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LA VOZ WEEKLY
The Voice of De Anza College | June 15, 2009 | Vol. 42, Issue 29
College adjusts to cuts
Tutorial Center runs out of funding for quarter
Vishal Natarajan LA VOZ NEWS
In a recent e-mail to faculty and staff, De Anza College President Brian Murphy listed changes in De Anza policy due to the state budget crisis. “The Foothill-De Anza district is anticipating significant funding reductions, and De Anza’s share may range between $9 million to $14 million,” he wrote. The cuts have already prompted recommending the elimination of 21 unfilled and 12 filled positions by June 30, 2010. LV Vishal Natarajan is a contributor to La Voz Weekly.
Changes in policy: • • • • •
Reduced number of course sections No more districtsubsidized cell phones for senior staff Credit card distribution limited to deans, directors and vice presidents Administrators must review all travel requests Social functions (i.e. graduation) no longer financed with state funds
PHOTOS (3) BY MAYUMI KUROTSU / LA VOZ
TOP LEFT: A sign posted on the door of the Tutorial Center notifies students of cutbacks. BOTTOM LEFT & RIGHT: Student tutors lead group sessions in the Math, Science and Technology Resource Center. Mayumi Kurotsu and Ed Pereira LA VOZ NEWS
The De Anza College Tutorial and Academic Skills Center has reduced tutoring hours for non-basic skills courses, due to the lack of funding for the rest of the school year. According to Tutorial Center coordinator Diana Alves De Lima, two-thirds of the center’s funding comes from a Title 3 federal grant and California Basic Skills Initiatives financing, which must be used for basic skills classes
(ESL and math classes below transfer level). The De Anza Student Body Senate funds the last third. The center has insufficient funds for the extent of students’ tutoring needs, leading to the current situation. Alves de Lima said that the issue will only last for the remainder of the quarter. “The situation is very temporary,” she said. According to Suba Marti, the supervisor of the Math, Science and Technology Resource Center, the center receives little money for non-basic skill courses, although the demand is huge.
“[Students] come inside and ask for one-on-one help, but it’s expensive. We don’t have enough money for it, that’s the problem,” she said. “We encourage students to work in groups and help each other. What we are going to do in the future is to increase group tutoring and drop-in tutoring, because that’s a more efficient way to use resources.” Despite the lack of salary, tutors have offered to continue as volunteers, lessening the impact on students. CONTINUED PAGE 8, TUTORIAL
UC admissions change sparks debate Joyce Sim
LA VOZ NEWS
De Anza College hosted a panel June 4 to discuss the University of California’s new admissions policy, which the system hopes will increase campus diversity. In February, the UC Board of Regents voted to eliminate the SAT II requirement for freshman applications and increase the percentage of students guaranteed admission based on class rank. As a result, the pool of applicants will expand and fewer students will be guaranteed admission (10 percent of high school graduates, decreased from 12.5 percent). Opponents have criticized the policy as hurting AsianAmerican applicants and failing to increase diversity. Panel member Evan Low, a representative from Assemblyman Mike Honda’s office, stated that the Asian population will be “adversely affected” by the change. According to data projections from the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, the policy increases the eligibility pool for African-Americans, Latinos/Hispanics and whites, but decreases the eligibility pool for Asian-Americans. The guaranteed admissions pool will decrease slightly for Latinos/Hispanics and in-
crease for whites and Asian-Americans. Political science instructor Michael Chang, who helped organize the event, argued that while policy increases the eligibility pool, it will not increase yield. “This reflects a certain insensitivity to this diverse community,” he said. “It is not the kind of legacy that UCs need.” While endorsing the proposal to the Board of Regents last year, UC President Mark Yudof said that it would increase accessibility to higher education. “We hope that the proposal expands opportunity for traditionally underrepresented groups, though the specific outcomes are hard to predict,” he said. Panel member Daniel Nguyen, a commissioner with the Cupertino office, took issue with that claim. “The numbers are clear,” he said. “It shows that there is no increase in diversity.” Panel member Mark Rashid, a UC Davis faculty member, defended the change. “The policy has everything to do with fairness and it is not a tool to manipulate racially,” he said. “It expands the entitled-to-review pool, and it eliminates the SAT subject tests, which… [do] nothing to show who is going to be successful.” CONTINUED PAGE 3, ADMISSIONS
JOYCE SIM / LA VOZ
Patrick Hayashi, former UC associate president, presents a chart demonstrating the expected outcome of the new UC admissions policy at a June 4 panel on campus.
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Happenings@LaVozDeAnza.com
CAMPUS EVENTS student piano recital thursday, june 18, noon - 2 p.m., vpac theater THIS IS THE LAST LA VOZ FOR THIS ACADEMIC YEAR. WE’LL SEE YOU AGAIN SEPT. 21.
Monday, June 15 supplies for finals giveaway monday, june 15, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., main quad Scantrons, anyone? DASB Diversity & Events will give out supplies for finals to students.
Tuesday, June 16 supplies for finals giveaway Tuesday, june 16, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., main quad DASB Diversity & Events will continue giving out supplies for finals to students.
President’s open office hour tuesday, june 16, 12:30 - 1:30 P.M., PRESIDENT’S OFFICE De Anza College President Brian Murphy will hold an open office hour in the Administration Building.
Bloomsday Reading tuesday, june 16, 9 a.m. - 4 P.M., WRC, ATC 309 Celebrate Bloomsday with a continuous reading of James Joyce’s novel “Ulysses.” Everyone is invited to read and/or listen. Readers may read any section they want. Stay five minutes or spend the entire day. “Yes I said yes I will Yes.” (Bloomsday is a celebration of James Joyce’s life.)
Wednesday, June 17 reception to honor dr. martha kanter wednesday, june 17, 3 - 5 p.m., Sunken Garden Join well-wishers at a reception honoring Foothill-De Anza Community College District Chancellor Martha Kanter’s impending move to Washington DC, awaiting Senate confirmation of her position as Undersecretary of Education. The Sunken Garden is opposite Flint Center, and there will be free parking in the Flint Center Garage for this event. Please RSVP to foundation@fhda.edu.
Thursday, June 18 comedian w. kamau bell to perform thursday, june 18, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., fireside rm. Come and enjoy laughs and community building with the man whom the SF Chronicle says, “The personable, quick comic skewers racism, stereotypes and an assortment of iconic taboos with provocative wit.” The San Francisco Weekly honored Kamau as the Comedian of the Year in 2008. This program is part of the Sankofa Scholars Program Campus Dialogue series.
De Anza students will perform in a free piano recital. For information contact Anna Poklewski at poklewskianna@deanza.edu.
de anza daddios in concert thursday, june 18, 7:30 p.m., vpac theater The De Anza Daddios concert is $10 for general admission and $7 for students/seniors. For information contact Steve Tyler at tylersteve@fhda.edu.
Friday, June 19 integral m.a.s.s. movement for AB540 friday, june 19, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Cal. HISTORY CTR. Celebrate the end of the quarter with the New Club for AB540 Students, Friends and Allies. Food and drinks will be provided, along with an open mic session for participants to share their thoughts and feelings on the movement for AB540 student success. (AB 540 allows qualified undocumented students to be exempt from paying out-of-state tuition at public colleges and universities in California.
de anza vocal flight in concert friday, june 19, 7:30 - 10 p.m., Vpac theater De Anza Vocal Flight’s concert is $10 for general admission and $5 for students. For information contact Michelle Hawkins at hawkinsmichelle@fhda.edu.
Saturday, June 20 ford mustang car show Saturday, june 20, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., parking lots a&B The Auto Tech Club is hosting a Ford Mustang show.
Wind ensemble in concert saturday, june 20, 7:30 p.m., VPAC THEATER John Russell and the Wind Ensemble will present a concert for $10 general admission and $5 for students and seniors. For information contact John Russell at russelljohn@fhda.edu.
Sunday, June 21 DE ANZa CHORAL concert SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 3 - 5 p.m., VPAC 115/117 The De Anza Choral concert is $10 for general admission and $5 for seniors and students. For information contact Ilan Glasman at glasmanilan@deanza.edu.
jazz combos concert SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 7:30 - 10 p.m., vpac 115/117 Students from the Music 48 Jazz Improvisation class will present an evening of small group jazz. The concert is $5 for general admission and $3 for students. For information contact Steven Tyler at tylersteven@fhda.edu.
Wednesday, June 24 student literary journal launch party Wednesday, june 24, 6:15 - 8:15 p.m., WRC, ATC 309 The Red Wheelbarrow Student Literary Journal will host a launch party and celebration. The newest “Red
Send event notices to Happenings@LaVozDeAnza.com by noon Wednesday, preceding the publication week. Please type “Happenings” in the subject line. La Voz does not guarantee publication. All events take place on the De Anza College campus and are free, unless stated otherwise.
Wheelbarrow” will be available for purchase, and over $300 in prizes will be awarded for best student poems, stories and art.
Thursday, June 25 2009 reconocimiento thursday, JUNE 25, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., appreciation hall The De Anza community is invited to honor transferring and graduating Latina/Latino students at this event. .
JUNE 15, 2009
Friday, June 26
last day to file: spring degree/certificate Friday, june 26 This is the last day to file for a spring A.A. or A.S. degree or certificate. Obtain an application at http://www.deanza. edu/counseling/forms.html. After filing out the form, go to the Counseling Office in the SCSB to meet with a counselor or academic adviser to process the application.
Saturday, June 27 2009 Graduation Saturday, june 27, 9 a.m., Outdoor events arena Students, parents and friends are invited to watch the 2009 De Anza graduation ceremony. Tamim Ansary, the director of the San Francisco Writers Workshop and author of “Destiny Disrupted, A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes” and “West of Kabul, East of New York” will be the graduation speaker. A large crowd is expected, so come early and prepared for hot weather by bringing sunscreen, a hat and water. No tickets are required and parking will be free. Graduates should assemble in the area between PE6 and the Planetarium from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. and line up with their college division according to their degree major.
ANNOUNCEMENTS OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
Only seven seats are left for De Anza’s trip this year to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, which will consist of six plays in five days, departing on Aug. 13. The $775 (plus De Anza registration fees) cost incudes all transportation from De Anza, a room at Southern Oregon University, breakfast and dinner each day, six theater tickets with premium seats, a backstage tour, an actor’s talk, pre-trip lectures, morning-after-play discussions and the cheerful company of 30 other theater lovers. Participants earn 2 units of college credit for ELIT 97: Shakespeare in Performance. The reserved performances are: “Macbeth,” “Music Man,” “Don Quixote,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” “All’s Well that Ends Well” and “Henry VIII.” For information go to http://faculty.deanza.fhda.edu/pesanojulie.
FREE ONE-ON-ONE DROP-IN TUTORING
The Writing and Reading Center in ATC 109 is a place for students to get free, one-on-one writing or reading tutoring in any subject, with no appointment needed. Drop-in tutoring is available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
UC DAVIS TRANSFER ADMISSION GUARANTEE OPEN HOUSE
The UC Davis Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) Open House (for Fall 2010 transfers) will be held Aug. 17-20, 2009 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the De Anza College Counseling & Advising Center. The last day to write a TAG is Thursday, Aug. 20. For more information go to: http://www.deanza.edu/transfer/.
BOOKSTORE BUYBACK
The Campus Bookstore will buy back textbooks June 22-26 and June 29-July 2. For information go to http://books.deanza.edu/home.aspx. The Bookstore also offers online buyback.
STUDENT ART SHOW
The Student Art Show at the Euphrat Museum of Art in the VPAC runs through June 17. It features paintings, drawings, mixed-media works, photography, graphic design, sculpture and ceramics. The artworks reflect expertise in diverse media and varied interests and points of view. The Museum is open Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
DISCOUNT ADOBE SOFTWARE LICENCES
The Campus Bookstore offers students discounts on Adobe software products. For information go to http:// books.deanza.edu/home.aspx.
DON’T TAKE A CHANCE: REGISTER FOR SUMMER CLASSES NOW
De Anza summer classes that have not reached their minimum seat count by June 23 may be cancelled. The first day of summer session is June 29.
TRANSFER CENTER EVENTS
Appointments to meet with university and college representatives can be scheduled in person at the Transfer Center on the 2nd floor of the Student and Community Services Bldg., or by calling 408-864-8841. Representative visits include: University of California, Davis Transfer Center by appointment Every Monday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. University of California, Santa Cruz Transfer Center by appointment Wednesday, June 17, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Mon. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sun. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Lunch & Dinner
408-873-1600 fax 408-873-1614
Ask for free student beverage
JUNE 15, 2009
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New Mediated Learning Center will open winter 2012 Stephanie Shin LA VOZ NEWS
Construction for the site of a new Mediated Learning Center will begin later this month. The building will house 13 classrooms, including a distance learning room, said Director of College Services Donna Jones-Dulin. The center will also contain a staff development office and a technology resource area, including broadcast media, film and TV. Construction on the center itself will begin in spring 2010, with an anticipated opening date of winter 2012. The site is located on the west side of campus, near the California History Center. “The building, as all of our buildings, benefit students by providing learning spaces,” Jones-Dulin said. “Besides distance learning and anthropology, there will be 10 general purpose classrooms that will be used by multidisciplines.” Funding for the building was obtained with the passing of Measure C in 2006, which allocated $490 million to the Foothill-De Anza College
district. The measure granted the district money to upgrade and construct new facilities. Jones-Dulin said that Measure C projects cov-
nurses and paramedics. Other improvements will include the equipment acquisition, repair, and construction of classrooms, libraries, sites and science/computer labs. According to the Foothill De Anza Measure C Bond Program, De Anza and Foothill were Besides distance learnoriginally built for 8,000 students. However, the two colleges now serve more than 44,000 ing and anthropology, with another 2,000 expected in the there will be 10 general students, next five years. purpose classrooms Student Rakesh Kothur said he approved of the new building and believed the college used by multishould spend more on similar programs. disciplines. “It’s going to be there forever. It’s permaDONNA JONES-DULIN nent. It will benefit millions of students in DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE SERVICES the future and more students will advertise to others to join the community,” he said. “I think we need it,” said student Sylvia Cho. “There are a lot of students at De Anza. er Foothill, De Anza and Central Services. The And new buildings are always a nice addition to funding will enable De Anza to upgrade tech- the campus.” LV nology, fire and seismic safety, and electrical, heating, and ventilation systems. Stephanie Shin is a staff reporter for La Voz It will also repair leaky roofs, improve dis- Weekly. Contact her at: stephanieshin@ abled access, revive and expand classrooms for lavozdeanza.com.
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P1 | Policy may affect Asian-Americans New admissions policy: • Eliminates SAT II requirement • Increases students admitted based on class rank • Expands pool of eligible applicants
ADMISSIONS | Computer science major Salim Benchkroun agrees with the elimination of SAT IIs from the application. “It is an inaccurate method of testing the rate of success for a student in college,” he said. “Some schools have preparation classes for SATs, which is unfair.” In 1983, UC Berkeley adopted a new admissions policy that was accused of discriminating against Asian-Americans. According to the New York Times, then-Chancellor Ira Michael Heyman later called the policy a “product of
insensitivity.” According to the UC Office of the President, Asian-Americans constituted 35 percent of students admitted to the UC system last year. Whites made up 33 percent, while AfricanAmericans made up 4 percent and Chicano/Latinos made up 22 percent. The new admissions policy will take effect for the class of 2012. LV Joyce Sim is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact her at: joycesim@lavozdeanza.com.
De Anza Voices: Do you read for fun? Why? “The books assigned are dry and I like to remind myself there are good works out there.”
“Because it’s just that, fun.”
“It keeps my mind entertained and I gain more of a creative perspective.”
Devin Cormia 20
Jaimie Borad 21
Donisha Davis 21 COMPILED BY LUCIE ASHLEY / LA VOZ
Campus Snapshot
Meeting Notes DASB Senate The De Anza College Associated Student Body Senate is the governing body for De Anza College students. It meets every Wednesday afternoon.
JUNE 3 MEETING Approved funding $3,765 for more Gold AMC movie tickets. Approved funding $800 for Graduation Cap and Gown Fund. Approved $1,000 for DASB candidate reimbursement. Approved $10,152 for Tutorial and Academic Skills Center.
Inter Club Council The Inter Club Council is the governing body which allocates funds to De Anza College’s more than 50 clubs. The ICC meets Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. in the Student Council Chambers.
JUNE 3 MEETING Approved $500 to Art DeCo for a disk jockey, decorations and supplies for an upcoming art and musical festival. Approved $470 to ICC for a banner on a stand (and a replacement banner). Approved $100 to ISV for paper, pens, etc. for making event banners. Approved $165 for ICC promotional bottles to be used as gifts/prizes. Approved $600 to Art DeCo for a magazine subscription, speaker Brian Singer, and “Hybrid Design.” Approved $1,000 to ICC for security and cleanup for a fall dance on Nov. 4, 2009.
Police Log SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE Location: Flint Garage Friday, June 5 at 12:27 a.m. LOST PROPERTY Location: De Anza College Sunday, June 7 at 9:46 a.m. VEHICLE STOP Location: Stelling/Pepper Tree Monday, June 8 at 10:28 a.m. VEHICLE STOP Location: Lot D Tuesday, June 9 at 10 a.m. TRAFFIC COLLISION Hit and run/property damage Location: Lot B Wednesday, June 10 at 11:51 a.m. TRAFFIC HAZERS Location: Stelling Garage Wednesday, June 10 at 4:08 p.m. MEDICAL AID Location: De Anza College Thursday, June 11 at 9:31 a.m. TRAFFIC COLLISION Medical - no injuries Location: Lot A Thursday, June 11 at 2:57 p.m.
GLENDALE CALMERIN / LA VOZ
The bicycles face off against the automobiles in Lot A last week. There are two weeks left in the quarter.
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A grim fable II stephenZILL
Economics for Everyone With summer break soon upon us, it Unlike appropriate Paul Krugman, another seemed to use this academic academic economist writes toa look column a year’s last who installment backforand publication only slightly prestigious update everyone on (youless guessed it) the than one, I make And a conscious effortstate this of the economy. as promised in for various reasonsto keep this column last quarter’s grande finale, let us do so by as politics-free possible. the returning to theasland of the Krugman, United States most recent winner of the the Economics of Amnesia, where, after going through a Nobel, wears his politics on his sleeve rather crisisofofwhich their and if traumatic you wouldeconomic like an idea own, he the leans, countrya was by its new way few rescued years ago I met Prince and his Knights of to thegive Economic him before a talk he was at UC Square Table, with swift deciBerkeley and who, discovered that and simply sive action, cured the “Republicans” land of its ills. can mentioning the term It was him onceto again, a glorious andatmagicaused practically froth the mouth paroxysm toward the cal dayininathat land notofsoanger far away, where Grand Party.popular Luckily, beingdenizens, that the one of Old its more young top of Professor Krugman’s head Goldilocks Ekonomie, could be comes found just to my chin, I was ableoftothe avoid the frolicking near the banks mighty ensuing spittle shower. river known as the Great Moderation. But Goldie given this weeks topic,one I’m afraid Now, wasn’t the only enjoying I’m going to have to break my vow to herself that day, as she had been joined certain extent. And before we proceed, by many others bask that in the prosperity just let me maketoclear I pledge no created by to theeither US ofof A, the the two land major of the allegiance mightypolitical Consumer. Suddenly, there was a (U.S.) parties. CLUNK! Whatcouldn’t the!? help but notice, You probably Oh, apparently I had dreaming. but a couple weeks backbeen on “tax day” supposedly in the spirit the clock 1773 Boston Weird. I looked up at ofthe on my Tea Party-a tax revoltfeatures by the the Colonists bedroom wall, which names of Britishfamous America which featured of many economists (jealous?)the — dumping threeThe shiploads of (English) a bit afterof 4 a.m. clunk that woke me tea Boston (have you frominto my the slumber wasHarbor due to the delivery ever wondered why the majority of of The Wall Street Journal. Might as well Americans’ breakfast beverage of choice go get it. Though I was anxious to get is coffee and not tea?)-- over 750 Tax back tea to bed, I slipped the rubber Day parties tookoff place acrossband the to take a look at the headlines: Rise United States, ostensibly in “Rate response Clouds Economy to the “outRecovery,” of control“World spending” by the ContractAdministration. Even Further.” Not exactlysome what Obama Granted, pleasant dreamswith are honorable made of, but oh well. folks attended intentions Fortunately, I fellconsistently back asleep,against and, lo big and and have been spending/big government throughout, no behold, the dream continued, except the matter the darkened ring leadersomewhat... in DC, but the first scene had thing that suddenly came to my was, “Where Things didmind not seem so sanwere all these people when the GW Bush guine. There was a rumble, then a crash, Administration in the process that of as one of the was primary tributaries doubling the gross national federal debt?” fed the Great Moderation, the Stream of And I am also dubious of the claim that this Credit, appeared to be causing the mighty was a nonpartisan“grassroots” movement river to overflow and her banks, Gol(a spontaneous naturalsending uprising), dilocks and the others that had gathered particularly given the organizations and for theoutlets day scurrying safety... media in support toward of and at least Again I woke up,the thisorganizing time with aofneed to partially behind these hit the restroom. Camellia sinensis leaf-beverage shin digs-the back Astro asleep, Turf (fake WhenbutI more finallyof fell the grassroots) kind. All ininto all,a nightmare, the whole dream had transformed thing smacks of partisan politics, and that because apparently the river had receded, these gatherings ended up being, for the leaving in its wake a path of destruction most part, not anti-profligate government not seen for over 70 years. It seemed that spending rallies, but instead, anti-Obama after causing a flood of catastrophic prorallies. portions, a sudden change in the weather Let’s put a few things in perspective. froze the great of Credit, leaving No matter how Stream you measure it, yes, the the Great Moderation a stagnant mess. In Federal budget deficit for fiscal year 2009 addition,inmany of its neighbors, (ending September) is indeedwho an had all been high-believed to be immunized call time estimates now put it at(we a eyeit “decoupled”) by anyBut disasters arising popping $1.8 trillion! do note, this from the seemingly crisis-proof of astronomical figure isn’t only theU.S. result of by the current administration, A,spending were, alas, adversely affected. And but partially a bank? productIs of the last whatalso is that near the it? Yes, our President’s budget, and keep in mind, beloved Goldilocks lies trampled in the itfrenzy was caused under Bush Younger that the by thethe overflow, and in dire bailout boondoggle got under way. And need of a big sip from the still icy Stream do you really McCain of Credit. This believe time I that wokeif up rather would have been elected President, given thirsty, a bit afraid to go back to sleep. the state of the economy, no additional At this point, may neverinsleep again. stimulus (read: Iincreases spending) So allow me been to finish our fractured fairy would have proposed? It might tale without thethat aid of dream/nightmare also be noted, thea hero of many of andparty with,goers, unfortunately, a not-quite-sothe Ronald Reagan, until this happyrecent ending. Let’spresided just say that most deficit, overon thecloser four largest budget deficits as a proportion inspection, Goldilocks does appear to of be GDP since but the Second World War.and unbreathing, it is a bit unsure Again,Andmost of those the things participants steady. what are sproutand proponents/defenders of “green the ing up around her prostrate body, demonstrations emphasize thatNeverthemost of shoots” or “yellow weeds”? the do with government less,protest most ofhasthetoland’s soothsayers and spending, but there is an obvious physicians (we call them media pundits connection to taxes, and the likely and economists) believe, though she will possibility that eventually we will see likely recover — prognosis times varybut — taxes rise to cover such spending, our Goldilocks willcome be a bit and presently, it might as agrayer surprise, frolic much less frequently. With that, alrelative to most other major countries low even me toour say,own go past forth,we frolic and are frequently a low-tax and enjoyHey, yourlike summer country. prettybreak! much LV everyone else, I don’t like paying taxes, but we all know theZill oldissaw about theminstructor and death. Stephen an economics Right? To me the most unfortunate aspect at De Anza College.
PAGE 5
Student of the Week: OJ Custodio
Custodio raps for a cause Glendale Calmarin LA VOZ NEWS
OJ Custodio is doing it all: rapping and performing, fundraising for his hip-hop club on campus and training in Muay Thai martial arts. On the side he is an ambitious student, a caring friend and a loving brother. He has aspirations to make a change in the world. Music plays a big part in Custodio’s life. “Overall, I’m into all kinds of music, whether it’s classical, jazz, oldies, reggae, soul, but mainly [I am] into hip-hop and R&B.” His love for music inspired him to write and produce his own music and lyrics and perform with his music group, Creative Balance. Their music is inspiration and pain as well as fun hype/party tracks. “We also have political tracks that we feel are important to the people because we are, most importantly, advocates for change,” said Custodio. “There are some real issues going around in the world and we want to express our feelings about it and help the next generation by teaching and inspiring the youth. For we are activists first, then artists second.” He began performing in high school during rallies to represent 4 Elements. He enjoys performing his music because it brings him to another world and his mind becomes lost with the music. He also loves feeding off the energy of the crowd. “It is one of the best feelings in the world,” said Custodio.
After Custodio left high school, he extended the 4 Elements Club onto the De Anza College campus and become president of the club. He has fundraised for many events, such as raising money
OJ CUSTODIO for the Sacred Heart community service. He has stated that one of his greatest accomplishments was hosting and organizing the first 4 Elements hip hop club performance, which honored former Black Panther activist, Fred Hampton. Aside from music, Custodio also began training in Muay Thai, the national sport of Thailand. It is also referred to as “The Art of Eight Limbs,” for its use of the hands, shins, elbows, and knees. “My oldest brother is into mixed martial arts and he drew me into this art form of fighting,” says Custodio. Muay Thai is another form of expression that helps him release and bring in many different emotions, he said. With so much on his plate, Custodio remains a loyal friend to others and a loving brother to Marlo Custodio, De Anza College Student Body Senate President.
“OJ is a man of his word. If he says he’s gonna do something, he does it. He is organized, disciplined, and knows how to follow through. Although he is my younger brother, I look up to him in many aspects. He is a good son and a really good brother. He takes care of me,” said Marlo Custodio. Many of his friends and family have big hopes for Custodio. “I envision OJ as an entrepreneur in the music industry, or a manager. If he pursues his music and follows his dream, I see him as a rapper,” said Marlo Custodio. Only 18, Custodio is pursuing his dream to be in the music business. “[I plan] to make it in the music industry as a music manager, independent record label owner, producer, and artist.” However, he said he always wants to be involved in helping the community by inspiring, and creating change. His motivation is his family, friends, music, and his people (Filipinos). Custodio has an upcoming event this Thursday, June 18, in the Main Quad at 11 a.m. The event will feature performances by rappers, R&B singers, DJs, beat-boxers and live graffiti art. It is intended to honor one of his favorite artists, Tupac Shakur as well as raise money for a homeless shelter in Richmond, The Bay Area Rescue Mention. LV
De Anza College received yet another compliment about its well-rounded excellence in many of its educational departments — in this case, music. Part-time musician Ryan Johnson, 21, is a De Anza student working full-time as an English teacher to support himself. Johnson moved from Shasta College in Redding to Campbell in fall 2007. He says that De Anza has a great comprehensive music program. Johnson has been in big bands since high school, but said he did not learn about what jazz really was until he came to De Anza and took an improvisational class which allows students to freely play what they feel within a small group, rather than sticking strictly to playing the composed notes in a piece of music. “We did a lot of big band tunes, not the kind of jazz I’m into now, which is more mainstream or straight-ahead jazz, what I am gravitating toward,” Johnson said. He started music in the fifth grade, learning how to blow into his saxophone and how to set his fingers to make each note. But other than that, Johnson said, he didn’t learn much else from his sax teacher. Johnson grew up hearing what his mother listened to, country and classic rock, so when he heard a live jazz band in middle school, he was impressed. When he moved
RYAN JOHNSON to De Anza 10 years later, he discovered that he had apparently been doing everything wrong. According to Johnson, music instructor Bob Farrington tried to teach Johnson how to play the saxophone the “right” way when he first came to De Anza. But there were so many errors to fix, both mentor and student became frustrated to the breaking point and gave up after two weeks as tension lingered. Johnson said he took what Farrington had to say to heart, and continued to work on his music. Recently, almost two years later, Farrington heard Johnson play. “He was my harshest critic, but he had such positive things to say,” Johnson said. “My tone, note choices, entire style, comparing me to professional musicians… this is the guy who couldn’t stand me and now he’s giving me compliments, so I feel like sticking with this class at De Anza has done a lot for me. I’ve seen a lot of musicians come here from very far away…there is no other class like it. You get close together and get to perform.”
As the World Burns
Johnson and the rest of his classmates in course Music 48, lead by Steve Tyler and John Russell, will be performing in the Visual Performing Arts Center for the first time next Sunday, June 21, at 7 p.m. He also performs outside De Anza as well in a 3-piece, performing in weddings and churches on “Moments Notice,” their temporary band name for now, named after a John Coltrane tune. While Johnson plays his tenor sax, Gary Fisher, a chemistry professor at De Anza, plays the guitar, and Tyler Tucker is on the bass. Johnson said they will be soon charging for their gigs. “Music can be really personal,” Johnson said. “It’s kind of an extension of one’s soul—how you want to express yourself… right now my skill level with sax is okay, but I’d like to learn more on gaining certain level of skill that allows me to express myself as freely as I can hear it in my head.” Johnson also seems to have feelings of uncertainty clouding his future. “Right now I feel so lost because I don’t know what to do when I’m done with De Anza,” he said. “I don’t know where I’m going, and I don’t know what I particularly want to study because I am going back and forth with my major… if I could figure that out, I feel like the rest of my life would have meaning.” LV
Stephanie Shin is a staff reporter for La Voz. Contact her at: stephanieshin@lavozdeanza.com.
Soheil Rezaee is the associate editor for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: associate@lavozdeanza.com.
Glendale Calmarin is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact her at: glendalecalmarin@lavozdeanza.com.
English teacher on the sax LA VOZ NEWS
soheil REZAEE
There may be many ways of thought on the political spectrum, but there is not a single one that is perfect. Each one has something that appeals to an individual and that overshadows some of its hidden flaws. Take liberalism (in the modern American definition) for example, an ideology that seeks to improve society where the government works for the well-being of the people while protecting the rights of all individuals. Despite this humble image, it is too plugged with flaws. The idea might work in practice if this were fantasyland. Take the idea of gun control, for example: it believes that if there were restrictions on firearms then there would be less crime. That logic would work in fantasyland, where an individual would legally purchase a gun if his career required him to commit acts of murder, rape and robbery. Of course in the real world, one could buy a gun on the black market a lot cheaper in a minute, as opposed to five days at a gun store with all the paperwork. But that is only minor compared to the point that is missed: the right to bear arms is a check on government by the people. If every citizen were armed, then we would not have the type of political corruption that has plugged us for ages. It’s logical if politicians betray the people who depended on them. Which would be a nightmare: losing reelection or one million armed citizens at their doorstep? When the government decided to suspend the constitution and strip people of their civil rights, it’s the duty of the people to rebel against tyranny. Rather then have a little boycott, grab a shotgun, go to the nearest office of the ruling political party and start blasting every tyrant and quislings. Rather than placing restrictions on firearms or allowing any idiot to buy one, require high schools to teach students the basics of firearms for a month before giving them a license that makes them qualified to own guns. As for the sale of the firearms, those who wish to make a purchase need a gun license. However, if the individual commits a criminal act that is violent in nature, then he loses his license and his right to own firearms. At the same time, the government needs to crack down on the illegal gun market that has helped arm gangs and terrorists for years. Hence, responsible gun owners get to keep their guns, and criminals are denied this right. There is a country with such relaxed laws, yet crime is very minor while there is a strong trust between the government and the citizens. In Switzerland, every citizen is required to undergo mandatory militia training and is given weapons by the government: not some bolt action water gun but a SIG SG 550 assault rifle (a military issued combat weapon). At the same time, the Swiss government has devolved a strong bound with its people by providing the necessities of a high standard of living, one of the best education systems and health care in the world. Sure the people pay high taxes, but their government has shown it’s interested in their well-being, as opposed to wasting it on puppet dictators or favors for the oil industry. If people don’t realize how the right to bare arms is just as vital to our democracy as voting, then they have just asked for the transaction from democracy to tyranny. In the end, all we can do is watch the world burns. LV
Artist of the Week: Ryan Johnson Stephanie Shin
Guns = good govt
PAGE 6
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Features &Reviews
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‘Making the River’: An inspiring tale Lucie Ashley LA VOZ NEWS
“Making the River,” shown on campus June 3, is a documentary about the life of a Native American man named Jimi Simmons. The film documents his life from when he was taken by social workers as a baby, all the way through his trial for a murder he did not commit. Simmons was at the campus showing to answer questions. Simmons was made a ward of the state at just 17 months old and moved around foster homes, orphanages, juvenile detention and state correctional facilities. By the time Simmons was 24 years old, he had spent only six months in the free world. He grew up not knowing where he was born or who his family was and spent many years of his life in the Washington State penitentiary. The prison was known as one of the most dangerous in the country. Otherwise known as Concrete Mama, it was a place where stabbings
were common place and the guards had little You can’t help but feel for this man as he struggles to talk about the trial, his brothers control over the inmates. Things took an even greater turn for the suicide and the two years he spent in isolation while being put on trial worse in 1979 when a guard facing the death penalty. by the name of Sgt. William Cross was killed during a All of this for a crime he did not commit. scuffle involving Simmons, his brother and a close friend. The structure of the events presented in this The result would be the film is somewhat out worst years of Simmons’s life. He and his brother were of order and hard to follow in the beginning. put on trial for the murder of That said, it was quite Cross and mass news histeria insued. easily forgotten as one is immersed completely The trials that followed are the main focus of the in the life of Simmons. documentary. You watch His hardships, his trials and finally his triumphs enthralled as the film are more than moving, chronicles the trial in great they are inspiring. To detail including amazingly MAKING THE RIVER have lived the life he did moving and intense interviews from Simmons, guards, attorneys and other and been able to break free and become a good inmates. person with a wife and kids as well as love life
is truly an amazing feat. “I prayed every day to my creator and I prayed for four things: strength, wisdom, courage and understanding,” said Simmons while discussing how he got through two years of solitary confinement. The amount of publicity and news shown from the time of Simmons’s trial is astounding especially considering how not many people questioned from that time remember it. True stories are the most important kind when it comes to impacting the present society. It is truly an amazing thing when one learns about a new and astonishing bit of history that would otherwise never be known to you. “I made this movie because this story needed to be told,” said Simmons. “I was finally ready to tell it.” LV Lucie Ashley is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact her at: lucieashley@lavozdeanza.com
Ugh ... not another ‘Hangover’ ... Sandra Westdahl LA VOZ NEWS
“What happens in Vegas should stay in Vegas” — at least that’s the case for the three guys in “The Hangover,” who wake up after a wild stage party with no memories of what happened the night before. But one thing is certain: the hotel suite is completely trashed and the groom is missing. Evidently, in their lavish suite is a clucking chicken, a roaming tiger, and a crying baby. Stu (Ed Helms) a dentist, has a missing tooth and the guys are clueless of how everything happened. This whole mess indeed entices some good laughs but overall “The Hangover” is more amusing than hilarious. However, Director Todd Phillips (“Old School”) successfully
established the Doug’s soon plot’s creative to be father-intwist, which law’s precious begins when convertible the three guys Mercedes start searching a p p e a r s for their somewhat missing friend awkward. But Doug (Justin despite their Bartha), who distinguished is getting differences married in just they do know two days. how to have PHOTO COURTESY OF WARNER BROTHERS fun together. T h e combination of the four: the geeky Alan (Zach However, Alan’s rather unpleasant character Galifianakis), the good-looking Phil (Bradley seemed to have been dragged along to Vegas Cooper), the overly concerned Stu and the just because he is Doug’s future brother-in-law. mellow Doug, is what makes “The Hangover” so His strange comments and sole style especially comical. Just seeing them driving to Vegas with seemed to bother Phil who sees himself as a
smart-ass guy. As the guys search for Doug, the story of what happened the night before is slowly unpacked — in a very humorous and engaging way. But without revealing too much of the scrumptious details it does turns out that the guys truly had the “night of their lives.” Marrying a stripper, stealing from Mike Tyson (who has a cameos in the movie) and driving a police car are only some of the crazy things that occurred. “The Hangover” is one of those feel-good movies that are ideal to enjoy with friends. However, it’s doubtful if the movie is worth spending the money on in the theatres. The movie is in many ways hilarious, but some of the jokes are lame and not funny at all. LV Sandra Westhahl is a freelancer for La Voz Weekly.
Student artists showcase work Joyve Sim LA VOZ NEWS
Anyone who has ever been to the Student Art Show would be impressed at what De Anza College’s Euphrat Museum has to offer. As you walk in, live music is playing and student volunteers greet you courteously. The reception is laid out in an elegant manner, and to the right the museum, which hosts art pieces from over 100 artists from De Anza. “It is spectacular. They never used to have this much space,” said De Anza President Brian Murphy. “The works are extraordinary.” Museum Director Diana Argabrite, who has been with the Euphrat for 20 years, said, “student works are showcased in a respectable and professional space. I don’t think other community colleges have this.” The show showcases pieces from different aspects of art such as sculpture, painting, drawing, ceramics, photography, graphic design and mixed media. “It is a good chance for students to show their art in the beautifully built Euphrat,” said Yu Ting Hsian, an artist whose piece “Lost Innocence – a self portrait of mental suffering” won the Juror’s award.
“
The juror is invited from different art programs each year. This year’s juror is a full-time art professor from San Jose State University. “This is a good way to give artists expression, especially when it is the beginning [for them],” said artist Matthew Pugnetti, whose piece “Ray” won the Art on Campus award. “I am really grateful to Euphrat.”
educational process. I cannot imagine what we would do without Euphrat.” The piece ‘Envi-Able’ is an environmental awareness art project which began in fall quarter as part of Arts 4B, done in collaboration with the Institute of Community and Civic Engagement. “Remember activism. Keep education, art alive,” said Executive Director of the Euphrat Jan I love community Rindfleisch. “Be out there speaking out.” colleges because of “Art is important,” said Kang. “Don’t who serves, it is open let anyone tell you otherwise.” to everybody. Argabrite, who considers the DIANA ARGABRITE Euphrat a “labor of love,” said “we DIRECTOR OF EUPHRAT raise all kinds of money from grants, donations, special events, school programs and some from DASB.” Al and Phyllis Rutner, who represent Following the ceremony, art faculty the Art on Campus Committee, member Eugene Rodriguez said, “I purchased six student art pieces, which love this job. There are three things I will be displayed throughout campus. believe in this country: art, education “This is the proudest moment of the and democracy.” year,” said art faculty Juliana Kang, The Student Art Show is sponsored who teaches painting and drawing. “I by the De Anza Associated Student really hope it confirms how important Body, the Euphrat Museum of Art arts education in De Anza is.” and De Anza College, Creative Arts Gabe Ballard, director of “Envi- Division. LV Able,” an art piece consisting from 31 different artists, said, “I cannot Joyce Sim is a staff reporter for La emphasize how much they [Diana Voz Weekly. Contact her at: and Jan] have contributed to the joycesim@lavozdeanza.com
”
PHOTOS BY JOYCE SIM / LA VOZ
The Student Art Show reception was held in the Euphrat Museum and showcased more than 100 student artists.
NEWS
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LAVOZDEANZA.COM
Students clean up cigarette butts
Bella Yashayev LA VOZ NEWS
The Social Environmental History class embarked on a special project on June 6 to collect cigarette butts scattered around campus. The initiative is part of an extra credit assignment offered to students by instructor Benjamin Kline. “A student came up with the idea for the project a couple years ago,” said Kline. Project leaders recruited 15 students to join the effort. Although not all student volunteers showed up, Flea Market shoppers as well as three young boys, joined in to help. “Random people and kids joined. It was really cool,” said leader Hollie Moldenhauer, who proposed the
cleanup to the class. “As a smoker, I felt it was something I was obligated to do.” Volunteers split into several groups. “Campus maintenance provided supplies and maps with designated areas to clean,” said Kline. According to Moldenhauer, Parking Lot B was one of the dirtiest areas. She said that several non-smoking locations, such as the area by the library, were full of cigarette butts as well. Despite all the people who helped, there were still “thousands” of cigarette butts left, said Moldenhauer. “We filled a whole bag [weighing] a couple of pounds.” LV
Bella Yashayev is the opinions editor for La Voz Weekly. Contact her at: opinions@ lavozdeanza.com.
PHOTOS (2) COURTESY OF HOLLIE MOLDENHAUER
LEFT: Children visiting the Flea Market volunteered in the effort. RIGHT: Student Jabell Tapito uses gloves provided by Campus Maintenance.
P1 | Tutors staying on as volunteers
De Anza Voices: What would you do with the Student Body Senate’s $1 million budget? “Financial aid for students, security for faculty.”
“Invest in programs that were discontinued.”
Khoa Dotruong History 25
John Palalia Accounting 24
“Increase activities for us and course quality.”
“EOPS and student retention. Definitely EcoPass.”
Xu Shu Li Engineering 21
Sarah Orr Sociology 23
COMPILED BY JOYCE SIM / LA VOZ
C A F E T E R I A
JUNE 15, 2009
TUTORIAL | “I was making $10 an hour before, but I’m happy to volunteer and so are most of my co-workers,” said accounting tutor Ching-Yao Tung. “I’ve been working here since last fall, so it’s not so bad for me to still hold the same hours.” According to tutoring supervisor Sandra Blackborow, 45 tutors were impacted in L-47. However, she said, a majority of them are remaining as volunteers. “The greatest impact is in non-basic math and non-ESL,” she said. “There are hundreds of students that may not be served, three weeks before finals.” Accounting student Melanie Cheung said she noticed that beginning winter quarter the individual tutoring limit was reduced from two hours a week to one hour a week. Alves De Lima credits the convoluted sources of funding for the reduction in hours. “The DASB is our most stable source of
finding,” she said. “They give us around $100,000 a year. Without them, we would not be able to operate.” At the Senate meeting on June 4, the tutorial center received an additional $10,152 for non-basic skills tutoring to last the final two weeks of the quarter. “This funding will allow us to add back more hours of non-basic skills tutoring — mostly drop-in and group, and a bit of individual tutoring,” said Alves De Lima in an e-mail. “We are very happy to get some additional money,” said Marti. “But we are very worried about next year. We might run out of funding again and enrollment is still increasing. It’s going to be very hard.” LV Mayumi Kurotsu and Ed Pereira are staff reporters for La Voz Weekly. Contact them at: mayumikurotsu@lavozdeanza.com and edpereira@lavozdeanza.com.
WHAT’S COOKING IN JUNE? monday
TuEsday
wEdnEsday
Thursday
friday
JUNE 15
JUNE 16
JUNE 17
JUNE 18
JUNE 19
• Cream of Celery • Roast Chicken, Ranch, Tomato, Chillies & Chipotle • Chinese Chicken • Jambalaya Blackened Chicken, Smoked Pork Sausage & Shrimp Risotto
• Toretllini • Italian Meat Lovers Combo • Spring Greens Salad • Southwestern Fusilli
• Tomato Rice • Hawaiian Ham & Pineapple & Green Peppers • Szechwan Beef Salad • California Fettucine
• Beef Noodle • Mortadella Italian Sausage, Artichoke Hearts, Peppers, Pesto & Caesar • Southwestern Chicken • Brocolli Bow Tie Pasta • Grilled Salmon, Frizze Lettuce
JUNE 22
JUNE 23
JUNE 24
JUNE 25
• Cream of Mushroom • Margarita • Spring Greens Salad • Southwestern Fusilli
• Minestroni • Hawaiian Ham & Pineapple & Green Peppers • Szechwan Beef Salad • California Fettucine
• Broccoli & Cheddar • Mortadella Italian Sausage, Artichoke Hearts, Peppers, Pesto and Caesar • Southwestern Chicken • Brocolli Bow Tie Pasta
• Chicken Noodle • Vegetarian Combo • Chinese Chicken • Chicken Tikka Masal Risotto, Marinated in Yogurt and Cooked in a Spicy Sweet Tomato/Paprika Sauce
• New England Clam Chowder • Chef’s Choice
JUNE 26
New England Clam Chowder Chef’s Choice
Every Thursday, we will be hosting a new grill special design for those who enjoy the simplicity of grilled fish. The emphasis is on a creation out of the norm.
JUNE 15, 2009
TECHNOLOGY
LAVOZDEANZA.COM
PAGE 9
technology Issues & Reviews Using tech for politics Technophilia james CHEN While the debate as to whether it is technology that affects societal progress or society that affects the progress of technology is a bit of a chicken-or-egg quandry. The outright denial of the importance of technology’s role in our everyday lives is something only the ignorant or senseless would contemplate. The fact of the matter is simple: if you’re reading this, every aspect of your existence has been touched, if not outright dominated, by the world of electrons, bytes and bits. Be glad. While this era of accelerating technological growth has greatly increased the complexity of our lives, it hasn’t done so without giving us more than enough tools to survive, even thrive, despite the maelstrom of hacks, privacy violations and outright piracies that drift afloat the sea of electrons we surf upon. Hunter S. Thompson, the infamous gonzo journalist, is best known for his psychotropic nightmare journey into the heart of Las Vegas and the spirit of the American Dream. What is often overlooked, however, is his intense and lifelong involvement in politics. Not just the dark and degenerate world of Washington DC, though his involvement with the doomed McGovern campaign of 1972 is well documented in his “other” Fear and Loathing book, but at all levels, local and national. What Thompson espoused was the idea that politics was an art: the art of controlling your environment. And what the father of gonzo journalism has to do with technology is that the gonzo art of environmental control is made all the more powerful when hooked up to the gigawatt reactor of digital media. What does it mean to practice the art of politics? It means having a cheap, three-year old cameraphone in hand when the bullies that infest the police decide that you and your fellow protestors don’t have the right of assembly after all. It means comparing and contrasting the claims made by a political figure against his or her voting record and prior publications, even before they made it to the national spotlight, exposing them for the frauds and charlatans they are, preferably before they can do much damage to the public at large. It means holding onto a paradoxical mix of cynicism and optimism that only the digital era has allowed us: to believe fully that we’re being lied to, and yet to believe fully that no information is ever lost, and that the truth is a Google away. And to believe stronger yet that even the commonest of voices can gain purchase and influence with but a few wisely chosen stroke and clatter of keys. This post-Warholian future present we live in, where getting your fifteen minutes of fame is just a matter of having the right information in the right place, where the high-speed intercourse of memes and countermemes dashes apart and reconstitutes ideologies on a daily and hourly basis across forums, chat spaces and comment threads, is a neon-lit playground for the technophilic and politically aware. Before the tragic, self-inflicted end to his life, Thompson railed against what he perceived as the death of the American Century, where the lies and corruption of those that profess to be our leaders had sapped the strength, will and hope of a once ascendant nation, now playing defense against the rise of others in our diminishing shadow. I would like to think that, with the tools that are now available to our generation, and arguably our generation alone, we can prove his despair wrong. LV James Chen is the technology editor for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: technology@ lavozdeanza.com.
Class choices affected by ratings Dakarai Mills LA VOZ NEWS
In today’s technology age, there is a place to see if a particular instructor is a good fit for you or not, before you actually attend the class. It is called RateMyProfessor.com. Founded in May 1999 by John Swapceinski, the site allows college and university students to anonymously assign ratings to professors of American, Canadian, and British institutions. According to the Web site’s FAQ page, “The Overall Quality rating [that the professor ends up with] is the average of a teacher’s Helpfulness
and Clarity ratings.” In a New York Times article, Michael Hussey, who helped design RateMyProfessor, summed up its purpose: “All we’re doing is taking chatter that may be in the lunchroom or the dorm room and organizing it so it can be used by students.” A recent study of RMP ratings found that “the hotter and easier professors are, the more likely they’ll get rated as a good teacher.” RMP itself admits that the ratings are not statistically valid. So what do De Anza College faculty and students think of the Web site? Speech instructor Edwina Stoll believes students choose
convenience of time over ratings. Stoll believes the old practice of auditing a class is the best way to go, but understands why student living in the technological age turn to the Web site. Some students agree with Stoll’s argument. First-year student Nick Alexandre says he doesn’t use the Web site and would rather go by word of mouth from students he knows. “I don’t think the Web site has any bearing on a student’s academic career,” said Alexandre. Humanities instructor ErinBlythe Sanders thinks it is a valid tool for students. “The more students who use it the better it would
be … it would be more effective,” said Sanders. She agrees class audits would be better, but feels that most students, who are working and going to school, don’t have the time to do it, so the Web site is their best assessment. Aiman Eltilib, an international business major, stands by the site ratings and uses it every quarter for registration in harder classes such as math and science. “I would say I used it 80 percent of the time and I only read the reviews,” said Eltilib. LV
Dakarai Mills is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: dakaraimills@lavozdeanza.com
De Anza Voices: What do you think of RateMyProfessor.com? “Some of the best professors here have gotten some of the worst reviews.”
“The teachers I’ve picked based on it had definitely lived up to the reviews.”
Maya Kostyanovsky Communications 20
Zach Jabri Business 26
“The teachers I’ve taken that I haven’t liked have been the ones that I didn’t bother to look up beforehand.”
Katie Wollbrinck ASL & Deaf Studies 20
COMPILED BY ED PEREIRA AND DAKARAI MILLS/LA VOZ
OPINIONS
Gaming innovations underutilized soheilREZAEE Ever since the release of Pong in 1972, the gaming industry has evolved into a media format that allows an individual to interact in a world of art along with the technology to bring our imagination to life. In a sense, it bridges the gap of visual images and personal creativity. Most of this has been made possible due to the advancement in
technology that allows developers to push the limits, especially those in the early years of this decade. Elements such as sandbox game play, bullet timing, rag-doll physics, destructive environment, and realistic violence has set the standards of gaming. Sadly, the latter two improvements have possibly been the most underlooked features that were revolutionary to gaming. The concept of a destructible environment had been a dream of gamers for a while until the release of Red Faction in 2001, for the Playstation 2. This followed with Red Faction II in 2002 for all consoles and the PC. For some reason, there were no more games released that allowed
players to blow up their environment until 2008, with the release of Battlefield: Bad Company. Imagine how much more fun games like Battlefield 1942 or Grand Theft Auto IV would have been if players could have blown up their environment. These games would have also benefited from more realistic violence with the GHOUL engine. This was revolutionary software first introduced in the game Soldier of Fortune, released in 2000, later improved in Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix, released in 2002. Like the idea of destructible environment, the concept of realistic violence has been under utilized by the gaming industry. The last
game to feature such real world violence was Soldier of Fortune: Payback back in 2007, which became an embarrassment. Hopefully with the release of Red Faction: Guerilla and Battlefield Bad Company 2, the game industry might begin to take better notice of how destructible environment improves the game play. As for realistic violence, there may have been hope for Soldier of Fortune: Payback had it not sucked. For now, gamers will have to wait for a new installment that lives up to its original legacy. LV Soheil Rezaee is the associate editor for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: associate@lavozdeanza. com.
Play, or pirate, before you pay joelSEIBERT
I often hear students gripe about how much their textbooks cost and how much they have to work to afford them. Some students have found ways of downloading their class’s books, avoiding these high prices. By definition this is stealing. However, I contest that it is justified. Information should not be limited to those who can afford it. Why should a student whose parents do
not pay for their school supplies be at disadvantage to students who do have that support? Even when illegally downloading a textbook, the student will still have a harder time, as eBooks are not as portable and easy to use as a regular book, which are much easier on the eyes and easier to navigate than scrolling through pages on a computer. I have also found that it is sometimes easier to find reference books for projects by illegally downloading them. In this case, it is like using the Internet as your library. If my library had the almost infinite amount of books that the Internet has, I would be more than happy to go borrow them. But since it is practically impos-
sible for a library to have all the resources of the Internet, it is sometimes easier to find information by downloading it. The “try before you buy” argument may not work on textbooks, as you would have bought it immediately if you were planning on buying it at all. On software and games however, I believe that the argument for being able to try before you buy is stronger than with music and movies. It seems reasonable that I should be able to play a little before deciding if I want to buy it or not. There is some software which is one-time use, such as language learning software like Rosetta Stone. These products are usually not something you would try be-
fore you buy for the same reason as textbooks. However, it is illegal to buy or sell used copies of these products. One level of Rosetta Stone is over $200, but when you are done with that level, then what? If you cannot sell it and have either moved on the next level or have mastered all that level has to teach, then all it is good for is as a paper weight. If you could resell these products, I would be arguing against piracy; however hundreds of dollars is a bit much for a one-time use product that I cannot even get cheaper by buying used. LV
Joel Seibert is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: joelseibert@lavozdeanza.com.
OPINION & Editorial
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La Voz Weekly
Editorial Board Kelly Truong Editor in Chief lavoz@fhda.edu
Dae Kim Multimedia Manager Amy Franklin A&E/Features Editor
Bella Yashayev Opinions Editor James Chen Technology Editor Lina Kwon Broadcast Editor Daniel Gamberg Web Editor Soheil Rezaee Associate Editor
Contributing Staff Lucie Ashley, Glendale Calmerin, Ernest Chavez, Isis Copeland, Adam Hanes, Mayumi Kurotsu, Joy Mann, Dakarai Mills, Takahiro Nei, Ed Pereira, Joel Seibert, Stephanie Shin, Joyce Sim, Daniel Wakefield, Shoko Yamagami
Business Staff Beth Grobman Faculty Adviser grobman@fhda.edu Walter Alvarado Lab Technician alvaradowalter@fhda.edu Reza Kazempour Business Manager
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La Voz Weekly is a First Amendment newspaper written and published by De Anza College students. La Voz Weekly is partially funded by the De Anza Associated Student Body and is printed with soy-based inks at Fricke-Parks Press. All rights reserved; no part of La Voz Weekly may be reproduced without permission. Phone: 408-864-5626 Fax: 408-864-5533 lavoz@fhda.edu www.lavozdeanza.com Room L-41 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd. Cupertino, CA 95014 Come to Room L-42 Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 p.m. to attend the newspaper staff class.
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EDITOR IN CHIEF
1. http://slate.com. When all the papers were printing their editorials on Obama’s first 100 days in office, Slate published Obama’s first 100 days on Facebook. 2. “Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure.” Lives summed up in six words. 3. “The Best of Ogden Nash.” It will be the most intentionally funny poetry you read all year. 4. “Love: Poems,” Danielle Steel. It will be the most unintentionally funny poetry you read all year. 5. “Raspberry Beret,” Prince. It’s warm.
MULTIMEDIA MANAGER
1. Bleach, episode 166. Is it a children’s cartoon? Yes. Does the combination of music, sound effects and animation create a badass display of ass-kicking badassness? Hell yes! 2. “Walk in Space,” Fingathing. An instrumental that forces you to identify and appreciate structure in music. 3. http://carollaradio.com. You’ve missed out on Adam Carolla’s “attack crows” idea and his stance on torturing terrorists. 4. “Guards! Guards!,” Terry Pratchett. A book in which the main character (surrounded by trolls, wizards and dwarves) claims it is not possible for a giant, flying lizard to exist … even if it burned down half the city. 5. http://gutenberg.org. Search, read and download tons of free books.
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rather the French-Canadian musical based on it. I will dare to say that it’s the best musical experience I have ever had. Genius. 4. “Awaking the Centuries,” Haggard. An album by a German metal band. But wait, it’s not just a metal band, but a symphonic metal band. The album features an amazing correlation between classic and heavy metal. 5. Common Errors in English. A Web site which offers access to thousands of misused words in the English language.
TECHNOLOGY EDITOR
ILLUSTRATION BY GALEN OBACK / LA VOZ
FEATURES EDITOR 1. “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” Hunter S. Thompson. Thompson’s style is brilliantly unique with dark humor and a clear, descriptive style that keeps the reader captivated. 2. http://imeem.com. A fantastic Web site to join if you are a student who enjoys endless music for free! It also allows users to share their favorite music with each other. 3. “Skinny Bitch,” Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. I am not saying you need to be skinny or a bitch, but this book is fascinating and informs readers of the way food is processed and what we ingest into our bodies. 4. Cooking Light Magazine. Always has new, healthy, simple recipes!
5. “Let’s Go Crazy,” Prince. Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life.
OPINIONS EDITOR 1. “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).” This play presents all of Shakespeare’s plays with only three actors. I urge everyone who hasn’t read Shakespeare to become familiar with him, just to watch this hilarious play. 2. “Where I’m Calling From,” Raymond Carver. His themes may seem too dark, but his engaging writing and the human issues he addresses are a literary experience no one should miss. 3. “Notre Dame de Paris.” I am not talking about Victor Hugo’s novel, but
1. “Iron Sunrise,” Charles Stross. A brilliant sci-fi thriller, with one part a spy thriller and another part a critical look at the future of humankind. 2. http://last.fm. This Internet radio site has even my most obscure favorites, and exposes me to others I would’ve never heard of otherwise. 3. Persona 4. A role-playing video game. Although it isn’t particularly innovative in mechanics or context, it makes up for it in competence of execution. 4. “The Fall.” This is the sort of movie that came out in a blaze of media acclaim, only to fade away into obscurity. Which is a pity, as the movie’s jaw-dropping scenery and tearjerker of a plot demands a lot more attention. 5. The Principia Discordia. The “holy” text of the Erisian “religion” is either a joke disguised as a religion or a religion disguised as a joke. It makes an amusing read either way. LV
Progress in the tech world damages your social life in the real world
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Staff editorials reflect the opinions of the majority of the editorial board and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author or the opinions of the La Voz staff. Opinions expressed by staff and contributors are the opinions of the individuals and not necessarily the opinion of La Voz Weekly.
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JUNE 15, 2009
joelSEIBERT Technology has changed the way humans interact with one another; there is no questioning that. The real question is: is it to our advantage or our detriment? To answer that, let us look at the ways our communication has been affected. For people of my generation, a good amount of the communication process happens through cell phones; be it calling, texting, picture messaging, video messaging, or even using the Internet, if the phone has the appropriate applications. Our use of phones is excessive. When picking up a friend, it seems more likely for someone to call when they arrive than walk up to the door and knock. One may ask, what does knocking on the door has to do with human relations? Isn’t it just easier to stay in the car with the engine running? It may seem that way, yet when you go out of the car and get to the door, your friend isn’t always going to be the first and only person you see. It’s possible that someone else would answer the door, be it your friend’s parents, siblings, other family members or roommates, chances are you will start by introducing yourself, then asking to see your friend. Your interaction with these people may be very short, and you may not develop a relationship with them; however it might expand your relationship with the person you came to see. Basically, you will discover new things about your friends by meeting the people they live with. Another example of where technology has affected our human relations is in learning about our hobbies. If you want to learn to dance, skateboard, build a computer or make a soufflé, you just go straight to
YouTube or Google, right? With this method of learning new things, you do not meet other people who have a common interest with you, nor do you expand a relationship with those who you already know, and may have the same interest. What did we do to learn new things before the internet? We took a class, read a book or asked other people; we didn’t use any search engines. Sure it is much easier to just watch a few videos on YouTube and learn what you want to know, but ask yourself: is YouTube going to hang out with you? YouTube can suggest videos for you to learn more, but wouldn’t you rather have friends share their knowledge with you?
I will not debate the fact that technology has made information cheaper, faster and easier to access. However it is happening at the cost of our relationships with one another. Which is more important, getting information easily or having a connection with other people? It seems to me the answer is obvious. Unfortunately, with the way technology and society is progressing, there is no feasible way to stop this. The best possible course of action is for people to be aware of how they are using technology, and realize how this is affecting their lives. LV
Joel Seibert is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: joelseibert@lavozdeanza.com.
ILLUSTRATION BY BRANDON SELPH / LA VOZ
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JUNE 15, 2009
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OPINION & Letters to the Editor General Motors gets down to business
danielWAKEFIELD
As their reinvented slogan states, General Motors’ bankruptcy filing “isn’t about going out of business — this is about getting down to business.” I guess the current foundation of General Motors does not coincide with its previous slogan and its advertisements’ theme song, “Like a Rock.” Unfortunately that rock has been turned into pebbles, if not dust. Yet, I am drawn to their innovative motto: “We’re not witnessing the end of the American car, we’re witnessing the rebirth of the American car.” You can tell from their new commercial advertisement that they had molded themselves into an environmentally friendly, yet economic investment, geared toward our current complicated state. There are plants sprouting out of the ground, people playing football, a cheering crowd, sunrise over a city skyline and
lights illuminating off a glistening factory. provides so-called “debtor-in-possession The announcement of the company’s financing” to let the automaker continue its bankruptcy filing, may put fear into the minds daily operations while the bankruptcy court of consumers. One can only come to this splits operations between a “good” and “bad” conclusion because he or she would think that customers would not want to make a major investment in a product made by a company with a sullied reputation and a doubtful future. Fortunately, so far there is no evidence showing that Chrysler sales have suffered since President Barack Obama announced its bankruptcy on April 30. And despite the company’s tainted image, Chrysler appears on track to emerge from bankruptcy court within the 60-day timeframe announced at the time of the filing. GM is expected to go into a government-managed “prepackaged” bankruptcy, as part of their reinvention. ILLUSTRATIONS (2) BY GALEN OBACK / LA VOZ This is when the government
GM. The idea is that the “good” GM (Chevy and Cadillac) would emerge from bankruptcy within a few months. In return, “bad” GM, such as Pontiac and Saturn, would be sold or liquidated in a more lengthy restructuring process. Hopefully this will cause GM’s rebirth to become “like a rock” again. As foreign car markets flourish and American competitors fight for scraps. GM, Ford and Chrysler need to plan for a competitive car market. Maybe the only way to stop the downfall is to put restrictions on foreign-made vehicles and allow our industry to get to its feet. People have more faith in foreign cars like Honda, Toyota and Nissan than they might ever have in American car companies. Reliability, gas mileage and price have all been factors in the dominance of foreign car industries. If GM, Ford and Chrysler can’t beat them, they may want to join them, if copying their success is the only way to go. The American car industry needs to humble itself before the entire industry ceases to exist. LV Daniel Wakefield is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: danielwakefield@ lavozdeanza.com.
Summer’s coming, go out and be adventurous jessicaSAMFORD Are you planning on sitting around all summer, working your tail off or partying like a rock star? Well pardon my French, but what a lame excuse for a summer. Students should take full advantage of summer, but only a few do. I asked students, why on earth wouldn’t they be taking any vacations? It seems that the main reasons are lack of funds or unawareness of the possibilities. So, I’ve decided to hook you all up with some fun summer vacation ideas that won’t put a dent in your wallet. Okay, maybe some of them will, but they’re worth it. For the outdoorsy types: camping is perfect for you. It is super cheap and a great way to relax with friends and or family. Camping is always a great option for college students, as you generally get a campsite that allows six people for $25 per night. That’s less than $10 for a weekend getaway. Of course, food and drinks, activities and materials will cost a little extra, but you’d be spending money on food and drinks if you stayed home anyway. The best spot anyone could recommend is Yosemite National Park. Only a four hour scenic to a place that has so much to offer. From activities like hiking to touring, backpacking to cycling, river rafting to fishing, rock climbing to swimming. With diversity like this, how could you not enjoy yourself? For the thrill seekers among you: I’ve got to include the best river-rafting trip down Cache Creek River. Arrive on a Saturday morning,
Letters to the Editor Non-smokers have serious concerns I was taken back by the June 8 article “Stop whining about smokers on campus.” I am a professor in the Child Development Department and a nurse; I have four pregnant women in my class who must pass through secondhand smoke because smokers think it is their right to smoke in a non-smoking areas. Pregnant women who are exposed to secondhand smoke have 20 percent higher odds of giving birth to a low-birth weight baby. We are not whining. We are trying to prevent smokers from disregarding the rights of non-smokers.
river raft all day, get to camp to set up your tents, party that night in the middle of the forest with live DJs, and wake up to do it all over again one more time on Sunday. All for $150 or less depending on the weekend, and did I forget to mention that lunch, breakfast, and dinner is provided? To incorporate a n y o n e ’ s drinking urge, I’ve compiled a phenomenal list of spectacular night out spots. If you don’t mind a few weirdoes, the End Up in San Francisco is perfect for all the night owls out there. From Thursday to Monday the place never closes. They stop serving alcohol after 2 a.m., but you can still dance long into the night, or the morning for that matter. This place has the best DJs in northern California. The cover charge is
The American Lung Associatiion also states that infants exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to die of SIDS and are at increased risk for bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, severe asthma, respiratory symptoms and slowed lung growth. The children in our center are plagued with secondhand smoke that continually comes into their yard. Many of these children have asthma, and the smoke triggers an attack. All we are asking is that smokers be respectful about the health of others and honor the non-smoking areas so that our children may breathe healthier air. Dr. Juanita Cordero Child Development and Education Department
$20 on most days and you have the option of staying there until Sunday. An old friend and I loved to dance there.
We got up super early Sunday morning and headed straight to 101 North. Once at the End Up, we danced our little hearts away and drank cocktails out on the tree house on a warm and
Unnecessary staff parking
A couple of weekends ago I arrived at Flint Center Parking Garage and discovered that the first level of the south section had been barricaded. The following Monday I discovered that the entire section was staff parking. I still haven’t discovered why. For two weeks I’ve observed that on any given day, less than half of the staff parking spaces were used. This simply provided comfort for some and forced inconvenience on others. I thought there’s a budget crunch, and it seems like a waste of funds to me. Sure, it is administrative action under the guise of doing something. But was it a necessary expenditure? Victor Wayne Grant Film/TV, 45
beautiful day. Sun shining, music blasting, people dancing – what more could anyone ask for? Admit it, you’re either curious or jealous. For an equally fantastic time minus the weirdos but similar atmosphere, I would suggest my two favorite day parties that I know will become your favorites too. Both are held only during the summertime. You don’t want to miss the Passport Day Party at B4Twelve in downtown Palo Alto, taking place on July 5 from 2-10 p.m. Entrance fee is $20, and there are guest list options as well. Saving the best for last, I’d like to introduce you all to Second Sunday at Mission Rock. This day party is thrown on the second Sunday of every summer month, starting at noon and ending at 10 p.m. with presale tickets starting at $20. If you love music, check out the Outside Lands Festival. It’s held Aug. 28-30 in San Francisco. Three-day tickets are $225.50 at the moment, but for what you get out of the event, it’s worth it. Artists ranging from Dave Mathews Band to MIA, from Pearl Jam and Incubus to Atmosphere and Zion I, and many others will all be there. All I can say is give them a chance. I promise I won’t disappoint you. Be adventurous. It can’t hurt to try everything once. Well, at least most things. LV Jessica Samford is a freelancer for La Voz Weekly.
Letters, submissions and press releases
Letters to the editor, submissions and press releases are welcome and must be signed and include contact information for verification and follow-up. Letters should be 300 words or less; letters more than 300 words may be edited for length. Letter content must not be libelous or intended to air personal grievances. La Voz does not guarantee that submissions and letters to the editor will be printed, nor does it guarantee coverage of events for which it receives press releases. La Voz reserves the right to edit letters and submissions for clarity in accordance with Associated Press writing style.
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