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The Renegade Rip Bakersfield College
Vol. 87 ∙ No. 10
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Declining gas prices raises questions By Carl E. Littleberry Jr. Reporter
All over California, people have enjoyed surprisingly low gas prices since the start of 2016. Even in Bakersfield, the average cost of a tank of gas has lowered from $2.93 to $2.23 a gallon. With some stations even dropping to below $2 a gallon, many Californians haven’t found much to complain about lately, gaswise. But the question on many local people’s minds, including Bakersfield College student Aaron Richards, 27, is “Where the hell did these low prices come from?” The puppeteers pulling the strings behind these mysterious drops in many gas chains’ prices across California would be the California Tax Board. In 2010, California drivers were overtaxed for gas to help shoulder the state’s budget deficits accumulated in the five years prior. On Feb. 23 the board voted to lower the tax by 2.2 cents per gallon by a vote of 3-2. Although these prices only apply to the fiscal year ending in July of 2017, it is still deemed a step forward by local Fastrip worker Riley Dawkins, 24. “Because of these low gas prices I’m getting way more hours than normal,” said Dawkins, “probably because more and more people are stopping for gas
more regularly considering how low it is.” After polling California campuses, CNN.com reported California students could save on average of $540 dollars a year. According to many BC students, these lowered gas prices have helped them save extra money for other necessities like food and school supplies. After hearing the news, BC student and mother of one Jasmine Nunez was more than excited about the thought of saving over $500 a year. “I could really use that extra money on so many things. You really have no idea. That’s thousands of diapers and basically two months of groceries,” said Nunez. “Plus, gas kills me everyday. Do you know how much gas it takes to get here from Lebec three times a week?” Although these gas prices might be good for some, they are not good for all. Consider that Chevron laid off 300 local oil industry workers. That is a direct result of the lowered gas prices in the area. Ray Henrickson, 38, a Bakersfield native who had worked in the oil business for the last 13 years, was laid off in late October of 2015. “We didn’t even get too much of a warning,” said Henrickson. “Just a thank you for one-third of your life, but now you need to go. To be honest it was like a real slap in the face.”
Jacob Tovar / The Rip
Gas prices have been dropping for the past couple months and most people seem to be taking advantage while it’s here. Even though there seem to be mixed reviews on the gas prices, Henrickson says he appreciates what the government is trying to do. “I mean, when you’re in the
industry you know how it works. And I’m not going to complain about only needing to use $40 bucks on my Raptor now,” said Henrickson. For BC students looking for
the lowest gas prices, the Fastrip on Mt. Vernon has the lowest in town at $1.79 a gallon. For those students looking for low gas prices around town, all gas prices can be found on Bakers-
fieldgasprices.com. Experts predict gas prices will rise more than 20 cents per gallon in the first few weeks of March, but they will still be lower than they were six months ago.
BC hosts a day of engineering By James Macias Reporter
James Macias / The Rip
Professor Roy Clark Allard demonstrates his advanced robotic drone for a group of students from Taft.
The Bakersfield College Panorama Campus is usually almost eerily empty on Fridays, except when there is something very special going on like what happened last week on Feb. 26. They called it Engineering Day, and it was the first time it has ever been held at BC. Starting at about 7 a.m., a host of unfamiliar figures dressed alternately in formal wear, like suits and khakis, or blue jumpsuits somewhat reminiscent something a Star Trek character might wear, began to arrive on campus with all manner of equipment in tow. These strangers proceeded to
arrange a small expo of sorts for the deluge of high school age kids from all over Kern County who would soon converge on BC. They were coming to see drones flown by the electrical engineering department and hot rods built at the auto shop. From the look of things, no expense was spared in putting on a show on for the kids. There was even an exhibit from Edwards AFB which simulated – accurately – the flight characteristics of an F-22 Raptor, the current pinnacle of American supersonic jet fighter technology. Jack Earl, 55, a private contractor working as an engineer at Edwards AFB, relished pointing Please see ENGINEERING, Page 5
BC four-year program Earthquake gives Bakersfield By Carl E. Littleberry Jr. Reporter
Bakersfield College’s Science Department held an informational meeting Feb. 27 to introduce its new pilot program to BC students. Sean Caras, BC engineering professor, was on hand with Cynthia Quintanilla to discuss how students can apply for a four-year Baccalaureate Degree in Industrial Automation. The four-year bachelor’s degree in Industrial Automation at BC was approved early last year, and at the time, BC expected to start classes in Fall 2015. Students in attendance at the February meeting learned about requirements for enrollment and details about the program. This new degree focuses on the application of electronics and computer technology to in-
dustrial automation systems. According to Caras, this program breaks up into two-levels consisting of upper and lower divisions of classes. This will better prepare students for careers as a technologist, combining the jobs of both a technician and an engineer into one. With a focus on careers in Industrial Automation, this particular degree offers BC students a wide assortment of job opportunities in the surrounding areas. Ranging from petroleum, manufacturing, logistics and agriculture, each class would prepare students for more of a detailed approach to automation, eventually culminating in a senior project for the second-year students. That project will involve working hands-on with local businesses in a working environment solving or creating whatever the
business states. Caras does, however, go on to mention that the requirements for enrollment and the time constraints for classes can be hard on some. Considering the fact that all classes are offered at night is troublesome for those with other commitments. “I understand that night classes are hard for some. However, we have plenty of funding now,” said Caras. The science department received $250,000 in funding, which they have already used to supply the labs with more workstations to accommodate for more students. “I love spending taxpayer money, when it’s warranted at least,” said Caras. The classes themselves require that you apply during two tier periods. Tier one is for first Please see FOUR-YEAR , Page 5
residents a shaky surprise By Marcus Castro Contributing editor
With the earthquake that took place on Feb. 23, Bakersfield College is believed to be prepared for an earthquake. “Everybody knows what they’re doing and where they’re supposed to go. The safety managers, when everybody is out will come and check rooms, so I would say absolutely,” said Geology professor Jack Pierce when asked about BC’s readiness for an earthquake. The earthquake on Feb. 23 was located in Wasco, but it did not fall on any major fault lines. The earthquake was a magni-
tude 4.9. Pierce explained that California is “just one big fracture area” and that California has multiple major faults through the state. He mentioned that the fault that we need to start looking out for is the San Andreas Fault. When the Wasco earthquake happened, people expressed their fears through social media. “You can’t predict earthquakes, so when they do happen society gets a little bit scared. Having the ground shake beneath you, you feel a kind of insecure,” said Pierce. “I think the best thing to do is to research and make sure you
understand all of the different safety suggestions for during an earthquake.” Pierce explained that earthquakes cannot be predicted by scientists. He said that there is a statistical method used to determine the frequency of a fault. Pierce went to explain that people should listen to what the safety instructions are. He said to get under your desk or table and watch for falling debris. “Bakersfield College has a pretty good program for disaster to take place. When they have the earthquake drills, I think students should take them very seriously,” said Pierce.