March 20, 2018 Vol. 57 Issue 1 Cuestonian.com @Cuestonian
SLO Weed Poli Sci Prison Instructor Five Guys Opens in SLO Gun Control Opinion Competition Horse Shoer Page 3 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Faculty union leaders reach tentative agreement for “fair pay” By Austin Brumblay administration to bridge the pay gap Managing Editor of Content between Cuesta and 10 other comparable California community colleges. The Faculty union leaders and agreement only boosts Cuesta from administrators recently reached a the 11th to the 10th lowest paid of the tentative agreement on wages — a move comparable institutions. that has been heralded by some, but “This agreement is less than fueled outrage in others who say they’re what faculty deserves,” Debra Stakes, still not getting what they deserve. president of the CCFT said. “It does The agreement entails a 1 percent not bring our salaries to the average increase retroactive to July 1, 2016, and of the comparable colleges. However, 3 percent increase retroactive to Jan. 1, this agreement with the district means 2018. Overall, this averages out to about $230 increase per month. towards closing the salary gap that has “I am disappointed in the existed for many years.” percentage,” Aaron Rodrigues, a Cuesta The tentative agreement still needs political science professor said. “I was to be voted on by the union membership before it will become effective. This for this year alone. [The] cost of living is very expensive here on the Central in order for the salary increase to take Coast. Cuesta faculty has long way to effect. If approved by the membership, catch up.” this contract would remain in effect The agreement marks a temporary permanently. File photo by Alexander Bissell/ Cuestonian File photo by end to a long series of outcries by faculty, who have pleaded with the the See FACULTY, page 4 Former Cuesta student Gianna Brencola appeared in court with her defense lawyer for a prior hearing on Nov. 7. Supreme Court action Former Cuesta student pleads has Dreamers relieved... guilty in hit-and-run death of for the moment By Clara Applegarth Even though the matter will likely Features Editor not be resolved for up to another year, Cal Poly student the uncertainty of the outcome causes downing shots of vodka and socializing Brencola’s sentencing is set for The Supreme Court recently By Rachel Barnes with friends at Valencia apartments. April 18 where the victim’s family may decided that it will not act on the Trump including those at Cuesta. Editor-in-chief “She admitted to drinking shots have an opportunity to present victim- administration’s efforts to shut down the “Every day our students are still Gianna Brencola was going to of vodka, but claimed that she waited witness statements before Judge Craig Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals in limbo,” Estella Vazquez said, an Cuesta when she made a decision that ‘hours’ before driving her car,” according van Rooyen. The maximum sentence she program. enrollment specialist at Cuesta who aids would forever impact her life. to court documents. “She also indicated could receive is 10 years in state prison, This means the original March undocumented students daily. “They And end the life of another. that she was a cautious driver ever since according to the District Attorney’s 5 cut-off for status renewals has have [to] live in fear, uncertainty, not That August night Brencola was she was involved in a serious collision in been extended, providing relief for knowing if there is ever going to be a offered more than one option to avoid April 2017.” undocumented young people, including drinking and driving, and yet ignored However, when a blood test was prosecution in regard to sentencing, several hundred Cuesta students. them some peace.” each, according to court documents tell a devastating story about the events The court’s Feb. 25 decision to stay Nearly 250,000 young people obtained by The Cuestonian. blood-alcohol content was .148, nearly that occured Aug. 29 when a young girl out of the legal fray and send the matter became DACA recipients in California Not only did she make the choice to two times the legal driving limit for decided to drink and drive. back to the lower courts has resulted in between 2012 and 2017, according to drink and drive, but when the collision adults. Brencola was 17 at the time. DUI arrests in San Luis Obispo more than 700,000 DACA recipients Last fall, Brencola pled not guilty County for 2016 are a little higher than nationwide receiving a reprieve from See DACA COURT, page 3 in an attempt to escape the severity of to charges of vehicular manslaughter, in previous years and 50 percent of those potential deportation. her actions -- leaving Cal Poly student felony DUI and felony hit-and-run. arrests are from motorists between 18 The result has been a collective Kennedy Love to die in the middle of In a recent court hearing, Brencola and 25, according to SLO city’s annual sigh of relief from those who illegally the street after she struck him while he amended her plea to guilty to the same immigrated as children to the United See related coverage: was riding his bicycle. charges. It is unclear to what prompted For many, the message to not “drink States and were then allowed to legally DACA Dreamers, page 5 Brencola would admit to police her change in plea, which was entered work and attend school under the program later that night that she had been March 6. See BRENCOLA, page 3 established by President Barack Obama. Cuesta’s money: Where does it come from, where does it go? Cuesta names new president
By Rachel Barnes have a negative balance and, year after By Austin Brumblay ing serving as chief in- Editor-in-chief year, they end up with a positive bal- minds,” said Dan Troy, vice president of Managing Editor of Content ance,” said Greg Baxley, a Cuesta chem- administrative services at Cuesta. Hills College in Coalinga. Newly appointed Cues- Recently there has been confusion istry and physical science teacher who The state funds the school based on ta president, Jill Stearns, surrounding Cuesta’s budget, namely serves as vice president for the teacher’s the enrollment of full-time students. At Cuesta, I want to know is set to soon take over the everyone,” Stearns said. the amount the school actually has and union. Cuesta, students are considered full time institution after beating out where the money is being spent. Other faculty are confused as well. if they complete 30 units in an academic “Coming in as someone new provides a reset and This began in December 2016 “Cuesta administration has had an year, averaging about 15 units per se- faculty say had more im- when President Gil Stork announced the infatuation in maintaining an excessive mester. shared vision for the col- pressive credentials. lege moving forward. I am emergency fund in comparison to other The amount of full-time students However, they also not- less than a year later in fall 2017, the CA community colleges; why can’t enrolled each semester is declining. In- hopeful that this sense of a ed that Modesto Junior Col- fresh start is going to be a Board of Trustees announced that there Cuesta be like other colleges?” said Aar- lege had its accreditation Jill Stearns has been Photo courtesy of Cuesta College Marketing was around a $9 million surplus. on Rodrigues, a political science teacher this year shows the number of full-time real positive for the cam- reinstated under Stearn’s pus.” selected as Cuesta Now, the school is again predicting at Cuesta. equivalent students hovering between leadership in 2014. College’s new presi- - - 8,320 to 8,380 during the 2016-2017 In early March, Stea- Stearns comes to Cues- rns was selected by the dent starting fall ter, and it all just sounds a little confus- ing their discontent with their salaries, it school year. ta after working as president 2018. ing to staff and students alike. is important for students and the school Enrollment was at an all time high board of trustees over ap- at Modesto Community plicants who some thought to know what Cuesta really is doing with College since 2012, follow- See PRESIDENT page 4 the district keeps maintaining that they the money it has. See BUDGET, page 3 appeared to be more aca- By Rachel Barnes Editor-in-chief munity-based internships and preceptorships.” the real deal,” Torrey said. Cuesta College’s nursing The program offers students program is one of the top per- health care crisis, Cuesta is tak- access to a variety of internships forming nursing programs in the ing steps to provide the com- and preceptorships to local hos- state of California. pitals. For the fourth year in a row nurses to give care to patients. Cuesta College’s nursing pro- Torrey said that the nurs- nursing program brings increased gram had a 100 percent pass ing program is always looking interest from students in the area. at ways to teach smarter and According to Torrey, the program the National Council Licensure involve students in real world has 46 seats and they get around Examination. This exam allows preparation. 230 applicants per term. students to take the next step and For example, the program The program worked with begin practicing as a registered has students participate in simu- the Chancellor on the application nurse. lations where students can per- to require prerequisites and pre- “The RN curriculum is form and observe other students dict a successful nursing student. based on caring,” Toni Torrey, practicing procedures that they Due to their dedication, they nursing and allied health division - have a graduation rate of around chair said. “A variety of clinical wards, students are able to have 90 percent or higher of nursing settings and diverse faculty give a conversation about their expe- students. Cuestonian Photo by Sameer Wahba/ students a well-rounded educa- rience in the simulation and de- tion as they participate in com- brief with other students. See NURSING, page 5 Cuesta nursing students are able to get hands-on experience with class simulations. Page 2 March 20, 2017 News cuestonian.com The Cuestonian The future of energy on the Central Coast By Clara Applegarth The plan is to install more Features Editor effcient light fxture models throughout campus, and to put in Commuting Cuesta students a new models of HVAC (Heating may have taken notice of the Ventilation and Air Condition- newly glistening feld of dark ing) in the welding shop. glass along California Highway The project will be done 1. by Aug. 10, 2018, and will cost That is Cal Poly’s recently Cuesta $500,000, according to implemented green-energy ini- the plan put forth by Terry Reece tiative solar farm, which is esti- and Dan Troy, vice president of mated to save the university $10 administrative services. million over a period of 10 years. “We beat the state standard Cal Poly offcials have projected of renewable energy,” Reece the facility to power up to one said. “We look into the math of quarter of the campus’ electrical solar every six months, but it just needs. never prices out.” Resources like Cal Poly’s This isn’t to say Reece new solar farm may also fuel in- doesn’t value the potential so- spiration from students around lar has, as solar energy depends the county, including Cuesta Cuestonian largely on its environment. Hence College students and professors. Reece’s serious consideration for Terry Reece, director of facilities implementing solar energy on the services, Planning and Capital North County Cuesta Campus. Projects at Cuesta, claims they “If there were classes, it are seriously considering solar on would be cool to have access to Cuesta’s North County Campus. information,” said Cole Rodgers,
“In 2016, Cal Poly President Photo by Steven Holguin / Cuesta mechanical engineering Armstrong signed the Second student. “Maybe they could add Nature Climate Leadership Com- Cal Poly’s new solar farm is located on northbound California Highway 1, just prior to the California Men’s Colony a basic introduction to solar for mitment for Cal Poly to become students.” a climate neutral campus,” said only provide students with ex- fact that the climate and weather need to consider leaving a large Cuesta currently powers at Reece thinks there are many Kylee Singh, sustainability coor- citing new academic endeavors Cuesta has consistently doesn’t carbon footprint.” 70 percent renewable energy, approaches to renewable energy, dinator at Cal Poly. “This really and save the university millions allow for Solar. Reece was also former ma- and 30 percent fossil fuels. Reece including wind power and hydro motivated the need to fnd renew- of dollars, but also is a step to- Reece, however, has a rather rine and got his experience do- continuously monitors three ma- power. able energy sources.” ward to Earth-friendly-energy re- different idea of what the future ing jobs in heating, ventilation, jor components of power: buying “The products are getting so The question of energy sources while many observe the of energy entails. and air circulation. He has been responsible power at a low price, good that non-renewable energy has been under the magnify- effects of climate change around “People go out and buy Pri- working for facilities at Cuesta making sure it’s the most eff- will become a thing of the past,” ing glass of scientists and engi- the world, according to Singh. uses thinking they are reducing for 23 years, 22 of them in his cient product, and making sure it Reece said. neers around the world in recent While Cal Poly is being their carbon footprint largely current position. breaks even monetarily. Cal Poly’s solar farm is years. REC Solar and Solar City, proactive in their its approach because it runs on electricity,” “There are multiple defni- At the Board of Trustees scheduled to be operational by amongst other companies, have to a curriculum that will offer Reece said. “But decomposing tions of what renewable energy meeting held March 7, Cuesta the end of March and will pro- set the tone for a more green and students the chance to pursue the battery, the shipping of the is,” Reece said. “What you need approved a new energy saving vide engineering students the effcient energy source for future degrees in solar energy, Cuesta battery to where it’s decomposed, to consider is the carbon foot- installations that is estimated ability to collect data and test so- generations. has yet to make the jump to so- the truck that’s used to transport print, what’s cost effective, and to save the campus $10,560 per lar energy effectiveness, accord- This new strategy will not lar for a few reasons, such as the the battery, those are things you what is responsible.” year. ing to Singh. Net neutrality may pose threat to Cuesta SLO fu
Cuesta College does not have an Cuesta hasn’t seen any repercussions online resources,” said Teagan Chap- By Allison Turner offcial position on net neutrality, ac- yet, and doesn’t expect to. man, a third year Cuesta mathematics deaths Opinion Editor cording to the Information Technol- “Enrollment in distance education major. “Moving from Moodle to Can- Students face possible challenges ogy department. At this time, offcials is access to our portal, so I don’t think it vas gave teachers more tools to help with online class materials as net neu- said there is no plan in will necessarily affect students and improved students experi- skyrocket trality rules come to an end on April 23, place. enrollment in these ence, but without a neutral internet we “The internet By Lindsay Darbyshire a critical development that has caught The Cuestonian courses,” Wilshusen might be limited to the options avail- News Editor administrators and instructors unpre- also contacted numer- has long been a said. able to us through the provider Cuesta pared. ous other sources across On Dec. 14, 2017, chooses.” Sixteen deaths so far have been re- If discontinued, these rules, which the campus, includ- great equalizer in the Federal Communi- Net neutrality came from a 2002 ported by the San Luis Obispo County had previously allowed unfettered ac- ing distance education a greatly unequal cations Commission’s decision to classify cable modem as an Public Health Department in what is cess and reasonable rates are expected instructors, who each Republican majority interstate information service, meaning being called the worst fu season they to have severe repercussions, especially stated that they were society, changing approved Chairman that the FCC’s jurisdiction was subject have seen. for those on limited incomes and with not informed enough on that is a big step Ajit Pai’s plan to gut to constitutional limitations. This deci- This means there has been a 40 per- already limited access. the issue to comment. the net neutrality pro- sion also prevents private ISP compa- cent increase in fu-related deaths this Net neutrality is the concept of an The repeal on backwards and a tections, according to nies from blocking Voice over IPs, such year, as compared to the last. open internet that isn’t restricted or con- Obama-era net neutral- the Free Press Save as Skype and Messenger. Of the 16 deaths on the Central trolled by internet service providers or ity rules may seriously big mistake.” the Internet Campaign. The reversal of this means students Coast, two adults were under the age of monopolies. If these laws are repealed, impact students who –Sydney Pai continuously op- may also lose their ability to use Skype 64, while the other 14 were over the age internet providers may have control of are taking distance edu- posed net neutrality and similar programs for voice commu- of 65, offcials said. the speed and price of the internet, as cation courses, as ac- Leonard, rules because they im- nication. The six fu deaths reported the pre- well as what websites users have access cess becomes limited second year peded innovation. “I’m an expat currently living in vious year was actually considered a to. or discontinued all to- Gutting net neu- the UAE– arguably one of the most pro- normal fu season, according to Anne “What would impact students gether. Cuesta student trality would mean gressive, liberal Muslim countries in McDowell, an epidemiologist with the would be academic freedom in a “It’s hard enough taking control away the Arabian Gulf region,” said Robert SLO Public Health Department. sense,” said Cynthia Wilshusen, an in- to obtain a decent education as a work- from the FCC, making it easier for ISPs Bisser, technical director at Thinkwell Those most at risk for the fu in- structional designer and distance edu- ing class student, what with sky high tu- to discriminate who gets what type of Group Los Angeles. “Internet access clude older adults, young children, cation coordinator. “We want to make ition and living expenses,” said Sydney access to the internet and promote their is controlled by one major company pregnant women, and those with other sure faculty can still make a tech rich Leonard, second year Cuesta student. own content. This may also negatively owned by the government. Most no- health conditions such as organ or environment for students.” “The internet has long been a great affect newer websites and start up busi- table is the blocking of any of the Voice blood disorders, metabolic disorders, or Academic freedom is the belief that equalizer in a greatly unequal society, nesses. Over Internet Protocols Apps except neurologic conditions, according to the scholars should be not be impeded from changing that is a big step backwards “I’m worried that in addition to all the one the aforementioned internet SLO Public Health Department. openly exchanging and communicating and a big mistake.” of the other consequence of net neutral- company provides with a subscription “It’s important for people at risk of ideas or facts, whatever they may be. In light of Wilshusen’s comments, ity, Cuesta will not be able to update its fee.” serious complications—and the people who spend time with them—to protect themselves from the fu,” the agency stated in a press release. “It’s also im- portant to remember that even young, Cuesta alumni Jay Asher accused of sexual harassment healthy people can sometimes experi- ence serious complications.” By Lindsay Darbyshire Although the fu is not a reportable News Editor illness and the exact numbers are not tracked, public health offcials stated The author of the best-selling novel there has been an increase in the num- “13 Reasons Why,” who is also a Cuesta ber of laboratory-confrmed fu cases on alum, has reportedly denied the allega- the Central Coast. tions of sexual harassment recently made If you catch the fu, the best thing against him, and has apparently been to do is stay home, avoid contact with banned from two prominent literary or- other people, rest, stay hydrated, take ganizations as a result of the accusations. temperature-reducing medicines, and In his defense, a spokesperson for be on the lookout for more serious signs Jay Asher said that the allegations were of the illness, offcials stated. Those the result of extramarital affairs gone who are infected are said to no longer sour. be contagious after seven days past the Asher apparently entered romantic start of their illness and 24 hours with relationships with women while he was no fever. married, which “ended with some hurt More serious symptoms of the fu feelings when they learned about each include diffculty breathing, shortness other,” said spokesperson Tamara Taylor. of breath, chest pain or severe abdomi- Asher, who graduated from Cuesta nal pain, confusion, sudden dizziness, in 1996, came to the college with hopes and severe vomiting. If you experience of becoming an elementary school teach- any of these symptoms, health offcials er. He transferred to Cal Poly, but did not advise seeking immediate medical at- graduate because he instead began work- tention. ing on writing novels. “[The] fu can be dangerous and In response to the sexual harassment even healthy people can sometimes ex- accusations, both the Society of Chil- perience serious complications,” they dren’s Book Writers and Illustrators and stated. “If you experience any of these the Andrea Brown Literary Agency have symptoms when you have the fu, seek reportedly severed ties with Asher. Photo courtesy of Netfix medical attention immediately.” However, Asher still claims to be an San Luis Obispo author Jay Asher watches a scene being shot on the set of Netfix series “13 Reasons Why,” based on his best- In order to protect yourself from active member of the SCBWI. selling book. The show is currently flming its second season. the fu, it’s recommended to frequently Asher, whose wildly popular novel wash your hands, avoid touching your “13 Reasons Why” was adapted into a today.” believed and who’s not.” doing so. He is no longer working with face, avoid contact with those who are Netfix original series last year, reported- However, Oliver released a state- The ABLA is also said to have part- the agency.” sick, and get the fu shot. ly still holds an active membership with ment to the Associated Press claiming ed ways with Asher, according to a state- The second season of “13 Reasons Although, according to the CDC, the SCBWI, according to Taylor. that, once an investigation of anonymous ment made by the agency via the Twitter Why,” which is currently under produc- the fu vaccine was reported to be only “In April 2017, Mr. Asher voluntari- claims was performed, Asher was dis- account of Sarah Littman, a novelist rep- tion, is reported to be unaffected by the 36 percent effective this year, health of- ly agreed that he would no longer attend missed from the SCBWI altogether for resented by the agency. allegations, according to a Vanity Fair. fcials still recommend getting the shot. SCBWI conferences,” Taylor said. “Mr. having “violated the SCBWI code of “All of the agents at ABLA support “The false statements to the news “If you get a fu vaccine but still Asher was not banned by the SCBWI.” conduct in regard to harassment.” the important national conversation that media have resulted in inaccurate and get the fu, you will most likely have “In fact,” Taylor said, “when he let “It’s very scary when you know is happening about sexual harassment hurtful news coverage, which is threat- more mild illness and less risk of se- his membership in the group lapse last people are just not going to believe you and bullying and we fully believe that ening Mr. Asher’s livelihood,” Taylor rious complications,” offcials stated. summer, Lin Oliver, the group’s execu- once you open your mouth,” Asher told all creators should have a safe place to said. “Mr. Asher has retained legal coun- “The fu vaccine protects against three tive director, suggested that he keep his Buzzfeed News. “I feel very conficted work professionally,” the ABLA said. sel and is demanding SCBWI and Lin to four strains of the fu. If you’ve had membership going. He did as requested, about it just because of what’s going on “We have counseled Jay [Asher] to take Oliver promptly retract the false and de- one strain, you are still susceptible to and Mr. Asher’s membership is active in the culture and who’s supposed to be a step back from the industry and he’s famatory statements they made.” the other strains. Get your fu shot!” The Cuestonian March 20, 2018 News cuestonian.com Page 3
From BUDGET, page 1 have expanded the dual enroll- tails that the state would look at ment opportunity taken by lo- a year’s previous enrollment of case Cuesta, to come up with cal high school students. students and fund Cuesta based that money. Troy said that the “We’re not sitting still,” on that number, despite what school would need $600,000 to Troy said. the current enrollment. $700,000 a year to make that In fact, the school recently Recently, a new commu- amount. got awarded $2 million for in- nity college governor changed Since the school, accord- novation. This will allow more the formula for funding state ing to Troy, is underfunded the high school students to get schools. This formula will fund school created the Separation credit for the dual enrollment the school 50 percent on the Incentive Program. This gives work they do and enable them amount of FTS, 25 percent on staff the incentive to retire to get degrees much faster. low-income students, and 25 early and the school will offer However, in a seemingly percent on success rates. them a pay out. contradictory act, Assistant “We serve a lower propor- To save money, the school Superintendent Deborah Wulff tion of low-income students doesn’t hire people who have implemented an 18-student so it might not favor us,” Troy retired or departed, leaving the minimum enrollment per class said. He added that this could position vacant. This is called beginning in the fall semester have a significant impact to the a selective hiring freeze. This in every class held at Cuesta. Cuesta’s budget. way, the school can use money With declining enroll- As of now, the school is that would have gone to those ment, as well as an already predicting a $551,000 deficit positions for other budget pri- small amount of students, this for the 2017-18 school year. orities. Recently, this practice may cause a copious amount of According to Troy, each year has caused tension between in- class cancellations. This could the school is spending less. structors and administrators. result in loss instructors and Graphic courtesy of Cuesta College “We have a responsibility In the past, Cuesta has of students — and the students to make our expenditures equal been able to save around bring to pay for the classes. to our revenue,” Troy said. $500,000 from this. “Together the college Cuesta enrollment has never rebounded from the sharp decline in the 2011-12 acedemic school year. The school is planning new needs to continue to improve programs and majors to help our course and program ef- which all college programs are staff-wide memo. ciency by shifting the school to boost enrollment. They also ficiency; this is a process for responsible,” Wulff said in a They plan to improve effi- stabilization funding. This en-
From DACA COURT, page 1 In a recent meeting with the matter, only one day after the DACA students at Cuesta, many original March 5 deadline, the California’s “green rush” reaches the light the Migration Policy Institute. Of responded to the Supreme Court Justice Department sued the state those, offcials estimate 60,000 action, however they requested of California for providing sanc- are enrolled in the state’s commu- anonymity for fear of deporta- tuary cities. The lawsuit stated nity colleges; 8,300 at Cal State tion. that these protections allegedly campuses; and, 4,000 at UC. violate the Constitution. There were reportedly about “This affects all of us,” 570 undocumented Cuesta stu- “Dreamers are Vazquez said. “America needs dents in October 2017, when of- to embrace and celebrate every fcials last released data to The the future of the culture. Dreamers are the future Cuestonian. This number may country. Let’s of the country. Let’s give them a be slightly inaccurate, though, chance to achieve an education.” because not all undocumented give them a Shortly after the Supreme students disclose their status, of- chance to achieve Court action became public, fcials said. White House Deputy Secretary A new request for updated an education.” Raj Shah released the following data has been denied, although –Estella public statement deeming the rul- these numbers are reported to the ing unlawful: state and considered public infor- Vazquez, “The DACA program — mation. Enrollment which provides work permits and DACA is an act implemented myriad government benefts to
Cuestonian by the Obama administration al- Success Specialist illegal immigrants en masse — lowing immigrant students or is clearly unlawful. The district workers permission to safely live “It’s good because it gave judge’s decision unilaterally to in the US. people the opportunity to contin- re-impose a program that Con- “It is unclear how long this ue their education,” said a Cuesta gress had explicitly and repeat- temporary stay will remain in dreamer, who is in the nursing edly rejected is a usurpation of place,” Salud Carbajal, San Luis program. “Before the deadline, legislative authority.” Photo by Josh Pachio / SLO County has begun issuing permits to allow local famers and distributors to grow marijuana. Obispo’s congressman said. “I my brother wouldn’t be able to However, the DACA stu- encourage all eligible DACA re- renew his status.” dents and their supporters insist By Holly Walsh sary has been shuttered because of “there are some benefts to seri- cipients with expiring authoriza- DACA supporters said they they are not violating the law and Life & Culture Editor the new county regulations. ously ill people concerning pot, tions to submit their renewal ap- will still have to work in urgency make worthwhile contributions to West Coast Organix, a medi- the problem is the majority of plications as soon as possible. to formulate a plan that will grant the country. Many even have said In the new world of legal cal marijuana cooperative delivery users and card holders are not ill, “We need a permanent fx for these immigrants the ability to that because they immigrated as weed, questions in San Luis Obis- service in San Luis Obispo Coun- they are stoners.” DACA recipients who continue stay and work safely. young children that this is, in fact, po regarding distribution and reg- ty, was one of the frst businesses On the other side of the issue, to live in constant fear of deporta- This all began when Judge the only country they remember. ulations swirl about the air. to apply for a permit after the Jan. Justin Bradshaw said he is con- tion,” Carbajal said. “That’s why William Alsup of the US District “My hope is, lawmakers will San Luis Obispo is beginning 1 legalization. However they were cerned that SLO residents will be I am co-sponsoring the bipartisan Court refused to participate in the fnally understand the contribu- to take a stance on marijuana regu- one of the frst to have it yanked locked out of the market by overly DREAM Act to codify the DACA Trump administration’s plan to tions of immigrants from all over lations by planning to implement because of a dispute over its loca- restrictive policies on cannabis program and provide certainty terminate DACA, which would the world provide,” Vazquez said. no more than three retail store- tion. sales and cultivation. to DACA recipients so they can have resulted in mass deporta- “Immigrants are here in search of fronts and enforcing only indoor After spending nearly $8,000 “This plant is here to stay and continue to work, attend school, tions around the nation, offcials the American Dream! Where did cultivation within the city. in application fees for a retail li- should be treated like alcohol, not and contribute to our communi- said. it go?” Potential vendors can submit cense, county code enforcement shunned and pushed out of town,” ties.” Adding to the legal feud over applications for yearly permits shut the business down on March Bradshaw said. “SLO residents beginning July 1, the applications 6, said Rose Brochini, co-owner. have every right to be able to buy From BRENCOLA, page 1 The student stated that when her in her Los Osos home, au- will then be vetted and back- “We wanted to beat the stigma their cannabis locally and legally.” he arrived to pick up Brencola, thorities said. ground checks will be performed, surrounding marijuana businesses Cuesta student Sam Reyes and drive” is a frequent refrain. she was “freaking out.” She told Brencola, who was 17 at the according to county offcials. and worked with the county to put expressed that having delivery ser- The words are on billboards, him that she believed a brick hit time of the incident, was origi- Currently SLO County has in as much work as possible,” Bro- vices within the city has worked commercials, advertisements, her windshield causing it to shat- nally held in custody at Juvenile been issuing permits that allow chini said. “Nobody said anything well and that retail storefronts and even in school assemblies. ter. Hall. farmers and distributors to legally was wrong,” Brochini said. probably aren’t necessary. “It is impossible to imagine However, as she was asleep However, at the prosecu- grow and sell marijuana. Brochini said she would like “I don’t think weed culture is a scenario in which Ms. Brencola in his house, he looked at KS- tion’s request, a judge ruled in Art Trinidade who works for to warn other businesses to take detrimental for a city, but I think had somehow missed this lesson BY’s website, likely after receiv- October that Brencola should be Code Enforcement for the county caution before applying for per- it’s important for SLO to care or failed to appreciate that drink- ing an alert, and woke her up to tried as an adult due to the seri- said the board passed an ordi- mits because “undoubtedly they about their image and worry about ing and driving is dangerous to fnd out what she knew. She then ousness of the case. She was then nance that allowed 141 applicants will have to shut their doors.” stores attracting undesirables,” human life,” according to the took an Uber ride to her home in transferred on Nov. 9 to County growing cannabis, prior to the or- The city council will work on Reyes said. court documents. Los Osos. Jail where she has remained in dinance, to apply for permits in creating rules and regulations re- The closest dispensary retail In fact, a friend of hers, an- Another witness was across custody. 2018. garding how legal marijuana will storefront to SLO county is 140 other Cuesta student, had been at the street at Cork ‘n’ Bottle Li- In the prosecution’s recent “The permits can be for cul- ft into the community, over meet- miles away in Monterey. However the social gathering with Brenco- quor Store on Foothill Boulevard request for Brencola to be sen- tivation, distribution, manufac- ings during the next year. ,delivery services are still avail- la and told her that it wouldn’t be when he said he heard the colli- tenced to prison --- as opposed turing, or all three depending on SLO City Council took a vol- able within the county. safe to drive. To him, she seemed sion. to a county jail -- Deputy District zoning they are considering,” untary cannabis planning survey California is currently the too intoxicated to drive and he “He then saw a young fe- Attorney Chase Martin stated in Trinidade said. that was open to the public where largest regulated cannabis market even offered to give her a ride male exit the driver‘s side door court documents that she “had Trinidade then explained in citizens expressed their concerns in the world, according to data home. and examine the damage to her shown a reckless attitude toward regards to how legalization has and suggestions about handling provided by FinnCanna Capita, a “Ms. Brencola herself was vehicle while exclaiming ‘I hit the consumption of alcohol.” been affecting farmers, nothing marijuana in the county. cannabis royalty company. reminded on the day she killed him, I hit him!’,” according to the In the vehicle Brencola aban- signifcant has been brought to his Resident Rick Bertram re- The marijuana market indus- Mr. Love not to drive her car court documents. doned, police found false ID’s attention and there has been no sponded that his top concerns re- try has proven thus far to be ben- after having consumed alcohol; Love, 22, was riding his bike believed to be for the purpose of outcry from businesses. lating to cannabis use and sales in efcial for the economy with $5.7 and yet she did so,” according to down Foothill Boulevard, near obtaining alcohol illegally. “As to how legalization af- the city are the “Infux of home- billion in unregulated market sales the court documents. Ferrini Road, at approximately “The fact that Ms. Bren- fects farmland, we are seeing less people, increased begging, and $2.8 billion in medical market Following the collision, 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 29 when the cola failed to heed the numerous some conversion of farmland and decrease in family atmosphere sales. By 2020 this is expected to Brencola reportedly called her suspect allegedly hit him, left the warnings not to place others in greenhouses to cannabis produc- within the city, increase in crime swell to almost $4 billion in addi- friend for a ride away from the scene and then abandoned her danger by driving under the in- tion but nothing signifcant,” Trin- and a steady decline in morals and tional annual market size, accord- scene after she had abandoned vehicle, offcials said. fuence should tilt in favor of a idade said. values.” ing to FinnCanna Capita. her damaged vehicle on Tassa- Police arrested Brencola prison sentence,” Martin said. However, at least one dispen- While he said he realizes jara Street. about an hour later after locating
Your Voice Matters! G
P Join Student Government T U O
F Stop by room 5301 on the SLO Campus
E or email [email protected] V U
T for an application E F U
B Executive Cabinet Meetings: J
D Tuesdays, 10:45-12:00 PM, Rm 5402 P T T
B Senate Meetings: Thursdays, 10:30-12:00 PM, Rm 5402/N5006 Page 4 March 20 , 2018 News cuestonian.com The Cuestonian
From FACULTY, page 1 percent increase in 2015-16, ac- From PRESIDENT, page 1 cording to the administration. The last tentative agreement The pay discrepancies had demically qualifed. was approved by a margin of only prompted many full time instruc- Stearns’ alma mater, Walden two votes -- primarily because tors to take on teaching extra University, where she earned her adjunct instructors came out en classes at other institutions, such Ph.D. in education, is an online col- masse to vote against it. as Cal Poly, to offset their lower lege where admission requirements This vote could face the same salaries, according to Stakes. are not enforced. disapproval, as many angry and Faculty had also negotiated However, Stearns’ defended frustrated part-time faculty have for increased funding for personal her decision to earn a degree from been expressing displeasure in the time offce hours to help encour- Walden, citing numerous reasons “meager raise” in pay. age student success--where an for choosing an online college.
The negotiation comes in Cuestonian agreement was also discussed. “The program allowed me to the wake of a recent “failed” nine Recently a salary increase work toward my degree while liv- hour meeting with a state ap- had also been agreed upon by ing and working in a small, rural pointed fact-fnder where the dis- the district and another Cuesta community,” Stearns said. “The crepancies in pay between Cuesta employee union. The Cuesta Col- closest Ph.D. program in education faculty salaries and comparable lege Classifed United Employ- was located at UC Irvine, more California community colleges ees (CCCUE) and administrators than 200 miles away, and focused were heavily discussed. agreed on a 1.57 percent increase on educational research rather than
“We began with the last po- / Turner Allison Graphic by through 2019. leadership.” tential agreement put forward by [The agreement] is good for While, Walden University the fact-fnder then worked to- the CCCUE but does not impact is an accredited institution by the ward a compromise settlement, Prior to the tentative agreement, Cuesta faculty ranked last in comparable college salaries. the CCFT,” Stakes said. “Except Higher Learning Commission, said Stakes. we now know what [they] re- some programs lack accreditation At the meeting, each party ceived.” such as the psychology department presented their argument to a strike,” he said. “It is certainly not to move Cuesta faculty salaries decreased since Stork assumed Faculty is hopeful that nego- degrees. panel composed of one neutral the outcome we would hope for, from the bottom to the average presidency in 2010. The disparity tiations will continue to improve In contrast, the candidates she fact-fnder and one representative because it would be damaging to pay level. closed from 6.75 percent to 4.75 in the future as newly appointed was competing against had earned from each side--where the out- our students…and the institution’s “We have offered the fac- percent during the seven year pe- Cuesta President Dr. Jill Stearns is Ph.D.’s from San Diego State and come was described as “discour- reputation in the community.” ulty an offer similar to what other riod, according to data compiled set to assume command. USC and one a master’s from Stan- aging and insulting,” according to Prior to the agreement, Cues- campus groups have accepted or by the CCFT. But the difference is “Faculty will not be com- ford. Stakes. ta full-time faculty made $78,795 received for the year 2016-17,” not being closed fast enough ac- pelled to strike this year,” Stakes Prior to applying to Cuesta for If an agreement was not on average, while the average sal- said Dan Troy, Cuesta’s assistant cording to Baxley. said. “We look forward to more its top position, Stearns put a bid reached, the CCFT was willing to ary of the comparable institutions superintendent. During that time, faculty had amicable and collaborative nego- in for the once vacant presidential strike, according to Baxley. is $85,133. Over an 8 percent The gap between Cuesta pay been afforded a two 2 percent in- tiations as the new President be- position at Santa Barbara City Col- “There is a potential for a pay increase would be required and cost of living allowance had crease in 2014-15 as well as a 5 gins July, [1] 2018.” lege. In 2016, the SBCC Board of Trustees interviewed Jill Stearns for the position, but she was not selected for the position, according CSUs set to reject record amount of applicants to a press release from the college. That is the same year she and Fall 2018 applicants topped and 34 percent. While their UC cess had caused concern among Impactions occur when a her husband, Keith Stearns, bought By Austin Brumblay out at a record 912,000 freshman counterparts UC Santa Barbara students and prompted them to campus has surpassed its capacity a house in San Luis Obispo. He Managing Editor of Content and transfer candidates across the and UC San Diego each reported pay closer attention to transfer de- in both enrollment and resources. was hired in 2015 to work as ex- CSU system, according to data tails: Of the 23 CSU campuses, ecutive director of information sys- Prospective California State provided by EdSource, a Califor- “I spent a lot of time work- only seven have room to accom- tems and technology at Cuesta. University (CSU) transfer stu- nia education resource site. ing with one of the counselors modate all qualifed transfer stu- “We’ll have to address how dents have found themselves in a The staggering number of stu- “The number of throughout the application process dents. And one-quarter of the that looks in the short run and long race against nearly 1 million appli- dents yield almost a 25 percent in- CSU applicants to make sure my applications were campuses, including Cal Poly, re- run,” Jill Stearns said. “My hus- cants for this coming fall. crease over 2011. In contrast, CSU as good as possible,” Kraemer ported that all undergraduate pro- band does not have contact with The record breaking applicant campus sizes have only increased made me nervous said. grams are impacted for the 2018- the president.” pool has caused CSUs to become by 10 percent since 2011--which about getting in Cuesta’s transfer center has 19 school year. Jill Stearns replaces Dr. Gil- more competitive in their decision has caused many students to be also been affected, as a surge of To help prevent qualifed ap- bert Stork, who served as Cuesta’s process--where 1 in 10 qualifed denied simply from unavailable the schools that prospective transfer students have plicants from being denied, the president from 2010 to June 30, students will be denied. space. been using the facility to help their CSU system added the Associate 2018. Last year a record 31,000 Cal Poly was no exception, I wanted. It re- chances of acceptance. Degree for Transfer (ADT) pro- In light of the recent salary qualifed students were turned as a record 65,500 students ap- ally changed my “There’s defnitely been more gram to guarantee students accep- dispute between faculty and ad- away and projections for this year plied to attend next fall. The ap- students during the application tance to at least one CSU campus ministrators at Cuesta, The Cue- are expected to be much higher. plicants will be competing for chances.” season over years past,” said Ari- upon completion of the degree. stonian checked salary schedules at “The number of CSU appli- roughly 6,000 spots, according to –Robert ana Jimenez, Cuesta’s university The ADT, conveniently re- Modesto Junior College and found cants made me nervous about get- last year’s enrollment data. transfer center specialist. “The ferred to as “a degree with a guar- the wages to be higher there. ting in the schools that I wanted,” The infux of students has Kraemer, best thing a student can do is plan antee,” allows for students to gain When asked about the dispar- said Robert Kraemer, a fourth year put CSUs in a tough predicament. ahead and meet with counselors.” priority and a GPA boost in appli- ity, Jill Stearns responded: “Salary Cuesta mathematics major. “It re- What were traditionally consid- fourth year The accessibility that once cable majors to CSU campuses. is negotiated between the exclusive ally changed my chances.” ered universities open to every- Cuesta student drew students to CSUs has since Cuesta students are also en- agent of the faculty and the district Over the last seven years, one, have now become more com- eroded away via campus impac- couraged to be proactive about as part of the total compensation there has been a sharp increase in petitive than many University of tions--and are the direct cause of their transfer goals. package and varies from district to CSU applications--where the rise California (UC) campuses. the newly-acquired GPA elitism “Counselors can help plan district. I look forward to working in preparation from high schools Popular CSU campuses such 36 percent acceptance rates for the among campuses, according to [students] classes and formulate with the faculty at Cuesta College and low-cost tuition has infated as Cal Poly and San Diego State 2017 term. Jane Conoley, university president maps to go by, to best succeed in to address concerns in all areas, in- applicant numbers dramatically. reported acceptance rates of 29 The new highly selective pro- of CSU Long Beach. their futures,” Jimenez said. cluding salary.” The Cuestonian March 20, 2018 Features cuestonian.com Page 5 Cuesta’s new teacher offers Cuesta Dreamers education for students invited to share behind bars stories of success By Clara Applegarth leased data to The Cuestonian. This Features Editor number may be slightly inaccurate, though, because not all undocumented Cuesta student Moises Bautista students disclose their status, officials was quietly focused on his physics said. A new request for updated data homework in a Redwood City cof- has been denied, although these num- fee shop when a robber armed with a bers are reported to the state and con- gun stormed in, threatened the work- sidered public information. ers -- and Bautista -- and fled with the On Feb. 25, the Supreme Court money. ruled to postpone Trump’s March When police arrived, Bautista 5 deadline of ending the program. helped in the search for the robber that Their decision allowed approximately night in 2013. 700,000 immigrants under the protec- “That’s how I got my US visa,” tion of DACA the chance to renew said Bautista, who was attending Ca- their visas and remain in the U.S. ñada College at the time. “Ronald Bautista immigrated to the U.S. Reagan imposed a law that if you are on the eve of his 18th birthday and a victim involved in a crime, you are hasn’t looked back since. permitted to apply for a US visa.” “Some of my friends have been After obtaining his US visa, he killed from refusing to be in the car- transferred to Cal Poly in 2015, and is tel,” Bautista said. “When you are in now finishing up a couple of require- Mexico you really have only two op-
Photo courtesy of Federal Bureau Prisions ments at Cuesta. tions: join a cartel, where you most The harrowing experience -- and likely will be killed within a month, or Cuesta political science instructor Kari Hall teaches a class for inmates at the Lompoc Prision. his new immigration status -- prompt- leave town.” ed Bautista to create the online sanctu- Under the protections of DACA, Allison Turner on her roster. Hall, this model encourages students to ary on his website dreamersnow.com. he had been afforded the ability to Opinion Editor By Hall’s frm control and unique “activate their brains” and retain more He launched the site in 2017 to learn to speak fluent English and grad- structure of the class, she required in- information. provide a platform for students who uate with a degree in industrial engi- One of Cuesta’s newest instructors mates to work together who traditionally By participating in more group dis- are in the US under the Deferred Ac- neering from Cal Poly. has reached out beyond the borders of would have disagreed out on the prison cussions and incorporating multimedia tion of Childhood Arrivals program, to “When Trump was elected, no one the campus to inmates behind the bars of yard. elements into the lecture, students inter- share their stories of success. wanted to talk about it,” Bautista said. Lompoc Federal Correctional Institution. The lack of technological infuences nalize over 70 percent of the material, her Now, undocumented Cuesta stu- “Which makes sense because at any Kari Hall is a political science teach- had inspired the inmates to make connec- research showed. dents are formally invited to contrib- point they could get deported. But I er to 35 “rowdy” low-security inmates tions of their own experiences inside the In contrast, students only retain 10 ute their experiences regarding immi- asked everyone if I started a website, who are seeking higher education for de- institution--and in turn “write pages and percent of the information learned from gration on Bautista’s website, freely would they be willing to share their grees, certifcates or personal growth. pages of original thinking.” lecture based teaching styles, the study with anonymity. story.” The inmate students pose problems The curriculum offered inside the fa- stated. In a recent meeting with DACA The stories published on the site unlike a traditional college classroom cility mirrors that of Hall’s Cuesta class- Hall received her frst master’s de- students on the Cuesta campus, many range from immigrants who are now due to the segmented prison culture, Hall es, and even infuenced the coursework gree in teaching with an emphasis on commented to The Cuestonian about architects, to immigration lawyers, said. for her Cuesta students such as studies of learning theory. She began experiment- the site, but requested anonymity for and environmental engineers. “I don’t have to to understand [their] controversial court cases. ing with how to bring the graduate school fear of deportation. Although there are only about a prison politics, this is my class” Hall said. The political science discipline is in style class discussion to community col- “I think it’s great,” said an undoc- dozen stories on the site, they are grip- “I wear a black suit every week, my hair itself a controversial topic, according to lege students. umented Childhood Education major. ing and detailed -- they are telling sto- slicked back, I try to look like a correc- Hall. “The mission for a community col- “It’s hard to understand where we’re ries of struggle and success. tional offcer, that’s my goal.” “We’re talking about the govern- lege is to serve diverse students and cre- coming from, and to be able to share Bautista encourages all undocu- Hall was initially concerned that her ment, and institutions and laws, and now ate an equal playing feld,” said Hall. “I our stories. It shows that we are just mented students to come forward and status as a woman who is 5 foot 2 inches we’re moving into civil liberties and civil feel like, as an instructor, it’s my respon- like any other person who’s trying to tell their stories. would not be taken seriously among her rights, and [the inmates] don’t have any sibility to create an opportunity for stu- do the best for ourselves and our fami- “They have made this country class of all-male inmates. right now.” dents to engage in civic discourse and to lies.” their county,” Estella Vazquez said, She has been teaching at the federal The course had encouraged inmates have a forum of communication.” DACA is a program that was an enrollment specialist at Cuesta who prison since last fall, where her tradi- to move beyond their initial prison con- Hall hopes this style of learning will implemented under the Obama Ad- aids undocumented students daily. tional classroom has been replaced by a ficts through hands-on group activities also teach students how to assume differ- ministration that allows young adults “Let’s embrace them!” small room locked behind fve security as a part of Hall’s teaching method. ent roles in academic discussion. who were brought to this country as “I’m so glad educational insti- doors with no wif and a singular emer- Her teaching method involved “fip- “[I] do it to make a difference,” Hall children to work and attend college tutions, nonprofits, and government gency phone. ping the class,” where students study ma- said. “When they asked me, I said if I’m legally. leaders are coming forth to create On her frst day of class this semes- terial beforehand, then bring their own going to make a difference, if I really be- There were reportedly about 570 awareness and support undocumented ter, Hall started off by calling in the guard meaning to class for discussion. lieve in it, I can’t really say I’m not going undocumented Cuesta students in students.” to remove assertive inmates who weren’t According to research conducted by to be making a difference.” October 2017, when officials last re-
From NURSING, page 1 in her family. She went on to work with “We don’t want to brag about it, but her at Mee Memorial Hospital in Kings we don’t think it is an accident,” Torrey City. Torrey said she is amazed at nursing said. students’ ability to maintain lives that are She said that the faculty feel a re- unbelievable and continue to succeed in sponsibility to provide a program that the nursing program. fully prepares its students to pass the “To me, they’re all success stories,” NCLEX and match the rigor of the RN she said. job. Torrey herself is an alumni of Cues- A few years back, the board of reg- ta’s nursing program and believes it has istered nurses increased the diffculty of made her life what it is today. the state board test and added a wider va- “This program is just a jewel of the riety of questions. Due to that, Cuesta’s community,” Torrey said. program made their tests harder to match. Nursing student Christina Mideiros “We’re really proud of a really high has been in the program since 2011 doing pass rate for the state board,” Torrey said prerequisites and she is graduating spring According to Torrey, when the diff- 2018. She said that the program offered a culty for the NCLEX went up the major- lot of information in a little time. ity of programs had a declining pass rate, “I wouldn’t say it was easy, it’s a but Cuesta’s rate went up due to intense program that will defnitely test you, Cuestonain dedication and preparation. but as long as you stay on top of your With the increase in diffculty comes homework, studying, and clear up any stress for students in the program. The questions it’s defnitely manageable,” program has a success specialist dedi- Mideiros said. cated to the nursing students named Ur- Mideiros said that her favorite part sula Bishop. According to Torrey they about the program were her teachers. She emphasize the importance of being “lov- said they all are very knowledgeable and / Wahba Photo by Sameer ingly invasive.” have similar teaching styles. “We don’t wait until a student is “It made [the classes] very consis- struggling to intervene,” Torrey said. tent while going through such a hectic The program has six full time fac- program,” Mideiros said. ulty and many other part time faculty as Mideiros said that during her experi- Cuesta students practice their nursing skills in the program’s on-campus lab, which replicates a real emergency room. well to provide help to students. ence both the teachers and her peers in Torrey recalled a student named the program were very helpful. She said talk to. thing you are and it can feel overwhelm- it alone, and that there are people there to Claudia a while back who was one of 17 that the staff are always open to talk if “They are all going through the same ing at times, but to know you aren’t doing support you is really helpful,” she said. siblings who was the frst to get a degree a student needs help or just someone to
Your Voice Matters! G
P Join Student Government T U O
F Stop by room 5301 on the SLO Campus
E or email [email protected] V U
T for an application E F U
B Executive Cabinet Meetings: J
D Tuesdays, 10:45-12:00 PM, Rm 5402 P T T
B Senate Meetings: Thursdays, 10:30-12:00 PM, Rm 5402/N5006 Page 6 March 20, 2018 Life & Culture cuestonian.com The Cuestonian Documentary: “Life Animated” brings life to Autism awareness By Marcus Hicks Special Contributor When he asked Owen how session commenced. Journalism 201A he was doing Owen replied, “I’m Ann Dille was one member not happy, I can’t understand of the public who attended the Autism awareness advo- what people say and I don’t have screening. She said she’s been to cates gathered at the San Luis any friends.” many similar events in the com- Obispo county library for the Ron described how he had munity and had noticed a lot of screening of “Life Animated” to bite his hand and keep up the older folks in attendance.
-- the true story of overcoming ONTRIBUTOR act after the shocking revelation Dille, a volunteer at the San C L
the struggles of communicating A of his son talking. Luis Obispo library, was thrilled I C E
with autism. P Following the success of to see others expressing their in- S
Owen Susankind, the young / managing his disability, Owen terest in autism. child with autism in the flm, moved into an assisted living During the question and RTINO learned to communicate with his A apartment and his girlfriend of answer session attendees men- M
family through viewing Disney N three years Emily was intro- tioned how the ending of the movies and picking up on the A duced. flm differed signifcantly from DRI language. A He later had a diffcult the ending of the book it was BY Owen had never effectively breakup with Emily and inter- based on.
communicated until at the age of HOTO viewed for a job at a movie the- There was also a discussion six, after his brothers birthday, P ater to cope with the breakup. on how social services can be he ran up to his parents and told The flm ended with Owen diffcult to access and how ex- them, “Walter doesn’t wanna succeeding in getting his frst job pensive the care and therapy can grow up like Peter Pan or Mow- San Luis Obispo public attended a screening of the documentary for Cuesta’s Book of the year. at the movie theater, and sitting be. gli.” in one of the seats. The book was written by After this breakthrough, quotes. At one point his father, named Iago, from the movie bed and imitates the parrot in or- At the conclusion of the Owens father, Ron Susankind, the family began to communi- Ron Susankind, overheard his Aladdin. der to talk to his son for the frst powerful flm, the lights bright- and is available online and in cate with Owen through Disney son talking to a stuffed parrot Ron crawled under Owen’s time in several years. ened and a question and answer bookstores nationwide. Five Guys: A new option near student housing By Holly Walsh and the sooner they open, the better.” Life & Culture Editor Five Guys was set to open Feb. 12, Students, elders, and families alike but the date continued to be pushed back gathered in packs to attend the grand open- until March 9. ing of burger chain Five Guys on March 9. Lauren Lewis, a Five Guys repre- Five Guys opened their new location sentative, said that the Five Guys initial on Foothill Boulevard, which has become opening dates are just projections and it the hub for student housing in San Luis is common for the projected opening date Obispo. to be off. Cal Poly students Ryan Staples and “As we get closer to the opening date Robby Grangola were particularly excited. we can better project when everything “I can’t describe how excited I am, I will be complete and ready to open,” came everyday they were supposed to be Lewis said. N open and I’m ready,” Staples said. A Approximately 45 people have been Staples is from Colorado, where they provided a job at this location and the hir- have Five Guys locations everywhere, UESTONI ing process is still underway, according to and says “it’s nice to have a little taste of / C Lewis. home.” “Excitement has been incredible OLGUIN
Foothill Boulevard consists of major H leading up to and after the opening of the student housing complexes which include San Luis Obispo Five Guys,” Lewis said.
The SLO Living, Mustang Village, Valen- TEVEN “The community has welcomed us with S
cia Student Apartments on Ramona, and BY open arms and great appetites!” now 22 Chorro St which opens in Sep. Five Guys is best known for their HOTO
2018. P burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes and free With the increase of student housing peanuts. There are 250,000 possible com- on Foothill, there is a higher demand for binations to choose from to make your food chains. The newly fnished Five Guys has made its home in SLO, near local student housing. sandwich, and over 1000 possible mixes Grangola recognizes this and loves for your milkshake, according to the Dai- that there is a new place close to home to ly Meal. grab a burger. In addition to Five Guys, the latest er joint was evidently high, especially on “I am excited about another place Five Guys opened their frst SLO “There’s not a lot of good burger plac- restaurants to have opened on Foothill Foothill Boulevard. Lines can be seen out to get a burger, the only other places are County location in Arroyo Grande in es nearby and I love Five Guys, The Habit Boulevard have been Milestone Tavern the door of Five Guys at almost all hours really Milestone Tavern and Carl’s Jr.” 2017. [another burger chain in downtown SLO] and Blaze Pizza in May 2016, Deli Deli- during day and night. Lewis said. The new Five Guys location will be is too far and [it’s hard] to fnd parking, cious in Oct. 2016, Pokirito in Jan. 2017, Cuesta student Spencer Lewis also In response to the Five Guys opening on 763 E. Foothill Blvd., across the street here it’s an easy drive and easy to park,” and Scout Coffee in Aug. 2017. expressed excitement about Five Guys being pushed back, Lewis said, “I’ve been from California Fresh Market and the Staples said. The demand for another quality burg- opening. seeing ‘coming soon’ banners for forever, Foothill Plaza Shopping Center. Cuestonian Showcase: Best of Staff Photography N A UESTONI / C OLGUIN N H A
TEVEN UESTONI S
/C N BY
A HIO AC HOTO P P UESTONI OSH / C / J BY Three smoke stacks and Morro Rock from the dune area on Morro Strand Beach. ISSELL B
HOTO P NDER A LEX
A A newly paved road points toward the sunset. BY
HOTO P
Protestors rally at the SLO Women’s March. N A N A UESTONI UESTONI / C / C NG HILD A C D IR
A F IGE OLLEEN A P C BY BY
HOTO HOTO P P
A beautiful sunset, overlooking Orcutt Road and Broad Street in San Luis Obispo. San Simeon State Beach is serene on a sunny day. N A N A N A UESTONI UESTONI / C A UESTONI / C / C A RDELL A URNER HB A T C
W NNON A LLISON H MEER A S A
S
BY BY
BY
HOTO HOTO P HOTO P P
Avila Pier offers a glimpse of the colorful sealife. The vast Yosemite Valley just before sunrise. Montaña de Oro is home to winding forests. The Cuestonian March 20, 2018 Opinion cuestonian.com Page 7 Cougar Comments America has a gun addiction What do you think is the best way to prevent school shootings? What can Cuesta do to make you feel safer on campus? How do you feel about teachers having guns?
“I think that they should have more security guards around every area at campus. What I recommend for my safety and all student’s safety is have the staff keep an eye on the students and check in on them and see if they’re alright.”
-Taylor Herrick 1st year, theater major
“I would say focus in on mental health a lot more than we do. It’s not necessarily the fact that guns exist, it is the issue of how we handle mental health and how that impacts it. I’ve never felt unsafe on Cuesta’s cam- pus, but that could have to do with
this frame of mind that it can’t hap- Editor Culture & Entertainment/Life & Arts Pachio/ Josh by illistration Photo pen where you are.”
-Anthony Hernandez Allison Turner a provisional license to 21. How is this This solution masks the real prob- 5th year, music major Opinion Editor any different than controlling the sell of lem: how was a mentally unstable 19 weapons to those under 21. year old able to legally obtain an assault There has been a lot of social me- The recent catastrophic shooting in rife? dia outcry lately pitting the right to own Florida has prompted the president to In his case, the AR-15 in question an assault rife against the freedom to be offer a short sighted solution: Solve the was legally purchased from a gun shop. “I think advertising gun safety safe at a public institution. But let’s ex- school shooting crisis by putting more Florida law requires a minimal back- amine what the right to own a frearm re- guns in school. ground check and the buyer must be at more. I think [the school] could en- ally entails. Like fghting fre with fre, introduc- least 18 years old. These inadequate re- courage students to stay happier. I The Second Amendment states: “A ing more guns into the system seems like quirements make it easy for both offcial think [teachers having guns] is prob- well regulated militia, being necessary to a good idea, until it is not. Putting more and private sellers to push semiautomatic ably not a good idea, it’s probably the security of a free state, the right of the guns in schools is another hazard, and weapons. safer if security has them. I think people to keep and bear arms, shall not the costs alone to arm and train the pro- Our country has created, in essence, campus police should keep [guns] to be infringed.” jected 700,000 teachers is a cool $1 bil- a loophole for acquiring frearms. Gun themselves.” This nation seems to have forgot- lion, according to the Washington Post. shows across the country take advantage ten that we have no use for militias any- And where is this money going to of dismal requirements and offer easy ac- more. The people do not need to defend come from? Teachers aren’t paid enough cess and cash exchanges for numerous -Kaitlyn Odenthal themselves now that we have a system in to teach let alone take on the responsibil- types of guns. Most shows are open to 2nd year, flm and TV major place to do just that, therefore they have ity of law enforcement. They frequently the public, and many are unregulated as no need for high powered frearms. And have to pay out of pocket for tissues and is the case with Florida. in the case of colonial living, guns were art supplies, will they have to pay for Gun shows are often comprised of far less advanced and required less regu- bullets too? private collectors or vendors. This means lation. So let’s say a teacher puts her issued that anyone can buy a frearm from these “I think it might be education, I The Second Amendment is clearly gun in her purse. Now a disgruntled stu- booths without having to fll out the man- don’t think gun control does much outdated and shouldn’t be used to argue dent has access to a weapon and thus has datory federal forms. to stop school shootings. I’m not for gun rights until it is adjusted to align the potential to start a school shooting. This country has a problem, a prob- against [teachers having guns], but with today’s society. On the other hand, let’s say the gun is lem that has been left untreated for far I’m not saying do away with our stored in a safe. Now students don’t have too long. Gun violence is rampant, and it would have to be some sort of right to own a gun, I’m saying that we access, but the teacher will not have am- the recent tragedy should be an eye open- concealed-carry program for them to have evolved and our legislation should ple time to retrieve the frearm before an er. To me, the solution seems clear: the pass that all citizens have to pass.” mirror that. active shooter gets into the classroom. government needs to step up or step out. In response to the number of teen In either situation, having a frearm The people have spoken and it’s time the -Haven Kardel driver accidents, California lawmak- in the classroom does not put students at government adjusts the laws to meet our 2nd year, undeclared ers recently proposed raising the age of less risk. calls.
“I think the best way to prevent Cancelling classes is cancelling futures school shootings is through a combi- nation of gun control, specifcally for assault weapons, and mental health evaluations as well like background checks and screenings. I wouldn’t say arming teachers or arming the security professionals at Cuesta. I would say more of a commitment to support laws and locallegislature.”
-Matthew Evans 3rd year, music major
For related videos, go to cuestonian.com
Rachel Barnes ...... Editor-in-chief Austin Brumblay ...... Managing Editor of Content Taylor Saugstad ...... Managing Editor of Design & Layout Alexander Bissell ...... Photo & Video Chief Taylor Saugstad . . . .Acting Advertising/Production Manager Photo by Colleen Damg/ Photo And video Editor Photo by Colleen Damg/ Dawn Hobbs ...... Adviser
Lindsay Darbyshire ...... News Editor Cuesta exhibiting the repercussions of their class-cancelling buisness model, barren and gloomy. Allison Turner ...... Opinion Editor saved. But at what cost? How many so big that only a business buy-out can Clara Applegarth ...... Features Editor By Austin Brumblay Holly Walsh ...... Life & Culture Editor students futures were impacted by the change it. Managing Editor of Content greediness of saving a couple bucks? It’s Here are some simple proposals to The institution that used to welcome shocking to watch as our community col- help rebuild faith in the school we cher- Sameer Wahba ...... Assistant Photo & Video Editor all of the community will soon just be lege becomes no more sympathetic than ish so much: Steven Holguin ...... Photographer/Videographer welcoming some as Cuesta makes the a conglomerate like Walmart. Review student cases and the impact Josh Pachio ...... Photographer/Videographer transition from a school to a business. And the Walmart business model a cancellation has on their academic fu- Colleen Dang ...... Photographer/Videographer And not a friendly local business sure must have worked well this semester ture. I shouldn’t have to remind the insti- Shannon Cardella ...... Photographer/Videographer one would typically fnd walking the because Cuesta plans to roll back classes tution that you’re here to mold not squash Paige Fairchild ...... Photographer/Videographer streets of downtown San Luis Obispo but even further by enforcing an 18 student goals. We as students sign up for courses a ruthless corporation that would give minimum for the 2018-19 school year. because we regard them as important. wall street a run for its money. By compiling data of classes with at The school should too. Michael Cohen ...... Assistant Layout/Graphic Designer And like a business that has out- least 30 seats available (as in classes with If a class has no alternative section, grown its loyal customer base, it has room for 30 or more students) for the don’t cancel it. Especially if the class is a turned its back on the ones who support- 2017-18 term, an additional 211 classes graduation, certifcate or degree require- ed it most—the students. would haven been cancelled with the ment. I have had to witness too many Cuesta has been insistent on cancel- new minimum in effect. students pray to the counselor gods to Member Associated ling courses deemed “low enrollment” What’s terrifying about these statis- dig them out of the whole the school put [email protected] 805-546-3288 Collegiate Press (they defne low enrollment as 12 or tics is an 18 student minimum doesn’t them in by cancelling a specifc course. P.O. Box 8106 less students), and attribute the lack of only cancel classes, it will strip some de- And don’t homogenize the diversity San Luis Obispo, CA 93403 enrollment due to a shortage of college partments to the barebones--and outright of Cuesta students. Let the english ma- students. destroy others. jors delve deep in their book selection, let The fact is, the administration can- And thus the cancellations are ex- the science majors have choices in their Letters to the Editor cels courses under this requirement cluding parts of the community. They studies and let history majors pick the The Cuestonian welcomes correspondence and opinions from its readers. Letters must be no because it nets them a loss in revenue. actively punish students who enroll in time period. We are all different. Keep longer than 200 words and will only be edited for space. Authors will be notified for approval Think about that for a second—a college small departments or those who can only the classes that way. Our only thing in regarding any edits made. built for the community telling the com- attend courses at less popular hours of the common should be the unique variety of munity “you don’t make us enough to be day (such as night classes). classes we take. Please provide your name, year, and major with an email and phone number. If you are a faculty member, please indicate your department. Your information will not be shared publicly and will worth our time.” This is a community college that is And if the business model is the be used strictly for verification purposes. Letters should be emailed to [email protected]. Just for reference: Cuesta chose to supposed to be open to the community. direction Cuesta has ultimately chosen cancel 168 of the 2500 classes offered Cuesta should be proud to have such a then perhaps counting students impacted Opinions expressed in The Cuestonian are those of the newspaper staff and are not necessarily during the 2017-18 school year. That’s large diversity of backgrounds, cultures would be a more suitable currency--be- shared by the college, staff, or faculty. The first copy of this paper is free. The cost is $1 per almost 7 percent of all classes. and futures supporting it. cause it’s a lot of us. copy thereafter. Sure, business-wise money was So let’s fx this issue before it gets Don’t forget your promise, Cuesta. Page 8 March 20, 2018 Sports cuestonian.com The Cuestonian NCAA Corruption: Cuesta weighs in Sports Calender tion at Michigan State University, where stepping in. dentured servitude by former athletes Home games in Bold By Stephen Kondor & Rachel Barnes there was also sexual assault reports dat- TV personality, father of NBA rook- like Jalen Rose. Cnference games in Italics Staff writers ing back years. ie Lonzo Ball and CEO and founder of Rumors of a March Madness strike The NCAA has seen over 30 univer- “Without a clear process [the Big Baller Brand Lavar Ball has created are foating about according to various Cuesta College Baseball 2018 sities come under investigation for cor- NCAA] seems to be getting in trouble the Junior Basketball Association, which news sources. Day Date Opponent ruption in their athletic programs. with the FBI,” Schuler said. will invite top high school recruits to The NCAA’s operating budget re- Tue Mar 20 Oxnar There have been widespread reports The NCAA outlines regulations that play in his televised league for a year in- ceives 81 percent of its total revenue Thu Mar 22 Oxnard of allegations of FBI wiretaps into top say players at Division I schools are not stead of attending college. from March Madness, according to the programs around the country search- allowed to hold jobs because they con- Players will be salaried and expect- NCAA website, and any strike would Fri Mar 23 Allan Hancock ing for bribery attempts in order to sign fict with practice schedules. Student- ed to play as if it were their full time job. cause a world of hurt. Tue Mar 27 Spring Break Tourney sports recruits. athletes are also not allowed to proft Cuesta offcials in the Athletics and “It’s an insane amount of money and Wed Mar 28 Spring Break Tourney However, Cuesta has not had to off their own likeness in video games or Kinesiology department have varying puts March Madness at a different level,” Thu Mar 29 Spring Break Tourney deal with this issue, according to Peter proft off signing autographs. opinions on paying students for the work Schuler said. Tue Apr 3 Allan Hancock Schuler, Cuesta’s kinesiology and athlet- Cuesta offcials said the NCAA they do on college teams. Back in 2015, Mizzou saw their Thu Apr 5 Moorpark ics coach. He doesn’t want to change the needs to decide for themselves if they are The rumblings of something like football team sit out of a bowl game for Sat Apr 7 Moorpark equal opportunities students have to par- operating semi-professionally or profes- this alone and the paper trail have gath- the schools inaction against racism on ticipate in the program. sionally. ered enough interest to make the NBA campus. This helped bring student ath- Tue Apr 10 Santa Barbara Top recruits from other places, like The athletes’ only support is the take notice. letes into a national view and ultimately Thu Apr 12 Santa Barbara Shareef O’Neal, future NBA Hall of scholarship they receive. Cuesta’s Ki- Adam Silver, the Commissioner of the president Tim Wolffe’s resignation. Sat Apr 14 Ventura Famer Shaquille O’Neal’s son, decom- nesiology Health Sciences and Athletics the NBA, is reportedly looking into the The program was fned $1 million Tue Apr 17 Ventura mitted from the University of Arizona Division Chair Allison Merzon-Grant possibility of expanding the NBA’s G- and their president was on his way out Thu Apr 19 Oxnard and committed to University of Califor- believes this is not enough compensa- League to include players out of high that same week. Sat Apr 21 Oxnard nia at Los Angeles because of the pres- tion for the hard work student athletes school as an alternative to college. Reports of paying college athletes Tue Apr 24 Allan Hancock sure of the investigation. put forth. Athletes of past and present have go back to the beginning, with some of This has opened up larger systemic The PAC-12’s TV deal with Fox and been speaking out against the NCAA the larger names like Reggie Bush and Thu Apr 26 Allan Hancock issues in the NCAA and college sports. ESPN nets them $3 billion over 12 years, since the rumors of FBI investigation Pete Carroll being more recent. In February, an “Outside the Lines” according to Bruins Nation. were confrmed. “Let’s pay college players since ev- Softball Schedule investigation was done by ESPN which The starving student-athlete stereo- The NCAA is now uttered in the erybody’s getting paid anyway,” Lonzo Day Date Opponent uncovered widespread denial and corrup- type has become so real that outsiders are same sentence as cartel, slavery and in- Ball said at a recent press conference. Tue Mar 20 Bakersfeld Thu Mar 22 Pierce Thu Mar 22 Santa Monica Sat Mar 24 Ventura Tournament Local Horse Shoer prepares Cuesta for showtime Sun Mar 25 Fresno City Tue Mar 27 Oxnard because it was the only job he could keep. Thu Mar 29 Moorpark By Jake Peterson He estimated that he shoes around Special Contributor Tue Apr 3 Santa Monica 25 horses in a typical week. Shoeing that Thu Apr 5 Santa Barbara Journalism 201A many horses per week is a full time job. Russ Sanders, a veteran bull rider, He said that entering into the horseshoe- Tue Apr 10 Allan Hancock shoes horses in San Luis Obispo county ing business is fairly easy as a person can Thu Apr 12 Ventura -- including those from the top-ranking, either attend a horseshoeing school or ap- Thu Apr 19 Bakersfeld national award winning Cuesta rodeo prentice with a journeyman. Tue Apr 24 Pierce team. Sanders said the best thing about this A skillful horse shoer, like Sanders, type of work is that the hours are very Swimming/Diving Schedule can be the make it or break it factor for fexible and the schedule is customizable. Day Date Opponent competitive rodeo horse, like Cuesta’s. The business faces some competi- Sanders rode bulls professionally tion from other farriers around the area, Fri Mar 23 Sequoias Tri-Meet until he was 27, when he decided to fully but Sanders said: Fri Mar 30 WSC Mini Meet #3 transition to just shoeing horses. Shoeing “If you keep your clients happy they Thu Apr 5 Pasadena Invitational horses is a very physical job with a lot of will stay with you,” and he said around 80 Fri Apr 6 Pasadena Invitational varying hours, according to Sanders. percent of his clients are regulars. Sat Apr 7 Pasadena Invitational “My back hurts everyday, but I am Like many others, during the reces- Fri Apr 13 CA Regional Diving used to it,” Sanders said about the strain sion he faced a slight fnancial hardship it takes on his body. as 90 percent of his clients have hobby Sat Apr 14 CA Regional Diving He travels to different towns across horses, with only about 10 percent being Thu Apr 19 WSC Championships San Luis Obispo county to shoe his cli- working horses. Fri Apr 20 WSC Championships ents horses. Typically he travels in an 80 “It’s a physically demanding job Sat Apr 21 WSC Championships mile radius, but sometimes will travel far- that’s hard on your body and has no ben- ther for friends or special circumstances. efts,” Sanders said. Though he has expe- Track and Field Schedule Sanders has many different clients, rienced many things in his job, this was Day Date Opponent including those who enter their horses in his only complaint. competitions -- much like the upcoming He plans on staying in this business Sat Mar 24 Cal Poly Invitational and popular Cal Poly Rodeo, which the for about 10 more years and then he will Fri Mar 30 WSC Coast prestigious Cuesta team dominated last go into ranching and farming full time. Tue Apr 3 Regional Hep/Dec year. However, Sanders enjoys staying in- Wed Apr 4 Regional Hep/Dec Sanders has been in the business volved with the profession and especially Photo by Jake Peterson/ Cuesta student Fri Apr 13 Easter Relays since 2004. He initially started shoeing giving pointers to members of Cuesta’s Fri Apr 20 WSC Preliminaries horses while he was rodeoing full time rodeo team. Russ Sanders shoes horses throughout SLO County. Fri Apr 27 WSC Finals
Enjoy a d ifferent N
A way to bank. UESTONI / C / ISSELL B
NDER A LEX A BY
HOTO P
Will Centoni, Cuesta College Rodeo Club & Men’s All-Round Champion, practices at Madonna Ranch.
Upcoming Cuesta rodeo team competitions:
Cuesta College - April 12 ee ow e tand ut Cal Poly SLO - April 13 & 14 s h w s o Banking is diferent at SESLOC. As a not-for-proft credit union, our focus is on our members and providing exceptional service. Other benefts include:
free checking mobile app With no minimum balance* With mobile deposit free atms financial education Surcharge-free ATM at the FREE seminars, counseling, Cuesta cafeteria** and nearly and online resources to help 30,000 more nationwide † you make the right choices
Go ahead. Join SESLOC today. Be part of a local credit union that benefts your community and experience the diference!
Important Dates to Remember April 9 May 17 Caps & Gowns on sale at the bookstore Rehearsal at 2:45 pm sesloc.org 805·543·1816 May 11 May 18 RSVP deadline for commencement Commencement at 3:00 You can become a member of sesloc if You live, work or attend school in san luis obispo countY. Federally insured by NCUA, a U.S. government agency. Check your myCuesta email for your invitation! * Membership required. ** This ATM does not accepts deposits Floral Arrangements • Jostens Ring Event (NCC 3/20, SLO 3/21) † When you use your SESLOC debit Professional Photography card at any CO-OP Network ATM. For more info go to bit.ly/cuestagrad