Rampage The
The Student-Run Newspaper of Fresno City College
FCC TO INCREASE CLASS OFFERINGS IN FALL 2015
October 1, 2014
Vol. CXXVI
ISSUE 3
FREE
AVENUE Q OPENS FRIDAY
BY CRESENCIO RODRIGUEZ
Multimedia Editor crodriguez@therampageonline.com
Amber Montgomery, a liberal arts major with an emphasis in social science, is one of many students who will benefit from an increase in classes at Fresno City College and the State Center Community College District. “I had difficulties trying to get into English and math classes which were the basics that I wanted to start with,” Montgomery said. “So by the time I was able to register, there was hardly anything.” Like many students, Montgomery was left with no choice but to put her academic goals on hold. “There was practically nothing left,” Montgomery said about not being able to take her core classes this semester. Montgomery is also in academic probation, which puts her at an even greater disadvantage as she had to start over again but this time, with classes she didn’t even need--something she has done just to stay enrolled. But those days are over, thanks to Proposition 30 which was passed on Nov. 6, 2012. The proposition mandated income and sales tax increases to fund the state’s educational system and ensuing funds have boosted revenue for California’s schools and colleges and brought much
l SEE MORE CLASSES IN SPRING ON PAGE 2
Gabe Griffith and Chris Meisner work together to bring Trekkie Monster to life as he sings “The Internet is for Porn” in the upcoming FCC production, “Avenue Q” on Monday, September 29, 2014. Photo/Gloria Campos
Miguesl Gastelum and Michale Watanbe act with puppets in the upcoming FCC production, “Avenue Q”. Photo/Katia Farias.
“It’s like Seseme Street but for adults.” -Chuck Erven
POLLS VIDEOS
l SEE CHUCK ERVEN ON PAGE 6
The cast of the upcoming FCC production, “Avenue Q” acting out a scene during their dress rehearsal. Photo/Katia Farias
l SEE NOT YOUR CHILDHOOD STREET ON PAGE 7
“I am a transgernder l SEE teen living with FROM MY manic depressive PERSPECTIVE ON PAGE 6 dissorder.” -Caleb Garrett-Owens
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PHOTOS STORIES
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NEWS
10.01.2014 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
MORE CLASSES IN SPRING
Announement boards can offer crucial info
l CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 needed relief for students like Montgomery. Finally, beginning in spring 2015, the students at Fresno City College will begin to see the benefits from the passage of this proposition. The State Center Community College District plans to begin the increase in the amount classes for all of its campuses in the spring and summer of 2015. “We use [Proposition 30 funds] to increase classes,” said FCC President, Tony Cantu. This projected increase comes after an outstanding number of classes were cut during the recession and student enrollment dropped. Vice-President of Student Services, Chris Villa said, “We’re confident that we are going to make an impact in increasing enrollment.” To meet the needs of the anticipated increase in enrollment, a job fair was held on Monday at the Herndon campus in Fresno in order to recruit prospective, part-time faculty who would be teaching the new sections being added. “We have to expand sections and to expand sections, you got to hire more faculty to teach those sections,” Villa
said. . Ryan Creek , social work major, said that adding more classes is a good idea. “Sometimes people can’t make it to school at a certain time and more classes means that more people can come to school,” he said. Creek said this would make it easier for students to attend classes throughout the day. Biology major, Kyle McGuire doesn’t quite agree with the idea of increasing the number of classes. He said the increase of classes would mean more students and crowded classes instead of a more intimate classroom setting where, he believes, students learn best. However, McGuire agrees that increasing the amount of classes would give him an opportunity to explore more classes within his major. “It would be nice to have more options,” McGuire said. Villa says the main focus, more than anything, is about students. “This is about student access,” Villa said. “This is about making sure that every person in our community has knowledge, has the ability to, if they so choose, register for classes at our college.”
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Rampage Staff
Announcement board outside of the Student Center Building. Photo/Alyssa Garza BY ALUSSA GARZA
Reporter agarza@therampageonline.com
Editor-in-Chief Lauren Baker Production Manager Patrick Forrest News Editor Patrick Forrest Opinion Editor Jarrett Ramones Arts & Entertainment Editor Yolanda Garzon Sports Editor Keaundrey Clark
Reporters Lauren Barnett Yolanda Bird David Chavez Brijido Cisneros Alyssa Garza Julian Ramos Max Reagan Jasmine Yoro Javier Hernandez
Are you looking for an apartment, a job, a pet or even a car? You need not look far -- your answers can be found on bulletin boards located throughout the Fresno City College campus. There are 4 different bulletin boards are scattered on campus, located in front of the gymnasim, next to student services, in between the
Photojournalists Katia Farias Gloria Campos
“It is important to let students know what is going on in the community.”
Photo Editor Desiree Aranjo
Faculty Adviser Dympna Ugwu-Oju
Art Director Jarrett Ramones
Contact Us Tip Line: 559.442.8262
Copy Chief Yolanda Garzon
Send Questions or Letters to the Editor to: editorial@therampageonline.com
Multimedia Editor Cresencio Rodriguez Business Manager Ramiro Gudino
Journalism Association of Community Colleges
TheRampageOnline.com
Fresno City College
-Valerie DiPinto FCC Student Activities Office Assistant III
math and english building and right in front of the student store. and serve as information sharing centers for the college community. Current advertisements include Avenue Q and Student Art Hop, “It is important to let students know what is going on in the community,” said Valerie DiPinto Office Assistant III for FCC student activities about the real value of bulletin boards. DiPinto explained that while the student activities office encourage students to display the information on the bulletin boards, everyone must follow the process which starts with seeking approval at the student activities office. Once approved, “the ad [notice] stays up for 30 days,” DiPinto said.
“But students must post them up themselves.” After the 30 days are up, the notice could be reposted as long as the owner seeks and obtains extension of the approval. Some students said bigger, brighter, bolder fliers may attract more viewers and encourage more participation. “I would really enjoy looking at the kiosks if the lettering fonts or colors of the advertisements were more brighter and bolder,” said student Maggie Torres. The Anime Club’s flier on most bulletin boards on campus invites FCC students to join their club by getting in contact with the club’s leader Hoa Tran. Aiesha Francis, member of the Anime Club, said the club is interested in getting more members to share in their love of Japanese culture and cartoons. The bulletin boards are also useful in disseminating vital information such as one from the college’s Psychological Services. The Psych services’ notice contains information about the program and who students need to talk to if they have concerns. “We help assist, cope and talk to students who just want to sit and talk with us about issues of being a college student or the struggle of going to college,” said Gregory Crawford, psychological intern. A wide array of information can be found at the bulletin boards around campus and students seem to enjoy it. “I use the kiosks to scan for new and interesting bulletins that I might have an interest in,” said Randy Adams, a student. “It’s a load of information that is up here, and I enjoy looking at it.” l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 10.01.2014
CRIME ALERTS RESULT IN FEWER CRIMES ON CAMPUS BY PATRICK FORREST
News Editor pforrest@therampageonline.com
The state center community college district police department, after noticing a spike in petty thefts or what they are calling “crimes of opportunity,” sent out an alert reminding students and staff of different strategies to keep their possessions safe. “If someone were to look into an office while no one was there, find a phone and walk outside with it..” said Tony Cantu, Fresno City College campus president. “..That would be a crime of opportunity, that is what we are
“Overall crime is down, so we are moving in the right direction but still have a long waty to go.” -Bruce Hartman SCCCD Police Chief
dealing with here.” The suggestions sent out from the district police include keeping your purse, wallet, keys or other valuables with you at all times or locked in a drawer or closet. “It’s really more about just using common sense,” said Cantu. “That’s really want we want to remind everyone to do.”
Police have also used this opportunity to further warn about the wellknown problem of bike theft on campus. “I’ve never really felt safe bringing my bike around campus,” said Colton Treacy, FCC student. “It was hard enough to get that one, I don’t want to have to get another once they steal it.” A large majority of the bike thefts that take place in the district are on Fresno City College’s campus and Chief Hartman has sent out reminders about getting U-locks to protect bikes as well. “There are bike racks,” Hartman said. “So it’s important that people are not only safe but smart with their property.” Adjustments have been made in order to make the campus a safer place for all students as there are over 140 cameras on the campus and plans to add more. “We’ve got cameras on this campus,” Cantu said. “We have cameras in this building and part of our security plan is to put cameras in different parts of the campus.” Hartman credits the cameras, among other changes, with keeping the overall crime numbers down this year from last. “Overall crime is down,” Hartman said. “So we are moving in the right direction, but still have a ways to go.” Around the district crime is down 22 percent and at FCC it is down 27 percent. “Since this is the biggest campus it is the number one concern,” Hartman said. “More people, more worry. But we are working on it.” l TWITTER.COM/FORRESTP8
ASG rewards ASB card holders BY ALYSSA GARZA
Reporter agarza@therampageonline.com
The Associated Student Government at Fresno City College has planned a number of activities to get the student body more involved in campus activities. The first of those activities was a pool party at the campus pool on Sept. 19, 2014. “Over 100 to 200 people total attended the pool party,” said Toni Sandoval. Legislative Vice president of the ASG. All who attended received free food and drinks along with music. “I thought that the pool party was a good way to interact with fellow students,” said Ananias McCura, FCC student. Juan Miramontes, new senator for ASG helped out at the pool party by working the clicking in the amount of people who walked into the pool area. Trustee Garret Hale, David Alvarez, communications officer and Toni Sandoval brought the food leftover from the pool party to Tent City, a homeless encampment, located in downtown Fresno. The party cost only $600 even though $1,000 had been allocated, said Sandoval The idea of the pool party came
from Sandoval and Emily Hass, senator-at-large as a way for the ASG Staff to welcome the new committees and any student of FCC who would like to attend. “It was just an idea at first it wasn’t something that we knew would actually happen,” said Sandoval. “But the more we talked about it, the more excited we became.” The ASG is also trying to recruit more members to the student government. Ruby Ruiz and Maize Lee, ASG senators, said anyone in the FCC student body can join the ASG and see what it is like. The members of the ASG waded into the main water fountain in front of the Language Arts building after the meeting no Sept. 16, 2014 to show students what the pool party would look like. ASG has scheduled more events in October such as Ramburger, The Homecoming Game and the BBQ Throwdown. The members of ASG are encouraging more students to come to these events. “We sometimes invite student activities and active student club members to help get everything done” said Daniel Melchor President of ASG. l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE
NEWS
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NEWS
10.01.2014 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
Q & A WITH VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT SERVICES
CHRIS VILLA
BY CRESENCIO RODRIGUEZ
Multimdia Editor crodriguez@therampageonline.com
Q.
What is the role of student services in increasing enrollment and classes?
A.
“We do have a college relations department and they go out to high schools and they work with local community agencies so what they do is they’re out in the local community, they get more students to apply, generate more applications for the college and then they also do a lot of work in relation to getting students to transition from the high school to the college. So we have a lot of work associated with the project that we’ve had in place for many years which is registration to go. We help students on site, at the high schools, with the application to the college. We help them with testing, we also do testing on site. We also help them with advising; we do preadvising so that they can complete an SEP before they come in.”
Q. A.
How far do your services reach?
“Our service area includes Fresno County and portions of Kings and Tulare county. We cover most, if not all, the schools. We also work with community agencies. We’re also out recruiting or marketing the college with people who are out of work, people who want to come back to school who are not in high school.
Q.
How are the enrollment numbers now compared to how they were last year?
A.
“They fluctuate day to day. What happens is we get reports where we determine based on the day, like today is Sept. 26, 2014, we could do a snapshot compared to Sept. 26, 2013 and see if we’re up or down. In general, for the last few weeks, we’ve been consistently slightly down. Part of the reason I think that, not only our college, but many colleges, many of the 112 colleges in the state are experiencing challenges to sustain or increase enrollment rates is because our economy. The unemployment rates have been lower now compared to several years ago. If you look at the unemployment rate in fresno county was around 16 percent three or four years ago. Its gone down to about 10 or 11 percent. So when unemployment goes down, then people are employed and their less likely to attend a community college.
Q. A.
How many students do you actually plan to enroll?
There is a target of what we call FTE, Full Time Equivalent student. A full time equivalent student is not one student, its the
Vice president of Student Services Chris Villa. Photo/Katia Farias equivalent of one full time student. And the equivalent to a full time student is considered to be a student who has a full load of 15 units per semester. So there are certain targeted number of FTEs that we’ve established for the district and for each of the colleges in the district.
Q. A.
How confident are you that these efforts will pay off?
“We’re confident that we’re going to make an impact in increasing enrollment. It’s not just about increasing enrollment, this is about student access. This is about making sure that every person in our community has knowledge, has the ability to, if they so choose, to register for classes at our college. So while the focus might be on enrollment, its also on access. We want to make sure every person in the community is fully aware that we provide and educational opportunity for them.”
Q.
Is there a plan in place in case those numbers are not able to be met?
A.
“We have a recruitment plan in place that relies heavily on our registration to go project. We already have in place a process in which we go out to the high schools, we have staff go out, working local administrators, counselors, teachers
and really trying to get as many students from our local high schools to, not just apply, but to finish the registration process, to apply, to get tested, to get advised to do the online orientation and then to register. So we have a system in place already now, but we’re going to do more because we want to maximize our enrollment. We want to get as many people as possible enrolled here. So what we are doing now is we are going to be more aggressive in recruiting students at the local high schools. We’re going to put more staff out at the schools and especially we are going to work on improving what we call our show rate. Our show rate is the percentage of students who actually register, who actually enroll.”
Q. A.
What will you do to improve the show rate?
“We already have a few things we do. After an incoming student registers, particularly for fall, we have a project called Ram Ready where we invite students who already registered to come in the summer for an extended of one day orientation, and typically that’s done with their parents. We also have another project which involves students who have applied but havnt finished the registration process. We have another project that is
called extreme registration for those students. We did at least two of those this past summer. We will do those again this coming summer.
Q. A.
Will you be increasing the number of faculty?
We have a proposal to increase staff and we’re fortunate to have increased funding from the state through two funding sources. One is called the SSSP (Student Support Services Program) and the other is student equity. Every community college in the state, because of the support we got from the governor and the legislature, got an increased allocation for SSSP. With student equity we also got funding that could be used to expand or hire more people to ultimately improve the success of our students. The funding is available, were in the process of identifying positions that we’d like to have funded and it’s being reviewed at this point by the district.
More administrator Q & A’s to come in furture issues of the Rampage
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 10.01.2014
Reading & Writing Center Offers Lifeline to Struggling Students BY JAVIER HERNANDEZ
Reporter jhernandez@therampageonline.com
The Reading and Writing Center at Fresno City College provides one-on-one tutoring for essay drafting, thesis statements, and study skills. Alejandra Rodriguez, a student, visits the center often to sketch outlines, create a thesis and to have her assignments proofread. Rodriguez said, “The center has helped me a lot, I like the environment and thinks its friendly and helpful.” They also host workshops that teach test taking skills, reading comprehension, punctuation and grammar, plagiarism, essay writing and formatting. The center’s page offers online tutoring, a workshop calendar. and links to writing reference materials. The Peer Assisted Study Session (PASS) program is developed to increase student’s success, and GPA through embedded tutoring in English,ESL, and small groups designated for chosen criteria. PASS tutors are “model” students that provide peer mentorship with Reading and Writing skills to PASS students through scheduled small group tutoring sessions outside of help. Through the Disabled Student Program and Services, a Sign Language interpreter is available for deaf students. This was a problem before DSPS granted the Center a sign language interpreter, because priority goes to the classes throughout FCC.
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Villalba has been collecting data over the past four years. According to Villalba “86 percent of students who attend the center multiple times have a grade higher than 60 percent of students who don’t use the center.” The center has seen an increase in student attendance, from 500 in 2008 to 1,700 on average throughout the whole year, under Villalba’s superMindi Yang works on an essay for her English vision “We are open to all classes that have reading or 1A class on Tuesday September 30, 2014. writing, some students may think we are only open Photo/Patrick Forrest to those taking English classes, that is not the case,” Villalba said. “The Reading and Writing center not only benefits the students at FCC that seek help, it helps the MONDAY-THURSDAY student tutors who work there too by sharpening 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. their academic skills,” said by Tabitha Villalba, the Coordinator of the Reading and Writing center. FRIDAY Student tutors themselves polish their own skills 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. first before they are able to help students. They must go through tutor training to become SATURDAYS better readers and writers while learning how to ar9.00 a.m - 2:00 p.m. ticulate ideas to other students. Tabitha Villalba, said “the greatest benefit for Appointments can be made in office during tutors is that it’s a very rewarding job.” She added, open hours or online at any time. “All the student tutors that go there love helping students, they’re happy to work with her.”
CENTER HOURS
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&E
10.01.2014
CHUCK ERVEN: DIRECTING A MUSICAL not done at other places in town...our philosophy is to do other shows that aren’t normally done.
Q. A.
How challenging has it been been to put on this musical?
There’s music to it, so you have to work with the musical director. There’s dance to it, so you have to work with the choreographer. At some level, it becomes complicated to manage so many people. We have great actors that happen to be great singers. When you have a great group of people who are connected... they inspire each other.
“Avenue Q” director, Chuck Erven, advises parents to not bring children to the musical because of language and themes.. Photo/Photographer BY YOLANDA GARZON
Arts & Entertainment Editor/Copy Chief ygarzon@therampageonline.com
Q. A.
What is “Avenue Q” about?
It’s kind of like “Sesame Street” for adults. It takes the same premise of “Sesame Street”. You have puppet characters and human characters interacting. Instead of “Sesame Street” teaching lessons to kids about letters and numbers and how to get along, this [musical] does it on how to become an adult. They’re dealing with issues such as how to sustain a relationship; what do you do
after college; how do you get a job... things most people deal with.
Q. A.
Is this something FCC students will be able to relate with?
The reason we chose the show is because it will have a broad audience appeal. It’s not going to just relate to 18 year-old students at Fresno City College it’s much broader...it’s just a fun show. It’s a gimmick in a way.
Q. A.
Why did you decide to go with “Avenue Q”? It relates to younger audiences. The shows at Fresno City are
Q. A.
More people are involved, so who is helping out?
We have the music department who is heavily involved in it. You have to have a band so a band was put together. The vocal music director, a choreographer, the band director is Mike Dana. Those are people we don’t typically work with. The typical show [involves] a set designer, lighting designer, sound designer and the director and the performers. But now we add into that.
Q. A.
Are there certain expectations of the end result?
Besides it being a good show? We chose the show because it has an appeal, a broad appeal. When you see this show [audience will think] my peers are doing that! But you want
to go for the experience. How long has everyone been preparing?
Q. A.
We have a five week rehearsal period. Six with the dress rehearsal.
Q. A.
How did you pick the cast members?
Q.
How did you know you were picking the right person [for the
We do open auditions with the emphasis of casting students. Everyone in the cast is a form of a student, whether you’re full-time or taking one class and it’s open to the community. We open to the community so we have people working who have been [actors] for a long time.
part]?
A.
You don’t. You try to do the best you can. You’re going to see, can they act? Do they physically fit the type you’re looking for? You read them into parts, you talk to them...then you just [have] to go with your gut! Sometimes you do make mistakes but you just have to go on.
Q. A.
What message do you want the audience to walk away with?
The message of the show is life is hard but you have to make choices that aren’t easy to make. They aren’t always easy but everything is going to be ok. l TWITTER.COM/X_WHATSERNAME_X
&E
7 NOT YOUR CHILDHOOD STREET
10.01.2014 BY YOLANDA BIRD
Reporter ybird@therampageonline.com
“Avenue Q” is not the average “Sesame Street” show. The musical features puppets as some of the actors in this stage production. The set reminds you of “Sesame Street”, but the music and language will make sure you knew otherwise. The Fresno City College theater department presents “Avenue Q”, directed by instructor Chuck Erven. The musical is set to open on Oct. 3 in the FCC theater at 7:30 p.m. The production is a display of masterful collaboration -- set design by Chris Boltz, costumes by Debra Erven, music by Mike Dana and dance by Cristal Tiscareno. Chris Boltz, set designer and FCC instructor said this is the “biggest show I have done in six years.” He said there are lots of people working on it, lots of volunteers such as a live band and lots of stuff going on in putting the set together. The set for “Avenue Q” is fairly large. Boltz said it is set “in the poorer areas of New York City [in] the “Avenue Q” district.” Fitting the bright colorful building -- a three storied building in a 20 foot area. All areas of the building are accessible to the actors and their puppets. Multiple things are going on with this set construction. There will be billboard projection screen as well as some windows that will also have projection screens on them so they display different things at any time.
Cast of “Avenue Q” rehearse for opening day. The musical opens on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, 7:30 pm at the Fresno City College Theatre. (Photo/Katia Farias) Parts of the set are also moveable. The items for the puppets were a little more complicated to get done. From furniture that can, according to Boltz, “go from either 6 inches too small to 6 inches too big” to something as simple as a book. Boltz said that on a puppet show, “You try to make things as light as possible, so that the puppet can hold it.” Debra Erven, theater instructor and costume designer for “Avenue Q” said that most of her work was about outfitting the puppets. “The staff does not really have any costumes,” she said, but “the puppets have costume changes.” To make the transition easier, there
are multiple interchangeable puppets of the same character, Erven explained. When a costume needs to be changed, there is a change of puppets rather than of clothing. Another dressed puppet replaces whichever is already on stage. Others outside of the theater department are collaborating to make this production a success. Mika Dana, instructor and music director for “Avenue Q”, said the music is varied and has “rock, R&B, and pop influences. The play will feature a “five piece band” -- a guitar, two keyboards, a sax, bass, and drums. Dana said he will play the guitar.
“It’s really hilarious,” Dana said about the play. “Adult content for sure.” Dance instructor, Cristal Tiscareno, was selected to choreograph the musical’s dance numbers for puppets. “It wasn’t your normal choreography,” Tiscareno said. Tiscareno said she is excited to be part of a musical with different collaborators. “I’ve never seen the show,” said Tiscareno, who was challenged to create a choreography for the actors. “I had to keep in mind, not only are they singing, but they’re puppeteers,” said Tiscareno. “I tried to keep it simple with a few jazz movements in it.” l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE
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OPINION
10.01.2014 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
WAR IS PEACE BY THE RAMPAGE EDITORIAL BOARD
Doris Velazquez Undecieded
We are the country with the big guns.
Herbert Harden Criminology
We should be focusing more on education.
Hormoz Havami Accounting
The US has enough power to solve the world’s problems.
The world is ending again. Religious Zealots grip the throat of freedom. And it is all the their fault. Their shadow looms over the world at large—an evil organization bent on foisting their political and moral ideology on masses? They must be destroyed. But what are we really talking about here? If you follow mainstream media, then the group or movement calling itself the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)—the extremist militant group’s “terror-campaign”—is unparalleled in its evil endeavors, the likes of which the world has never seen. ISIS has been blazing through the Middle East and claiming swaths of territory in both Syria and Iraq intent on spreading the evil gospel of Islam and discrediting the good name of Western governments and ideology. We’ve seen the reports on the news all the world’s powers are quivering in fear at the mighty threat that is ISIS; even Al-Queda, moreover, concedes to the unimaginable horror that is ISIS. The U.S. has deemed the threat a high priority and intervention through air strikes and troops have long been ordered. As journalists, it is our responsibility to arm the masses with information based on facts gathered ethically and responsibly. We are to let U.S. citizens know what happens overseas and how our government is involved. Instead, we vilify any peoples or religions that are unfamiliar. In this instance, Muslims are the latest in America’s never-ending witch hunt. Our generation has never lived in a world where we can rely on the media for answers. Stories about terrorism break and ring like a copy of the one that came before. As a viewer, one is left with the impression that all Muslims are fanatical bigots deserving of my fear and hate. But it isn’t true, is it? We hear about
the terror group ISIS but do we really feel the affects? The fear that builds when watching coverage of terrorist groups, is less about what they actually did and more about the potential harm they could cause America and the rest of the world. So what is the deal? Are we really under constant threat or is our mainstream media churning out stories and imagery full of violence and linking it to Islam by any means. Take this guy, Alton Nolen of Oklahoma, a supposed Muslim and supporter of ISIS who attempted to behead two female co-workers. The media is fixated on the fact that Nolen posted pro “Islamic” and ISIS posts on his social media. What they are failing to mention is that Nolen was in the process of being terminated from his job at the company. Like everyone else, Nolen saw the constant coverage of ISIS’s violence and the inaccurate ties being made with them and the Muslim faith. In fact, true Muslims are forbidden from harming anyone, including themselves. The media creates villains for American citizens fear—this week it is ISIS before that Al-Queda and before that the Taliban, this can be traced back before WWII. We love having a monster to hate. It gives our country a sense of pur-
John Olson Business
Juanita Medina Criminology
As the largest world power we have to be involved.
pose—a reason to plunge our hands into the world’s problems. It’s this vicious little cycle; the media has stories to cover, people are scared and our government can to do whatever they see fit. We cannot inform ourselves if the mainstream media’s practices are as unethical as broadcasting half truths and linking whole concepts to topics that are loosely related. If we are to promote freedom and peace for all nations, we cannot continue to accept what others tell us is truth.
We shouldn’t get into something that doesn’t involve us.
Photos by Patrick Forrest
Elias Rojas Music
Let other nations deal with their own faults.
Erik Franson Evironmental Engineering
If there is a crisis in the Middle East we should be helping out.
Kayla Lincoln Art
I think the American govenrment should stay out of foreign affairs.
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
10.01.2014
OPINION
FROM MY PERSPECTIVE BIKE LANES ON CAMPUS?
Do we really need them?
BY ALYSSA GARZA
Reporter Agarza@therampageonline.com
Could adding bike lanes onto Fresno City College’s campus ground be necessary for bike riders and skateboarders? Yes, It just might be. Knowing that bike riders and skateboarders could ride on lanes through campus could be really beneficial to them and the rest of the students of FCC. The school administrators and Associated Student Government are mapping out a plan to potentially place bike lanes onto campus grounds. Some may think that having bike lanes on school ground will make it easier for bike riders and skateboarders to get around easier. I think that providing bike lanes will decrease the minor issues that some students may have regarding students with schedules being back to back and having the rush to get to class on time. With the amount of students attending FCC this semester alone,
ARE SCHOOLS FAILING THE ATHLETES? BY KEAUNDREY CLARK
Sports Editor kclark@therampageonline.com
Over the past five years or so college athletics has seen an identity crisis, risking student education for corruption and billions of dollars. Who is to blame? “I would say the university and university employees are ultimately to blame,” said Fresno Bee sports writer Marek Warszawski. “Certain universities have accepted the financial rewards for becoming football and basketball factories.” Collegiate sports have taken hold of universities for a financial profit. Some schools` making millions off of the backs of students without realizing they are doing harm to the student and their respective school. Schools are overlooking an hole in academics to satisfy tickets holders at the cost of student’s education. Some schools lowered their standards to admit athletes who aren't equipped to be college students. Star high school players who wouldn’t have been able to even look at a college brochure because of how they are doing in the classroom are now being accepted into some of the best colleges in the country because of what they can do on the field. Yet when they get to the campus, schools aren’t helping the “student athletes” progress in the classroom. With restricted schedules that only allow for progression on the field, what are these athletes getting if they aren’t actually being educated? Responsibility goes to the parents
providing bike lanes onto campus is indeed a very good way to alleviate parking congestion on campus. The students who ride their bikes or skateboards who do attend this campus would rather bike their way to school or skate because it saves them time and money for parking and avoid being late to class. Sean Henderson, director of Student Activities, says that he would be “excited if the student body looked at solutions that considered safety as well as the rights for bicyclists and skateboards.” It would make things easier for bicyclists and skateboarders to know there are bike lanes on campus.This would eliminate the need to think about the possibility of running into someone while rushing to class or simply riding around leisurely. “I think that the bike lanes are a good investment for the students and it will benefit the students who actually ride their bikes on campus all the time” said RJ Burrell, an FCC student.
and school administrators who made these athletes feel entitled and gave them better grades in the classroom so they could be eligible for sports. It started at a young age where sports were valued above all else. The pressure to succeed was multiplied when they got to college. At the end of the day, athletes are receiving a piece of paper token of their time there. Some schools are giving a water-downed education for montaterial gain.. The key to fixing the problem is raising the standards and requirements for athletes. If we hold them to a higher academic standard , schools wouldn’t be in scandals just to keep them eligible. North Carolina University’s athletic program was caught earlier this year when a basketball player was taking bogus classes and tutors were doing assignments for the athletes so he could stay eligible for the season. When it gets to the point where a school invents a fake class to keep a player on the field, what does that say about the player, university and education as a whole. The fake classes are an insult to students, educators and the university. Schools have to get back to the basics of educating students, then letting them be athletes. Playing a sports is a privilege not a right. “If you want purity, look to the lower levels,” Warszawski said. “Those football and basketball players are truly students first who are playing for love of the game.” l TWITTER.COM/SLOCUM13
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SURVIVING COLLEGE AS A TRANSGENDERED BIPOLAR STUDENT. BY CALEB OWENS-GARRETT Staff Reporter cowens@therampageonline.com
What body parts do you have? Are you a boy or a girl? I have dealt with plenty of these insulting questions before and it is very difficult to explain to people that it is really none of their business. I am a freshman, transgender teen who suffers from manic depressive disorder also known as Bipolar disorder. Living with Bipolar disorder as well as being a transgender individual in a more conservative town has made things harder to cope with. Society has built a stigma around being transgender as well as having a mental health disorder. It is seen as those two being cohesive and there are negative stigmas to the point that society believes that it is vice versa, with one causing the other. Being another person trapped in the wrong body can turn your world upside down. Some people can feel complete with knowing they are a man or woman, but a lot of transgender individuals feel the need to undergo surgeries to get to their comfort zone. Being bipolar and trying to make deadlines for school can have a serious affect on your ability to function properly. Personally, I have dealt
with a lot in my first semester so far, with making sure that I don’t melt down to being able to keep myself above water to complete my work. Identifying my triggers ahead of time before I “blow up” is a very helpful tool I use to make sure that I can stay afloat to make sure things get handled. Although I have my run ins with my triggers, I have learned what to do and how to cope with it. Being in college with these issues has an emotional toll on you. It can begin to feel like being bipolar as well as being transgender are the only things people see in you or even feel like it is controlling you. My life has become much more than being those extras, I have turned those facts about me and turned it into helping others and supporting them when they feel that way. Allowing people to know that you know what they are going through can change lives. It is always good to have a support system while on campus, so you can feel at ease when triggering thoughts may come to you. People are never alone and there is always someone there to talk to! l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE
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OPINION
10.01.2014 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
Pro/Con Debates What is more effective: Peaceful protest or violent action? BY LAUREN BAKER
BY LAUREN BARNET
Editor-in-Chief Lbaker@therampageonline.com
We live in a world congested with crime, hatred, and violence. Everytime we turn on our television set, the top story on the nightly news is always about someone who was murdered or an establishment that perhaps was the victim of an armed robbery. There are those who would say that violence is never the answer, and I am right in line with them. Violence has never done anything short of simply breaking down its opposer or shutting it down. When has violence ever improved a situation? Take a look at World War II for instance. Millions of innocent Jews lost their lives for what Hitler called “The Final Solution.” His idea of creating new jobs, or rather, “improving the economy” was to eliminate the Jewish population, and what he manifested was a second world war and countless lives and devastation. Germany has never been able to shake the impres-
Reporter Lbarnet@therampageonline.com
sion they left on the rest of the world in a futile and merciless attempt to reign superior. No, violence is not the answer to any solution, nor is a means of finding one. Mahatma Ghandi is synonymous with the words peace and process. While he is well-known for being the most influential leader of Indian independence, he also led a revolution, teaching the world that you don’t have to hurt someone else to let your voice be heard. Though he was killed by a violent act, his message of peaceful protest has remained an inspiration to all those who seek it. He was not silenced. Violence is only a temporary backlash. The body may break, but the voice can still transcend into many forms. In the words of Gandhi, “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” l TWITTER.COM/ELBTHEHERO
Imagine you’re a politician, and there is some sort of controversy causing people to protest. As you look out your office window you see people blocking traffic and holding up signs. Now imagine that you are looking out the window and you see people lighting trash cans on fire, fighting, rioting police officers and looting stores. Now ask yourself,which is more impactful? Which of these two stances would actually get you to try and make peace or negotiate with the protesters? That’s right, violent protesting has much more of an impact on someone other than nonviolent protesting. Violent protests operate under the assumption that one should claim an eye for an eye, like it says in the bible. This is the strongest and clearest form of justice. It makes a point. It gets the point across much faster than just sitting around with signs, and banners. It
forces the opponent to become aware. It cannot be overlooked or terminated. A recent example of an effective violent protest is the Michael Brown case that took place in Ferguson, MO. Brown, 18-years-old and unarmed, was shot and killed by a police officer. After the shooting, groups like the “New Black Panthers” have vowed retaliation against the officer who shot Brown, claiming that he was murdered. For days the Ferguson people Chief Thomas Jackson was not going to release the name of the officer that shot Brown, due to the fear of his safety. After a series of violent protests, Jackson came forward with the officer’s name,Darren Wilson. Violent protest is much more effective and will get your voice heard so much faster and louder than non violent protest. l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE
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Graphic/Yolanda Bird
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SPORTS
10.01.2014
Wrestling Team off to a Good Start
Sophomore Vincente Hernandez, bottom, weighing 133 and Sophomore Ali Naser, top, weighing 142, practice. Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014 in the FCC Gymnasium. Photo/Desiree Aranjo BY KEAUNDREY CLARK
Sports Editor kclark@therampageonline.com
Fresno City College wrestling team opened its season on a high note, winning the Sacramento City Invitational on Sept. 20. “We’re starting our season off on the right track,” said Head Coach Paul Keysaw. Five FCC wrestlers won their respective weight classes, leading to an overall victory over Chabot and Sacramento City. Sophomore Arnulfo Olea took home the tournament’s top honor of
outstanding wrestler. “I felt good strong, confident going into the tournament,” said Olea “As a team, we competed really well; we have a lot of young guys this year,” said coach Keysaw. “The guys really showed an edge and improvement on the mat which we really like.” Arnulfo Olea at 125 Lbs, Vicente Hernandez at 133 Lbs, Adrian Gomez at 157 Lbs, Mo Nasser at 174 Lbs, and Will Gockel-Figge at 184 Lbs all dominated during the tournament. The FCC team is very young this season, having over 30 freshman on the roster. Olea, Gockel-Figge, Hernan-
Men’s Soccer Wins First Game at Home The well traveled rams defeat Las Positas 3-1 BY KEAUNDREY CLARK
Sports Editor kclark@therampageonline.com
Fresno City College men’s soccer team got their first home win of the season with a 3-1 win against Las Positas on Sept. 23 at Ratcliffe Stadium. “We didn’t play our best,” said head coach Eric Solberg. “We’re extremely beat up and tired from our travels.” FCC had just finished playing six straight road games before coming home. This includes a trip to Salt Lake City for the Rams where they tied and lost one game. “We’re a lot closer to each other, working a lot harder because we want the same thing, which is a state championship,” said Sophomore defender Christian Chaney. Sophomore midfielder Wesly Vasquez opened the scoring for FCC, netting a goal in the 11th minute. Freshman Jose Torres recorded an assist on off Vasquez’s goal and scored his second goal of the season two minutes later.
All-American Christian Chaney scored in the 90th minute. “We let one goal in towards the end on a mistake,” said Chaney. “We’re always a really good defensive team “We didn’t play our best.” -Eric Solberg, Head Caock
we just have to stay focused on the end of the field.” FCC is 5-4-1 this season. They are currently fourth in the Central Valley Conference. Freshman midfielder Jose Torres is leading the team in points with 2 goals and 3 assists. Alton Yokley and Austin Ramos are second on the team in 2 goals each. Freshman Cesar Hernandez is defending well; he has recorded 41 saves in the first 10 games. Solberg said, “We did what we had to and came away with the 3-1 victory.” l TWITTER.COM/SLOCUM13
dez are three of the four sophomores returning to this year’s team. All three finished in the top 10 in the state last year. “We rely on our sophomores to be leaders for our young guys, and show them the ropes and traditions of FCC,” said Keysaw. Fresno City College Wrestling has been dominant during Paul Keysaw’s tenure, winning four state championships since 2006. This year’s team will be looking to make it five, and FCC’s 13th title in wrestling. l TWITTER.COM/SLOCUM13
Consistency Key For Volleyball Team in First Home Win Rams beat Giants 3 sets to 1 for first home win BY KEAUNDREY CLARK
Sports Editor kclarkw@therampageonline.com
Fresno City College women’s volleyball team got its first conference win of the season, defeating College of Sequoia 3 sets to 1 on Sept. 24 at the FCC gymnasium. After falling 26-24 in the first set during which the Rams made seven errors, FCC came back and won the next three sets. Even though FCC got the win, eight year head coach Tracy Ainger-Schulte wasn’t pleased with the performance. “We had four games to correct mistakes, and that didn’t happen,”said Ainger-Schulte. Sophomore middle blocker Katie Lowe led the Rams offensively with 20 kills. Freshman middle blocker Malerie Crenshaw added 10 of her own. “Its going to be rough for a while,” Lowe said. “We’ve “We need to work on stability and consistency.” -Defender, Ally Cruse
been a team that’s been going up and down with our play, and today was one of those days.” Sophomore defender Ally Cruse stepped up big defensibly for FCC, getting 22 digs. “We came out a little nervous,” said Cruse. “We need to work on stability and consistency, [and] playing well the entire match.” FCC is 6-3 for the season, second in the Central Valley Conference behind Reedley College. The team is ranked No.6 in NorCal and No.13th in the state; their toughest opponent to date is No.4 Feather River whom they lost to 3 sets to 1 earlier in the season. FCC is chasing its 7th CVC title in a row. “Until we learn to control what happens on our side of the ball, we won’t be going very far,” said Ainger-Schulte. Crenshaw is leading this year’s team in kills with 77; sophomore outside hitter Alyssa Jones is second with 71. Lowe is third with 70. l TWITTER.COM/SLOCUM13
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PORTS
10.01.2014
Football Team Suffers Two Big Losses BY KEAUNDREY CLARK
Sports Editor kclark@therampageonline.com
Fresno City College Football Rams lost to defending state champion Butte College 38 - 27 on Sept. 27 at Ratcliffe Stadium. This makes for two straight games against power-house foes. “They [Butte] did some things that we had not seen in a long time from that team,” said Head Coach Tony Caviglia FCC’s defense allowed Butte running backs Joshua Mercer and Alex Laurel run for a combined 255 on 41 carries. “They played physical football and knocked us around a little bit,” said Caviglia. FCC was out rushed by the roadrunners 313 to -2, the Rams’ worst total since opening day of 2013 when they rushed for 46 against West Hills. “We didn’t talk well, execute well, and we gave up 38 points,” said defensive backs coach, Ricky Manning Jr. “We’ve got to attack and finish.” The FCC offensive line was beaten all night long, allowing eight sacks. Pressure from the roadrunners also resulted in two costly Rams’ turnovers. “They come out there and did what they had to do to get the win,” said sophomore running back, Errian Wingfield. FCC quarterbacks Christian Rossi and Nolan Sorenson combined for three touchdown passes. Caviglia is now 4-3 as a head coach at FCC against Butte; FCC also hasn’t
Fresno City College Rams lose Saturday the 27th of Sept. 2014 against Butte College. Teammates Randall Bailey (#10), Micah Ledezma (#3), Ray Martin (#4),Colton Burgess (#65) look on as Ernie Acosta (#77) lay motionless from a hit Photo/Desiree Aranjo beaten CCSF since 2008.The Rams lost to the City College of San Francisco last week 44-33. The No.7 rams battled the No.2(CCSF) and No.4(Butte) ranked teams in the California Community College Regional State Football Poll. Last year, FCC lost to CCSF and 41 21 to Butte in the Gridiron Classic Bowl “We have to play hard [and] just go
out there and don’t think about this loss,” said Wingfield. Next week, FCC faces another rival in Reedley College in 38th annual Battle of the Pump. “We have to focus on Reedley; this is football,” Manning said. “The guys will respond; we have to get it together.” FCC has held the trophy for the past
six seasons, winning last year’s game 48-7 at Ratcliffe stadium. With the loss FCC falls to 2-2 on the season, and No.7 in the California Community College Regional State Football Poll. Manning said, “Monday, we’ll fix our mistakes, look at them and move on to the next game.” l TWITTER.COM/SLOCUM13