Sept. 20, 2012
An Associated Collegiate Press two-time national Pacemaker award-winning newspaper, serving as the voice of the students since 1922.
Riverside, CA | www.viewpointsonline.org
Vol. xci, No. 2
Riverside City College
A future with serious concerns Riverside Community College District faces an $8.2 million cut if Prop 30 fails on the Nov. 6 California ballot For
News
see Pages 2-6
Jesus Velasquez / Photo Editor
Reality is here: The Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees announces its support for Proposition 30 at the Board of Trustees meeting. RCCD Chancellor Gregory Gray said Proposition 30 helps the District avoid an $8.2 million cut if it passes in November.
Highway construction affects RCC page 3
RCC football season starts with a loss page 17
RCC art instructor inspires students page 13
2 | Sept. 20, 2012
Viewpoints
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Jesus Velasquez / Photo Edjtor
Seeking aid: Riverside Community College District states it supports
Proposition 30 because the proposition helps community colleges and it prevents an $8.2 million cut in the current academic year for the district.
‘Plan B’ talks are in the works Riverside Community College District passed their annual budget and have officially endorsed Proposition 30 as of Sept. 18, plans are now in the works for a worst case scenario if Proposition 30 fails. The first of the talks is scheduled for Sept. 21 and includes administration, instructors and representatives from the teachers association. They will go through a cost by cost analysis according to the chancellor. “If someone comes and says we should purchase three rolls of toilet paper instead of four then that cost 98 cents,” Chancellor Gregory Gray said during a board meeting. For their part, the teachers association hopes that the discussions will be truly open “I think as a whole we have lost the ability to communicate with each other and hear each other out,” said Dariush Haghighat, president of the faculty association. “I still believe we will survive this. I still believe in the state of California with the seventh largest economy. I believe in our faculty, I believe in our staff, I believe in our administrators if only we were to come together and have an honest discussion.”
ASRCC host open forum on Prop 30 Associate Students of Riverside City College will host two open forums on proposition 30 scheduled for Sept. 20 and Oct. 17 at 12:50 p.m. These forums are the first push from to educate students about the proposition and encourage students to vote. “Its a very important issue that we need to discuss and its very relevant to all of our students,” said Hadia Bendelhoum, Supreme Court Chief Justice of ASRCC. Prospective congress members Mark Takano and Jose Medina will be speaking at the forum. “I feel like it’s our duty as ASRCC to relay this message to all of our students and get them involved in this and aware about it because it affects us directly,” Bendelhoum said.
Voter registration being pushed through ASRCC
New to the program this year, Associate Students of Riverside City College are driving students to register to vote. ASRCC is partnering up with the non partisan group Mi Familia Vota to drive student voter registration on Oct. 2. “We always want to drive students to go online to register to vote because you have no idea who you are signing up with,” said Doug Figueroa, president of ASRCC. “The only reason why we are partnering up with a non partisan group is because we know they’re legal, we know they’re ethical, we know they aren’t doing anything with the information compared to a lot of solicitors here on campus. We have no idea what they do with the information they get.”
Services to be cut; tailgate party first to go Football tailgate parties will no longer be held during home games as the money that has traditionally been put forward is no longer available. “In the past the district has funded tailgate parties and this year they have not provided any money for tailgate parties,” said Doug Figueroa, president of ASRCC. The district and the college have been forced to work within the budget shortfall and as a result are no longer funding tailgate parties. ASRCC’s budget has also been impacted and they may no longer be able to offer services that they offered in the past. “Our budget has been cut as well,” Figueroa said. “Since our finances have been cut there are a lot of activities that we are going to have to start cutting if we don’t either increase our student activities fees or get funding.”
Cultures will be on display at RCC Four cultures will be put on display starting on Sept. 24 as a drive by ASRCC to raise cultural awareness. “The purpose of multicultural awareness week is to highlight some of the cultures that we have here on campus,” said Doug Figueroa, president of ASRCC. The cultures that will be highlighted during Cultural Awareness Week will be European, Middle eastern, African and Hispanic heritage. “Riverside city college is pretty unique in the realm that we have so many diverse cultures on campus so many diverse people that we represent,” Figueroa said. “Although it does not encompass 100 percent of the cultures here on campus it at least highlights those and bring to light diversity.”
RCCD fights its biggest challenge The Riverside Community College District choses to support Prop. 30 to save itself Javier Cabrera Editor-in-Chief With the presidential election crawling closer, California Community Colleges, along with their faculty and students, are preparing to witness a make-or-break deal that can impact the future of Community Colleges in a positive or negative way. The deal is the outcome of Proposition 30, which increases California’s sales taxes by one-fourth of a cent and adds an income tax surcharge to residents of the state who earn more than $250,000 annually. The tax is scheduled to expire after four years and the income tax component is scheduled to end after seven years. Gregory Gray, the chancellor of Riverside Community College District, said Proposition 30 helps Community Colleges and would save RCCD from an $8.2 million deficit; which would go into play in the District’s second term that starts in January if the proposition fails on the Nov. 6 California ballot. The RCCD Board of Trustees voted 4-0 on the 2012-2013 academic year budget for the District on Sept. 18, as the board is aware that the budget can change down the road. Chancellor Gray said the District is preparing for a Plan B, in case the proposition fails, as he is scheduled to meet with a group of 45 people, which include faculty members and students at a meeting on Sept. 21 at the Riverside City College culinary arts center at 8 a.m. Gray said he and the Board of Trustees are going to listen to others as they pitch ideas to them about how the District can reduce $8.2 million from its budget if Proposition 30 does not win on Nov. 6. He said his job at the Sept. 21 meeting is get everyone updated with the latest condition of the District. “I am going to remind everyone of the District’s fiscal (policy), in terms of the reductions we have taken with the budget in the past four years, totaling $60 million,” Gray said. He said everyone at the meeting will look at the state mandate cut, which is $8.2 million that is expect to affect 1,808 full time equivalent students in the District. “It is important for all of us to understand the numbers,” Gray said. Along with the meeting on Sept. 21, Gray said he has been talking with the
District’s financial management team and they are going through an idea that would allow the District to borrow money to get through the year and have the reductions take place over an 18 month period if RCCD is faced with an $8.2 million cut. Gray said he is submitting an opinions editorial to The Press-Enterprise at the end of the October, which outlines his approval on Proposition 30. The District is also submitting a formal letter to The Press-Enterprise that indicates the support the Board of Trustees has received from faculty and students on the resolution the board voted for in August which states RCCD’s support for Proposition 30. Gray said the District has constituent groups with money, who are going to put out an ad on behalf of RCCD in The PressEnterprise that indicates the District is supporting Proposition 30. He said he has been trying to educate as many people as he can on the difference between Proposition 30 and 38. Proposition 38 raises $10 billion a year in a span of 12 years but it does not support Community Colleges, only K-12. Gray said he encourages everyone to spread the word and tell everyone that there is a difference between the two propositions, and everyone needs to support 30 and reject 38. “(Proposition) 38 will hurt us,” Gray said. The Riverside City College faculty union has publicly announce its support for Proposition 30, after it agreed in a unanimously decision, according to Mark Sellick, vice president of the union. “The main reason the union is voting for Prop 30 (is because it) funds Community College education whereas Prop 38 only funds K-12 and early childhood education, but not early childhood education that is associated with RCC,” he said. “We are defending our District, our students, our faculty and our institution.” The Associated Students of RCC, Norco College and Moreno Valley College are also supporting Proposition 30 as all three are advocating for it. “We are trying our best to advocate for this prop and publicize it as much as possible,” said Noemi Jubaer, the RCCD student trustee. “We need to get the word out; it is about education right now.”
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Illustration by Stacey Patino
Seekers want Traffic jam near RCC to be honored Source: CalTrans Robless Media
Students will have to navigate through barriers Jordan Ward Staff writer A $232 million construction project on the Highway 91 is anticipated to be a heavy cost for many RCC students trying to get to class. The High Occupancy Vehicle lane project calls for statewide reconstruction of Highway 91, with the addition of one high occupancy vehicle lane down its center. In a report from the Riverside County Transportation Commission, Supervisor and RCTC’s chair John J. Benoit describes the project as a means of eliminating bottleneck traffic through the construction of a state-of-the-art freeway corridor with improved ramps and bridges throughout the entire six-mile span. After Sept. 15, 14th Street overpass bridge will be reduced from six lanes to two, in order to accommodate in its demolition and eventual reconstruction. In a newsletter sent out by the RCC Admissions Office, one travel lane will be available in each direction;
with long-term lane reductions in effect until 2014. The bridge itself is scheduled for demolition the nights of Sept. 17- 20. Along with the 14 th Street Bridge, the Ivy Street Bridge, the Cridge Street Bridge, and the Pachappa Railroad Bridge will be demolished and rebuilt as well. With recent construction to the 91 and surrounding overpasses in downtown Riverside, Shelli Lombardo, CalTrans public information officer, said that time delays will not be considered in student attendance. “In a meeting with Student Services it sounds like no one will be given any slack,” Lombardo said. “Students will still be expected to arrive on time for their classes.” She goes on to say that it will take four to five days for traffic to finally smooth out getting on and off the freeway. To facilitate in students being able to arrive on time to class, Shelli advises many to consider taking Central Avenue and Mission Inn Avenue, and has provided maps of alternate routes
also. With no leniency being made on student attendance, opinions vary on whether Student Services have considered the effects construction will have on students trying arrive to class. “Teachers should accept the fact that we’re going to be late because of construction, “said Jenna Campbell, RCC student athlete. Having to drive into Riverside early in the morning for practice, Jenna’s immediate questions center around why exceptions can’t be made for tardiness. Others disagree. For Dominique Little John student attendance should be based solely on a student’s initiative on getting to class on time. “ I t h i n k t h a t i t ’s t h e responsibility of students to arrive on time for their classes, regardless of the construction being done on the freeway,” said Little John. “Exceptions wouldn’t be made if you had to get to work on time, so why should they be made to getting to school?”
Jordan Ward Staff writer Cookies, lemonade, laughter, and stories marked the first Honors Open House. On Thursday Sept. 6 the RCC student body was invited to Quad 207 to learn the benefits of the Riverside Community College Honors Program, and to be a part of an atmosphere that fosters freedom of thought and expression. The RCC honors program is uniquely different from many courses offered on campus as outlined during the open house. The program offers smaller seminar styled classes that promote active participation in order to facilitate in more in depth discussions. The reduced class size prevents students from simply hiding within the class, while encouraging critical thinking over topics and opinions. Attendance was centered on giving prospective honor students crucial information in developing an educational plan for their future success. Through the encouragement of meeting current honors program students, those interested in the program came to understand the pros and cons of
the curriculum and their respective instructors while sharing their hopes, opinions, and academic prowess. Dr. Thatcher Carter, RCC Honors Coordinator, went over the RCCD Honors: Student Handbook during a brief orientation. The orientation emphasized the types of classes, activities, and core values of the Honors Program. “The main goal of the Honors Program is to prepare our students for success in four year universities,” said Dr. Carter in a recent interview. Along with the main goals, the Honors Program is an essential opportunity based on what it means for those in it. Bill Fergus, current honors student, describes the point of the program for students unable to attend a four year university because of extenuating circumstances. “The program provides students with the same challenges of a four year university,” said Fergus. “It puts them in an environment with more challenging classesmore interesting classes- that’s conducive to those who are more focused.”
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Being forced to finish early Riverside City College students are expected to finish their Associate’s degree within 100 units Jordan Ward Staff writer Riverside City College marked the beginning of its new priority designed to create space in the registration process for first time freshmen on July 23, but longtime RCC students are questioning the administration’s concern for their academic goals. Due to recommendations made by the California Community College Student Success Task Force, the Riverside Community College District has instituted a maximum cap of 100 units. In past years complaints over the lack of class space has become increasingly apparent. “Before the new policy, students were advised to take more units to have priority registration for classes,” said Edward Bush, vice president of Student Affairs. “The new policy limits the number of units to change the order of registration for first time freshmen who couldn’t get into the courses they needed.” Bush said the main goal is to give newer students a chance to achieve success in college. Bush went on to describe that the effectiveness of the unit cap does not prevent students with 100 units to register. But for Jonathan Flike, the former Associated Students of RCC president and science major, the unit cap made it almost impossible for him to get the classes he needed. Having been advised to take
Albert Melendez / Asst. Photo Editor
Staying on track: Riverside City College students are now stuck trying to figure out what their plan is for the new priority regulation that pushes students at the end of priority registration if they exceed 100 units. more units, Flike was shocked in receiving an email of his registration date being pushed back to Aug. 18. “I called the Admissions office about my registration date because it didn’t make sense,” Flike said. “I was told that the District was instituting a new program and that there was nothing they could do for me; then they hung up the phone.” According to The PressEnterprise, Flike along with 1,274 RCCD students, were pushed to
the back of the registration list in order for students to enroll with specific goals, attend full-time and earn an Associate’s degree to transfer to a four-year university. Although he was caught off guard, Flike continued to call. “I felt hopeless, angry, and irritated by the excuses given by the administration,” he said. Having had his appeal approved for the Monday registration, Flike continues to question the overall effectiveness of the 100 unit cap. “‘Why would they target the
small minority of students who have completed over 100 units?’” he said. “Those who do complete over 100 units are often the ones that take the classes and move on.” The student body has mixed feelings over the purpose of the new priority registration policy in providing more space for student enrollment. The general opinion among new and longtime students is that enrollment should be based on grade point averages with
registration policies that allow for more classes to be open to students continually working toward their degrees; with lower grade point average students placed last on the registration list. Anthony Jackson, an RCC student in his second year, said some students don’t take classes for the right reason. “I think it’s unfair to students trying to complete their AA degrees, but I know there are people who take classes just for the financial aid.”
New technology makes a giant textbook lighter than a chip E-books are becoming popular for college students because they are affordable and accessible Manuel Gray Staff writer The world today has become an digital era. Today’s generations has turned to electronics for everything. One example is the way college students can read their textbooks from their iPad or tablet. The Bookstore at Riverside City College offers many ways to acquire textbooks such as renting, buying and even accessing it online using E-books. The Bookstore serves thousands
of students a semester, offering different ways to purchasing textbooks. An innovative way the Bookstore has helped students out is by offering E-books. “This is the direction of the future as students grow up in the digital world; electronic books are going to be more important,” said Stacey. Weidner, the manager of the RCC Bookstore. “Barnes and Nobles wants to offer students choices and digital content is a choice; we offer rental, used, new and digital books.”
Albert Melendez / Asst. Photo Editor
The new trend: The popularity of the new E-books are becoming trendy amongst the RCC students.
For Fall 2012 the Bookstore has 857 E-books on its shelves. They also offer 308 free seven day trials for any of those students who want to try the E-book and 829 rentals were offered to students. The Bookstore offers nook study E-books that students can either rent or buy, and they work on PC’s and Mac’s. The E-books can be downloaded to two computers, accessible offline, look and layout identical to the physical textbook, and can be copied and printed with limitations. Students that are worried about the high prices of textbooks can rent a textbook and save 50 percent off of new prices, and with the Ebook can save 60 percent savings depending on the publisher. Some students’ concern with purchasing the E-book was that some of their instructors don’t allow electronic devices in their classroom. “I am always on my laptop, doing homework for my classes and I even purchase an E-book which I find easier to slug around, but in the past, I did have some professors that didn’t allow me to use my laptop in class,” said
Desiree Ybarra, an RCC student. Some students said it would be more convenient for them to use the E-book because they are always using their electronics. “If I am able to use my Macbook in class; I wouldn’t mind purchasing the E-book,” said Tyler Wright, an RCC student. Abel Rodriguez, another RCC student, said he did not discover the E-book until it was passed around to him by his other friends
who use E-books. “I didn’t know what the Ebook was at first, but talking with friends, who purchased the Ebook, said it was less money spent on the actual textbooks,” he said. One RCC instructor said the instructors at the college do not allow electron devices in their classes but the instructors can make the exception to allow students to use their laptops in class if they are using an E-book.
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Grant awarded to writing club
The National Organization of Poets & Writers distributes a grant to a creative club Brianne McClaflin Staff writer Riverside City College is attracting attention from famous writers and poets around Southern California. Some of these writers are scheduled to visit the campus this fall to give readings and answer questions. The National Organization of Poets & Writers received a grant from the James Irvine Foundation, in which Poets & Writers distributed money to RCC’s Stay Classy Creative Writing Club. The grant will go to funding the September and October literary readings. The club received $100 each reading, which provides a modest stipend for the writers who volunteer to read at the college, and participate in question and answer sessions. The James Irvine Foundation gave a grant of $40,000 to Poets & Writers in June 2011 for a term of 36 months, to support P&W’s re-granting program for funding writing events. P&W’s main goal
is to provide fees to writers who give readings or conduct writing workshops. The grant allows for these events to be of no cost to RCC students, faculty their our community. In fall alone there will be five different literary readings with writers, poets, and novelists. Students of the club are excited about the grant and the future it provides. They are already making preparations for incoming writers who plan to speak to students. “I love interviewing people,” said Alexandra Contreras, club president of the Stay Classy Creative Writing Club. “I love introducing people and understanding people; finding the essence of who they are, getting the concept of their work, and understanding their character. In a sense, they become almost a part of me. They influence my work.” The club is focused on providing a supporting outlet for RCC writers. This allows writers to come together and share their work
and to be a part of a community where people share the same passion and love for writing. The activities provided by the club includes readings, creative writing exercises during club meetings, planned club outings, and open mic readings offcampus. These activities provide an opportunity to be surrounded among the artists and the art itself. “Writing has so much to it. It’s a way to express myself. It is a key, an escape, a meditation; a way to get to know myself. Writing is a masterpiece that is so much a part of me,” Contreras said. “You want to do it, you are passionate about it. You want to meet authors and go the extra mile for it.” If you want to learn more about the Stay Classy Creative Writing Club, or about future events the club is hosting, don’t hesitate to drop by a club meeting. Meetings are located in Room 212 of the A.G. Paul Quadrangle, on any Tuesday during college hours from
Stacey Patino / Staff illustrator
Writing club recieves gift: The James Irvine Foundation funds RCC’s Stay Classy Creative Writing Club. 12:50 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.. They will also have a booth at Club Rush. “We’re always excited to have
new people on board,” said Joe Scott-Coe, instructor of English adviser of the club.
ASRCC agrees to a revised budget for the new year Devin Hardy Staff writer The Associated Students of Riverside City College is forced to work with a budget of $435,213 for the 2012-2013 school year. However this budget is consistent with last years budget. With a new ASRCC president, Doug Figueroa the budget has seen some major cuts and some great improvements. The ASRCC is responsible for funding on campus athletics, District organizations, Executive offices and campus clubs. This results in spreading the budget across four different departments. The Athletics Department received $213,200, almost half of the whole ASRCC budget. This is an increase of $7,375 from the following year’s total of $205,825. The district organizations are set to receive $104,454. This also is an increase of $11,134 from last year’s budget. However the executive branch has decreased
Jesus Velasquez/ Staff photographer
revised budget: ASRCC approves a new budget for RCC clubs and organizations for the 2012-2013 school year. their budget $14,650 allowing extra funds to be diverted to the school clubs and district organizations. The Campus Clubs will be seeing an increase in their funding this school year raising their budget from $30,375 to $46,729. Also inside each of these different programs and
organizations there have been individual cuts to allow for a better distribution of funds. “We want to pump more money into the arts and into the theater to show that athletics are not the only avenue for students to become engaged,” said ASRCC president, Doug Figueroa.
To receive funding, groups must submit a written proposal to the ASRCC budget committee. They are then awarded funding based on club size, how often they meet, how many events they hold throughout the year and how many people attended their events. The funding for campus groups and organizations is often not enough to cover all of their expenses. Samantha Denney a student and member of RCC’s Dance Squad said, “The dance budget helps but we still have to do lots of fundraising for uniforms and to travel to larger events.” The ASRCC budget committee consists of 10 different student body members whom were either elected or appointed to the three ASRCC branches, Judicial, Legislative and Executive. This 10 members committee has been chosen to represent the whole student body at the RCC. After each club and
organization on campus has submitted their budget request to ASRCC, the Treasurer then submits the committee’s final budget decisions to the ASRCC Senate. The senate will then need a two-thirds majority vote for the budget to be passed. The budget is then submitted to the ASRCC president for approval before it can be sent to the college president for final approval. When the ASRCC approved to increase the district organizations budget, they were helping to put money directly into some really under-funded programs. This in turn has helped move the budget toward a more balanced representation of the student body. “I think it is super important to give more funding to these smaller organizations so they can attempt to attract more members by having more of a visible presence on campus,” said Del Dunston, a student at RCC.
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Students crush for Club Rush
ASRCC host Club Rush and encourages students to find their own niche while at RCC Tech Center last semester to the blocked off street just north of the AG Paul Quadrangle. Both club members and students were pleased with the choices ASRCC made when putting on this event. “I like the location much better because at MLK it was a little crowded and students were usually rushing through there to get to class or lunch,” Marin said. “This area is more relaxed and students can come as they please or rush through to class without any struggle.” Taylor is also pleased with the increased flow of student traffic and believes that this event is much better than it has been in the past. “I like how we’re on the street rather than on the MLK steps,”
Taylor said. “I think last semester we were sort of annoying people because we were on the walkway and its better for foot traffic here. We also have the vendors here so it’s definitely a lot better from last semester.” Student approval pleases ASRCC, but their main goal moving forward includes getting as much of the student population as possible to be involved on campus. “It’s unfortunate that it’s such a small percent of our campus that’s involved,” Figueroa said. “We want to impact 100 percent of the student population here on campus and when we provide avenues like this for them I think we’re doing our part as students for them to be able to do that.”
Jesus Velasquez/ Staff photographer
Walking to the beat: Fransisco Salas and Jackie DePaz survey the clubs on display Jeremy Fuerte Staff writer On Sept 18 and 19, Associated Students of Riverside City College hosted Club Rush, an event held each semester geared towards getting students more involved on campus. “This is the livelihood of students experience on campus,” said Doug Figueroa, president of ASRCC. “Statistics show that the more that students are engaged in anything in college the more successful they are so it’s important for us to really build up clubs. Not only for student engagement but it also provides an outlet for students to be involved in.” Students aren’t the only demographic who are impacted by Club Rush. Clubs ranging from
the Well Christian Club to Gender and Sexuality Awareness Club are given the opportunity to have their biggest recruitment drive of the year. “I think it’s very important,” said Chandra Taylor, vice president of the Well Christian Club. “It helps us get our club out there and let the students know we’re here on campus.” Claudie Marin, president of the Student Sustainibility Collective, recognizes Club Rush as their biggest opportunity to recruit of the semester. “I think it’s our biggest membership pull of the semester,” Marin said. “Students want to join a club at the beginning of the semester so it’s nice seeing all of the clubs being presented.”
Club Rush helps to spread the word about clubs on campus and ASRCC hopes there is a club for everyone. “When we think about 100 percent of the student body here on campus we need to think about the different cultures about the different passions that students have,” Figueroa said. “Generally the students who want to get involved in something like active minds is a psych major, Figueroa said. “The student that is involved in biology; we have a club for that. We have a club that represents nearly everything on campus,” Figueroa said. In order to get more students involved in Club Rush, ASRCC changed the location of the event from the Martin Luther King High
Jesus Velasquez/ Staff photographer
Seeking interest: Members of the Feminists Unite Club educate students on the importance feminism.
RCC raises faculty parking fees amidst contention
Na’llah thomas/ Staff photographer
A new frontier: A faculty member shows what it is like to purchase permits online Tabithaq Carranza Staff writer The main topic of discussion this season at Riverside Community College seems to be about the parking on campus and the price of it. This semester, the issue of
parking is not only for the students, but for the faculty as well. Most professors who teach around the year buy a parking permit annually. Although there was talk about raising the annual permit $50 more, it didn’t happen.
But not all prices were spared. A permit for a single semester was raised $25 from last year. This affects the part time staff and instructors that don’t teach throughout the whole year, like Ms. Dawson, Associate Professor
of Mathematics, who doesn’t teach the winter and summer sessions. “I used to buy [the permit] annually, but not anymore,” she stated. Along with the price, other changes have also been made. Staff must pay for their permits online. Most of the faculty members prefer to pay through the network. Dr. Thompson, Professor of Administration of justice said, “It’s definitely more convenient.” Although it is easier to pay online, there seems to be a privacy issue with having to use their credit card information for some faculty members, but not Professor Dawson. “Some staff members are having a fit about it,” she said, “I don’t mind it though.” Other than having to use their credit card information, most staff like paying online because it’s faster and easier. “I had my parking permit in my hand in a week,” said Dr. Thompson. This year, a main issue amongst the students is finding a parking space. So does the same go for the faculty? It actually seems that parking has gotten better,
according to Professor Joyce. “This semester, I just pull right in [a spot],” he said, “No problem.” Everyone knows that that parking at RCC gets better with time, and Dr. Thompson agrees. “The first month is the biggest problem.” he said. “Other than that, it seems that the school has done its best to accommodate its staff.” Overall, the faculty seems to be ok with parking and the parking permits they have to purchase. The price isn’t a huge deal for some of the staff members. Professor Joyce made a point that “everything’s gone up” during these hard times, and parking is no exception. Some staff members, however, don’t understand why RCC makes faculty pay for parking, when other schools don’t. Professor Dawson asked, “Why do we have to pay?” The answer is not really clear. However, with more parking for the staff and the convenience of paying for their parking permits in their own home, most of the faculty members don’t have a lot to complain about this year.
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EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Javier Cabrera (951) 222-8495 viewpoints@rcc.edu eic@viewpointsonline.org MANAGING EDITOR Destiny Rivera 951-222-8488 managingeditor@viewpointsonline.org ADVERTISING MANAGER Breanna Roybal 951-222-8488 ads@viewpointsonline.org FACULTY ADVISERS Allan Lovelace Jim Burns NEWS EDITOR
Jeremy Fuerte news@viewpointsonline.org
Image courtesy of: Arial Black (10/12) Illustration by Jackie Trejo
Election Misdirection
OPINIONS EDITOR
Dominique Smith opinions@viewpointsonline.org INSCAPE EDITOR
Conner Munson inscape@viewpointsonline.org
Everyone knows now there is no money for education and the restraint is tighter. Gov. Jerry Brown has introduced our Holy Grail; the Jesus shaped toast, the tortilla with the face of Mary Magdalene, our savior Proposition 30. Proposition 30 is an initiative that will raise sales tax by one-quarter of a cent for four years, and an increase on taxpayers who make more than $250,000 a year for seven years. It will also guarantee public safety funding and housing for prison inmates. It is for all of us wishing money would rain down and soothe the wound left by the 2008 defeat of Proposition 92 that would have lowered tuition and added 10.46 percent of allocated funds to Community Colleges a year. To confuse voters even further this November there is a second proposition with similar guidelines and a few small differences. Separately, both appear to be earnest ideals to fix this horrible crisis facing schools, but taking a deeper look proves that Prop 38 is missing a big chunk of what needs to be done. For instance: Proposition 38 wants to raise revenue for our K-12 and Head Start education programs, alienating those in the college system. It also wants to raise taxes on all individuals at least four-tenths of 1 percent on incomes after deductions of $35,000. No one wants higher taxes; this is the exact reason Proposition 92 failed in 2008. This bill has a clear definition of how it will only fix k-12 schools. At first glance, these are two fantastic ideas to raise money for education. However, all educational institutions in the state of California are suffering, whether the teachers’ union is pissed off or the community college is suffering because of waitlisting and overcrowding. There is no need to have two tax measures on a ballot that undermine the other, all it does is confuse voters and force them to pick sides that are virtually the same. There is no money for education, early childhood development is suffering, colleges are suffering why not merge the two ideals and raise $10 billion to add to our
SPORTS EDITOR
James Williams sports@viewpointsonline.org FEATURESS EDITOR
Iyanna Matthews features@viewpointsonline.org PHOTO EDITOR
Jesus Velasquez photo@viewpointsonline.org
STAFF Stacey Patino Ashley Alvarez Jennifer Espinoza Gerard Quevedo Ekezie Aranotu Devon Everett Jonathan Rivas Monique Berduo Miriam Fenton Brittany Robles Shani Booker Ryan Gordon Brigette Borjon Anthony Gutierrez Seles Rodriguez Yohonna Brewer Manuel Gray Nicholle Salvtierra Usman Siddiqui Nishe Butler Devin Hardy Luis Solis Tabitha Carranza Paul Harris Amanda Centeno Michelle Mathis Na’Ilah Thomas Lorenzo Chappell Donte Henderson Adriana Verdusco Jared Walker Courtney Coleman Marjean Howard Jordan Ward Brian Contreras Jarred Jackson Travis West Tim Cornell Lizbeth Landeros Kayla Corral Jerimiah Madden Roshanika Williams Dennis Cruz Brianne McClaflin Juliana Zapata Matt Dziak Albert Melendez Sean Egle Susan Parker
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college and K-12 budgets instead of having it separately. The risk of both measures cancelling each other out will just force us into another four years of more cuts. Students won’t want to finish college nor enroll their children in programs because they won’t be worth anything in the end; not because we don’t have money, but because we fail to realize how to generate that money to save ourselves. For the college-minded, Proposition 30 is the better of the two initiatives if you ignore the fact that money will be divided among other programs and that sales tax will be at 7.50 percent rather than 7.25 percent. For supporters of K-12 education, a measure that restricts the government from spending money set specifically for education is an outstanding idea, because that’s how this whole mess got started in the first place. It also gives money and keeps teachers and students in classrooms. So how can you be asked to choose? The community colleges have already fixed their budgets as if Proposition 30 will pass. Which means if the proposition does not pass, an estimated $6 billion in cuts can come down, which will strangle colleges even further. So how can you be asked to choose which is the better choice when the choice has already been made for us? How can we be asked to deny the child a right to preschool or education? Why would anyone use an opposing bill to confuse the rest of us who have no idea what’s going on in the school system? Just imagine losing summer and winter quarters, and then being asked to leave because you’ve been in college too long. This money has been grossly mismanaged for years. Unfortunately, this November you’re going to have to choose, Prop 30 is the only bill on the ballot that wants education for all, Prop 38 just seems to be a ploy to distract us from what is important. This degradation cannot get worse, college can’t keep closing its doors. Prop 38 is just a trap to distract us from what is really important.
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Sept. 20, 2012
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Viewpoints is a public forum, First Amendment newspaper. Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. © 2012 by the Viewpoints staff, Riverside City College, 4800 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA. 92506-0528. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the Viewpoints Editor-in-Chief.
Viewpoints
8| Sept. 20, 2012
Opinions
Serving students since 1922
A new party emerges in 2012 Matthew Dziak Staff Writer To prevent a loss in votes, the Republican Party has engaged in a legal battle to prevent Libertarian party candidate Gary Johnson from being the third name on the ballot. With the 2012 presidential election just six weeks away, the Libertarian party has been gaining popularity among voters. The Libertarian movement was popularized by Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, who has participated in the Republican primary race of 2008 as well as 1988 Presidential race as a Libertarian. Former governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson is on the ballot as the 2012 Libertarian presidential candidate in place of Paul, who chose not to run but rather support Johnson’s bid. Although unknown to the masses, Libertarians derive their views taking the best of what the two larger parties have to offer. They believe in a laissezfaire fiscally conservative economic model, a common view of Republicans, while socially they believe in granting all civil liberties to citizens, allowing one the freedom of choice. They believe that our economy should be a free market that does not involve government intervention in the form of bailouts, and eliminate the federal taxation of income, interest on savings or earnings. But Libertarians do find themselves alienated for certain bold views they hold that others find to be irrational, especially Republicans.
Alejandro Talavera / Special to Viewpoints
Party time: The Libertarian party is looking to change the face of elections in 2012 with Ron Paul backing the Gov. of New Mexico Gary Johnson. Republicans have tried to shut down this party but they have made it on the ballot. For one, Libertarians believe in civil liberties that would allow the legalization of narcotics and also the release of prisoners who were convicted of non-violent drug possession charges only. Conservative voters take issue with those beliefs and are partly the reason why Paul was unsuccessful in gaining the Republican nomination as a candidate. However, the belief in liberty is a belief in choice, that American citizens should have the choice to engage in the use of drugs such as marijuana. This has been a hot topic for many Californians that has been voted on as a proposition in prior elections. The Libertarian parties believe these drugs should be enforced, regulated, distributed and have laws similar to that of alcohol. They also advocate for major
cuts from the outlandish spending of the federal government. According to usdebtclock.org the national deficit now stands at $56,999,398,079,433 trillion. Another drastic view is the elimination of the Federal Reserve, commonly referred to as the Fed, as an economic governing body. Libertarians believe it is the Fed’s strategic blunders for economic booms and bubbles such as banks selling default mortgage backed securities. This contributed to the economic recession of 2008 that America is still trying to recover from. The Fed possesses the power to print money, which decreases the value of the American dollar when printed too much, control of interest rates charged to lend banks money, as well as its purchasing power of bonds.
Johnson owned and operated a successful construction business prior to his eight year tenure as New Mexico’s Governor where he left a $1 billion dollar state surplus behind. After a recent USA Today poll of registered voters, nearly five percent said they would cast their vote for Johnson. Wi t h t h e r a c e b e t w e e n President Barack Obama and former governor Mitt Romney tightening, the number of voters supporting the Libertarians could be the difference in the election. The frivolous claim by the Republicans that those who will vote Libertarian are not actual Libertarian Party voters has been thrown out in every state including Ohio, Iowa, and Illionis, all of which happen to be swing states as well. There has been a slogan
introduced by social media outlets to label the 2012 presidential election as “voting for the lesser of two evils.” The Libertarian party does not have enough funding or campaign contributors to compete with the millions in advertisement spent in the two larger parties. Yet, gaining enough voter support to simply concern the two larger parties that voters have a third option on the ballot could be the key for the party to assist in bringing about the change that America has yearned for and was promised four years ago. For voters afraid to put their hopes and trust in the two candidates from the major parties this is a breath of fresh air. A new party going into a new direction, now that is a real change. We’ll just have to wait and see how this all pans out.
Michelle Obama’s Speech changes face of election
Michelle Mathis Staff Writer Figuring out who to vote for in this upcoming presidential election in November can seem tough and frustrating, but if you heard Michelle Obama’s speech, she made your mind up for you. On Sept. 4, Obama delivered what is already considered to be one of the finest speeches ever given at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC, according to Gordon Stewart of CNN. Obviously, the intent for her speech was to support and promote her husband, President Barack Obama, as well as explain
to the public why she believes her husband should be re-elected as president. The praise and focus however, was not on Barack, his policies, or even his presidency for that matter, but instead her speech was centered on the themes of love, hope, and family values. She dwelled on specific stories: such as her father working very hard to not only support their family, but struggling to pay for both her and her brother to go to college through student loans, as well as, recalling Barack’s grandmother facing inequality in the workplace because she was a woman. All of her experiences definitely hit home with many Americans and especially the Democrats, who, according to E.J. Dionne Jr. of the Washington Post, were brought to tears. If you were once confused
or at the very least curious as to who is going to win the 2012 presidential election, Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton confirmed Barack’s victory considering the overwhelming great responses to both of their speeches. Obama’s speech was not only heartfelt and emotional but it was relatable to many American Citizens. When you think of the people in the spotlight we tend to dehumanize them and put them on a high pedestal as if they could do no wrong. Obama quickly defused that theory concerning her family by recalling past memories dealing with poverty, financial burdens, inequality, illness, etc. Her humble beginnings resonated with a majority of the American people because her relatable experiences created such a strong impact. The idea that the Obamas are average
everyday people really opened many citizens’ minds causing them to truly listen and understand what was at stake during this election. Regardless of one’s political views or beliefs, no one could deny the authenticity in her emotion when talking about her love for being a mother and her love for her husband. That “love” compared to the “love” she demonstrated when talking about the greatness, the motivation, and her passion for Americans and the United States seemed to be one in the same. This largely felt emotion confirmed how much the Obamas truly care for their country and everyone’s well-being in the United States of America. Obama did eventually recap on Barack’s policies because in the end it is still a political convention. Michelle Obama humanized Barack by recalling personal
stories of their past and relating to millions of Americans which is the opposite of presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Obama’s emotional impact was authentic and real; it personified them as real human beings with everyday problems. Michelle Obama could have spoken more of Barack’s policies, such as abortion and gay marriage, making that part of her speech coincide equally with the emotional appeal. Michelle ultimately made the right decision in keeping the American minds focused on the emotional rather than the political because we all know how dependent we Americans are on our emotions. This speech is without a doubt going to impact the presidential election. Everyone might as well get used to Barack because after this speech it is unlikely he is going anywhere besides the White House.
Viewpoints
Opinions
Sept. 20, 2012 | 9
Serving students since 1922
Survey says 47,000 waitlisted Devon Everett Staff writer Waitlist. The very word that puts dread into a student’s heart. A survey of California’s community colleges revealed that 47,000 students this fall were on waiting lists. This reflects the State’s recent budget cuts that have prevented community colleges from providing additional classes. Thousands of college students place themselves on waitlists, leaving their pursuits of higher education to chance; and every semester, thousands of students are left empty-handed.The system is crumbling before our eyes. The Los Angeles Times had reported that California’s community college system, which happens to be the nation’s largest, has suffered roughly $809 million in state funding since 2008. They face another $338 million in cuts next year if Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed tax measure gets rejected. This is one of the many reasons we have to vote this Election Day. Believe it or not, your vote matters
and your voice can be heard. The colleges have been struggling with staffing issues as well. The Los Angeles Times revealed that 70 percent of community colleges have reduced their hours for support services such as financial aid or counseling. They also have a total 87 percent drop in staffing. Now, to make matters worse, 82 percent of the schools, including RCC, are not planning to have a winter term. All in all, the budget cuts have had a deep effect, deeper and more painful than getting a penicillin shot in the behind. We have reached an impasse. Students need certain classes to graduate, but most of these classes are completely full. Students have taken arbitrary classes just to increase their priority, just to be pushed to the back of the line. Students are doing everything in their power to contest the situation, but our voices just aren’t being heard. What are we to do? Many students, like Keenan Johnson, have tried crashing classes, emailing professors, and even meeting with the head of a department, just to be met with the same fate. “If you weren’t here on the first day of school and your name is not on the waitlist, there’s nothing I can do for you.” Johnson contributed to an article by The Press-Enterprise assessing the starkness of the situation.
albert melendez / Staff Photographer
Over Crowding: A survey reveals that 47,000 students this fall were on waiting lists. This reflects the states recent budget cuts, which have caused classes to be cut. “The experience (of trying to add into classes) has been like a crowded day at Disneyland,” Johnson stated to The PressEnterprise. “They just let in as many people as can get in, and you can’t get on any rides.” The situation isn’t getting any better. With the economy in its current state of affairs, the demand for higher education isn’t getting smaller, but the constant budget cuts are creating a dilemma for college administrators. “Adults going back to school with hopes of new careers along with caps on university enrollment place a greater demand than ever
on colleges, which have fewer resources than ever,” Dan Troy, state vice chancellor for financial planning and fiscal services for California Community Colleges, reported to The PressEnterprise. “If they had the money, we could grow and do a lot of good for the state… and set up the state for economic recovery. “However education, especially higher education, doesn’t have the constitutional protections or federal requirements for matching funds that many other state services have when the legislature and governor scramble to adopt a budget that at least seems to balance,” he continued. “I don’t think anyone
is particularly happy to cut the colleges’ funding.” At this fact, we need to take a stand. If we stand idly by and do nothing, the situation is only going to get worse. But what can we, as students, possibly do? Consider writing to your congressman denoting the current state of affairs. If the federal government is alerted of such a crisis enough they are likely to take action. The biggest thing you can do is pay attention to politics and vote. Democrat or Republican, what really matters are the smaller measures, and it’s the little things that make a big difference.
Keep education free of prejudicial injustice
DOminique smith Staff writer Education in the United States is an endeavor sought by most people looking at the glass globe and planning their future. What most people do not know is the difficulties that lie in the stigma of being called an “illegal immigrant.” For the first time the stigma is being broken down. President Obama passed the DREAM Act that would allow undocumented minors to get financial assistance and an opportunity to get their residency. Most people do not understand what the DREAM act is or what is actually stands for or the steps that it takes to be granted one. T h e D REA M a c t i s a n abbreviation for Development, Relief, and Education of Alien minor act. It allows minors up until the age of 16 to be afforded the chance to go to school, or the military
where they would otherwise be denied to them because of the lack of citizenship. The act only applies to citizens that have lived in the United States for more than five years, this applies to 800,000 people. When did this nation become such a nation of greed and intolerance? For years the right to education for the poor has always been something that American citizens fight for, better schools, and better education. However when it comes down to it, no one wants to move over and make room for people who have every right to advance and better their lives right alongside of us. This country was founded on immigrants, George Washington the first president of this United States came here from England. All through out history wars have been waged, people have died preserving the right for everyone to come to this country in the pursuit of freedom. Yet we lose sight of this because we refuse to take the time to acknowledge that people see America as a power house of education and wealth, and opportunity. It has always been this way and people who do not support the DREAM act assume that just
stacy Patino/sTAFF ILLUSTRATOR
because we allow children to come into this country and be educated ,that we are basically giving a free pass. This is not true and it is ignorant and intolerant. Every person who comes to the United States deserves a fighting chance. The DREAM act was passed into Law by Obama; on Aug. 6 2012. Republicans believe it is a waste of tax payer’s money, and that it will make it even harder for the college systems to accommodate this extra burst of students. No one should deny education
for anyone. This country always has money for wars, or for campaign conventions but helping to advance its people is always on the back burner. This country was founded by Four Americans and in their constitution the one that every citizen follows and learns today. It states: “…insure Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
United States of America.” We ask people applying for citizenship in this country to remember not just those lines, but the whole entire preamble of the constitution. Yet we don’t uphold these things ourselves? O n A u g . 1 5 G o v. J a n Brewer issued an executive order preventing non-citizens in the State of Arizona from obtaining their drivers licences, and public documents for young undocumented immigrants. Why anyone would want to come to this country is beyond me, but it should be their choice.
Viewpoints
10 | Sept. 20, 2012
Sept. 20, 2012 | 11
Serving students since 1922
FASHION’S NIGHT OUT
Albert Melendez / Staff Photographer
Albert Melendez / Staff Photographer
ON THE CATWALK: Models, Peggy Mars and Oscar Barajas
A Culmination of culture: Fashion’s Night Out featured
saunter down the elevated runway.
a myriad of entertainment, including break-dancing.
Monique Berduo Staff Writer
As the sun begins to set and the lights flicker on, music fills the city with the background sounds to pay tribute to the art many admire and literally live in. The wind kicks up and the models step on the runway as the audience is welcomed by the beginning of a night where fashion, art and creativity are honored. According to the official Fashion’s Night Out Facebook fan page, FNO is a global initiative that first began in 2009 to honor fashion. The event served as “An attempt to restore consumer confidence and boost the industry’s economy during the recession.” Originally the FNO kicked off in New York City and since then each year has brought about hundreds of new cities eager to take part in this new found event.
“This is the second year we’ve done it [Fashion’s Night Out],” said Jannice Penner, the Executive Director at Riverside Downtown partnership. “I went to my board and said, ‘I think it’s a great idea.’ It will help promote our shops, and bring people to downtown [Riverside].” Phyllis Clark Fashion design instructor at the Art Institute of Southern California first pitched the idea to host FNO in 2011 since Los Angeles had hosted the event as well in 2009. Last year crowd attendance rounded out to about 1,500 and this year the hard work and efforts of the community attracted triple the amount of attendance at about 4,000. FNO festivities began with the “Red Dress Flash Mob” presented by the American Heart
Association, a ’50s “pin-up” themed hairstyling competition, “Destination” themed fashion show along with the presenting of the Riverside Downtown Partnership Fashion Star Award and several after parties throughout downtown. Phyllis Clark, the fashion show producer, was inspired to create a “Destination” theme for this year’s runway show. “I’m from LA but, this [Riverside] is home,” said Clark. “So I wanted to bring Los Angeles and New York to Riverside. I said this is going to be ‘destination’ style on FNO night.” The Riverside Downtown Partnership Star Awards winner was AI Fashion student, Susana Tostado. Her vintage styled outfit designs came to
life on the catwalk and won her a cash price, a trophy and a title with bragging rights. The event kicked off worldwide Thursday evening on Sept. 6, along with the grand opening of the Aurea Vista boutique and the monthly Riverside Art Walk. Both events celebrating the Aurea Vista and Art Walk agreed to take part in Fashion’s Night Out. Aurea Vista agreed to have their official grand opening that night and the Art Walk artists featured wearable art and fashion themed exhibits and films. Phyllis Clark’s overall message through FNO to the fashion consumers is that downtown Riverside offers a very unique shopping experience. The owners of the boutiques that line the streets purchase their merchandise in New York, Europe, and Los
Angeles, so they aren’t like corporate mall stores. “[They’re] one of a kind, they are owners that have really taken into heart and thought about their customers when they go and buy merchandise to sell in their stores,” said Clark. “So come on out, it’s beautiful!” To say Fashions Night Out was a successful event last year would be an understatement. The affair not only had a great turnout for their first time but, according to Jannice Penner, many of the participating shops sold out of their merchandise. This success served as an incentive to start planning for the event in advance and pair up with the new Aurea Vista shopping concept. “We were very pleased with the success of the event as far as tripling our attendance and participation,” Penner said. “We look forward to making it bigger and better next year.”
Viewpoints
12 | Sept. 20, 2012
Serving students since 1922
Opinions
Education may not get you far Jeremy Fuerte Staff Writer It’s the first week of school; your professors are probably mundanely reading off their syllabus word for word, telling you how important attendance is and how you should study two hours for every hour in class, but they’re probably leaving out one crucial fact. Your degree may not be worth it. They aren’t telling you this because education is a business and no matter whether they say they’re public, private or for profit, at the end of the day, they need to fill their coffers full of Benjamins. If they don’t, they either have to cut their pork or risk jumping off the fiscal cliff. Talk to anybody who has been through the system and majored in something like philosophy and they may tell you they’re the most intelligent employee at Walmart. So let’s take a moment to talk about what you lose when you’re enrolled in any college.
One of the assets you lose is your hard earned money, or if you’re lucky enough to receive financial aid, someone else’s hard earned money. Every unit you take here at Riverside City College is $46 out of your pocket. Assuming you’re taking at least a full course load of 12 units, you will have spent $552 for this fall semester for registration alone. Take into account your textbooks, parking permits and other fees required on web advisor, can easily spend $1,000 dollars for 17 weeks worth of instruction. This isn’t anywhere near the full sacrifice you’ll be making when you attend college though. The number one asset you’ll be sacrificing is your time, and that’s an asset you will never be able to get back. Assuming you devote all of your time to school, you could have used that time working. Even working a full time job at minimum wage, you’ll have forfeited $1,280 before taxes, and while the majority of employers are willing to work around your school schedule and give you part time work, some just won’t. I learned this the hard way when I was terminated from a position at Walmart when I refused to drop school after they refused to give me two days off for school. At $8.25/hr, I knowingly accepted the fact that I would forfeit $5,280 in income for four months.
Jackie Trejo / Staff Illustrator
Add your forfeited wages to the cost of attending college, and you can easily have forfeited a net worth of $6,000. Compound this by 60 units over two years, and you’ll have an idea of what two years worth of a community college will cost you. Tr a n s f e r t o a f o u r- y e a r university, and you can easily be thousands of dollars in debt after earning your degree. Going into college you should know this. Coming into college someone, whether it be a professor, a councilor or a random columnists should tell you that after digging yourself into thousands of dollars
in debt, you may not have a career to fall back on afterwards. I have a friend who after attending University of California Irvine and earning a bachelor’s in philosophy, is now one of the most intelligent unemployed people I know. He spends his days climbing at an indoor gym, contemplating about earning a second degree, and stressing out over the $5 worth of credit he has left on his card. When attending college, you should be aware of the fact that premier four-year institutions crank out so many degrees in key subject areas that the job market
can’t keep up. It is a fact you should take into consideration when attending college and pursuing your degree. It’s a degree that may not be worth anything in the long run. Sure, college isn’t just a tool to land yourself a career, though it is one of the most important factors. It’s also a place to build connections, grow and participate in life changing discussions and events. But at the end of your four years, you may be the most intelligent person employed at Walmart with the largest debt to boot.
Viewpoints
Sept. 20, 2012 | 13
Serving students since 1922
Robert Jew: Living the dream Monique Berduo Staff Writer After accomplishing all your childhood dreams and goals what could possibly be the next best thing to do? Some might say retire and others might suggest settling down to start a family or simply make new dreams to aim towards. Riverside City College’s art professor Robert Jew, has revealed a more satisfying alternative that can be found right here on our college campus. Aside from his underlying passion and interest in all things music, Jew has always loved art and everything that has to do with the field since he was a child. As a child Jew was unsure about what it meant to make a career out of art; although, he knew that a career in art was what he wanted to chase after in his adult life. In high school an art teacher, Charlotte Zen, helped direct Jew to an art college. From there everything just fell into place for Jew. “In class I always relate it [art] to just living and how creating art is such a metaphor for all kinds of aspects of just living life,” said Robert Jew. “How you solve problems, how you observe different things, and how it relates to life. [Art is] really interesting.”
Gerard QuEVEDO / Staff Photographer
PICTURE THIS: Robert Jew demonstrates to his student the difference between positive and negative space. “It doesn’t seem like you’re doing work,” Jew said. “It always seems like it’s work when you’re doing something that you’re not too happy about doing.” Before Robert Jew was an art professor, he worked as a freelance
Gerard Quevedo / Staff Photographer
A LOOK IN: Professor Jew shares his experiences as a former free lance illustrator for almost 20 years.
illustrator for almost 20 years. Jew had the privilege of working with many different people who gave him the chance to display his talent. About 13 years after Jew had graduated high school he was asked to work on a project with none other than Charlie White, a popular 1970s artist. White was known as the “rockstar” illustrator and his work was everywhere. White invited Jew to help him with a new project to design a casino in Las Vegas, Nevada known as Treasure Island. Another one of Robert’s biggest inspirations was the ever famous Disney Studios. Jew received a call from Disney Studios requesting that he attend a meeting with their show producers. Before long, Jew was working on illustrations of a jungle scene for Disney Quest, an attraction at Disney World in Florida. Jew also had the opportunity to join American hard rock band, Van Halen, on tour designing art for merchandise. Jew was also brought back to his alma mater, the Art Center in Pasadena, as a professor. Now Jew works as an art professor at RCC where he continues to live out his dreams by reminding his students to hold on to theirs and do everything it takes to succeed in fulfilling them. “I come here and hang out with (the students) and just help them attain whatever dreams they might
GERARD QUEVEDO / sTAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
positive INSPIRATION: “Hold on to your dreams and
don’t think nothing can happen like that, because I can tell you stuff I dreamt about in high school came true.” want to have,” Jew said. “I can practice my skills with them, and paint along with them or whatever and at the end of the month they put money in my account! It’s like what’s there to complain about?” Co-worker and close friend,Dayna Peterson, says that Jew is ideal for what he does being that he teaches with the same drive and motivation that he used to fulfill his dreams. With that mentality Jew is able to help his students achieve their dreams. “He’s a hard worker, he expects the hard work,” said Peterson. “He doesn’t necessarily expect
it to come easy, and I think that; that could be inspiring to his students.” “And I tell [my students] to literally hold on to your dreams and don’t think nothing can happen like that, because I can tell you for a fact stuff I dreamt about in high school [came true],” said Jew. “That’s why I get so excited about this field.” Jew is now able to look back on his life and take pride in his many accomplishments. From participating in projects with famed artists to inspiring and motivating his students, Jew’s life is a reflection of his talents and desire to succeed.
Viewpoints
Serving students since 1922
14 | Sept. 20, 2012
Remembering our heroes
Brittany robles Staff Writer
The 8th Annual Remember Our Heroes event took place this past weekend at Fairmount Park. Moms of Military, a Prayer and Support Group for Women with Military loved ones, brought this wonderful event together to show support for our troops, to remember the fallen and those of 9/11. The event produced many people, despite the heat, and was a welcoming environment for all. There were tents set-up along the band shelter, each one with different activities such as face painting and balloon animals, and other tents had snacks. The Moms of Military had their tent next to the American Legion Post 289 and another tent honoring the victims of 9/11 with photos for each of them and an image of a candle next to their names. In the main area people brought camping chairs and food to have picnics of their own and listen to the live band play. Others who weren’t picnicking enjoyed spending quality time with their families at the park and taking in all the festivities of the day. Around the park there were police officers, retired Air force and Marine members and active-duty Soldiers. The CHP had their own tent set-up next to the EMT’s and the Military convoys. There also were three Sheriff women on their horses looking over everything and handing out stickers to little kids who went over to pet the horses. A Riverside Police Officer
who works in the Canine Unit held a demonstration with one of their dogs and another officer, whom was a specially trained dog-handler. He pretended to rob a woman, so that the dog would attack him, to show what their dogs are capable of doing “on the street.” I spoke with one of the officers, Vance Hardin, a Lieutenant for 30 years on the Riverside Police Department. “This is my first year attending the event. I used to work on the south side of Riverside, so I went to events on that side,” Hardin said of being at the event, “Now, that I work in the north area, I attend events over here.” Lieutenant Hardin has lived in Riverside his whole life; he attended RCC then went to Cal Baptist. His father was a police officer too, so that’s what enticed him to join the force. Hardin works for the Area Command, but has also worked the Gang Units, Narcotics, SWAT Team, and Watch Command. After things got settled Brian Jerz sang some slow Jazz songs until it was time for The Master of Ceremonies. Dallas Colvin said The Pledge of Allegiance and Mckaela Dillon sang The National Anthem, God Bless America and, of course, ‘Wind Beneath My Wings.’ Mary Badalamente, the leader of Moms of Military, said a few words, along with Mike Gardner and Rusty Bailey and Pastor Dan said a prayer. When everyone was finished with their speeches they unveiled the banners
Joel Meyerowitz / WWW.911exhibit.state.gov
Never Forget: America’s heroes restore New York city shortly after the Sept. 11 tragedy in 2001. On Sept. 9, 2012, Fairmount Park hosted an event in honor of those in 9/11. for the eight Soldiers who gave their lives serving our country. Bill Stamper was one of the Firefighters on stage during the whole ceremony. Stamper has been a Battalion Chief for 35 years with the Riverside Fire Department. “This is my second or third time coming to this,” said Stamper. “It was hard to get a job anywhere thirty-five years ago and I took a dozen exams. Riverside was the one to pick me up. I lived in the Torrance area, but I wanted to move closer, to somewhere rural. Riverside wasn’t rural enough for me, but Yucaipa was cheap and rural so I moved there and raised my family,” Stamper said, “I liked
the idea of helping people when they are most in need and can’t help themselves.” He listed the five stages Firefighters have to go through, they go from Firefighter to Engineer to Captain, First Line Supervisor, to Upper Management, Battalion Chief, and the last step is Chief of Department. Bill Stamper commented about his career: “The likelihood of promoting is remote, but I like where I’m at.” To begin the conclusion of the event a Soldier and a leader from the Moms of Military group did the Reading of Names of Our Fallen Heroes, which went all the way back to 2008. When they were done, there was a Moment of
Silence led by Pastor Dan Bishop, while the Marines did a gun salute, one played the bagpipes, and another played an around-the-neck drum, during the Candle-lighting. Everyone gathered around the stage with their candles in hand and stood quietly honoring and remembering our heroes. For more information about the Moms of Military visit their website at www.momsofmilitary. com or call 951.359.3582 ext. 105 or email them at momsofmilitary@ sbcglobal.net. They hold their meetings at the Riverside Free Methodist Church on Diana Avenue on the fourth Thursday of each month.
Sept. 23
Sept. 24
Vi ew p o i n t s E n t e r t a i n m e n t C a l e n d a r Sept. 20
EVENTS Blues Traveler, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers at the Fox Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m.
Sept. 21
Sept. 22
EVENTS EVENTS Into the Woods at Into the Woods at Landis Performing Arts Landis Performing Arts Center at 2 and 8 p.m. Center at 8 p.m. Riverside Maricahi LeAnn Rimes at Fox Festival at Fairmount Park Performing Arts Center at at 9 a.m. 8 p.m. Nocturnal Wonderland MOVIES at the Orange Show Events “House at the End of the MOVIES MOVIES Center at 3 p.m. Street” “Fame” “Fame” “End of Watch” “Surrogates” “Surrogates” “Pandorum” “Pandorum” “All Shook Up” at “All Shook Up” at MUSIC EVENTS EVENTS Landis PAC Landis PAC Green Day “Uno!” Riverside Fire Deaf Awareness Week: Alejandra Guzman at Alejandra Guzman at No Doubt “Push and Dept. Emergency American Sigh Language Pechanga Pechanga Shove” Prep Fair in front Storytelling at La Norm McDonald at Norm McDonald at DVDS of Riverside City Sierra Library Irvine Improv Irvine Improv “The Avengers” Hall at 10 a.m. Community Room from “American Horror Story” 3 to 5 p.m. GAMES GAMES “Dead or Alive 5” “FIFA 13”
Sept. 25
Sept. 26
Sept. 27
EVENTS Into the Woods at the Landis Performing Arts Center at 2 p.m. LA18 Harvest Moon Festival at Arcadia County Park in Arcadia from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
EVENTS Deaf Awareness Week: Football and Family Night! at The Big Cheese Pizza Co. from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sept. 28
Sept. 29
EVENTS Into the Woods at Landis Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. Three Dog Night at Fox Performing Arts at 8 p.m. Hispanidad Fashion at Galleria at Tyler from 5 to 9 p.m.
EVENTS Into the Woods at Landis Performing Arts Center at 2 and 8 p.m. Brian McKnight at Fox Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m.
Viewpoints
Inscape
Sept. 20, 2012 | 15
Serving students since 1922
I n s c a p e : Spotlight
‘Your Poem Here’ This week’s contest winner:
The Stay Classy Creative Writing Club is holding a contest throughout the fall semester called “Your Poem Here.” Writers can
submit poetry (1-25 lines) to stayclassycwc@hotmail.com, and possibly get published in the next issue of Viewpoints.
The next deadline is Sept. 28. The club meets every Tuesday 12:50-1:50 p.m. in Quadrangle 212.
Bird Calls by Michaelsun Knapp Dark eyed doves tell me about I do’s and I don’t’s and Why even bother’s.
a hummingbird cries “i’ll never be married.” over champagne glasses of rum
Hens chatter over bridesmaids bitching and spray tans and how to never let your tears ruin your make-up
Conner munson Inscape Editor
The Secret State is the now YouTube famous pop-rock band from Baltimore, Maryland. In the trend of exponential viral exposure, the band has seen recent success with the release of the music video for “Say It’s Over.” In just three weeks following its release, it had achieved 6 million views. In a meld of radio-friendly rock and synth-pop, The Secret State aims to please the masses. The idea of the band is slightly amorphous, in that, if one were to frequent nightclubs, one would likely come across the song bumping eternally into the depths of his or her ears. Despite the incessant dance nature of the sound, it would be heard, just as likely, in a stadium setting, similar to a U2 or Coldplay live act. In an opportunity to speak with the band, Daniel Martiniano, lead singer, said, “We’d be like if Coldplay and Lincoln Park had a baby” in reference to their sound. Viewpoints: How long has The Secret State been together? Martiniano: We’ve been together for about ten years, most of us from high-school Viewpoints: What are the accomplishments you’re proudest
of?
Martiniano: So far, We’ve made it on the radio in a few states. We’ve been able to open for quite a few big bands like Hinder and Jack’s Mannequin. We’ve also played at SXSW and had a national tour. Viewpoints: What are some of your inspirations, and what do they add, contextually, to the creation of your material? Martniano: We all like a lot of stuff, but think bands like, 30 Seconds to Mars, Coldplay and Lincoln Park respectively add unique factors into the sound as a whole. We have a relatively extensive background in classical music and we believe that we really put on a captivating show. We Have a sound we really believe in. The Secret State debuted their first single, “The Biggest Mistake” to Top 40 Radio, and will be present on sites like iTunes, Perez Hilton, YouTube, and the accompanying video will be released to VH1, MTV & affiliates (MTV2, MTVU) and various others.
Find them at: http://the secretstate music.com
Viewpoints
16 | Sept. 20, 2012
Serving students since 1922
Olympian returns to Riverside AWARDS AND RECORDS 2006 • Received the World Youth Champion High Point Award in the World Youth Games in Brazil for 18 and under 2007 • Named Captain of USA National Junior Team • Set meet record in the 400 Individual Medley (IM) at Junior Pan Pacific Meet • Set new Pan American Games Record in the preliminaries • Received Silver Medal in Finals as the youngest male member of the team with a time of 1:59.24 2009 • Named National Collegiate Athletic Associations Men’s Swimmer of the Year • Won NCAA titles in both the 400 IM and the 200m Backstroke 2012 • Won a gold medal in the 200m backstroke at London Summer Olympics.
James Williams / SpoRts Editor
shOT OF GOLD: The city of Riverside held a ceremony to name Sept. 8 as “Tyler Clary Day”
Medal Count: • Gold - 1 • Silver - 7 • Bronze - 3
in honor of Riverside Poly High alum and Olympic gold medalist Tyler Clary. james Williams Sports editor Residents of Riverside, among others gathered at the Riverside City College Aquatic Center to honor Olympic swimmer Tyler Clary on Sept. 8. He won his first career Olympic gold medal for the men’s 200 meter backstroke event in London, with a time of 1:53.41, which set an Olympic record. “It was a big deal in my mind for my career and my confidence,” Clary said. Clary never led the race until the final 50 meters. After a slow start, he made a strong effort on the final turn that got him into second place to start the final 100 meters
of the race, which eventually led to Clary catching up to the defending champion, Ryan Lochte, who was currently leading the race. “The other two guys that medaled in that event are capable of some pretty extraordinary things. I knew it was going to be a dogfight,” Clary said. Ryosuke Irie, from Japan, finished second with a time of 1:53.78 for the silver medal while Clary’s American teammate, Lochte, took the bronze medal with a time of 1:53.94. Lochte previously held the record before Clary, in the men’s 200m backstroke with a time of 1:53.94, which he set at the Olympic Games in 2008 at Beijing.
After breaking the record and winning his first gold medal, Clary looked up and pointed a finger toward the roof of the Olympic Park Aquatics Centre, as a way to honor his high school swim coach from Riverside Poly, Kevin Perry, who had passed away of cancer. “(He) got me to where I am today,” Clary said. “He’s definitely looking down and smiling.” Clary also took to Twitter in the early morning hours following the race, as he tweeted about his performance and what went through his mind at the time. “All I could think about after I saw that result was my high school coach Kevin Perry who passed away during my freshman year of college.”
Clary now has a chance to be a role model to younger swimmers, and have the same impact Perry had on Clary during his career. Clary spoke with students at Eastvale Middle School in Eastvale, CA, the day before the ceremony at RCC. “I will never forget walking from the stage back off the field and they were just reaching out to touch the medal,” Clary said. “It was very inspiring for me, just knowing I am having this affect on this many young people.” RCC swimmer and water polo player Andrea Antonissen believes that Clary’s performance at the Olympics may have a huge impact on the aquatic programs in Riverside County.
“I know that it means a lot,” Antonissen said. “The Inland Empire has a history of quality swimmers, and (Clary) exemplifies that.” Antonissen also thinks that Clary could be a role model and someone that young and beginning Riverside County swimmers may begin to emulate when they compete in the pool. “I think that it will give the young swimmers a new perspective and goals,” she added. Clary understands that his recent success can be an inspiration to aspiring swimmers. “If you look back at my history and where I come from,” Clary said. “If I can do it anyone can do it.”
Gutierrez and Guzman set the pace for RCC cross country jarred Jackson jennifer Espinoza SPorts Staff
The Riverside City College Cross Country team is preparing for its next season in hopes to do as well as they did last season. The RCC Tigers’ key athletes to watch out for are Luis Gutierrez, who won the overall conference and John Guzman, who got third in state last season. The Tigers ran well at the University of California Riverside Invitational, finishing as the highest California community college team and finishing 10 out of 25 teams. UC Santa Barbara was the top team overall. Asked about the preparation for the UC Riverside
Invitational and the Cross Country season, Coach Jim McCarron said. “Physically, we’ve had a good mile repeat session and we’re really working hard at practice. Mentally, we are really focusing on the books right now making sure they’re staying on their studies.” There are two athletes that are being looked at to lead the team this season. “Our top two guys are Luis Gutierrez and John Guzman; they are going to be No. 1 and No. 2,” McCarron said. “The guys we really should be looking for are three, four, five; those are the ones who are going to decide if we win state. They really have to come together as a pack and if they’re running together
and they are in the top 25 in races then we can win a title this year.” McCarron said. All the athletes who run cross country are required to run track as part of the program. “They always progress but some are better in one sport than the other but they pick up on it,” McCarron said. “For instance, Bennett Harris was fourth in the state in 800 meters but he’s not one of our top guys in cross country but he is an awesome 800 runner.” Guzman proved to be a top athlete on the team after he finished second at the Palomar Invitational to open the season. “John was the conference champion, he was
third in the state in the 10,000 meters and seventh in the 5,000 meters as a freshman, so he is legit, and he is a guy that, he and Luis can go No. 1 and No. 2 in the conference championship this year,” McCarron said. “Our third, fourth, fifth, and sixth (runners) need to really step up. Guzman ran an incredible race finishing one minute faster than his time last year at this race.” Guzman was sixth overall out of 175 runners and he ran an amazing 24:31. His time was the fastest time for a Tiger at the UCR Invitational in 24 years. More importantly, his four mile split was 19:32, which is the distance that the Tigers will be racing at for
the remainder of the season. His teammate, Gutierrez finished 29th overall with a time of 25:16 (20:02 for four miles), the fourth fastest time on this course in 24 years. Brandon Johnson was the Tigers third finisher with a time of 26:10, a full minute faster than last season at this race. Danny Ybarra (26:46) and Brian Glassey (26:52) were the fourth and fifth finishers for the Tigers. “This was a good test for the team, having the extra mile to run and running against top university competition we have a lot of work to do, but we are definitely heading in the right direction.”
Viewpoints
Sports
Sept. 20, 2012 | 17
Serving students since 1922
Tigers pounce on opposition Tigers win two straight after a loss in Week 1 that snapped the team’s winning streak matthew dziak Staff Writer For two years Zach Adkins found himself second on the depth chart as the backup quarterback, a position where few rarely get the opportunity to display their ability. Adkins finally got his chance to start at quarterback against the Palomar College Comets on, and proved he is worthy of being the Tigers leader going forward. The stellar play of Adkins, who was starting in place of the suspended Tyler Shreve, led the No. 14 Riverside City College football team to a 47-7 onslaught over the No. 10 Palomar Comets. “Hopefully coach (Craft) plays it in my favor,” Atkins said. “I worked hard all week and we will have to wait and see what happens.” This marked the first time RCC coach Tom Craft faced off against Palomar, a team he coached from 1997-2001. It was the Tigers first victory of the season after the 28-27 heartbreaking defeat against the No. 13 Ventura College Pirates. “We came together as a team in practice to get better and it showed tonight,” Atkins said. Adkins orchestrated a no huddle offense completing 25 passes on 33 attempts for 268 yards and four touchdowns leading the Tigers as if he had been the starter for a year. “It felt great to have everyone behind me,” he said. “I played hard for them and they played hard for me.” On the Comets opening drive, safety Chris Gonzalez recovered a Palomar fumble, setting up running back E.J. Schexnayder for a bruising touchdown run, giving the Tigers a 7-0 opening lead. The Tigers continued to build off of their lead when wide receiver Chris Tabron caught a 12-yard touchdown reception from Adkins to extend the lead to 14-0 in the
first quarter. Tiger ’s cornerback Nick Gathrite had an impressive second quarter, intercepting Ryan Lamb’s pass in the end zone preventing a Comet score. Gathrite also recovered Comet receiver Mike Hodges’s fumble that was forced by a pack of Tiger defenders. The Comets lone score came on Ryan Lamb’s 53-yard touchdown pass to the 5-foot-6-inch wide receiver Anthony Mount. Despite the Palomar touchdown, the Tigers still led at halftime 20-7. RCC extended its lead with three third quarter passing touchdowns by Atkins and outscored the Comets 27-0 in the second half. “We made a lot of halftime adjustments,” Adkins said. “We executed and were able to make the big plays.” The first was a 38-yard screen pass that was reeled in by Schexnayder for his second touchdown on the night. “Glory to God,” Schexnayder said. “I worked hard all offseason to impress the coaches and took advantage when my number was called.” Adkins also connected with his tight end Gus Penning for a touchdown, increasing the lead to 34-7 over the struggling Comet defense. “Gus made a good move off of the ball and I was able to connect with him for the touchdown,” Adkins said. Schexnayder carried the ground game for the Tigers, leading all rushers with 150 yards on 25 rushing attempts and three touchdowns. “This was all about preparation,” Schexnayder said. “We worked hard in practice to fix the mistakes we made in the first game and made plays tonight.” Continuing their success, RCC traveled to Mission Viejo on September, 15 and destroyed the
Dan Henley / Special to viewpoints
ESCAPING THE pursuit: Riverside running back E.J. Schexnayder eludes Palomar linebacker Eric Robertson in the Tigers 47-7 victory over the Comets at Wheelock Stadium. Saddleback College Gauchos 51-13. The Tiger offense used both Zach Adkins and Tyler Shreve at quarterback to combine for four passing touchdowns. However, the offense hit a snag in the first half, as the Gauchos forced the Tigers to punt seven times in the first half.
Coming into the game, the Sadddleback offense led by quarterback Tim Belman, was best in the Southern National Conference averaging 49 points per game. Yet the Tigers’ defense held the Gauchos to only one touchdown, 13 total points and intercepted two Belman passes.
Going forward in the season, coach Craft indicated that he will use both quarterbacks, switching off when one shows signs of struggling. “I normally do not like to use a two quarterback system, but we have two talented guys at the position that help our offense move the ball,” said Craft.
RCC quarterback ejected in Tigers first loss since 2010 matthew dziak Staff Writer Quarterback Tyler Shreve saw himself heading to the bench in the second quarter while the rest of the Tiger’s offense anxiously waited for a signal caller to lead the huddle. Trailing the No.25 Ventura Pirates 21-7, Shreve was ejected in the second quarter because of his involvement in a scuffle after a play and his second personal foul penalty of the first half. According to the Southern California Football Association rules, after a player receives two personal foul penalties, they are ejected and will also be suspended the following game. Although the ejection was
surprising, the greatest shock was the final score. With four minutes remaining, the Pirates quarterback Ebahn Feathers methodically progressed down the field using short and intermediate passing routes and found Dylan McDaniel on a slant route in the end zone to cap off the 91-yard game winning drive that gave the Pirates a 28-27 lead with just 39 seconds remaining. The 28-27 defeat was a shocking upset to most, as it snapped the No. 4 ranked Riverside City College Football team’s nation high 19game win streak dating back to the 2010 season. “Ventura is a good football team,” said Riverside coach Tom Craft. “We have to look at the tape and grow from this.”
The inexperience of the young Riverside team was on display early, starting the game with several blunders including a fumbled punt return by Devonn Brown that was recovered by the Pirate’s coverage team at the Tigers own 10 yard line leading to a Pirate touchdown. “We have a young team, 11 new starters on offense, eight new starters on defense,” Craft said. “We have to get better.” The momentum swung back Riverside’s way after sophomore quarterback Zack Adkins completed a impressive 12-of-13 passes in the first half, and also utilized the option run attack relying heavily on the legs of running back E.J. Schexnayder, who led all rushers with 74 rushing yards.
Adkins guided the Tiger offense to two touchdown drives tying the game 21-21 at halftime. Although Riverside outgained Ventura by 168 total yards on offense, the Tigers lost three fumbles and dug themselves too deep of a whole to climb out of with an astounding 18 penalties totaling a loss of 197 yards. “We could not overcome all the turnovers and penalties, it was a sloppy game on both sides,” Craft said. Tight end Gus Penning found himself a frequent target for both
Tiger quarterbacks. Penning, a 6’6 sophomore, outreached the shorter Pirate defenders and amassed 150 yards receiving on nine receptions. Adkins who led all players with 244 yards passing on 19 of 24 completions, had a wobbly pass intercepted by safety Matt Arve on the final drive, sealing the victory for the Pirates, handing Riverside their first defeat since 2010 against Mt. San Antonio College. “Zac played admirable,” said Craft.” It’s a game of inches and we did not get them tonight.”
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Viewpoints
18 | Sept. 20, 2012
Sports
Serving students since 1922
Men’s Water Polo stays competitive Tim Cornell Staff Writer The Riverside City College Men’s water polo team added one win and three losses to their current season record. The team opened the tournament with a loss against the West Valley Vikings 12-8. The Tigers defeated the Ventura Pirates to spoil their season opener 10-5. Playing their third game in two days, the team lost to the Diablo Valley Vikings 12-6. The Tigers lost to the Vikings in both of the teams’ two meetings last season. T h e Ti g e r s e n d e d t h e tournament against the home team the Cuesta Cougars. The final score was 14-12. In three meetings last season, the Vikings won all three. The first two games were in tournaments, while the third game was the last game of the season. After this tournament it gives the Tigers a 3-4 record and a 1-0 conference record on the season. At this point last season, the Tigers held a 2-5 record, with a 1-0 conference record. Last season, the team lost their first 4 games of the season. They won the next two games including the conference opener against Saddleback College Gauchos with a final score of 20-9. The Tigers next game will be the team’s second conference game of the season. The game will be against the Orange Coast Pirates. Last season, the Tigers defeated the Pirates twice in conference play. The Tigers defeated the Santa Ana College Dons 18-9 on Sept. 12. This victory gives the RCC Tigers a record of 2-1 on the season. It was also their opener for the Orange Empire conference. Overall, the Tigers had a 3-1 record in conference play. This put they second in the conference with nine conference points. They were behind Golden West who had 15 conference points and a perfect 5-0 record in conference play. The Tigers swept the Dons last season winning both games where the teams faced each other. The first game the Tigers won with a final score of 20-5. The second meeting of the season for the two teams was at the Orange Empire conference tournament. RCC also won this game with a score of 20-8. The Tigers started the regular season Sept. 7 at the Golden West Tournament in Huntington Beach, CA with a double header. The team dropped their first game against the home team, the Golden West Rustlers with a score of 18-10. The Tigers bounced back in their second game of the day against Los Angeles Valley Monarchs with a final score of 15-12. In the Tigers’ first game of the season against the Rustlers, utility Sean Evans led the Tigers’
with four goals. Evans is one of the five sophomores on the team this season. Goalie Nicho Morabito, a freshman, recorded seven saves for the Tigers. Golden West jumped to an early 8-3 lead after the first quarter and never gave up any ground to RCC. Golden West’s defense clamped down in the fourth quarter holding RCC to only one goal. “We always want to beat Golden West but did not fret about the loss too much,” Hass said. Last season, Golden West won both games against the Tigers, including one game in the OEC tournament. Center forward Christopher Forte scored four goals for the Tigers in the team’s second game of the day against LA Valley. Forte is a first year player, who really surprised the coaches. Assistant Coach Jason Northcott said, “We were not really sure what to expect from he, but he came out and was tied for the leading scorer on the weekend with six goals.” Sophomore Matt Hass also provided two goals and four assists in the tournament. Hass said of last season that the team “gave up too many goals. We scored a lot but we struggled defensively. This year I think we will be much better on that end of the pool.” Driver James Myers led the Tigers with three steals. The Tigers recorded 10 assists in the game against LA Valley. Morabito recorded 13 saves against LA Valley. The Tigers finished the game off on a really strong note. Putting up five goals in the fourth quarter. Hass said of the second game, “We came out against LA Valley with just as much if not more intensity and it worked for us.” Northcott said, “(LA Valley is) a team that was ahead of us all last year, so it was a big win for us.” LA Valley defeated RCC in both of the teams meetings last season. The Monarchs won the first meeting between the two teams last year 14-12. In the second meeting of the season, the Monarchs won 14-5. The team, coached by Nate Hass, looks to improve on the teams 11-18 record from last season, starting the season with a team that finished 28-2 last season. LA Valley ended with a 16-12 record last season. Ending the tournament with a win against them provided the RCC coaches and players with some optimism. Northcott noted “We got a plus three which is big for our seeding for regional’s later in the year.” Northcott is happy with the team’s chemistry. “This is not our most talented team, but this team right here has shown a lot of character, a lot of discipline.” The Tigers next home game of the season will be on Oct. 5-6 for the RCC Tournament at the RCC Aquatic Complex.
Marissa Bostick / Staff Photographer
Attack mode: Tigers’ freshman Megan Guerts has led Riverside to an undefeated record
Guerts piles up points for Tigers
(9-0), contributing 34 goals, 13 assists and 32 steals on the season.
Travis West Staff Writer The Riverside City College w o m e n ’s w a t e r p o l o t e a m competed in the Chaffey College tournament on Sept. 14-15. The Tigers first took on the Fresno City College Rams as well as the Cerritos College Falcons. Against the Rams, goalies Chelsea Dement and Summer Reyes shared time in net and combined for 10 saves as they shut out the Rams 18-0. On the offensive side, the Tigers had a full team effort with 12 players scoring at least one goal. Tying for the most goals in the game with four, were freshman Kekaikuihala McGee and Megan Guerts. The Falcons were the second opponent of the day and the most difficult opponent of the weekend for the Tigers. The Tigers found themselves trailing 7-5 late in the second quarter until Guerts netted two goals that tied the score for the Tigers just before halftime. Going into the second half of the game, Dement held the Falcons to two goals as the Tigers cameback to beat the Falcons 13-9. Dement had a total of 15 saves against the Falcons and Guerts finished the game with six goals, three assists and three steals. On the morning of Sept. 15, the Tigers faced the Chaffey College Panthers. The Tigers combined for 26 steals coming from multiple players as they beat the Panthers 15-2. Guerts once again led the team in scoring with four goals and seven steals along with Kailiponi McGee who also contributed with four goals. They finished their weekend with a game against the Cypress College Chargers.
The Tigers came out on top once again winning 15-3 with contributions coming from multiple players. Four players from the Tigers had a multiple goal game with the most coming from sophomore driver Emily Holmquist who finished four goals, one assist and one steal. The Tigers have competed in two tournaments since their season began. The women’s water polo team started their journey for a third consecutive state title on Sept. 7 at the American River Tournament in Sacramento, California. The team competed in four games in two days, and in those four games, they came out on top in each of their contest outscoring their opponents 70-4. In their first game, the Tigers took on the American River College Beavers. Head coach David Almquist and the Tigers took it to the Beavers, beating them 15-2. Utility player, Megan Guerts led the team in scoring with four goals. “Guerts led all scorers on the team averaging four goals a game,” said Almquist. “She was really quick.” Guerts is a two time first-team All-Valley selection in water polo from Murrieta Valley High School. Almquist said that the team played well, but still has plenty of room for improvement from the two meter mark, “We were shaky to begin with, but Tara Scheibler scored a number of goals at two meters to help us.” Tara Scheibler is a returning sophomore player, who is going to play a major role at center forward this season. Scheibler was productive this weekend, finishing with 10 goals and seven assists. In their second matchup, the Tigers faced the San Joaquin Delta
College Mustangs. The Mustangs could only score one goal against the goaltending tandem of Chelsea Dement and Summer Reyes. The two goalies combined for three saves. Almquist has plenty to look forward to in the net, “Dement played eight quarters and did not allow a goal,” said Almquist. Dement is also another returning sophomore player from the 2011 state championship team. Defensively, Almquist said the Tigers are, “sound.” They kept their opponents away from the net this weekend only allowing five goals in total over 16 quarters. Heading into their third game, the Tigers continued with the defensive play as the team combined for 26 steals in their second shutout against the Fresno City College Rams. Dannielle Wenzel contributed with seven steals as the Tigers shut out the Rams with a 20-0 victory. Reyes had eight saves at the net while Guerts led the way again with five goals and two assists. Almquist is confident that his team’s defense will help early on in the season while they find their timing on offense. “Our defense is real strong,” Almquist said. In their final contest the Tigers cruised to victory, beating the Santa Rosa Bear Cubs, 13-1. The Tigers did not give up a goal in the first or second quarter the entire tournament. Although there are some incoming freshmen, Almquist thinks the team has the right attitude for the task at hand, “We have not won anything. This is a new team and we have to prove ourselves,” Almquist said. When asked about what areas the team needs to work on for next match, Almquist said that they need to build a better flow on offense, “we need to be on the same page.”
Viewpoints
Sports
Serving students since 1922
Sept. 20, 2012 | 19
Players’ safety should be priority Sports Column
Anthony Gutierrez
Staff Writer
Football
Volleyball
Season Record Season Record 2-1 5-3 Conference: Conference: 0-0 0-0 Next game: Next game: vs LA Harbor College vs Victor Valley 12 p.m. 6 p.m.
Football Sept. 1
RCC 27 Ventura 28
Sept. 8
RCC 47 Palomar 7
Sept. 15
At Saddleback College 6 p.m.
Sept. 22
Vs LA Harbor 6 p.m.
Sept. 29
At Long Beach 1 p.m.
Oct. 6
Vs Fullerton 6 p.m.
Oct. 13
Vs El Camino 6 p.m.
Oct. 20
At Citrus 1 p.m.
Oct. 27
Bye Week
Nov. 3
Vs Desert 1 p.m.
Nov. 10
At Mt. Sac 6 p.m.
Men’s Water Polo
Women’s Water Polo
Season Record 4-4 Conference: 1-0 Next game: At Orange Coast 3 p.m.
Season Record 9-0 Conference: 1-0 Next game: At Orange Coast 4 p.m.
Cross Country
Next meet: At Central Park 9:30 a.m.
Basketball Next Men’s game: At Riverside 7 p.m. Next Women’s game: At Bakersfield TBA
Cross Country
Men’s Water Polo
Sept.1
RCC 9 Claremont 7
Sept. 7
At Palomar TBA
Sept. 7
RCC 10 Golden West 18
Sept. 15
At UC Riverside 7:30 a.m.
RCC 15 LA Valley 12
Sept. 21
At Central Park, Huntington Beach
Sept. 12
RCC 18 Santa Ana 9
Sept. 14
RCC 8 West Valley 12
18000 Goldenwest St. At Irvine Regional Park 9 a.m.
Oct. 5
RCC 10 Ventura 5 Sept. 15
1 Irvine Park Road Orange, CA
RCC 6 Diablo Valley 12 RCC 12 Cuesta 14
92869 Oct. 12
At Leadbetter Beach 3 p.m.
Sept. 26
At Orange Coast 3 p.m.
Shoreline Drive & Loma Alta
Sept. 28
Cal Baptist Tournament 8am-6pm
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Sept. 29
Cal Baptist Tournament 8am-6pm Oct. 26
At Irvine Park 10 a.m.
Oct. 5
RCC Tournament TBA
1 Irvine Park Rd. Orange, CA 92869
Volleyball
Oct. 6
RCC Tournament TBA
Oct. 10
At Fullerton 3 p.m.
Aug. 31
RCC 3 San Bernardino 2
Oct. 12
RCC Mini Tournament TBA
Sept. 4
RCC 3 Canyons 0
Oct. 17
Vs Saddleback 3 p.m.
Sept. 7
RCC 15 Mt. Sac 25
Oct. 19
Golden West Tournament TBA
Sept. 7
RCC 25 Mt. Sac 15
Oct. 20
Golden West Tournament TBA
Sept. 7
RCC 20 Mt. Sac 25
Oct. 24
Vs Golden West 3 p.m.
Sept. 7
RCC 25 Mt. Sac 16
Nov. 1-3
OEC Championships TBA
Sept. 7
RCC 12 Mt. Sac 15
Nov. 8-10
So Cal Championships at
Sept. 14
At San Diego Mesa All Day
Sept. 15
At San Diego Mesa All Day
Sept. 21
Vs Victor Valley College 12 p.m.
Sept. 21
Vs Grossmont 2 p.m.
Sept. 28
Vs Santa Ana 6 p.m.
Oct. 3
At Cypress 7 p.m.
Oct. 5
At Orange Coast 6 p.m.
Oct. 10
Vs Fullerton 6 p.m.
Oct. 12
At Saddleback 6 p.m.
Oct. 17
Vs Golden West 6 p.m.
Oct. 19
Vs Irvine Valley 6 p.m.
Oct. 24
At Santa Ana 7 p.m.
Oct. 26
Vs Cypress 6 p.m.
Oct. 31
Vs Orange Coast 6 p.m.
Nov. 2
At Fullerton 6 p.m.
Nov. 7
Vs Saddleback 6 p.m.
Nov. 9
At Golden West 6 p.m.
Nov. 14
At Irvine Valley 6 p.m.
Nov. 20
So Cal Regionals (1st Round) TBA
Nov. 24
So Cal Regionals (2nd Round) TBA
Nov. 27
So Cal Regionals (3rd Round) TBA
Nov. 30
State Championships TBA
Dec. 1
State Championships TBA
Nov. 16-17
Sept. 12 Sept. 14
At Woodward Park 9 a.m. 7775 Friant Rd. Fresno, CA 93720
Men’s Basketball Nov. 6
Scrimmage at Riverside 7 p.m.
Nov. 9-11
At San Jose TBA
Fullerton College TBA State Championships at De Anza
Nov. 20
Vs Miramar College 5 p.m.
Nov. 27
Vs Southwestern 7 p.m.
RCC 15 American River 2
Dec. 4-8
Riverside Holiday Tournament TBA
RCC 21 San Joaquin 1
Dec. 19
Vs Fresno City College 7 p.m.
RCC 20 Fresno 0 RCC 13 Santa Rosa 1
Dec. 27-29 College of the Canyons Tournament at Santa Clarita TBA
RCC 21 Santa Ana 3
Jan. 4
At Orange Coast 7:30 p.m.
RCC 18 Fresno 0
Jan. 11
Vs Cypress 7:30 p.m.
RCC 13 Cerritos 9 Sept. 15
20777 Lorain Rd. Fairview Park Nov. 17
Nov. 16-18 Tournament at San Bernandino TBA
Women’s Water Polo
Sept. 7-8
At Fairview Park 10 a.m.
Nov. 3
RCC 15 Chaffey 2 RCC 15 Cypress 3
Sept. 26
At Orange Coast 4 p.m.
Sept. 27
At Cuesta 3 p.m.
Sept. 28
At Cuesta Tournament TBA
Sept. 29
At Cuesta Tournament TBA
Oct. 3
Vs Cypress 3 p.m.
Oct. 5
Vs Northwood Aquatics 11 a.m
Oct. 10
At Fullerton 4 p.m.
Oct. 12
RCC Mini Tournament TBA
Oct. 17
Vs Saddleback 4 p.m.
Oct. 19
At Long Beach Tournament TBA
Oct. 20
At Long Beach Tournament TBA
Oct. 24
Vs Golden West 4 p.m.
Nov. 1
Orange Empire Championships at Cypress TBA
Women’s Basketball Nov. 9-10
At Bakersfield TBA
Nov. 15-17 Santa Barbra MXTE Tournament TBA Nov. 29
Gilcrest Invitational Tournament at
Dec. 2
Sequoias TBA
Dec. 7-9
L.A. Valley Monarch Tournament TBA
Dec. 13
Vs Mira Costa 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 14
Vs San Diego 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 28-30 Ventura VC Optimist Club Tournament TBA Jan. 4
Vs Orange Coast 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 11
Vs Cypress 5:30 p.m.
Football is a collision sport, a barbaric game displaying speed, strength, intelligence and violence. Because of the constant exposure to injury from being repeatedly hit, the sport has always posed the very real and serious threat of injury or even death to all who decide to step out on the field and play. Throughout its history countless rules have been modified to protect players from exposure to injuries, but the sport remains one of the most dangerous any athlete can choose to participate in. Changes in regulations are frequent, a reaction to the players that continue to evolve year by year into bigger, stronger, and faster athletes. Trauma from hits can result in minor injuries ranging from cuts, bruises, and sprains to more serious damage such as ligament tears, broken bones, and paralysis in some cases. On Oct. 16, 2010, Rutgers defensive tackle Eric Legrand’s career ended when he was paralyzed from the neck down after tackling a ball carrier during a kickoff return, fracturing his C3 and C4 cervical vertebrae. In recent studies it was proven that more than 40 percent of ex-NFL players are suffering from depression and dementia. On May 2, 2012, former San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau was found dead in his bed at his home in Oceanside, CA by his girlfriend, with an apparent selfinflicted gunshot wound to his chest. There were rumors that he suffered from brain damage due to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a condition related to concussion-related brain damage with depression as a symptom. An autopsy report released later in Aug. 2012 by the San Diego County medical examiner disproved this theory, revealing his brain showed no signs of damage. In June of 2012, it was reported that the NFL is currently facing lawsuits from approximately 3,000 former players claiming the league negligently handled the treatment of injuries suffered from concussions. Although the NFL enforces fines weekly for illegally striking the head, neck or face area and “launching” oneself towards a ball carrier, these injuries are still persistent. In an effort to revolutionize player safety, official helmet supplier of the NFL, Riddell has designed a helmet called the Revolution IQ that records the frequency and severity of impacts a player receives during practice or games. A relatively unknown fact is that on nearly every play in a game these players are subjected to hits varying from 50-100g. G’s are a measurement of G-Force, which is a measurement of acceleration against the Earth’s gravitational pull. 100g is the equivalent to hitting a windshield in a 25 mile per hour car accident. Equipped with six sensors placed at the crown, sides, and back of the helmet, it records the measurement of Gforce during impact. The Head Impact Telemetry System and Sideline Response System allow coaches and trainers to monitor on-field collisions on the sideline via wireless communication. Made commercially available for $999, this technology can be used to accurately determine how much force causes a concussion and what areas are more susceptible to injury. The helmet is already being used by several NCAA programs, while multiple NFL teams are seriously considering incorporating the technology as soon as possible. In studies done by the University of North Carolina between 2004-2006, players who wore the helmet during practices were shown to be more susceptible to concussions from hits just above 60g while others showed no signs of injury after a hit above 90g. Six out of the 13 players evaluated sustained concussions due to impacts delivered at the top of their head, as opposed to the sides. This information showed team doctors, coaches, and trainers that the location of impact plays more of a significant role in brain injuries. By studying these impact patterns, measurements, and pin-pointing areas that are more susceptible to concussions and brain damage, Riddell hopes to understand how much force causes concussions and use the research obtained to develop helmets that protect players more efficiently in the future.
20 | Sept. 20, 2012
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