The Guardsman, Vol 178, Issue 5, City College of San Francisco
The Guardsman Guide to Propositions in San Francisco
By Juliana Parente parente.juliana@gmail.com
San Francisco is a complex city, and the 2024 election ballot reflects that complexity: voters are tasked with deciding on 15 propositions covering issues like business taxes, reproductive rights, funding for healthcare facilities, and school building improvements. Of the 296 pages in the Voter Information Pamphlet (the brochure sent to registered voters), 222 are dedicated to Local Ballot Measures.
“I believe the proposition system encourages more people to participate in political decisions. The problem is the biased information that some inattentive voters rely on,” said Omar Aguilar, an ESL student at City College. Melina Markarian, a photography student at City College, shares a similar opinion. “I appreciate having a direct say on local matters, and people forget how much those decisions impact our lives compared to federal ones.”
While there’s no limit to the number of propositions that can be added to the ballot, restrictions apply to the qualification process. For initiatives, supporters have 180 days to gather signatures from 5% of the number of voters who participated in the last governor’s election – just over 546,600 signatures, according to the California Secretary of State’s Statement of Vote. Propositions K, L, M, N and O on the upcoming ballot followed this process.
Other types of proportions include legislative measures to amend the California Constitution or change a previous proposition. Bond measures, which approve long-term, low-interest debt, also require propositions. Additionally, voters can overturn legislative decisions through a protest referendum.
Propositions and the Rule of Law “In general, political scientists who study
California’s proposition system believe it undermines democracy because it’s misleading,” said Sarah Hill, an associate professor of political science at Cal State Fullerton. The proposition system originated in the 1900s as part of a political movement to give voters more power over businesses, which were seen as corrupt and buying political influence.
However, according to Professor Hill, the system doesn’t solve the problem. “You need millions of dollars to gather signatures in 180 days, and this work can’t be done by volunteers. After that, you need even more money to campaign for the proposition. This isn’t something done by the people for the people, but a tool of special interest groups and wealthy individuals to push their agendas onto the ballot,” she said.
How could the system be changed? Ironically, it would require a proposition to amend the California Constitution and end the current system.
In the meantime, Professor Hill offers advice for making informed decisions about the 15 propositions facing San Francisco voters this year. “First, investigate who is behind each proposition and their motivations. Check endorsements from groups you trust, and don’t rely solely on the materials you receive by mail. If you read the fine print, there’s no guarantee that their claim is accurate.”
A Look Back in History California’s system, which allows members of the public to propose measures for the ballot, has been in place since 1911. According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which reviews the Governor’s annual budget, more than 1,700 initiatives have been submitted over the last century, with about one-fifth qualifying for the ballot.
Through Rick Rocamora’s Lens: A Story of Art, Advocacy, and Social Justice
By Juliana Parente parente.juliana@gmail.com
Learning a new skill often leads artists to seek inspiration from well-established partners. For any aspiring documentary photographer, words of encouragement from the legendary African American photographer Gordon Parks would be a dream come true. “I met Gordon Parks in Washington D.C. and showed him some of my photos. He said they were good and encouraged me to continue,” recalled Filipino award-winning photographer Rick Rocamora.
That encounter was a turning point. At the time, photography was only a hobby to Rocamora –something he dabbled with a single-lens reflex (SLR) a friend had given him. But from that moment, a life seen and experienced through the lens of a camera started to take shape.
The choice required boldness. Rocamora would eventually leave behind a six-figure annual income, business-class trips, and many perks of his successful career as a salesman in the pharmaceutical industry.
The San Francisco Public Library offers an archive with the full text of San Francisco ballot propositions dating back to 1907. It also provides links to digitized PDF versions of election pamphlets, complete with summaries, results, and descriptions of each proposition. Propositions continued on page 3
ASCO Presents Paint a Tote Event at Ram Plaza
By Joan Walsh jwalsh14@mail.ccsf.edu
The Ram Plazaon the Ocean campus was filled with colorful designs as the Paint a Tote event took place on Wednesday, Oct. 2. The event, which ran for two hours in the morning, was put on by the Associated Students Council Ocean (ASCO), which provided free tote bags, paint, brushes,
Tote event continued on page 5
Rick Rocamora continued on page 5
Illustration by Cindy Chan/The Guardsman.
Nick Winstead paints a colorful tote on October 21 2024. Photo by Joan Walsh/The Guardsman.
A book by Rick Rocamora, “America’s Second-Class Veterans”. Photo by Bob Kinoshita/The Guardsman.
Staff
Co-Editor-in-Chief
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Elena Chiaruttini
News Editor
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Feature Editor
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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
Nick Mueller
Tiffany Sainz
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Rachel Church
Illustrators
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David Thomas
Production
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Juan Gonzales jagonzal@ccsf.edu
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Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Go Head to Head: Play-by-Play of the 2024 Vice Presidential Debate
By Gabrielle Chagniot gchagniot@gmail.com
On Oct. 1st, 2024, Republican Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, took to the debate stage in New York City for the only vice presidential debate this election cycle.
The moderators of the debate, Norah O’Donnell from CBS Evening News and Margaret Brennan from “Face the Nation,” started off by asking the candidates if they would support or oppose a preemptive strike by Israel on Iran. Walz mentioned Oct. 7, 2023, making it clear he thinks Israel has a fundamental right to defend itself and get back their hostages. However, he stated that he would like to see an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
When Vance was asked the same question, he said, “It is up to Israel what they think they need to do to keep their country safe. And we should support our allies wherever they are when they're fighting the bad guys.”
They discussed climate change and Hurricane Helene. Vance said that he and Trump support clean air and water, and a safer environment. Walz mentioned that Trump had previously called climate change a hoax, a comment Vance couldn’t defend. Walz said that he and Kamala Harris will produce more natural gas and more clean energy, just as she and Joe Biden have done.
O’Donnell and Brennan next introduced the topic of immigration and reminded the candidates that it’s a top issue on voters' minds. Vance then claimed that fentanyl is coming into the country because of “illegal immigrants.” Brennan asked about Trump’s intention to carry out the largest deportation plan in American history, and Vance said that he and Trump would use the military to do this. Vance also supports continuing to build the US/Mexican border wall. He would first deport “criminal migrants” and make it harder for other immigrants to undercut the wages of American workers. Vance also said that Trump’s border policies will be good for everyone.
Walz said that opioid abuse is a problem in this country but that in the last year, there has been a large decrease in opioid deaths. He also noted that Harris is the only person in the race who prosecuted transnational gangs for human trafficking and drug interventions. Walz made the case that Congress had a bill ready to be signed to deal with illegal immigration, but Trump, along with other Republicans like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, stopped it. Trump urged congressional Republicans to reject the bipartisan border security bill because he thought it would be bad for him politically. “Trump dehumanizes people,” Walz said.
Before joining Trump’s campaign, Vance called Trump’s immigration plan “so unworkable that it was laughable.” Walz said Harris would sign into law any bill that humanely deals with the immigrant crisis.
The candidates discussed the topic of housing. According to Vance, housing is unaffordable because millions of “illegal migrants” are competing with Americans for scarce homes, and he intends to evict them and seize their homes.
Walz felt immigrants were being blamed unfairly for everything and spoke of a bill to process asylum claims within ninety days for those who need it, rather than the seven years it takes now.
Regarding inflation, Harris promises a $25,000 down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers and a $10,000 credit. The Harris Walz ticket also promises to build 3 million new houses.
O’Donnell said that Harris unveiled a plan that includes billions in tax cuts for manufacturing and housing and a renewed child tax credit. She asked Walz how he and Harris would pay for it without contributing to the deficit. He said they propose building three million new houses with down payment assistance. He wants tax credits to go to the middle class, and to also give businesses help getting started.
Walz also mentioned Trump’s plan by saying that “Trump gave tax cuts that mostly went to the wealthy. Now because of this, an $8 trillion increase [in the federal deficit] has occurred. Trump is now proposing a 20% consumption sales tax. This would destabilize businesses and increase inflation which could possibly lead to a recession.”
O’Donnell let viewers know that The Wharton School has analyzed Trump’s economic plan and says it would increase the nation's deficit by $5.8 trillion dollars. When asked how Vance and Trump would pay for it without further contributing to the nation’s deficit, he said that Trump has common sense before adding that some of Harris’s plans sounded good.
Walz rebutted that when Harris and Biden came into office, they had to clean up Trump’s “Covid mess” and that Trump’s failure on Covid led to the economy's collapse.
Walz also said that Trump thinks he knows everything and has all the answers, when actually it’s important to listen to the advice of economists, scientists, national security advisors, etc. Vance refuted this by saying that experts could be wrong sometimes and therefore can’t be trusted. Vance doesn’t think we will fix various problems with the advice of experts but rather by listening to Trump.
The moderators asked about leadership qualifications. O’Donnell and Brennan asked the VP candidates if each one was prepared to tell their running mate the advice and recommendations he or she needed to know, not just the advice he or she wanted to hear. Neither VP candidate directly answered the question. Walz said that he is committed to making sure that he’s there for the people.
Vance however, in 2016, called Trump unfit for the Nation’s highest office and that he could be America’s Hitler. He also disparaged Trump’s economic record while in office. He said there were many areas, such as tariffs, that Trump could have improved upon when he was president. Vance also praised Biden by saying that Biden continued some of the Trump tariffs that protected manufacturing jobs.”
Walz mentioned how proud Trump is for having overturned Roe v Wade. On reproductive choice, Walz said that women should be in charge of their own healthcare and that doctors should not have to fear arrest and prosecution. Citing Trump’s project 2025, Walz argued the plan would “more difficult if not impossible to get contraception.”
Vance responded by saying that “his party” needed to do a better job of earning American’s trust back on the issue. He is in favor of letting each individual state make the decision to allow abortions. When he was running for the senate in 2022, Vance supported a federal ban on abortion after fifteen weeks, saying that “if someone can’t support legislation, you are making the US the most barbaric pro-abortion regime anywhere in the entire world.”
Harris has plans to reinstate Roe v Wade, to which Walz added that it “doesn’t preclude us from increasing funding for children.”
Gun violence was also discussed, particularly
about whether or not to hold responsible and prosecute the parents of teen shooters. Vance favors trusting local law enforcement and local authorities to make that decision. Walz answered by saying that Harris, as attorney general, worked on this issue. He also said in Minnesota, they have reinforced red flag laws and enhanced background checks.
Regarding healthcare, Vance defended Trump’s comments regarding having “concepts of a plan” and touted his introduction of hospital price transparency requirements. Walz said that he was there when the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was created and explained why it was important to him. Adding that Harris “will protect and enhance the ACA,” and more people will be covered. Walz also said that Trump was unsuccessful in his attempt to repeal the ACA. Vance didn’t answer the question about protecting and insuring people with preexisting conditions.
Both candidates were asked how much time and money should employers be required to give their employees on maternity or paternity leave. Walz said child care is also a top priority for Harris, and this is a negotiable issue between employers and employees. Vance saw this as a bipartisan issue and said we should have a family care model that makes the choice easier.
The last topic discussed before the closing statements was democracy. This was mainly directed toward Vance, as he has previously stated that he would not have certified the 2020 election and would have asked the states to submit alternative electors. The moderators reminded Vance that this would have been illegal and unconstitutional. He reminded the audience that Trump peacefully handed over power on Jan. 20, 2021, before pivoting the topic to what he believed was the real threat to democracy - censorship. When Vance accused Democrats of wanting to kick people off Facebook for saying that toddlers should not wear masks, Walz replied by saying, “Well, I don’t run Facebook.”
During closing statements, Walz stated that Harris provides a different option and a new direction. He said that democracy matters and that the economy can work for everyone. “Freedom really means something, not the freedom of government to be in your bedroom or exam room, but the freedom for you to make choices about yourself,” Walz said. He praised the Kamala Harris coalition, from Bernie Sanders to Taylor Swift, and claimed that she would bring real solutions for the middle class.
Vance began his statement by blaming Harris’s energy policies for making it less affordable for American families to heat their homes. He criticized Harris as vice president, saying that she caused grocery prices to go up and contributed to the streets being flooded with fentanyl. “We need change. We need a new direction,” Vance explained before endorsing the man who had already been president once before.
His closing statement was reminiscent of Trump’s in that he did not say what they would do for their country but instead used their time to criticize their opponent.
Sen. J.D. Vance and Gov. Tim Walz face off ahead of elections. Photo Illustration created by John Adkins/ The Guardsman
Propositions continued from page 1
Proposition’s Pathway
The process starts with a draft and ends with the measure's inclusion on the ballot—when that happens, it becomes a proposition.
Step 1 - Drafting the Proposal
Proponents draft the proposal or ask the Office of Legislative Counsel (which drafts statutes for legislators) for help.
Step 2 – Fiscal Review and Public Comment
The proponents submit the measure to the Attorney General, who will obtain a fiscal impact estimate from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Finance and post it for public comment.
Step 3 – Legislative Hearings
Once the proposal is submitted to the Attorney General, the legislature may (but is not required to) hold committee hearings on the measure. When the proponents gather 25% of the
required signatures, the legislature must hold at least one joint public hearing by appropriate Senate and Assembly committees.
Step 4 – Qualifying for the Ballot
Supporters have 180 days to gather 5% of the people who voted for governor in the last election—corresponding to more than 546,600 signatures in 2024. Once the proponents gather the required signatures, the Secretary of State verifies them and places the measure on the ballot. At this moment, it becomes a proposition.
Body Discovered on Ocean Campus Has Been Identified
By Kyra Young and John Adkins kyrajyoung@gmail.com; jradproduction@gmail.com
Warning: The following article contains mention of death, decay and anatomical detail.
San Francisco’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) has identified the body that was found on City College’s Ocean Campus back in July as Kevin Fobbs. He was 31 years old.
On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, Jorge Trigueros Hernandez, a groundskeeper at City College, was conducting a search for the source of a foul smell that had taken over the area of Cloud Circle in front of Batmale Hall. The smell had become increasingly unbearable throughout the week.
“Ever smell a dead rat stuck in the wall?” Dan Kelly, a supervisor for the buildings and grounds department, asked. “It smelled like that, times ten.”
“Jorge was on the scene first, then myself,” Kelly said, reflecting on the day. “We found the body that morning around ten, called the police, who then called the coroner and they pronounced him dead on the scene. They figured, based on the state of the body, that he’d been there for at least a week.”
Fobbs’s body was found on the ground beneath the bushes alongside a walking path behind Cloud Hall loading dock. He was wearing only black socks and a pair of orange pants. Emergency services were called and the fire department pronounced Fobbs dead on the scene – a jurisdiction the OCME accepted due to a decomposed decedent in public view.
“They asked us to clear away some brush to make it easier for them to extract the body. Then they rolled it onto a gurney and took it away probably by 1 p.m.,” Kelly said.
According to Veronica M. Vargo, an investigator with the OCME, Fobbs had no evidence or personal property found at the scene aside from a blue lighter with miscellaneous white powder in plastic attached at the end. Fobbs, originally listed as John Doe #159, was identified by fingerprint comparison after being taken into the OCME, which was further
confirmed by the San Francisco Police Department Identification Bureau. He was born on March 20, 1993, with no current fixed address. The OCME commenced a search for the legal next-of-kin to notify them of the death.
Fobbs’s body was found severely decomposed, with partial skeletonization of the torso and upper extremities – defined as when more than half of a dead organism’s skeletal elements are exposed, but with soft tissue still attached. The body also had a severe insect infection and lacked a number of organs in the torso as well as the aorta and eyes.
According to forensic entomology, blowflies are typically the first insects to arrive and lay eggs on a dead body, and the stage of growth their larvae are in is a determining factor of how long the body has been left undiscovered. The description of the flies that were on Fobb’s body matched the description of the blowfly and the eggs had already hatched and were in their larval stage of development as signified by the maggots visible in the body.
On Wednesday at 3:16 pm, just a couple hours after the body was retrieved from the site, Chancellor Mitch Bailey sent out an email notifying City College faculty of the body. However, the City College Police Department did not send out any “Timely Warning” or “Emergency Notification” to the campus community.
Students who heard about the body second-hand expressed concerns to the Guardsman that the campus community was not properly notified.
Chief of City College Police Department Mario Vasquez, who confirmed that he was responsible for issuing incident reports, was questioned as to why he did not issue an incident report to the campus community about the body. He quickly asserted that it “was not required.”
When contacted a second time to clarify why he deemed that an incident report was not required, he stated that it was not a Clery Crime and there were no students on campus at the time.
“I wanna make sure the campus community is safe first and foremost, I have no issue sending out timely incident reports, I knew there wasn't any threat to the campus community. The SFPD arrived and took care of it and once the body was removed that was it,” Mario Vasquez said.
No evidence has been found that suggests Kevin Fobbs was a former City College student.
Former City College Parking Lot Will Soon House More than
1,000 Residents
By Ellen Yoshitsugu ellenyoshi@gmail.com
Construction will begin soon on the major Balboa Reservoir housing development to be located just west of City College’s Ocean campus. The project’s development team held a Community Update meeting on Saturday, Sept 28, 2024, in the plaza on Ocean Avenue next to the Muni bus turnaround. A large map of the planned project was spread out for the public to view and many representatives from the project were present to answer questions.
Only a few members of the public were present, despite the meeting being the legally required public notice of the coming changes. There was a larger crowd at a nearby food giveaway.
A young woman who lives nearby was there to “listen and learn” and said she was concerned about how “adding a thousand more people” to the area was going to impact the traffic on Ocean Avenue. An older man who lives near Archbishop Riordan High School was worried about construction noise, parking and traffic.
“Ingleside has been historically underserved,” said Miles Escobedo, co-owner of the Ocean Ale House. “It's time for us to get a little bit of love and maybe this kind of attention and this kind of massive build-out, this kind of increase in population density per square foot, per capita in this area is what we need,” Escobedo said.
According to the plan, there will be seven housing blocks when complete, with space for retail stores on the ground floor and then multiple levels of housing above. The housing blocks will ring around a central two-acre Reservoir Park. Ranging in size from 78 ft on the eastern side facing City College to two-story townhomes arranged along the western edge. The plan includes educator housing (for both City College and the school district) and a childcare center. Apartments will be both market rate and affordable, while the townhouses will be for sale at market rate.
City College no longer owns the property, so the future rent and sales income will not help the college with its financial troubles.
Construction will begin first on Building E next June, according to Josh Carrillo, Senior Project Manager for Bridge Housing. It will be a multistory affordable housing building running parallel to Frida Kahlo Way behind the new STEAM building. Construction on Building A is set to begin in January 2026. It will be affordable housing located directly behind Whole Foods on Ocean Ave.
The first steps will include grading the site, putting in utilities and moving the underground “geothermal wells” associated with the Multi-Use Building.
The project will bring more residents to the immediate area of the college while retaining fewer parking spaces. The apartment buildings are zoned for 0.5 cars per dwelling unit. That’s parking for one car for every two units. Only the townhouses are designed to have individual garages. The developers plan to include 550 parking spaces, the maximum allowed, but only a small fraction of these will be available to the public,
including City College students.
The current City College student parking lot on the Lower Reservoir will eventually be completely replaced by the development. The lots may be closed initially for groundwork and then partly reopened temporarily for student parking. AVC for Capital, Alberto Vasquez and the City College Facilities Committee have not yet responded to requests for comment.
This is a “transit-friendly” design intended to reduce San Francisco residents' reliance on cars, according to design documents.
City College is a commuter college. Many students have jobs or family responsibilities and must commute to school by car. This project could have an impact on students' access to the college.
Recently, both former Chancellor David Martin and interim Chancellor Bailey have publicly mentioned constructing a parking garage for City College’s Ocean campus. In 2023, $50,000,000 in bond money was designated for a parking garage, and the college’s Facilities Committee has been discussing the idea. Such a structure would take years to complete.
The Reservoir Project will impact traffic as well. There are only two access roads planned for the development. One will be through Lee Avenue from Ocean Ave, which is the narrow street next to Whole Foods, where shoppers exit the parking garage and trucks unload. The second access street will be off Frida Kahlo Way next to Riordan High School.
In addition to the new apartments, the project’s planned childcare center and retail stores, as well as the City College’s
soon-to-be-built Performing Arts Center, will all need access and parking.
A lone protester at the event, Ken Crizer, carried a sign reading, “Balboa Reservoir Belongs to City College, Recall Supervisors and Lousy Breed.” Crizer refers to the 2020 decision by the mayor and board of supervisors to sell the lower reservoir and approve the development. Crizer is a retired City College engineering professor and was a member of a coalition that successfully fought previous attempts to build on the site.
“We were involved back in the 80s, beating back a similar short-sighted housing project. We were involved in three citywide elections. We beat the snakes, and now they've come back 30 years later, and they're going to do the same kind of nonsense.”
In the years before the 2020 decision, members of the City College community spoke out about their concerns regarding the impact of the development on the college.
Local neighborhood groups have been watching closely. The Sunnyside History Project’s website has an extensive history of the battle over the reservoir site, and the Westwood Park Association publishes regular updates on the Reservoir Project.
Miles Escobedo of Ocean Ale House said that although the development will not be directly on Ocean Ave, it will impact the corridor, noting that property values will increase. “With more street and foot traffic, everything will get used more and be dirtier, and we will have to utilize our resources to better our traffic system,” he continued, “It's gonna be interesting, and I can't wait for them to map that out.”
At the Balboa Reservoir Community Update meeting on Sept. 28, 2024, in San Francisco, representatives from companies involved with the housing development answered questions from community members. When complete, the development is planned to have seven housing blocks and a number of townhouses.
Photo by Ellen Yoshitsugu/The Guardsman.
His body of work now focuses on marginalized communities, covering topics such as homelessness, mass incarceration, and the injustices faced by immigrants. “My eyes are drawn to situations burdened with stigma. I like the idea of creating a visual story around issues people talk about but don’t want to see,” said Rocamora, who has been dedicating his career to documenting civil rights and social justice across the globe.
“I like the idea of creating a visual story around issues people talk about but don’t want to see”
His talent for capturing marginalized individuals and exposing discrimination caught the attention of Sandra S. Phillips, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art curator (now curator emerita). In 2013, she selected two of his photographs from a project featuring World War II veterans for the museum's permanent collection. Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange, Edward Weston – and yes, Gordon Parks! – are among the prominent photographers whose work is also featured there.
“Rick puts photos in front of us and demands change. I believe the images he captured in Philippine prisons contributed to saving lives, especially when we consider the risks of agglomerations during the COVID pandemic years later,” said Kim Komenich, a photographer and professor of photojournalism at San Francisco State University. The two first met at a protest outside the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco where Komenich was covering the event for The Examiner. Rocamora approached him to say hello, sparking a connection that has lasted over 30 years.
When you meet Rocamora, there’s an immediate sense of closeness. That’s no accident but a result of his selftaught photography techniques. As a personal choice, lately kept as a professional signature, he stays physically close to his subjects to capture their emotions as authentically as possible. He creates a setup for this: Rocamora doesn’t use zoom, and his longest lens is a 60mm one – ideal for close-range
situations like portraits. He often snaps photos with his camera hanging from his chest, keeping his fingers busy while making direct eye contact with his subjects.
Following Gordon Parks’ footsteps
Parks used to say his camera was a weapon against social wrongs, and Rocamora continues that legacy, adding the power of personal connections to his own fight. A contact referred him to the Supreme Court in the Philippines when the country’s Justices started looking for photographers to document overcrowded detention centers to push for reform.
Another connection helped secure the necessary logistics. “We attended the same university in Manilla and are part of an online group for alumni,” said Abdiel Fajardo, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, when asked to mobilize resources for Rockamora’s project. “Through that group, Manong (a respectful Tagalog term for an elder brother) sent me a message explaining the project and asking if I could help with logistics and the finances, as it was a probono assignment.”
Rick Rocamora is now working on two new projects: one on divorce in the Philippines and another on the contributions of immigrants to the development of the united States.
The results of this six-year project can be seen in the exhibition Bursting at the Seams, currently on display at City College until December, and in the book Human Wrongs, published in 2018.
Rick Rocamora is now working on two new projects: one on divorce in the Philippines – a country where the dissolution of marriage is not legally recognized – and another on the contributions of immigrants to the development of the United States. “He’s very good with people; he likes to spend time with them, and they feel at ease around him. This helps create the intimacy we see in his photos,” said Sheila Coronel, Director of the Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism at the Columbia Journalism School and author of the foreword to
and other art supplies.
Emily La, ASCO Vice President of Public Relations and second-year communications major, came up with Paint a Tote last semester as an idea for an internship. The event did well, so she worked to bring it back to campus this fall.
The idea was to have a free activity for students where they could come and meet each other, form friendships, and keep the tote bag they designed. “I’m an artist, and I think one of the great ways to bond with other students is through art, and there weren’t a lot of art activities on campus,” said La.
Students filled a large table, designing different artwork that fit their personal style such as Corgis, Halloween designs, flowers, and landscapes. Some came with friends, and some met new people.
“It’s a great way to bring students together. We don’t live on campus, so there is less of a college community here,” said Emily Iwata, ASCO Senator and second-year business major.
Human Wrongs.
Parks was also a pianist, and Rocamora enjoys playing the percussion. Parks once motivated donations to help a young Brazilian boy and his family buy a home after photographing their life in a slum. Similarly, Rocamora photographed a homeless girl studying on the streets of the Philippines, and an anonymous benefactor, moved by the image, fully paid for her college tuition. After meeting Parks, Rocamora, then a salesman, knew instantly that his life would never be the same. Some encounters can change a life; a few can change many.
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Rick Rocamora continued from page 1
Award winning photojournalist, Rick Rocamora in his home office, Oakland, Calif., August 16, 2024. Photo by Bob Kinoshita/The Guardsman.
Alex Cho designs a bag with different paints available, October 21, 2024. Photo by Joan Walsh/The Guardsman
Students align the table in the Ram Plaza paining their tote bags, October 21, 2024. Photo by Joan Walsh/The Guardsman.
Rick Rocamora reviews one of his many books, Oakland. Calif., August 16, 2024. Bob Kinoshita/The Guardsman.
Sign up station for Paint A Tote at Rams Plaza on the Ocean campus, October 22, 2024. Photo by Joan Walsh/The Guardsman
NOVEMBER EVENT CALENDAR
CCSF Men’s Soccer vs Gavilan College Rams fans, come support your team at the Soccer Stadium! This event is cashless. Tickets can be purchased at https://ccsfathletics. com/tickets/index
4:00 p.m. | Ocean Campus
Queer Resource Center’s Monthly Pride Lunch
Join City College’s Queer Resource Center for free lunch, games, and community building activities every first Thursday of the month.
Enjoy an immersive coffee experience with some of the top specialty roasters and coffee shops of SF. The afternoon will feature snacks, art, and live entertainment. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.sfcoffeefestival.com/tickets
Sat. & Sun. at 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion
Wellness Check-Ins
“Your mental health matters!” Stop by and visit City College’s mental health counselor, Gil Perez, to help cultivate awareness and inner peace. Held 2nd and 4th Tuesdays.
Join the Author discussion of the recently released graphic novel written by award-winning writers, Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham. The themes of the book coincide with Valentine’s Day and Lunar New Year.
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | San Francisco Public Library
Interviewing Strategies Workshop
Discover CCSF 2024 for 12th Grade Families
Learn why City College is a great choice for high school seniors by learning about resources, activities, scholarships, Financial Aid, transfer, and career options.
Campus tours are available for registration at http://bit.ly/discoverccsf2024 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Ocean Campus, Multi-Use Building 140
SF’s Winter “Renegade Craft Fair”
Shop artist-made gifts, small business goods, and handmade treasures at the Renegade Craft Fair, featuring over 250 artists and food trucks. Service animals are welcome. Sat. & Sun. at 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. | 2 Marina Blvd. San Francisco, CA
Resume and Cover Letter Workshop
Join the Hybrid workshop, hosted by SparkPoint Basic Needs Center and Career Services, for best practices on creating resumes and cover letters. If you cannot attend the in-person meeting, register for Zoom at https://ccsf-edu.zoom.us/ meeting/register/tZcqd-2rqzgiG9ZSrMaRGjucBSqTcNlkLLvC#/ registration 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Ocean Campus, Science Hall 127
13th Fall Chocolate Salon 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | San Francisco County Fair Building
Attend the SparkPoint CCSF Basic Needs Center and CCSF Career Services hosted workshop to help feel more prepared for your next interview by covering common questions and how you can set yourself up for success in your next interview. You can even stay after the meeting to practice with mock interviews. Register at https://ccsf-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/ tZcqd-2rqzgiG9ZSrMaRGjucBSqTcNlkLLvC#/registration
11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. | Ocean Campus Science Hall 127
HAVE YOuR SAY
How would you be affected if CCSF stopped Free City? Would you still attend CCSF if Free City were not offered?
Rae Daniels-Henderson rdanie16@mail.ccsf.edu
“Yes, I think I’d come here. The location is really good and has good resources for residents.”
– Hangal Tamir, first semester, Computer Science major planning to switch to Economics
“I am not a SF resident, but the drive to campus is worth it because of the Veteran Education program. There are better resources here.”
– Cassius Pierce, Business Management major
“I am an SF resident and benefiting from Free City, I would not attend without it. I really appreciate the Queer Resource Center.”
– J Salvador, taking figure drawing and sculpture for fun
“Yes, I would still attend CCSF even though I benefit from Free City now. I am an SF resident, so the school’s location is convenient for me and the resource centers are really helpful.”
– Vincent Zhen, a Psychology major, has attended City for a year and a half
“I am not a SF resident, I live in San Jose and I attend City because there are better programs and resources here. The new environment is also a bonus.”
– Mariana Quinones, first semester, studying to become a Cardiovascular Technician
“I am a San Francisco resident and Free City recipient. I would not come here if I didn’t have Free City. I’d have to pay out of pocket. I appreciate the school utilities, like the pool, and the City DREAM resource center.”
– Cynthia Arauz, Psychology
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.
The Rams Lose Home Opener in OT
City College Men’s Basketball Looks After Jamboree
By Dominic McDonald dmcdon30@mail.ccsf.edu
With the new 2024-25 college basketball season approaching, City College's men’s basketball team is gearing up under the leadership of returning 6’7” sophomore forward/guard Antonio Pusateri. The Rams went undefeated in a recent summer league jamboree tournament, setting the stage for a promising season ahead. With players like Ray John-Spears, Jalen Glenn, and King-Jhsanni Wilhite contributing to the team's impressive performance, hopes are high for another playoff run this year to come.
Forward/Guard Pusateri is a versatile player who could shoot beyond the arc and take you to the rack, drive to the basket, and excel on both ends of the floor. Known for his versatility and leadership, he plays as the big in the paint whilst handling the ball up top like a guard. His ability to defend, score, and – most importantly – facilitate was a key factor in City’s College’s success.
Ray-John Spears and Jalen Glenn complemented Pusateri by bringing high energy to the team's 4-0 run in the jamboree. Spears, an explosive high-flying guard energized the crowd with his ball handles, while Glen, a sharpshooter on the wing, stretched defenses with his accurate shooting from the three.
At point guard, King-Jhsanni Wilhite controlled the game’s tempo, using his quick handles and good court vision to create opportunities for his teammates. His leadership on both ends ensured the offense ran smoothly, while his defense made him a two-way player.
With fall season fastly approaching around the corner, City Colleges’s undefeated summer run has fans eagerly anticipating what’s next for the Rams. The players are hungry for more, and with their chemistry and depth, This team, fueled by their strong chemistry and depth, looks ready for a deep postseason run.
The summer jamboree run was just the beginning. The real test lies ahead with the season coming up.
Rams Women's Soccer Team Leads Coast Conference
By Ellen Yoshitsugu ellenyoshi@gmail.com
TheRams women's soccer team beat DeAnza College,11-0 on Oct. 8, 2024. It was their ninth win in a row and their fifth shutout for the season.
Scoring nine goals, the Rams completely dominated the first half. Sophomore Paige Pineda-Aliamus led the way, scoring three goals with assists from Carmen Hinton, Sydney Grundland Lanuza, and Nare Avetian. Amaya Jarzombek scored twice, assisted by Pineda-Aliamus and Avetian. Angelina St. Denis, Anahi Gomez and Chelsea Sandoval scored one goal each.
During halftime, the team was light-hearted, even turning cartwheels on the sidelines. DeAnza fought hard throughout the game, and the Rams scored only two goals in the second half, both by PinedaAliamus. The Rams played a strong game and their roster was nearly twice as large as the DeAnza Lions.
Following the DeAnza match, the Rams went on to beat West Valley with a 3-0 shutout on Oct. 15, 2024. The Evergreen Valley Hawks ended the Rams’ winning streak with a 1-1 tie on Oct. 18, 2024.
The City College Rams lead the Coast Conference with nine wins this season.
Paige Pineda-Aliamus is currently ranked the number 2 field player in the conference, second only to Amanda Avila of West Valley College.
Rams RB Richard Washington (3) breaks tackles as he scores a TD on an 11-yard run in the second half of the game against the Sequoias on September 14, 2024, in San Francisco. RB Richard Washington had five carries for 43 yards. Photo by Bob Kinoshita/The Guardsman.
The College of the Sequoias kick a field goal in overtime for the win on September 14, 2024, in San Francisco. The Rams came back in the fourth quarter on a Richard Washington TD run to tie the score 24 - 24 and force overtime. Final score Sequoias 27, Rams 24.
Photo by Bob Kinoshita/The Guardsman.
The Rams Football Team rush onto the George M. Rush Field to play their season home opener against College of the Sequoias on September 14, 2024. Coming from a lost last week, the Rams played a strong first half scoring 17 points and holding the Sequoias to just 2 points. Photo by Bob Kinoshita/The Guardsman.
Rams sophomore Paige Pineda-Aliamus (16) scored her fourth goal for this game, during the second half of the Oct. 08, 2024, home game against DeAnza College. Ellen Yoshitsugu/The Guardsman.
Rams RB Feiamma Armstrong (32) runs for a 25-yard gain in the first half against the visiting Sequoias on September 14, 2024, in San Francisco. RB Feiamma Armstrong averaged 8.9 yards on 11 carries for a total of 98 yards and 1 TD. Photo by Bob Kinoshita/The Guardsman.
