The Guardsman, Vol 180, Issue 3, City College of San Francisco

The Guardsman

Fresh Leadership, Fresh Vision: City College's New Chancellor Steps In

By Tabari Morris tmorri47@mail.ccsf.edu

City College has welcomed its 13th chancellor in just 11 years, as Chancellor Kimberlee Messina takes the helm, promising to unify a campus troubled by leadership turnover and to advance new plans for equity and stability. Messina expressed her vision for the college's future in a comprehensive interview in which relationship building, data-informed student success, and transparent leadership were highlighted amid overcoming budgetary and structural challenges.

Vision and Leadership

Messina, a veteran of California community colleges who most recently served as president of Spokane Falls Community College in Washington, described City College as a “core part of this community” with “90 years of being committed to social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.” However, Messina acknowledged that “a lot of turnover, a lot of internal stress, as well as some external stresses” have weakened institutional cohesion.

Messina pointed to having navigated an institution through the COVID-19 pandemic as a defining experience, and one for which she credited the emergency with pushing deeper equity work and organizational alignment. At Spokane Falls, the number of first-year students completing college-level math in their first semester doubled, and the institution moved from last to first in Washington state. “When we finally were sort of out of the pandemic, we had made so many different changes to our organizational structure that it was much more integrated and much more student-centered,” she said.

Student Success and Equity

Messina said she aims to get “Guided Pathways,” a national reform movement for community colleges to offer clear academic and support services so students are on course. “It's not an initiative,” she said. “It's literally like, okay, do students have the advice and support they need from the very beginning? Do they have the ongoing check-ins to ensure that they're staying on their path?” she explained. City College began implementing Guided Pathways previously, but the effort “has sort of been kind of paused a bit,” according to Messina, who intends to accelerate it by engaging faculty, staff, and students.

“It was designed for a whole different population … community college was like, let's allow everyone in, which is wonderful, but we didn't go beyond that for a long time. So everyone came in, but then we didn't change our processes, our language, our systems, to be relevant to a diverse population.”

the finance staff for wiping out inherited code errors and generating one-time revenues. More instructional sections and student services are budgeted in place, while high reserves are on hand. But Messina warns against a projected structural deficit — when an organization spends more than it earns year after year — within two years unless further steps are taken.

“The challenge for us this year and next year is to look at our overall organization and prepare for a leaner future in some ways. There's no intention of looking at any layoffs ... What we're looking at is, as we encounter vacancies, is the position used, or should it be placed elsewhere? So, looking at ways to put our resources where they can do the most for our students.”

Messina cited a need to continue the precedent of budgetary transparency. Students, faculty, classified staff and administrators are represented in government, and San Francisco and Sacramento policymakers are being kept up to date on the college's transition back to financial well-being.

“My first goal is to really embed myself in this college community, get to know people, develop relationships, and start to reignite … the sort of collaboration that exists here and not have it be so siloed,” Messina said. Tired of nodding off in the

Messina also called for the updating of City College's technology in seeking to enhance student engagement and retention. “Some of the strategies … we can, and we will be able to leverage AI and other systems to … have an actual dialogue with them,” she said.

A newly revamped “Student Equity Plan,” set to go before the board in October, seeks specifically to prioritize those student populations with the widest achievement gaps, specifically Black and African American students. She committed to “look into” recent reports of program eliminations for initiatives like Rising Scholars to help ensure such students continue to receive robust support.

Financial Stability and Transparency

The adopted City College budget, approved in June, is “very, very solid,” says Messina, who complimented

Support and Community Engagement

Messina praised City College's “very large and diverse set of support mechanisms for students,” but acknowledged that these resources are often “funded in different silos” that can confuse students. Guided Pathways, she said, will help coordinate these services. She highlighted Family U, a program supporting parenting students, as an example of responsive, student-centered innovation.

In her first six months, Messina sees her primary objective as “being out and about, and engaged in all of our centers and our departments to make sure that I have a pulse on what everyone is experiencing, feeling and needing.” She described her leadership style as “open” and “transparent.”

“You have a question. Ask me. Come see me. I might not give an answer that you like, but I will always give the truth. Happy to share why,” Messina said.

Message to City College

Messina's closing message to students and employees reflects both optimism and urgency. “I'm just thrilled to be here to work with everyone. I think that we have an opportunity to continue to build on our legacy of social justice,” she said.

“It's important, now more than ever, to ensure that not only are we open and that we're accessible, but that students who want to graduate or transfer, that we're making sure that they're able to do that in a timely fashion so that they can economically benefit.”

Staff

Editor-in-Chief

John Adkins

News Editor

Tabari Morris

Feature Editor

Abby Sigler

Op-Ed Editor

Henry Crowell

Sports Editor

Lloyd Cobb

Social Media Editor

Abby Sigler

Photo Editor

Isaac Ortiz

Copy Editors

Gracia Hernandez-Rovel

Elena Chiaruttini

Ellen Yoshitsugu

Writers

Ahmad Aimag

Cain Gibson

Cooper McDonald

Finbar LaBelle

Karla Lopes

Lev Farris Goldenberg

Marrion Cruz

Qi Mai

Raeghan Green

Victoria Capree

Photographers

Karim Farahat

Tiffany Sainz

Illustrators

Cindy Chan

David Thomas

Graphic Designers

Cindy Chan

Sebastien Thugnet

Tiffany Lam

Advisor Juan Gonzales jagonzal@ccsf.edu

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CCSF Pushes to Unpack City's Forgotten Scale Model

By Marrion Cruz mcruz88@mail.ccsf.edu

City College positioned itself as the permanent home for one of the city's most unusual treasures: a 42-by-38-foot wooden scale model of San Francisco. Now, years later, it sits disjointed in crates with no relocation on the horizon.

Built between 1938 and 1940 by more than 300 craftspeople under the Works Progress Administration, the model contains roughly 6,000 removable blocks depicting every street and structure in the city at the time. Once a showpiece at City Hall, the model later fell into storage at UC Berkeley.

The model has not been seen in full display by the public in 84 years, as it remains in storage under the ownership of UC Berkeley's Department of Geography. According to project records in the San Francisco History Center, the crates also contain original sketches, banker's boxes of block profiles, and blueprint drawings.

“The condition of the model is generally good except for the downtown and south of market portions, which need restoration,” digital cartographer David Rumsey said. In December 2023, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to pursue housing the model on campus. The proposal evolved from an initial 2020 exhibition plan in Smith Hall's cafeteria to a more ambitious placement in the Student Union. However, the initial plans were

stalled due to the pandemic, and the artifact went back into hiding.

Currently, there are desks and office chairs on the top floor of the Student Union, and the dust never seems to settle. Visualizing a spectacular vision of San Francisco in this space is an easy feat: the large glass windowpanes that scale three of the four walls frame the real city skyline. The model would complete the optical illusion of concentric cities.

Advocates see the model as more than a display. Instructor Leslie Simon, who leads the SF Scale Model Initiative, stressed in an interview last year that “fundraising will ensure the college won't shoulder the costs alone.”

Early September, she emphasized the importance of student engagement, saying she was surprised but encouraged by the growing interest: “We need that!”

Architecture major Nyra Oeun proposed layouts for a Student Union installation in a released presentation slideshow. The model could serve as a teaching tool for courses in architecture, geography and museum studies, as well as a resource for San Francisco Unified elementary schools.

“Bright colors were used in painting the model, because pilots who had flown over San Francisco frequently explained that from an altitude of several thousand feet, the city took on more of the brighter pastel shades,” the official City Planning document stated at the time.

History

Historian Grey Brechin has called the model a “freeze-frame of what the city looked like prior to Pearl Harbor.” That connection places it alongside the college's other New Deal-era holdings, including Diego Rivera's Pan American Unity mural.

The model debuted on April 15, 1940, at a city hall dedication attended by Mayor Andrew Rossi. Funded at a cost of $102,750, it was praised as a “bright pastel” aerial view of the city. Craftsmen used poplar and sugar cane wood, and even created shrubbery out of wire wool, sponge and seeds.

During World War II, the model was placed in storage, where it remained for decades. In the 1960s, San Francisco city planners briefly used it as a practical planning tool.

By 2017, it emerged from sixteen crates and became part of a San Francisco Museum of Modern Art partnership with San Francisco

Public Library, which sent sections of the model to library branches around the city.

“It belongs to the people of San Francisco,” said former SFMOMA Senior Program Associate Stella Lochman.

In 2019, the model was publicly displayed at SFMOMA, prompting City College's Scale Model Initiative Team to push for its relocation to City College before COVID-19 intervened.

Advocates argue that the model's placement at the college would align with its mission of cultural preservation. With ten official cultural districts across San Francisco, the model could act as a visual anchor for understanding both the city's past and its evolving civic identity.

Whether it will soon belong to students and faculty depends on negotiations still underway. For now, the model sits boxed, waiting for its next chapter.

‘Aid Like Paycheck’ Returns: Hire Up 2025

By Sofia Mhei Ferry sferry4@mail.ccsf.edu

For over two years, the state has afforded eligible students millions of dollars' worth of financial aid. The Higher Education Student Grant Program, established on June 30, 2022, through Assembly Bill No. 183, is often referred to as “aid like a paycheck.”

Although the pilot program had temporarily suspended operations at City College last spring, the sunset period was designed to gather data and inform the reinstatement of a program that ensures its effectiveness for students. Reinstitution of the program at City College is set to begin this Fall.

According to the Hire UP program Guide, the pilot program provides financial assistance by monthly stipends to formerly incarcerated students, CalWORKs recipients, and former foster youth to support their costs of college attendance, access to credential programs, and workforce support to successfully participate in California's economy.

“Some students were working part-time, really burning themselves out, and they were able to just quit their jobs and focus on school,” said EOPS director, Katrina Evasco.

“It did attract a lot of students. Some students were working part-time, really burning themselves out, and they were able to just quit their jobs and focus on school. And for some of our students, they said this was lifechanging money for them,” said Katrina Evasco, the director of student

support programs EOPS, CARE, and NextUp of City College. “For some of our students, they said this was life-changing money for them.”

The bill had allocated $30 million for a five-year run across 10 California community college districts and is currently available to 25 community colleges. According to the 2025 Report of the Hire UP Pilot Program from the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, the $30 million budget was allocated and split across the 10 California community college districts for two fiscal years to determine a funding formula. It advises considering various local factors to measure the needs of the students.

City College received funding for the Hire UP pilot program for the fiscal years of 2023 and 2024. The 2025 report states that City College was allocated $1.32 million for each fiscal year, coming to a total of $2.64 million. The roll-out for the academic year 2023-24 disbursed $586,824 to students, which comes to 22% of the total $2.64 million budget. A total of 87 students received monthly stipends, with 48 full-time students and 39 part-time students.

“It was a really good resource and it sustained my college experience coming from the background I have,” said student Lorenzo Castañeda. “I was able to be productive with the financial support.”

The 2025 report stated that the Hire UP pilot program is in high demand locally and shows promise for continuation beyond the five-year pilot. It will continue to provide technical assistance on best practices for serving students, address structural inequities through financial aid, and improve reporting on student outcomes.

“It'd be good to research to see how effective it is in the colleges throughout, to see if it's something that could be offered in the future,” Evasco said.

For students like Castañeda, Hire Up proves that financial aid is more than just a paycheck; it's a second chance.

Faculty Sound the Alarm on Batmale’s Rat Problem

By Ahmad Aimag aaimag@mail.ccsf.edu

Concerns about a rodent problem in Batmale Hall surfaced at a City College Board of Trustees meeting, where faculty and students raised questions about health and safety on campus.

Mary Bravewoman, president of the faculty union, told trustees that rodents are a growing concern for faculty in Batmale Hall. “Rodents have been responsible for more human illnesses and deaths than any other group of mammals,” Bravewoman said, citing the California Occupational Safety and Health Agency. She explained that rodents can carry dozens of diseases that may spread to humans. Bravewoman stressed that employees and students need more guidance. “Steps are being taken,” she said, “but more needs to be done to protect the health of employees and students.”

Administrators acknowledged the concerns. Vice Chancellor of Facilities Alberto Vasquez said rodents are not a new issue for City College. “We typically have a pest control company address it, and we do our part to reduce access into the building by covering holes,” Vasquez said. He explained that facilities recently expanded pest control services, added shredding bins for sensitive documents, and increased recycling to discourage rodents.

Still, Vasquez emphasized that faculty members also play a role in prevention. “We can't go in and throw out instructional material or student work,” he said. “That has to be done by the faculty themselves.”

Facilities worker Alfred Wong confirmed that rodents had been present but said conditions have improved in recent weeks. “I've been looking at the rattraps and they're empty so far,” Wong said.

He attributed earlier problems

to rodents entering when doors were propped open during cold weather and finding warmth or food inside.

He also pointed out that student behavior contributes to the issue.

“Sometimes students put food above ceiling tiles or leave trash in classrooms,” Wong said. “As long as that happens, the smell attracts rodents.”

For now, he said, vigilance remains key: “Not leaving food overnight makes a big difference.”

Students shared mixed experiences. Some said they had never seen rodents on campus, while others expressed growing concern after hearing reports.

Student Lorena Gonzalez said she had not personally encountered

any rodents but heard rumors about them last semester. “I am concerned now, if it's confirmed that we have them,” Gonzalez said. “If so, they should handle that.” She noted that even if sightings are rare, the possibility of rodents carrying diseases should be taken seriously.

Another student, Josh Rodriguez, said he had never seen or heard of rodents in the building. “I do not typically see rats here or any other infestation here,” Rodriguez said, adding that he believes the campus is generally clean. At the same time, he acknowledged that pests are a natural risk in large buildings and can pose health problems if not addressed.

One student, Evan, recalled only one possible sighting during his two years in Batmale Hall, but said the issue still worried him. “Students shouldn't have to worry about that kind of thing,” he said. “It's important to have a clean area so we can do our best.” He added that concerns about cleanliness are not only about rodents but also about the learning environment overall.

Health officials have long warned that rodents in schools and other public buildings present risks beyond discomfort. Rodents can spread more than 35 diseases, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and infestations often worsen if food sources or hiding

places are left unaddressed. At City College, the question is not only if rodents are present, but whether the district is communicating effectively with the people who work and study in its buildings.

For now, administrators say that increased pest control visits, recycling measures and faculty responsibility are keeping the problem under control. But as students and staff share mixed reports, the issue remains under watch.

“Steps are being taken,” Bravewoman said, “but more needs to be done.”

Bridge to Success: New Goals Set for 2026 Enrollment

By Qi Mai qmai10@mail.ccsf.edu

For San Francisco students, the path from high school to college can be uncertain. But through a growing set of programs — from dual enrollment to transfer scholarships and support for justiceimpacted youth — City College is working with SFUSD to smooth the way. At this month's “Bridge to Success” retreat, educators reviewed enrollment trends and mapped out goals for 2026. About 31% of SFUSD students aged 16 to 24 were enrolled in two-year institutions in 2024, a sign of growing confidence in the support systems at City College.

Metro Transfer Program

The pathway from SFUSD high schools to City College, and eventually to a four-year university, relies on financial aid programs and partnerships such as the Metro Transfer Program. Each fall, the program supports 20-30 SFUSD graduates at City College with a $10,000 scholarship, tutoring and services targeted toward first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students.

Mechanical engineering major

John Benedict Bravo, and his older sister, are both Metro students. Inspired by her success transferring to San Francisco State, John chose City College while still at Phillip and Sala Burton Academic High School. Counselors helped him build an education plan, and he enrolled on College Decision Day.

Though he struggled in Calculus II, Metro Center tutors helped him pass. With his scholarship and part-time job, he now pays his own expenses. “The Metro Program and the scholarship helped us stay on track. We're happy with our decision to come here,” he said.

The program has boosted equity and college completion rates, helping students build academic and personal skills for long-term success.

Dual Enrollment Program

For many students, family shapes higher education choices. With parental encouragement, counselor support, and the Dual Enrollment Program, students gain early momentum.

Biology major Melody Lee, whose sisters attended UC Davis and UC Berkeley, chose a different route.

Not wanting to rush into university life, she tried Math 40 through dual enrollment in Summer 2023, earning both high school and transferable college credit.

Specialized counselors later helped her design a two-year pathway targeting UC San Diego or UC Irvine. By Summer 2025, she had completed 12 courses with a 3.6 GPA. Though Biology was challenging, she is now considering Marine Biology.

“In my experience, my family gave me some guidance, but City College's financial aid and counseling played the decisive role in making college accessible,” Lee said. “City College is fast-paced and engaging. I focus on my studies and help my family by preparing dinner after class.”

Pathways Beyond Barriers

Since 2014, Rising Scholars has served youth affected by the juvenile justice system and incarcerated or formerly incarcerated adults, now reaching 120 correctional facilities across California.

One business major, who endured addiction, homelessness

and incarceration, rebuilt his life with support from the Salvation Army's The Way Out program and Rising Scholars. Now working full-time while pursuing a degree, he excelled academically, recently scoring 100 on a Financial Accounting exam.

“Without the Salvation Army, without Rising Scholars, and without smooth academic support, I wouldn't be here today,” he said.

In April 2025, Vice Chancellor David Yee awarded degrees and certificates to incarcerated students, including one who transferred to San Francisco State. “City College will continue to support students through any challenges,” Yee said.

Program director Yvette Vargas visits correctional facilities twice a month, offering guidance and building trust. “They have felt safe and secure here,” Vargas said. This semester, about 100 justice-impacted students study at Ocean Campus, with another 100 in correctional facilities.

Expanding Opportunities

If City College's programs are imagined as public transit, Dual Enrollment is the BART — fast and

early. Metro is the Rapid Muni — reliable and transfer-focused. Rising Scholars is the streetcar — steady and serving those who've faced detours.

Like the transit system, pipelines keep growing. In 2015, City College and San Francisco launched the Credit Recovery Program through CCSF's Transitional Studies Department, allowing students to retake courses, improve grades and recover credits tuition-free.

“CCSF is committed to recruiting students and strengthening the high school-to-college pathway,” said Dean of Outreach Meg Hudson, noting more students are now arriving from cities like Daly City, Fremont and Concord.

Vice Chancellor Yee added, “Direct the students to existing classes with space or create another section of a class.”

From dual enrollment to Metro, Credit Recovery, and Rising Scholars, City College demonstrates a broad commitment to guiding students from high school to higher education. As educators reflected at the retreat, these programs are more than initiatives — they are lifelines, bridging opportunity and achievement for San Francisco students.

Could a Transit Pass Be in City College Students' Future?

By Lev Farris Goldenberg lfarrisg@mail.ccsf.edu

Like many students, Angelica Campos takes public transit to the Ocean campus every week. At times, that has meant making a sacrifice.

“I've had to pick between paying fare or, when I'm on campus, buying lunch,” Campos said.

According to a 2018 survey by the City College of San Francisco on modes of transportation among students, 48 percent of students used transit. As Student Trustee for City College, Campos knows the cost of transit can be one extra burden heaped onto students with already full plates.

“We believe transit is another important basic need beyond just food, beyond just housing, that we don't really talk about in the education world,” Campos said.

That is why Campos has advocated for a transit pass for City College students.

In June of 2024, the Board of Trustees approved a Green New Deal for City College, which called for the College to “promote mass transit methods, including free public transit for students.”

At the time, Board of Trustees member Aliya Chisti told S.F. Transit Riders that the College hired a coordinator to support its transportation goals. The Guardsman was unable to confirm this hiring with the College before the time of publication.

In May of the same year, Senator Alex Padilla earmarked $1,000 in discretionary funding to establish a transit pass pilot program. According to Chancellor Kimberlee Messina, that pilot program has not gotten off the ground.

Funding a Transit Pass

This summer, Chancellor Kimberlee Messina met with Campos, Student Chancellor Heather Brandt, and a representative from BART to discuss potential funding methods for a transit pass.

Messina asked the group to provide her with a plan for the pilot program, including a budget and the number of students it would include.

“I'd love to have students have free transit,” Messina said. “But again, without knowing where the funding is coming from, how much it is, and what it would cost, I couldn't make a commitment on that.”

The push for a transit pass comes at a crucial time for local public transit.

SFMTA is facing a $320 million deficit starting in July 2026. If funding cannot be secured, Muni could be forced to cut service frequency by 50 percent, eliminate service after 9 p.m., and cancel fare subsidies. BART would also

cut service by an estimated 65 to 85 percent.

During September, Transit Month in the Bay Area, SFMTA has been on a rollercoaster ride of negotiations to secure funding.

First, Governor Gavin Newsom reneged on his promise to provide SFMTA with a $750 million loan during this legislative session. Then Mayor Daniel Lurie announced that the stopgap loan from the State was back on the table, with a goal of reaching a deal by this fall. Lurie also backed a proposed 2026 ballot measure that would help fund Muni with a parcel tax on businesses.

Even if any of the ideas to save the SFMTA prove successful, City College students could still be facing the same old problem: getting to school without breaking the bank.

Other Colleges

Other public and private universities in the city provide transit passes to their students, such as San Francisco State's Gator Pass. The Gator Pass acts as an all-in-one transit card for the Bay Area, allowing users to take unlimited rides on BART, Metro, buses and ferries.

University of San Francisco undergraduates who pay a $310 transportation fee as part of their tuition receive a USF Muni pass that is good for unlimited rides on Bay Area transit during each semester.

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), provides unlimited access for students to any service that uses Clipper.

“City College students already have to really consider transportation as a huge cost,” said Jing Shi, a member of the Protect Free City student group. “And to know that certain lines will be cut, I think it only adds more uncertainty to students.”

In May, Protect Free City set forth a list of demands for Mayor Daniel Lurie, including full reinstatement of Free City's funding. They hope the program's full funding, should it be renegotiated, could be used to provide transportation support for students.

The 2025 San Francisco City

budget maintained Free City's funding level at $9.3 million — the same as last year — just enough to cover free tuition for all San Francisco residents. If the College is to fund additional basic needs services, such as a transit pass, Free City will likely have to be expanded, not just maintained.

Lurie's proposed budget for 2026 would further cut Free City funding to $7.15 million.

Between the looming transit budget deficit and recent fare hikes, the prospect of losing affordable transit weighs heaviest on those with the least to spare. As Shi put it, “Any time that public transit is at risk, it's always the working-class students that bear the most burden.”

On Display at Gallery Obscura: Forgotten Rivertown

By Karim Farahat karim.farahat0823@gmail.com

The Photography Department's first exhibit of the semester in their Gallery Obscura features Jesus Alvarez III's Forgotten Rivertown. The project offers a unique perspective on Rivertown, also known as Old Antioch, a culturally rich community on the Northwest side of Antioch.

Antioch is undergoing a major revamp, marked by the construction of new buildings and a transformation of the neighborhood. In the wake of these changes, Alvarez sought to document the raw and authentic community in which he grew up.” Before any of the old foundations or even some of the old businesses go away, I wanted to make sure that I documented them,” he said.

Although the project had been simmering in the back of Alvarez's mind for some time, it wasn't until he took Photo 102 B, Mark Murrmann's documentary photography class, that he began working on it. The class focuses on telling a compelling story and documenting a cause through still photos. As the semester progressed, both Murrmann and Alvarez agreed that “there was a there,” and a strong photo series was taking shape.

One of Murrmann's favorite photos from the exhibit is a simple portrait of three men standing beneath a tree, whom he feels embody Rivertown and its rich yet buried culture. “A lot of people in the Bay Area kind of look down on Antioch in a big way, but to the people who live there, it's their home, it's their community, and they

are proud of it, and I think that this photo really shows that,” he said.

When gallery director Sarah Christenson asked Murrmann for a project to nominate for the Gallery Obscura, Forgotten Rivertown immediately came to mind. Murrmann nominated Alvarez's work in part to encourage him to continue to document the Rivertown community after the semester was over.

Beyond adding to this project, Alvarez wants to document communities along the Delta and the Sacramento River that also possess a rich and historic culture, which is largely unknown to the rest of the Bay Area. Since he got his license in high school, Alvarez would drive through these towns and occasionally hang out with friends there.

With increased visibility and development threatening the authenticity of these communities, Alvarez hopes to reveal the abundance of culture before it gets dimmed or displaced.

Initially, approaching strangers and asking permission to take their photo was uncomfortable for Alvarez, but as the project progressed, he was able to integrate himself into the neighborhood in a new way. “I don't feel like a stranger in my own town anymore,” he said. Through building his reputation and understanding of the community, he captured more intimate and authentic shots. He also now benefits from some free meals at some of the Rivertown restaurants.

This marks the photographer's first exhibition, but he hopes to have a showcase in Rivertown soon. “I just

want people to feel seen… I know they don't always see themselves in the most positive way, so it would be a nice change of pace for them,” Alvarez said.

For the gallery exhibit's opening on Sept. 3, around 50 people showed up to catch a glimpse of Alvarez's work, including Chancellor Kimberlee Messina, Executive Assistant Mary Esteban and Dean Erin Denney.

This marks the first of two exhibits that the Gallery Obscura will be showcasing this semester.

In mid-October, Alvarez's Forgotten Rivertown will be replaced by a project from Don Collier, a City College photo student and winner of the Spring 2025 Cherkis Scholarship, which awards an exhibition and $1000.

Forgotten Rivertown is accessible in the Visual Arts Building. The photo lab is open on Mondays (9 a.m. - 9:45 p.m.), Tuesdays (1 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.), Wednesdays (1 p.m.9:45 p.m.), Thursdays (9 a.m. - 9:45 p.m.), and Saturdays (9 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.).

Where to Study Near Ocean Campus

By Abby Sigler

abby.sigler@gmail.com

Here are five study spaces within walking distance of Ocean Campus, graded on their spreadability (table space), longevity (how long you and your laptop can reasonably last), sustenance (food and drink options) and lock-in potential (your odds of staying focused):

The interior is something you must see in person to truly appreciate. A faux cherry tree fills the center of the room, dimpled copper sheets cover the counter and back wall, and a TV plays mall pop until an ad occasionally takes over. The tables are a bit wobbly, but the Wi-Fi password is available upon request, and a few outlets are scattered along the walls. Best for squeezing in an hour of work between classes when you don't mind a little visual chaos.

Spreadability: AA

Longevity: AAA

Sustenance: AAAA

Lock-in potential: AAA Philz Coffee

Three large community tables sit amongst smaller two-tops, all a little worn from years of use. It's on the corporate side, but the space is bright with natural light and feels busy yet not overwhelming. Outlets cluster near the large tables, and the Wi-Fi connection remains steady. Best for marathon study days when you need to sprawl out and feed off the energy of a buzzing room.

Spreadability: AAAAA

Longevity: AAAA

Sustenance: AAA

Lock-in potential: AAAA

is a cafe

encourages productivity.

and plenty of natural

make the

open and airy. A parakeet chirps occasionally over the world music playing from a floating JBL speaker. Best for longhaul solo work sessions when you want to settle in and stay productive throughout the afternoon.

Spreadability: AAAA

Longevity: AAAA

Sustenance: AAAA

Lock-in potential: AAAAA

The décor is cohesive, softly lit and new, with only a slight hint of construction noise drifting in from across the street. Pastries line the case, cold brew goes for five dollars, and the camping chairs are surprisingly comfortable. Best for a quick afternoon session with a pastry and a friend before heading back to campus.

Spreadability: AA

Longevity: AAA

Sustenance: AAA

Lock-in potential: AAA

Music-forward and casual, it's important to note this spot leans more distracting than studious. However, the seating is generous, the food is solid, and the staff are notably friendly. Best for group projects that need space, snacks and a good playlist.

Spreadability: AAA

Longevity: AAA

Sustenance: AAAA

Lock-in potential: AA

DIY Spirit on Display at SF Zine Fest

By Sam Palma spalma8@mail.ccsf.edu

It was a sunny day on Aug. 31 at San Francisco's Metreon, a welcome reprieve from the city's historically cold summer. Attendees of this year's Zine Fest fanned themselves as they meandered through an endless sea of tabling artists. The venue was filled to the brim with curious event goers who were just as unique as the zines on display.

“This is one of our favorite events of the year. It's always such a treat. We always come with enough money in our pockets and a willingness to spend and support other artists,” said one event goer, Valerie Win Liu.

The zine community is notably diverse and welcoming. Attendees varied in age, including a mix of teenagers, young adults, older individuals and multi-generational families. Some donned muted t-shirts, jeans and totes, while others opted for keychains, pins and colorful patterns.

Cultural Resurgence

First started in 2001, this year marked Zine Fest's 24th year. The festival began as a means to support and uplift writers, creators and artists in the Bay Area, offering participants the chance to share their work with the public. Since its founding, San Francisco's Zine Fest has experienced significant growth, and recent reports suggest a growing popularity in zine culture nationwide.

Zines stem from the word “magazine” or “fan zine,” and are DIY, selfpublished booklets that are independent of big publications. They are typically low-cost and can be distributed and sold for a small fee, traded or given away for free. Zines can include poetry, writing, photography, collages, personal memoirs and comic strips. They provide endless options for those looking to create and serve as an outlet for escapism in a techdominated world.

“Anybody can make a zine. That's what's so beautiful about them,” said Angie Chaparro, another event attendee. At this year's Zine Fest, the content ranged from finding the best tiramisu spots in the city to a girl falling in love with a sentient refrigerator.

Highlighting Local Art

Throughout the event, tables were decorated with work that complemented each artist's distinctive style. City College's own alum, Nadia Fathi, had zines displayed of their photography and artwork that reflected their life as a mixed, queer, Southeast Asian person, growing up in San Francisco.

“I think this was the first time I had to come up with descriptions for my pieces when it was all very internal before. So just sharing a part of my soul with hundreds of people walking past my table was very vulnerable, but it was really fulfilling,” Fathi said.

Inspired by a lack of representation, Fathi's art incorporates elements of their background, such as whimsical childhood nostalgia, queer Southeast Asian relationships and life in San Francisco.

While discussing their creative process, Fathi described how, “At the end of the day, this is about fun, and this is about your passion, and it should be a good stress.”

Career Stepping Stone

It could be argued that for many up-and-coming artists, Zine Fest serves as a rite of passage for those pursuing a career in art. Many of Zine Fest's past guests of honor were individuals who first tabled at the festival, went on to secure book deals, and eventually had their work published.

At least, that was the case for Zine Fest's 2023 guest of honor. “A couple of years ago, we had Maia Kobabe, who has been exhibiting at Zine Fest for many years, but then published the graphic novel “Gender Queer,” and it became the most banned book in the U.S.,” said SF Zine Fest organizer Michaela Payne.

This year's guest of honor was Thien Pham, who wrote and illustrated “Family Style,” a graphic memoir recounting Pham's experience immigrating to America with his family from Vietnam. He has been previously featured in KQED, The Chronicle and more. During a live speaker panel, Pham offered his one piece of advice for those interested in pursuing art: get a day job.

“Even if I didn't love my day job, I would still keep doing comics. I do it for the love of it,” Pham said.

Balboa Reservoir Project: Will City College be left in the Dust?

By Ellen Yoshigitsu ellenyoshi@gmail.com

Construction will begin this fall on a brand new 17-acre subdivision adjacent to the City College Ocean campus. Contractors will begin the early stages of demolition, road construction and installation of new utility lines for the entire site on Oct. 1.

Noise and dust levels are expected to be high during the first phase of the work this winter. The work will reduce parking and slow transit in the vicinity of the college.

Back in 2020, when the Balboa Reservoir project was approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the developers agreed to protect the interests of the surrounding communities, including City College. A community advisory committee worked for years on the details of these agreements.

The developers agreed to communicate and coordinate, and take steps to reduce the impact of noise, dust and emissions, traffic and parking. Now that construction is about to start, it is time for the developers to make good on their promises.

So far, the evidence is mixed.

Communication Breakdown

The developers held a public meeting on Aug. 30, 2025, to update the community about the project. Representatives from Bridge Housing, the main non-profit developer, various San Francisco city agencies, architects, and contractors were there to answer questions.

The public had to interact with the presenters “in a roaming, random approach rather than a speaker-toaudience participation format,” said Michael Adams, City College music student. Madeline Mueller, City College's Music and Theatre Arts Department chair, said she received “contradictory answers from the dozens of representatives present.”

Handouts were given to contractors but not to community members.

The community liaisons at the meeting declined to speak on the record and haven't yet returned phone calls.

The Balboa Reservoir website has not been updated since 2022.

At the meeting, one of the contractors gave his copy of the “Balboa Reservoir Community Meeting FAQ” handout to The Guardsman. It appears haphazardly stitched

together and includes undated maps with no sources.

Project teams will coordinate with City College and Riordan High School, “to ensure that construction-related impacts are kept to a minimum,” according to the FAQ. The City College team consists of Joyce Oishi, Senior Project Manager with Kitchell, who is on contract with the college for construction management, and Jasmine Kaw, with the college's Office of Facilities and Capital Planning, according to several representatives at the meeting.

Kaw told The Guardsman by phone that they are not responsible for environmental monitoring. They coordinate closely with the developers about shared utilities and the public right of way. She said that they work from an “Access Easement Agreement” between the city and the college.

Construction Impact

By law, developers must take extra precautions around schools, which are classified as “sensitive receptors” in construction projects.

The contractors follow a standard set of procedures to reduce the

impact of noise and dust on sensitive receptors in surrounding communities. Safety precautions include watering the roadways, covering dirt piles, putting mufflers on equipment and setting up noise barriers. To make sure levels don't get too high, they must strategically place automated monitors onsite and post signs with contact info on how the public can make complaints.

“If there is a reading above an action level, it kicks us into action,” reads the Community Meeting FAQ. Meaning the work must stop until the problem is solved. However, monitor placement to protect the City College community will be key.

“We're going to be monitoring dust and noise levels on all the sides. There is no other way to do it. So I would not be too concerned about that,” said Michael Kupryyanov, Nibbi Project Manager. He said the monitors will be placed in locations that will cover the area, but not exactly next to the Harry Britt and STEAM buildings.

Kupryyanov also noted that the college will begin construction on the Performing Arts and Education Center, between the STEAM and Harry Britt buildings, next spring and will also have “pollution sources and mitigations.”

However, according to an Aug. 28 environmental monitoring report on the SF Planning Dept website, City College is described as beginning 800 feet from the construction site, on the east side of Frida Kahlo Way. This completely ignores the STEAM and Harry Britt buildings. Neither Kupryyanov nor Kaw were aware of this report.

Regarding traffic congestion, the FAQ vaguely promises that “work will be phased to allow access at all times.”

Dust by itself is a health hazard. But soil can also contain hazardous materials. According to the December 2024 Balboa Reservoir Phase 1 Infrastructure document from the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development, the area contains one site with benzene, which will be buried under five feet of clean fill, and three sites with low surface levels of hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen and mutagen

(causes birth defects). People can be exposed to these chemicals by breathing in the dust in the air.

In 2008, City College installed a large array of geothermal wells on the reservoir, which was then City College property, to provide economical heating and cooling for the buildings on the west side of Frida Kahlo Way. Eight of these wells, large tanks buried about 200 feet underground, will be removed, according to Michael Dorsa, of Nibbi Bros. Hexavalent chromium is an anticorrosion agent and may have been used on the underground tanks. The presence of hexavalent chromium concentrations in shallow site soils is not considered to be a risk to future site occupants, nor to the construction workers with proper protection. The excavation and removal of the underground tanks, however, could disturb more than the surface soils, potentially posing a risk to the public.

Balboa reservoir housing development is a huge project and has been in the works for decades. There are many city agencies involved, numerous laws to comply with, multiple subcontractors, and a changing suite of developers and funding sources.

When the demolition starts, will they work from accurate plans and adequately protect the City College community from disruption and harm?

Does the right hand know what the left hand is doing?

The Guardsman wants to hear what you think. Have something to say about the state of the world, or the state of City College? We welcome any and all community letters, however we reserve the right to not publish any submission.

If you are a student please include your name and area of study. Please make all submissions to editor@theguardsman.com

Rams Find Rhythm Despite Doubleheader Defeat

By Marrion Cruz mcruz88@mail.ccsf.edu

Friday's doubleheader was a 3-0 loss for the Rams.

Laura Ato de la Rosa was pushed out of her usual rotation spot on Friday, filling in for a teammate sidelined by illness. The absence left the Rams scrambling under the net, but it also pushed them to communicate more as they adjusted to the lineup changes.

Friday was the second time the Rams lost 3-0, vs 3-0 sweep. The score was 25-14, 25-15, 25-15. Samyra Suon had 6 kills.

Head coach Josh Jung, in his first season, urged the team to “be aggressive” and give themselves “another chance.” His players echoed that message, crediting communication and body language for keeping them organized.

The Rams' roster is dominated by freshmen from San Francisco schools, with family ties and international backgrounds shaping the squad. Whether on the court or in the stands, they're still learning to play together and to cheer each other on.

Despite the shuffle, the Rams remained upbeat, echoing coach Jung's steady encouragement. Jung, who had praised his squad earlier in the semester after a rushed recruitment, again expressed pride in their growth and resilience.

“When a game is early, I feel groggy,” said freshman opposite hitter Nirali Bhakta. “I like afternoon games, we play better.”

Joy Robis, a first-semester student from Our Lady of Fatima University in Manila, admitted she's still learning new positions and played a set, stepping in for Chen. Robis said the team is improving each set. “We all had to communicate more in the game.”

With her family cheering in the stands, playing alongside the Faituala sisters, Kaelani and Maina. The two hold the team's highest hitting percentage. Maina remained the biggest assist in both games at 12 and 13 during each respective game, maintaining her 1.000 kill percent.

Kaelani is one of two returning Rams players; Aasia Wiley is the other.

The Rams dropped three straight sets but showed progress, according to Jung, “We played better against Marin compared to Wednesday.”

Players said the absence of one of their outside hitters, Chen (#10), pushed them to rely on each other. Number 8, who rotated through unfamiliar spots and served for the first time, admitted she was adjusting on the fly. Still, teammates pointed out her contributions, just as they highlighted Bhakta's blocking and timing after a ball went out of bounds.

Robis noted that the quieter City College crowds differ from the loud audiences she knew in the Philippines. Still, teammates said that hearing cheers, however subdued, boosted their confidence.

“It's different, though, because in the Philippines, the audience is loud [there],” and said that she had to stifle her own cheers for her teammates, afraid to disrupt everyone's flow. Some of them don't notice, stating that they keep it in their head for most of the game, but some definitely do, and say it helps boost their confidence in their gameplay, knowing the audience is with them, cheering them on.

The Rams' adjustments were evident. Emily Yee rotated across positions and served for the first time, filling in for Chen. Teammates highlighted Nirali Bhakta's (#18) strong blocking and timing, even after a ball went out of bounds.

After the game, Jung told his team they had played better than in Wednesday's matchup. Gathered around him, players like Aasia Wiley (#9) relaxed on the gym floor, looking ahead to their next contest against Skyline College. Wiley has the highest block per set this season, and did so during the second game at 5 p.m. with Skyline.

Kaelani Faituala emphasized the importance of positivity, noting that it boosts team morale when people remain upbeat. That spirit carried through in how players praised each other, critiqued constructively and prepared to bring new skills to the next game.

Although the Rams dropped three straight sets again, progress was

made during the game with Skyline with an improved point count (2515, 25-20, 15-14).

The Rams played three games on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 2:00 p.m. (Las Positas), 4:00 p.m. (De Anza), and 6:00 p.m. (Columbia) at the CCSF Quad.

Fatal Mistake Costs City College a Win Against Napa Valley College

By Isaac Ortiz isaacortiz117@gmail.com

City College tied 1-1 against Napa Valley College on Friday, Sept. 5. A heated game that culminated in a last-minute tie for Napa Valley College. City College, with the stronger side, dominated both halves. City College, fast on the wings, sent in pinpoint long balls to their wingers; the attack penetrated their defense, but could not find the shots to win them the game.

“We had the ball in advantageous areas of the field. We had shots on goal. We had great crosses on goal. But soccer is a little unlucky sometimes, and we just didn't knock one in,” said head coach Adam Lucarelli.

Napa Valley College spent most of the game in their half of the pitch due to a relentless, fast-paced midfield and attack.

Captain of the team, Antonin Lesperance, scored the only goal for City College off a penalty, which had Napa Valley College in an uproar over its validity. The penalty call is a dubious one because the tackle occurs outside the box, and Lesperance falls into the box, resulting in Napa Valley contesting the call.

Napa Valley College scored off a mistake from the keeper in the last ten minutes of the game. “I was proud of the boy, where we created, and I thought we did enough to win, we just didn't get it today. But nonetheless, you know, we just got to keep pushing forward, maybe learn from this mistake. But, you know, soccer is kind of a cruel sport sometimes, and things like that can happen,” Lucarelli said.

In their latest games, City College has produced a mixed bag of results with a record of 1-3-2. A 1-0 loss to Feather River, a 2-2 draw to Lake Tahoe, a 1-1 draw to San Joaquin Delta, and a 7-0 loss to Santa Rosa.