Issue 10, March 3, 2011

Union El Camino College

March 3, 2011

Torrance, Calif.

Capoeira on Campus With Gov. Brown’s proposed budget cuts

WHAT’S NEXT FOR EC?

Rabiya Hussain Staff Writer

Mike Williams /Union Kevin Mercado, 18, film and theater major, demonstrates capoeira, a Brazilian fusion of martial arts and dancing.

In an effort to fix California’s economy, Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed a 6.8 percent budget reduction that would result in higher fees for students as well as a number of other changes to the California community college system.

According to the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, California’s economy is looking to correct a $25.4 billion deficit which would require spending to be cut by $12.5 billion while revenues will need to be increased to $12 billion.

Funding to several sectors, including higher education will be slashed, which may mean a total loss of $1.4 billion. The California State University system and the University of California systems would lose $500 million in funding each whereas community colleges would lose $400 million, according to the CSBA. However, the extent of the cuts is dependent upon several factors that break the future down into three possible scenarios.

The first of the three scenarios according to Jack Scott, Chancellor of California Community Colleges, would be the most beneficial to students.

It would require voter approval of the proposed June tax package, which would temporarily extend high taxes, originally due to ex-

pire next year, as well as bring a $10 per-unit fee increase which would generate $110 million in revenue for community colleges. The price per unit at EC would rise to $36.

Sylwia Ozdzynski /Union Should the budget be approved, the price per unit at EC would rise from $26 to $36 per unit.

“Even though it’s not a great solution,” Scott said, “the ideal solution would be… to take the cuts that Gov. Brown recommends and to have those taxes extended so we’ll not have to reduce the money to community colleges more.”

The second scenario would happen if the proposed June tax package fails and Proposition 98, which according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office “provides grade schools with a guaranteed funding source that grows each

year with the economy and the number of students,” is funded at a minimum.

In this case, the Community College League of California estimates that the effect to EC in particular would be a cut of almost $11 million that would be balanced somewhat by a $10 per-unit fee increase, bringing the net reduction to EC’s funds to about $9 million.

And lastly, if the tax package fails and Prop 98 is suspended, the Community College League of California estimates that the effect to EC would be a $19 million loss in state funds and fees climbing up to a $66 a unit in an effort to bring the net reduction of EC’s fund down to $14 million.

Christina Gold, Academic Senate president, said that officials are still unclear as to what the future will look like.

“Nobody knows what exactly is going to happen or how deep the cuts will be so they’re planning for each of these scenarios, we won’t know exactly until June,” Gold said.

Gold said that tuition fees will be going up regardless, with the effect being a drop in attendance at EC. “We’re going to have probably a 5 to 7 percent decrease in the number of students on campus,” she said.

Since the state only funds for a certain number of students, limits could hurt our budget even more.

Continued, see BUDGET, Page 2

Economic woes mean fewer opportunities for transfer students Rabiya Hussain Staff Writer

As a result of California’s shrinking budget for education, students will now need to meet higher admission requirements in order to transfer to universities.

In an effort to keep up with the economy, several universities have cut down on the number of students they enroll, but as the number of applicants continue to increase, competition as well as higher grade point average requirements begin to appear.

“In the past four years, transfer rates from EC to universities have decreased significantly due to the development of local admission areas by impacted CSU campuses such as CSU Long Beach,” Sue Oda-Omori, Transfer Center coordinator said.

Therefore, students attending a community college within the local area of a particular CSU campus are held to a lower GPA requirement while stu-

dents who are not in the local area are required to have a higher GPA. This development has led the number of students who have transferred to CSULB to shrivel from 449 students in 2006 to a mere 180 students in 2010.

“I don’t think local admissions area is a good policy,” Erika Ramirez, 22, art history major, said, “It’s unreasonable and unfair for students to be required to have higher GPA’s just because of proximity.”

Aside from the GPA requirements, a number of students like Ashley Anderson, 21, accounting major, are choosing not to transfer at all because of the high tuition costs.

Despite California’s economic woes, EC still can provide students with an alternative to going directly to universities.

“Even though our numbers have gone down,” Oda-Omori said, “we were No.1 in transferring stu-

dents to the Cal State system for 2009-2010 out of 112 community colleges.”

Transfer rates to CSU Dominguez Hills and CSU Northridge, two of a handful of CSU campuses that have not declared local admission areas, have seen a significant increase.

Even though several universities have lost a lot of their outreach budget, making it harder for them to visit campuses for student conferences, OdaOmori said universities are still making an effort to come to EC. “We have a really good reputation with universities and so we’re still lucky we are getting quite a few visits,” Oda-Omori said.

And according to Joseph Holliday, co-director of the honors transfer program, transfers to the more prestigious universities have not been affected as significantly for students enrolled in the honors program.

“We have a tie for the best transfer rate of any

other transfers program in the state,” said Holliday.

“The last three years we’ve had that high rate, despite the economy,” Holliday said, adding that out of the 120 honor students that apply to transfer every year, 80 to 90 percent are successful.

However, with the exception of UCLA and UC Berkeley, most UCs are having similar problems to CSUs; tuition costs are rising and they are enrolling fewer students.

According to Holliday, UCLA has a closer tie to the honors program and every year has a budget for 1100 transfers to their system, unlike other UCs. There is no clear distinction yet in regards to which university has had the lowest honors transfer rate, Holliday said.

“It’s even more critical if you want to go to UCLA or UC Berkeley, to be in a program like the honors program because it’s getting harder and harder to get in almost triples your chance at getting in,” he said.

Campus aims to accommodate students with mental illnesses Eric Farrell Co-News Editor

In the wake of the Tucson shooting involving Jared Lee Loughner earlier this year as well as the rise in teenage suicides last year, campuses aim to remain vigilant towards those with mental illnesses.

“Community colleges have a unique burden,” Rebecca Cobb, director of student development, said, “We are an open-access campus, a microcosm of whatever the surrounding community is. I think the burden has become diminishing resources for a population with increasing needs.”

Students get six free one-hour, one-on-one sessions with a psychologist every year, said Debbie Conover, coordinator of student health services.

There is a clinical psychologist who comes in four days a week on appointment at EC. “They could come in via several ways. It could be that they were referred in by one of their teachers, it may be that a teacher found something like a disturbing thing a student wrote,” Conover said.

Conover explained that due to confidentiality

This is part one of a three part series about students with mental illnesses at community colleges.

reasons, nobody but the student can make an appointment, which is done in the health center during walk-in hours located by the Pool and Physical Education buildings.

“We have them fill out kind of like a preliminary questionnaire, just to make sure they aren’t in any immediate danger to themselves or others,” Conover said.

The health office can also make referrals to outside institutions to further help students with their

mental illnesses should the six sessions offered by EC not be enough, Conover said.

“The sessions are set up in a crisis intervention manner, which means we try to find out the problem, give them some tools to be able to pick themselves up and move forward,” she said. “In the event that the student can’t accomplish what they need to have accomplished in the six sessions, then we have resources for community referrals.”

EC also offers free workshops led by the college’s part-time psychologist on select dates, with the next workshop, entitled “Test Anxiety,” Tuesday, at 11 a.m.

Some names of other workshops have been “Anger Management,” “Understanding Depression,” and “Positive Psychology: The Science of Feeling Good.”

More information on workshops can be found on the “ECC Student Health Services” newsletter, which can be found in the health office.

Faculty members are not in the position to help these students with their mental illnesses.

“What we look at is their ability to function in the classroom,” Julio Farias, psychology associate

professor, said. “A person can have a mental illness and still go to work, go to school, have relationships, and we’d not be aware of it. As long as these students are functional, we don’t really care.”

“The campus is as safe as it’s going to get, the probability of it happening here is like 33 out of 33 million,” he said, “You’ll win the lottery before you get shot on campus.”

Farias said that ideally more care should be offered to these students, but that it’s a bad idea for faculty members to try and help them on their own.

“Ideally, it would be great if we could help that one student, but if that one student is going to affect the learning of all the other students in the classroom,” Farias said, “then it’s a hard decision to make.

The subject of how much EC is supposed to do for these students remains hard to figure out.

“Do I think it’s the campuses job? No,” Cobb said, “Do I think we have an obligation? Yes, but I don’t think we can be educators and also try to support the lives of these students.”

UC Check-up workshop will take place on campus

Art college panel will be on campus

First ASO meeting to take place on campus

CSU Long Beach workshop

Students interested in attending a University of California can attend a The first meeting of the semester for workshop that will take place Tuesday the Inter-club council will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. The workshop will Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. on the be located in the Humanities building, Schauerman Library in Room 202.

Room 112

Representatives from art colleges will be giving presentations on their art programs, admission requirements, and more in the Haag Recital Hall on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The first ASO meeting of the spring semester will take place next Thursday. The meeting is going to take place in the West Conference room of the Activities Center from 1 to 2 p.m.

If you’re interested in attending CSULB there will be a workshop on Tuesday, March 15 from 2 to 3 p.m in the Student Services Center, Room 218A. Information on transferring will be given.

NEWS LINE Inter-club council will be hosting first meeting

-Novella VaKay

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NEWS POLICE Bookstore prices create new alternatives BEAT

March 3, 2011 / El Camino Union

Student is detained after altercation Feb. 14 11 a.m.— An officer working in the bookstore observed three students acting suspiciously. When she approached one male student, the student didn’t comply with the officer. The two had a brief altercation and the student was arrested for obstructing an officer and causing a disturbance on school grounds.

Student has laptop stolen from his car Feb. 15 4:17 p.m.— After arriving at his car after class a male student stated that his 17 inch laptop which he left before class was missing. There were no signs of forced entry.

Skateboarder has run in with glass door Feb. 16 1:50 p.m.— Officers responded to the east side of the Auditorium regarding a male student who lost his balance and control of his skateboard causing him to collide with a glass door in front of the Auditorium. The student will be advised on the price of the damage he caused to the door.

—Shontel Leake

NEWS BRIEFS Cherry Blossom Festival is almost here On Tuesday March 8, the 11th Annual Dr. Nadine Ishitani Hata Memorial will take place.

The event will be next to the Planetarium, next to the cherry blossoms from 1 to 2 p.m.

The winner of the 2011 Dr. Dr. Nadine Ishitani Hata Scholarship will announced.

—Rabiya Hussain

Former dean pays $25,000 in sex case According to the Daily Breeze, a former EC secretary, Nyesha Artiaga, will receive $2.5 million in a lawsuit settlement after she accused her boss, Jim Schwartz, of sexual harassment.

Schwartz was ordered to pay $25,000, and while EC will pay $833,000, or about a third of the total, its insurance company will pay the rest.

“My message out of all this is: don’t keep quiet if you’re being abused or being mistreated or you know someone else who confided in you,” William Beverly, board of trustee s president, said. “You need to speak up and encourage them to speak up, because we can’t fix anything if we don’t know that it’s broken.”

—Joshua Sherman

Photo Illustration by Mike Williams /Union Alma Zazueta Staff Writer

With the new semester just beginning, students are using up every last dime they have to pay for their books and many are beginning to look for the best alternatives to save their money.

Despite the long lines, some students continue to see the campus bookstore as

their best resource when buying textbooks because it’s fast and easy.

“Here at the bookstore they’re more accurate then buying them on Amazon or something because they show the section number and the instructor,” Melanie Ito, 19, bookstore employee, said.

Ito buys most of her books on campus and tries to buy used books because they can save her up to $20 per book.

Forensics team ranks second in the nation Jessica Mendoza Staff Writer

The El Camino debate team is having a phenomenal season.

According to the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA), EC is ranked the highest of all the community colleges and ahead of every university in the nation except for one.

“We have a spectacular team this year,” Francesca Bishop, debate coach, said. “I love this team.”

EC has been known to have great debaters in the past, so taking home trophies is never a surprise.

In its most recent tournament, held at Cerritos College on Feb. 18-19, the debaters took first place in sweepstakes. They also took home first place at a tournament on Feb. 5-6 at Point Loma University.

BUDGET From Page 1

The last time tuition fees were increased, in 2002-2003 and 2004-2005, the Legislative Analyst’s Office reported that “enrollment dropped by 11 percent.”

Classes have already been cut, but there are still more cuts to come Gold said.

“The Legislative Analyst’s office is particularly targeting repeatable classes, so classes that you can take four times,” Gold said, adding that these classes are more common to the music, P.E., and arts departments and are the kind of classes the state is looking at asking colleges to cut.

“I feel that we get a lot of good people on our team because we do a lot of high school outreach with debate,” Bishop said.

One debater, who has been with the forensics team for two years, has looked back on this experience with gratification.

“This experience has allowed me to express myself in ways that I’ve always known I’ve been capable of,” Whitney Gamble, 22, mass communications major, said, “It has opened up avenues that I didn’t have interest in before. It’s made me more aware with what’s going on in the world.”

The forensics team will be demonstrating its speaking events on March 11 at 7 p.m. in the Marsee Auditorium. Tickets will be $10 at the box office the week prior.

Valencia Clark, 19, film major, said she could already feel the effects of the economy on higher education despite this being just her second semester here.

“Last semester, things were crowded, but I know we had a little more, you can just tell the attitudes have changed,” Clark said, “It just seems less inviting.”

And while the popular opinion among most students is that taxes should be raised in order to divert more money into the education system, Sanim Khan, 19, biochemistry major, believes otherwise.

“How can you increase taxes, when people are already running out of money,” Khan said.

Other students like Kailey Shanur, 19, automotive mechanic major, prefer to go across the street to Textbooks, Inc. Shanur bought a new book on campus this semester but thought the price was ridiculous, so after hearing about Textbooks Inc. from a friend, she decided to buy her books there instead to save a couple of dollars.

However, if buying a used book still seems too expensive students can look at the internet as great resource.

Websites like chegg.com allow students to rent books for a fraction of the price.

For example, students can pay up to $102.75 for a new copy of the book “Essentials of Physical Anthropology” by Larsen, for anthropology 1, and $77.10 for a used copy in the EC Bookstore.

On chegg.com, a student can rent that same book for $41.49.

The downside with renting books is that they have to be returned, which means that students need to take extra care for their books and can’t highlight them or write on them.

Other websites like textbooks.com, eBay, Amazon, and Half.com sell books for more reasonable prices.

This is why students like Alonso Sandoval, 19, criminal justice major, choose

these websites as the best alternative to save money.

“I came to school to check how much a math book was and it was like $180 with taxes and everything, and I bought it online for $40 with shipping and handling,” Sandoval said.

Sometimes a book online can be as cheap as 75 cents, plus shipping and handling, and the best part is that students can later sell-back those books at school and even make some money, he said.

Online sites also provide used books for students.

“I have spent up to $140 in books this semester, but all my books are used,” Cynthia Delgado, 21, Business major said, adding that she buys most of her books on Amazon.com.

Another good way to save money is buying a paperback copy instead of a hardcover copy of the book students need.

“Ever since I was able to find books online to rent, I don’t go to the bookstore,” Scott Dayen, 20, business major said. “I wouldn’t tell anyone to buy from the bookstore again. You can find almost everything online and you can avoid the hassle of dealing with the people and all the lines that you always find in the bookstore at the beginning of the semester. It’s so much easier.”

New administration members welcomed Jessica Mendoza Tayani Davis Staff Writers

Students may notice some new faces around campus with Rebecca Cobb, new director of student development, and Kenneth Brown, new board of trustees member.

Cobb, who was most recently employed as the student affairs adviser at Pasadena Community College, joined EC on Jan. 7, during the winter session.

For Cobb being a student affairs adviser was not enough for her as she wanted the freedom to socialize with students and hear their ideas.

“Students are what make me get up in the morning,” Cobb said. “There is never a dull moment with students around.”

Brown filled the seat on the board of trustees after longtime member Nathaniel Jackson died on Nov. 21, 2010.

In addition to his work with the board of trustees, Brown is working in his ninth year as a physics instructor at Cal State University Dominguez Hills and is an advisory board member for Cal State University Los Angeles and Los Angeles City College.

He previously had a full-time job working as a project analyst at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratories.

Some of Brown’s goals are to advocate for schools in our district, by preparing them for college and also to encourage current community college students to continue their education after El Camino.

“I want to make sure that students are prepared once they get into El Camino and they would be ready to get out,” Brown said, adding that only 15 percent transfer out of EC. Cobb’s future goal is to increase the usage of the Student

Activity Center and have a defined space by adding some furniture, pingpong tables and possibly video games.

“I want the Student Activities center to be more student friendly,” she said.

For the spring, her goal is to get more revenue for ASO and to inform faculty and staff about student discipline on campus.

“Rebecca Cobb is a great director. She is easy to talk to, very helpful and she attends every one of our meetings,” Rebekka Asher, commissioner of activities, said.

As the new member, Brown’s colleagues have welcomed him with open arms and are happy to have him aboard.

“He had the background that enables him to catch on pretty quickly,” William Beverly, president of the board of trustees, said, “It was like jumping on a moving train, but he seems to be holding on pretty well.”

EC remembers Nathaniel Jackson Jessica Mendoza Staff Writer

Longtime board of trustees member Nathaniel Jackson recently passed away at the age of 80.

Jackson, who was the longest serving member on the board of trustees, died on Nov. 21, 2010 after being a part of El Camino College for nearly three decades.

“He was an outstanding man,” William Beverly, president of the board of trustees said, “He did a lot for EC and will be greatly missed.”

Jackson was a former psychology instructor and dean at EC before becoming a board of trustee member for four terms.

“He was all about education.

Making a change and fighting for what he believed in,” Kerri Webb, granddaughter of Jackson, said.

Aside from his busy schedule with EC, Jackson always made time to make his family his number one priority.

“I could go to him about anything. He was always a wonderful listener, he really listened to what you had to say,” Webb said, “He had a deep voice like Mufasa from The Lion King, he was the king of pride.”

Jackson dedicated 30 years of his life to EC, and took pride with what he did here.

“He really cared about El Camino, it was his baby,” Webb said. “He poured a lot of himself

into El Camino.”

Jackson possessed all the qualities that make a good leader.

“One of the things I learned from my granddad was patience,” Webb said, “That man had patience, and that is something that benefitted the people around him” Having been a part of the board of trustees for four terms, he left his mark and is missed deeply by the people who worked with him.

“The things that were important to him, are also important to me,” Kenneth Brown, new board of trustees member who took Jackson’s seat, said, “I know a lot of people who knew him. He was good. He was really good and I have to live up that.”

March 3, 2011 / El Camino College Union

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EDITORIALS

March 3, 2011 / El Camino College Union

Budget cuts affect more than just the campus

Illustration by Dan Baldonado

“Bad, worse, or really bad,” Christina Gold, Academic Senate President, said about the future of EC with the budget cuts proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown, and we agree.

Once again students wait with bated breath to see where cuts will be made, when and if taxes will increase and just how it’s going to affect them.

Brown has proposed a 6.8 percent budget reduction, causing a loss of roughly $400 million for community colleges.

The possibilities of increased tuition, classes and limited enrollment are very real and students should worry.

According to a recent article by the Daily Breeze, Jack Scott, California Community Colleges Chancellor said 350,000 students could be turned away next year if the budget proposal is approved.

The best possible outcome for students would be an extension of the June Tax Package, which extends higher taxes, and a $10 per unit tuition increase.

The worst possible outcome would be an outrageous tuition climb to $66 per unit.

With the economy in shambles and the job market suffering, the best thing young people can do for themselves is to get an education.

This will be less likely, however, if tuition nearly triples.

Increasing the tuition for community colleges is only going to limit students’ access to education.

It will be even worse if tuition does in-

The issue:

Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget proposal plans to cut money for community colleges.

Our stand:

There shouldn’t be budget cuts towards education.

crease to $66 per unit.

Community colleges should be as inexpensive and affordable as possible for people who want an education.

Unfortunately, this is not the situation looking at Brown’s budget proposal.

Students who are already attending EC will be negatively affected as well by an increase of students who can no longer afford to attend California State Universities.

Those students will turn to EC as a more affordable alternative leaving classrooms impacted and registration a nightmare.

We need a governor who understands the importance of eduction and the importance of our young people’s futures.

If anything, more money should be going into eduction, not less. Society is built on the shoulders of the educated and capable but with budget cuts and tuition spikes the future is looking bleak.

—See related article on Page 1

Extra-curricular activities prove to be beneficial for students Campus involvement is necessary for every student’s personal growth.

Whether it is forming a new club or getting involved in a sport or student government, the advantages can be seen instantaneously as well as life-long.

With more than 20 clubs on campus, finding a niche in one of the them shouldn’t be too difficult.

A study done at Iowa State University surveying approximately 300 students showed that involvement in extracurricular activities enhanced social and intellectual development, according to the university’s website.

Attending college and completing a program with a diploma will produce a wealth of life skills; however, campus involvement helps reinforce this.

The study showed that individuals involved in student organizations were better at time management.

Athletes generally had higher GPAs than the average college student because of more rigid requirements.

Involved students also tended to have a higher self-esteem.

Some may argue that over-involvement can hinder student success because it could take away time needed to focus in classes for a good grade.

This can be easily avoided by choosing clubs wisely and effectively.

With a designated adviser and a few forms filled out in the Student Development Office, students have the freedom to start a variety of clubs.

Active clubs currently on campus include academic clubs with specific requirements such as Alpha Gamma Sigma, fine arts clubs such as the Society of Music and social organizations such as the Gay Straight Alliance.

Long-term advantages of club participation are the ability to work with a variety of people and personalities.

Clubs unite students from varying neighborhoods, ethnicities and backgrounds to a common cause.

Exercising this skill will be advantageous for when students enter the work force as professionals.

Employers look for individuals who can get along with and work with anyone.

College life surrounded by diversity College means different things to different people, but we generally accept it as a time to educate ourselves.

This institution is a place to be exposed to new things and “diversify your portfolio.”

We are actually pretty lucky here at EC; so many different cultures converge here seeking an education.

Some of you L.A. locals may take this “metropolis” for granted, but believe me when I tell you; very few colleges can boast about their diversity like EC. The social and behavioral advantages of this diversity are obvious.

The exposure we receive at EC is something many of our parents did not experience.

Here at EC we can see that everyone around us is different, but more importantly we see that there are countless similarities despite all of the differences.

This is an important distinction.

Many of our parents were never exposed to this diversity so they habitually see the superficial differences that aren’t relevant.

It is our responsibility as mature adults to abandon the bad habits of our parents and begin to see people as they see themselves.

Granted, it’s easier to identify a difference and judge accordingly, but we are only cheating ourselves.

Every person has a perspective to lend, and each unique perspective we can draw from vivifies our own point of view.

Unfortunately, the root of prejudice is

Union

El Camino College

Vol. 64, No. 10 March 3, 2011

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CAMPUS INSIGHT

somewhat of an ingrained defense mechanism, but realizing this fact can help us check negative behaviors and avoid categorizing others.

Categories are never specific enough to encapsulate personal identities and only dilute the Richard Bernot, 30 nuances that make us Computer Science major stronger.

The official use of categories should be abhorred and abdicated.

They serve no relevant purpose in professional society and their persistence is a symptom of deep seeded psychosis.

I want to glorify our diversity because I see EC as an indication of our integrated future.

A future in which people work together without the incumbrance of social categories.

Because in the end, race or culture is an inconsequential characteristic that should be celebrated, not condemned.

The views expressed in Campus Insight are those of the author’s. They do not represent the views or opinions of the Union, its staff, editorial board or adviser.

This column is available to students and faculty. All articles may be submitted to Eccunion@gmail.com. Please note that articles may be edited for content and length.

For students planning to transfer, more campus involvement shows leadership and makes their UC or Cal State applications more attractive than students who aren’t involved.

Certain clubs on campus have their perks.

Athletes and members of the Associated Student Organization (ASO) for example, are granted priority registration.

Because members of ASO are required to attend meetings twice a month from 1 to 2 p.m., or every week if serving on the executive cabinet, they are able to register earlier in order to ensure that their class schedules don’t conflict with meetings.

Whether it is community service, major specific or a fun hobby, there is a club for every student on campus.

The governing body overseeing student clubs on campus known as the Inter-Club Council even provides funds for new clubs starting up.

With numerous benefits proven, more student organizing should bombard our campus rather than silent apathy.

—See related article on Page 6

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OPINION

March 3, 2011/ El Camino College Union

UP FOR DEBATE

Should students receive priority registration?

Priority registration isn’t for the average student.

To be involved in student activities such as athletics, priority registration is essential to a student’s success and performance throughout the semester.

As community colleges get impacted with more students than classes allow each semester, it is only logical for students who have been on campus the longest to receive priority registration.

Unless you have been a student for a number of years you don’t deserve priority registration for just going to class.

Just like one wouldn’t expect to start off at a job and move up the ladder of success before someone who has been there years longer, why should things be different here on campus?

This is what we call seniority.

Besides students who have been here continuously for years, some students who receive priority registration are students involved in campus clubs, the athletics department and the Associated Student Organization (ASO).

With athletes, priority registration allows them to create their schedule around their sport activities. It’s more beneficial to plan around the sport.

This can also boost student morale. If athletes are allowed to get into their classes first, it will allow them to practice, which could help them develop their skills and win games. Just as we take pride in Los Angeles when the Lakers win, students should feel happy about the school they attend and by winning games it could help create pride.

Priority registration is not meant for the average student, it is for those students who really need it due to their involvement in clubs or campus activities or those who have been here the longest.

Many will argue that it is very unfair since they pay for classes just like everyone else; however, no one is cheating you out of an education. You might just have to wait longer for a specific class.

Even though most students on campus think that everyone should have equal opportunities at getting into classes or that priority registration shows some kind of exclusivity, it is a small benefit for all the dedication that involved students put in.

Viridiana Vaca-Rios Co-Opinion Editor

Matthew Simon Managing Editor

For students who are involved in campus activities, priority registration is an important tool for their success.

If you work hard, you should benefit from being involved.

Being in college classes is difficult as it is, add the time that is spent in class and put in to campus activities and you have more than the average student has.

Priority registration is absurd.

At a college where every student is charged the same tuition for classes, giving priority to students based on participation is unfair. Priority registration is granted to certain groups at EC, if in these groups, students are able to be among the first to register for classes.

Priority registration not only gives certain groups easy passage to getting classes,

Registration should not be an exclusive right. but also the ability to get into the “easiest” classes which are always the first to fill up the first few days of registration.

This should be illegal; where’s the college police?

Athletes who have to do nothing but maintain a 2.0 GPA and be enrolled as a full-time student are some of the lucky recipients of the golden passage to a quick exit out of EC. Right now, some athletes who can barely scratch a 2.5 GPA are transferring at a faster rate than some students who haven’t gotten less than a 4.0 their entire tenure at the college.

Now this isn’t because the students with the 4.0 aren’t getting accepted into colleges, it’s because they can’t get the classes they need to transfer because they don’t have “priority.”

What’s wrong with that picture?

Along with athletes, the student government are also one of the groups who aren’t held to the highest of standard to have the privilege of priority registration.

One group that upholds their members to the highest of requirements is Alpha Gamma Sigma, the Honor and Scholarship Society, which has a 3.0 GPA or higher to even be considered for membership.

Along with their high requirements, this group is also asked to maintain their GPA throughout their membership. This insures that it’s not a one-time key to priority registration, but a recurring process to stay in the group.

Priority registration should no longer be a gift to students who are lucky enough to be part of some of these exclusive groups, it should be a privilege to those who are able to maintain their membership in the groups.

This would give students who really want to transfer more incentive to join and be more involved in school.

Our campus needs to be a place where only the best is expected, but if there isn’t a change the campus will continue to give priority to students who are not deserving of such a gift and that is not fair.

Illustration by Dan Baldonado

Judging people by the ink on their skin is wrong Tattoos are present and here to leave their permanent mark, literally. Society once imagined tattoos to only be found on criminals, sailors and bikers, but we are now seeing that tattoos are a part of our current culture.

But accepting of tattoos is what seems to be the problem. We as human beings cannot help but to judge when we first see or meet someone, whether we like to admit to that or not.

There are many negative connotations towards tattoos, and a tattooed person is often portrayed as being “dangerous” or “living on the edge.” There are people who actually are a threat to society and don’t have a single tattoo.

Let us open up our minds and keep up with the times and fast changing society. Today people express themselves differently than they did in previous generations, and that is what makes our generation unique. It does not mean that because a person is tattooed they are less than you or lack respect.

In the work force, we should not have to wear long sleeves when it is blazing hot just because showing tattoos may appear to be unprofessional, but in reality those with tattoos might be the most professional in the company. We have the right to express ourselves in a positive matter, and if your tattoo is not insulting or degrading then what is the

deal? There are people who COLUMN big are looked up to, because of their professional appearance, but would your opinion of them change if you knew they had tattoos under their white collared shirts?

If a respectable doctor were to save your life, Jessica Mendoza would you feel differently Staff writer knowing that he had hours of tattoo work on his skin?

Tattoos can carry deep meaning to someone and every individual has their own motivations behind getting a tattoo, whether it is a memorial piece, a part of their history, a religious piece or a personal experience that one has encountered. Some just may appreciate art and want that to be a representation of who they are.

Since when is art not respected? If some choose to represent a piece of art on their skin permanently, so be it.

Who are we to judge how one is to express themselves?

By denying someone of a job who is perfectly qualified but has tattoos is unjust. A qualified candidate should be able to get a job, just as a person without tattoos can. Having

CAMPUS VIEWPOINTS

tattoos does not give you a lack of intelligence; it is just entitling you to your rights of expression.

We need to accept the fact that people who are inked are still the same person and we should not treat them differently in the work force. We are living in a time where people are more expressive to who they are.

Some may feel being a tattoo artist is not a respectable career. But in reality, it is a tough job and it is not something anybody can do. It takes a tremendous amount of talent and dedication.

Tattoos are now a part of our culture. We see it in the media everyday. Some celebrities have them, but are still praised and held up as role models. Do we have to be famous in order to be respected by the majority?

Society has been opening up slowly and seeing tattoos as a norm. Let’s begin to change that instant judgment people make when seeing others who are inked. Let’s change the negative stereotype that tattooed people receive. They are mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons just like you are and most of the time, live a completely normal lifestyle.

So why do people get bent out of shape when they see someone with tattoos?

Get to know the person before you make your judgments. Relax. It’s just ink.

5

CAMPUS CORNER

Danielle Kotowski President Alpha Gamma Sigma

Also known as the Honor and Scholarship Society, Alpha Gamma Sigma is led by President Danielle Kotowski. With about 170 members, the club meets weekly on Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m.

What does your job as president involve?

I create, plan and lead all the meetings we have. I also alternate cabinet meetings; I organize all cabinet members and also organize the fundraisers.

Another thing I do is notifying members of volunteer opportunities.

What are some events that your club plans?

In order to donate money for scholarships every year, we have fundraisers, but campus rules changed, therefore we can’t sell homemade food and are a bit more limited to what we can do or sell. We have car washes and organize restaurant fundraisers, for example at California Pizza Kitchen. We also sell root beer floats, which was a huge success in the past. We will also plan ice skating fundraisers.

What are the requirements to join AGS? You have to have an accumulative GPA of 3.0 in college and for students straight out of high school you have to have a 3.5 GPA. To stay in the club you have to complete 10 hours of community service.

What are some benefits of joining your club?

The main benefit is if you obtain permanent membership for one semester with a 3.5 GPA or two semesters with a 3.25 GPA as well as fulfilling your community service requirement, you receive a permanent notation of honors student on your transcript. It looks good on your resume and the volunteer work you do shows on your transcript.

What sets your club apart from other clubs on campus?

The biggest difference is that we have that high academic standard and we combine the whole social aspect of it. We also do community service and we focus on academics, which is unique. We also give scholarships for students which are the service and the academic scholarship.

Why should students join your club?

It is a really good club to network in. Members of this club are high achieving students and it is nice to meet students that are focused and wanting to succeed and also stay on track.

—Viridiana Vaca-Rios

Should students receive priority registration?

By Viridiana Vaca-Rios and Annastashia Goolsby

Nenna Olumba, 24, nursing major

Kevin Dobson Jr, 21, studio art major

Peter Zalenski, 19, communications major

Brandon Peltier, 18, fire technician major

Elias Macias, 19, engineering major

Semon Zaki, 21, psychology major

“No. Athletics are electives, unless you are in the transfer program. You shouldn’t get rewarded for something that is optional.”

“All types of students manage everything and priority registration should be given based on performance.”

“I think it’s fair with sports or else they can’t play. I’m the lowest on the totem pole, but it makes sense to give them priority.”

“As for me, it really doesn’t bother me. I don’t choose my classes, my schedule is already done. My mom does it for me.”

“No, it’s unfair that they get to register first. I couldn’t get into any of my classes and they aren’t basing it on how well you do.”

“There are many reasons why it’s not fair, but it’s just what is right. It isn’t equal at all, it isn’t fair to students.”

6

FEATURES

March 3, 2011 / El Camino College Union

HOW TO BE A STUDENT

SUPERHERO Samantha Troisi Features Editor

Reading at the speed of light, able to study from the tallest building and passing tests in a single bound; it’s a bird, it’s a plane, no!

It’s a student superhero.

Being a successful student is easier said than done, but with the many resources available on campus and the numerous clubs welcoming members every semester, every student has the opportunity to do his or her best.

“We encourage new students to make an effort to find the resources available to them on campus,” Lisa George, library media technician, said. “There are so many more out there than students realize.”

The Learning Resources Center is one of the many places students can go to find trained tutors in a variety of subjects available free of charge, George said.

“Some students think if they need tutoring it means they’re dumb, but it’s actually the smartest thing to utilize what’s offered to you,” George said. “Students may be doing well in a class, but tutoring may help them get the extra edge they need.”

There are also Academic Strategies courses available to help students improve their basic reading and math skills.

During a 16-week session, stu-

dents will use a “Computer Assisted Instructional System that tailors lesson assignments to each student’s individual strengths and weaknesses,” according to the Academic Strategies flier.

Proper study habits are a key to being a successful student, and the Schauerman Library and website are there to help.

“The only questions that go unanswered are the ones that are not asked,” Tamara Evans, library media technician, said. “The staff is here to help; students should ask questions and not be afraid.”

Looking at the library website to find major specific areas in the library is one way to find proper study material, Evans said. She also suggests setting a time and schedule for studying to create a routine of good study habits.

“Cramming at the last minute never goes well,” Evans said. “Pace yourself and take an hour every day, even go over the material more than once to let it sink in. If you start to get overwhelmed talk to someone and ask for help.”

When students can’t make it to the library to study, a quiet room at home, a book store or even the car can make for a good study environment, Evans said.

“It’s easy to find areas to study.

You just need to find what works for you,” Evans said. “And always

make sure to make the time to decompress from schoolwork.”

Places like the Writing Center offer unlimited pre-writing conferences, writing conferences and review of college applications and essays. Students must have updated student ID’s to use all of the services offered.

“This is my first time using the writing center and it’s pretty helpful,” Eddyson Valenzuela, 19, business major, said. “My friend brought me here and I’ve been working on a research paper.”

Students can also find success by joining the many clubs active on campus.

“By joining a club students stay motivated, and the success goes beyond EC,” Jeannine Barba, Alpha Gamma Sigma adviser, said. “Students stay connected to each other and learn to network.”

Being involved with clubs can help students with everyday life by learning how to work in groups with different personalities and networking with advisers and professors, Barba said.

“I feel a part of a community and have met so many new people,” Peggy Hodges, mechanical engineering major and member of Alpha Gamma Sigma, said. “People outside of school recognize you and you’re a part of a community that helps others.”

Patrick Osborne /Union

Advocacy policies protect students Students have the right to protect themselves from wrongful discrimination.

Alma Zazueta Staff Writer

Grades are in and students rush to their computers to see their transcripts.

With confidence, a student pulls up his EC gradebook, expecting to find a perfect display of A’s down the row.

His stomach drops as he notices a blemish on his record.

After counting and recounting the points he earned in the class, it is clear he was given a grade he didn’t deserve. Was it a simple mistake? Or some type of discrimination?

Receiving the wrong grade for any reason and dealing with discrimination and harassment are very real situations for students and EC offers assistance for all students no matter what the problem is.

In a situation where students find themselves with a grade they don’t deserve, “as a result of mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetency,” they are in their right to “appeal the grade within 18 months of the last day of the term in which the grade was given,” according to the EC Student Catalog.

The grade appeal may be filed using a grade change petition form which can be found in the dean’s office or the Admissions and Records Office.

The form can be taken to the respective dean of that division in which the student is taking the class and his or her grade may be changed if the student can prove the grade is inaccurate.

But sometimes things can be more serious and when students experience any type of discrimination or sexual harassment they can also get help on campus.

Although Jasmin Cardenas, 19, communications major, has never felt any type of unwanted behavior from anyone, she said she wouldn’t know where to go if that ever happened.

“I have no idea what I would do” she said.

“I probably wouldn’t want to be in the class or I would just make sure I’m never alone around the teacher.”

Sexual harassment and discrimination cases are considered civil crimes and it’s not necessary to file a police report.

“People are so frustrated and angry and they feel that they’ve been done wrong and they come to the police, and that’s fine,” Jan Caldwell, campus police officer said.

“We are happy to help with whatever we can, and that might just be directing them to the right place,” she said.

In any case of sexual harassment, students can go to Leisa Biggers, director of Staff and Student Diversity, Rebecca Cobb, Director of Student Development, said.

Biggers’ office is located in the Administration Building, Room 210.

Here students can find more information about the services they offer like counseling or conducting investigations for discrimination and sexual harassment complaints.

It’s important for students to speak up because “if it’s happening to one person, chances are that it’s happening to someone else or it’s going to happen to someone else,” Cobb said.

According to the EC Non-Discrimination Policy, “no person shall be unlawfully denied full and equal access to, the benefits of, or be unlawfully subjected to discrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, national origin, relation, age, sex (harassment), race, color, ancestry, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or retaliation in any program.”

However, just like there is help for victims, there are also consequences for false accusations.

“Students can be arrested for filing a false police report and also there is a disciplinary process that they would go through because lying is a violation of the student conduct code,” Cobb said.

Students should also be aware of the rules and regulations when it comes to dating and having certain relationships with instructors.

“All institutions shy away or try to dissuade faculty from having a relationship with students because there is a power differential,” Cobb said. “Certainly it is unethical for a faculty member to have a relationship with a student who is in his or her class.”

ARTS 7

March 3, 2011 / El Camino College Union

ON THE SCENE Music

‘Spaces In Between’ at Art Gallery

Resident artists to showcase at the Haag

Joshua Sherman Staff Writer

James E. Mack and members of the Applied Music Program will perform solo and small ensemble pieces in the Haag Recital Hall tomorrow at 8 p.m.

The program will feature selections from George Gershwin and Franz Schubert. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Box office. For more information, interested persons may call 310-832-ARTS

Stepping into the Art Gallery is like entering a dream world. Intricate paintings dab the walls as ripples of light bathe the Gallery floor.

Stripped of its shell, a piano rests aside with its final silent chord hanging in the air.

Betsy Lohrer Hall, an art professor at California State University, Fullerton, is featured in an exhibition titled “The Spaces in Between” in the Art Gallery until March 11.

It comprises unique performances, gouache on paper paintings, digital photographs printed on metallic paper and installations.

“As an artist, she has a wide range and vision. She can use any medium,” Dawn Ertle, undecided major said.

Lohrer Hall’s exhibit, which was created over a span of three years, would have been the result of 20 years worth of work for other artists, Susanna Meiers, Art Gallery Curator said.

Meiers, a good friend of Lohrer Hall has worked with her in the past. Last semester she taught print making at EC and displayed her art in the spring show, “Reflecting the Sacred.”

“City,” an elaborate assortment of beach trash including syringes and children’s toys, is one of two large-scale installations featured in the Art Gallery.

“I like how it has a strong pull on the people who come here because they see all of the bright colors,” Ertle said. “But then they read about it and it’s sad and disturbing. I like how

Music

EC Symphony presents ‘Opera to Broadway’ An eclectic program including music from “Man of La Mancha” and “Fiddler on the Roof” begins at 3 p.m. this Sunday. Taking place at Marsee Auditorium, tickets are $10. Students with an ASB sticker may purchase tickets for $5 a half hour prior to the event. Interested persons may call 310-832-ARTS for more information.

Art

Exhibit celebrates Calif. artists of the ‘60s Titled “What’s New Pussycat?” the exhibition features work from local artists who emerged during the 1960s as well as younger artists following in their footsteps at the Torrance Art Museum.

The exhibition ends this Saturday. Located at 3320 Civic Center Drive in Torrance, admission is free. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Interested persons may visit www.torranceartmuseum.com for more information.

—Joshua Sherman

Shiggy Ichinomiya /Union “City” is one of many art installations currently on display by California State University, Fullerton professor, Betsy Lohrer Hall in the Art Gallery until next Friday.

that messes with the viewer.”

As alluring and morbid as the first installation is, the second, however, is more metaphorical and conceptual. “Home” is one of Lohrer Hall’s newest creations that includes suspended walls, historically based drawings, and a majestic white gown splattered with paint.

“I was thinking about not wanting to build fortress walls, but wanting to build a home that people could move around in,” Lohrer Hall said.

The piano piece that sits in the corner of the installation was found on the side of a road in Long Beach, Lohrer Hall said.

“I’m very interested in objects that have shared life with a person,” Lohrer Hall said. “So they have some kind of essence of that person.”

Her gouache on paper paintings share a life of their own as

Lyricist pursues politics Accomplished rapper looks to education for self-improvement Ashley Curtin Staff Writer

For Brandon Salaam-Bailey, 27, journalism major, neither fame nor fortune completes this rap artist. He is striving to be an influential member of society by channeling his energy into helping the world.

Born and raised in Watts, Salaam-Bailey learned at a young age to express himself through poetry.

“Writing symbolizes who I am as a person,” he said.

Salaam-Bailey said he has always been musically inclined.

His father plays saxophone and music has surrounded his life since birth. By age 21, he decided to pursue rap music.

“I just took a pen and note pad and jumped into it,” he said.

Building a nationwide following, Salaam-Bailey headlined the Burger King Kings of the Court Tour in 2006, performing at more than 15 colleges throughout the United States.

“I’m not going to say that I never get nervous, but I was more excited than anything,” SalaamBailey said. “I just had fun with it.”

A memorable detour during the college tour was a stop in Aruba where he played to a crowd of 30,000 people on a beach. Sharing the stage with acts such as Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Boys II Men, he said, was a humbling experience.

Then in 2007, Salaam-Bailey was the opening act for Tyrese, during his Alter Ego Tour. Salaam-Bailey produced his own album titled, “Late for Sound Check” which was released in 2009.

Through a recommendation from a friend, he recently collaborated with the No.1 female artist in Malaysia, Mizz Nina. He

Mike Williams /Union Brandon Salaam-Bailey, 27, journalism major, built a recording studio at home.

wrote five songs for the album and all five made it to the final production of the album.

Better known to his fans as “Stix,” Salaam-Bailey took his childhood nickname to the stage.

“When I was young, I always ran around and played in the yard without a shirt on and my uncle would tease me, ‘Sticks, go put on a shirt,” Salaam-Bailey said.

“The nickname has a good ring to it and has stuck with me.”

RISING

STAR Salaam-Bailey is striving to reach new heights through education.

“You can never go wrong with a college education,” he said.

College, he said, will help him hone in on his talents, give him a credential and teach him the fundamentals of life.

Since becoming a student, Salaam-Bailey notes that English B was a tough class that inspired him. Brent Isaacs, assistant professor, English, encouraged him to be serious, focused and determined.

“Brandon was a top student in the class,” Isaacs said. “Brandon is generally cool and very personable. He did well in the class which had an effect on the other students.”

With one year complete, Salaam-Bailey plans to transfer to a university and pursue broadcast journalism. He wants to report for CNN and become a member of Congress.

“I want to share my views and give back to the state of California,” Salaam-Bailey said.

Salaam-Bailey encourages others to know themselves, inside and out, and success will follow.

“Money and status don’t entail me,” he said. “It’s about who you are on the inside that really matters.”

it embodies the theme of the exhibition.

Accompanying the exhibition, Lohrer Hall also performed “Breaking Codes” late February where she tapped the names of God using various religions and languages in Morse code, with egg shells as an instrument.

Last Tuesday, Lohrer Hall performed “Bedtime Stories” from her “Home” installation.

Utilizing reflected light and shadow play, Lohrer Hall read from a collection of dream inspired poems similar to haikus, according to an EC press release.

The performance also included poems composed during the exhibition from gallery visitors.

“All of my work is partly about this idea of inter connectedness and fragility too,” Lohrer Hall said.

Admission for the Art Gallery is free.

Shiggy Ichinomiya /Union Lohrer Hall’s ability to use various media provides a compelling exhibition.

SPORTS

March 3, 2011 / El Camino College Union

ON DECK BASEBALL

Softball team continues to be dominated Joshua Sherman Staff Writer

Today at 2 p.m. vs.

Santa Barbara College.

Tuesday at 2 p.m. vs.

Long Beach City College.

SOFTBALL Today at 2 p.m. vs.

Compton College.

Golden West Tournament Tomorrow at 7 a.m. at Golden West College.

MEN’S TENNIS Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Long Beach City College.

WOMEN’S TENNIS Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Long Beach City College.

TRACK AND FIELD Saturday at TBD at Cal State Fullerton.

(Ben Brown Invitational)

Mike Williams/Union Starting pitcher Mea Flores winding up in the Warriors’ 10-0 loss to Mt. SAC last Thursday.

GOLF Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Marshallia Ranch CC for Pt. Conception Open.

Monday at 8 a.m. at Marshallia Ranch CC for Pt. Conception Open.

—Andrew Lim

Despite starting pitcher Mea Flores allowing less than two runs a game, the Warriors continue to shoot themselves in the foot.

Committing eight errors, the softball team could not keep up with the Mounties, who did not commit any errors in the game.

The team was shutout, losing 10-0 to Mt. San Antonio College last Thursday at home.

“We’ve got to go back to the drawing board and start all over,” coach Susie Calderon said, “because obviously what we thought was working isn’t working.”

The team again lost 9-5 Tuesday against Pasadena College.

The game was called in the sixth inning in the game versus Mt. Sac due to the eight-run mercy rule which indicates that an eight-run deficit is needed after the fifth inning to officially end a game.

The team’s next game will be at 3 p.m. against Compton College at home where the Warriors will attempt to stop their skid of 10 straight losses.

“We held them for two runs for the longest time,” Calderon said. “Our pitchers have been pitching their heart out.”

Flores said they need to “shake off the

errors” and improve from this game.

Flores pitched for five innings, allowing just one run (8 unearned runs) and seven hits. Flores also walked four and struck out three.

Relief pitcher Sara Gazzaniga allowed 1 run on two hits and struck out one in the sixth and final inning.

Mt. SAC, ranking in the top 10 statewide, allowed only one hit.

“We’re with the top teams in the state, we should be beating them,” assistant coach Tony Flores Jr. said. “But it’s those one or two innings that we fall apart.”

As of last Thursday, the Warriors held the top individual rankings in the South Coast Conference.

Flores held the lowest earned run average of 1.22 and Georgina Silva held the highest batting average of .571.

By playing the top teams in California, you’re not going to find any easy games; but it will help them improve, Flores Jr. said.

“We (play) everybody three times,” Flores Jr. said. “So if we catch them on the backside, we’re going to be alright.”

Flores Jr. said the softball team’s talent is not being reflected in it’s game performance.

“You have to practice like you play,” Flores Jr. said. “Champions are made when nobody‘s watching.”

Swimmers and divers flop to a new beginning

SWIMMING AND DIVING Tomorrow at 9 a.m. at Pasadena College vs.

Mt. San Antonio College and Pasadena College.

9

Sam Barke Staff Writer

A semester of new beginnings and surprises await coach Corey Stanbury’s swimming and diving teams.

“Our roster for the swim team this year has had a lot of walk-ons,” Stanbury said, “We have our returners, but the majority of the people on the team are new.”

The next stop for the teams will be at Pasadena College tomorrow at 2 p.m. where they will face Mt. San Antonio College and Pasadena City College “Our main focus for the swim team this season is the conference championships,” Stanbury said. “It’s important that we have

the team swim well really hard in dual meets, but we want to get as many people as we can into conference.”

One of the highlights for the men was Noah Rubke, who finished 10th in the men’s 100-yard back stroke. From the women’s side, Amanda Atkins finished 10th in the 50-yard breast stroke.

“Practices are insane and are getting progressively harder,” Brandon Gregory, freshman, said, “I’m hoping to eventually make the top 10 on the records list. The set records have been up untouched for too long.”

Only seven men and five women were able to swim due to injuries and illness, but Stanbury said he was happy with the per-

formances and was able to use the meet as a way to get an idea of who is swimming “strong.”

“A lot of us were swimming events we normally do not swim, but I think we did pretty well,” Amanda Sloss, who usually swims backstroke, said.

“I really want the team to stay motivated” Rubke, who swims backstroke, said. “I would like to have a semester where no one quits and see everyone drop their times.”

Divers Amy Tran and Michael Colbert competed against Cerritos and Long Beach at the Conference Pentathlon at EC on the one-meter board.

“Amy and Michael are improving at an extremely rapid pace. Neither had lists of

dives, and they did very well this past competition,” Stanbury said.

Amy took second overall for the women’s 1-meter board, and Michael Colbert took sixth overall amongst a tough lineup of Cerritos divers on the 1-meter board.

“I usually come out of dive practice black and blue,” Tran said. “It’s tough, but I’m looking forward to improving on my dives.”

Stanbury said he looks forward to coaching this season and helping his teams get to the next level.

“It’s everyone’s first time diving,” Stanbury said. “They are improving at an extremely rapid pace. The next step from here is to improve their skills.”

Team has high expectations Jorge Camarillo Staff Writer

The men’s tennis team continues its early success, as it keeps posting victory after victory.

Last Thursday, the team hosted Mt. San Antonio College in its second conference game.

The Warriors would go on to defeat the Mounties by a score of 6-3 last Thursday at home.

“It’s going to be a exciting match. I think we will be able to take care of (Cerritos),” assistant coach Teila Robertson said.

The team went on to lose to Cerritos College 6-3 Tuesday.

The top three players, Andrew Sarawasi, Attila Lassu, and Yausto Miyawaki, led the Warriors to victory against the Mounties.

“Sarawasi, Lassu and Miyawaki did really well today and we expect them to do well in all of our matches,” Robertson said.

For the singles matches, Sawarasi won by a score of 6-1

and 6-2, Lassu won by a score of 6-1 and 6-1, and Miyawaki won by a score of 7-5 and 7-5.

“I didn’t struggle too much,

“We have a really good squad this year and we are hoping to win the conference and make it to regionals.”

—Teila Robertson Assistant Coach my serves and my groundings were good,” Sarawasi said, referring to his single play. the three top players also did well in doubles play versus Mt. Sac when they played three matches and won 2 of them.

“I played well, but I guess mentality I wasn’t, but next time I’ll do better,” Sato said.

EC is off to a 2-1 start in South Coast Conference play.

“They did really well today starting our conference match play, start off with Long Beach (City College on Feb. 22) and went 9-0 and Mt. SAC went 6-3,” Robertson said.

Robertson wants to see more improvement from the team, even if they win.

“Probably just improve their mental game, be able to be more competitive and aggressive,” Robertson said.

The team is off to a 5-2 start this season and Robertson is proud of the team.

“They are doing very well. We just beat Mt. SAC, who were first in conference last year,” Robertson said.

Even with seven incoming freshmen to the team Robertson has big expectations for this season.

“We have a really good squad this year and we are hoping to win the conference and make it to regionals,” Robertson said.

Former EC football player is killed Former star athlete’s around 3:30 a.m., officers working patrol in the Pacific Area redeath saddens the sponded to a “Business Dispute.”

Warriors’ football family. “LA Weekly” also reported that MariaCristina Gonzalez Editor-in-chief of Union online

One of the last things former defensive linemen for the Warriors football team Reginald Doucet admitted to the world was how much he appreciated life.

According to a recent “LA Weekly” article, just hours before the football star was shot and killed by LAPD last month, Doucet went on his Twitter account and posted a video to say how he felt.

“I live for this,” Doucet said in the video. “I could be dead right now, and I’m still doing what I’m doing.”

This was all just moments before a series of events occurred that would take the young athlete’s life.

According to the official LAPD police report on Jan. 14

the alleged business dispute was between Doucet and a cab driver who had driven him home from “Dria’s Hollywood,” a popular rooftop nightclub in Hollywood.

The police report continues to say when officers arrived to the scene, they were directed by residents to a naked suspect who was later identified as Doucet.

The police report also says that on third attempt to detain him, Doucet attacked the two LAPD officers.

“During the fight, Doucet repeatedly punched both officers in the face and head and at one point tried to take Officer Aaron Goff’s handgun,” the report says.

In a claim of self defense the police report states that Goff, shot Doucet to stop the attack “I wish I knew more information about the incident because

the reports claim to describe the Reggie I didn’t know,” John Featherstone, EC football coach said.

“He was a wholesome guy, had a great personality and we had no problem with him the two years he was here,” he said.

Featherstone added that he had recently saw Doucet prior to the incident.

“I saw him about five or six months ago, he had a lot going on for him,” Featherstone said.

“He was doing some modeling and had a good job,” Featherstone said.

As a former safety for the EC Warriors, Doucet obtained a scholarship to Middle Tennessee State University.

“He was an outstanding player for us and a great teammate and captain,” Featherstone said.

“This is a sad tragedy for his family and the football family here.”

Roger Morris /Union Jillian Dineros returns a serve during a match versus Mt. San Antonio College when EC lost 7-2 last Thursday.

Tennis team splits last two games Alma Zazueta Staff Writer

Despite having more experienced players this season, the women’s tennis team once again failed to bring victory home during a rematch game against Mt. San Antonio College on Thursday.

The women lost 7-2, winning one of its points by default.

“It was a good match, they went in a little bit intimidated because Mt. SAC is the defending champ but we played them close,” coach Steve Van Kanegan, said.

The women bounced back to win at Cerritos College 6-3.

It was a tough loss at Mt. Sac considering that the Warriors had won their last two games against Victor Valley and Long Beach City College.

“Last year, they beat us really easily, this year I think we will put more of a fight,” Carolina Mendoza, 20, political science major said during practice, one day before the game.

Mendoza is one of three returning players this season but the team’s experience and efforts were not enough to defeat their opponents.

The first point for the Warriors was secured by Jillian Dineros, 18, physical education major, during a close singles match that lasted over an hour.

“This is the first match where I was getting tired, usually I can take it through to the end but my opponent and I where getting tired because she was running me everywhere during that match,” Dineros said.

Dineros is new to the team this semester and was also one of the players in the No. 1 doubles match that gave the Warriors their second and last point for the evening.

The doubles match was won by default when one of the players from Mt. SAC twisted her ankle and was unable to continue playing.

It was a difficult match from beginning to end.

“I think this is the toughest match I’ve played,” Dineros said. “They’re a pretty strong team and they hit pretty hard.”

The women have played a total of nine games this season and have accumulated six wins.

Still they remain optimistic about the rest of the season.

“I think we put up a good fight, I think a lot of us were intimidated because they are really good, but we’ll do better next time,” Mendoza said.

Although Van Kanegan doesn’t consider Mt. SAC the team’s toughest opponent this season, he admits that they are an important team to defeat.

“If we are going to end up winning the conference title we have to be able to beat them” he said.

The talent is in the players but confidence is key in every game.

“We need more practice, time to work on our skills which then in turn will create confidence,” Van Kanegan said.

8

SPORTS

March 3, 2011/ El Camino College Union

Santa Barbara snaps six game winning streak After a six-game winning streak, the team began the month with a 4-0 loss.

Andrew Lim Sports Editor

Riding a six-game winning streak, the Warriors had finally begun to turn things around their 0-4 start to the season.

However, that turn took a little detour as the baseball team fell to Santa Barbara College 4-0 Tuesday.

“We were young,” Fernley said. “We graduated seven players from last year’s final four team. We knew we were going to have a couple guys who did not know what college baseball is all about.”

The Warriors swept the season series against L.A. Mission College winning 5-4 last Thursday in extra innings and 8-4 last Friday.

However, they could not prevent losing for just the first time in seven games, as the Warriors were shutout for the third time in the season.

Their next game will be at home against Santa Barbara College today at 2 p.m.

Mike Williams /Union Warriors starting pitcher Chris Vopinek hurls a two-seam fastball during a 5-4 victory in extra innings versus L.A. Mission College last Thursday.

“We’re starting to do really well together,” outfielder Jeff Dorman said. “We’re starting to string hits together. That’s the main thing, just being consistent.”

Chris Vopinek, the starting pitcher during the team’s 5-4 victory, was shaky in

the beginning of the game, giving up two runs, but eventually settled in by pitching seven scoreless innings and striking out seven.

“It felt good on the mound,” Vopinek said. “My fastball was my best pitch and I

did well by mixing it with my two-seam.”

Marvin Flores, catcher, was one of the star players last Thursday, as he went 3 for 5 with a double, two runs batted in, and also scored a run.

Continuing their strong play, Warriors’

starting pitcher Josh Mingura led the team to victory last Friday by pitching a complete game.

“We jumped out on them early then the rain came,” Fernley said. “When we got to the eighth inning it really started raining. We fought through the rain and we were prepared.”

Having a young team a year after a very good championship run, Vopinek said the second-year players are trying to get the new players on board for another deep run this year.

“We had a lot of new guys coming in and there was a big learning curve for us,” Vopinek said. “We’ve beat some good teams but there’s always room for improvement.”

As the season is still young, having played less than a third of the games in the season. The Warriors have plenty of time to figure things out and find their identity.

“College baseball is a little bit different. They have some scouting report so they’re going to pitch you tough,” Fernley said “We’re improving. We’re just trying to figure out what we have. Having a slow start, we chose to compete and I like what we have,” he said.

Badminton team loses in the season-opener Track and field team continues to dominate Rabiya Hussain Staff Writer

As Warrior Komiko Noguchi was preparing for her badminton match with her inexperienced team, she was nervous to open the new season.

That nervousness proved to be the factor as the women’s badminton team suffered a laugher against East L.A. College.

The team was blown out by a lopsided score of 21-0.

The team’s next match will be against Pasadena City College, the 2010 Southern California champion, at home next Wednesday at 3 p.m.

“I have played badminton since junior high and high school but I was still nervous,” Noguchi said.

On top of the nervousness by the players, Tanelle Barnes said the players also acknowledged that they were all a little under-prepared and were not focused on being competitive during the match.

“A lot of the teams are a lot stronger than us,” Barnes said, “but we want to make sure we still have

fun while improving our game.”

Even after being dominated, Britton remained optimistic that future matches would yield better results.

“For a lot of the players who had not played a competitive badminton match before, it was a very educational experience,” coach John Britton said, “but with a lot of hard work and dedication they hope to be at that competitive level by the end of the season.”

The first game was not all a loss as Britton said it enabled the team to identify one of its weaknesses, a lack of stamina for some of the players.

“This is the season-opener and we have slowly been putting the team together,” Britton said. “We have not had a lot of time to play as a team but as the season goes on we will get better and results will improve.”

“For the next game, we need to concentrate on conditioning and consistency, the basics,” Britton said.

Joshua Sherman Staff Writer

It was just another day at work for the track and field team as the Warriors continued their hot streak at the Long Beach City Invitational at Veteran’s Stadium last Friday.

Myshauna Alexander stole the spotlight as she won in the javelin throw with a distance of 136 feet and 1 inch and also won the shotput throw with a 36 feet and five inch throw; David Cardona and Jose Lezama continued their remarkable season as they won the 800 meter and 1,500 meter respectively.

Saturday, the track and field teams will travel to Cal State Fullerton to compete at the Ben Brown Invitational.

Shale’ Garland, ranked as one of the top competitors in the state, won both the 100 meter and the 200 meter recording state-leading marks in both with times of 12.05 and 24.28 seconds respectively.

“The world around us is getting better,” coach

Dean Lofgren said, “and if we don’t improve along with them then we will get surpassed.”

Anthony Lewis finished second at the 800 meter run, seconds after Cardona came in first.

“I feel I did well, but there’s always room to improve,” Lewis said, referring to the Cerritos Invitational when he took part in the men’s distance medley team which held off Cerritos College and ran away with the win.

The weather didn’t matter much for Cardona, who was the state cross-country champion last year.

“I went out there and did a controlled run and set a pace,” Cardona said. “I didn’t want to push it too hard. It was raining.”

As the Warriors continue their successful season, Lofgren is looking forward to finishing it strong.

“It may not happen every week where we do well.

It might peak or valley but at the end of the season, we would like to go up,” Lofgren said.