September 19, 2012
AMPAGE Volume CXXIII Issue 2
FREE
The Student-Run Newspaper of Fresno City College
VIGIL HELD FOR SLAIN STUDENT Photo by Abel Cortez Katie Lung joined other mourners in a candlelight vigil in her honor of her mother, Lisa Gilvary, a Fresno City College student who was killed on Monday Sept. 10 near the college. Investigators say that Michael Crockell stabbed Gilvary, 20-year-old Jennifer Gonzalez and a Fresno police officer.
l SEE VIGIL ON PAGE 2
ASG Moves Toward Removal BY TROY POPE
tpope@therampageonline.com
Senator James Demaree of the Associated Student Government rebutted the charges levied against him by the organization during its meeting yesterday. ASG voted to start the formal process of removing Demaree during its Sept. 11 meeting. Legislative Vice President Rachel McKinley read the charges accusing Demaree of behavior that is “unbecoming of an elected student representative”; for not complying with the LVP’s request for information for placement in committees, office hours, and for not participating in ‘Welcome Week’, an ASG-sponsored event. In the open forum section of the meeting, some outspoken students voiced their opinions of the situation.
Like Grisanti Valencia, a former ASG senator agreed that Demaree’s conduct is unacceptable. “I think that could really turn some people off, and even turn some people against student government,” she said referring to Demaree’s YouTube videos. However, Scott Westman, a student at FCC, defended Demaree. “We are here to learn. He’s [Demaree] a student… What are we going to do? We’re just going to throw anybody out who disagrees?” He said. “I read the Constitution, there’s nowhere that it says an advisor can come in and just take him [Demaree] away.” Charge one -- “Behavior is unbecoming of an elected student representative.” In an elaborated form, the charge states that Demaree acted in a way which was “defiant and
disruptive,” and cited several instances in which he said things in YouTube videos that they felt were inappropriate. The charge states that Demaree referred to the “student body of Fresno City College as ‘dumbasses.’” However, in the YouTube video that ASG was citing, Demaree was describing the vote to create designated smoking areas as “a really dumbass decision.” The charges continuously use the term hate speech, claiming that Demaree’s speech in the videos “incites towards hatred”. Contrary to the ASG interpretation, hate speech is, in fact, a protected form of speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In fact, the U.S. Supreme l SEE ASG ON PAGE 4
Fresno City College Seeks Recycling Program
Page 3
Academic Senate Rejects Accreditation Report BY JESSE FRANZ
jfranz@therampageonline.com
Fresno City College’s Academic Senate voted not to authorize its president to sign the accreditation follow-up report during its meeting on Sept. 12, in a move that, some say, could jeopardize the college’s accreditation future. “We run a big risk of not signing that [the follow-up report] and moving that forward,” Dr. Brian Calhoun, a vocal proponent of signing the report, said. Discussion of the accreditation follow-up report was listed on the agenda as item 8.7 – “Accreditation Report/Response – Review and Vote”. In the discussion and vote
Veterans Advocates Seek New Campus Program
Page 6
that followed, senators insisted that certain wordings be altered before they could authorize Dr. Claudia Habib, academic senate president, to sign the document. Habib’s is one of seven signatures required for the approval of the report. Others whose signatures are needed include chancellor of the State Center Community College District, Deborah Blue; H. Ronald Feaver, president, Board of Trustees, Ernie Garcia, president, Classified Senate, FCC; Kelly Fowler, interim VP for Instruction and Accreditation Liaison Officer for the college; Tony Cantú, president and Nathan Alonzo, president of the Associated Students Governl SEE REPORT ON PAGE 2
NEWS
Rampage Staff Editor-in-Chief Jesse Franz News Editor Kaitlin Regan Opinion Editor Troy Pope Arts & Entertainment Editor Matthew Elliott Sports Editor Tomas Kassahun Production Managers Troy Pope Ramiro Gudino Print Photo Editor Abel Cortez Online Photo Editor Paul Schlesinger Graphics Editor Jesse Franz Online Editors Troy Pope Jesse Franz Social Media Director Olga Verkhotina Illustrator Dale Holcomb Copy Chief Tomas Kassahun Copy Editors Olga Verkhotina David Thammavongsa Pabel Lopez Business Manager Sydney Excinia Sales Director Annette De Dios-Kassahun Reporters Chad Armbruster Sasha Bell Marcell Dilworth Melissa Dyer Patrick Forrest Emilio Gutierrez Dale Holcomb Jere Kirkland Mai Lee Frank Lopez Daisy Martinez Cox Odia Montana Paxton August Promnitz Akeem Spearman Carl Turpin Kayla Valenzuela Faculty Adviser Dr. Dympna Ugwu-Oju dympna.ugwu-oju@fresnocitycollege.edu
Tip Line: 559.442.8262 Fax: 559.265.5783 Twitter.com/FCCRampage Facebook.com/FCCRampage YouTube.com/rampagenews Send Questions or Letters to the Editor to:
editorial@therampageonline.com
Fresno City College C/O The Rampage 1101 E. University Ave
09.19.2012
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
VIGIL FOR SLAIN STUDENT
l CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Since the dilemma of caring for the community’s most desperate has shifted to A Fresno City College student individuals and their famijoined friends and supporters to honor lies, foundations and public her mother in a candlelight vigil on Satservices are in greater need. urday at the Tower District. Lung aims to reduce this Lisa Gilvary, also an FCC stutrend. dent, died from stab wounds she suf“I see it a lot of it in fered on Sept. 5 when Michael Crockthe homeless community,” ell, a homeless man with a violent Lung said. “I’m sure that a criminal record, allegedly assaulted lot of them have health isher, stabbing her numerous times. sues or issues in general that Two others, Jennifer Gonzathey can’t get resources beles – who resided in Gilvary’s apartcause they don’t have a job, ment and Jonathon Linzey, the Fresno they’re homeless, they don’t police officer who responded to the have an address and they scene, also suffered multiple stab don’t have a phone.” wounds. Gonzales and Linzey are Lung vows to stay recovering from the injuries they susproductive and confident in tained. the face of tragedy. Gilvary and her daughter, Katie “My mom wouldn’t Lung, 21, were currently enrolled at want me to be angry and my FCC. “She was just a few credits shy mom wouldn’t want me to of receiving her [paralegal] certificate,” wish [Crockell] harm,” she Lung said of her now deceased mother. said. “I can’t find it in myKatie strives to complete her self to wish him to be dead coursework but says that losing her or wish him to get the death mother so tragically makes things hardpenalty.” er. “We had a class right next to each When discussing her other on Wednesdays,” Lung said. “It’s Photo by Abel Cortez Katie Lung, with her husband Ryan mother’s alleged assailant, hard. There are a lot of recent memories Lung, reads poem in honor of Lisa Gilvary on Sept. 15 2012. Lung said, “As it looks, he there just walking past.” did have mental illnesses, memories of her. Some people just met her, Friends and neighbors reand it’s unfortunate,” she said. It’s unfortuand some people didn’t know her at all and membered Gilvary as woman who gave nate on his part and it’s unfortunate on my unconditionally to others and as one with just wanted to show support.” mom’s part,” she said. “I know justice will Lung also said she plans to continue an open and giving heart. Many spoke stand up for itself and stand up for what’s her mother’s work helping Fresno’s homeabout how she cooked and fed needy right.” less. individuals throughout the Tower District. Gilvary is remembered a generous “I want to build a ‘Lisa Gilvary’ Lung said Saturday’s vigil was a moand loving human being. Lung is now foundation. My mom would be so proud. ment of realization and that she is detercommitted to serving the underprivileged mined to carry on the spirit of her mother’s She would love that,” she said. “I’ve also as her mother did throughout her adult life. talked with some local businesses in the good deeds and public service. “From here, I just think it can only Tower District about doing a ‘Lisa Gilvary’ “The community in the Tower get better,” she said “By giving back to the food drive in the wintertime; where people District has just stepped forward and really community and planning ahead on what I helped to make me realize all the great can bring canned goods or jackets… where can do as a person to help others, it keeps they can donate food in her memory and things my mom did for them,” she said. my mind centered and focused…” know that it’s going to go where it should “Some people knew her and had a lot of l TWITTER.COM/PATH_OF_LOTUS go.” BY MATTHEW ELLIOTT
melliott@therampageonline.com
Report rejected by Academic Senate ment.
No one is sure of what the implications of the senate action will be on the college’s accreditation process or the accrediting body. “It [the document] will go forward, even without the senate’s signature,” Calhoun said. “Big red flag for the accrediting commission… that is an excuse, and I know how these things work, for the accrediting commission to ding us again.” FCC was placed on ‘warning’ by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) in February
for failure to adequately meet up to their standards. The college is required to submit a follow-up report by Oct. 15 detailing the progress it has made in remediating the weaknesses identified by the ACCJC. However, getting the report in by the Oct. 15 deadline is hampered by the academic senate, consisting of the campus’ faculty, voted that their president, Claudia Habib, should not sign the report. Some faculty members cited the part of the report that detailed resource allocation, among other policies, as reason for voting not to sign the report, while others,
l CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
including Calhoun tried unsuccessfully to pass a motion to authorize Habib to sign. The Academic Senate has two more meetings before Oct 15, the accreditation follow-up report deadline. It remains unclear as to whether the issue will be debated further in the senate, or how the college plans to address the senate’s concerns prior to the due date. For more information as this story unfolds, please visit therampageonline. com. l TWITTER.COM/JESSEFRANZ19
Fall Career/Job Seating is limited and registration is strongly Fair recommended. Call CEC at 559-442-8294 to 09/19, 2-2:30 p.m. reserve your seat
UPCOMING EVENTS
2
DVD Drive 09/19-11/27
Piano Recital 09/28 12:00 p.m.
The FCC volunteer club is hosting a DVD drive for kids at Children’s Hospital. Feel free to drop off G-Rated or PG-13 films at any volunteer club meeting or contact fccvolunteerclub@ gmail.com. Come watch the piano recital with FCC Alumna, Yu Ping Chang. Recital will be held in the recital hall, admission is free.
NEWS
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 09.19.2012
College readies recycling plans
BY PATRICK FORREST
pforrest@therampageonline.com
Since the advent of the Redemption Value (CRV) program and home pickup of recyclables, California residents have been able to save landfill space and benefit the environment. “This is an open campus” says Tony Cantu, president of FCC. “So there are a lot of individuals who can go through the trash and pull and pull out some of the cans, like any place else you can see that all over the city.” According to CalRecycle, the state paid more than $20 billion for recycled products in 2011. Also during that year, Californians recycled more than 16.7 billion beverage containers. At Fresno City College, the Sustainable Action Club is hoping to see similar results. “We have no recycling program on campus,” said Paul Gilmore, faculty advisor for the Sustainable Action Club at FCC. “Every year, a student comes in and is really excited about it [recycling], and every year, that student ends up leaving and going to some other school.” Gilmore said there were attempts in the past to increase awareness on the FCC campus. “A few years ago in order to light a fire under some folks, they decided to
put out their own recycling bins and they made these bins out of trash,” said Gilmore. “Homemade bins, the art of recycling, they called it. And they stayed out there for a couple months until someone came through and threw them away.”
well as demonstrate financial need. The recipient must show evidence of involvement in conservation/environmental issues or participation in recycling on campus or in the community. “A lot of people are down on it be-
Photo by Abel Cortez Recycle bins placed by the economic opportunities commission on Sept. 13 2012 have been abandoned for years.
All that FCC currently has is the service of Dorothy “Dot” Salida who collects recyclables and turns them into money that go toward the college’s “Go Green” Scholarship. One $500 scholarship ($250 each semester) goes to an FCC student enrolled in at least nine units with a minimum GPA of 2.8. Candidates need to have completed at least one semester before award year as
cause they say of people will throw stuff in the wrong bin, and who’s going to sort the stuff, and it’s more work for crews that are already overworked and I think all those problems can be solved if we just put our minds to it” says Gilmore. “Sustainable action has at times talked about working with the welding folks to come up with and create a big tum-
3
bler, where you take the green waste and create compost. So that those who deal with the grounds here don’t have to buy any extra inputs we can just use the compost we make ourselves,” says Gilmore. “And that would be an interesting project for the clubs and the people in welding and the community college as a whole” The next step for FCC is to establish a widespread recycling program. “We are currently working with the California Conservation Corps to set up some bins on campus, and trying to find out where to set those, and the college would be responsible for keeping them clean and all that,” said Cantu. “Dot would also help take some responsibility for that, and the Conservation Corps would come in and collect it and give us some reimbursement, so that’s our big project right now.” Over the years, the CCC was honored with numerous awards and recognition, including the Renew America National Environmental Achievement Award for the Salmon Restoration Program’s work improving fish habitat and has served as a model program for local, state and national youth corps. “The timetable is pretty soon, we’re just looking at the final pieces of it and trying to work out the logistics,” said Cantu on the Conservation Corps project . l TWITTER.COM/FORRESTP8
Open forum for SCCCD trustee candidates BY TOMAS KASSAHUN
tkassahun@therampageonline.com
Students, faculty and administrators of the State Center Community College will head to the polls in less than two months to make critical decisions for the community. Among those decisions will be the selection of the board of trustees for the district. On Sept. 20, voters can take the first step in making that decision. As part of the Cross Campus and Community Colloquium, Fresno City College will host an open forum for candidates running for the SCCCD board of trustees. The candidates include educator Eric Payne, businesswoman Paulina Miranda, retired real estate appraiser Phil Maher, and case manager Brian Murillo. “The board is one of the most important policy setting and decision making educational boards in the Central Valley. The citizens of the Valley should be as informed as possible in casting their votes for the candidates,” said Philosophy instructor Wendell Stephenson. “Candidates are often not known very well by the voters. I want to be more informed and I’m hoping others voters will be more informed so they can make the best decision.”
BY KAYLA VALENZUELA
Stephenson emphasizes the significance of the upcoming elections, particularly because of the present financial crisis. “We’re going to have to absorb more cuts and the board is in the hot seat because they have to decide what will be cut. Or they may be able to find other possibilities,” Stephenson said. “Maybe we can elect somebody who knows how to get more funds.” The board will also be making other critical decisions such as whether or not there will be summer school next year. And in a time where the district is dealing with instability, the board is expected to provide a positive outlook. “The kind of environment the board creates might want to make people leave or stay,’ Stephenson said. “It’s about keeping morale high so people stay around and work hard.” Eight of the 11 candidates are expected to attend the forum. Stephenson said, “I hope a lot of students come. It’s free, and it’s a great opportunity for students to learn about the people who determine the direction of the college.” English instructor Jean Carroll says she hopes to see a board with a new sense of direction. “We need a board that has vi-
Students struggling to find employment, can use campus rescources. Head to therampageonline.com to find out more on student’s jobs and how to get them.
kvalenzuela@therampageonline.com
sion. We need a board that is not stuck in the traditional k-12 thinking,” Carroll said. “We need people [on the board] who see the community college for what it is and for the importance it has in the community. We need a board that can be problem solvers. Our board hasn’t been a problem solving board.” This year’s election for the board of trustees is somewhat unusual and overshadowed by national and state election campaigns. Also William Smith, a current trustee, has chosen not to run for reelection, leaving another opening on the board. Nevertheless, the expectations are as high as ever. Paul Gilmore, history instructor, said. “For the last 50 years, [the state] has committed itself to a higher education system that is inclusive of anybody who wants to go. I don’t want to dismantle that.” Despite the budget problem, Gilmore believes the community college can go back to what it used to be. He visualizes a free comprehensive community college where first generation college students, working class students, and anybody else can get a college education even if they haven’t thought about it when they get out of high school.
“People are saying we don’t have the resources to do that anymore but I disagree. We don’t have the resources from the state, but we should try and go get them. I would like a board of trustees that feels that way,” said Gilmore. “They [the board] need to recognize there is an invention in California that is unprecedented in the history of the world. We need to get out there and make our case not to destroy that.” Gilmore said students should take charge of their education and attend the forum tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the Old Administration Building. He explained SCCCD’s budget is about $170 million per year, and he hopes to hear the candidates talk about what they want to do with the money and how they want to prioritize. Keeping the community college legacy intact is like using the sidewalk every day. “You don’t have to build a sidewalk every day you walk down the street. It was built for you. All you have to do is maintain it,” said Gilmore. “If it gets a crack in it, you fix it. What I’m afraid of is that we’re dismantling the sidewalk. That’s what we’re beginning to do in California. I think it’s a huge mistake.” l TWITTER.COM/THERAMPAGEGUY
College is not for everyone and that is just fine. There are other options out there for those who feel that the scholastic route is not for them.
Fresno City College Psychological Services aids students in the gay community that are “coming out”. To read about this story, go to therampageonline.com BY AUGUST PROMNITZ
dpromnitz@therampageonline.com
BY EMILIO GUTIERREZ
egutierrez@therampageonline.com
BEYOND THE PRINT THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
4
NEWS
09.19.2012
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
ASG begins removal process for Demaree
a rule subjecting a student to dis- stereotype, on his Facebook wall. l CONTINUED FROM PAGE1 ties on or off campus.” Adam Goldstein, Attorney ciplinary sanction solely on the Some question ASG’s fairAdvocate with the Student Press basis of conduct that is speech or ness, especially because other Court has issued six major land- Law Center said a disturbance other communication that, when members of the organization had mark rulings affirming on hate “would be a physical event that engaged in outside a campus of posts which could be deemed ofspeech law since 1949. would prevent the normal opera- those institutions, is protected fensive to certain groups of peoIn the 2011 case Snyder tion of the school. The fact that from governmental restriction by ple. v Phelps, the decision of the court stated, “We cannot react to [Snyder’s] pain by punishing the speaker. As a nation we have chosen a different course--to protect even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate.” The ASG also referenced a section of the YouTube video where Demaree stated an intent to amend the ASG Constitution and Bylaws “to reduce the policymaking role of the ASG President in the consideration of senators for approval by the Senate.” He wanted to give the Senate a two-thirds vote in determining prospective senators without the consent of the ASG president as outlined in the ASG Bylaws. The charge went on to say that, “This behavior is unbecoming of an elected ASG senator as it is defiant and disruptive to the Associated Student Government.” In defending himself against this charge, Demaree said, “When America amended Photo by Abel Cortez Associated Student Goverment Senator James Demaree defends his actions in the Constitution and gave women the ASG meeting on Sept. 18 the right to vote, was that unbecoming?” He added, “There is they’re able to hold meetings tells the First Amendment to the UnitThey point to Mike Wilnothing unbecoming about trying me that isn’t true.” He continued, ed States Constitution or Section son, the ASG student trustee, who to effect change according to pro- “Disruptions are not metaphysi- 2 of Article I of the California also had a meme on his Facebook cedure.” cal.” Constitution.” wall that some say is offensive to ASG cited Board Policy Also, the policy is specifiWhile the phrase “Un- the Latino community and to the 5500 Regulation 11, which states, cally used in reference to autho- becoming of an elected student Facebook page of ASG Executive “Disruptive behavior, willful dis- rized school activities. Demaree representative” may be provoca- Vice President Caitlin Mack who obedience, habitual profanity or was at home when he posted his tive terminology, it is not listed has a photo of herself pulling up vulgarity, or the open and per- videos on YouTube. among the justified reasons for her shirt and flashing her bra. In sistent defiance of the authority The California Education removal of an elected official, ac- the foreground of Mack’s the imof, or persistent abuse of, college code 66301(a) states, “Neither cording to the ASG bylaws. age is an open, half-empty bottle personnel, including obstruction the Regents of the University of So what qualifies as con- of hard liquor. Mack is only 19 or disruption of teaching, re- California, the Trustees of the duct unbecoming of an elected years old. Both LVP Rachel search, administration, disciplin- California State University, the member of ASG? McKinley and President Nathan ary regulations, or other college governing board of a community Demaree was told he of- Alonzo “liked” the photo. activities, including, but not lim- college district, nor an adminis- fended members of the Asian Some ask: Are Wilson’s ited to community service func- trator of any campus of those in- community when he posted a and Mack’s conducts becoming tions or other authorized activi- stitutions, shall make or enforce meme, which played on an Asian of elected ASG officials? Their conduct happened off campus, but so did Demaree’s YouTube videos. “Would it not be far more prudent to at least make an atTuition costs shouldn’t stop you tempt to reach out to me with from reaching your goals in life. By your concerns,” Demaree said. joining the Army National Guard, “Had anyone done so, and I conyou’ll receive the money you need tinued, would be one thing, yet to help pay for college as well as the we have immediately jumped to the removal process without skills and training you need to get the ever trying to be as respectful as career you want. If you’re looking I was.” to get through college, with the Charge two -- “You did Army National Guard, you can! not comply with the Legislative Vice-President’s request for information for placement in committees, or office hours.” In one of his YouTube videos, which was posted before the removal process started, Demaree claimed that LVP McKinley deliberately scheduled his office hours to conflict with his class schedule. LVP McKinley sent an email to Demaree on July 29, in which she acknowledged her receipt of his class schedule so she could set his office hours. “Got it. Thanks!” McKinley had writ-
PAY OFF
YOUR EDUCATION
Sergeant First Class Tommy Ramirez 559-994-6358 NATIONALGUARD.com • 1-800-GO-GUARD
AMS-02_5.933x5_Ramirez.indd 1
2/21/12 9:25 AM
ten in the email. “She has scheduled my office hours to conflict with my school set schedule, so I would have to choose between my classes or my office hours,” Demaree said. “The only motivation I see for doing such would be so that I would be unable to make my office hours and then be forced to be removed from office.” Demaree does have a conflict, but there is no evidence to suggest McKinley did this maliciously. All senators are expected to serve three hours per week in the ASG offices. Demaree is scheduled for four, however, and one of them conflicts with his class schedule. According to ASG lab attendance records beginning on Aug. 23, which were provided by LVP McKinley, excluding Demaree’s suspension period, other senators -- Alvarez, Chavez, Olague, Reyna, and Squire missed more lab hours than he did. Charge three -- “You did not attend the ASG sponsored event ‘Welcome Week,’ and were not excused from participating in it.” The Rampage has reached out to LVP McKinley to obtain a copy of the attendance log for Welcome Week but has received no response. Demaree showed this reporter an email dated July 20 from Janice Wong of Student Services which stated, “The time has come to contact our prospective Welcome Team Fall 2012 volunteers!” She went on to say, “Please let me know if you would like to participate or know of an individual that may be interested in helping out.” The email used language that made it appear that Welcome Week was voluntary, not mandatory, and prior to the event, Demaree emailed Wong to explain that he was unable to attend. “At the time, I was in 23 [units]... It was killing me,” Demaree said. “I never knew that it was mandatory. Even during the ASG meetings when it was brought up, it wasn’t something people said you had to do. Everything was ‘I encourage you to go if you have time.’” The ASG Constitution requires a three-fourths vote to remove an ASG official. If Demaree is removed, he has the option of appealing to a “Constitutional Appeals Committee,” which would be appointed by President Alonzo and ASG Adviser, Sean Henderson. Discussions on Demaree’s removal begin on Sept. 25. The embattled senator implored ASG to look beyond their feelings, and understand that his actions did not violate ASG rules. “If any of us are to move forward and be successful,” he said, “we must learn to be tolerant, especially, when doing so is not easy.”
l TWITTER.COM/DARKTROY
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 09.19.2012
NEWS
5
ASG PUSHES FOR DESIGNATED SMOKING AREAS BY OLGA VERKHOTINA
overkhotina@therampageonline.com
Following the lead of the University of California system to make all its campuses smokefree by 2014, the Associated Student Government at Fresno City College is pushing the creation of designated smoking areas on campus by the spring or fall semester of 2013. Along with a few proactive students, the leadership of the student body has started work on an action plan that would prohibit smoking outside the designated areas on campus once they’ve been instituted or identified. Right now the plan proposes four designated smoking areas including two in the University Mall by the fountains, one near the Free Speech area and one near the health science building. “We want to make it so it’s easy for administrators and faculty members to be able to go out and have their smoke break and then be able to get to class on time,” said ASG Sen. Monique Reyna. “And students as well.” FCC students and staff are Photo Illustration by Abel Cortez & Ramiro Gudino currently allowed to smoke anywhere on campus as long as they However, the Diversity said Kayleia Southard, treasurer are at least 20 feet away from the Club members took measure- of the Diversity Club. “So, even main entrance or exit, operable ments on Sept. 10 and found that if we did them, we would have to windows and vents, according most areas that were proposed turn around and make sure later to Assembly Bill (AB 846) that do not meet the AB 846 require- on they are in compliance. If we has been into effect since Jan. 1, ment. don’t, we would have lawsuits 2004, unless the school has its “We’ve found pretty much against the campus police,” own policy prohibiting smoking. all the places that they were lookASG first attempted to esFCC does not have that policy ing at are not within 20 feet,” tablish a limited smoking area yet.
on campus was in 2004 when an item on the election ballots asked students to choose between three options – a) leaving the smoking policy the way it was; b) making FCC a smoke-free campus or 3) creating designated smoking areas on campus. However, the ASG has not taken any further action that time. In 2010 in order to reaffirm the results, the ASG included the same survey on the election ballot. According to Sen. Reyna, about 36 percent of FCC students voted to establish designated smoking areas. “I think it’s rather gross to smoke here on campus because people throw their butts everywhere and then people can walk on them, and animals can get a hold of it,” said FCC nursing student Alexandra Chenot. “So, it’s really gross and probably shouldn’t be anywhere around campus. So, certain little [designated smoking] area would be nice.” However, before the policy can become final, the proposal has to be approved by several bodies on campus, including the Facilities Committee, the Classified Senate, the Academic Senate and the President’s Cabinet. ASG has created a special committee and subcommittee, which have been working with interested students to develop an action plan. If the proposal passes, the new policy cannot be implemented unless the campus is prepared
for it. The college will have to fund and place ashtrays, benches and new signs in the designated smoking areas as well as update course catalogs and class schedules with whatever new rules are in place. “It could take a few thousands just to get things going,” student activist Leon Velasco said. He added that penalties to those smoking outside the designated smoking areas would most likely absorb all the expenses. AB 795 allows community colleges to set their own fees as long as those fines are no more than $200 per individual offence. Students and staff, who honor the proposed policy if it passes, might get positive reinforcements. According to Reyna, ASG is planning on giving iTunes gift cards to those who follow the rules and use designated smoking areas. “It rewards them, it creates a habit, and it’s a positive reinforcement,” she said. The designated smoking areas action plan will be presented to the Facilities Committee on Sept. 20. “If the plan gets approved and moved to the next step, the new policy might be put in place by next spring or the fall semester,” said Reyna. “And if it gets rejected, then it just depends on how many times it gets us to update it and redo it in order for them to approve it.” l TWITTER.COM/VERKHOTINA
Declining class offerings hit students BY PABEL LOPEZ
plopez@therampageonline.com
Continuing budget cuts and uncertainties about funding for the community college system have led to a decrease in the number of students as well as class offerings throughout the state. The number of enrolled students in 2012 has dropped 17 percent while class offerings are down 24 percent from 20082009, according to an article by the L.A. Times. To date, the cuts to community colleges have reached $809 million with more cuts expected if Proposition 30, the ballot tax initiative, fails to pass in November. The State Center Community College District is expected to lose another $2.7 million from its already depleted 2012 budget according to the Fresno City College Allocation Report. To stem this erosion of funding to community colleges, the state is sponsoring Proposition 30 which would hike sales tax by a quarter of a cent and impose an income tax increase of up to 2 percent on the state’s highest wage earners, those earning from
$250,000 to $1 million annually. But the proposition seems to be lacking support from voters which will mean further cuts in the college system. The community college system is ready to take a number of actions to deal with an expected revenue loss of up to $16.2 million for Fresno City and Reedley colleges if the proposition fails. These actions include cutting more classes and student services as well as cutting jobs at the colleges. Services such as counseling and financial aid have been slashed, making life difficult especially for students new to the college system. First year FCC student Cristian Rodriguez says he is worried. “I think it would be bad especially if anything happens to financial aid because it’s hard to find a job right now,” Rodriguez said. “How would I pay for my books and gas money for school?” The community college system is one of the most vital parts of education in the Central Valley and includes FCC, the Willow International Center and Reedley
College. The system works as a transfer center for students to get to four year universities and also for students to obtain Associate degrees and certificates in vocational fields. The experiences of Nicole Leishman, a child development major at FCC, illustrate the impact of the budget troubles going on all over the California community college system. “There were budget cuts there too,” Leishman said. “It was hard to get classes.” Statistics from the enrollment Data Management Report of the State Center Community College District’s Institutional Research website shows that enrollment at Willow international dropped 6 percent in active sections offered from the 2011 school year to 2012 which could have resulted from reduced class offerings and services. While enrollment rates at FCC is 6 percent higher this fall than it was in 2011, the head count is still 1017 students short of the number of registered students in the fall semester of 2010.
“Rates in enrollment and classes are expected to rise even higher with the addition of short term classes later in the semester,” said Kathy Bonilla, Public information officer at FCC. The funding shortage is forcing the state to rethink its rules. Reforms are on the way for the community college system in the form of new legislation called the “Student Success Act of 2012”. This bill would require students to set an educational goal, make academic progress to apply for Board of governors fee waivers and provide students with counseling services. This goes along with changes made to community college registration that are set to
begin in 2014. According to an article by the Los Angeles Times, “Registration priority will be given to students who have specific education plans, and have completed orientation and assessment tests.” First year Fire program major Robert Dominguez says of the budget situation, “It could take me longer to get what I need or go to another school.” Meka Moore who is interested in a future in medicine, says, “If the problems continue, it will cause more people to drop out of school. If the budget cuts continue it could be less people in school which would be bad in the long run.” l TWITTER.COM/PABELLOPEZ
6
NEWS
09.19.2012
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
STRIVING FOR A VETERAN-FRIENDLY CAMPUS programs are available. It’s an information sharing process but it’s also Lack of sleep. a socializing gathering,” Depression. said Reposo. Isolation. Part of Reposo’s Shortage of memory. mission has been looking Mario Reposo said these are some of at how other campuses the issues he faced when he first returned are providing veteran serfrom his military service. He was 20 years vices. Reedley College old and had served all over the world. While is one campus Reposo in service, he had grown used to the heighthas looked at. At Reedened senses and to the unpredictability. ley, each department has Then it all ended, and he was home. one faculty member speAnd everyone expected him to wake up in cifically assigned to assist the morning and go to bed at night, to feel veteran students. There excited about things and return to normal. So is also a veteran resource he suffered, and felt no one else understood center where veterans can what he was going through. come together and share Now a veteran’s counselor at Fresno information. City College, Reposo uses his experience to Though it is unconnect with veteran students. certain when a veterans’ When he first started his counselresource center will be ing job at FCC, Reposo compiled a list of available at FCC, Llanos veteran support services that are available remains hopeful. in the community and came up with a form “The college has that explains who the organizations are and been supportive but it’s what they offer to veterans. He also inhard to say when it will formed veterans about the different services happen. Everything on Photo by Paul Schlesinger Josephine Llanos created the available on campus such as: Psychological campus has to go through Frederick Edward Jaso Veterans Scholarship in honor of Services, Disabled Student Programs And her brother who fought in the Vietnam War. a process and we have to Services(DSP&S), tutoring, and college acwait for the process to finwith our veterans. They see the opportunities tivities. ish. We’re going to continue to help veteran the college has for veterans,” said Reposo. Out of the 1,200 veterans at FCC, students either way,” said Llanos. Although there are other counselors 700 receive benefits. Majority of them don’t For Llanos and other faculty members that see veterans, Reposo is the only counhave struggles when they return to the civilassisting veterans, their work has been made selor assigned specifically for veterans. Earian life, but for some adjusting to a normal easier thanks to the discipline of veteran stu- ly in his career, Reposo recognized the issue. life is a monumental task. dents. “If the counselor was busy, the vet “There are a lot of students that “I don’t have problems with people eran would wait 4-5 hours while the averneed the services. Coming to college is a coming in late or missing appointments. age student was seen within 30 minutes. I very isolating thing for veterans because They’re very formal and very appreciative,” couldn’t see that anymore. That’s not right,” they are older; they have experienced things said Reposo. “Some veterans come with said Reposo. He also emphasizes the signifimost students don’t experience. They’re a problems, but the majority don’t. Even the cance of a veteran connecting with a veteran. bit more mature. They have a hard time conones with problems make the best students. “There are things only a veteran unnecting with their peers on campus,” said When they go to CSU derstands,” he said. and UC, their compleThis understanding includes the phystion rate is in the 90 ical and mental impairments which veterpercentile. They’re more ans face. “Sleep problems and depressions mature and they realize are common for veterans. You get separated education is important.” from a world where you get a meal a day The challenge and housing. Suddenly you find yourself in a for Reposo is find- world where you don’t understand. You have ing enough time. As a to re-adjust because you’re different,” said part time counselor, he Reposo. finds it hard to do all Adding to the challenge for veterans §§ A§nonprofit§university the things he wants to is the initial process to receive benefits. The §§ Online§or§on-campus§programs do. “When I’m here I’m process takes up to 12 weeks and leaves packed, my schedule is veterans wondering what to do in the mean§§ State-of-the-art§swing§lab always full,” said Repo- time. “They have lost their job, some have §§ Financial§aid§and§scholarships§available so. “From having been lost their home so now what happens?” said a veteran on campus, I Reposo. “If we have different organizations realize that I need more and the campus working together, we can PROGRAMS AVAILABLE than just a guy that does address those needs.” §§ Associate§of§Science§in§Professional§§ my student aid plan and There is also the challenge of meetGolf§Management says goodbye. I have to ing the Veterans’ day-day needs. Among be familiar with the or- these needs are being able to refer them to §§ Bachelor§of§Arts§in§Sport§Psychology ganizations. Their cli- the right place and attending to their medi§§ Bachelor§or§Master§of§Business§ ents are our students and cal care. Administration our students are their “There are different programs around clients.” §§ Master§of§Arts§in§Performance§Psychology town but if the veterans don’t know them, Attending asso- they don’t exist. The same goes for programs ciation meetings, task on campus. You have to empower students force meetings and find- and give them information,” said Reposo. ing supportive services Recently a “Flex Day” activity was are tasks that Reposo held at Fresno City College to help faculty must do on his time. An- understand veterans. “Twenty eight faculty other one of his focuses members came and they asked very good is to work with organi- questions,” said Reposo. zations. But this too is An orientation was also held to bring difficult to accomplish veterans together. But only three showed as a part time counselor. up. “They were overwhelmed. We can’t af“If I’m working ford to have them disappear,” said Reposo. by myself the student “As fellow citizens we can’t let that happen. WWW.NUGOLFACADEMY.ORG • 877.NUGOLF.1 loses out. If I’m work- They’re ours sons, our daughters, our neighing with organizations, bors. We have to make it a more friendly it works a lot better. It place for veterans in particular because of 705 PALOMAR AIRPORT ROAD, SUITE 150 puts (FCC) as the focus what they have contributed to our country.” CARLSBAD, CA 92011 of organizations. They want to come and work BY TOMAS KASSAHUN
tkassahun@therampageonline.com
Reposo. Three years ago Reposo joined Psychology instructor Todd Martinez to build a veterans’ club on campus. The club however, didn’t go far. “We had some veterans that were interested but they would disappear. The president wasn’t a veteran so if there isn’t a veteran, it’s very difficult,” said Reposo. Now Reposo has joined other faculty members in hopes of establishing a veterans association. Though the association hasn’t been formalized yet, it has been active for the last four months. It has a membership of 50 veterans but only about 12 show up to the meetings. The other faculty members on the association include History instructor Allan Siroky, English instructor Dr. Rosemarie Guglielmino and Financial Aid Secretary Josephine Llanos. Inspired by her brother who fought in the Vietnam War, Llanos established the scholarship for veterans. This semester Oman S. Blanco, Matthew Campanile and Jose Chavarin received the Frederick Edward Jaso Veterans Scholarship. Llanos is optimistic about the association and about other programs available for veterans. “The college is doing what it can to assist veterans. Our Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Christopher Villa, has created a veterans task force to look at and address needs of veterans. Recommendations have made been made to the president with regards to veteran students. They have voiced their concerns through the task force,” said Llanos. Reposo believes that getting veterans together is one of the major steps in assisting veterans. “When the veterans get together, they share all kinds of information. It’s amazing what government services and
© 2012 National University 11397
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY GOLF ACADEMY
l TWITTER.COM/THERAMPAGEGUY
A&E
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 09.19.2012
7
Photo by Screen Gems
Resident Evil : Why Zombies Shouldn’t Talk Milla Jovovich reprises her role as Alice in the fifth installment of the series BY MELISSA DYER
mdyer@therampageonline.com
Alice is back yet again, in “Resident Evil: Retribution”, the fifth movie of the series, which demonstrates a more remarkable production than the prior four. Milla Jovovich and Sienna Guillory played their roles acceptably in this fast-paced movie with many twists that keep the audience on the edge. However, the cheesy lines they were scripted with made it
hard to watch. Fortunately, there wasn’t too much dialogue in the movie; people were either running or they were fighting, offering no time to converse. The skin-tight costumes provided for star, Milla Jovovich were expected and the excessive slow-motion scenes also grew tedious, but the detailed creatures were enjoyable. Aryana Engineer’s performance was by-far the best. She did an outstanding job on her role as Alice’s (Jovovich) daughter. Throughout the first 10
minutes of the movie, the audience may have begun to wonder whether this was well worth the $11 they just spent or if they need to abandon their seat and return their ticket. Once the opening was over however, it seemed to improve. Alice (Jovovich) is seen waking up in yet another Umbrella Corporation lab. Albert Wesker (Shawn Roberts), who is head of the corrupt conglomerate that released the tyrannical virus, is now helping Alice escape. This
is because The Red Queen (Megan Charpentier), the homicidal maniac who had attempted to kill everyone who was and was not affected by the virus, is now in control of the zombie population and wants to abolish all human life that remains on Earth. Alice eventually encounters a small group of special forces who aid her in battling an umbrella station that dwells underneath the ice in northern Russia. It is up to them to save humanity from extinction from the
global infection. The soundtrack wasn’t the only feature of the movie that was perfect – each shot, every angle, and all the lighting was excellent, which surely every viewer appreciated. Overall, “Resident Evil: Retribution” has a steady balance of good and bad features. It’s definitely not a “must-see,” so it may be better to wait until it hits UA Clovis Movies 8. Grade: Bl TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE
No Trouble With This Curve BY KAITLIN REGAN
kregan@therampageonline.com
Clint Eastwood fans will rejoice in the airing of his new film, “Trouble With The Curve.” Detailing the strained relationship between Gus Lobel (Eastwood) and his daughter Mickey (Amy Adams), the film thrives around their mutual understanding of baseball. As Lobel begins to lose his sight his daughter, whom he abandoned at a young age, has to come to his aide. While resistant at first, Lobel (Eastwood) comes around and begins to see what he’d been missing in his daughter’s life. While the film takes a predictable angle, it contains beautifully tender moments. Even with the unpleasant disposition of Lobel (Eastwood), his daughter sticks it out. It demonstrates what she’s learned from him and how she is like him. At first, this is not a good thing. The film flows smoothly with slow character progressions. It follows the natural time frame of emotions and also demonstrates how suddenly things can change. It mixes perfectly slow development and chaotic interjections, while excellent cinematography compliments both. Scenes weave through nature and back country providing an extra layer of sentimentality to a field meant for tough men. Camera angles highlight every inch of needed softness while not detracting from the masculine tone of the film. While masculinity inundates the general tone of the film, Mickey’s (Adams) character provides the perfect feminine touch. Having grown up around baseball, she knew just how to make an impression in the male world as a lawyer. Her pride proves to be her own biggest enemy as it is her father’s. They both sail through the film on this emotional
Photo by Warner Bros. Clint Eastwood (left) as Gus Lobel and Amy Adams (right) as his daughter, Mickey in Trouble with the Curve.
rollercoaster that would end with at least mutual understanding. A spark of this understanding lies in Johnny Flanagan (Justin Timberlake) as he punctuates the chaos with a sense of humorous normalcy. His interest in Mickey takes the journey through various loops while he figures out what she has been through. Wonderful hints of sentimentality and truth about life punctuate the seemingly gruff film, highlighting the
beauty in life and the unfortunate reality of getting older. The emphasis on what it means to be family and sticking together through hard times is exquisitely displayed from start to finish. This is Eastwood’s best film thus far and sets the tone for films to follow. Grade: Al TWITTER.COM/K_C_REGAN
8
A&E
09.19.2012
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
Reel Pride Film Festival Thrives After 23 Years BY MATTHEW ELLIOTT
melliot@therampageonline.com
Photo by Kayla Valenzuela The Tower Theatre marquee and light post banners advertising the upcoming Reel Pride Film Festival on Saturday. The festival has promoted the LGBT community since 1989 by showing films from around the world. This year’s 23rd festival runs from Sept. 19-23.
Beginning today, the Reel Pride Gay & Lesbian film festival kicks off in the heart of the Tower District. This is the twenty-third year of what once began as a modest event. During the first year, the films were showcased in a CSU, Fresno classroom. Nowadays, the Reel Pride Gay & Lesbian film festival distinguishes itself as sixth oldest and one of the nation’s largest gay and lesbian film festivals. This year, the festival is scheduled to host 47 films and shorts. “This year we are very excited to be showing films from 16 different countries,” said festival director of outreach, Justin Kamimoto. “We also have films that have local connections as well.” Variety and diversity are prominent themes of the festival. “We are proud to be showing three transgender focused films and of course youth related films on top of our men’s and women’s focus films,” Kamimoto said. Throughout much of the year, personnel from Reel Pride carefully filter through the submissions in order to determine which films are to ill receive screen time at the festival. “Programming takes a lot of work because hundreds of films are screened to be considered to be a part of the film festival and we gauge every year by our audience response,” Kamimoto said. Audience members are certain to discover films that capture their own interest. With the presentation of such a wide variety of storylines and genres, most everyone’s tastes are accounted for. “When I talk about the film festival to people, I always say there is a film that will appeal to everyone,” the director said. “Our programming team makes sure that films are very diverse to appeal to a large mass of our audience.” Festival officials continue to culti-
vate the quality of gay and lesbian films that are submitted for consideration. They do so by taking audience responses from previous festivals into account. “At the end of every film, we pass out ballots that rate the films that we show every year, rom the ballots we gauge the audience reactions to what films were hits and to bring something similar again next year,” Kamimoto said. “We do give out awards to filmmakers who create Reel Pride favorites.” “As the premiere cultural event... it’s important to bring diversity to a diverse community.” -Justin Kamimoto Festival Director of Outreach During most periods of time, Fresno students can receive a discounted rate on tickets. “With the exception of opening and closing nights, all tickets for youths with a valid student ID are $5 each,” Kamimoto said. Reel Pride continues to thrive as Fresno’s premier film festival and as one of the city’s largest cultural events. Each year, new audiences appreciate what the festival has to offer while returning veterans prepare their schedules weeks in advance of opening day. “The goal of Fresno Reel Pride is to bring awareness to the LGBT community here in Central California through the use of LGBT cinema,” Kamimoto said. “As the premiere cultural event of Central California it’s important to bring diversity to a diverse community.” For schedules and information, visit www.realpride.com or visit the Tower Theater box office, located south of campus on the corner of Olive and Wishon avenues.
l TWITTER.COM/PATH_OF_LOTUS
Piemonte’s: Tower’s Treasure on Wheat BY MATTHEW ELLIOTT
melliott@therampageonline.com
Fresno’s high caliber local sandwich shops like Gino’s and Sam’s Deli have a lot of notoriety with their large customer bases. The same can be said for Tower’s long-lived classic, Piemonte’s Delicatessen. Located south of Fresno City College campus in the Tower District, Piemonte’s has been a notorious favorite among locals since 1929, preceding the Tower Theater by a decade. Piemonte’s offers famously delicious sandwiches at respectable prices. Hot and cold sandwiches are made to order on wheat, sourdough or French rolls. Sandwiches include vegetarian, pastrami, roast beef, chicken breast among others. Most large sandwiches range between $5.75 and $6.25. Additional toppings like double meat and avocado are available for an extra charge. Turnaround times for a
“Piemonte’s Special” with oil and vinegar on wheat takes around five minutes. The $5.75 sandwich is packed with salami, ham, mortadella, wax peppers, lettuce, tomatoes and provolone cheese. The exceptionally good sandwich has the density and consistency for slow chewing and a filling experience. Although napkins are necessary, the contents were welldivided and spilled from less often than one might expect from a loaded sub. The “Special” is one of the most filling and flavorful sandwiches available in the Fresno area, where with any sandwich there, it’s difficult to make the wrong decision. In addition to great subs, the deli sells various meats, cheeses, olive oils, marinated mushrooms, bean salad and much more. Beverages vary widely between fountain drinks, teas, juices, energy drinks and alcoholic
Photo by Abel Cortez Piemonte’s special served on wheat bread (contains dry and cooked salami and ham, among other items). The cost is $5.75, or $5 with student ID. beverages. Students with a valid FCC student photo ID receive a 75 cent discount on their sandwich order. Students and faculty looking for excellent food within
short distance should look no farther than Piemonte’s. Piemonte’s Delicatessen is located on 616 E Olive Ave. and is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.piemontesdeli.com or to place an order, call 559-2372038. l TWITTER.COM/PATH_OF_LOTUS
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 09.19.2012
A&E
9
MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION
BY PAUL SCHLESINGER
pschlesinger@therampageonline.com
Photos by Paul Schlesinger and Brendan Raley
Fresno City College hosted the Mexican Independence Day celebration on Friday during club rush in the free speech area. Mexican Independence Day was celebrated on Friday as the actual Independence Day was on Sunday. The event included Mexican food made by clubs, such as carne asada tortas provided by Mecha, and tacos
provided by the photo club. “Mariachi de la Tierra” provided traditional mariachi music for the event. Other musical acts included FCC instructor Sonia Lupian and FCC student Ivan Gutierrez. The Latino Cultural Committee and the Latino Faculty and Staff Association sponsored the celebration.
l TWITTER.COM/PAULSCH_PHOTOG
Local Concert to Benefit Education in Africa BY MATTHEW ELLIOTT
melliott@therampageonline.com
Every so often, a concert brings focus to a particularly just cause. This coming Saturday, Fulton 55 is hosting a benefit show to help sustain a West African vocational school. The second annual “Concert for a Drug Cartel-Free Africa” features the talents of Lance Canales and the Flood as well as rising powerhouse, Patrick Contreras. All revenue generated from the event will benefit West African Vocational Schools, a Fresno non-profit organization that operates a job training center in Guinea-Bissau, teaching fundamentals, including basic computer skills and auto repair. “We all take it [education] for granted,” Patrick Contreras said. “To them this kind of education, even at a vocational level, is massive.” Patrick Contreras has emerged as one of Fresno’s biggest acts. He has drawn
1,000 at the Warner Theater and opened for legends including B.B. King, Bob Marley’s band, the Wailers, E40 and Fat Joe. Contreras began practicing the violin at age four. During high school and college, his training became more serious. “I ended up going to Europe as a member of Disney’s All-American Orchestra,” Contreras recalled. “It changed everything because in Europe, music is everywhere. That’s how it got started.” This will be Contreras’ second appearance to the fundraiser. “I’m doing an acoustic set and I’m going to get up and play an African drum,” Contreras said. “And I’ve got this cool African dub-step song that I’m going to release at the show.” During the concert, Mario, an English teacher from West African Vocational Schools is scheduled to Skype-In from Guinea-Bissau. “We’re doing all this work to have this one little tiny school run,” Contreras said. “I’m hoping to get the word out about
what we’re trying to do.” Also appearing at the festival is the acclaimed band, Lance Canales & the Flood. Their blues and gospel qualities, combined with their compliments of Native American musical traditions set them apart. Lance Canales began his musical life as a 5-year-old singing gospel in a Pentecostal children’s choir. His grandmother eventually gifted him a ham radio that he secretly used to access new music. His influences include rock and roll icons like Jimmy Hendrix and blues singers from the thirties and forties. “I listen to a lot of Robert Johnson, Mississippi Fred McDowell and Son House,” Canales said. “When I started listening to (Son House), I learned how I could reach my voice.” Lance Canales & the Flood have toured through the northern U.S. along with much of the Midwest. Their song, “Freedom” received national play on Sirius XM. Canales has even received personal praise
from former Rock and Roll Hall of Fame vice-president and current executive director of the Grammy museum, Bob Santelli. Over the years, Canales has donated his time to countless charities and benefits. He looks forward to performing for this cause. “You know, you always hear stuff about Africa and places like Darfur. It always seems far away,” Canales said. “But when all the sudden somebody contacts you about doing a fundraiser for a vocational school and you know these people are going to receive something, it makes it a lot closer.” This is an opportunity for students and faculty to not only witness extraordinary music, but also to become intimately connected with a good cause. Fulton 55 is located at 875 Divisadero St at the corner of Fulton and Divisadero. The concert costs $7 in advance and $10 at the door. The event is 21 and over. l TWITTER.COM/PATH_OF_LOTUS
Photos by Paul Schlesinger (left) & reverbnation.com (right) Local violinist Patrick Contreras (left) performs at Fulton 55 in downtown Fresno during its one year anniversary celebration. Contreras and Lance Canales and the Flood (right) will perform at Fulton 55 on Sept. 22.
10
A&E
09.19.2012
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
Dreams of a Lyrical Queen
Local rapper Brianamus Prime makes her mark in Fresno’s music community BY FRANK LOPEZ
flopez@therampageonline.com
While there are always towns full of homegrown bands that are waiting to take the world by storm, it’s rare to see a young female rapper trying to make her name in the music world. Brianamus Prime is has been gaining notoriety in Fresno and other cities in California for the past three years. She has played in Fresno clubs and venues such as the Babylon, Starline, The Fresno Fair, dancing clubs, birthday and house parties. She is currently working on promoting her music and producing her edgy brand of hip-hop and rap. The Lyrical Queen, as she refers to herself, was born and raised in Fresno. Her musical journey began at the age of 11, when her older brother secretly handed her down 50 Cent’s album “Get Rich or Die Trying”. “It was with this album that I realized that there is lyricism to music and that you can say something with music,” says Brianamus. She remembered all the lyrics to the songs, wrote them down, and would write her own lyrics to famous songs. Brianamus then started writing her own lyrics; songs about love and crushes through the perspective of an 11-year-old girl. She continued to write but she didn’t know she wanted to be a rapper at the time so she considered herself a poet. Near the age of 15 Brianamus wanted to be a singer but she didn’t feel that she had the voice for it and she would always get nervous. She wanted to perform and get her message across and she figured that she could do all this as a rapper. After graduating from Clovis East High school at the age of 18, she started networking with music engineers and musicians so she could get into the music businesses. She moved to Houston, Texas in 2009 to launch her career off. “I moved out to Houston to pursue my dream. This was a new start, nobody
Photo by Abel Cortez Brianamus Prime at f.y.e. (for your entertainment music store) in Clovis, Calif. on Sept. 16. knew me, I could start off and be a rapper. I started working with people, going into the studio, and that really got my confidence up and made me feel that I could really do this,” says Brianamus. She moved back to Fresno in 2010 and started working on her music right away. As many famous rappers do today, Brianamus samples the beats and music from other rappers and adds her own lyrics and melodies to their songs. Brianamus writes her own lyrics and she helps produce and engineer all of the music she makes. She is active in the recording process and practices her recording techniques and methods from a home studio. Brianamus Prime brings an edgy
attitude to her music. She has a heavy but cool flow that she spits with a hard edge, but it is still fun to listen to. Brianamus says that she tries to differentiate herself from mainstream party rap with her lyrical content. “I want to give people inspiration. I want to let them know that there is a positive side through everything we go through,” says Brianamus. She has music videos to her songs on YouTube, such as “Spittin’ on Em”, which has received more than 60,000 views. She edits the music videos herself. YouTube is just one of the many resources that she uses to promote her music. She uses Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and other social networking sites to get her name out
there.
She is currently working on an EP titled “Welcome to the Future” with Fresno music producer Static and will also be auditioning to perform at the Fresno State Fair. Brianamus Prime dedicates all her time to her musical career and will continue to make music and promote herself. “If you have a dream to do something, you don’t have to be normal, you don’t have to be like everyone else,” says Brianamus. “You only have one life, don’t be stupid about it, live your dream.”
l TWITTER.COM/VIVAFRANKIE
Alumna to Perform Free Piano Recital Tsu Tsu Boutique NOW OPEN in TOWER DISTRICT!
BY MATTHEW ELLIOTT
melliott@therampageonline.com
Fresno's premier women's designer consignment shop, Located at 727 E. Olive Ave (At Broadway) Designer Brands you love at up to 90% off retails prices with new items arriving daily!
FCC Students receive 5% off your entire purchase with this ad!
The Fresno City College music department will host a solo piano performance in the recital hall on Sept. 28 at noon. Former FCC alumna, YuPing Chang will perform three advanced pieces for the event. “She is performing a really difficult program,” said Olga Quercia, Chang’s former FCC piano instructor. “The recital should run about 50 minutes.” Chang’s recital includes a sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven, a complicated sonata written by 20th century Russian composer Sergei Prokofieff and a technically demanding etude composed by Franz Liszt. While attending FCC, Chang studied piano and chemistry. After graduating with an as-
sociate of science, she transferred to University of California Los Angeles to pursue a chemical engineering major. After receiving her degree from UCLA, she moved to San Bernardino to live closer to her family. Shortly thereafter, Chang decided to focus once again on her passion for piano. She is currently enrolled as a member of the Piano Society of California State University San Bernardino in the pursuit of performing at a professional level. She hopes to eventually enter a graduate program. With graduate music programs, students are required to perform before a panel of judges. These judicial panels consist of high level music professors. Only students deemed by
the panel to have demonstrated extraordinary skill with respect to their instrument earn the right to continue their music careers through the graduate school. Chang will perform before FCC students and faculty members to continue building her considerable experience as a performer. Several months from now, Chang will determine her future by performing before a panel of judges. Students and faculty are encouraged to attend and witness her talent in person. In order to guarantee entrance to the recital hall, guests should arrive early. Admission to the event is free and on a first come, first serve basis.
l TWITTER.COM/PATH_OF_LOTUS
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 09.19.2012
PRO
BY COX ODIA
codia@therampageonline.com
You know the old saying? “Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else.” It refers to classroom attendance as well. When a student decides to schedule their classes it is the student’s responsibility to show up on time and be attentive to those particular classroom rules. Instructors should have their own rules and disciplinary actions pertaining to tardiness and continuous absentees, If a student decides to differ and not attend the class sessions due to whatever the reason may be, then it must be the responsibility of the student to adhere to the consequences of the instructor, in my opinion that should be as far as it should go. At Fresno City College, a variety of students, old and young, attend the school and have other obligations out of class and many other responsibilities. With that being said, one must confront questions such as; does this student have children? Do they have a job that requires them to work night shifts? If the student is doing the best they can to maintain a decent grade and is attending the majority of the sessions while balancing other responsibilities, shouldn’t they at least be given the benefit of the doubt? According to an article on un-lincoln.academia.edu, “Absenteeism in the college classroom”, reasons for absence in college are “due to individual delinquency, poor parenting, deviant peer influence, problematic school environments, school maladjustments, teacher and administrator attitude, disciplinary techniques, emotional states, work patterns, family conflict, financial resources, availability of jobs.” Should a college fault a student for what may be beyond the student’s control? Why not give students the grade they deserve instead of ruining their permanent record? Other factors that may play in why students do not attend class may be the classroom environment and the instructor’s personality. The article fur-
OPINION
11
SHOULD ATTENDANCE AFFECT MORE THAN YOUR GRADES?
ther stated that “the classes attended more often than others were those that did not follow the traditional lecture format.” Although, poor class format could cause absenteeism, rarely do students skip classes that they found enjoyable. Students should worry more about the grade they are producing rather than them being held accountable for absences affecting their permanent record. The article also states, “Students who attend only a quarter of required lectures earned an average of a Cgrade, while students who attend all of the required lectures earned an average of a B+ grade.” More rules should also be enforced. Instructors should enforce it more on the students when they are first enrolling in the class so they have more of an idea of what they are signing up for. That may help students to uphold the responsibility of attending classes on an everyday basis; treating
the classes more like a job instead of a class mandatory to attend. “Absenteeism in a college classroom” states, “Teachers can directly impact students’ absenteeism through the use of attendance requirement.” This shows that instructors can use other strategies to encourage students to attend class. Ruining a student’s permanent record for bad attendance is not necessary. l TWITTER.COM/COXTHAONE
CON
BY AUGUST PROMNITZ
dpromnitz@therampageonline.com
There has been a considerable amount of discussion on whether or not students should have their absences marked on their permanent records. Though it would be an effective tool in keeping students from skipping their
classes, it appears too unrealistic to be properly enforced. Many students may miss their classes, but it could be due to illness or some other legitimate cause. It wouldn’t exactly be fair to mark a student’s permanent record because he had to go to a funeral. It’s definitely cause for outrage against students, who would be up at arms over what they perceive fairly as an injustice. There would be large protests not only at Fresno City College, but on any cam-
pus where this system is enforced. As great as it would be to stop students from skipping classes that others had been waiting for, the enforcement used is something of a catch 22, with the worst-case scenario being a full-blown epidemic. If you don’t install a system that reprieves and pardons students with a good excuse, then they’ll be in fear of what shows on their permanent records. They may even come to school sick and spread their illness to the other students. Anything from a minor bug to swine flu could be given to the sick person’s classes, and then you have a class epidemic. Does hundred students walking around with facemasks strike one as the picture of a safe and healthy college that people would be lining up to attend? It would be a bad image for the college, one that could even stop students from enrolling altogether. And since there may not be a system of verification for the students, then a lot of students will be marked on their permanent records. Worse yet, some students may die from this irresponsible misstep in campus administration and student behavior. If the student has a legitimate excuse for missing class, then they could perhaps get a waiver signed that will eliminate the mark from their record, but this brings in another set of challenges within itself. For example, how do we know that the student really does have proper grounds for the waiver to miss class? A student could just as easily play sick or invent a doctor’s appointment just to miss class. Unless you have people following the student around, (which would be unrealistic and a violation of the student’s privacy) administrators would have no way of really knowing the ill students and the honest from the students crying “wolf.” On the whole, it would be just one more bloated and easily cheated deal from the school and there would be no shortage of students who would be looking for a free ride. What’s worse, this would be a proverbial slap in the face to the students who can’t get into those classes. Marking absences is just one of those ideas which are good in theory, but not in practice. It’s unrealistic, expensive, and worst of all, it poses potential risk to the health and well-being of the Fresno City student body. It can lead to fraud and abuse, or even wide-scale fear and abuse. Nobody wants to see students skipping their classes, but who’s to say that their reasons aren’t just? Who’s to say they shouldn’t be pardoned if it’s important? And who are we to threaten sick and injured students with a black mark on their records for missing class? l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE
12
OPINION
09.19.2012
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
DISCLAIMER: Opinion Editor, Troy Pope, recused himself from this editorial and the layout of this page to remain objective in his other reportings.
Campus Voices
“When Does Freedom of Speech Go Too Far?”
Nuer Alhindi Communications
“As long as you’re not slandering somebody else, not hurting another, you’re fine.”
Marc Alonzo Business
“There should be some sort of limits, but as far as expressing who you are, there should be no limits.”
Natalie Rodriguez Liberal Studies
“I think people should just say whatever they want.”
Christine Yang Undecided
“I think it should be limited.”
WRITTEN BY PABEL LOPEZ PHOTOS BY DAISY MARTINEZ
ASG’S STANCE ON FREE SPEECH IS UNACCEPTABLE
BY RAMPAGE EDITORIAL BOARD editorial@therampageonline.com
The flags of U.S. embassies throughout the Middle East are burning as America’s constitutional promise of free speech is put to a global test. Four American lives have been lost as protestors denounced a film that deliberately denigrates Islam and its founder, Muhammad. In spite of the rage directed against our nation, Americans have remained steadfast in defending the First Amendment rights of the film makers. Most acknowledge that as offensive and provocative as this film is, freedom of speech is one of the most sacred principles of this nation and must be defended, no matter the cost. Now it seems senseless that while Americans are dying abroad, the Associated Student Government is trying to remove one of its own senators in violation of his free speech rights here at Fresno City College. Ironically, this transgression against the First Amendment is being perpetrated by the very organization that touts itself as ‘the voice of the students’. In moving to impeach ASG Sen. James Demaree on trumped up charges for voicing his dissent on YouTube, ASG shows a blatant disregard for the current situation evolving in the Middle East; additionally, their actions constitute a slap in the face to the very Constitution which they swore to protect. To be certain, Demaree posted no images of Muhammed, nor did he incite rage from anyone but his colleagues in the ASG. His speech may have been controversial and even offensive, but he has a right to speak it. It is a privilege derived from blood of precious American soldiers who have fought to preserve the rights. The editorial staff of the Rampage does not endorse any of the content of Demaree’s speech, and many of us strongly disagree with the things he has said, but we too believe that freedom of speech is worth fighting for, and if we don’t fight for it at the lowest level, how can we complain when it is violated on bigger stages? To veil their attempts at egregiously violating the First Amendment rights of Demaree, ASG has searched its constitution, bylaws, and the district’s administrative regulations for any and all ways to kick him out of office. What they came up with was lack-luster and poorly constructed. ASG’s first charge against Demaree, and the one which most profoundly violates his constitutional rights, is “Behavior unbecoming of an ASG senator.”
That ‘unbecoming behavior’ of course is his YouTube and Facebook posts criticizing the ASG as well as for posting memes and other content that some have said could alienate students based on race and sexual orientation. To validate this claim ASG cited the District’s Board of Trustee’s policy on restrictions on “disruptive behavior”, “willful disobedience”, and “persistent defiance of the authority of college personnel.” However, apparently ASG only read the first half of this legislation, as it goes on to state that this regulation applies only to infractions committed when students are on campus, or are at school sponsored or authorized events off campus. Demaree posted all of these “unbecoming” comments from his home bestowing his speeche with all protections granted by the First Amendment of the Constitution. Furthermore, ASG should be uniform in applying its rules. If ASG construes what Demaree posted as inflammatory and intolerant, then why are other ASG members, especially members of the Executive Board, who are supposedly superiors to the senators, not accountable for the content of their Facebook pages and YouTube channels. So if, for instance, Mike Wilson, the Student Trustee of the ASG, posts a meme which appears to stereotype Mexicans as gang bangers who don’t know how to speak proper English, then he would be subject to the same penalties and be charged the same way Demaree was, right? Well it just happens that Wilson posted that meme on Aug. 28. However, no charges or disciplinary actions have been instituted against Wilson. What if another ASG Executive Board member, like 19-year-old Executive Vice President Caitlin Mac had pictures of herself flashing her bra to a camera with a half empty bottle of hard liquor in the foreground? That would be considered “behavior unbecoming of an ASG executive officer”, right? Well, again, it just so happens that Mac has those pictures which were posted on May 17 just weeks after being elected to office, and available to the public on her Facebook page. So it seems that “Behavior unbecoming of an ASG senator” only applies to people whom the executive board does not
like, or who voice opinions that are unfavorable to the student government. What the ASG is running is a sham, masquerading as democracy. The second and third charges against Demaree are just as ridiculous, and lack even more factual basis than the prior. James Demaree was allegedly uncooperative with Legislative Vice President Rachel McKinley in scheduling office hours and never contacted her. Email records show the opposite; Demaree did contact her with his schedule and still, his office hours were arranged in conflict with his class schedule. How was he supposed to fulfill obligations that defeat his main purpose for being here? The final charge is that he did not attend Welcome Week, an ASG sponsored event. This charge stands no ground because the event was not mandatory. More disheartening is the fact that during these proceedings, as ASG, led by its executive board, moved to strike him from office, not one senator stood up for or even uttered the words “free speech”. As students, we can’t help but wonder if our elected student government can really call themselves, ‘the voice of the students’ if they cannot stand up for the values that protect us? Or is it more apt to call the ASG ‘the voice of the students who happen to have the same sociopolitical opinions as our leadership… of the students’? An organization, which only a year ago, made diversity its biggest goal and accomplishment, has now descended to attacking the first amendment rights of its members? What’s next? Or rather, Who’s next? l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE
OPINION
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 09.19.2012
The great cycling future of Fresno
13
BY DAVID THAMMAVONGSA
dthammavongsa@therampageonline.com
Today, students all over the world choose bikes as their first form of transportation for getting to class, work, home, to the grocery, just for fun and all over again the next day. There are many ways that choosing a bicycle benefits the user. It is obvious and mysterious. In the 220 years of its existence it has seen a great golden-age to being abandoned in canals. At Fresno City College, 7 percent of students choose the bicycle according to a 2011 survey by the Center for Community College Survey of Engagement (CCCSE). While debating the advantages and disadvantages can seem endless, there are a few important reasons why students should bike to class. l You don’t need to drive to class. It’s not required of you to do so. That means you can get a 4.0 GPA without a car.
l You are sexier. People who ride their bikes are people who have stronger common sense and no one wants to date a crazy person. Also, you get exercise which makes it obvious that you burn those extra calories. l You have more money. Pell grants and Cal grants deserve all of our budgeting skills. Fortunately, when you ride a bike, you save thousands a year. Which means more dates and more parties. There aren’t many ways these days to save money; bikes are a surprising source of savings seldom utilized here in Fresno. l It’s relaxing. Taking it slow is always better than rushing to the end. Unless you have to, of course. Make sure to get a nice saddle and your correct seat post height. l Less pollutants. Yes, most of our air quality is affected by the massive agriculture in the central valley, but new regulations are improving the score. For the last
50 years, cars have contributed 50 to 90 percent of urban air pollution, creating some of the worst air in the nation. Fresno has the potential to become one of the best bicycle-friendly cities in California. Fresno is flat. Unlike the bicycle-savvy cities like San Francisco and Portland, despite their hills and unpleasant weather, people in those cities value bicycles more and make it work. Our weather and never having to commute over a hill makes the physical obstacles a small task. The great cycling future of Fresno is about a decade away. New bike lanes scheduled to be laid out as roads are repaired, new facilities at destinations, as gas prices and car costs push out motorists. With the hopes of a better future all together, the sooner one masters the art of cycling and benefits from it, the sooner our communities benefit dramatically.
l TWITTER.COM/DTHAMMAVONGSA
Medical marijuana should be allowed on campus BY AUGUST PROMNITZ
dpromnitz@therampageonline.com
Whether the rallying cry is “Legalize it”, or “Get off the dope”, marijuana, or more specifically medicinal cannabis, has become the subject of considerable debate in California. Research from the National Cancer Institute shows the active chemical in marijuana known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, can dramatically dull chronic and neuropathic pain, along with decreased nausea and relaxation of the muscles. This is why it’s used in the treatment of many cancer patients who suffer from the painful effects of chemotherapy. But what would this effect have on students on campus? And how would it look if students took their medicine at school? The first thing that would need to be acknowledged is the simple fact that medical marijuana, as a legal drug in California would almost definitely be allowed on college campuses across the state, including Fresno City College. After all, students can take any other number of medications. It’s only natural, seeing as many have strict regimens and schedules on when they need to take them. It would be no different than taking Zoloft or Paxil. And since smoking is allowed on most campuses, including this one, it only makes sense that students would smoke their “medicinal herbs” as well. So medical marijuana can do a lot of good with pain relief and other benefits, and people can take any other medicine on campus. And if students can smoke cancer-inducing cigarettes at FCC with no questions asked, so why not marijuana, something which can prove good for you? The problem with this is the effects that it will have on the student. In addition to pain relief, THC has the nasty side effect of numbing down the user’s perception and reflexes, and Fresno City College has strict prohibitions against intoxicants on campus. Someone high on cannabis may have a very difficult time focusing or functioning in class after taking their medication. There is also the risk of students giving their friends a “drag” of their medicine. This student without a card may not be sick at all, and is simply using his friends cannabis for recreational purposes. However, in the light of simple logic and analysis, these arguments don’t stand up. After all, numerous other medications have their side effects that could hinder a student’s performance, from the symptoms mentioned in cannabis, to drowsiness and depression or manic behavior. Students could just as easily give one of their friends a pill to get them high, just the same as it is with marijuana. So, while it may have its risks, the benefits are far greater, so if it’s medicine, and not for recreational use, it would only make sense to let students take it on the campus like any other medication allowed. l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE
Photo by Paul Schlesinger An
individual with a medical marijuana card smokes cannabis.
IYHO IN
YOUR
HUMBLE
OPINION
We need your participation
Board of Trustees Candidates’ Forum Thursday, September 20 7:00—9:00pm Fresno City College Old Administration Building Auditorium Your ideas and opinions on SCCCD issues are valuable. Come to the forum and ask the candidates your questions. Be part of an informative and lively discussion about the future of SCCCD
Organized by the Campus-Community Colloquia of Fresno City College. Printing paid for by the State Center Federation of Teachers
14
SPORTS
09.19.2012
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
RAMS FACE TOUGH OPPOSITION
BY JERE KIRKLAND
jkirkland@therampageonline.com
The Rams women’s volleyball team played two Big 8 teams in its first two matches in the Fresno City College Crossover Tournament Sept. 14. On Friday, the Rams played Sierra Community College for the second time this season. The week prior on Sept. 8, FCC defeated the Sierra Community College Wolverines 3 games to 1. FCC took the first two games, lost the third and finished the match 25-23 in the final game. FCC lost the first match of the Crossover Tournament against Sierra 3 games to 1 in its first home game double header. After the first two games, the match score was 1-1. From there Sierra rallied to win the next two games. The Rams struggled to keep up with Sierra on the scoreboard in the third game. Sierra’s defense was also too much for the Rams to handle. “We are very young,” said Head Coach Tracy Ainger. Sierra won multiple long volleys, hit aces and blocked the ball at the net. Sierra’s sophomore middle blocker, Julia Dorsey, lead the way for Sierra on the scoreboard as well as at the net. The Rams put up a fight in the final game to no avail. Freshman outside hitters Yajaira “Yaya” Castro, Valarie Gobby and Madison Rinehart contributed on the scoreboard along with sophomore middle blocker Toni Murphy and setter Courtney
Thacker. Throughout the fourth and fifth games Castro and Dose put away aces that kept the score within reach. The completion of long volleys by Gobby pumped up the team and energized the crowd. Murphy finished a volley that pushed the rams within six points. Sierra went on to finish the game silencing the Rams as well as the crowd. After the loss against Sierra, the Rams re-entered the gym to compete against the No. 2 ranked junior college team in California along with the 2010 and 2011 California Community College Athletic Association State Championship (CAASC) runners up, Santa Rosa Junior College Bear Cubs. FCC beat SRJC 3-2. “The team is more athletic than they have ever been,” said Ainger. Photo by Paul Schlesinger. Sierra College Wolverines celebrate after scoring against FCC during the FCC Crossover Tournament on Sept. 14. The Rams started the game energized and winning the game 12-15 and winning the “The girls have impressed me with ready to play. At the beginning of the match. their work ethic,” said Ainger. “They have third game, the overall score was 1-1. After the victory over SRJC, the put in hard work and have done a lot on The Rams went on to split the next two Rams are ranked No. 1 in the Central Val- their own.” games forcing the match to go into game ley Conference and No. 4 in California. l TWITTER.COM/JEREKIRKLAND five where FCC delivered under pressure,
SUNDAY OCTOBER 7, 2012 SAVE MART CENTER
ON-SALE NOW TICKET PRICES $129, $107, $87, $54, $42, $29, $12 FOR TICKETS, CALL 1-800-4-NBA-TIX OR 1-800-745-3000 OR VISIT WWW.TICKETMASTER.COM TICKETS AVAILABLE AT TICKETMASTER OUTLETS, SAVE MART SUPERMARKETS OR AT THE SAVE MART CENTER BOX OFFICE MONDAY-FRIDAY 9:30AM TO 4:30PM
SPORTS
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 09.19.2012
15
Soccer stars on the rise
Photo by Paul Schlesinger. Rams forward Jenna Thomason (right) fights for possession of the ball against Diablo Valley College Viking’s defender Cherie Lapating (left) during their tie game Tuesday.
Women display resiliency against rivals BY CARL TURPIN
cturpin@therampageonline.com
Fresno City College women’s soccer team began the season with a 2-1 defeat against Cosumnes River College in the Central Valley Conference, followed by the Ventura tournament that rendered mixed results. Jenna Thomason scored the sole goal in 1-0 victory against San Diego Mesa College. The tournament wrapped with FCC losing 0-1 against Cypress Chargers. The Rams returned to the conference where Jasmine Woodruff scored the only goal in a 1-1 in a game against the College of the Canyons. The girls were then defeated 3-1 by Santiago Canyon on Sept 8. Ram’s defender, Laura McIntosh scored their only goal of the game. McIntosh credits the entire team for her goal. “Everybody was pressuring really well just like he (Coach Germond) tells us to,” she said. “It caused one of their defenders to make a really bad clearance. I’m usually told to clean up and then recycle it back in. I was able to make an opportunity out of what they did.” The Rams played their first home game against American River College, a team they have had tight games with in seasons past. “We’ve gone through battles with them. We’re pretty even when it comes to results between American River and us,” said Head Coach Oliver Germond. “I don’t think either of us has
beaten the other by more than one goal.” Thomason was eager to score a goal early in the game. “I was, like, ‘oh if we got one (goal) in the first three minutes maybe it’s possible to keep scoring,” she said. Thomason was successful in scoring a goal early on which did open the floodgates resulting in an 8-0 win against American River. Both Thomason and Leslie Arietta managed hat-tricks during the game. Woodruff and Lesslee Hernandez also scored contributing to the win. Germond believed this win was exactly what the team needed. “We needed a game like that to get our confidence up for the girls and see that they can, you know, play together and be successful,” he said. Laura McIntosh confirms that the win lifted her spirits. “I was like ‘yes we’ve got it. This is good,” she said. “I knew we could do it.” Thomason also expressed her delight with the result. “I was really happy with the 8-0 win,” she said. “It was nice that they (American River) didn’t score against us—it was just as good as scoring eight.” Thomason found the net again three days later in a 2-1 home game victory against Sierra College during which Rams freshman, Alicia Kolter, also scored a goal.
Women’s Waterpolo
Sept. 19 vs. Modesto @Modesto
Women’s Volleyball
Sept. 19 Foothill Classic- Foothill, American River @Los Altos
Women’s Golf
Sept. 20 CVC Match @Kingsburg
Morales returns from injury to lead men BY CARL TURPIN
cturpin@therampageonline.com
Fresno City College men’s soccer team opened this season with a 3-3 tie against Lassen Community College. Eligio Morales marked his return to the team with a goal. Jordan Gonzales and Adrian Plascencia were the other scorers in the opening game. After spending the entire 2011 season on the sidelines due to a knee injury, Morales is happy to be returning to the field. “It feels good,” he said. “That was my first time experiencing being hurt that bad.” While content with his aforementioned goal, Morales believes his game can improve. “I’m not a hundred percent, I think I could play a little bit better once I get to a hundred percent,” he said. After the draw the Rams went on to play three games in the Hartnell College Tournament. They won the first game 4-2 against Allan Hancock College. Morales grabbed a brace while Victor Rodriguez and Javier Nava both opened their season’s accounts. The other two tournament games resulted in defeats. They lost 0-5 to Cerritos College and 0-2 to Lassen College. The Rams gained victory in their first home game of the season with a 3-0 win against Evergreen Valley College on Sept. 4. Goals came from Jordan Gonza-
Cross Country
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
Football
Wrestling
les, Myric McGhee and Plascencia. Three days later the Rams enjoyed a 6-1 victory at Contra Costa College. The game’s goal scorers were Morales with a hat trick, Oswel Mariles with a brace and Juan Madrigal. Mariles, Nava, McGhee along with Octavio Murillo all scored goals in the 4-0 victory over Canada College on Sept. 11. During the game Morales incurred a back injury and was withdrawn as a precaution. “I get the ball and I’m pushing forward, I pass it to my other forward, he puts a pass through for me, I stand on my right foot and my back pops,” he said. “I tried shooting because I was one on one with the goalie, but I barely touched the ball and I just went down. I couldn’t get back up.” Morales intends on returning soon. “I want to try and play the best that I can and try and score at least 20 goals,” he said. Head Coach Eric Solberg is also eager for Morales return to the field. “Eligio is one of our offensive leaders,” he said. The men’s team ended last week with a 4-1 defeat at West Valley College, Mariles netted the consolation goal. The next game will be Sept. 28 in Visalia against The College of the Sequoias.
l TWITTER.COM/UKCARL54
Sept. 20 Lou Vasquez Invitational @San Francisco
Sept. 22 vs. City College of San Francisco Sept. 22 Sacramento City Tourney
16
SPORTS
09.19.2012
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
Photos by Brendan Raley
TOP: The Rams collaborated on defense throughout the game. LEFT: Defensive Back Duron Singleton intercepts a pass in the endzone to end another long drive by the Tigers. RIGHT: Rams celebrate with the pump after pulling out a close victory.
Rams beat rival Reedley 28-24 BY PABEL LOPEZ
plopez@therampageonline.com
The Fresno City College Rams won the “Battle of the Pump” on Saturday night against the Reedley Tigers in a close game that ended with a score of 28-24. The game was a see saw affair that saw both teams hold the lead throughout the game.w The Rams got off to a fast offensive start with three passing touchdowns in the first quarter including a passing touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. Despite the promising start the Rams were unable to get back to the end zone until the fourth quarter. FCC quarterback Michael Baker ended the game with four touchdowns and 294 passing yards. Receiver Jake East had two touchdown catches in the first quarter. The Rams defense held the Tigers to three field goals in the first half but the tigers rallied to take the lead with 15 unanswered points in the third quarter making the score 24-21 to begin the fourth. The rams relied on two interceptions deep in their
own territory to keep the rallying Tigers from scoring. The first interception came with 10:32 left in the fourth quarter by defensive back Trevor Baker. This stopped a Reedley drive that would have extended the Reedley lead. Quarterback Michael Baker would connect with receiver Tim Brown for a 12 yard score giving the Rams a 4 point lead. After another lengthy Tiger drive starting from the Tiger 13 yard line, they once again took the ball back into Ram territory. The drive would end with 1:20 left in the game with an interception in the end zone by Ram defensive back Duron Singleton. The game would end with the Rams taking a knee and running out the clock. Immediately following the game, the Associated Student Government president of the winning school received the pump trophy. After the game, FCC Coach Tony Caviglia said “it was a heck of a football game and I think our team learned a valuable lesson, when we don’t give up good things happen.”
Caviglia added “We made big plays but we didn’t do the little things and that got us caught and Reedley played very tough and they’re a very good football team.” “We came out real fast we let up a little but we knew the goal at the end of the game and pulled it off.” says FCC Quarterback Michael Baker. “It gives us a lot of fire because we know the potential that we have .This gives us a lot of fire to come out against San Fran.” Reedley Receiver Kendrick Peeples finished the game with 8 catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. Reedley Kicker Dennis Gallo had three field goals in the game. The Rams record stands at 3-0 as they prepare for their next game against long-time rival San Francisco City College at Ratcliffe Stadium. The last time these teams met was in the Nor-Cal Football Association Championship. SFCC won that game 57-13.
l TWITTER.COM/PABELLOPEZ