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SADDLEBACK AND IRVINE VALLEY COLLEGES’ STUDENT NEWSPAPER
VOLUME 45, ISSUE 19
In the
Life
News
LARIAT NEWS ONLINE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013
Page 2 & 3
A special edition of faculty features
opinion
Page 4
Faculty tenure needs to be reformed
A&E
sports
Page 5
Top Honors Standout faculty of Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College
On the
Page 6
Gauchos Baseball and Softball playoff bound
Saddleback faculty holds improv show
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web
Audio Slideshow: “Drinking from the Art” Joey Sammut works on cups to be commissioned for the Laguna Art Museum
IVC’s future could be tobacco free A survey conducted shows interest in a tobacco free campus Va lery Freg oso
IVC Editor
Valery Fregoso/Lariat
Patric Taylor
Earlier this month, Patric Taylor was presented with the Outstanding Classifed Employee of the Year Award at Irvine Valley College. “I can’t speak toward why I won [the award] at the event,” Taylor said. “It was a total surprise, absoulty total surprise.” Taylor beame a part-time faculty member at IVC as the theater appreciation teacher in 2005. In 2008 he then became the production manager for the Performing Arts Center at IVC. After earning his doctorate in education from Walden University this year, he hopes to help with the education system in California. Along with being the production manager at the Performing Arts Center, Patric Taylor loves baseball, and the San Fransico Giants is his favorite team. “I love baseball,” Taylor said. “Just to go out there and be with some friends and get away from work and not think abou the job for a while [is great].” Other than baseball, Taylor and his wife Lynne watch 4 to 6 movies a week owning a library of over 1200 movies at home. They both have an interest of the craft of movie making. vfregoso.lariat@gmail.com
Alex Aponte /Lariat
Cathe Nunez
Starting as budget assistant of the Fine Arts Division office in 1989, Kathe Nunez was a “jack of all trades.” Kathe ventured in the performing arts department, and became a House Manager to several summer Cabaret Theatre shows at Saddleback in addition to being Budget Assistant, and being a mother to two girls and a boy. She came to the District Payroll Office in 1998 as a payroll specialist all the way up to lead payroll specialist. She has a dedication of 27 years working at Saddleback. Kathe had been described as a patient, kind and extremely generous person, with an amazing work ethic, by her coworkers. “I was very pleased and surprised,” Kathy said. “I work with such a great group of women in payroll who nominated me. I appreciate all the kind words from so many people throughout the district. And I can’t wait for the parking space!” With this award, Kathe was rewarded a $100 gift card and a reserved parking spot for a year. Kathe is up for any challenge, and even plays Sudoku with a pen. “I’ve worn out a lot of erasers.” Nunez said. aaponte.lariat@gmail.com
Angie L. Pineda /Lariat
Brooke Sauter
Senior administrative assistant in the college’s division of career, transfer and special programs, Brooke Sauter has been named Saddleback College’s Classified Employee of the Year. After Sauter was nominated by her manager, Dean Nelson, and selected by the voting committee for the award, everyone around her had nothing but good things to say. “If you’ve been fortunate to work with Brooke, you know how deserving she is of this award, and if you haven’t worked with Brooke, you’ve undoubtedly heard about her excellent work ethic and infectious enthusiasm,” Saddleback College President Tod Burnett wrote in an email to the Saddleback community, when announcing her award last month. “It was just really nice to see that I make a difference, which is important to me,” Sauter said. “I love what I do and the people I get to work with every day, and the students. I’m just happy to be here at Saddleback and part of the Saddleback team and family. that’s what’s most important to me.”
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For the full stories on Patric Taylor, Cathe Nunez and Brook Sauter, please visit lariatnews.com
The Irvine Valley College Smoking Policy Work Group and the Office of Research, Planning and Accreditation conducted a smoking survey to all active students proposing a change of the smoking policy on April 16. The survey invited students in the participation of the survey with an incentive of being entered to win a $200 gift card to the laser bookstore. The survey lasted for a little over a week and gathered 2,710 responses from students and employees. Many public colleges are going “smoke free,” including the University of California Los Angeles, which became smoke free starting Earth Day last Monday, and California State University Fullerton, who becomes smokefree beginning fall 2013. All UC’s are to be smoke free by 2014. Chris Hogstedt, IVC Health and Wellness Center Nurse, runs the Smoking Policy Work Group at IVC. “Every year or so, I go to the student government and tell them that I am interested in what the student interest is in changing the smoking policy. I have done this for several years,” Hogstedt said. “This last year I went to the student government, and every year I have not had any student backing and this year I had a couple of people raise their hand and one of the students came to talk about and form the Smoking Policy Work Group which consists of faculty, students, the police and the public information officer.” The Smoking Policy Work Group held a “butt pickup” event this past year they picked up 7,000 cigarette butts around campus within 2 hours. They displayed the container with all the butts in the Student Services Center Building on campus. This container was stolen not too long after it was put on display. Hogstedt is looking for a possible “tobacco-free” environment at IVC. In order for the Smoking Policy
Work Group to support their interest in changing the smoking policy at Irvine Valley College, they went to the Research, Planning and Accreditation at IVC to help form a survey to be sent to the students. Director of Research, Planning and Accreditation, Chris Hayward at IVC formed the survey to be sent to the students. “It is my job to provide surveys and provide decision support on anything the college is involved in,” Hayward said. “We are here to provide data support for it. My office does not have an opinion on the survey. Our goal is to provide accurate and factional information for the smoking policy workgroup so their decisions can be data based and data informed. Hayward provided the lariat with preliminary results from the survey: • Approximately 21 percent of students and 11 percent of employees reported smoking in the past 30 days. • Only 64 percent of student smokers and 47 percent of employee smokers reported smoking on campus at IVC. • Approximately 11 percentof students smoke on campus. • Nearly one out of four 20 to 24 year olds (23 percent) reported smoking in the past 30 days. • Males are more likely then females to smoke. (25 percent vs. 17 percent). • 90 percent of non-smokers reported being bothered “a lot” (60 percent) or “a little” (30 percent) by second-hand smoke. • 41 percent of respondents indicated that they were exposed to tobacco smoke every time they visited campus. • 74 percent of respondents indicated that half or more of their visits to campus resulted in exposure to secondhand smoke. Through the results of the survey, formal results will be written and presented to the South Orange County Board of Trustees. In order for a change to occur, both Saddleback and IVC must present results of students who want the change in the smoking policy.
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The Ecology Center and Hurley brought the watershed to Saddleback The watershed came to educate students and staff Shann elle Sanc hez
Staff Writer
Andrew Bruck and Jeff Davis, our neighbors in San Juan Capistrano, stopped by The Ecology Center last Wednesday with her little blue watershed in the quad to inform anyone interested in doing their part to preserve energy and water. “Choices we make everyday uses water both directly and indirectly,” Bruck, said. The watershed is an interactive demonstration, that
has three main water sources that you can pump water from including the Colorado River (hard level pump), ground water (medium level pump), rainwater (easy level pump). The pumps are designed more difficult than others to help demonstrate which pump is easier. It makes more sense for us to use that particular water source. Bruck and Davis handed students a jug to fill up and walked them through the watershed to demonstrate how much energy and water is used throughout our daily lives. One of the comparisons used in the demonstration was the energy and water used to make
a cheeseburger, compared to energy and water used to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. “I had no idea how much energy and water goes into simple tasks like making a cheeseburger or making a t-shirt,” Matt Mjeldi, 22, history, said. “ “This definitely helps you reevaluate some of the tasks you do throughout your day,” “It takes six gallons of water to make one plastic water bottle,” Davis said. With the help of Hurley, the Ecology Center is able to send their employees along, with their little blue watershed, around California to different
schools and festivals to teach people about the significance of water and why we should care for a water shed. Sustainable food systems, permaculture principles, watershed awareness, alternative and appropriate technology are just a few of the in-depth topics that The Ecology Center wants to teach those willing to make a change. They also offer a six-month certification course that analyze food, water, waste, energy and shelter, and become an ecoadvocate. Shannelle Sanchez/Lariat
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THE WATERSHED: Andrew Bruck is speaking to students about
becoming eco-apprenticess during the watershed event on April 24.
LIFE
2
Lariat
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1 2013
Dr. Scott Fier named Saddleback College Professor of The Year Johnny Wilson Staff Writer
Dr. Scott Fier, chemistry instructor and department chair, has been awarded the title of Saddleback’s 2013 Professor of the Year. Since a young age, Fier has had a genuine passion for education. At age five, Fier’s father took him on a campus visit to the University of California Irvine. Fast forward to 1984, and Fier had successfully completed his master’s degree in chemistry at UCI. During his pre-grad years at UCI, Fier discovered his passion not only for educating himself, but for instructing others as well. Shortly after turning 18 his freshman year, Fier signed up to volunteer as a coach for a local Little League baseball team. Fier’s dedication to helping others became a top priority for him soon thereafter. “I think I spent most of the spring quarter worrying about my baseball team and less about chemistry,” Fier said. Four years later (1978)-- Fier obtained his bachelor’s in both chemistry and biological sciences. The following year after graduating, Fier returned to UCI to complete his teaching credentials. What happened next was a combination of chance and hard work. As a student in UCI’s teacher education program, Fier spent his spring quarter as a student teacher at Irvine High School. Later that summer, a mere three days before Irvine High began classes, he received a phone call from the school’s principal Dean Waldfogle. A last minute position for a math teacher had opened up, and Fier took the job. He went on to teach there for 13 years thereafter. He left Irvine High in 1993 to become a full-time chemistry instructor at Saddleback College. In
Courtesy of scott fier
2002, Fier took over as chair of the chemistry department. Fier has become known for his commitment to helping students both in and outside of the classroom. “What I love about him is that he doesn’t just give you the answers, he makes you think,” said Maryam Sabahi, 21, biology, who is currently enrolled in Fier’s Chemistry 1A course. Furthermore, Fier’s concern for students goes beyond the scope of Saddleback classrooms. He not only takes pride in having students pass his class, but also “sending students off to four-year universities and having them say that they were incredibly well prepared,” Fier said, “and in fact even better than the students that were already there,” he added. Fier is one of the select faculty being honored at Saddleback; however, the amount of students affected by his dedication is innumerable. jwilson.lariat@gmail.com
Irvine Valley College, Mercedes Julian is named part-time faculty of the year Irvine Valley College, vespa loving, part-time faculty, Mercedes Julian is recognized for overall excellence Hayley Slye Staff Writer
Spanish instructor Mercedes Julian was honored as Irvine Valley College’s Part-Time Teacher of the Year last month, a feat that can plausibly be attributed to her passion for teaching. “My family instilled in me the joy of learning and the value of education,” Julian said. “I always liked school and was inspired early on by some outstanding teachers.” Julian got her start in the education field at age 20, and has since taught at San Diego State University and University of California Irvine prior coming to IVC in 1984. Of part-time teaching, Julian said it has
“I always liked school and was inspired early on by some outstanding teachers,” - Mercedes Julian
Upcoming Events:
been challenging but rewarding. Upon finishing her graduate studies at UCI, she realized that local, full-time teaching positions were scarce. This lead her to full time employment in County of Orange and a part-time teaching position at IVC. “Juggling two separate and demanding professions, while meant to be a temporary fix,
became my new normal,” Julian said. “It has been challenging but undoubtedly the skills and expertise honed outside the classroom have enhanced my abilities in the classroom, and vice-versa.” Julian has taught Spanish 1, 2, 10, and 11 at IVC, but has a particular affinity for the latter two, Intermediate and Advanced Conversation. Outside of teaching, Julian enjoys foreign films, chocolate and riding about town on her pink, vintage Vespa. For the full story go to www.lariatnews. com.
Times, Dates and Locations:
- Saddleback Big Band
- Wednesday May 1, 7 p.m. at McKinney Theatre
- 2013 Transfer Celebration
- Thursday May 2, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at SSC 212
- Campus Life Day
- Thursday may 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the quad
- Annual Fashion Show
- Thursday May 2, 7 p.m. at McKinney Theatre
- Human Services Internship Info Meeting
- Tursday May 2, 3 p.m. in HS 105
For more events visit www.saddleback.edu/news/2
Debbie Kerr is named CCCATA athletic trainer of the year Hard work and a lot of sweat has paid off for athletic trainer Debbie Kerr Sean Byrne Staff Writer
Debbie Kerr, certified athletic trainer, has just won the prestigious CCCATA Athletic Trainer of the Year award. During an awards luncheon at the San Mateo Marriott she received the award that was nominated by her peers and ultimately chosen by her peers as the winner. “It means a lot coming from my peers,” Kerr said. “It’s quite an honor and I’m truly honored and touched to be receiving this award.” Kerr is admired by her co-workers, not just because the nomination that led to the award, but also because what they say about her. “I love her to death,” women’s equipment manager Kathleen Brennan said. “Debbie is just a really great employee. She is really here for the students always.” Along with always being there for the students, she is always quick to help a fellow employee. “She never hesitates to jump in and help if I need it,” Brennan said. Brennan was not alone with the positive things to say about Kerr. “She works hard, [is] always on time, very dedicated, what else can you say,” certified athletic trainer Brad McReynolds said. “She is good
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to work with, never has a problem getting things done.” Kerr, who first attended Santa Ana College, ultimately transferred to Cal State Long Beach where she obtained her physical education degree with an emphasis in athletic training. After that she joined the gauchos in 1998 and has been here ever since. She is a pivotal role in Saddlebacks athletic department. “It’s a great college, I really love the community college level,” Kerr said. “It is unique.” From attending a community college in her college year to her teaching at one today, it is evident that her experience has accumulated to something special. “It’s a great environment to work in,” she said about Saddleback College. With such a big award Kerr said, “It’s an individual award but it’s truly a team award.” She also thanked all administrative staff, fellow colleagues, and coaches she works with, as well as mentors she has had throughout the years. Though the Athletic Trainer of the Year award was a huge achievement for her, it wasn’t the best award she has ever received. “The ultimate I guess reward for me is when our athletes are back on the field and able to compete to go for conference championships and state championships,” Kerr said. sbyrne.lariat@gmail.com
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Courtesy of Saddleback.edu
LIFE
Lariat
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1 2013
3 Gabdrakhmanova named Saddleback Associate Professor of the Year
o s s a d O s a D e tin
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Part-time faculty, Das Odasso is recognized by his students for his entertaining but challenging teaching methods.
r Ma e or n i t is t d i Part-time faculty member, Kr e E David “Das” Odasso is not only L if respected as a speech instructor but as well as an overall person by students of the Saddleback community. Entertaining but challenging, according to the anonymous posts on ratemyprofessor.com, Odasso is intelligent, hilarious, gifted, engaging and motivated. “ I chose to teach college because I am very out,” Odasso said in regards to his homosexuality. Within the classroom Odasso relates the book context to real life situations and topics such as sexuality, relationships and culture as he acknowledges the restrictions that are often placed on these topics in lower levels of education. “I try very hard to be honest and direct so it doesn’t leave any room for confusion on either sides,” Odasso said.
Many of Odasso’s students find that his abilities to be open, personal and engaging with the class are what define him as such an influential and credible instructor. “His style of teaching is amazing, he puts us in situations that would occur in real life and I find that the most useful way of learning,” Eric
Interior Design instructor chosen as Associate Professor of the Year in second year at Saddleback College Michael Grennell Staff Writer
A
t the South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, Farida Gabdrakhmanova was recognized as Associate Professor of the Year at Saddleback College joining Professor of the Year Dr. Scott Fier and Emeritus Professor of the Year Melinda Smith as Saddleback College’s three Professors of the Year Gabdrakhmanova grew up in Russia, where, according to her Saddleback Faculty Profile, she earned her Media Designer Diploma at the International Academy of Business and her Master of Science in Physics at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. When she moved with her family to the United States, she said it was very difficult for her because she couldn’t speak English. Gabdrakhmanova ended up signing up for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at Irvine Valley College in order to improve her understanding of the language. Shortly after this, Gabdrakhmanova said that she signed up for interior design classes at Saddleback. “I discovered that at Saddleback there was an interior design program, and so I took a couple classes to see how I am doing and how this is,” Gabdrakhmanova said. “I came and I liked it and I finished the entire three year program here.” After finishing the interior design course in 2008, Gabdrakhmanova said that one of the professors in the program told her that she should join the program as a professor. Although initially unsure, Gabdrakhmanova said after thinking about it for a couple of years, she eventually decided to give it a try. Since starting in 2011, Gabdrakhmanova said that she has taught six classes at Saddleback, including Digital Visualization for Interior Design, a class that she says she helped develop from scratch. This semester, she is teaching Fundamentals of Lighting (ID 127) and Interior Design Internship (ID 129). Gabdrakhmanova said that she found out she was named Associate Professor of the Year late one Wednesday night after returning home from teaching. She came home late, and didn’t get to check her email until around midnight. That was when she says that she saw the message congratulating her. “I didn’t fully understand what was going on. It was a surprise and a shock all together,” Gabdrakhmanova said. “But it was a pleasant surprise.” For Gabdrakhmanova, the most rewarding part of her job is watching her students grow and improve throughout the semester. “I am really inspired by the student’s works,” she said. “I’m inspiring them and they are inspiring me.”
Diomartich, 19, sports marketing, said. “He is like no professor I’ve ever taken.” According to Odasso, lecture is necessary at given times but he emphasizes the importance of discussion and interaction within the classroom. “I believe the more communication in a classroom the better,”Odasso said. “It creates own understanding in lives.” He believes that education is vital and can serve as a turning point for many. He was impacted by an instructor who assisted and guided him during the duration of his education and Odasso hopes to reciprocate the act with his own students. “I do not just want to change a life, but impact a life,” Odasso said. “Teachers should challenge, critique and praise.” As a part-time faculty member, he is not required to have office hours yet Odasso is always willing to go out of his way to make time for his students. “He really cares for his students. He is easy to approach and is always understanding of situations,” Austen Ward, nursing,21, said. Out of a total 43 posts on ratemyprofessor.com, Odasso has received 40 positive comments. Although he previously viewed the anonymous notes, he now chooses otherwise, claiming that it can be embarrassing. “It [ratemyprofessor.com ] reminds me that I can be a gay giant cartoon,” Odasso said jokingly. Odasso believes that the only thing that differentiates between each instructor is their personality. “We [instructors] are all focused on the student,” Odasso said. “ Students label teachers as different.” While Odasso may not believe that he is different from other teachers, many students have praised him to be one of their favorite instructors at Saddleback.
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Scott Hays
N AT I O N A L U N I V E R S I T Y
Part-time faculty member Scott Hays contributes to the community through teaching and homeless projects
PROMISE YOURSELF SUCCESS
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OPEN HOUSE, SATURDAY, MAY 18 AT 10 A.M. Receive detailed information about our programs, and find the answers to all your education questions in one place. At the open house, you can: • Speak with faculty and admissions staff • Tour our Costa Mesa campus • Learn about available financial aid options and scholarships
Our Costa Mesa campus offers programs in: • Business and Management
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JOURNALIST: Hays comes from a teaching family and has been writing most of his life.
on in class, like dissecting lyrics, I will show the documentary, talk about Holland’s song, “Ain’t it Just a Wonderful Life,” and we’ll look at some of his lyrics, where he talks about being homeless,” Hays said. “All of the students seem to respond to it well.” Hays has a master’s degree in both English literature and communications he comes from a long line of teachers including his dad and brothers, and that he initially didn’t want to go into teaching at all. “I went to school to become a journalist, a writer, and that’s what I’ve done most of my adult life, and then about 12 years ago I saw some fellow writers teaching,” Hays said. “I thought it might be a good supplement to my writing career.” He said that surprisingly feature writing isn’t his favorite class, because he’s done journalism and feature writing his whole life. “I really enjoy the English courses, because you are reading students’ essays, you’re having great critical thinking skills, discussions in the classroom and you get to know the students on a more one-on-one basis,” Hays said. mroberts.lariat@gmail.com
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As a part-time instructor at Saddleback College for 12 years, Scott Hays works to help students in his English and journalism students everyday, but his background as a journalist in the field has brought him to find projects outside of teaching. Over recent years, Hays has started a partnership with the Friendship Shelter in Laguna Beach, which houses about 30 adults each year and transitions people from homelessness to self-sufficiency, according to Hays. The partnership was formed to produce a benefit CD with proceeds all going back to the shelter. “It was the most rewarding project of my life, and I didn’t get a dime,” Hays said. “Shelter Me” is a CD collaboration of 13 original songs performed by local homeless people. The project was meant to bring awareness to the homeless and help end it in Orange County. One homeless man from Laguna Beach, David “Holland” McMahon, has two songs on the CD called, “Rebel Without a Dime,” and “Ain’t it Just a Wonderful Life.” Hays said, “He is a phenomenal singer/songwriter.” In addition to the CD there was also a 13-minute documentary made by OCC film students about what happened behind the scenes of production and the process. “There was a showing at the local theatre downtown in Laguna Beach the night that “The Soloist” movie came out, and I brought Holland in to watch the movie,” Hays said. “He got to come see the documentary and then we watched the movie, “The Soloist.” Another project Hays has worked on was a music documentary for the organization HomeAid, that builds transitional housing for people who are abused and need to get out of their home or people that are homeless and need a place to stay. Currently he is working with the Friendship Shelter on their Saturday morning show on the new KX 93.5 station called, “The Friendship Show” from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Hays said that he still keeps in touch with the people he worked with and shares the projects with his students. “If there’s an assignment that we’re working
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OPINION
4
Lariat
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013
Editorial:
nstructor tenure reform
Tenure eligibility is absolutely neccessary, but not perfect. Lariat Staff
Instructor tenure needs to be reformed to provide instructors with more incentive to develop new teaching methods and keep the students motivated. The current system causes instructors to become complacent in their job. It’s not impossible for a tenured instructor to be fired, it’s just difficult. According to a report by the American Association of University Professors, instructor tenure is “an arrangement whereby faculty members, after successful completion of a period of probationary service, can be dismissed only for adequate cause or other possible circumstances and only after a hearing before a faculty committee.” “Tenure needs to be looked at closely, and I think that it needs to be reevaluated in terms of its benefits,” said Scott Hays, part-time English and journalism instructor. “I think that if the state of California, or the districts or the administrators got together to reevaluate tenure, or if there were studies done to determine the value of tenure, I
would like to read those.” According to the National Education Association, excellent teaching does not count enough in earning tenure and is not rewarded enough. The tenure process is too rigid and favors instructors with seniority. Although instructor tenure is needed to fully protect the freedoms of instructors, a system should be established in which instructors are more easily reprimanded for their
instructor at Saddleback College. “If you’re writing papers, and developing ideas, and doing research, and it might be about ideas that are not politically fashionable at the time, then it’s meant to protect people.” Additionally, part-time instructors who have put years of service into their respective institutions should be afforded the same protections of academic freedom that full-time
“Tenured instructors should be held accountable for their performance without it infringing upon the sometimes controversial nature of academic research.” failures and more readily rewarded for their successes. Tenured instructors should be held accountable for their performance without it infringing upon the sometimes controversial nature of academic research. “There has to be job security, so that people can speak their minds,” said Claire M. Cesareo-Silva, anthropology
faculty are under tenure. According to the AAUP, about half of faculty nationwide is part-time, and those who wish to either remain part-time long term or eventually become full-time faculty members should be given eligibility to receive tenure. The hard work of instructors, both part-time and full-time, should be recognized.
“There are some good things about it and some bad things about it,” said David “Das” Odasso, speech instructor at Saddleback. “The idea of it is right, however it does need some revisions.” Although changes should be made, change isn’t easily achieved. Because of strong union influence, changing the tenure system would be like walking in molasses. “I think the other issue is that the unions that represent full-timers will not budge on that issue at all, and so because of the nature of the strength of the unions,” Hays said. “I don’t see much change coming.” The tenure system is undoubtedly necessary. It affords instructors rights that they may not have automatically been afforded otherwise in terms of freedom of research and speech. However, although the system is noble it is not perfect, and rights and opportunities need to be trimmed down and bulked up in different places in order to better serve both students and faculty. lariateditor@gmail.com
Grading your professors Rate my professor gets an excellent rating from this reviewer. SHANNELLE Sanchez
Staff Writer
When the upcoming semester schedule is released, students rush to a computer to see who’s teaching the classes they need to take with a bookmarked tab locked and loaded on RateMyProfessors.com. Rate My Professors is a website designed for college students to evaluate their professors and give their personal opinion on the course and the professor. “I’m in love with this genius website,” said Ali Sheridan, 20, communications. “I use it all the time, it’s definitely bookmarked on my computer. I love that I can get an idea of the classes I’m considering to take.” This sometimes helpful site can help make your final decision on whether or not you should take that applied biology class with Professor Jones. Keyword “sometimes,” because some students end up disappointed, caught between what they read on the website and the reality of the actual class once enrolled. “It’s ‘buyer beware’ obviously, but what I noticed because of the anonymity students can say anything about you, good or bad,” said Professor Marry Mariano, English composition. Ratings are interesting to read because of the way Rate My Professors is set up. According to the website, they have 8,000
schools and over 15 million entirely student-generated comments and ratings, and it is the highest trafficked free site for quickly researching and rating 1.7 million instructors from colleges and universities across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. It lets students rate the easiness, overall quality, and attractiveness of the professor in question. Being able to describe your experience and share your opinion of a professor you have taken could be very helpful to other students, who happen to prefer certain teaching techniques. Some students happen to know the type of learners they are, visual or auditory, and Rate My Professors can be helpful in a sense of getting to know your potential professor and how they run their classes. “I use it every time I register for classes, and always read the past comments about a teacher,” said Danielle Salhus, 21, anthropology. “If the overall quality is below 3.2 I won’t take their class.” The comments from students do help students make the decision if I should enroll in a course. I’m sure students besides myself have learned to not overlook the comments and scroll through the front webpage until you see the “overall quality” rating next to the professors name, spending at least a few minutes to read all the comments given by students is what Rate My Professors was designed for.
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On the sly: Disinterest in reading isn’t cool, it’s callous The possible payoff of having an attention span isn’t monetary, it’s exploratory. I grew up on MySpace, which means that I grew up clicking through my comrade’s profiles, reading what they had written under the “books” section, which frequently included the words “I don’t read” or “I hate books.” These people possibly grew up to be
H. Margaret Slye
Opinion Editor
the Harry Potter fans who had only seen the movies, or the people who said that Twilight was the next Harry Potter. Heck no, not on this plane of existence. “I suppose people, especially nowadays, would probably rather watch tv or play video games than read, just because it’s easier I guess,” said Rachel Raddatz, 18, biology. Not that you should become a bibliophile or classic lit nerd by tomorrow, even though that doesen’t sound
Instructor Comments:
like a half bad lifestyle. I’m just saying that you should figure out what your interests are and pursue them. Books have been around for thousands of years, and there’s a reason for that. “It isn’t even being just aware of the world, you can learn things about yourself when you read stuff,” said Margot Lovett, women’s studies instructor at Saddleback College. “If you read something that you disagree with, and that makes you really start to think about well what are my values,
Scott Hays English instructor
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What is the most rewarding part of teaching?
“I love watching students gain self confidence over the course of the semester, you know, as they realize that they have ideas based on the material that we’re studying, and that I watch them grow as people, both personally and intellectually, and that for me is absolutely the most rewarding part of teaching.”
“It’s very rewarding to me when you see a student, or a handful of students sort of connect with an idea, or they’re learning something, or they’re inspired or empowered. That’s a great exchange between instructor and student.”
and you know, what do I believe in?” I just want society to quit hating on books. Not having a vested interest in your own interests or in the world is not cool, it’s callous. I grew up reading with my mother, but for those who didn’t, I urge you to start now. Study history, study biology, study Dickens or study Tupac. Explore the effect of Reddit on society. Just study something.
“Whatever I was teaching, you could see the light bulb go on and they got it, and that’s rewarding. The path of my life was alterted 3 times ... by a teacher. Teachers were always heroes for me.” Patric Taylor Performing Arts Center production manager
Margot Lovett women’s studies instructor
Lariat
“Saddleback’s student-run newspaper since 1968”
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About the Lariat
The Lariat is the student newspaper of Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College. The Lariat is an independent, First Amendment, student-run public forum. One copy of the Lariat is free. Additional copies may be purchased for $1 at the Lariat newsroom, which is located in LRC 116. Letters to the editor are welcomed. Please limit letters to 200 words or less and include a name, valid e-mail address and signature.
All letters are subject to editing by the editorial board. Unsigned editorials represent the views of the Lariat’s ediorial board and do not represent the views of Irvine Valley College or Saddleback College or the South Orange County Community College District. Lariatnews.com launched in fall 2007. Visit us on Facebook at “Lariat Saddleback” or follow us on Twitter, @lariatnews.
LARIATNEWS.COM/OPINION
Lariat WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013
5
A&E
Shirley Smith/ Lariat
DANCING IN MIXED MEDIA: Physi-
cal Theater (above) dancers perform their artistry around a painted canvas by the other artists.
Between improv & avant-garde “Happening/ Unhappening” features jazz, word, dance and art was sold out last Friday night at the Studio Theater.
FACES OUT OF CLAY:
Getting into his work Marco Minaya (right) sculpts his personal mask from out of clay.
S h i r l e y Smi t h
Staff Writer
Shirley Smith/ Lariat
The third annual “Happening/Unhappening” sold out last Friday night in the Saddleback College’s Studio Theater. The event featured faculty from jazz, dance, painting, ceramics and also spoken word poet Chuck Perkins. “Happening,” which is a spontaneous improvised performance from artists of different disciplines in one location and can involve audience participation in the performance. Before the show, ceramics instructor Richard White explained parts of the performance. “We are taking a lot of influences and putting it together like the modern world is influenced
and [put] together,” White said. White further explained the meaning of improvisation in mixed media. “The thing based on this performance is improv,” White said. “We don’t know what is really going to happen both in the sculpture, painting, dance and theater movement,” White said. “The idea of improvisation and spontaneity relate to one media and another.” Even the though location, materials and performers are planned the events on stage are not. “We’re hoping that something comes out or it may all be rubble,” he said. Last year there were two performances and plenty of seats, according to the box office clerk. She said because this year only one show was offered, it sold out hours before opening. “My husband and I come every year,” Michel Pellissier attendee said. “We are looking forward to this evening.” Ellen Prince opened the show in dance, and was soon joined by Joey Sellers on trombone and Ariel Alexander on alto sax. White and ceramics student,
Marco Minaya began to paint on large rollaway canvases. In four episodes and three segues, artists moved around the stage somewhere between impromptu and avant-garde. One highlight of the night was Chuck Perkins, from New Orleans, La., who cited poetry while the artists worked on stage. Perkins gave up the first week of Jazz Fest in New Orleans to participate in this year’s “Happening,” White said. The climax of the night was expressed in sculptures by Minaya, White and ceramics instructor Steve Dilley. It was a full two hours of entertainment with everyone on stage vying for attention at the same time. It was interesting to see what artists will do when given the opportunity to bring their skills and experience in a spontaneous environment while interacting with other artist of different disciplines. The result can be interesting and surprising.
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Richard White demonstrates reinvention of leftover pottery clay.
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SPORTS
Lariat
WEDNESDAY, May 1, 2013
Former Gauchos taken in NFL Draft
Photo Courtesy of Saddleback College Athletics Department Michael Grennell / Lariat
Michael Grennell / Lariat
Gauchos on Fire: Sophomore starting pitcher Evan Manarino (left) put up some big numbers for the Gauchos this season, leading the team with a 9-1 record, 98.1 innings pitched, and a 1.46 ERA. Freshman McRae Cayton led the softball team’s offense by hitting a team high .457 while tying for the team lead with 16 extra base hits and 28 RBI. Cayton also finished second on the team with nine stolen bases.
Kyle Long-Guard Drafted Round 1, Pick 20 by Chicago Bears
Gauchos make CCCAA playoffs Coming off best conference finish in a decade, the baseball team grabs the No. 3 seed while softball enters playoffs as No. 12 seed. Mi chael Grennell
Sports Editor
Saturday, the California Community College Athletics Association announced its 2013 Regional playoff brackets for both baseball and softball. Saddleback College saw both of its teams make it into the playoffs, with the baseball team grabbing the No. 3 seed and the softball team receiving the No. 12 seed. After ending last season in sixth place in the Orange Empire Conference, the Gauchos baseball team turned it around this season to finish third in the OEC. This season was the first time in a decade that the Gauchos finished higher than fourth place in the OEC. Pitching has been one of the keys to the Gauchos
success this year, as sophomore Evan Manarino and freshman Tyler Brashears have combined for a 15-3 record with 109 strikeouts and a 1.55 ERA. Manarino is currently chasing the school single season ERA record among pitchers who threw a minimum of 50 innings pitched. His current 1.46 ERA is only six points higher than the 1.40 ERA that former Gaucho Greg Pennington put together during the baseball team’s first season in 1969. The Gauchos softball team struggled toward the end of its season, going 5-5 in the final month while being outscored by opponents 56-60. The Gauchos were shutout three times in April, including an 8-0 loss to Santiago Canyon in their final game of the regular season. Saddleback finished in fifth place in the OEC, their lowest finish since 2007 when they ended in sixth place with a 10-11 conference record. Despite that, they will be making their sixth consecutive appearance in the regional playoffs. Last season, the Gau-
chos were given the No. 6 seed, and advanced to the Super Regionals before being knocked out by College of the Canyons in two games, losing the first game 12-4 and the second 9-3. This will be the 13th time Saddleback will make a playoff appearance since 1995 when coach Nick Trani first took over. The Regional Finals for baseball begin on May 3, while softball will begin on May 4. The baseball team will face off against No. 15 Bakersfield College at home. The Gauchos have typically had success against the Bakersfield Renegades, winning 15 of the 23 matchups between the two schools. The softball team will open off the playoffs on the road at College of the Canyons as the Gauchos will take on the No. 5 Cougars in the best of three games series.
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Photo Courtesy of Saddleback College Athletics Department
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