voter – and if you’re unable to vote, even just as a resident of the area – to learn about the issues that impact the region and city, as well as the candidates and what their positions are,” Potter said. “And what a better place to do that than in a college environment.”

Visitors were warmly welcomed by members of the ASCO and encouraged to grab informational flyers from both tables, as well as a meat or vegetarian burrito, with a side of salsa verde and a beverage. Soon the small crowd of participants took their seats to tune in to the evening’s main event.

The hour-long debate, co-presented by KQED and The San Francisco Chronicle, provided voters the opportunity to hear directly from the five major candidates as the city approaches its first mayoral election since before the pandemic. Hosted at KQED’s Mission District event space, the evening was moderated by Chronicle senior political writer Joe Garofoli, alongside KQED political reporters Marisa Lagos and Scott Shafer.

Mayoral debate continued on page 2

City College Supports Veterans Transitioning to Academia with a Free College Success Workshop on Oct. 25

Veterans looking to transition into collegiate learning are invited to a free College Success Workshop on Friday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at City College’s Cloud Hall 258. The one-day seminar is in partnership with the Warrior-Scholar Project, a national nonprofit dedicated to equipping service members for success in higher education.

Attendees will learn from Warrior-Scholar Project alumni, who are now enrolled in four-year universities and serve as peer mentors. Topics include adapting to college culture, transferring military skills to college, building academic skills, accessing campus resources, and other essential knowledge required for their shift from military to college.

Every year, approximately 115,000 veterans transition from military service to degree-earning institutions, with over800 enrolling at City College each semester. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by nontraditional students, City College provides support to aspiring student veterans. To register for the event, visit warrior-scholar.org/ event/college-success-workshop-city-college-of-san-franciscco.

Since 2011, Warrior-Scholar Project has been offering post secondary preparatory programs for veterans and service members. Today, over 2,000 students have completed its Academic Boot Camp, with 88% of alumni have obtained or are on course to earn a degree. For more information about the Warrior-Scholar Project, visit www.warrior-scholar.org.

Rick Rocamora Photo Exhibit
San Francisco mayoral candidates (from left) Ahsha Safaí, Daniel Lurie, Mayor London Breed, former Mayor Mark Farrell, and Aaron Peskin participate in a debate at KQED in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, moderated by KQED politics reporters Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos and San Francisco Chronicle reporter Joe Garofoli. (Courtesy of Beth LaBerge/KQED, Pool).
A long line of students were able to grab some soft serve ice cream from Nick T. out the window of the Mister Softee truck on Unity Day. San Francisco, Calif. September 25, 2024. Photo by Kyra Young/The Guardsman.

Staff

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Gracia Hernandez-Rovelo

Elena Chiaruttini

News Editor

John Adkins

Feature Editor

Julia Chong

Op-Ed Editor

Issac Ortiz Dominguez

Sports Editor

Cooper McDonald

Social Media Editor

Juliana Parente

Photo Editor

Bob Kinoshita

Illustrator Editor

Cindy Chan

Copy Editor

Ellen Yoshitsuga

Gabrielle Chagniot

JT Wildfeuer

Writers

China Young

Rae Daniels-Henderson

Max Leonard

Kyra Young

Photographers

Elias Gutierrez

Tiffany Sainz

Videographer

Rachel Church

Illustrators

Isis Cordova

David Thomas

Production

Linda Liu

Sebastien Thugnet

Xiaoyi Yu

Advisor

Juan Gonzales jagonzal@ccsf.edu

TheGuardsman.com

info@theguardsman.com (415) 239-3446

50 Frida Kahlo Way, Box V-67

San Francisco, CA 94112 Bungalow 615

The five leading candidates who took the stage included incumbent Mayor London Breed, who has served for the city since 2018; former Interim Mayor and former District 2 Supervisor Mark Ferrell; District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safaí; non-profit executive Daniel Lurie; and Board of Supervisors

President Aaron Peskin.

Each candidate was given a minute to respond to the moderators’ questions, touching on a range of pressing, contentious issues central to this election: crime, homelessness and encampments, housing, public safety, downtown revitalization and police staffing.

The debate took off hot, with Breed as a target from the start and Farrell calling her out at his first opportunity to speak. “It’s nice to see Mayor Breed finally at a debate after she’s been ducking them for the past two weeks,” Farrell quipped, claiming “no mayor has overseen a steeper decline in our city’s history than London Breed.”

But throughout the debate, Breed consistently stood by her claim that crime in the city under her leadership has been “the lowest it has been in over a decade.” Breed also held her experience leading the city through the pandemic at the forefront of her arguments, asserting herself as battle-tested and emphasizing San Francisco’s need for a mayor who did not require “onthe-job training.”

Safaí, however, had different thoughts on Breed’s claims. “You know what bothers me most listening to the mayor? To consistently tell people crime is down is gaslighting,” Safaí said. “Crime is happening at a brazen level. Crime statistically might be down, but property crime is not, and that’s what makes people the angriest: to hear that crime is down and things are getting better.”

Meanwhile, Peskin argued he was the “only candidate on the stage who had consistently done the work around public corruption,” and fired at Lurie’s reputation for using charity funds on lavish events: “Is that the kind of mayor you’re going to be?”

Despite a number of shots at his lack of political experience and relative employment, Lurie confidently stood by his “if-elected” promises to the city, as well as the work that has been done around the city by his non-profit, Tipping Point. “We raised over $500 million to tackle issues of housing,

Unity day continued from page 1 clubs, resource centers and services that City College offers.

Tiffany Liao, Vice President of Finance for the ASCO, mentioned that Unity Day is one of her favorite events that the council organizes. “It’s a great way for students to start the year and have a little fun while learning about other clubs and available services,” said Liao.

Some 30 campus groups came to represent themselves for the afternoon, their bright red tables lining the plaza accompanied by each club’s representatives ready to engage with inquiring students.

Scattered across tabletops were a myriad of takeaways – informational flyers, QR-code scanners, sign-up sheets, baked goods, beverages and stickers. Several food trucks made an appearance throughout the day, including the Mister Softee ice cream truck, whose employee, Nick T., had a busy afternoon handing out soft serve ice creams to a long line of students that stretched as far back as the Student Union building.

Some clubs made the effort to flaunt more unique features of their organization, like the Engineering Club, who hauled out their recently constructed arcade cabinet. The nearly seven-foot-tall cabinet was actively running under their tent and ready for inquiring students to play.

“A lot of us are mechanical engineering majors, but as long as someone is interested in making something or wants to make something, we’ll take them,” said Adam Caster, President of the Engineering Club.

Next door sat the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), a professionally recognized society that encourages women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and leaders in the field, while demonstrating the value of diversity.

“We really aim to encourage professional development,” explained Analeigh Fulgham, a representative from the Inter Club Council who could be found at the SWE table. “We host workshops – like resume building – and connect members with shadow and networking opportunities. Members will have the opportunity to attend the National Annual Conference this year in Chicago, which will be a huge networking opportunity, and one with women in the field.”

The City Dream group could also be found at Unity Day, their table spread with baked goods; small wallet cards that explained, both in English and Spanish, an individual’s Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights that protect an individual’s privacy; and informational pamphlets to direct students to the services available for those affected by immigration issues.

homelessness and early childhood education. We have such a better track record of getting things done than these city hall insiders,” Lurie said.

Moderators also questioned candidates on topics like the police budget and first-responder staffing; state housing laws; Breed’s leadership through the Covid crisis, the city’s reopening and recovery; the L-Taraval train project; candidates’ individual campaign funding and proposals; and their own personal lives.

Candidates had the opportunity to make closing statements at the end of the debate, leaving viewers with lots to consider as election day rapidly approaches.

Harry Bernstein, a professor in the music department who has been with City College since 2000, was disappointed in the absence of discourse around the proposed changes to the Free City College program.

“Mayor Breed is not a friend of City College by almost any decision she has made, and I don’t trust her statistics as people have rightly complained about conditions deteriorating,” Bernstein said. “I’m disappointed that two things that directly impact the college – the Free City funding proposals and the bike lane project on Frida Kahlo Way, like all the other projects in the city that have impacted businesses without regard to safety – failed to be brought up.”

In closing the evening, Potter reflected on the value of organizing events such as these that uphold and encourage the development of a student’s engagement in society. “I think that, as part of a student’s leadership and professional development comes civic development as well, and learning not just how to be a local citizen, but also a global citizen,” reflected Potter on the ASOC’s event. “So my office – the Office of Student Life and Leadership – we try to incorporate that into our experiential learning practices that can compliment someone’s academic experiences as well.”

The city’s rank-choice election will take place on Nov. 5, the first since 2018 when Breed was elected into her official full term in office as the 45th Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco. Voters will have the chance to rank up to 10 candidates in order of preference, a method San Francisco voters have used to fill most local offices since 2004.

“The aim of City Dream is to have a group at the school that can help provide financial and legal services to undocumented students and invite them to know their rights,” Victoria Solis, an assistant for the program, said. “We also want to inform the community about the undocumented population here at City College.”

The Asian Pacific American Community Center also made an appearance for the afternoon, handing out informational pamphlets highlighting their work in providing linguistic and culturally appropriate programs and

services to strengthen Asian Pacific American families in San Francisco. The group also offered information for their youth after-school programs, as well as summer programs for children in fifth through eighth grade.

“It’s important we build community here – there’s a stigma around City Colleges and Community Colleges that there’s no campus community,” said Emily La, ASCO Vice President of Public Relations. “But that’s why events like this are so good to have. It brings students together.”

Liao affirmed La’s statement. “We try to put on an event every month. It takes time to put on these events, but it’s always worth it.”

Students could discover, learn about and connect with group representatives from City College's resource centers and student-led clubs at Unity Day. San Francisco, Calif. September 25, 2024. Photo by Kyra Young/The Guardsman.

Ballot Beat: Candidates Julio Ramos, Ben Kaplan, and Aliya Chisti Outline Strategies for a Sustainable City College

On Nov. 5 San Franciscans will choose four of eight candidates to join Trustees Vick Van Chung, Anita Martinez, and Susan Solomon for four-year terms on the Community College Board.

For this issue, The Guardsman interviewed the three remaining candidates, concluding the Ballot Beat series, covering all eight candidates for the Community College Board. Julio Ramos laid out a specific three-part analysis of what he believes should be the college’s priorities, as well as some novel strategies for increasing enrollment. Ben Kaplan described his strategy for rapidly increasing enrollment by improving student outreach and outcomes. Aliya Chisti outlined her priorities for a second term, as well as what she views as some key accomplishments from her first: the elimination of student debt and prioritization of underrepresented equity student populations.

Julio Ramos

Julio Ramos is in a unique position, he is the only candidate who has already served on the Community College Board, but is not an incumbent. Describing his consecutive terms from 2000-08 as “seminal experiences,” Ramos recalled acclimating to his role in government and helping to establish facilities at the Mission and Chinatown campuses.

He described the personal impacts that community college access has had on his family. His mother, who immigrated to the United States with his father, obtained a high school diploma and then an associate of arts through a community college program which helped her to secure a job with the county. “That really materially changed my family,” said Ramos, adding “she had a really good job and it was … a concrete benefit that we all received indirectly and directly.” His brother is a City College transfer, currently working on a PhD in linguistics after having completed a BA program at UC Santa Cruz.

In addition to being a former City College Trustee, Julio Ramos, a graduate of Columbia University, has been practicing law for over 20 years, and is the principal and owner of the Law Offices of Julio J. Ramos, focused on consumer class action and land use cases.

Broadly speaking, Ramos’ priorities for the college can be broken down into three overlapping areas: engaging stakeholders to explore overlooked avenues for funding, protecting Free City, and addressing the budget.

City College, Ramos said, needs a meeting of stakeholders “to really look at student success metrics and really implement them.” He is referring to changes to the state funding formula, known as the Student Centered Funding Formula (SCFF), which changed the mechanisms by which funding is allocated by the state. “The college can't just rely on the state legislature bailing out City College or grandfathering in funding mechanisms.”

Breaking down the formula, Ramos said there are two areas where City College could be doing more: the SCFF’s equity and success metrics. The first is measured by the number of students receiving financial aid, the second on degrees, certificates, transfers, and employment attainment. He advocates for a board-led discussion, involving AFT 2121, SIEU 1021, administrators, sponsors, and elected officials on improving the college’s efforts in these areas.

He said that narrowing the college’s focus to addressing

the third component of the formula, increasing the state’s base allocation by bringing up enrollment, leaves resources on the table that could help both the college’s funding prospects as well as the students it currently serves.

Without such a discussion among stakeholders, Ramos said, City College faces “an endless cycle of crisis after crisis, going to the voters for parcel tax, going to the voters for assistance, going to the board of supervisors for more help.”

One of his other major priorities is preserving Free City, which he described as “a lifeline.” Ramos would like to see Free City become a permanent fixture in the city’s budget, for the city to acknowledge that there is a segment of the population “who want to study and who want to advance and who want to live in San Francisco, want to have a family in San Francisco,” but, given the current state of the city’s cost of living, will only be able to by translating an education into a well-paying job.

In his view, the city ought to support this population, which includes parents, full-time employees, and first generation college students, “as a matter of right or as a matter of duty.”

Finally, Ramos said City College needs to adopt a more proactive approach for its budget. Rather than “wishing and hoping and brinkmanship,” Ramos said the college would do better to make a case for itself to the state, backed up by “facts and figures,” as well as exploring the aforementioned success and equity angles.

In addition to these central items, Ramos suggested placing a greater emphasis on concurrent enrollment, streamlining financial aid access and increasing enrollment by improving outreach to San Francisco’s high schools, and seeking accreditation for City College to award bachelor of arts degrees for certain fields, particularly in legal and medical fields.

He also made a point to highlight the need for the college to create campus housing. “It’s a natural fit,” Ramos said, “given the uniqueness of the real estate market in San Francisco and the really high cost of living … it's in the interest of the college to provide housing.”

In the future, Julio Ramos would like to see City College at the “pinnacle” of AI and biotech teaching, “at the cutting edge of the innovative industries that are here already in Northern California … a feeder for those industries.”

Ben Kaplan

Ben Kaplan has been involved in higher education for more

than 25 years, and is currently enrolled at City College, pursuing a Diversity and Social Justice Certificate.

His book, How to Go to College Almost for Free, he said he wrote with the aim of “helping students pay for college, find scholarships and free money, [and] get more financial aid.” After experiencing himself not knowing how he would pay for college, he put together “two dozen scholarships worth $90,000,” enough to attend Harvard University for free.

He published his book in 2001 and over the next decade he said he spoke at over 100 schools each year about how to pay for college. From there Kaplan was hired by universities and organizations to grow enrollment and reach out to students, including UCLA, Texas A&M, Eastern New Mexico University, and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.

He decided to run for the Community College Board because he sees his experience in helping students and colleges meet each other's needs as well suited to City College’s current moment and the challenges it faces.

Broadly, Kaplan’s plan for improving the college’s enrollment is two-pronged: personalizing student outreach and developing partnerships that provide employment opportunities.

In his view, City College’s outreach is not optimized, colleges that he has seen do well with their marketing “separate different types of students into different tracks that get communications and outreach that are personalized.” He provided examples of tracks wherein a prospective student might receive communications specific to ESL programs, transferring to a four year institution, or receiving vocational training.

Commenting on City College’s current strategy of sending out its entire course catalog, Kaplan said, “Not only is that probably not a great expenditure, just in terms of cost, but it's not the best mailing they could do.”

The other prong, Kaplan said, “is that positive student outcomes, and marketing those outcomes is directly related to enrollment growth.”

By way of example he offered UCSF, a major employer in San Francisco and the Bay Area overall. This year UCSF acquired Saint Francis Memorial Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center. “They need medical practice coordinators, medical assistants, radiology technologists, phlebotomy technicians,” Kaplan said, adding, “if we had a great pipeline … it's a great way to attract students.”

He recommended applying this logic to every field the college serves, developing a network of pipelines and partnerships to create more robust student employment opportunities.

He also advocated for emulating some strategies used by rural colleges to connect students with local industries. Kaplan cited Walla Walla Community College in Washington with its programs designed for entry into the burgeoning wine industry and South Dakota Lake Area Technical College’s accelerated nursing program.

The role of the Community College Board in this regard is, Kaplan said, as “a bully pulpit, to shine a light on where there could be more partnerships.”

Kaplan described himself as a strong supporter of Free City, and believes that it “should be a model for the entire state of California.” A key aspect of protecting the program from budget restrictions sought by the city, according to the candidate, is a swift increase in enrollment to “show those are not underutilized funds.”

Free City is important to Kaplan as an advocate for affordable college, but it also represents greater access to two rising demographics. “The first is students over the age of 40 … and the second is dual enrolled high school students,” Kaplan said. Limiting Free City to transfer students, as has been suggested, would hamper access to City College for “the two fastest growing” demographics.

A 2023 report by National Student Clearinghouse Research Center seems to confirm this, at least where dual enrollment is concerned, with an 8% increase from fall 2022 to spring 2023.

Given that City College is “in a fantastic and really livable city, it has some of the largest employers in the world,” with an “inclusive, accepting, creative energy,” Kaplan said, “by the 100 year anniversary, we absolutely could be the best example in California, in the country, of what a community college could be and should be.”

"Candidate Ramos." Photo illustration by John Schneider/The Guardsman.
"Candidate Kaplan." Photo illustration by John Schneider/The Guardsman.
"Candidate Chisti." Photo illustration by John Schneider/The Guardsman.

One of two incumbent candidates, Aliya Chisti is the first Muslim person running for reelection in San Francisco because she is the first to be elected to any position in the city’s history.

A local San Franciscan with a bachelor's degree from UC Davis and a master’s degree from Colombia, Chisti has worked in New York City on school segregation, Washington D.C. on higher education for Senator Murray, and in North Macedonia as a Fulbright Scholar.

Elected in 2020 to the Community College Board, Chisti has prioritized financial accessibility, job training, and stabilizing the college’s budget. If she is reelected, Chisti said she plans to “build on the progress we’ve made, such as improving financial sustainability, increasing student access to resources, and enhancing support services.”

She said she draws on her own experience “growing up in a low-income household and benefiting from accessible education” to drive her to seek support and resources for students.

Chisti said she believes City College succeeds as an institution that is open to all, but that it has also “failed to close the opportunity gap,” that the board should be doing more for “historically underrepresented student populations” by increasing its focus on equity.

Citing her work as Chair of Student Success and Policy, Chisti pointed to resolutions “on student housing, stronger support for student parents, [and] increasing financial support for wraparound programs that support equity populations,”

but noted that there was more to be done.

As former Senior Analyst for the Free City College Program, Chisti said she supports Free City, that it is “a part of San Francisco’s social fabric.” However, she would like to see grant amounts increased with equity student populations in mind and increased access for “undocumented students and students experiencing housing insecurity.” She would also like to see changes made to the current system which charges students fees for dropping classes after the deadline.

In terms of governing policies, specifically those that must be addressed by March 2025 in response to a warning issued by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Chisti said she “advocated for the creation of an ad hoc policy committee” to make improvements and to seek outside evaluation and recommendation on how best to proceed.

As part of addressing the ACCJC concerns, City College will have to include in its March Follow-Up Report its plans for long-range fiscal sustainability, that is, its long-term budget considerations. Chisti said this cannot be accomplished by the board alone, that it will need to “collaborate with student leaders, labor partners, and staff to find solutions for the best path forward,” acting as a “cohesive unit” to ably advocate for initiatives like Free City.

In a second term, Chisti said she would “continue to eliminate student debt for students,” in part by addressing many who have “holds” as a result of unpaid fees, prioritizing advocacy for equity populations and regulating the cost of attendance.

“City College is the People’s College,” Chisti said, “one of

the few community colleges that embodies the true purpose of education.” The college, she said, serves “students who wish to take a class for personal enrichment or to transfer to a 4-year, or who wish to learn a skill in the trades.” Institutions like City College, she concluded, “expand minds, build social networks, and provide a large public benefit that is often hard to capture in dollar-for-dollar approaches.”

Final Weeks

In less than a month, voters will cast their ballots for Community College Board representatives, and a host of other important local and federal positions and propositions. Turnout for the 2020 election was at a record high, according to the United States Census Bureau, suggesting civic participation is on an upward trajectory. Nov. 5, as with every local and national election, offers qualified voters an opportunity to engage in the nearly 250 year experiment of American democracy.

The candidates, each of which took the time to speak with The Guardsman on their platforms and qualifications, are as follows: Aliya Chisti, Ruth Ferguson, Ben Kaplan, Leanna Louie, Heather McCarty, Julio Ramos, Alan Wong, and Luis Zamora.

San Franciscans have a unique opportunity to weigh in on the direction of City College through the direct election of its governing body the Community College Board. With four seats in play, more than half of the board, the priorities of voters could have a greater impact on the future of City College, its Free City program and budgetary goals, and the trajectory of public higher education in San Francisco.

Snack Shelves and Food Cards Are Back as Part of City College’s Approach to Student Food Security

Snack Shelves and Food Cards are back for another semester as part of City College’s approach to student food security. Implemented by the Office of Student Equity, these programs are intended to provide students daily access to supplemental nutrition.

Snack Shelves, stocked with free water and snacks like granola bars and fruit cups, are available across twelve departments at City College’s six campuses. Launched in late 2017, these shelves outlived the former RAM Food Market, a monthly produce and shelf-stable grocery distribution which was slowly discontinued after the pandemic.

Unlike Food Cards, which have certain eligibility requirements, Snack Shelves are available to the student body. All seven departments hosting Snack Shelves on Ocean Campus reported daily usage, with Sparkpoint Basic Needs Center and Queer Resource Center estimating more than 20 students per day.

“When you look at our data from check-ins, Snack Shelves are the most requested option,” said Katie Dalla, Queer Resource Center Coordinator. “With half the funding from the college and the other half from us for this specific service, we’ve used it up.”

Snack Shelves can be accessed on Ocean Campus at SparkPoint Basic Needs Center, Guardian Scholars and Homeless at Risk Transitional Students, Women’s Resource Center, UMOJA / African American Scholastic Programs, City

Dream, Queer Resource Center, or Link Center. Resources are also available on the five satellite campuses: Chinatown/North Beach, Downtown, Evans Center, John Adams, and Mission. To receive food, students are asked to sign in using their CCSF app or ID as supply is limited to two snacks per day to ensure fair distribution.

“I’ve seen the difference. Sometimes, students are tired and need a pick me up before a test,” said Carlos Webster, UMOJA/African American Scholastic Programs New Student Counselor. “Students come around during midterms and finals for extra energy. They can come in, check in, get some water, and go through the variety of snacks we have.”

Food Cards, on the other hand, are an income-based approach to college hunger, allowing eligible students to purchase hot meals at campus eateries or groceries at Safeway. To obtain a Food Card, students need to complete a FAFSA application,

SparkPoint Orientation and Welcome Form, and Food Card application, as well as be enrolled in at least six semester units or two noncredit courses and without a BA/BS or higher.

“The process was easy. I filled out a few things online, and after a couple days, I got an email that my card is ready for pickup,” said Noah Chang, Biology student. “Spending my own personal money to purchase campus food seemed a little expensive. Now that I’ve gotten help, it all feels a little less overwhelming.”

Food insecurity at City College could reflect larger trends across California. In a 2017 survey done by English Professor Jen Levinson, 41 percent of 1,088 students reported suffering from moderate food insecurity, while 20 percent extreme food insecurity.

Statewide, as of Aug. 2024, over 3 million households are considered to have unstable access to nutritional food, according to the California Association of Food Banks. Of those, at least 1 million were households with children. The figures were especially stark for communities of color, with36 percent of African American households and 31 percent of Latin American households lacking adequate food security.

In recent years, college hunger has become a growing focus for food justice organizations. Feeding America food banks now operate 316 pantries and 124 mobile pantry distributions on college campuses across the nation, while bringing awareness to the impacts of food insecurity on education.

Students facing food insecurity are advised to visit SparkPoint Basic Needs Center, Student Health, CalWORKs, Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS), and Family Resource Center (FRC) for eligibility and application assistance to CalFresh, California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Snack shelves in the science building aim to serve students. Photo by Bob Kinoshita/The Guardsman.
Snack shelves located inside the SparkPoint office in the Science building helps to meet food needs of students. Photo by Bob Kinoshita/ The Guardsman.

Acclaimed Photographer Reveals the Dark Side of Philippine Prisons

When Rick Rocamora left the Philippines in 1972, he didn’t have a camera with him or any plans to work as a photographer. Like many other Filipinos, he fled the country, fearing the impacts of martial law declared by President Ferdinand Marcos, which allowed detentions without trial or charges. Little did he know that injustices against the incarcerated population would become a significant part of his work as an award-winning photographer in the future.

The exhibit Bursting at the Seams – inside Philippine Detention Centers features 16 black-and-white photographs portraying the conditions faced by men and women in overcrowded detention centers across the country. “I visited several facilities between 2011 and 2016 and even spent nights in jail to ensure I could capture all possible variations of mood, light, and environment,” said Rocamora about the show being featured for the first time in the United States.

Aware of the suffering of the incarcerated population, the Supreme Court of the Philippines started looking for volunteers to document the reality of many detention centers across the country. The efforts would be part of a bigger plan to promote judicial reform programs prioritizing human rights.

Rocamora was the photographer selected to do the job.

According to Juan Gonzales, City College's Journalism Department Chair, the exhibit's opening night on Wednesday, Sept. 25, attracted more than 60 visitors. Members of both City College and Filipino communities attended the event.

They had the opportunity to hear Rocamora speak in person about the challenges of

documenting so many human rights transgressions, using just his lens and natural light: he doesn’t use resources like zoom or flash to make his photos. “It’s illegal to have inmates in isolation, but they do it anyway,” explained Rocamora, pointing to a photo of a young man behind bars by himself.

“I am from the Philippines, and I was arrested in 1978. A catholic bishop bailed me out. The prison system there ignores everything about our human nature, and these photos perfectly capture the prisoner’s emotions,” said Daz Lamparas, a retired union leader.

Many of the individuals Rocamora photographed for this project were still waiting for a trial. They’re caught in a system with controversial rules, held as suspects of crimes they may or may not have committed. “It’s not uncommon to find cases where, even if convicted, the person walks free only after receiving their sentence. The time they spend waiting for that sentence far exceeds the punishment itself,” Rocamora said.

“What I see in these images, in conjugation with situations I can’t help imagining, like weather-related discomforts or feelings of despair, make me question how it’s possible to tolerate such abuses,” said Ingrid Evans, a local resident who attended the opening with her sister, a City College student. “Everyone who cares about justice and basic human needs must see this exhibit.”

Bursting at the Seams, a solo exhibit by Rick Rocamora

Front Page Gallery – Free admission

CCSF Journalism Department

50 Frida Kahlo Way, Bungalow 615

(below George M. Rush Stadium)

Hours: Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Contact: (415) 517-4426 / acciongonzo@gmail.com

Demolition Plans Advance for Abandoned 200 Bungalows

The 200 Bungalows have been fully abandoned on campus since 2020, and plans to demolish them are finally moving forward. A contractor is being bid on to evaluate and remove hazardous materials.

While four of the buildings have been abandoned since 2020, others were abandoned previously. All services such as the Queer Resource Center have been moved to other buildings on campus, and the bungalows are currently used as storage. This past summer, a fire started in between the bungalows; although there was no major damage to the buildings, the fire did affect a 15-year-old art project being stored in the bungalows, along with some art supplies. This art project consists of statues with wooden bases made of papier mache that were left around campus with small plaques.

Since the incident, debris from the fire has sat outside the bungalows; however, plans are in motion to remove and clean up the area. As for the bungalows themselves, a demolition plan has existed for quite some time, and the facilities committee plans to complete the demolition by the spring semester.

According to Facilities Committee Chair Alberto Vasquez, the project is estimated to cost $950,000. This cost only covers the demolition and does not include the necessary evaluation

for a contractor to check for and remove hazardous materials before the demolition.

Examples of hazardous materials are Lead, asbestos, and lighting ballasts which could contain either mercury – if the lights are fluorescent – or Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs are “a group of man-made organic chemicals consisting of carbon, hydrogen and chlorine atoms”. They must be removed carefully before demolition due to their harmful effects on the skin or if inhaled.

Another impediment to the demolition is the potential of critical infrastructure, such as water pipes underneath the ground. However, any facilities underneath would be shut off before and during demolition to prevent damage to surrounding areas. The space surrounding the bungalows will also be fenced off with construction barriers for student safety.

Once the demolition is completed, the area will be converted into a parking lot to address the need for increased parking on campus due to the upcoming Balboa Project. This project aims to turn the reservoir behind the Multi-Use Building and the future Creative Arts and Sciences Building into a public space. The Balboa Project is intended to be finished by midyear in 2025, and more information about the project can be found on their website.

As for the 200 Bungalows, they will continue to be a topic in future meetings of the facilities committee. For further updates, the next facilities commission meeting will be held on October 28 on Zoom. The link for the meeting can be found on the Facilities Committee webpage.

Photojournalist Rick Rocamora reviews photos for the photo exhibit, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. Photo by Bob Kinoshita/The Guardsman.
Award-winning documentary photographer Rick Rocamora (L) and Journalism Department Chair Juan Gonzales (R) at City College for Rick’s photo exhibit depicting the Philippines detention centers overcrowding conditions, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in San Francisco. Photo by Bob Kinoshita/The Guardsman
Rick Rocamora (far right) discusses how he captured many of the photos in his effort to show the overcrowding conditions of the prisons in the Philippines, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024 at City College, San Francisco.
Photo by Bob Kinoshita/The Guardsman.

Trump's Violent Rhetoric is Opening a Can of Worms

I

’m tired of President Trump's irresponsible rhetoric, I miss the days of mild-tempered Republicans and it's obviously backfiring on the guy. In all honesty, I have chuckled at some of Trump’s one-liners – he’s an entertaining prick –but in the realm of politics, being a prick isn't very good for the country. I hate to admit it, but if he had a stadium comedy show, I’d be first in line for all the bullshit he’d spew. Growing up as a lower middle-class suburbanite, I was removed from the political/social correctness of the city. I’ve had moments of bursting out in laughter at some of Trump's comments simply because of how outlandish or funny they are – for instance, when

by Isis Cordova/The Guardsman

he called Elizabeth Warren “Pocahontas”. Another one was claiming he had a bigger nuclear missile button than Kim Jong Un, it’s just so absurd you’d think the quote came from a movie like Dr. Strange Love.

I don't blame President Trump and his actions for every threat made by individuals; however, leaders have to set a precedent for their rhetoric. Political violence is on the rise and setting an example is important.In a press release, the United States Capitol Police stated, “In 2023, the USCP’s Threat Assessment Section (TAS) investigated 8,008 cases. That number includes investigations into concerning statements and direct threats.”He has the responsibility to control his rhetoric the way career politicians do. He’s not on TheApprentice set, nor turning heel with Vince McMahon on Wrestlemania.

Have Your Say: Are You Voting This Election?

Dear Editor,

“I think this November, I’m not really sure about whether or not I should vote yet because I still gotta’ look at all of the policies and what the candidates are addressing, and you know, what they’re actually going to do. And I don't know, politics is really messy right now so I think it requires a lot of time and thinking into these and as a student I have a lot on my plate already so, I don't know if I will have time to just think all that over and process it and make that decision..”

Isabella Wu, A.S. in Science Pre-Nursing

“I will be voting in November's election because I feel like as a young voter it is my sole responsibility to steer the direction of this country in a time of vitriol and turmoil and political vitriol and turmoil and misinformation and I feel like young people, have a say, have a equal opportunity say in, in politics as much as any other person, and so I feel like, yeah my vote is as important as everybody else's so I should vote.”

Miguel Magaipo, Computer Science

“I can not vote in November, sadly, unfortunately. If I could, I would vote because I think it is the most important election for a lot of people, especially immigrants and for the country I am from, which is Ukraine.”

Kirill Mandra, Student

“For now I believe I won't be voting in November due to not feeling secure if our vote even counts or if our votes are even not disturbed once dropped in the bulletin [ballot box] where you drop it off. I would like to feel or believe that they are secured and hopefully by November I might change my mind, because I do believe that our vote is our voice and our voice is our vote to make changes. So, my biggest concern is how secure are our votes to make an impact of change.”

Brenda Matteoni, Student Worker at UMOJA representing the African American Community

“I do not plan on voting this term because first and foremost both of the candidates I don't like. Period.”

Elijah Watson, Film 4th Semester

Letter to the Editor

When the world shut down during the COVID pandemic, a new world opened for me at CCSF. CCSF’s online Cantonese classes allowed me to reconnect with my heritage and connect with other students who shared my struggles: we became a community, and CCSF became our home. Prof. Yu’s Zoom room became our sanctuary. This changed once CCSF ended its online Cantonese classes. We lost our home away from home — and not just us, but also working parents who can’t commute to attend CCSF classes in person and new Cantonesespeaking immigrants who used these classes as a

valuable English learning resource. CCSF cannot afford to lose us: online and part-time students are an effective solution to CCSF’s ongoing financial woes, many of whom are willing to pay to receive the educational experience they cherished over the pandemic. CCSF must act swiftly to save itself and save its students. One step toward that goal is reopening CCSF’s Cantonese classes to online students. CCSF cannot afford to turn its back on those who see it as a home away from home — or, to paraphrase a poem from my Mandarin class, those who “live long and share the moon’s beauty from afar.”

The Guardsman Guidelines for Submission of Letters to the Editor

While we welcome letters to the editor, please follow these guidelines to ensure publication:

• Letters should be limited to 200-300 words and will be edited for clarity.

• Letters must be submitted one week prior to publication.

• The editor reserves the right to decide which letters are published.

For questions about our publication deadlines, please email ghern140@mail.ccsf.edu or echiarut@mail.ccsf.edu.

All letters should be directed to Op-Ed Editor Isaac Ortiz at iortizdo@mail.ccsf.edu.

Illustration

From CCSF Rams to the Big Leagues: The NFL Adventures of Anthony Gordon and Easop Winston Jr.

Ever wonder what happens when two former community college football stars take on the NFL?

Picture this: a quarterback with a cannon for an arm and a wide receiver with hands like glue, both looking to go from the junior college field to the professional stage. It sounds like the plot of a sports movie, right? But this isn't a Hollywood script—it’s the real-life story of Anthony Gordon and Easop Winston Jr.

These two CCSF Rams turned NFL hopefuls have gone from dodging student parking tickets to dodging blitzing linebackers and overzealous defensive backs. Their journey proves that sometimes the road to the big leagues runs through late-night study sessions, cafeteria food, and a whole lot of perseverance. Spoiler alert: it involves a few broken records, many touchdowns, and the occasional “I-can’t-believe-I-made-it” moment. Buckle up because this story is one for the highlight reel!

Anthony Gordon: From CCSF to the Seattle Seahawks

Anthony Gordon’s journey is a testament to perseverance and hard work. After a stellar high school career at Terra Nova High School in Pacifica, California, Gordon joined CCSF in 2015. During his time with the Rams, Gordon showcased his talent as a quarterback, throwing for over 3,800 yards and 38 touchdowns in his lone season. His performance caught the attention of several Division I programs, ultimately earning him a scholarship to Washington State University.

At Washington State, Gordon had to wait his turn behind Gardner Minshew, but he seized the opportunity when it came. In his senior year, Gordon broke multiple school records, passing for 5,579 yards and 48 touchdowns, leading the nation in passing yards. His impressive stats and poise in the pocket led to buzz around his NFL potential.

Despite not being selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, Gordon’s talent did not go unnoticed. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks. While he has yet to see regular-season action, Gordon’s preseason performances have shown glimpses of his potential. He remains on the radar as a promising backup quarterback with a chance to develop further in the league.

Easop Winston Jr.: A Journey of Resilience

Easop Winston Jr.’s path to the NFL began at CCSF. A graduate of Serra High School in San Mateo, California, Winston faced academic eligibility challenges that initially hindered his collegiate prospects. He found a second chance at CCSF, where he thrived as a wide receiver.

In his two seasons with the Rams, Winston became a reliable target, recording 71 receptions for 1,171 yards and 12 touchdowns. His performance earned him a spot at Washington State University, where he reconnected with Gordon to form a dynamic duo. In his senior year, Winston caught 85 passes for 970 yards and 11 touchdowns, solidifying his reputation as a sure-handed receiver with excellent route-running ability.

Like Gordon, Winston went undrafted but signed with the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent in 2020. After a stint on the practice squad, he joined the New Orleans Saints in 2021. In his first NFL game, Winston made the most of his opportunity, catching a 35-yard touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles. He continues to fight for a spot on the active roster, showcasing his resilience and determination.

For both Gordon and Winston, the journey has been anything but easy. The path from junior college to the NFL is challenging and often filled with setbacks. Yet, their stories are a testament to the power of perseverance and belief in oneself.

As Gordon looks to secure a more permanent role in the NFL, and Winston continues to chase his dream of becoming a regular contributor on Sundays. They both inspire current CCSF athletes. Their journeys remind us that while the road may be tough, hard work and resilience can lead to success, no matter where you start.

City College of San Francisco has a proud tradition of producing top-tier football talent, and Anthony Gordon and Easop Winston Jr. are prime examples. While their NFL careers are still in the early stages, their determination and commitment to their craft are undeniable. CCSF, their families, and the community will watch closely as they continue to chase their dreams and represent their roots on the biggest stage.

TOUGH

LOSS

Rams Lose 43-35 to Wolverines in Late Comeback Drive

The Rams were eager for the chance at their first win of the 2024 football season on Saturday night, Oct. 5. City College of San Francisco had just scored a 50-yard touchdown with 4:35 left, making it an eight-point game.

Running back Daytuawn Pearson said he believed in his defense to make the stop and get him back on the field so the offense could send the game to overtime. But with no timeouts left and an unsportsmanlike penalty to give host Sierra College Wolverines an automatic first down as the clock ticked below 4 minutes, the air went out.

“It was demoralizing,” quarterback Christian Banks said.

The 43-35 loss to the Wolverines (2-3) ended a winless pre-conference campaign for the Rams (0-5) on Saturday. CCSF has a bye week before hosting San Joaquin Delta College (0-5) on Oct. 19 at 1 p.m.

In the five games before conference play, the Rams were outscored 155-111 by teams with a combined 16-8 record. Conference opponents are a combined 12-11.

“We’re gonna ice, rest and get back to basics,” interim coach Eduardo Nuño said.

Perhaps the most basic would be self-inflected penalties. The Rams were warned and then penalized twice for sideline interference while the offense was within its own red zone.

Our offense moved the ball, unfortunately, we ran out of time

The running game kept the Rams optimistic most of the night, culminating in a big pass toward the end of the game.

Pearson and Banks combined for 322 of the Rams’ 336 rushing yards, with a rushing touchdown apiece. Running back Richard “Juice” Washington also had two one-yard touchdown runs.

Banks finished his game with that one 50-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Aden Jackson, which made up almost half of his 110 yards on 6-18 attempts. Banks came in after Eric Waugh left the game after going 2-4 for 35 yards and a lost fumble.

“Christian came in, stepped up, did a great job,” Nuño said.

The big play came after the CCSF and Sierra offenses traded threeand-out possessions. Banks stepped into the pocket to find Jackson in the middle of the field, who found the end zone with 4:35 left.

Coming out of the Rams’ last called timeout one play after the ensuing kickoff, Sierra quarterback Maddox Varella found wide receiver Dontae Robinson for a short 2-yard completion on a screen pass, setting up a third down-and-eight from Sierra’s 27-yard line.

However, freshman defensive back Nah’shon Geeston-Vick was flagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty after the play – his second, which disqualified him from the rest of the game and the next - giving Sierra a first down at the 42-yard line and the Rams no way to stop the clock.

“It hurts as a teammate,” Pearson said. “I felt we had a chance at that game.” Varella and Robinson were a tough combination to stop all night. Varella was 24-33 for 292 yards and four touchdowns, including his longest of 65 yards to Robinson who took it down the left side of the field off the CCSF sideline and broke tackles by Rams Chikala Warden and Kalique Cheeves.

Robinson finished with 153 yards on 10 catches. Sebastian Sutton had two touchdowns and Favor Pitts had one for the Wolverines.

“Sierra did a great job on offense,” Nuño said. “Our offense moved the ball, unfortunately, we ran out of time.”

San Joaquin Delta goalie makes a save in the game against the City College Rams. The Rams had 11 shots on goal and scored three times to defeat the San Joaquin Delta Mustangs 3 - 0.

Women's Soccer Team Shuts Out

San Joaquin 3-0

Ram teammates Amaya Jarzombek (L) and Chelsea Sandoval (23) (R) celebrate after scoring a goal in the second half against the visiting San Joaquin Delta Mustangs. Rams Chelsea Sandoval(23) scored the third goal of the game with an assist from Amaya Jarzombek (11).

Rams Win Shootout 16-11

Rams Sydney Grundland Lanuza(15) takes a shot on goal against the San Joaquin Delta Mustangs. Sydney scored a goal in the second half with an assist from Catherine Cordova Bobadilla.
Rams Paige Pineda-Aliamus (16) moves the ball past the San Joaquin Delta defender in the first half.
Photography by Bob Kinoshita/ The Guardsman
Rams Keianna Pineda (6) takes a shot on goal in the second half against the visiting Ohlone College Renegades. Keianna made a team high five goals as the Rams beat the Ohlone Renegades 16 – 11.
Rams Serawit Ezra (7) takes a shot on goal in the second half against the visiting Ohlone Renegades. Serawit scored three goals in the game against the Ohlone College Renegades.
Rams Head Coach Phong Pham diagrams a play during a break in the second half of the match against the visiting Ohlone College Renegades.
Rams Goalie Shanagh Dely (1) blocks a shot on goal from the visiting Ohlone Renegades.
Photography by Bob Kinoshita/ The Guardsman

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