NEWS Page 5 The Renegade Rip I www.therip.com Wednesday, March 28, 2012 SGA: Peterson vows to put BC votes no smoking SERRANO: students' best interest first District Continued from Page 1 to raise it. We'll fight that for By Keith Kaczmarek non-smokers alike:' said SGA policies. and has lived most of his life sure," he said. Reporter general counsel Derrick Kenner. They were " 100-percent. To­ in Bakersfield. He attended The office of president was "The student body has spoken," bacco-free campus" with 442 Bakersfield High School, and the only SG A office in the elec­ During the Student Govern­ he said, later adding, "When you votes, "designated-smoking ar­ prepared worked in the community in tion that was contested, with ment Association elections that ask me about it, it's about what eas" with 295, and "No Ban on retail management and the Peterson beating out Richard happened on March 20-21, there the school wants." Smoking" with 156. trucking indus!ly before the Heath and Jose Gun ola. The was an extt·a poll about changing "This is something like a A total of 953 students voted for worst economic downturn saw him candidates for the other offices BC's smoking policy and stu­ dream that has plagued BC for in the poll, and the vote was ex­ laid off, and he returned to BC. ran unopposed. Genise Wallace dents chose overwhelmingly for several years. tended for two full days so that "Originally, I was just go­ is the new vice-president and a tobacco-free campus. "This issue, this plague, needs faculty would have more time to outcome ing to come back for a semes­ Toccara Bird is the new secre­ "I think it's a great thing," said t.o die for us to move forward. vote. ter just to keep busy, keep my tary. Iva n Mendez will be the Tawnya Steele, 19, a biology ma­ "This is a huge step for BC and Even with these results, sev­ Continued from Page 1 mind active while I looked for new activities liaison and Nick jor and a non-smoker who spe­ I'm proud to be a part of it." eral more steps have to occur for as many students as possible, work," he said. "But there just Acosta will be the new general cifically voted so that she couJd Kenner has been heading up any changes to school policy to that we'll be able to really pro­ wasn't anything out there, so counsel. Richard Heath, in ad­ be part of the poll. the B-COUGH program on cam­ actually happen. vide a cleai· pathway for stu­ here I am." dition to coming in second in 'Tm personally not a smoker, pus, an anti-tobacco initiative The actual poll is non-binding, dents to come in and !lmisfer Peterson's interest in becom­ the presidential campaign, was and I believe everyone should looking to exploit the passage of and BC administers are under no or move into the workforce, ing SGA president began with elected treasurer as a w1ite~in have freedom and all that, but I Senate Bill AB 795 that took ef­ obligation to actually change the and that we really can come him inquiring about becoming candidate. don't like walking across campus fect this year and allows Califor­ policy from the cun ent policy together and get this done." a senator. This year, 953 people took and getting a face full smoke." nia campuses to enforce smoking which follows state regulations Burke said that the reserves "I wanted to be a voice for pa.it in the voting, a slightly Steele has allergies. policies by levying citations and requiting smokers be at least 20 ai-e a big reason why KCCD the students," higher num- ************ "We've had a lot of complaints fines. feet away from doorways or hall­ can take the time to assess the he said. "And ber than economic situation. President: Richard Peterson and animosity from smokers and The poll consisted of three ways while smoking. when I when last year's "[The reserves] ai·e going I went in to 941 - voter to allow us to go into a two­ Vice President Genise Wallace see about turnout. yeai· process where we can becoming a "I wish take some sizeable hits to our Secretaiy: Toccara Byrd senator, I de­ they would BC boo kstore embracing chang e revenue," he said. cided to go go back to "But instead of reacting in a Treasurer: Richard Heath for it; go for the physical kneejerk way, we can take the president. I ballots," said By Breanna Fields of mouth and flyers posted on ing books and other supplies. time to plan out the changes Activities Liaison: Ivan Mendez thought may­ 'fawntannisha Reporter the bulletin boards in an effort to Aguilar explained that some of approp1iately and in the most be I could do T ho mpson , spread the word. the other prizes given away in­ efficient and effective man­ General Counsel: Nick Acosta more for the cunent SGA The Bakersfield College "We're much more technol­ clude sweaters, headphones and ner and to try to minimize t:he students as president. bookstore has embraced the lat­ ogy savvy now," said Alex Agui­ backpacks. reactions while at the same Legislative Liaison: Vacant "We had est social networking trends by lar, 24, who has worked as a " It. all depends on what we president.." *********** time trying to maximize the Peter son much bigger providing online updates for bookseller even before the store have to offer and what our com­ number of students t.hat we realizes he is turnouts back products, sales and giveaways changed ownership. pany sends us to also give out as can serve." taking office at a time when then." via Facebook and Twitter. Aguilar explained that the promotions," said Aguilar. Burke said that a lot of dis­ the college is facing potentially She attributes the overall low A number of changes have product sales ai·e designed spe­ After walking into the book­ tiicts in the state ai·e not in the devastating budget cuts and voter participation to students been made since Barnes & No­ cificall y to appeal to BC students store to make a purchase, film position to take the time to as­ vows that the SGA will do ev­ being unfamiliar with the In­ ble became the new owners of and bring them into the store to major 'faylor Akins noticed a sess the situation, and could erything within in its power to side BC portal. the BC bookstore. In an effort to see all of the products available. basket. of Energy Sheet samples make brash decisions. protect students . "Students just don't know reach out to students and offer "We'll do a flash-sale so the on the counter. "They're going to have to "I understand that most of how to log on, or sometimes those on a tight budget afford­ students are aware of what we "I wasn't sure what. they were make changes in a very shon these cuts are coming directly you say 'Inside BC,' and they able snacks and supplies, regular have to offer," he said. at first," said Akins. "I tried pe1iod of time, and what hap­ from the state, and we just just say, 'What's that?'" discounts and sales are posted on One-day-only flash-sales are a a sample and was pretty im­ pens operat.ionally when you don't have any control with The elections also contained the BC Bookstore's official Fa­ regulai· feature on the Facebook pressed." have to do that in very quick that," he said. "But there are a feedback poll which allowed cebook page. page that allow students to find Energy Sheets are small, fla­ order is you get a lot of unin­ little things that we can do to voters to express their opinions A sign on the front counter deals that are posted at random vored sheets that contain caf­ tended consequences down­ help the students." of the SGA's perfonnance. encouraging students to "Like" times. feine to provide a temporary stt·eam," he said. Peterson pointed out that The majority of voters rated their Facebook is just one of the They are eligible to receive energy boost. "The leadership of this programs such as the Renegade the job the SGA is doing as many ways that the bookstore these special discounts and buy­ "I really cai1't afford to buy distiict, the chai1cellor, the Panl:ly are vital to students and "average," and rated the Ren­ is !lying to reach students on a one~get-one free deals when they Stai·bucks every day, so this was boai·d, the college presidents pledged the SGA's continued egade Pantry as the most valu­ personal level and provide their mention it to the cashier. a good alternative;' said Akins, and theit· management, have support of such programs, as able thing the SGA does. When se1vices t.o a broader range of The bookstore has also imple­ who hoped to see the product for really done an outstanding job well as opposing a rumored asked what the least valuable people on campus. mented a nationwide sweep­ sale in the future. to help build that reserve, rec­ parking price increase. activity the SGA sponsors, With over 1,300 "Likes" and stakes online where students can Students can check the web­ ognizing the magnitude of the "It's just a rumor at this voters responded resoundingly counting, the popularity of these enter to win $150 for theit· col­ site for updates and infonnation economic downturn and the point, but if it they do want with "homecoming." deals has increased due to word lege bookstore to aid in purchas- on discounts in the store. length it was going to be." Burke is staying attentive with the situation in Sacra­ News Briefs mento and said that the most JENSEN: Narrowing down to core classes begins recent news is, "that the pro­ BC ready for some wine jected revenues for Febmaiy The Bakersfield College Foundation is presenting their "Red & Continued from Page 1 Jensen, noting that he was used order 1.0 make sure that students didn't meet expectations." White Wine & Food Festival" with a series of events on April 12- on the chopping block. "We are t.o a system where coming to col­ are prepared enough to complete Burke said that most recent 13. A winemaker dinner, seminar and panel discussion, and the going to nan·ow our offering." lege would "expose [students] to the courses. development affums the pro­ grand tasting in Renegade Park will be featured in this year's ex­ "What the chancellor has eve1y thing." "We haven't raised the bai· and jections of the LAO's report. Still, Jensen thinks the process that's an issue." "We expect another update panded event. Information is available at 395-4800 and on www. asked us to do is look at our core mission," he said. "We're look­ of pmning classes and programs Jensen sees education of these aft.er taxes in April," he said. bcfoundation.net, and the tickets are sold on the site. ing at the breadth." is necessaiy considering the al­ students not only as a local issue "Then, we'll have a better Jensen noted that they ai·e not ternative is to keep cutting good but a national issue about the fu­ idea in terms of revenue to Transferring seminars just looking at the core classes programs instead. ture of Ame1ican education. the state, which is why we Spring seminars to learn about transferring to another school that people need to transfer, but "If you come in and make cuts "How can the US compete in wait for a May revise to make have been set up and schedules are available on the BC website. trying to see what they can do every year for five years, none of the global market with an un­ some final detenninations to For more information, contact transfer services counselor Sue to reduce waitlisrs for required [the programs] are worih it;' he skilled workforce? It.'s a knowl­ budget." Granger-Dickson at 395-4664 or in SS37. classes. said. edge-based economy." Gov. Jeny Brown's tax ini­ "If we drop programs that It would be a "death by a thou­ Despite the hard choices being tiative, if passed in November ai-en 't graduating or transfening, sand cuts," in his opinion. made, Jensen remains confident. by California voters, will help Come get some drama with your yogurt then why ai·e we offering those Jensen also spoke about how "People have been great. It's a ease the strain on community The Theater Club will be performing theater games in front of classes as majors?" he said. even cutting administt·ative costs great college. colleges, according to Burke. Daddy O's Yogurt and Gelato Shoppe in the Albertson's shop­ "We can no longer be all and eve1y thing not related to "Students, staff and facility The initiative will increase ping center on Mount Vernon on March 29, from 5-9 p.m., and things to all people," Jensen later classes wouldn't cover the bud­ ai·e very suppo1tive. There is a the state income tax enforced anyone purchasing yogurt or gelato will help the club. added. get shortfall. lot of p1ide in this college. Theil· on those with annual earnings The easy cuts have already "If you don't touch the classes, children and grandchildren have over $250,000 for the next Treasure Hunters been made, in his opinion. even if you get rid of everything, gone to BC." five yeai·s, and raise the state The Treasure Hunters Roadshow is coming to Bakersfield. Bring "We've ab·eady cut aH t.he low­ it still won't do it." Jensen had this to say to stu­ sales tax by 5 cents. your collectibles to the Four Points Sheraton at 5101 California lying frui t," he said. Jensen also noted that BC dents: "Speak up and tell us what Burke said that the reason Many other schools in Califor­ spends too much time serving the priorities are. This is critical. California's economic situ­ Ave. on March 28 to April 1, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through nia are in a worse position finan­ students who take up slots in Students are going to be impact­ ation has gotten to this point Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Call 217-241-3170 for cially with many having to make classes and then eventuall y drnp ed. is that lawmake1-s in Sacra­ more info. mid-yeai· cuts. the classes. "You ai·e the end-user. It's mento have deferred dealing "Most schools would love to "A lot of students ai·en't ready your college. I hope students ai·e with the problem and thrown Poetry Month be in our position," he said. and shouldn't be students," he thoughtful and assertive. "gimmicks" at the problem. April is National Poetry Month and a number of events will be That being said, he's not en­ said. "Do you rewai·d them or "If we ai·e going to make cuts, "Those things have run out, held locally and listed on tinyurl. com/april-poetry. A partial list tirely comfo1table with a situ­ do you reward students who did what should they be?" he said. and that's why it's coming to includes Don Thompson and Gerald Haslam on April 1 from ation where students can't take what they needed to do?" He also commented on student critical mass at this point;' he 3:30-6 p.m. at Russo's Bookstore on Ming, a workshop entitled classes that sound interesting, "We need to do better with government. said. "Slam and the Power of Concentrated Expression" on April and in that process, discover those students," he said regard­ "I would really encourage stu­ "There is a stt·uctural im­ 7 from 1-4 p.m. at The Foundry on 20th Street, and a Spoken what tt·uly interests them. ing unprepared students. dent government. to get involved. balance in California's budget Word and Slam Competition on April 13 from 7:30-10 p.m. at "This is the antithesis of ev­ Jensen spoke of adding re­ There is a time and a place to that has been perpetuated for the Empty Space Theater. e1y thing I was schooled in," said quirements to some classes in stand up, and this is it." longer than a decade where the legislature has had ex­ penditure levels exceeding its revenue levels and has actu­ Campus forecast FACU LTY: Trying to keep cuts away from students ally incorporated what should have been short.-tenn revenue Wed. March 28 Thurs. March 29 : Fri. March 30 The d Continued from Page 1 meeting Rodriguez was put in "We're looking at all options," and treated them as on-going Renega e ing center had its funding re­ charge of organizing a forum said Rodriguez revenues," he said. duced because of the state's bud­ for faculty and adminismition to Changes are also being made Burke said that most of get problem. come together to share infonna­ on the state level. One option California's revenue "used to Rip Hi 71 F Hi 75 F Hi 78 F "Students should be concerned tion and opinions. The Academic California is looking at is raising come from sales tax, which Lo52F Lo SI F Lo54F about class size [increasing]. Stu­ Senate has already discussed the academic placement stan­ is ai1 ongoing, ve1y predict­ able stt·eam," instead of capi­ Mon. April 2 Tues. April 3 Wed. April 4 Thurs. April 5 Fri. April 6 dents should also be concerned solutions to the distiict's money dai·ds. By requiring students to about cuts to student services," tal gains which is extt·emely AVERAGES problems. One option being meet higher standards in basic Hi72F said Cornelio Rodtiguez, politi­ looked at is adjusting BC's re­ skills tests, colleges could elimi­ variable. Lo48F cal science professor and Aca­ se1ve funds. nate lower-level requit·ed classes "It.'s flipped now:' he said. RECORDS "The bulk of California's rev­ Hi96F demic Senate president. California requires each com­ and free up money to use for Hi 66F Hi76F Hi 78F Hi75F Rodriguez then went on to ex - enues are coming from capi­ Lo49F LoSOF LoSOF Lo52F Lo35F munity college to keep a reserve other programs. This wou]d cer­ ------plain that the Academic Senate fund of at least five percent.. BC tainly affect faculty at BC. tal gains, and now you have Mon. April9 Tues. April IO Wed.April II is doing everything they can to is currently above the state guide­ Going along with changes al­ a revenue stream that. has a work with the district and help lines at a 10 percent rese1ve. The ready made to the "W" grade, higher degi-ee of unce11ainty AVERAGES AVERAGES AVERAGES Hi73F Hi73F Hi 74F SOURCE: weather.com students dming this time. idea of djpping into these funds academic planning and financial because now it's relying p1i­ Lo49F Lo49F Lo49F Gathered by: Rip Staff "One thiI1g we are concmTent until the cmTent budget crisis is aid, raising academic standai·ds maiil y on a stream of revenue RECORDS RECORDS RECORDS on is keeping cuts away from over and the economy stabilizes would put BC on a com-se that that's ve1y uncertain. It es­ Hi97F Hi95F Hi98F Lo33 F Lo33F Lo30F students," said Rodtiguez. is populai· among professors and Rodtiguez calls shifting from sentially goes the way of Wall At the last Academic Senate hasn't been met with opposition. "access to success." Stt·eet." COMMENTARY Page 6 Th e Renegade Rip I www.therip.com Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Candidate's faith affects decisions By Keith Kaczmarek idealistic positions as often as re­ J mean, according to Guttmacher Religion is not alone in the irra­ Reporter pressive ones, and 1he public needs Institute, 99 perce111 of American tional dogma department. to kJlow exac1ly where it is affect­ women and 98 percent of Catholic Economic theoiies like the Aus­ Religion needs to be a part of ing a candidate's judgment. women who have ever had sex have trian school for economics prides politics for the simple reason 1hat The lis1 or terrible government used contraception of some kind. itself on not being supported by we need to know which issues a programs inspired by religion range and I think they'd be upsel to have evidence. This theory is preeminent candjdate is going to be irrational from the hilariously harmful absti­ 1hat choice taken away by a politi­ among me libertarians currently in­ about. nence education push that actually cian. filtrnting the Republican Parry. For example. Republican vot­ creates more teen pregnancies than In fact, it would even be impor­ People need to know if the poli­ ers are probably grateful to know no sex-ed at all. to d1e simply point­ tant to know if a candidate is an ticians in charge want to ruin the that Rick Santorum wants a gov­ less opposition to gay maffiage that ameist because the voters would economy because they believe that ernment-led war on pornography, government money is spent resist­ then need to know what philoso­ gold-backed currency is some­ turning a vast majority of American ing. phy that candidate uses as his moral how more stable and creates more men into criminals and creating a Money wiU be wasted on these compass. growth than fiat paper money, de­ black market for pornography with tiny crusades in the culture wars, For example, are t11ey a su·ic1 spite almost a hundred years of evi­ all the associated crime 1hat comes and 1he public needs to know wha1 utilitarian who's going to create the dence to the contrary. with black markets. it is gelting in10 when it picks a most good for the most people, or For better or worse. we choose That's useful informa1ion to deeply religious candidate. do t11ey hold to Ayn Rand 's ideal of our leaders based on our percep­ know when picking a candidate. Il 's not always negative. rational self-interest, basically the tions of meir charac1er. Religion, for good or bad. leads For example, knowing if a can­ most offensive fonn of selfishness? We choose mem because we to people holding to beliefs despite didate believes in the Camolic Just knowing me answer to the hope mat they will act in a way mat evidence to lhe contrary. That's Church's position on social justice theoretical question above is going does not displease whatever mod­ why religion is such a great comfort would only be a positive in my to be the difference between know­ em version of the tribe we are using to people in the midst of suffe1ing. mind. ing if your tax rates for your bracket these days. COURTF.SY OF RICKSANTORUM.COM It is something to hold onto when It's when a candidate takes the are going up or down. Protip: Rand­ And let's face it, politics is about the world makes little sense. Catholic Church ·s positions on birm ians want to tax the poor and give pleasing the tribe as much as ratio­ Rick Santorum is a Republican primary Religion allows people to take control that you run into u·ouble. 1he money to the rich. nal decision-making. candidate who has expressed religious beliefs. Avengers Lotion works narrative as promised confusing By Crystal Sanchez seven days for the small price Reporter of$8.50. By Jackie Gibson This lotion, if applied as di­ Reporter Sp1ing is upon us at1d it is rected, will definitely last you just a matter of time before a long time, so you get your Hitting theaters in early May girls stan driving to the tanning money's worth. If you want is the much awaited and an1ici­ salons to get that perfec1 sum­ to look like Snooki however. I pated action-packed superhero mer tan. might suggest buying in bulk or "The Avengers" movie. With H you're anything like just going straight for the spray any new movie. you can expect me, sav- tan. to see new toys, collector's items PRODUCT ing money To discuss the precautions of ------and my per­ for college using tanning lotions and other REVIEW and sum- ta1m:ing methods I decided to ( OM IC sonal favor- ite, comic consult de1matologist and local ------1s~n erd efi_b~akmtely philat1thropist Norman Levan. books hit ***** REVIEW top prio1ity, which is why I the she~ves. Side effects like rashes at1d ~ decided to save myself some itchy skin can sometimes occur Jiii{ ~~ G o 1n g into read- money and ny Jergens Natw-al when using lotions or solutions in**g the new .. Av e n g e r s Glow Daily Moistmizer. on your skin. Assemble # I", l felt a little rm not going to lie, at fas1 Levan said 1hat ii 's because ping of nos- talgia. Brian I thought this product would there are various agents in the Michael Bendis, who wrote other never live up to the hype. How product mat can be initating to issues of"TheAvengers" as weU could a lotion give you a natu­ certain people. He said if this as t11is one. has finally found his ral glow and moistw-ize yow· occurs to stop using the product niche after a substantial period of skin? Well l must say that after immediately. bleakness. using this product for a week I When asked if he believes It made me wantto be 13 again, have not.iced a difference in my Lanning is a good idea he said waiting outside of my favorite skin tone. no. old comic store, which sadly is Lei me start off by telling "It's not good to get a tan no longer around. Illusn·ations you the not-so bright side of because it ages your skin;' he were done by Mark Bagley and this product. First. the tedious said. I love how he was able to capture process of applying the lotion He does believe, however, the essence of comic drawings and having to wait 10 minutes that spending rime outside at1d from years long past. for it to dty was not me most having fun at the beach should To me, this was 1he most note­ fun , but it's better rhan staining not cause people ro fear the worthy altlibute to this comic your clomes. sun. book. There is nothing like pick­ The lotion does have a di

The Renegade Rip Write The Rip Letters should not exceed 300 words, must be EDITORIAL BOARD STAFF accompanied by a signature and the letter writer's identity must be verified. Reporters/Photographers: Hannah The Rip reserves the right to edit tellers, however, Winner oftbe 2003 and 2008 Editor in Chief...... Zak S. Cowan writers will be given the opporlLmity to revise lengthy or JACC Pacesetter Award Photo Editor...... Megan Luecke Breeland, Gregory D. Cook, Angie unacceptable submissions. The Renegade Rip is produced by Bakersfield College Features Editor...... Jon Nelson Delgado, Metiqua Eng, Nestor Fernandez, Ifan organization submits a letter as a group, it must journalism classes, printed by Bakersfield Envelope & Breanna Fields, Jackie Gibson, Keith be signed by only one person, either the leader of the Opinions Editor...... Martin Chang organizali on or the leuer writer. Pen names are nol allowed Printing Co. Inc., and circulated on Wednesdays during Kaczmarek, Meisha McMurray, Omar the fall and spring semesters. Sports Editor ...... Esteban Ramirez and anonymous letters will nol be published. Oseguera, Nate Perez, Ruben Perez, The newspaper is published under the auspices of the Copy Editor...... Patricia Rocha How to reach us Kern Comm1mity College Dist rict Board of Trustees, but Crystal Sanchez, Nicholas Sparling, Teela -Address: Bakersfield College, sole responsibility for its content rests with student editors. Walker, Nathan Wilson 1801 Panorama Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93305 The Rip is a member ofthe Journalism Association of Commtmity Colleges and the California Newspaper -Phone: (661) 395-4324 -Web site: www.therip.com PubHshers Association. Adviser ...... Danny Edwards -Email: [email protected] COMMENTARY Page 7 Th e Ren egade Rip I www.the r ip.com Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Staff Editorial

Let your voice be heard Time is now for BC to stand up Call your legislators: Talk to legislators' Assemblywoman Shannon representatives: Grove and Valadao send field Bakersfield College students nobody is more important in that more. If our federal government can Grove: 661 -395-2995 reps to BC once a month. are about to take a major hit situation than students;' Bresso If students can't stand up for spend over $500 billion on de­ Assemblyman David when the next budget comes said. "And nobody is feeling the this, but Kony 2012 can garner fense, and our state government Next visit: April 19 at 10 a. m. around, and it's time that we start pain like students are feeling." millions of hits in just a few can spend $65.4 billion on high­ Valadao: 559-585-7170 speaking out to our leaders in We can put a stop to this, but hours, then ow· outlook looks speed rail, then they can save the Senator Jean Fuller: Send a pre-prepared advocacy letter to you legislators: Sacramento. The outlook doesn't first we are going to have to bleak. Don't let this be the story desks we sit in. We just have to 661-323-0443 look good, with nearly $300 mil­ eliminate the apathy and get in­ of our time. demand it.. Use the FA CCC website to fill lion in cuts recommended by the volved. Not only could the budget Nothing can sway a legisla­ Senator Michael Rubio: out an automatic form that gets Legislative Analyst's office, but Sign petit.ions. Call your rep­ refrain you from graduating by ture's vote more than thousands 661-395-2622 sent automatically. we can do something about it. resentatives. Or just talk to your making it nearly impossible lo of his constituents demanding Kern Community College friends about the budget. get the classes you need, but the same thing. District's associate vice chan­ If there is anything we should the tradition of our school could If all 17 ,000 of us from BC that the only objective of a com­ If our stories become known cellor of governmental external be afraid of in this scary econom­ very well be gone come next called, emailed or simply signed munity college is to transfer the to our legislatures, things will relations Michele Bresso is urg­ ic time, it's the fact that students year. Athletics are on the chop­ an advocacy letter, the situation students out. Say that to tl1e vet­ change, and they will change ing students to stand up, and we are not involved at this point. ping block, as is everything that would change extremely fast. eran learning how to put together quickly, especially if they think agree with her 100 percent. Bresso agrees that students' isn't "core" education, as KCCD The problem is, none of us are a college-level essay, or to the they'll be rnn out of the capitol "In the situation that Califor­ voices are heard in Sacramento, chancellor Sandra Sen-ano has doing any of this, and that has to mother of two slowly working come November. nia is facing, and the California and even though she is fighting said, including the newspaper change. for her nursing degree one night So stand up Renegades, and let community colleges in particular, for us, they'll listen to us a lot you hold in your hands. Those in Sacramento will say class at a time. your voice be heard. Column Bakersfield sound back with Austin's 'Dozen' Molded By Breanna Fields Reporter

Local musician Stephen Da­ by the city vid Austin has made it clear tJ1at he is determined to catTy on the vision of country west­ ern music through the legend­ ary sounds of Buck Owens and around me Merle Haggard. The allure of fame as a coun­ AS MY BRAIN EXPLODES I One try musician in Bakersfield be­ man's take on people and culture gan with Owens, whose talents drew more There's a unique beauty to this ALBUM that1 one town, and it has shaped the per­ hopeful to son that I am. REVI EW town with In between the dusty air, the the hope of cracked sn·eets of downtown, the ***** success. brown vista of oil derricks look­ Austin makes a valiant effort ing over Panorama Drive, the or­ at revitalizing the scene to its ange and purple sky distorted by glory days on his solo album pollution, a mood emerges. featuring a handful of seasoned A mood that is not necessarily session musicians with im­ .....------. happy or pictw·­ pressive resumes of their own, esque, but it's a ranging from work with Bruce landscape that Springsteen to Stevie Nicks. creates a lyri­ His debut album, "A Ba­ cal. bittersweet kersfield Dozen," involves a feeling that number of old-timey, Ameri­ I know other cana-flavored tunes that clev­ Martin Chang people feel. erly incorporate pedal steel, This feeling dobro, a resonator guitar, and is developed from the contrasts fiddle. The sound of the album in this town, the fake facade of comes across as safe, but for suburbia and housing develop­ those looking for a sound heav­ ments set against cramped trailer ily influenced by Owens and parks, the way this town can Haggai·d, look no further. seem like a bustling city in one The album opens with the hu­ place, then seem like an empty, morous, "Best Ex I Ever Had," open world the next. a fitting trnck with an exag­ Mike Ness, the singer and gerated sense of past relation­ songw1iter for Social Distortion ships that don' t turn out how does not live here, but he only we would like them to. Even had to be here for a moment for those who ai·en' t avid country him to feel something from this fai1s can appreciate some of the town. In the Social Distortion humor and get into tl1e realistic song "Bakersfield;' a story of lost nature of the songs. love is told. I wasn't surprised The fifth n-ack off of the al­ that he would use our town to tell bum, "Back to Bakersfield" is that story. a tale of Austin's grandparents It's because feelings like that moving to town from Oklaho­ are just more potent here, that ma during the Dustbowl. While feeling of being "So close, yet so it makes for an interesting story, far away", as it says in the song, younger audiences might have just seems to be in the air here. a hard time connecting, due to It's a feeling that I find comfort­ t11e fact that they may not shai·e ing as I live my life here. tJ1e same vision of the simple It is a feeling that has shaped life; sitting on the back porch me. The songs I write, the way drinking ice cold beverages. I see the world, my favo1ite Apart from the more mature bands, a lot of it comes from feel of this tune, the album the sn-angely poetic backdrop of makes a good effort at reaching GREGORY D. COOK /THE RIP Bakersfield. I don' t even know a broad audience with songs Artist Stephen David Austin has brought back the Bakersfield sound with his debut album "A Bakersfield Dozen." what I would be expressing if it like "Mys pace'' and "Bad Dog," weren't for this town. which feature a vocal cameo by er, "Baby's In Black" appears to be the best choice of song to on the album. It tells the tale of the Ciystal Palace and created This feeling that I'm speaking his grandson. to be out of place on the album, cover on the album. Owen's life; an important patt music that changed the history of awakens a fiery creative spirit "Heroes and Heroin" makes which is something that Austin Audiences can't help but of Bakersfield history that resi­ ofthegeme. in the artists and creative people brief references to Chat-lie has admitted himself. It was make a compai·ison to the origi­ dents should be aware of, from Whether you're a fan of coun­ here. I see it in my fellow jour­ Parker, Gram Parsons and Jerry included on the album by the nal when a well-known group humble beginnings to his rise to n·y music or not, there's bound to nalists here at The Rip. I see it in Garcia who were all musicians request of a friend. Although like The Beatles wrote and per­ fame and eventual death. This be something you can take away Gita Lloyd's brush strokes. I hear that tragically died due to sub­ George Harrison was influ­ formed it. song gives a general idea of one from this album full of catchy it in the local bands that play to stance abuse. enced by the sound of country "The Day Buck Owens Died" man's perspective on the hall of tunes and realistic imagery. anyone who will listen. The Lennon/McCartney cov- music, it may not have proved is one of the more relevant tracks fame musician that left behind This town makes us want to say something. It makes us want to tell the stories that live and breathe here. We know that this town has a story t.o tell that is unique and special. 'The Hunger Games' is a classic story of good versus evil In turn, for those that want to listen, we learn from those sto­ By Hannah Breelan d America is destroyed. In a na­ from Disn·ict 12. She volunteers ries that it is okay to be different. Reporter tion called Panem, there is the to take her little sister's place. This unique landscape can teach Capital and 12 surrounding dis­ Jennifer Lawrence plays Kat­ us iliat this world is more than In a game of life and death, an t1icts. In the early years, there niss and is the perfect person for black and white, the shades of extraordinary girl with no magi­ was a rebellion. The then 13 Dis­ the role. She's as close to what I brown and orange teach us that. cal powers or n-aining must find nict rebelled against the capital. imagined Katniss would be like. The rocks of Kem Canyon teach a way to survive. With the world The capital regained conn·ol, and As a big fat1 of the books, I was us that. It teaches us that beauty watching, the 13th Disnict was destroyed. ve1y nervous it was going to be can be more than a beach. That's MOVIE Katniss is As punishment, they created a flop, but I find it hard to find what this town has taught me, challe nged the Hunger Games. Eve1y yeai·, something I didn't like about the and while I don't love this town, I REVIEW with family each district has to offer up a male movie. There were some small COURTESY OF EPOCHTIMES.COM will always remember its strange and a female called "tributes." changes and a couple things left Katruss is the protagonist from "The Hunger Games." lo~alty and beauty. And wherever I go in life, ****A)-{ dorn g what- The process in which they are out that honest.I y isn't as notice­ when I need that creative spark, ever it takes chosen is through a lottery. Once able as I thought. that would even have Sherlock Although I would advise that creative kick in the pants, to stay alive, even if that means they are chosen, they are taken to I think everyone would like guessing. It's not another Twi­ seeing it in IMAX, the action I somehow know that my mind destroying the one person who the capital where they will fight it. There was action, romance light. scenes are a little shaky and it's will float to Bakersfield, Califor­ helped her in her time of need. in an arena to the death. and good old-fashion good ver­ Gary Ross the director didn't 10 times worse so it can give nia, the town that shaped me into In ''The Hunger Games" there There is only one winner. The sus evil. To keep it interesting, make the mistake of making one bad migraine. Besides that, who I am. is a futu1istic world where No1th sto1y follows Katniss Everdeen there were plenty of plot twists the main theme a love triangle. the movie is enjoyable. CAMPUS Page8 The Renegade Rip I www.therip.com Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Levan Atlantis Project provides abroad program

By Angie DelGado semester per student. In order ect. at Bakersfield College said, leam about child development abroad. The students who par­ donation Reporter to become eligible to apply, stu­ "It's a great opportunity for our programs in other countries and ticipate abroad will have a sti­ dents need to complete 12 units students to learn about Child to learn about cultures through pend to help them pay for their The Atlantis Project. is a in the child development. pro­ Development and learn about. courses taken at. the universities airfare, rent, textbooks, tuit.ion grant-funded program that al­ gram and apply dming the spring different cultures. It's essential that they attend abroad. and fees. lows students to study abroad semester a year before they want that they have good knowledge "The courses that these stu­ The program is fm1ded for yet to be and to become educated on oth­ to attend. Students who fill out of other cultures." dents take will be counted for three year-s and it allows four er cultm·es while doing so. It is a the application ai·e interviewed The Atlantis program is not school credit," said Eydgahi. students to travel abroad and paitnership between Bakersfield by faculty and selected to be a funded by BC, it is sponsored Last yeai· 30 students applied fom students to become ambas­ College, Cal State Dominguez par·t of the program. by the U.S. Depaitment of Edu­ and eight were selected to pai·­ sadors and mentors. The ambas­ Hills, a university in Spain and Hamid Eydgahi, dean of Ca­ cation and the European Com­ ticipate. Out of the eight select­ sador students staying at. BC will released a university in Italy. reer and Technical Education mission. The purpose of this ed, four become ambassado1-s help the four students that come The project is limited to one and head of the Atlantis Proj- program is to have students and four are selected to study to study here from Europe. By Breanna Fields Reporter

A year ago, No1man Levan donated nearly $ 14 million to Bakersfield College to provide Cultures gather together funding for previously existing programs and scholarships. Students have been wondering By Hannah Breeland how this donation will be used Reporter on campus. There is a common miscon­ The third annual Cup of Cul­ ception that. has led students to ture took place on March 21 believe that these funds can be inside the Fireside Room. It used for any purpose. was presented by Bake1-sfield This is not true in most cases, College international students which includes Levan's most re­ and co-sponsored by the Equal cent contribution. Opportunity/Diversity Adviso1y Mike Stepanovich, the execu­ Committee. International stu­ tive director of the BC Founda­ dent counselor Shoiu·eh Rah­ tion, said that Levan stipulated man started off with a speech of that. these funds are to provide how the United Stat.es is a big scholarships for those who major melting pot before intr·oducing in humanities as well as Hispanic the countries. and Native American studies. The nine countries that were "He believes ve1y str·ongly that represented were Libya, Saudi those are the foremost areas in Arabia, Bosnia, Iceland, Bmma, terms of human development," Venezuela, Poland and Mexico. said Stepanovich. The event star·ted off with a slide BC will not have access to show and music. ANGJEDELGADO /THE RJP these funds until Levan has Each student that presented passed. shared information on their Students and professors attend Cup of Culture March 21. Holding these funds is a com­ home country and the story of mon practice when dealing with how they came to America. Saudi Arabia native Somaya BC has 39 exchange students donations of this amount. The most popular question Harb recalled her personal chal­ from 20 different count1ies. Levan selected BC as the re­ of the night was "Why Bake1-s­ lenge of lear·ning English. The presentation continued cipient of the donation, along field?" "I hated all my English pro­ with the students shaiing fun with St. John's College in New "It's not that bad here. It's still fessors," admitted Harb. She has facts, like how Venezuela has Mexico and University of South­ California and its nothing like been in the United States since the cheapest gas in the world, ern California. back home," said Bosnian native 2006 and in less then a year and Bosnia has the cleanest. wa­ Although he was not a student Elmai· Okanovic. learned English. ter. Also, Poland's number-one at BC, Levan took a str·ong inter­ He went on to explain how She said movies and televi­ sport is soccer and is where the est in the vision ofBC's program sion shows are what helped her world cup wiJI be hosted next different the countr·ies were, ANGIE DELGADO /THE R[P and its effort. to provide higher while other students went into the most. year and, last of aJI, Iceland has education for students of alJ more detail of how they liked "Malcolm in the Middle was been named the world's number Somaya Harb, from Saudi Arabia, gives some insight into ages. their schooling. one of my favo1ites," she said. one for nightlife ente1tainment. what it is like living in her country March 21. Levan's belief in serving the community and providing stu­ dents with the opportunity to explore humanities led him to make his initial donation of $5.7 Crowd gathers like million in 2006. These funds went toward the creation of the Levan Institute for Lifelong Leaming, and the zombies for speaker construcrion of the Levan Center for Humanities. The Levan Center is cmTently Nicholas Sparling cai·e?" an active facility on campus that. Reporter Afte1word she taught about hosts regular lectures that are the practical applications cov­ open for the public to attend. The promise of zombies eting compar-ative shopping, Stepanovich feels that these nearly filled the Fireside Room surfing, construction, drying humanitarian lectures are per­ on March 13 for a presentation cloths and even exercise. Ex - tinent to those who aspire to be put on by the STEM program, t.ensively covered was the use better human beings. featuring Jennifer Ouellette, an of calculus in relation t.o rides "The lectm·es are designed to award winning Mathematics at Disneyland. Unfortunately make people pause, reflect and and Physics Author. Ouellett.e zombies were only a small por­ think," said Stepanovich. gave her presentation titled tion of the presentation. The Levan Institute for Life­ "Dangerous Cmves: Or how I A college professor from long Learning is a program learned to stop wonying and Canada actually used math to designed specificalJy for the in­ love the calculus" covering the find out the rate that a zombie terests of those ages 55 or older history and practical applica­ infestation would spread, and who would like to continue their tion of math study. how to best deal with a zombie education and seek to em·oll in Jennifer Ouellett.e's qualifi­ apocalypse. The answer of how com-ses that will benefit the qual­ cations include being the Di­ to survive is to hit them hard ity of their life. rector of the Los Angeles-based and hit them tast. before the The com-ses offered include Science and Enter1ainment. Ex­ outbreak can spread. The head­ a variety of creative instruction change, and the Journalist.-in­ er of the email sent. out about such as photography and art. As Residence at the Kavli Institute the event. was "Want to survive well as intellectual subjects like of Theoretical Physics at UC a zombie attack? Win at craps? philosophy and sociology. Santa Bar·bar·a. She has w1itten Beat a zombie at craps?" and so Alt.hough the target audience for the Washington Post, New little of that was talked about. is primarily senio1-s, these classes Science, Discover, Salon.com Ouellette did answer her pri­ are open to all adults. and Natm·e. maiy question though, "Why "Levan is a deep believer Her presentation began should we car·e about math? that lear·11ing is a lifelong en­ with the history of calculus, And especially calculus?" deavor and he wants to make from Roman to Arabic intlu­ The answer being that it. gives those opportunities available to ences, and the question "What us the option to use it or not, in the citizens of Bakersfield," said is calculus? And why should I short, " It. gives us a choice." S tepanovich. Otiginally from Ohio, Levan moved to California aft.er high school where he attended Uni­ versity of Souther California and Rocha wins first place went to medical school. After graduation he served in Patricia Rocha of the Ren­ also won honorable mention World War II as a doctor for the egade Rip student newspaper for front-page design, featuring army. staff won first. place for mail-in three of the Rip's front pages He then entered into the field critical review at. the Journal­ from the fall 2011 semester. of medicine and tended to a num­ ism Association of Commu­ Students also participated ber of clients from Bake1-sfield. nity Colleges conference held in on-the-spot contests during One of his patients was John Mai·ch 22-24 in Burbank. the conference. The Rip's Greg Collins, the former president of Rocha's review of "Star Cook placed fomth for page BC who recently passed away. War-s" movies - after watcl1ing design, Breanna Fields ear·ned Collins introduced Levan to them for the fu-st time - won honorable mention for c1itical BC where he had the oppor­ against more than 100 other review, and Nelson took an­ tunity to visit. the campus and entries statewide. In the same other honorable mention for experience the daily routine of category, the Rip's Jon Nelson opinion writing. community college students in was awarded third place. The annual three-day state Bakersfield. In other mail-in awards, the conference drew nearly 50 This was what influenced his Rip's Zak Cowan, Nate Perez community colleges and more decision to make the donation. and Eleonor Segura won hon­ than 500 community college "He could see for himself the orable mention for inside-page journalism students, who par­ good work that was going on layout with a sto1y and photos ticipated in wo1:kshops, con­ here at BC," said Stepanovich. on a local boxing club. Cowan tests and other activities.