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Volume CXVIV, edition 2
February 24, 2010
Food Health Violations at FCC
“Everything I teach is within the scope of Health Science 1 on this campus.” - Dr. Bradley Lopez
by Emilio Gutierrez Rampage Reporter
Photo by Gabriella Ramirez
Brad Lopez listens to a question directed to him by one of the many news reporters who showed up at his scheduled public statement on Feb. 19.
Professor Accused by Andrew Veihmeyer Rampage Reporter
Inside:
A Fresno City College health instructor has been accused of making anti-homosexual remarks in the classroom and teaching personal views as facts. Dr. Bradley Lopez, a health instructor at FCC for 18 years, officially received two student grievances at the end of November 2009, which cited offensive content in lectures and offensive comments made to students. One Feb. 8, the American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to President Cynthia Azari of Fresno City College, accusing Lopez of presenting inaccurate facts and “highly discriminatory” views in his class that created a “hostile environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students, among others.” During a Feb. 18 press
conference in front of the Health Sciences building, Lopez defended himself, stating there was no truth to the harassment charges. “Everything I teach is within the scope of Health Science 1 on this campus,” Lopez told the press. Lopez also emphasized that material in his class reinforces critical thinking, a point that his attorney, Charles Magill of Fresno, said was an important part of all college curricula. Magill spoke at the press conference alongside Lopez. “His responsibility is to teach his students about the facts, whether it’s politically correct or not,” Magill said. In response to reporters’ questions, Magill also said that the accusations being made against Lopez “are fruitless and without support.” No student came to LoSee “Prof” page 3
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Student grievance says Lopez teaches anti-gay views as facts
David Chenot voices his opinion to a local news reporter. “As far as I’m concerned, he attacked homosexuals directly.”
Students, instructors speak out by Jordan Hoover Rampage Reporter
of an individual’s free speech rights, and that Lopez, a college professor, had a right to express his opinions in class. FCC’s non-discrimination policy states: “Fresno City College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, age, or sexual orientation in any of its policies, procedures, or practices.” Dr. Wendell Stephenson, a
Both supporters and detractors of instructor Bradley Lopez have spoken out about reported teaching of anti-gay and religious beliefs in his Health Science 1 classes. His accusers claim the long-time health instructor created a hostile environment that made students feel unsafe. His defenders argue that this is a case See “Voices” page 2
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Fresno City College’s oncampus restaurants, which serve an average of 2,000 students a day, faced 11 health code violations after two December inspections by the Fresno County health department. The Rampage accessed the reports found on the Fresno Health Inspections Web site. They revealed that the Dec. 1, 2009 inspection by the Environmental Health Division cited both Campus Cafe and Pacific Cafe for violations. Among the worst of these were a pair of faulty refrigeration units, food debris build-up on fryers, and a blending unit with a direct connection to a sewer line. A mandatory re-inspection of both facilities, which was conducted one week after the initial inspection, cleared Pacific Cafe of all citations. But inspectors noted that two violations remained at Campus Cafe – the improper drainage of the blending unit and the faulty refrigeration unit, which had grown worse since the first inspection. Despite the repeat violations, county inspectors still ruled that the problems were not serious enough to warrant a shutdown. The Campus Cafe operates through an agreement between State Center Community College District and Taher Inc., a food service management company. Taher Inc. has maintained a 10-year partnership with SCCCD. On Feb. 17, Anita Foust, an employee of Taher Inc. and the campus’ food service director, granted The Rampage an impromptu visual inspection of the refrigeration units. The inspection showed that one of the Campus Cafe’s violations seemed to be corrected. All three walk-in units appeared to be in compliance with the California Uniform Retail Food Facilities Law, or URFFL, which states that the maximum temperature for the safe storage of food is 41 degrees. During the county’s December inspections, one of the refrigeration units had internal temperatures as high as 52 degrees. “It’s old equipment, basiSee “Food Law” page 6
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“Voices”
February 24, 2010
receives the grievance form, a fact that he said isn’t made clear in the FCC grievance procedure. Lopez Continued from page 1 reportedly received the grievance in late November 2009. Fresno City College humanities The three students’ coninstructor and a member of the cerns, also noted by the American Academic Senate, said that LoCivil Liberties Union in a letter pez’s case requires balance. to college administrators, also Stephenson told The Ramtouched on the broader issue of page that he is concerned with the the safety of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual preservation of academic freedom and transgender, or LGBT, stubut also that instructors should be dents campus wide. held to the law in their teaching Jerry Thurston, a commumethods and practices. nication professor and adviser for “Academic freedom is a the Diversity Club, said safety is precious inheritance that we all a legitimate issue. “Many of our benefit from,” he said. “On the LGBT students have reported other hand, like any freedom, it feeling unsafe on this campus and can be abused and people can be feeling left out or invisible in a victimized.” number of ways,” said Thurston. Stephenson and others Photo by Abel Cortez Thurston said that while sought to discuss the issue dur- Jaqcui Maheffy speaks out on the alleged anti-gay remarks made by Lopez, “To think that this man was ing the Feb. 10 Academic Senate telling me my gay and lesbian friends, which I have a lot of, are ruining the world [and] degrading society.” he has not seen Professor Lopez’s PowerPoint lectures, he is pasmeeting but it didn’t make the Three students – David Mahaffey also took Lopez’s his classroom, where the instruc- sionate about equality for LGBT agenda. Academic Senate President, Chenot, Jacqui Mahaffey and Jay class last semester and said that tor, according to Matthew, showed people.“They hear people saying things like, ‘that’s so gay;’ they Linda DeKruif, said that the open Matthew – filed one of two formal Lopez would say “derogatory his slides to him. things to students that were unMatthew said he asked don’t realize that many of our stuforum was not a time to bring up grievances against Lopez. Chenot, who took Lopez’s called for.” For instance, when the Lopez to change the slides so dents, faculty, and staff feel unsafe such issues. She explained that the Academic Senate is governed by health class in fall 2009, said that class was learning about genetics, that they were not offensive to and invisible by comments that the “Brown Act,” which requires in addition to anti-gay sentiments, a student asked why a child would students. According to Matthew, they hear in class by instructors that the minutes be posted 72 hours Lopez brought religious bias into have brown hair if his father has Lopez refused and wondered why and just walking across campus,” If your looking to make your dollar strech, itblack wouldhair be and his mother has Matthew wanted “facts” changed. Thurston said. prior to the meeting which means the classroom. worth you time to file your taxes with us. According to Chenot, Lo- blonde hair. Mahaffey said Lopez According to Matthew, LoAccording to California agenda items cannot be added once Ask for Gilbert orpez Jesus. FCC Student iSCount once asked the class to use d quipped, “Ask the milkman.” pez asked why he wasn’t instead Student Safety and Violence Prethe agenda is posted. Stephenson TaxtoPdetermine reParaTion ServiceS the Bible as evidence Mahaffey said that those concerned about “real people” vention Act of 2000 (Assembly said the issue would likely be on 1295 N Wishon if Jesus was haploid or diploid, a incidents, among others in Lopez’s dying in the war and from gang Bill 537), “All California public the agenda for the Feb. 24 meeting. lSTaTe 2nd Flr 2a class, had “created a hostile envi- violence. Matthew said he re- schools have a duty to protect stuMultiple students who have reference to his genetic makeup. lFederal Chenot remembers that Lopez also ronment that made students feel sponded: “Real people are dying dents from discrimination and/or taken Lopez’s class (559) told The 445-1688 *expires 04/16/2010 in my [lesbian, gay, bisexual and harassment on the basis of sexual Rampage that his statements were said that according to textbooks, unsafe to ask questions.” Instant Loans Refund Loans E-Filing Friendly Service Mahaffey reported her ex- transgender] community because orientation or gender identity.” much more than an expression of cancer is the highest cause of This bill also cites the his freedom. Lopez, they claim, death, but that the highest cause of periences to Jay Matthew, an FCC of what you are teaching in your California Constitution, pointing expressed his opinions as facts. death is actually abortion. Chenot student and member of Erase the class.” Mahaffey and Chenot said out that, “all students of public They argue that the professor’s said that when Lopez taught global H8, a local activism group. Matconduct violated the college’s warming, he cited a Bible verse thew, who was not a student of they expressed their concerns schools have the inalienable right policy and their own right to learn and expressed that the apocalypse Lopez, told The Rampage that he about the class to Carolyn Drake, to attend campuses that are safe, should be feared more. immediately confronted Lopez in the Dean of health sciences. The secure, and peaceful. Violence is in a non-hostile environment. three students said they then the number one cause of death for filed a grievance with the dean young people in California and has against Professor Lopez but were become a public health problem of File your taxes with us to stretch your dollar. informed nine days later that they epidemic proportion.” FCC Student diSCount -Instant Loans had filled out the wrong form. The bill recognizes that, Tax PreParaTion ServiceS -Refund Loans The students said they were not “The fastest growing, violent -E-Filing previously told about which form crime in California is hate crime, lSTaTe -Friendly Service to use. The grievance process is and it is incumbent upon us to lFederal supposed to take five days, accord- ensure that all students attending -Close to FCC Ask for Gilbert or Jesus. ing to FCC grievance procedure. public school in California are *expires 04/16/2010 After meeting with the Vice protected from potentially violent President of Instruction, Tony discrimination.” 1295 N Wishonl2nd Flr, 2AlFresno (559) 445-1688 Cantu, Matthew said he learned that the grievance process didn't Staff writers Andrew Veibegin when a student turned in hmeyer and Max Rosendahl conthe form, but when the professor tributed to this report.
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About Us
Rampage is an award-winning newspaper published biweekly by the Fresno City College Journalism 4 & 5 programs and is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges. Views expressed in The Rampage are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of Fresno City College, its students, administration or the State Center Community College District.
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News
February 24, 2010
FCC Students Face Lack of Jobs by Nick Brockett
Rampage Reporter Amanda Kateeb wakes up in the dark every day at 3 a.m. to get to work by 4. The Fresno City College student clocks in at 4 a.m. at the Starbucks at Shaw and Villa in Clovis until 8:30. She gets to campus by 10, stays for classes until 2 p.m., and then goes to work at her second job at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Fresno from 4 to 9 p.m. Kateeb, the president of the FCC Diversity Club, doesn’t recommend her 19-hour day. But she kept turning in job applications all over town because she was living on her own and had to find a way to work. “It’s just not a sign in front of a store saying 'now hiring' anymore,” she said. “I hear some people complaining 'they aren’t hiring'. They are hiring. You aren’t looking!” Many students like Kateeb face one of the toughest job climates in California history. The state’s Employment Development Department report released in October 2009 placed unemployment projections at 2.3 million or more people statewide. California’s statewide unemployment rate hasn't changed since October, at 12.2 percent. With low cash flow abundant, it’s not surprising to find that students have been returning to school to re-evaluate their earlier
career choices,Mary Beth Wynn says, an interim coordinator for the employment resource center on campus. As coordinator, Wynn serves as the diplomat between the center’s workers, and keeps in contact with the administration and attends employer meetings around Fresno. “There is a big increase in the number of older students
"It’s up to the students to go and turn in their applications and actually get the job.” - Mary Beth Wynn Resource Center , Intern Coordinator returning to school,” Wynn said. Wynn pointed to an overall spike in the number of students attending FCC during this last semester from 22,000 to 25,000. What does this increase mean to students here? If future economic collapse brings a halt to the need for your career you may be forced to return to school to rethink your career, and community college is a popular and affordable option. FCC does not keep record or account for the number of unemployed students and the Employment Resource Center does
not require those who seek jobs to return to inform them if they got their jobs or not. “If they don’t come back in we assume they got the job,” Wynn said. Although the number of students the resource center helps is unknown, about 20 students or so a month come and go, Wynn said. The Employment Resource Center does not actively employ students but provides an up to date database of jobs available. "It’s up to the students to go and turn in their applications and actually get the job,” she said. Nick Romero, a four-year student at FCC, recently came to the employment resource center, adjusting his application to be more appealing to security contractors. “I’ve changed my resume about 10 times over the last two years, listing different awards or different skills that I think the company may be looking for,” he said. “If you’re turning applications in and no one is calling back, maybe you should try re-working your resume, try different things and something will eventually work.” Kateeb, who got her first job at age 16 at a Starbucks in Visalia, transferred to a Clovis store. She kept turning in applications everywhere before landing her second job at the Radisson. Kateeb’s advice: “Don’t stop turning in job applications! There is work out there.”
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Professor Lopez responds Continued from page 1
Photo by Gabriella Ramirez
Brad Lopez and his lawyer Charles Magill giving a statement for the media in front of the Health Sciences building. pez directly to question his class materials, Magill told reporters. “That is the most logical step that should be taken before it’s made into a political statement like it has been made by the ACLU,” he said. In a Feb. 17 phone interview with The Rampage, one day before the press conference, Magill criticized both the ACLU and its letter. “It isn’t truly an academic complaint because they [the ACLU] haven’t attended his class,” Magill said, adding that the complaint was compiled primarily on information from students. According to a video of one of Lopez’s taped lectures, available to his students on the Internet and recently obtained by The Rampage, a PowerPoint presentation had a slide titled “Homosexuality Facts.” The video showed Lopez making comments as the information was displayed, information that some students called offensive and inappropriate. The slide, among other things, described homosexuality as “a biological misapplication of human sexuality,” and “a one-sided foundation for raising children.” In the video, Lopez told students that same-sex attractions were a “dead end” and a disorder and he recommended psychological counseling for people who had them. Top Fresno City College officials voiced their commitment to proper teaching ethics and fair treatment of students, re-enforcing the discretion the campus has with these issues. “Every course has an outline,” President Azari told The Rampage. “We have to make sure faculty members adhere to the course outline.” Azari said that the situation is currently under investigation by the college and that actions will be taken in March should the need arise. During a Feb. 17 interview with The Rampage, Dr. Wendell Stephenson, a philosophy instructor at FCC and member of the Academic Senate, stressed two leading principles that he hopes will be upheld regarding the Lopez case. The first principle is the preservation of academic freedom, but also that instructors “abide by the law and the ethics of [their] profession,” Stephenson said. He also felt that the college has a duty to act quickly in a case involving possible abuse of that academic freedom. Stephenson asked the Academic Senate to discuss the issue during its Feb. 10 meeting but the item did not make the agenda.
Lopez’s Lectures
Editor’s note: The Rampage recently obtained videos of health science instructor Brad Lopez’s lectures. The videos were originally available to his students on the Internet. Here are excerpts from the videos. • In a lecture on human sexuality, Dr. Lopez’s PowerPoint presentation showed what it called “facts” about homosexuals. No sources were cited, but it stated: “Only 2.7 percent of males and only 1.3 percent of females are homosexual in this country.” • In the same lecture, Lopez further asserted that “homosexuality is a biological misapplication of human sexuality,” and that homosexuality “does not support procreation,” and is a, “dead end.” He said that homosexual parenting “is a one-sided foundation for raising children” and asked: “How can you learn from only one role?” • Lopez said in the lecture that homosexuality is a choice because if it was genetic, “there would be an ever increasing number of homosexuals.” He argued: “To say that homosexuality is genetic is unfounded; it’s a choice.” • Lopez said in the lecture that he advocates for behavior modification treatment for homosexuals. “In 37 countries,” a lecture stated, “people undergo psychological therapy, behavior modification for homosexual activity.” Lopez further stated, “Abnormal behavior is defined by 95 percent of the population, which is heterosexual. Those who are homosexual, in my opinion, should get psychological counseling.” — Compiled by Jordan Hoover and Andrew Veihmeyer, The Rampage
Further discussion of the matter, Stephenson told the Rampage, would add clarity to the situation and outline, “what laws are clearly applicable to classroom interaction with students.” The next Academic Senate meeting will be held Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. in the staff dining room and the issue will likely be on the agenda, according to Stephenson. “If it isn’t, I'll be plenty upset,” he said. But handling a complaint such as this takes time, Azari said, adding that the college must, “go through a process, because everyone should be respected.” Staff writers Jordan Hoover, Max Rosendahl and Ramiro Gudino contributed to this report.
News Central California Blood Center Visits FCC 4 Rampage
February 24, 2010
The Central California Blood Center has collected blood from FCC donors since 1999 by David Malagon
Rampage Reporter The Central California Blood Center held a mobile blood drive at Fresno City College on Feb. 11, the organization’s first campus visit of the year. Two collection buses pulled onto campus from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. so students could donate blood at their convenience. Blood drive supervisor Elaine Cantu said the CCBC had hoped to collect 80 units within the two buses for the day but she revised her prediction to 120 units after a fast start. “For every unit we collect, we save three lives,” Cantu said. Within the first two hours
alone of the blood drive, technicians collected an estimated 79 units between the two buses. Due to the busy pace, CCBC phlebotomists didn’t have time to talk with a reporter from The Rampage. The phlebotomists made their way back and forth from donor to donor to make sure procedures were going smoothly, warning donors of the possible dangers of giving blood. For example, if donors started to feel light-headed or dizzy, they were urged to let one of phlebotomists know immediately. Technicians gave donors apple juice, cupcakes and other desserts that would increase the donor’s blood sugar. With a full bus, FCC business major Virginia Beamer waited
her turn in line to donate. “I always donate,” Beamer said. “Just in case I get in an accident, I know I have some on reserve. I’ve been donating blood here at FCC for the past two semesters and I also give at the blood bank.” FCC student Martha Acosta also waited her turn while the phlebotomist tended to other donors. “I’m giving blood because I had a friend who had cancer and died from it. So when she died, all of us gave blood,” Acosta said. “I encourage everyone to give blood because it is a good thing to do.” The CCBC has collected blood from donors at FCC since 1999 and visits campus three times a year, once in the fall, once in the spring and once in the summer.
to participate in the decisionmaking process at the capitol in order to assure higher education stays affordable and accessible,” Saluschev said. Funding for the event will be provided by the $1 student rep fee that each FCC student pays when registering for classes each semester. According to education code 76060.5, the governing body of the student body association may order the use of these funds as long as they are used toward governmental affairs at the local and state levels. After ASG approves an order for the funds, the approval first goes to Interim Director of College Activities Sean Henderson. Second, the funds must be approved by Dr. Christopher Villa, the Vice President of Student Services. Lastly, the FCC business office processes the transaction. The funds will go toward transportation, food, and T-shirts
for FCC students and staff who attend the event. According to Saluschev, the preliminary estimate of funds ordered for the March in March event is around $7,500. According to the Web site, IWillMarch.com, the event will protest against state legislatures for slowly allowing public colleges to be privatized, which, according to the Web site, has forced students to pay more and more for their public education. Participants of the march will demand that the legislature return to its 1960 Master Plan for Education, which, according the University Of California Web site, was put in place to differentiate the roles of the UC, CSU, and community college systems, reinforcing community colleges as places where accessibility and admittance would be for “any student capable of benefiting from instruction.” “We want to hopefully get legislators to place a higher
Photo by Abel Cortez
Martha Acosta donates blood in memory of a friend lost to cancer.
FCC Prepares for the March in March Event by Nick Brockett
Rampage Reporter
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rector, Gurdeep Sihota, to organize a meeting with state legislators. This would give ASG members a chance to represent FCC students directly. ASG Senator, Tony Capetillo, stressed the importance of the event. “It shows that we do care about our education,” Capetillo said.
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Student government leaders at Fresno City College hope to spend $7,500 in order to give students and staff a chance to attend the March in March rally in Sacramento. Participants in the March 22 event will protest against state funding cuts to colleges and universities. The marchers are scheduled to leave FCC for the Capitol Building at 5 a.m. and return at 6 p.m. Sign-ups are being taken at the Associated Student Government office, above the bookstore. “There is strength in numbers and we feel the more students who participate, the more it will help our cause,” ASG Senator Tony Capetillo, said. ASG President, Sergey Saluschev, agreed. “It is important for students
priority on education funding, especially in a time of high unemployment because investing more into education will help people gain the skills they need to get a job,” Saluschev said. According to Saluschev, ASG hopes to join with the Sacramento district’s foundation and grant development executive di-
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News
February 24, 2010
Black History Month Celebrations Continue by Ray Juarez
Rampage Reporter Organizers of African American History Month celebrations at Fresno City College plan to rejoice in gospel music to close the month’s events. The African American Faculty & Staff Association will host a gospel celebration Sunday at 3 p.m. in the main cafeteria. “We want to go out with a bang!” said Dr. Jean Kennedy, instructor of women’s studies and coordinator for the month’s events. Kennedy said gospel celebrations can be seen as either religious or spiritual events, but she feels that it’s more of a cultural expression. “You don’t have to be religious to acknowledge gospel music. But it’s a part of the culture,” Kennedy said. Also in the closing celebrations, FCC will acknowledge Dr. William “Bill” Riddlesprigger, a retired English professor who died Feb. 6. He was 67. According to news reports, Riddlesprigger served as a Vietnam veteran, was the first African American elected as a Fresno Unified School District trustee, presided as president of the local NAACP chapter, and taught at FCC from 1976-2006.
Kennedy said, “We want to acknowledge Bill because he was a faithful faculty for 30 years.” As the month comes to a close, Kennedy said she hopes that students and staff have enjoyed this year’s African American History Month festivities and has had a great learning experience. “All of the events have been great and the opening ceremonies were fantastic,” Kennedy said. Kennedy said that although she was unable to attend, people have told her that the Rites of Passage event early in the month was a highlight. The Rites of Passage is a chance for conversations to be heard by African American men and women. Kennedy said she heard that students “kept it real” and “talked about what we need to do as Black people.” Topics included: “How do we represent ourselves in a positive way?” and “What is it like to be a black man today?” It was those kinds of conversations, Kennedy said, that the “brothers” and “sisters” spoke about, of how African Americans need to present themselves and support each other. “We must remember who we are and how we move forward in our society today,” Kennedy said.
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Zola, a student at FCC displays her ancestral garments and handmade jewelry.
Photos by Valerie Hill
Another one of the month’s biggest events was the Afrikan Tent Celebration on Feb. 17-18. As vendors, food, and music filled the free speech area, members of the community and students of different cultures were invited to come hang out together. Kennedy said, “When we describe the Afrikan Tent, it’s a time for everyone to come together, celebrate culture in a common marketplace.” Kennedy also noted collaborations between FCC and Fresno State to help make African American History Month a reality. “Pulling these two things together has been very challenging,” she said. “We’ve found very creative ways to spread the word and they’re having great responses.”
Students browse through the many shops set up under the Afrikan Tent event last Thursday during the final ceremonies of Black History month
Professor “Bill” Riddlesprigger by Laura Solis Rampage Reporter
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William “Bill” Riddlesprigger, Jr., a long-time Fresno City College English instructor, died Feb. 6 due to Parkinson’s disease. He was 67. Riddlesprigger retired in 2006 after teaching at FCC for 30 years. He was the first AfricanAmerican male to be elected to the Fresno Unified School District Board of Trustees and a former president of the local NAACP chapter. Dr. Ned Doffoney, a longtime colleague of Riddlesprigger and the former Fresno City College president, said Riddlesprigger was the type of instructor that made up the heart of FCC. “He is going to be missed, not only by Fresno City College, but by the entire Central Valley,” Dr. Doffoney said. Riddlesprigger was born July 14, 1942, in Little Rock, Ark. After his family relocated to Fresno, he attended Edison High School. He graduated in 1960 and enlisted in the United States Navy. He became a medic in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He served in the military for five years and two months and was honorably discharged in 1966. He received the National Defense Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.
After his service in the U.S. military, Riddlesprigger attended Sacramento State where he received his Master of Arts degree in English. He taught at FCC from 1976-2006. Dr. Jean Kennedy, an instructor of women’s studies, was proud to honor Mr. Riddlesprigger during the Afrikan Tent ceremony, at the campus’ African-American History Month celebrations. “I am glad we got to recognize him in our ceremonies today, because I think he is one of our 21st Century heroes,” Dr. Kennedy said. African-American studies instructor Kehinde Slowazi said he had the privilege of evaluating Riddlesprigger’s teaching and he heard excellent reports from his students. Slowazi said Riddlesprigger had a way of touching students with his teaching. “He was a great man and I have great respect for him,” Slowazi said. Mr. Riddlesprigger is survived by his wife of 29 years, Paulette; his aunt, Mary Williams of Fresno; and his children, Gary Riddlesprigger, of Vallejo, Calif.; daughters Lynn Riddlesprigger of San Diego, Dawn Riddlesprigger of Fresno, and Maisha Riddlesprigger of Washington; four brothers, three sisters, three grandchildren, and numerous other family members.
News
6 Rampage
Possible Financial Aid Boost by Sydney Excinia Rampage Reporter Fresno City College students could see the expansion of financial aid if Congress passes a proposed education bill that President Obama says would revitalize community colleges nationwide. The college’s president, Dr. Cynthia Azari, agreed that the increase in Pell grants and other aid would boost education. “Pell grants [make] college affordable for many more students on campus,” Dr. Azari said. On Jan. 27, President Obama delivered his State of the Union Address. Within his two-hour speech, Obama offered insights about his proposals for community college aid. “Still, in this economy, a high school diploma no longer guarantees a good job,” Obama said in the speech. “That's why I urge the Senate to follow the House and pass a bill that will revitalize our community colleges. The President’s budget proposal, according to the Department of Education, includes offering increased Pell grants, expansion of financial aid, and stronger income-based repayment plan. The proposed bill could offer relief to students who are facing challenges trying to pay for college, according to the Department of Education. In many cases, the Department of Education said, Pell grants have helped millions of Americans afford higher education. The bill proposes to make Pell Grant funding mandatory so that funding is available every year. According to the Department of Education, “The Recovery Act and 2009 appropriation bill increased the maximum Pell grant by more than $600 for a total reward of $5,350. The maximum reward will now increase to $5,550 in 2010.” Along with increased Pell grants, the bill also would support an expansion of other kinds of financial aid.
“More than half of the students on the Fresno City College campus are receiving financial aid,” Dr. Azari said. Accessible student lending would eliminate some stress on many students who are finding means to afford college. “Most of our students, like me, are first-generation college students, meaning their parents didn’t go to college,” Azari said. “Having an easier process to receive financial aid can be a great benefit.” Associated Student Government President Sergey Saluschev agrees with the financial improvements that are taking place at community colleges. Saluschev said, “I think it is wonderful that community colleges are finally being recognized at an international level and that administration is making education a big priority.” Azari said she would have loved to have more financial support in her own education. “If college aid would have been more accessible for me, I would have loved it,” she said. “Unfortunately, I had to take out student loans that I later paid back.” In addition to expanded Pell Grants and a boost to the student aid system, these investments include a strengthened incomebased repayment plan. According to the Department of Education, “The bill proposes that the administration will strengthen income-based repayment plans for student loans by reducing monthly payments and shortening the repayment period.” Obama said in his speech, “When students graduate, they will be required to pay only 10 percent of their income in student loans, and all of their debt will be forgiven after 20 years – and forgiven after 10 years if they choose a career in public service, because in the United States of America, no one should go broke because they chose to go to college.” Azari said, “I applaud the administration for making an effort to provide and increase access for students and higher education. I encourage the passing of this bill.”
February 24, 2010
“Food Law”
sewage systems, or for not having hot water to ensure employee or customer cleanliness. Hultquist gave, for an example, Continued from page 1 that they might close down a market that operates a deli “because they have no hot cally,” Foust said, noting that the frequen- water, but we might allow another part of cies of shipments – 3 to 4 a week – are a the market, where they’ve got pre-packaged strain on the Freon air-cooled refrigeration items, to continue to operate.” units. And while the health department These units must be recharged to follows stringent regulations, most minor maintain proper temperatures, Foust ex- violations are correctable on site. Major plained. And because violations are subject to the bulk of the units’ mandatory re-inspections. cooling mechanism “If there are other is within the refrigviolations where they need erator itself, a Fresome time to make a repair,” on-starved walk-in said Stephanie Kahl, REHS, refrigerator can easand the county’s Supervisily heat itself to daning Environmental Health gerous levels within Analyst, “we will work hours. with them, and give them a A “major viore-inspection date.” lation,” according to “What we want to the Environmental see,” Kahl said, “is correcHealth Inspection tive action taken, whether it Network, is an obis there while we’re doing served violation that the inspection or within the poses “an imminent Stephanie Kahl time frame that we specify.” risk to public health Both the Campus and may warrant im- Supervising Environmental Cafe and Pacific Cafe have Health Analyst responded appropriately to mediate closure of the facility or immethe Environmental Health diate correction.” Division’s findings, county inspectors deWhile the temperature of the walk-in termined. unit had well exceeded the state requireThe owner of the Pacific Cafe, Shiments, Wayne Fox, a supervisor at the Envi- gemi Hagihara, however, was not available ronmental Health Division and a Registered for comment. Environmental Health Specialist, or REHS, Foust, the FCC food director, pointed said there was cause for concern. out the sheer volume of students on campus “If it’s a typical problem, [the] re- as a reason for continued challenges of servfrigeration needs to be repaired,” Fox said. ing food at Campus Cafe. “They could use other refrigerators, tempoMore than 24,000 students attend rarily, until they get it repaired.” Fresno City College. Even with less than Kim Hultquist, REHS for the county, 10 percent of those attendees using the food described door-closing, business-busting facilities in a given day, it is still about 2,000 hazards which can include lack of proper students to 14 Cafe employees at a time.
“What we want to see,” Kahl said, “is corrective action taken, whether it is there while we’re doing the inspection or within the time frame that we specify.” -
State Center Community College District Board of Trustees and Chancellor Thomas A. Crow cordially invite you to the induction ceremony of the
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 25, 2010
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News
February 24, 2010
Rampage 7
FCC Student Learns to Read and Write by Annette De Dios & Max Rosendahl Rampage Reporters Edward Contreras remembers the first time a teacher complimented him. After a lifetime of being classified as mentally handicapped, he enrolled in several electrical technology classes at Santa Monica City College. There, for the first time, a teacher told him he had real writing potential. "I thought, are you serious?" he said. "But I believed her." These encouraging words were just what Contreras needed at that point in his educational career. From that point forward, he became motivated to improve his literacy. Contreras, now in his second semester as a student at Fresno City College, graduated from high school without knowing how to read or write. Those first encouraging words eventually led him to his current goal: to become a writer. In the past two years, Contreras has become a literate American citizen. "I want to be the best writer to come out of Fresno City College," he said. Contreras is seen frequently in the FCC writing center, working on new fiction and nonfiction stories with the help of tutors. Tabitha Villalba, coordinator of the Early Learning Center, regularly mentors
Contreras. “All of the tutors have fallen in love with him," Villalba said. "They love to read his work and really see the growth." One of the first classes Contreras took at FCC was English 126, a developmental reading course, with instructor Linda
“I was even told by one of my high school teachers that MexicanAmericans were only good for field work.”
- Edward Contreras
Ramos. Contreras said Ramos was tough on him. But the harshness paid off. “One day she had me stand in front of the class and read them a story I wrote and I received a standing ovation from my classmates," he said. Ramos said, "People’s previous judgments could have given any other person a negative selfimage. He’s not a quitter. He’s persistent and it shows in his writing. While he was enrolled in my class, I witnessed a dramatic change in his writing. He’s made a complete turn around and he wants to do
everything possible to improve his writing." Throughout his life, Contreras has experienced both emotional struggles and personal triumphs. Born in Fresno in 1944 right after World War II, he and his siblings were raised by his mother, a single Mexican immigrant. When describing the most detrimental aspect of his childhood, Contreras said, “Growing up without a father, and seeing him with his other children, it would just destroy me. My father wanted to have nothing to do with my mother’s children.” He said, “I started to blame myself for it.” In addition to a rough childhood and lack of family support, Contreras experienced extreme difficulty in the classroom at an early age, flunking first and second grade. He added, “My first grade teacher labeled me mentally handicapped, and truly I believed it.” When asked if he was given any additional academic support, Mr. Contreras said, “I needed a little more attention, but I never received any, and that’s where I wish my father would have come in. But it didn’t work that way. My mother could speak English, but she wasn’t much of a reader.” Throughout his adolescence, Contreras said he was put down and underestimated. He continued through the public education system as a mentally
Photo by Gabriella Ramirez
Edward Contreras
handicapped student. He graduated from Venice High School in 1963 and still did not know how to write. He said, “I was even told by one of my high school teachers that Mexican-Americans were only good for field work.” In search of opportunity, Contreras said he joined the military, two years upon graduation in 1965. He said, “I volunteered for Vietnam but they sent me to Germany. I was partly ashamed being the only one in my family not to be sent to Vietnam.” When asked if he was tested for literacy, he explained, “Back then if you could hear and see thunder, you qualified to join." Stationed at the Russian border where ''the weather was
often 40 degrees below zero,” Contreras said he lost his enthusiasm for the military. Because he was a military veteran, Contreras said he easily found work as an electrician upon his return home. He enrolled in related classes at Santa Monica City College, where he received his first encouragement to write. Good things then started to happen. After experiencing one failed marriage and spending some time in solitude, Contreras met a woman named Esperanza, who he would later marry and have two children with. Contreras said, “I wanted to be the best father for my children. I did not want them to grow up the way I did.” This further motivated Contreras to continue his education at Fresno City College. His children are now grown. He said his son graduated from Fresno State and maintained a 3.8 GPA, and his daughter was able to maintain a 4.0 GPA while attending Fresno City College. Mr. Contreras’ testimony is that of true dedication and triumph. At 63 years of age, he plans on furthering his education at a 4 year university. He leaves the message for his children and the rest of Americas’ youth: “If you follow your interests, you will grow up to be the best leaders ever.”
8 Rampage
Entertainment
February 24, 2010
A Passion for by Kimberly Ann Hodges Rampage Reporter
Jacob Eckrich, 21, has always been known as a funny guy, the class clown. Humor is something that just comes naturally to this Fresno City College student. He can recall the day in high school that marked an era of a new passion for the art of comedy which would pave the way for an interest in writing. “It happened on Father’s Day, freshman year. I just happened to turn on Lewis Black’s 2002 half-hour [stand up] special. He’s a very angry comedian; he yells and he’s political. That’s kind of how I felt. The fact that someone could express that anger in such a humorous way and be applauded for it, I had never seen that,” Eckrich said. He immediately delved into the world of comedy, influenced by such comedians as Steve Martin and Woody Allen. It wasn’t until junior year of high school that Eckrich became interested in other types of literature and really began writing. Much of his interest is credited to his Honors English teacher at Clovis High School, Beth Lederach. “Sophomore year, I did not do well in English; I despised it. It wasn’t until junior year when I took Lederach’s Honors English class was I exposed to what I consider to be bet-
Poetry
ter literature”, Eckrich said. Eckrich remembers books such as The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury that really changed his views. “[The books] were more real and more colloquial, something I could relate to a little bit more, something that was actually interesting to read.” Lederach was very supportive of all of his writing, including his comedy pieces. “She plays a large part in my writing because she was very encouraging,” he said. Senior year of high school, Eckrich was also influenced by his AP Senior Literature Instructor, Andy Dominguez. Eckrich was writing short stories and humor but still hated poetry stuff that he called boring and dull. Dominguez saw Eckrich’s comical nature and introduced him to Charles Bukowski, a very popular American poet, novelist, and short story writer. “[Bukowski] is the reason I started writing poetry,” said Eckrich. He described reading Bukowski’s work as a culture shock. “It’s almost the same thing as when I saw Lewis Black for the first time on TV. I didn’t know you could do that!” With a few pieces already written and a new love for poetry,
FCC student Jacob Eckrich “throws it down” at the Inner Ear’s Beat Down Poetry Slam at the Revue Café in the Tower District on Feb. 11.
Eckrich began college at Fresno City as a Creative Writing major. In a poetry class he was taking, he met Bryan Medrano, host of Inner Ear Open Mic Poetry Jam, the Central Valley’s longest running open mic held every third Thursday of the month at Full Circle Brewery in Fresno. Medrano mentioned to Eckrich about the Inner Ear and invited him to come check it out. When he arrived, Medrano told him that they didn’t have a featured poet for the night, and he needed Eckrich to fill in. “It really put me in head first,” he remembered, but turned out to love it. Eckrich continued participating in every open mic he could. He also com-
Photo by Valerie Hill
petes in the Inner Ear’s Poetry Slams held at the Revue Cafe’s recently opened theater on the second Thursday of each month. He is currently finishing up his last semester at FCC. His first priority is obtaining a Master’s in poetry and hopes to later teach at a community college or lower division university, as well as continue his writing In the mean time, his big goals are already in the making. “I’m working on my first play, my first book of poems, and my first book of humor,” he said. “He’s trying new things and he goes off in different directions”, Medrano said. “A lot of people don’t understand it, but that’s an artist for you.”
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February 24, 2010
Entertainment
Rampage 9
Sea of Dreams Bioshock 2 proves a worthy successor
by Kyle Calvert
Rampage Reporter The year is 1958. The underwater utopia, Rapture, does not yet know chaos. In one dark hallway, a ghoulish little girl with a syringe is threatened by mutated thugs, addicts to the genetic substance ADAM notorious in the city. Defenseless, she cries out… and you come running. The drill on your right arm fires up like a monster truck engine. You are a Big Daddy, her protector. She is a Little Sister, one of many once-human girls that harvest ADAM from corpses. Her name is Eleanor. The two of you are inseparable… for a time. Flash forward to 1970, where you mysteriously awaken in one of Rapture’s Vita-Chambers – a device that reconstructs and revives the user from genetic material. Your last memory is your death over a decade ago at the command of a woman, but your bond with Eleanor remains, and you can hear her calling out for you. Rev up your drill. You’re going to need it to save her. Bioshock 2 has been one of the most anticipated titles of 2010 since it was announced, and for good reason. Whereas in the first game the player was a flimsy human with a pipe wrench, the second game starts you off as a new character: Subject Delta, the first Big Daddy to be ‘pair-bonded’ with a Little Sister. This bond links you to Eleanor, who is crying out to you for rescue. Rapture Reborn: Delta awakens in Rapture eight years after the events of the first Bioshock in a different, more historical area of the city. As a result, the game delves much further into Rapture’s history both before and after the first game. After the end of the first game, Andrew Ryan is no longer in control of the city, and his political rival, Dr. Grace Lamb, has grabbed the reins. Of course, like any good doctor/politician, the first thing she does upon gaining power is to start a cult called ‘The Family’. Whereas Ryan believed in the strength of the individual, Lamb believes in the power of the collective, and the denizens of Rapture have been absorbed into her cause. Their plan is to imbue Eleanor with the memories and minds of Rapture’s elite in order to make ‘the first collective utopian.’ The process will essentially kill Eleanor, and because of your bond, it’ll kill you too. The point is, it’ll kill Eleanor, and Delta will tear Rapture apart to save her. New and Improved: All of the differences between Bioshock 2 and its predecessor are positive ones. As a Big Daddy, you’re essentially a tank with legs. At all times, you have a weapon in your right hand such as the drill or the rivet gun and a Plasmid in the left like Electro Bolt or Winter Blast. New Plasmids and Gene Tonics are available, giving you plenty of firepower combinations. You can now make melee attacks with any weapon in the game as well, and all the weapons and Plasmids can be upgraded, making Delta even more of an unstoppable juggernaut. Despite the fact that Delta is essentially 50 percent weapon of mass destruction and 50 percent atomic bomb shelter, the enemies are all carrying a bit more firepower, which keeps the game difficult. New enemies such as the hulking Brute Splicer, stronger and faster Big Daddies, and the acrobatic and fearsome Big Sisters give you challenges worth anticipating. In addition, hacking security systems is now done in real-time, so you have to have more caution when dealing with Splicers and sentries simultaneously. Daddy’s Home: Playing as Delta makes such a huge difference to the way you approach Splicers: you can confidently assault a dystopian anarchist city full of superpower junkies, especially since you’re not fighting for your life with a lame wrench. Honestly, it’s hard to be terrified of Splicers when you’re a walking armory. You might as well be yelling I AM A NUCLEAR SUBMARINE THAT WALKS LIKE A MAN. And as strange as this may sound, nothing is more satisfying than using a drill the size of Texas to cut through Rapture’s crazed citizens. The ADAM-harvesting Little Sisters return as well, and you still have to go through a Big Daddy every time you want one. However, since you’re a Big Daddy as well, you can then adopt the Little Sister as your own and take her to gather ADAM for you from corpses laying about Rapture. At any point in the gather, you can either harvest her or take her to an escape vent and rescue her. As in the first game, this impacts how much ADAM you receive and whether you’ll get the good or evil ending. The endings are much more profound than in the first one, no matter which path you take. The game also has online multiplayer, with a variety of game modes to let players see who can be the most lethal citizen of Rapture. Stick 8 people in a room with Plasmids and hide some Big Daddy armors for them to suit up in, and it’s sure to be a blast. Fair Warning: While the graphics and sound quality are still as fantastic as the first game, and the overall gameplay is incredibly fun, there are still a few flaws. Once you move to a new area you can’t go back to pick up things you may have missed, and it’s pretty easy to pass by a weapon upgrade station you can’t access and forget about it and move on once you can unlock it. An average run through the game will take between ten and twenty hours, and it’s definitely worth at least two full plays, but if you want to up the difficulty and stretch the game out, turn off the VitaChambers in the Options menu. The one thing that really detracted from the game is that there are some bugs in it. In the average course of the game you shouldn’t run into more than one or two minor ones, but if you play it enough, you’ll find them. The worst one I found was when I froze a boss, and the body just disappeared. The problem is that I needed to grab a key from the corpse, and without it I was locked in permanently and had to reset to my last save. The lesson here is to save frequently, or you might be stuck in the land of No Bueno. Overall scoring: A compelling storyline and gorgeous production values make Bioshock 2 excellent even if you’re only watching someone else play, and with the controller in your own hands it is a true marvel. It has its flaws, like every game does, but the downsides are eclipsed by the sheer enjoyment offered by it, and when a game overpowers its weaknesses, it’s a sign of greatness. I give it a 9.5 out of 10. Bioshock 2 was produced by 2K Marin and Irrational Games and released Feb. 9 for the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and PC with a standard edition for $60, a collector’s edition for $100, and a ‘Rapture Edition’ available overseas. Along with the game, the collector’s edition comes with an art book, posters, the game’s soundtrack on CD, and the original Bioshock soundtrack on vinyl, while the Rapture Edition comes with a different art book.
Photo couresty of www.videogamesblogger.com
February 24, 2010
Entertainment
Rampage 11
City Jazz Festival celebrates 20th year by Karina Ornelas Rampage Reporter
In March, the Fresno City College City Jazz Festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary. The festival, which has earned a national reputation, gives student performers from schools throughout the state an opportunity to receive scholarships to further their music education. “Any performance critique is good to hear, especially from professionals,” said Crissy Martinez, a bass player for the Fresno City College Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Martinez had a great experience in the past, participating in the festival as a high school student. She expects the same kind of experience this year when she will perform as an FCC jazz student for the first time. In addition to performances, the festival will also host workshops. Well known musicians from the national jazz community travel long distances to be part of the festival. Guest performers in the past have included Bob Mintzer, Bobby Shew, Anthony Wilson and Jeff Hamilton, FCC Jazz class practices hard for their upcoming events. among others. the most diverse of its kind in California, does all the work to put the event together Mike Dana, the chair of music and has never focused on the “big, shiny with the aid of student volunteers to help department and founder of the festival, trophy,” Dana said. with small details. The festival is billed as Jazz educator panels critique student performances, more than 700 of which have participated to date. Scholarships coming mainly from donations are awarded to outstanding student performers. To date, donations have accounted for $100,000 in scholarships for the Berklee College of Music, FCC, and other programs. Dana understands the value that the experience has for all students involved. It’s an experience that “never leaves you,” he said. Martinez, the jazz student, said the event is a great chance for people to support FCC. “The better the outcome, the more the festival puts Fresno City College on the map,” Martinez said. Mike Dana works with student volunteers to put together a successful event.
Photo by Abel Cortez
FCC Jazz Festival The City Jazz Festival takes place March 25 through 27. lThursday, March 25: student jazz performances, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; jazz workshops, times TBA; performance featuring Tim Ries, Fresno All-Stars and the FCC Jazz Ensemble, FCC theater, 7:30 p.m. lFriday, March 26: Tierney Sutton Band, FCC theater, 7:30 p.m. lSaturday March 27: Tierney Sutton vocal master class, FCC band room, 11 a.m.
Experience the Power of Freedom with
The Exonerated
by Andrew Turner Rampage Reporter
Photo by Gabriella Ramirez
Fresno City College will host “The Exonerated,” another live, staged production that will open in early March. Based on true stories, this newly written modern drama, deals with prisoners that were mistakenly convicted and placed on death row to face capital punishment. Dialogue for the play is taken from courtroom documents and actual interviews with the wrongfully convicted. With the hopes of bringing social change to the nation’s justice system, “The Exonerated” was written based upon interviews of more than 40 death-row inmates. This production hopes to bring reality to the pain that was felt by the wrongfully convicted. Actor Keshawn Keene portrays the character Delbert, an elderly AfricanAmerican wrongly convicted of murder and rape. Delbert acts as the chorus of the story, setting a grim tone to the already intense storyline.
Performing Arts student working on the set for opening day March 5.
“I don’t know if the audience can even tell the story comes from transcripts,” Keene said. “We worked real hard to show that these are real people. We did not want them to be fake, or just cartoons.” Keene said “The Exonerated” contains subject matter that students should know about, content that is meant to draw more than the typical theater crowd. “It is contemporary and set in our time. It’s not Shakespeare,” Keene said. Chris Boltz, who designed sets pre-
viously for the play “Grasmere,” worked on the set and is currently working on the lighting for “The Exonerated.” Referring to director Janine Chrystl and decisions for set design, Boltz said, “The most difficult problem we had was deciding how to express the feeling of the play.” Final painting was finished earlier than Boltz expected due to the number of students that showed up for the last day of construction. Students finished painting and building the set just before Valentine’s Day, making way for onstage rehearsals by the cast. Keene said the cast wants the audience to be affected. “Society talks about people that deserve to be there,” he said, “but not about the ones that were innocent.”
The Exonerated “The Exonerated” opens March 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Main Stage Theatre at Fresno City College. Other performances are scheduled March 6, 10, 11, 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m., and March 6, 7 and 13, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $12 general, $10 for students with ID, seniors and staff. For groups of 10 or more, there will be a charge of $4 per person.
Entertainment Instructor Postpones Retirement to Lead FCC Choir 10 Rampage
February 24, 2010
by Karina Ornelas Rampage Reporter Foxx relaxes in his chair with a smile on his face, surrounded by photos covering the walls and shelves of books holding videos and music, but nothing in the small office belongs to him. In his first semester at Fresno City College, Jim Foxx, a choir instructor, is substituting in the College Choir and the City Singer classes for Prof. Julie Dana while she’s on sabbatical. This sub isn’t a young, fresh-from-theuniversity, 20-something instructor either. The Pennsylvania native has taught since 1965 and is currently taking a break from retirement and now using Dana’s office. Mike Dana, chair of the music department, has confidence in Foxx. From working previously at several schools in Arkansas and California, including Clovis, he was not only qualified but the first choice for the job, Dana said, calling him dedicated and extremely organized. “Jim comes to department meetings when he isn’t required to be present,” said Dana, “but he likes to know what’s going on and wants to be involved.” “Substituting” is the word for Foxx this spring. He is also filling in for an instructor on sabbatical at Fresno State. “This is called retirement!” Foxx joked. Directing Fresno College Choir and City Singers in addition to the school choir at Fresno State does not overwhelm him. On the contrary, it excites him. With a full college choir that fills up the rehearsal hall, Foxx looks forward to the group’s first performance on Feb. 26, an Advanced Voice Recital called “Cycles and Sets”. Shortly after, Foxx and his choir will tackle a more intense performance on March 6 and 7, which includes Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9”, an 18-minute German piece that is high, long and loud. His students have their fair share of pressure. “This thing is huge! It’s like an elephant. How am I going to eat it?” some of the students would say. “Piece by piece,” Foxx would reply. “Before you know it, we’ve learned the whole thing.” That’s his philosophy: He tries to lessen the burden in the class which gives students a sense of belonging, something the instructor has sought for in his own life. With a father in the Air Force, his family constantly traveled. Foxx spent three years at Wichita High School West in Kansas. His senior year, he split time between New Smyrna Beach
Jim Fox leads the choir in an intense rehearsal. High School in Florida and, two weeks before graduating, Pepperrill Air Force Base in Newfoundland. Foxx taught for 21 years in two Arkansas districts where a new educational program was developed but lacked finances to continue. With decreased funds, the schools let go of nearly half of their staff and axed many extracurricular activities, music being the first one to go. Having a continued passion for music, a subject he considers an essential part of education, Foxx answered a national search for choir instructors conducted in Clovis. The move proved beneficial when Clovis Unified held on to its music programs, remaining a strong part of the overall curriculum to this day. Foxx continued teaching the choir for 18 years and even taught a hand-bell class. In 2004, Foxx decided to retire. Immediately following his retirement, Clovis Adult School chose him to teach a senior adult choir class and hand bells class. Last semester, he took over for 12 weeks for an instructor that resigned from Clovis West High School. His substituting positions continued from there. In his classroom, Foxx says that he tries to create a comfortable environment, one in which everyone can equally express themselves. But once everyone hears the first few keys tap on the piano, it’s down to business. “It’s not going to happen by osmosis,” Foxx said. “You’ve got to do it.
Cycles,Sets, & Scenes 7:30 pm Friday, Feb. 26 Free Admission FCC Recital Hall
$15 Student Tickets!
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TONIGHT! February 24 • Saroyan Theatre Regular tickets: www.ticketmaster.com • Ticketmaster outlets • 800-745-3000 Box Office • Groups (20+): 445-8183 • Info: www.BroadwayInFresno.com
Photo by Kris Goka
Entertainment Events Feb. 24 -The David Sanborn Band w/ special guest Joey DeFrancesco Tower Theatre, 815 Et. Olive Ave. 8 p.m. (Doors open @ 7 p.m.) $35-$45 -Chuck Dimes, Shon J Audie’s Olympic, 1426 N. Van Ness 8:30 p.m. $6
Feb. 28 -Jazz Brunch with David Aus and Nye Morton Campagnia, 1185 E. Champlain Dr. 11 a.m. -Final Fight, Xibalba and Reach Chinatown Youth Center, 901 F. St. 6 p.m. $5 -Jazz Jam ft. Andre Bush and David Aus Feb. 25 Tokyo Garden, 1711 -Ron White Fulton St. Selland Arena, 700 M. St. 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m. All tickets $40.00 March 2 -“EL NORTE” (film) -Dia Del Astronauta and Cardinal Newman Hall, The New Room 1572 E Barstow Ave. Starline, 831 E. Fern St. 6:30 p.m. 9 p.m. FREE $5 -Randy Freeman & Jim Hampton Jazz March 3 Experiment -Grafik, Bravo, Halo Patio Café, 5138 N. Palm Audie’s Olympic, 1426 Ave. N. Van Ness 6 p.m. 8:30 p.m. -Ron Thompson & the $7 Resistors 21+ Babylon Club, 1064 N. Fulton St. March 4-13 6 p.m. -Rogue Festival NO COVER Times and prices vary. -Jazz Jam Session www.roguefestival.com Pizza Fusion, 1785 Herndon Ave. March 4 7 p.m. -Big John Bates and -D.K. Revelle and The The Voodoo Dollz, Anti Heroes Rev.Deadeye, HotRod The Next Bar, 4231 E. Hillbillies, Giddy-Ups! Shields Ave. Audie’s Olympic, 1426 9 p.m. N. Van Ness $4 $8 9:00 p.m. Feb. 26 21+ -Food for Thought film series: “The World March 5 According to Monsanto” -A Night w/ the 2nd Unitarian Universalist Rate Church, 2672 E Alluvial Starline, 831 E. Fern St. 7 p.m. 11:30 p.m. FREE $3 -Troubled Coast, Tragic Ends and Fed Up March 6 Chinatown Youth Center, -College Choir with 901 F. St. Fresno Philharmonic 6 p.m. Orchestra: Symphony $5 #9 by Beethoven -“Cycles and Sets” For tickets call (559) Recital Hall 261-0600 7:30 pm -Carnival Carnivale -GOAT, Benny and the Full Circle Brewery, Vetts, and Dead Hooker 6142 N. San Pablo Ave. Society 8:30 p.m. Audie’s Olympic, 1426 $7 N. Van Ness 21+ $5 -Shmekno (rave) 21+ Dance Empowerment, -Fuzzyness (rave) 10216 E. Street Edgar’s Italian 10 p.m. Restaurant, 1922 Howard $10 Rd. (Madera) -DJ Soulflower 10 p.m. Starline, 831 E. Fern St. $7 11:30 p.m. -Sing the Body, Jeffrey $3 Conway, Joey Vannucchi, Adam Pasion, and March 7 Garage Voice -College Choir with Kuppajoe, 3673 N. First Fresno Philharmonic St. Orchestra: Symphony 7:30 p.m. #9 by Beethoven $7 For tickets call (559) 261-0600 Feb. 27 -The Midnight Howlers, March 9 Stage Frite, and -Picture Atlantic , Reinventing the Square Buffalo Guns and From Audie’s Olympic, 1426 Indian Lakes N. Van Ness Starline, 831 E. Fern St. 9:00 p.m. 9 p.m. $7 $6 21+
March 11 -Inner Ear presents: Beat Down Poetry Slam Revue Café, 620 East Olive Avenue, Fresno 8 p.m. $5 March 12 -2010 Oscar Nominated Short Films The Tower Theatre, 815 E. Olive Ave., 815 E. Olive Avenue, Fresno Live Action: 5:30 p.m. Animated: 8:00 p.m. $10, students $8 -For Medicinal Purposes Only Full Circle Brewery, 6142 N. San Pablo Ave. 10 p.m. $7 21+ -Queer Fresno Goes Rogue Starline, 831 E. Fern St. 11:30 p.m. $3 March 13 -WWE Raw presents Road to WrestleMania Save Mart Center, 5245 N Backer Ave, Fresno 7:30 p.m. $15 -An Evening of Classic Burlesque Full Circle Brewery, 6142 N. San Pablo Ave. 10 p.m. $7 21+ -Radagun Tower Theatre, 815 E. Olive Ave. 7:30 (Doors open @ 6:30 p.m.) $15 -Adam Pasion, Garage Voice and Sing the Body Kuppajoe, 3673 N. 1st St., 7 p.m. $7 -Glen Delpit & the Subterraneans CD Release Party Full Circle Brewery, 6142 N. San Pablo Ave., 620 F St. 8 p.m. $10 -Special Reserve Fibber McGee’s, 6650 N. Cedar Ave. 9 p.m. March 16 Centennial Celebration History Night Theatre 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM FREE March 18 Fresno Philharmonic: “Simply Sinatra” William Saroyan Theatre, 700 M Street, Fresno 7:30pm $20+ -Inner Ear Open Mic Poetry Jam Full Circle Brewery, 6142 N. San Pablo 7:30 p.m.
Guitar 12 Rampage
Kyle Calvert
Rampage Reporter Ever talked to somebody about how good they are at Guitar Hero or Rock Band? Don’t you just want to push them off something tall? Let me get this out of the way immediately: I love the Guitar Hero series. I shamelessly click away on the strum bar of a small fake Les Paul, doing hammer-ons with nothing going through my mind but, “ORANGE, RED, RED, BLUE, RED, LONG RED.” Playing the games got me to like a lot of bands I never would have heard of, most of whom I now keep on my iPod. I’m also very good at the game. That probably makes a huge difference with how much I like it. The big deal is that I also love actual guitar. I’ve only recently come into possession of the family IbaneWz, and I’m being taught how to play by guitarists I know. It is through these people that I have come to learn that just about anyone who seriously plays guitar tends to hate the Guitar Hero franchise. Luckily, I’m very well aware that Guitar Hero does not make you a guitarist by any right. It means you play video games and you like music. That’s about it. You don’t acquire any real musical skill by playing them, save for maybe finger control using the fret buttons or rhythm playing the game’s drums. Anyone who brags about their Guitar Hero or Rock Band accomplishments to anyone that
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Campus Voices Zero February 24, 2010
by Nongshtia Vue and Jordan Hoover Photos by Gabriella Ramirez
What do you think of instructors teaching their personal opinions in their classes?
I think it’s fine unless they are forcing their opinions on students. -Camille Reese Architecture, last semester
I think it is appropriate. We are college students and we should be open minded to other people. -Heidi Chang Transfer, 2nd semester
I’m okay with it, but sometimes it depends on the subject. -Nick Valado Undecided, 2nd semester
xkcd.com/70
plays a real instrument will be met talent or real skill. People that don’t see that with distaste. Honestly though, playing Guitar Hero at any level is are under the delusion that it makes no bragging right in any area other them a musician of any sort, are than being a geek. True, it takes suffering from making themselves look like an ida good deal iot along with of skill to everyone else excel at that plays the the higher game. levels of Somethe game, one might as but no senwell play Wii sible perSports and son is able - Kyle Calvert brag about to compare how good they a five-star are at boxing. score at ‘Cult of Personality’ on Expert Chances are they are not among to learning a worthwhile musical the people that make that game look fun. Musicians are utterly talented, in one way or another, and even if they don’t play the kind of music you like, they still have that talent, and they’re obviously good enough to make more money than you by doing it. Talking about your plastic peripheral prowess as if it’s remotely akin to playing a real instrument trivializes all the practice and effort a real guitarist puts into his talent, and you’re a loser thelaughbag.wordpress.com and a jerk for doing it. The correct choice is “I’m a loser.”
“Someone might as well play Wii Sports and brag about how good they are at boxing.”
It depends on how far they go. I have no problem with them giving their own opinion but my problem is when they start telling you that their opinion is the right one. -John Gibbons Undecided, 3rd year I think that they should not teach their personal opinions. They should teach the facts. -Cassie Strait Undecided, 4th year
I don’t mind as long as they’re within a certain boundary. Teaching out of a book can become mundane. Adding their personality makes classes different. -Guillermo Toscano Accounting, 3rd year I think that everyone has the right to their own opinion just as long as students can express their own opinions. -Natalie Sagherian, Psychology, 2nd year
I think that they should stick to the facts and have examples of everything, not stick to their opinion. -Marlan Isburo Undecided, 1st year
It makes it more interesting to hear their perspective of something rather than only the facts. -Tonica Little Social Work, 3rd year
&
Words Deeds
February 24, 2010
Kyle Calvert
Rampage Reporter
Free speech and free will have been under attack at Fresno City College right under our noses, perhaps for years. The college is entrenched in debate over an instructor’s academic freedom and students’ rights to an education free of an instructor’s personal beliefs and biases. Last fall, a grievance was filed against FCC health instructor Bradley Lopez. You’ve probably heard of him, since he’s been in the news quite a bit lately. He’s been accused (among other things) of teaching his personal religious ideals and discrediting homosexuality as being a mental illness, as if his beliefs were empirical fact. If the accusations are true, then there is no way that kind of instruction could be accepted here. Our administration says it does not condone this kind of behavior. I fully support instructors bringing their experience and opinions into the topics they teach, but not in a way that overrides the educa-
tion or lifestyles of the students. Nobody on campus should be afraid of voicing their beliefs, be they teacher or student. A teacher’s opinions and experience can be vital to a better education as long as they do not stray too far from the class’ guidelines. But then, how far is too far? And what should be done against those who lecture against the curriculum, as Lopez is accused of having done? What I believe is that an individual’s personal beliefs should be kept to oneself when that individual knows others will be hurt by said beliefs. It is something I see as common courtesy. Believe whatever you want, but do so without infringing on others’ rights to choose their own lifestyles. It is a philosophy I think most can agree with. Most students are fortunate enough to have teachers that set better examples than this. The
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Rampage 13
Lopez’ attorney defends him from the accusations against him. whole fiasco shines a negative light on the college at large, but in the end, this is a matter of an individual and his audience. Fresno City College is an excellent institution, and I hope Lopez’ scandal does not give any student – past, present or future – a false image of the quality of education offered here. The words and deeds
of a few should not reflect the quality of the college as a whole. At the very least, we must find a workable solution. An instructor can easily inject his/her views into a lecture in order to benefit the student’s learning experience, but the line between academic freedom and indoctrination is a thin one that
Photo by Abel Cortez
each of us have to walk carefully. There must be a balance. Without the proper judgment, anyone can easily fall into a pit such as this one. No teacher should have to suffer the scandal, and no student should be forced into biased, irrelevant education. In a perfect world… well, I’ll leave that opinion to you.
14 Rampage
Masculinity: A Real Joke Andrew Turner
Rampage Reporter Hey guys: Do you ever catch yourself puffing up your chest to look strong? Or maybe, do you find yourself unexpectedly cussing so you can seem tougher? You are not alone. Does the typical stereotype fit? If it does, it’s probably a disaster. This utterly horrific – and humiliating – stereotype of masculinity was created from a desire in entertainment to pursue a fantasy. For instance, a couple in a movie sit at bar and up comes some foolish drunk. He smarts off about the girl. What has to happen? A fight. And not just any fight. The smartmouth has to end up on the other side of the bar or out the window and running. This stereotypical fantasy
define my masculinity. Even in children’s films, men are characterized as strong and self-servant, poised with a huge chest and arms that bring service to a greater good. On the other hand, male characters that do not have these characteristics are set aside as lower fools. And young boys grow conditioned to this false identity of manhood. Now that is depressing. And everything else I have seen in the movies and on the idiot box connect masculinity with images of brute violence, arrogance, or stability, such as property ownership or other accomplishments that end up weighing heavily on the quality of the man’s character. There exist other forms of harmful stimuli. There is the nightly casual charming of every other female Charlie Sheen meets on “Two and a Half Men” into bed.
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Gimmicks in 3-D
These chick magnet glasses are required to “enjoy” the new players.
Andrew Veihmeyer
Rampage Reporter A new decade arrives as the inevitable advance in technology continues. If you haven’t warmed up to the Blu-ray movement, will 3D players help convince you? 3D Blu-ray won’t be so far away either. Sony has already announced a 3D player that will be available to consumers this summer, according to Matthew Moskovciak, an associate editor of cnet.com. This Sony BDPS770 will also be capable of other things not usually found on standard players, like access to internet video that allows you to watch entertainment streams from Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube and others. But will early adopters of the Blu-ray technology get burned by having to upgrade all of their expensive equipment? Yes and no. “The 3D discs will be able to display in 2D, meaning you won’t have to choose
Photo courtesy of www.mannequinco.com
This chiseled chest just ate a building -- Manly. that says “guys are tough and in control” dominates the world. Guys supposedly want it and girls supposedly thrive off it. But when it comes time to live up to this stereotype, there is not much guys can do except fall short of the glory of manhood. So what does this stereotype consist of? This is simple: being tough, being dominant, being powerful. There are lots of other ideas behind being a man. So, what actually counts? None of these traits really represent a man. Instead, they represent, in my view, aggression. To avoid defeat I’ll say that I consider myself complete. Complete in size, sexuality, and masculinity. But what am I comparing myself to? I know not to look or think like the guys who give in to the dominant media behaviors. I usually do not see anything in movies or in magazines to which I can compare myself to. Unlike some, what I do see, I cannot let
It seems that to be the “perfect man” in the minds of women you are going to have to be smooth, charismatic and have played a Navy SEAL in a movie early in your career. If males can’t live up to these standards that are set by the entertainment industry, there will set in you silent and corrupt feelings of depression, boredom and anger that you are not a man – a feeling that you are not acceptable. With these social norms that define manhood in society, most would be lost if we did not divert to well developed selfesteems. I say: Shield yourselves guys. Really, when was the last time that your personality, your body type, or your place in society represented on TV or in the movies? And of course, without the course for this character being some sort of far out and fanatical joke. Masculinity should not be funny. Stereotyping isn’t.
February 24, 2010
between a 2D or 3D version at retail,” a PCWorld.com blog stated. Furthermore, some current Blu-ray players, including the Playstation 3, are expected to be capable of the 3D experience with a firmware update. But let’s not jump for joy just yet. Remember your recent HDTV investment? You’ll have to part ways with it if you want to experience the third dimension. PCWorld noted that most HD displays do not have the capabilities to reproduce the 3D effect and the consumer will need to buy a newer model that can. Talk about a deal breaker. And while perhaps less costly, this technology stills needs to be viewed through 3D glasses. When Blu-ray technology was introduced, it wasn’t an instant success, mostly due to the format war against HD-DVD in 2008. And while Blu-ray won out in the end, the somewhat marginal improvements in picture and sound did little to attract large audiences. When standard DVD already has
Photo courtesy of www.teamliquid.net
anamorphic widescreen to view the whole image on a clear transfer and often with high quality surround sound and bonus materials, why care about a “better” disc that can only be appreciated if you have much pricier equipment to go with it? While more are considering the move to Blu-ray, and perhaps soon to 3D home viewing because of the steady price decrease, others are still not taking the bait. Christopher Galvan, 19, a film studies student at Fresno City College had things to say about the new 3D technology. “There was a much larger transition gap between VHS and DVD”, he said. Blu-ray has already been pushed out of the gate - perhaps too soon, during a time when Americans are still stretched financially. And now with 3D coming, he added, it’s too much too soon. “Just because you’re able to do something [with technology] doesn’t mean you should”, Galvan said. I’d have to agree with him.
Sports
15 Rampage
February 24, 2010
Women’s Basketball Takes CVC by Annette DeDios Rampage Reporter
Photos by Abel Cortez
Freshman third baseman David Rohm, left, slides back into first base as he tries to steal in the Rams’ game against Chabot on Feb. 19.
Chabot Sweeps Error-plagued Rams by Kenny Rodgers Rampage Reporter After a 4-0 start, the Fresno City College baseball team dropped a three-game series against Chabot on Feb. 19-20. The losses give the Rams a 4-3 record, going into their Central Valley Conference-opening series this week against Taft. In this past weekend’s series, the Rams lost to Chabot by scores of 5-4, 3-2, and 10-2. FCC coach Ron Scott said that the Chabot series was difficult but is one to learn from. “With seven errors to their five, we need to work on handling the little things because that’s what wins baseball games,” Scott said. The players leading the Rams are pitcher Paul Anaya, with a fielding percent of .888; right fielder Brandon King with 6 RBI and a perfect fielding average; catcher Zach Sullivan with 4 RBI and a .980 fielding average; and third baseman David Rohm, leading the team across the board in eight categories such as batting
average (.538), hits and RBI. During the President’s Day weekend, the Rams collected two wins, 3-1 and 21-18, against Modesto Junior College. The Rams faced Modesto on Valentine’s Day and they showed no love for the Pirates. First baseman Brett Jones hit a home run over the 350-foot wall in the fifth inning and Nate Delena hit a grand slam. Rohm totaled 4 RBI and batted 3-for-5. The team opened its season Feb. 4, beating Sacramento City College 9-2 and 13-7 in a double-header. In game one, center fielder Brandon Hederson led the Rams with 3 RBI and Rohm batted 3-for-4 with 1 RBI. Chris Gonzalez earned the win on the mound, striking out four in four innings in relief of the starting pitcher, Anaya. In the second game, Hederson batted 2-for-4 with 2 RBI and Rohm went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI. Shortstop Bryce Barger also batted 3-for-5. Rams pitcher Sean Buford got the win, striking out seven in four innings in relief of starting pitcher Michael York.
Sean Buford, pictured here against Chabot, got a win on the mound against Sac City to open the Rams’ season.
Spring Sports Come to FCC
FCC Softball team is 5-2 to start the season. Pitcher Mackenzey Bard, left, led the team to a win against Gavilan on Feb. 13. Bard said, “I felt confident with our defense and we pulled through with our offense later on in the game.” On Feb. 13, Men’s Tennis went head-to-head against UC Santa Cruz. Pictured right, serving Aaron Cuadros and Kirill Sinitsyn will lead the team into Central Valley Conference play on Tuesday against Modesto. Photos by Gabriella Ramirez
For the third time in four years, the Fresno City College women’s basketball team has clinched a Central Valley Conference title. The Rams defeated College of the Sequoias, 82-63, on Feb. 17 to secure the conference championship outright and earn a berth in the NorCal playoffs. The team ended its regular season with a 107-60 win at Porterville on Feb. 19. FCC, which finished with a 10-0 record in the CVC and holds a 23-6 record overall, will face the winner of a play-in game in the first round of the NorCal playoffs. The home game is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. Head coach Brian Tessler pointed to his team balance for this season’s success, noting the success of offensive players Sumiya Darden, Blakely Glodberg and Lacey Gibbons, as well as defenders Janine Nolden and Corin Macias, whom Tessler called “two of the best defensive players in the state.” Darden scored 34 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in the CVC-clinching victory over COS. On Feb. 22, Darden earned Most Valuable Player honors in the Central Valley Conference and was named a first-team MVP for the NorCal section. Also earning all-CVC firstteam honors were Goldberg and Gibbons. Earning second team honors were Nolden, Macias and Clement. “The key to our success,” Tessler said, “is that we utilize the talents of all of our players.” The team must now win two playoff games in order to qualify for the State Championship tournament in early March. Tessler said bringing home a state title would be “a culmination of a lot of hard work paying off and a lot of pride from within our team. It would be a nice memory to have.”
Sports
16 Rampage
February 24, 2010
Photos by Gabriella Ramirez
Edward Willis, who scored 19 points in the Rams’ season-ending win against Porterville, gets worked up after scoring a basket and getting a foul called in his favor.
Basketball Team Wins CVC Title Men Now Enter State Playoffs by Kenny Rodgers Rampage Reporter With a season-ending win over Porterville, the Fresno City College men’s basketball team has won its ninth straight Central Valley Conference title. The Rams, 23-6 overall and 11-1 in the CVC, defeated Porterville 94-84 on Feb. 17 to clinch a share of the conference championship. FCC shares the league title with College of the Sequoias. The Rams, ranked No. 14 in the state, will now travel to Sacramento this Friday to face American River College in the first round of the NorCal playoffs. Following the Porterville game, head coach Ed Madec was speechless with excitement. Madec said it’s all about the playoffs now and that the team would get ready and focused for another run at a state championship. The Rams won state titles in the 2006-07 and 2004-05 seasons. The game against Porterville was “sophomore apprecia-
tion” night for FCC, which is the last regular-season home game for graduating sophomores. Porterville coach T.J. Jennings and the Pirates hoped to spoil FCC’s final home game. “We’re here for one thing,” Jennings told The Rampage before the game, “and that’s to make sure [Fresno City] doesn’t get this championship.” Porterville kept the game close, but the Rams’ solid freethrow shooting saved FCC in the end. Forward Ed Willis led the Rams in the win, scoring 19 points. Percy Lemle added 13 points and Brandon Johnson scored 10 points. The visiting Pirates and their fans set the momentum early in the game. The score was tied 41-41 at the half. But solid freethrow shooting led FCC to the win. The Rams finished 32-of-40 at the free-throw line. Prior to the season-ending win against Porterville, the Rams lost at COS 88-85 on Feb. 10 and defeated Merced College 91-77 on Feb. 13.
Pictured above, Brandon Hawkins, at right, denies a Porterville player during a full-court press in the backcourt. Pictured left, sophomore guard LaBrent Chappell, at left, drives past a Porterville defender. The Fresno City College men’s team is headed back to the state playoffs this week against American River College. The Rams won the state title in 2006-07 and 2004-05.