2011-2012 - Issue 4

A N AT I O N A L PA C E M A K E R AWA R D N E W S PA P E R

Volume 55, Issue 4

www.theswcsun.com

Winter Edition, 2011-12

Whittaker exits after a year of successes Unions

By Mary York News Editor

L i k e M a r y Po p p i n s , I n t e r i m Superintendant Denise Whittaker floated into Southwestern College bringing almost magical changes, hope and healing. But the winds have changed and Whittaker is leaving an SWC that must face the future on shaky, new legs and a newfound confidence.

An unexpected mess It took 10 days for the governing board to decide Whittaker was the one for the job. She was initially contacted in November 2010 about the interim

position but did not hear officially from the college until January.

“I interviewed by phone in midJanuary and then a couple days later they flew me out to do an interview with the board,” said Whittaker.

After a year taking care of family matters in South Carolina, Whittaker packed her bags and headed for Chula Vista. She said she knew there were accreditation problems and there had been difficulties with the previous administration, but she had no idea what she was getting into.

“I knew that there were issues, I didn’t quite know the severity of the issues,”

Club says ASO lost allocations

said Whittaker. “This is probably the hardest job I’ve ever had.”

But academic probation and a desperate need for internal reform were not as intimidating as the emotional damage shadowing the college, said Whittaker.

“The easy part of any job is just the mechanics,” she said. “The hard part is healing a damaged environment.

That I was totally unprepared for. It complicates everything you do because it actually puts a shell around all the work you need to do. It’s like if you break your arm, you need to put it in a cast. The healing can’t occur

unless it’s stable. It’s kind of the same situation that you have to go through in any people environment. You have to provide stability.”

Academic Senate President Angelina Stuart said Whittaker’s clean slate and healing approach to SWC was exactly what the college needed.

“Since we had had a more detached type of leadership before, I didn’t know what to expect, really, but I wasn’t expecting that it would be so easy to work with a superintendent/president,” said Stuart. “Denise brought with her please see Whittaker pg. 17

ONE FOR THE BOOKS

By Valeria Genel Staff Writer

Archeologists can still dig up cavemen’s first works of pottery, but Southwestern College’s Associated Student Organization (ASO) cannot do the same with the Clay Club’s allocation forms.

When its club allocation forms were lost in a paper shuffle, the Clay Club was left dangling without any funds for the semester, according to advisor John Lewis. Club president Edward Bia and Lewis said they are very frustrated because they turned in the allocations form on September 8, three days after their weekly Inter-Club Council meeting.

“We turned in our form earlier than most clubs because we wanted to make sure the money would be allocated,” said Lewis, an assistant professor of art.

Lewis criticized the ASO for being disorganized while distributing such large amounts of money. He also said their system is outdated.

“We found out the allocations were lost when it was too late to apply for round two,” said Lewis.

The ASO lacks transparency, Lewis said, and ASO personnel did not find out the allocations were lost until he and Bia began asking questions. Lewis and ASO adviser Craig Moffat exchanged testy-emails, each accusing the other of failing to correctly handle the forms. please see ASO pg. 19

Serina Duarte/Staff

LEAVING MORE THAN JUST CHANGE — As a parting gift to Interim Superintendent Denise Whittaker, SWC employees created an ongoing textbook scholarship in her name, donating part of their salaries for the first $1,000. Whittaker was honored by college employees with a surprise going away party that featured speakers, music and video tributes.

seek corner lot PLA

By Nickolas Furr Staff Writer

SWC Governing Board President Tim Nader’s recent statement that there is little chance he would sign a unionfavoring Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for the first phase of Proposition R construction has pro-labor activists crying foul. But pro-business advocates said they are also feeling unsatisfied with the process.

With Phase I construction on the $389 million Prop R project planned for early next year and no signed labor contracts in place, union representatives and workers tried recently to convince Nader and the rest of the board that there is still time to sign a PLA that would go into effect immediately. Union members said the agreement would benefit the college, community and construction workers of the district.

But none of that may matter.

Governing board members insist that construction management contracts already in place would make agreeing to a new PLA difficult, at least for Phase I of the five-phase project.

Management contracts oversee money, while construction contracts oversee the hiring of subcontractors and workers.

Former Vice President of Fiscal Services Nicholas Alioto signed management contracts with Seville Construction Services for project management. The former governing board approved. Echo Pacific Construction was hired by Alioto to handle construction contracts, but the current board terminated Echo Pacific’s contract this fall. Balfour Beatty has been approached by the college about assuming Echo Pacific’s terminated contract and assuming responsibility for construction and labor. No contract has been approved.

Ken Seaton-Msemaji, political director of Sheet Metal Workers Local 206, said that most, if not all, of the Phase I construction should be subject to a PLA and that there is still time to make that happen.

“The contracts that have gone out and been bid upon are the management contracts,” he said. “As far as we have been able to find out, no construction projects have been bid at all, none. Our position is that there is no reason why a PLA cannot be applied right now because the contractors haven’t even please see PLA pg. 16

ASO chief Sandoval cleared of sexual harrasment charges placed on Former acting president and VP of Student Services resigned in 2009 under pressure by Chopra admin. leave

By Alyssa Simental Online Editor

Craig Moffat, student activities coordinator, has been put on a leave of absence after nearly 27 years at the college.

“It is a personnel matter and all I can say is he is on leave right now,” said Arlie Ricasa-Bagaporo, director of Student Development and Health Services.

Associated Student Organization President Claudia Duran said the only information the ASO had regarding Moffat was that he was on leave.

Duran said that the ASO is moving forward despite his absence.

“We are meeting regularly and business is running as usual,” said Duran. “The district has provided us with a temporary coordinator, Dr. Gonzalo Quintero. Dr. Quintero is the former coordinator of the Gear-Up program and has proven to be very helpful.”

Robert Unger, interim director of human resources, said he was unable to comment on the matter at this time due to personnel disclosure regulations.

By Albert Fulcher Editor-in-chief

Former acting superintendent Dr. Greg Sandoval has presented documentation that he said proves that he was not guilty of sexual harassment in a case that preceded the departure of three administrators.

Allegations of sexual harassment have followed Sandoval since 2008. After seeing sexual harassment referenced in a special edition of The Sun, Sandoval said it is time to set the record straight and prove through documentation that the accusations are not true.

Martha Jimenez, a student services assistant, accused Sandoval, former director of Financial Aid Arthur Lopez and Director of Outreach Fernando

Poveda of sexually harassing her.

“For the record here, I hope that this will satisfy The Sun and everyone else that I did not have this relationship,” said Sandoval. “I want it for the record that this investigation and the statement that Jimenez wrote show that I did not do anything to her.”

In a lawsuit against SWC, Jimenez claimed that Sandoval used a picture of her in an evening gown as a screensaver.

“None of the allegations of me having inappropriate desktop pictures of her on my computer are true,” said Sandoval.

“I remember when she was scheduled to see me the college had just had a gala. Nevada Smith (former director of Community and Media Relations) had sent out that the college had taken lots of pictures. I was looking through the

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pictures and I saw a picture of Jimenez with her boyfriend. So when she came in to see me regarding Poveda, I said, ‘Did you see the pictures this morning? They came out and everyone looked so nice’.”

He said he showed Jimenez a picture of her and her boyfriend for a few seconds and that was it.

Sandoval said he did not even know how to change a desktop picture. He said Computer Systems Operations Manager Paul Norris and “some of the computer guys” came out to see him and offered to vouch for his character.

“They were laughing at the matter because they said I did not know how to do that, to put things up on your desktop,” said Sandoval.

Norris said he had a good relationship with Sandoval during his time working

Campus, 2 Arts, 6 Viewpoints, 7 Unsigned, 7 Thinking Out Loud, 8 Sex Column, 9 Sports, 20

SWC alum John Farrell appointed by governor to the California Board of Veterans.

Please see Campus pg. 3

with him and that at that time Sandoval did not know enough about computers to set up a desktop background.

“I told Sandoval, ‘You are a good guy and a smart guy, but not that smart’,” said Norris. “His desktop background was the standard background placed on all of the college’s computers. His computer faced the door as you walk into his office and I told him it would be stupid of him to do this. I would be willing to testify in court for that.”

Sandoval resigned shortly before he was made aware of the harassment allegations. Former superintendent Raj K. Chopra terminated Poveda during a controversial reorganization and dismantling of the Outreach office in please see Sandoval pg. 16

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Winter Edition 2011-12 — Volume 55, Issue 4

The Southwestern College Sun

CAMPUS

The Human Chord ALBERT H. FULCHER

Imperial Beach is a piece of Heaven

I Margie Reese /staff

VETERANS HONORING VETERANS — SVO President Shawn Buckingham and David Bonafede stand ready to present plaque and shadowbox to former trustee and Purple Heart recipient Nick Aguilar at the SWC Veterans Day ceremony.

Photos By Albert H. Fulcher /staff

A WARRIOR FOR VETERANS — (l) SWC Veterans Services Specialist Jim Jones keeps a steady eye on returning service personnel and the issues that effect them. (lower r) Marine hero and double amputee Tim Jeffers takes his first glances at his remodeled condominium paid for by veterans support groups, including the SWC Student Veterans Organization.

College veterans advocate is Semper fi

By Margie Reese and Albert H. Fulcher Copy Editor and Editor-in-Chief

Shawn Buckingham’s dreams of being a Marine pilot came to an end, but not by a surface-to-air missile or a dogfight over the sands of Iraq. His mighty dreams were shot down by the smallest but most deadly of man’s enemies.

Working as a U.S. Embassy guard he developed a life-threatening viral infection in New Delhi, India resulting in Type 1 diabetes. His dreams of flying grounded, he left the Marines and joined the private contractor Blackwater. He saw combat as a member of the Personal Protection Team in Baghdad.

Buckingham was medically retired in 2007.

A shooting war in Iraq was tough, Buckingham said, but college was overwhelming. He said he quickly became discouraged with the school process, which lacked structure.

“In the military they tell you what to do and where to go,” said the accounting major. “In college I felt like I was on my own.”

Support from other veterans on campus helped turn things around for him, he said, and now he is motivated to help other veterans. Veterans need understanding from the campus community, he said, and education needs to happen on each side.

“What really motivates me are the ones I’ve lost, my friends (killed in action) who became family that I served with in the Marine Corps who don’t have the opportunity to go to school,” he said. “They gave the ultimate sacrifice and I can make sure they are never forgotten. I used to break down when I said this. We fought for the rights of everyone on this campus and everywhere to be outspoken for or against the military, or wars and they should never forget our veterans.”

During his first semester Buckingham was invited to a Student Veteran Organization (SVO) meeting where he met Jim Jones, the organization’s faculty advisor and the college’s Veterans Services specialist.

Buckingham became the treasurer and is now SVO president. With the help of Jones and fellow veterans, Buckingham was able to find his way.

“My motivation for joining the SVO was meeting friends who had a shared background,” he said. “I didn’t find too much in common with other students and didn’t have the connection like I did with other vets.”

When Jones first met Buckingham he said he felt an instant brotherhood with the fellow Marine.

“Once they get connected, they start to grow,” said Jones. “It is like adding fertilizer to a flower. They start to grow much quicker and they start feeling like they are a part of the school. That is what I want to

do with all of the vets.”

All veterans go through a gauntlet when they integrate back into society, said Jones. Putting the SVO together in 2007 was a necessary move for SWC. It came together quickly.

“All I had to do was find a few interested people with the military background and they instantly formed a chain and a chain of command,” he said.

Jones said he wants veteran students to get involved in community service so they can put on their resume that they did more than sit in class and take a test. He stresses the importance of developing leadership skills.

“The primary purpose of the SVO is to reach out to our veterans that are coming back from war, but it is also a healing process for our students and other veterans,” said Jones. “It is a time to connect student veterans with veterans and to let them know that we do have combat veterans on campus they can relate to.”

Combat veterans often feel isolation, do not like loud noises and are afraid of sitting next to windows, Jones said. SWC needs a place where veterans can sit quietly, meet with a counselor or to study. “(We need) a place they can go unlike the cafeteria that is crowded and noisy and can be quite intimidating to our combat veterans,” said Jones. “If we could create a place, an environment like that where they can feel at ease, that would be ideal.” please see Jim Jones pg. 4

S.O.S movement is not about to go on holiday

By Angelica Gonzales Assistant Campus Editor

Southwestern College activist group Support Our Students (S.O.S) is making sure students do not slip quietly into finals week. Members are following up, exactly what they promised to do last month.

“We have been very busy,” said Professor of Political Science Phil Saenz. “It has not been easy. We are not communists. We support capitalism, but we are also support fairness and equity. We do not want to be on the sidelines any longer.”

Since the last forum the group has gone before the Academic Senate, the ASO and the faculty union to ask for their support to create a better life for students. Supporters of S.O.S have already signed a petition asking legislators to freeze enrollment fees. They will be traveling to Sacramento to hand deliver the petitions and send the message that students want a stop to the fee hikes.

“It’s out of control! when will it stop?” asked Saenz. “It went from $26 to $36 and now they are talking about $46. It ends now! If they want to raise fees they should require a 2/3 vote to do so.”

In addition, S.O.S has been poking around and doing some investigating that is now getting some questions answered.

Their inquiry about the Textbook Swap Program being close to unknown on campus has brought the bookstore to make the swap program more conspicuous on the website.

S.O.S is asking publishers to contribute five free copies to make available on reserve in the SWC library.

“If the publishers can not agree we have another way,” said Saenz. “We are asking the ASO to fund this. After all, you are ASO cardholders and you pay your fees.

They have $500,000 on reserve and that should go to directly go to aid the students, it is only fair.”

S.O.S is making sure that other groups be held financially responsible.

“I was looking for the answer,” said philosophy professor Alejandro Orozco.

“And initiative Proposition 1522 is that answer. It would slap a 15 percent extraction tax on oil companies on the oil and natural gas they take out of California land. That may sound like an easy solution but it’s not. We need 504,000 signatures to make this happen and we need foot soldiers to help.”

California is the only state that has oil drilling without an extraction fee tax. Alaska raised its extraction fee to 25 percent from 22 percent and felt no tug from it, according to the data collected by the Rescue Education California Foundation, Texas oil extraction tax has helped fund public education $2 million annually and the state’s gas is 50 cents cheaper than California.

“Oil companies are going to try and use scare tactics to keep people from signing this into action,” said Peter Mathews, the please see S.O.S pg. 5

Marshall Murphy /staff

SPEAKING UP FOR STUDENTS — Philosophy major Carlos Nogeuz was one of about 100 students at the S.O.S. rally in the cafeteria patio.

mperial Beach (I.B.) is my home. It is a small town hemmed in between two big cities with a life and style of its own. Its reputation has changed over the 23 years I have lived here from a roughneck biker town, riddled with drugs and gangs to a precious piece of undeveloped coastal land.

I.B. still has a distinctive, laid-back flavor that has always been a draw for those of us who choose to live here. Even with the massive population explosion in the past 20 years, you just cannot get the taste of I.B. out of your mouth. Many Southwestern College students, faculty and staff live in this last seaside city on the edge of the America/Mexico border, still mostly undisturbed by urban sprawl and massive construction projects, keeping the quaint feel that this unique community has to offer. It is a magnet for people that want to live here or escape the life of the larger cities that surround it.

By far, the best attraction in I.B. is the Tijuana Estuary. One of my favorite things to do is to take a walk to the mouth of the Tijuana River. Not through the estuary, but straight down the beach. Spectacular views and an abundance of wildlife are your companions.

On any given day, getting to the beach, I can see a crowd of people that flock around the pier. It is always bustling with people fishing, swimming, walking, jogging and surfing or just sitting, enjoying this little ray of sunshine. People of all ages come here and enjoy what this tiny town has to offer.

Many people are completely unaware of the beauty and wonder of what lies south of the pier. On one of my strolls to the mouth of the river, groups of the many species of sandpipers that thrive in this ecosystem year round are always the first to greet me. I find it comical watching them run in and out of the surf searching for food. They run back and forth, as the waves roll in and out, as if they do not want to get their feet wet.

Two lone surfers were catching the waves away from the more popular section of beach closest to the pier. Far away from the lifeguards, they are breeds in themselves. Waves in this section are more powerful, rocks are their landing ground rather than a beach and the riptides more dangerous, but that does not stop them from their desire to experience that oneness with the ocean.

Seeing surfers out on their boards, particularly while waiting on the next set and in a more relaxed state, I can spot their connection with the water and the wildlife that surrounds them from above and below the ocean’s surface. I am not a big fan of being in the ocean, but I have always lived close to one, or in places surrounded by lakes and marshes. As a sailor traveling the many oceans and seas around the world, I recognize this kinship with the sea at a spiritual level.

I was pleasantly surprised in my midday stroll. Birds were flying back and forth from the estuary to the ocean, diving for food. Moving up higher on the rocky walkway that separates the beach and the estuary there is a tremendous view of the estuary, the beach, Mexico and the pier.

Looking towards the estuary, there was a massive flock of birds of all feathers gathered together on a tiny patch of sandy land. Terns, gulls, pelicans, herons, geese and ducks all huddled together, unaware and uncaring of their differences. I have come to call this small aviary airport the estuary’s Time Square.

As you get down to the mouth of the river, you see it all. All you have to do is look around in any direction. Mexico seems a stone’s throw away, the mouth of the river is tumultuous and beautiful and as you look at the ocean there is rarely a time that you do not see seals and dolphins bobbing in and out of the ocean waves.

Forcing itself into the estuary, the ocean is a living bliss at the river’s mouth and you experience first-hand how nature works in balance. The mouth of the river is a great place to sit for as long as you are willing to observe the natural beauty where the land meets the sea. Take a stroll.

Like me, you just might find a small piece of heaven on earth that can take you far away from the stressful hustle and bustle of the living we face every day.

Amanda L. Abad, Editor

CAMPUS

Tel: (619) 482-6368 E-mail: campus@theswcsun.com

Winter Edition 2011-12 — Vol. 55, Iss. 4

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Marshall Murphy / staff

FANTASTIC FERRELL — (above) Former army press representative John Ferrell is a veteran, a retired lawyer and editor of a popular veterans’ newsletter. (left) Ferrell at the Chula Vista veterans home where he lives and publishes the newsletter and serves on the Allied Council.

Gov. appoints SWC alum to California Board of Veterans

By Angelica Gonzales Assistant Campus Editor

John Farrell likes to laugh and have a good time, but when the topic turns to veterans his elfish eyes narrow like a gunfighter at high noon.

Gov. Jerry Brown liked Farrell’s passion for our nation’s service personnel so much he appointed the former Southwestern College journalism student to the California Board of Veterans.

He serves next to retired major generals and a lieutenant colonel.

“I’m seriously outranked,” he chuckled.

“But when we discuss issues like veteran homelessness or suicide and we are talking about how to help vets, rank does not seem to matter.”

Farrell, 71, enjoys advocating for underdogs, veterans and young people. A retired lawyer, law professor, journalist and soldier, Farrell has a résumé like George H. W. Bush, the mind of a seven-figure litigator

and the sense of humor of a stand-up comedian. Veterans, though, are a serious matter to him.

Growing up in the military culture of San Diego he saw many veterans, but in high school had his eye on a pretty girl in one of his classes.

“She said she was going to take photography classes and I gave her a big smile and said, me too,” he recalled. “The relationship never happened with her but it did with photography.”

Farrell freelanced and took pictures that were published by the Chula Vista Star News. He graduated from San Diego High school in 1958 and joined the U.S. Army two years later. His affection for journalism came to be an occupation. He scored high on military placement tests, but was placed in heavy weapons infantry, only to be quickly recalled.

“I was summoned to headquarters,” he said. “I was scared, but it turned out they called everyone with high scores.”

Great news followed and Farrell was taken out of the line of fire. Farrell became an Army press representative and worked for the historic military publication Stars and Stripes. Doing what he loved, he took pictures and wrote stories, sometimes selling them to other publications and German publications.

“The extra money was nice,” he said.“That is until they catch you selling them to the Germans, then that’s no good.”

After lots of traveling in the military, Farrell decided to part ways in 1963 and return to San Diego to work for a photo service as a technician and in sales. He enrolled at San Diego City College where he majored in English, until the day he saw a billboard Western State University (now Thomas Jefferson School of Law.) “I looked up at that sign and I told myself, hey why not?” he said.

Farrell said his sudden interest in law was not so sudden in his mother’s eyes. She recalled him always arguing with someone.

He even slapped on a tie from time to time for gravitas.

Farrell was accepted to the bar in 1973.

His academic success landed him an adjunct position at the WSU where he taught from 1975-1983. Farrell started his private law practice while he was teaching at WSU with the San Diego County Superior Court Judge Herbert J. Exarhos. After his partner left the practice to take his seat at the bench, Farrell decided to leave teaching to manage the practice full-time.

“I miss teaching the most,” said Farrell.

“There is nothing more magnificent than a young mind and how they learn. My favorite moment is when a student calls you out on a mistake. You know they are really paying attention.”

After his 27 years practicing law, he retired in 2002, though he did pro bono legal work for mostly military clients until 2004.

“He is really the kind of fella you seek out for information,” said Steve Millikin, a

fellow resident at the Chula Vista veterans home. “Many media come to talk to him about veteran information and his perspective.”

Upon his entrance to the Chula Vista veterans home in 2004, Farrell started taking classes at Southwestern College.

“I wanted to show my children they could go back to school,” he said. “If an old geezer like me can take 20 units and get a 4.0 grade point average, so can you!”

Farrell made the president’s list that year and three out of his four children went back to school.

“He is always very proud of his family,” said Sydney Smith, the Veterans home librarian and secretary of the Allied Council at the home. “Always showing off his pictures of his family, John is also very fun to listen to.”

Farrell hopes the folks in Sacramento feel the same. Veterans, he said, need strong advocates now that so many are returning from war. Farrell said he is ready for combat.

SWC Environmental Club is cleaning up

By Kevin Reyes Staff Writer

more harmonious worldview and social consciousness focused on environmental This semester the Southwestern College sustainability.”

Environmental Club reestablished ties “The class encourages discussion with the Tijuana River National Estuarine among students to try to connect the dots Reserve in Imperial Beach. As part of between science, politics and economic their mission to protect the environment aspects,” said Aguilar. “The club combines through involvement in community- the learning with actual participation and based projects, club members took part gives students the opportunity to make a in the ongoing habitat restoration effort difference in a real way.” organized by the TRNERR Stewardship Club President Marlene Moran, Volunteer Program. Members put on an international relationships major, their work gloves and spent the day first discovered her passion for the uprooting invasive plant species and environment when she was in high replacing them with native gardens school. She said the course was an eye to better serve as homes for the local opener for her and inspired her to take wildlife. charge in establishing the More than 370 species club charter for the semester. of birds, rabbits, snakes, “Everything “Ever ything the class coyotes, and other animals the class taught me got me to think inhabit the Tijuana River about where our own actions Estuary. A key stopover point taught me are leading us and why we on the Pacific Flyway, the got me to have not done anything site is an essential breeding, about it,” Moran said. feeding and nesting ground think about Several on-campus events for migratory birds. The where are to increase environmental refuge area is one of the few own actions awareness are in the works remaining salt marshes in for next Spring, including California that has not been are leading an e-waste recycling effort lost to development. Sewage us.” and an eco-film festival contamination as a result during the month of April of runoff from the Tijuana in celebration of Earth Day. River into the Pacific Ocean Marlene Moran “Bringing environmental has led to frequent beach consciousness not only to the Club President closures and continues to be school but to the surrounding an issue of controversy. In community is a big thing,” 2010, Imperial Beach was said Vice President Andrea closed for 78 days and Border Field State Martino, who created and is responsible Park for 239 days. for updating their Facebook and Twitter Political science professor Alma Aguilar pages. She said the club is also organizing has been the faculty advisor for the club a street canvassing project to strengthen on and off since its inception in 1996. their presence among students and Chula Along with physical science professor Vista residents alike.

Shery Medler, Aguilar founded the club “The challenge is to try to come up to serve as a bridge for students coming with events that will be designed to allow from their team-taught course that for the greatest participation possible,” explores topics in environmental ethics, said Aguilar. “Hopefully, these events will politics and economics. Titled “Our get us thinking, talking and dialoguing Global Future: Values for Survival,” the about the environment.” course invites students to “develop a

Photos By Amparo Mendoza /staff

RESTORATION — Members of the SWC Environmental Club weather a cold wind to work on plant restoration at the Tijuana Estuarine in Imperial Beach. Students replaced invasive plants with indigenous species.

SPREADING THEIR WINGS — Students reaching out to nature received a salute from a golden eagle featured in the wildlife presentation at the Tijuana River Estuarine.

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CAMPUS

Winter Edition 2011-12 — Vol. 55, Iss. 4

The Southwestern College Sun

Graduation Prof. contributed to Nobel Prize research ceremony Brainy Grant Miller studied expansion will move of the universe

By Angelica Gonzales Assistant Campus Editor

One of the South Bay’s most reliable traditions has been thrown a curve.

A 47-year tradition, commencement ceremonies at Southwestern College will take time off for the graduating class of 2012 due to the remodeling of DeVore Stadium. A search is now underway for an alternate location, according to Arlie Ricasa, director of student development.

SWC is looking for a large, outdoor South Bay venue, Ricasa said.

“There are a lot of factors in picking a new location,” she said. “We have to look at the number of graduates that we will have along with the number of guests.”

Possibilities include local high school stadiums to the Cricket Wireless Amphitheater, Ricasa said. A decision is expected in early March.

“Graduation will take place as normal,” said Ricasa. “ Same date, same festivities just a different location.”

Marshall Murphy /staff CLOSED FOR REPAIRS — Reconstruction of DeVore Stadium will require moving the 2012 commencement.

Jim Jones: Warrior for SWC veterans sees a busy future Continued from Page 2

Jones said when student veterans start talking about familiar places there is an instant connection.

“That is what I try to do, to make this campus a little bit warmer for them and to help them realize that they can go to the SVO to find a home,” he said.

It is difficult to tell how many veterans are on our campus, Jones said, though Southwestern College serves more veterans than most Southern California colleges.

“I have watched SDSU grow and have

By Cody Yarbro Designer

Astronomy Professor Grant Miller spends a lot of his time pondering the greatest questions of existence. Now he has a share of the greatest award in astrophysics, the Nobel Prize.

Miller teamed up with the research team headed by American astrophysicist Saul Perlmutter involving supernovas and racing through the heavens.

Perlmutter shared the Nobel Prize with Australian astrophysicist Brian P. Schmidt and Dr. Adam G. Riess, professor of astronomy and physics at Johns Hopkins University.

Perlmutter’ team was selected by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences “for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe through observations of distant supernovae.”

“My contribution to the overall effort was small,” said Miller. “But the fact that the project itself turned out to be so very significant is very rewarding.”

Angelina Stuart, Academic Senate p re s i d e n t s a i d Mi l l e r h a s b e e n contributing to SWC for a very long time. As a former SWC Academic President he presented at the Academic Senate of California Community Colleges, Stuart said. Miller has always been modest about himself and the work he contributes to the college and the world, she said.

“His level of dedication and teaching is emblematic of the level of all the faculty that teach at this college,” she said. “His work and recognition in his research with Perlmutter is evidence of that.”

Born and raised in Thornton, Illinois, Miller said living in a small town did not stop him from reaching for the stars. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1989 with his Bachelor’s in Astronomy. Miller said his parents helped push him to fulfill his dreams. Miller’s mother is a high

seen what they have done for their vets and the way they reached out,” said Jones. “I believe they have really set the example of how to reach out to veterans.

They have an amazing setup over there and a wonderful support system. I would love to see us match that program for our veterans.”

Buckingham said he has great dreams for SWC veterans. He said there is a great need for an outreach program specifically geared to guide veterans through the “mountain of paperwork” and a mentor program to assist new veterans. A Veteran’s Center is his long-term goal.

“This could be in the form of a building or separate room where a veteran could meet other veterans, have a cup of coffee and where volunteer veterans could take a leadership position,” he said. “It would

Ernesto Rivera /staff

AT THE SPEARHEAD— Veterans Services Specialist Jim Jones served 15 years in the Marines as a staff sergeant and musician in the Marines Corps music unit.

school graduate and his father never finished high school, but he said it was his parents that taught him the valuable lessons of life that he carries with him on his journey.

“My parents instilled in me a healthy curiosity, desire to learn, and a rigorous skepticism,” said Miller. “I try to impart all of those to my students.”

Miller said he did not develop his interest in astronomy until he started college and had to choose a major.

He said he ended up sticking with it throughout college and at 24 moved to San Diego to attend SDSU, earning his Master’s.

He is also a 14-year Naval reservist.

He is a fully qualified conning officer for Nimitz-class nuclear powered aircraft carriers, and conned the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan from San Diego to the Arabian Gulf during a combat deployment.

“When I am forward deployed, decisions that I make are sometimes literally life-and-death in nature, and affect billions of dollars worth of U.S. Navy equipment,” said Miller.

“Whereas, here at the college, my priorities and decisions have little, if any, influence across the institution.”

Housed in the planetarium, Miller teaches Intro Astronomy and History of Astronomy classes. He is also the director of the planetarium and enjoys guest lectures for young children.

“The planetarium reproduces the appearance, and motions, of the sky on the inner surface of the dome,” he said. “It is used exclusively as an educational tool.”

Aside from being heavily involved in the sciences, Miller loves the opera, particularly Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly.”

“The lyricism of the music, combined with the heart-wrenching story of love, loss, betrayal, regret, and self-sacrifice is moving,” he said.

His love of opera began when he was a young boy and saw Bizet’s “Carmen” performed at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.

“The broader real-world knowledge and experience makes me a better and more well rounded individual, and

thus, hopefully, a better professor,” he said.

During graduate school Miller and a few of his friends took scuba diving lessons, and he remains a lover of the ocean. He also enjoys pumping iron at the gym.

Miller lives in a Golden Hills Victorian home built in 1893.

Joshua Saposnekoo, a student in Miller’s astronomy class, said the professor told his class to not forget that the greatest evolutionary tool that has come from stardust so far is the human brain.

“He made me cry with science,” said Saposnekoo. “He said that hopes and dreams reside in the brain, but so does evil and doubt, but do not let doubt and evil overwhelm the gloriousness of the brain. It was just crazy because he was so black-and-white and then he leaves us for the rest of the semester and now everything he taught me makes sense.”

Miller, and now his students, keep reaching for the stars.

Demi Alvarado /staff

STARDUST MEMORIES — Astronomy Professor Grant Miller likes to tell his students that the universe is full of wonder, but the greatest miracle is the human brain.

be a great opportunity to introduce the veteran to the SVO.” Faculty Advisor Chris Hayashi, professor of psychology, said he first thought that would be impossible.

“Back when the talks first started I thought it was a pipe dream,” he said.

“And now it is slowly developing into something that is realistic.”

Hayashi said veterans taught him how to conquer big challenges.

“How do you eat an elephant? Bite by bite,” said Hayashi. “What is so impressive about working with Jim and student veterans is how effectively and efficiently students get together, organize, allocate tasks and things get done.”

Jones agreed.

“I think one of the things they have in common are that veteran students are more focused, have the discipline, the structure and they are self-motivated,” said Jones. “They have proven to be better students, they are going to succeed. They have the stick-to-itiveness. Everyone on campus needs to understand that even though veterans may only be a few years older than traditional students, they have already lived a lifetime. Many of them got to see firsthand the atrocity of war. They may only be a few years apart, but they are miles ahead in lifetime experience. That is the difference. There is a huge gap.”

Hayashi said Jones is an effective leader even though he is not loud and outspoken.

“Jim is more of a compassionate leader,” he said. “He leads by example.

He is very straightforward and at the same time he really has a great heart.

I think that veteran students gravitate towards him. They have a large degree of respect for him because they recognize how much he really does care about them.”

Jones has worked at SWC for 12 years processing veteran’s benefits. He said he loves to see someone who just got out of the service come to his office with “the deer in a headlight stare” come back a few years later to hand him a ticket to a university graduation. That, he said, is “better than any paycheck.”

“When a student comes up to me and thanks me when they graduate, all I can say is that you did the walk,” said Jones.

“I just pointed the direction. Just to see them grow and blossom from the time they first got out of the service when

they were thoroughly confused of which direction to take.”

Hayashi said student veterans have had experiences most college students have not.

“That is something that is unique about them,” said Hayashi. “It is a different student population, no matter how you cut it. What is interesting about the student veterans is they bring diversity to the college. Not in “Veteran terms of just students experiences, but in terms are more of geographic focused, diversity. Most of the veterans have are not from discipline, San Diego, the structure w h i l e m o s t of our other and are self s t u de n t s a re motivated” from within 20 miles of here.”

Hayashi said Jim Jones there are many impressive Veteran Services female student Specialist veterans at SWC, an invisible population.

“That was one of the biggest things that I learned, what female veterans bring to the college and the needs that female veterans have,” said Hayashi.

“They are amazing people, amazing students and have amazing experiences that they bring to the classroom and to the college.”

Buckingham said he enjoyed giving back to other vets through the SVO and helping other veterans through regional organizations like the annual Veteran Stand Down. SVO has a close relationship with the Warrior Foundation, serving wounded and rehabilitating veterans from all services.

SVO made a donation to the Warrior Foundation to help amputee Tim Jeffers.

He was sent home to Arkansas to visit his family for a week and while he was gone the Warrior Foundation transformed his condominium and made everything adaptive to his needs. Money raised with its Wieners for Warriors fundraiser went to purchase furniture.

“He is a double amputee, he also received head injuries,” said Jones. “They got concrete cutters, electricians and a

whole slew of business people together.

We witnessed the homecoming and it was very touching.”

Hayashi said the Wieners for Warriors sale is a great example of how the SVO stands out. No other club on campus could sell $850 worth of hot dogs.

“It has nothing to do with the hot dogs,” said Hayashi. “It has to do with the students really promoting a good cause, being very vocal and just being real go-getters. That is what is so impressive and I have learned a lot working with the veterans. Sometimes you just have to be persistent and ask for things, not give up and things get done.”

SVO participates in “Deck the Halls” at Balboa Naval Hospital, decorating three floors for wounded service members.

“I know some of these wounded warriors are here and more are headed in our direction,” said Jones.”

Jones served 15 years in the Marines as a staff sergeant and musician in the ceremonial unit. He performed on the “Tonight Show” and many other shows, public appearances and played for every president of the United States from Gerald Ford to George Bush.

“There are a lot of things I treasure,” said Jones. “Ronald Reagan sent us presidential cufflinks as a gift. Bob Hope sent us a pin when he received a fourth star on the Walk of Fame and he wanted us to perform for that. Just to be inside that little world is so much fun. It was hard work and a lot of commitment and preparation, but it was always rewarding.

I loved it.”

Jones is married and has a son in the Marines serving in Afghanistan. He volunteered. His unit is not there. He joined another unit to go.

“I am very proud of him,” said Jones.

“There is a Marine side of me that says ‘Yeah!,’ but then there is the father side of me that says ‘be careful.’

As a family man, Jim Jones said he understands that not all veterans with families can do traditional college things, but if they have the time, he likes to see them connect with some of the SVO members and the events. He said it is important that they get to network, meet some of the people outside that support veterans, and make those connections. He said one student met former Assemblywoman Mary Salas and a week later, she represented veterans in the South Bay up at the state capital.

Jones said that is what it is all about.

CAMPUS

The Southwestern College Sun

Winter Edition 2011-12 — Vol. 55, Iss. 4

5

Students work hard to feed homeless The ‘noodle people’ nourish bodies and souls on the streets

By Amber Sykes Arts Editor

Marshall Murphy /staff

WOMEN AT WORK — Stephanie Ramirez works on the brakes of her Honda Accord at the Automotive Department.

Auto department gets the students’ engines roaring

By Marshall Murphy Assistant Photo Editor

In t h e e ve r - e vo l v i n g w o r l d o f American higher education, one tried and true program has managed to stay on the road.

Southwestern College has the region’s l a r g e s t a u t o m o t i ve t e c h n o l o g i e s program and it shows no sign of running out of gas. It hosts 40 work stations, five classrooms and an official smog training station with a licensed smog referee. Serving more than 200 students, the department aims to help them become certified and employed through its Associate’s degree program and Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certificate. A satellite program is hosted at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado.

Marshall Murphy /staff “ We t eac h t h e eight subj ec ts BRAKE TIME — Instructor David Preciado explains the science of stopping a car to Stephanie Ramirez. of automotive.” said Jose I barra, automotive instr uctor. “ Br akes, them a chance to work in commercial suspension, automatic and manual shops. transmission, A/C, high performance “If they don’t get hired they could a n d t h e b a s i c f u n d a m e n t a l s o f at least walk away with real world automotive technology.” experience,” said Preciado. “They are Automotive technology is a vocational taught the job hunting process.” program with hands-on labs.

Juan Carlos Solorizano, 39, said “We basically tell them how to do he is working to earn an AA in it, we show them how to do it, then automotive technology and all eight we allow them to do it,” said David ASE certifications.

Preciado, director of the program.

“I think this program is beautiful,” “Through practice and repetition (we said Solorizano. “I come from Mexico hope) they will master the skill.” and just to look at all the equipment Brian Muldoon, 45, automotive they have here, the knowledge of the technician major, is working to get his instructors and information you have at AA and ASE certifications. your finger tips you couldn’t compare “Everything here is fully designed it to other places.” to get you prepped and ready for ASE Stephanie Ramirez, 22, an automotive certification,” he said. “All shops must technology major, was working on the be ASE certified to work on vehicles.” front brakes of her Honda Accord Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) with Muldoon. She said she plans to “At first it was kind of horrifying signs are posted on every building. earn an Associate’s degree and ASE when I walked into the first day of Certification assures consumers a certifications. class,” she said. “All I saw were guys, c re d e n t i a l e d a n d k n ow l e d g e a b l e “The thing that captures me the most no girls at all. But then again, I was mechanic. is an engine,” she said. “I don’t like the raised with guys, my dad, brother and “I know during their time here lectures too much. They bore me to uncles, I’ve grown up basically with a with us we do hear about a lot of the death, but I like being out here with bunch of guys.” students getting certified and becoming hands-on training. I learn a lot better.”

Ramirez figures she will fit right in. employed,” said Preciado.

Ramriez said she grew up playing After all, if women can drive race cars Students participate in the World with her brother’s toy cars. Today she they ought to be able to build and fix Experience Education Program, giving is the only woman in the class. them.

S.O.S: Protesters plan an active spring semester Continued from Page 2

lead proponent of the initiative. “They are going to try and say that if this does go into effect you will pay more at the pump and jobs will be lost. But that is wrong. There is a provision in the second chapter that prevents this. If they do try to pass down any taxes to the pumps they will be fined twice the amount they passed on.”

Mathews is a political science professor at Cypress College in Orange County. His Initiative aims to aid education solely by providing money to make more classes available, bring more teachers in and lower tuition rates.

About 11 percent of the tax will go to UC systems, 14 percent to the CSU system, 38 percent to the community college system and 37 percent will go to fund K-12 systems.

“The money will not be allowed to be

used on construction and salary increases,” said Orozco. “This is to put the money back where it belongs, in education.”

S.O.S. called upon students and faculty to become the petition gathers to help the bill make the ballot.

“You have to be that person outside of the stores with the clipboards,” said Saenz.

“You can no longer ignore them.”

Among the crowd were twins Kim Cuilty and Farrah Cuilty students from Miramar College came to hear Orozco and Saenz speak. Kim became familiar with S.O.S and Prop 1522 when she attended the Student Senate of Community College conference in San Jose last month where Mathews was the keynote speaker.

“He talked about the initiative,” she said.

“And I wanted to get involved and I knew I have the power to get involved, we all do.

I’m personally working with my school to organize rallies like this and getting those signatures to get this bill on next year ballot.”

Orozco and Saenz said they are gaining the momentum and they need to get SWC students as well as other colleges motivated.

Mathews plans to speak to SWC next semester.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would urge people to walk in the light of creative altruism rather than the darkness of destructive selfishness. Southwestern College students Natalia and Felipe Ramirez have found the light.

Every Saturday the Ramirez siblings and family members take to the streets of downtown San Diego to feed the homeless. They buy all the food and cook for about 150 people a week. They call it a responsibility.

“We don’t do it because we want to give back,” said Natalia Ramirez. “We do it because we feel it is an obligation.”

Padre Hurtado, a Chilean Jesuit priest, is one of the family’s biggest influences, according to Felipe. “Dar hasta que duela” (Give until it hurts) is an Hurtado axiom the Ramirez family lives by. Originally from Santiago, Chile, the Ramirez family is finding its nitch in San Diego County.

What started as an Easter outing for the family of five has become a healthy addiction. Since April the family has been delivering lunches to San Diego homeless every Saturday. They have gone from prepacking ham sandwiches to filling foam cups with spaghetti and marinara sauce, all cooked from scratch.

At first, excursions were unplanned.

“We went downtown, randomly stopping whenever we saw a homeless person and just gave them food,” said Natalia.

On the second trip they were already recognized by many of the people they fed. Seven months later, they are now warmly greeted with applause and cries of, “The noodle people are here!”

Dedication fuels the family on long Saturdays.

“Every week we come back empty handed,” said Felipe Ramirez, “but with our souls filled with happiness.”

He said the volunteering has changed him in so many ways. A 19-year-old premed and psychology major, Felipe has given up his relaxing weekends. Times have changed but he has no regrets.

“That was our old lives,” he said. “And to be honest, I don’t miss it a bit.”

Though they do not do it for the praise or attention, the Ramirez family is getting back a lot of love. On their mother’s birthday many of the people they feed pitched in to give her a chocolate gift box and card.

“It was very emotional,” said Natalia.

“I don’t know how they even knew it was her birthday.”

Natalia said one of the men put his hand in his pocket and took everything out and gave it to her mother. He only

had 10 cents and she was very moved by the gesture.

“That was very emotional and impressive because they don’t have anything,” Natalia said. “Since they love my mom so much, that they would just give everything they have to her.”

Many Ramirez family friends and supporters give their time to help on the weekends.

Southwestern’s Psi Beta Honor Society has members who help cook and deliver food. Psi Beta also hosted a fund raiser to support the Ramirez family operation.

Psi Beta President Brianda Gumbs, 21, a psychology major, said the bake sale raised $118 and they hope to do it again next semester. Money raised helped feed 140 people one night.

Gumbs said she wishes more people would get involved.

“It’s a very different experience once you go out there,” she said. “We all know there are homeless people, but you definitely feel something differently when you go down there. When you’re home you are just thankful for everything you have.”

The experience gave her a new perspective on her own life and she said it cleared up some assumptions she has heard about the homeless.

“I didn’t know what to expect when I went down there,” said Gumbs. “A lot of times people have this kind of mentality that people are going to be kind of aggressive or mean, but when we went down there everybody that I approached was very kind. Even if they declined it they were very thankful we offered them a warm meal.”

Natalia Ramirez finds time in her schedule as a pre-med student, president of American Medical Student Association, Inter-Club Council representative of the Psi Beta Honor Society and part-time tutor to spend her Saturdays cooking and delivering food to the homeless. She said even the smallest help is huge.

“The cooking is not much,” she said.

“But the packing is kind of hectic. We have to be fast so that the food doesn’t get sticky or cold. There’s a lot of running around.”

Food and materials cost between $60$100 a week, she said, and supporters often donate through Facebook.

“Since we’re not (a tax-exempt) organization, it’s hard for us to ask companies for donations because they might not believe us or think we’ll use the money for something else,” said Natalia.

Need is everywhere, she said.

“Everywhere we go, we find people.

We want to get to everyone there first before moving on, but we haven’t been able to because every week there are more people.”

Marshall Murphy /staff

AIRING GRIEVANCES — Phil Saenz explains the S.O.S. movement to a KUSI cameraman and calls for a new oil extraction tax.

6 Winter Edition, 2011-12 — Volume 55, Issue 4

War games used for recruiting

The Southwestern College Sun

ARTS

Dance of the Motherland

By Nathan Hermanson Assistant Arts Editor

Video games and the military seem to fit together like burnout celebrities do with tabloids. Combining the storytelling of videogames with the reality of war has not only proved intriguing, but produced a successful business model. Over the last month, the two biggest war-based video games, “Battlefield 3” and “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3,” have sold 19.6 million units and accumulated around $784 million in revenue.

“COD: MW3” is now the largest entertainment release of all time. It raked in more than $400 million dollars at launch.

Developers realized the potential of the subject matter early on and the relationship between these war-based games and the armed forces they represent go back a long way. One of the first games on the Atari 2600 was called “Combat” and it could be considered one of the first popular warbased video games. Conceptually the game was simple. Two vehicles (ranging from tanks to helicopters) moved across a battlefield, shooting and destroying one another. It held no true merit with regards to the military and showed little by way of realism.

Over the years games would emphasize military themes, but they could never truly grasp the experience of war. “Call of Duty” began to close the gap. Featuring some of the biggest battles of World War II and showcasing the shock and awe of war, this game took the industry by storm. “COD” showed what video games could do for the military.

War-based video games incrementally upped the ante and the military found truer representation. “America’s Army” broadened the relationship between the military and gaming. Released in 2002, by the Army, it was essentially a recruiting tool. With a core design comparable to the “COD” series, (first person perspective and a focus on on-line play with multiple people) “America’s Army” focused in on realism

Eter Estrada/staff

A MOVING PERFORMANCE — Akayaa Atule (center left) and 15 of her African Dance students nearly stole the show at “A Night of World Music” in Mayan Hall.

By Ana Bahena • Distribution Manager

O

n a cold November night, Mayan Hall was burning hot with sound. African Dance class instructor Akayaa Atule and 15 SWC students stomped, jumped and chanted to the rhythm of the drums as SWC hosted “A Night of World Music.”

Females of all ethnicities, the African Dance ensemble performed four songs to an almost-full house that clapped along to the beat. Each of the five drums played a different rhythm, but together blended into a bright harmony.

Music professor and drummer Todd Caschetta spent 13 months in West Africa where he learned different drumming and dance styles from the region. He said this event was for students in the African dance class (DANC145) to showcase their talent.

“Our dance students work hard at learning the traditional dances of Ghana,” he said. “It’s

more fun to show off what they have learned on stage in traditional African clothing and in front of friends.”

As the group began to play “A Weh Di Yeh,” a dance rhythm used for celebrations, contagious smiles emerged from each dancer and energy radiated to even the darkest corner of the building.

SWC art major Yessenia Hulsey said she was excited to perform, especially for her family in the audience.

“Some of the girls were nervous, but we’re kind of like a little family,” she said. “We have a sisterhood bond. It is an awesome class and it allows us to share our spirit with others.”

“Adowa,” an original funeral dance of the Ashanti people from Ghana, included graceful motions that indicate the more serious origins of the dance. Audience members were left in awe.

Caschetta said there are very few please see African pg. 15

Eter Estrada/staff

HANDS-ON MUSIC— Percussionist Antonio Grajeda of Afrojazziacs brought flair to the drum choir.

please see Games pg. 11

Child protégé blossoms as musical star

By Cody Yarbro Staff Writer

Blossoming singer/songwriter Jessica Lerner has played a star for years at the San Diego Old Globe Theater and San Diego Repertory Theater. Now she is on the verge of becoming one.

Lerner, 21, has been the featured singer in the Teatro Máscara Mágica production of La Pastorela since she was in high school, singing the show-stopping songs of Estrella, the star of Bethlehem.

Minus her rhinestone staff and sparkling white dress from La Pastorela, she can still light up the stage with her versatile voice.

Her much-anticipated first full-length CD is on schedule for a 2012 release, and her already-sizeable fan base is ready.

Like most “overnight sensations,” Lerner worked hard to get to this point in her career. She began piano and vocal training at age 8 and made her first trip to the recording studio as an 11 year old.

She released her first recording at 19.

Unlike the Nickelodeon teen starlets, Lerner is an accomplished instrumentalist who writes her own songs and records the piano and guitar lines herself. But like most young artists, she had to find her footing.

“I used to think that all the songs I wrote were dumb, this is silly, nobody is going to like it,” said Lerner. “I had

no confidence behind the work I was doing. I would go out there and sell what I had. When I got my first bits of feedback from people that was a huge boost of confidence for me.”

Though she needed to gain her song writing confidence, there was never much doubt in anyone’s minds that she could sing. Lerner sang “The Star Spangled Banner” as an 8 year old at Qualcomm Stadium and has performed at Padre’s games ever since. She began piano lessons at 8 at Southwestern College and studied voice with Joni Wilson.

That same year she debuted in her first musical, “The Return of the Proctor Valley Monster,” a Bonitafest Melodrama that opposed the construction of the 125 Tollway.

She was a featured soloist in the show that included many of the region’s best musical theatre performers.

Music came to Lerner at a young age, according to her mother, Pamela. Jessica first turned heads as a toddler singing her ABC’s.

“It was not really something I chose, I was just always inclined to music and singing,” said Lerner. “There were a couple of moments that I could think of right now that were kind of turning points or realization of this is who I

Cody Yarbro/staff

RISING STAR — Gifted recording artist Jessica Lerner has her debut CD coming out in 2012.

www.youtube.com/swcracketroom

please see Lerner pg. 14

Artful mix of silicon, ceramics

By Eileen Salmeron Staff Writer

One of the oldest forms of art collided with one of the newest at the SWC Art Gallery. It was a winning combination.

“For my “Travel Size: students I A Ceramic Visit with Artaxis.org” tell them featured a web- I don’t driver media r o o m , a C l a y really care Club exhibition about the and work from deadline, the permanent SWC ceramics what I c o l l e c t i o n f o r care about a n i n t e ra c t i ve exhibit. Gallery is your co-director John process to Oliver Lewis a s s e m b l e d a n get there.” exhibit that was hip, edgy and Nathan Betschart cool, but well Artist grounded.

“The artists decided which pieces to put in the gallery, rather than myself picking works from different artists,” said Lewis, an please see Artaxis pg. 14

The Southwestern College Sun

VIEWPOINTS

Winter Edition 2011-12 — Vol. 55, Iss. 4

7

Editorials, Opinions and Letters to the Editor

The Spinning Wheel

Opinions expressed in the Viewpoints section are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent the views of The Sun Staff, the Editorial Board or Southwestern College.

ANGELA VAN OSTRAN

When the “facts of life” hit home

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Albert Fulcher MANAGING EDITOR

Amber Sykes

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Diana Inocencio SENIOR EDITOR

Angela Van Ostran NEWS

Mary York, editor Ernesto Rivera, assistant Ana Ochoa, assistant VIEWPOINTS

Tom Lord, editor CAMPUS

Amanda L. Abad editor Angelica Gonzales, assistant ARTS

Amber Sykes, editor Nathan Hermanson, assistant SPORTS

Daniel Guzman, editor Alexis Dominguez, assistant ONLINE

Alyssa Simental, editor Christopher Soto, designer MULTIMEDIA

Andrea Aliseda, editor Walter Graham, staff PHOTOGRAPHY

Serina Duarte, editor Marshall Murphy, assistant Pablo Gandara, assistant COPY EDITOR

Margie Reese STAFF WRITERS

Jamie Celeste Nickolas Furr Valeria Genel Kyla Guerrero Elizabeth Lucas Kyle Nelson Enrique Raymundo Kevin Reyes Michelle Robles Stephanie Saldana Lina Sandoval Anna Sobreviñas Eileen Salmeron Elizabeth L Thompson CARTOONISTS

Rashid Hasirbaf Carlos Magaña DESIGNERS

Cody Yarbro PHOTOGRAPHERS

Demi Alvarado Jiamay Austria Juan Castaneda Eter Dafne Estrada Erika Gonzalez Jeremy Lawson Amparo Mendoza Karen Janeth Perez Karime Ponce DeLeon Misael Virgen Paula Waters DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Ana Bahena Daniel Sanchez ASSISTANT ADVISOR

Amanda L. Abad ADVISER

Max Branscomb

Honors

Student Press Law Center College Press Freedom Award, 2011 National Newspaper Association National College Newspaper of the Year, 2004-11 Associated Collegiate Press National College Newspaper of the Year National Newspaper Pacemaker Award, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 General Excellence Awards, 2001-11 Best of Show, 2003-11 Columbia University Scholastic Press Association Gold Medal for Journalism Excellence, 2001-11 California Newspaper Publishers Assoc.

California College Newspaper of the Year, 2011-2012 Student Newspaper General Excellence, 2002-11 Society of Professional Journalists National Mark of Excellence, 2001-11 First Amendment Award, 2002, 2005 San Diego Press Club Excellence in Journalism Awards 1999-2011 California Chicano News Media Assoc.

La Pluma Awards 2000-08 Journalism Association of Community Colleges Pacesetter Award 2001-11 General Excellence Awards, 2000-11 San Diego County Fair Media Competition Best of Show 2001-03, 2005-2011 San Diego County Multicultural Heritage Award 2004, 2006

editorial

The Issue: Thousands of talented, young immigrants are foolishly deported despite being raised as Americans

Carlos Magana/Staff

Our Position: The DREAM Act is needed to provide a pathway to citizenship for the immigrant children of America

The DREAM Act is a pathway to success Ayded Reyes has been the face of the Southwestern College women’s cross-country team. She may soon be the national face of an effort to welcome some of America’s best and brightest young men and women into the light of citizenship.

Children of undocumented workers live in the shadows. If discovered they face an uncertain future in an unfamiliar country, in a language and a culture they do not understand. A mockery is made of the American Dream.

California’s best community college cross-country runner was nearly deported last month for the crime of being carried across the border as an infant. Only dramatic 11th hour intervention by Congressman Bob Filner saved the 20-year-old honor student from being shipped off to a foreign country she has not been to in 19 years. Dumping Ayded Reyes in Mexico would be as cruel as dumping any of us in North Korea, Turkmenistan or Libya.

The American DREAM Act can change that.

The Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors (DREAM) Act is a sensible idea that is misrepresented by the Limbaugh fringe and misunderstood by many Americans. It is not amnesty and it has nothing to do with anchor babies. It is a gateway for youth that have grown up as Americans to become educated and productive citizens of the United States.

There are two pipelines to obtain citizenship under the DREAM Act, college and the military. Applicants must serve honorably in the military for at least of two years or earn at least an Associate degree or its equivalent.

Students 12 years and older would be able to remain in this country if enrolled in primary or secondary school full-time. After high school they would become eligible to apply for Conditional Permanent Residency for six years. In order to qualify they must have entered the United States before the age of 16 and been present in the U.S. for at least five consecutive years prior to enactment of the bill. They must be graduates of a U.S. high school or a GED recipient, or accepted into an institute of higher education.

Participants must be between the ages of 12 and 35 at the time of application.

Democrats and Republicans ought to love the DREAM Act. A 2010 UCLA study predicts

the DREAM Act will legalize about 2.1 million undocumented youth and would pump $1.4 trillion into the American economy over the next 40 years (America’s total GNP is $14.5 trillion). In a classic bit of understatement the study concludes “this bill’s educational requirements have an underlying economic stimulus potential that has largely gone unnoticed by members of Congress.”

That is the most conservative study. Another study

by UCLA researchers concluded that DREAM Act citizens would infuse $3.6 trillion into our economy over that time.

UCLA’s North American Integration and Development Center concludes the DREAM Act represents an opportunity for American taxpayers to significantly increase the return on our investment in K-12 students. It is legislation that would “advance the U.S. global competitive position in science, technology, medicine, education and many other endeavors.”

Reyes has been lucky so far. She is an attractive, articulate champion athlete whose case has generated national attention. ABC, ESPN, NBC, Univision, Telemundo and other print and broadcast media are lining up to tell her story. A U.S. Senator is interested in her case.

Other SWC students have not been so fortunate.

Scores that we know of have been deported in the past two years and the total may run into the hundreds.

Liberals and conservatives ought to like the DREAM Act. It honors hard work, service, sacrifice and success. It could add new energy and vitality to our sagging economy and aging population. It is a chance to handpick the best and the brightest.

Race politics by the GOP right is the only plausible explanation as to why such a moderate, economicallysound bill that is solidly in the national interest should have so many senators and congressman acting so cowardly and dodging this legislation.

The Sun fully supports and defends these de facto Americans and the DREAM Act. It is time for these honorable and talented people to come out of the shadows and take their rightful place in American society. Too bad we cannot seem to muster up a majority of our federal elected officials with the courage to do the right thing and pass the DREAM Act. If only they had a sliver of the courage of Ayded Reyes.

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As a parent, the idea of sending my child into the world unprepared makes me cringe. I’ve taught him to budget, to cook, to plan ahead and make sound choices, though he’s yet to experience any of this without the safety net of mom.

Recently, however, he made his first move into the world unaided. The world of relationships.

It was a hard moment to realize that my son, while still growing and maturing in many ways, has formed a bond with another person, beyond shooting Nerf targets at the television at least. I thought I would have at least a few more years before confronting these issues. But these issues were my own, and I firmly believe that a happy, healthy relationship with another person cannot be possible for him unless he is allowed to grow at his own pace.

That said, the rationality behind it didn’t stop the deer-inheadlights feeling I had when I spotted them holding hands. It was a pivotal moment as a mother, to decide whether to intercede this rambunxious lawlessness, or accept that my own fears for him were highlighted with all new fears. I’ve been there. This path could lead to limitless possibilities and I could see them all unfolding before me. My mother-bear mode kicked in fullblast. The boy I had raised to think for himself and trust in himself was doing just that. I wanted to yank him aside and quickly tell him everything we hadn’t talked about yet. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust him. I didn’t trust what he didn’t know yet. But I had also raised him not to shy away from life, that experiences – both good and bad – are gifts that can educate and guide us.

Teenagers today have a plethora of mixed messages regarding healthy, long-term relationships. Television, music, peers and adults can all offer distorted versions of how to get, maintain and enjoy a healthy relationship, if they even offer these messages at all. After seeing someone watch porn on his cell phone at a bus stop, I became fully aware just how powerful knowledge of the world is in the palm of our hands. Atlas would be pleased, at least, but as a single parent I questioned whether I had given my child the gift of reasoning, to have an open mind and do the right thing. Especially at a public bus stop.

People haven’t changed and neither have the times. What’s changed drastically in the last couple generations are the dangers out there, though they are no less scary.

My philosophy has always been to educate, inform, and offer choices while never sugar-coating the of each choice.

Talking about relationships and sex and everything that goes with the impending doom of adulthood can be very scary, especially for single parents who may carry the weight of their child’s entire future through their own examples. Though the most important conversations to have can be the most uncomfortable, not having them can be far more painful.

Our educational system sticks to the biological differences between the genders, not the sociological or emotional connections we make with each other. An increase in sex buddies without relationships may be an increasingly popular choice among young adults, it also leaves less chance of discussing sexual histories with a partner or partners.

I am acutely aware of all the please see Spinning Wheel pg. 8

You can reach Angela by e-mail at angela.vanostran@gmail.com

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Winter Edition 2011-12 — Vol. 55, Iss. 4

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The Southwestern College Sun

Social networking crippling social interaction

By Kyla Guerrero & Ernesto Rivera A Perspective

In this digital age we log-in, upload, update, check-in, re-blog and tweet to a world that does not care. Smart phones are making us act dumb.

Proper etiquette dictates that we put phones away during conversations.

Curt Fletcher of eHow scolded serial phone users in his article “Social Etiquette.”

“If you are at work, in a meeting or in a conversation with another person, turn the ringer off your phone and don’t answer it,” he wrote. “Interrupting another conversation to answer your phone is not only rude but it makes the other person feel less important.”

Dr. Leslie Haddon had predicted the rudeness of “Generation Text” back in 2000 with her essay “The Social Consequences of Mobile Telephony.” She suggested we put our phones away and warned about creating our own private spaces in public.

“Internet users being on-line and interacting with distant others may reduce interaction with those immediately around them, such as family,” she wrote.

Pulling out a cell phone in the middle of class is an insult to the professor and rude to classmates. Accessing social media outlets to express boredom demonstrates a lack of social etiquette and only makes the user look uneducated and disrespectful. Why sit through a class only to update a Facebook page?

We use social media to fend off boredom (which we embrace much too easily) and to distract us from real-life obligations. “(Mobile phones) serve to cut us off from those immediately around us and indeed using a mobile telephony can also be used to give a message to others concerning the user’s non-availability to those physically present,” Haddon wrote.

Forget homework, laundry and showering because our wall posts and our blogs need updating. We must step away from the bright screen, throw our phones down and take a step outside. The sun is shining.

Social networking networking has great potential and it is unbearable to see it wasted.

Websites like YouTube have allowed many amateur entertainers to support themselves through advertisements. Facebook helps families stay in contact. Twitter can bring awareness to injustice and revolutions.

Twitter was used by Egyptian protestors

By Ericka Gonzalez A perspective

Carlos Magana/Staff

to show the world their disgust with Hosni Mubarak.

Students, who will one day become professionals, can use social media so much more effectively. Instead of using Twitter and Facebook to say how much we hate being at work, students can use it to begin building their futures. Student musicians, writers and entertainers can use social media to their advantage and promote their work.

Students who spend their walking-to-class time with their heads down trying to take in life through a small screen are missing out on what our campus has to offer. Worse,

students who spend their class time on their phones are wasting a great education that legions excluded from college would love to have. They are wasting a valuable seat and professors should not have to teach in an environment that is more concerned about Kim Kardashian’s newest 140-character tweet than what a professor is saying. They are wasting their money, their parents’ money or worse, the taxpayer’s money.

Too many have become blind to surroundings but up-to-the-minute on their virtual lives.

Much time is wasted updating to a virtual

world that does not care. Self worth is being determined by the number of likes and followers. As a generation, organic friendship and authentic conversation is dying. If it is not hash-tagged then it seems like it is not a conversation worth having.

Our primary way to interact has devolved through these digital tombs that confine us to ourselves. We have reached the objectification of immortality by being forever virtually alive. There is little use for a legend showing how bored we were in class or how un-entertained we were by our own mundane lives.

Blasting music from cars is rude and disruptive

By Cody Yarbro A Perspective

We al have different tastes, but no one wants to have anything shoved down their throats or their ears. Outer classrooms at Southwestern College are bombarded noise pollution, as cars pass the open doors with music at high volumes.

Whether it be Mozart, LMFAO, or System of a Down, if it is played too loud, it is not just music anymore, it is a distraction from the focus of both students and professors alike. Students on campus fail to understand that SWC is not a truck stop. Sitting in one place waiting for somebody to get out of class is as distracting as walking into the class and grabbing them by their hair and pulling them out of their chairs.

Imagine sitting in class taking a final exam, and all the sudden out of the corner a catchy song comes on, taking your focus off of the exam and away from the class.

Rather than focusing on the test, students are fixed on who is driving that car and why he or she is being inconsiderate to

SWC English learners need our support

the surroundings around them.

Not only students are affected by such a disruption, faculty are as well. Trying to teach a class while a car playing some extremely loud music is difficult, with all the distractions already on campus.

Teachers have to really try and keep students attention.

Students on campus playing loud music are looking rather posh or arrogant instead of coming off as the alpha-male.

Inconsiderate of their surroundings and of their fellow students. A more appropriate place to play that noise would be a place that nobody can hear it, perhaps the middle of a desert. Not everybody enjoys listening to the same types of music.

An array of culture brings the students together at SWC, but what makes students unique are the varying personalities. Each student has their own taste of music, their own way of living. Forcing one to listen to a style of music causing discomfort is not something that makes the college experience memorable or enjoyable, to say the least. To one student techno is the sound of their soul, to the same student

“Quiero aprender Ingles,” “Voglio imparare l’Inglese,” “Gusto ko matuto ng Ingles,” “Eu quero aprender Ingles.”

There are so many ways to say “I want to learn English.”

About 70 percent of the students at Southwestern College are not at college level in reading or writing.

More than half are English as a Second Language students. English learners are everywhere in almost every class.

Learning English as a second language should not stop students from reaching for their dreams and goals. Students learning English should not feel demeaned. On the contrary, they should be proud of where they come from, because only in this way will they know toward the direction they want to go.

Lack of fluency in English does not have a direct correlation with overall intellectual capacities. Yet sometimes students who are learning English face discrimination from their classmates or even their instructors.

They are treated poorly as if they have a mental disability, making them feel embarrassed about coming to school.

Some abandon school or worse, their dreams.

Having English as a second language does not limit one’s intellectual potential. Never give up on life and achieving everything that you want to do. Never allow anyone to demean or humiliate you or make you feel like “you are not part of the team” just because you are learning a new language. Being bilingual is a great gift.

Where you come from is important, where you are going more so. Do not take the counsel of naysayers. Seek out the dedicated professors, brilliant students and school staff that make the difference. They are out there.

Spinning Wheel: Parents need to be conscientious about teaching kids Continued from Page 7

Mary York/Staff

hard rock or Metallica sounds like a cat nails angrily attacking a chalkboard.

If one must play the music at an extreme volume, then perhaps rolling up the windows would offer some quiet time at school. Music is therapeutic, meant to be an escape, but how far can a student run to get away from the noise when he is taking an exam. Be considerate of the teachers trying to teach a class, instructing students during a lesson and not disrupt

them with loud music outside. Even with the classroom door closed, the music can still be heard. Schools teach students a lot of lessons, but a lesson that cannot be taught in a class room is treating others as you would like to be treated. Treat fellow students with respect, let the ones that are here to learn, take in all they can, because for many students on campus, that one math class may be their last chance at a good education.

ThinkingOutLoud

dangers he faces in the world. I am also aware of all the things I wish I could have said sooner, the conversations I wanted to have but which froze up in the back of my throat. I also know he can get that information elsewhere, and I’d rather it came from me than unearthed from some wacky website. All the same, sheltering a child can lead to unhealthy discoveries and mistruths.

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, especially for teenagers.

What can be done, however, is to remember the reality of what life was like at their age, and to keep those lines of communication open, so that someday, when that deerin-headlights feeling slaps a parent awake, it won’t be too late.

What do you think about the DEAM Act?

Franklin Monzon, 20, Biology major

Carlos Gonzalez, 19, construction management major

Jen Miller, 21, Biotechnology major

Jordam Jacobo, 27, Telemedia major

“The DREAM Act is a good idea and probably controversial.”

“They should have the opportunity to study here because they lived their entire lives in the United States.”

“It would be beneficial.

Immigrants are underprivileged and should take advantage of what they have in the United States.”

“ I do support it. I think no one should be denied an education.”

Professor of Art Raul Espinoza

“Good for the people coming in, but a nightmare for people paying taxes.”

Tom Lord, editor

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Tel: (619) 482-6368 e-mail: viewpoints@theswcsun.com

Winter Edition 2011-12 — Vol. 55, Iss. 4

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Whittaker has served college brilliantly

By Mary York A Perspective

AMANDA L. ABAD

After 30 years, HIV still running rampant in U.S.

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very nine and a half minutes someone becomes infected with HIV. More than 30 million people have died from the disease since 1981.

In 2008, more than 2 million children under 15 years old were living with HIV/ AIDS. Today, there are 34 million people worldwide that have HIV/AIDS. HIV causes AIDS. HIV attacks the immune system therefore leaving the body to be more vulnerable to catch colds, life-threatening infections and cancers. “These are called opportunistic infections because they take the opportunity to attack when a person’s immune system is weak,” according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

HIV can be found in tears, saliva, blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, nervous system tissue and spinal fluid.

Only the semen, vaginal secretions, blood and breast milk are able to transmit infection to others.

HIV has proven to be transmitted through intercourse, and through the blood by sharing needles. A pregnant woman can give the virus to her fetus through their shared blood circulation, or by breast-feeding.

According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, “an HIV-positive person is said to have AIDS when his or her immune system becomes so weak it can’t fight off certain kinds of infections and cancers, such as PCP (a type of pneumonia) or KS (Kaposi sarcoma, a type of cancer that affects the skin and inter organs in HIV), wasting syndrome (involuntary weight loss), memory impairment, or tuberculosis.”

AIDS is the sixth leading cause of death among people ages 25 to 44 in the United States.

On December 1, President Barack Obama vowed to provide AIDS treatment to 6 million people worldwide by 2012.

Long-term effects of HIV-positive people on anti-HIV drugs are increased risks of heart disease and diabetes. Some experience changes in their body shape and in their appearance by an increased or decreased amount of fat in their face, neck, shoulders, breasts or belly.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, “experts aren’t sure whether these changes in body fat are due to the HIV itself, or to the anti-HIV drugs.”

The visible changes of body fat look like tumors on the body.

Taking medication for HIV can be difficult. Sometimes, the side effects aren’t worth taking the medication, and other times the medicine just doesn’t work. When a drug does help a person, the medicine may become less effective and stop working. Unfortunately, it is not always clear if HIV is what causes someone’s death.

In 2010, more than 6 million people were getting life-saving AIDS drugs, compared to just 400,000 in 2003.

Suppressing the virus through treatment reduces the risk of spreading HIV by 96 percent, according to studies. Obama said by 2013 the U.S. aims “to provide anti-retroviral drugs to more than 1.5 million HIV-positive pregnant women worldwide.”

Only 23 percent of children that have HIV/AIDS who need treatment are actually getting it, according to the World Health Organization. In 2010, 250,000 children died of HIV-related complications. According to Dr. Bernard Pécoul, Executive Director of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, that’s like 700 dying each day, “without treatment, half of the children born with HIV die before their second birthday.”

This year marks the 30th year since the first AIDS case was documented. This was a long tough battle against one of the greatest threats to mankind and that the fight on AIDS still isn’t over, but it’s a nice step forward.

Got a burning question? Sex and The Sun can be reached at sexandthesun@gmail.com.

In her first days on campus, Interim Superintendent Denise Whittaker said she felt as though the college was accepting her with trust she had not yet earned. True enough, most of the Southwestern College opened their arms readily to the woman who spoke plainly, with sleeves rolled up.

SWC employees were so wounded and scared that they were ready to embrace any glimmer of hope they could find and cling to it.

During her welcome reception Whittaker met members of the college community, including several very new students. While her introductory speech told those listening a little about herself, the question still remained: who is Denise Whittaker?

The first thing the college learned about Whittaker is that she is the kind of person who gets straight to work. From Day One she was running and setting the pace for the college.

There was a swamp of problems to wade through and Whittaker did not hesitate, tackling accreditation, shared consultation reform, policy issues on campus as well as myriad personnel issues and financial obstacles. She proved she is a problem-solver.

Not once did she waver. Not once did she show signs of stopping. Unlike her predecessor, she came in early and stayed in late. Even as the college was hit with last-minute accreditation problems and an overwhelming budget crisis, Whittaker met problems headon. Her example inspired the faculty, staff, administration and student body to do the same. SWC learned that Whittaker was bold.

Faculty and staff aired contentious issues, like freedom of speech violations

and shared consultation abuses. Then Whittaker proved that she was a good listener. Providing calm, sensible leadership, she encouraged the college to muscle through its problems.

Whittaker met problems with grace.

She proved that she could work for the college rather than for herself.

Her powerful and calming presence embedded rays of hope in the cracks and crannies of the campus and the college saw that she was responsible.

Her careless, though unintentional, plagiarism in her September 11 memorial e-mail was a sloppy moment, but she handled the aftermath with humility, owning up to her faux pas rather than blaming someone else. So she verified that she is a humble person.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader, a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.”

Whittaker is preparing to leave, and though the college community will miss her terribly, it is not afraid like they were when she first arrived.

We do not cling to her because she inspired us to trust ourselves. She is a great leader.

Whittaker still sees those once-new students on campus. She addresses them with the tender, “my, you’ve grown” tone of voice and asks how their year has gone. And that is when SWC realized that Denise Whittaker is the genuine article. Atop her many admirable qualities, she cares for people. She poured herself, all that she is, into a college she knew she would have to leave in a year. How unselfish.

How noble. How humbling.

She had it from the beginning, but in one year Whittaker earned unalterable, unconditional trust from this college.

Illustration by Carlos Magana/Staff

SWC abbreviation commits grammer crimes

Tom Lord/Staff

By Daniel Guman A Perspective

Cradled by a pedestal of red bark and nestled in front of the bookstore under a shadow draped by an assortment of beautiful trees, rests a pristine topiary sculpture that reads “SWC.” Such a skillfully-trimmed piece of living art adds a touch of elegance to the verdant

landscape. It is an iconic campus symbol of school spirit that is highly visible, well known – and wrong.

Southwestern College has been a victim of illiteracy for 50 years. SWC is the incorrect abbreviation for the name of this college, and it misrepresents the educational quality of students and faculty that this institution provides to

the community.

SWC is printed and headlined on every piece of literature and gear affiliated with the school, except for one organization correctly abbreviates the initials. The Southwestern College men’s baseball team has the right abbreviation – SC – punctuating its jerseys and hats. So why are Coach Jerry Bartow and his crew the only

ones who can spell around here?

Apparently a few English, journalism and marketing faculty of the past tried to bring this blemish to light. They were met with eye-rolling, shrugged shoulders or blank expressions.

“It’s always been like that” is the mantra of the spelling-impaired, ignoring the fact that Southwestern is a single word. We are not South Western College anymore than we are Southwes Tern College or So Uthwe Stern College. Ah, life in the Great Divide.

Some have argued that SC could be confused with the University of Southern California or the University of South Carolina, notable schools with an SC in their abbreviations. (Although USC is usually abbreviated as, uh, USC.) It’s hard to imagine anyone confusing the maroon and gold Jags taking the field on Saturday nights with the iconic cardinal red of Troy or the unmistakable garnet and black Gamecocks of South Carolina, even if they share a moniker. Does anybody confuse George Washington with Denzel Washington? Or Kim Jong Il with Kim Kardashian?

Granted, the status of Southwestern’s abbreviation is not as earth-shaking as accreditation, administrative malfeasance or funding cuts, but it deserves serious consideration. We are an institution of higher education. We should be able to spell.

Coordinance in different coordinants

Pablo Gandara/Staff

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Winter Edition 2011-12 — Vol. 55, Iss. 4

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Affirmative action not always the best solution to an old problem

Angela Van Ostran/Staff

By Mary York A Perspective

“Non-traditional casting” is getting in the way of theater, wrote Robert Brustein in his article “Lighten up, America.” Brustein describes how politics force directors to be “selectively colorblind” when it comes to casting Caucasian roles.

While parts traditionally played by white actors are now being played by minorities, roles normally played by ethnic minorities are untouchable to white actors. Brustein said the politics involved in making casting decisions based on race, whatever they may be, are damaging the arts.

Art is not the only place that suffers from over-corrective, anti-racist precautions. Race-based scholarships and affirmative action, though both were created with good intentions, have delayed the healing of wounds wrought from racism.

Ta k i n g o f f i n t h e l a t e 1 9 9 0 s , scholarships and legislation meant to help promote the rise of minorities in the workforce and academic arena are terribly misguided. Race-based scholarships are supposed to provide financial support to underprivileged minorities to help them through college to offset the overwhelming number of white males in American universities. The problem with this kind of scholarship is that, instead of promoting equality, it further segregates young Americans. These scholarships

divide Asians, Latinos and American Indians into groups and subgroups. This does not create unity or equality.

Mikhail Lyubansky, Ph.D. wrote in an article published this year in Psychology Today that race-based scholarships only further perpetuate mistrust between a generation of Americans that should have no reason to hold grudges against one another. White students who are in the same position financially as some minority students but do not have access to the same scholarships feel the system is unjust. Lyubansky suggests scholarships should be given out on a need basis, rather than a race basis.

But even worse is the effect on selfimage that these scholarships have. “ Fo r t h e re c i p i e n t s , t h e re a re assumptions that the students are s o m e h ow l e s s q u a l i f i e d ,” w r o t e Lyubansky. “This is not just a ‘stereotype’ that is imposed by the white majority.

It is also a mindset that is (at least sometimes) internalized by the students of color themselves.”

After being accepted to colleges because they help fill a percentage, minorities are then subjected to affirmative action policies that further aggravate racial tensions. Caucasians claim that affirmative action unfairly gives minorities the politically correct “tie-breaker” advantage. Minorities respond with a pointed finger. Despite the fact the whites are to blame for a vast majority of history’s racial atrocities, pointing the finger at a generation so far removed from those events does nothing

to heal past wounds. Creating a system that pits individuals against one another based not on talents but on color is not the answer.

The tr ue br utality here is the unintended consequence of making diversity an end-goal, rather than letting it come naturally as a side effect of equality. Affirmative action views people of ethnicity as numbers to be filled, percentages to be met, rather than competent, qualified individuals.

“That race helps to determine an individual’s acceptance to a college is not affirmative action, it is discrimination in action,” wrote college journalist Steve Robinson in 2009. “Make no mistake, the yearning for diversity which motivates such policy is remarkably beautiful, but it has corrupted the very idea of character-based judgment embodied by the civil rights movement.”

Both affirmative action and race-based scholarships are patronizing and built on misguided perceptions of equality.

Equality is a college application form that doesn’t have a race circle to fill in.

Equality is a workforce where everyone is hired based on what they can bring to the table, even if that means there are all-white or all-minority offices.

Equality is where directors choose the actor who can transform into character with the most grace, not the actor who has the right skin-tone. Equality is where people are considered on their merits, are successful because of their efforts and are accepted because they are what we all are: human.

Occupy Movement is more than a ‘bunch of whites’ who do not represent

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his letter in response to a student’s comment in the Viewpoints page about the Occupy San Diego Movement. “It’s unrealistic and if you notice, it’s a bunch of white people who aren’t representing the nation.”

It is no secret that the global financial mess occurring right now, was due to elusive and highly illegal handling of lines of credit, mortgages and trading. Not only from Wall Street, but of government’s turning a blind eye in hopes no one noticed. Clearly they were wrong.

The Great Recession of 2008 cost millions of Americans their jobs and even more so their homes. Companies across the nation went under and now millions of unemployed Americans are currently “underwater” on their mortgages. To clarify, “underwater” is real estate term meaning that one owes more on one’s home then the current market value.

This complete fall out of the Financial System, forced the government to pump billions of tax dollars, to bail these companies out and secure their businesses on the contingency that these banks lessen the burden on citizens who have fallen victim to the crisis and begin extending more secure and reasonable lines of credit.

Tax dollars, I might add, that are allotted for infrastructure and education amongst many other things vital to the survival of this nation.

However, the banks never upheld their end of the bargain, and instead passed on the fees and interest owed to the taxpayers, back onto the taxpayers. They raised fees on customers, continued to foreclose without re-financing or re-modification as specified by the government.

Ironically, corporate bonuses went up as well as salaries. Now three years later millions of Americans are still without jobs, homes, and even schools. at Southwestern College alone and throughout the state of California we have seen an almost unsustainable cut in class and staff availability, due to lack of funding. Many municipalities across the continent are filing for Chapter XI. Government resources are exhausted and now the Fed wants to arrange some kind of settlement with these bankers rather than prosecute them and incarcerate them for their disastrous taste for greed.

This brings me to the Occupy Wall Street and the 99% Movement, which has branched out across the globe and become Occupy San Diego, Occupy Oakland, etc. These people are protesting any such

Tom Lord, editor

settlement and are demanding that these corporations not only be prosecuted for their crimes, but that corporate tax holes, corporate political contributions, and the overall abuse of tax payer dollars be eradicated and controlled, in the interest of protecting the American people from corporate greed and provide better financial security. Protecting things like YOUR financial aid, YOUR access to resources, along with YOUR basic civil rights and rights of liberty. It is unfortunate however, that local governments have cracked down on these protesters in almost inhumane aggressive tactics that has now sparked many anarchists to join the group and thus things have begun to become violent and rebellious. Fire against fire only makes it the stronger.

This movement is not a bunch of “white people” who aren’t representing the nation.

It is instead American citizens of all ethnicities, religions, and social status’ that have joined under one umbrella as AMERICANS, who are fed up with corporate greed and having to foot the bill.

Parker Caddell, SWC Student

Tel: (619) 482-6368 e-mail: viewpoints@theswcsun.com

Smells like no team spirit for the Jaguars

By Daniel Guzman A Perspective

Gold helmets faintly reflect DeVore stadiums beaming lights into the eyes of devoted Jaguar supporters as sanguine cheers and a sizzling hot dog aroma perfumes the evening.

Football games at Southwestern College draw crowds that present a unified collegiate establishment with radiating spirit, but unfortunately that is only the shiny side to a weathered coin.

When it comes to support for the athletics at SWC, the 12 other sports get snubbed by everyone who is not either a relative or a friend of an athlete.

A lack of support and spirit from students at community colleges is generally seen throughout the country.

Some might believe that because it is a community college the quality of the athlete is not going to be at a high level. That is a misconception, because thousands of athletes from two-year schools get recruited into prestigious Division I programs. Many future stars compete at SWC and colleges all over the country.

At SWC some of the blame can partly be put on the students, but our school does not do a strong enough job

spreading the word about upcoming athletic events. Similar to the news updates that are sent out in the mass e-mails to the students, sports would benefit from a comparable set of alerts.

College students have their plates full of life’s endeavors. Taking time out of your busy schedule to support your struggling water polo team might seem like a waste of time, but distractions can sometimes be breaths of fresh air when submerged in an ocean of obstacles.

Attending sporting events can be a net benefit for both the crowd and the student athlete. At these games concession stands offer the audience treats and beverages, which provide the program with proceeds for equipment and other expenses. Not only can a spectator enjoy a competitive match but they can also enjoy an inexpensive snack.

To expect a packed house at every game is an absurd and unrealistic supposition but calling for a consistent turnout is not preposterous. Students work hard––student athletes work twice as hard. Their dedication and commitment to the representation of this college through athletics should be supported and appreciated by all who attend that institution.

Rashid Hasirbaf/Staff

Superintendant says Echo Pacific was not ‘fired’

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greatly appreciate and respect t h e w o r k s t u d e n t re p o r t e r s do in presenting information and perspective as reflected in The Southwestern College SUN. This letter addresses a November 7 , 2 0 1 1 , a r t i c l e re g a rd i n g t h e Southwestern Community College District construction project, commonly known as the “Corner Lot Project.”

The article erroneously stated that the Southwestern College Governing Board had “fired” Echo Pacific Construction, Inc., the construction manager on the Corner Lot Project.

This in incorrect. Students would not necessarily understand that there is specific contract language that differentiates between “termination for convenience” and “termination for cause.” The governing board did not “fire” Echo Pacific, but rather decided to terminate the district’s construction

management contract with Echo Pacific for convenience.

This termination was without fault, cause, neglect, or default on Echo Pacific’s part, and the term “firing” used in the article was misleading and inappropriate. The district’s contract for construction management services with Echo Pacific was terminated for convenience, a contractual option per the terms of the contract that is not a reflection upon the performance or services of Echo Pacific.

I understand that The Southwestern College Sun will publish this letter so that readers can understand the actual of the action, and correctly reference the termination as a “termination for convenience” in any future articles.

Denise Whittaker Interim Superintendent/President

ARTS

Winter Edition, 2011-12 —Vol. 55, Iss. 4

The Southwestern College Sun

Lopez urges women to use their special gifts

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ARTS online

Annual Child Development Art Show SWC’s Child Development Center Art Exhibit will remain open until Jan. 18. Check out the story online!

By Dafne Estrada Staff Writer

Courtesy Photos by Christopher Martinez

WISE LATINA— Writer/activist Josefina Lopez encouraged SWC Latinas to stand up for their dreams following the opening night performance of “Simply Maria” at Mayan Hall.

Games: Video games prepare some soldiers for combat situations Continued from Page 6

to provide a fresh experience. Players are put through boot camp with raspyvoiced drill sergeants, full-on medical classes, and shooting classes that provide a ton of real-world information.

Gamers are rewarded more for use of tactics and teamwork rather than the mayhem commonly seen in other warbased games. Gamers made it one of the most played on-line games of its time.

Lt. Col. Casey Wardynski developed “America’s Army” to reach the techsavvy masses and aid recruitment.

Since the release of “America’s Army” video games like “Battlefield 3” and “Medal of Honor” have capitalized on scenarios that tie into real-world situations. War-based video games have increased in importance, due to growing sales numbers and their effect on recruiting.

Chris Devereaux, 39, a Southwestern College computer science major, is a former Marine who has seen games of all types. Video games can give prospective soldier a taste of warfare, he said.

“I think to a small extent at least, war-based video games give the people

who play a basic idea of some of what is involved,” he said. “There is a detachment that comes from the fact that you understand that playing a game is not reality. You aren’t getting hurt.

A m e r i c a’s m o s t re n ow n L a t i n a playwright crafts inspiring stories of strong, independent women who buck convention to chase their dreams.

Josefina Lopez has a great role model – herself.

C r e a t i v i t y, i n t e l l i g e n c e a n d determination are traits most parents try to instill in their children, but for the daughter of a campesino (a peasant farmer), this was not the case. Lopez grew up in San Luis Potosí, Mexico with seven brothers and sisters. Once a “commoner,” she is now a successful playwright, screenwriter and author of works like “Real Women Have Curves,” “Simply Maria” and “Detained in the Desert.”

Lopez challenged a Mayan Hall audience to question why men were seen as more important than women, especially in a traditional Mexican home.

“The fact that I was intelligent and creative as a woman was such a burden,” she said. “If I had been born a boy, those

“I think gaming is a good tool to use because it is entertaining, it holds people’s attention, nobody is getting hurt,” he said. “And at the same time you are bringing forward as realistic a

Carlos Magana/Staff

No one around you is getting hurt. No one is really dying. But you still have the sense of being on a battlefield.”

Devereaux said these video games are useful for recruiting.

view to these people as you can, without spending extra money or wasting resources.”

D e v e re a u x s a i d g a m e s c a n b e educational.

would’ve been incredible assets.”

Lopez has become a motivational icon for women everywhere. Emotion filled the theatre as she talked about the difficulties of growing up in a society where women are demeaned for not following traditional ways.

“Most of us sell out to be liked rather than to do what is right,” she said.

Lopez said the power of the media to instill a seed of hope and courage is strong and should be used to promote freedom, justice and equality.

Growing up she tried to make her parents proud and worked hard every day to meet their standards. Today she knows the best way to do that is to do what you love and do it well. Her mother came to the premier of the film version of “Real Women Have Curves.”

“She said she was proud of me for the first time,” said Lopez.

Women cannot just stand by, complain and do nothing when they are degraded.

“You have to shut up or do something about it!” she exclaimed. “We all have to honor our spirit because otherwise we die if we don’t.”

“If you really pay attention and look at some of these games, in a sneaky way, these games teach history to kids who wouldn’t ordinarily look at it,” he said.

“A lot of these games now, especially the ones dealing with WWI and WWII, are dealing with combat. Sure, you are talking about weapons and things like that. But they make a point of historical accuracy with what they’re putting into these games.”

Sean O’Mara, 25, a criminal justice major, is a former Marine and Iraq War veteran who first enrolled in 2005.

He said games are only marginal recruiting tools.

“I guess if they intentionally try to use them as recruiting tools, it might help,” he said. “But unless they do that and they just leave them where they are at, I think it is just going to be the same. You know like, America’s Army, they intentionally use that to recruit.”

O’Mara said video games cannot realistically portray modern warfare.

“With video games, it’s more always going, always action,” he said. “I’ve been to Iraq and it’s pretty boring to tell you the truth. They don’t really do a whole lot of anything anymore. It isn’t really a realistic portrayal of what it’s like now, but as far as being a video game and being more like how it is when it all first popped off, yeah. It’s pretty realistic.”

RAW Student Art Gallery Exhibition

Go online to read about RAW the latest revolutionary art show at SWC.

Simply Maria or the American Dream

Directed by Ruff Yeager, “Simply Maria or the American Dream,” showed from Nov. 29-Dec. 4. Look for the review online!

Club Trendz, hip to the unknown >REVIEW

By Kyla Guerrero Staff Writer

A first-of-its-kind hip-hop club had a quick opening in Chula Vista, but may leave just as fast.

Club Trendz had its grand opening this month, saving Southwestern College students the drive to the Gaslamp or Pacific Beach.

Owner Courtney Matthews created an entertainment group called Verbal Assault to handle security, bartending and pumping up the crowd on opening night at his new club at Broadway and Main Street.

Club Trendz is licensed to stay open until 4 a.m., two hours later than most clubs in San Diego County.

It offered a 1 a.m. open bar to entice club-goers and locals, but the offer was cancelled due to poor attendance.

Matthews had a high expectation of 700-900 people for the grand opening night.

“I’d be happy with 500,” said Ben Brody, a Verbal Assault team member.

After 1 a.m. the attendance count was 85, probably due to the $10-$20 cover for an unheard of club in a remote area.

Over the Border, the nearest competing club, is a Latin club playing mostly rock en espanol and live bands. It is less than a mile away.

Paula Waters/staff

“For Chula Vista it’s pretty good,” said SWC Student, Karlos Santiago. “I’ve been to other places around here and it’s pretty dead compared to here.”

On opening night Club Trendz was surrounded by tricked-out cars and trucks from Audio Excellence.

There were a handful of LCD televisions and barstools against the white walls. In front of the dance floor there was a projection screen playing music videos that did not match the music being heard. The screen also blocked DJ Big Rome.

There was a VIP section separated by a curtain, with sofas and another projection screen with a live Twitter and Facebook feed. The feed lacked updates.

Matthews is an active duty Marine and Verbal Assault is made up of active duty and reserve military.

The club may be pigeon holed as a military club, but with more advertising it may become more diverse.

Matthews said he is determined to build Club Trendz into a Chula Vista landmark, but more work needs to be put into advertising and customer satisfaction.

Verbal Assault photographer Gene Arcilla said he is optimistic that the team has a winning formula.

“We felt that us folks in the Chula Vista area shouldn’t need to travel all the way to PB or Downtown,” he said. “So we’re bringing the fun down south.”

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A PERSPECTIVE

Winter Edition 2011-12 — Vol. 55, Iss. 4

CHULA

RN E H T U SO S ’ A I N R CALIFO

A .

K A.

VISTA

A T S I V BARRIO NG I R O B OST MERICA M 0 1 TOP LACE IN A P NA A U J A CHUL

D

ear Mr. Vachon and everyone there at Vanity Fair,

Vanity Fair does not seem to think much of Chula Vista. Apparently one of New York’s finest tabloid writers took a turn down Broadway on his way to getting drunk in Tijuana.

Dana Vachon called The City of Trees a “curiously named town,” meaning he speaks no Spanish or he does not think we are muy chula.

Que lastima, pobrecito.

Then the fourth trenta espresso from Starbucks kicked in and he got mean. Really mean. Really, really mean.

“It is a sputtering neon error of beauty academies and pawnshops, recently terrorized by homicidal Tijuana drug gangs skilled at dissolving bodies in chemicals,” he sputtered as the caffeine terrorized his body with chemicals.

When Dr. Cheryl Cox, Chula Vista’s mayor and principal-in-chief, protested in a good-natured response, Vanity Fair dug down for some real New York vitriol. “…apologies to the city of Chula Vista.

First, for mistaking the city’s many thrift shops for pawnshops. Second, for suggestion that the presence of gangsters skilled at dissolving bodies in chemicals cause anything more than a shrug in the

populace. Third, for suggesting that the city’s many fine neon signs are sputtering, instead of shining with a steady garish glow.”

Talk about people who live in glass houses throwing rocks. Mr. Vachon should scrape some of the grime and pigeon droppings from his office window and gaze out across his own flamboyant but very flawed city.

New York fancies itself the “capitol of the world,” but it is also one of the meanest, dirtiest, most congested and rat-invested metropolises on the planet. Not to mention the most expensive, dangerous, poorly-run and poorly-maintained places where no intelligent Chula Vistan would ever want to live.

Chula Vista has America’s best climate (just ask all the New Yorkers who have moved here) and is a rare city with rivers, the ocean, mountains, valleys and plains in its boundaries. New York is all jammed up on an island in the middle of two dirty rivers. Some New Yorkers think they can walk on water and they are probably right.

The East River is a trundling chunky oil slick that could probably support the weight of all of its greed-monger felonious Wall Street bankers and stock market manipulators who have brought our nation to the edge of ruin.

Chula Vista is an aviary heaven and the Four Seasons Hotel of the Pacific Flyway where birds and bird watchers from around the globe come to visit. New York has birds too, of course, large flocks of pigeons and larger flocks of birds flying from the fingers of belligerent cabbies. (Road rage is apparently legal in New York, if not encouraged.)

Vanity Fair folks obviously do not think much of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, which is their loss. Mexico has one of the world’s great cultures and is a global force in art, music, fashion, food and film. Chula Vista embraces its diverse population that includes Europeans who migrated west, Latinos who came north and Asians who sailed east. We all share neighborhoods, schools, jobs, teams, goals and dreams.

New York is home to people from many different races, of course, but they all live in their o w n

T S E G G I B LEMON

s y a s o s (or ) r i a F y t i Van

separate neighborhoods.

Vanity Fair is the Archie Bunker of the East Coast Media and evokes his famous screed, “You don’t know nothin’ about lady Liberty standin’ out there in the harbor, with her torch on high, screamin’ out to all the nations of the world ‘Send me your poor, your deadbeats, your filthy.’ And all the nations sent ‘em here. They come swarming in like ants. Your Spanish P.R.s from the Caribboin, your Japs, your Chinamen, your Krauts and your Hebes and your English fags. All of ‘em come in here and they’re all free to live in their own separate sections where they feel safe. And they’ll bust your head if you go in there! That’s what makes America great, buddy!”

We do have gangs in Chula Vista, but Vanity Fair has confused teenage graffiti painters with the organized drug cartel criminals from Mexico and Columbia. New York, as the cradle of American gang activity, has no moral ascendancy to on this issue.

New York has an Academy Award-winning motion picture musical about its gangs, “West Side Story,” not to mention “The Gangs of New York.” Given the choice, we’d rather have our gangs than yours.

New York likes to boast about its arts scene – which is dazzling – but seems to forget that almost all great “New York” artists actually came from other places, including cities like Chula Vista, which has sent innumerable actors and musicians to the Big Apple. New York is home to the great Billy Joel, but does the staff of Vanity Fair remember that he had to come to California to get anyone to listen to his music? “Piano Man” and his early hits were all written in, gasp, California. We Chula Vistans love to remind anybody who loves music that we are home to the Cricket Amphitheatre, one of the world’s most beautiful and acousticallyperfect concert venues. But don’t take our word for it. Ask Sir Elton John, who said during a concert that it was “the best place I have ever played.”

New York has many great things that Chula Vistans admire like the New York Times, Broadway, Columbia University, the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Plaza. It is also the place where Native Americans were slaughtered, AIDS took root in America and John Lennon was murdered. Beauty and horror. Yin and Yan. Light and darkness.

So let’s go easy on thrift stores, which, by the way, help the homeless, and pawn shops, which New York has plenty more of than Chula Vista ever will.

Go ahead and be smug about being the Big Apple. We are okay being El Gran Limón, the Powerful Pomegranate or the Almighty Avocado. At least those fruits really grow here. New York’s are imported from…Chula Vista.

The Southwestern College Sun

LEMONS INTO LEMONADE Despite what the trash-talking snobs at Vanity Fair may say, Chula Vista is a beautiful, diverse, eclectic and unique place. Some sweet spots:

1. CHULA VISTA NATURE CENTER | San Diego Bay is unique and so is its award-winning nature museum. New York’s best display of sea life is its restaurant lobster tanks.

2. CHULA VISTA MARINA | America’s most temperate marina averages 72 degrees all year, same as NY office buildings. Going for a sail in Chula Vista does not involve Saks.

3. J STREET MARSH | An aviary paradise on the Pacific Flyway. No neon in sight. Plentiful wildlife, but can not compete in numbers with New York’s rats, roaches and bed bugs.

4. CHULA VISTA HERITAGE MUSEUM | It ain’t the Metropolitan, but South Bay students can, unlike New York kids, actually find friendly, helpful people there.

5. OTAY LAKES PARK| One of America’s most beautiful lakes hosts Olympic aquatics athletes, fishing and wildlife. No mobsters with cement boots.

6. CRICKET AMPHITHEATER | A musical masterpiece. No less than Sir Elton John himself said during a concert that it was “the best place I have ever played.” Sorry Madison Square.

7. SALT CREEK GOLF CLUB| Chula Vista has three gorgeous golf courses which is exactly three more than Manhattan. Golf clubs in Chula Vista are actually used for hitting golf balls, not muggers.

8. OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER | The Winklevoss twins chose California over New York to train for their upcoming Olympics and lawsuit against Facebook.

Could it be they “Like” Chula Vista better?

9. SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE | America’s border college and most diverse student body is home to the nation’s best-ranked academic Mariachi and newspaper (ahead of Columbia--you can look it up!)

10. LEN MOORE SKATE PARK | Chula Vistans actually like their teenagers and built this state-of-the-art facility for them. Chula Vistans run for exercise, not to survive robberies.

By Albert Fulcher, Tom Lord and Ernesto Rivera Editor-In-Chief, Viewpoints Editor and Assistant News Editor

11. DOWNTOWN CHULA VISTA | Our downtown isn’t as rude or pretentious as NYC, but we have no taxis, few rats and no gunbattles.

Planet Earth’s best taco shop, Lolita’s, is nearby.

DESIGN BY DIANA INOCENCIO | PHOTOS BY ALBERT FULCHER, SERINA DUARTE, DIANA INOCENCIO, ERICKA GONZALEZ, ENRIQUE RAYMUNDO, PABLO GANDARA

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Indonesian musicians show they got gamelan

By Daniel Guzman and Kevin Reyes Sports Editor and Staff Writer

Sorry Bob Marley, but planet Earth’s most popular form of island music is not reggae. Not even close. Indonesia’s 215 million people prefer Sundanese Gamelan.

Sa n Die go’s Kemba ng Sund a ensemble performed a fascinating concert of percussive melodies at a recent Southwestern College recital.

Traditionally played for the ancient courts of the Java and Bali regions of Indonesia, gamelan music is enjoyed today by every social status, including an appreciative Southwestern College audience.

The word gamelan is derived from the Javanese gamels, meaning “to strike or hammer.” Most of the instruments of a gamelan ensemble are metal percussion made of bronze, which provide the most pleasing sound compared to other metals.

A distinct feature of these instruments is that each set is made and tuned to stay together, preventing interchangeability.

This ties to the idea that one cannot gain a full sense of gamelan music by simply playing one instrument.

Forcibly striking metal calls to mind the thundering sound of Hephaestus’ hammer clanging against forged steel.

Amber Sykes, Editor

ARTS

Winter Edition, 2011-12—Vol. 55, Iss. 4

Sound produced when striking a gamelan instrument is quite the opposite. One of the songs, “Ayun Ambing,” was a Sundanese lullaby that could cradle the heaviest of hearts to a blissful slumber with its contrapuntal and soothing sound.

“Kodomang” was the one contemporary piece of the five songs performed. It honored a true essence of traditional gamelan sound and had a cyclical serenity of the song that mimics the crashing of ocean waves.

Each song flowed like the words from a poet’s pen, punctuated with a thundering strike of the gong. Under the direction of Amy Hacker, the group evoked a feeling of tranquility within audience members, each instrument adding its own unique layer and timbre.

Like two woodpeckers in synchronicity, the hocketing sarons – xylophone-like instruments consisting of bronze bars resting on top of a resonating frame – alternated notes and carried pieces to their monumental climax.

Listening to Kembang Sunda had the cleansing benefits of meditation, relaxing enough to help 215 million people unwind.

Serina Duarte/staff

GAMELAN GAME ON— (l) Max Berry of the Indonesian m u s i c p re s e r v a t i o n g r o u p Kembang Sunda played a variety of wood and metal instruments.

Tel: (619) 482-6368 E-mail: arts@theswcsun.com

Independence for H P-HOP Nation

By Jamie Celeste Staff Writer

Carlos Cervantes and Joe Grant are hip and have things hopping. Hip-hop enthusiasts since childhood, Cervantes and Grant, aka “Grizzo Flowz” and “Swift Skillz,” founded Hip-Hop Nation out of love for the culture.

Cervantes babbles with excitement describing the new campus club.

“Hip-hop is my life, it was what I was born into,” he said. “It influences 95 percent of my decisions. It helps guide me as a person.”

The talented duo said they hope to motivate students to express themselves through the four elements of hip-hop: emceeing, DJing, break dancing and graffiti writing. They also plan on holding spoken word events.

“Hip-hop expresses reality, who we really are,” said Grant. “We want to bring some of the aspects of hip-hop that people might not have been exposed to or maybe they haven’t had enough exposure to and to shed that light more.”

Hip-Hop Nation held its inaugural event, “History of Hip-Hop,” in the cafeteria patio during college hour to showcase the foundation of the form.

“Music from the birth of hip-hop to the Golden Era,” said Grant. “That’s really

what it is, how hip-hop started to how it grew.”

Brandon Luna, Mexican-American Studies instructor, manned the turntables to play music from legendary rap groups as A Tribe Called Quest and Wu-Tang Clan, as well as late, great hip-hop pioneers Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. As a head-bobbing, hiphopping audience grew, Luna switched the vinyl and began to play a variety of instrumentals, inspiring a freestyle session. Participants rapped a verse for one minute to the beats that were being played.

“I was having fun, seeing everybody there, everybody happy,” said Cervantes. “I got hyped. I was loving it. I was so enthused and happy with seeing how many emcees wanted to be up there.”

Hip-Hop Nation hosted a second event at the SWC amphitheater where students performed Spoken Word, an art derived please see Hip-hop pg. 15

Juan Casteneda/ staff

HIP HOPPERS — (top) Jose “Wisdom” Avila was a hands down fave. (center) Stacy Barnett rocked the rap. (bottom) Anthony “Lava” Magdalena was a free stylin’ force of nature.

Artaxis: Arts oldest form finds home in the technology age Continued from Page 6

Lerner: Singer/ songwriter’s star is on the ascendance Continued from Page 6

would be or this is my calling.”

She fell in love with theater and was given the Billie Award from Coronado High School for her role as Ariel in “Footloose” in 2007 from the Coronado School of the Arts.

Born and raised in San Diego County, Lerner has developed a large fan base and can be found on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and YouTube. Fans respect her great talent, friendly bearing and quiet, thoughtful nature.

“Jessica’s really inspirational and she is one of my role models,” said Kaitlin Saythong. “Even though she has a life of her own, she is still dedicated to her fans.”

Lerner’s song “Miracle” sounds like a love song, but is a blanket message of encouragement to all young people to see the wonder within themselves.

“That song kind of kept evolving,” said Lerner. “I would rewrite it and rewrite the verse, and add a bridge. When I learned everything, I had to start with that one because it just kind of stuck with me.”

Pamela Lerner said her daughter takes the art of songwriting seriously.

“Good lyrics have a way of pulling people in when the content fits,” she said. “Jessica wants the message of her music to be meaningful and strong.”

Influences include Shania Twain, LeAnn Rimes and Faith Hill, though Lerner is often compared to Taylor Swift.

Lerner, though, may be Swift’s superior as a vocalist and a musician.

Lerner’s CD has been nearly two years in production and should get a general release early next year. It features a variety of original pop composition, ballads and an exciting dance track.

Lerner said she hopes for a breakout, but will continue down her musical path regardless.

“I have never really been interested in anything else,” she said. “I don’t have any other burning passions that I would be happy with for the rest of my life, so I hope this works out.”

Pamela Lerner told Jessica that she would be there for her every step of the way and to always be honest.

“Jessica’s soul makes her special,” said her mother/manager. “Her music is only one facet that she uses to express who she is off stage. She is a beautiful, kind, loving person.”

Walter Graham/staff

RISING STAR — Recording artist Jessica Lerner after her performance in the Racket Room.

assistant professor of art. “They sent me the clay and ceramic pieces they wanted exhibited, so it was kind of like Christmas for me to open all the boxes and look at everything.”

Artist Nathan Betschart said the Artaxis.org website is a great place to start networking. Students to professionals can look at each other’s art, receive job offers and link to others.

“Not everybody is on it,” said Betschart. “It is limited in a lot of ways, but it is a good one. I mean it’s a start to where people can go and is held at a high standard.”

Betschart’s ghostly abstract piece gave off an intensity that was alluring and provocative. He was the most questioned exhibitor at the artist talk back.

“For me the clay is important,” he said. “It transfers a kind of a fragile permanence. It is a material I can manipulate to do what I want it to do and give me the effects I want.”

It is a difficult process as clay can crack and break, but Betschart said he enjoys the challenge.

“To me all that is important is process and that is hard for people to grasp that idea,” he said. “For my students I tell them I don’t really care about deadline, what I care about is your process to get there.”

Art at the exhibit highlighted the evolution of pottery, including several pieces from renown ceramics artist and teacher Peter Voulkos, whose influence on pottery and sculpting came into play in the 1950s and 1960s. His influence on ceramics is still felt in the U.S. today. Voulkos is well represented in the permanent collection of his work on campus.

SWC art student Rohanie Lucero, 26, said the exhibit displays encouraged her to expand her career goals in ceramics.

“I fully encourage any art class,” said Lucero. “It’s a fun class, it’s not an easy A, but you get to learn a little bit about yourself and the teachers are full on ready to help you figure out what you want to do.”

ARTS

Winter Edition, 2011-12—Vol. 55, Iss. 4

The Southwestern College Sun

Talent, variety on display at Student Art Show

15

African: Dance troupe puts its best feet forward again Continued from Page 6

TALENT ON DISPLAY — Student work was featured at an eclectic exhibit in the main art gallery.

Paula Waters/staff

By Eileen Salmeron • Staff Writer

S

tudent artists maintained their reputation for great c re a t i v i t y a t t h e 2 0 1 1 St u d e n t A r t S h o w. It showcased a collection of art from photography, painting, drawing, p r i n t m a k i n g , s c u l p t u re a n d graphics. Some was profound, some was primary, all was pointed.

Thanks to a Clay Club fund raiser, visitors enjoyed free coffee with the purchase of a $5 coffee mug handcrafted by SWC ceramics students.

Professor of Art Perry Vasquez displayed his students black and white figure drawings created from ink and mixed media.

“It’s an organic process,” said Vasquez. “ They may have an original idea, but that idea evolves and grows just like a plant does.”

“Kung-Fu” by Franklin Segun is a pattern ink drawing, made by filling up a plain piece of paper with ink until a form appears.

“In the end they have a general idea, but they don’t know exactly what is going to be and that’s the point because they’re forced to rely on intuition and every process of development,” said Vasquez.

A drawing entitled “Jack Skelenting” by Lindsey Contreras

was made from charcoal and represented a human skeleton figure. Other figure drawings were made from live models.

An untitled painting from wood, acrylic paint and spray paint by Frank Paredes had a revolutionary feel. It showed photoshopped pictures of a Zapatista from Chiapas, Mexico in a mask and army colors.

Paredes said he likes to use imagery that goes against the norm.

“Usually when you see someone in a mask you think of them as a terrorist,” said Paredes. “For me, I think we have to function in a daily society and we have our own views about different things. That guy is not a terrorist, that’s just a disguise outside of work and a lot of times you associate them with terrorism but my thing is to fight with your ideas, to fight with your words.

Express yourself in a way that is not accepted and try to challenge what is going on around you.”

Professor of Ceramics John Oliver Lewis said he was pleased with the mix of art from students of beginning to advance classes.

“This is kind of the cool exhibition that we offer here at Southwestern College where students are the showcase,” he said.

Paula Waters/staff

A PLUG FOR ABSTRACTION — Installation pieces mixed with paintings, ceramics, photography and other forms at the Student Art Show.

community colleges with classes in African dance that perform.

“If there is anything I want to show not only to students but to our community, it is that there is more to music here at SWC than Mariachi and choir,” Caschetta said.

“I only say that because our music department is probably most known for those two great musical groups, but we do have a less well-known, but every bit as exciting ‘other’ music and dance that happens here.”

Spectators of the ensemble were thrilled when the group performed “Gowrie Jam,” a rhythm that captured the spontaneous spirit of celebration in the Fra Fra culture in Northern Ghana. Hulsey said this jam was her favorite.

“This dance lets the energy out,” she said. “It lets us go crazy and really show what we’ve learned.”

Caschetta said that in Ghana many of the dances are performed for fun.

“So everybody there should be having fun,” he said. “Too bad we can’t get the audience to dance, that would be very African. It’s about the community coming together to celebrate.”

Caschetta said he tries to organize a formal performance for the African dance class each semester. He said he often likes to spice up the show with a guest group that presents some sort of “world-influenced” theme in their music.

Afrojazziacs opened for the African dance ensemble. Saxophone player Jesse Audelo, guitarist Louis Valenzuela, percussionist Jacob Russo, drummer Fernando Gomez, percussionist Antonio Grajeda and bassist Omar Lopez entertained the audience with their blend of Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian, AfroAmerican and Afro-Colombian music.

“My one wish is to see all of you in the audience up here dancing along to our music,” Lopez told the audience, “because that’s what it’s all about, bringing people together.”

A remix of Celia Cruz’s “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” was the last song of the set. As soon as Lopez started to sing the tune, there was an obvious wave of excitement through the crowd.

Caschetta said he wants students and the audience to have a good time while being educated in African culture.

“Sign up for African dance class,” he urges. “The more in the class, the better the experience, the more African it is.”

Hip-hop: New club takes upbeat view of flexible music form Continued from Page 14

from the Beat Poetry Movement.

Revolutionary poets of the 1950s known as Beatniks created a new form of poetry that is presented verbally with rhythm and emotion.

“Spoken word is more in depth,” said 20-year-old art student Brandon Negrete. “It gives you a chance to dwell deeply into issues that you wish to express.”

Music producer and DJ Jamal Myxz set the mood for the performance by mellow instrumentals and Grant opened the floor for anyone to present their poetry.

“It was a real positive moment,” said Tommy Edwards, 22-year-old business major. “People are able to express themselves the way they want to.”

That works for Cervantes.

“I want to see the excitement in people,” he said. “I want to see people happy. I was thinking, if you want to make a difference, you got to say the right kind of things to people, why not through music then? And that’s when it clicked.”

After a year of trying to get the club organized, the pair agreed to make the long-anticipated project a priority.

“We’ve been working on it for three, four semesters maybe,” said Hip-Hop Nation member Alan Whitfield, a 19-year-old culinary arts student. “We finally got the okay.”

Grant and Cervantes promised much more to come.

“Now that we got it rolling,” said Cervantes, “we’re not gonna stop.”

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Winter Edition 2011-12 — Vol. 55, Iss. 4

News Briefs

Baseball office is vandalized

By Mary York News Editor

Coach Jerry Bartow’s office at the baseball field was vandalized during Thanksgiving break. Thieves graffitied the walls and wrecked the office, throwing uniforms and left-over concessions around the room and emptying all the drawers, Bartow said. Several of the teams jerseys were stolen as well as the computer and sound equipment.

Bartow said he discovered the wreckage on Monday morning and called the campus police.

“The campus police came down and did a nice job,” said Bartow.

“They took the fingerprints so they might be able to figure out who the taggers are.”

This is the largest break-in the campus has ever seen, he said.

Despite the financial setback, Bartow said the team should be able to replace the jerseys before the season starts in January.

Professor criticizes slow aid

By Mary York News Editor

Students at Southwestern College are being asked to wait longer periods of time before receiving their financial aid and the delays are causing unnecessary hardships, according to Professor of Political Science Phil Saenz.

“There was a lot of frustration,” he said. “Part of it probably is students not properly filling out paperwork.”

But Saenz said that the system is clogged up and some students will not be receiving their financial aid until the spring. He said he would like to see a process published on the website so students can figure out beforehand what paperwork they need.

“Is there a step-by-step list of things that students must have to process their applications?” he said.

When students do not turn in their applications correctly the first time, he said, it backs up the process and extends the wait.

Sa e nz s aid h e a lso ma d e a request to the Associated Student Organization that it use some of its funds to help support another worker in the Financial Aid office.

ASO President Claudia Duran said student government declined taking action on the idea because it lacked the jurisdiction.

“There is definitely a need to have more staff support to assist departments such as Financial Aid to meet the needs for students in a more efficient manner,” said Duran.

“In this case, the college district does have the obligation to provide ongoing resources for personnel.

The ASO resources are not designed for this manner. However, the ASO is always willing to assist if possible.”

NEWS

Sandoval: Ex-VP says Chopra unfairly forced his resignation

his resignation in June 2008. At the governing board meeting in September, 30 community members and faculty stood in support of rescinding Sandoval’s resignation. He reported then that he had spoken with Chopra in two separate Continued from Page 1 conversations about extending his job until January and Chopra said he was in April 2009. favor of doing so. But at the governing Sandoval said his resignation had board meeting, when questioned, Chopra nothing to do with Jimenez, but her refused to comment saying he would not allegations made him decide to rescind speak about personal conversations. his resignation and fight back. After a “My initial intention was to leave January 2008 governing board meeting because Chopra had asked me to because with discussions on three vice presidents, things were not working out between Sandoval said Chopra specifically asked us,” said Sandoval. “Once the story broke him to resign, along with out about Ms. Jimenez Dr. Ron Dyste, former vice filing a complaint against “If I would president of Academic Affairs. three administrators, I felt “I was puzzled why he have had I needed to defend myself wanted me to leave,” he these and I wanted to defend said. “Dr. Chopra made myself, but was not given life unbearable for me, so documents, that opportunity.” eventually I decided to submit I could Sandoval said he did my resignation,” he said. “It not receive the documents was obvious that the board have shown clearing him of all charges was supporting him.” them to the until after he had resigned Sa n d ova l s a i d h e a n d whole world and litigation was in process Dyste had problems working w i t h Ji m e n e z a n d t h e with Chopra’s governing that I did district. He said he first saw philosophy and his way of no wrong the documents when the doing business in a college district attorney contacted environment. He said he and should him while preparing his believes that is the truth have been defense. behind Chopra’s request for “When I found the two allowed to his resignation. It was not documents I was stunned until after submitting his stay at the that the document of resignation that he found out college.”

August 30 from (former about the sexual harassment Vice President of Human allegations.

Resources Fusako) Yokotobi “ When that happened Greg Sandoval h a d c l e a re d m e ,” s a i d I wanted to rescind my Sandoval. “And in the resignation and stay and Former VP document from Ms. Jimenez deal with that issue,” said from January 10, 2008 there Sandoval. “But Dr. Chopra was reference from her that I would not allow me to rescind my had done no wrong to her. When I saw resignation. The board had already these documents, I said that if I would approved it by that time.” have had these documents, I could have Governing board members accepted shown them to the whole world that

PLA: Lack of labor contracts draws fire from local unions Continued from Page 1

bid yet.”

Janet Mazzarella, vice president of the Southwestern College Education Association (SCEA), said she was shocked to hear that early construction, which includes the new sports field house at the football stadium and the highly-visible corner lot buildings, would not be covered by a PLA. She said she still hoped a deal could be done.

“When discussion about the PLA first began, this idea of Phase I being nonPLA never came up,” she said. “It has only been within the last month or so that we even began to hear something about this problem getting the PLA in place for all construction.”

Nader said the option of having a PLA that included Phase I was never even considered.

“I never suggested to anybody that the PLA would be done in time for the start of construction, or that it would be applicable for Phase I,” he said. “Never, never, never. In my mind, based on discussions I had with people involved with this issue, it was always understood that this was a Phase II or III proposal.”

Nader also said that his prior statements about Phase I actually referred to a narrower portion of that phase.

“I meant specifically the projects that we signed management contracts for, which are the bulk of Phase I, the corner lot development and the field house,” he said. “Those are not the entirety of it. To some degree, I misspoke in that regard.”

Seaton-Msemaji said that a PLA was nothing more than a collective bargaining agreement between a city, school district or water district and the

building and trades commission, which represents all the different crafts in the trade.

“It’s an agreement between an entity who is the boss,” he said. “The boss is who controls the money, who says what’s going to happen, what won’t happen and how they’re going to pay you. That’s Southwestern College. That’s the boss. The union is the other party in the agreement.”

Mazzarella described it in even simpler terms.

“A PLA says ‘This is a fair working wage. These are benefits that workers can reasonably expect to keep them as a middle class family’.”

Mazzarella also said she believed that a PLA would protect the family.

“My grandfather was a construction worker and he raised eight kids and was the only income earner,” she said. “As a construction worker, you could raise a family. That’s what we’re trying to protect now. That’s what a PLA would protect.”

One of the problems that people from both pro-labor and pro-business positions discuss is the recurring statement that “contracts have already been signed,” implying that it is too late to establish a PLA. Mazzarella said that she had heard that, but did not know what contracts they were. She believed that one group might have that answer.

“If I went and asked the oversight committee, they could tell me if the contracts were signed,” she said.

David Adams, president of the Prop R Oversight Committee, said he knew little about the contracts and even less about any PLA. “I haven’t seen any contract,” he said.

“They don’t show us any of that stuff.

Our committee is a bit of a farce because we get our information from the school and the people that work there. We’re please see PLA pg. 17

Church helps migrant community

By Ana Bahena Distribution Manager

Catholic Charities has spread its blessing far and wide throughout San Diego County. And, by the way, nonCatholics are welcomed.

Sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, the Catholic Charities is a versatile service organization that assists with immigrant and citizenship issues assisting women who have suffered domestic violence and uniting families with the Family Visa Petitions and Family Unity Benefits. Accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice since 1980, it employs qualified attorneys and paralegals.

Deputy Director Robert Moser said

the charity is always busy. The main office is located on 349 Cedar Street in San Diego with satellite offices through the county. At least 1,000 people are served monthly, said Moser.

Every Tuesday morning at 8 a.m., the charity offers an informational session at any of its offices, covering questions about immigrant services.

Ap p o i n t m e n t s a r e r e q u i r e d f o r assessments and guidance filling out required materials.

“There are also fee waivers for those who qualify,” said Moser. “We are required by law to be low-cost. You can try going to a lawyer or notary, but we pretty much have the best deal in town.”

The charity reaches out to communities, organizations and

parishes. Reverend Jacob A. Bertrand said the Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Parish in Chula Vista has leased an office to CCDSD for a year now.

“We at St. Rose simply provide them a place to offer their services here in the heart of Chula Vista,” said Bertrand.

Deacon Gregory S. Smyth of St. Rose said the CCDSD has been a longstanding support system for immigrants. “ They have always provided immigration services to those who are in need,” said Smyth.

Moser said the charity promotes family reunification.

“We are an experience, qualified and competent program,” he said. “We are here to help.”

The Southwestern College Sun

I did no wrong and should have been allowed to stay at the college.”

Sandoval said he knew of no reason why Jimenez included him in her lawsuit. He said he could only speculate that people he did not know influenced her and that she was motivated by financial gain.

A n Au g u s t 30, 2007 SWC memorandum from Yokotobi to Poveda stated “the District r e t a i n e d attorney Tim Garfield to investigate the allegations of possible Sandoval inappropriate behavior and/or administrative favoritism…the investigator interviewed 11 individuals and reviewed numerous emails and other documents in order to investigate two major allegations.”

In the allegation that Sandoval had a personal relationship with Jimenez and as a result showed favoritism the findings stated that the evidence did not support that he had an improper relationship with Jimenez.

“Although Mr. Sandoval and Ms. Jimenez have a friendly relationship as a result of both working in the One Stop Center in fairly close proximity for several years, the investigator found no evidence that the relationship was a close or intimate one. The investigator found no evidence that the decisions in which Mr. Sandoval was involved resulted from inappropriate favoritism toward Ms. Jimenez.”

In a letter to Chopra and the governing board, Jimenez rebutted the Administrative Determination of her complaint of working with Poveda and the Outreach staff calling it “pure hell” and the hostile work environment

was “degrading” due to her admittedly intimate relationship with Lopez. In the letter she said she brought this environment to the attention of Sandoval and Yokotobi.

“I simply followed my chain of command,” wrote Jimenez. “ The department of Outreach could of addressed Mr. Sandoval if they had any concerns, but they chose not to.

Mr. Sandoval was always professional in his role as a vice president. He demonstrated sympathy and concern as to how Outreach was treating me. I feel Poveda and the rest of Outreach have brought false allegations that gave rise to an investigation.”

SWC governing board minutes for June 11, 2008 the board rejected Jimenez’s claim in closed session, but Sandoval said there was a settlement.

“There were three of us involved and what they required was a mediation conference,” said Sandoval. “There was a settlement reached, but from my understanding it had nothing to do with me. I had the documentation showing that I had done no wrong. I just know that in August or September 2009 all parties signed an agreement.”

Sandoval said he served as acting superintendent for six months from February 2007 to July 31, 2007 and then went back to his position as vice president of student services.

Sandoval said even through all of this he was able to stick with his personal goals and earned his doctorate in May. He currently works as vice president of Student Services at Moreno Valley College.

“It is a nice community, the college is very diverse,” said Sandoval. “It is a small college with about eight to nine thousand students. I am its first vice president because it just got accredited, so I am helping putting the infrastructure in place, getting people trained and being very proactive in serving students.”

Mary York, Editor

NEWS

Tel: (619) 482-5787 E-mail: news@theswcsun.com

Campus renovation underway Time Out Café, prepration for corner lot project spearhead efforts

By Cody Yarbro and Elizabeth Lugo Designer and Staff Writer

Proposition R, the $389 million bond measure passed by voters in 2008 to modernize and expand the aging Southwestern College campus, is slowly unfolding. Campus leaders said they expect the pace to pick up in 2012.

It may take 20 years to complete the long list of projects, which will be divided into 14 distinct phases.

Phases have been subdivided into stages on the master plan timeline.

Stages one through four included the ne w two-stor y National City Higher Education Center, preparation for the corner lot for development, the Time Out Cafe and the central power plant.

Stage five includes remodeling of Devore Stadium, classrooms, team rooms, locker rooms, faculty offices and the fitness center. Stage six focuses on recreating energy efficient power upgrades, while stage seven, updates the security, fire alarms and the technology. Stage eight funds equipment for remodeled buildings.

“We are on track,” said Dean of Athletics Terry Davis. “These situations take more time than we would all like.”

Stage nine is the installation of synthetic turf for the football stadium, soccer, softball and practice fields, a proposal that has drawn some criticism from faculty members concerned about joint injuries to athletes. Stage 10 is the beginning of solar projects and installing photovoltaic (PV) plates, an alternate form of creating energy.

Mayan Hall is scheduled for renovations in stage 11, including improved access for disabled students and updated plumbing.

Landscaping and remodeling of the 100 hundred buildings are scheduled for stages 11-13. Stage 14 will focus on improvements to 210 building.

Serina Duarte/Staff

A LOT TO CONSIDER — Located at East H St and Otay Lakes Road, the corner lot has been empty for nearly a half century.

Prop R funds will be used to develop it.

PLA: There is still time to sign pacts, local unions insist Continued from Page 16

only as good as the information we get and the information we get is from there. What I have heard is that they have signed contracts, but not under a PLA.” Tom Lemmon, business manager of the San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council, said it was his belief that very few contracts had actually been signed.

“As I understand it, the only thing that’s been put out to bid for Phase I is the actual construction management,” he said. “The buildings themselves have yet to get approval from the Division

Winter Edition 2011-12 — Vol. 55, Iss. 4

17

Whittaker: Restored accreditation, hope at a college in turmoil Continued from Page 1

no preconceived ideas about what our college was and, in fact, was willing to learn about us quickly in order to serve our community well.”

Whittaker’s work extended beyond restoring accreditation. Stuart said Whittaker revived the constructive energies of campus constituents as she pieced back together the Shared Consultation Committee and restored authority to the Academic Senate.

“The positive outlook was palpable and hope for our college was rekindled,” she said. “Placing the SCC back to its rightful spot of importance and input was key in restoring faith and trust from all constituencies. In addition, the Academic Senate was provided its rights for those items that are academic and professional matters, as set out in Policy & Procedures 2515. This had an enormous impact in improving campus climate and in strengthening our shared planning and decision-making.”

Collaboration leads to changes Whittaker had help rebuilding the college. None of the accomplishments of the last year would have taken place, she said, had it not been for the college and community.

“The college has to take credit for this, and I believe that heart and soul,” she said. “I’ve never worked where there are so many interested students in what’s going on and the student commitment has been just phenomenal. It’s just been wonderful.”

Whittaker said that the quality of the people made the job easier.

“What surprised me most about Southwestern were actually two things,” she said. “One was the amount of internal passion about this institution, the quality of instruction and the dedication of the students. It’s extraordinary. It is not just a job. There is something unique that is going on here internally that is more than a job. The second aspect was its role in the community and the community’s obsession -- and that’s a positive obsession -- with interest in what’s going on in their college and that doesn’t happen in most community colleges. People eat, sleep and drink in the community what happens in this college. I didn’t know it would be that way.”

This is not to say that it was easy, said Whittaker. There were things she wish she had been able to do at SWC that she was unable to, she said.

“I was so focused on accreditation I restricted my exposure because there was so much at stake,” said Whittaker.

“There’s a loss when you don’t have the opportunity to really visit all the areas and get more connected with all the people. The amount of operational things that needed to be addressed were pretty profound and it was trading the luxury of going out and visiting classrooms and attending more events, reaching out to the community.”

Whittaker said she knew the challenges and the responsibility of preparing the college for a full-time superintendent/ president.

“I probably would have preferred to do things differently, but that’s not really the job of the interim,” she said.

Time to say goodbye As the tumultuous year began to wind down and it came time to say goodbye, Whittaker said she had second thoughts.

“The college has pulled at my heart and there was unfinished business that I thought I could be effective in helping them take the next steps for complete healing,” she said. “I think the combination of the passion and the community interest just tugged at me and made me think twice.”

Whittaker said she wanted to make

sure SWC was left in good hands.

“It was sort of as a back up,” said Whittaker. “If they didn’t have the applicant pool they wanted then I was a pretty good second choice.”

Although her application had originally been submitted as a safety net, Whittaker said once she put her hat in the ring, her heart and hopes followed it. It was difficult for her when the governing board selected another canditate, though Whittaker graciousness following the selection of Dr. Melinda Nish as the next permanent superintendent. Nish is Whittaker’s protege whom Whittaker speaks highly of.

“Once I had made the leap...I was disappointed for me,” she said. “I’m not disappointed for Melinda and I’m certainly not disappointed for the college. I think we would have had a good run at it. There’s healing to be done still and it was selfish on my part to want to be part of continuing this for the next couple of years. Then here we get it all perfect and the new person comes in and hasn’t experienced what we’ve gone through. The new person should be part of the healing. So I understand it logically.”

In January Whittaker will begin a year-long term as interim superintendant of Palo Verde Community College in Blythe. She said she will take with her the struggles she overcame here.

“One of the things I’ve learned is

to maintain calmness in the midst of what appears to be chaos,” said Whittaker. “There was a lot of blind trust. I remember with many groups saying I know we don’t know what the next step is. I know we’ve never done a snap shot report before, I know we’ve never done a full program review before or a full strategic plan. And while you’re going through it you don’t really know what the next step is. ‘But trust me.’”

Whittaker said learning how to overcome those obstacles with SWC was enlightening and encouraging.

“All of a sudden we get through it and we look backwards and we go ‘we really did it’,” she said. “You can have blind trust without panic and kind of a comforting that it’s okay and you’ll get through this.”

Edifice of time There is still healing that needs to be done, said Whittaker. Foundations have been laid for that, she said, including a new governing board and a strong presence of senior leadership in the shared consultation process.

“A governing board that is attentive to the needs of the institution is significant,” said Whittaker. “That is the start, or the continuation really, of the healing process.”

But Whittaker said there is only one real answer.

“Time is the only thing that heals,” she said. “You have to be able to trust that a

setback isn’t the end of the world.”

The extraordinary As Whittaker prepares to leave, much like Mary Poppins, a deep sense of gratitude, and underlying fondness and a touch of sadness for those she is leaving behind cloud her departure.

“Every day is sad for me because I know it will be the last,” she said.

“People underestimate what’s been given back to me. It’s actually overwhelming.

It’s overwhelming joy. It feels odd to have that much come back to me.

Even through all the difficulties it’s been joyful. It’s been a life-changing experience for me.”

But Whittaker said her greatest achievement as SWC was embedding hope in the college and that will not leave when she does.

“At one of the first summits we had last spring we were all talking about where we were with accreditation,” she said. “And at the end of the summer -- I wasn’t ready for it, I didn’t see it coming -- people expressed a side effect of the gathering.

The side effect of the gathering was a reuniting of family and the reestablishing of hope. And I think that we aren’t done here. Things aren’t finished, but I think my greatest accomplishment has been the reestablishment of incredible hope.”

Whittaker said she has never worked in a place quite like SWC. “This has been the hardest departure I’ve ever had to make.”

of State Architect. I think it’s safe to say that without a set of drawings, you can’t get bids. I think it is very likely that Phase I is still available to be put under a PLA.” Nader said the board has not yet signed a contract to provide those services, but arrangements with both Seville and Balfour Beatty never included a PLA. “Those [bids] were put out with the assumption that there would be no PLA,” he said. “If they want to voluntarily manage the project with a PLA, I’m certainly fine with that. But I don’t think there’s going to be an interest in renegotiating existing contracts.”

But Nader also said that he would be willing to consider the Phase I PLA if certain qualifications were met.

“If we can do a PL A without jeopardizing contracts that have already been approved and without slowing down progress on projects, that sounds

great to me,” he said. “But somebody has to do more than just give me a lay opinion about how they don’t see why it can’t be done. I would need a legal analysis.”

Arguably the largest problem establishing a PLA is the rift that exists between the pro-labor and pro-business sides. Mazzarella said the subject was polarizing.

“Labor feels like a PLA is important and they have to have it,” she said. “The construction companies, whether it’s a good idea or not, do not want to be bound by it.”

Adams, who owns and runs Aerial Construction in Bonita, freely admits his pro-business position, but said he understands the others’ stance.

“There are two sides to this,” he said.

“But to me there is no advantage in a PLA.” Chris Cate, president of the San Diego

County Taxpayers’ Association, said his group’s position was firm.

“The Taxpayers’ Association is opposed to any requirement by any governing board or council, whether it is a school district or a city or what, to mandate a PLA on a project.”

Nader said that pulling the two sides together would be impossible.

“In meetings I had with organized labor, the consensus was that a PLA would probably be an insurmountable barrier,” he said.

Nader said he would continue to try to find a middle ground where they could work together.

“I’m really surprised that at the point when we have an opportunity to make some serious and unprecedented progress, that we would be trying to revisit this issue without the benefit of some new legal analysis supporting it,” he said.

Mazzarella said that was unnecessary if the majority of the board supported a PLA. “If you have the votes on board, move it forward,” she said.

Seaton-Msemaji said that Nader’s desire to bring the sides together had only made the situation worse.

“Tim thinks he can somehow mitigate the disagreement between the antiunion contractors and the union people,” he said. “You can’t. I and most reasonable people would be in favor of one. If there was any way we could find some middle ground, let’s work at it.

It’s worth it. But you have to be able to recognize when that’s not possible. He’s not going to change them at all. That’s not supposition on my part. We’ve been dealing with these people for years. They are not going to change.”

PACKED WITH SUCCESSES — Interim Superintendent Denise Whittaker prepares to exit the SWC stage.

Jiamay Austria/Staff

please see PLA pg. 18

18

Winter Edition 2011-12 — Vol. 55, Iss. 4

PLA: Construction lobby opposes union contracts at SWC Continued from Page 17

Seaton-Msemaji said Nader was a smart guy, a good person, and a hard worker, but that he failed to understand one key issue.

“I think he’s tone deaf to the urgency o f t h i s ,” h e said. “Part of it is because he’s ruled out Ph a s e I a n d Phase II isn’t Nader going to start for a long time, so he thinks we have that much time to do it. He just doesn’t feel the urgency.”

He also said that board delays had only made the situation worse.

“He told us at the beginning of the year that he favored the PLA and that most of the board favored it too,” Seaton-Msemaji said. “But he wanted to hold off because they had to deal with accreditation and other major things.

We thought that was reasonable. Then after accreditation, they had to deal with the state budget. Then they had to deal with finding a superintendent. There’s no reason why his subcommittee idea could not have been established and have been meeting any time over the past six months. If that had been done, there’d be no question about being involved with Phase I.” Nader said that trying to separate contract from contract did not change the truth of the matter.

“The fact that contracts are management contracts, and not ones for actual construction, doesn’t change the fact that there are contracts out for those projects,” he said.

Nader said he thought that organized labor was focusing its attention on divisiveness instead of inclusion.

“I’m really surprised that we would engage in friendly fire rather than moving forward at this point where we are moving closer to something positive,” he said.

But it is not only the unions leveling criticism at the governing board.

Pro-business advocates decry a lack of communication and uncertainty around the very existence of the board subcommittee tasked with researching the PLA. “I’m not sure of the status of that committee,” Cate said, “if it ever met at all publicly to review these issues or any potential agreements or contracts.”

He said that he would like the Taxpayers’ Association to be included in any subcommittee.

“If we were asked, we’d certainly participate,” he said. “If we were asked.

But we haven’t had that invitation.”

Ad a m s s a i d h e h a s re p e a t e d l y inquired about being included in the subcommittee as well.

“I have asked them twice,” he said.

“I’ve sent them emails about it. I’ve got no response, and that’s kind of where it’s at with that. I don’t have a clue what’s going on.”

Nader said that there were some lapses in communication, but pointed out that responsibility fell in more than one place.

“The thing is that there has been a lot of indirect communication and not a lot of direct communication from some of these parties,” he said.

The Problems with a PLA Adams said any argument that a PLA would not cost taxpayers dollars was simply a lie.

“Yes, a PLA can cost money,” he said.

“I’ve heard both sides of this story – yes it can, and no it doesn’t. I think the ones who say it doesn’t are just trying to sell the thing. But it’s going to raise the cost.

Any time you have a third party coming in and trying to control a project, they’re making money off it. To me, this is just another union trying to get in there so they can spread the wealth around.”

Cate said it was organization’s desire to prevent the taxpayers from spending any unnecessary dollars and were working to prevent it from happening.

“We want to ensure that the oversight committee has the opportunity to weigh in and give their opinion about the use of a PLA prior to it going to the board,” he said. “There is obviously a potential that the use of a PLA could increase costs. I’m not saying it will, but there’s always that potential, which the oversight committee has a responsibility to review.”

C a t e s a i d t h a t t h e Ta x p a ye r s’ Association had a firm stance against a governing board mandating

rules to the very contractors w h o w o u l d b e d o i n g t h e w o rk .

“We are opposed to any requirements or mandates that contractors sign into a PLA on a construction project,” he said. “If a contractor who works with a city or agency wants to have their own PLA as a private party, we’re totally supportive of that. But the mandated use of a PLA? No. That’s what we have communicated to the board for four or five months now.”

Adams said unions are to blame for many of the problems.

“If you look at it, the union worker is making x amount of dollars and the business agents are making x amount of dollars,” he said. “A union is a business like any other business, and the more contracts they get, the more money they make, and more money they get to pay them dues. They’re pushing that PLA so they can make money. They’re making the money off the backs of the labor people. They’re not the angels that they think they are.”

Adams said a pool of talented construction workers in the area made it easy to hire quality labor.

“There are plenty of people here in [metro] San Diego that can do these jobs. Construction workers are considered blue collar workers and Chula Vista has a lot of blue collar workers living there. San Diego County has plenty of people. They don’t need to go to Los Angeles or Orange County or anything like that. There are some great craftsmen here and some smart mechanics to put it all together.”

In 1931 Congress passed the DavisBacon Act which required contractors and builders to pay prevailing wages on all federal government construction contracts. This meant that all the workers on a particular project, regardless of their actual jobs, had to receive at least the prevailing wage in their particular area. Since then, 41 states have signed laws that require the same standards on state government contracts. California is one of them.

In California the legislation is called the Prevailing Wage Law and it covers all construction workers, union members or not. Adams believes that these laws make a PLA redundant and end up costing taxpayers unnecessarily.

“To give you an idea,” he said, “I pay a laborer $17 an hour. When we work on Prevailing Wage, Davis-Bacon jobs, it goes up to $27 an hour. If the laws weren’t in place, I’d say a PLA is probably a good thing, but DavisBacon and Prevailing Wage are in place to make sure the workers are getting paid properly and they’re getting good money, which they are. That they’re getting good benefits, which they are.

There are training programs already in effect. We don’t need another company coming in and setting all this up again just so they can make more money off this thing.”

The Benefits of a PLA Lemmon said he sees a real value in what a PLA brings to a project.

“Those things vary from a highly skilled workforce, training, coordination of work schedules and safety,” he said.

“Unions, especially construction unions, cultivate a workforce. SWC students who want to enter into a construction program will have opportunities and may decide that construction is the path that they choose for a career. Should they do that, the long-term effect is a middle class existence.”

Mazzarella said the rhetoric about higher costs under a PLA is false.

“The construction people I talked to tell me it doesn’t raise the cost,” she said. “[Under a PLA] you can’t hire completely unskilled labor for minimum wage, but then do you want minimum wage people without a background in construction doing your electrical wiring or pouring your cement when the safety of your campus community is at stake?”

Seaton-Msemaji said that is what some contractors want.

“What these contractors do is to hire a few people locally then go and get whatever they can for the least they have to pay,” he said. “They literally bring people in from other states – Idaho, Montana, Arizona – and pile them up in motels. These workers live on top of each other for the duration of their work, and God knows what they’re paying them. There’s no oversight.”

He asked why different districts and cities kept using PLAs if they were harmful to the economy.

“Just this year, there have been a dozen new PLAs in California,” he said. “It’s because a PLA is a value to them. In this economy they’re not going to do anything that costs them money. They can’t.”

Mazzarella said she would like to see a PLA put in place now, but would like

NEWS it to be clear.

“I think the public would feel better if the PLA was written so the community could see what was involved,” she said.

“It would dispel some of the myths, like the one about a PLA excluding nonunion members.”

Seaton-Msemaji agreed that it was just a myth.

“If you’re a human being and you are within the local hiring zones and the contractor hires you, you’re in,” he said. “You never have to go to a union meeting, sign a union card, or be a member of a union.”

He admits that a PLA would benefit the union members, too.

“Because of the economic downturn, most construction unions have long lists of out-of-work members,” SeatonMsemaji said. “I’m not talking about somebody new that hopes to work in construction someday. I’m talking about members who don’t work anymore because of the economy. Getting those jobs, getting those people back to work is urgent.”

Seaton-Msemaji said that a job in construction could easily lead to a career. “ A n a p p r e n t i c e “If we can do today in sheet m e t a l m a k e s a PLA without $15 or $16 an jeopardizing hour,” he said. contracts that “Usually you have already go to work in the classroom been approved and on the job. and without So you make slowing down $16 an hour, progress on your health insurance starts projects, that i n a c o u p l e sounds great o f m o n t h s , to me.” your pension accrual starts immediately. An Tim Nader apprenticeship Governing Board lasts five years. President Every year you get a raise. By the time you finish your apprenticeship and you’re a journeyman, you’re making $30 an hour. In a couple more years, you’re making $70,000 a year. That’s a way for a person to have a career and not just a job.”

Mazzarella agreed.

“Not everyone wants to go to college,” she said. “Not everybody wants to be a doctor or lawyer. We need people in the working class that can earn a good wage, have benefits and health care, and raise families.”

Seaton-Msemaji said a PL A in place keeps taxpayers’ money in their communities.

“Without one, the bond money comes in and it goes out and doesn’t do the local economy a damn bit of good,” he said. “It doesn’t put people to work that live there. One effect on the community is the opportunity to have local hire. Southwestern College can say they want to give a preference to locals living within the school district, then in metro San Diego, then within the county, before you go outside the area.

You cannot do that legally except under a PLA. If a contractor goes through all that and still can’t somebody, he can go to the moon or Mars or wherever he wants to go.”

On June 8, 2010, Chula Vista voters passed Proposition G, called the “Chula Vista Fair and Open Competition Initiative,” by a 56-44 margin. Prop G banned PLAs from the city. SeatonMsemaji said that doesn’t matter. “ That ballot measure couldn’t prescribe what other jurisdictions could do,” he said. “All it could do is to affect projects overseen by the city of Chula Vista. It has nothing to do with the Southwestern College district, or the Sweetwater High School district, or any of the water districts.”

He said that was an example of how anti-union, pro-business advocates worked.

“That’s one of the reasons that the

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anti-union contractors are so successful at fighting PLAs sometimes, like with Prop G,” Seaton-Msemaji said. “I bet if you were able to survey those people that voted that day, 90 percent of them wouldn’t know what you were talking about. The voters of Chula Vista did not ban PLAs. They were tricked by some very clever and effective electioneering, and it worked. ‘Fair and Open Competition?’ There were union members who voted for that. ‘Fair and Open Competition? We’ve been waiting for that our whole lives. Of course!’”

Lemmon said that San Diego Unified School District’s $2.1 billion agreement was a good example of a PLA done right.

“One of the things that we’ve done really well was in SD Unified,” he said.

“The school board wanted to put people to work from the district. In addition to that, they wanted to reach out to those communities in the district that had high unemployment and high levels of poverty. They had a goal of 35 percent hired from there. To this point this year, we’re at 47 percent union referrals on that project, which is pretty amazing.

Projects are coming in faster than they expected them to, meaning that they’re getting completed quicker than engineers’ estimates. That’s a real good savings to the district.”

Seaton-Msemaji agreed.

“Some of these are getting done quicker,” he said. “Not just on time, but ahead of time. They bid 20 or 21 projects there and all but one of them has come in under their budget estimate. The first one didn’t because of an architect’s error. All the rest came in under budget. That’s a fact.”

He said the PLA was good for the district, but also good for the contractors.

“Those 20 or 21 contracts? Most of them were bid on and won by non-union contractors. You can’t discriminate like that against them,” Seaton-Msemaji said. “In SD Unified, written right into their PLA, it says if the contractor has benefits equal to or better than union benefits, the contractor can use theirs. Who decides which is better? The school district is the arbiter. The union does not get to decide.”

Mazzarella said that not only was having a PLA put in place immediately a benefit, but if they had one in place earlier, it would have already helped the college.

“That snack bar area…” she said.

“What if your PLA said that if you ran over by a certain amount of time, you’d have to start giving back your profits on this project? That thing could have been done a year ago. It is bad project management to let them run over and drag their feet. That’s a good example of how a PLA could have benefited us.”

Mazzarella also said there was one simple reason why the PLA should be in place immediately – the voters.

“I think hiring local labor was a big selling point to get the taxpayer to vote for Prop R. And if that is in fact the case, they should stand behind it and hire local workers.”

She said that there was public support for the agreement and the governing board needed to get started on it right now.

“I can’t tell you how many letters have been sent to Tim from the city councils, from senators, from various unions and organizations. I’ve seen probably 10 of them that all said, ‘Get it done, get it done, get it done. This is important.’”

Seaton-Msemaji said that continuing to try to find a compromise with antiunion activists was a waste of time.

“Those guys are not going to change their attitudes about this for one reason: most of the things they say in public about why they’re against PLAs aren’t even accurate. How can you change somebody who knows they’re misrepresenting the facts? They have their reasons why they’re doing it and we can’t change them. It’s not possible with them.”

Repeat policies tighten

By Kyla Guerrero Staff writer

A last-minute reprieve has spared Southwestern College students a $10 per unit fee hike for spring 2012, but the relief will be shortlived. In summer a new $46 per unit fee goes into effect.

California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott and the California Legislature decided to delay the fee increase to summer even though falling state revenues will force another $30 million cut from community colleges. As many as 200,000 students may lose access to classes.

“I was pissed when I learned it went up to 36 (dollars per unit),” said Esteban De Leon, 22, a telemedia major. “I wouldn’t be as mad if they managed to use the… increase in price for things that benefitted the students, especially for me as a film student, where funding and classes get cut severely.”

Community colleges nationwide have increased tuition rates 8.7 percent according to CNN Money, bringing community college tuition to an average of $3,000 a year.

SWC students wishing to further their education beyond an Associate’s degree have more financial worry. College costs are rising across the country. About 50 miles away CSU San Marcos is the hardest hit in the nation, raising their fees 31 percent. SDSU has not raised fees, but has severely cut enrollment.

S WC s t u d e n t s w i l l a l s o b e subject to a new course-repeat and withdrawal policy starting t h i s s u m m e r. T h e C a l i f o r n i a Community College Board of Governors passed a revision to Title 5 restricting students to repeat a course if they have received a D, F, NP or W three times. Students who wish to retake the course a fourth time, they will have to take the course elsewhere.

Much of this new policy is meant to foster student responsibility.

“I think the policy is good for a person that has gotten three D or F grades,” says De Leon.

“Because if you are a student and you haven’t managed a good grade that’s your fault. Students like to blame teachers, but when it comes down to it, it’s almost never the teacher’s fault.”

SWC officials are encouraging students to be realistic about their ability to complete courses successfully and to read class syllabi to ensure attendance and participation requirements can be met. Educators are growing less patient with students who take valuable seats in classes only to dump or fail them.

S o m e s t u d e n t s , h o w e v e r, expressed concern about the policy.

“There is one class I need to take that I’m having difficultly on,” said Veronica Golenia, 22, a public health major. “If I fail it a third time I won’t be able to transfer.”

The policy has captured many students’ attention.

“As a new student I have to take classes seriously,” said Ernie Hicks, 18, a mechanical engineering major. “I want to get out of here in two years and the new repeat policy could be a good motivator.”

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Winter Edition 2011-12 — Vol. 55, Iss. 4

Eastlake Library moved to Otay Ranch mall

19

ASO: Clay Club complains about lost funding paperwork Continued from Page 1

Serina Duarte/Staff

ALL BOOKED UP — Otay Ranch Town Center will soon be the new home of Eastern Chula Vista’s only public libary after its collection and staff were moved out of Eastlake High School.

By Daniel Sanchez Distribution Manager

Eastern Chula Vista’s only public library branch is moving from Eastlake High School to a storefront at Otay Ranch Town Center. Proponents of the move and said it will generate more visitors, help neighboring businesses and create new jobs.

Even so, the move did not excite everyone at Eastlake High.

Jim Merzbacher, Eastlake High School librarian, said the library’s closure is unfortunate and will hurt students at the campus.

“In 2008, I helped organized a concerted effort to prevent downsizing and closure at that time on behalf of the eastern Chula Vista community,” said Merzbacher. “The closure seemed to be inevitable because of budgets, desire or necessity to downsize, as well as their desire have more autonomy by their middle and upper management.”

Tim Colby, general manager of the Otay Ranch Town Center, said the neighboring community is excited about the opening of the library.

“This popular destination will further ties the shopping center into the community and provide families with yet another good reason to visit the center and offer exciting opportunities to work with the library to promote their programs to mutual benefit,” said Colby.

Library employee Jodie Sawina said the

new facility will feature Wi-Fi inside and outside of the building. It will also offer family-oriented events and will stay open more hours.

“We are expecting our presence at Otay Ranch Town Center will create an additional draw for busy families in eastern Chula Vista,” said Sawina.

Construction of the new library is currently under way and will take six to eight weeks. Plans are scheduled to have it open in January or February 2012.

10% with Flyer Valid until 12/2011 (Across from Bonita High next to WingStop) 1550 East H Street Suite J Chula Vista, CA 91913 619.600.3560

Moffat was not available for comment.

He was recently put on administrative leave by the college for reasons that have not been disclosed.

Director of Student Activities Arlie Ricasa said Moffat’s leave was not related to the Clay Club controversy.

Lewis said the ASO needs to come clean and do its business in a more open manner.

“We would like to know how these decisions are made, what other clubs ask for and where the money is going,” said Lewis. “It is a mystery.”

Clubs turn in allocation requests to the ASO every semester to receive funds that are used to finance club activities.

Allocations must be turned in before the deadline and usually within two weeks clubs receive award letters stating the amount of money the ASO is giving them.

Tameika Guerrero, vice president of club affairs, said that clubs must go through two cycles to apply for allocations. About $12,000 is allocated in the first round, she said, and $3,000 in the second. Forms must be thoroughly completed, legible and detailed or the club will not receive any money.

“Allocations have never been misplaced before,” she said.

Guerrero said she does not feel that the affairs of clubs are private. She said she has an open door policy and encourages anyone to contact her about any questions they have.

“Money allocated to the different clubs is public record and this information can be requested if at any time anyone would like to see them,” said Guerrero.

“Inquiring minds could also go directly to club executives for information regarding how much they received from allocations.”

Bia said the ASO allocations system is flawed.

“I would like to know why they do everything in paper work,” said Bia. “Nowadays everything is done digitally and it is much less likely to be misplaced, a record of turned in allocations should be kept so proof exists and issues can be avoided.”

Guerrero said she appreciated Bia’s suggestion, but insisted paperwork is more appropriate.

“The reason we do paperwork instead of digital is because we want it to be official and in their hands,” she said. “We are considering a receipt process for next semester.”

Decisions regarding allocations give lenience towards new clubs, Guerrero said, and priority to fund raisers and events that benefit the most students.

“We discourage excluding people,” she said. “We want clubs to “I would plan events t h a t w i l l like to know b e n e f i t t h e why they do whole school.”

New clubs everything in are less likely paperwork. to have their own money Nowadays s i n c e t h e y everything is h a v e n e v e r done digitally raised funds b e f o r e . and it is much Guerrero said less likely to the ASO tries very hard to be misplaced. keep things A record of fair, but some turned in clubs need the money more allocations than others. should be “Clubs can ask for kept so proof whatever they exists and need, the rewards letter issues can be explains the avoided.” re a s o n s f o r how and why the money was Edward Bia d i s t r i b u t e d Clay Club President that way,” said Guerrero.

At the beginning of the semester the ASO holds Club Training Day. ASO treasurer Angela Ramirez held an allocations workshop before training day. If any other questions come up representatives must make sure to ask the vice president of club affairs so that no mistakes are made when filling out forms.

With the help of Jason’s Courtyard coffee cart, the Clay Club funded its own ceramic cup sale on November 22.

“We always try to plan ahead when it comes to educational activities,” said Lewis.

The club also raised $1,500 for a field trip.

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The Southwestern College Sun

Winter Edition 2011-12—Vol. 55 Issue 4

SPORTS

Winning the Race

OF HER LIFE

By Albert Fulcher, Ernesto Rivera and Serina Duarte

Speedy cross-country champion Ayded Reyes is usually the fastest person around, but one evening fate caught up to her. So did the INS. After her boyfriend was pulled over on a routine traffic stop by two Harbor Police officers in Chicano Park, she was unable to prove U.S. citizenship. Even though she was the innocent passenger in the car, the Border Patrol was summoned. Reyes found herself sitting alone in INS detention cells for four days, uncertain of what her once-bright future might hold.

“I came here when I was a baby,” said Reyes, who was born in Mexico City. “I was brought here by my parents. I had no control over that.”

Reyes said four days in detention cells was a horrifying experience and she wonders how many students like her have gone through a similar ordeal, lost and deported to a country they never knew.

She said this is the reason she is willing to tell her story — to help those who do not have the same support that saved her from immediate deportation.

“It was nerve-wracking,” said Reyes. “I cried like I’ve never cried before. I’m usually a lot stronger but this was just…”

Reyes said she was very uncomfortable with the sudden attention she has received from the news media, but as bad as it made her feel to talk about her ordeal she knew she had to.

“I started talking because I want to bring awareness to how horrible the conditions are for all the other people that have to go through this,” she said. “It’s too personal and I don’t know if I want everyone to know. It’s something I went through that was really hard. I’ve never been treated that way or put through such bad conditions.”

Taken initially to the Imperial Beach holding facility, Reyes said INS agents began trying to get her to sign paperwork saying she wanted to go back to “her country” immediately. She said she remembered a warning from a high school Spanish teacher to not sign anything under pressure by the Border Patrol or INS. Her teacher taught her that everyone in America has human rights, including

the right to due process.

“The first thing they gave me was this paper in Spanish, even though I was speaking to them in English,” said Reyes. “When I asked for paperwork in English and told them I was going to college the officers didn’t believe me. They were making fun of me. I’m an immigrant, but I’m not dumb.”

Reyes refused to sign the paper, which made the agents unhappy. Reyes stood her ground.

“I’m not going (to Mexico),” said Reyes. “I have family, but I do not know anyone there. I kept wondering what I was going to do over there, where I would go. Tijuana is a very dangerous place to be now.”

Reyes said the pressure and the stress made her just want to sign the papers, but she knew better. She said the most important message she wants to get out to the public is the horrible conditions in immigration detention centers and the mistreatment of detainees.

“What about all the other people that don’t know they have the right to go to court?” she said.

“What about the way they’re treated? It’s not right.”

While sitting in holding facilities, Reyes said many questions went through her mind and she felt completely isolated. She wondered what would happen next, what she needed to do and did not understand why she was being treated so badly.

“I’ve worked so hard (to earn a university scholarship) and now I can just lose it all,” she said.

“The reason my parents came here was to succeed and when you see that you can just lose everything in a minute — it’s horrible.”

Reyes was shuffled from detention facilities in San Ysidro, Chula Vista and Imperial Beach.

She said in between transfers she was held in a small holding facility. She said the conditions were hideous and does not understand why they make people go through what she described as a nightmare.

“There’s no bed, you sleep on the floor,” said Reyes. “There were three of us in there. We only had one really thin blanket each and the air conditioner was on high. There’s a sink on top of the toilet and you are supposed to drink out of the sink with no cups, you have to slurp.”

Reyes said no one knows what people go please see Reyes pg. 21

Serina Duarte/staff

A FORTNIGHT AND ODD DAYS — Ayded Reyes was nearly deported, spent five days in INS detention, then won the PCC cross country championship and took fifth in state despite being tripped at the starting line.

New soccer coach kicks up interest

Geriatric Jaguar, 55, inspires the young pups

By Alexis Dominguez Assistant Sports Editor

At an age where some professors are retiring from Southwestern College, 55-year-old Dave Wade has just begun his career chasing around teens and 20-somethings out on the football field. Not as a coach, but as a player.

Wade strolled into the locker room for summer football and exited this month, making school history as SWC’s oldest student ever to play on the football team. He is the only SWC athlete ever known to be eligible for an ASO card and an AARP card.

Football head coach Ed Carberry said he found it hard to believe Wade would be able to make it through the whole summer of training, let alone keep up with 20-year-olds.

“I thought he would quit within a week,” said Carberry. “I saw him and I told him that this was a little more up-tempo than maybe he was used to.

He got in there and he asked for ‘no quarter,’ which is a military term for saying ‘no break.’ He asked not to be treated differently. He wanted to do all the work everybody in the class was doing, which involves a lot of heavy lifting and exercises that most older people’s lower backs might go out on.”

At the end of summer, Wade gave Carberry his biggest surprise.

“He really hung in there and did a great job all summer,” said Carberry.

“Summer is over you figure, ‘Well, he is done, nice experiment, you surprised everybody,’ and then he tells me, ‘I

want to try out for football’.”

Athletic Director Terry Davis said he was surprised when Carberry told him of the geriatric Jaguar.

“It was strange news,” said Davis. “I did talk to Dave about it and he said he wanted to play football his whole life and he never had the opportunity. He wanted to take the opportunity, which I thought was phenomenal. It was also a little scary because you’re concerned for his health and welfare.”

After passing his physicals and practice assignments, Davis and Carberry decided to give Wade the go ahead.

“He went out there and he survived,” said Carberry. “He practiced hard everyday and was on time to the meetings. He was an inspiration, really, to a lot of people.”

Wade was no one’s token old guy. He became a big hitter on kickoff units.

Offensive lineman Marc Pouvave said he looks up to Wade.

“He sure has inspired me,” said Pouvave. “Especially when I feel hurt, I look at him and he’s 55 and has no complaints about anything.”

Once during practice Pouvave sent Wade flying through the air on a tackle.

Pouvave blocked him down field and hit him pretty hard. He was amazed that Wade got right back up. Pouvave is 6 feet 4 inches tall and 340 pounds.

“I have knocked a lot of guys out this season and he got up,” said Pouvave.

“Some of the other players didn’t.”

Pouvave said Wade’s attitude towards

By Michelle Robles Staff Writer

K

jiamay austria/staff

TOUGHER THAN THE REST — Homeless and 55 years old, Dave Wade was a force on the SWC special teams. He also achieved his lifelong dream of playing college football.

playing is great. He always comes out with a good attitude and no complaints, he said.

Wade’s older brother, Paul, who lives in Peoria, Arizona, found out his younger brother was going to play football over the phone.

“It doesn’t surprise me that he would try something like this,” he said. “I asked him why he was going to play

football and he said he never had a chance to play. He thought he would give it a chance, so I said go for it.”

Paul Wade said when Dave gets something in his head he just goes full blast for it.

“It’s one thing trying out for it and it’s another thing when they actually put you on their team,” he said. please see Wade pg. 22

aryna Figuero grew up in a household where her father made a living throwing a baseball. She gets her kicks with the ball on the ground.

Figuero, Southwestern College’s new women’s soccer head coach, learned to appreciate hardball from her father, a professional baseball player.

“I started playing soccer in New Jersey and we moved a lot because my dad played baseball,” said Figuero. “From there, we moved to Florida and played there until college because we stayed there the longest.”

As a freshman she made the varsity team and was named offensive MVP. Figuero credits high school soccer for helping her learn about discipline, responsibility, and teamwork. After high school Figuero went on to play for Florida Atlantic University.

“I played at a really high level,” said Figuero. “I was so used to playing and starting that it was different for me because I didn’t start. I came off the bench so that was an adjustment for me. I had to learn that it wasn’t about me it was about the team and that helped me a lot to become more humble.”

Figuero and the women’s soccer team had a humble season this fall with a 6-112 record, but the new coach expected please see Figuero pg. 21

serina duarte/staff

DOWN BUT NEVER OUT— PCC Cross Country Champion Ayded Reyes has had numerous full-ride scholarship offers, including Ivy League Brown University. A biology major, she has a 3.5 GPA taking rigorous classes.

Reyes: Locked up, knocked down but still in the race Continued from Page 20

through at these facilities until someone who has been there can go out and tell everyone.

She said the Chula Vista detention facility was a little better, she at least got to take a shower. Guards, however, demonstrated a sadistic streak and subjected detainees to sleep deprivation and other tactics from prisoner of war or concentration camps.

“It’s horrible, you don’t even see the sunlight,” said Reyes. “At night when you were sleeping they would knock on your window just to wake you up. For no reason.

There are little things like that that are just not right.”

Reyes said she wonders about all the people sent off to foreign places that were never their home.

“All those people probably had it worse than me,” said Reyes. “It just makes me wonder. You don’t know how they were treated and how they were sent back. It’s sad.

I don’t think it is right. They’re humans.”

Reyes said her four-day incarceration felt like months. But she said she had to compete that week and wanted to be there for the team. Determined to do well at the Pacific Coast Conference Championship, she immediately focused on training and homework after her release. She did not want to break the Southwestern College streak of winning the conference over the past 11 years and said, “This is not going to stop me.”

“It felt great to have something positive in my life,” said Reyes. “ I was a little nervous because I hadn’t run in two weeks. But I fought with all my heart and ran my heart out. I just kept telling myself I have got to do this.”

In a storybook finish, Reyes won the

PCC Championship going away. SWC’s championship skein lived on. Reyes was the favorite to win the California championship a week later in Fresno. Her heroic accomplishment could not have happened without the support she received from people she had never met.

“I didn’t know how close I was to being deported until Saturday, when coach told me,” said Reyes. “While in detention I didn’t even know what was going on.

I actually thought they weren’t doing anything for me, but a lot of things were going on I wasn’t even aware of.”

Cross-country coach Dr. Duro Agbede said he was contacted by Reyes’ parents on Friday and informed that she had been picked up by Immigration.

“When I got the call from her parents I was shocked,” he said.

Agbede said that Reyes has been in this country all her life and her arrest caused many people to stand up for her.

“It’s not just her being a star student,” said Agbede. “It’s that she’s a student at this college and every student from this college has a lot to offer to this country.”

Agbede said he was blank after receiving the call, wondering what he could possibly do to help Reyes. He first contacted Professor of Journalism Max Branscomb and Professor of History Laura Ryan.

Branscomb immediately contacted a human rights law firm recommended by Governing Board Vice President Norma Hernandez to block an immediate deportation.

“Immediately Laura and Governing Board President Tim Nader got involved,” said Agbede. “We were on the phone all day Saturday. From that Friday, especially that Saturday, which was the critical time. I was on the phone back and forth, back and forth with Mr. Nader. It was tough, it was really tough. I really have to thank him.”

Nader said he first heard about Reyes’s situation when he was approached by Ryan while attending an SWC Chicano/Latino

function. He said he put Ryan and Agbede in touch with Congressman Bob Filner’s staff and also contacted an immigration lawyer that is very committed to this type of situation.

“As a lawyer myself, I believe it is best to get the best representation in this type of case,” said Nader. “It is very important that you have good representation in this.”

Nader said he made several phone calls to faculty, federal authorities, Filner and the detention facilities to let them know how concerned the entire college community was in the possibility of losing a star student.

“She is like the poster child for the many students that face this problem,” he said. “She is one of the best students that represents the college and deserves the right to fair representation.”

Nader said it was a collaborative effort by many people on campus that helped get Reyes out of the detention facility and he was happy to do “what little” he could do to help the process.

“When I spoke to the INS authorities, they said they were receiving many phone calls from people expressing that Reyes should be released,” he said.

Nader said the family had called an immigration lawyer, but the fees were well beyond their financial abilities for a sustained legal fight.

“I tried to put them in touch with resources that I know that are affordable or free,” said Nader. “I am not sure whether they found the help they needed there, but felt it was important that she received good representation at a cost the family could afford.”

Agbede said Saturday was a critical day because Filner’s office contacted him and told him Reyes was being prepared for immediate deportation.

“That was the critical period and luckily I was able to contact, for the first time, the supervisor from where Ayded was being held in detention,” said Agbede.

“I explained to the supervisor the people already aware of Ayded’s situation. They needed to know that she was not alone.

I was direct and I was forceful in making him understand that this is the type of girl you have.”

SWC Governing Board Trustee Humberto Peraza said he was taken aback when he heard about the Reyes saga and immediately contacted Filner and his staff for help. Reyes’ situation really touched a lot of people, he said he wanted to do as much as he could to help. Peraza, a former member of Filner’s staff, said it was the combined help of everyone who got involved that got her out.

“She is an amazing young woman,” said Peraza. “She is a great student and athlete and she is an American just as much as any citizen of this country.”

Peraza, a former high school crosscountry runner, said he knew how hard it is to sit for a week, then compete. He said he was amazed at how quickly Reyes bounced back.

“It is astounding to me, after the stress and fear she went through that she went straight to competition and came out victorious,” he said. “I am so proud of her.”

Peraza said he is working with Filner and Reyes to do private legislation because he believes it really affects an individual that is going through this process. A U.S. Senator is also interested in the Reyes case.

Agbede said the contact with INS intensified once he learned Reyes had been moved to the San Ysidro detention center.

“Once they’re moved to San Ysidro it’s straight across the border,” said Agbede.

“After that discussion Ayded was moved back to Chula Vista.”

The fight from Agbede, Nader, Peraza and Filner paid off.

“By Monday, I called the congressman’s office,” said Agbede. “They requested me to contact Ayded’s parents and send them down to the INS office and pick her up and by then Mr. Peraza sent an e-mail to everybody that Ayded would be out in two hours.”

Reyes said she is very thankful for the

Vol. 55 Issue 4 Winter Edition 2011-12

people that helped her through this ordeal.

“I thought I was going to get bailed out by my mother,” said Reyes. “But thanks to Bob Filner I was bailed out on Monday.

Agbede said Reyes said is an extremely talented student and athlete.

“The most important thing is that here is a girl who will definitely go to a university on a full scholarship,” said Agbede. “She has had an outstanding performance including winning the 2011 Pacific Coast Conference Championship and still remains among the best female distant runners in the state.”

Agbede said that Reyes’ PCC title enhances her opportunities for a full scholarship.

“If she didn’t run in the Pacific Coast Conference (finals) she would not have had the opportunity to run for regional and state,” said Agbede. “Winning the conference championship places her at a higher rate of a full scholarship. Without that, it would’ve been a hard sell because we would have basing her performance on the previous year and athletics is what have you done for me lately? Where are you now?”

Agbede said that Reyes’ timely release was pertinent.

Reyes said her parents and sisters are her strongest support, and this experience has brought them all much closer together. She faces a court date on March 1, 2012 and has a pro bono lawyer building her a case to help her stay in the U.S. She said she is unsure what is in store, but she is going to fight hard for the future she has worked so hard for.

Agbede said in the end he was filled with happiness and relief`.

“The joy was that someone who had been through this situation and with this kind of stress was able to let everything out and give the best performance of her collegiate career,” said Agbede. “It was very, very brutal competition.”

Agbede said Reyes feels all students in a similar situation should be educated on their rights.

“There should be a way to reach out the students in her situation and explain their legal rights to them,” he said. “Everybody in this country, whether they’re a citizen or not, has rights. Not only as an American but as human beings, fundamental human rights.”

SWC should provide all AB 540 students with information about their rights in case situations like these occur, Agbede said.

“Either through orientation, through counseling or through the international student department,” he said. “Letting them know that in case this happens, these are your rights, this is what you can do, this is important.”

Agbede said detainees are greatly pressured to sign a document approving their deportation before they have an opportunity to seek representation.

“Once they are taken they’re extremely fearful,” he said. “When you are in detention you can not be contacted by anyone.”

Agbede said Reyes was lucky because she was able to get assistance and believes everyone should be able to have that.

“Ayded wouldn’t be in this situation if she had no one to call,” said Agbede. “A student should know if they have this kind of problem they have someone to contact that can be of assistance and have their rights protected.”

Agbede said a lot of people helped Reyes.

“The credit goes to everybody. All the people that made this possible,” said Agbede. “I’d sincerely like to express my thanks to everybody. Particularly, Ms. Laura (Ryan), Mr. Branscomb, our board president and Mr. Peraza.”

Reyes has been offered scholarships by several universities, including Ivy League schools.

“There are a lot of reasons for me to stay here, I have a lot to lose,” she said. “Right now I just want to go to a good university and one that has a good biology program.

I study here and I’m going to get a full scholarship, so I’m not even going to put the government in debt with loans. I’m doing this by myself and I have worked very hard for this.”

serina duarte /staff

A NATIONAL ROLE MODEL—Reyes’ story is now being told on national television networks like ESPN, Univision, NBC and ABC.

21

Figuero: A new era for the Lady Jaguars soccer program Continued from Page 20

2 record, but the new coach expected a year of adjustments. Figuero said the elements are in place for years of successful soccer at SWC. Lady Jaguars captain Francine Celis said the team has come a long way.

“Coaches really cared about us, its more than just soccer, it’s about getting ahead in school,” she said. “We improved a lot and we showed it. We ended good.”

Players said Figuero did a great job in her first year as a coach and liked that she grew up playing soccer like them.

Figuero said she always loved sports, but in college she realized how important education is. She took an internship with the Houston Astros and the many opportunities that exist working in sports. She began her coaching career in San Diego working with younger girls at a club. Soon enough she was coaching high school soccer and in short order got the job as assistant coach at Grossmont College. After just a year she landed the head coaching job at SWC. Figuero said she was intrigued to come and coach at one of the nation’s.

“The culture down here, being Hispanic myself, I felt I could really relate to this group in general and I could give them something to look forward to in life,” said Figuero. “Just because we are females doesn’t mean we don’t play sports, we don’t get an education, we stay at home and raise the kids. I want to lead by example.”

Lady Jags learned more than how to score a goal from Figuero.

“She showed us that no matter what you do not just in soccer you just can’t give up,” said freshman midfielder Laura Del Castillo. “It’s about your attitude not so much about what you are doing but who you are as a person.”

Figuero said in seasons to come the team will improve.

“There is a positive, we are going in the direction in which we need,” said Figuero. “It’s going to take a while. It might take a year or two but they are the beginning of it. That is what I am trying to get them to understand. Maybe they won’t be the conference champions, but in four years from now they can say we were the ones that started that.”

Figuero hopes to turn the program around and make it a more desirable place for students to come.

“I hope to draw a lot more talent to the school, and to make them see there is a future here and it’s worth coming here.

Become a Sports Reporter at The Sun. Call 482-6368.

SPORTS

Tel: (619) 482-6368 e-mail: sports@theswcsun.com

Enjoy Sports?

Daniel Guzman, editor

22

Winter Edition 2011-12—Vol. 55 Issue 4

SPORTS

The Southwestern College Sun

AMANDA L. ABAD

Sports has a bad record of sexual assault

B

BIG TIME RUSHER — Aaron Harris became the first SWC running back to run for 2,000 career yards. He also holds the single season record of 1,128.

russell scoffin/staff

Record-setting Jag rushes to D-I college

By Alexis Dominguez Assistant Sports Editor

Aaron Harris, the record setting running back for the Southwestern College Jaguars, is rushing toward a bright future as a scholarship athlete at a major university program. Not bad for a guy who had no intention of playing college football.

SWC’s star was an undersized defensive lineman who loved to hit when his high school coach flipped him to the other side of the ball.

“My freshman coach saw something I did not,” he said. “I thought there was too much into the running back position for me. That is why I would rather stay on the D-line. It was a lot easier than I expected. It was pretty much getting the ball and I would run.”

Harris holds the Jaguars record for most yards in a season with 1,128 yards in 2009. This year he set a new college career rushing record with an even 2,000 yards. His efforts, even on a scuffling team, have attracted much attention.

“I’ve had coaches actually fly down here to see me,” he said. “That’s when I decided that football is actually going to get me somewhere.”

Harris said he did not plan to play college football, even though he was successful in high school. Small for defensive linemen at 5’10”, 200 lbs., he said he planned to play basketball or run track. After learning more about SWC and its program, he decided to give football a chance.

Harris said he chose SWC because Coach Ed Carberry did not promise anything he could not deliver.

“I prefer to be told the truth than giving me the fairytales,” said Harris.

D-Wade: Freshmen Jag football player is also a real life Senior Continued from Page 20

Wade said he believes the most important body part in football is the heart.

“I did some boxing and that was a tough sport,” said Wade. “I don’t know which one is harder, football or boxing, but both of them take heart because you know you are going to get hit and you are going to get hit hard. It’s knowing if you can mentally and physically take it.”

On the fifth game of the season, Carberry decided to put Wade in the game against San Bernardino Valley College on kick-off coverage.

Wade’s memorable first play against SBVC is his favorite.

“I was nervous and scared because you don’t know what was going to happen,” he said.

Wade ran down the field towards the ball carrier as fast as he could. He saw that

Athletic Director Terry Davis said he is a fan.

“He is a phenomenal athlete,” said Davis. “He has the burst of speed to really get going. He has the tools and the consistency. He is a true talent and that’s rare.”

Carberry said he is impressed with the progress Harris has made.

“There are two kinds of running backs, VHS and digital,” said Carberry.

“A VHS running back sees it, thinks about it and then does it. A digital guy sees it, thinks it and does it all at once.

Harris is a digital running back.”

In his first year at SWC Harris suffered a shoulder injury that he thought could end his career. Harris decided not to have the surgery and instead embarked on a seven-month rehab. He came back to participate with team workouts last spring.

“I’m just not a surgery type of person,” he said. “ I believe that it’s better to let stuff heal naturally.”

Players, coaches and trainers all have to communicate, said Harris. Working through the injury with the coaching staff, Harris said he was not going to let the injury stop him from his long-term goals of playing at a university.

“An injury, as long as I am able to bounce back from it, is not going to affect me and that’s exactly what happened,” said Harris. “The most important value is the relationship we have with each other. You are not going to have a united team if you can’t talk to each other. If you’re not able to have a conversation with your coaches.”

“A running back must have speed, agility, strength and patience, but one trait is often overlooked”, said Harris “The most important thing for you to have is reaction,” he said. “You gotta know where the D-linemans going and

the ball carrier had him beat running up the middle of the field. Wade angled in on him, stretched his left arm out under the players chin and smacked him straight to the ground.

“Everybody in the sideline realized ‘Pops’ was on the field,” said Carberry. “He makes the tackle and people just went berserk. All the players ran on the field to high five him.”

Wade said he did not realize what had happened since it happened so fast.

“Our bench erupted and my teammates were slapping me on the helmet,” said Wade. “I didn’t know what was going on, it happened so fast! The first thing I saw after seeing the guy go down was Carberry jumping up-and-down.”

Carberry embraced the moment along with all his players.

“You can get penalties for excessive celebration, but they didn’t really care,” said Carberry. “I was chest pumping and jumping in the air, too.”

Wade showed toughness, passion and heart that some players lacked this season.

“He has grit,” said Carberry. “He has that toughness that allows people to fight through hard times. He has the ability to

be able to act on what he’s doing. There are certain things you have to notice.”

Harris has been frustrated by the Jaguars’ meltdown after a great start.

His last home game was not the ending he had imagined. On a muddy gridiron, the SWC Jags were walloped

by Santa Ana, 35-17. Harris churned for 166 yards and a touchdown, but it was not enough to give his “I decided team the lift that football it needed.

At g a me’s is actually end, Harris going to stood on get me the middle field with somewhere.” of his helmet in his hand and his uniform Aaron Harris completely SWC Running Back c o v e r e d i n mud. He got down on one knee with his helmet in his right hand and started to cry. His best fiend, teammate Marcus Clements, and quarterback Brett Nelson joined him and gave him words of encouragement.

“By the effort that everybody put in, I couldn’t ask for a better team and family,” he said.

Harris’ name will be immortalized in the history of SWC Athletics, but he said he is off to seek his next achievements.

“It’s a great moment in my career,” said Harris. “In any school that I go to, I plan to break some record. I like my name being known. I put in the work to keep my name so that everybody can remember it. I always want to be

continue and fight through and press on even at times of adversity. He tells me ‘Hey, I’m going to dress up every day. Yeah my shoulders hurt and my knees hurt, these things happen, but I am going to keep coming.’ And that’s what he did.”

Adversity is nothing new to Wade. Going through the ups and downs throughout his life, he struggles with tough times in San Diego county. Currently homeless, he lives in his van that remains parked on the same spot it has been in for three years.

“It would be much easier living in a house or apartment, but I have gotten used to it,” he said. “Not having a job, I’m not able to afford a place. Hopefully that will change soon.”

Wade said he will attend City College next semester to earn his AS degree in manufacture engineering in hopes of landing a better career and job.

Carberry said he will not remember Wade as SWC’s oldest player, but as an inspiring soul.

“He was a great teammate,” said Carberry.

“He was respected by his peers and I think that’s the hardest thing to earn. He was productive because of his games and because

known.”

He admitted he did not know how to react when he started hearing from college recruiters.

“It’s a surprise,” he said. “I have never had anything like that happen.

I’ve gotten these letters that they send to everybody, so I was not expecting much.”

Harris said big-time programs are reaching out.

“I hear from the Ol’ Miss coach at least once or twice a week,” he said. “I get a phone call or a Facebook message from the University of Cincinnati coach all the time. They really like me.”

Having to choose between three universities is a tough decision but a pleasant problem when both have offered full scholarships.

Harris has narrowed down his choices to University of Cincinnati, University of Georgia and is waiting to hear from University of Indiana.

His decision will be made in midDecember, he said.

“If I had to choose between the three, it would be Cincinnati,” he said. “They were the main school that showed me love when they found out I had a shoulder injury. They stayed with me.”

Even though his football career is doing well, Harris still has academic goals.

“I want to be the first person in my family to get a degree,” he said. “I want to get a Masters’ in business and minor in drafting and engineering. Drafting and engineering was my main goal and then I got into business. I want to start my own business, but I still like making and inventing these new designs of buildings.”

Building structures will have to wait.

Harris is too busy building a legend at SWC.

everybody saw him here every day on time at the meeting. He didn’t let things get in the way. He understood what his responsibility was from a student and athletes standpoint and he lived up to it.”

Davis said he believes this was a unique experience.

“That is what we do as a college,” said Davis. “We help people achieve their personal goals. We should all wish that we have a chance to reach our personal goals in life as we go on.”

Wade has no rituals or good luck charms, but he gives credit to his higher power for his ability to play football.

“Lets face it, I am 55 years old,” he said. “I have never heard of anybody playing college football at my age and I do not think it is me. As long as I am entrusted in Him, He will take care of things. I give credit to Him for giving me the opportunity to do this.”

Wade said he can check an item off his bucket list.

“I have watched football all my life. I’ve always wanted to play, but I didn’t have a chance to play at the schools I went to. I finally got the chance at SWC and I tried to make the most of it.”

ernie Fine and Jerry Sandusky are making headlines, but it isn’t for their sporting achievements.

Fine is from Syracuse, and has three victims. One of his victims alleges Fine touched him from the beginning of seventh grade until he turned 27 years old. Officials are still investigating the alleged sexual abuse case.

Sandusky is from Penn State.

Through his non-profit charity for underprivileged boys, The Second Mile, Sandusky was able to molest 10 boys.

Sandusky is being charged with “40 counts relating to the alleged sexual abuse of eight boys he met through The Second Mile,” according to CNN. Before Fine and Sandusky, there was Donald Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick molested nearly a dozen young African-American boys, at Winter Haven, Fl., while he was the clubhouse manager for the Red Sox. Fitzgerald was charged with four counts of attempted sexual battery between 1975 and 1989.

Rick Lopez, a women’s basketball coach for the high school basketball travel team Colorado Hoopsters, was charged with 59 counts of physical and sexual assault in July of 2004. In December of 2004, he hung himself in his jail cell.

A 1995 study by Sandra Kirby, a sociology professor at the University of Winnipeg, concluded that 22.8 percent of a Canadian sample “had sexual intercourse with a coach or other person in position of authority within their sport.”

In 2003, a Seattle Times investigation found “159 coaches reprimanded or fired for sexual misconduct in the past decade in Washington state alone.”

The investigation also stated that 98 of the 159 still coach or teach at schools.

The common ground among all these cases is that they all involve coaches taking advantage of their players or younger, defenseless children.

But more recent cases have surfaced of athletes themselves victimizing their peers.

In Massachusetts, two younger players on Andover High’s men’s basketball team were forced to play “ookie cookie,” where one of the younger players was forced to eat an Oreo cookie, covered in bodily fluid. The other player switched schools.

An incident closer to home is the Castle Park High School’s football team hazing of another member on the team with a pencil.

In a study by Alfred University in 2000, found that “1.5 million U.S. high school students – 48 percent of students who were members of school groups were subjected to hazing each year.” Hazing has gotten more violent and sexual since 1995.

In sports, it is easy to not be aware of or to look the other way because coming forth might label one a traitor or disloyal to the organization. But the trend of sexual assaults in sports, whether it is between coaches and ball boys, charity founders and underprivileged boys, or players and younger teammates, is in fact showing disloyalty—to humanity. Coaches are the faces of their respective organizations and it is their duty to represent their school or organization with honor and integrity.

Players must represent their organizations with those same principles. So when players and coaches think they are being loyal to their organizations by sweeping the rug over these horrific incidents, they are in fact doing their organizations a huge disservice. They are showing that protecting criminals and winning games is more important than the life of innocent individuals.

At the end of the day, it’s not about the program.It is about morality. It is about protecting the safety and the basic human rights of these innocent lives.

SPORTS

The Southwestern College Sun

Vol. 55 Issue 4 Winter Edition 2011-12

23

Disabled in name only

marshall murphy/staff

A GOAL TO SCORE GOALS — Joey Chavez did not let cerebral palsy prevent him from making the 2012 U.S. Paralympic soccer team that will play in London this Summer. (bottom) Chavez prepares for the match against Canada.

Southwestern College soccer star is training hard for 2012 summer Paralympic Games in London oey Chavez is going to London, the birthplace of soccer. Fitting, as Chavez seems to have been born to play the planet’s most popular sport.

He was also born with cerebral palsy, but to the hardcharging exercise science major that detail seems merely a footnote. Chavez is the striker on the national Paralympics soccer team and his goal is to score goals.

A striker is the team’s primary scoring threat.

“I feel a lot of pressure being in that position there are a lot of responsibilities,” he said. “ (But) get the soccer ball under your feet and it will find its way to the back of the net.”

Chavez and his teammates all have cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects motor skills. Some may call it a “disability” but not Chavez.

“I’ve never actually ever felt that my disability is a bad thing,” he said.

His father, John Chavez, said his son is a role model for those in the disabled community. “(Joey) has done a lot for people with handicaps, to show them you never stop, keep trying,” said John Chavez. “When he was born they said he would never walk, but he has been running. He is an inspiration to kids with handicaps.

There is always something you can do, don’t stop.”

Once Chavez puts on his uniform and gets on the field, he is determined to let no obstacle stop him.

“That’s the thing, we never let that get in our way,” said Chavez. “We don’t like to think we have a disability. We like to go out and play soccer. We have that same thing, we come from the same story, we live our life and try to overcome those obstacles.”

Chavez said he would like to work someday as a personal trainer, physical therapist or adaptive PE teacher.

“I know how it feels to be a client and

I want to help others with disabilities,” he said. “I love to see the smile on their faces when they have their needs met.”

August 29 is the official start of the games and Chavez said he intends to be in optimum competitive condition.

This may mean he has to put the pencils down for a while to keep his cleats on.

“I want to be in the best shape I can,” he said. “I know where I started and what has set me back, the surgeries.

I want to focus less on time studying

and replace that with more time on the soccer field and training. Every day I’m training, the day I miss I know someone else is getting better.”

His parents support his soccer sabbatical.

“I am his number one fan,” said his mother, Vickie Chavez. “If you ask him he will tell you. He is amazing I am so proud of him, I think I taught him to never say I can’t, just keep trying keep doing.”

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BACKPAGE

Winter Edition 2011-12— Vol. 55, Iss. 4

Design by Pablo Gandara and Serina Duarte

photos by serina duarte

STAR-CROSSED CROSS-COUNTRY SEASON A storybook finish takes a fluish tumble Story by Serina Duarte

A

2011 Jaguars Flatline

yded Reyes usually brings competitors to their knees with her blistering times, but this time it was the state’s #1-ranked cross-country runner who had fallen to her knees.

Moments off the start line of the California State Championships in Fresno, Reyes was kicked and tripped by another runner. She fell hard on both knees on concrete, and worse, fell behind the entire pack.

Reyes scrambled to her feet and, with blood streaming down her leg, sprinted back to pack and all the way to second place as she neared the final stretch of the 3.1-mile race. Her starting line exertion caught up with her and so did three runners, landing her a fifth place in the race she was heavily favored to win. Wracked by the flu, SWC women-pre-

race favorites-stumbled in at 15th place.

“I couldn’t believe that happened, but it did,” said Reyes. “Sometimes the most dangerous part of a big race like that is the start. Somebody kicked me hard in the calf and stepped right in between my feet. It hurt a lot, but I just thought about getting up and catching up.”

SWC men grabbed 14th in the 27 college field. Most of the athletes on both Jaguar teams were sick, despite coach Dr. Duro Agbede’s efforts to put the most noticeably ill people in separate vans from those who seemed healthy.

“I didn’t work,” Agbede said. “The viruses were smart. They found everybody.”

A team that flew over the finish line in first place at the SoCal Championships was finished by the flu at the state meet. Runners used to the top 10 in races were scattered throughout the finish roster. Flu-addled Valerie Hycz placed 84th, Prisma Mendoza 91st, Karla Gadea 148th, Mariam Cardenas 152nd, Jasmin Romo 171st and Maby Castan 174.

Flu also chased down the men’s team. Race favorite Ansu Sowe of SWC sagged to 15th as he battled illness.

There will be many races in the future for all SWC runners, as most have already been offered generous university scholarships. Sometimes, Agbede reminded his team, you can win without crossing the finish line first.

PCAC Championship (Women)1st place overall Championship 11th year in a row Ayded Reyes, Individual Champion Valerie Hycz, 2nd (Men) 2nd Place Overall

Palomar Invitational (Men) 2nd place overall Ansu Sowe, 1st place (Women) 2nd place overall Ayded Reyes, 1st place Riverside Invitational (Women) 18th place overall (Men) 19th place overall

Stanford Invitational (Men) 23th place overall (Women) 29th place overall

State Championship (Men) 14th place overall (Women) 15th place overall

serina duarte/staff

RACING FOR THE FINISH LINE — (l) Jasmin Romo blistering the home stretch. (c) Blood streaming from her knee after a bad fall, Ayded Reyes sprints to catch the pack. (r) Ansu Sowe grabbed 15th. (bottom) Reyes jumps to the lead in the State Championship race in Fresno. graphic by pablo gandara/staff