Fall 2015: Issue 2, Volume 59

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

theswcsun.com

College awaits visitation report Initial comments by accreditation team seem encouraging

By Mary York Photo Editor

Volume 59, Issue 2

October 4 - November 5, 2015

41 Employees Retiring Counseling

Health & Athletics

By Luz Aurora Aramburo News Editor

Youth will be served in 2016, but for a lot less money.

Southwestern College has embarked on an ambitious early retirement program in hopes of luring 40-50 of its oldest and best-paid employees to the sidelines so

Classified

STEM

that younger, less-expensive personnel can replace them.

Academic staff and administrators have been offered two options. They can retire and receive two years service credit from the State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) or separate from SWC and receive 25 percent of their annual salary for three years.

Arts & Com Soc & Hum

Employees who choose the installments are separated from SWC, but not officially retired, so they would be able to continue their careers elsewhere.

Faculty members had until Oct. 1 to submit their letter of intent to retire by Dec. 30. A mix of 23 vice presidents, deans, professors, specialists and counselors from several departments will retire by the end

Lit

of the semester.

“You definitely need to make an appointment with whoever your retirement system was with,” said Janet Mazzarella, dean of Math, Science and Engineering, who will be retiring in December. “The person you talk to can quickly run a scenario for you, so it’s please see Retirement pg. A3

Colleagues, students rip automotive professor

A two-day appearance by an accreditation review committee created a stir across the district as Southwestern College leaders braced for possible trouble and left many expressing that the process for encouraging quality education is in dire need of reform in California.

Following the self-evaluation report submitted by the college in August, a campus visit by a panel from the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) is the first step for SWC in a new six-year accreditation cycle. Comprised of community college faculty, staff and administrators from other college districts within the ACCJC purview, the committee evaluated SWC on its institutional mission and effectiveness, student learning programs and ser vices, “This is part resources and leadership and of quality governance. The assurance committee met in higher with students, faculty, staff and education administration, in that holding meetings with campus we are all and volunteers.” employees hosting open forums for the students and -Dr. Jowel community to Laguerre, discuss campus Accreditation issues.

Team D r. Jo w e l Laguerre, committee chair and chancellor of the Peralta Community College District, and the four other evaluators spent an hour with students in an open forum the first day of the visit.

“This is part of quality assurance in higher education in that we are all volunteers,” said Laguerre. “We are just like your teachers, your administrators at your institution. So we are no different from people you interact with every day. We’ve come to make sure that based on some standards, the institution is doing what it needs to do so that your education can be the best that it needs to be.”

Not everyone on campus was pleased with the visit. Patricia Flores-Charter, Academic Senate President, said she has lost confidence in the efficacy of the ACCJC. “I had hoped that with what’s going on the training of committee members would be different and that the atmosphere would

By Andrew Dyer Assistant Arts Editor

WATER WALKING WINNER Sixth grader Noah Waugh walked across the surface of the SWC swimming pool during the 14th annual Walk on Water competition.

Story on Pg. A9

Viandy Gonzalez/Staff

please see Accreditation pg. A3

Students and faculty in the college automotive department have a litany of complaints about a professor they claim falsifies academic records, abuses students, openly insults colleagues and refuses approved accommodations for disabled students.

Professor of Automotive Technology Jose Ibarra openly feuds with colleagues and is dismissive of his students, according to a group of automotive students who have complained to administrators and, eventually, The Sun. Several students said Ibarra boasts in class that his tenured status grants him impunity and that he routinely uses large portions of class time to vent personal grudges against faculty, particularly Automotive Program Coordinator Professor David Preciado.

A U.S. Army veteran accused Ibarra of denying his disability accommodations approved by the SWC Disability Support Services (DSS) office.

David Eldridge, a U.S. Army veteran who has returned to college to study automotive science, was authorized a DSS accommodation that includes periodic five to 10 minute breaks during class. Eldridge said Ibarra denied the accommodations, a violation of district policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act. SWC DSS Director Dr. Malia Flood said professors are not authorized to deny accommodations to eligible students.

“I asked Professor Ibarra to sign my DSS paperwork,” Eldridge said. “He took it in the back then came back out and said ‘No, no, I can’t do that.’”

Eldridge said Ibarra began to question the nature of his disability and his request for accommodations in the middle of class in front of the other students. “(Ibarra) said ‘Five to ten minutes? No. That’s too long. That’s just unacceptable.

We can’t do this,’” Eldridge said. please see Ibarra pg. A2

Student punches robber at knife point Investigation says no race

By Domonique Scott Assistant News Editor

Mark Paulo, a 20-year-old kinesiology student who said he was held up at knifepoint took matters into his own hands, slugging the perpetrator in the face and running.

Southwestern College Campus police released a Community Safety Alert stating that it received a call October 12 at 10:30 p.m. from Paulo reporting he had been the victim of an attempted armed robbery.

“He (the victim) was on his cell phone talking to a friend when the suspect approached him and pulled out a knife,” according to the report. “The suspect placed the knife against the victim’s lower abdomen and stated, ‘Give me your wallet.’

The suspect lowered his knife and the victim

punched him in the face. The victim ran back towards the campus and did not see where the suspect went.”

Police are in the process of reviewing camera footage, according to the report. The victim described the suspect as a 5-foot-6inch male wearing a black hoodie and beanie.

Walking to his car at night had always been a safety concern said Paulo.

“After classes at night I usually feel a little sketched out,” he said. “I have the urge to call an escort, but I didn’t know how it worked, so I just like face my fears and walk to my car.”

Paulo said he was new to the college and not aware of the emergency blue poles around campus or the MyPD App, for requesting a police escort.

“It is my first semester on this campus,” he

said.“ If I knew about the MyPD App or the blue emergency poles when I first started at Southwestern, it would have made me feel more comfortable walking around campus at night.”

Paulo said he would like to see more police being visible and walking around SWC as they did at his previous college.

“I would ask the police to be more cautious about what is happening around campus,” he said. “Maybe have officers walk around campus more instead of just driving around in their cars. When I was at Cal Poly there were officers walking around campus asking students if everything was all right and if they needed anything. It felt like a safe place.”

please see Robber pg. A2

discrimination laws broken

By Jaime Pronoble Editor-in-Chief

A statement regarding the recent allegation of discriminatory conduct toward five employees was released to the public during the governing board meeting of September 2015.

Over the course of an eight-week investigation, conducted by outside law firm Renne Sloan Holtzman Sakai LLP, the statement concluded claims made by the employees “did not rise to the level of violating antidiscrimination laws.”

In Spring 2015, custodians Roderick

Curry, Thaao Streeter, Eric Matos, Mark Gutierrez and PC Systems Technician Johnny Blankenship signed a letter, which claimed institutional racism and systematic discrimination. It was then sent to the NAACP and Assembly member Dr. Shirley Weber.

Weber met with Governing Board President Norma Hernandez and SWC President Dr. Melinda Nish to discuss the claims within the letter. Later they met with Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez. please see Findings pg. A2

A2

Luz Aurora Aramburo, editor

NEWS

Oct. 4 - Nov. 5, 2015 — Vol. 59, Issue 2

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

College rolls out its first Bachelor’s Program

By Domonique Scott Assistant News Editor

Viandy Gonzalez/Staff

ELIGIBLE BACHELORS — Students Diana Cortes, Princess Narvasa and Roberto Contreras answered many questions about SWC’s Bachelor’s degree partnership with Point Loma Nazarene University.

Findings: College acted too slow, allowed problem to fester Continued from pg. A1

Although Renne and Sloan did not find anything claimed in the letter to be in violation of the law, the law firm said they did recognize there was inappropriate behavior in the workplace. Findings included racially offensive noises over hand-held radios, racial slurs, insensitivity and bias.

California School Employees Association (CSEA) President Andre Harris said the poor management was the most important issue.

“It’s a management issue more so than I think it was a discrimination issue,” he said.

CSEA Vice President Silvia Lugo agreed.

Ha r r i s p re v i o u s l y w ro t e a letter published in The Sun, which said he had no personal experience with racial discrimination while working on campus.

Chief Public Information Officer Lillian Leopold said there was also a lot of turnover

i n t h e Hu m a n R e s o u r c e s department, which had a hand in the lackluster management of complaints made by the employees.

Suggestions made by the law firm are underway such as radios with identifiers to avoid anonymous hostility, outfitting custodians with uniforms to avoid being misidentified, changing the management of custodial staff, and implementing campuswide training.

Custodial staff and college management have completed the training according to the summary of findings. Faculty, hiring committee members, and classified staff training are scheduled for this academic year.

Revision of board policies, which include harassment and discrimination, has been partially completed.

Custodian Rick Allen said he was optimistic about the training and optimistic administrators are not trying to sweep it under the rug anymore.

“Sometimes it takes a strong voice — like our custodians’ letter — to help us remember that we cannot rest in our fight against prejudice and bias,” read the summary.

Ibarra: Professor described as hostile, apathetic by students Continued from pg. A1

Since Eldridge made DSS aware of the problem, he said, there has been no further resistance from Ibarra.

Eli Espino, an adjunct automotive instructor, said he and part-timers have not been as fortunate. He said Ibarra creates a profoundly negative work environment.

“He’s very hostile,” Espino said. “He’ll openly state he hates adjunct professors.

He thinks part-timers are worthless.”

Espino teaches Engine Performance II. He said students coming in from Ibarra’s classes are not prepared.

“They know nothing,” said Espino. “I start basically from where he should have started his class. I have to give a refresher course for everything they did not learn, which is pretty much everything.”

Several students said Ibarra was an easy A and claimed they were coached throughout their tests. Automotive technology major Xavier Gonzalez was among them.

“He would tell us what the answer was after the question,” said Gonzalez. “He would walk us through everything. It’s a diploma mill.”

Several students also questioned Ibarra’s competence. When he first took his class to the lab this semester, students said Ibarra was unable to operate the equipment.

“He couldn’t get (the alignment machine) started,” said Misael Reyes, an

Southwestern College and Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) have entered into a partnership that will make it possible to earn a four-year Bachelor’s degree on the Chula Vista Campus. In fact, students who apply after earning 60 credits could actually complete a BA in three years.

Degrees offered through the program include Management and Relational Development, Child and Adolescent Development and Criminal Justice, which are $485 per unit and $17,460 tuition for the two years.

Science of Nursing (RN to BSN) is cheaper at $450 per unit and $16,200 tuition for two years.

SWC Public Information and Government Relations Officer, Lillian Leopold said the agreement was historic because while all the community colleges in San Diego County offer the RN to BSN degree from PLNU, SWC is the first college to test the other three degrees.

“It really is a remarkable opportunity for students who choose to complete their upper division classes at SWC,” Leopold said. “There will be classes in person, online, and a hybrid to meet students needs.”

Taking a year to develop the program, the California Community College Chancellors office approved the proposal for SWC in Winter 2014.

PLNU program advisor Yvette Miranda counsels students in the program from admissions through graduation. She said the schedules offered were ideal for a student looking to advance in their profession.

“A PLNU professor will come to the students here at Southwestern Monday through Thursday for six to ten weeks,” she said. “We want to make it a personal experience by limiting class sizes, therefore we will only have 10 students in each class.”

Students in the program will receive the same level of education as PLNU students, said Miranda.

“The only thing students pay for is tuition,” she said. “This covers books, parking and material fees. We take care of the rest.”

Khlahan Veth 27-year-old nursing major, is a returning student who said she hopes to be accepted into the Bachelor’s Degree Completion.

“The program was the main reason I came here,” she said. “For me it would be convenient. Usually I wouldn’t be able to take my nursing classes during a regular school week.”

Veth attended a Welcome Back Day Leopold held in order to learn more about the program and to meet with Miranda.

“Once I saw that the Point Loma program was here I knew I had to come and learn more. It is amazing SWC will allow me to earn a Bachelor’s degree while I continue to work.”

Summary of Findings and Commitments Following is an excerpt from the to take appropriate steps to prevent statement issued by the Southwestern discrimination seriously, and our goal is College Governing Board after the to be an institution that models workplace release of the findings of the investigation inclusion, equity and equality. into hostile and racist behavior on campus:

Despite our best efforts, however, there will be occasions where members of

“Our campus community is one of the our campus community believe they or most diverse college campuses in the someone else have been discriminated state. We strongly support the principle against. At those times, it is important that diversity and our community is built that both victims and witnesses know they upon a foundation of fairness, equity, have a place within the College to speak equality and respect.

up and seek help. When they do, it is

We are, however, not blind to the critical that the College has well-trained fact that prejudice and its harmful personnel and effective practices in place effects remain, even here. As a result, to actively listen to them and take timely, we take our legal and ethical duty appropriate responsive action.”

professors always made sure students minimum,” Gonzalez said. “It made me performed the lab work before they realize he’s just here for a paycheck. He completed job sheets. told us how people tried to get him fired.

“The (other) professors do them with It has nothing at all to do with the class us during lab,” Gonzalez said. “Ibarra is and it’s completely unprofessional.” just being lazy.”

Espino, who also works as a Master Ibarra is dismissive and disrespectful Technician at Pep Boys, said he has seen toward his full-time colleague, Preciado, this type of employee before. said students in the program.

“He reminds me of an employee that “He talks a whole bunch about Mr. P,” knows where the minimum is to not get said Reyes. “I don’t know what’s going on fired and that is their goal,” Espino said. with them, but he doesn’t like (Preciado) “He has no passion for teaching. He has at all.” no desire to improve students.”

Preciado said he no longer cares what Preciado and Espino said Davis has Ibarra says about him. not adequately addressed issues in the “It used to bother me a lot and I’ve tried automotive department. to get it corrected, but I got to the point “(Dean Terry Davis) doesn’t want that with the comments to let them in one ear headache,” Espino said. “(Ibarra) is an and out the other,” he said. “Because of the H.R. nightmare. He’s basically a bomb tenure teachers have, it is very difficult to that when he goes off, he’s going to stain resolve issues.” everyone in the department. Does (Davis) Preciado said he directs students want to tarnish himself with the aftermath with complaints to Dean of Athletics of this? No, he doesn’t. Nobody does.” and Exercise Science Terry Davis, who Ibarra was contacted by The Sun several supervises the automotive program. times over a period of two months for Students said they an opportunity were frustrated by to respond to the charges, and when Alonzo Ackerman/Staff the off-topic nature “He reminds me of an of Ibarra’s lectures. visited by reporters ROUGH RIDE — Automotive professor Jose Ibarra (right) has been the target of “ We h o n e s t l y during his office employee that knows multiple complaints for his antagonistic behavior towards adjuncts and students. don’t care (about hours refused to where the minimum is to c o m m e n t a n d personality issues), automotive technology major. “We spent program. Students said Ibarra told them we’re paying to take threatened to call not get fired.” the whole day trying to get it to work. I to fabricate data. this class to learn,” the campus police. spent a lot of money to attend college.

Automotive student Aaron Nueva Gonzalez said. “I Davis was - Eli Espino I want to drop the class, but (I’d lose) said much of the paperwork and forms don’t want to be Dr. contacted three Automotive Technology financial aid.” students complete is a sham.

Phil hearing about times over the Instructor Students also complained about “He would have us fill out job sheets (stuff ). I want to same period. the falsification of academic records. before we went to do the actual job,” learn.”

He would not Automotive lab work is directed through Nueva said. “People would ask, and he’d Gonzalez said he comment via job sheets required by the National say ‘Look it up’ or ‘Just put values that are does not think Ibarra wants to be here. email and his secretary refused multiple Automotive Technicians Education around what it should be.’”

“I feel like he thinks that since he’s times to schedule interviews or to put him Foundation (NATEF) certification Gonzalez said his other automotive tenured he can take it easy and do the bare on the telephone with reporters.

NEWS

The Southwestern College Sun

Williams

Cazares

Retirement: College officials hope for 50 takers to meet goal Continued from pg. A1

really easy to tell which option is better for you.”

Mazzarella said she was not even sure if she wanted to retire until she met with CalSTRS. “I could sort of keep working and keep working because I love my job, but once somebody lays the numbers out in front of you, it just doesn’t make sense for me to keep working,” she said. “In the community college system we have great jobs and they are not as easy to get up and walk away from as K-12 or others, so I think it’s a great plan to offer that incentive and get people to really think about it.”

College president Dr. Melinda Nish said she encourages employees to contact their retirement system and see what options they have.

“The idea was to provide a nice incentive, desirable on the part of the staff,” she said.

Classified employees were also offered 25 percent of their annual salary for

Horlor

Creason

three years. They must be at least 50 years old and have worked 10 years at SWC. So far, only 18 have submitted their letters of intent. The amount is expected to increase by Dec. 1, the official deadline.

In 2011 a similar incentive was offered and 39 employees retired. SWC Director of Human Resources Marvin Castillo predicted 40-50 employees will apply for the early retirement incentive this semester.

“Anywhere from 15, 20, 25 of each category of employees,” he said.

Human Resources will have to prepare for a wave of new employees, said Castillo. Nish agreed.

“We are not trying to reduce the total number of faculty,” she said. “We are going to be doing more hiring than usual this academic year.”

If a full-time employee decides to retire, a full-time employee will be hired, said Castillo. Same for part-time employees, he said.

SWC is projected to save $650,000 in salary costs during the spring 2016 semester, according to Jim Austin, interim vice president of financial affairs. The average annual salary of a retiring faculty member is $110,065, while the entry-level salary for tenuretrack faculty ranges from $49,789-

Kirkwood

Accreditation: Concerns raised over methodology of ACCJC oversight body Continued from pg. A1

be less fearful, and instead it was the same as in 2009,” she said. “And now I feel like we’re more in a reactive mode instead of continuing to put our resources and time into areas of improvement that we’re working on and know are the right thing to do for our students and our college.”

In 2009, at the start of SWC’s most recently completed accreditation cycle, the school was placed on probation by ACCJC for “a climate of fear.” Plagued with a host of internal issues and led by corrupt administrators eventually prosecuted by the San Diego County District Attorney in 2011 for multiple felonies, including bribery, perjury and influencing an elected official, SWC was unable to meet ACCJC requirements.

In 2010 governing board members Tim Nader and Norma Hernandez were elected. In 2011 Humberto Peraza was appointed to replace trustee Nick Aguilar, who stepped down for health reasons. The board hired Interim Superintendent Denise Whittaker to help the college right its course during academic probation following the resignation of Chopra. Accreditation was fully restored in 2011.

SWC board members and administrators expressed confidence that this cycle of accreditation would be much smoother, despite a board vote in August to refrain from paying a legal assessment fee that ACCJC would use in its attempt to close City College of San Francisco.

ACCJC has been exacting fees from California colleges and others within its purview to help cover legal expenses. When the SWC governing board voted 3-2 to pay all fees except the legal assessment as a matter of principle, ACCJC leaders sent SWC President Dr. Melinda Nish a letter saying that if the fee was not paid, no accrediting team would visit and SWC would lose its accreditation by default. The board unanimously rescinded the vote a week later.

Flores-Charter said the move was bullying.

“I think the response from the ACCJC really represents how they treat the colleges,” she said. “To threaten to remove accreditation because a college is taking a stand against being billed for a legal problem that the ACCJC has created for itself that is in no way going to benefit the community college system.”

Although ACCJC bylaws say it can deny

Bakhiet

Mazzarella

accrediting service to any school which does not pay all required dues, there is statewide frustration at what many call abuse. Joining the ranks of critics recently was the California Community College Chancellors Office, which called for the dissolution of ACCJC. SWC’s faculty union and Academic Senate are preparing resolutions to support the Chancellor’s Office 2015 Task Force on Accreditation.

“It frustrates me, it saddens me that it still isn’t a process that leads to quality improvement,” said Flores-Charter.

“Enough has been enough with the number of colleges sanctions, the numbers of Show Cause and what that does to your campus, what that costs in terms of resources.”

Peraza said he does not expect backlash from the initial vote in August because the accreditation site visit is an issue completely removed from the legal ventures of the organization sending the site-team.

“My expectation,” he said, “is that the accrediting organization does its job. This is not a political issue.”

Peraza did, however, express concerns with the ACCJC and said he supports the statewide movement to replace the organization with something more effective and more focused on protecting quality education.

“There have been lots and lots of issues,” he said. “I think that the decision from the chancellor’s office to replace the ACCJC is the right one.”

Peraza said he qualified his support with

“That was concerning to me in terms of transparency.

There was none.”

- Patricia Flores-Charter, Academic Senate President the importance of how the transition is made.

Not all complaints about the accreditation process lie with the ACCJC, however. Victor Chavez, an SWC history professor, said his concerns relate to the systemic ill effects accreditation has on the college.

“I am convinced that the accreditation process and the ACCJC institution are flawed and must be immediately dismantled,” he said. “The real issue is not accreditation or ACCJC, but rather the apathetic interest in it by the majority of educators at SWC and its surrounding community. Educators or community members who participate in this decrepit process, although well intended, merely do

A3

Goodwin-Colbert

91,899. Average salary for a retiring classified employee is $57,005.

“It’s a big investment for the college, so we want to spend time and do our hiring right,” said Nish. “Everyone on the hiring committee is going to have a new orientation (focusing on) diversity, well-qualified and diverse (applicant) pools.”

Retiring faculty members are Valerie Goodwin-Colbert, Mary Holmes, Donna Arnold, Gary Creason, Dr. Steven Crow, Sylvia Felan-Gonzalez, Beatrice Zamora-Aguilar, Maya Bloch, Terry Davis, Carla Kirkwood, Stephen Tadlock, Jonathan Atwater, Paul Azevedo, Nouna Bakhiet, Raga Bakhiet, Norma Cazares, Dinorah GuadianaCosta, William Horlor, Walter Justice, Janet Mazzarella, Sherilyn Salahuddin, Vivien Vaughan and Mark Pentilescu.

So far 18 classified employees have submitted letters of intent to retire. They are June Gomez, Lourdes Sevilla, Bertha Rose Williams, George Ybarra, Federico Buch, Lori Gorton, Rebeca MontalvanToth, Carlos Berrios, Joseph Fighera, JoAnn Forbes, Efrain Jimenez, William Jones, Carlos Richardson, Patricia Gonzales, Rosana Pedroza, Martha Campa, Ana Frias and Samuel Macaraeg.

Classified employees may still submit letters until Dec. 1.

Zamora-Aguilar

Oct. 4 - Nov. 5, 2015 — Vol. 59, Issue 2

Davis

Eliza Cana/Staff

YOUNG SCHOLARS — Child development majors work with the children of SWC students, making it possible for the parents to attend college.

Child Development Center loses funds, still a community asset

By Domonique Scott Assistant News Editor

Wendy Carmona, a student and mother, has no problem admitting she cannot do it alone.

“If the Child Development Center wasn’t here, I was not going to be able to come to school,” she said.

Legions of SWC mom’s have received a little help from their friends at the CDC, many of whom have received free or reduced cost service from the college’s little known but highlyregarded pre-school.

CDC can lend an extra hand, but the hand does not extend as far as it once did. From 2010-14, SWC received $427,000 from the U.S. Department of Education to provide free childcare to 20 students. For 2015-19 the figure was cut to $202,000, which will support only 10 children. A total of 100 children are enrolled in the center this semester.

Many of the CDC’s teachers are homegrown, said Director Patricia

Bartow. Child development majors can study at the center and work with children to complete their practical courses.

“Our teachers were trained at SWC,” Bartow said. “So there is that transition from going to SWC, taking practical courses here and doing their practical work in the center.”

Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) is one of the programs that the CDC provides, with military families getting priority enrollment. CCAMPIS students must have children three to five years of age, be Pell Grant elegible, maintain a 2.5 GPA and do volunteer work.

“Where else can you go to find free childcare?” said CDC’s head teacher Pamela Solis. “It’s a big deal as a parent to be able to leave your child, and feel comfortable and welcome here.”

Carmona, a social work major, has been part of CCAMPIS since she enrolled in SWC on 2012. Both of her children have received free childcare in the CDC.

so to justify their positions on campus and are completely oblivious to the real issues affecting education, and by extension our students.”

Chavez said the administration puts too much emphasis on maintaining the label of an accredited institution at the expense of students. “ T h e a d m i n i s t r a t i ve bureaucrats and their academic lackeys will expend so much energy on ‘re-inventing’ the education wheel that they simply do not realize that our students are suffering,” he said. “Every five to six years a new administration will secure power and lo and behold what is on their agenda: accreditation and reMary York/Staff organization.”

Based on the recent site visit, LISTENING, LEARNING — Members of the accreditation site-visit team listen to student Flores-Charter said it may be concerns during an open forum. Team members submitted a preliminary review after their two days true that determination to on campus, but the official report will not be released until January 2016. meet accrediting standards are actually hurting the college’s ability to meet were conveyed regarding the college’s “We’ve known for a while that there have the needs of its students. management of student services. Many been issues with finance,” he said.

“I had six interviews and only one of them lauded the excellent support given to A copy of the official report will be was collegial and did I feel comfortable in,” veterans and the resources available at the sent to Nish, who will correct any factual she said. “The other ones were a situation school, while also voicing that there are errors before it is sent to the ACCJC to be where myself and the other person I was still improvements needed in financial aid, reviewed at its January 2016 meeting. SWC in the room with were questioned over counseling services, higher education centers is expected to be notified of any action by and over, often times repeating the same and online hybrid classes. Clarity in the the commission at the end of January. question even though we had already transfer process was also requested.

Nish commended the college for answered it.”

Online hybrid classes, Flores-Charter said, maintaining a focus on the students and Flores-Charter said many of the site visit were a known concern to the college. cited several of the areas where the committee team’s questions led her to believe members “We have a lot we need to do ranked SWC favorably, including Learning had not read all the evidence provided and instructionally,” she said. “In particular, Assistance Services, the three SWC Higher the pervasive repetition of questions was training of our around 200 online hybrid Education Centers and the Crown Cove “concerning to the point of disturbing.” instructors, because, as the visit showed, and Aquatic Center, the management and “It didn’t matter what we said,” she we knew it would show, we’re not compliant support of the information technology said. “The issue was that they had found with federal requirements or best practices department, the Associated Student a little statement somewhere. That really in teaching online. And that’s going to cost Organization and student body. disturbs me because it was not a supportive quite a bit of money because I want the “We now need to continue to work or learning experience. To me they were faculty compensated.” together to address our areas in need of looking to find problems and they had dug An $8.5 million block grant from the state improvement to make this college even something up. So, once again as in 2009, could potentially be used to cover those costs better,” she said. it’s not a situation where the I believe the for bringing the online hybrid classes up to Increasing access and transparency for intent of accreditation is for us to improve.” par, said Flores-Charter. However, she said, Student Learning Outcomes course level After a jumbled scheduled of meetings, there is talk of sweeping part of those funds assessments and addressing “serious issues” Flores-Charter said there was a last-minute over to help cover the structural deficit that in the fiscal area of the college district which change in her interview with the accrediting came to the college’s attention on August include staffing and “issues of integrity” were team and Nish. Instead of being a joint 27, three weeks before the site-visit from included in the items the panel listed for session about the budget, she said Nish was the ACCJC. improvement in their initial review. interviewed separately. Flores-Charter is coPeraza said no decisions have been made Following the student forum, Laguerre chair of the budget committee and said she and student learning will remain a priority concluded the meeting and thanked the would have liked to have been able to listen for the college. students for participating. to what was discussed.

Finances were specifically mentioned in “We want to thank you for sharing your “That was concerning to me in terms of the initial review sent by the site-visit team experiences with us,” he said. “This is not transparency,” she said. “There was none.” following their departure, though specifics only good for Southwestern, but we are During the student forum with the site- were vague, said Flores-Charter. Peraza learning too. You speak on behalf of all visiting team, both praise and concerns confirmed. students.”

A4

The Southwestern College Sun

VIEWPOINTS

October 4 - November 5, 2015 — Volume 59, Issue 2

Editorials, Opinions and Letters to the Editor

The mission of the Southwestern College Sun is to serve its campuses and their communities by providing information, insights and stimulating discussions of news, activities and topics relevant to our readers. The staff strives to produce a newspaper that is timely, accurate, fair, interesting, visual and accessible to readers. Though the “Sun” is a student publication, staff members ascribe to the ethical and moral guidelines of professional journalists.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ALYSSA PAJARILLO

Jaime Pronoble

Emotional abuse is way too common, very serious

MANAGING EDITOR

Nicholas Baltz PRODUCTION MANAGER

Bianca Quilantan COPY EDITOR

Brian del Carmen SENIOR STAFF

Andrew Perez NEWS

Luz Aurora Aramburo, editor Danielle Eldridge, assistant Domonique Scott, assistant

VIEWPOINTS

Alyssa Pajarillo, editor Stephanie Garrido, assistant Victor Santander, assistant

Dan Cordero/staff

CAMPUS

editorial

Asjia Daniels, editor Mariah Boyd, assistant Eliza Cana, assistant ARTS

Cesar Hirsch, editor Andrew Dyer, assistant SPORTS

Alberto Calderon, editor Netzai Sanchez, assistant ONLINE

Mirella Lopez, editor Rudee Amaral, assistant

PHOTOGRAPHY

Mary York, editor Nathaniel Park, assistant

STAFF WRITERS

Viandy Gonzalez

Kimberly Ajayi Darcy Aguayo

Martin Loftin

JoseLuis Baylon

Elizabeth Lugo

Caitlin Flynn

Priscilla Mendoza

Cristofer Garcia

Chariti Niccole

Diego Gomez

Stefanie Tellez

CARTOONISTS

Karen-Alleluia Agbuya Dan Cordero Alan Luna Michelle Phillips Blake Tomczak PHOTOGRAPHERS

Alonzo Ackerman Sergio Esparza Alexa Flores David Hodges Adriana Molina ADVISOR

Dr. Max Branscomb

AWARDS/HONORS

Student Press Law Center

Society of Professional

National College Press

Journalists

Freedom Award, 2011

National Mark of

National Newspaper

Excellence, 2001-15

Association

First Amendment Award,

National College

2002, 2005

Newspaper of the Year, 2004-15

San Diego Press Club

Associated Collegiate Press

Excellence in Journalism

National College Newspaper

Awards 1999-2015

of the Year

Directors Award for

National Newspaper Pacemaker

Defense of Free Speech,

Award,

2012

2003-06, 2008, 2009, 2011,

Journalism Association of

2012-2015

Community Colleges

General Excellence Awards,

Pacesetter Award 2001-15

2001-15

General Excellence

Best of Show Awards, 2003-15

Awards, 2000-15

Columbia University

San Diego County Fair

Scholastic Press Association

Media Competition

Gold Medal for Journalism

Best of Show 2001-03,

Excellence, 2001-14

2005-2014

California Newspaper

American Scholastic Press

Publishers Assoc.

Association

California College Newspaper

Community College

of the Year, 2013

Newspaper of the Year

Student Newspaper

San Diego County

General Excellence, 2002-14

Multicultural Heritage Award

Our Position: Our college’s historically excellent arts program deserve a first class theater complex and so does the tax paying commmunity.

The Issue: College leaders have decided to cut back on the new arts center to hand over more money to athletics.

Still time to correct an epic mistake and restore the performing arts complex Maybe it is something in the water, our electric, diverse borderlands culture, or our South County gene pool, but one thing is for certain – Southwestern College is a remarkable Mecca of artistic talent.

For 25 years when someone said “Southwestern College…” the response was “Great theater!” SWC has sent thousands of actors, musicians, writers, designers, dancers, directors and technicians to work in theaters, TV studios and movie sets around the world. Mexican pop music sensation Julieta Venegas, superstar screen writer J. Michael Straczynski, Emmywinning designer John Iacovelli and California’s most produced playwright all come from SWC. So did the rock band P.O.D., a member of Pearl Jam, the reggae wizards Stranger and Shy Fox, San Diego County’s hottest young band.

We are an arts incubator with an enormous heritage.

You would never know it, though, based on our leadership’s recent decisions. A shift in the $389 million bond, Proposition R, approved by voters in 2008, has caused despair among artists and patrons in the college community as inspiring plans for a new performing arts center have been significantly downgraded to accommodate a runaway complex of athletic buildings.

Venerable Mayan Hall, the community face of our institution, has been on duty far too long. It has served the college and the community faithfully, but is crumbling to ruins. A replacement promised to the community under Prop R’s original vision has been scratched and the money reallocated for pools and gyms.

Current plans for the corner lot consist of one 500-seat theater, a 170-seat black box theater, classrooms for dance and offices. Total square footage will be 29,560 feet. Originally, the arts center was to be 75,292 square feet and the centerpiece of the corner lot.

This is a disheartening change from the original plan, which included a 900-seat theater as well as an area for our underfunded and underappreciated culinary arts program to sell its creations during performances.

Disappointment is justified. The jocks have won again. A 75,000 square foot “wellness center” will be built alongside the performing arts center and will include a gymnasium, Olympic swimming pools, classrooms, fitness labs, cardio-workout rooms, community locker rooms and a testing lab. It would be more than double the size of the performing arts center. This on top of $51 million already spent on a new massive 58,000 square foot field house looming over a new field.

Sports facilities will be four times larger than the arts complex.

With the budget jump from $23 million to $41 million for the wellness center, sports facilities will capture almost 25 percent of the total bond. There is no way that was the intention of Prop R voters in this arts-loving community.

We love our sports programs and our athletes, we really do.

Many members of this staff, as well as its advisor, are or were college athletes. But we also love our artists and SWC has a lot of extraordinary talent. Accomplishments by SWC art students and faculty have far, far outdistanced this institution’s athletic achievements.

Online Comments Policy

SWC alumni have performed on Broadway, written major motion pictures, created classic television series and won Grammys. By comparison, SWC has had one alumnus who played in the NFL, one Major League Baseball player of note and zero NBA players.

Singer/songwriter Jessica Lerner, actor/director/playwright Bryant Hernandez and the world-famous Mariachi Garibaldi, which has traveled internationally at the request of governments, have come from the humble halls of this incredibly diverse school. It was on these grounds that renowned artist John Baldessari found his voice. William Virchis, one of America’s best known Chicano directors, helped put SWC on the map, as has Dr. Teresa Russell and her Concert Choir.

Our entire South Bay community is bubbling over with artists. Bonita Vista High School’s show choirs have been the South Bay’s most successful academic program since the early 1980s. Chula Vista High’s theater program is excellent, as are Montgomery’s Mariachis, Castle Park’s ballet folklorico and Sweetwater’s PASCAT Filipino dance troupe.

One thing SWC leadership does not consider is that our college will have the only real theater in the region. Our high school programs rely on SWC for their major events. Let us not forget that the parents of secondary students are also taxpayers contributing to Prop R. Recently, believe it or not, local high schools have had to drive north to Lincoln High School to find an adequate theatre.

Our performing arts center on the corner lot could have been an incredible opportunity for this college to serve its community, but we are about to blow it. This college has neglected our performing arts for the past decade and the downsizing of the corner lot theater is a 50-year mistake.

Art is everywhere and, unlike professional sports, jobs are plentiful. Forget the ignorant “starving artist” rhetoric, there are thousands of working artists for every NFL, MLB or NBA player. They are architects, advertising executives, fashion designers, teachers, graphic designers, automotive engineers, creators of airliners, recording engineers and technicians, landscape architects and countless other well-paying creative professions.

Over the centuries, art has done more to heal, preserve and inspire humanity than any other human force.

Artists are the courageous peacemakers, the unsung revolutionaries and the steadfast heart of the human race.

Southwestern College is really, really good at visual and performing art. We will never be an athletic powerhouse. We are a community college. We need to stop pretending we are UCLA and embrace the amazing one-of-a-kind borderlands arts crucible we are. We are truly unique geographically and culturally as an arts force.

There are at least seven gyms within three miles of SWC, we don’t need an iron pumping Taj Mahal. We need a South County arts center.

Please, board and administrators, don’t blow it. Embrace who we are, not what we will never be.

Letters Policy Send mailed letters to: Editor, Southwestern College Sun, 900

The Sun reserves the right to republish web comments

Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Send e-mailed letters to

in the newspaper and will not consider publishing

viewpoints@theswcsun.com. E-mailed letters must include a phone

anonymously posted web comments or comments that

number. The Sun reserves the right to edit letters for libel and length and

are inflammatory or libelous. Post web comments at

will not consider publishing letters that arrive unsigned.

theswcsun.com.

Opinions expressed in the Viewpoints section are those

Abuse can come in many forms.

Physical, sexual and verbal abuse can all be devastating.

Emotional abuse, however, is rarely spoken about. Emotional abuse is often difficult to detect because it does not leave behind physical bruises or scars the victims might not even know they are being abused.

Emotional abuse can happen in any relationship and anyone can be the perpetrator. Both men and women are capable of giving and receiving. It does not necessarily come from significant others. Parents, siblings, coworkers and friends can be emotional abusers.

It is very likely that most people have used emotionally abusive tactics in the heat of an argument and not realized it. Because it is so common, it is important to be able to identify what is emotionally abusive and when it is happening before toxic tactics turn into a toxic relationship.

Abuse techniques can impair their victim’s sense of worthiness, trust and confidence. They make victims question themselves and most are manipulate through tactics such as fear or shame.

Like racist code words, the language of emotional abuse is subtle but devastating. Examples are damaging phrases like “You should feel lucky I love you, because no one else can,” or “Why waste so much time on your appearance? It never helps.”

Put downs are the most common and hurtful medium of emotional abuse.

They might seem like a small easy thing to deflect, but if the abuser says the same thing repeatedly the victim will take it to be true. Put downs target ones self-esteem, making them feel as if they have no other choice other than being with their abuser.

“Gaslighting” is another common example of manipulation, though very few people know about it. The term gaslighting comes from a 1938 stage play by the name of “Gas Light,” the story of a manipulative husband trying to get rid of his wife by slowly making her feel as if she is going insane.

Gaslighting is making someone question their own reality or making them feel unstable. Gaslighters pump so much doubt into their victims’ mind that victims feel they can no longer trust their and judgment and give into their manipulator’s accusations. By giving in, the victims give up their power and hand control to their abuser.

Men emotionally abuse women by creating the fear of physical harm, threatening to leavie her or keeping her from the things or people she loves.

Abusive women manipulate by using shame. They shame by controlling their partner’s fear of being a failure in their role as a lover or provider.

People who suspect they may be emotionally abused should reflect on themselves and ask if they are constantly second guessing themselves, are confused, are asking if they are too sensitive, are withholding information from their friends or family or making excuses for their partners. If the answer is yes, some reevaluating may be in order.

There is a fine line between being in a relationship with someone who occasionally uses these techniques in the heat of an argument and someone who is a master manipulator.

If toxic habits have crept into your relationship the best thing to do is to stand up and call out the toxic habit.

Best advice – trust your emotions.

of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent the views of The Sun Staff, the Editorial Board or Southwestern College.

Alyssa may be reached at sexandthesun@theswcsun.com

Alyssa Pajarillo, editor

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

VIEWPOINTS

Oct. 4 - Nov. 5, 2015 — Vol. 59, Issue 2

A5

College needs to modernize its antiquated, hard-to-use jobs website

By Martin Loftin A Persepective

There be jobs in them thar websites, but without the know how, Southwestern students will be digging blindly.

SWC’s online job website is a poorly-designed hot mess straight from the Dawn of the Internet. There are hundreds of jobs available on the SWC Student Employment Services/Internship web page, but flaws in the site drive students to use another websites instead.

Compared to modern job search websites like Monster and SnagaJob, the system that SWC expects to put students in contact with employers is inefficient and the website’s style has been obsolete for a decade.

The Internet has advanced enormously, but SWC’s website for student employment has not kept up. Ye Olde Internet aesthetics of the SWC job site fail to meet the bare minimum of website design quality. It cannot compete with another job search websites that make an effort to be attractive and user-friendly. Even rickety Craigslist allows its users to narrow searches by area, field and full- or part-time.

Colleges have an obligation to educate members of their community and to help them find employment. Part of SWC’s mission is to help the economic health of this region.

SWC certainly makes an effort to hire students and help them find work with other businesses, but its website falls short.

Our site is divided into “Job Seekers,” “Employers” and “Other Helpful Services,” but the links are not helpful. They provide only the most generic of advice for those looking for work. Information that connects students with employers is buried beneath the blocky design of the website. There are hundreds of jobs that are offered in the “All Off Campus Jobs” window alone, but they are barely organized by related field of education and worse, they are non-sortable. SWC has differing requirements from one job and another.

Searching for open occupations should follow a similar style as looking for classes online. There should be categories and options to modify and filter searches tailored for each student, but the web page only links lists of jobs. The good thing is there are a lot of offers for students. The problem is that the jobs are buried within a time-consuming list without the choice to narrow down the options.

Searching for work is tedious. It is a difficult task and the method through which SWC organizes its jobs data will discourage pursuers from using their site.

First-time job seekers have little chance to navigate the site.

Internships and work-study programs are also available. Without proper organization though, attempts to find this vital data is constipating or worse.

The Cooperative Work Experience program (CWEE) advertises many paid and unpaid jobs, but these jobs are only available to students taking one of 11 specific courses at SWC. Students can only apply for these jobs after they have registered for one of the CWEE courses.

A similar program called Service Learning allows students to earn credit for community service.

But there is not as much flexibility regarding what courses qualify and which programs they have ties to.

CWEE and Student Learning lists the various differences and requirements between the two programs, but the list is a poorly-formatted image rather than actual text.

SWC’s jobs website is expansive Vi ct and hard to navigate. Over time or sa administrators continued to add nt an new pages without renovating the core de r/ design. Central parts of the website used St af the most often are navigable, but many of the f data-rich areas lack a common structure with similar visual aesthetics. Not only does it look outdated, it looks deceptively empty and bland. unused and might drive students away. This The Student Employment Services/Internship corner of the site unfinished, unprofessional appearance may also needs the most work. turn prospective employers away.

“Other Helpful Services” is also in bad shape. It has a list of San Diego State University has a very organized links to search for advice and tips regarding jobs. Next to a square Career Services website. It looks modern and professional, which labeled “Job Search Videos” that links to five YouTube share tip inspires students to trust it. videos are five blank squares labeled TBD (To Be Determined).

SWC must take steps to improve its jobs site. This is doable.

This website is functional, but looks unfinished, unprofessional, Let’s get it done.

Active shooter drill misfires, more needs to be done to increase safety

By Andrew Dyer A Perspective

Stephanie Garrido/staff

Letter to the Editor

Chief denies he was fired Thank you for the opportunity to provide some key information on the differences between the batteries that occurred at Southwestern College and at San Diego State University.

First and foremost, let me dispel the myth that College Police or the Dean of Student Services did nothing to stop Glen Balancar.

He was taken into custody, issued a misdemeanor citation and suspended for the battery he committed against the only victim willing to press charges.

With information from this victim, College Police sent a safety alert on Sept. 11 to inform students and the college community, per the new Clery requirements. The alert served three purposes: it informed the community of a safety issue and the preliminary disciplinary actions taken against the suspect; it provided the resources for any student, faculty or staff member to report safety

SWC’s first active shooter drill was not very active. Though it was a necessary first step, the Keystone Cops affair demonstrates that our college has serious work to do and may not have adequate leadership in our PD. Although exceedingly rare, data shows mass shootings are on the rise in the United States. Because of this, an effective and well-understood active shooter policy has become a vital part of any school’s emergency action plan. The SWC Police Department’s active shooter drill was a positive step for the district in acknowledging and preparing for the worst, but their actions, in policy and practice, leave much to be desired.

The drill was conducted in the isolated 1600 buildings, a short hike up the hill and as out-of-the-way as the campus gets. SWC Chief of Police Michael Cash said security personnel had prior knowledge of where the drill area was, something unrealistic in an actual incident. Student and faculty compliance was sketchy at best, with some professors participating while others not. Along Jaguar Walk and in the cafeteria it was business as usual.

Of greater concern is the district’s amateurish policy regarding active shooters. The plan is confounding, convoluted and counterintuitive.

It is also unnecessarily difficult to locate. No active-shooter policy is listed on the school’s website, nor is one available under the Police Department tab.

The policy can be found by clicking “Emergency Information” on the school’s homepage, which brings up the Emergency Preparedness menu under the Police Department tab. No active shooter policy is listed. SWC’s

concerns; and it encouraged any other victims to come forward to report a crime.

In all three instances at Southwestern College listed in the safety alert, Balancar was accused of Battery, “Intentional touching the body of another person in a harmful or offensive manner without consent.”

Balancar’s arrest at San Diego State University was for Sexual Battery, “Intentional touching an intimate part of another person without consent and for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse.” Both batteries are serious offenses, but the sexual battery offense that Balancar is accused of committing at San Diego State University provided that police department the opportunity to legally detain Balancar upon his arrest.

Our college is safe, but we all must be vigilant in maintaining our safety. That is why I have asked the Associated Student Organization to co-sponsor a college safety forum with our police department to gather feedback on how we can inform students of safety measures and improve our sense of security.

To ensure all members of the Campus Police Department are responsive to the entire student population, I have asked Professor

Emergency Response and Procedures Manual is listed and that is where the active shooter policy can be found, unlisted in the manual’s table of contents, buried on page 64.

Included in the policy are instructions for students to barricade themselves in classrooms, attempt escape through windows, and, chillingly, make life-or-death decisions on whether or not to rush the shooter.

Also recommended are counterintuitive instructions, such as not to hide in bathrooms or flee to parking lots. The latter is particularly confounding at a school ringed by parking lots.

PD’s SWC complete failure to protect women on campus and deal with sexual assault does not inspire confidence in its ability to maintain safety on campus. Cash’s laughable letter to the editor in this issue is case in point.

An active shooter policy should be easy to locate on the college’s webpage. The district should clarify the recommendations in the policy and mandate they be included on the syllabus of every instructor. Our police department needs to follow-up on its training and strive for ways to improve their response. It must also involve students and faculty. SWC has a large student population that varies term-to-term, so it is imperative these drills take place at least once a semester.

Students and faculty have the right to a reasonable expectation of safety, which includes knowing how their police department will react if the unthinkable occurs. It is important for students and faculty respond to the survey the Admissions Office emailed after the drill, because, as Cash correctly pointed out, cooperation between students, faculty and the PD is vital.

Jeffrey Bucholtz to conduct training with our officers and staff.

We want all students to be comfortable and confident calling campus police.

To address other issues in your editorial: The empty patrol cars parked around campus that you describe are one of the measures to build a sense of security. You are correct; it would better to have police officers walking around campus. Our current staffing levels, however, limit the community-based policing and patrolling we can accomplish. This is “Preventive Community Policing” to make potential criminal violators, speeders and others aware of a police presence in the area.

Finally, I have not been fired from my last three law enforcement jobs. I retired after 24 years with the San Diego Police Department.

I was released as director of security for the San Diego Chargers (a non-sworn enforcement position) for not controlling the football players. And my position as emergency preparedness manager (a non-law enforcement position) at Loyola Marymount University was eliminated. I ask that you run a correction.

Michael Cash SWC Chief of Police

A6

VIEWPOINTS

Oct. 4 - Nov. 5— Vol. 59, Issue 2

?

Thinking Out Loud

The Southwestern College Sun

Students must vote to stop wacky candidates

How do you feel about the downsizing of the Performing Arts Center?

“Why not leave it to the students?”

Grant Garcia, 19, Undecided

Blake Tomczak/staff

By Bianca Quilantan A Perspective

“It sucks how we’re reallocating resources to things we don’t really need.”

George Adkins, 24, Computer Science

“There needs to be more of a focus on performing arts in general.”

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau contains a shocking statistic—Millennials outnumber Baby Boomers by 8.5 million. Yet while Millennials argue politics on social media, Boomers argue politics where it counts, in the voting booth.

Political apathy by college students allows terrible candidates to become terrible elected officials. This year we have plenty of both.

College voter turnout has continued to dwindle, particularly in nonpresidential elections. SWC students are part of the problem. Just five percent of our student population voted in the last ASO election even though it was easy and accessible.

There has been, however, an increase in the amount of time students spend posting on social media accounts, hoping someone will see their rants for change.

Fat chance. Facebook rants are not the solution. Tweeting at elected officials is not a solution. Voting is the solution.

College students have great latent power if we would ever rise up and use it.

There are 20.2 million of us today in the United States. We could sway elections.

Shoot, we could dominate elections.

Most students do not know this and do not care. Instead, we are sitting sit around twiddling on our iPhones while bizarre candidates such as Donald Trump parade around their regressive and repulsing ideas.

Ben Carson’s bigotry and Trump’s sexism do not represent what students and future generations want for our society, but we let them get away with

demagoguery by sitting on the sidelines and not getting involved.

As students we must find a strong, well-grounded political stance based on history and evidence. College students must align themselves with relevant issues in order to be effective when voting. We must look out for our interests and those of the 99 percent. There is power in numbers, but only if we pull the levers.

Once this generation decides to exercise its right to vote, we will no longer be ignored. Decisions will no longer be made without considering us. Candidates will no longer be able to patronize us and then do something else for their wealthy backers.

Students cannot be satisfied simply to bust out complaints at the top of their lungs. It takes organized action to achieve change. Politicians know who votes and who they have to negotiate with. If we do not vote, we have no seat at the table. We will be continued to be ignored.

Instead of shying away from American politics, students need to engage.

We should insist on clear answers and real plans. We should insist on honesty, service and vision.

College students need to continue challenging the status quo and pushing limits. Great movements started on college campuses such as the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War protests, LGBT rights and economic justice. We are incubators of progress and change.

We are the future. Do not wait until middle age to start voicing your opinion. Start now. Vote!

Auster Cruz, 22, Theater

“The arts need more support, especially now that they’re taking it out of the younger ages’ education.”

Amanda Shelton, 23, Psychology

“If you downsize the performing arts, you’ll be taking away the benefits from the classroom. It pushes that knowledge to a much higher level.”

Cecelia Dimino, 32, Elementary Education

Follow us on: The SWC Sun

Theswcsun

@theswcsun

Theswcsun

Theswcsun

michelle phillips/staff

Complacent Americans take precious water for granted

By Mary York A Perspective

Of all the things that Americans take for granted, drinking fountains seem like the least important.

Found on nearly every corner of the campus, water fountains are eroding from the collecting dirt and trash as well as disuse. For students at Southwestern College, and on campuses across the United States, free, clean drinking water is easily accessible.

Free water may not seem like a grand concept in the United States of America where even the least fortunate residents can access clean water through the taps in their homes. Nearly every restaurant in America will serve its patrons ice water, free of charge. California, a state ravaged by a crippling drought, has enough water to support 38 million people. Many may complain about shorter showers and dried-out lawns, but the truth is whenever a tap is turned on, safe, drinkable water comes spilling out.

Americans have water. Millions do not.

More than 750 million people around the world lack access to clean drinking water, according to the Joint Monitoring Programme of the World Health Organization and UNICEF. That is nearly two and a half times greater than the population of the USA.

The Water Project, an organization designed to empower the African “girl child” through education, concluded that many girls in Kenya do not receive an education because they are sent to fetch water for their families. Clean water can be many miles away from the village, making formal schooling an impossible dream for these young women who spend days schlepping water.

UNICEF research concludes that less than 50 percent of Kenya’s child population is being educated. If a child is unlucky enough to be born female in Kenya, chances are she will spend her school days looking for something their families can drink.

In Europe, restaurants charge for water and drinking fountains are a rarity. Many Europeans see drinking fountains as a waste of a profitable resource.

Water is seen as an asset in Europe. In Africa it is an obstacle to progress. In America it is seen as something much more intrinsic.

Americans have a sense of entitlement concerning water, its use and conservation. Americans see water as a basic human right, essential for life, prosperity and dignity. After all, humans cannot live without water.

America has made incredible progress in the last two centuries. This country’s lowest standards of

living have been raised to levels many in the world can barely imagine, but we have become complacent.

We complain about book and tuition costs, forgetting that many people will spend their day walking to find water and lugging it back home by hand. And while the fight rages for racial and gender equality in the workforce and on the streets, girls the world over are denied the chance to ever use their minds and voices because they must trade their education for water.

America’s struggles against injustice are important and our warriors for social equity fight heroically. If this country is to really succeed, however, we must return to a more humble state where the victory is savored with appreciation and gratitude. We need to once again be a nation where water is appreciated.

Southwestern College’s drinking fountains are often a scary sight, sheltering spiders and collecting all manner of grime. Several have stopped working and no one has even seemed to notice.

It can hardly be expected for students to use campus drinking fountains given their shoddy condition. It would, however, serve as an excellent start to a better mindset for this community if the people of this college remembered what a privilege it is to live somewhere where safe, clean water comes at the push of a button.

October 4 - Novermber 5, 2015 — Volume 59, Issue 2

CAMPUS

The Southwestern College Sun

A7

‘We are valiant’

Disability Awareness Month a showcase of heroes

By Adriana Molina and Cristofer Garcia Staff Writers

It was a DAM good day at Southwestern College… actually, a good DAM Day. SWC’s Disability Awareness Month (DAM) celebration is an annual event where students and faculty are recognized for their efforts to make facilities more accessible for people with disabilities. DAM Day also shines a light on issues that people with disabilities face. It was preceded by the 3rd annual SWC ACCESS Awards ceremony and marked the 25th anniversary of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA is a civil rights law enacted by Congress to prevent discrimination against Americans with disabilities and require specific accommodations for public facilities and employers.

Three ACCESS Award recipients were honored. They were disability advocate Angela Van Ostran, Professor of Psychology Chris Hayashi and Chad Kleyman, former president of ABLE Club. Kleyman, 23, was awarded the Student ACCESS Award for his devotion to helping make the campus more accessible.

“What keeps me going is the happiness of members and the progress throughout the school,” he said.

Kleyman said he is happy to continue the work started by people before him. His colleagues say he has worked hard to make the uneven concrete on campus more visible and to improve restroom accessibility. He has served the ABLE Club since 2011.

Hayashi was chosen as the Diane Branman ACCESS Award recipient for faculty and staff. Van Ostran received the Community ACCESS Award for her advocacy on the SWC and SDSU campuses as well as the greater community.

“Having a learning disability (deafness), I didn’t have interpreters until I went to SDSU,” she said. “I realized I was missing things. I didn’t realize how much I was missing until interpreters showed up.”

Van Ostran said recent SWC leaders deserve credit for making the campus more accessible.

“A lot of things here were easy, it wasn’t such a struggle here,” she said. “Going to SDSU, every little thing was a struggle.”

DAM attendees enjoyed a remarkable performance by guitarist Mark Goffeney, a gifted musician without arms, known as Big Toe for his astonishing ability to play the guitar with his feet.

“In the ‘70s, kids in school were still being segregated and I was in (what) was called Alcatraz,” he said. “(There) was a fenced in area where children with disabilities went. Just imagine the imagery involved in that, the disabled people on the other side of the fence looking at the normal people.”

Goffeney said people with disabilities are not objects of condescension.

“When we accept pity, we also accept a lower place in society,” he said. “We need to remind people we are valiant.”

Director of Disability Support Services Dr. Malia

“When we accept pity we also accept a lower place in society.”

-Mark Goffeney Flood said America is slowly making progress.

“It’s very important to honor and recognize the people that are doing the work,” she said. “Any time you bring together a group of people to celebrate and to learn, then it trickles out and people talk about it.”

Vice President Dr. Angelica Suarez agreed.

“There’s been 25 years of tireless advocates working to remove barriers from students in educational institutions and employment,” she said. “But we also know that there is much more work to be done to truly create accessible environments for students.”

Suarez and Professor Andrew Rempt accepted a challenged by a student to spend some time in a wheelchair. “(The idea of this challenge is) to bring awareness to the entire campus,” said Suarez. “Understanding what our students go through in terms of navigating the campus.”

After spending time in a wheelchair, Rempt noticed the campus is not easily accessible.

“It usually takes me about a minute to walk from (the Cesar E. Chavez Student Services Center) to the Academic Success Center and I couldn’t do it in 10 minutes, and that was because of the inclines,” he said.

“We encountered a rather severe incline right near the police department office. If I were in a wheelchair and I needed to get to the police quickly, that’s not going to happen.”

Karina Mendoza, 26, a psychology major and former ABLE Club president, has advocated for campus accessibility, particularly restrooms. She said she was inspired by a personal experience.

“One day I went to the restroom (at school),” she said. “When I went in, there was a girl who was in a wheelchair. I opened the door for her and when (I did) she said, ‘Thank you so much! Three people have passed by me and no one offered to open the door for me.’

That’s when I realized that this shouldn’t be happening.

Everyone should have easy accessibility to a restroom.”

Flood agreed.

“Students really (started movements) to make the restroom more accessible and that’s in progress,” she said. “It should be done by the summer time (in 2016).”

Floor said bathrooms would include push buttons to open doors, and lower soap dispensers and air dryers.

Also in the works, she said, are projects to make the Botanical Garden and online resources easier to use.

Photos by David Hodges

FEET FIRST — Mark “Big Toe” Goffeney amazes a crowd at the student amphitheater with a live performance. A musician and comedian, Goffeney came to Southwestern for DAM Day to share his experiences and encourage students to push past their supposed limits. (above) Administrators Angelica Suarez and Andrew Rempt experience wheelchairs.

A8

Asjia Daniels, editor

CAMPUS

Oct. 4 - Nov. 5, 2015 — Vol. 59, Issue 2

TIME TO GET BUSY—Anti-racism author and speaker Tim Wise discusses issues of priviIege and institutionalized racism in a packed SWC gym.

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

Andrew Dyer/Staff

A word from Wise — America needs to get real about race

By Asjia Daniels and Viandy Gonzalez Campus Editor/Staff Writer

“Vanilla Brother” delivered some chocolate thunder to a packed gym of squirming, fidgeting students and staff. Tim Wise warned his audience that meaningful conversations about race can be uncomfortable.

Wise, a self-described “anti-racism” activist, writer and lecturer, shook up his Southwestern College crowd and encouraged people of all races to take an honest and clear-eyed look at our society.

“In the 25 years that I have been doing civil rights and anti-racism work, (I have noticed that) we have a hard time acknowledging truths when it comes to race,” he said.

Demagogues like Ben Carson and Donald Trump continue a tradition of bullying minority groups, he said. America’s Hispanic and LGBT communities have been in the cross hairs recently. Wise reminded the gathering that most Americans are immigrants and that our ancestors did not come here on a whim.

“If your people had been winning they would have stayed the hell put!” Wise said. “Winners don’t leave. You might not want to brag about your family coming over on the Mayflower.”

Although the audience roared with laughter, the seriousness of his message was not lost.

“Some of them were convicts and they could not make it where they were, so they left,” he said. “I’m not trying to say that to be mean, there’s no shame in that. In fact, not only is there no shame in it, there’s something beautiful about that, because that was an act of resistance, getting up and saying no more of this. On the same note, when Mexicans do it, there is no difference.”

Wise told students that now is the time for action.

“We can spend a lot of time convincing people there’s a problem or we can just get busy on the problem that we know exists,” he said. “The best way to really raise awareness is to get busy and work on it.”

Not all students were entirely in Wise’s corner. SWC student Hinsseenee Regassa said she respected Wise because he has done a great deal of work for Black Americans, but she said these were conversations people of color need to have with each other first.

“Why does it always have to be a white audience listening to a white speaker?” she said.

“Why can’t it be a white audience listening to a person of color who actually lived the experiences?”

SWC student Steve Whiting agreed.

“The problem of oppression is like a tree,” he said. “You can cut the branches and leaves, then think you have solved the problem, but the problem remains within the tree. You have

“There’s something beautiful about (immigration) because it was an act of resistence.”

-Tim Wise Author, lecturer to get rid of the deep-rooted tree in the first place to find out the causes of systematic oppression and go from there.”

Wise, whom Cornel West dubbed “Vanilla Brother,” has spoken in all 50 states and more than 1,000 universities and colleges. He is an author and frequent guest on television news and public affairs programs. He led an effort by Tulane University students in the 1980s to pressure the university into divesting in apartheid South Africa. He was also a leader in the campaign to defeat Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke when the white supremacist ran for governor of Louisiana and the U.S. Senate.

Former rock-n-roller now beats the drums for students

By Cristofer Garcia Staff Writer

Omar Orihuela keeps the door to his office open, he said, just as he always tries to open doors for students who rely on him.

Many people know EOPS as a student service that grants money for books. What they may not know is that the program runs much deeper and so does the story of the man who supervises it.

Orihuela, 41, called himself a proud staff member and former student of Southwestern College who was selected as the new director of EOPS. His journey led him back to SWC. Orihuela has been the official director of the EOPS program at SWC since May after being interim director for a year.

“I’m not just here to give you books, but to help you graduate from Southwestern College,” he said.

Although he is the son of a principal and a teacher, he said, it took him a while to understand the importance of education.

In his teen years, he confessed, he was a longhaired kid who did not like school and spend his free time rocking out with his band, which once opened for the Mexican rock band Maná.

“I liked the message they had… and the fact that they were from Mexico,” he said. “We grew up listening to music in English… so just to be able to hear something in Spanish was nice.”

Orihuela stopped playing when he moved to the United States, though he says he still enjoys the music. As his appreciation for education began to grow, he faced challenges.

“Education in Mexico is very different from here,” he said.

As a Spanish speaker, Orihuela found it challenging to start classes and write essays, he said.

“I took ESL,” he said. “I started taking one class one at a time.”

Adjustments quickly came. Soon he earned an A.A. in public communications from SWC, a B.A. in organized leadership at Azusa Pacific University and a Master’s in educational

leadership at Point Loma Nazarene University.

Orihuela said he draws much of his inspiration from other people. He keeps a poster of Cesar Chavez in his office to remind him of the hard work required to succeed.

“What he did and how he fought for people is remarkable to me.”

Orihuela also draws inspiration from those close to him, crediting his family for some of his success.

“My mom, she taught me how to ask (for help).”

Orihuela said he has the skills to make connections with students and workers. Sylvia Felan-Gonzales, Orihuela’s former counselor at SWC, is now his colleague.

“He was always open to questions,” she said, “his door was always open.”

Students like Ivonne Meza, 18, business administration, praised his commitment.

“He’s very helpful… he’s always looking out for us,” she said.

Orihuela said he has goals.

“I’m very ambitious,” he said. “The next step would become a dean sometime.”

He said he hopes to start a doctorate program soon.

In the meantime, though, he said he is more concerned with making the EOPS program the best it can be.

“Last year we graduated 177 students… I want to target 200 students this year,” he said. Part of that his optimism comes from a better budget, he said.

“In 2009 we lost 40 percent of funding. We went from… over $2 million to less than $1.5 million. We were serving 3,000 students… we went to 1,300. This year we were restored (to previous funding).”

Orihuela said he wants students to take advantage of the Sergio Esparza/Staff opportunities and he highlights his devotion to his job.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS—Omar Orihuela encourages students to apply for EOPS. “I’ve been here as an employee and as a student. That holds a special place in my heart. Southwestern College is unique to me.”

CAMPUS

The Southwestern College Sun

Oct. 4 - Nov. 5, 2015 — Vol. 59, Issue 2

A9

JoseLuis Baylon

Sun may be behind our wicked weather

Thor’s hammer is something that electrical engineers would love to have. Today’s technology does not have a material that can sustain the power of a lightening bolt.

When Thor calls on lightening and stomps like thunder with Mjölnir, the concept is his hammer is made of magic and a material that must be magnetically in tuned with electrical energy.

In some parts of the universe, the electromagnetic waveform is emitted by stars.

Satellites in space can catch patterns from these stars. Our sun recently revealed its ability to hurl lightening towards the United Kingdom by magnetically bending the Earth’s magnetosphere and letting charged particles run their course through the upper atmosphere.

Researchers from England’s University of Reading realized this was due to the heliospheric magnetic field (HMF). Earth and the sun have magnetic fields that shove one another for their own space. Like siblings fighting for the same land, they both want to occupy a geometry plane found 3 degrees into the equator of the sun where the Earth revolves.

The span of the sun’s magnetic field is superior to the Earth’s. At the times when it influences lightening the most, the sun’s magnetic field is facing away from the Earth.

This causes the Earth’s magnetosphere to follow the direction of the HMF, which in turn, causes the magnetic fields protecting the Earth to become thin and even break around global locations.

There is a fascinating thing about the Earth’s position relative to the sun, though. Because the planet revolves around the sun, as opposed to being stationary like the sun, it always has to compensate for the hot and cold dynamics forming on the planet as temperatures change when energy flows in or out by pressure changes. In other words, daytime and night time or simply a rotation. This is what the First Law of Thermodynamics is all about.

Isobars are used in meteorology to explain weather patterns. Fred Hafer’s oceanography class at SWC explores how hot temperatures move to a right angle against the cold. On Earth this effect created the conveyor belt system which circulates the ocean currents.

Scientists long ago figured out that this natural right angle effect actually creates a spin.

Soon after, the vortex was discovered. Modern meteorology was created when the math of all these right angles began making sense about the larger structures in the atmosphere such as currents and storms.

Hot follows cold and the way cold flows dictates how hot follows. In Hinduism, a samsara is to go full circle. In the Marvel universe, Thor takes his hammer by the strap and twirls it in the air. Hurricanes twirl in air and they come with lighting and thunder.

In October, Hurricane Patricia smashed Mexico, Olaf appeared in Hawaii and the islands in Micronesia had a potential typhoon forming at the same time.

At the time of these events, five powerful electromagnetic storms occurred on the equator of the sun. These were caused by sunspot episodes, during a time the Earth is under solar minima, which means the sun had not been producing many sunspots at all. As the coldest areas of the sun, sunspots naturally repel the hot solar surface and jet all the surface energy with a right hook up into the atmosphere, accelerating the energy particles further and faster into space. Any solar activity headed towards the same plane of the Earth increases the likelihood of direct impact.

Unfortunately, if Loki, the evil brother of Thor, had to show up, it would be here. Solar physics can seem counterintuitive within nature. Not everything is what it seems. There are currently no weather models that take into account the geophysical properties of sun along with the data of Earth’s climate and chemistry in real time. It is a work in progress that dates back to Galileo.

In 2015, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA and U.S. Air Force launched a deep space climate observatory (DSCOVR) satellite operating with sensors facing the sun and the Earth at the same time.

It hopes to unlock some mysteries and secrets of our universe…maybe even how Thor’s hammer works.

JoseLuis may be reached at plutotoplato@theswcsun.com

Photos By Viandy Gonzalez

HIGH AND DRY— (above) Noah Waugh, 11, gives his cheering section the thumbs up after he successfully walked across the college pool. (below) Kami Hawkin, 13, was not as lucky.

Walk on Water: Students challenge Jesus at his own Sea of Galilee game by strolling across the college pool Continued from Page A1

Her students insist Dr. Raga Bakhiet walks on water, but the hardworking director of MESA said they are all wet.

Well… not all of them.

Teams of San Diego County students competed in the 14th Annual Walk On Water challenge and some of them actually did. Wearing odd but buoyant shoes engineered from recyclable material, students tried to make it across the college pool without falling in. Bakhiet said the event is an effort to encourage secondary school and college students to innovate and problem solve.

Walk on Water helps students expand their knowledge of math and science while having some serious fun, Bakhiet said.

“These are all physics and mathematical theories, so (students) are really learning how to use their critical thinking abilities,” she said. “At the same time, (they are) having a lot of fun and learning to interact with one another.”

First to successfully make it across the pool was a group of seventh graders from Discovery Charter Elementary School of Chula Vista.

Raymond Modregon, 12, the pilot of the team, said he was very proud of his team’s group. Bryce Garrod, Modregon’s teammate, said that despite encountering some obstacles, they were inspired to compete again next year.

“There were some struggles (constructing the shoes), but we powered through them,” said Garrod. “It was a lot of fun and we will definitely participate again next year.”

Bakhiet said the event exceeded expectations and that 20 teams competed.

“In my 10 years (as MESA coordinator), this is probably the highest number of teams we’ve had,” she said. “I’m retiring after this year, so it’ll be the last event I host at SWC and I’m so happy that it ended on such a high note.”

Another group to make it across the pool were sixth graders also from Discovery Charter Elementary School. Noah Waugh, pilot for the sixth grade team, struggled but hung on to cross the pool in about 12 minutes. After he was lifted out of the water, his teammates were full of excitement, jumping and screaming.

“I feel good, but my legs hurt,” said Waugh. “We’re the only sixth grade team and the fact that we made it was very exciting.”

A10

v

The Southwestern College Sun

SPORTS

October 4 - November 5, 2015 — Volume 59, Issue 2

Head-On Collision Fo o t b a l l ’s c o n c u s s i o n problem collides with its growing popularity

By Alberto Calderon Sports Editor

On May 2, 2012 Junior Seau shot himself in the heart, leaving legions of his fans and his freinds heartbroken.

Se a u w a s a p p a re n t l y convinced that his unending depression was linked to playing football and wanted to leave his brain intact to be studied. It was the third time an ex-NFL player had committed suicide in such a fashion. Seau’s death raised the volume of the concussion conversation from a persistent whisper to a fever pitch.

Just 28 days before Seau’s suicide, the New England Patriots played the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, the highest-rated telecast of all-time. Football’s popularity was reaching an everescalating zenith just as health and medical leaders expressed concern over the viability of a sport whose veterans were killing themselves or suffering unimaginable brain deterioration.

Across the country overenthused, under-informed young athletes eagerly lace up their cleats and strap on their helmets. On Sundays, Americans visit the megachurch that is the NFL, but Fridays and Saturdays are reserved

for local youth football.

Communities congregate in their local stadium cathedrals under bright lights that pierce through the night sky, scarfing down dollar hot dogs and taking in halftime festivities. They have gathered to watch high school and college athletes try their hand at America’s favorite game.

Often tragedy ensues. Southwest High School junior tackle Kevin Montes suffered a concussion on what appeared to be a routine collision in the third quarter of a 34-6 game in which his team trailed. He lay motionless on the field for nine horrifying minutes. An ambulance ground its way past the cheerleaders and dirt track before carrying the still-motionless Montes out of the stadium. Players from both schools began to approach the line of scrimmage and prepare for the next play before the ambulance had cleared the field. Referees put the ball in play and the game resumed 45 seconds after the 18-minute injury stoppage. Next man up.

“I remember being in the back of the ambulance with my helmet and pads still on,” Montes said. “I was dizzy and my hand started to get real numb. Since I have

please see Concussions pg. A12

Legendary athlete spikes new life into volleyball program “I’m all for development and proving people wrong. I never back down from a challenge.”

- Jennifer Saleaumua Taeatafa

By Chariti Niccole Staff Writer

Jennifer Taeatafa

Mt. San Jacinto’s volleyball coach blundered when he ordered the post-match meal after his team went up 2-0 over Southwestern College.

As it turned out, it was the Lady Jags who were hungry.

Jennifer Saleaumua Taeatafa, the fiery new SWC coach, took offense when her counterpart assumed the match would soon be over.

Her squad got the message and won the next game 15-13. During the fourth game the Lady Eagles food arrived as the Lady Jags won again.

Game five spoiled Lady Eagles appetite as the Lady Jags won 15-9 and took the match, 3-2.

In the past the team might have rolled over and accepted the loss, said middle blocker Katie Fontana. That will not happen under San Diego County volleyball legend Taeatafa, who prepped at Bonita Vista High School and was the 2000

CIF Player of the Year Taeatafa does not allow negative or defeatist attitudes in the gym, and she does not accept losing without a fight — a helluva fight.

Fontana said Taeatafa has blown up the previous SWC volleyball culture and started over.

“She sees potential in us,” Fontana said. “She is like our mom and wants to see us grow.”

Taeatafa is a tough mother, but the results are startling. She took over a volleyball team that was winless until the last game of the 2014 season.

This year it already has six wins and is hungry for more.

“I only have two years of coaching experience, but I’ve been playing my whole life,” Taeatafa said. “I’m all for development and proving people wrong. I never back down from a challenge.”

Fontana said the coaching change was a please see Taeatafa pg.A11

Photos by Sergio Esparza and Adriana Molina/Staff

A11

Alberto Calderon, editor

SPORTS

The Southwestern College Sun

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

Taeatafa: South Bay volleyball legend sparks Lady Jaguars Continued from pg. A10

PITCH PERFECT—Forward Emmanuel Dominquez swipes the ball past a gaggle of defenders, leading the surging Jaguars.

Mary York/Staff

First place Jags threading toward playoffs

By Diego Gomez and Rudee Amaral III Staff Writers

This time there were no brawling fans, no campus police pulling guns and no bloody jerseys, but any match against archrival San Diego City College is a pitch battle.

SWC has tied City twice this year, most recently 2-2, thanks to a dramatic short-sided come-frombehind effort.

SWC (12-1-4) remains undefeated in the PCAC at 7-0-2 record and will be in the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.

Against City it was a tale of two halves. SWC gave up a pair of unanswered goals early in the first half and took just three shots on goal. Jaguar defenders had trouble keeping up with the speedy forwards of City College.

Momentum shifted in the second half, however, when head coach Cem Tont made half-time adjustments to get behind the large City College backline. In the 65th minute freshman Mark Davalos scored after his shot ricocheted off an opposing player. A frustrated San Diego City fan was ejected from the game in the 68th minute and left DeVore Stadium in a frenzy that seemed to feed the Jaguars.

In the 75th minute Jags forward Adrian Ramos tied the game on a curving blast that ended in the bottom right corner of the net following a centering pass from freshman forward Alejandro Camacho. It was a 2-2 draw that felt like a victory.

SWC looked to be in playoff form when it won a handy 3-0 victory at Imperial Valley College. Early in the first half the Jags dominated possession and had every shot on target. In the 32nd minute Jags striker Davalos drew a red card and left the Jags with only 10 available men.

Tont said the card was a concern. ¨There was a scuffle there and I think a retaliation to the referee,” he said. “My player got the red card.

We will take extra action. If we get another red card like this, it will be an extra game out.”

Even with just 10 players SWC took the lead when midfielder Rigoberto Maciel placed the ball on the bottom right corner of the net after a spectacular triangulation of the Jags midfield that placed him in a great position to score. The Jags never relented, which kept Imperial Valley backpedaling under the scorching sun. In the 72nd minute Jags scoring leader Adrian Ramos punched in a goal for a 2-0 lead.

Ramos leads the team with 20 points, six goals

and eight assists.

Tont said the team managed to persevere despite being down a man. ¨It was a good game, it was supposed to be an easy game that became difficult,” he said. “Imperial Valley is used to this (hot) weather in their elements.

We earned a red card, we played with 10 men, but still we controlled the game and kept our shape.”

Tont made four substitutions towards the end of the second half to compensate for the extra of playing with 10. At the 83rd minute Carlos Calderon, fresh from the sidelines, placed a beautiful golazo at the top right corner of the net, which drew the curtains down on a one-sided 3-0 win.

Calderon said he spotted a weakness in the opposition while he was on the bench.

“I saw that they gave too much space,” he said.

“On the field I saw that space. I cut in and took the shot. There was a little luck, but it went in.¨ Jags center back Jesus Holguin was a brick wall in the back line, obstructing several passes that threatened SWC’s goal. Holguin said the team is rich with leadership. ¨Nobody wears the captain armband,” he said. “I think we all have that leader in us and that is what makes us a great team. We all lead the team.”

challenge.”

Fontana said the coaching change was at first an adjustment, but the team has responded well.

“She was very strict at first, but once we got on the same page and warmed up to her, things began to run more smoothly,” Fontana said.

Taeatafa has a history of finding success on the volleyball court. Since she started at age 12. She learned from her aunt and uncle. A South Bay native, she attended Bonita Vista High School and during the off-season played for Coast North Volleyball Club. In her senior year, she led her team to an undefeated season, CIF regional and State Championship. She accepted a full scholarship to the University of Nebraska, and starred there. After college she played professional volleyball in Puerto Rico for two years.

Taetafa said she made a concerted effort to shake things up at SWC and changed the culture of the volleyball program. She said her two points of emphasis were teaching a serious practice structure and helping players realize that once they enter the gym it is all business.

Freshman setter Claudia Gagliano said Taeatafa is directly related to the success of the team.

“Her knowledge of the game, and the way she talks to us, is what makes us want to play our best,” she said.

Volleyball’s unexpected Renaissance has some already wondering about a playoffs run. Taeatafa said she would consider the season a success if her players develop and play better at the end of the season than they did at the beginning. She’s more focused, she said, on creating a strong foundation for the program and long term success.

Taeatafa said she wants to elevate SWC women’s volleyball to a respected program in the community.

She has already won the respect of a coach at Mt. San Jacinto.

David Hodges/Staff

NO SURRENDER—Taeatafa rallys the Lady Jags during a timeout.

Returning star boosts Lady Jaguars’ Water Polo team makes history playoff and PCAC championship hopes SWC defeats powerhouse Grossmont for first time, playoffs possible

By Alexa Flores Staff Writer

Mary York/Staff

TAKE AWAY— Nancy Romano snatches a loose ball away from a Grossmont College attacker.

By Stefanie Tellez Staff Writer

Aletse Camacho was ineligible to play on the women’s soccer team the first half of the season. MiraCosta College players wish she had taken an even longer break.

Camacho made her debut one to remember by scoring an unassisted goal in the early minutes of the

game.

“Getting Aletse back was a huge benefit,” said teammate Chloe Sauls. “I was really waiting for Aletse all season long. I played alongside her when we were younger.”

Sauls and Camacho previously played together for the Albion Soccer Club in Pacific Beach. Sauls said Camacho always had game.

“When I saw her at Southwestern I was very excited to play with her,” Sauls said. “I’ve known she’s been a great player from the beginning and it’s great that she came out and played as strongly as she did.”

The Lady Jaguars lost key players from last season and head coach Carolina Soto said she was glad to see Sauls and Camacho take leading roles this season.

Sophomore goalkeeper Nancy Romano raved about her teammates.

“Our strengths are our defensive players, Sauls and Camacho,” said Romano. “Chloe is a defender, so I communicate with her a lot. Aletse is just a good player in general. She brings a lot of positivity to the field.”

Sauls may just be a freshman, but her leadership on the field reveals her knowledge of and passion for the game.

“I’m really good at directing the team where to go,” said Sauls. “A lot of times they are looking for guidance and I try to give them that.

I’m a pretty confident player. I tend to play whatever I feel is right. I go off instinct.”

SWC’s conference record of 4-2 has them in the playoff hunt.

Soto said she hopes the team will finish strong.

“We can play possession pretty well now,” she said. “It’s been a work in progress to get to where we are right now and be able to work the ball around. It took a while but we’ve finally built good chemistry.”

Kansas City’s Royals and New York’s Mets are not the only teams busting out of a long drought.

SWC’s historically bad men’s water polo team is — gulp — pretty good this year. Just ask archrival Grossmont. With an overall record of 11-10 the team is starting to make ripples.

After enduring a decade of losing seasons, it became evident early that this squad was different.

Head Coach Jorge Ortega said an early win against a formidable opponent gave his team muchneeded confidence.

“Beating Grossmont was the high point our year thus far,” he said. “That’s the first time in school history that we’ve ever beaten them. To accomplish that early in the season really set the tone for us.”

Ortega said the team’s mentality has become more aggressive as the season has progressed.

“We’ve been at the bottom of league,” he said.

“For the first time in school history we are going to the conference tournament as a three seed. We are establishing a culture of winning. We are not coming in expecting to do well. We expect to win.”

Defense has come up big all season, Ortega said, thanks to second-year goalie Jose Macias.

“Jose comes through when we need him,” Ortega said. “He makes big plays, rarely makes a mistake and is one of the hardest workers on the team.”

Macias said he feels comfortable shouldering a heavy load for his teammates.

“I feel like I’m the last line of defense,” he said.

“I provide the defensive structure for the team.”

Sophomore David Carol leads the team in goals and steals. Ortega said Carol is indispensable.

“When David doesn’t have a good game we normally lose, so a lot rides on him,” said Ortega.

Sophomore Carlos Lizarraga said his experience is an asset.

“Communication is a team strength,” he said.

“I play on the outside, so my knowledge of the game helps.”

Lizarraga said there are some areas of improvement for his team heading into the playoffs.

“We had some really tough losses this year, but overall I’m really happy with the end results.”

Mary York/Staff

DEFENDING THE NEST—Goalie Jose Macias uses his long wingspan to block a goal against Mesa.

SPORTS

The Southwestern College Sun

Oct. 4 - Nov. 5, 2015—Vol. 59, Issue 2

A12

Lapping the Field Olowora wins PCAC title in a cakewalk, makes case for Olympics

By Mary York Photo Editor

Cross-country phenomenon Aminat Olowora destroyed the California record last fall. She obliterated the record again last week. She may be headed to the Olympics next year.

Olowora’s time of 16:11 at the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference championship set a new record for state community colleges, a record she set herself last season at the California Cross-Country Championship in Fresno, California, where she became the first woman to break the 17 minute barrier. She won the PCAC race by an astonishing 2:59.

David Flores claimed second place for SWC on the men’s course with a time of 20:57. He clipped heals with the pack leader, Cuyamaca College standout Oscar Soto, for most of the race, narrowly missing the top spot by six seconds.

It was Olowora, however, who got the crowd’s heart racing as she flew around the course, a veritable Mercury.

Another state title is next and a shot at the 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is on the horizon.

She would likely run for her native

Campbell competed in the 1980, ’84 and ’88 Olympics, winning a bronze metal in Seoul, South Korea in 1988.

Former SWC student and assistant track coach Philam Garcia ran the 100 meters in the 2004 Athens Olympics representing Guam. Agbede is also an Olympian.

Luck, good coaching and opportunity go a long way in making an Olympian, Campbell said, but there are a few shared characteristics that separate them from the rest of the pack.

“Tenacity,” he said. “Training, the ability to set goals and to reevaluate those goals.”

In Olowora’s case, “modest” could also be added to that list, attributing her record-breaking time to the familiarity of the track.

“I think it was a good time, but this is my campus and my course,” she said. “I run it every day, so I’m used to it.”

November 2014 female California Athlete of the Month, Olowora holds three state

Nigeria.

“She has set her eyes on achieving the Olympic qualifying time,” said her coach, Dr. Duro Agbede. “So we still have a lot of work to do.

Everything we are doing right now is in transition for her effort to qualify for the 2016 Olympic games.”

Olowora would not be the first Olympian to call SWC home. Anthony Campbell, SWC’s track and field coach, who said he is processing the paperwork for her to apply for the 2016 Olympic Team, is a three-time Olympian.

“Aminat Olowora is definitely an Olympian,” he said.

“I’m working on contacting her national governing body which controls the process of who makes the Olympic team.”

titles in track and field. She is also an A student.

“It’s hard work,” she said. “If you work hard, you’ll be surprised by your performance.”

With the Southern California championship and the California state championship looming this month, and hopes for the Olympics next year, Olowora seems to have her work cut out for her.

“She’s been setting records in every race and now our goal is to set another record at the regional and another record at the state championship,” said Agbede. “She has brought the name of SWC beyond any other athlete. She has brought the name of SWC to the highest level that any athlete has ever taken Southwestern.”

Meanwhile, three minutes later....

Concussions: Football head injuries have become epidemic, young players risk debilitating injuries Continued from pg. A10

epilepsy I was afraid it was going to trigger a seizure. It was pretty scary.”

Montes did not have a seizure, but he did suffer from concussive side effects.

“In the first week I had a lot of migraines,” he said. “I would wake up with one, then it would go away, then at night I would get another one. I couldn’t focus that much, a little bit of memory loss. If I was talking to you I might forget what I just said.”

Montes sat out for four weeks with concussion-related symptoms, but now that his migraines have subsided Montes said he is intent on returning to the field.

“I know it’s a danger, but I just like the game too much,” he said. “I was scared at the moment, but I knew I was going to get better and come back to play. If I get hit during the game and it’s just a little migraine well, you know, I’ll just keep playing.”

“I was dizzy and my hands Southwestern College started to get real numb. athletic trainer Dennis Petrucci said combatting Since I have epilepsy I youthful naiveté is one of was afraid it was going to his main challenges as a trainer. trigger a seizure. It was “A lot of these kids have pretty scary.” never been injured before, they are young enough to still have that Superman -Kevin Montes invincibility,” he said.

“We tell these kids there’s Southwest high school certain things we don’t mess around with. We don’t mess around with the brain, heart or spinal cord. It’s not like a knee or an ankle where you can go have surgery and we’ll rehab it and get you back.”

Petrucci said treating brain injuries carries an element of uncertainty.

“There are a lot of symptoms, that’s the problem,” he said. “We are talking about your brain, your brain controls everything. If someone has a concussion there is not much you can do, you just wait for the symptoms to be gone.”

Football’s sometimes unsettling level of violence is nothing new.

In 1905 Teddy Roosevelt, no shrinking violet, threatened to ban the sport entirely. That year 18 players died. In response to this a rules committee was established to make the game safer.

What has markedly changed, however, is the medical information surrounding head injuries and the sports’ ubiquity within American culture. Imagining the ludicrousness of President Obama attempting a similar maneuver speaks to the game’s meteoric ascension.

In September, Frontline aired a report that said 87 of the 91 former NFL players whose brains were studied, tested positive for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the brain disease at the heart of the concussion debate in football. Even more troubling, the lab found

CTE in the brain tissue in 131 out of 165 individuals who, before their deaths, played football at any level.

Yet NFL profits continue to soar. Last year, the league’s teams had a total revenue of $9.17 billion and NFL games accounted for 23 of the 25 most-watched telecasts last fall. Both issues, though inextricably linked, seem to have completely no effect on each other. Normally, when an industry has a wide-ranging health concern, support for the industry wanes. It is a legitimate phenomenon.

This dichotomy is creating some ambivalence among football fans.

SWC head football coach Ed Carberry said his views on the issue have evolved.

“I’ve done a complete 180 degrees on this issue,” he said. “Back then people would get hit, everything would go black for a second and it was fine. In the early years when I coached high school football, I was the coach and the team doctor. If you came back to the sidelines and gave me an audible sound, you were going back in. That’s how it was 30 years ago. Now at the college level we have a trained staff and whatever they say goes. There’s never an argument.”

Carberry said he believes football will remain unfettered.

“I think football will continue to maintain the level that it has attained,” he said. “My wife and I were in Texas recently visiting a high school, they have two freshman teams and two junior varsity teams with 80 to 100 players a piece coming out for them.”

Just nine miles from where Kevin Montes sustained his concussion, Chula Vista High School senior linebacker Yusuke Titmus suffered a similar hit in the fourth quarter of a game between two winless teams.

The game was paused as he lay on the field. After four excruciating minutes of minimal movement, the training staff helped him to his feet and attempted to walk the clearly shaky linebacker to the sidelines. He collapsed again halfway to the bench. As the staff attempted to gather him again, the announcer informed the fans that they could use this break in the game to purchase $1 hot dogs that were almost sold out.

After being inspected by the training staff on the sidelines as the game went on behind him, Yusuke said he was unsure of his future.

“The plan is to keep checking on me every 30 minutes,” he said. “If my headache gets worse we’ll go to the hospital to make sure my skull isn’t fractured. If everything is fine we’ll go to the clinic tomorrow.”

Yusuke said this was not his first time going through this procedure.

“I’ve already had two concussions,” he said. “It’s depressing to think that my career might already be over. After three concussions you can’t play anymore.

I ’m h o p i n g i t’s not a full-on concussion so I can still play football.”

Hi s p a re n t s anxiously sat behind him, vacating the bleachers and taking up residence on the sideline bench next to his teammates.

Photos By Mary York

ALL IN STRIDE—Aminat Olowora ran away from the field vying for the PCAC Championship title. She completed the course in 16:11, setting a new state record and pushing closer to meeting the Olympic qualifying time. She won the race by an astonishing margin of 2:59.

His parents, Matthew and Josephine Titmus, said they were not pleased with how his injury was handled by school staff and game officials.

“I think they should have evaluated him more, it was not good the way he was walking, especially with spinal and neck injuries,” said Mr. Titmus. “That was messed up.”

Mrs. Titmus agreed.

“Yes, I did not like that,” she said. “I saw it, I really saw it. My son could not walk. I was shocked.”

Mrs. Titmus said watching games is not fun.

“I’m really scared the whole time until the game is completely finished,” she said. “I have no peace of mind, I’m so nervous. Is this a part of the game? Some of this is not normal play. Some of this is crazy. They have to make this safer.”

Her husband interjected.

“Yes, it’s a part of the game.”

Petrucci said that as a sports trainer he has always been aware of the dangers of concussions, but was surprised by how many people are affected by some of their more harmful side effects.

“We were aware of the possibilities, but I don’t think we realized to the degree that it was happening,” he said. “I think we knew (prolonged depression) was possible, but I thought it was rarer. Once I saw all these ex-NFL players file suit and say they had all these issues, that’s when I tapped the brakes a bit.”

Petrucci said as a lifelong fan of the sport he is conflicted.

“There was this YouTube sensation, she was this little girl,” he said.

“She was running guys over, she was amazing. And I thought, this is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. But then you realize how many hits she’s taking and how young she is and you realize, that can’t be good. I have two daughters, 6 and 4. I told my wife, I’m glad we don’t have a son so we don’t have to make that decision.”

Three weeks after Yusuke’s concussion, his life still had not returned to normal.

“Ever since the injury, school has been sort of difficult,” he said.

“Not to the point that I can’t do it, but I get random headaches from time to time, like if I read something or work on a worksheet.”

Yusuke said his symptoms had been improving until a recent setback.

“Just a couple days ago I had a major migraine out of nowhere,” he said. “I had been stable, nothing too crazy. It was during class. I had to leave to go the nurse’s office. She gave me Tylenol, I normally don’t take it because it doesn’t work. But I was desperate so I took some. It didn’t help.”

Persistent, intense headaches have caused Yusuke to reconsider his intention to return to the game.

“I was set on returning to play, but as the days went on, I would keep getting these headaches and I hated them, they bothered me so much. I was limited on doing things, like watching TV. So I’m done playing football. What if I played and I got another concussion?

It could happen again. I’d never know.”

His father said he and his wife were happy his son’s football days are behind him.

“It’s been hard watching him, he gets pretty bad headaches,” he said. “You can see other effects too like tiredness and being forgetful. Since he’s an intelligent kid, people around him have been telling him not to ruin his brain over something like this because life is more important than high school football.”

October 4 - November 5, 2015 Volume 59, Issue 2

ARTS

The Southwestern College Sun

B1

Photos by David Hodges

Face to face with legendary portrait artist Superstar Don Bachardy brings Hollywood glamour to gallery

By Cesar Hirsch Arts Editor

D

on Bachardy is a man of many faces.

Still creating at 81, his life remains as colorful as his paintings.

Bachardy, the renowned Santa Monica portrait artist, had his first solo exhibition in San Diego County at the Southwestern College Art Gallery, titled “Hollywood: Paintings & Drawings.”

On the show’s opening, surrounded by portraits of Hollywood icons teeming with color, Bachardy gave a brief talk followed by a Q&A. Bachardy almost exclusively draws and paints people, a fascination that he said is rooted in the power of people’s faces.

“I paint faces because of that ability of people to look closely at themselves and others and for them to tell you who they are, not only with what they say, but how they look,” he said. “I believe, like Oscar Wilde illustrated in ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray,’ that how you live your life changes your face, changes your whole body.”

Vallo Riberto, SWC gallery director, said he first encountered Bachardy’s work in a book, titled “Last Drawings of Christopher Isherwood.” The book illustrates a series of heartfelt drawings of the late English novelist Christopher Isherwood, after he was diagnosed with cancer.

“It’s probably some of the strongest work that Don has done,” he said. “The quality of his line shows what a master draftsman he is.

His lines are exciting, varied and have a lot of energy. They are very powerful and direct.”

Isherwood and Bachardy met in Santa Monica in 1950.

Their relationship shaped their art, said Bachardy.

“Chris inspired me by simply being himself and telling me what art really is,” he said. “He made it very clear to me that experience is worth the effort to record it. He recorded people with his writing. I record them with my painting.”

Portraits of Hollywood legends gazed stoically across the SWC Art Gallery, each revealing a small part of their subject.

Each portrait seemingly created with ease.

Their bare structure revealed meaningful, MOTION PICTURE STILL LIVES — (top) Don Bachardy signs an autograph after he spoke during the opening of his exhibition, please see Bachardy pg. B3

“Hollywood: Paintings & Drawings.” (above) An acrylic portrait of Louise Fletcher shows Bachardy’s bold use of color, while on the far right an ink portrait of Stockard Channing shows Bachardy’s signature style in black and white.

> REVIEW

‘In the Heights’ hits new highs Story on Pg. B3 Mary York/Staff

B2

Cesar Hirsch, editor

ARTS

Oct. 4 - Nov. 5, 2015 Vol. 59, Issue 2

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

Courageous artist molds powerful call

for justice and peace

By Mary York Photo Editor

F

rom the gentle curve of his mouth and the soft glisten in his eyes, few would imagine that Claudio Jiménez Quispe, the humble retablo master from Ayacucho, Peru, has been attacked and beaten by terrorists.

Few would imagine that he was forced to steal his family away from their village to the safety of anonymity in a dangerous city.

Few would imagine that the detailed figurines of cheerful bakers, traditional dancers and peaceful angels, each hand-crafted and placed with care in Jiménez’s breath-taking retablos, were once the figures of terrorist radicals, bloodied peasants and weeping children, who painstakingly retold the story of Jiménez and his traumatized country.

Jiménez, who began creating retablos at the age of six in the highlands of the Andes Mountains and spent several weeks at Southwestern College as an artist in residence in 1999, used his art for years to show the rest of the world the travesties taking place in his country during the brutal regime of the Maoist guerrilla terrorist group called Sendero Luminoso, “Shining Path.”

Jiménez’s artwork celebrates Peru’s colorful culture and traditions.

Jiménez brought a taste of that culture to a special showing at Las Positas College in Livermore, California, earlier this year.

Jiménez speaks Spanish and Quechua, an indigenous Andean dialect, but through the universal language of his artwork his message has been shared in countries around the world.

Although the retablo, a painted box inlaid with three-dimensional figurines, is traditionally a religious altarpiece found in Peruvian Catholic churches, Jiménez has turned the medium into something more.

“He has moved traditional religious retablo iconography into the 21st century,” said Dr. Sharon Taylor, former dean of arts and communications at SWC. “Because his works transcend cultural boundaries and often break with traditions, he offers visual readers multicultural topics and social commentary from a Latin American perspective they may not have encountered.”

Taylor first stumbled across Jiménez’s work in San Antonio, Texas in 1992, when a shopkeeper suggested she might not want to look behind the closed doors of a very small retablo in the back of the shop. Interest piqued, Taylor said she opened the brightly-painted, wooden retablo, no bigger than a music box, to find a gory scene of

red-hooded communist guerilla fighters, armored state militia and ragged peasants spilling blood over the green mountains of Peru beneath the glowering eyes of a vulture. It was one of the first retablos Jiménez smuggled out of the country.

“I knew what he was doing,” she said. “He was trying to tell a story.”

Taylor, who studies personal narratives expressed through cultural art, was familiar with the situation in Peru and was immediately intrigued

by Jiménez’s retablo. She flew to Lima to find this artist who risked physical harm to smuggle his story into the hands of the surrounding

PEACEFUL PROVOCATEUR — Claudio Jiménez Quispe shows off one of his elaborate retablos depicting civil unrest in Peru. Jimenez shares his dreams of a peaceful world in the intricate celebrations of his plaster retablo figurines.

the state sent military forces into village areas where, behind black ski masks, they tortured, raped and massacred civilians in a poor attempt to stop the terrorist movements.

Shining Path retaliated in fullforce, locking the Peruvian villagers between two equally ruthless armies.

Jiménez moved to Lima after being attacked in his village by Shining Path militants for statements he made that they believed contradicted their cause.

“If they had found his workshop, his art,” said Taylor, “he would not still be here.”

But the move did little to lend the

BRAVE ART—A Peruvian peasant woman hangs on a cross as the focal point of Jiménez’s retablo, “No a la Violencia.” Jiménez created revolutionary art despite terrible danger and threats to his life.

world.

“At the time, most international newspapers weren’t covering what was happening in Peru,” said Taylor, who developed a friendship with Jiménez and his family. “His art was one of the first representations of what was really going on and most of it we had to smuggle out or they would have killed him.”

In response to the Maoist insurgents,

Photos by Mary York

distraught artist any peace. Lima was also wrought with the devastation of Shining Path, which used its city network to set off car bombs and attack power lines, causing rolling blackouts and destruction.

So Jiménez set to work.

One of his most stunning pieces is “Tears of the Peruvian Child,” which depicts, in the cruel detail of Jiménez’s flawless plaster models,

the use of children to set detonations off in the cities. Shining Path coerced young children to carry out dangerous tasks for them and, when the smoke and ash settled over the broken city, they would collect their dead bodies and throw them in the dumps.

With hand-made, sun-baked figures, Jiménez enshrined “Tears of the Peruvian Child,” with images of peasants begging for peace and justice, praying to the Virgin Mary and raising the flag of Peru, and the weeping form of a child sitting among the ruins of his city.

Nearly 70,000 Peruvians died or went missing between 1980-2000, the most heated decades of the conflict. Threequarters of the victims spoke Quechua, like Jiménez, suggesting that those most devastated by conflict were indigenous peasants in the Andean highlands in areas like Ayacucho.

Peace is slowly returning to the mountain villages of Ayacucho, Jiménez said, but he remains in Lima with his family, working on his art and continuing to share his country’s struggles.

Conveying those, he said, is an integral part of his craft.

“My culture and experiences are a looming influence in my art,” said Jiménez, who also brings to life the religious and cultural history of his people in his colorful retablos. “I want to show and teach the outside world the experiences and customs of Peru. At the same time, it was a way to preserve and continue fighting for this art.”

Jiménez gave demonstrations on retablo art during his time at SWC more than a decade ago, showcasing his meticulous models made from a plaster of potato, peach and agave juice and a chalk-like powder called gypsum. The figures are then brought to life through colored paints, most of which are administered with just one or two animal hairs to perfect the detail. Jiménez said, however, that creating the art is the easy part. Harder is uncovering the struggles and sharing the burdens of the people whose stories he aims to tell.

“The most difficult aspect for me is having the knowledge to deal with the subject,” he said. “For example, talking about justice in Peru is not easy. One has to go to the prisons, coexist with the prisoners, see for yourself.”

Jiménez’s religious and political works were exhibited during his showing at Las Positas, between detailed depictions of life for the Ayacuchanos.

“I thought his style was incredibly unique and intricate,” said Deborah Fakhri, 21, a Berkeley resident. “I definitely saw a lot of symbology in his artwork, which I could tell was referencing the political environment or the spiritual environment from his homeland.”

Fakhri, who has an interest in iconography, said the retablos were not what she was expecting.

“I really enjoyed seeing the way he

puts color and detail into every single piece. You can just see how much passion he has for his work and it really comes through in a very beautiful and meaningful way.”

Pieces of Jiménez’s art have been added to the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Louvre in Paris, and are regularly shown at the Museum of History in Balboa Park, San Diego.

Taylor said Jiménez’s work translates well across cultural borders because of his precision.

“To provide transnational audiences access to the scenes depicted in his retablos, he always considers the viewers,” she said. “He consistently searches for international symbols and signs and integrates them into his works.

In addition to his works’ symbolism, the placement of figures within the retablos is exact. Similar to a writer’s use of syntax, Claudio contends that the arrangement of the characters is crucial to the message he is conveying.”

Taylor said Jiménez’s form of art could be considered visual analogs, counterparts to the Latin American genre known as Testimonio. This type of expression, she said, presented in first person as a witness might, is in keeping with much of the work that comes out of SWC’s art program, where so many of the students use artistic expression to tell their own stories.

“Claudio’s rare ability to orchestrate details within a visual field encourages audiences to enter into collaboration with his work,” she said, “while delving ever more deeply into the story surrounding the events depicted and forcing viewers to consider their implications.”

Taylor said she believes the South Bay community could gain a great deal from a second visit from Jiménez.

“He has extended his art to offer transnational audiences a practical tool to counter their own indifference and consider the condition of Other,” she said. “He bends the presentation of the story to create a deeper, truer reality for his audiences and San Diego is the perfect place for this opportunity.”

Despite his incredible efforts in the pursuit of justice and peace through an ancient and respected craft and his international recognition as an artist, Jiménez remains humble.

“I come from a family with traditions of retablos,” said Jiménez. “My father, Florentino Jimenez, has been one of the great masters. As a kid I was inspired by that and at 10 years of age in school I won a contest presenting this (art) and that spurred me to become a retablista.

That’s when my soul connected with retablos and I have never left.”

Continuing to work with a gentle smile and listening eyes, telling his story one painted box at a time, Jiménez said that there are aspects of his life that he cannot explain in any spoken language.

“When words fall short, my hands speak for me through my art.”

ARTS

The Southwestern College Sun

Oct. 4 - Nov. 5, 2015 Vol. 59, Issue 2

> PREVIEW

Bachardy: Legendary portrait artist a coup for the college gallery

Plays will reach across the border

Continued from pg. B1

By Elizabeth Lugo Staff Writer

Dave Rivas is best known for playing Satan, but in real life he is a performing arts angel.

Rivas’ hysterical performances as a cholo devil in “La Pastorela” are politically punchy, but his new project, “Letters From the Wall,” is a sweet call for peace and tolerance.

Rivas, co-producer, director and writer of the plays, said he hopes to convey a universal message through his production, which will be staged Nov. 21 in Friendship Park straddling the U.S.-Mexico border.

“We have common stories and we want to tell those stories as if there were no wall,” he said.

Known as a place of unity and peace, Friendship Park is a fitting setting to this production, Rivas said. Actors will perform the plays on both sides of the border.

Rivas said the project will transcend border politics.

“We wanted them not really to be political, but about the message that love has no borders,” he said.

Letters written between family members and friends separated by the border were incorporated into the series as a way to make the play intimate and relatable, Rivas said.

“Letters are never ending,” he said.

“People are always writing letters.”

Rivas said that another source of inspiration that was suggested to him was from a book of tales for children.

“There’s this woman who is compiling all these bedtime stories to help children understand and cope with separation and immigration,” he said.

One of the tales illustrates the story of a lioness that crosses an unfamiliar part of a jungle to find more food for her cubs. Rivas said that he would also be incorporating stories of deported U.S. veterans after laws changed in 1997 in the hopes of helping them.

“It might be therapeutic for them to see their story being told,” he said. “There’s healing in that.”

Rivas said that the controversial topics that he has incorporated in his series have drawn a lot of attention.

“Certain politicians might not like the message we are sending, which is just the truth,” he said.

Rivas said he and his colleagues had to negotiate elements of the production with the U.S. Border Patrol. Because the plays take place in Friendship Park, Rivas said he is cooperating with the Border Patrol to amend his writing. Officials have also requested a full copy of the script before its performance.

“Letters from the Wall” plays November 21 at noon.

Stars: Students are also the stars at film festival Continued from pg. B4

Spread over five days, the film festival premiered a variety of shorts, documentaries and feature films. It organized Q&As and special sessions with filmmakers and scriptwriters, multiple red carpets and luxurious after-parties.

“It was exciting,” said Nevarrez. “It was a little bit hectic, but I guess that’s a good thing because it pushes us to really remember what we learned in class.”

John Pickelle, assistant professor of photography, said a primary focus of the photography program is to help set up students for success after graduation.

“One of my goals is trying to connect more of our students and our department to the local community,” said Pickelle. “I figure that the more the school is out there in the community, the more face we have, the better the opportunities. And it seems like shooting this festival has been quite successful.”

Pickelle said opportunities like the film festival come once a lifetime.

“It means the world to our students,” he said. “You’re talking about real-life, hands-on shooting in a professional environment. This is a chance not just to build a portfolio, but to make connections out in the real world.”

Jimmie Fletes, 40, a photography student, is a volunteer with the film festival team. When they said they needed more volunteers, Fletes said he

B3

Mary York/Staff

GREAT HEIGHTS—Edgar Rodriguez soars during his hilarious potrayal of Graffiti Pete in SWC’S production of the Tony Award-winning musical “In the Heights.”

> REVIEW

Broadway’s ‘migrant musical’ hits right notes

By Cesar Hirsch Arts Editor

ith immigration looming large in the global dialogue, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s colorful musical mural “In the Heights” is now getting more attention than ever.

At the center of the musical is one questions: Where is home?

Ruff Yeager hit the nail on the head by bringing a production of Broadway’s “migrant musical” to a city where many homes are split into two nations.

Miranda’s fresh and electrifying voice found its way to Southwestern College with Yeager’s spirited production of the 2008 Tony Award-winning musical.

Obnoxious, lighthearted and hilarious, this peppy, youthful cast elevated Miranda’s eclectic score. Sassy hip hop, racy salsa, sweet ballads and athletic dancing power the story, freshen every scene and maintain the musical’s urban aesthetic.

Under the shadow of the George Washington Bridge, Usnavi (Wilfred Paloma) runs a local bodega in his vibrant neighborhood and dreams of winning the lottery and retiring to the beaches of his native Dominican Republic. He pines for Vanessa (Josalyn Dietrich), who works in the salon next door and fantasizes about escaping the barrio.

Meanwhile, Nina (Raelene Herrera) has returned home from her first year at Stanford University with the troubling news that she has dropped out. Her parents, Kevin Rosario (Ritchie Valenzuela) and Camilla Rosario (Danielle Gulihur) struggle financially and their trusted employee Benny is unsure about his future. At the center, holding this lively neighborhood together, is the loveable Abuelita Claudia (Elizabeth Jimenez).

Paloma came in full force rapping Usnavi’s narration, an impressive technical feat considering Miranda’s knotty and

knew just who to ask.

“I’m still on Cloud Nine,” he said.

“It’s just starting to sink in how big it was. I’m really shocked that I was part of it and that my peers at SWC were part of it.”

SWC photographers had access to private parties to photograph the attendees, some of whom included the cast and crew of premiering films, and were given a spot on the red carpet during premier evenings to shoot the stars, lining up with major media outlets like Fox News, KUSI News and Getty Images.

“When you’re on the red carpet and you have a PR group assigning spots to professional media and to have them assign a spot to an SWC student, that just kind of gave us purpose,” said Fletes. “As students, I think we demonstrated that we can keep up with the professionals.”

For many students, photography has become more than a hobby.

Figueroa said it was the photography program at SWC that helped her heal from the mental scars of a painful injury three years ago.

“I spent almost four months in bed, not being able to move,” she said. “It led to really bad depression.”

Encouraged by her husband to find a way to spend more time out of the house, Figueroa picked up a camera and began looking at life through a lens.

“I couldn’t hold the camera because my arms were so weak, so even while holding the camera my hands would shake,” she said.

Figueroa thanked faculty who worked with her to overcome physical setbacks.

“By then,” she said, “I was in love with photography.”

propulsive rhymes.

With less timbre in her voice and a timid presence, Herrera did not burrow deeply enough into her role, delivering empty moments that should have been powerful and heartfelt during numbers like “Breath” and “Sunrise” in Act Two, when she and Benny share a tender duet after having shared the night.

Valenzuela’s poignant rendition of “Inútil” was heartbreaking after having learned of his daughter’s failure.

Valenzuela’s and Gulihur’s dynamic rung true in vivid moments of parental anxiety over Nina’s future and her forbidden relationship with Benny.

Donning a nightgown and fluffy slippers, Jimenez encapsulated her role with a tender embrace as the neighborhood matriarch. Her rendition of “Paciencia y Fe” was soulful and her voice was clear and booming.

Dietrich and her salon entourage radiated attitude, bringing a saucy presence to the stage. Her bright, brazen voice highlighted numbers like “No Me Diga,” “It Wont Be Long Now” and coquettish scenes like “Champagne.”

Bautista’s (Sonny) and Limon’s (Piragua Guy) lighthearted presence brought hilarious interludes between tense narrative scenes.

Michael Buckley’s brilliant set was incredibly versatile and a character itself. Like the acrobatic dancers, it moved with the ebb and flow of the story.

In a last moment of reflection, Usnavi is reminded that he does not have to go anywhere to find home because he is home, fulfilling the American Dream that many in the neighborhood aspired to.

This cheeky, bracing cast and its director gave a sizzling twist to Miranda’s powerful urban masterpiece, making it clear that a home has no borders.

mature brush strokes that were done with acrylics, ink and pencil.

Bachardy’s simple aesthetic is what Assistant Professor of Art Nicholas Muller said makes Bachardy’s portraits innovative and exciting works of art.

“They have this very Egon Schiele feel to them and possess such wonderful personality,” he said. “I love his use of the page and the inclusion of the white space of the page into the drawings, and the way sometimes these figures sort of dissolve into the background.”

Some of the works bleed in full-strength color, while others subtly reveal Bachardy’s remarkable draftsmanship and signature line work in black and white with ink and pencil.

Bachardy said that he developed his unique artistic style by studying other artists he admired.

“If you want to be an artist, tune in to yourself and find those whose work you admire and study it very closely, and that’ll give you and awful lot of information,” he said.

Bachardy was received by students, staff and art lovers like a rock star. After the talk and Q&A, a crowd gathered around the artist, waiting for him to sign programs, posters and copies of his new book, “Hollywood,” that includes many of the works exhibited at the showing.

Riberto said Bachardy’s visit to SWC signals that the community is broadening its cultural base.

“The fact that we can bring someone of (Bachardy’s) notoriety here and exhibit his work, means that Chula Vista is coming of age in terms of culture,” he said. “We have a world-class gallery that has the same layout as the old Whitney Museum on Madison.

Our 2,600 square feet of exhibition space is a wonderful art venue for San Diego and rivals any gallery across the nation.”

Bachardy has made a name for himself in the art world, drawing and painting one person at a time, from writers to politicians, other artists, directors, musicians and movie stars. Each portrait is carefully crafted in person because, Bachardy said, he never renders a portrait from a photograph.

“Photographs are dead,” he said. “They’re pictures of an event that’s already occurred.

I create my own event by having a live sitter in front of me.”

Bachardy said he does not look for anything in particular in his subjects, but rather, allows his subjects to tell him what to look for.

“All I demand from my sitter is to concentrate and to look at me and tell me what to look for, but I don’t have any preconceived ideas,” he said. “I’m looking for the identity of my sitter. My sitter tells me who he is by allowing me to inspect his face. If you believe that, it’s a very good way to live your life, because we all want to look our best, and maybe if we are kind to other people that will show up in our faces – I think it will.”

Mary York/Staff

SNAPPING UP THE OPPORTUNITY —Photography students from SWC cover a VIP pre-screening party at the San Diego Film Festival. Students were invited to help cover the event, which included multiple red carpet premiers, Q&A sessions with screenwriters and directors and a myriad of private parties throughout the weekend.

B4

October 4 - November 5, 2015 — Volume 59, Issue 2

Page Design By Mary York

BACKPAGE

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

Photographers Stars shoot for the

Story & Photos By Mary York/Photo Editor

D

FLASHES OF GREATNESS —Jose Islas, a photographer and administrative secretary at SWC, takes photos of A-list invitees at a pre-screening party in the Gaslamp for the San Diego Film Festival.

ACTING UP —Academy Award winners Adrien Brody and Geena Davis appear on the red carpet for the San Diego Film Festival to accept awards for their contributions to the industry and society. Brody, whose film “Septembers of Shiraz” premiered during the festival, received the Cinema Vanguard Award. Davis took home the Reframed Humanitarian Award for her efforts to promote justice and equality through film.

PACK ACTION — Photographers from SWC work together to cover the red carpet at a prescreening party in Downtown San Diego. With just enough time to pack their equipment, the photographers still made it to the evening’s next two events, the premier and the Reframed afterparty.

ressed to the nines and fashioned with all-access passes, Southwestern College students hit the red carpet of the 14th annual San Diego Film Festival, not to walk it, but to shoot it.

SWC’s growing photography department was invited to send 10 student volunteers to act as official staff photographers for the nationally-renowned event which drew several Hollywood stars and dozens of filmmakers, writers and actors.

Miriam Figueroa, 40, photography, said the event was taxing physically, but exhilarating.

“It was a rush,” she said. “You’d go home late and you’d work on a few pictures, probably get about four hours of sleep and then come back the next day and start shooting some more. As soon as you get up and hit either the Gaslamp or the La Jolla area, the rush kicked in again and you were awake.”

Figueroa, a mother of two, said she was particularly excited to see Academy Award winner Geena Davis (“Thelma & Louise”), who graced the red carpet of the ArcLight Cinemas in La Jolla on the second night of the event.

“I was really impressed with Geena Davis,” she said. “She gave this whole speech about how there are so very few females in that field of work. I actually recorded it for my daughter. It was really powerful.”

Figueroa said she was not star-struck, despite seeing Hollywood big-names like Academy Award recipient Adrien Brody (“The Pianist,” “Septembers of Shiraz”), Chris Rossi (“Meadowland”) and up-and-coming actor John Boyega, who has a leading role in “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.” Oscar winner Susan Sarandon (“Atlantic City,” “Thelma & Louise”) was there in partnership with the San Diego Film Festival to debut their Social Justice Initiative.

“The highlight for me, truthfully, was just being there interacting with the other photographers,” Figueroa said.

SWC photographer Jesus Nevarrez, 23, an accounting major, agreed.

“For the most part, (seeing celebrities) on the red carpet didn’t matter,” he said. “You’re doing what you like, shooting the red carpet, being there with people who work in the industry who are already professionals.” please see Stars pg B3

A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH —John Boyega, featured in “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens,” crosses the red carpet to receive the Rising Star Award.