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Collegian L.A. FOOTBALL CLUB SCORES FIRST WIN, WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE LEAGUE? SEE PAGE 8
los angeles
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 Volume 180 Number 2
The Voice of Los Angeles City College Since 1929
star Watch
photo by felICIa v. gaddIs/CollegIan
Over 450 middle and high school students show up for the Annual Math Competition at Los Angeles City College’s Student Union on Saturday, March 3, 2018. Students who sat for the test answered 10 challenging math problems.
students find sums in saturday math event By FeliCia v. gaDDiS
photo Courtesy of bob freeMan, hollywood walK of faMe/hollywood ChaMber of CoMMerCe
Mark Hamill is flanked by “Star Wars” creator George Lucas and co-star Harrison Ford as he receives his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, March 8, 2018. Hamill studied Theatre Arts at Los Angeles City College and went on to appear in several television series and films, but is best know for his character Luke Skywalker in the “Star Wars” franchise.
Counselors Promise Better Service By Sahara velaSQuez People attend college for different reasons. Some go to college because they don’t have the money to pay for a four-year institution, others just want to get their associates degree, or a certificate in a specific field. Students at Los Angeles City College may enlist the help of counselors to guide them in selecting the classes they need to achieve their goals, but scheduling time with a counselor can be incredibly hard. In order to make an appointment students are instructed to log on to the school’s website Mondays at 8 a.m. In many instances, students bypass the online option and go directly to the Student Services Building. However, the lines there are long and they give up because they have classes to attend. Cassandra Aguiniga is a theater major who has had negative experiences in her First Year Experience (FYE) with counselors. “When I was in FYE, we went into counseling as a group with other FYE’s,” she said. “The information they gave was more generalized. They didn’t tell me what I needed for my major. While tak-
ing class, that’s how I figured out what I needed to do for my major. But, basically I shot in the dark to figure out what I needed to do.” In the student led Facebook group, “Too Broke to Afford Books (Whaddup LACC?),” students say they have had better experiences with counselors, Cisco Aguilar is one of them. He is a nutritional science major and says he was pleased with his counseling sessions. “I have only seen one counselor and he’s worked out great with advice and placement with classes,” he said. “I finished on time as the order he picked was awesome. I see the counselor once per regular semester.” Aguilar says that when he needs to schedule an appointment he makes sure to set an early alarm for a Monday morning so he can get in with a counselor. “I feel like the counselors do an effective job of letting people know what classes they need to take to satisfy the transfer requirements for their major,” says aerospace engineering major Steven Diermissen. “I find that the counselors try to push you to take more classes to complete the requirements faster. The downside to this would be a delay in transfer and an im-
pact on your GPA if you fail or drop the class.” Luisa Cortez-Ortiz is the new counseling department chair. She is aware of issues that students occasionally encounter with counselors, so she has provided advice for students to have a better experience. “We have recently made a few changes to provide access to students who want to make an appointment. We now offer students the ability to make appointments on Mondays at 8 a.m., online and in person, and on online on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. This is a change from our Monday only appointments at 8 a.m.” She also says that the department has noticed that many students make thirty minute appointments to complete tasks that can be taken care of during their express counseling hours. In those cases, the front office staff will refer and sign up students for express counseling, which is available from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sessions last five to 10 minutes. These sessions aim to help with class registration, change of home campus, major and educational goal, transfer planning, and prerequisite clearance, among others.
“The Counseling Department is also encouraging students that are part of specialized programs; CalWORKs, EOP&S, Guardian Scholars, OSS, etc. to make counseling appointments in those areas since there are counselors available in those areas as well,” she said. As for students who have been misinformed about what classes they need to take to transfer, Cortez-Ortiz advises students to use assist.org because it has the most current information on transfer requirements. She also advises students to contact the school of their choice and to meet with a campus representative at the transfer center to be better informed about the transfer process. “The Counseling Department is also currently developing our current practices, and we are creating solutions to remedy counseling access for LACC students,” she said. “We are being very intentional about planning as we revamp our counseling services. We are aware of the challenges students have had in the past. We are working closely with ASG and student advocates to ensure that as we are making changes we first and foremost maintain student feedback and consider their needs first.”
Middle and high school students solved problems—math problems during the Annual Math Competition hosted by Los Angeles City College on March 3, 2018. It was a fun way to challenge and reward students who participated with a certificate or a cash award. The four students with the highest scores received cash prizes. First Place won $500, Second Place won $300, Third place won $200, and Fourth Place received a $100 cash award. However, each student received a certificate just for participating. Los Angeles City College associate professor of Mathematics Vin Lee opened the competition with a warm welcome for the students. “This year, 450 middle and high school students registered,” Vin said. “Not everyone who registers sits for the exam.” Vin says 297 students sat for the test this year. The exam consists of 10 challenging problems and most are word problems. The test required a deep understanding of algebra and geometry, and educators designed it to challenge students in different ways. Each question was worth 10 points, for a total of 100 points. Professor Naeemah Payne is math faculty and a mathletics coach who came to LACC in 2002. “I work with a team to dismantle questions and get them prepared for grading,” Payne said. “This competition is a mental Olympics for students, mentally very challenging.” Jared Cano, an 11th grader from Fairfax High School entered the math competition for extra credit for his math class and because he enjoys math. “It’s hard,” Cano said. “That’s what I like about it. It’s very difficult.”
INDEX
Cano sees himself pursuing a math-related career in the future. The high school student says he would consider attending L.A. City College. Enoc Garza and Daniel Flores are 9th and 10th graders from Alliance Gertz-Ressler High School. They entered the math competition because they just love math. “My teacher, she like talked about it a lot and I like math and she told me to come,” Garza said. Flores sees himself as a programmer. “We have our homeroom,” Flores said. “It’s a programming base, so we take programs that are already made and adapt them to do small projects.” This includes turning an LCD display into a thermometer. Ultimately, Daniel wants to be an inventor. Norma Marshall, Hannah Abikzer, Logan Conner, Zoe Carlow and Matthew Kahsay, all Juniors at the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES), congregated at a table after the competition. They discussed the test and proudly displayed their certificates. The students explained the reasons they participated in the competition. They all gave the same answer: “extra credit.” Some in the group say they intend to pursue careers in mathematics. Abikzer wants to work in “bio engineering.” “I don’t know exactly which career yet, but I like math,” Marshall said. Professor Lee looked as though it had been a long morning, but he still looked excited. He shared his feelings about this year’s turnout. “This was the best one we’ve had and the biggest,” he said. “We utilized the entire Student Union. Every year we have more parents and teachers involved. I’m very happy.”
Opinion & Editorial
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Campus Life
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News
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Arts & Entertainment
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Sports
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Opinion & editorial
Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Illustration by Natalia Zepeda/Collegian
Editorial
Loaded Gun Discussions
Backfire
Yes. Guns again. We continue the discussion. One of the many criticisms of the gun control debate is the inevitable cycle that we’ve seen before. The story is familiar. An unspeakable crime results in a devastating loss of life, which is followed by spirited finger pointing. Images of traumatized survivors. A call for legislation from talking heads on cable news. Then, nothing. The outrage simmers before ultimately sputtering out when the next hot-button topic surfaces. So yes, we continue. But have we been having a discussion? Have we actually engaged and listened to what the other participant says? Or, are we more interested in pushing our own opinion? The past two weeks have provided a plethora of fireworks on social media and television and proven that many are guilty of the latter. In the end, this poisons the well. The discussion becomes tainted. Yes, what we believe matters. We believe it for a reason. But on a college campus, we should think beyond
Gun Control is Not the Problem, How We Treat Each Other Is By Sarah Carpenter We are almost finished with our second month into the new year and there have been 17 gun-related incidents at schools across the nation. Whenever these instances occur, we scream for gun control. But is that really the solution to the problem? Gun ownership is culturally embedded in America. One of the reasons it is so hard to pass legislation that requires tougher background checks, is that it will contradict privacy laws. We have these laws so our sensitive information, such as medical records, remain confidential and private.
Instead of focusing on tougher background checks for gun ownership, we should shift that focus on how our children interact with each other at school. According to the American Society for the Positive Care of Children, 28 percent of students between the ages of 12 and 18 have said they have been bullied at school. Every day, there are estimated 160,000 students who choose not to go to school because they have been bullied. Of those 160,000 students surveyed, many of them cited fear of injury as to why they chose not to go to school. This is important to look at because those who do resort to causing violence among their peers, such as the Columbine shooters in 1999, targeted students who had bullied them. When we allow this type of bullying behavior to occur in our schools, we increase the likelihood of a school shooting to occur.
Instead of focusing on tougher gun legislation, let’s focus on improving the learning environment we provide our students, so they do not have to feel the threat of being bullied. Let’s de-stigmatize mental health issues so students can get the help they need without the fear of being an outcast. Focusing on tougher gun laws is essentially putting a Band-Aid over the issue. It does not fix the problem for the simple fact that you do not need a gun to inflict violence on others. The Boston Marathon bombers were able to kill three, maim 16 and injure hundreds more with homemade bombs made from pressure cookers. If we are ever going to put an end to school shootings, we need to work from the bottom up and start holding school bullies accountable for the emotional damage they inflict on their peers.
our own personal bias. Otherwise, what’s the point? First, we should vet the facts and know when we’re being led by sensationalized click bait. No, there haven’t been 18 school shootings this year. USA Today, Vox, The Washington Post and other credible news outlets have debunked this. Discern the news you consume. If the goal of dialogue is to push forward ideas that present a solution, we should agree on a common platform. Let’s assume the responsibility to research. Form your opinions based on your moral convictions and principles, but push yourself to consider the opposition. Shouldn’t we want to be exposed to a variation of ideas? That makes our own arguments stronger! Second, can we stop accusing each other of not caring about the victims? It’s not the best tactic to win people over. The conversation is dead before it begins if we insist one side is complicit because they disagree with our solutions. Instead, accept that everyone shares the unbearable grief over fellow stu-
dents dying. If we can grant each other this civility, discussions would go miles farther. Understand that we have more in common than we think. No one is pro-mass shootings, except mass shooters. Lastly, let’s do the dirty work and learn about guns. So that we can have legitimacy behind our opinions, we must know the terminology. Could you explain the difference between semi and fully automatic? Who is familiar with the process of buying a firearm or the background checks that occur? Certainly not me, but how could that inform our position if we knew for sure? From former Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes: “The ultimate good desired is better reached by free trade in ideas – that the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market.” So yes, let’s sharpen each other’s thoughts with new ideas. Let’s be bold, be civil. Let’s continue the discussion.
Evidence-Based Research Curbing Gun Violence? Matthew Jones For scientists viewing any death as “senseless” or “accidental,” takes away from their understanding of how to prevent t h o s e deaths in the long run. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that between 1975 and 2009 366,000 lives were saved as a result of research that was scientific and evidence-based in its approach, according to the Washington Post. That research was funded by the federal government in the mid-1970’s. Cars were not banned and rights were not taken away. The
federal government did however invest billions into the research, which resulted in the many safety features you see in cars today such as seat belts, air bags, and helmets for motorcyclists. Scientists used an evidence-based approach to solving the issue of traffic deaths and the result was positive. From 1986 to 1996 U.S. Centers for Disease Control researched gun violence and the study found that residents in homes that had a firearm had a 2.7-fold greater risk of homicide and a 4.8-fold greater risk of suicide. This research pressed the National Rifle Association (NRA) to block future funding of government research into firearm related deaths. With an amendment added to an appropriations bill in 1996 later called the Dickey amendment was pushed by the NRA, the CDC’s budget of $2.6 million to research gun violence was cut.
This was the NRA’s answer to the CDC’s findings. The cut hindered U.S. scientists from being able to answer basic questions such as: “What works to prevent firearm injuries? Does limiting access to ammunition help? Will a ban on assault weapons reduce gun violence? How do you effectively restrict access to firearms for those with serious mental illness?” We simply do not know. Since the Dickey amendment passed there has been no publicly funded research done on firearm deaths. From 1999-2015 there were a total of 198,760 gun homicides in the U.S. (gun-control. procon.org) and with the recent events in Florida the people are looking for answers. If the government spent billions in funding research to stop gun-related fatalities like they did to reduce motor vehicle deaths would the results be similar? How about we find that answer together.
Email the editors: losangeles.collegian@gmail.com
OpiniOn & editOrial
COMPILED BY Thomas Chavira PHOTOS BY Kilmer Salinas
NESTOR ALVARADO Nursing Major
What do you think college campuses can do to minimize school shootings?
“The number one thing campuses can do is have more security. [And] promote the awareness of cyberbullying. Bullying incites action. That’s one of the causes of shootings.”
Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, March 14, 2018
JOSEPHINE HARDWELL Psychology Major “Our school needs to examine all the shootings that have taken place and see what we [should] change. We really need to have metal detectors. And then talk to our students ... We need to heighten our awareness.”
ASHLEY MEJIA Sociology Major
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FRANKLIN AVILA Sociology Major
“More awareness of our surroundings. Definitely gates. If you really think about it, our safety is really important ... We never really think about it as much as we should. We just go about our day.”
“Airport type security. When you know trying to get in with a gun is harder, you’d rather not do it. More gated universities. I think a metal detector at a door would definitely help too.”
Ink Style: A VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT
IllustratIon by JuventIno velasQueZ/CollegIan
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REPORTERS Arlene Alfaro, Alejandro Argueta, Chris Argueta, Clinton Cameron, Sarah Carpenter, Thomas Chavira, Thandiszwe Chimurenga, Melissa Crumby, Tessa Flores, Felicia Gaddis, Joseph Jambor, Jasmine Jernigan, Angel Johnson, Naomi Johnson, Matthew Jones, Eve Moreno Luz, Dave Martin, Trissean McDonald, Marlon Moreno, Mynor Peralta, Kilmer Salinas, Sahara Velasquez
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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
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Campus Life
Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, March 14, 2018
City Creates Safe Spaces for Students By Melissa Crumby Vice President of Finance Daniel Shurr, talks about diversity and safe spaces for LGBT and minority students. He also discusses important events that are coming up on campus and offers advice. Collegian: What is your name and what is your current position in the Associated Student Government (ASG)? Shurr: My name is Danny Shurr and I am the vice president of finance. Collegian: What are you majoring in and how long have you attended this college? Shurr: I have been here for four full semesters so that’s two years. I am finishing my pre-requisites to apply to the nursing program. Collegian: What made you decide to become a part of ASG? Shurr: I was in class with a student who was in it. This was about a year ago. She kind of told me what it was like, what they did. I feel like being a part of something bigger than me helps me be able to help other people. I get to do things that impact student’s lives. It makes me a better student because I’m here and I stay focused. I like to be able to see how we can work as a team to really be the voice of the students here. Collegian: What are you hoping to bring awareness to on this campus?
Shurr: Right now, the fact that we don’t have a cafeteria and we are working hard to get one. Our food options are pretty limited. You have to leave campus to get more of a variety. Our current food is mediocre at best and it’s not centrally located. The student union building was designed to have a cafeteria. There’s actually a cafeteria built in this building. There’s a fully functioning kitchen. We need just need a little more money to finish it, which we should have. Starting this Thursday and every Thursday from now on ASG is giving out free food to students in the afternoons. This shows the faculty we’re serious and that we do need a cafeteria. Something else would be an environmental issue. Our campus doesn’t really recycle. I think it is really important to have LGBT awareness on campus. We now have a gender diversity multi-cultural center located in the Administration Building. It’s fairly new and opened up about two weeks ago. It has a lot of study rooms and it is a safe space for multi-cultural folks. We are also a big supporter of DACA. Collegian: What are some of your favorite things about this campus? Shurr: The diversity. It’s kind of nice for me as a middle-aged Caucasian guy to walk into a class and be a minority. That doesn’t happen a lot and it’s nice that our
campus really empowers that. Our campus seems to be progressive when it comes to LGBT issues also. We’re working a lot harder to be culturally diverse. We had our first Black History Month events in a long time, which was super great. The event was created by our Senator of Equity and Diversity, James Ingram, and our programming board director, Jamere Calhoun, and a few other people. Collegian: Do you have any goals for this semester, or some advice you would like to give students? Shurr: My goal for this semester is just to finish strong. I kind of have senioritis. I’m 43 so coming back as an older student has had a lot of different challenges. I think one of the things I learned pretty early on was the more I speak to my professors and the more I speak to my classmates the more successful I am in that class. Talk to your teachers, make friends in your classes. It’s easier to hold yourself accountable if you have other people that are holding you accountable. Collegian: Are there any events coming up that you’d like students to know about? Shurr: Yes. March 16 is the last day to choose a club. The thing that makes this campus so rich is the fact that there are so many clubs. Theresa, who is our vice president of clubs, works really hard to make sure that all the clubs are advertised and supported. We have a women’s day event coming up also an LGBT event in May.
There’s an App for that: SIS Mobile
3. apply for a scholarship
African-American studies at Los Angeles City College provides a rich education in the history and culture of African-Americans. A skills certificate is offered to students who take 15 units in required courses. Nine of those credits must be in African-American studies.
Course options:
sCholarship requirements:
Afro AM 4 - The African-American in the History of the United States I
•
Applicant must have a 3.0 GPA
Afro AM 5 - The African-American in the History of the United States II
•
Total units completed should not exceed 90
Afro AM 7 - African-Americans and the Political System
•
Plan to transfer to a four-year university or college
Afro AM 20 - African-American Literature I
the moon, Collins, ealy sCholarship
Afro AM 60 (same as Music 135) African-American Music Anth 102 - Human Ways of Life (Cultural)
Professors Henry Ealy and Mattie Moon created this scholarship in honor of Elmer Moon, Nina Collins and Janis Ealy.
history 73 - Race and Racism in the United States
It is for students who have completed at least nine units of African-American studies offered by the social sciences department.
sociology 11 - Race and Ethnic Relations in the United States
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” - Malcolm X
By Marlon Moreno In an attempt to make students’ lives easier this semester, the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) has launched a new phone app for the Student Information System (SIS). Students will be able to do everything from the SIS app without having to access the LACCD portal page online. Among the tasks available are adding classes and viewing GPA and grades. But fees will need to be paid on the website. However, all of these will be possible once the app works properly. The app itself is available on the Google Play Store and the iOS App Store, however the functionality of the app may vary. Students with newer android phones won’t be able to use it, because it is not compatible with Android 8.1.0 Oreo.
1. study african-american history 2. earn a skills Certificate
Photo courtesy of Los Angeles City College
The app has connectivity issues as well. Over Wi-Fi or mobile network, server errors are common. And whenever the system is down at school don’t even bother, the app will be useless as well. But the app’s biggest shortcoming is the number of students who are not aware of its existence. The Google Play Store has barely 5,000 downloads and the App Store has 17 reviews of which only one is written and it simply reads “It doesn’t load at all!!!” On a district-wide email last year, Dr. Ryan Cornner, the vice
chancellor apologized for the technical difficulties that students and faculty might have encountered when SIS first launched online. “We would like to apologize for the delays you have incurred as a result of the technical difficulties with our new SIS,” he said. Dr. Ryan also said that the technical issues were resolved and he encouraged students and faculty to use the system. Hopefully, none of the past issues translate to the app and any current issues will be resolved promptly.
Chocolate Taste Test : Chic vs. Cheap
What you need to know What is EOP&S: The mission of the Extended Opportunity Programs & Services is to assist students challenged by language, economic, and educational disadvantage and to facilitate the successful completion of their academic goals.
What is Care: The Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education provide assistance for EOP&S single parents pursuing their education goals under the TANF/ CalWORKs program.
What is Next Up: Next Up provides a broad, expansive array of core and “above and beyond” services for students who are current/former foster youth.
All these services are offered for free to qualifying students: • • • •
Priority Registration Academic, Career and Personal Counseling Book Vouchers University Transfer Assistance
• • • • •
University & Cultural Fieldtrips University Application Fee Waivers Individualized Tutoring Cap & Gown for Graduation Educational Workshops
Stop by our office to fill out an application to see if you qualify for our services.
Photo by Ande Richards/Collegian
Do students know the difference between 99 cent and high-end chocolate treats? Collegian reporters put students taste buds to the test. See results on Collegian Wired’s YouTube and Facebook profiles.
Contact us for more information: Office: Student Services Building 3rd floor Phone: (323) 953-4000 ext. 2300 www.lacitycollege.edu/services/eops
Campus life
Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, March 14, 2018
flu season hits hard
storytellinG students find couraGe
B
By aleJanDro argueta enjamin Katz studies television and cinema production at Los Angeles City College. He is about to deliver a deep personal story in front of an audience of 30 fellow students, gathered from various colleges around the city. His storytelling is made possible by the acclaimed podcast, “The Moth,” which stages storytelling events across the nation, joining audiences and eager storytellers from far and wide. LACC and “The Moth” are fellow grantees who received sponsorship from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), an organization of journalists that provide financial support for educational and cultural non-profit organizations. Together they used the funding to host the student workshop. Sharing a story publically wasn’t always possible for Katz. Years of crippling anxiety and Zoloft prescriptions preceded his courageous display. His heartwarming story revolves around the furry and very much alive Christmas present he received from his sister. To Katz’s surprise, it was a puppy named Zoe, not the Nintendo Wii he expected. “Hey Ben, look! This is gonna cure your anxiety, I read this whole article about it,” his sister said. Katz’ delivery of his sister’s show-stopping quote is received with uproarious laughter. Hanna Campbell, “The Moth”’ college coordinator, looks like a woman in charge as she marches down the hallway, stopping only to explain the workshop’s itinerary. “We watched an example story,” she said. We talked to them about our story structure. We then broke up into small groups. Everyone had a chance to workshop one story and get feedback on it.” Cal Arts photography major, Sasha Douglas was nominated for the workshop by her college. She sees beauty in experiencing her peer’s stories. “There’s something really nice about hearing other people’s stories,” she said. “Even though they go through things
By JaSMine Jernigan In years past, the flu epidemic has been bad, but not as detrimental as it has been this year. Between Oct. 1, 2017 and Feb. 3, 2018, the weekly percentage of outpatient visits to healthcare providers complaining of influenza-like illness ranged from 1.3 percent to 7.7 percent, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website. College students may be more prone to contracting the flu virus, because of shared communal spaces like restrooms, classrooms and study labs. Students at LACC can go to the Health and Wellness Center located in the Student Services Building for help in combating the flu. “Students can come in and as long as they have paid their health service fee and can provide proof, they can get a free flu vaccination, and the first 200 shots will be free,” said Alma Hernandez, an administrative assistant. Students can also go to the Health and Wellness Center to get complimentary face mask for extra protection. Students that have children face the challenge of taking care of a sick child while not getting sick themselves as they keep up with their schoolwork. “The flu has struck my household like the black plague,” said LaTanya Sanders, a 32-year-old child development major. “I have an autistic son, who can’t express himself and there was no warning. He woke up with a fever one morning, that’s when I knew it was the flu. Seven of the eleven kids in my son’s class were absent.” People are encouraged by health professionals to get the flu vaccination, to prevent the spread of the influenza virus. Some prefer to opt out. “We did not get the shot and have no intention of getting one for the next season,” Sanders said. “It’s poison. We prefer the natural remedies instead.” The flu season is coming to an end, but the CDC website suggests that people continue to cover their mouths when they cough, and to wash their hands frequently, and to stay home from work or school if flu symptoms are present.
that are really different, there’s always a shared universality.” After the small group session, a show coordinator randomly selects three names from a hat. The chosen people will deliver their stories in front of an audience of students. Anthony Flores, a graduate from Mount San Antonio Community College, is the final student to have his name drawn. He paints a rough picture of his home city, Bowdoin Park. Friends of his have been shot to death. His motivation to leave the city and escape a somber fate is palpable. As the only child of a single mother he’s set a goal. “After I graduate from college, I will buy her a washing machine,” he said.
“THERE’S SOMETHING REALLY NICE ABOUT HEARING OTHER PEOPLE’S STORIES. EVEN THOUGH THEY GO THROUGH THINGS THAT ARE REALLY DIFFERENT, THERE’S ALWAYS A SHARED UNIVERSALITY.” -SASHA DOUGLAS, CAL ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY MAJOR Telling his story ignites his fire. With newfound inspiration, he is certain he can work through the overwhelming college application process, and fulfill his dream to attend a prestigious university. His story ends with a reveal. “I haven’t bought my mom a washing machine, but we did get Wi-Fi yesterday,” he said. Cheers from the audience support Flores’ story of hope and prosperity, bringing “The Moth” student workshop to a meaningful close. The 30 students exit with beaming smiles. They leave with the power to wield their personal histories with pride.
Scan the QR code TO VISIT OUR MULTIMEDIA BLOG FEATURING COVERAGE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND BEYOND or visit: collegianwired.tumblr.com
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photos by erIKa alManZa/CollegIan
“Moth” college coordinator, Hanna Campbell, visits the City campus to host storytelling workshops on Monday, March 7. LACC and “The Moth” are co-recipients of a sponsorship from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
Moth stories are true, as remembered by the storyteller and always told live. Listen to the latest episode of “The Moth Radio Hour,” “Moth Podcast,” or dip into our library of stories going back to 1997. Visit themoth.org.
Veterans’ Club Spice Up Student Union By Sahara velaSQuez Lured by the promise of inexpensive tacos, students waited in line to purchase their meal – two tacos and a drink for $3 - outside the Student Union Building on Tuesday, March 6. According to LACC Veterans Club President Douglas Steen, this is the first time they have put on an event like this. “This event is to raise money to start funding for an annuity for endowment with the foundation,” he said. “It’s a long-term funding project.” Communications major, Elizabeth Schwartz participated in Taco Tuesday. “I saw a sign that they were starting Taco Tuesday to help raise money for the Veterans’ Club, so I
came to check it out,” she said. Steen says his mission with the Veterans’ Club is to integrate veterans into the community and into the civilian life. The Veterans’ Club meets Thursdays from 9-10 a.m. in the Cub Room in the Student Union. The club also offers physical fitness training and sporting events on the soccer field on Fridays, which is open to the public. For more information about the Veterans’ Club, email veteransaffairs@lacitycollege.edu. The Veterans’ Club welcomes members from all military branches and includes veterans, active-duty soldiers, reservists, National Guard, ROTC, spouses and dependents of service men and women who currently attend LACC.
U-Pass Saves Students Money By anDe riCharDS Metro has launched a Universal College Student Transit Pass (U-Pass.) This reduced-fare transit pass offers students unlimited rides on Metro’s rail and bus lines and is designed to streamline the process of purchasing college student discount transit passes. The U-Pass upgrades existing student ID cards to a transit pass by using a sticker with smart-chip. The U-Pass is available to all undergraduate students carrying six or more units, and is valid from Feb. 5 to June 17, 2018. The cost for a 20-week U-Pass is $192.50, more than half off the regular fee. Students at LACC can purchase the U-Pass by following these steps: •
Bring a proof of registration to the Welcome Center in the Student Services Building and get a Cub ID Card.
•
Complete the Metro Survey at http://lacitycollege.edu/u-pass.
•
Bring proof of the Metro Survey to the LACC Cub Store cashier in the Student Union t0 purchase a U-Pass sticker.
For more information, call (323) 953-4000 ext. 2142.
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neWs
Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Search for New President Triggers Student Needs By teSSa FloreS
photo by erIKa alManZa/CollegIan
East Hollywood residents and legislators gather in a town hall meeting to discuss State Bill 827 in the Camino Theater at Los Angeles City College on Saturday, March 3, 2018. SB 827 is intended to relieve the housing shortage by attacking local zoning regulations that allow single family units on properties near public transportation.
Town Hall Meeting Brings Housing Battle To LACC By Joe JaMBor East side residents and legislators met in a heated Town Hall meeting at the Camino Theatre to discuss a highly controversial State Bill aimed at easing the housing crisis. The discussion panel, led by State Assembly-member Laura Friedman worked to keep the discussion positive as the mostly full auditorium was erupted into applause and sporadic boos and hisses of locals and activists. The bill’s sponsors say that changing zoning laws to build bigger and taller apartments in high-transit areas will help relieve the shortage of housing in California. Its critics say that it will take
away control from local governments and worsen gentrification. At the heart of the debate lies Senate Bill 827, sponsored by Democratic state Senator Scott Weiner of San Francisco. SB 827 is intended to relieve the housing shortage by attacking local zoning regulations that allow single family units on properties near public transportation. A state law that overrides local zoning would allow developers to build bigger and taller apartment complexes. More apartments would in turn bring down rents that are currently skyrocketing due to a limited supply. The panel, consisting of Weiner, Friedman and UCLA Professor Michael Manville spent the much
NEWS BRIEFS COMPILED BY TRISSEAN MCDonalD
Flash Your Card to Save Students are can receive 20 percent off purchases when they show their school ID at Cafe 50’s. The 1950s era diner is famous for their hamburgers and milkshakes. El Pollo Loco Is another option for students. The restaurant offers a 10 percent discount to students who present their IDs when they purchase a meal. Both eateries are located across the street from the school on Vermont avenue.
Enjoy Paris, Earn Foreign Language Credits Study in abroad and earn credit for school. Students of the French language have the opportunity to study French and immerse themselves in the culture of Paris. For more information visit the depart-
ment’s next meeting on April 10, in the Administration Building, Room 320 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and ask for Professor Francine Rozenkopf. The trip to Paris is scheduled for the entire month of July.
Riding Away In an Ambulance After becoming ill at a bus stop located on the Southside of the 4400 block of Lockwood Ave., a woman was taken away by an ambulance on March 6 at 11 a.m. The cause of illness is unknown.
Does Emmy Thing Go? “Emmy Thing Goes” is a new production by the LACC television department. It is set to premiere in the late spring, or early summer this year. For more information, contact Professor Dylan Shields at Dylan.sheilds@gmail.com, or visit the HFPA Center Cinema and Television Building.
police Wire COMPILED BY ALEJanDro argueta • • •
1/30/18, 10:00 p.m. – In the life sciences building an act of vandalism occurred. 2/14/18, between 7:30 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. – In parking lot #3 a petty theft occurred 2/21/18, 5:40 p.m. – In parking lot #3 someone took a joyride in a campus cart.
• • •
2/22/18, 9:25 a.m. – On the Main Quad someone lost their purse. 3/1/18, 11:40 a.m. – On the Main Quad walkway someone tripped and fell. 3/1/18 - 5:30 p.m. – In front of the Student Union building a petty theft occurred.
of their time outlining the current dysfunction in the zoning laws. SB 827, they argue, will be a large step forward. An opposing view was provided by Cynthia Strathmann, Executive Director of community group Strategic Actions for a Just Economy. “We asked for an ambulance” she said “You’ve given us a bulldozer.” The bill’s opponents agreed with Strathmann, saying that the bill is a gift from the Senator to developers. “We have so many high level luxury developers coming in, building luxury houses, said Ileana Wachtel of The Coalition to Preserve L.A. “This bill does nothing to guarantee affordable housing.” The opponents want legislators
to instead focus their efforts on strengthening legal protections for tenants who are already vulnerable to rising rents and exploitation from landlords. Their opposition came in sporadic waves through the two-hour long meeting, cries of “lies” and “gentrification” that were met with steady opposition by Assembly-member Friedman and Senator Weiner. The disagreement highlights the contentious problems surrounding the issue of housing in California. Whether or not people like it, the lawmakers said, California needs more housing. “You can hiss,” Assembly-member Laura Friedman said to the rowdy crowd. “We are still going to try to do the bill.”
asG to provide hot lunches, campus Waits for cafeteria By angel JohnSon Members of the Associated Student Government (ASG) have been fighting for a cafeteria on campus since 2015. Last September, the ASG met to create a cafeteria resolution, which was presented to the Board of Trustees on Dec. 11, 2017. On February 23, the LACCD had an Implementation Update Meeting. The main priority for LACC was to upgrade the student food court at an estimated cost of $520,000. According to Facilities Planning Committee member Barbara Vasquez, there are plans for a food court opening no later than Spring 2019. Interim President Mary Gallagher says there are plans for a cafeteria to open on campus.
“We’re working with Pacific Dining right now to get the area prepped so that they can start serving hot food in the Student Union,” she said. “We will have something available for students after spring break.” Starting this month, ASG will give free food to students in the Student Union Building every Thursday. The money for these meals was raised by the ASG to supply students with a hot meal since the school lacks a cafeteria. Many students are forced to go to restaurants around the school to get a meal. It is even harder for students who are vegetarian or vegan to find a meal in between classes. “A lot of times I go to the food truck, but I’d prefer a healthier option at an affordable price,” said LACC student Jeffery Magenheimer.
Applications for the position of Los Angeles City College President were reviewed Friday, March 2 by the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD,) with late applications being accepted until the position is filled. The job description and application, which was posted one month ago on the district website as well as on linkedin.com, articulated the College’s mission and the desired qualities and requirements for the prospective president. A deep understanding of diversity and multiculturalism, dynamic leadership, and effective communication were among the skills listed. LACC is the most diverse college in the district with an ethnic composition of over 50 percent Latino, 18 percent Asian Pacific Islander, and 13 percent African-American. The curriculum serves a population of more than 10,000 Dreamers and 51 percent of individuals below the poverty line. This would make it imperative that the new President understands the needs of the student body and many of the College’s programs and services that affirm the value of inclusion. Aside from the textbook prerequisites of a degree and job experience, several students and staff voiced their desired qualifications for the future President. Angel Alexander Zometa is an LACC student involved with the Office of Special Services, he says the lack of staff, particularly in school programs, creates a multitude of challenges. OSS facilitates equal access for enrolled students with disabilities and allows full participation in school programs, services and activities on campus. “Every program now, they are dealing with low employment,” he said. “For example, in OSS, they are dealing with low staff because they are cutting more hours which makes it really inconvenient for the students. I would want the president to really focus on hiring more staff.” Child Development major, Angelica Miguel also shares in the frustration with lack of staff, primarily lack of counselors. “I went to the counseling center and they told me the only way I would be seen is if I came back at 8 a.m. on a Monday,” she said. “Even then it wouldn’t be guaranteed that I would see someone.” This poses an issue to the vast majority of students that have jobs, or children. In Miguel’s case, it leaves her guessing about which courses she should take in order to transfer. Jaylynn Hawkins, a Business Administration student, points out the low transfer rate and how this could be a direct result of students lacking the guidance needed to take the classes required to transfer. “I’ve seen the transfer number on the website and it’s not too pretty,” Hawkins said. “I would like to see the President maybe implement some programs that help the students that don’t really know what they want
to do and have mentors that explain to them the benefits of education and how it can expand your opportunities in life.” With a budget big enough to pay the prospective President a salary ranging between $191,197 and $236,860 annually, along with a benefits package and a life insurance policy, it is conceivable that there would be enough resources to employ more faculty. Accounting Major, Steven Anderson points out the truly unique and diverse nature of LACC and comments on ways the future President might be able to cater to this specific population. In terms of what the President can do to improve enrollment, Anderson suggests student services awareness. “Raising awareness about the student services that are available to us should really a be a focus for the President,” Anderson said. Theatre Professor, Tony Maggio applauds the current interim President, Mary Gallagher, on the way she’s gone about her Presidency in the short time she’s been here. Maggio hopes the new President will possess similar leadership qualities as Gallagher. “I love what she’s [Gallagher] bringing to it, and that includes involvement and getting to know the departments and the students,” he said. “She’s come here and introduced herself to us and it really makes us feel like she’s got her hands on what is going on around here.” Gallagher’s appointment on January 2 of this year, came on the heels of former President’s Renee D. Martinez’s retirement in December 2017. Martinez was notably the first LACCD President of Latino decent. Gallagher herself has expressed interest in applying for the position, however was unavailable for comment. Applications for the new executive position will be screened by the Human Resources Division for minimum qualifications. A Direct Search Committee will review the eligible applications and select candidates for interviews. The Collegian reached out to the Human Recourses Department heading the search. Sharmita Saha is the lead analyst on the search team. “The committee is on schedule, but the number of applicants and selection date is confidential,” she said. Saha was also unable to say if the majority of applications were coming from LACC administrators or outside applicants. At least three unranked candidates will be finalists for an interview with The Chancellor and will also undergo background checks. The final applicant will be required to pass a health exam prior to employment. This will be conducted at the applicant’s expense. In terms of other potential applicants from within LACC, the offices of Dr. Dan W. Walden, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dr. John al-Amin, Vice President of Administrative Services were both contacted by The Collegian. Neither were able to comment on whether they had applied for the position.
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Arts & Entertainment 7 Artist Explores Race, Identity, Stereotypes Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, March 14, 2018
I
By Dave Martin
t was a full house for the Visual and Media Arts Lecture Series that featured Mark Steven Greenfield in Room 3 of the Chemistry Building on Feb. 27, 2018. Greenfield is an instructor at Los Angeles City College (LACC) in the Visual and Media Arts Department. He showcased much of his art, which dealt with themes concerning the African-American experience. His work was both stunning and colorful. Greenfield discussed stereotypes that affect African-Americans. He referred to the need for what he calls long-overdue dialogs about race, and he explained how he became attracted to art. “My father was a colonel in the Air Force, and consequently we traveled around quite a bit,” he said. “There was very little opportunity for self-expression in my father’s house. He was a very strict disciplinarian, so I actually found myself retreating into the world of art.” Greenfield describes himself as a former catholic and his art reflects his religious background. Greenfield had a three-month residency at one of the oldest African-American churches in Charlotte, North Carolina. The pastor there allowed him to go through the obituaries and photos of everyone who had attended the church for the last 150 years. Greenfield placed the photographs on hand-held fans, and pasted them on the walls of the sanctuary as a memorial to all those who had attended the
Photo by Eve Moreno Luz/Collegian
Artist, Mark Greenfield transforms fans into a living memorial for former members of the First United Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, N.C. The fans were placed on the wall in celebration of the church’s 150th anniversary. church over its long history. Much of Greenfield’s art is mixed media, and one of his paintings portrayed cotton with blood on it and a whip outstretched over a cotton field. Greenfield explained what this meant.
“There was always a quota when it came to picking cotton,” he said. “You had to pick so many pounds of cotton a day, and if you didn’t you got punished. The irony in this instance is if they whip you and get blood on the cotton you can’t sell
cotton that has blood on it.” Greenfield also delves into transnational identity in his work. This includes art that extends across national borders. His work has been exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art
in Georgia, the Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art and the California African-American Museum in Los Angeles. Internationally, he has exhibited his work in Thailand at the Chiang Mai Art Museum, in Naples, Italy
By Chris Argueta
Photo by Eve Moreno Luz/Collegian
Theater Academy students Aidan Davari, Charlie Leal, and Kyle Brogmus bring to light the tragedy of the AIDS crisis during the 1980’s in the play, “The Normal Heart,” March 6, 2018.
‘The Normal Heart’ Beats for Truth Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) claimed the lives of 120,453 people by the end of the 1980’s. The LACC Theatre Academy students bring to light the harsh realities of what gay men faced at the height of the AIDS crisis between 1981 and 1984.
In the play, “The Normal Heart,” written by Larry Kramer the audience is immediately immersed in the realities of life for gay men at this time. Sitting in a hospital waiting room, friends gather around Craig as he waits for test results after he lost consciousness on a trip. Craig is seen by the hospital staff while his friends talk to each other. Craig walks out of the office with tears in his eyes, “I’m going
to die.” Craig is rushed back to the hospital in a state of emergency as his body is convulsing with no sign of letting up. In “The Normal Heart,” Ned Weeks embarks on a journey to bring justice to his dying friends. Weeks, is a gay writer and activist who founded the Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York, a community organization that searched for the
Eve Moreno contributed to this story.
Winners Shine, But Oscar Loses Gleam
Theatre Academy Preview
By Eve Moreno Luz
at Art 1307, Villa Donato, the Gang Dong Art Center in Seoul, South Korea and the Blue Roof Museum in Chengdu, China.
answer to the mysterious deaths happening in the gay community. “The Normal Heart,” strikes at the issues of the ignored, and the internal conflict within the community, internalized homophobia and systemic homophobia right at its core. The LACC Theatre Academy presents “The Normal Heart,” directed by Tony Maggio at the El Caminito Theatre from March 15-24.
Cameras flashed close-ups of winners and losers at the 2018 Academy Awards on Sunday, March 4. The night was memorable. An amphibious man and mute woman moved audiences in “The Shape of Water” and swept the awards with 12 nominations and four Oscars, which included Best Picture, Best Director for Guillermo Del Toro, Best Production Design and Best Original Score. Horror comedy flick “Get Out,” with four nominations, surprisingly only won one award: Best Original Screenplay, for which Jordan Peele became the first black man to win the award. Christopher Nolan’s magnificent World War II movie “Dunkirk,” which had a whopping seven nominations won three awards: Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Film Editing. Best Actor went to Gary Oldman for his stellar performance as an unrecognizable Winston Churchill in “Darkest Hour,” which also won Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Frances McDormand’s portrayal of a mother grieving the death of her daughter won her Best Actress in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” Sam Rockwell’s Officer Dixon who was much despised in the film won Best Supporting Actor. Allison Janney won Best Supporting Actress for her incredible work as an abusive mother in “I, Tonya.”
Not surprising to anyone, Disney’s “Coco,” won Best Animated Film and also won Best Original Song for “Remember Me.” “Blade Runner 2049,” won Best Visual Effects and Best Cinematography by Roger Deakin, who finally won after being nominated 14 times. Best Adapted Screenplay went to “Call Me By Your Name,” and Best Costume Design went to “Phantom Thread.” Five-time NBA Champion and MVP Kobe Bryant surprised everyone by adding an Oscar to the list of his awards for Best Animated Short “Dear Basketball.” Late night comedian Jimmy Kimmel hosted the awards show for the second time in a row and filled the night with thoughtful commentary on topical issues. Kimmel delivered a semi-political monologue making comments about the past year in Hollywood after the downfall of Harvey Weinstein following alleged sexual allegations. He also took shots against Donald Trump’s presidency. The biggest losers of the night were the awards ceremony itself. The awards show had a viewership of around 26.5 million viewers. That is a 20 percent drop from last year’s 33 million viewers making it officially the smallest audience for the awards show. Many people may credit the reason for this low ratings to a notion that Hollywood tends to award lesser-known movies over huge blockbusters. Still, congrats to all the winners.
Have an Opinion? A Story Idea? Email the Collegian: losangeles.collegian@gmail.com
8
Sports
Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Ready for Round 2 By Mynor Peralta
Photo by Cliff Cheng/Collegian
New Major League Soccer (MLS) team Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and Toronto Football Club scrimmage on Feb. 2, 2018. LAFC is L.A.’s second MLS team alongside the Galaxy and begins play at their new stadium, Banc of California, in April. Pictured are No. 2, Joao Moutinho and no. 4, Michael Bradley fighting for possession.
L.A. Football Club Notches First Win, Fight for Fanbase Begins
L
By Thomas Chavira
os Angeles welcomes a new Major League Soccer team, the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), and they won their very first regular season game against the Seattle Sounders in shutout fashion 1-0 at Century Link Field in Seattle. Forward Diego Rossi launched a strike beyond the outstretched arms of Seattle goaltender Stefan Frei minutes into their very first game. The L.A. attack was strong from beginning to end, outshooting the Sounders 22-5. Goalie Tyler Miller found himself playing against his old teammates and was perfect throughout, fending off five attempts from his former team. The lead held through the game and L.A. now has a
What’s Up With Sports? By Kilmer Salinas For more than 10 years, L.A. City College has stood out because of its lack of intercollegiate sports programs. Within the Los Angeles Community College District mascots there are Huskies, Eagles, Seahawks, Bulls, Monarchs, Beavers, Cougars and Wildcats, but no Cubs. Sports teams were always a part of the school culture at Los Angeles City College, and they accomplished great feats until they were eliminated in 2009. LACC is home to two state championships in basketball,
1-0 record in their inaugural season. Across town in Carson, the L.A. Galaxy has been the ruler of the roost with their unmatched five MLS Cups over their two decades of existence. They’ve also had the benefit of fan favorites such as Landon Donovan and international superstar David Beckham. Previously, the Galaxy shared their stadium with another MLS team, Chivas USA, which never came close to matching the success on and off the field as their co-inhabitants at Stubhub Center, the home stadium of the Galaxy. MLS bought Chivas in 2014 and shut the team down in order to rebrand it at a later date. That future is now. After a three-year absence Los Angeles has now reclaimed a second MLS team,
along with 14 straight conference championships. There is championship pedigree at this college, so why are there no sports teams? A Dark Past In 2009, L.A. City College canceled all intercollegiate sports and the athletics department—a decades long legacy. Athletic Director and basketball head coach Mike Miller was fired in 2009 after 16 years with the college. He was accused of allegedly shredding team records in violation of district policy. College administration canceled the sports program after his departure. Students like Jonathan Espinoza play pickup basketball games in the Kinesiology North Gym on Fridays. Students sign up and complete waivers. “It’s a really great basketball gym,” Espinoza said. ‘It has the scoreboard, which is a great ad-
which will be a member of the Western Conference. Except this time, they will not be expected to share a residency. LAFC will have their own stadium. Banc of California is located downtown and will finish completion by LAFC’s home opener on April 29, 2018, also against the Sounders. The stadium will hold a max capacity of 22,000 with five executive suites. Los Angeles continues their road trip this week with a trip to Utah against Real Salt Lake followed by an all-Los Angeles showdown against the Galaxy on March 29. LAFC is sponsored by YouTube TV, which will also broadcast every game. Games can also be heard on ESPNLA 710 AM and KFWB 980 AM.
Fans were given a match to remember when Canelo Alvarez, the greatest fighter from Mexico since Julio Cesar Chavez and Genn a d y “ G G G ” Golovkin, the undefeated middleweight champion hailing from Kazakhstan, faced off last September. The fight was exciting and the first round would set the tone for the rest of the match. Golovkin came out as the aggressor. He forced Canelo into a defensive position. Golovkin’s fighting style is to back his opponents into the ropes and unleash a furry of jabs, uppercuts, and body shots to knock them out. But Canelo was prepared. He’s got a great ability to find an opening during an opponent’s assault and land some heavy-hitting punches. It was a fight that thrilled fans, but it was tarnished by the judges’ final decision. One judge had Golovkin winning the fight 115-113. The second judge ruled the fight a draw 114114. However, the third judge had the most controversial decision, they ruled the fight 118-110 in favor of Canelo. Almost every single person that saw the fight agreed that none of the boxers had taken control of the fight by that much of a margin. Most agreed that Golovkin should have won the fight, but by a closer score. Their rematch was recently announced at the Staples Center. It will be on May 5 this year at the T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas. At apress conference, both fighters and their trainers talked about their last match and how they would approach the rematch. Golovkin and his trainer Abel Sanchez both criticized Canelo for fighting a defensive fight, and not giving the fans he spectacle they came to see. “I hope Canelo was able to see a transmission specialist for the rematch because in the first fight he was stuck in reverse,” Sanchez said. Canelo’s head trainer, Eddy Reynoso, refutes that claim. “We don’t have to change anything,” Reynoso said. “We’re going to prepare very well as we always do. We have a smart, defensive fighter, so we must throw more punches and be more aggressive.” Both Canelo and Golovkin seem ready for the rematch, but we’ll have to wait until May 5 to see who will rise above the other as the middleweight champion.
dition. Even the buzzing beater noise is cool, it gives us the atmosphere of a real game when we play pickup ball.” New Facilities The new Kinesiology Building built in 2016, has a basketball court and two new gym equipment facilities for students to use. The school also boasts a new track and field that is only available for use by students enrolled in physical education classes and ASG clubs. “We want athletics,” said kinesiology professor Robert McKinley. “The plan is to bring it back, but it keeps getting shut down. Protocol is [that] it has to go through the district first.” Sports, Clubs and Enrollment According to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) athletics enhance community college life and bring more stu-
Photo by Anwar Torres/Collegian
Empty tennis courts at Los Angeles City College stand as a sad tribute to the lack of formal sports programs at LACC. dents and more money to colleges. Sports clubs have created a way for students to be involved in sports, but these clubs have limitations. Clubs like soccer and cheer can enter competitions to represent the school. However, unlike sports teams, they are not support-
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ed by the school and district with coaches, funding and equipment. Cheer Club leader Danielle Guerrero expressed her frustration about the situation. “Administrators are stubborn,” she said. “They keep putting it on hold when we mention about
bringing back sports. There are do’s and don’ts for a lot of these clubs. Certain stunts are prohibited which really holds us back.” Last month, LACC faculty voted to bring back men’s and women’s soccer for fall of 2018. There was only one opposing vote.
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