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March 22, 2012Volume 105, Issue 5

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The independent student voice of PCC. Serving Pasadena Since 1915.

Stepping into the future Idea of freespeech limitsfirmly opposedPCC President Rocha calls ‘time,place, manner’ policy unnecessary PAUL OCHOA ANDMICHAEL MCGRATHStaff writers

PCC President Mark Rocha isfirmly opposed to a ‘time, place,manner’ policy that would limitprotests and demonstrations oncampus.

“I don’t see any need for it,”Rocha said when addressingjournalism students March 15.Rocha also said, however, thatthere is an appropriate time forprotests and that the protestersin February were not dealingwith the real problem and werejust expressing anger.

“Once expressed, you have todeal with the problem,” Rochasaid.

“I really feel that the protestsare valid, but you have to directthe protests at the right place.These funding decisions aremade in Sacramento.”

Rocha said that the problem isnot PCC, but the economy, andthat the solution is to fund edu-cation.

“If you fund education, thebetter you will be able to fundeverything else,” Rocha said.

The ‘time, place, manner’ poli-cy has been a controversial topicof discussion before and wasultimately shelved last year bythe Academic Senate. At theBoard of Trustees meeting onMarch 7, mention of a revival ofthe policy by Board VicePresident John Martin drewwide attention, prompting stu-

dents to write letters of disap-proval.

“While it may be true that theboard felt ‘threatened’ by theprotests, that does not give themthe right to limit our freedom ofspeech,” wrote student AndrewBott in a letter to Rocha, theBoard of the Trustees, and vari-ous news organizations.

Both Board President GeoffreyBaum and Rocha havedenounced talk of reviving thepolicy. “There is no desire orattempt to restrict freedom ofexpression at PCC,” Baum

Blair Wells/Courier

Instructor Amy Oliver uses her “Smart” room in the R Building to help in her explantation of photography.

Classroom tech update underwayCHRISTINE MICHAELSStaff Writer

A technology update is under-way on campus, with hopes ofcompletion before June 2013,according to Vice President ofInformation TechnologyDwayne Cable.

The “Smart 18” plan has threecomponent. One of these is thatall 264 classrooms will become‘smart’ classrooms, according toInterim Dean of InstitutionalEffectiveness Crystal Kollross.

In addition, all full time facul-ty will have desktop computersreplaced with laptop dockingstations, and all adjunct facultywill “possibly acquire laptopsthey can check out,” said Cable.

“There’s a tech master plan,”said Cable. The plan includes a

Leverage Technology AdvisoryCommittee, “made up of tworepresentatives from [each of the14] academic divisions,” he said.To upgrade each classroom,smart boards, laptop docks, pro-jectors with cameras, and screenswill be added.

The laptop docks will be con-nected to the podium as well asthe PCC network. “[Faculty] willbe able to unplug [their laptops]and walk out of the classroom,”said Cable. Instructors will beable to bring their laptops toclass and just plug them into thedocks provided.

This will help keep each facul-ty members’ information withthem at all times, instead of on adesktop in a classroom that otherfaculty members have access to,according to Cable.

If a teacher does not have alaptop, one will be provided forhim or her. “[Faculty] has achoice between Mac orWindows…I want them to havewhat they are comfortable with,”said Cable.

Another possible update is theintroduction of college emailaddresses for each student atpasadena.edu.

Many students already have atleast two email [accounts]according to Cable. “It’s mostlikely to roll out by fall…I havefour or five email [accounts]myself!” said Cable.

Upgrading the PCC website isa high priority for Cable. “Ohlook at this! This is justawful...we have been working

Suspect arrested in campus bicycle theftMICHAEL MCGRATHStaff Writer

A bicycle theft suspect wasarrested last week after the quickcommunication between PCCcampus police and Caltech, anda stolen bike was returned to itsowner.

The victim, Phillip Nunez,English, received his bike backMarch 14 after the suspect wasfound riding it around Caltech.After reporting it stolen March 9,

Nunez was relieved and sur-prised, to get back his bike fromthe Pasadena Police Department.

“I was shocked at to even getthe bike back,” said Nunez.

Bicycle thieves, some of whommake a living solely off the prof-it from stolen bikes, are becom-ing bolder and even breakinglocks in front of a crowd, saidSgt. Steven Matchan of the Campus Police. “Some of thesethieves are professionals and areable to steal a bike in one to two

minutes,” said Matchan.“This year to date there have

been six bikes stolen from [stu-dents at] PCC in which twoarrests have been made and twoadditional suspects have beenidentified,” said Matchan.

He advised students to locktheir bikes in bicycle racks, andwith secure steel U-locks.

“I’ve heard of wire locks beingcut by simple gardening shears,”

Justin Clay/CourierVictor Aquino recently got his bicycle back from campus police afterthey discovered that it wasn't properly locked.

Antonio Gandara/CourierPCC President Dr. Mark Rochaspeaks with journalism studentsabout current events.

Continued on page 10Continued on page 10

Continued on page 10

2 Courier March 22, 2012News

College mobile app makes debutBRENDA RENTERIAStaff Writer

A new PCC mobile applicationis now available for free down-load for all Apple products.

“The PCC mobile app is upand running,” said PresidentMark Rocha. “It’s a great stepforward.”

The new app is currently avail-able only for the iPhone, iPad,[and iPod touch] but it will beavailable for Android andBlackberry soon, said Director ofPublic Relations Juan Gutierrez.

The app keeps the users up todate with the latest PCC news,events, and enables search forcourses, access to the full staffdirectory, search for librarybooks, Blackboard access, andsports results.

“If an instructor is usingBlackboard, students can alsoaccess their classes via the app toview assignments, announce-ments, grades and course mate-rials,” said Leslie Tirapelle, inter-im director of distance educa-tion.

“The implementation of a

mobile app is part of the col-lege’s strategy to become a glob-al community college -- and sup-ports a key educational masterplan signature goal to offer cut-ting-edge learning environ-ments,” said Tirapelle. “There isa vision to offer PCC studentsmany more capabilities viamobile devices in the nearfuture.”

The app has been in the worksfor over a year, said Gutierrez. Acommittee comprised of facultyand staff from the DistanceEducation Department,

Information Technology ServicesDepartment, Web ServicesOffice, Natural SciencesDivision, Title V Program, andwith input from First YearExperience students [all helpedwith the development of theapp], Tirapelle said.

Currently students aren’t ableto use it to register for classes,look up grades or unofficial tran-scripts.

“The app is a game changer.[Everyone] can be on top of thenews daily,” said Rocha.

Louis Cheung / CourierThe new PCC mobile app featuresa staff directory, a class search,and other menus.

Blair Wells / CourierThe Clothesline Project, sponsored by the Cross Cultural Center, celebrated Women’s History Month byhaving students write on T-shirts, inspirational messages directed towards women who have suffered fromviolence.

Women’s week raises awarenessCICELY CHISHOLMAsst. Features Editor

The Clothesline Project was asuccess at Women’s Week, aseries of events on campus thataimed to empower womenthrough different aspects of theirlives, occurring from March 12-15.

Sponsored by the CrossCultural Center and headed byPatricia Garcia and JimenaCuenca, the events celebratedWomen’s History Month, whichis March.

Participants wrote inspira-tional messages on T-shirtsdirected towards women whohave suffered from some form ofviolence.

“It’s about women empower-ment and giving women a voice.It’s also for men who believe thatviolence against women isn’tright,” said Cuenca.“Historically, women are sub-jected to violence more oftenthan men. We as women should-n’t be afraid anymore.”

A table was set up in the Quadwith various shirts and markers.The completed shirts were thenhung up for people to read.“Stop the Abuse” and “Stop theViolence” were among the mes-sages.

“The Clothesline Project wentgreat. We ran out of shirts, andthe next day, people stopped toread the T-shirts. It’s great theystopped to reflect on what theyread,” said Cuenca.

A workshop on eating healthy

was led by a member of a publichealth department.

“Healthy eating and bodyimage affect women. It chal-lenged the skinny image andfocused on healthy instead,” saidCuenca.

Those who attended weregiven a healthy recipe calendarto use.

The week ended on March 15with an event called ‘Take Backthe Night’, where people wereinvited to march in solidarity ofwomen who have suffered fromviolence. Whistles, flashlights,and pamphlets on how to staysafe at night were offered.

Those in attendance appreciat-ed the events.

“I loved everything theyplanned. They tried to addressimportant things that everybodyshould know,” said ChristinaGreen, accounting. “Healthy eat-ing, working out, self-defense,and basically knowledge andawareness of abuse.”

Garcia and Cuenca werepleased with the week and arealready planning another.

“We’re planning to have[Women’s Week] again in Mayand we’re really going to adver-tise it that time,” said Garcia.

Guitar strums passion intomusic instructorANTERO BARRANTES IIIStaff Writer

For Instructor Ron Berman,teaching students how to playthe guitar is more than a job. It’sa passion, one that requirespatience, communication, and alove of music.

Before he came to PCC, thethin, dark haired highly spiritedBerman found out who he wasand what his values were,through the music he devotedlypursued and mastered.

“As you play a piece of music,you have the harmony, melody,rhyme, bass, chords; all are puttogether on this piece of woodand metal you can carryaround,” said Berman, explain-ing the similarities between lifeand the guitar. “It’s like holdinga little universe in your arms;there’s so much music you canget out of it.”

One of Berman’s first teachingjobs in the 70’s consisted of visit-ing a maximum-security prisonin Massachusetts to instructinmates one-on-one guitar.

Knowing what the inmateswere in for was not of Berman’sconcern, but rather he pointedout that the important thing washelping them in their willingnessto learn. “Ultimately what mat-tered, were two people sharingmusic,” said Berman.

Originally, Berman started outplaying the clarinet, but becauseRock n Roll was so popular withbands like the Beatles, for theyoung Berman the guitar was itsultimate symbol.

Berman remembered the firststrum he took on his brother’sSears Robuck acoustic guitar.“When my brother finishedplaying it, I grabbed it andstrummed my first chord, sayingto myself: wow; this is great!” hesaid. The rest was history.

In his early twenties, whileplaying in a summer rock band,Berman got a chance to playalongside headliner bands withprofessional musicians, sparkingan interest to pursue a musiccareer

As an undergrad at NorthEastern University, majoring inMusic and Journalism, Bermanwas exposed to the likes of jazzmusicians; Miles Davis and JohnColtrane, and influential jazzguitarists such as Barney Kessel,West Montgomery, and Jim Hall.

After graduating from North

Eastern, Berman took a break,than later got into the NewEngland Conservatory.

Berman smiled, rememberinga time when he and a colleaguepremiered a concerto piece byjazz composer and teacherGeorge Russell.

“George Russell was a won-derful teacher and composer,”said Berman, “he made us feel asif anything was possible,” recall-ing what Russell had told him,“Just do it, don’t think you can’tdo it.”

It is the same philosophy, thatBerman patiently instills into hisstudents.

For Berman, when it comes toteaching, patience is a goodquality, being able to communi-cate your passion, and share itwith the students in order tolight their “fire.”

Daniel Valido, Art, former stu-dent of Berman, recalls beingencouraged to keep trying hisbest, “It was his encouragementthat made me not give up, andwhat kept me going was justthat.” “I was trying…andBerman influenced that in me,”said Valido. “Every time I play,I’m proud to have been in thatclass.”

“No matter what anybodytells you, don’t let anyone stompon your dream,” said Berman,“don’t let anybody tell you; youcan’t be this, or you’re too old tostart to do that.” “If you trulywant to do something and youfeel it in your core, you shouldpursue it.”

Max Perez / CourierMusic instructor Ron Berman.

Blair Wells / CourierThe Clothesline Project is a visual display of shirts with graphic mes-sages and illustrations that have been designed by women survivorsof violence, or by someone who loves a woman who has been killed.

3CourierMarch 22, 2012 News

The webpage will also provide answers to questions like:

Q: Was the live video feed of the Feb. 22 Board of Trustees meeting disrupted?A: No. What may have looked like interruptions in the feed were times when the camera focused in on the PCC logo on a

projection screen within the meeting room while the Board meeting was not in session. This has always been the practice for the video streaming of Board meetings.

Q: Will the campus be closed during the academic Spring Break, April 16–22?A: Yes. While there will not be any faculty working during this timeframe in any event, it means that all campus offices will be

closed, so with a few exceptions administrators, managers, classified and unclassified hourly workers will not be on campus.

Check back periodically for up-to-date information and how you can help advocate funding for education at the state level.

100% TRANSPARENCYVISIT WWW.PASADENA.EDU/FACTS. THE WEBPAGE OFFERS:

GALEN PATTERSON-SMITHStaff Writer

Some veterans are not receiv-ing their GI Bill paymentsbecause their paperwork has notbeen processed due to sickness.

Veteran counter clerk NancyChung was sick for two weeks,causing some veterans to notreceive their payments on time.

Chung is responsible for certi-fying classes, contacting theDepartment of Veterans Affairs,checking grades and evaluatingtranscripts for nearly all ofPCC’s 800 veterans.

“While I wasn’t here, no onewas doing the work,” saidChung.

Still putting the finishingtouches on fall semester’s paper-work, Chung was bombardedwith hundreds of requests forclasses from the veterans oncampus as well as by voicemailand Email, regarding not onlywinter session, but spring ses-sion as well.

“Over [in the L Building] thereis 15 people doing 30 people’sjobs,” said Jairo ‘Sauce’ GarciaSaucedo, English. Sauce worksin the Veterans Resource Centerand has been receiving phonecalls from many upset veteranson campus regarding their GIBill payments.

“My processing time is four tosix weeks, the VA is another sixto eight weeks,” said Chung.

Some students may not seepayments for 12 to 14 weeks,said Chung.

“It’s a lack of resources andknowledge for what can bedone,” said Saucedo

Though not all veterans atPCC are using their GI Bill, forsome, it is their only income. Thesetback could cause lapses in billpayments and force them intodifficult circumstances with thevery essentials in life.

Eddie Yi, radiological techni-cian, is a former Army infantry-man who doesn’t believe thecurrent system is efficient.

“It really is a whole lot of workfor one person,” said Yi.

However, some studentsbelieve that the lapse in pay-ments is the fault of the studentsand no one else.

“It’s not [Chung]. Students

need to check to see that theirpaperwork is straight before thesemester starts,” said Jeff Jordan,engineering design technologyand Coast Guard veteran.

“[The setback] hasn’t affectedme because I’m proactive. I takeproper steps to ensure my paper-work is correct,” said Jordan.

To prevent future mishaps,students should check theirpaperwork and make sureeverything has been certifiedcorrectly in advance. If furtherhelp is required, they can walk tothe L Building and ask a clerk atthe veterans counter. If all elsefails, they can contact the VA bytelephone.

The GI Bill was introducedafter World War II. It’s intentionwas to give every Americanservice member the ability topursue higher education aftertheir service to the country.

Sicknesspostpones veterans’payments

Teresa Mendoza / CourierVeteran's Services desk limited its hours of operation to two hourslast week in order to process veteran student certifications.

NICHOLAS ZEBROWSKINews Editor

The second trial involving aformer PCC student accused ofkilling his girlfriend and cover-ing her body with kitty litter hasagain been postponed. A newhearing was set in court onTuesday for April 10.

“[The trial] is not reallydelayed that long,” said DistrictAttorney Steve Ipson. “We’reexpecting to go to trial in May.”

Isaac Campbell is accused inthe slaying of his girlfriend LiyaLu, both former PCC students.Campbell has admitted to con-cealing her body in a trash andfilling it with kitty litter and hid-ing it in a friend’s garage inArcadia for over a month.

Campbell looked pale andskinny at the short hearing.

The case went to trial last year,after a hung jury caused a mistri-al partly because no cause ofdeath could be determined dueto the mummification of thebody by the kitty litter. MedicalExaminer Dr. Pedro Ortiz foundno cause of death, but labeled themanner of death a homicide con-sidering the evidence.

Ipson has argued thatCampbell may have killed Luwith a martial arts chokehold.Public Defender Jim Duffy saysthat Lu was fatally hurt whenthrown onto the futon byCampbell after an altercation.

Campbell was arrested inMinnesota, where he fled to afterLu’s body was found. In courtCampbell said he did not callemergency services because of abad history with police.

Trial of student in slayingpostponed until next month

4 Courier March 22, 2012Opinion

Letters to the EditorThe Courier welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be about

300 words and may be edited by Courier staff. All letters must containyour full name and a correct daytime phone number. Letters can bedelivered to the Courier office in CC 208 or sent by e­mail to cornejo_courier@yahoo.com.

Corrections The Courier staff endeavors to ensure accuracy in all aspects of its report­

ing. If you believe we have made an error, please contact us at (626) 585­7130or via e­mail to protacio_courier@yahoo.com.

Note to Readers

Courier2011 JACC General Excellence

Award WinnerEditor­in­ChiefNeil Protacio

News EditorNicholas Zebrowski

Assist. News EditorPaul Ochoa

Online EditorGalen Patterson­Smith

Assist. Online EditorAnder Arostegui

Arts & Entertainment EditorJessi Alva

Assist. Arts & Entertainment EditorMary Nurrenbern

Opinion EditorF.E. Cornejo

Assist. Opinion EditorPhilip McCormick

Sports EditorNicholas Saul

Assist. Sports EditorLinda Pineda

Features EditorMercy Fabila

Assist. Features Editors:Cicely Chisholm, Christine Michaels

Photo EditorGabriela Castillo

Assist. Photo EditorTeresa Mendoza

Chief PhotographerDaniel Nerio

Online Photo EditorLouis Cheung

Scene EditorsBuren Smith, Max Perez

Social Media EditorJustin Clay

Multimedia EditorNatalie Sehn Weber

Staff Writers:Antero Barrantes III, Brandon Drexel,Dustin Earl, Jesus Gomez, TiffanyHerrera, Amar Kasopovic, Edwin Lee,Michael McGrath, Raymond Pecson,Brenda Renteria, Luis Rodriguez, KarlaSosa, Colin Sum

Staff Photographers: Kevin Balmadrid, Katherine Bussey,Megan Carrillo, Nikki Debbaudt, MinelaDela Cruz, Steven Fuel, Ya Ling Hsu,Ronald Johnson, AnthonyRichetts,Sasha S. Tracy, Steven Valdez, BlairWells

Faculty AdviserWarren Swil

Photography AdviserTim Berger

Advertising CoordinatorAnthony Richetts

The Courier is published weekly by thePasadena City College JournalismDepartment and is a free­speechforum. Editorial opinions and com­ments are those of the authors and donot necessarily represent the positionof the institution and its administra­tion, student government or that ofthe Pasadena Area Community CollegeDistrict.

The Courier is written and produced asa learning experience for student writ­ers, photographers and editors in theJournalism Department.

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Editorial

California Gov. Jerry Brown’sproposal to increase taxes foronly the top income brackets,known as the Millionaire’s TaxInitiative, and a small hike in thesales tax would balance the statebudget, preserve public safetyfunding and prevent the furtherdecimation of public education.

This is the one proposal cur-rently on the table that has thebest chance of fixing the state’sbudget mess, and it deserveswidespread support.

Opponents of the initiativehave gone to great expense tofight the tax increase, simplybecause they have the wealth todo so. Their wealth could beused in more productive ways.

Many people in California arefacing real financial hardships:foreclosure, unemployment, ill-ness, homelessness and hunger.It is silly that in the face of aneconomic crisis, the wealthy areonce again depleting the state’s

resources just to get out of pay-ing more in taxes.

College students, young andthose more mature, want a betterlife, not a handout. The state’seconomy will not recover with-out educated citizens whobecome innovators and industrybuilders.

The state’s colleges and uni-versities have spent the first partof their spring semester in totalupheaval. Sudden additionalbudget cuts have faculty andstaff in fear of losing their jobs,students’ educations are at bestderailed and administrators arecampaigning like politicians tokeep their funding and their stu-dents.

Community colleges haveclosed class sections andreduced class sizes on campusesthat already suffer from over-enrollment. Due to the cuts, stu-dents who were on track forcompleting their Associate’s

Degree in order to transfer arestuck.

On Tuesday, officials from theCSU system announced that itwill close the majority of its cam-puses for spring 2013 admis-sions. High school graduateswho had planned on applying toa CSU will now be forced toattend high-priced private uni-versities or flood over-crowdedcommunity colleges.

Wealthy opponents of Brown’sinitiative are attempting to swaythe minds of voters, who wouldactually benefit from the initia-tive, by harping on the sales taxincrease. With the help ofAssembly Speaker John A. Pérez,Senate President pro Tem DarrellSteinberg, Brown’s officeannounced last week that the ini-tiative has been revamped tolower the proposed sales taxincrease from one-half percent toa quarter percent.

The new version also raises the

tax increase for the top twoincome brackets.

In addition, the income taxincreases will be extended for anadditional two years, through2018, while the sales tax increasewill end after 2016.

The wealthy may object to thetax increase and say it is unfair,but really what is so unfair aboutbeing wealthy? When faced withall the people who have trulysuffered because of the economy,driving last year’s Bentley isn’tsuch a bad thing. The revenuefrom the tax increase would notonly stimulate the economy witha new generation of eager andeducated people who willbecome homebuyers, businessowners, overall consumers andtax payers. California needs thisinitiative; it is the only solidchance we have of pulling our-selves out of this hole.

Protesters’ verbal attacks cloud messages to BoardPHILIP MCCORMICKAssist. Opinion Editor

Five weeks into the schoolsemester and the protests againstthe budget cuts are still goingstrong, but they’re not gettingthe job done and are not beingdirected at the right source of theproblem. Only in Sacramentocan these problems be properlyaddressed.

It’s always better to be level-headed and in a situation likethis, protesters will not be takenseriously unless they are willingto at least sit down and talkabout the issues and debate in awell-mannered fashion.

They did not do this at the Feb.

22 board meeting.Campus Police Officer Tyler

James Robbins said that theboard meeting was open toeveryone in accordance with theBrown Act, but that police couldlet in only so many people at atime because of the fire code.

Protesters just had to wait forpeople to leave and the campuspolice would let them in one at atime. “They didn’t want to goin,” said Robbins. “They justwanted to stay outside and con-tinue protesting.”

Kevin Lou, engineering, saidthe protesters were “bringinglight to the schools mismanage-ment.” Lou is a member of the

Engineering Club and was pres-ent at the protests in the Quadduring club week.

Any school can mismanagethe money it gets, but this isn’tjust about the school. The state isbroke and that makes thingsmore complicated than just hir-ing back the teachers who werereassigned and reinstating thesections that were cut.

“I am proud of the actions ofthis administration,” said PCCPresident Mark Rocha. He saidthat the students who were mak-ing these statements about theschool’s “mismanagement”should send him an email orsomehow get in contact with

him. “I hear you,” said Rocha. “Tell

me what [you think] is brokenand only then can we try to fixit.”

All in all, the protests aren’tdoing anything other than put-ting more strain on an alreadytough situation. If protestersreally want to make a difference,they should talk to CaliforniaGov. Jerry Brown.

“These protests are valid,”said Rocha “[The protesters]have to direct the protests at theright place, though. They shouldbe protesting in Sacramentowhere they’ll be heard.”

Rocha is right.

Best of the web

Forced retirement? The following comment was post-

ed in response to the news article“Community college chancellorannounces retirement” (March 6)

Hmmm, the timing of thisseems too coincidental, no? Thecrisis in community colleges hasreached new heights and thechancellor steps down. Just say-ing.

Skeptical Student

Tempers rise

The following comments wereposted in response to the news arti-cle “New policy limited add codes”(March 14)

It certainly seems to havecaused major dislocations insome classes. Just check theanthropology teacher quotedabove, who has 45 students in aroom that can accommodate 200.

A one-size-fits-all approachwill backfire because it can nottake into account exceptional cir-cumstances, and it seems therewere many of these.

Frustrated

I wonder if the administrationhas talked about whether or notthis was a good idea.

Add Code Victim

Savings questioned

The following comment was post-ed in response to the news article“Faculty ratio may lead to penalty”(March 14)

The law of unintended conse-quences!

In their haste to force long-term faculty to make way forinexperienced but cheaper rook-ies, the administration over-looked the state mandate forfull-time faculty to teach 75 per-cent of classes. Has anyone

asked how much was reallysaved by pushing all that institu-tional memory over the side?After all the incentives, it proba-bly amounts to peanuts.

Taxpayer

Contraceptive debate

The following comments wereposted in response to the opinionarticle “Contraceptive mandate isjustified” (March 14)

Until Rush Limbaugh hasfemale body parts, he reallyought to just keep his uglythoughts to himself.

Elisa Marie

Students feel betrayed

The following comments wereposted in response to the editorial“Transparency yes: Censorship no”(March 7)

In this age when almost every-one has a sophisticated digitalcamera in a pocket or purse (intheir phone), surely smart offi-cials would know it is virtuallyfutile to censor a video feed inthis clumsy manner.

Didn't it occur to them thatsomeone involved in the eventswould record them on video?And then, post them to the Webalmost immediately?

Kudos to the photographers/reporters who did film theprotest, and to the Courier forpublishing the video.

Observer

This editorial is right on!This was a blatant act of cen-

sorship, whoever was responsi-ble. If it was the director of pub-lic relations, as your front pagestory last week hinted, then heshould be reprimanded. It's as ifthe board is scared of its owntail.

Transparency? Duh!First Amendment buff

Brown’s tax measure deserves support

5CourierMarch 22, 2012 Op­Ed

How can the state’s budget crisis be fixed?

“Tax different things, includingmedical marijuana. That wouldhelp with cuts to education andhealth.”Francesca Baloh, nursing

“They should cut down on thestuff we probably don’t need. Itmakes no sense to spend moneyon classes we don’t need.”C.J. Peralta, speech pathology

“Email and tweet your congress-men. It’s your generation that hasto stand up because it’s affectingyou.”Jim Gonzales, ceramics instructor

“Alone we can do nothing. Weneed to get together and protest atthe state level.”Carlos Diaz, business economics

“Protest and tell teachers to takelower pay.”Antonio Real, sociology

“Politicians should understand thatour top priority is education…wedon’t want uneducated people tobe our next leaders!” Robert Kuo, environmental science

“Focus our voices at governmentofficials. We could offer fundrais-ers, or charity for students.”Salina Ho, nursing

“Stop spending so much moneyon jails and prisoners when otherprograms are more important andneed the funding.” Caleah King, bookstore employee

“Stop paying [school or college]administration high salaries whenstudent tuition keeps rising.” Jessica Rusk , college assistant

“Clowns on the left, jokers on theright, it doesn’t matter if they’reDemocrats or Republicans.”Collette Armstrong, music

“We need to spend less money onstuff we don’t need and use it forclasses and teachers.” Alexa Uchiyamada. paralegal science

“I hate to be all Robin Hood aboutit, but we need to tax the richmore.”Rebeccah Sanhueza, English

“We should have fundraisers,maybe sell chocolates. And tax therich too.”Juan Preciado, undeclared.

“Have bicyclists pay DMV regis-tration fees to use city streets.”Efren Hernandez, communications

“Flat tax across the board, every-body pays for their fair share.”Chris Colburn, nursing

“If we have to sacrifice technologyfor the greater good of studentsgetting their classes so that theycan go further into their educationthen that’s what we should do.” Lori De Los Reyes, psychologicaldevelopment

“Stop spending money outside thecountry, [like] on wars. We spendtoo much money on what onlybenefits the top 1 percent and notthe bottom 99 percent. That onlyhurts us.”Armen Ovsepyan, nursing

“Legalize marijuana.”Scott Cole, nursing

“Stop supporting prisons.” Sheyla Alarcon, medicine

“Better financial management.”Rene Shaw, finance

Voices

Reporting by: Jessi Alva, Ander Arostegui, Cicely Chisholm, Dusty Earl, Amar Kasapovic, Michael McGrath,Christine Michaels, Raymond Pecson, Brenda Renteria, Galen Patterson-Smith,

Karla Sosa, Colin Sum, Mercy Fabila

Photos by: Sabrina Hsu, Ronald Johnson, Justin Clay, Steven Valdez, Anthony Richetts, Neil Protacio, DanielNerio, Kevin Peraza, Max Perez, Kevin Balmadrid, Blair Wells, Buren Smith, Natalie Sehn Weber

SCENESCENE March 22, 2012 7Courier

Personal SpaceWhere to find a spotoff the beaten path

Blair Wells/CourierAlaina Marasa, 23 undecided, finds a peaceful spot next to the Mirror Pools to decorate her banjolele on Wednesday. Although not very private, the pools are an oasis on campus for Marasa.

Natalie Sehn Weber/CourierKevin Orantes, graphic design, makes phone calls and listens to music

in a hallway that divides the IT Building. Orantes happened upon theless-traveled corridor while trying to find a spot to "chill out."

Minela Dela Cruz/CourierAn inconspicuous stairway that leads to the bottom floor of parking lot 5is a hidden place. There is very little foot traffic allowing for some privatespace on a busy campus.

Justin Clay/CourierTina Oh, psychology, waits for a friend in the area between the E Building and the Shatford Library. Thewalkway between the two buildings provides privacy as well as shade.

Blair Wells/CourierAbraham Cardenas, undecided, finds a quiet spot in the Jameson Amphitheater to practice for percus-sion class.

Gerardo Morales,music, rehearses a gui-tar melody concealedbehind a flagpole nearthe southern entranceto the Wi-Fi lounge.Morales said the musicdivision’s overcrowdedpractice rooms hadinspired him to seekout the quiet spot.

Natalie SehnWeber/Courier

COLIN SUMStaff Writer

Photographer AbelardoMorrell recants his past as aninspired photographer to anovercapacity audience duringhis lecture as the 26th Artist inResidence.

“I wanted to capture therealism of craziness,” Morrellsaid to students and faculty atthe Vosloh Forum on Monday.“I seek craziness everywhere.”

Morell presented slides ofphotographs of his past andalso the work he has producedduring his lecture.

Morrell stated that his workmade him feel “reborn in anartistic way.”

He said that his newapproach to photographychanged everything – from theway he shot photos, to thecamera he used, and even hissense of emotion.

“I decided everythingaround me would be my sub-ject,” Morell said. “I interactedwith things that were solidly infront of me than things thatwere abstract.”’

Morell described “CameraObscura,” a technique he ismost known for and one thathe used for one of his first pho-tographs, as ‘essentially asmall room with an openinglooking out’.

“I would poke small holesinto people’s rooms so thatimages would pop out,”Morell said.

One of the examples of his

photographs integrating thecamera obscura technique wason the poster for the Artist inResidence, which were handedout to eager audiences.

In his career as a photogra-pher, Morell has traveled todifferent countries, put togeth-er a piece on Alice inWonderland, and has alsoworked with neurologist andwriter, Oliver Sacks.

Melanie Willhide, photogra-phy instructor, said thatMorell’s work is the “perfectmarriage” of old and newideas that does not discredithis work.

Morell gave thanks toWillhide and complimentedher work for putting the Artistin Residency together.

“Melanie can run the wholecity if she wanted to,” Morrellsaid at the start of his lecture.

At the end of the lecture, stu-dents and faculty were invitedto a reception at the ArtGallery where more ofMorell’s work was displayed.

In attendees was EileenCowin, a photographer andalso an Artist in Residence ofPasadena back in 2009.

“The lecture was fantasticand his work is brilliant,” saidCowin. “I understand thatpeople want to know moreabout the technical aspect ofhis work but when it all comesdown to it, it’s way bigger. Hiswork is so poetic, so different.It really shows a new way tolook at things.”

“The honesty of his [camera

obscura] pieces intrigued me,”said Craig Attebery, artinstructor, who loved thewhole process it took to createeach of Morell’s piece rather

than the final product. “Whathe’s doing really reflects on thepieces.”

Students attending the lec-ture all shared one sentiment:

inspirationSonia Cardona, art, is taking

photography for the first time.She said she was inspired bythe lecture.

“It took me to a whole otherlevel and gave me a differentaspect of photography,”Cardona said.

Daniel Carrillo, art major,found that Morell’s “Tent-Camera” technique was aninteresting way of projectingan image on the ground.

“He makes [camera obscura]look beautiful and easy,”Carrillo said.

“It was an extremely goodand wonderful welcome,” saidMorell.

“The [art community here]is very lively and healthy, andI hope [art] students will getinspired to choose their ownideas to work with.”

According to Brian Tucker,art gallery director, the Artistin Residence usually generatesa large audience, but this maybe an exception.

Morell will be on PCC cam-pus this week, March 19 to 23,to meet with students and cre-ate photographs for the PCCArt Collection with assistancefrom the Huntington Library.The Art Gallery exhibition ofhis works will be displayeduntil May 5.

8 Courier March 22, 2012Arts & Entertainment

Rehearsals underway forspring folk-tale musical

Artist in Residence shares works, thoughts

BRANDON DREXELStaff Writer

While vocal director KarenBenjamin, lets her fingers danceon the piano, director WhitneyRydbeck observes his performerswith certain intensity as theyrehearse the musical, “Into TheWoods” in a studio room in theSaxon building. Rydbeck  occa-sionally jumps on stage to talk toperformers and offer them advice.It’s a  chaotic  scene, but for thecast, it’s just another night ofrehearsal. 

Rydbeck wastes no time as hehas actors move from one scene toanother. He watches the place-ment of the performers andshows passion for the show. Afterrehearsing a particular scene,Rydbeck says, “That was bril-liant.” 

The musical, “Into The Woods”,tells the story of certain folk-tale characters such as, Cinderella,Red Riding Hood, Jack and TheBean Stalk and others, said

Rydbeck. He added that in thefirst act, everyone lives happilyever after, but in the second act weask, “Are they happy?” The sec-ond act focuses more on theactions taken in life, said Rydbeck.“All actions have consequences,”he said.

Into The Woods, will be accom-panied by a 19 piece orchestrasays Rydbeck. The performancewill premier March 30th at 8 p.m.in Sexson Auditorium.

Rehearsals for the musical takeplace at least four times a week,sometimes there can be six days ofrehearsals a week. Each rehearsalis about three hours long.

Aubrey Huebner, music major,is on campus for 11 hours duringsome days, says that, “Anytimeyou do a show it can be stress-ful,”Huebner said. However, forher it’s all worth it, “The stressdoesn’t matter,” she said.

Peter Epstein, said the cast isworking together. “We’re gellin’as a cast.” he said. “Performing isin your blood.”

Artist in Residence AbelardoMorell speaks during his lectureat Vosloh Form on Monday.

Daniel Nerio/Courier

Studentsrehearsing forthe musicalInto the Woodsin the SexsonAuditorium.The play willpremiere onMarch 30.

TeresaMendoza /Courier

KARLA SOSAStaff Writer

David S. McCabe, assistantprofessor, will be publishing hisfirst novel this May.

McCabe started working onhis novel in 2007, which startedout as a novella with 127 pages.“I didn’t feel satisfied with whatI had, and I felt that the charac-ters had more to offer,” saidMcCabe. That was why hisnovella turned into a novel.

“Without Sin” is a tragic lovestory about a U.S Border PatrolAgent and former Navy Sealnamed Garrett Harrison, whofalls in love with AngelinaMarguerite, a 17 year- old prosti-tute.

McCabe got the idea for thisnovel from an online news arti-cle. The article “Lured ToMexico, Young Girls OftenUnable To Return” mentionedhow the San Diego PoliceDepartment, US Border Patrol,and FBI arrested two brothers,who kidnapped young girlsfrom Mexico and took them toOceanside to become prostitutes.The girls were later deportedback to Mexico, since they werebrought to the U.S. illegally.

“This story is completely dif-ferent from the other book thatI’ve written,” said McCabe. Hisfirst book was “Toward a More

Perfect Union: CreatingDemocratic ClassroomCommunities,” and written foraspiring teachers and othersinterested in education.

“Without Sin” was dedicatedto the AB-540 students he workswith, one of his friends whopassed away, and to his wife.

Thalia Torres, a CSU LosAngeles Alumni, has written areview for Amazon.com, and hasbeen promoting it.

“‘Without Sin’ is an amazing

novel that is easy to follow andunderstandable,” said Torres. “Icould not help but imagine everychapter as a script and visualizeit as a movie.”

McCabe is currently workingon his next novel “Road toCanon.”

BRENDA RENTERIAStaff Writer

Two on campus events areplanned in conjunction with theCity of Pasadena’s One City, OneStory program with this year’sselection of “People of the Book”by Pulitzer Prize winnerGeraldine Brooks.

The book is a New York Timesbest seller and was inspired bythe true story of an ancient vol-ume known as the SarajevoHaggadah.

The New York Times reviewdescribed it as a “schematic andhistrionic, piling serial tales ofsuffering onto the SarajevoHaggadah and those who deter-mined its fate.”

Author Brooks will be dis-cussing her book on campus ontoday at 2 pm  in the CrevelingLounge. 

She will share her experiencesas an author and then answerquestions from the audience.

“It’s an interesting book abouta historic manuscript. It takes thereader from 1400 AD - 2001 andtravels through Spain, Vienna,and Bosnia and also gives a greathistory lesson,” said DivisionDean of English Amy Ulmer.

“I loved this book. It capturedmy interest from the openingchapter and held my interestthroughout the book. I rarely re-read books but this one I am re-reading! I love historical fictionand this one is a greatone,” Library Director Mary Ann

Laun said.“Each session where the

author addresses the students ismy favorite event throughoutthe city,” said Laun. “Many stu-dents have never met an authorpersonally and each author hasbeen so gracious and stayed toautograph books for them.”

The Shatford Library had pur-chased about a 100 copies of thebook and gave them to studentsand staff on a first come firstserve basis during the first twoweeks of the spring semester.

The library has kept somecopies of the book at theCirculation Desk for students tocheck out.

This marks the tenth anniver-sary of the One Story programand the fourth year that PCC hassponsored the event, said Luan.

A complete list of events canbe found at the Pasadena PublicLibrary web site: http://cityof-pasadena.net/library/news_events/ocos/2012/community_events/.

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said Matchan. “Last year alone therewere 38 bike thefts at PCC,” he said.

Last month Chad Chanachok, fire tech-nology major, had his bike stolen from thebike rack in front of the V Building.

“It was custom built and worth$1,500,” said Chanachok.

Chanachok said he remained doubtful

he would get his bicycle back, especiallybecause the security guard he talked tosaid the camera wasn’t operational yet.

“Cameras are pointed at the bike racks,and record 24/7,” said Matchan. “Wewatch the videos to discover trends andhopefully locate suspects,” he added.

Campus police up bike safety

replied to the letter. “However, theboard is responsible to protect the safetyof students, faculty and staff.”

“Who opposes freedom of speech orstudent safety?” Martin wrote an email tothe Courier. “Let’s encourage both.”

A proposal for a three-semester aca-demic calendar without a winter interses-sion was another topic that Rocha dis-cussed with the journalism students.

“Because of state budget cuts, therehave been fewer and fewer classes in[intersession] semesters,” Rocha said. Theproposal now is for a ‘trimester’ calendarwhere the classes in winter will beabsorbed by the fall, spring, and summersemesters.

According to Rocha, the absorption ofthe winter 2013 intersession is not a wayof cutting classes as it will “make moreclasses available.”

“You might not be getting everythingyou wanted, but you’re getting a bit ofwhat you need,” Rocha said to the stu-dents. “The college is still open, classesare still open … as hard as things are,there’s always hope.”

The trimester proposal is just one of

many negotiating positions by the admin-istration. Others concern salaries, cost ofliving adjustments and the “CarnegieHour.”

“This is all a proposal to the union,”Rocha said, “and is the proper way for theBoard to approach the situation.”

According to Rocha, integrating the“Carnegie Hour” will streamline the reg-istration process by preventing overlap-ping class schedules.

Despite a dire budget situation, Rochasaid that there are no plans to cut salariesor benefits for the faculty at PCC as “it isnot the district’s goal.”

The three-semester proposal is one ofthree measures that was presented at theBoard of Trustees meeting on March 7.The topic, however, was not up for boarddiscussion because according to GeneralCounsel Gail Cooper, the public needs tounderstand the proposal before it can bedetailed.

The proposal will be set for a publichearing at the April 4 meeting of theBoard.

Additional reporting by Brandon Drexel,Raymond Pecson, and Amar Kasapovic

Free speech policy opposed

like crazy [to update the website],” hesaid. A web advisory team of about 20volunteers is fixing current data andredesigning the website to make it moreuser friendly. Cable has also been work-ing with President Mark Rocha and VicePresident Van Pelt to update informationon the website.

Rocha explained in person that the PCCmobile app is also already running, withthe PCC website available on smart

phones. According to Vice President Richard

Van Pelt via e - mail, the classroomupgrades “will be [paid for by] theGeneral Obligation Bond, Measure ‘P’.The money cannot be used for any otherpurpose than was approved by the votersten years ago [at PCC],” he said. TheMeasure P bond is used for the construc-tion costs for the buildings on campus.

Classrooms getting tech upgrades

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

NEIL PROTACIOEditor-in-Chief

A student was placed in psychologicalservices on Tuesday after he verballythreatened to kill a division dean.

The student entered the Visual Artsand Media Studies office and talked tosecretary Nhi Truong regarding a late addto a class he had been attending since thefirst day of school, said Interim Dean ofVisual Arts and Media Studies JosephFuttner.

After Truong had told the student thatit was too late to add and that he still hadnot fulfilled the prerequisite for that par-ticular class, she contacted his instructor,whom Futtner said had no reports aboutthe student.

Futtner then talked to the student andtold him that it was too late and that thedeadline was on March 9.

“Then he said in a quite voice withsuch strong conviction, ‘Oh yeah? I’ve got[gang] connections, and I’m going to killyou,’” Futtner said. “’You take thoseglasses off because I’m going to kill you.’”

Futtner walked back to his office andinstructed the division assistants to con-tact campus police. The student grew sus-picious and began moving towards thedoor, Futtner said.

“I tried to clarify if he was just kid-ding,” Futtner said. “Then he said, ‘youthink I’m kidding?’”

Campus police arrived shortly after thecall and the tone had changed completely,Futtner said.

“He was telling them that he was justkidding,” the dean said.

The student, who is described as a malein his late teens or early twenties, wasescorted by campus police to thePsychological Services Department.

According to Chief of Police FrankScialdone, the student was “very cooper-ative and posed no threat.”

“No arrest was made and Pasadenapolice will not have to get involved,” saidScialdone. According to Scialdone, thestudent was placed in psychological serv-ices after campus police made assess-ments based on their communication.

“Whether or not he gets released is noton us, Scialdone said. “He can be releasedby psychological services or detained on apsychological hold.”

According to Futtner, the student hadpreviously been identified by both cam-pus police and Psychological Services as astudent in need of attention. Because ofthis, a team of campus police and doctorson campus are implementing new waysto help students and make campus safer.

“From my point of view, the peoplewho immediately handled the situationwere the best,” said Futtner, addressingOfficer Tyler James Robin and OfficerAlan Chan, who were the officers whoreplied to call.

Student threatens division dean

11CourierMarch 22, 2012

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Lancers keep thingsrollin’ in spin classEDWIN LEEStaff Writer

The spinning class offers a low impactactivity with a lot of positive returns.Students fill up the cycling room eachsemester with hoping to add the class.

Retired Coach Greg Smith originallyhelped to create and find funding for thepopular cycling class. After he saw theprogram at an expo in Las Vegas he knewhe wanted to bring the program to PCC.

Smith then began a five-year build-upof the class by slowly getting stationarybikes and sound equipment needed forthe class. “I started the program, got itgoing and repair the bikes,” he said. Hisfirst class was in the summer of 2000.

“Students are less stressed after thisclass,” he said. Smith has seen amazingresults with students having to take fewerpills for his or her medical conditions.

In an interview, Coach Thomas Mahersaid cycling is a different and fun exercise.

With low impact, there is a low possibili-ty of injuries. “[It’s] A fun activity thatgives students the chance to get off oftheir feet,” said Maher.

The students spin to the music of differ-ent eras, ranging from The Beatles andThe Beach Boys to Michael Jackson. Withdifferent styles of spin styles whichinclude: a standing position and a climb-to-jump exercise which is used for firs-time spinners.

After a quick warm up song the stu-dents are underway with their hour longroutine.

“Students are able to raise their heartrates while at the same time increasingtheir metabolism,” Maher said.

Students get a social environmentwhere they can make new friends andexercise at the same time.

“Each semester students will be liningup along the lockers waiting to add theclass,” Maher said. The popularity of theclass increases each semester.

Kevin Balmadrid/CourierCyclists in Thomas Maher's class endure the high-demand regiment as they await thenext step of their ride in the GM Building on Tuesday.

BRENDA RENTERIAStaff Writer

In the badminton season open-er against the East Los AngelesCollege, the Lancers kept theirwinning streak alive by beatingthe Huskies 15-6.

The Lancers have now won 24straight conference matches andhave not lost a match since the2010 season. The current Lancerteam is consists of all incoming

freshman. “This is the first time with a

brand new team; I’ve always hadreturnees before,” said CoachBill Sanchez.

Nerves were definitely in theair for the Lancers as the Huskiesforced Gabby Anjani, GraceEspinoza, and Beatriz Bermudezall into three set matches. AlyssaBoyt, a transplant from Texasand a newcomer to the gamewas nervous, “I was shaking

during my first match; I definite-ly had first game jitters,” shesaid.

“Alyssa has only been playing[badminton] for eight weeks andshe’s picked it up fast,” saidSanchez.

To Cynthia Gutierrez the sea-son opener was her first compet-itive game since graduating fromAzusa High School in 2004.Gutierrez struggled at the begin-ning but pulled out wins in all

four matches. She has not losther competitive edge as she wentfor the kill at every chance shehad.

“It’s been a long time since I’veplayed and found myself reallytired through all of my matches,”said Gutierrez. With her doublespartner, Angie Ortiz, they wereresponsible for eight of the 15scoring points. Ortiz who isplaying at the No. 1 seat andGutierrez playing at the No. 2

seat wasted no time blowing thecompetition away by not losing aset the entire game.

Having a whole new teammight scare some coaches butnot this coach, “This is a goodgroup filled with hard workers,”said Sanchez.

Grace Espinoza, Bermudez,and Gutierrez, all came fromAzusa High School. Their highschool Coach Bob Colera wasthere to cheer them on.

Badminton team impressive in season-opening win against visiting ELAC

Baseball’s walk-off win

Kevin Balmadrid / CourierSophomore pitcher Will Emerson throws a pitch in the Lancers’10-9 comeback victory over the visiting Huskies of East LosAngeles College. The Lancers’ victory was capped off withSophomore Sean Stone’s walk-off RBI.

PAUL OCHOAStaff Writer

The PCC Track and Field team placed inthe top three in several events at theCalifornia Relays at Cerritos College inNorwalk, on Friday.

Lancers finished in the first three inthree of the events.

In the women’s 400m dash, men’s 400mdash, men’s 4 x 100m relay, men’s longjump, and men’s javelin throw.

Freshman, Malik Gillins placed third inthe men’s long jump.

In the men’s javelin throw freshmanCaleb Wood placed third overall.

The men’s 4x100 meter relay placedfourth overall.

For the women, Jakae Bridges placedsecond in the women’s 400m Dash.

“This is the second largest meet on thewest coast,” said Larry Wade, head coach.

Freshman Marco Mendoza, shot putand discus, went into the event a little bitnervous.

“[Being] a little nervous in a way shows

you care, but you can’t be too nervous,”said Mendoza.

Coach Wade said this meet was like apractice to prepare his team for the biggercompetitions.

“These meets are like quizzes to seewhere our weaknesses are so when themajor conferences come we are preparedfor them,” said Wade.

“After this weekend I expect us to getbetter and better at what we do.”

SPORTSSPORTSMarch 22, 2012OURIERC

Track and Field performs well at Cal Relays

EDWIN LEEStaff Writer

The Lancers came out withtheir second win of the bad-minton season when they wentup against the ECC ComptonTartars on Friday with a score of21 to 0.

Angie Ortiz had a fantasticday with scores of 21-5, 21-7, 21-3, and 21-2 in her singles match-es.

Coach Bill Sanchez lookedrelaxed as the matches gotunderway. Sanchez gave adviceto the players about their swings.“Every game, regardless of thelevel of the opponents, you still

have to focus and be game pre-pared,” he said.

Freshmen Kimberly Huffmannever touched a racket prior tojoining the badminton team. “Iaccidentally joined the class infall,” said Huffman. She was try-ing to join another athletic classbut accidentally signed up forthe badminton class.

She soon enjoyed the sportand joined the team in spring.“She likes badminton,” she said,because the sport is non violentand the birdies don’t hurt whenthey hit her.

Huffman played a doublesmatch with Grace Espinoza andwon 21-6 and 21-8.

Freshmen Espinoza, kinesiolo-gy, showed little fatigue after hermatches. She began playing bad-minton at high school. “Thesport is [more] difficult than peo-ple say,” said Espinoza. Itrequires skill and being able toget into your opponent’s mindand throwing him or her off theirgame. “[Badminton] is a uniqueand different,” she said inresponse to other sports.

Espinoza finished her singlesmatches at 21-6 and 21-7.

During practices, Sanchezfocuses on what will benefit theplayers. “We don’t practice nega-tive thinking or not achievingthe task,” he said.

Swim team has strong showing in loss to Mt. SACTIFFANY HERRERAStaff Writer

Despite winning 11 events, the Lancerslost the swim meet on Friday at Mt. SanAntonio College.

PCC team members placed first in theWomen’s 50 Freestyle, 50 Breast stroke,100 Breast stroke, 100 Individual Medley,100 Butterfly, 200 Medley Relay, 1000Freestyle, the Men’s 200 IndividualMedley, 200 Butterfly, 500 Freestyle, and1000 Freestyle.

“We came out on fire,” said Coach TerryStoddard.

The first half of the meet, events onethrough fourteen, PCC won half theevents. The Lancers had no divers, losingthe next two events by default. The sec-

ond half of the meet, events 17 through30, PCC won six out of thirteen events.

“ [The loses] hurt. [It was] hard to comeback from that,” said Stoddard.

Mikela Velasquez, Giselle Mendieta,Paige Watroba, and Courtney Jensen wonthe Women’s 200 Medley Relay. Jensenfinished her split at 2:01, beating Mt Sac’sMichaela Randolph who finished at 2:09.

Mendieta won the 50 Breast stroke at 34seconds by about six seconds and the 100Breast stroke at 1:15 by about six seconds.

Velasquez won the 50 Freestyle at 25seconds by about two seconds and the 100Individual Medley Relay at 1:04 by abouta second.

Watroba won the 100 Butterfly at 1:05by about a second.

Jensen won the 1000 Freestyle at 11:42

by about two seconds. Cario Liu won the Men’s 1000 Freestyle

at 10:18 by about 33 seconds,the 500Freestyle at 5:00 by about 17 seconds andthe 200 Individual Medley at 1:59 byabout 11 seconds.

Stephen To won the 200 Butterfly at 1:05by about 11 seconds.

We were outstanding and performedwell but not having divers really hurt usand Mt. Sac was just better today,Stoddard said.

The weather was cold and it had beenlightly raining. The stands were fairlyempty and all the swimmers’ belongingswere under their tents. Swimmers, theirfamily members, and friends were sittingcheering the PCC team on.

Stoddard said the freshmen like

Watroba and Mendieta pulled theirweight and did their job. The sophomorescame back and were “stellar,” he said.

“I did a lot better today than I have thispast season,” Jensen said.

All the swimmers work hard at practiceand all the hard work is paying off,despite the loss to Mt. Sac, Jensen said.

For each event the coaches from eitherside were shouting and cheering on theirswimmers. The swimmers who weren’t inthe event were close by the pool shoutingencouraging words for their fellow teammates.

The few people in the stands werecheering the swimmers on. You couldhere people screaming “yeah, come on!”or “Go PCC!”. The other side you couldhear the same shouts for Mt. Sac

Anthony Richetts / Courier400 meter relay runner Devin Rojas cross-es the finish line at the California Relays

Team experiencesindividual brightspots with threetop finishes

Anthony Richetts / CourierFreshman Caleb Wood positions himself for one of his many javelin throws at theCalifornia Relays. Wood placed third in the event.

Badminton destroys Compton in 21-0 win

Daniel Nerio / CourierFreshman Alyssa Boyt prepares to serve the shuttlecock in theLancers’ dominating home win against ECC Compton.