‘Dead Man’ explores imagination in dark comedy See page 5
Volume 70, Issue 19
Single copy free - additional copies 50 cents
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
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LAUSD votes to end special education program Erik Luna Staff Writer
s e c n a v e i Gr Students file formal acts against instructor Erik Luna Staff Writer Students have filed formal complaints against instructor Aaron Brumfield, PhD, due to alleged inconsistencies in his Biology 20 class during the fall 2012 semester. The complaints were filed with East Los Angeles College’s Ombudsman, an official that is in charge of investigating student grievances. There were approximately 22 students who were going to file formal complaints, but were eventually discouraged after they didn’t receive any notice from the Life Science Department about what
they should. The students became concerned about the class from the beginning, after realizing it would not be taught by Simon Kingsley, PhD, as it said in the schedule of classes, but by Brumfield. Testimonies from students called for their grades changed, because Brumfield would allegedly change the point system of the class, not follow the syllabus and would be unwilling to answer questions. Brumfield, who taught at ELAC for the first time last semester, said that the syllabus was created by Kingsley and it did not reflect the way he structured and ran the class. Also, Brumfield said that he
would often stay after class to help out any students that needed the help. The Dean of Academic Affairs Carol Kozeracki, who oversees the Life Science Department, and the Chairperson Alison Davis could not comment on personnel matters regarding Kingsley. Although, according to Rocky Delgado, a student from the Bio 20 class, this was not the first time this happened in the Life Science Department. “For the… past year, every time I’ve signed up for a class with a certain instructor, it turned out to be someone else. “It’s only been in the Life Science Department. When I took Micro – it happened. When
I took Anatomy and Physiology – it happened. It’s only in this department,” Delgado said. “In terms of staffing for Life Science classes, I am aware that one of the professors is currently on a leave of absence, another one is on maternity leave for the spring and one professor recently left the college. “The combination of those factors has made the scheduling a little bit more challenging. We will be looking to hire a oneyear limited full-time professor for the 2013-14 year, which should help with scheduling for the coming year,” Kozeracki said.
Brumfield Continued on page 4
Viability review leads to program discontinuance Liliana Marquez Staff Writer Four departments of studies from East Los Angeles College faced a Program Viability Review last month to determine if the programs offered to students needed to be discontinued or improved. According to ELAC’s official website, a total of seven degrees and 11 certificates from the Business, Art, Life Sciences and Architecture Departments were under review. The review was designed to take a decision on whether the programs need modification, improvement, maintenance or discontinuation. The Insurance Property and Casualty degree and certificate along with the Microcomputer Programming Specialist certificate from the Business Department are still being reviewed and are in
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danger of being discontinued. The Business Department Chair Faramarz Larizadeh said that there are no students under these programs. Therefore, no one will be affected. “These programs are archived by the department due to the lack of interest/enrollment of students. By discontinuing these programs we will be able to offer more courses in other disciplines. There are currently no students under these programs,” Larizadeh said. The rest of the programs were removed from the review. Some of them will face modifications to the requirements for their courses. The modifications will appear in the upcoming new version of the college catalog. “There are some programs that will face changes in degree/ certificates requirements. Courses
Student graduation speaker auditions
that we have not offered for a certain period of time due to the low enrollment will be substituted with similar, but more popular and up-to-date courses,” Larizadeh said. With these changes it will be easier for students to earn their certificates or degrees and complete their requirements, because they will not have to apply for a course substitution for the courses that are not being offered. “Students who are currently in these programs will not be directly affected from these changes. They may be benefited when they have to make decisions on which courses they have to take, instead of courses that have not been offered,” Larizadeh said.
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Auditions for graduation student speaker will be held today in G1-301F from 12:15 to 1 p.m. Students must prepare five copies of a three-minute speech based on the graduation theme.
Montebello Bus lines changes location
The Side-by-Side program, which gives students first-hand experience teaching special education, is in danger of being canceled due to the Center for Advanced Transition Skills (CATS) reluctantly ending its ties with the Los Angeles Community College District. CATS is a collaboration between the Los Angeles Unified School District and the LACCD. Members of the board of trustees from LAUSD will vote to see whether they cancel the CATS program early next month due to budget cuts. The adminstrator of the CATS program Aaron Jeffrey was unable to be reached for comment. Side-by-Side, which has been at ELAC for three years, got started after instructor Linda Wilbur received a federal grant from the University of California Los Angeles. “UCLA approached me because they heard about my classes. Together we wrote to get the first grant and then we executed the grant. “We then started the collaboration with CATS and then the Child, Family Education Services Department. We bring in students that want to be teachers and they become mentors to the students with disabilities,” Wilbur said. William Boonsiriseth, a transition teacher with CATS, said that the community was backing up the programs. Congress member Judy Chu, Councilman Peter Chan and a representative from the office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina attended an event held last Friday at ELAC’s Child
Online Scoop
Development Center to show support for the programs. “When we heard that the agreement was not being renewed we got really worried. We hope that we can stay here and bring the students with disabilities from high school to get an education here – a higher education,” Boonsiriseth said. There are currently six different CATS locations within the LACCD. ELAC, being the first to have CATS on campus, LA Harbor College, LA Trade Technical College, LA Mission College, LA Pierce College and West Los Angeles College all have the program. Griselda Guzman, a student at ELAC and student leader for Sideby-Side, said that if the CATS program gets cut, it would take a major part of her education away. “In most of the other colleges, the CATS program is just the CATS program, it doesn’t have an affiliation with the students in the college. “But here at ELAC, it’s different. We get that experience here and it really does help out when we go apply for a job,”Guzman said. Guzman also said that Side-bySide is one of the few places she could get experience teaching to disabled students. “I could volunteer at a preschool, but it would be very different because there would only be one special needs student and I can’t just focus on one student – I have to focus on all the students,” Guzman said. ELAC interim-President Farley Herzek attended one of the Sideby-Side classes and was moved by the students. “I loved how everyone was smiling,” Herzek said. According to Boonsiriseth, Herzek will meet with other presidents, as well as the Chancellor of the LACCD to request the program stay at ELAC.
For this complete story visit elaccampusnews.com.
CN/JC CASAREZ
Local artist Robert Vargas paints another portrait on location at the “Who Remembers East LA?” art event that took place last Thursday at Cities Restaurant in East Los Angeles.
Montebello Bus line 10 will start picking up and dropping off students at the East Los Angeles College transit center on Collegian, May 2.
Correction:
In last weeks issue Blanca Uribe’s name was misspelled in the caption that belonged with the story “KELA strives TV station.”
Correction:
In last week’s issue “Daclan : ELAC electrician recovers after explosion,” Tom Furukawa was incorrectly quoted as commenting about the electrical contractors, when the quote was Leroy Cadman.
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Opinion
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013
Sexual orientation shouldn’t be a factor in sports Pete Moye’ Staff Writer National Basketball Association free agent Jason Collins took a huge personal step for anyone, much less a professional athlete. He announced that he was gay on Monday, becoming the first active athlete in the Unites States’ four major sports to come out of the closet. Collins’ decision to come out has been compared to John Amaechi, the first NBA player to come out. Amaechi announced his sexuality in 2007, four years after his retirement. Collins immediately received kudos from supporters in the White House, Nike and several dominant figures in the NBA. Unfortunately, all the acclaim is for a selfish act. Excuse how you feel about his choosing to be gay; it’s the drawing attention to himself that is a problem. While he isn’t on a team now, should he sign with an organization,
that team will be hit the with media circus that comes with all major news. Supporters of the homosexuallifestyle choice say that gay athletes should be able to play professional sports like any other person. So do it. Why does it have to be a spectacle? If an athlete can perform up to professional standards and be an elite player, it doesn’t matter what that person’s sexual orientation is. As an athlete, I could careless about how my teammates choose to date. I just care about their ability to produce effectively on the playing field. In anticipation of a player in its league choosing to express his sexuality, the NFL is taking action to protect gay players from harassment and discrimination. The Houston Chronicle reported that New York Democratic Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced last Tuesday that the NFL will promote what he calls a “culture of inclusion” for gay
players and recruits and other prospective players. The deal includes hanging posters in locker room that underscore the NFL’s anti-discrimination policies. The deal also includes
conducting training about the antidiscrimination policies during its annual Rookie Symposium. While changes are being made to increase the tolerance of gay athletes, how sincere are the efforts
put in by players? The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant was one of the players who supported Collins via tweet. But Bryant was fined $100,000 in February for calling an official a homophobic slur during a game. Forcing a gay player upon a team also puts an unfair pressure on the teammates. Too often, players are caught retracting statements because they can’t be honest about how they feel about homosexuality. If they make a negative statement, they are deemed homophobic and could be violating the league’s antidiscrimination policy. Athletes need to just remain athletes. While their time in the national spotlight, give us the ability to see them for more than just the sport they play, the reason we know them is because of their athletic prowess. Rather than judge him for whom he might date after his career is over, judge him for averaging only 3.6 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game in a 13-year career.
New priority registration guidelines will give all students an equal opportunity to get into a class. Previously, students were given priority registration based on how long they had been attending East Los Angeles College. The current guidelines are beneficial to those who have been at ELAC for longer, but it affects those who are new students. For example, in my first year at ELAC, I wanted to take a winter class. When it was my registration date, I sat eagerly in front of my computer hoping to get a class. I tried adding every single class on the pamphlet, but they were all full. Those who have no luck adding classes during their registration appointment have to go through the tedious process of trying to add a class on the first day of lecture. We all know how that goes as we stand around cluttered classrooms sometimes having to be part of a raffle. The new priority registration guidelines, which go into effect in the fall 2014 semester, gives priority to students who are in good academic standing, those who have attended college orientation and those making progress toward their academic goals. It is destined to help those who want to earn their associates degree, those who want to transfer and those
The future is here, so why are we ignoring it by pretending paper is the best way to treat academic affairs? From transcripts to records to tests and even certificates, paper is slowly but surely losing the battle
FRONT EDITOR Danny Vasquez OPINION EDITOR Cristina Galvan NEWS EDITOR Liliana Marquez Brian Villalba* FEATURE EDITOR Sergio Berrueta
ARTS EDITOR Jesus Figueroa Lourdes Espinoza*
CARTOONIST Kien Ha Bryan Pedroza
who want to get job training. Students who have taken more than 100 units, are in bad academic standing or are on probation could lose their priority. This makes sense because if a student has that many units, they are probably ready to transfer. California State Universities and University of California campuses require 60 units to transfer from a community college. Priority should be given to students who barely started college and who are doing the right things to get ahead, such as making progress in their academic goals. They need to be given a chance to get classes when registration starts and not when all the classes are full. Some students need priority registration more others. I have already taken all the classes that I need, and I am waiting to transfer in the fall. It would make sense for someone else to have that early registration. These new guidelines could prevent those students who have more than 100 units or who are in bad academic standing from getting a class, but it will be a wake up call motivate them. On the ELAC website there is also a link to a video, where Dean of Matriculation and Early Assessment, Sonia Ortiz Mercado explains the new priority registration guidelines. All of us are in college to get a higher education and it is only fair if we all have an equal opportunity to get the classes we need, regardless of how long we have been attending.
to digital formatting. While digital devices improve daily, it seems that paper has reached it’s limit in usefulness and practicality. For one, we have to consider the effects of paper on the environment. Currently we have the ability to decimate entire rainforests within weeks. Those are the same rainforests that sustain exotic species, rare
ONLINE EDITOR Erik Luna
PHOTO EDITOR Gregory Reyes
STAFF WRITERS Carlos Alvarez, Oliver Blanco, JC Casarez, Jane Fernandez, Summer Gomez, William Hernandez, Diego Linares, Erik Machuca, Yesenia Martinez, Amanda Mayberry, Bryant Mejia, Pete Moye’, Ehecatl Negrete, Gabrielle Osei STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Oliver Blanco, Mannie Miguel Joseph Recinos PODCAST Edward Singleton SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM Dulce Carrillo Anthony Merjanoff ADVERTISING Stefanie Arocha DISTRIBUTION Augustine Ugalde ADVISER Jean Stapleton *Denotes Online Editors
It’s time to go fully digital, paperless Edward Singleton Staff Writer
MANAGING EDITOR Lindsey Maeda
SPORTS EDITOR Tadzio Garcia Carlos Alvarez*
Priority should go to new students Cristina Galvan Staff Writer
EDITOR IN CHIEF Megan Perry
plants and local economies. Not only would going completely digital help the environment, it would also prepare students for real- world careers. Most working professionals understand the importance of having a smartphone and a laptop. In the information age, speed is king. So why aren’t we training students to be more device savvy? Why would students take notes
when they can get a perfect replica of the lecture. After all, notes are nothing more than someone writing down information that someone else already has. At this point, it is more likely that young people can type faster than they can write. As for the issue of taking tests, that can be as easy as doing a VTEA survey. Professors could quickly come up with questions with either multiple choice or written form answers. For professors interested in going digital check out surveymonkey. com, which allows for the creation of test and surveys along with comprehensive analysis of results. Professors can actually measure their students’ success and find ways to improve. We could stop making students buy four to five textbooks at $125 a pop each semester. They can use the money saved from buying books to instead buy permanent digital devices that students will be able to use for all subjects. Not only would the digital device serve as a multiplatform tool it
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would also reduce the amount of clutter and space taken up by traditional books. Some schools have already gone completely digital. Arizona State University now offers a masters p r o g r am co mp le tely o n lin e, meaning not a single piece of paper used. ELAC has already begun to make the transition from paper to paperless. The Helen Miller Bailey Library has desks equipped with electrical outlets that allow students to recharge their devices straight from the desk. Imagine outlets powered by solar energy that dot our campus like old bubble gum strewn on the ground. Imagine no more dead cell phones, no more crowded computer lab. Everyone would be able to pick a spot inside or outside and work with their device indefinitely. The concept of a paperless school is definitely achievable. It’s true that digital is vastly less predictable but at the same time, it’s infinitely more productive. Paper, it’s been a pleasure, but it’s time to say goodbye.
Campus News encourages letters to the editor relating to campus issues. Letters must be typed and double spaced. Submitted material becomes the proper ty of Campus News and cannot be returned. Letters should be limited to 250 words or less. Campus News reser ves the right to edit letters for grammatical errors or libelous content. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Writers must sign submissions and print their names and a phone number where they can be reached. Letters should be addressed to the editor of Campus News. Submissions can be made at the mailroom in building E1 or the Journalism department office in the Technology Center in E7-303. East Los Angeles College Campus News 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez E7-303 Monterey Park, CA 91754 (323) 265-8819, Ads (323) 265-8821 Fax (323) 415-4910 The East Los Angeles College Campus News is published as a learning experience, of fered under the East Los Angeles College Journalism program. The editorial and advertising materials are free from prior restraint by vir tue of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The opinions expressed are exclusively those of the writer. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the Los Angeles Community College District, East Los Angeles College, or any officer or employee thereof. PRINTING BY NEWS PUBLISHERS PRESS
Features
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013
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ELAC’s VP of Student Services leads Chicanos Erik Luna Staff Writer
Former Elan rises from dark past to inspire others Rodolfo Trujillo Contributing Writer Feeling lucky to be alive, Eddie Ruvalcaba, former East Los Angeles College photography student, overcame a rough childhood in Boyle Heights witnessing friends fall into gang lifestyles and drug addiction. Ruvalcaba nearly swallowed himself up by the dark shadows of the community, one that he still lives in and loves. Ruvalcaba’s journey to and from college was not unlike others who have to halt their education or have other obligations or priorities come up. That is why his installation of photography at this week’s “Who Remembers in East LA? The Year Book Exhibit” will undoubtedly have themes familiar to many local residents. Ruvalcaba’s childhood was shadowed by tragedy. His father died in a car accident when he was one year old, leading him to search for a father figure for the remainder of his childhood. That led to positive and negative decisions. Ruvalcaba did not do so well in school in his early years, simply passing with satisfactory grades. When he got to Roosevelt High School, Ruvalcaba met Coach Tony Bautista, who coached one of the school’s football teams. “(Bautista) was one of my most inspirational mentors. For the first time in my life, I had a 3.2 GPA,” Ruvalcaba said. Ruvalcaba started coaching his younger brother’s baseball team when he was in 10th grade. Despite being a coach, he did not have the confidence to play until he was encouraged by another coach to join the Roosevelt team. After a disastrous game where he contributed to the team’s loss, Ruvalcaba retreated to the pessimism that was so familiar in his life.
Another positive figure, this time his cousin, encouraged Ruvalcaba to persevere. He took his advice and despite academic struggles, became the team MVP the following season. Around this time, Ruvalcaba was asked to take pictures for the baseball team he coached. An interest for taking pictures developed. When he graduated from Roosevelt, Ruvalcaba decided to go ELAC. He took some photography classes. “After a couple semesters, I had to stop school and start working, but I never left the camera,” said Ruvalcaba. Despite having a positive role model, Ruvalcaba saw violence all around him.
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Courtesy Of Eddie Ruvalcaba Photography
Ruvalcaba’s Work—Eddie Ruvalcaba gets a shot of the Linda Vista Hospital in Boyle Heights
East Los Angeles College Vice President of Student Services Oscar Valeriano had always advocated for the Chicano/a, even when at times it was dangerous. After having attended various schools in the East Los Angeles community, ending with his dropping out of Cathedral High School, Valeriano enlisted in the army hoping to go to Vietnam. “I had trained to go to Vietnam, but because I was 17, I was shipped out to Korea. You had to be 18 to go to Vietnam,” Valeriano said. While in the army, Valeriano noticed something odd. “I felt we were represented overseas, but not at home,” Valeriano said. It was at this point where he decided to voice his views on the Chicano/a getting a good education. “Once I got back, I came to ELAC,” Valeriano said. “It was Political Science and Chicano Studies that got me to have a social conscious.” It wasn’t long before Valeriano started organizing demonstrations against wars and helping his fellow students obtain a higher education – a trait he still exemplifies today. Head coach of the men’s soccer team Eddie Flores attended Cathedral High School with Valeriano and said that he was always amazed by how dedicated Valeriano was to people. “He has been an advocate for people. He’s been an advocate for all students, not just Chicanos. Through this, he’s been opening doors for many students,” Flores said. “He’s passionate and I think that passion carries on into his personal life, his spiritual life and his career.” It was during these troubling times in Los Angeles’ history where the Chicano/a was on constant alert. Images of police brutality, due to the 1968 walkouts, prompted people to speak out and get involved in demonstrations. In 1970, Valeriano, along with a group of his fellow students, decided to publish a newspaper apart from ELAC Campus News that featured articles related to Chicanos, Native Americans and the African American. It was called “La Vida Nueva,” which transformed the Chicano Moratorium into the M.E.Ch.A club that’s on campus today. “We did our layouts in the community, in City Terrace with ‘La Raza Magazine,’” Valeriano said. After getting his education at ELAC, Valeriano attended a myriad of schools.
He attended the University of California, Irvine, did his teaching credentials in Santa Ana and finally went off to Austin, Texas to try and obtain his doctorate in Cultural Anthropology Folklore. “I went to Texas for my doctorate, but I had to leave because of a conflict with my committee chair,” Valeriano said. “He didn’t care too much for ‘Chicanismo’ and I was a headstrong Chicano.” So what was a young Chicano in Texas to do after dropping out of a doctorate program to do? The answer is obvious – run a country and western nightclub. “I got involved with business, which is when I ran the nightclub for two years. It was in Central Texas and that taught me about business,” Valeriano said. “Then I went into the beer business. I was a GM for a beer distributorship. It gave me a good sense of business.” Va l e r i a n o , being a spiritual man, decided to get ordained as a deacon in Texas. He worked as parish administrator for two years, but decided to come back to East Los Angeles. “I just missed the smog, the traffic and the people flipping me off,” Valeriano joked. Valeriano said that his love had always been education and that’s what he really wanted to focus on. It was then that Valeriano started working at ELAC and climbing the ladder of success. After working as Associate Dean of Student Activities and as Director of Financial Aid, he was chosen as the replacement for former Vice President of Student Services RC Williams after his death. Even with his countless responsibilities, Valeriano still puts the students as a priority. “I think that our students at ELAC are the greatest students anywhere because they come with certain things from the community,” Valeriano said. Flores considers him one of the most dedicated teachers out there. “I know for a fact that Oscar has personally gone to graduations for some of his students that went out-of-state. Simply because he has these special connections with students,” Flores said. “You can lay a bunch of accolades on people, but if you look at his record and you see what he’s done for any student that comes his way. It speaks for itself,” Flores said.
OSCAR VALERIANO
Subculture artist expresses life in obscure style Lourdes Espinoza Staff Writer Photographs come alive through the works of Los Angeles-based artist Shizu Saldamando. “When You Sleep: A Survey of Shizu Saldamando,” her first West Coast solo exhibition will be showcased on September 13 at the Vincent Price Art Museum. Using unconventional canvases like notebook paper, wood pieces and bed sheets, Saldamando’s artwork concentrates on subculture, loved ones and pastimes. Putting a spin on her everyday events won over her audience as her art deals with complex human interactions among her tight-knit group of friends and outings having had lived in Los Angeles for the past 15 years. Born and raised in San Francisco’s Mission District, Saldamando relocated to East Los Angeles and it quickly reminded her of home. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the School of Arts and Architecture, master’s degree in
art from the California Institute of the Arts and is a co-founder of Monte Vista Projects, an artist-run cooperative. “The work is a little bit less of a cultural excavation but more of a personal narrative of my life,” Saldamando says, “It is not just figuring out who I am, but more of homage pieces. A lot of it has to do with East LA or South LA. A lot of it has to do with the way a documentation of my friends in different social situations since I took a lot of pictures. Primarily, it’s portraiture of my friends.” Most of her drawings began with a photograph and can be found etched on differing canvases using ink, oil paint, pencil or colored pencils. Saldamando has been featured in an array of exhibitions alongside artists like Hye Yeon Nam, Sarah Lerina Riedmann and Zhang Chun Hong. “I got started around these parts by going to UCLA and working at Self-Help Graphics. I got to know the city more and it made it feel like
home. This has always been on my radar to do a show. I’m excited,” Saldamando said. According to Saldamando through USAprojects.org, “Paying homage to the social subcultures of Los Angeles is a key part of my work, and the catalog I intend to produce will capture this aspect.” In the past, her work has been displayed at places like L.A. Mart, Luckman Fine Arts Complex and the Japanese American National Museum. In an effort to raise $12,000 to launch her own catalog project, Saldamando accepted donations through USA Projects and reached more than $15,000. Based on the amounts donated, people received anything from a personal thank you note to an 8’’ x 10’’ oil painting as well as a signed copy of the catalog and published recognition as project supporter in the catalog. Award-winning graphic designer Hazel Mandujano will help produce this publication. A particular installation named
“18 With a Bullet” showcased ballpoint pen ink drawings on large patterned bed sheets. This installation focused on intimate details illustrated by two young women embraced and engaging in a kiss. A multi-layered cultural stance was well-illustrated in her video installation titled ‘Translation.’ Here, she captures her grandmother translating a short soap opera piece in Japanese. Shedding light into her history, the basis of this installation illustrated the connection between different generations as “culture becomes reinterpreted and redefined with every generation,” Saldamando said. ‘Stay Gold’ featured a number of pieces using oil paint on gold leaf and wood in a collage style.
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COurtesy of Vincent PRice Art Museum
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News
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013
Brumfield: Students file complaint reports against Life Science instructor Continued from page 1
Courtesy of GUSTAVO ARELLANO
National best-selling author to speak at graduation ceremony Pete Moye’ Staff Writer As the newest class of graduates from East Los Angeles College turns its tassels and walk across the stage within Weingart Stadium on June 4, writer Gustavo Arellano hopes to provide the inspiration that will help it continue its journey. This year’s commence theme is “Empowering Successful Minds for the Future.” Arellano spoke at the commencement ceremony at Long Beach City College last year. Prior to speaking, he released his speech on his OC weekly blog and part of it said, “It is community college that has historically accepted anyone regardless your background, a show of social grace much needed in this country. “Community college forces people to become scholars, to grow up quickly, and it doesn’t look
kindly on laggers,” Arellano said. Arellano himself is a product of the California Community College System. He graduated from Orange Coast College in 1999 before he graduated from Chapman University (B.A. Film Studies) and later pursued his Masters (Latin American Studies) in 2003. Arellano said he’s honored whenever a college or university asks him to do a commencement speech. “Even if only one person is listening, if I can inspire that one person then I’d consider it a success,” Arellano said. He is well-known for his syndicated column, “¡Ask a Mexican!” which has a weekly circulation of more than 2 million in about 39 newspapers. The Los Angeles Press Club, National Hispanic Media Coalition and the California Latino Legislative Caucus have all recognized
Arellano’s work. “You can drop out of a four-year school and survive. If you can’t cut it in a community college, then you’re going to have a hell of a time with life,” Arellano said. Arellano also explained how the speech is just an extension of what instructors do. “Those instructors are inspiring students each day for a few years. My role is just to step in and do what they do for a day,” Arellano said. Arellano hinted that some people feel that he was only chosen to perform the speech because of his Mexican heritage but he’s brushed it aside and said he is just focused on giving an inspiration based on the topic the school provides him with. Petition for graduation began on Feb. 11 and continues through May 31. Students who have filed a petition with admission for the Summer 2012, Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 are eligible to participate.
Student Henry Fernandez said in his complaint that Brumfield directed his students to return the books, because they weren’t going to need them. “(We) followed his instructions and ended up failing the first lecture exam,” Fernandez wrote. According to Brumfield, he said to the class that he would not make them or require them to get the book. Delgado said that there were more factors than just getting a better grade. “I got a C, but there are a lot of issues with that. I can’t move on with that grade. If I can’t change that grade, then I have to wait three years, or go to another school to take that class. “There were constant curve balls that were thrown in the class. One day we’re setting up for a particular test, and then all of a sudden it wasn’t going to be this type of test, it was going to be another test,” Delgado said. Fernandez also said in his complaint that there were a
few instances in the class that that we would be OK. It was a were uncomfortable. waste of our time. “On one occasion, out of at “You go in there for an education least three, he asked a student, in and I think a lot of people were this case a female angry with the student…, to stand outcome, with up in front of the the way he “You go in there class to lower the governed the for an education waistline of her class. He didn’t and I think a lot of want to explain pants just to show us the dimples on people were angry a n y t h i n g , ” her gluteus with the outcome, Delgado said. muscles. According with the way he “The pictures to Delgado, the and descriptions governed the class. complaints went were more than in front of a He didn’t want to enough for us to grievance hearing explain anything.” committee two get an accurate image of them,” weeks ago and Rocky Delgado Fernandez wrote. the results from Student According to that meeting Brumfield, the have yet to be student volunteered and her pants determined. did not pass her waistline. The committee is made up of “There wasn’t anything risque two Associated Student Union about it,” Brumfield said. members and two faculty members. Delgado noticed a complete They told the students who filed change in the atmosphere around grievances reports that a decision the middle of the semester. would be made in 25 work days. “He wasn’t managing his time Yet, according to the students right. We wanted to drop, but he who filed, almost two months have would tell us to stick with it and passed with no word.
CN/ERIK LUNA
crass class— Members of the Collective Revolutionary Association of Students in Solidarity (CRASS), a group consisting of East Los Angeles College Students, walk down Avenida Cesar Chavez on April 25 protesting different banks. The sign roughly translates to “If there is no justice for the people, there should be no peace for the government.”
Elans protest against foreclosures Erik Machuca Staff Writer
Students, residents and Occupy Fights Foreclosure activists rallied to speak out against mortgage fraud and questionable foreclosures of homes last Thursday at East Los Angeles College. Nearly 30 students chanted “No justice, no peace,” as they marched with painted signs from the dropoff zone on Avenida Cesar Chavez to the home of Margarita Lucero, an East Los Angeles foreclosure victim, on Hammel Street. The Collective Revolutionary Association of Students in Solidarity, who united to bring awareness of fraudulent activity in East Los Angeles and the surrounding communities, led the group. Engineering student Keanu Paar, who was involved with the Occupy ELAC movement in late 2011, said that as students it’s important to continue to protest unlawful acts. “These are people’s homes. This
is where they go to sleep at night,” Paar said. Committed to fighting against the wrongful doings of banks, Carlos Marroquin, homeowner and advocate with Occupy Fights Foreclosures (OFF), is familiar with the nationwide foreclosure crisis. “Banks have benefited in every way possible through foreclosures. Unless we get involved, nothing will happen,” Marroquin said. Known as foreclosure rescue scams, deceptive companies take advantage of homeowners having trouble making mortgage payments. They in turn guarantee to stop the foreclosure for an upfront fee and full cooperation. When Lucero modified her mortgage loan in 2011, Deutsche Bank told her that in order to qualify she had to pay a specified amount in advance. Lucero paid on time as instructed, but within a few months the bank began to decline her payments. Lucero and her brother were then evicted from their home of 15 years by sheriffs a month before the date granted to them by the courts.
E.L.A.C.S.O.C.A is an organization That seeks to inspire and encourage students interest in film and video production For more information on ELAC Society of Cinima Art visit: www.elac.edu/studentservices/asu/clubs2012_2013.html
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The Lucero family is just one of 600 families suffering through controversial foreclosures in the East Los Angeles area. Marroquin said students and the cost of education are affected by the banks foreclosures of peoples’ homes. “I remember the days when all you had to do was have a desire to become something in life. It’s no longer the case, now you become a slave to these financial institutions,” Marroquin said. Homeowners are left with the difficult decision to either meet higher mortgage costs or pay for school for their children. “They (banks) destroy peoples’ dreams. They’re destroying our kids, the future, and affecting education. Many homeowners have no choice but to leave their community,” Marroquin said. Luz Juan, Political Science major, was vocal in rallying the group of protesters. “Banks got bailed out, we got sold out,” Juan repeatedly shouted into a megaphone. “There are people in our communities that are losing their homes. And why is that important? Why should we care? Because that could happen to anybody,” Juan said. In particular, Marroquin said fraudulent financial institutions tend to target people of color, the disabled and the elderly. Last February California Attorney General Kamala Harris secured $18 billion to help relieve struggling homeowners in the nation’s hardest hit state by the mortgage crisis. However, Lucero, Marroquin, OFF activists and Occupy LA activists have yet to see any relief. “We still don’t have accountability as to what happened to the $18 billion that Kamala Harris received to help these families that are suffering through foreclosure,” Marroquin said.
Arts
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013
5
‘Dead Man’ brings life to upstairs theater Sergio Berrueta Staff Writer
An absurdist and dark comic plot is brought to the stage at the P2 205 upstairs theater in the form of the East Los Angeles College’s Theatre Arts Department’s clever and edgy production of “Dead Man’s Cell Phone.” The story follows Jean, played by Lorena Ruiz, who stumbles upon the ringing cellphone of a man named Gordon, played by Michael Venegas, who has died at the local cafe in front of her. Jean picks up the phone and takes a turbulent ride, which unraveling the mystery of who this dead man was. She comes face to face with Gordon’s mother Mrs. Gotlieb, played by Jordon Don, her other son Dwight, played by Anthony Li, and the Gordon’s widow Hermia, played by Sue Montoya. Jean comes across the “Other Woman,” the femme fatale mistress of Gordon, played by Natalie Wong. Ruiz carries on the wonder and good hearted nature Jean has in order to grab the audience’s
Face-to-face— Jean, left, played by Lorena Ruiz, meets dead man Gordon’s “Other Woman,” played by Natalie Wong, for the first time. CN/Oliver Blanco
attention to believe her and feels like a character out of a Hitchcock thriller. Li’s performance is a mix of naive and awkward. With his character’s hopeless romantic traits he provides
In the Spotlight : Jesus Figueroa Staff Writer
In collaboration with the Dolores Huerta Labor Institute of the Los Angeles Community College District, East Los Angeles College will commemorate California Labor History Month with events throughout May. As part of the month’s
a small romantic bond with Jean that has a realistic feel. Don’s performance was fantastic. Blunt and honest moments of humor chew the scenery and balance out the dark comedy.
Montoya, as the lush widow, gives the sense that she wants to go about her life and start anew to free herself from the reigns of Gordon’s past. Wong’s small role as the “Other
ELAC, Vincent Price Art Museum help commemorate California Labor History Month
events, the “One Hundred Years of Labor” exhibit opens today at the Vincent Price Art Museum and runs through May 31. Organized by the California Labor Federation, the exhibit highlights the accomplishments of the Labor Movement in California. The exhibit includes a selection of photographic reproductions and accompanying texts that highlight key individuals and turning points in California’s
labor history from 1848 to the present time. Alongside the exhibit, a panel discussion on labor, immigration and education has been organized by ELAC Professor Natalina Monteiro and students from her Political Science courses. It is set for May 9 starting at noon at the S2 Recital Hall. The discussion includes guest panelist Michel Geovanny Felix a current ELAC student,. A post-panel reception will
be held starting at 1:30 p.m. at the VPAM third floor. The final scheduled event, alongside the exhibit, is a “Student Video Shorts Reception” meant to inform, educate and entertain viewers on labor topics relating to global stratification, social class in the U.S., gender and race/ethnicity on May 23 starting at 5 p.m. at the VPAM third floor. All events are free to attend and open to the community.
True events inspire comedy ‘Pain & Gain’ “Transformers” director Michael Bay delivers an action-comedycrime film based on a brutal true story from the 90s about a trio of Miami bodybuilders-turned criminals in Dade County, whose attempt is to kidnap, kill and extort their way to live the American Dream. Aside from the typical Bay film style, with big explosions and crazy action scenes, “Pain & Gain” is packed with action and dark humor with no dull moment. Inspired mastermind Daniel Lugo, played by Mark Wahlberg, felt he deserved more. Lugo was tired of being the envious average Joe. Lugo convinces his gym rat friends, Adrian Doorbal, played by Anthony Mackie, and Paul Doyl, played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, to assist him in kidnapping and extorting one of his wealthy, jerk, millionaire clients at the Sun Gym, Victor Kershaw, played by Tony Shalhoub. Lugo plots to torture Kershaw until he signs over all his assets, including his mansion, thriving deli, speedboat, luxury cars and Rolex watches. The onscreen chemistry between Wahlberg, Johnson and Mackie, was surprisingly funny. The three stooges’ attempts in kidnapping Kershaw were hilarious, successfully showing how dimwitted the criminals are. Lugo then moves into his $3 million home and acts as nothing ever happened. Kershaw goes missing for weeks and no one reports his disappearance.
Lugo was able to get everything notarized and signed over to him in no time. The bodybuilders decide to murder Kershaw by crashing his car with him in it, intoxicated. When they discovered Kershaw was still alive, they go on, lighting the vehicle on fire. Kershaw was able to escape the burning vehicle, which led to Doyle running him over twice, convincing themselves that he was finally dead. The trio goes on and lives the high life, spending their Miami nights picking up strippers, sniffing cocaine and blowing their money. Little did they know, Kershaw was still alive after being run over. Kershaw hires a private investigator, Ed DuBois , played by Ed Harris, to look into his case, since the Dade County Police didn’t believe
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that Kershaw was kidnapped and tortured based on his nasty attitude. The story then unravels into the rise and fall of the “Sun Gym Murderers”. Bay continues to humor the audience during a scene, where Doyle is barbecuing the remains of two victims they unintentionally murdered to get rid of evidence. There’s a good balance between seriousness and comedy, which keeps audieneces on-the-edge of their seat. This film is rated R for violence, including graphic scenes of corpses getting severed with a chainsaw, strippers shaking their goodies and heavy steroid and cocaine use. But the fact that much of these scenes did occur in real life just makes the film much more enjoyable and entertaining.
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Woman,” her first time performing, is a classic sultry femme fatale performance that shines throughout her limited appearance, including a fight scene between Ruiz that gives both the sense of danger and
a light-hearted feel accompanied by the classic John Barry James Bond music cue. The story itself is where the play heart truly shine. It combines elements of Orson Welles’ film noir styles and the strangeness of David Lynch. The dialogue is heavy with monologues bringing the bizarre world to the forefront with references to Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” and realistic moments of harsh reality coming through. The use of the cell phone’s constant ringing edges on making everyone miserable about the technological advances in today’s social media based world. It shows the bleak side of what it can do, the perils it may cause and who it can bring together. “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” goes to the edge of darkness and the odd nature of the world and brings back gold in the form of dazzling performances and an intriguing story that is a thrill from start to end. “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” runs until May 5 at ELAC’s Performing and Fine Arts Complex in the P2-205 upstairs theater.
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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Mark Wahlberg Courtesy www.wallpoh.com
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SPORTS
6
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013
Softball
Badminton The Huskies tied for the South Coast Championship after winning a 17-4 match at El Camino College last Wednesday. It is their third SCC title in seven years. “The team was hungry for the title and won it having improved throught the year. “We started out shakey. The girls worked hard, and even on their
own late at night, and look where it brought them. I would like to thank Assistant Coach Lena Zeng for all her work,” said Head Coach Qui Nguy. Zeng worked with the pressure the girls faced in winning twice over the five-time defending SCC champions Pasadena City College. “Against Pasadena, I had the team focus on technique and their own matches. We didn’t want to add any pressure,” Zeng said.
The softball team won two of three of their last three games. The Huskies ended the season at home with an 8-0 shutout over El Camino College Compton Center. Evangelina Montes was the winning pitcher. “It felt good to end my season with a home run,” Montes said. The Huskies finished in fifth place in the tough South Coast Conference. “It was a tough season for the sophomores, but we are excited to get new players to take their place on the field,” Blanco said.
Road warriors advance Carlos Alvarez Staff Writer In a win-or-go-home matchup, No. 17-seeded Huskies baseball team upset the No. 15-seeded Rio Hondo College, 5-1, yesterday. The Huskies advanced to the Regional’s best two-of-three series. With El Camino College Compton Center defeating Santa Barbara City College 6-3, the Huskies will face No. 1-seeded “Fullerton (College) because we are the lower seed,” ELAC Head Coach James Hines said. “We need to get more information on Fullerton. We will be ready on Friday,” Hines said. “I’m pumped w e came out w i t h t h e win. They were pressing early in the game. We had to be loose and play our game,” Hines said. Huskies pitcher Adam Padilla, was able to keep the Roadrunners scoreless through the first two
innings preserving a one run lead heading to the third. Hines brought in Frankie Wright to relieve Padilla who got into some trouble in the bottom of the third inning. “It was an easy decision to bring in Wright. Padilla wasn’t doing that well. Wright came in and got a key double play to end the inning. That was real big,” Hines said. Wright then dominated the remaining six and two-thirds innings, allowing one run off of three hits while striking out four batters. “Wright pitched his heart out like he has done all season. He picked up Padilla. He was great,” Elias Novelo, starting pitcher said. While Wright took care of the Roadrunners offense, the Husky offense put together quality at bats that caused the Roadrunners to use five pitchers in the game. “In a must win game you throw everyone at your opponent. “I was surprised we didn’t face their best pitcher until the eighth inning. Our hitters did just enough,” Hines said. After having trouble with fundamentals all season and producing runners in scoring
position, the Huskies were relentless at the plate such as Jonathan Larsen. Larsen had two runs batted in, one on a ground out to shortstop and the other on a sacrifice fly to right field. Kyle Peralta continued his consistency at the plate adding three hits, while scoring a run. Wright made his only mistake of the game with the Huskies leading 5-0 in the bottom of the eighth inning. “He threw one pitch that was a home run. It happens,” Hines said. Against Fullerton, ELAC’s starting pithcer will be Novelo. Novelo will have a chance to avenge last year’s Regional’s start against Riverside City College. He lasted only three innings while taking the loss against Riverside. “I learned a lot from last year. I gained experience, but this is a different year. “I’m excited, but I have to pitch my game. “I have to throw strikes and give the team a chance to win. “Game one is a momentum game. We need that game,” Novelo said. One thing is for certain: in order for the Huskies to advance, they will have to do it on the road, which is something they have done all season long.
Track hurdles to postseason Tadzio Garcia Staff Writer The Huskies advanced 11 athletes to the postseason, next week’s Southern California track and field prelims, the most ever according to Head Coach Louis Rodriguez. In the process, the Dogs chewed up their personal records leaving them in pieces all over the Mt. San Antonio College field last Friday. Who let the Dogs out to run wild? “We were crazy to get so many personal records,”Gonzalo Ceja, who ran to two season records, said. Fourteen Huskies from the men’s team had personal records. Eight women had their best results of the season in 13 events. “We owe all our success to the coaches and athletes who spent endless hours of work and provided undying support to each other,” Ramirez said. Advancing to SoCal were Avanti Armendariz in four events, all personal records. Ceja moved on in three events. Advancing in one event each, all with one personal record each, were Nelson Lucha, Antonio Oropeza and Ryan Angel. Aaron Jasso advanced in one event while running to two personal records. Antonio Oropeza and Alejandro Collazo ran two personal best in the 200 and 400-meter dashes. Other Huskies from the men’s team who scored personal record in the SCC finals included Cesar Gutierrez, Abraham Islas and Robert Villafan in the throws. Also, Kris Chacon, Oscar Jasso and Michael Vallejos had two in running events. “I missed advancing by one place in the 800-meter run, but ran my best time this year. I’m happy with my results,” Jasso said. Jasso ended the meet as an alternate but eventually received and at-large bid to qualify for postseason in the 800-meter run.
CN/Tadzio Garcia
leaps and bounds—Avanti Armendariz almost falls over
the first hurdle, above, of his 400-meter hurdles second place win in the South Coast Conference finals at Mt. SAC last Saturday.
“SCC in one of the strongest conferences. SCC alternates have a good chance of advancing to SoCal based on their results,” Assistant Coach David Loera said. Three women, also SCC alternates, got at-large bids. Huskies Adriann Crespo in the hammer throw, Lee Pee in the triple jump and Rosa Arellanos in the steeplechase. Also moving on to the prelims include Megan Magdaleno in three events off of two personal records. Olivia Reyes and Vanessa Moore advanced in two events. Lee Pee and Cindy Escamilla advanced in the 4 x 400-meter relay. The upset of the day belonged to Armendariz who was in fourth place in the 400-meter hurdles with about 50 yards left. “I focused on my technique. I was swinging my arms as if my life depended on it,” Armendariz said. He sprinted by Te’von Mitchell of Pasadena City and Jamie Collins of Long Beach City colleges to take second place from Mitchell by .25 of a second. While the ELAC faithful were jumping and screaming, Armendariz ran a lifetime best. “This is only my third 400 hurdles race in my life. (Assistant) Coach
David Loera brought me from nowhere to second place in the SCC,” Armendariz said. He is ranked in the top-25 statewide at No. 24 as a result. Olivia Reyes has the state’s fifth fastest time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Megan Magdaleno is ranked No. 14 statewide in the 10,000-meter run while Vanessa Moore is ranked No. 17 statewide in the triple jump. All three advanced in those events. Magdaleno ran two long distance races in one day with season-best times. “I was too tired to reserve energy. The sprints came out of nowhere,” Magdaleno said. Personal records from the women’s team also came from Rosa Arellano in the steeplechase Pee (long jump) and Rosa Adriann Crespo (hammer) , which resulted in an at-large bids. Moore had five personal records. Rosa Loma and Cindy Escamilla ended the season each with a personal record. Moore and Pee placed fourth and fifth in the heptathlon. Their times advance to the SoCal Prelims, which will be at Antelope Valley College on Saturday all day.
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