Los Angeles Collegian

LACC WEATHER FORECAST WEDNESDAY

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THURSDAY

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FRIDAY

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SATURDAY

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Collegian Los Angeles

Wednesday, December 3, 2014 Volume 173 Number 6

NEWS BRIEFS

The Voice of Los Angeles City College Since 1929

COMPILED BY JIMMY MARTINEZ AND ANGIE RIVERA OLMEDO

History Club Sponsors ‘Casablanca’ Screening The History Club will sponsor a free screening of the 1942 classic “Casablanca” on Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. on the Student Union Amphitheatre steps. Admission is free and open to the public. Club representatives will also hand out free bags of popcorn. Guests are welcome to bring blankets and pillows.

THEATRE ACADEMY HOSTS 2-DAY PERFORMANCE For two days only, LACC’s Theatre Academy will present Carson Kreitzer’s “Self Defense or Death of Some Salesmen,” from Dec. 5-6 at the Camino Theatre. The play is based on the crimes and trial of serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Tickets start at $10 for students and $14 for general admission. For more information and show times, visit theatreacademy.lacitycollege.edu.

Lili Bernard: Ashé Exhibit to Close Next Week Lili Bernard’s art exhibit at the Da Vinci Gallery will come to a close on Dec. 10. Art professor Laurel Paley curated the exhibit, which features many of the artist’s colorful paintings. Bernard’s work explores slavery, abuse, retaliation and selfacceptance. The Da Vinci Gallery is open Monday-Thursday from 12-3 p.m.

Music Department to Host Last Performance in Concert Series Musically inclined students and faculty may enjoy attending one of the several performances hosted by the music department. The department has scheduled the concert series’ last show at 7 p.m. on Dec. 16 in the Student Union Multipurpose Room on the third floor. Various composers along with members from the Guitar and Musical Theatre Clubs are slated to perform as well. Admission is free.

PHOTO CURTIS SABIR/COLLEGIAN

Missouri.

CIVIL UNREST HITS LOS ANGELES

NO INDICTMENT FOR BROWN’S KILLER CAUSES PROTESTS IN LOS ANGELES AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. BY JAKE CAMARENA In downtown Los Angeles, over 300 police officers dressed in riot gear disrupted a rally that protesters took to the freeway on Nov. 24. After a Missouri grand jury decided against the indictment of Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson for firing 12 shots into an unarmed teenager and killing him, tensions across the nation erupted. Protests broke out in major metropolitan cities: Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles and continued as far as London. Around 11:30 p.m., after protest-

Traffic Stalls Protest BY CLINTON CAMERON

New President for ASG Committee Victoria Boutros has resigned as Associated Student G President position. Vice President David Allsop, will now assume the position of president at ASG.

INDEX

Opinion News Arts & Entertainment Connect Blogs Campus Life Scholarships Sports Style File

2-3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

In solidarity with the transgender community, more than six organizations and 150 to 200 people occupied the corner of Vermont and Santa Monica boulevards on Nov. 18. Organizations: Trans Lives Matters and Black Lives Matters collaborated on the demonstration. Participants represented the third high-profile demonstration in nearly two months following the shooting of transgender woman, Aniya Parker. Tuesday afternoon’s crowd doubled the number of people from the march in front of City Hall on Oct. 26, and more than tripled the number of attendees at the vigil in Parker’s honor the day after her shooting in early October. Shortly after a few words from speakers, the demonstration turns from a march to civil disobedience. Organizers took advantage of the

ers trampled a fence on Pico Boulevard, hundreds of people rushed the freeway. Traffic came to a halt. Demonstrators sat in the lanes of the 110 freeway. “No justice, no peace. No racist police,” they chanted. Drivers and passengers yelled at protesters to move. Cars honked. Flashing headlights beamed from the cars directly at the protesters. Police helicopters shined spotlights on the crowd. Some vehicles went around the protesters. Other motorists sat still just staring at the anomaly. “I was on the freeway. It was amazing to see the support all over,” said

Robert Torry, wiping his pants clean from the freeway debris. “This is not a black thing. It’s a human thing. We are one race, the human race.” Torry and his friend John Moody along with approximately 150 other protesters sat on the freeway for about 15 minutes. Police and California Highway Patrol officers swarmed the area of the 110 Freeway where the activists sat. Multiple police units with red and blue lights flashing raced past the scene slowing traffic to gridlock. While in traffic, cruisers inched through the idling vehicles at less than 10 mph. The squadron of about

20 police cars broke through traffic. Officers on foot met other police vehicles already at the scene. Helicopters surveyed the situation from the late-night sky. With shotguns and batons drawn and full-face shielded helmets to protect their heads, officials shouted commands through megaphones requesting the visceral protesters to disperse. Within 30 minutes, the crowd reshaped into to groups. Some headed east off the freeway toward the downtown entertainment center where L.A. Live and other venues attract tourists and locals. There, minimal rally activity

bodies and created a temporary roadblock to obstruct traffic in all four directions. A few protesters carried props that resemble coffins to the middle of the intersection, as other demonstrators carried picket signs and stopped in the middle of the crosswalks. Demonstrators Jenny Sagitarus and Rebecca Reyes sat next to each other in the middle of the street. Three props surrounded them. Reyes does not plan on being arrested. Sagitarus however, had other ideas. “If I have to be arrested I will be,” Sagitarus said. “Because now is the time to put an end to all this [injustice].” A few cars turned around immediately after the disruption began, while others waited at the intersection. Some drivers and passengers used their cell phones to videotape the commotion. Buses for the local and express lines in all directions began to pile up two to three at a time. When an ambulance service approached the intersection, the demonstration paused to allow the vehicle to pass. Moments before police arrived, things turn physical between homeless local, Daniel Salazar and Ronnie Velaz a representative of a group called Familia. “If you put your hands on some-

body, you’re gonna get your ass kicked,” Velaz said to Salazar. Salazar continued to taunt the demonstrators and touched someone in the crowd. Three demonstrators wrestle him to the ground and Velaz restrained him until he calmed down. Once Velaz let him go, Salazar continued to wave his arms in the air from the sidewalk away from the crowd. No one was arrested during the scuffle and there was no police interference. The protest ended within 15 minutes. Police cars approached the intersection with sirens blaring. A police helicopter hovered in circles above the intersection. Demonstrators returned to the sidewalk with little interaction with the police. From her vehicle, one officer requested the crowd remain on the sidewalk and even told the demontrators that she liked the demonstrator’s signs. The crowd cheered at her remark. The demonstration continues without incident. Representatives from the various organizers remained in the area where the Red Line meets the sidewalk.

Custodians Demand More Pay, Better Conditions

SEE TRANS LIVES MATTER PAGE 4

BY CLINTON CAMERON From 700 Wilshire Blvd., a security guard steped on to the sidewalk from behind the two heavy glass doors of the building where he works. He leaned forward squinting in the direction of the picket signs, loud chants and purple T-shirts. One traffic signal west of him, bus drivers and other vehicles honked their horns and waved in support of the custodial workers as they march in front of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Building in downtown Los Angeles. Dozens of people joined the workers in solidarity. Their goal was to attract the attention of the LACCD Board of Trustees for consideration of better wages and working conditions. One hour prior to the 4 p.m. board meeting, the SEIU Local 99 representing the custodians provided signs and moral support for the demonstrators. Signs in English read “College Jobs Should Be Good Jobs,” and “You Can’t Fill Dirty Classrooms.” One sign in Spanish read “Un Futuro Mejor para Los Angeles [A Better Future for Los Angeles.]”

was deterred by heavy police presence. Others headed west down Pico Boulevard meeting up with more protesters who continued to rally in the streets just below the freeway overpass. At Pico Boulevard and Albany Street, amid the rallying crowd, at least 100 officers in riot gear stood in a linear formation with weapons poised to take action.

SEE FERGUSON PAGE 4

Daren Littleton, a SEIU member helds the megaphone and led the demonstrators in chants that echoed the sentiments of the signs. At 4 p.m. the board meeting began. The first steps in negotiations between union employees and the board happened once the meeting entered a closed session. People wearing purple SEIU T-shirts occupied the majority of the seats. Before the closed session, the board listened to public comments for up to three minutes from seven people. Custodial workers, current and former students and union leaders addressed the board one at a time. Blanca Gallegos is a spokesperson for SEIU Local 99. She says there is a connection between clean buildings and a quality education. “We’re here to insure that the college district pays the custodians a living wage and that they maintain the schools to the standards that students deserve [and] students need,” said Gallegos from the picket line in front of the LACCD. SEE CUSTODIANS PAGE 4

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OPINION & EDITORIAL

Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, December 3, 2014

COMPILED BY TOMAS RODRIGUEZ PHOTOS BY TOMAS RODRIGUEZ

IN REGARDS TO THE FERGUSON CASE, WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THE POLICE OFFICER WAS NOT INDICTED IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF MICHAEL BROWN?

ASHLEY ZOMATA PSYCHOLOGY

IRVINDEK VILLASEÑOR FILM

KEITH PERERA MATH

LEO WILLIAMSON CINEMA

LINDA GARCIA NURSING

“The jury had more evidence than what the public knows, so maybe the evidence did prove his innocence. We have to think of the cops as well. When they are on duty, they’re not only looking to stop crime and help others, but they also have a right to protect themselves from the risks of the job.”

“I don’t believe much of the story, in regarding the victim trying to harm the officer. But, I can argue that cops are somewhat pressured when facing situations like these. I see Brown as an innocent man, but he must have done something to make the officer shoot him.”

“It’s hard to tell without knowing the complete facts of the situation but government officials have a tendency to protect themselves. The police department is part of the government, so they have to have each other’s back.”

“Racial profiling and the violence in the South is not helping. People are susceptible to think that any black kid is a criminal but the police have a conduct to follow and when they don’t follow it, they need to face a just punishment.”

“Today in society, African-Americans are almost frequently negatively portrayed. They are vulnerable to being labeled as criminals and in this case, it is somewhat true. Brown committed a crime prior and that did not help the prosecutors to indict the officer.”

EDITORIAL

LIVING IN A POLICE STATE: NATION CALIBRATED BY COPS

L

ocal police officers getting away with heinous crimes is becoming a trend in this nation. Many people say they feel threatened by police, rather than protected. Police officers must make snap decisions. Some police officers miscaculate these decisions and make fatal mistakes. Cases like the one in Ferguson bring debate, protests and division. Did Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson follow standard procedure? Has America become a police state? Something is amiss. Last week, a Cleveland police officer shot and killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice after the boy waved a toy replica of a semi-automatic gun at people in a park, according to the Washington Post. In October, manslaughter charges were dropped agaisnt an officer who shot and killed 7-yearold Aiyana Stanley-Jones as she slept in her home in Detroit. The shooting occured during a police raid in May 2010 that was being filmed for a reality TV show, according to the Huffington Post. Police do not face the same punishments as civilians; in fact, they are often freed without facing jail time, as in the 2010 shooting death of the 7-year-old in the Detroit shooting. According to an article written in the San Francisco Gate, there

have been a total of 17 police officers charged with murder in the past 20 years. However, none of the officers were charged with murder. “It affects most officers, when on duty,” said Steve Candelario, a retired Los Angeles Police Department officer and former Los Angeles City College alumni, “They call it ‘God like’ behavior. Because of their position of authority, many officers feel superior to civilians and also feel that life rules don’t apply to them. I would say 15-20 percent handle their position well and do not engage in ‘God like’ behavior. Unfortunately, it’s just the nature of the job of a police officer.” Nevertheless, when police officers are killed in the line of duty, the suspect usually faces a longterm prison sentence or even a death sentence. There are many police officers who do their job just fine, but what about those who fall short? Citizens have to find a way to curb the apparent trend of police shooting unarmed civilians. There is also a need for every citizen to know their rights, that they are protected by the law. However, in situations where you know your rights are being violated, do not take serious action, instead have witnesses nearby to tell the real story. This country fought for its independence from the Brittish long ago, now we need to fight off a new type of tyrany.

PHOTO BY CURTIS SABIR/COLLEGIAN

Community College Builds NEW POOL ADEQUATE ENOUGH FOR STUDENTS Character in Students BY MARY CLARE PACE

BY DAMON TAYLOR A college education can make a difference in anyone’s life. For me, it is more than just an impressive addition to my resume. S t u dents can work hard and have a 4.0 GPA throughout their college education, but may in fact know very little about themselves. College can be very challenging at times. However, those challenges can lead to wisdom that cannot be taught in a classroom. In my case, I learned from the con-

flicts that come with being a student. Students endure so much adversity that dealing with these hardships gives them two choises: They can either give up, or they can find strength within themselves to push harder every single day. One of my favorite quotes is from a Lakers poster I had a while back, which said, “They who endure, conquer.” Being in college is the most defining character builder any person can experience in their life. College presents challenging situations because some people, like me, work full time. Trying to do both work and go to school full time is tiring. Nevertheless, it gives students the opportunity to reflect and discover more about themselves. School makes me a stronger per-

son every day. When I grew up in the inner city, I was always told that I could not accomplish anything. I have had so many difficulties in my life since I started attending college. Overcoming these odds has been tough, but continuing to focus on my studies gave me the opportunity to realize what matters most. A college education brings a sense of accomplishment that no one can take away, and can give students the opportunity to achieve their lifetime goals and turn dreams into reality. A completed college education looks good once it is added to a resume. A college education does that and more. Once I complete my goals of getting a higher education, I will look back and think about the challenges presented to me and how I overcame them in college.

I have been a student at Los Angeles City College since the summer of 2006 and have seen the school evolve in so many ways in regard to its curriculum, educational standards and school equipment. O n e s u c h change is the blue swimming pool. It used to be by its lonesome, next to what looked like a bungalow by the rear exit of the Chemistry Building. It looks like a small, ancient box just deep enough to be called a swimming pool, encased in a wooden gated structure. Anyone who passed by there could not help but think of the

pool as a lackluster box of water. It is not large enough for Olympic swimming, but it is not as small as the swimming pools in apartment buildings. Though it was kept clean by the kinesiology department, I could not help but call the pool structure, mediocre. During the fall of 2014, I signed up for a beginner’s swim class. I was not excited to be in the class, knowing the location of the swimming pool and the longevity of its existence in the school. I wanted something bigger and better than that. I fantasized about swimming in a university-style swimming pool; something large enough for other colleges to compete in and something with more grandeur. In simple words, something better than what was provided. To my honest surprise, this little wish was answered. An updated Kinesiology Building opened its facilities for academ-

ic use for the first time during the spring 2014 semester. Every student who desired a fancier swimming pool was given more than they had dreamed of. The new, American Red Cross-approved swimming pool is safely tucked away behind the clean locker rooms, where only a teacher may grant students access. The new pool has several new features, including a larger area, one diving board, two lifeguard chairs with swimming devices inside, three external showers and a depth that ranges from three to 12 feet. The best part of the pool’s new designs are the 90-degree angles in every corner, which allow for more accurate swimming from side to side in the heated water. Together, these features create a soothing swim experience that feeds the desire for students to dive deep and enjoy the new college pool.

OPINION & EDITORIAL

Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, December 3, 2014

College Newspaper Desires More Readers

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Collegian Media Arts Department, Chemistry 207 Los Angeles City College 855 N. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90029

Editor-in-Chief Byron Umana Bermudez Richard Martinez Graphic-Layout Editor Matthieu Sami Dahdah Front Page/ News Editor Clinton Cameron Opinion/Editorial Tomas Rodriguez Sports Editor Cheyenne Finch Art & Entertainment Editor Gloria Lee Campus Life Editor Jake Camarena Style File Editor Helen Bezikyan ILLUSTRATION BY BYRON UMANA BERMUDEZ

BY EKATERINA GARBUZOVA

M

ore students should take notice of the Collegian newspaper, the student voice of Los Angeles City College (LACC) since 1929. Many students don’t even know the name of our college newspaper. The Collegian is for students, written by students and has a circulation of 4,000 every two weeks.

The Collegian staff should find new ways to inform students. Such as incorporating giant, red signs indicating not only where we store our college newspaper, but also that the paper is free. Commercial broker Ray Galindo visited the Collegian newsroom earlier this semester. “To talk with journalists is great,” Galindo said. “The newspaper gives you a voice.” He urged the staff to develop a mobile app and to approach more business outlets for advertising. I agree with him. The team of photographers, journalists and editors from the Collegian newspaper gives people the opportunity to be heard. However, many students do not even know this 85-year-old publication

GUEST OPINION

District Policies Fail City Students in Math BY KAT AYALA

Student success is aiming failing and falling rather quickly. One of the requirements to transfer and receive an AA degree is Math. According, to the Los Angeles Community College District students must take an entrance exam in English and math. The results of this test will place students into a suitable level for both subjects. Student may end up taking math and English classes for many semesters. If a student does not pass any of the required math classes, they will have to retake the class until they pass. Retaking a class repeatedly will count against the student, because of the three strikes rule which went into effect during the summer of 2012. Many students are stuck in math classes; the most difficult math class is “Math 125, Intermediate Algebra.” Los Angeles City College offers a split version of this particular math class, “Intermediate Algebra 124a” and “124b.” This is more convenient and a bit slower than “Math 125.” Nevertheless, the difficulty of this class isn’t the subject matter, but the time it takes to go through every problem step by step to avoid mistakes. It can sometimes be confusion and overwhelming. The Pi Shoppe is available for students who enroll in “Math 100” or “Math 200” as a one-unit class for tutoring.

The Pi Shoppe does not have enough turors to help every single student. It is outrageous that there are few Math tutors in the Pi Shoppe, and so many students trying to get one-onone time. If the student cannot complete these requirements or maxes ou, they will have to take a math course in another district, not within the LACCD. This means taking classes at Santa Monica College, Glendale Community College, or Pasadena City College; diverting students from the LACCD. A major issue for LACC students is the professors. Many professors have heavy accents which makes them difficult to understand. Many have tried to remedy this by speaking to their professor during their office hours and seeking tutoring at the Pi Shoppe. The second issue is the changing of professors at the last minute without any notification. Last semester “Math 124a” was listed with a female professor, but when students came to first day of class the professor was male. Some students were confused and decided to drop the class. The Pi Shoppe also brings challenges. Many times the Pi Shoppe is overcrowded. Students have to place their name on a board if they want individual help and often many students are disappointed when the results of math tests comeback. Students are frustrated and confused, they wear out their eraser, use limitless amounts of scratch paper and batteries for their calculators. They stay up countless of hours on homework just to get a “D.” Students are giving up on school because the math here at City College is setting them up for failure.

exists. This newspaper team puts all their creative efforts and passion into eight, 10 or 12 pages. Students have to see it. They can receive so much interesting information about college events, news and free advice. LACC students will be in shock when they realize how much energy and time we spend working on the Collegian. The entire team dedicates their time on this newspaper to make it interesting and enjoyable. Our whole squad works as hard as bees in a hive, without breaks and without pay. The amount of time we spend on interviews, photos and articles are certainly worth it. We make it as lively and sophisticated as possible for readers’ enjoyment.

It takes roughly 101 times for me to rewrite an article to make it perfect. My greatest frustration is that there are not enough places to get a newspaper on campus. The college needs to allocate more of these blue storage containers, which hold the newspapers. The college needs to put them between buildings, vending machines and parking lots. If we make just this one change, the newspaper will have surely reached its target audience. LACC students, families and friends will surely read our newspaper. When I was an ESL student, I had absolutely no idea that our campus even offered a newspaper, let alone offered it for free. I realized that the newspaper cov-

ers much information about music events, students clubs and opportunities to help students with books and scholarships. I even pointed out newspaper kiosks to students who did not believe a campus newspaper circulated at LACC. I am pleading with the LACC administration to assign more storage containers to hold the college paper. If every building offered containers or kiosks with newspapers, then I am sure more students would become daily readers. As for me, I will dedicate myself to sharing, and will spread the word to make it possible for every student to read and take advantage of the Collegian, the free college newspaper.

Upholding Reputation Far More Valuable than Practicing Ethics BY AMBAR QUINTANILLA As a woman, I am a target for men on a daily basis. A target they are yearning for, an insecure woman they think will fall deep into their trap, their manhood It is an ongoing struggle, a battle of hoping to come out victorious against those who view me as vulnerable. I walk and I check my surroundings every 15 seconds. It is part of being a woman, right? Being disgustingly harassed, disrespected and dehumanized. No, it is not. It shouldn’t be. I should certainly not feel this way when I am on my way to class, or in class for that matter. During my last year and a half at Los Angeles City College, I have experienced two incidents in which I have been harassed by the ones who are supposed to educate me. In one situation, I did not receive a grade on my transcript because I rejected my professor’s dating offer. This offer was proposed in an unprofessional, immature and informal way: “I’ll do you a favor, if you do me a favor.” This implied that if I date him on the side, he would let me email a paper, rather than turn it in personally. I was scheduled to be out of town the week the assignment was due. I wrote a complaint letter to his department’s chair and in return, I got no response. I escalated the issue and pursued the administrative staff and the district board. This part of the process

was bittersweet, it was mostly bitter. The district compliance officer was attentive and empathetic on my first few visits. It was a relief, a weight lifted off my shoulders. I felt safe and secure. Shortly after, I was taken back. I was accused of playing games, of embellishment by the compliance officer herself. I was asked to comply with absurd terms requested by the professor. I was given a time limit to agree or disagree to a grade of C. If I did not respond, that grade would be granted to me regardless. According to the professor, I had several missing assignments that would justify the “C” grade. But this was simply a retaliation tactic from him. I was appalled and ready to strategically argue my case. I sent an email to both the professor and the compliance officer stating my frustration and disagreement. I scanned and attached my assignments that the professor labeled missing, with the professor’s writing and grade in red ink.I looked at the syllabus grade scale for guidance as to what my grade should be. I decoded everything: the assignments, the number of possible points and the points I received for each of them. I requested an “A” because I deserved it and I had the evidence. After three strenuous months, consisting of denial of the allegations and being told that I had unrealistic expectations, I proved the professor’s inconsistences in the case. They were finally able to resolve the matter through an informal resolution. To add to the bitterness, I was only granted a B. The time and stress I underwent influenced me to reluctantly accept the terms.

The second case was not as traumatic, but still alarming: After a night class taught by different professor from a different department, I was asked out several times for “coffee or some food.” I was overwhelmed and would spout excuses to rush out of class every evening. I was distressed mainly because I enjoyed taking his course. Rather than looking forward to class, I was now uncomfortable and uneasy. To say the least, in both situations, I came out victorious. But should I be fighting these situational battles to begin with? I’ve been conditioned to walk tall (figuratively, of course, since I am only 5’2) and ignore all demoralizing words and gestures that are reflected my way. But I wasn’t prepared to go to war against my own professors. The fact that these matters were easily swept under the rug makes me question the importance of student success and safety against the school’s reputation. Should colleges continue to allow such behavior in fear of legal repercussions? In many cases most of these problems are often never heard. These issues need to be addressed and handled properly. Failure to do this is failure to recognize the students’ perspectives and emotions. These professors are exerting their power in order to deliberately request acts from students. It is sickening. My dissatisfaction derives from the possible future victims that will suffer sexual harassment, and sadly hope they have their situation discretely managed. I am confident that I was not the first, and certainly will not be the last.

Photo Editor Jorge Ponce Online Editor Krystle Mitchell Chief Copy Editor Breanna Pemberton Copy Editor Ambar Quintanilla Multimedia Producers Dave Martin Frank Vidrio Illustrators Jaleen Wedlow Jose Tobar Photographers Andrew Pilot Curtis Sabir Reporters Jessica Brecker LynnQuinetta James Angie Rivera Olmedo Ekaterina Garbuzova Mary Clare Pace Kevin King Matthew Ali Jimmy Martinez Adviser Rhonda Guess

Deadline Schedule NEXT ISSUE: March 4, 2015 For all submissions including letters to the editor and publicity releases send materials to Collegian office: Chemistry 207 losangeles.collegian@gmail.com For all insertion orders and advertising questions. Email: pr.collegian@gmail.com

The college newspaper is published as a learning experience, offered under the college journalism instructional program. The editorial and advertising materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, are the responsibility of the student newspaper staff. Under appropriate state and federal court decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by virtue of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the Los Angeles Community College District, Los Angeles City College, or any officer or employee thereof. Collegian © 2014. No material may be reprinted without the express written permission of the Collegian.

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NEWS

Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Custodians from page 1

PHOTO COURTSEY OF NASA/JPL

NASA SENDS CURIOSITY TO MAJOR MARS MISSION BY JESSICA BRECKER John Grotzinger Is the chief scientist for the Curiosity mission to Mars. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is part of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. Last Wednesday, the Los Angeles City College Book Club invited Grotzinger to give a speech on the third floor of the Student Union Building to nearly 200 students and faculty. The presentation, “Where Life Could Thrive: What the Rover Saw on Mars,” focused on the current NASA mission to test organic compounds for the presence of elements, which shows the proper conditions for life. Curiosity is the largest of three rovers sent by the United States to Mars. “Who's got six wheels, a laser and is now on the Red Planet?” said Curiosity on her Facebook pages “Me. I'm Curiosity, aka the Mars Science Laboratory rover.” Curiosity is a robot scientist with its own traveling laboratory for processing the elements it collects. She even edits her own photos before sending them back to earth. After taking its first scoops of Martian soil, she posed for a selfie that shows the entire rover and the footprints of its wheels. Unseen is the seven-foot robotic arm holding the camera. Grotzinger’s fieldwork, which has taken him everywhere but Antarctica, requires a lot of hiking and climbing around hazardous places.

On Mars, Curiosity is rolling around on six wheels in a climate that from day to night, often fluctuates over 100 degrees Celsius. In the mid-latitudes, the average temperature could be close to -50 degrees Celsius, with a nighttime minimum of -60 degrees Celsius and a summer midday maximum of about zero degrees Celsius. “First, we just want to be able to find anything at all,” Grotzinger said. “We are going to be working our way up as the years go by, through these different layers [of Martian rock and soil].” According to Grotzinger, Curiosity has to land in the most likely place water may have gathered. He explained that the scientists picked a spot called Gayle Crater; a canyon three times the depth of Earth’s Grand Canyon. Grotzinger and his fellow scientists start with the bottom clay layers, then work up to the higher layer where the sulfates are and then up to cemented fractures, after which he says it gets dry. He showed pictures taken from NASA’s orbiting spacecraft, “The Mars Odyssey” and the “Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter,” were launched in 2001 and 2005 and are still circling the planet. He pointed out alluvial fans. He compared it to those seen when driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. “We don’t really want freaky weird places because we want to use our human experience to be able to explore a very foreign place,” Grotzinger said. “The more those foreign

lands look like home the more our experience applies.” Grotzinger continued to stress how familiar the photos looked to him. He often takes his own geology-students out to Death Valley, California, where Cal Tech has a field school. The landscape is reminiscent of Mars. He also showed photos the robot had taken of some of Mars lower foothills. “It’s going to be like walking around campus here with the little hills that make you feel cozy,” said Grotzinger, referring to the Hollywood Hills, part of the Santa Monica Mountain Range that loom over City College’s campus. The outline of the hills did look a bit similar, but the color was not green it was red. Everything on Mars is red excluding its polar ice caps. The thin air and the iron in the soil turn everything to rust. However deeper than the surface layers, that all changes. Grotzinger compared it to a book; the deeper the hole the more chapters he has available to read of the history of the planet. Finally he showed the photos of the hole Curiosity dug. Fractured rock was visible, veins running through it and grey material too. “What the veins tell you is there was fluid moving through there,” Grotzinger said, “water, bound into a mineral. What’s cool about it is that the rock looks grey, then you see the fractures, they do extend out into the rock.” The robot then shots a laser at the hole to collect information that

it can read through a spectroscope. Samples are powdered, collected and tested on board, in what is currently the most sophisticated mobile science laboratory known to man. The current hypothesis is that Earth and Mars are twins, both born about 4.5 billion years ago. Earth’s volcanoes filled its air with carbon dioxide and bacteria began to thrive in its hot springs and undersea vents. Blue and green algae formed, and began to take in the suns light and breathe out oxygen. Grotzinger and other geologists call this “The Great Oxygenation Event.” However, something different began to take place on Mars. As our planet grew green from oxygen, Mars air thinned. Its rivers evaporated or turned to ice. Comprehending atmospheric loss helps scientists to understand the history of Mars' atmosphere, climate, liquid water, and planetary habitability. Mars is in the “Goldilocks Zone,” an area within a solar system where the atmosphere is water and life capable. Last month NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft entered orbit around Mars. According to NASA, the mission’s goal is to explore the planet’s upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and interactions with the Sun and solar wind. To visit Curiosity on Facebook got to: https://www.facebook.com/MarsCuriosity

Post-its Pop up on Protected Trees BY MATTHEW ALI People on the Los Angeles City College campus are stapling flyers on to local trees, some of which are protected species in Los Angeles County. City ordinance 177404 protects the Western Sycamore (Plantanus Racemosa) and many other species of oak trees in Los Angeles. The Western Sycamore is only one of the flora that has been damaged here on campus. The condition of the campus is something that is much talked about. Some students have even taken notice of the wrongful stapling of flyers onto trees. “It just makes the whole thing look bad,” said Miguel Angel Ruiz, a foreign language major. “When people staple things on every freaking tree, it’s like, you can’t admire that anymore … It’s no different than lit-

tering on the f*#%&@#g streets.” Students are not the only ones who take issue with this. Tree stapling is a more widespread problem than you might think. In some places, stapling something to a tree is illegal. “There are two problems with puncturing a tree in this way: First, the physical damage of staples being punched into the tree's tissues causes damage to its internal system of nutrient delivery between the leaves to the roots,” wrote Mary Bakija, in an article on patch.com. “Second, the hole in the bark can cause damage from the outside, increasing the chance of some kind of pathogen getting inside and causing infection.” While the damage has been done, faculty members at LACC have taken notice. There are people on campus who are discussing, not only the issue with trees, but also the condition of the campus as a whole. “I’ve been hearing a lot of dia-

PHOTO COURTESY OF CLEM RAIGOSA

logue at meetings on campus about what the college looks like and how the college looks messy,” said Daniel Marlos, media arts department chair. “I think it’s very inappropriate to be using trees on campus as message boards.”

There are in fact bulletin boards and message boards for students, staff and advertisers to post things. Between Da Vinci Hall and the Student Union Building, there is an entire wall for posting things that might catch the eye of passers-by.

“Because, we know that when schools are not well maintained, that it impacts student learning.” Julia Rose’s experience at City College as a theater art major includes friendships with custodial staff. She speaks highly of custodian Jerold Johnson and shows concern about how the board’s decision will impact his quality of life. “While I was [at City College,] [Jerold] was nothing but supportive,” Rose said. “He would buy us pizza…It’s true that people that have the least are often those who give the most.” She feels deterred from continuing her education at City College because of the noise levels and air quality the construction causes. She challenges the board to consider the students and employees who have to deal with immediate consequences of building. “I’ve been on this campus for five years and I’m trying to get off of it because the construction is too much,” she said. “I don’t feel like we’re valued with all the construction going on…I definitely don’t feel like Jerold or our janitors are valued.” Rusty Hicks’ recent nomination as leader of the Los Angeles County Labor Federation comes days before the demonstration. It puts him in the middle of the labor dispute between the district board and their custodians. He addresses LACCD’s board for the first time as the union’s representative. ”We have the opportunity and privilege to serve 300 unions and 600,000 hard working men and women who make the county and the state run,” Hicks said. “While our work is not at the frontline, we do crucial works that keeps the campuses running.” John Noyola speaks to the board as a Trade Tech student and a member of the student body government. Noyola tells the board that his parents were both custodial workers. He says he feels embarrassed by how overworked the custodians are and by the lack of basic supplies in the bathrooms, especially after special events where more people utilize the campus. “First hand I see the late nights that [custodians] have to work and I understand the struggle that they have to go through,” Noyola said. “On my campus I see that our janitors are overworked.” Before he urges the board to consider a resolution in favor of better conditions for the workers, he makes a suggestion. “As school leader, I see a huge [amount] of money being approved for lobbyist and consultants when I think more needs to be done right here,” he said. “Just one of those big projects can put an extra custodian on each of the nine campuses.”

Trans lives matter from page 1 They continued late into the afternoon with speeches in support of transgender rights. “We send a powerful message,” said Bamby Salcedo, president of Trans-Latin@Coalition. “We are letting our society know that we are

Ferguson from page 1 Brian Seligman, a protester dressed in Marine Corps camouflage. He held a sign that read, “When did this become this?” Two smiling police officers from the 1968 show “Adam-12” were portrayed standing next to two modern police officers. The modern police officers wore helmets and black facemasks. They held assault rifles and stood brandishing weapons, ready to attack. “Those guys [in the poster] have more equipment than I had in the Marine Corps.” Seligman said. “A lot of police are really out of control. They are extremely over-armed and getting away with anything they want to do.” Protesters walked and rode bikes and skateboards. Some held cameras and cell phones and recorded and snapped photos. Several held their hands in the air and chanted, “hands up, don’t shoot.” Many people had helmets and protective goggles. Others wore patriotic headwear. Women, men and children all rallied in the streets. Protestors warned the crowd that the police formation was about to move. The police threatened to start arresting people. Young and old protesters faced the heavily armed po-

“Roberts Rules of Order” allows no feedback from the board during public comment. After nine testimonials in favor of a resolution for better working conditions, the board moves on to the next agenda item. “Thank you all for taking the time to come and speak with us,” said Scott Svonkin, president of the LACCD Board of Trustees. “ Each and every one of you. We heard you and, we will I’m sure do right by you.” On the eve that the nation waits for the outcome of Darren Wilson’s verdict in the murder of Mike Brown, City College’s Mark Toomes cleans the basement of the Chemistry Building. Rumors of LACC custodians meeting to vote on part of a proposal between the board and the union reach him. He expresses little optimism. “They ain’t try’in to do right by us.” Toomes said. “The money they’er talking about giving us is a dollar fifty. How come they can’t give us 10 percent? [The board] got the money. They just got $10 million.” Toome says he is at the top of the pay scale for custodial workers at City College. Still, with a family to support, he works a second job at MTA. “We haven’t had a pay raise in five years and the last pay raise we had was a cost of living raise, just cost of living.” Toome said. Another concern involves the cleaning of additional buildings. Clausden Hall opens soon and there is nothing on the table that allows for additional custodians. With recent reports of filthy bathrooms, bedbugs and mice in campus buildings, one of Toome’s concerns is adequate staffing. “You’re going to have a new building opening up. You’re going to have to send people to go clean that other building as a double assignment,” Toome said. “You think that building is going to get the thorough cleaning that it should as a new building?” Toome believes the Wednesday afternoon rally went well, but could have been better had there been a stronger presence of union members. He anticipates not being pleased with the negotiations outcome and wishes more custodians used their leverage to hold out for a better deal if needed. “If my union [says] ‘Let’s do something else.’ I’m with the union,” Toome said. “But you’re gonna have a lot of the people that’s gonna accept it and the people that’s gonna accept it are going to be the people that wasn’t even at the rally.” On Thanksgiving Day, the workers of City College wait for the results of the negotiations between their union and the board. Discussions continue with no results to bring back to the campus employees. For now, a final vote by the rank-and-file members of the union stalls.

not going to continue to stand on the margins. We have been marginalized for so long. They’re killing us and they don’t care, but we are here to let them know that we matter. Trans lives matter.” Her last three words replace the fading sound of the police helicopter with the crowds chant: “Trans Lives Matter.” lice lineup. They locked hands and stood in solidarity. Other members taunted the police on the front line. “Trigger man” protesters yelled. “Injustice” and “Look, it’s Darren Wilson.” Moments later, a loud “bang” startled the crowd. The police formation began to move slowly and in sync. “Clear the area now,” said officers repeatedly to the crowd from a loudspeaker. From shotguns, they fired non-lethal projectiles into the demonstration hitting one protester. She fell to ground and began to cry. “They shot me,” she said. Systematically, police marched down Pico Boulevard and shot projectiles into crowd. They threw slender metal canisters on the ground in the direction they marched. The sound of the police weapons created a cacophony. “They hit me while my back was turned,” said a protester while breathing heavily. “Just like they shot that n---a Brown.” No arrests were made. While demonstrators did have physical encounters with police, no ambulances were on the scene and no one was badly wounded. Police marched from the freeway to Union Avenue where the protest action faded. At Union Avenue, a small group of spectators stood. The police retreated slowly.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, December 3, 2014

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‘Pretty Woman’ Writer Shares Trade Secrets BY LYNNQUINETTA JAMES

DANCER FINDS MOVEMENT IN HUMANITY PHOTO BY JORGE PONCE/COLLEGIAN

Walter Barrera holds a pose from his dance piece entitled “Co-Humanity in Motion” at the Kinesiology Building on Dec. 1, 2014. He will perform his piece on Dec. 11, 2014 at the Camino Threatre.

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BY MARY CLARE PACE

alter Barrera enters the Student Union Building with a dancer’s gait and grace. His warm and wide smiles break the ice as he enters the reception area to discuss “Co-Humanity in Motion,” a new piece he choreographed that was inspired by a recent trip to Austria. Barrera is majoring in psychology with a minor in dance. Collegian: Tell me about why you began dancing. Barrera: When I was younger, I was raised in Mexico. My culture is there and I’m proud of it. My childhood was rough. Being raised in Mexico you don’t have much opportunities especially in the arts. I also went through a lot of family secrets and lies that led me to an emotional breakdown. So, I started watching videos and I learned to dance by myself. The rhythm would make me feel something. From there, [I started] creating, and creating, and creating. A simple dance would make me change my mood so easily and I started realizing [dancing] was making me happy. Dancing is a contradiction of emotions. Collegian: I like that. Dancing is a contradiction of emotions. From sadness, you manifest it into something that’s positive and happy. Barrera: Even a sad movement can be so beautiful. A simple gesture of sadness, you know, can lead you to look so beautiful and so powerful. The gestures make you feel something and they make somebody else feel something. It was healing in letting my anger go through simple movements. Collegian: When did you start learning to dance in school? Barrera: When I came to college, all I took the first semester were dance classes. You know, I didn’t know what

I wanted to do for school so I started taking dance classes here at LACC and the more I took it, the more I loved it. I wanted to learn dancing, even though I taught myself how to dance and I already had rhythm and knowledge, I had to learn technique, which was the worst. Collegian: What were some of the challenges you overcame in learning dancing in school? Barrera: You have to break yourself down to beginning. All that you knew, nope. You have to start from the bottom. And the worst part for dancing is, the minimum detail of your body counts. Every move: from your finger, to your toe, to your hair, everything. It’s not even funny. You can create a movement, but if the energy is not right, but if you don’t have the right “extension,” stretching yourself to reach to the point ... you have to understand the movement you are doing is not just your body movement but it has to come from inside your guts. Your energy has to come from the center, which is basically: you have to feel the dance. It took me a long time to feel what the professors were telling me. Like,

Now drop your hip, drop your knees.’ So dancing is basically a structure that is created out of your body. It’s not just one thing first and now you have to learn how to relax your shoulders. It’s not coming from here, but it’s coming from the back of your back. Collegian: You have an upcoming show at LACC in December. Would you like to elaborate on that and what inspired your choreography? Barrera: Well, this piece is actually inspired about what I learned in Austria, where I went this summer for a dance program. This is the thing somebody told me: to be a choreographer, I need to learn language, which is basically knowing other people’s movements and bringing that into my brain and then creating something out of that, a new vocabulary. That’s what I did. I went to Austria and learned this whole new vocabulary that had me intrigued. I learned so much that I couldn’t resist myself to not share what I learned here. I am creating an eight people dance piece and that’s a first time for me.

A SIMPLE GESTURE OF SADNESS, YOU KNOW, CAN LEAD YOU TO LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL AND SO POWERFUL. -WALTER BARRERA ‘Walter, you need to feel it from here!’ I was like, ‘how do you teach me feeling?’ It wasn’t until practice that I [started] realizing, ‘Oh, this feels weird.’ And they were like, ‘Yes! That’s exactly what I was talking about!’ And I thought, ‘Oh, I feel so weird,’ but then you get used to it. Sometimes you think you’re already on your limit of reaching and they’re like, ‘Oh, come on! Reach for it!’ And then you finally got that reaching and they’re like, ‘Now drop your shoulders!

Collegian: That’s a pretty big group. Barrera: Yes. My piece is called “Co-Humanity in Motion,” which is the transition of human being between sadness, human connection, movement around society, happiness, and power. I’m using a dancer to be a goddess. I’m also using sensuality, a human girl being sensual and men being strong, which is basically the portrayal of humanity. It’s just a mix of social emotions and awareness that’s happening around

that sadly we’re not paying attention to. At the end of the day, we connect into one. We all have different body types, we all have different ethnicities, and actually I do have a variation of ethnicities in my dance. At first I hadn’t intended to, but it made sense to me. We live in a diverse community, and we’re all different, but at the end we all come into one. And that’s the emotion, the movement of society: the movement of personal development and social development. Collegian: That’s beautiful and creative. Will you let our readers know when and where the performance will be? Barrera: On Dec. 10,, 2014 from 121:30 p.m., we have a performance in the Women’s Gym. It’s a free performance open to all students and faculty. The grand performance night will be on Dec. 11, 2014, at the Camino Theatre. The doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the performance starts at 8 p.m. The ticket is $5. Collegian: What advice will you give aspiring dancers, students who want to dance, and people that are currently studying dancing? Barrera: The only person who can limit your ability to do things in life, either dancing or anything else, is yourself. Nobody can tell you that you’re not good enough, nobody can tell you how beautiful you are, how powerful you are, but the only person who can answer those expectations is yourself. If you want to do dancing, the only way to find out is by doing it, but only you can pursue what you want to be. Sometimes when someone says you’re not good enough, maybe you’re not.But you’re learning something out of it that is going to help you with something else. At least you have the knowledge. Just because you’re not good enough for one person, doesn’t mean you’re not good enough for everybody else. That’s my advice.

“Pretty Woman” screenwriter BenHur Sepehr shared his latest film and offered advice to aspiring Los Angeles City College screenwriters last Monday. “Temporary Arrangement,” was the working title for the light-hearted feature many know as “Pretty Woman,” as students learned in Charles Domokos’ “Introduction to Screenwriting” class. Over the course of three years, Sepehr says he rewrote 35 versions of “Temporary Arrangement.” He failed to copyright every version. As a result, his script ended up in the hands of others. “The total amount of revenue made from the films that were stolen from me equals about $2 billion,” Sepehr said. According to Sepehr, screenwriters should copyright every piece of work even each revision. He says to prevent stolen scripts, copyright everything. Sepehr showed the class his latest film, “The Desperate.”It won 33 awards and was nominated for another 25, according to an article by Kimberly Durett on Independent Film Quarterly’s website. The film’s story details how enemies might be the only allies in a time of need, and prejudices should no longer

exist. Dr. Martin Luther King heard the story about the movie’s real life scenario. Sepehr says he remembers like it was yesterday when King urged him to make a film about it. He says he feels like he owed it to King to make “The Desperate.” Sepehr spent around 40 in the movie business. He says he believes in making films that are close to the heart. “Open up your heart and let your mind be active,” Sepehr said. “Tell stories that are close to your heart.” Also a screenwriter, Domokos says he makes his students do the work of a screenwriter. He trains them and expects two complete scripts by the end of the semester. “Filmmaker Ben Hur’s discussion of how he came to make the film after meeting the repentant SS Officer was very poignant, and showed the depth of emotional commitment needed by a storyteller to make an outstanding film,” Domokos said. Successful filmmakers graced the halls of LACC in years past. The cinema program taught filmmakers like Albert Hughes. Sepehr advised students not to follow others. He says students should be and express themselves as screenwriters.

BOOK PARTY CLOSES GAP BETWEEN STUDENTS, FACULTY

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BY GLORIA LEE

or the first time, Los Angeles City College hosted a party at the Student Union to celebrate the published work of some of its notable professors on Nov. 20, 2014. The event recognized Sam Eisenstein for “The Inner Garden,” Christine Gengaro for “Listening to Stanley Kubric” and Daniel Marlos for “The Curious World of Bugs.” Many of the attendees were LACC staff, but students of the professors also attended the event. “My professor is Sam Eisenstein and I have English 102 with him. He’s a very interesting teacher and I just wanted to know what his book was all about,” marketing major Jeffrey Paredes said. “He’s very down-to-earth and very interested in writing and getting people interested in writing.” Eisenstein teaches English on campus. He has published multiple books in his lifetime. Gengaro teaches voice, music theory and music appreciation in the music department. She said that the book originally began as a dissertation on the original score from the film “A Clockwork Orange,” directed by Stanley Kubric. Gengaro made a book proposal and caught the attention of Scarecrow Press. What began as a dissertation on one film by Kubric, became a comprehensive book on all of his works. “This book took two years to write and I went to London and Paris and Laramie, Wyoming and locally to archives around L.A. to write this book,” Gengaro said. “It was one of the best experiences of my life. It has probably the most comprehensive discussion on

the music in ‘The Shining’ that exists anymore. I think it’s the kind of book that even a person who isn’t heavily into music could really enjoy. I wrote it so that it was easy to understand and accessible.” Currently, she is working on two other books. Daniel Marlos is the chair of media arts at LACC. He also teaches “Fundamentals of Portraiture,” “Elementary Photography,” “Printing Color Negatives,” “Advanced Color Technology” and “Specialty Fields.” Marlos blogs daily. On his website, www.whatsthatbug.com, he helps readers identify insects they encounter. A blog reader who happened to be an editor for a publishing company was interested in having his work published in book format. The company paid him an advance. He woke up at 4 a.m. every morning and wrote the bulk of “The Curious World of Bugs” in six weeks. “I think that there’s a certain rigor to writing,” Marlos said. “I write every day. No one’s forcing me.” Professors read excerpts from their published books and took the time tell the backstory behind publishing a book. Signed copies of the books were given away to lucky attendees who had the same birthday month as the authors. For some students, the event provided a way for them to connect with professors outside of a classroom setting. “I got to meet three very interesting authors and all three are unique and amazing,” said photography major Yudy Hernandez.

HAVE AN OPINION? A STORY IDEA? WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

CONTACT: rmartinez.collegian@gmail.com 323.953.4000 ext. 2831

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CONNECT BLOGS

Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Changes to the Fourth Amendment May Be On the Way BY CORY REINHARDT According to The Washington Post, a Supreme Court case titled Heien vs. North Carolina may soon bring changes to the Fourth Amendment. In 2009, Nicholas Heien was pulled over by a North Carolina police officer for having a broken tail light. When police asked Heien, the car’s owner, if he would consent to a search, Heien agreed. Eventually the search would lead to the discovery of a bag containing cocaine. The Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and requires any warrant to be supported by probable cause. By the end of this case, it is possible that the Fourth Amendment will also include “reasonable mistakes of law.”

If that were to happen, it would greatly extend the powers of police officers everywhere. Who knows what kind of clever ignorance a corrupt officer could come up with to stop and search someone? The interesting thing about this case is that North Carolina traffic law does not prohibit driving with a single broken taillight. Thus, technically the officer never had a reason to pull Heien over. Many people, me included, think that for this reason alone the court should dismiss the case and suppress the evidence. It would be easy to say that there has been a “reasonable mistake in the law,” and that the officer was acting in "good faith.” Therefore, the search and seizure is justified. However, every citizen outside of law enforcement is expected to know and abide by the law, and ignorance is never an acceptable excuse. It would seem that the fair thing would be for the police to know to know and abide by the law. Also, be held accountable for their actions against the law, the same as citizens.

Searching and Seizing KYLE BLAYLOCK When one of the articles in the Bill of Rights comes into the Supreme Court’s crosshairs it tend to be either the First Amendment, our free speech, or the Fourth Amendment, our right to privacy. The fourth amendment was written in a time long before the invention of cars, so during the 20th century a huge grey area was added to the fold. We as citizens of the United States are often subject to experiments of judgment from police officers. So often they walk the line into violation. Heien vs. North Carolina we find another chapter in the battle of searchers versus the searched. Officers have neither a real right, nor usually a good reason to begin searching on a minor traffic stop violation. You can put two people next to each other and ask yourself who the bigger criminal is: The guy with a bag of weed or the guy who searches through belongings without authority? Many stipulations in the laws of North Carolina are based on “reasonable judgment.” Police actively seek the opportunity to overstep the boundaries to either fill quotas or seize assets. Of course, what’s reasonable is an opinion, one that’s abstractly measured. When we

have moments of authority being enforced by way of someone’s judgment, errors like these often occur. Members of the high court are not all on the same page about the laws either. Justice Sonia Sotomeyor pressed the North Carolina police force wondering how many brake light checks lead to car searches, and if that is something that needs to be encouraged.. We can go on Youtube or something similar and watch tutorials on how to communicate with the police to avoid a violation of rights. The police however are unpredictable, and the reasons why we have protest are not always clear. Police many times don’t know the laws; Heien’s tail light was not even defective to an unlawful extent, which is the most alarming aspect of the whole affair. It begs the question as to how many people have been victims on a small scale. Having your car searched is incredibly embarrassing. I once had my car searched without good authority in North Carolina. You just kind of stand there and watch people watching you. I was speeding down the road in a big hurry and was pulled over in what I learned was a speed trap. I was pulled over while three cops searched my car and messed my seats up. There was no reason to search and as a young naïve teenager, I did not know how to react. I guess my black passenger gave them the idea. They found nothing and I received my ticket.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS BY DARCELL HOOVER Sgt. Matt Darisse of Surry County N.C., was observing routine traffic on Interstate 77, when he noticed a Ford Escort slowly approaching a slower vehicle. When the car applied its brakes, the sergeant noticed the rear brake light did not illuminate, so he pulled the driver over. According to the Washington On the morning of April 29, 2009 Post, Maynor Vasquez was driving the car. The police officer informed Vasquez that he was being stopped “for a non functioning brake light.” Darisse issued a citation for the brake light and asked Vasquez and also Heien—the passenger in the car—where they were going. They both gave conflicting stories, which made the sergeant suspicious. He then asked Vasquez if he could search the car. Vasquez informed him that the car belonged to Heien and he would need to get Heien’s permission. Heien consented to the search. According to Mtairynews.com, the search lasted for 40 minutes. Darisse found a sandwich bag full of cocaine. He arrested them both and charged them with trafficking cocaine. Heien tried to have the evidence suppressed, alleging it was an illegal seizure in violation of the Fourth Amendment. In North Carolina, only one of the two brake lights must function, so Heien argued the search was unreasonable. In my opinion, the seizure was unreasonable because the officer never should have pulled Vasquez over. North Carolina state law clearly states that both brake lights should be out for a police officer to make a legal stop. Yes, the two men broke the law, but the police officer did not follow the law either. Who is to say that Darisse did not stop Vasquez because he was Hispanic and appeared suspicious? The sergeant is the only one who knows his mindset at the time of the stop. Regardless of how stupid Heien may seem to have let the car be searched knowing he had drugs, he may not have known he had a right to refuse the search. We become more and more of a police state when a cop can just pick a reason to pull you over, and potentially intimidate you into a search.

Love: All We Need

BY KERSTIN KALLREN

The Supreme Court’s decided it will not review same-sex marriage cases from states seeking to keep their bans, and that has led to the states of Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Vi r g i n i a and Wisconsin immediately allowing same sex marriage. The decision was welcomed and celebrated in five states where the possibility to get married suddenly became reality, and many gay couples went to fill out their marriage licenses. Six more states, including Colorado and Wyoming could face the same outcome. More than 30 out of the 50 states would permit same-sex marriage in 2014. I applaud this, but with some hesitation. This is not the victory I along with other gay rights activists would have hoped for. While marriage equality supporters in these specific states celebrated their newfound rights – with every right to do so – millions of people in states scattered over the country are still facing regulations and bans against their basic human rights. These people are still waiting for equality. I along with other activists would welcome a ruling in favor of all the people who want to marry someone of the same sex. The entire debate on whether same-sex marriage should be legalized or not is outrageous. To me, there is nothing harmful, wrong, or illegal with wanting to marry the person you love, same sex or not. It is not a threat to the human species, nor is it a disease that you need to cure. Those are pure facts. Come on America, let us put an end to this nonsense. I read about conservative groups who feel that the people living in these states have been overruled: Their voices have been silenced. They say their rights have been taken away, because they already voted against gay marriage. What about the right to be who you are? What about the right to love whomever you want? What about the very fundamental right to make your own choices and be free? Of course, people have the right to their own opinion, but when that opinion transforms into law, which marginalizes and oppresses other human beings, it is no longer an opinion, but it is discrimination.

Let Love Rule BY ANDE RICHARDS All Americans should have the right to marry whomever they love, whether they are of the same sex or not. Decades ago, our country constantly debated the legality of interracial marriage. The fact that our society debated the legitimacy of same sex marriage will be something that we will look back on in disbelief. We will ask ourselves why was this even an issue? Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it would not hear new appeals regarding same sex marriage. This means the court is listening to the growing number of Americans who support marriage equality. According to Robert P. Jones in an article for “The Atlantic,” support for marriage equality has risen from 2003-2013. This is evidenced in the fact that that 33 states have granted marriage rights to people of the same sex. Before same sex marriage was

cause for controversy, many people faced obstacles to marriage. For example, prisoners had no right to marry and employers were legally entitled to refuse to hire married women or fire women who marry after getting the job. However, in 1967 the Supreme Court invalidated anti-miscegenation laws, and in 1987 the court ruled that prisoners could not be denied marriage rights. Once it became against the law to prevent prisoners, interracial couples, flight attendants and even female teachers from marrying, gays and lesbians could then make a valid case for the right to marry. Once people get married, they sign a contract to spend their lives with their loved ones. The marriage contract also allows people to legally include their loved ones in life or death decisions. The contract will give married gay and lesbian couples the same standing as mixed gender couples, according them the same respectability and stature. As citizens of this great country, we should take one more step toward equality and justice for all. We espouse these sentiments, so let’s walk the talk, legalize same sex marriage in our nation, and let love rule.

Love Knows No Bounds: Supreme Court Paves Way for LGBT Marriages BY MARY PACE CLARE LGBT communities in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin rejoiced as couples raced to tie the knot after the United States Supreme Court refused to hear cases concerning same-sex marriage. Hours later, the momentum traveled from west coast to east. On Oct. 9, 2014, Kimberly Pi e rc e a l l reported for the Huffington Post about the joy of couples who are finally able to share their union with the world.

One happy story happened in Las Vegas, NV, where Theo Small stood next to his partner, Antioco Carillo. “It’s amazing,” said Small who is one of the first to receive a marriage license in Nevada. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision is an amazing movement toward legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States. This year’s decision is a milestone achievement since the state of Vermont legalized same-sex unions in 2000. Today, 30 U.S. states allow same-sex marriage. Even if the U.S. Supreme Court delayed the overall decision to legalize same-sex marriage in every state, it is wrong to ignore the voice of the people. This leads the country toward a brighter future, a path more important than any court’s ruling.

SCOTUS: HIGH COURT MULLS PRIVACY, LOVE

CAMPUS LIFE

Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, November 5, 2014

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Employees, Students Choke on Construction Fumes Students and employees at Los Angeles City College are often greeted by strong “tar” smells in the morning. The smell often lingers long after lunchtime.

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BY JESSICA BRECKER

oxious “tar” smells and smoke have become a regular occurrence at Los Angeles City College in recent weeks. The smell usually wafts up from the Holmes Hall construction site on the south side of the Quad, and can be detected as far north as the Communications Building. It is particularly overpowering near the west entrance of Da Vinci Hall. On Monday, Nov. 24, John DuBard, a cinema and television major alerted the Collegian to the presence of the smoke and fumes emanating from Holmes Hall. “I was on my way to the Student Union and I noticed a thick mass of smoke engulfing the whole area near the Administration Building at the new construction [site],” DuBard said. “What it was, was asphalt or tar, and they’re doing that in the middle of the day. This is around 12 or 1 p.m.” DuBard said he found this troubling because he believes the fumes could cause cancer. “It’s cancer-causing and the level of it was so high that not only myself but other people were coughing,” DuBard said. He said he eventually went to investigate the location of the fumes, and found they had moved to the food court area at the west entrance of Da Vinci Hall. DuBard led the Collegian to the location. From the top floor of the Student Union Building, at least half a dozen construction workers in orange vests and hard hats mopped thick globs of a gooey, black tar-like substance and laid down asphalt roof-

ing panels. The smoke was thick and wafted over the workers’ faces, who wore no facemasks. Asphalt is a black, sticky material that comes from crude oil. It’s used in paving, roofing, waterproofing, and some glues.

“IT’S CANCER-CAUSING AND THE LEVEL OF IT WAS SO HIGH THAT NOT ONLY MYSELF BUT OTHER PEOPLE WERE COUGHING.” -JOHN DUBARD According to California Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) website, more than half a million workers are exposed to fumes from asphalt when working in road paving, roofing and concrete work. Exposure to asphalt or its fumes can result in a headache, skin rash, sensitization, fatigue, reduced appetite, throat and eye irritation, cough, and skin cancer, according to OSHA. The workers on the roof of Holmes Hall wore long sleeves and gloves.

“IT’S ACTUALLY GIVING ME A MASSIVE HEADACHE. IT’S PRETTY DISGUSTING.” -MARY RA The tarry smell reached as far north as the food truck in front of the Communication Building and it grew stronger, becoming nearly overpowering in the confined food

PHOTO BY JESSICA BRECKER/COLLEGIAN

Holmes Hall on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014. court where students and employees tried to enjoy their meals. “I was just asking another student here if the smell was bothering them; she didn’t say anything, but it is pretty strong,” said Kevin Anderson, a custodian for operations on campus who happened to be taking a break at one of the lunch tables

FACULTY, STAFF ENJOY ‘DAY IN ITALY’

KRYSTLE MITCHELL

Students from Los Angeles City College prepared a “Day In Italy” with Italian dishes. Students were given a chance to prepare tables and cook appetizing dishes for the administrative staff ’s annual potluck on Nov. 25. A host at the door collected an $8 donation and helped assign the guests to their tables and seats. Cooks ran around making sure the dishes were ready to be served. Two private tables were set up in the back for LACCs VIP staff and the center held a large table for 20 seats that sat the rest of the hardworking staff members. Two student servers assisted the chef as she and her staff put the final

touches on the Italian-themed meal. “I’ve been to Europe and I love Italian food,” said chef Nori Reyes. “I wanted to do something and share the Italian food with other people.” The menu presented an array of dishes and dessert. The menu included Italian salad made of romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, croutons and parmesan cheese tossed with Italian dressing. Pasta bolognese made of fettuccini, ground beef, marinara sauce and freshly-grated Parmesan cheese served with garlic bread made from scratch. Dessert included a “berry fool” that was made from cream cheese, sour cream, graham crackers and berries. The drinks were coffee, tea, Italian soda and sparkling lemonade.

“We’re excited about serving today, a little bit nervous, we’re serving and set up the table,” said dietetic service supervisors Alicia Beta and Mariana Garcia. LACC faculty and staff members waited eagerly to be seated. The aroma from the ingredients filled the Cub Café. The chef stood by to introduce the food once everyone was seated. “The administrative staff decided to have the dietician students prepare the potluck this year to try something different from their usual buffet style,” said Janice Young a registered dietician. The feast helps the students complete their semester assignment of preparing a meal with a theme for 75 guests.

in front of Da Vinci Hall. “I don’t know if it’s toxic or anything, no, but it sure is [strong].” Nearby, two young women sat at another table reading textbooks. “It’s actually giving me a massive headache,” said Mary Ra, a psychology major. “It’s pretty disgusting.” Ra then asked her friend seated

beside her if she smelled it too. Victoria Castro who is undecided on her major, didn’t seem bothered by the smell. “I think I’m used to it,” Castro said. “When I first get here, before my music class, yeah, I smell it.” DuBard says he has notified City College’s administration and even

KTLA News, because the situation calls for action. “That’s an enclosed area and it was so thick that people were coughing,” DuBard said. “I was coughing … and I felt really sad for a little young girl who was accompanying her mom, and you can actually smell it right now.”

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Forensics Students Grabbed Attention in Local Competition BY EKATERINA GARBUZOVA

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ith a new coach this semester, Los Angeles City College’s speech team talked their way to the winner’s podium in various local debates and are currently preparing for the regional championships on Dec. 7. Assistant professor of communication studies Mei-Ling Hsieh dived into her first semester at LACC as the director of forensics. She says her mission is to help all of her students achieve their best. Philosophy major Julia Rose and communications major Kennon Theus are winning members of the LACC speech team. Rose, who spoke about vaginal plastic surgery placed second in a local speech competition at Pasadena City College. Theus placed third in the Robert Barbera Invitational held at Mount San Antonio College. He spoke about underprivileged ethnicities. He says this topic covers the controversial issues with minorities targeted by police. “We felt like this was the best material because a lot of people’s materials at the competition were jokes and funny things,” Theus said. “I covered a serious topic, especially considering

all the things that are happening in the world today.” After taking a speech class with Hsieh, Rose decided to join the team. Rose, with the help of Hsieh used a documentary to put together her 10-minute speech entitled “Dramatic Oral Interpretation.” “This is my first time,” Rose said. “I feel good, honestly … There are a total of four coaches and there are three types of speech,” Rose said. Rose had an unusual topic for her speech. She performed using quotes from doctors who performed vaginal plastic surgery on different patients. “My background was that [the number of surgeries was] growing,” Rose said. “It used to be women who were 30-50 getting the surgery, but now women within 16-28 are getting a surgery. Mostly it’s to make it tighter, to look younger, to look like younger girls.” Rose also spoke about the side effects of vaginal surgery. According to Rose, some of these girls said they look like “Frankenstein.” “Everything is about presentation,” Rose said. “It’s a performance more than anything else.” Competitions rules are strict. Rose starts with an introduction, where she holds up the book for her speech.

After her proper introduction she can start to speak. “It is like a theatre,” Hsieh said. “There is sort of an element of acting, but it’s more on the communications studies side. It’s more focused on the argument and structure and what you are saying.” Hsieh knows both sides of the competitions, because she used to compete as a student. Theus says she is a great teacher. “She is really disciplined and she knows what she wants,” Theus said. “She is going to push you to get what ever you want, but you have to work hard.” Rose agrees with Theus. She says she is very honest and humble. “There is no way I would have got in to where I was without her,” Rose said. “I think that she is just a really good coach.” Debate coach Les Belikian helps prepare students for regional championship this month. At least 30 schools will take part in the three-day December competition at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut. The speech presentations are an allday event. The event is split into three different categories: speech, interpretation and limited preparation.

Make sure you’re on track to transfer on time, with the Los Angeles City College and CSUDH Pathways to Success Enrollment Partnership. Get advice on the right courses to take, simplify the transfer process and take the next step toward your CSUDH degree. CSUDH will be visiting your campus soon. For upcoming dates and to learn more, visit:

CSUDH.EDU/CCPartnershipsVisits.

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CSU Dominguez Hills | (310) 243-3422 | 1000 E. Victoria Street | Carson, CA 90747

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SCHOLARSHIPS

Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, December 3, 2014

SCHOLARSHIPS INFORMATION COMPLIED BY AMBAR QUINTANILLA Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway Award: Up to $100,000 Eligibility: Applicants must write an essay about what they dream of achieving. Applicants must be 18 and over. Finalist gets $100,000 tuition at a college football championship game. Top 5 voted finalists get $5,000. Deadline: Oct. 20, 2014 for $100,000 prize Jan. 12, 2015 for $5,000 leaderboard Visit: http://www.drpeppertuition.com/program-details Wells Fargo’s CollegeSTEPS Sweepstakes Award: $1,000 Eligibility: To enter, students need to sign up with Wells Fargo to receive college planning and money management information. Once the student signs up, they will be automatically entered in the CollegeSTEPS sweepstakes. There’s no purchase required and there will only be four drawings of 40 prizes each in 2015. Deadline: Aug. 13, 2015 Visit: https://www.wellsfargo.com/student/sweepstakes/ Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Award: $1,000 Eligibility: Applicants must be a member of Phi Theta Kappa and be enrolled in a community college. 200 scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded based on applications. Deadline - May 15, 2015 Visit: https://www.ptk.org/become-a-member/scholarships/leaders-of-promise $2,000 No Essay College Scholarship Award: $2,000 Eligibility: This scholarship is open to all students. The scholarship awards winners monthly. All one must do is apply through their online page. The monthly winner will be determined by random drawing and then contacted directly and announced in Niche’s e-newsletter and on the Scholarship winners page Deadline: Dec. 31, 2014 Visit: https://colleges.niche.com/scholarship/apply.aspx Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Spouses Cheerios Brand Health Initiative Scholarship Award: $2,500 Eligibility: The Congressional Black Caucus Spouses “Cheerios Brand Health Initiative” scholarship is available to minority college students pursuing a degree in medicine, engineering, technology, nutrition or other health related professions. Deadline: Feb. 28, 2015 Visit: http://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/scholarships/congressional-black-caucus-spouses-cheerios-brand-health-initiative-scholarship. php 10 Words or Less Scholarship Award: $500 Eligibility: Open to anyone from the ages of 14 to 25 who will be attending school in fall of 2015. Must go to www.facebook.com/myscholarships. There will be an area entitled “10 Words or Less Scholarship.” Applicant must write in the comment section, in ten words or less, about why they deserve the award. After answering, the applicant should “like” the page. Only responses from those who “like” the page will be read. Deadline: Jan. 31, 2015 Visit: http://www.studentscholarships.org/easy.php Media Plan Case Competition Award: $5,000-$10,000 Eligibility: The Media Plan Case Competition is for talented undergraduates from across the country that brings the finalists to Washington, D.C. for a week of networking and out-of-the-classroom educational opportunities with organizations such as Google, POLITICO, CNN and The Wall Street Journal. The top finishers also take home a portion of $10,000 in scholarship awards. Deadline: Feb. 11, 2015 Visit: http://mediascholars.org/case-competition/

Odenza Marketing Group Volunteer Award Award: $500 Eligibility: Candidates must be between the ages of 16 and 22 before the deadline. Entrants must maintained a 2.5 GPA and have volunteered at least 50 hours in the last 12 months. Must be a resident and attend a school within the U.S. or Canada. Deadline: Dec. 30, 2014 Visit: http://odenzamarketinggroupvolunteeraward.com/awards/8/eligibility_odenza_marketing_group_volunteer_award.php Compass Mortgage Group Scholarship Award: $500 Eligibility: To apply, applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 24 and have at least one full year of post-secondary studies remaining with a GPA of 2.75 or higher. To apply, submit a 750-word essay answering the following question: “If you could choose anywhere in the world to buy a house, where would you choose and why?” Deadline: Dec. 30, 2014 Visit: http://www.mortgagebrokersrichmond.com/richmond_mortgage_ brokers.php Hispanic Scholarship Fund Award: Up to $1,500 Eligibility: To apply, applicants must apply for FAFSA, and be a community college or undergraduate student. Must be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident with a permanent resident card or valid passport, or be granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status. Must have plans to enroll full time at a two- or four-year U.S. accredited institution in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Guam in the upcoming academic year. Must be pursuing first undergraduate degree Deadline: March 30, 2015 Visit: http://hsf.net/en/scholarships/programs/ Penny Arcade Scholarship Award: $10,000 Eligibility: Applicant must be a full-time student attending an accredited college or university in the United States during the 2013-2014 academic school year. Must have the intention to enter the game industry in some capacity and have a GPA of 3.3 and above. Deadline: July 31, 2015 Visit: http://penny-arcade.com/scholarship Soroptomist Women’s Opportunity Award: Varies from $3,000-$10,000 Eligibility: Applicants must be a woman who provides primary financial support for her dependents and be in financial need. Applicant cannot be a prior recipient. Must be enrolled in a skills program or an undergraduate degree. Deadline: Nov. 15, 2015 Visit: http://www.soroptimist.org/awards/live-your-dream-awards.html Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Award: $2,500-$15,000 Eligibility: Applicants must be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity. Be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States. They must be enrolling as an undergraduate student in a U.S. accredited college or university in the Fall of 2015. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 or have earned a GED. Applicants must apply for federal financial aid using FAFSA and included one letter of recommendation. Deadline: Jan. 9, 2015 Visit: http://www.apiasf.org/scholarship_apiasf.html AXA Achievement Scholarship in Association with U.S. News & World Report Award: $10,000 Eligibility: Students interested in applying for this scholarship must demonstrate achievements outside the classroom. Applicant must be a United States citizen, a high school senior and plan to attend a two- or four-year college. Students should also display ambition, drive and leadership qualities through their outside achievements. Winners will be announced spring 2015. Deadline: Dec. 15, 2014 Visit: https://us.axa.com/axa-foundation/AXA-achievement-scholarship. html

ESA Foundation Scholarship Program Award:$ 3,000 Eligibility: Applicants must be female or members of a minority group pursing a career in computer or video gram design. Applicants should be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at a four-year college or university in the United States. Students interested in filling an application must maintain a grade point average of 2.75 or above and be a U.S. citizen. Deadline: May 15, 2015 Visit: http://www.esafoundation.org/scholarship.asp Goya Scholarship Award: $5,000 Eligibility: Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Must be obtaining first undergraduate degree. Must be a child of a Goya employee, broker, or independent driver with at least one-year employment. Parent must remain employed and in good standing for duration of child’s participation in Goya program. Recipients must complete 10 hours of community service per month, Deadline: Feb. 15, 2015 Visit: http://www.goya.com/english/scholarship.html Epic Book Drive Scholarship Award: $1,000 Eligibility: To apply, applicants must run a book drive in their school or community and send the books to Better World Books (free of charge). The books will be donated or sold to raise funds for New Orleans’ Recovery School District libraries. You must also post pictures and explain why your book drive is epic to be considered for this award. Deadline: May 18, 2015 Visit: http://www.dosomething .org/epic The Gates Millenium Scholarship Award: Varies Eligibility: Applicants can be African-American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic American with a minimum GPA of 3.3. The scholarship program promotes academic excellence and encourages students to pursue and complete an undergradate education in all disciplines. Scholars wil get support in a variety of ways including personal, leadership and professional development opportunities, networking and mentorships opportunities, as well as finacial support. Deadline: Jan. 14, 2015 Visit: https://hsf.net/en/scholarships/programs/the-gates-scholarship/ United States Hispanic Leadership Institute Award: $1,000 Eligibility: Applicants musth have a 2.0 GPA and be a U.S. citizen. To apply, submit a 500-word essay on how Denny’s can imact childhood hunger. There will be five college scholarships each comprising of $1,000. Deadline: April 30, 2015 Visit: https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=GDC98WaUUIsZ35fUq-uoDQ#2 Beinecke Scholarship PRogram Award: $32,000 Eligibility: The Beinecke Scholarship Program is open to juniors who are currently majoring in the arts, humanities or social sciences and plan to attend graduate school. Students must demonstrate superior standards of intelelctual ability, scholastic schievement and personal promise to be considered for this award. Applicant must also be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national and ahve a documented history of financial need. Deadline: Feb. 20, 2015 Visit: https://fdnweb.org/beinecke/ HACU National Intership Program Award: $470-1,000 Eligibility: These paid internships provide opportunites for students from institutions with significant numbers of Hispanic students to explore potential careers with federal agencies, and private corporations. Interns will work in the Washington, D.C. area and field sites throughout the country. Some of these internships require U.S. citizenship to participate. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and have completed their freshman year of college. Deadline: Feb. 27, 2015 Visit: https://www.hacu.net/hacu/HNIP.asp

F i n a l s

S c h e d u l e

SPORTS

Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Post-Game Brawl Ends Victor Valley Bowl Hopes BY CHEYENNE FINCH

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ictor Valley College (VVC) concluded its regular season undefeated on Nov. 15, 2014. After San Diego Mesa College (SDMC) faced defeat with a final score of 21-13, the two teams came to blows. Ranking No. 1 in the Southern California Division poll, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that this team would be receiving an invitation from the California Community College Athletic Association to play in the Bowl. It seems that all went downhill after their last game against San Diego Mesa College. According to the Daily Press, Victor Valley football coach David Hoover said that postgame, SDMC provoked VVC. The referees made no attempts to step in and get involved in the brawl. Hoover said the fight started when an SDMC player punched a VVC player and his teammates came to his defense. “We had an almost flawless season,” said athletic director for Victor Valley College, Jaye Tashima, in an interview with the Dai-

ly Press, “with none of our kids being ejected or disciplined. We don’t want this one negative action to overshadow what our team accomplished. We’re No. 1 in the entire state — don’t take that away from our kids.” The team earned its first American Mountain League title. The team has not held any title since the 1970s—a big accomplishment for the school. However, it is truly sad to see the season end for Victor Valley like this. After all of their hard work and discipline, it was confirmed that they are suspended from postseason and will not be playing in the Bowl. Head coach David Hoover’s last words of the season can be found on the Victor Valley College football website. “I think we proved this year that we are a [top-ranked] junior college football program, going 10-0 and winning the American Mountain Conference Championship,” Hoover said. “I would like to … thank every person that made this season so special, players, parents, administrators, professors and the community as a whole.”

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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DAILY BRUIN/KATIE MEYERS

UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Eddie Vanderoes saeks USC Trojans quaterback Cody Kessler in the third quarter.

BRUINS, TROJANS BATTLE FOR VICTORY BY CHEYENNE FINCH The University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Southern California are famous for their rivalry. Once again Los Angeles was divided between red and blue on Nov. 22, 2014, as many fans got to witness these two teams go head to head at UCLA’s home football stadium, the Rose Bowl. Since 1929, the UCLA Bruins and the USC Trojans have been

fighting in their annual football game. UCLA has won 31 of these games and USC has won 44, with only seven ties. This battle has raged on for 85 years and has created traditions for both schools. Every year before this game UCLA invites its students to a pre-game bonfire. Everyone there is welcome to burn a red T-shirt and get a free, blue Bruins shirt in return. Saying this major event caused school spirit to spread across L.A. would

SPORTS BIN: CUBS MISSING LINK BY JORGE PONCE As Peter Griffin from “Family Guy” says, “You know what really grinds my gears?” For me, it is when the school you attend builds a field for sports, but does not have a sports program. Sports have gone missing at Los Angeles City College since 2009. This “field” is a waste of money. A new gym was constructed, yet the school doesn’t even have a bas-

ketball team. LACC should have several sports teams by now. It is disappointing to see that other colleges within the district have programs and sports teams. LACC has not had a football team for decades, long before my enrollment back in 2007. East Los Angeles City College has a football team and an entire lineup of sports programs. When sports programs were canceled in 2009, most athletes

be an understatement. As the game progressed, UCLA did not let up and USC fans were clearly not pleased with their team’s performance. USC’s defense needed more aggression. UCLA’s offense was so slick that there was no problem running straight into the end zone. For a moment, the Trojans were able to tie the score. That was until the Bruins swooped in for an interception, causing a nice set up for a third touchdown.

In the end, UCLA took its third win in a row against USC, with a final score of 38-20. They had become the PAC-12 South favorite team after their victory, but unfortunately could not hold up against Stanford. Now that the two teams football season has come to an end, fans prepare for upcoming sports, and patiently wait to see who will win the crosstown battle in 2015.

went to other colleges to finish their education and to play sports. LACC had been a great place for sports, especially basketball. The school has 26 basketball conference championships and two state championships. But since sports ceased to exist at LACC, we have become a laughing stock at other colleges. It makes me wonder how different the LACC experience would be if we still had sports teams. The college could have won more championships, and attracted and trained more athletes. I might have

even joined a team. Although that may be the past, what can LACC do to uplift school spirit? Maybe students should organize a fundraiser to collect enough money to try and bring sports teams back to the college. Maybe the college doesn’t have a big enough budget for it, but students want intramural sports Time will tell, but for the many students who are missing that authentic college experience, LACC should do the smart thing and bring sports back once again.

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STYLE FILE

Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, December 3, 2014

STYLE ON CAMPUS COMPILED BY HELEN BEZIKYAN

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lekyan Anush AMajor Art

a’Tis the Season for Dark Lipstick BY HELEN BEZIKYAN Get ready to rock some easy, breezy and beautiful lips this season. There are many daring hits and misses when attempting to rock dark lips, and winter is the best opportunity. Here are some pointers to help succeed with this bold and vampy look: 1. Prep Before you do anything, prep your lips. This is crucial for the perfect dark lip look. Start by giving your lips a gentle scrub with a lip exfoliant. You can purchase one from any beauty store or you can use ingredients from your pantry and make your own exfoliant. You only need to combine sugar, olive oil and honey. Then, just rub your lips with the mixture to scrub off any dead skin. Finally, apply a lip balm or moisturizer. 2. Bare Face When wearing dark lipstick, it is important to have a bare face and minimal eye makeup. This is because the lips are supposed to make a statement. The lips should attract all the attention; therefore, it is highly recommended to keep the cheeks and

eyes simple. 3. Best Shade The most difficult part of wearing dark lips is finding the right shade. This is determined by the size of your lips and tone of your skin. Not everyone can pull off every color. Darker lips are more flattering on darker skin tones. In the end, the only way you will find out which color works best for you is by experimenting with different lipsticks. 4. Lip Liner Once you have picked your lipstick shade, you should also pick a lip pencil in a matching shade. The purpose of the lip pencil is to give the lipstick something to “stick” to so it will last longer on your lips. Lip liner also ensures that the dark color does not bleed from the perimeter of your lips. Line and fill in your lips first. This will give the illusion of fuller, plumper lips. 5. Application Finally, apply the lipstick. One of the most effective ways to apply dark

Beauty Hacks

COMPILED BY HELEN BEZIKYAN

For every makeup or beauty issue, there are ways to tackle them. If there is a will, then there is a way to achieve a look without having any problems throughout the process or in the aftermath. Here are some beauty hacks and tips on how to overcome certain issues:

1.

Oily Face

The T-zone can be a problem for many, especially when wearing a full face of makeup. To control shine, you can do a few things. The first is to pat on translucent powder where oiliness occurs. This will lock in the makeup while leaving a nice matte finish. However, if your skin tends to get oily throughout the day, oil control blotting sheets are a must. Gently pat a sheet over your face to absorb

any oil that has surfaced onto the skin.

2.

Teary Eyes

Old mascara is one of the main causes of teary eyes. It expires faster than any other cosmetic product. Mascara should be changed every three months. Remember, the older the mascara, the clumpier it gets.

3.

Palma Danielr Major T heate

Creased Lids

Oily, creased eyelids are one of the easiest beauty mishaps to solve. To get rid of oily lids, simply apply on a trustworthy eye shadow primer. A top of the line primer is the Urban Decay Primer Potion, the price can vary from $8 to $20. For a more affordable alternative, you can purchase the e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer for $3. Dab on

PHOTOS BY ANDREW PILOT /COLLEGIAN

Winter Add-Ons lipstick is with a lip brush. Using a brush helps with shaping your lips more precisely. 6. Finishing Touches After applying the lipstick, blot your lips with a tissue so it lasts longer. To clean up the look, apply a little concealer around your lips. This will define the edges and bring your dark lipstick to the next level. Do not add any gloss because it can cause bleeding of color. There is nothing better than a matte finish when rocking dark lipstick in the fall. 7. Beyond Bold If you are unsure about the completely bold lip color from the start, there is another option. A great alternative to jumping into the vampy dark lipstick look is experimenting with lip stains. Trying on tinted lip stains in dark berry colors with an appealing, velvety finish can help you warm up to the idea of wearing a darker lip. Wearing dark lipstick can be hard to pull off, but with confidence, anything is possible.

a small amount and blend it with your finger all over your eyelids.

4.

Dry Lips

5.

Taming Flyaways

BY HELEN BEZIKYAN Crimson red, cranberry, teal, orchid, honey mustard, blood orange, cobalt, royal blue, peach and pale pink. What do all these colors have in common? They make up the 2014

2. A Sweater Outfit There are a couple ways to go about creating a sweater outfit. Try pairing a knitted sweater with a feminine skirt. You can also match up your sweater with a pair of jeans or leggings.

5. Hats Complete your outfit with this head-crowning accessory. Beanies and knitted berets are cute and comfortable. Hats with graphics have

winter color palette. Fashion designers who launched their winter clothing collections during this season’s Fashion Week set the standards. Color palettes aside, here are some specific fashion trends and pieces that help achieve the winter look:

3. Boots Whether they are combat or kneehigh leather, boots keep your feet nice and warm and add a hint of edgy style. Wear boots to edge up a simple outfit of a top and skinny jeans.

a street-style, edgy look for a more urban feel while embroidered or bejewled hats give off a more girly and classic tone.

1. A Statement Coat A coat is the easiest way to wear

4. Chunky Scarves The chilly weather of the season has sneaked upon us and it’s time to invest in scarves. Chunky k n i t s c ar ve s w i l l definitely keep you cozy a n d warm. C h i c textured scarves can boost any plain look. No matter which way you choose to wrap your scarf, it will always work.

A few hours after applying lipstick, lips can become dry. You can overcome this is by moisturizing your lips with a balm moments before applying the lipstick.

Whether you use a flat iron or a blow dryer, applying heat to your hair can produce unwanted strays. To tame flyaways, try using hair wax. If you can’t get a hold of some wax, your next best option is an oil-based hair serum. If you don’t have either or they don’t seem to help tame the static of your hair, the next best product is hand cream. No matter what product you choose, warm it up in the palms of your hands first, and then gently smooth on a small amount.

your favorite prints, such as plaid or stripes. By throwing this eye-catching piece over the simplest getup, you have an effortless winter outfit. PHOTOS BY ANDREW PILOT/COLLEGIAN

6. Jewelry No matter what route you choose to go in with standout fashion pieces, you can never go wrong with a little bit of bling. Accessorize with

a simple necklace, a shiny watch or studded earrings. These trinkets can turn a totally plain outfit around. Choosing between gold and silver can be difficult, so if you can’t make up your mind, you can always mix and match.