EL CAMINO COLLEGE SEPT. 20, 2018 Follow us at @ECCUnion
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Gun threats made by student, police say Man arrested on suspicion of leaving violent voicemails, emails Fernando Haro Staff Writer
@ECCUnionFernand
Warning: Story contains profanity and may be offensive to some readers. 43-year-old El Camino College student was arrested Monday, Sept. 10, at his Torrance residence on suspicion of threatening to bring a gun to the campus, authorities said. Police identified the suspect as Ernest John Cranmer, who allegedly sent threatening voicemails and emails to El Camino College employees, according to the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). According to an El Camino College campus advisory sent Friday, Sept. 14 by the El Camino College Police Department, “One particular email indicated that he may come to campus with a gun.” Early Monday morning, the El Camino College Police Department identified the email as Cranmer’s and within 45 minutes of being notified of the threat, the authorities arrived at Cranmer’s
A
Ernest Cranmer, 43, was arrested Monday Sept, 10 on suspicion of threat with a weapon. Photo courtesy of El Camino College Police Department
Mental Health at El Camino Roseana Martinez Staff Writer
M
@ECCUnionRoseana
ental health issues are now a concern to 95 percent of college counseling because their studies show that over the past year the number of students struggling have increased, according to The American Psychological Association. So how does El Camino College deal with mental health issues? Will more students seek assistance or get the help they need on campus? See mental health on page 2
Coca-Cola vending machine located near Activities Center repaired Kevin Caparoso Staff Writer
A
@ECCUnionKC
n on campus Coca-Cola vending machine located outside of the Activities Center was repaired on Friday, Sept. 7. Rubin Sanchez, a 53-year-old Coca-Cola technician replaced the vending machine’s old selector panel display with a new one. The panel display is the plastic screen people look through to view drink options. The old display was yellowed and foggy which might have lead students to assume that the vending machine was not functional said Sanchez. If any vending machine on campus needs attending to, look for a sticker on the top right of the machine that details a contact number, outlet number, and asset number. The contact number for this particular machine outside of The Activities Center and in The Common Grounds area is 1-844566-2653. The outlet number is 601674177 and the asset number is
home, arresting him, police said. Cranmer was booked by Torrance Police Department. El Camino College Chief of Police, Michael Trevis said Cranmer was “apologetic and admitted to those things.” No weapons were found and his bail was set at $50,000. Trevis said this was not the first time Cranmer had made threats toward El Camino College. Trevis added that this was not the first time El Camino Police Department visited Cranmer as they suspected him of leaving “threatening and violent messages” a few years ago. This was not the first time El Camino College received violent threats by a current student. The Union published multiple stories that followed the cases of James Lemus after he threatened to “make it look like (the) Santa Barbara shooting” in 2014 on the Library Lawn. Cranmer was released the following day and is currently under court order to remain within 100 yards of El Camino College and four employees.
Cranmer’s mother, Mayrla Cranmer spoke to Union staff writers when they visited her to ask her about her son. “He is very friendly,” Mayrla Cranmer told The Union. “He is not a person that would do something to somebody.” Ernest Cranmer is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a disability which results in impulsive and hyperactive actions, Mayrla Cranmer said. Trevis confirmed that Cranmer has “mental-health issues.” “He has a disability,” Mayrla Cranmer said. “If he was in the right mind, he wouldn’t have said what he did.” Mayrla Cranmer said that doctors do not pay attention to her son and that all they care about is her money. “We’ve been trying to find psychologists,” Mayrla Cranmer said. “With his disability, he can’t control what he says.” Bonnie Mercado, student services technician, was one of the employees who received threats, according to the TRO. Union staff writers attempted to contact
Mercado Monday Sept. 17 but were unable to reach her as she was not in her office, a front desk faculty member who refused to be identified told the Union. “Respondent’s willful course of conduct has no legitimate purpose. I am also fearful that Respondent’s irrational behavior and escalating threats of violence may lead to violence against me other others,” according to Bonnie Mercado in the TRO. The first threat was sent on Saturday, Sept. 8, “The student was not identifiable at that time,” according to the campus advisory. “Hello, how the fuck are you, my name is Ernest Cranmer known as EZ. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the appointment because I was so sick last Friday and I had a bad fucking week last week so I’m coming by to get you all at the college, so feel free to call me at area code … [omitted]. See gun threat on page 2.
Coyote lights installed throughout campus Flashing lights designed to keep wild animals from entering grounds
Quinn Buffandeau Staff Writer
C
@ECCUnionQuinn
oyote lights have been installed around El Camino College recently in an attempt to keep coyotes that are potentially living as near as Alondra Park away from the campus, authorities said. “They’ve turned our residential areas into habitats,” Lieutenant Jeff Leyman, El Segundo Police Department Animal Control section commander said. “A habitat for a dog, a wild dog like that is a place where they can go and get food, water, potentially shelter, if we can remove those things, make it more of a hostile area for them, they won’t come here,” Leyman added.
“They’ve turned our residential areas into habitats,” Lieutenant Jeff Leyman, El Segundo Police Department Animal Control s e c t i o n commander said.
-Jeff Leyman, El Segundo Police Department Animal Control section commander El Camino College Police Chief Michael Trevis said that reports of the coyotes began around the time that the campus advisory regarding coyotes was sent to students, but that he suspects the coyotes have been in the area for much longer. Trevis added that since the beginning of 2018 there have been six
coyote sightings reported on campus. According to the advisory, sent to students on Wednesday, Jan. 31, police responded to a coyote sighting near the Communications building, and saw three coyotes on campus. This is not the first time that coyotes have been seen around Torrance. According to a bulletin sent out by the Torrance Police Department on June 1, 2016, “there have been 148 reports of coyote sightings and attacks on animals” from Jan. 1, 2016 to the day the bulletin was sent out.
The lights installed around campus are produced by Nite Guard. According to the instructions for the system, the lights are solar powered and automatically activate at night, flashing a red light on and off to ward off animals. “Early on when we were getting reports (that) we found a couple of cat remains,” Trevis said, adding that since installing the lights “the police department has not been made aware of any cat remains, so perhaps this device may be working,” but that the police, “don’t have any definite proof one way or the other to say if it works or not.” Leyman also said that coyotes very rarely attack humans, but do pose a danger to pets. “Cats are a food source, so, you know sometimes you’ll see people who are feeding wild cats, and that probably happens at Alondra Park” Leyman said, adding that people feeding wild cats are “just creating a food source for coyotes.” “I would tell you that any creature, any small creature, cats, squirrels, possums, you know they’re small and the coyotes are looking for food, I’m sorry to say that but it’s the truth, you know the squirrels try their best to run, the cats try to run, possums I’m sure do the same thing, we’ve had aviary predators, big black crows come down and try to grab squirrels, we’ve had that here before, it’s just nature’s way,” Trevis said.
A coyote light flashes near the Art Building at night
Trevis also said that the coyotes could be living nearby the campus around Alondra Park or in the Dominguez Channel, between Alondra Park and El Camino College. “They’re probably living in places we just don’t see them during the day, they could be living in the channel, they could be living in the storm drains, you know kind of anywhere out of sight,” Trevis said. Trevis added that officers have seen coyotes in the western part of Lot L early in the morning around 5:30 a.m., Lot L is directly next to the Dominguez Channel. Leyman also said that a coyote’s den could be in a small area, adding that ravines and reservoirs could make coyote dens, and that a coyote
will go between one and two miles from a den for food.
“Early on when we were getting reports (that) we found a couple of cat remains” -El Camino Chief of Police Michael Trevis “If people want coyotes out of their neighborhoods, they’ve got to be picking up their trash, bird feeders for example, birdseed falls on the ground, it attracts rats, that
Mari Inagaki/ Union attracts coyotes,” Leyman said, adding that attempts should be made to turn the neighborhood into a hostile environment. According to Leyman’s notes on coyotes, people encountering coyotes should respond aggressively, doing things such as yelling, waving their arms, and not running from the animal. Leyman added that “the air-horn is good for coyotes,” and to “haze them.” Trevis said that “unless they’re posing a threat or being aggressive to a human being or to another animal just try your best to leave them alone, and if they’re looking at you yell scream do those things to keep them away from you, but call us, we can respond to things.”
NEWS
2 El Camino College Union
POLICE BEAT By Fernando Haro
According to Police Logs Student arrested Monday, Sept. 10 at 9 a.m. A student was arrested after threatening to bring a gun on campus. The suspect was arrested at his home and booked by the Torrance Police Department. Student reported expartner Monday, Sept. 10 at 11:04 a.m. A student reported a stalking incident in Lot H. The student believes the stalker to be an ex-partner who is a felon. The student was advised to contact campus police if they see the suspect on campus again. Student lingers after class Monday, Sept. 10 at 7:32 p.m. A student, who said they had been committed into 14 mental institutions in the past, lingered after class to be alone with the instructor, prompting growing concerns over his mental health. The instructor said his behavior was alarming. The student did not break the student code of conduct but his behavior is being discussed by the Assessment, Intervention and Management of Safety team. Printer LCD screens damaged Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 1:51 p.m. Two LCD display screens on copier machines in the library were vandalized, totaling $1,436 in damage. No witnesses were around during the time the crime was committed. Student referred to SDO Thursday, Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. A student wrote a concerning essay, displaying distrust and anger, resulting in officers being dispatched to the Humanities Building. Although the student was not there, officers were able to get in contact with the student who said they wrote this class assignment on “something about life.” The student said they had been taken advantage of, which resulted in anger towards people who take advantage of others. The student was referred to the Student Development Office. Parents of student request arrest of daughter’s ex-boyfriend Thursday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. The parents of a female student attempted to have their daughter’s ex-boyfriend arrested near the North Physical Education Complex for violating his restraining order The ex-boyfriend did not have a restraining order in the system. Both parties complied to officer’s orders and parted ways. Non-student found in possession of drug pipe Friday, Sept. 14 at 11:55 p.m. A suspect was found in possession of a
SEPT. 20, 2018
EC student allegedly threatens campus employees Story continues from page 1.
I’M DOING GOOD. I’M SORRY
COME
CAMPUS
two days after the authorities had
“I’m coming to get you all,
I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT
TODAY 2 GET U. PLEASE
discovered who was threatening
you motherfucking son of a bitch.
TO MY APPOINTMENTS TO
EXCUSE
employees.
Bye,” Ernest Cranmer said in his
SEE KATE ON FRIDAY DUE
AND THREATS CUZ I’M SO
Trevis also said campus safety
first message, according to the
TO STOMACH ISSUES. NOW
ANGRY BECAUSE I MISSED
was a priority during the meeting,
transcripts provided to The Union
I’M
WEEKEND
A FUCKIN WEEK. THE PE
emphasizing skateboarders as a
by El Camino College Attorney
WAS SO FUCKIN BAD DUE 2
YOGA TEACHER MS. HIROKO
primary threat to campus safety.
Michael Travis.
SOME RUDE PEOPLE AT THE
HOJO IS A SON OF A BITCH
Although the campus advisory
DEL AMO FASHION CENTER
TEACHER. I WANT TO GET
due
said Cranmer was unidentifiable,
MALL IN TORRANCE. LAST
HER ONE DAY. I’M SO FUCKIN
Trevis said.
Cranmer
WEEKEND,
UPSET
left
his
name
and
OK.
LAST
THE
SALES
TO
THE
THE
‘CUZ
LANGUAGE
U
The information was delayed to
“miscommunication,”
HAVEN’T
Cranmer is set to appear in
phone number during the first
ASSOCIATES WERE MAKING
FUCKIN
RESCHEDULED
court on Oct. 2 at 8:30 a.m. to face
voicemail he sent, according to
FUN OF MY DISNEY EARS.
MY FUCKIN APPOINTMENT
a civil charge, keeping him off
the transcripts.
I
UP
2 SEE EITHER KATE OR
campus effectively until the day of
BITCH. LAST WEEK, SOME
TAWNYA. I’M GONNA COME
the hearing, according to the TRO.
CLASSMATE
OF
TO CAMPUS 2 GET U TODAY.
Cranmer will also appear in
Respondent sent me a bizarre
MINE TOLD ME TO STAY OFF
HAVE A BLESSED DAY.” In his
court Nov. 12 to face a criminal
expletive-laden email, attached as
MY FUCKING PAGE U SON
email, Cranmer identified himself
charge,
Attachment 1,” Mercado said in
OF A BITCH. I FEEL LIKE I’M
as “EZ DISNEY HEATWAVE
the District Attorney’s office in
the transcripts.
GONNA BUST THIS COLLEGE
KNOTT’S 2018,” similar to the
Torrance, for the violent threats,
According to the transcripts
ONE FUCKIN DAY 2 GET U
names he uses for his multiple
Trevis said.
Cranmer wrote, “THIS IS ME
ALL WITH A GUN. I NEED
Facebook accounts.
EZ
A
“When I came to work on September
10,
I
discovered
WAS
SO
FUCKED
FRIEND
APPOINTMENT
Despite the threat, Trevis said,
KNOTT’S 2018 ONE OF KATE
TO SEE KATE BELEY ON
“The biggest issue at El Camino
BELEY’S
HOW
TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY.
is parking,” during a meeting with
THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?
OR ELSE, I’M GONNA FUCKIN
the Union Wednesday, Sept. 13,
DISNEY
HEATWAVE
STUDENTS.
FUCKIN
filed
separately
with
To receive campus safety alerts and infomation, sign up for Nixle at Nixle. com or text ECCPD to 888777
Upcoming Art Exhibit with master class Alexa Kinoshita
Staff Writer @ECCUnionAlexa
E
l Camino College is hosting a free solo art exhibit in the Art Gallery from Oct. 8 to Nov. 1 on Mondays to Thursdays. The “Caminos & Passages” exhibit will be open to all El Camino Students and to the public from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, and 12 noon to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The artist, educator, and collector, Raoul De la Sota, will be holding a reception celebrating his work and open gallery on Thursday, Oct. 11 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. His Gallery Talk will explain more indepth information and the meaning behind each of his pieces on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. A Master Class, also hosted by De la Sota, will be held on Thursday, Oct. 25 describing and teaching his work to those who want to learn how to create similar pieces or to follow a similar process. This exhibit will be sharing De la Sota’s paintings and sculptures, Exhibition Manager, Michael Miller, said.
For more news, sports, opinion, arts, and more follow The Union on Twitter @EccUnion and #Eccunion
New speed bumps installed in Lots C, F Esteban Mendez
Staff Writer @ECCUnionEsteban
N
ew speed bumps were installed in Parking Lots C and F over the summer semester out of speeding concerns raised by students and staff. El Camino College has 10 official parking lots on campus. However, only Parking Lots C and F had speed bumps installed into them due to the higher amount of complaints and concerns over safety due to the level of speeding. El Camino Police Chief Michael Trevis said that a possible reason for those two parking lots in particular having speeding concerns is the amount of space in between parking spaces. Trevis said Lot F, “Certainly because, you know, how Lot F is, it spans along the entire channel. People have to drive over longer distances.” The speed bumps themselves are made out of recycled materials, Trevis said. They are also glued down instead of bolted down like traditional speed bumps in the event that it is seen fit to remove them. The speed bumps being glued down rather than bolted down however has caused problems, as the speed bumps in parking lot “C” on the first and third levels of the structure have begun to shift out of place. Contractors have since been notified to return and fix the issue. Trevis said about the effectiveness of the speed bumps thus far, “The speed bumps certainly seems to have made people feel a little safer. The level of complaints we’ve been getting has slowed down.” There are no plans as of now to install speed bumps in other parking lots on campus. Trevis said that the others did not seem to have the need for them as much as Lots C and D did. Advisor for the Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) at El Camino College Breeanna Bond, 29, said that the speed bumps as they are are “Necessary but too intense”. Bond also remarked that she believes the speed bumps are a cause for the traffic backups at Parking Lot C because they slow the pace of driving too much. A student who frequently parks in Lot C, one Manda Alvarez, 27, English major, commented that the speed bumps were “so annoying”. Alvarez said that the speed bumps shouldn’t be removed, but instead replaced by speed bumps that are shorter and broader. Trevis said that if people at El Camino College would like to get more involved in how the college addresses parking matters that there is a Parking Traffic Committee that meets on the last Wednesday of every month. The next scheduled meeting of the Parking Traffic Committee is on Wednesday, Sept. 26 in the Library, Room 102.
Samera Saeed, 31, biology major, helps her son Hamza drink from a water fountain next to Parking Lot H on Thursday, Sep. 6, 2018. She comes from Pakistan and will be transferring to UCLA. Zack Khan/ Union
ARTS
SEPT. 20, 2018
EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 3
Art exhibit focuses on origins of life
Jack Kan Special to The Union @ECCUnionJackK
T
.he El Camino Fine Arts Division has been hosting an exhibition at the Art Gallery beginning on Monday, Aug. 27, which is titled “In the Beginning: Origins of life on Earth from mythic to scientific”. This exhibition showcases the works of fifteen artists which deal with the origins of life on earth. From Adam and Eve to the Big Bang Theory, there can be very diverse ways to approach this eternally mystifying question, whether based on personal belief and culture, religious tradition, historical myths, or science. On Thursday, Sept. 6, most of these artists came to a reception which took place at the ECC Art Gallery. The public was welcome to view their artwork and to talk to the artists. For example, Frank J. Williams showed abstract enamel paintings relating to the ascent of man but also to an individual’s journey, as he
spoke about his personal history of recovering from a stroke. Phoebe Barnum presented “Cracked Earth,” and a series of whimsical masks (look for the resistors) and objects (look for the spaceships) inspired by Inuit culture. James Murray brought hyperrealistic paintings of geological formations ranging from Zion to the Canyon, and other works inspired by Native American petroglyphs. The MammaDotta team, consisting of ECC digital arts Professor Joyce Dallal and her daughter Naima White, installed a womb-like yurt complete with a linea nigra and birth stretch marks outside. An environmental video plays inside, evoking pre-natal sensations. As can be seen, this exhibition is quite thought-provoking. It is free for ECC students and will remain until Thursday, Sept. 20 at the Art Gallery. +
Above photo: IN THE BEGINNING is held until Sep 20, 2018 at El Camino College Gallery. Photo credit: Mari Inagaki Left photo: ECC professor and artist Joyce Hallal poses inside her work “Interlude” at the ECC Art Gallery on Thursday, Sep. 6, 2018. Photo credit: Jack Kan
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SEPT. 20, 2018
FEATURES
EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 5
PEOPLE OF EL CAMINO The Union asked students about their campus experiences so far this semester
Jon Yamasaki / Special to the Union
Ileana Lallain / Special to the Union
18-years-old
19-years-old
Erick Vargas criminal justice major
Chris Tran business major
“Im a first year student here at El Camino, I came to El Camino because I couldn’t pay the cost for other schools such as Cal State Fullerton and right now I’m just trying to transfer out to a 4-year university”.
“So I just got out of high school about a year and a half ago, and I came to Community College to try to figure out my path in life. And currently I’m working towards transferring into the Cal State system, mainly looking at Long Beach and Fullerton, my target schools”.
Kealoha Noguchi / Special to the Union
Joseph Sanker / Special to the Union
20-years-old
19-years-old
Argimiro Lares political science major
“My first week of school...I mean it’s pretty chill, I can’t complain about my classes. My peers are also chill, so I’m enjoying it. I’m taking four classes this semester, I’m taking art 101, astronomy 20, introduction to boxing, math 150, Japanese 1. In total units I’m taking about 12”.
CRIME
Sergio Rubio congnitive science major
“That’s one thing with community college, I feel like people, the second you say it it’s like “oh, doesn’t matter” like it has irrelevance or like a bad tone on it but if it’s your dream and you didn’t get into your dream school like straight out of high school, definitely don’t stop; Community college is a good first step”. When it happens on or next to campus, we’ll keep you informed.
@eccunion
El Camino College Union
FEATURES
4 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION
SEPT. 20, 2018
Campus offers a new cup of Joe Pacific dining with Peet’s Ke v i n C a p a r o s o Staff Wr i t e r
P
@EC C U ni onK C
e et’s Cof fe e a r r ive d on
ca mpus
t h is
fa l l s emest er i n a
t emp or a r y lo cat ion at T he Com mon G r ou nd s a nd wa s
br oug ht by E l C a m i no’s new
fo o d vendor Pa ci f ic D i n i ng. Pa ci f ic D i n i ng is a Bay A r e a ba s e d fo o d m a nagement c ompa ny t hat sp e cia l i z es i n work i ng w it h c om mu n it y c ol leges a nd over t he su m mer t o ok on E l C a m i no Col lege. “ W hat we saw wa s a ver y a ct ive c om mu n it y c ol lege w it h a lot of p ot ent ia l,” Ti m D ow sa id, 55 -ye a r- old v ic e p r esid ent of op er at ion s for Pa c i f ic D i n i ng. Pa ci f ic D i n i ng d e cid e d t o pa r t ner w it h Pe et’s Cof fe e b e caus e t hey a d m i r e t he c ompa ny’s id e a ls, D ow sa id. “Pe et’s r e a l ly wa nt s t o do a lot of go o d t h i ngs w it h i n t he s cho ols,” D ow sa id. “A nd t hey got a r e a l ly g r e at st or y b eh i nd t hem when it c om es t o sou rci ng c of fe e a nd sust a i nabi l it y.” Pe et’s Cof fe e f i r st s et up shop at T he Com mon G r ou nd s on Aug. 2 8 but it’s lo cat ion is t emp or a r y. “ T h is bu i ld i ng is c om i ng dow n i n t wo
mont h s,” D ow sa id. “ W hen t he new st ud ent c ent er op en s up, t h is is t he next one c om i ng dow n.” “ We w i l l b e r elo cat i ng,” D ow sa id, w it h it’s f i na l d est i nat ion “ t o b e d et e r m i ne d.” At it’s cu r r ent lo cat ion it is op en f r om 7:3 0 a. m. t o 4 p. m. on Mond ay t h r oug h T hu r s d ay a nd clos es at 2 p. m. on Fr id ay. T hey a lso pla n t o of fer s e a sona l menu it em s a s t hey c om e a nd go. “It w i l l a l l b e i n sid e t her e, t he pu mpk i n, t he p epp er m i nt for t he hol id ays, egg nog a nd a l l t hos e t h i ngs,” D ow sa id. “A s wel l a s t he d i f fer ent c of fe es as t hey c ome t h r oug hout t he ye a r.” 23 -ye a r- old ba r ist a Ma rk Ole o’s favor it e d r i n k t hey s el l is t he Bla ck Tie, wh ich is a c old br ew c of fe e w it h c ond en s e d m i l k a nd a spla sh of ha l f a nd ha l f. “It’s l i ke smo ot h a nd c r e a my, it’s my favor it e,” Ole o sa id. T he a r r iva l of Pe et’s Cof fe e gave st ud ent s mor e c of fe e opt ion s on ca mpus. M i k a lya Shwa r t z, 19 -ye a rold jou r na l ism m ajor, sa id t he on ly c of fe e she us e d t o get f r om s cho ol wa s f r om t he mo cha m a ch i ne t hey ha d la st s em est er b e caus e it wa s
“che ap a nd e a sy.” “ Now you don’t ne e d t hat b e caus e you got Pe et’s, but l i ke i f you ha d t hat m a ch i ne t h i ng ver sus t he Pe et’s Cof fe e you’r e gon na go w it h t he Pe et’s Cof fe e,” Schwa r t z sa id. “It t a st es b et t er.” A not he r opt ion for st ud ent s wa s t he McD ona ld’s a c r oss t he s cho ol on Cr en shaw Bou leva rd. Jos e L abr a, a 25 -ye a r- old g r aph ic d esig n st ud ent sa id he on ly got c of fe e f r om t he McD ona ld’s onc e. “It le aves a bit t er t a st e,” L abr a sa id. “A f t er t hat no.” L abr a wa s su r p r is e d by t he a r r iva l of Pe et’s Cof fe e. “It wa s sho ck i ng a ct u a l ly, I d id n’t exp e ct E l C a m i no t o pu l l it of f,” L abr a sa id. Reg i na Reyes, a 2 8 -ye a rold nu r si ng st ud ent sa id she is hap py t he s cho ol got som et h i ng mor e soph ist icat e d when it c om es t o c of fe e. “ Fr esh ly br ewe d, you fe el it, t he smel l is r ich a nd t he f lavor is go o d,” Reyes sa id. “I’m so g la d t hey got it her e you k now, I’m just so happy you k now, I p ost e d it on I n st ag r a m t he f i r st d ay I fou nd out ab out t h is,” Reyes sa id. “ L i ke f i na l ly E l C a m i no got n ic e c of fe e.”
Regina Reyes, 28-year-old nursing student, fuels herself with coffee while on a break at The Common Grounds area on Sep. 14, 2018. Kevin Caparos/ Union
Tips for a healthy life
Ment a l hea lth at El Ca m i no R o s ean a Marti n ez
St aff Wr i t er @E C C U n i o n R o s ean a
M
The campus squirrels are fearless and want to get to know your lunch. Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Zack Khan/ Union
THE UNION Vol. 74, No. 1 Sept. 20, 2018
E -mail: eccunion@gmail.com Newsroom: (310) 660-3328 Advertising: (310) 660-3329
Editor-in-Chief...........................................................................Ernesto Sanchez News Editor.............................................................................Quinn Buffandeau Managing Editor......................................................................Quinn Buffandeau Assistant Editor...............................................................................Justin Traylor Arts Editor.................................................................................Ernesto Sanchdez Sports Editor................................................................................Melanie Chacon Staff Writer....................................................................................Fernando Haro Staff Writer...................................................................................Giselle Morales Staff Writer...............................................................................Roseana Martinez Staff Writer.................................................................................Alexa Kinoshita Staff Writer.................................................................................Kevin Caparoso Staff Writer.................................................................................Esteban Mendez Staff Writer..........................................................................................Justin BellStaff 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
elissa Fujiwara, a sociology professor at El Camino College has been teaching on this campus for 4 years now. She talks about the topic of mental health openly to her students because “if you talk about it openly you can destigmatize the negative stigma that is attached to it,” Fujiwara said. At the beginning of this semester, students in Fujiwara’s classes have come to her and asked for help surrounding mental health. In situations regarding mental health, Fujiwara guides students by giving them information on the resources on campus, like the Health Center and walks them there if they want. Fujiwara brings awareness on campus by having her sociology students attend workshops on campus that “are all geared, not just toward mental health, but have a mental health aspect.” These workshops aid students to develop the skills, habits, and different practices that help improve the student’s mental health, said Fujiwara. Janet Young is also a professor at El Camino College who has been teaching child education for 23 years. Talking about her struggle with depression is her way of feeling connected to the students by having them know that everybody
goes through hardship, Young said. Young encourages her students by guiding them to resources available on campus, like workshops or by walking them to the Health Center. She also added that in their child development classes, specifically child growth and development 103, students are shown hhthe signs of mental health and suicide in a child’s development, based on theory. “One of the sections that we talk about is suicide and in particular, teen suicide, signs and watching for signs of someone suicidal,” Young said. She emphasizes the importance of communicating with the students. “Everybody hurts, everyone goes through tough times. Be brave, reach out and you’ll be so surprised that someone you’re talking to is going through or gone through the same thing. We have to help each other,” Young said. Tabatha Lund, 20, is a third-year student, studying sociology here at El Camino College. When asked what El Camino could do to bring awareness of mental health, Lund said, “It is a big topic. El Camino can bring awareness to campus by setting up tents and fundraisers on campus. They can also put fliers up.” She also added that she was aware of the resources provided on campus and she would feel comfortable talking to the counselors here if she needed them. “I have not used any of the resources, but I am aware of all of them. I haven’t needed them at
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the moment, but I definitely will if I need them in the future,” Lund said. El Camino College brings awareness of suicide, mental health, drug, and alcohol addiction on campus through the resources provided on campus that are available for students. These resources are opened at any time during campus hours and have hotlines available all 24 hours. To both Fujiwara and Young, the Health Center is the main resource for many of the issues surrounding mental health. It provides students with the support they need from the mental health counselors, psychiatrists, and nurses. The Union contacted the Health Center for more information on mental health, however, they were unavailable and did not contact The Union in return. El Camino has many resources for the students in need of aid. If you are dealing with hardships or know anyone who is dealing with hardships please contact: •
Substance Abuse Info and Hotline: (800) 821-4357
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Crisis Center: 24-Hour Phone (310) 392-8381
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Suicide Prevention Center: 24-hour phone: (310) 391-1253
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SPORTS
6 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION
SEPT. 20, 2018
ECC vs Riverside El Camino College Sept. 1. Mari Inagaki / Union
FALL SPORTS
ECC forward Robin Riggs fights for a ball at the ECC vs. San Diego Miramar soccer game at home on Wednesday, Sept. 12.
El Camino College fall sports are in full swing and we are showcasing our ECC atletes in action. To stay on top of the fall sports this season, follow @ECCWarriors and #eccunion on twitter.
Jack Kan / Union
Phina Leilua bumps the ball at the ECC vs MiraCosta game in the South Gym on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Jack Kan / Union
ECC’s Matthew Thorne aims his shot as Fullerton College goalkeeper Sage Bertsch rises up for the block at El Camino on Thursday, Sept. 6. Mari Inagaki / Union
SPORTS
SEPT. 20, 2018
EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 7
ECC defenders obstruct a shot from Fullerton College player on Thursday, Sept. 6. Jack Kan / Union
Jack Kan / Union
FALL SPORTS
ECC running back Shawn Prejean fights off a Riverside tackle at Murdock Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 1.
Phina Leilua rises up on the attack vs MiraCosta College in the South Gym on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Jack Kan / Union
El Camino women’s soccer team (2-3) secured a win over San Diego miramar (1-4), 2-1, on Wednesday, Sept. 12.
Jessica Jimenez (No. 28) dives for a ball at the ECC vs MiraCosta game in the South Gym on Wednesday, Sept. 12.
Mari Inagaki / Union
Jack Kan / Union
SPORTS
8 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION
SEPT. 20, 2018
Warriors hold off Seahawks for first win of the season Warriors turn season around with win against LA Harbor Seahawks
Justin Bell Staff Writer @ECCUnionJBell
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waiting a long and hot bus ride back to El Camino following a close loss to Bakersfield on Saturday, Sept. 8, the Warriors football team seemed defeated. Players were arguing between each other, the starting quarterback was injured, and everyone was irritated. They could have chosen to let tat feeling define their season. Instead, Warrior football fans were treated to their first victory of the season, as El Camino (1-2) defeated LA Harbor (1-1), 49-24 on Saturday. “We felt like were a better team than we have shown and that would prove in the long run.” head coach Gifford Lindheim said. The team would have to wait for its chance to prove itself, as the Seahawks put together a seven-play 65-yard drive to begin the game that was capped off by a 15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Aidan Kuykendall to wide receiver Brandon Gosdoski. Then, after a Warriors fumble, Axel Perez kicked a field goal to make the score 10-0 in favor of LA Harbor. “We didn’t get off to a good start at all,” Lindheim said. “That thought definitely creeps into the back of your head saying, ‘here we go again’.” That sentiment was also felt in the crowd. Early in the game, groans and boos were abundant, as the crowd had anticipated a blowout in favor of the Warriors. It didn’t take long for the boos to turn to cheers and the groans to
Wide receiver Damien Bernard takes off after a pass reception in the second half of the ECC vs. LA Harbor game at Murdock Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 15. Jack Kan / Union turn to applause. El Camino marched 79-yards down the field and scored on a 37yard pass from freshman quarterback Grant Ferrauilo to freshman running back Shawn Prejean to make the score 10-7. After a quick three and out, Ryan Nixon returned a blocked punt 40-yards for the Warriors second touchdown. The score gave the Warriors their first lead of the game at 14-10 with six minutes left in the second quarter. “After that, we stalled out a little bit, because we didn’t know how
to act. We haven’t had a lead,” Lindheim said. The teams would both seem to stall, though, as neither team scored until midway through the third quarter when Kishawn Berry caught a 43yard touchdown pass from Ferrauilo. After 71-yard run by Lamont Hunt Jr., cut the lead to 21-17, LA Harbor seemed to run out of gas. “We have forty something guys, and (El Camino) have 100,” LA Harbor head coach Dean Dowty said. “We felt like we moved the ball well, but we got tired.” The Seahawks may have been tired
in this one, but the same cannot be said for Warriors sophomore wide receiver Brian Keskeys. The dynamic wide-out caught two touchdowns in the game, including a 55-yard score to make the score 28-17. “This was his first game back from injury and we really wanted to get him going,” Ferrauilo said of Keskeys. “He’s just the kind of receiver that never gives up.” Keskeys and Raymond Graham would add the last two scores for the Warriors, giving the Warriors four different players with a receiving touchdown.
“Today was a statement,” Keskeys said. “We battled through the losses and got things together.” The offense had to come together without starting quarterback Aaron Thomas, who was unavailable due to a neck injury. The team simply went to the next man up, and Ferrauilo filled in admirably in route to 349-yards passing and 5 touchdowns. “We had a great week of practice, working on everyone doing their job and executing,” Ferrauilo said. “It showed today how much work we put into this.”
Lindheim said he expects both quarterbacks to play when healthy. That means possibly rotating quarterbacks as early as next week. “We can play both QB’s because they both work hard, and they’re both leaders in practice,” freshman running back Raymond Graham said. The Warriors will have a week to decide on their quarterback rotation, as they are set to take on the Pirates of Orange Coast College on Saturday, Sept. 22. Kickoff is at 6 p.m at LeBard stadium in Costa Mesa.
New men’s soccer coach hopeful of title run this season Head coach Michael Jacobson shares his soccer experience and excitement for this season Fernando Haro Staff Writer @ECCUnionFernand
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t practice, Michael Jacobson looks calm and focused. His eyes move left to right, up and down, following the ball, studying its every movement and detail; down to the stitching of the ball. Jacobson, 43, was hired in the spring semester to coach and lead the men’s soccer team to their first title run since 2014. Before that, the last title was in 1991, Jacobson said. A Redondo Beach resident, Jacobson spent a major part of his career on the east coast. He played soccer at Syracuse University and graduated in 1998 with a degree in Physical Education. He went on to have successful playing stints on the Albany Alleycats on the now-defunct Myrtle Beach Seadawgs in what is now known as the United Soccer Leagues, a Division II professional soccer league. He holds an “A” license, the second to last available license for soccer coaches, from the United States Soccer Federation, allowing him to coach players at the professional level. Most recently, Jacobson was the assistant coach of the Golden Eagles Men’s soccer team at Cal State LA who play in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes. Despite being an assistant coach at the college level, Jacobson was the head coach of multiple youth development teams such as L.A.
Galaxy Southbay, an affiliated club team of the L.A. Galaxy soccer team. There he coached groups of 9-19-year-old soccer players. He has championship experience, guiding Cal State L.A. to titles in 2011and 2013 and Cal State Dominguez Hills to a championship appearance in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Jacobson did not hear about El Camino out of the blue. Since he lives in the area, “this head coach job would be potentially open one day,” Jacobson said. He did not think twice about applying. “When you have an opportunity to be a head coach at the college level, that part has been missing from my career and I’ve been an assistant with many many programs and it was always a goal of mine to run my own program,” Jacobson said. Jacobson brings over his experience coaching Division I and Division II teams and runs the team at El Camino as such. To help him on and off the field, Jacobson has brought on first-year assistant coaches Steven Barrera, Kevin Gallaugher, and Bruce Myhre. With them, he makes up a newly remodeled “younger” and “hungrier” staff, focused on instilling and it is working. Coming in with a 2-2-1 record, the roster show potential and at practice, the players show their
New men’s soccer head coach, Michael Jacobson, poses for a photo on the soccer field at El Camino College during practice on Thursday, Sept. 6. Fernando Haro / Union ambition. Redshirt freshman Steve Montoya, 17, recognized that potential and chose to play for El Camino because of their great soccer program, Montoya said. Montoya believes it is Jacobson’s demand for excellence and persistence that will change the bad run the program has been on in recent years. Jacobson has not had much trouble adjusting to the different
level of competition. “ The levels are different. Cal State L.A. is a nationally ranked program at the division-2 under the NAIA umbrella and this is at the JC level. The levels are a little bit slower but the ambition is the same; the goals, the objectives, they’re the same,” Jacobson said. The coaching job is not restricted to on-field responsibilities only. Student-athletes at El Camino are here for various reasons, whether it
is personal, academic, or financial issues, the goal is to get players to move on, Jacobson said. An objective of his is to develop his players into great studentathletes who can understand what they are learning about on and off the field and implement it in proper situations. He goes about doing this by mentoring his players and changing their bad habits, Jacobson said. For a new coach, the first season
can be critical. There is scrutiny, doubts, and jeers of fans looking to earn the bragging rights from their team’s success. Although it is his first year, Jacobson has his eyes on a realistic target, the playoffs. Ultimately, Jacobson and his team will demonstrate they are ready to compete in the fierce South Coast Conference.