EL CAMINO COLLEGE NOV. 15, 2018 Follow us at @ECCUnion
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Remedial classes will be effected by statewide law
AB 705 requires community colleges to speed up process of entering transfer-level English and Math courses Omar Rashad Special to The Union @ECCUnionOmar
S
tudents huddle outside a classroom on the second floor of the Humanities Building minutes before their English 82 course is about to start. Nervously chatting with each other about the upcoming exam,
their professor arrives on time and greets her students as she opens the door. It is a normal day, but simply one of many in a year that has been “a little scary” for part-time professor Nancilyn Burruss, she said. Despite being a part-time instructor at El Camino College for almost 15 years, she will not have a job teaching lower-level English courses in fall 2019; by then, her students will also not have the
option to take other lower-level English classes. In October of 2017, California State Legislature passed AB 705, which requires community colleges to allow students in fall 2019 to take transfer-level English and math courses, which begin at English 1A and Mathematics 110, depending on high school coursework and GPA. Furthermore, “a community college district or college shall
not require students to enroll in remedial English or mathematics coursework that lengthens their time to complete a degree,” according to AB 705. California Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin, who authored AB 705, said the bill was first considered when she was approached by Campaign for College Opportunity, a nonprofit policy and research organization, that presented areas in which community colleges
could be improved. When she first saw the bill, Irwin said she “thought that this could be really a game changer.” “What they saw with a couple of pilot programs that were being run, if students get placed in higher level courses with support, the outcomes are much better,” Irwin said. See Remedial classes on page 5.
Jose Tobar/ Union Sebastian Alejandro Araque Vera,19, Chemistry major, left, and Isaiah Robinson, 20, Computer Science major,right, and assistant at the Warrior Food Pantry, thankful a the day before Thanksgiving.
13 percent of EC students are homeless
42 percent of community college students have food insecurities Jose Tobar Special to The Union @ECCUnionTobar
I
t’s 7 in the morning. Semajae Brown has got to be in class by 8. She takes three buses and a train ride from Watts to El Camino College. Once again, she’s left home without breakfast. Monday through Friday, Brown, 20, cosmetology major, can be found in class ready to learn the trade she hopes will become more than just a means to an end for her, she’d like to open up her own beauty salon one day. Most days with little food at home and just a few bucks in her purse, she manages to get through an eight-hour day in school, without starving by ordering a meal from the dollar menu at the McDonald’s near campus, when she can afford it. Once seated in cosmetology class, the lecture started, she can’t focus. A nagging thought won’t leave her alone. She’s worried, that she may come up short the $200 her mother is counting on for the rent. Brown lives with her 55-year-old mother who lost her job driving a bus for the MTA, after being involved
in a serious traffic accident on the job; the injuries she sustained prevented her from ever returning to work. To make things worse, the landlord recently slapped her family with a $400 rent hike that skyrocketed their previous rate from $1,200 to $1,600 for a twobedroom apartment in Four additional family members live there too; two nephews, Angel, 3, Jordan, 5, a niece, Jamya, 17, and a 27-year-old female cousin, for whom the Brown residence serves as a safe haven from the abuses they suffered in their own homes. One thing Brown understands is this; that her experiences as a student at EC are not unique, but reflect the realities that community college students in California and other states live, as the food and housing insecure. Brown herself, would like to make enough money to ‘get away from it all,’ but more important than that, she would like to inspire students like herself who strive through school facing material hardships, to never give up. See “Homeless and food” on page 4.
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA
Professors lose their home in Woosley Fire, relief fund created Alexa Kinoshita Staff Writer
@ECCUnionAlexa As fires continued to surge across California, many people grew anxious about the safety concerning their lives. The Woolsey fire, formed on Nov. 8, has officially been contained as of Sunday, Nov. 25. However, many people are still missing and many homes and acres of land have been destroyed by the deadly fire that has already killed at least 85 people. The fire’s persistence has caused El Camino faculty and staff to evacuate and even lose their own homes to the rising flames. Currently, two faculty members have lost their homes and one is still red-tagged, Executive Director of the Foundation, Andrea Sala, said. Psychology professor, Renee Galbavy, and her husband who teaches in the Fine Arts Department, Joe Kabriel, have lost everything to the fire and has had to start over. “My father built that house from scratch in the 70’s. It was such a beautiful old place,” Galbavy said in an email that was sent to the EC faculty, staff, and administration by Sala. “It has not sunk in yet.” Sala also sent that email to The Union. To help, The Foundation has created an El Camino Fire Relief Fund to donate money for the faculty, staff, or students that have been affected by the fire. “There’s a lot of devastation out there and there’s so much need, but I think being able to give to someone who you work with, and you feel close to you, when you have that relationship with someone,” Sala said. “I think that’s why people have been so generous.” So far, over $5,300 has been donated to the fund. All donations will be given to any El Camino individual whose homes have been compromised by the fires and anyone can still donate money online, under the ECC Fire Relief Fund. The Foundation encourages all El Camino students, staff, and faculty to contact them if their homes have been destroyed. “Any amount is not too small,” Sala said. To donate, visit the link listed here. h t t p s : // w w w. e l c a m i n o . e d u / foundation/warrior-fire-relief.aspx
See Editorial on page 2 and see Opinion columns on page 3
Also in issue...
this
Information on about ECPD. See News on Page 6.
Comparing College’s Financial
Aid
Allocations
See Page 7 Holidays around the World Crossword Puzzle
See Features on Page 10 Grace Hoffman cross country runner
See Sports on Page 13
EDITORIAL
2 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION
DEC. 6, 2018
CAMPUS VIEWPOINTS: “LEVEL UP” By: Roseana Martinez, Alexa Kinoshita and Justin Bell Staff Writers @ECCUnionRoseana @ECCUnionAlexa @ECCUnionJBell
The Union went around and asked the EC community their thoughts on the AB 705 law and leveling law.
Steven Carillo, 18, political science major “GPA doesn’t mean everything, that’s just based off how you do your work, but it still goes to show that if you aren’t doing your work there’s obviously something wrong,.”
Illustration by Jose Tobar/ Union
AA degree in 2 years isn’t always possible
Stephany Ramos, 19, animal science major “I feel like it’s kind of negative because maybe some students aren’t like ready for some classes, and instead of taking those they are just not going to allow them. It’s going to make them like waste their time.”
Speeding up process to push students through community college may hinder opportunity to take remedial classes
I
f El Camino students felt anxiety in passing transfer-level English and math courses, Gov. Jerry Brown’s AB 705 law might not help. The statewide AB 705 law passed by Gov. Jerry Brown, will go into effect Jan. 1, 2019, and will require community colleges to speed up the process of student eligibility for transfer-level English and math courses. This law will incorporate the use of high school coursework, grades, and GPA’s to determine where students should be placed instead of a placement exam. While this may be good for students who are nervous test takers, this may come as a concern for students who genuinely aren’t ready to move into a transfer-level class. According to the success and retentions rates from the El Camino College website, anywhere from 55-58 percent of students passed English A while 56-59 percent of students passed English B since 2015. In addition, on average 62-64 percent of students at EC passed English 1A since 2015. Students will have the opportunity in requesting to take Integrated Reading and Writing Enhanced courses (RWE) which will be offered as a replacement for English A and B which are the current prerequisite courses for transfer-level English 1A. Certainly, the Union recognizes that students fail courses for all sorts of reasons but as the numbers show, students aren’t ready to be placed in these transfer level classes. It is important that EC continues to promote resources such the Writing Center, Learning Resource Center, teacher conferences, library workshops, and tutoring services. Math 73 and 80 are the current prerequisite courses to be eligible to take any transfer-level course at EC. According to the EC website, anywhere from 49 to 55 and percent of students passed Math 73 and around 39 to 45 percent of students passed Math 80 since
2015. If students are having a rough time passing these prerequisite classes, they will feel even more pressured and stressed if they have to move onto a transferlevel course that they are not nearly prepared for. The age range of EC students vary, therefore students coming back to school after 10 to 30 years may have a hard time trying to find the confidence to even take a prerequisite class and this law is just going to try and move them along after a year, despite the students’ own reservations. However, this will open up more English 1A and more transfer-level math courses in the upcoming semesters which will be helpful since many of these courses are difficult to get into because for the first week of the semester many students are trying to take these same classes. In addition to EC, other community colleges are going to be directly affected by this law as well. At Compton Community College, 51 to 55 percent of students passed English A and 43 to 59 percent passed English B since 2015, according to the El Camino College website. On average, 51 to 58 percent of students passed English 1A since 2015. Once this law goes into effect, it will have a large impact on students because many of them are not ready to be placed into transfer-level classes. Students should be allowed to take the classes that they see fit for themselves and should be able to go at their own pace. Although it’s important that EC continues to support those students who may not be ready to level up, it’s also important for students to know what suits them best. E ditoria ls a re u n signed a n d a re writ ten a n d voted u pon by the editoria l boa rd.
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THE UNION Vol. 74, No. 6 Dec. 6, 2018
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Peter Marcoux, English professor “I think its going to be a good thing. With any major change there is going to be some growing pains, and it will take some time for us to really get a grasp of how its impacting the students.”
Editor-in-Chief, Arts Editor.........................................................Ernesto Sanchez News Editor, Features Editor.......................................................Ernesto Sanchez Sports Editor................................................................................Melanie Chacon Opinion Editor..............................................................................Giselle Morales Assistant Editor...............................................................................Justin Traylor Staff Writer....................................................................................Fernando Haro Staff Writer...............................................................................Roseana Martinez Staff Writer.................................................................................Alexa Kinoshita Staff Writer.................................................................................Kevin Caparoso Staff Writer.................................................................................Esteban Mendez Staff Writer...........................................................................................Justin Bell Staff Writer......................................................................................Brenda Lopez Photographer...........................................................................................Jack Kan Photographer.....................................................................................Mari Inagaki Photographer................................................................................Analucia Lopez Photographer...................................................................................Jeremy Taylor Advertising Manager.........................................................................Jack Mulkey Adviser.............................................................................................Stefanie Frith Photo Adviser.......................................................................................Luis Sinco
We appreciate ASO offering late night study sessions and free scantrons during finals.
The Union is published on designated Thursdays by Journalism 11 and 14 students at El Camino College, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA 90506, and is free to the student body and staff. Unsigned editorials and cartoons are the opinion of the editorial board and do not necessarily reflect the views of the student body, staff or administration. Letters to the editor must be signed and must be received one week prior to publication in the Union office, Humanities Building Room 113. Letters are subject to editing for space, libel, obscenity and disruption of the educational process. Single copies of the Union are free; multiple copies can be requested through the Union.
Karla Sanchez, 20, animal science major “I think it’s like a good idea for those students that are kind of lazy and they are only in those classes because they didn’t want to do their work and they know the stuff. But I think it’s gonna be bad for the students that went to school and they didn’t really know anything.”
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OPINION
Dec. 6, 2018
CAMPUS VIEWPOINTS: WINTER BREAK PLANS With the semester coming to an end, the Union asked students what their winter plans were. By: Roseana Martinez Staff Writer @ECCUnionRoseana
EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 3
Soldiers Honor Veterans
CAMPUS VIEWPOINTS: TRANSFER PLANS
Military Service
As the college application deadlines approach, the Union asked the EC community what their transfer plans were. By: Alexa Kinoshita Staff Writer @ECCUnionAlexa
Troops
Bravery
Appreciation Rogelio DeSantiago, 19, business major “I’m going to take an online course during winter. I also will be hanging out with family and friends for Christmas and New Years.”
Veterans should not be approached any differently
Most former military members face the challenges of transitioning back into everyday life
Justin Bell
Staff Writer @ECCUnionJBell
Guadalupe Diaz, 20, liberal studies major “My winter break plans are going to the L.A. Zoo Lights. I also want to go to Universal Studios to see how it’s decorated and I also want to decorate my house for Christmas and go to the mountains.”
Leenah Hashmi, 19, cognitive science major “I really hope to transfer to UCLA so I can pursue a career in the medical field.”
V
eterans returning from service face many tough challenges in their transition from military to civilian life. Those challenges become even greater for veterans who decide to return to school. These are obstacles that I face personally, as former sailor in the US Navy. Most people would never
assume that I was formerly a prison guard in Guantanamo Bay, and had seen more than most people can imagine. This is the way most veterans like to be treated. When talking to someone that you know has served, please do not as questions like “Have you ever killed anyone?” or “Do you have PTSD?” Because, in reality, you’re more likely to be talking to a Veteran that has hardly ever held a weapon, than you are to be talking to someone who has ever been in battle. Some common misconceptions about veterans are that we are reserved, and that we are not likely to finish school. While some veterans are quiet, there are also a lot who would love to talk to you about anything and everything under the sun. Also, veterans who are using the
GI Bill have a 72 percent graduation rate, which is up 22 percent from the 50 percent graduation rate of non veterans. Most former military members have trouble reintegrating into society because they feel like they will never be able to connect with “normal” people again. They feel like no one will ever be able to relate to their story, and instead turn to isolation. I was lucky and I have never had any mental health issues and I’m back in college right after the Military. Most people who returned from Vietnam were not met with open arms, like veterans are today, upon their return home. They are currently suffering the consequences of social isolation and not getting mental health treatment sooner. Roughly 4 percent of all college
students in the United States are veterans, many students have never had a chance to engage with a veteran personally. I feel that this is the biggest hurdle for a veteran that is acclimating back into college. If more students had a chance to interact with more veterans, then they would see that we’re not any different and don’t need any special treatment. Veterans do not want any hand-outs, and we definitely don’t want anyone’s pity. We are just a small percentage of the student population that wants to fit in with all the rest of the different groups on campus. Students interested in more veteran info may visit the Veteran Resource Center in the Student Services building room 105.
Brianna Redmond, 19, environmental studies major “Well, I’m planning to transfer to UCLA next fall to get a bachelor’s in environmental studies and eventually get my teaching credential in the future.”
El Camino at your fingertips? Sounds like a great idea An EC app may not be available yet but it is something that could be seen in the future
Alejandro Nuno, 20, kinesiology major “I am going to hang out with friends and definitely try to go to Six Flags,” Nuno said. “Every year my friends and I make it a tradition to go to Six Flags at least once a year, so we are trying to go soon.”
Kaycee Kaba-Yee, Secretary for FYE “I’m planning on spending Christmas Eve with my family with a simple dinner. Then we are going up to San Francisco to visit my husband’s side of the family, then we are going to visit some friends up in Oregon.”
Kevin Caparoso
E
Staff Writer @ECCUnionKC
l Camino College could be left behind in a world transitioning into a predominantly digital landscape by not having its own dedicated mobile application yet. However, EC has given this some thought and is currently testing a third-party app. Ann O’Brien, executive director of marketing and communications, said that the app has some functionality issues that EC is looking into and it might not work out, but they are in favor of the school having one. It is nice to know that it has crossed their mind but it seems like EC won’t have an app students could use anytime soon.
Each passing semester of EC not having its own dedicated app is a missed opportunity for students and the school. There would be no problem of it finding its user base. The smartphone is no longer a rare commodity and is a major part of everyday society, including the college experience. According to a study done by Educase in 2014, 86% of undergraduate students owned a smartphone. Smartphones give students a convenient platform to email their professors, do research on the internet, and many other scholarly activities. A dedicated mobile app could improve the on campus experience for many students who own a smartphone. Finding your way around campus can be hard even for students who have been at EC for quite some time. The mobile app could have a detailed map of EC with a GPS location tracker to help students navigate their way around the school.
The app could also help with time management. There could be a feature for students to input their class schedule and receive alarm notifications 15 minutes before a class begins. Notifications could be very useful because let’s be honest, not everyone checks their email inbox everyday. The dedicated app could give students phone notifications of announcements made by the school or even by a club in EC. This would be a good way for students to become more aware about events happening on campus. The food vendors could also make announcements about new items on the menu or dishes they are out of. This could prevent students from lining up for something they are currently not serving and would save them a lot of time. The best thing this app could offer would be a platform for students to connect with each other. Students want to make friends
and it could help them spend fewer breaks alone. A forum or a chat room could provide students company and it would enhance the comradery of the community. There
are
many
things
Jeon Park, 19, mathematics major “I’m going to transfer by the fall semester of 2020, where I hope to attend UCLA so I can study and take classes to become an accountant.”
a
dedicated mobile app could do to improve a students time at EC.
It may be in the works but
unfortunately it does not officially exist yet. El Camino needs its own dedicated mobile application and it should be demanded. •
The costs of apps are largely based on features, complexity and platform according to savvyapps. com. • Simple apps for one platform will start around $25,000. • More complex apps cost six figures but can push up over $1,000,000. • Costs will also vary on who builds it. All information came from savvyapps.com
Elaine Kim, 19, biology major “My plan is to transfer by next fall, since I’m applying right now. Although I’m majoring in bio at El Camino, I applied as an international development major at UCLA so I can work around the world because I’ve always wanted to travel.” The Fall 2019 CSU application deadline was extended to Dec. 15 for all applicants.
NEWS
4 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION
POLICE BEAT By Fernando Haro
Battery Monday, Nov. 19, at 1:10 p.m. A student was verbally abused and hit by a piece of paper by another student in the Art Building. The victim was not injured and does not intend to press charges.
Vandalism Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 2:34 p.m. A fork was used by two unknown suspects to try and start a district cart near the Marsee Auditorium between Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. and Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. The suspects then attempted to pull the cart from the chain it was attached to.
Drug Possession Saturday, Nov. 24, at 3:15 p.m. A non-student was cited for possession of marijuana on school property after officers observed the subject commit various traffic violations on campus.
Traffic Violation Friday, Nov. 30, at 10:19 a.m. A non-student was discovered to have a warrant for their arrest after they were stopped for a traffic violation near Parking Lot C on Manhattan Beach Boulevard. The driver was issued a new notice to appear in court.
Corrections In the Thursday, Nov. 15 issue of the Union, the byline for the story regarding The Union Staff awards was meant for Esteban Mendez. In the same issue, the byline for the story regarding the Real Estate expo was meant for Fernando Haro. The Union regrets these errors.
New coffee shop purposed for Manhattan Deli location Justin Bell Staff Writer @EccUnionJbell A re-purposing of EC Bookstore and The Manhattan was announced during the College Council meeting on Monday, Dec. 3. “We have an architect hired and working on plans for a coffee shop; indoor and outdoor seating, taking part of the bookstore, so those plans are underway right now,” Bookstore Manager Julie Bourlier said during the meeting. While the funds to get the project done are already available, Bourlier said the process could be expedited or enhanced due to last semester's increase of the ASO sticker. The ASO sticker, formerly known as the ASB sticker, was increased from $10 to $15 last semester. Another way that Bourlier said she would like to spend the extra funds is to look into the possibility of creating an app for the new EC coffee shop that allows people on campus to pre-order their coffee. "We're thinking the app would make us a very user-friendly facility," Bourlier said.
“Homeless and food” Continued from page 1.
It’s not easy though. The high cost of living and the affordable housing crunch has exacerbated an already difficult situation for most, not just Brown, who faces similar challenges. “We live in a world where everyone is pretending. Everybody here is probably going through something, but they’ll try and pretend that they’re not…I know that there’s people who are going through way worse,” said Brown. This year, researchers from Temple University along with the Wisconsin HOPE Lab, a group of social scientists, released its third largest national survey “Still Hungry and Homeless in College” measuring basic needs security among 43,000 students at the university and community college level. Up to 42 percent of community college students reported being food insecure, 46 percent experienced housing insecurity, and 12 percent reported being homeless sometime during the year, however, students also ran into “different spells of trouble” intersecting these categories, the study revealed. “El Camino College also released its annual Student Campus Climate Survey this semester. Informed by previous EC surveys and studies performed by various other entities like the Wisconsin HOPE Lab, the survey measured housing/food security among EC students. Out of 2,231 students that were sampled, 1,633 answered the questionnaire. During the past 12 months 39 percent of EC students experienced housing insecurity, 13 percent experienced homelessness, and 33 percent said they’d lived on low to very low food security.” “And, so, that’s the whole thing about education. These students are distracted because they’re not thriving. They’re trying to survive,” said Anthony Hernandez, one of the study’s authors. “Surviving versus enlightenment.” Marginalized students are disproportionately affected and may suffer higher risks of depression, unemployment, poor health, lower grades, longer work hours, and higher levels of stress; the signs point towards a major public health risk that can undercut student academic performance, Wisconsin HOPE Lab explains.w As the Homeless liaison for EC, Sheranda Barksdale helps identify students who may be homeless or may be at risk of being homeless, through the Financial Aid office’s database system, in order to help steer them to support services on campus. “I’m happy people are finally having this conversation, that yes, we do have students…facing food insecurities, housing insecurities…Yes, we do have students thriving on campus, but yet, sleeping in their cars,” Barksdale said. At El Camino, support services for students take many shapes, like the Warrior Food Pantry established last year, that provides both food and toiletries to students who are enrolled in the current semester and can provide a student ID. The EOPS office whose mission statement announces their purpose on
campus is to support students facing economic and educational challenges, offers such support in the form of book vouchers, counseling, and EOPS Grants for “continuing EOPS students in good standing.” “I think that there’s still more students that have not come forward. I think, part of that though, is the lack of knowledge that we are here to assist them,” Barksdale said. A lot of students often choose to be discreet about their basic needs securities; many fear being labeled or stigmatized by peers at school. Others may simply not know that students support services exists
DEC. 5, 2018 highest numbers reported. “In the wake of the report, we’ve instituted a partnership with St. Francis Center hosting a weekly food pantry here on campus. We’ve had a pretty big turn out, but we need more,” said Davis Ysais, Public Relations Officer, for Los Angeles Trade Tech. The problem nevertheless persists. “We still are facing a pretty difficult situation with our students facing food and housing insecurities,” Ysais said. Chris Dela Cruz, Student Services Specialist, who oversees the Warrior Food
Jose Tobar/ Union Latasha Jones, 24, Cosmetology Major, having lunch outside Cafe Camino during her class break. “I’m at school from 8 to 7, so I don’t get to go out and make the money, so I don’t get to eat in the morning, through the day sometimes, um, I have to sacrifice for gas, sacrifice for my phone bill, you know...,” said Jones. on campus, the Wisconsin HOPE Lab report learned: This poses a “significant challenge institutions and social services must overcome in order to reach college students, because, you know, a lot of people are ashamed, they’ll hide invisible right in front of you,” Hernandez said. Other neighboring colleges have also reported similar numbers if not higher than those obtained at EC. LACCD’s results from a previous 2016 report “Survey on Food and Housing Insecurity,” identified Los Angeles Trade Tech and Los Angeles Southwest students as experiencing higher levels of food/housing insecurity. The food insecurity numbers there were at 62.7 percent. LASC and LATTC had the highest proportion of “food insecure students in the district (76 percent and 75 percent, respectively),” the LACCD survey revealed. Up to 55 percent of LACCD students surveyed experienced some form of housing insecurity during the previous 12 months, and 18.6 percent had been homeless at irregular intervals during the year. Again, LASC and LATTC had the
Pantry at EC takes a similar stance, for him, the high cost of living and housing crunch is bigger than the campuses combined can handle. He would like to see more done. “these are band-aid solutions. A lot of these are systematic and can only change through policy, talking to state senators, local politicians, and federal politicians… there’s a lot more that needs to change,” Chris Dela Cruz, Student Services Specialist, who oversees the Warrior Pantry at EC, said. Many students find themselves in a catch-22 situation in which working fulltime or not working at all amounts to experiencing similar outcomes as far as food and housing are concerned. Wisconsin HOPE Lab shows at least 82 percent of community college students work full-time or part-time during college; however, students who try to find work often find the process both frustrating and time-consuming, yielding poor results. The survey also reveals, “community college students who were unemployed but seeking work exhibited rates of food and housing insecurity comparable to students
working 40 hours or more per week.” “It’s not that simple to just go get a job,” Brown said. “People have to stop being so like, oh, ‘well, you didn’t try hard enough.’ When I left high school, I applied for over 150 jobs. One called me back!” At just 20-years-old, Brown comes across as a pretty self-aware articulate individual. Not surprising for someone who began attending to her own clientele’s hairdressing needs at 13, in order to contribute to her family’s income. More recently, ever since her mother became unemployed, Brown has done her part to support her family by helping babysit and feed her younger nieces and nephews, taking more clients on between semesters, to helping nurse her mother back to health after the accident. Learning how to stretch a dollar has become something of a fine art, especially when her past experiences looking for a job proved fruitless. After finally having secured an interview with Chipotle for a third time, she was told she’d gotten the job. But a week later she received an email from the franchise informing her that the job had gone to someone else instead. “Like, can you imagine how, how, that made me feel? That was very discouraging,” Brown said. “The fact that my father owned his own business, that was the only thing that kept me going. Some people don’t have that type of inspiration.” Financial Aid has often helped alleviate some of the burdens for students, but in recent times the calculated costs for attending community college, although seemingly more affordable than colleges at the Cal State or UC system, still fall short for some. “We need to provide students with more financial aid. College is more expensive than ever…we think the cost of…estimates are inaccurate. And we think that they paint a picture that is more rosy than it actually is,” Hernandez said. After three years at El Camino College, Brown is on the cusp of graduating in the Fall-a feat replete with material hardships ranging from poor access to healthy foods, difficulty making rent, transportation, and other issues minority students confront. Her single-mindedness and determination have allowed her to get this far, but the housing crunch and high cost of living plaguing the sun belt state has by no means left her unscathed. It’s about 5 o’clock, and Brown is on her first bus heading back home. Today she stood in line for two hours waiting for the pantry to open up because otherwise there may not be enough food left over to choose from. She’s been lucky in the past to have come away with a 20-pound bag of rice that she likes to mix up with chili, and will also serve her family well. “…like there’s people that go to school full-time, go to work full-time, and have three kids on their own-single parentsand are making ends meet, so I try not to complain, but at the same time I try not to shut myself up, like, oh no, that’s nothing. No. Everybody goes through something. You have to, like, sit back and recognize, but also visualize your future in order to see better days.”
Athletics, journalism, forensics, fine arts budgets uncertain Student government could soon be in control of $400,000 and deciding some department budgets Justin Bell Staff Writer @EccUnionJbell proposal to completely shift the revenue created from El Camino's student activity fee from the Auxiliary Services Board (ASB) to the Associated Students Organization (ASO) was introduced at the College Council meeting Monday, Dec. 3. The proposal will shift around $400,000 of funds per year into the hands of the ASO. Instead of programs such as athletics, forensics, and journalism being funded each year through an allotted amount, the programs will have to go in
A
front of the ASO each year and explain why they need funds. The ASO would then review the merits of the request and, if deemed necessary, approve the funds. The proposal came with more questions than answers. "I'm concerned with asking student government to fund the newspaper," student media Advisor Stefanie Frith said during the meeting. "Maybe one year you're a big fan, maybe next year there is a story in the newspaper that upsets you, I come from colleges where this has happened." Debra Breckheimer, EC dean of Humanities said she is going to focus on the journalism program by
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possibly getting funds shifted to a different budget, an idea that other affected programs are sure to try as well. "There are conversations that still need to take place to find out if there is any room in the general budget to fund these programs," Breckheimer said. Another part of the proposal was met with less backlash but could become just as important in the long run. Student President Joseph Mardesich said that programs that make their own revenue will be able to keep it, meaning more money for the programs that make revenue and less for the ones that
a job?
don't. Mardesich also said programs will get more money allocated to them based off of how many students they have in their program with ASB stickers. "The percentage of students with the sticker will play a part," Mardesich said. "But we're not going to forget about the equality of the programs." Mardesich laid out the plan with EC Director of Student Development Greg Toya who said during the meeting that EC will now require certain groups of students to have a sticker in order to be part of their chosen program. "We talked to Dean Natividad
and he mentioned he will look into having the school by-laws changed to have student-athletes be required to have the sticker," Toya said. While some programs will surely make money from these changes, the true impact won't be known until a new group of student government takes over, Mardesich sees hope that the extra revenue created by the increase in sticker price will offset any negative impact on certain programs. "It is a high possibility that programs will have more money because we will have more revenue," Mardesich said.
textbooks?
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NEWS
DEC. 5, 2018
Statewide Law Continued from page 1.
Although the bill received unanimous support in the California Legislature given the data behind the legislation and its prospects in shortening the years students spend at community colleges, often due to remedial courses, some opposition to implementing the new law has arisen, Irwin said. “The skepticism is putting students directly into transfer-level classes when they’re not prepared might lead to more students just dropping out,” Irwin said. “It is a hard conversation and there are definitely people on both sides of the issue.” Through the process of implementing AB 705, professors need to be listened to and given the support they require, she said.
“It’s a done deal at this point but it continues to be a difficult conversation as everything is revamped,” -Jacqui Ir win California Assemblywoman “This legislation is based on pilot programs that have been done but we need to make sure that we follow the progress and that we’re achieving the goals that we’ve set out to achieve,” Irwin said.
EC Administration Prepares for Changes Vice President of Academic Affairs Jean Shankweiler said placement in remedial courses keeps students from graduating on time. “Research shows that they really don’t need to be there; they can be taking English 1A and Math 150,” Shankweiler said. “So less time taking classes they don’t need, that’s the main benefit.” Associate Dean of the Mathematical Sciences Department Marlow Lemons said enrollment in transfer-level classes
will rise due to students’ new eligibility and will result in faculty teaching transfer-level courses instead of remedial ones. However, courses one notch below transfer-level will still be offered in the fall 2019 semester as optional courses for students who would rather have an extra semester of preparation, Lemons added. This includes Mathematics 80 for math and Integrated Reading and Writing Enhanced (RWE) for English. EC President Dena Maloney, who was “encouraged by the research,” said for students who take semesters of remedial courses in order to take transfer-level courses, “their persistence suffers because there’s a long road ahead to get to the end goal.” “The research shows that students that are placed directly into transfer-level English and math typically on average are more successful in completing the courses and moving on the pathway they’ve chosen for their degree or certificate,” Maloney said. Courses that will be affected, by either not being offered or have a considerable reduction in sections offered, during the fall 2019 semester include English A, B, 80 82, and 84 and Mathematics 12, 23, 37, 40, 67, 73, and 80.
Student Reaction to AB 705 Although EC is mandated to allow students to take transfer-level courses by fall 2019, students will be able to “level up” and enroll in at least English 1A and Mathematics 110 as soon as spring 2019. EC has released surveys and begun reaching out to students to help them find out where they place in accordance with GPA and the most recent classes they have taken, Lemons said. Second-year EC student Kevin Yniguez supports AB 705 because “it would be a better transition to be taking a class that’s more related to something you had most recently.” In high school, he remembers last taking Trigonometry as a senior and having over a 3.0 GPA. When he entered EC in fall 2017, he did not try to his fullest extent
on the placement test, ending up in remedial English and math courses. “I didn’t really study for the [placement] test and that’s my fault,” he said. “Because of the way the test is structured, I was placed in a class that I didn’t need to be in.” Now in his third semester at EC, Yniguez is taking transferlevel English 1C and remedial Mathematics 40; he could have started in transfer-level classes instead of having to take remedial English courses, he said. “I feel like the test negatively affected me because it’s kind of basing your future off of one piece of paper,” Yniguez said. Conversely, first-year student Natalie Tovar said she “feel[s] very conflicted about” AB 705. While it may benefit some, Tovar still thinks “it might hold them back maybe because they might not have gotten all the help that they could have gotten from that class.” Tovar, who will take English 1A next semester, is currently taking remedial English A which has helped her progress and feel more confident in writing, she said. Also a first-year student in remedial English A, Kelly Parra
“It’s going to be a great opportunity for everybody that perhaps scored lower,” -Kelly Parra First-year student in said AB 705 “is something good.” “They won’t have to take all those classes,” Parra said. “They’ll be saving more money and time.” Although Parra has benefited from English A in terms of writing techniques and preparation for transfer-level English 1A, she still thinks that new AB 705 changes are for the better although it is dependent on the student in every case, she said. “It depends because not
EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 5
Omar Rashad/Union Nancilyn Burruss speaks with a student prior to administering a test during her English 82 class. everybody learns the same so some people might need to take more time,” Parra said. “But some people might not, they might feel like they’re ready for it.”
Professors adjust to AB 705 The minimum qualifications to teach remedial courses differ from requirements to teach transferlevel English courses; professors who do not have the minimum qualifications to teach transferlevel English courses will be affected, Dean of the Humanities Department Debra Breckheimer said. “We are fortunate enough it didn’t affect too many adjunct instructors,” Breckheimer said. “It did not affect any of our full-time faculty.” Options for part-time instructors who do not meet minimum qualifications to teach transferlevel English courses include going back to school to gain necessary credentials or looking for another job.
Breckheimer said the Humanities Department has been “very open and transparent” of these minimum qualifications “driven by the Chancellor’s Office.” She also “made recommendations on departments that [affected] professors can reach out to,” she said. This issue is not present in the Mathematical Sciences Department, as all math professors are “flexible” to teach a range of mathematical courses; none of them will have to attain further education to teach transfer-level math courses, Lemons said. Professors who teach remedial courses will instead teach transferlevel courses since a large amount of lower-level course sections will not be available next fall and students will be anticipated to enroll in more transfer-level courses, Lemons said. The few part-time English professors affected by AB 705, which Breckheimer said are “fewer than five,” include Burruss, who first began as a part-time instructor at EC in 2004 and has since taught
a multitude of development courses in English including English 82 and 84. Her Master’s Degree in Education does not fulfill the requirements for teaching transferlevel English courses. “My dean called me in last week and told me I wouldn’t have classes in the fall,” Burruss said. Breckheimer refused to disclose information regarding parttime instructors and said she felt uncomfortable discussing personal matters in the newspaper. With Burruss “less than five years from retiring,” her options are limited, she said. “To go and take upper division coursework of 12 to 18 units and start with the cost of college and fees and studying for a part-time job which I may or may not get a class—it’s ridiculous.” Burruss said she will be looking other places for employment to pay her monthly expenses, one of which includes a “$2,000 a month medical insurance bill.” “I’ll be filing for unemployment come June,” Burruss said.
In the giving mood? You can donate food, clothes, toys at EC Kevin Caparoso Staff Writer
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@ECCUnionKC
Norman Xavier, 18, Political Science, Lindsey Lee, 18, Business, and Sean Min, 20, Architecture, members from the student body help organise donations in the ASO executive office pantry.
oys, books, clothes, and food are the many things that can be donated in different drop-off locations at El Camino College this holiday season. The Associated Student Organization has set up holiday decorated boxes for specific donations at different locations across campus. There will be a box for nonperishable food donations outside of the ASO office at the Activities Center and also at the library. Clothing donations can be left in a designated box at the Student Services Center and at the EC Bookstore. ASO created these drop-off boxes to assist other EC resources. The food donations will go to the Warrior Pantry and the clothing donations will go to Financial Aid. “I think that is really the responsibility of student government,” Sean Min, 20, ASO director of student services, said. “To just raise awareness of the different resources, the opportunities here on campus.” ASO is also accepting toy donations through a registry on Amazon set up by CARE and Calworks who have their own donation drive. CARE and CalWORKS are EC programs for student parents in need of assistance and are spearheading multiple donation opportunities for them. Their main drive is called Adopt a Family and is a way to help their student parents provide gifts for their children. Donations can be new and unwrapped toys, gift cards, and
money which can either be given by a check or online. They are also partnering with the EC Police Department and the Student Support Services Division on other drives people can donate to. The EC Police Department has a drop-off box in their lobby and are accepting new and unwrapped toys. A lot of people like the convenience of dropping off toys at the EC Police Department lobby because they are open for 24 hours, Police Officer Kenny Galan said. It’s not easy though. The high cost of living and the affordable housing crunch has exacerbated an They are also partnering with the EC Police Department and the Student Support Services Division on other drives people can donate to. The EC Police Department has a drop-off box in their lobby and are accepting new and unwrapped toys. A lot of people like the convenience of dropping off toys at the EC Police Department lobby because they are open for 24 hours, Police Officer Kenny Galan said. Galan and his partner Police Officer Erika Solorzano initiated the partnership between the EC Police Department and CARE and CalWORKS. “We just wanted to give back to our campus community as the Police Department to show that we are here to help,” Galan said. The Student Support Services Division are having a Children’s Book Drive and are accepting new children’s books at various locations. The cut-off date for these
drives is Dec. 11, in preparation for a private holiday event CARE and CalWORKS hosts for their student parents and their children. “We throw a little holiday event for them to give them like the Christmas spirit,” Isabel Gonzalez, CARE student worker, sociology major, said. “So it’s just a really great time that we provide for the parent for working hard and their child so they get to spend time together.” This year will be their 20th annual event and it is where the children of CARE and CalWORKS students receive their donated gifts. Breana Bond, CARE student services advisor, said they had a student worker inclined to work one of their holiday events because he attended one as a child. “It shows that what we do affect multiple generations,” Bond said. “This particular program really does that.”
• Police Department Toy Drive: Police department lobby
• Clothing donations: Student Services Building, EC Bookstore
• Children’s Book Drive: Communications
Building Room 201, Activities Center Room 170, Student Services Center Room 200 and Room 101 Visit eccunion.com for information on ways to donate.
NEWS
6 EL CAMINO COLLEGE
DEC. 6, 2018
Protectors of El Camino College
The individuals who patrol our campus daily Melanie Chacon Sports Editor
@ECCUnionMelanie
H
is warm smile and firm handshake describe a man who is sensitive,
yet stern. He is both welcoming and deeply astute. He’s spent 45 years on the job, and says he has not tired one bit. Michael Trevis is the chief of police at the El Camino College Police Department. Trevis said it is the ECPD’s job to “to maintain our campus in a safe environment so that students can learn, and teachers can teach, and staff can do their job feeling safe.” ECPD is budgeted for, and currently employs, 12 police officers, two sergeants, one lieutenant, and one chief of police. Each of these individuals patrol EC campus around the clock, daily. The ECPD budget comes from a few different sources of revenue: parking permits, daily permits, parking citations, parking for special events, such as football games and performances, and the EC general fund pays the remaining balance each year. The EC police are trained and maintained as any other police agency. ECPD has it’s own Police Academy, which new hires are put through once they have completed the application and testing process. EC also employs roughly 15-20 cadets year round. Trevis has a lot of pride in his officers and cadets on campus. “When we respond, we respond with sensitivity, courtesy, and respect. We know that. This is a campus environment,” Trevis said. “Our officers not only get that basic 16-20 weeks of training, but we also get one additional week of campus law enforcement training, and that focuses on sensitivity.”
Trevis said that for a community colleges, it is a state law that there are two police officers to every 2,000 students. El Camino qualifies under this law. According to the ECC Annual Fact Book 2016-17, there were 24,092 students enrolled in classes in the fall of 2016. Comparatively, according to Santa Monica College Fast Facts, there were 30,830 student enrolled in fall of 2016. Santa Monica College Police Department’s Sgt. Brian Wilson said that currently, the SMCPD employs 13 police officers, three sergeants, one captain, and one
“We are not gang busters. We are very sensitive, we are very understanding, and we are here to support student success.”
— Cheif Trevis Cheif of Police at El Camino Police Department
chief. SMCPD also employs six security guards and and six parking enforcement officers. SMCPD does have a cadet program, however, Sgt. Wilson said that there are no cadets that have enrolled in their program this semester. According to the El Camino College’s website, the El Camino Police Department has an active Police Cadet Program that plays a vital role in providing quality police services to the community. The police cadets are El Camino
College students who work parttime for the department while attending EC. Cristopher Parada, a former ECPD cadet, and current community service officer, (he recently received a promotion as CSO, the highest position as a cadet), says he’s likes working at EC and he’s learned a lot. “[Working at EC] has helped me interact more with people because there’s a different variety of students [here]...,” Parada, 23, fire and emergency technology major, said. “I used to be really shy so now it’s given me confidence... and [it gets me] out of my comfort zone.” The cadet program helps to prepare individuals for the police application, oral interview and tests. Parada has plans to continue his education at Cal State Los Angeles and then apply to be a police officer at an agency in the South Bay. “I want to be a police officer because I like helping people and interacting with people,” he said. Parada would some day like to be a part of a community relations team, which is a team of police officers who talk to and engage with the community, host special programs for the community, and go to schools and do presentations. “It’s a good feeling when you know you’ve helped someone... and I also want to help fight crime and arrest people,” Parada said. “It makes me feel good when I know I did something good for someone. I know in this field, I’ll be able to do that everyday for the most part.” Trevis said that the Police Cadet Program at EC had a lot of very good success. “Ninety to 95 percent of our cadets have gone on to work in the criminal justice system,” Trevis said. While cadets are on campus as extra eyes and watchdogs, they don’t carry weapons and they don’t exactly “patrol” the campus.
Melanie Chacon/ Union Chief of Police, Michael Trevis, stands in front of one of the Emergency Polls in front of the Campus Theater at El Camino College on Wednesday, Oct. 24. Cadets are trained in CPR and first aid, they have access to all of the campus keys for all facilities, and they assist the police officers and the public, and help serve and protect everyone at EC. As cadets, their main jobs are parking enforcement, unlocking buildings and rooms for faculty, and they also provide the campus courtesy shuttle. Trevis said that the courtesy shuttle rides are what the ECPD receives the most calls for. As of Wednesday, Oct. 24, for 2018, cadets have handled 4,449 shuttle requests. When the shuttle service began years ago, before chief Trevis was
Blue police polls assist anyone on campus • • • • • • •
The telephones may be accessed in an emergency or if you need the services of the police department. The phones are equipped withThe phones are equipped with information buttons that will dial the police department reguar nonemergency business number. (310) 660-3100 To contact the police department, push the red button on the face of the telephone or pick up the red receiver on the telephne. The phone rings directly into the Ewl Camino Police Communications Center. Calls made by Blue Phones are automatically identified by location when it reached the ECPD. If you are a disabled student and have a visual or hearing impairment, it is important to know that an officer will be dispatched to the location of the telephone where a call originated, even if the person making the call cannot communicate.
Nixel: Emergency text notification system for your cell phone • •
Melanie Chacon/ Union According to the El Camino College website, EC has a network of 60 Police telephone polls located along campus walkways, parking lots, and in many of the buildings on campus
El Camino College is now utilizing a new communication system, Nixel, that allows important emergency information about ECC to be sent to students, faculty, and staff via text. To sign up for these notifications, text ECCPD to 888777 and you will receive alerts from El Camino.
Melanie Chacon/ Union
Former ECPD Cadet and current Community Service Officer, Cristopher Parada, stands near his cubical at the ECPD on Wednesday, Nov. 13. “I feel safe [at ECC] when I’m not working and when I’m coming to class,” Parada said. “Especially since we offer shuttle rides.”
a part of ECPD, it primarily ran at night for individuals who did not feel safe going to their cars or because of a medical condition for those unable to walk from point A to point B. Now, Trevis said that people are using the shuttle for more of a “taxi service” on campus, but again, he says they won’t deny anyone a shuttle if they are available. Trevis said second most common calls to the ECPD are for medical aid. “Sometimes it’s just taking the students to the health center, other times it’s calling the paramedics to be on the safe side,” Trevis said. Because EC is a learning
institution, it’s where ideas are born and expressed. “Our mission is to protect those rights and ideas so that everyone is safe,” Trevis said. “We are not gangbusters. We are very sensitive, we are very understanding and we are here to support student success.” Trevis loves his job and takes his police oath very seriously. He wants to make sure everyone feels safe and protected on campus. “The best part of my job is interacting with students...to be able to walk away at the end of the day and have a smile on my face and be able to say, ‘You know what? I think I might have made a difference’,” Trevis said.
EC Police Cadet program: What they do and how to apply • • • •
• • • • • • • • •
This program allows students tp gain valuable experience working in law enforcement while pursuing their educational goals. Police cadets are paid and can earn college credit through the Administration of Justice, Cooperative Career Education Program. Police Cadets work about 15-20 hours per week and perform a variety of assignments that assist the department with delivering quality police services to the El Camino College Community. Some of the functions performed by the Police Cadets are: giving directions and assistance to the public; escorting students, staff and visitors; parking enforcement; making emergency notifications; providing assistance and traffic control at special events; operating the campus courtesy shuttle; locking and unlocking of campus facilities; delivering evidence to the lab for processing and reporting suspicious activity. There are mnimum requirements for the position, and they include: Currently enrolled as a student at El Camino College 18 years of age Possess a valid California Drivers license Possession of a High School Diploma or equivalent No felony criminal or disqualifying misdemeanor criminal conviction Able to pass a thorough background investigation, including a Fingerprint check with D.O.J./F.B.I. If you are interested in becoming part of this program, please email Mike Martinez at mmartinez@elcamino.edu or call the ECPD at (310) 660-3100
ECPD cadet shuttle service: • • •
The ECPD cadets operate the courtesy shuttle Monday through Friday, roughly between 7 a.m. to about 10:30 to 11 p.m. Anyone on campus has access to these shuttles. In order to request a shuttle, one must either call the police department from a class or personal phone, or call from the blue polls, or e-polls, emergency polls, located around campus.
*All information on blue police polls, the Nixel text notification systemand the ECPD Cadet program, according to the elcamino.edu site.
NEWS
DEC. 6, 2018
Five Main Types of Financial Aid 1.) CalPromise The California Promise Grant was formerly the BOG Fee Waiver. The Cal Promise Grant authorizes that enrollment fees be waived. Essentially, the Cal Promise Grant covers the cost of class.
2.) Grants Grants are free money that you do not ever have to pay back. they can be branched out into different types of grants. The most known are the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). The Federal Pell Grant is the largest source of funded grants. They are dished out solely on financial needs, grades and other activities do not factor. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant assist low-income students who need a great amount of financial aid to help pay for college.
3.) Loans There are two main forms of student loans for undergraduate students, direct subsidized loans and direct unsubsidized loans. Direct subsidized loans are made to eligible undergraduate students based off of their financial need to cover the costs of college. Direct unsubsidized loans are loans eligible for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. In unsubsidized loans students can take out as much money as they want or need.
4.) Scholarships Scholarships are like grants, money you do not have to pay back. Scholarships can be based off student’s skills and abilities or they can be targeted for a certain group of people. There are thousands of scholarships given out by schools, employers, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations.
5.) Work Study Federal work study provides part-time jobs for students with financial needs, allowing them to earn money to cover education expenses.
Source: California Community College Chancelor’s Office DataMart
EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 7
EDITORIAL
Comparing College’s Financial Aid Allocations
Over the last five years, EC is in the middle of pack in budget standards Kealoha Noguchi Staff Writer @eccunionKealoha he cost of living continues to rise as does the cost of attending college. The expenses of living and going to school have a great impact on college students. One common factor that usually determines whether a student attends a 4-year university or a community college, is not grades or extracurricular activities, it is money. Students often choose to attend a community college due to financial reasons. One way students can receive additional funds is through financial aid. Students can receive financial aid through multiple ways including, grants, scholarships, and student loans. To get a better sense of El Camino’s financial aid budgets within the last five years, take a look at other schools like Cerritos College, West L.A. and L.A. Harbor. Over the past five years, El Camino has allocated the most financial aid in the 2017-2018 school year at $50,517,575, according to the CCCCO website. Federal work study was at a high (324 students), 44 more students than the previous high in the 20162017 school year. The financial aid application process, or FAFSA, could be difficult and confusing to navigate through. The application process constantly goes through changes that could further complicate it. Students should have options when it comes to getting additional funds and should not rely on one source of funding. Financial aid means a great deal to students as it may allow students to strictly focus on school. “Yeah, it [FAFSA] helps out a ton, knowing I have that money for myself I can just focus on my classes,” Jorge Pena, 19, psychology major, said. On average, over the last five years $47.7 million has been dished out to El Camino students, according to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office website. The California Community College system is the largest of higher education in the country. The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) is the home for anything related to the 115 community colleges in California. The $47.7 million on average over the past five years is accumulative of the California Promise Grant, other grants, loans, scholarships, and federal work study. The California Promise Grant was formerly the BOG Fee Waiver. The Cal Promise Grant authorizes
T
Illustration by Kealoha Noguchi
The amount of financial aid allocation at each school. For the 2017-2018 school year. Source: California Community College Chancellor’s Office DataMart that enrollment fees be waived. Essentially, the Cal Promise Grant covers the cost of classs. Grants are arguably the best cast of financial aid because it is free money that you do not ever have to pay back. Grants are an umbrella term because they can be branched out into different types of grants. The most known are the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). The Federal Pell Grant is the largest source of funded grants. They are dished out solely on financial needs, grades and other activities do not factor. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant assist lowincome students who need a great amount of financial aid to help pay for college. The ideal financial aid situation would not include student loans. However, in reality most college students will have to take out student loans at one point. There are two main forms of student loans for undergraduate students, direct subsidized loans and direct unsubsidized loans. Direct subsidized loans are made to eligible undergraduate students based off of their financial need to cover the costs of college. Direct unsubsidized loans are loans eligible for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. In unsubsidized loans students can take out as much money as they want or need, just keep in mind
loans are money that you have to pay back with interest. Scholarships are like grants, money you do not have to pay back. Scholarships can be based off student’s skills and abilities or they can be targeted for a certain group of people. For example, a student can be awarded a scholarship simply because they are lefthanded. There are thousands of scholarships given out by schools, employers, private companies, non profits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations. For the most part it is the student’s job to go out and find them if they want them. Federal work study provides part-time jobs for students with financial needs, allowing them to earn money to cover education expenses. Only six students needed student loans, that is the lowest at
“Yeah, it [FAFSA] helps out a ton, knowing I have that money for myself I can just focus on my classes,”
--Jorge Pena, 19, phychology majoy
El Camino in the five year span. Grants also peaked at a high of $37,079,482 but the student count was only in the middle of the pack.
Cerritos is the better school to compare financial aid allocations with El Camino because they are similar in population size. El Camino’s comparable school is Cerritos and West L.A.’s comp is L.A. Harbor. Cerritos student population is slightly higher than El Camino’s but not significantly higher. El Camino’s average final financial aid budget in the five year span is $47,745,629 and Cerritos is $60,349,162. El Camino’s average student count is at 17,911 students and Cerritos’ average student count is 19,924 students. The final allocation of financial aid for El Camino in the 2017-2018 school year was $50,517,575 with a student count of 17,401. This translates to roughly $2,903 per student that receives some type of financial aid at El Camino. The Cerritos final budget for the 2017-2018 school year was at $59,278,031 with a student count of 18,553, $3,195 per student that receives financial aid at Cerritos college. The final amount of financial aid allocation from L.A. Harbor in the 2017-2018 school year was $15,281,814 with a student count of 7,820. An average L.A. Harbor student with financial aid receives about $1,954. West L.A.’s student count was 13,123 in the 2017-2018 school year. The final allocation was $19,374,621, an average $1,476 per student who receives financial aid.
According to the CCCCO website, West L.A. students did not receive scholarships in the 20132014 school year and from 20152016 through the 2017-2018 school year. The only school year West L.A students receive scholarships waa 2014-2015, which was only five. Cerritos led all four schools in the amount of loans taken out each year. During the five year span, on average Cerritos students take out 814 loans. None of the other four schools average 300 loans per year. At El Camino there are countless number of scholarships that are available that go unapplied for. To apply for scholarships at El Camino, go to myecc and click on the ‘Scholarship Application’ to fill out. Financial aid can also cover small, typical purchases. “I only have to worry about school and can just use that money for what I need like gas and food,” Nick Huitron, 18, business major, said. For students who aren’t familiar with the application process. For those students who need help completing their first FAFSA application, counselors or college financial aid officers will serve excellent resources. It is important to fill out the FAFSA applications as soon as it is available and to follow directions carefully so there won’t be any delays in the application process.
Breakdown of El Camino’s financial aid allocations The average El Camino financial aid allocation over the last five years. for the 2017-2018 school year
Illustration by Kealoha Noguchi Source: California Community College Chancelor’s Office DataMart
Illustration by Kealoha Noguchi Source: California Community College Chancelor’s Office DataMart
NEWS
8 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION
DEC. 6, 2018
EDITORIAL
Latinos represent largest ethnic group at EC Age, gender and ethnicity are just a few examples of what make up diversity and as for the international students on campus, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. Giselle Morales
Opinion Editor @ECCUnionGiselle
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oorulain Khawar, 19, engineering major said that one the main reasons that she came to the U.S was because her parents decided that she would have more options and have a better education. She’s been away from her immediate family for over three months. She is just one out of 704 international students according to the Office of Institutional Research. The distance from Pakistan to the U.S. is 7,690 miles, while there are universities in Pakistan and in other countries many students seek the opportunity to receive an education in the U.S. The International Student Program at EC helps to enroll students from all over the world, which in turn is helping the college become an even more diverse school. International students are just one piece of the diversity that makes up EC’s population. At El Camino College, the number of diverse students has seen a steady increase over the last few years. “Latinos represent the largest ethnic group on campus, a 7 percent increase in five years. Other ethnic groups have remained stable…” according to the annual 2016-17 El Camino College Factbook. Out of 33, 226 students, 51 percent are Latino, 15 percent are Asian and 15% are African-American. dsjh “What diversity specifically brings to a college campus is the opportunity to engage with people who are different than oneself and as a result exposes those individuals to new information, different ideas, perspectives, cultural viewpoints and also facilitates a way to engage with people who are different than oneself,” USC professor and campus diversity expert, Darnell Cole said. As an international student, Khuwar is enrolled in an ESL English class where she is surrounded by other students from all over the world. “It’s really interesting because the kind of topics we do are also related to the different cultures and we get to learn a lot of things from them,” Khuwar said. Aside from taking her ESL class,
Khuwar said that her favorite class is the history of rock music (MUSI 116) that she’s taking. This is a course that wouldn’t typically be offered at a
Photo courtesy of USC Campus diversity expert Darnell Cole said sometimes students choose institutions based on the cultural norms. university in Pakistan, she said. Taking classes in diversity is just one way students can expose themselves to new ideas. There are also four active clubs that focus on diversity on campus. Former International Club president, Layseang Ting said that the main purpose of the club is to, “promote diversity as well as inclusiveness on campus…we want to have an environment where students from different backgrounds can come
“What diversity specifically brings to a college campus is the opportunity to engage with people who are different than oneself and as a result exposes those individuals to new information, different ideas, perspectives, cultural viewpoints and also facilitates a way to engage with people who are different than oneself.” --Darnell Cole USC professor and campus diversity expert
Q&A with international student Noorulain Khuwar
Giselle Morales/ Union Khuwar says that in today’s world everyone is from everywhere and there is no specific culture or country. Giselle Morales
Giselle Morales/ Union Noorulain Khuwar, 19, engineering major says her history of rock n’ roll class is really cool and fun.
Photo by Layseang Ting Ting, 26, international studies major said he reactivated the club in 2016. and learn about each other.” The club sometimes hosts several indoor and outdoor activities that helped to celebrates and encourage diversity, Ting said. “…For indoor activities, we focused on having students represent their cultures and delivering their cultures…that they’re from to our other members,” Ting who attends University of San Diego said. Other diversity clubs at El Camino include the Black Student Union, ECC Salsa Club and A.H.E.A.D (Achieve Higher Education for All Dreamers). EC also has several programs that support diverse students including KEAS (Knowledgeable, Engaged,
El Camino College Ethnicity Statistics
and Aspiring Students Program) which supports students that have placed into pre-college level coursework. The KEAS program is offered to any student that is eligible, although they mainly target African-American, Latino and Pacific Islander students. “I think understanding who our students are and how we can serve them best is one of the most important things about what we do on campus,” the Director of Staff and Student Diversity, Jaynie Ishikawa said. Other community colleges in the area including Long Beach City College and LA Southwest Community College also have diverse campuses. Long Beach has a 58 percent Hispanic population, 13 percent Caucasian population and 11 percent African-American population. LA Southwest has a 53 percent Hispanic population and 37 percent African-American population, according to the California Community College Chancellor’s Office Datamart. Out of these four colleges, the largest diverse percentage comes from Cerritos Community College with a 70 percent Hispanic population. “With a large Hispanic population, we’re in the top 15 in the country in terms of Hispanic serving institutions. [However] numbers can be misleading, what those numbers mean is that we’re
still getting to know our students… those numbers only tell part of the story of who our students are,” Dr. Valyncia Raphael who is the Director of Diversity, Compliance and Title IX Coordinator at Cerritos Community
“…For indoor activities, we focused on having students represent their cultures and delivering their cultures…that they’re from to our other members,”
--Layseang Ting Former International Club president
College said. Whether it’s El Camino or other community colleges in the area, diversity is prevalent all over and it’s something that Khuwar thinks is an important topic. “I think [diversity] is important because you get to learn about other people and their cultures. I think it’s important that you respect their values and get to know them,” Khuwar said.
Cerritos College Ethnicity Statistics
Opinion Editor @ECCUnionGiselle
Noorulain Khuwar answered a series of questions on her experience as an international student and how El Camino is different from schools in Pakistan Opinion Editor, Giselle Morales (GM): How is El Camino different from the colleges in Pakistan? “Over there for some colleges [you have to be interviewed] and it’s pretty tough getting into some schools. Another main thing that I noticed is over here it’s more concept based, they want you to understand where everything’s coming from and why you’re doing what you’re doing but in my country they would just tell you this is it and [that] you have to know this.” (GM): Since you’ve been here, would you say El Camino is a diverse school and if so could you give some examples? “Yes, definitely. So, some of the classes I take like ESL, everyone is an international student and not from here. From the ISP office, they’ve been really supportive and we get to meet other international students from other countries so that’s pretty cool.” (GM): What’s been your favorite part about being here at El Camino? “Your more independent here, it’s all up to you, it’s all in your control. You can either do your best and get wherever you want to go, it’s not like somone is spoonfeeding you all the information like it is back in my country. The teachers would tell you everything and how to write the exact answer but over here we have to kind of learn ourselves.” (GM): Is there anything else you would like to add?
Giselle Morales/Union Out of 33, 678 students during the 2017-18 year, 51 percent of students were Hispanic at EC. They make up the largest ethnic group on campus. - Source: California College Chancellor’s Office Datamart
Giselle Morales/Union In comparison with the three other community colleges, Cerritos had the largest Hispanic population with 69 percent - Source: California College Chancellor’s Office Datamart
There are multiple other diverse clubs that currently aren’t active. If you’re interested in reactivating a club contact the Inter-Club Council. To contact the ICC, call 310- 660-3593 ext. 6399 • .ICC meeting are Monday from noon to 1p.m. To see more pie charts from Long Beach and LA • Their next meeting will be on Monday, Dec. 10 in the Alondra Room. Southwest Community College, visit eccunion. • The ICC also plans events including Club Rush, blood drives and club mixers. com
“The overall experience as an international student has been pretty good because there’s a lot of things that are specifically for us like specfic groups for international students and the ISP office has been real supportive so it’s just like a really nice family. You do miss your family but over here it’s really nice.”
For more information on international students, you can contact the International Student Program. • The ISP office is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. • To contact them, call 310660-3431
NEWS
DEC. 6, 2018
EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 9
Illustration by Justin Traylor
Percentages of ages 20to 24 at every college metioned in the story Friday, Nov. 16.
Word clould of all the topics Nov.27
HIGH SCHOOLS INVOLVED IN DUAL ENROLLMENT • North Torrance • DaVinchi • El Segundo • Hawthrone • Lennox Academy • Serra • Redondo Union • Leuzinger • Torrance • CAMS • City Honors Illustration by Justin Traylor• South Torrance
Age diversity varies on college campuses
Leading numbers in community education institutions across the Los Angeles area Justin Traylor
Assistant Editor
C
@ECCUnionJustinT
ommunity colleges are a melting pot of ages. Students that attend these establishments are all different ages. Each student has their share of knowledge and experiences that they can combine to achieve a degree or transfer. Community colleges are becoming more and more diverse in ages each year. In the 2017-18 semester, El Camino College found that their population of students that are 19-years-old or less increased since 2012 according to the Chancellor’s Office Data Mart. In 2012 there were 9,148 students that made up 28.86 percent of the student count. But, 2017 the count was 10,732 which made up 31.87 percent of the student count according to the Data Mart. Student ages 20-24 make up the biggest population of students on El Camino campus. El Camino has seen an increase since while staying steady since 2012 with a small dip in 2016 according Data Mart. In 2012 there were 12,221 students that made up 38.55 percent of the student count according to the Chancellor’s Office Data Mart. In 2017 the student count is up to 12,500 which makes up to 37.12 percent of the student population according to the Data Mart. Students of all ages are coming together and trying to get business done and transfer as soon as possible and by looking at these community colleges across the Los Angeles area it is shown. One of the causes in the jump of students 19 and under is due to the dual enrollment program at El Camino College. “ Dual enrollment is an umbrella term any student that is typically 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade enrolled in a community college or a university where there getting high school credit and college credit,” Michelle Arthur the Director of dual enrollment said. Dual enrollment can be achieved in three ways. One way would be if an El Camino professor goes to the high school and teaches a course, if the student is taking the class online, and if the high school student goes to El Camino for classes. “As of this fall we had 100 core sections offered at 21 high
schools,” Arthur said. Overall there are about 1900 students taking full advantage of this program and still growing. The South Bay Promise program is another cause of the spikes in ages 19 or less at El Camino. So, the South Bay Promise is a program where students promise to apply early, be full time, complete FAFSA, meet with a counselor, declare a major, and the first year of college is free. Regardless of how much money the student makes the first year will still be free as long as they live in the service area. Now taking a look Santa Monica College that has seen some spikes in enrollment of students that are 19-years-old or less in 2012 there were 12,650 students which were 28.10 percent of the student count according to the Data Mart. They saw their best number in 2016 when there were 12,889 students that made up 28.60 of the school population. In 2017 Santa Monica saw a 1 percent decrease with 27.60 of the students being 19 or less according to the Data Mart. Santa Monica’s moneymakers are students that are 20 to 24 years of age. In 2012 they recorded 16,193 students are 20 to 24 years of age making up 35.97 percent of the student count according to the Data Mart. But, in 2017 Santa Monica reported 15,454 students now making up 34.93 percent of the student count according to the Data Mart. They ‘ve seen a bit of a decrease but that could change in the future. “We are looking into this. Once we know, we can better address this. It is on our horizon, rest assured,” Barney Gomez Vice Chancellor for Digital Innovations and Infrastructure said when he was asked about the growing number of students from ages 19 to 24. Cerritos College has seen influxes in there student count of ages 19 and younger. In 2012 7,409 students were counted making up for 24.70 of the student population according to the Data Mart. Compared to 2017 when there were 7,111, 19 and younger students counted making for 22.66 percent of the student count according to
the Data Mart. Students between the ages of 20 to 24 have the biggest population of students on the Cerritos campus, in 2012 there were 11,042 students of that age group making up for 36.82 of the population according to the Data Mart. Since 2017 there’s been a 3.62 percent decrease. 10,418 students ages 20 to 24 were counted for the 2017-2018 semesters according to the Data Mart. Last but not least the spotlight is on Long Beach City College. In 2012 there were 8,255 students ranging from ages of 19 or less which made up 26.49 percent according to the Data Mart. Often for students between the ages 20-24 it is their last chance. They didn’t get into a university that they wanted so this is the next step for them counselor Sabra Sabio said, “The next group they are fresh out of high school and they have no idea what they want to do so they come to see counselors,” Sabio said. Long Beach has seen healthy increases over the years. In 2017 the number of students jumped to 9,265 which makes up for 26.67 percent of the student count according to the Data Mart. The number of students from ages 20 to 24 has also increased. In 2012, there were 10,868 students counted which counted for 34.88 percent of the college count according to the Data Mart. In 2017, the count increased by 2.1 percent and was recorded at 12,845 students according to the
Data Mart. Robin Dreizler Dean of Enrollment thinks there are many many reasons why students ages 20 to 24 make up such a large percentage of the population on campus. “I’ve seen trends like that over the years that I’ve been in education and sometimes it’s tied to the economy a little bit and what that person is doing if there are jobs[and if there are no jobs],” Dreizler said. But, there usually students that went to universities that couldn’t attend for whatever reason or they are looking for some sort of job training. 24-year-old film major Anthony Chatman has come back to school and is following his dream. “Since I was young I always loved movies and TV shows besides playing video games, Chatman said, “I always felt like those were ways I could escape reality and dive into a new world”. After graduating from Lawndale high school Chatman quickly went to work at places like Target and Best Buy and soon realized that it wasn’t for him. “I didn’t wanna work for someone else’s dream for the rest of my life, I wanted to follow my dreams and make sure they come true,” Chatman said. Chatman wants to be a director and a screenwriter, he feels like with film and video he will be able to create some crazy and interesting worlds. ”My plans after I get my degree is
Justin Traylor/ Union
Anthony Chatman 24-year-old film major smiles for a picture on the second floor of the Bookstore Friday, Nov. 16. trying to get paired with someone’s production company, and find my way into making my own films and TV shows come to life,” Chatman said.
A graph showing the ranges of community college students ages in the 2017- 2018 semesters.
Illustration by Justin Traylor
FEATURE
10 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION
DEC. 5, 2018
Fernando Haro/ Union Reysand Benasfre balances school and his love for makeup while living a double life as his drag persona "Maya Azteka." Nov. 8, 2018.
The King and Queen Fernando Haro
Zapotec descent and his interest in his Native Mexican
through the world of drag and makeup.
followers.
culture.
“My ideal drag persona isn’t like an over the top drag
Among his pictures are those of his drag persona and other
he’s sugar, she’s spice and anything but nice.
Fellow artist Jay Lopez is a social media follower of
queen, she’s more like a girl you would see at a party, a
looks inspired by monsters and ghouls.
She wears fangs, three-inch high heels and a
Benasfre and said he has seen “Rey” and his drag persona
pretty one, one you would pass a blunt to if you had one,”
“s something he’s wanted to do for a long time.
slick pink dress with a white fleece cardigan;
develop over time.
Benasfre said. “A lot of drag queens go over the top, too
“It’s really good, it’s pretty cool, like that Halloween one
except she isn’t a woman.
“I’ve watched Rey explore and experiment since the
intense but I don’t like to.”
that he did, it doesn’t look like it’s amateur—cheap stuff
Reysand Benasfre or “Rey” is a 19-year-old El Camino
beginning of his persona, Maya, and there seems to be
Benasfre takes his time as he works on his makeup,
that anybody could do, the fact that he can change his facial
College student and political science major, leads a double
something deeper than just makeup and wigs,” Lopez said.
focused on making each look his own.
structure, it doesn’t look like it can be easily replicated, he’s
life as “Maya Azteka.”
“It is an exploration of self and a reflection of culture."
But Benasfre doesn’t only focus on drag. He showcases
good at what he does,” Machuca said.
Maya Azteka is Benasfre’s drag name, inspired by his
Benasfre said he just likes to have fun and express himself
his looks on Instagram where he has over one thousand
Instagram for Reysand Benasfre: san.miguelitoh
S
Staff Writer
@ECCUnionFernand
For the answers visit Eccunion.com
PHOTO ESSAY
DEC. 6, 2018
“For Aretha” is performed during the Fall Advanced Dance Concert on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Campus Theatre.
EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 11
Jack Kan/ Union
Fall Advanced Dance Concert Photo Essay by Jack Kan and Mari Inagaki The El Camino Department of Dance presented the Fall Advanced Dance Concert at the Campus Theater on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. Co-Directors/Choreographers: Liz Hoefner Adamis and Jonathan Bryant
FacultyChoreographers: Kanisha Bennett,Daniel Berney, Jessica Kondrath Guest Choreographer: John Pennington
Jack Kan/ Union Fall Advanced Dance Concert, Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Campus Theatre.
To view the full slideshow visit eccunion.com
Jack Kan/ Union “Prosecutor on that Finger” is performed during the Fall Advanced Dance Concert on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Campus Theatre.
“Limitless Souls” Fall Advanced Dance Concert ,Dec. 1, at El Camino Campus Theatre.
Mari Inagaki/ Union
Mari Inagaki/ Union
“Prosecutor On That Finger” Fall Advanced Dance Concert on Saturday, Dec. 1, at El Camino Campus
ARTS
12 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION
Drawing is her favorite form of expression
Multitalented artist Jacqueline Robinson creates abstract using flowers and sketching bodyparts at El Camino College to have something perspectives that people get from my to show for her education and drawings,” Robinson said. “Some creative abilities. people are so off in trying to “I am working towards decipher the meaning, but just at least having an then I’m like, you’re not off, AA because I want to it’s just not what I intended have a background but that’s great that you in art like I want to got that out of it.” have that credential Robinson explains saying I can actually how she used art as a do stuff,” Robinson vessel in expression said laughing. “So, since she didn’t have I’m not just a wacko very many friends on the street like, ‘Buy growing up. my art!”’ “I’ve been creative and Robinson’s favorite like artsy ever since I was form of expression for younger, and I guess middle her art is her drawings. As school is when I really started an artist, she is very open like drawing bigger things,” and even invites audience Robinson said. interpretation to her work. Middle school is when “I love different Robinson’s doodles began to
Arielle Chacon Special to The Union @EccUnionArielle
W
hile sitting at a blue lunch table down by the art quad, the sun’s rays peek through the trees creating bright golden hints in her platinum blonde hair. Jacqueline Kate Robinson smiles as she carefully adds details to her abstract twopage drawing in her sketchbook. Robinson is a 19-year-old multi-talented artist who indulges herself in drawing, sculpting, painting, and creative jewelry assembly. She is also passionate about the environment and botany because of her love of nature, specifically carnivorous plants. Robinson’s abstract drawings usually consist of parts of the body surrounded by nature like flowers and plants. “I love to take stuff that makes people uncomfortable and make it comfortable because I try to make it more beautiful,” Robinson said. “A lot of people are uncomfortable with naked bodies, but like we all got a body underneath these clothes.” She is currently studying graphic design, though Robinson said she finds herself gravitating toward interior design because she says it includes most of the things she is passionate about. “I’ve thought about interior design,” Robinson said. “I am also passionate about the environment, and I think that I can incorporate eco-friendly furniture, and like paints etc.” Robinson knows that some homes today still contain harmful lead paint. She said she feels she can help people with healthy living while making it an aesthetically pleasing space. “To be able to do that for somebody else and be satisfied with that aesthetic and it’s not mine, that makes me happy in a way because it’s just like, I’m doing it for somebody else,” Robinson said. “I’m always about helping people.” El Camino Student, Jackie Robinson, majoring in graphic Robinson aspires to get a degree changing her major to interior design taken Tuesday, Nov. 9.
Photo of the Week:
Mari/Union "Overlay" is performed during the Fall Advanced Dance Concert, Dec. 1, at the Campus Theatre.
ARTS EVENTS CALENDAR
DEC.
6
11
7
13
Choreography Showcase Campus Theatre 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Messiah Sing-Along Campus Theatre 7.30 p.m.
9
ECC Chorale Chorale Campus Theatre 7 p.m.
10
Lo Tech No Tech Marsee Auditorium 7 p.m.
Lo Tech No Tech Marsee Auditorium 7 p.m.
ECC Opera Workshop Campus Theatre| 8 p.m.
JAN. 22
Guest Speaker Anthony Cuomo Marsee Auditorium 7 p.m.
25 Joseph Mitchell, Percussion
Marsee Auditorium 8 p.m.
15 The Nutcraker
29 Kristi Lobitz, piano and Yoshi
16
30
Marsee Auditorium 2 p.m.
The Nutcraker Marsee Auditorium 2 p.m.
Masuadi, cello Campus Theatre 8 p.m.
LA Opera Outreach Marsee Auditorium 10:30 a.m.
transform, and her skill began to develop. She would give her art away that she didn’t like, but her family supported her and suggested selling it instead. Robinson said she started to draw bigger rather than doodles and when she gives them away to her family they reply with “you can’t just give stuff away especially if its good.” Robinson’s family has always been very supportive of her in pursuing a career that involves her talents. Her older sister, Jessica Robinson Dancosse, a 33-year-old 1st-grade teacher has watched Jackie’s skills advanced as she grew up. “She has always loved art, and I remember her starting to draw at a very young age,” Dancosse said. “As she got older, her talent grew, and her art becomes more refined.” One of Robinson’s drawings she created is a giant beautiful yellow flower that resembles that of a daisy with a twist. “I love nature, I was thinking I want to draw a flower but I want the middle bits to be teeth because I thought that’d be cool, and I love weird plants, botany is another passion of mine,” Robinson said. “I wanted to have eyes on the petals just because I thought it would be really cool looking.” One of Robinson’s close friends, Skylar Baye, 20, a mechanical engineering student at El Camino College was impressed by Robinson’s drawings when she first showed them to him. “I think she asked me if she wanted me to look at her art,” Baye said. “I was really impressed by it because it’s different from what I’ve seen before. Robinson’s goal and motto in life involve not being caught up in the physicality of the world, but to put more focus inwardly and that idea is expressed through much of the artwork she creates and explains so in a statement. “I just want to open people’s minds and expand their worldview because the world is so much bigger, Arielle Chacon/Union conceptually than a lot of people design, plans on possibly think,” Robinson said. “Maybe finding your self-worth and your
DEC. 5, 2018
‘The Nutcracker’ comes to EC Fernando Haro Staff Writer @ECCUnionFernand
T
he battle between gingerbread soldiers and mice continues Dec. 15 and 16, at 2 p.m. inside El Camino College’s Marsee Auditorium. The South Bay Ballet will be performing their annual production of the famous twoact play, “The Nutcracker,” with Directors Diane Lauridsen and Elijah Preston. Lauridsen said a lot of families come every year to see this performance at EC. “’The Nutcracker’ is a great family experience,” Lauridsen said. “It is colorful and entertaining.” ‘The Nutcracker’ tells the story of Clara who finds herself in the midst of a battle between the Nutcracker Prince and the Mouse King, only for her wildest dreams to come true in the Land of Sweets. Lauridsen said many of the dancers in the play have grown up doing the show, earning scholarships at programs such as the Royal Ballet of London and the San Francisco Ballet. The lead role of Dream Clara will be played by 15-year-old Amelia Perez. “I’ve been dancing in ‘The Nutcracker’ for seven years,” Perez said. “I’m excited to be able to express many different emotions on stage and to carry the weight of a principal role.” Aidan Tyssee, 17, will be playing the Nutcracker Prince and said he is this is his sixth year performing in this show. “I always look forward to both performing on the big stage and interacting with the audience after the show,” Tyssee said. Tickets will be available for $36 to the general public, $27 for EC students, and $24 for children (12 and under).
SPORTS
DEC. 6, 2018
EL CAMINO COLLEGE 13
The number of student-athletes has increased recently
More men and women are becoming student-athletes according to El Camino Annual Fact Book David Rondthaler Special to The Union
J
@ECCUnionDavid1
ordan Hixon, 21 ,English major, wakes up to go to class at 8 a.m. After her morning classes she has basketball practice at 1 p.m. After practice gets out around 5 p.m. , she then has to go to work at 6 p.m. Following work, she goes home to do homework,she repeats the process the next day. Some may think studentathletes have crazy daily routines but that is not the case. “My routine is no different than normal students,” John Harvey said. Harvey, 19, physiological science major, is a part of the cross country team and track and field. Harvey has class in the morning, then has practice at 1 p.m. , which is just like a normal class, Colin Preston, director of athletics and kinesiology, said that every team is associated with a class. Sports are like classes, students have to register online in order to compete. After getting out of practice at 4 p.m., Harvey takes night classes so he has enough units for the minimum requirement for studentathletes. Minimum requirements for student-athletes are 12 units during their sport season and 24 units
between seasons Chris Jeffries, athletic counselor, said. Harvey is at school for, “long hours, morning till night.” He usually leaves school around 10 p.m. Not only do these students participate in sports, they also have jobs. Harvey works at In-n-Out as a cashier, and Hixon works at a parks and recreation center as a rec leader specialist. Some students are lucky enough to have a job that is weekend-based like Brian Burrell, captain of the men’s soccer team. Burrell said that he is happy to work at Sky Zone so he can go to on the weekends, but it is still tiring to work. Student-athletes like Harvey, Burrell, and Hixon are important to have because they are important to the academic programs and helps raise graduation rates, Preston said. From 2015-2016 to 20162017, male student-athletes have increased by 22 percent (346 to 422) and female student-athletes have increased by 9 percent (181 to 198), according to the El Camino College Annual Fact Book. Preston said there could be many different reasons why the number of student-athletes has increased. The number of student-athletes in the area that are going to four-year
colleges could affect the number of student-athletes, he said. Preston said the most important thing is how well El Camino recruits high school athletes in the area at Redondo Union, El Segundo, and Torrance High Schools. There were 25,732 California community college studentathletes in 2016-2017 provided by Carlyle Carter, President of California Community College Athletic Association. In 2016-2017 there had 33,226 students at El Camino and had a total of 620 student-athletes, according to the El Camino Annual Fact Book, which is around 2% of the student population. Long Beach City College has 431 student-athletes and Los Angeles Harbor College has 218 studentathletes according to Equity in Athletics Data Analysis. Women’s soccer coach, John Britton said that student-athletes come to El Camino because of the consistency, strength in academics and athletics, and strong reputation to transfer to four-year universities. Students come to El Camino for all different types of reasons, Harvey came to El Camino because he wanted to keep running at the collegiate level. “One of the reasons why I came to El Camino was to continue
competing in cross country,” Harvey said. Even with going to El Camino and being in the cross country program,“I don’t think I’ll continue being a student-athlete but I will continue being active and in shape,” said Harvey. Other athletes like Ashley Hanna, captain of the women’s soccer team, will be transferring and going to Cal State Long Beach. Coaches won’t treat athletes any different if you want to transfer or not. Cross country and track and field coach, Dean Lofgren said, “I treat everyone with respect, I treat them all basically the same no matter their ability level.” Also, women’s basketball team coach, Steve Shaw has a similar mindset, he treats athletes all the same but has the same expectations and goals for everyone on the team. “I treat all athletes the same, and I treat them fairly. If they want to stop playing that’s fine,” he said. Somethings learned from being a student-athlete are time management skills, how to work with people, and leadership skills said Burrell. Not only that, women’s basketball player, Makena Peneueta, said she learned how to think fast and have discipline on and off the court. With those skills, some coaches
don’t have to worry about athletes doing well in the classroom. “Most of our student-athletes are overachievers, to begin with,” Lofgren said. Shaw tries to recruit athletes that will take care of their academics and have a team of players that influence others to do well in their classes. “I expect them to take of (their academics). I try to recruit players that do that and have them influence others to do the same,” Shaw said. Student-athletes have a lot of resources to help them in the classroom. They have study hall they can go to and specialized tutoring offered to them. There is also assistance from counselors. Student-athletes have their own counselors they can go to and who help make education plans with them no appointment needed with drop-ins hours. Counselors are available for student-athletes to come by 9 a.m.5 p.m. on Monday and Wednesdays and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m.-7 p.m, said Jeffries. Counselors can also help athletes get priority registration and plan out courses before registering for classes. Not only do students have to do well academically, but they also
Percentage break down of male (right) and female (left) athletes in each sport in 2016-2017
have to be committed to what they are doing and love their sport. “...I just want to say being a student-athlete can be timeconsuming and hard but anyone can do it. You have to like what you do and if you love your sport, you’ll find time to do it. I made the right decision to do athletics at El Camino,” Harvey said.
Q&A with cross country and track and field runner, John Harvey
David Rondthaler/Union
Question: What are your favorite moment or moments you had while a student at El Camino? Answer: Little things, really go a long way for me, like the van ride to Fresno we had. Funny moments with teammates like doing pranks on the girls team and being able to compete with others. Q:Do you think your GPA would be higher if you weren’t a student athlete and why? A; Yes, because I have more time to study, wouldn’t be tired, and don’t have to take night classes. Q: Do you think your chances to transfer are higher than other people who are not student athletes and why? A:I would say about the same, I’m just a mediocre athlete so I think my chances are about the same. If I was a top tier athlete then yes.
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
2015-2016
2016-2017
Baseball
29
36
33
29
33
Basketball
25
20
24
23
30
C r o s s 16 Country Football 89
-
26
27
25
79
88
92
109
Golf
-
9
10
11
10
Soccer
32
34
36
36
34
Swimming
36
42
41
38
41
Tennis
11
14
11
14
19
Track & 32 Field Volleyball 23
30
45
42
64
26
24
22
41
Water Polo 23
26
24
22
41
Total
308
353
346
422
317
Number of men (left) and women student-athletes in each sports over the last five years and the total number of men and women student-athletes each year. 2012-2013
Q: What are some benefits of being a student athlete? A: Meeting new people, new group of friends, priority registration, and helps take your mind off school.
2013-2014
2014-2015
2015-2016
2016-2017
Badminton 11
13
12
10
12
Basketball 17
17
16
15
21
C r o s s 20 Coutntry Soccer 23
27
31
26
25
23
22
21
27
Swimming 15
18
17
17
17
Softball
16
26
17
19
17
Tennis
10
17
19
17
19
Track & 35 Field Volleyball 16
63
26
25
30
17
21
20
20
Water Polo 15
15
19
11
10
Total
236
200
181
198
178
(Left) Source: El Camino Annual Fact Book
(Right) Illustration by David Rondthaler
SPORTS
14 EL CAMINO COLLEGE
DEC. 6, 2018
GOING the
DISTANCE
For freshman cross country runner Grace Hoffman, there is no offseason, and walking is not an option
Mari Inagaki/ Union Freshman cross country runner Grace Hoffman stretches on the turf at Murdock Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 5. A few months ago, Hoffman wasn’t sure where she wanted to attend college and she wasn’t even sure she wanted to run. “After talking to [Lofgren] for a long time and seeing how he ran the program, it changed my mind about if I wanted to run or not,” Grace Hoffman said.
Melanie Chacon Sports Editor
@ECCUnionMelanie
I
t was Saturday morning, November 17, and the cross country team was on its way to the 2018 California Community College Athletic Association State Championships at Woodland Park in Fresno, CA. Northern California was in the midst of the devastating Camp Fire that had already burned through thousands of acres. Not knowing if the race would be postponed due to the unhealthy air quality, 18-year-old freshman Grace Hoffman sat back in one of the teams travel vans and tried to mentally prepare. “...usually you have a lot of time before [a race] to think about the race and visualize, but I didn’t even know if I was actually racing, so it was kind of a different mindset,” Grace Hoffman said. “And I could definitely tell the air quality wasn’t the best.” Forty-five minutes before the race, an official deemed the air quality safe for the runners, and they were off. El Camino College’s women’s team placed 11th in the race. EC’s cross country head coach Dean Lofgren said Grace Hoffman led the ECC women with her 32nd place time of 19:36 over the rolling 5,000 meters course. “It’s always nice having individuals on the team, no matter that talent level, that are positive, good student athletes and good people,” Lofgren said. “[Grace] happens to not only be a good student athlete and a good person, but she’s also very talented and performs very well, which helps the team.” This is Grace Hoffman’s first semester at EC and she is pursuing a nursing major. Just a few months ago, she was deciding between other colleges that she was accepted into before she graduated high school, however,
they weren’t her top schools and she didn’t want to settle. Grace Hoffman didn’t choose to come to El Camino until this past April or May while in her senior year at El Segundo High School. She wasn’t even sure she was going to run at EC until she came and toured the campus with her dad last spring. “I came [to EC] with my dad... and then we stopped by the track and we ended up talking to Dean [Lofgren] for like an hour and a half about cross country and about my dad and my aunt and different things,” Hoffman said.
“I knew I hadn’t reached my full potential yet and I still don’t think that I have [this season], but I still have time,”
—Grace Hoffman EC women’s cross country runner
Grace Hoffman’s dad, Gregg Hoffman, was a student at EC back in 1984, where he was a member of the men’s cross country team that won the state championship in ‘84. “It’s been really cool for me [to watch Grace]. I’ve been to several of the meets which brings back memories for me,” Gregg Hoffman said. He is happy that Grace Hoffman is having a great experience here at his alma mater. After their conversation with Lofgren that day, Grace Hoffman decided she was going to attend El Camino and join the cross country team. “After talking to [Lofgren] for a long time and seeing how he ran the program, it changed my mind about if I wanted to run or not,” Grace Hoffman said. Gregg Hoffman said that Grace’s decision to come to El Camino
and run was a “happy surprise.” The two have been able to share a similar experience in attending EC and both being a part of the cross country and track and field teams. Grace Hoffman has played sports her whole life. When she was younger, she played volleyball and roller hockey. Once she got to high school, she realized she wanted to join the cross country team, but she had to choose between volleyball and cross country since they are both played in the same season. “My sister had [ran cross country], and I come from a family of like a bunch of cross country runners,” Grace Hoffman said. So the decision was easy for her. She chose cross country. “Overall, I’m super happy that I chose to do cross country rather than volleyball just because it taught me a lot and I made a lot of friends too,” she said. Grace Hoffman comes from a big family. She has four siblings and is the middle of five, with two older sisters, a younger brother and a younger sister. Things can get competitive when you are a part of a big family, and Grace Hoffman said she is “pretty competitive.” She believes that cross country is a very competitive sport, maybe even the most competitive in her opinion, and that’s one of the aspects she loves about it. “If you’re in a race and neck and neck with someone, it’s about who wants it more because you know that both of you are extremely tired and it’s just about who’s more competitive, who’s willing to push it to the very end,” Grace Hoffman said. Long distance running is not easy, and although she loves her sport, there are times where she has to talk to herself, and moments of pain that she pushes through. “You’ve already done all of the training, you already have the fitness, but when you get to the race, I would say, it’s mostly mental,” Grace Hoffman said. “Being able to push yourself and
Mari Inagaki/ Union Grace Hoffman, cross country runner and nursing major, placed 11th in the women’s race at the state championships in Fresno on November 17. tell yourself like, ‘it’s going to hurt and you might be in some pain and it’s going to be hard to breath but just get through it.’” She said in high school, her teammates and coach would always say, “pain is temporary.” Sometimes during a race, she will remind herself, “Well, three miles doesn’t last forever. It will eventually be over, just push through it and continue until you’re done.” Grace Hoffman is very dedicated to her sport, training nearly six days a week with the team, and sometimes on her own on the weekends. There is a camaraderie between her and her teammates, the men’s and women’s cross country team at EC.
“The team is very inviting,” Grace Hoffman said. “We do a lot of things together outside of practice.” Grace Hoffman said that pretty much every week, on the night before a race, the team gets together for a pasta dinner. “We’ll come together at someones house, eat pasta and hang out, and after races, we’ll all go get lunch together,” Grace Hoffman said. Now that the season is over, Grace Hoffman said she took a break, just one week off to allow her body some recovery time. After her rest, she’ll start to slowly build up her stamina again. During the winter, in January, she’ll start training with the cross country team again.
In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, she likes to sleep, and sometimes she indulges in Netflix shows like The Office, New Girl, and Dexter. This spring, Grace Hoffman will participate in EC’s track and field, another familiar sport, where she will focus on the 800 meters and the 1500 meters. Grace Hoffman said she’s happy she chose to come to El Camino and continue running. She has plans to finish her nursing degree and she’s fully committed to continuing to run. “I knew that I hadn’t reached my full potential yet and I still don’t think that I have [this season], but I still have time,” Grace Hoffman said.