San MateanTHE

College of San Mateo • www.sanmatean.comVolume 175, Number 1 Sept. 6, 2011

Students flock to new bookstore

Since the new bookstore was opened in Building 10 in spring 2011, it has become a hub of stu-dent life.

The bookstore and cafeteria are run by James Peacock, Bookstore Manager. He has been involved with the CSM bookstore for over 7 years.

“It’s a step up from our previ-ous bookstores. We are now in the heart of the campus,” Peacock said. In the past, the bookstore was in Building 5, which is now the Health and Wellness Center and was excluded from the center of attention from the students.

“It felt like a bomb shelter. We would only see the students once or twice a semester,” said Peacock. “Now with us being in the middle of campus, it allows students to come in and out fre-quently, instead of twice a year,”

he said. The bookstore was previously

located in Building 34 and was relatively isolated.

“The bookstore expanded and now gives a chance for students to interact, but opens up a place to work,” said Cianos.

Every student has it’s issues with college and book prices are one of them.

“The prices are set by the pub-lishers, we are the distributors,” said Peacock. “We know that is a main problem and concern, but we’re going to do as many adjust-ments as we can to improve our customer service.”

Students work with campus staff to run the bookstore. The caf-eteria and coffee shop in Building 10 are managed by Peacock and Charles Cianos. “Though there may be a few improvements need-ed to be done, opinions are more than helpful on how we can im-prove,” Peacock said.

KCSM-TV looking for potential buyers

The district voted to sell KC-SM-TV at the Wednesday, Aug. 24 SMCCD Board of Trustees meeting.

“This means that there will be a [Request For Proposal] that is released by the district that will outline what is for sale and ask for people or companies to bid for that sale,” said KCSM General Manager Marilyn Lawrence. “The bid document should be released in the next week or two.”

Some opposed the sale of KC-SM-TV at the board meeting. Jerry Kurstich, a Foster City resi-dent, pleaded to the board saying that the TV station was valuable because it reached a wider con-stituency than just CSM.

“(The money made from the sale) will be lost. It won’t make a ripple; it will get swallowed. But once KCSM is lost, it is lost for-

ever,” said Kurstich. There was similar commotion

over the sale of KUSF, the Uni-versity of San Francisco’s non-profit radio network. “…There was much public outcry,” said Lawrence about KUSF.

There is an approximate $800,000 deficit in the KCSM-TV budget this year, said Lawrence. At the meeting, Dave Mandelk-ern, Vice President of the Board of Trustees stressed that the dis-trict cannot afford to fund deficits.

“It is in this context of weigh-ing the cost of maintaining KC-SM-TV’s operation versus our primary objective of providing as many educational opportunities to as many students as possible that we have to make these tough de-cisions,” said Mandelkern in an email to The San Matean.

CSM Broadcast students often broadcasted their work on KC-SM-TV, creating commercials for real clients—a benefit for both lo-cal businesses and students’ port-

folios. “The benefit of KCSM-TV is

that we would be able to build our portfolios,” said Broadcast Alum-nus Hansel Vargas, 23. Vargas began at CSM as a film student, but changed his major to broad-

casting.When the station is purchased,

many KCSM-TV jobs will be at stake. “The district is committed to retaining as many employees as possible,” said President Michael Claire in an email to The San Ma-

Sol LadvienkoThe San Matean

tean. “If KCSM-TV is sold, the dis-

trict would use its managed-hire process to place as many KCSM-TV employees into other district positions which they may be qual-ified for,” said Claire.

Vice-Chancellor Harry Joel mentioned to the board at the meeting that two engineering jobs would be consolidated, for KC-SM-FM, which is not being sold.

“Two jobs for radio engineers will be opened soon, any of these engineers can apply for these two jobs. This allows the staff to know who is staying with KCSM-FM and who may no longer be work-ing at KCSM after the TV station sale,” said Lawerence.

“The transfer of the two radio engineers would not happen until after the TV station sale. Due to the shared (nature) of many of the jobs at KCSM, running either sta-tion independently will cost more than it does today,” said Law-rence.

Photo by Erasmo Martinez

Scott Tercero, 29 marks Becky Quinn,18, to draw her blood dur-ing the CSM Blood Drive on Aug. 31. Blood Centers of the Pa-

cific parked their moblie blood bank in the Da Vinci lot to donate blood to more than 40 hospitals in Northern California.

Bulldogs draw blood

The humanities department along with four others, will join the list of the many cuts to the CSM budget.

It was recently announced that the entire humanities department, along with horticulture, Japanese, Ital-ian and American Sign Language classes would be removed from the course catalogue and schedule.

“It’s tragic,” said film professor David Laderman. “Everyone feels that way.”

Philosophy Professor David Danielson had similar thoughts on the matter.

“It’s really unfortunate,” said

Danielson. “Humanities is such a unique subject as it incorporates multiple disciplines in the same course. It will be missed,” said Danielson.

According to James Carranza, President of the Academic Senate, criteria to measure the viability of specific courses were developed by President Michael Claire and the deans of multiple divisions.

After the criteria were released, the faculty was given one month to submit additional information, which would be sent to the board.

The cuts were then made based on how presentations made by a representative from each district campus fit the criteria.

The presence of full-time faculty,

Humanities to be cut

Sophomore catcher Morgan Elkins sprints to first base after a bunt in a 9-2 home win over Napa Valley College on Thursday, Feb. 10.

focusing specifically on humani-ties, was one criterion that the de-partment failed to meet.

Danielson, Laderman and Profes-sor Michael Svanevik, in addition to humanities, teach philosophy, film and history courses respectively.

The studies moving towards the decisions were made over the sum-mer, according to Carranza. The Academic Senate would meet and discuss which classes best serve the district’s missions.

Because of the budget crisis, the district had to reaffirm and modify its mission statements.

No longer will lifelong learning be an objective of the college.

Jeff Gonzalezand Yasmine Mahmoud

The San Matean

See “Humanities” on page 3

Illustration by Alex PulisciLooking to break even on the KCSM-TV deficit, the district has voted to bid off the station. The station’s broadcasts included CSM student-produced work, as well as other syndicated pro-grams.

Gardens still doomed

To avoid further litigation over the CSM gardens, the Board of Trustees voted to nullify their adoption of a redaction to initial construction plans concern-ing Building 20 and the surrounding gardens.

At the Aug. 24 Board of Trustees meeting Barbara Christensen, District Director of Government and Community Relations, cited concerns and deci-sions that lead up to the controversy and lawsuit by activist group, Friends of CSM Garden. The Board voted to pass the rescission of an addendum to the initial study that called for improvement of Build-ing 20 and voted also to adopt a new addendum whose language states it is proper and necessary to demolish Building 20.

Friends of CSM Garden, who brought the lawsuit against the District, is requesting a new Environmental Impact Report. Student Shawn Kann, speaking for the Friends of CSM Garden, stated that both addenda are insufficient and new projects need new EIRs. Other students and com-munity members voiced their concerns as well.

ICF International Principle and Project Direc-

See page 3 for a breakdown of garden issues.

Shaun Carmodyand Jeff GonzalezThe San Matean

tor, Rich Walter, articulated why an EIR from scratch would not only be redundant but also unwarranted. There has been no significant im-pact since the previous study triggering the need for a new study under California Environmental Quality Act compliance, according to Walter.

The district conducted a full EIR surveying the entire campus initially, one before any bond construction began and an independent study specifically for the Building 20 addendum, and concluded an additional full EIR is not needed and would cost about $50,000-$80,000 to pro-duce a new one, said Christensen.

New projects and rehabilitation are not the same thing, and new projects need new EIRs to take into account the full scope of the impact, according to Kann.

After the two votes of the board, the adden-dum involved in the lawsuit no longer exists due to the rescission action and adoption of an updated addendum. The lawsuit is expected to be dropped, according to Christensen. Friends of CSM Garden expect the lawsuit to hold. Addenda are for minor technical changes, not demolition and new construction, so an EIR is still needed, according to Kann.

Chris Edenand Jeff GonzalezThe San Matean

News

UC Transfer Admission Guarantee WorkshopTuesday, Sept. 6, 12:10. to 1 p.m.Bldg. 10, Room 191

University of California, Davis Campus VisitWednesday, Sept. 7, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.Bldg. 10, College Center, Room 340C

National University Campus VisitWednesday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Bldg. 10, College Center, Dining Area

U.S.F. South Bay Regional Corps Campus VisitWednesday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Bldg. 10, College Center, Dining Area

UC Transfer Admission Guarantee WorkshopWednesday, Sept. 7, 1:10 to 2 p.m.Bldg. 10, Room 191

San Francisco State University Campus VisitThursday, Sept. 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bldg. 10, College Center, Room 340 C

CSM Planetarium Show“The Sky Tonight”Friday, Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m.Bldg. 36, Planetarium

Last day to declare Pass/No Pass option for semester-long classes with optionFriday, Sept. 9

Semester-long classes officially dropped on or before this date will not appear on student’s recordFriday, Sept. 9

Study Abroad - Florence, Italy, Spring 2012Information MeetingSaturday, Sept. 10, 9 to 10:30 a.m.SMCCD District Office, Board Room

Academy of Art University Campus VisitMonday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Bldg. 10, College Center, Dining Area

UC Transfer Admission Guarantee WorkshopTuesday, Sept. 13, 11:10 a.m. to noonBldg. 10, Room 191

Undecided Majors/Goals Focus GroupTuesday, Sept. 13, 12:35 to 2:25 p.m.Bldg. 14, Room 215

UC Transfer Admission Guarantee WorkshopWednesday, Sept. 14, 10:10 to 11 a.m.Bldg. 10, Room 191

UC Davis Disciplines & Majors WorkshopWednesday, Sept. 14, 12:30 to 2 p.m.Bldg. 10, Room 193

Associates Degree Focus GroupWednesday, Sept. 14, 1 to 2:30 p.m.Bldg. 10, Room 191

Emergency Preparedness Information DayThursday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

University of California, Santa Cruz Campus VisitThursday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Bldg. 10, College Center, Room 340C

Sports

CSM Water Polo vs. Delta CollegeFriday, Sept. 9, 2 p.m.Bldg. 5, Swimming Pool

CSM Cross Country - Fresno InvitationalSaturday, Sept. 10, 8:30 a.m.Fresno City College

CSM Football vs. Fresno City CollegeSaturday, Sept. 10, 6 p.m.Fresno City College

CSM Water Polo Mini-TourneySaturday, Sept. 10, Start time TBABuilding 5, Swimming Pool

Campus BriefsIf there is an event that readers would like listed in Campus Briefs, please submit it to The San Matean at Bldg. 10, Room 180, or sanmatean@smccd.edu., or call 650-574-6330. Submissions should be typed neatly.

by Daryl Lagaspi

Page 2 • The SAN MATEAN Sept. 6, 2011

CSU tuition spikes againA $650 million cut in state fund-

ing has forced California State Universities to raise tuition in the last year, a total of 22 percent, or $526 per semester for a full-time undergraduate student.

“It’s getting ridiculous,” said business major Shahina Patel, 18, who is looking into CSUs down south.

The legislature cut $500 million in CSUs funding in March but had to cut an additional $150 million in July when Governor Jerry Brown failed to get support to extend taxes.

“It’s not unexpected, but it’s an unfortunate product of the budget cuts,” said psychology major Xavi-er Heydt, 20, who recently applied to San Francisco State University.

Because the additional cut was made after campuses had already admitted all of their students for the coming year, it wasn’t feasible for the CSUs to cut admissions, staff or programs.

“I don’t know of anyone who liked the additional raise, but it’s essentially the only option the CSU had at that time of year,” Dr. James Postma told The San Matean in an email.

“The board packet indicates that for 45 percent of our students, there is no impact,” said Postma, Chair of Academic Senate of CSU.

Though CSUs don’t expect a large decrease in enrollment, it still affects students that are planning to enroll.

“Whenever there is a cut in the funds programs and enrollment are all affected,” said Stephanie Thara, spokesperson for the CSU in a phone interview.

“Though we are opening enroll-ment for spring 2012, upper divi-sion will most likely get the priority instead of incoming freshman,” said Thara.

Though Cal Grants were in dan-ger of being cut earlier this year, the legislature has decided not to cut them. According to H.D. Palmer, Deputy Director of the Department of Finances, financial aid will in-crease as tuition increases.

“One third of the revenue that is raised with the increased tuition is

Kayla FigardThe San Matean

channeled back into student finan-cial aid,” said Postma.

“The impact of the fee increase on low income students is nearly zero because of their financial aid increases to accommodate tuition,” said Postma.

The governor’s projected budget for the current fiscal year is $88.5 billion. This is $4 billion higher than the revised budget in May.

Should it fall short, the legislature has already approved reductions, or “trigger” cuts, that it will imple-ment starting on Jan. 1, 2012. The legislature will complete a revised revenue forecast for the current fiscal year by Dec. 15, 2011.

“If revenues fall short $1 billion or less then none of the trigger cuts will be implemented,” Palmer told The San Matean. “If it falls over $1 billion short, the first set of trigger cuts will be implemented.”

CSUs are in the first set of trigger cuts and will be cut an additional $100 million if revenues fall short. It will be up to the CSU Board of Trustees on how to implement the cuts.

“I believe that it is a significant betrayal on the part of the state to lower its commitment to higher education and that the state itself will suffer significantly in the long

run,” said Postma. “There are many aspects of

these budget cuts beyond the direct impact on students, including the difficulty in hiring good faculty and staff and the un-planned decline in some programs due to un-replaced retirements,” said Postma.

Students planning to transfer are encouraged to apply for financial aid.

“It’s to (students’) benefit to make more you more competitive and it’s more cost efficient to take as many classes as you can while you’re here,” Michael Mitchell, Program Services Coordinator for the Transfer Center, told The San Matean.

He suggested that students take all their general education and preparatory courses while at CSM. Students that are transferring to nearby CSUs may have a better chance of getting into these schools.

“Because San Mateo County is part of the local area for San Fran-cisco State, students transferring from CSM will continue to have the benefit of the local guarantee of admission if they meet the stan-dard CSU admission criteria,” Jo Volkert, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management at SFSU, told The San Matean in an email.

The CSM Coastside campus in Half Moon Bay is continuing classes this fall, despite speculation that the campus will close.

About 70 to 80 students are currently enrolled in classes for fall 2011, said Ronald Andrade.

The classes offered include As-tronomy, Art, History and Business courses.

“There are classes at the Coast-side campus this fall due to the fact that our lease on the building does not expire until December,” said Jan Roecks, SMCCD Director of General Services.

Courses at the site started in 2008 and have given students who reside in or near Half Moon Bay the ac-cessibility to many classes.

“The coastside is part of the county that the district serves,” Roecks said.

“The district knows classes to the coast helps many students who find it difficult to get to the college campuses, due to work or family commitments,” said Roecks.

Community venues such as li-braries may be used as classrooms if the campus were to close.

“There is the potential for the campus to close due to budget fac-tors,” said Roeks.

If budget factors do cause the

campus to close, holding courses at other facilities would be consid-ered, such as the Cabrillo Unified School District class rooms.

“I don’t know what can happen at this rate yet,” said Andrade regard-ing what could happen in the near future for CSM Coastside. Whether or not the Coastside program would continue is ultimately a “budget decision,” he said.

The lease for the Coastside cam-pus is set to expire Dec. 31, 2011.

“If we are successful in pasting a general obligation bond in Novem-ber, we are hoping to partner with several coastside organizations to establish a permanent presence on the coast,” Roecks said.

Coastal classes face cuts

Campus Blotter No incidents were reported in the last two weeks.

This information was provided by Chief John Wells of CSM Public Safety.— Ariana Anderberg

The San Matean

Tuiti

on ri

ses

Doable.

FAFSA?

Loans?

Time to drop out.

Illustration by Ciara Cooksey

An illustrated example of student reactions to the rise in tuition.

Varsha RanjitThe San Matean

Campus Life/sportsSept. 6, 2011 The SAN MATEAN • Page 3

Meet the New Staff at the SaN MateaN oNliNe.

www.sanmatean.com

The district is concentrating on how to retain classes that best serve the remaining goals, which are classes that help students transfer, courses that train students to get into the work force and courses in basic skills, according the district’s statement on their website.

A counter proposal to the cuts was made to the administration by the humanities department. In the proposal, co-authored by Danielson and Laderman, concerns such as the negative effects of cutting such a popular program were addressed.

According to the proposal, “A valid speculation is that, if these courses were to disappear from CSM, students will seek them elsewhere.”

The proposal also stated that fewer options would be available to the student body to satisfy gen-eral education requirements if the department was cut.

“There were no real salary sav-ings made from these cuts,” Daniel-son said. “(Instead of humanities) I would teach more philosophy courses to satisfy my full-time load, which would otherwise be

taught by a part-time professor,” said Danielson.

In addition to the concerns ad-dressed, the proposal also entailed a plan in which approximately one humanities course would be taught per semester, campus-wide. The task of teaching this course would rotate between Danielson, Lader-man and Svanevik. Each professor would teach a separate humanities course.

“The cuts don’t come down to just classes,” said Carranza. “They will be all across campus. We don’t want focus to fall on one single division.”

Continued from Page 1Humanities

RepNation is seeking the most in� uential, outgoing and socially connected leaders on campus to join a Campus Ambassador Program. Ambassadors will be selected from 50 community colleges to be an integral part of an extraordinary nationwide campaign to promote a unique special offer for a free BlackBerry Smartphone with mail in rebate when activating an account through T-Mobile.

Program starts on Sept 26th and ends on Dec 12th• Great pay and performance-based incentives

• Opportunity to further develop relationships with campus leaders and build on your already extensive networks

Interested candidates please e-mail resumes to carlye@mryouth.com Note: Members of the T-Mobile Campus Ambassador team will not be considered employees of T-Mobile. They will be hired and managed as independent contractors of RepNation, LLC working on behalf of the T-Mobile brand.

Bulldogs fueled by last season’s letdownThe CSM football team has

plenty of motivation to strive for another successful season. With recent success from winning the Nor Cal title in 2009, the Bulldogs were hungry to repeat it all last season, falling short after losing three of their last four divisional games and finishing with an 8-3 record.

With the 2010 season behind them, the Bulldogs have maintained their concentration all throughout the spring and summer practices.

“We’ve seen a lot of progress,” said quarterback Jonathan Willis. “Everyone’s getting comfortable with their positions and seeing where people fit in.”

“We could have won two of the three games,” said sophomore wide

Cross-country team reloads with new faces

Photo by Rebecca Campbell of The San Matean

receiver Antoine Turner. “In both games (against Foothill and Butte College) it came down to maturity and we didn’t have it to finish.”

CSM return a coaching staff that led them to the 2009 state finals, led by head coach Bret Pollack and assistant coach Tim Tulloch.

“I’m impressed with the group that we got this season,” said Tull-och. “Over the summer, seeing the desire to learn and being students of the games.”

“We have two goals in mind entering every season — building Bulldog foundation and a national championship,” said Tulloch. “We had a great season last year and played tough opponents. We were 13th in the nation and our losses came by last second field goals.”

The same feeling was evoked by the players.

“Pollack preaches us to win, but if we’re not together as a team, we won’t be victorious,” said Willis. Doesn’t mean every game is a win, but knowing that we won or lost, we stuck together as a family.”

The team looks to avenge a dis-appointing 37-0 loss to rival City College of San Francisco and using that mentality in preparation.

“We will worry about that game when it comes,” said Tulloch. “We are focused to take one game at a time, but as long as we’re playing Bulldog football.”

“As long as we stay healthy and confident. We had banged up quarterbacks last season, but were hoping for no blowouts, on either end, but a close game,” said Willis.

The Bulldogs will open the sea-son when they visit Fresno City College on Sept. 10 at 6 p.m.

Sol LadvienkoThe San Matean

Giselle SuarezThe San Matean

CSM’s cross-country team has implemented a different strategy to train runners in a natural setting during their morning workouts.

Runners scale the hills on campus everyday starting at 7 a.m. for one to two hours to continue building strength and endurance.

Sometimes even going from CSM to Skyline or from CSM to Cañada in extensive runs.

Coach Joe Mangan laughed as he said that runners have even en-countered a mountain lion during their morning runs.

The losses of Mitchell Millagen and Jose Montoya will be a hard blow for the team.

Mangan is counting on Hams Zafahrki, Jose Sanchez and Jose Xygur to headline the team and keep it strong for this season’s

seven meets. Last year, an injury to Xygur’s

right ankle put him out for the sea-son, but he’s now fully healed and ready to gain back his momentum.

The team is working well to-gether and still discovering each other’s skills while accommodating new additions to the team.

When asked about this season’s prospects, Mangan seemed confi-dent in the girls, particularly with Alejandra Marin.

Marin; a Half Moon Bay High alum, is excited to run for CSM and anxious to compete at the Santa Barbara meet.

“I want to get new personal records and see if winning in col-lege is as good as winning in high school,” she said.

Marin was a soccer and bas-ketball player, but even in middle school her potential talent was discovered by her then track and

cross-country coach. Marin has been training sepa-

rately and going on her own runs because she doesn’t own a car and lives on her own, making it difficult to participate in team practices.

“I feel guilty, I need to go to prac-tice,” said Marin as she expressed concern for not being able to join her teammates.

“Cross-country is not like any other sport,” said Mangan. “You won’t have a set score like you can in football. We can’t be 0-2 or 2-0, it’s different ¬– we just want to pres-ent a variety of strong performances at the conference meet in October.”

After having their Sept. 10 meet cancelled prior to the start of the fall semester, the Bulldogs will run its first meet at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 3:30 p.m. followed by a meet at Crystal Springs in Belmont on Friday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m.

Wide receiver Tre Watson, left, runs a streak route against slot receiver Levi WIlson, right, as he attempts to cover.

Photo by Giselle Suarez of The San Matean

From left to right, Brohm Wallace, 15, Domenico Davino, 18 and Ray Macias, 20, run a course on campus on Friday, Sept. 2.

Garden BreakdownObjections:

• Lastbiodiverseareaoncampus• Lackofstudentinputindecision-making

process• Environmental Impact Reports are re-

quiredfornewprojects• Bond Oversight Committee not unani-

mousindecisiontoapproveproject

Justifications:

• “Nosignificantimpactsincethepreviousstudy,”saidICFPrincipleandProjectDirector• TheDawnRedwoodwillbepreserved,

withitslongevityinmind• Newparkingispreparationforpotential

futurehigherenrollmentrates• Studentrepresentativesattendplanning

meetings

opiNioN & pubLiC forum Sept. 6, 2011Page 4 • The SAN MATEAN

editorial

Look Ma, I’m in college

Community college is sometimes referred to as a continuation of high school, a sequel to a bad movie.

Of course it doesn’t offer the college experience you see in those frat movies like “Animal House” or “Van Wilder,” but it’s a community col-lege it’s not supposed to. That can also be positive, there are less things to distract you here. Community colleges are gateway schools—a stop along the highway of ambition. But it is easy to get caught up in the apa-thetic demeanor of the community college student. It begins to feel right to complain about being here. It becomes easy to make fun of school.

CSM becomes an abbreviation for College of Small Minds. And all of a sudden classes don’t seem important, interest is lost, dropout rates increase, and the school becomes a purgatory that has to be escaped.

If priorities are set, CSM can be a breezy walk in the park. It is what you make of it; it doesn’t have to be another version of high school. There are many things that make community college better than high school; there’s no truancy officer jocking your strap if you don’t go to class; you can choose what classes you’ll be bored in; there are no obnoxious rallies; Snoop Dogg’s mantra “drop it like it’s hot” can be applied to classes; and… it’s not high school.

We shouldn’t be complaining about where we are, we should make the best of it. It is our complaining that gives CSM its high school-esque environment. You can take the student out of high school, but you can’t take the high school out of the student. It’s up to the students to create their own college experience.

The San MaTean is a First Amendment newspaper published bi-weekly during the academic year by the Journalism 120, 300, 690 and 850 students at College of San Mateo as a medium for campus communication and laboratory for classes. Opinions, letters and commentary reflect only the opinion of the writer, and not necessarily the opinion of The San MaTean. Letters to the Editor and opinion articles are welcome, although they may be edited for style, space, content and libel. Mail or deliver letters to Building 19, Room 123, 1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94402.

Telephone: 650-574-6330. E-mail: sanmatean@smccd.edu. All letters must be signed and accompanied by phone numbers or addresses to verify authorship. Names may be withheld upon request. Advertising that conforms to San Mateo County Community College District regulations is welcome. The San MaTean reserves the right to refuse advertising. Single copies are free —additional copies 25 cents each.

the saN mateaN is printed thanks to a generous donation of printing services by the San Francisco Newspaper Company

and John P. Wilcox, President and Publisher.

adviSer: Ed Remitz

adverTiSing: Melissa Berger(415) 359-2721

mberger@sfexaminer.com

CollegeMember ofCalifornia

NewspaperPublishers

Association

Member ofJournalism

Association of Com-munity

Colleges

First Amendment update

Back Talk by Erasmo Martinez and Carlos Mesquita

STaff:Ariana Anderberg, Larisse Borelli, Rebecca Campbell, Shaun Carmody, Ciara Cooksey, Deidre Curiel, Chris Eden, Brandon

Kwan, Sol Ladvienka, Jamie Maciel, Greg Marshall, Carlos Mesquita, Giselle Suarez, Mintoy Tillman, Loren Vasquez

eraSMo MarTinez

photo editor

Bruno Manrique

sports editor

varSha ranjiT

oNLiNe editor

Kayla figard

editor

yaSMine MahMoud

maNagiNg editor

jeff gonzalez

Campus Life editor

Founded in 1928

San MateanTHE

The San Matean is continuing with First Amendment updates, report-ing on an ongoing dispute with the administration regarding the future of its newspaper and website.

The San Matean has asked Susan Estes, Vice President of Instruction, questions about this matter. Though questions have been answered, The San Matean still remains concerned.

The Digital Media program was given at least a year to observe if an improvement in enrollment occurred. After that time the program will be assessed, according to Estes. Low enrolled classes within the program may still be cancelled.

“There has not been a significant increase in enrollment in the classes that produce The San Matean; in fact, as of July 12 the enrollments in these courses were significantly under 20,” she said.

According to Estes, the budget dedicated specifically to The San Ma-tean is $4,675. The San Matean is concerned about its budget and has asked Estes how the budget is split up and what it is used for. Estes declined to meet with The San Matean regarding this matter.

The San Matean is now working on recruitment with a goal of rais-ing enrollment numbers for the fall 2011 and spring 2012 semesters. Though The San Matean has moved to College Center Bldg. 10, Room 180 this summer, there are no signs that point students and staff to the new room, which makes it harder to recruit. The San Matean is working with the administration to get signs.

The San Matean will continue to publish its newspaper and website under the current Digital Media Program.

spin CyCle

Fasting for summer

What justifies violence between sports fans?

Paola Alunni, 21Architecture, Burlingame

“Ridiculous to fight over sports teams while people starve.”

Michelle Mikesell, 19Nursing, San Mateo

“I don’t think it is. A lot has to do with alcohol.”

Mario Rossetti, 21Psychology, Belmont

“Nothing. Passion is one thing, but violence goes too far.”

Philippe Enguyen, 22Sports Mgmt., San Mateo

“It represents the wrong thing and destroys the beauty of the game.”

Matt Furtado, 20Journalism, Castro Valley

“Competition is between players, not fans.”

Max Goldman, 19Music, Burlingame

“Rivalries are big, but they shouldn’t involve violence.”

The person sitting next to you may have spent all of August hun-gry. Aug. 1 to 30 this year was the Islamic month of Ramadan.

Last month I sat in class hungry, unable to eat until sundown.

Most people ask if Muslims have to fast the whole month, which is physically impossible. Fasting takes place from sunrise to sunset everyday until the new moon emerges towards the end of the month.

This year was especially dif-ficult because summer holds the longest days of the year; and in the past, Ramadan was usually in the wintertime.

Fasting for 14 or more hours a day is grueling, especially because it can be difficult to participate in such a solitary task.

Ramadan is usually compared to the Catholic period Lent be-cause while Muslims give up wa-ter and food for about a month, they also give up blasphemous ac-tions, much like Lent.

Islam is based on five pillars: declaring faith in God, praying, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage. Ramadan is celebrated because it promotes physical as well as

self-control and empathy with the poor—both central values of Islam.

To avoid feeling alone in my struggle to fast, I read numerous stories about other young people whom fast.

Unfortunately, this was not as soothing as expected.

I read stories about student-athletes who would forgo food regardless of the health risks be-cause of the steadfastness of their

faith.While inspirational, some feel

as if fasting when involed in such strenuous activities is risky and causes controversy. Islam clearly states that those who are physical-ly unable to fast are not permitted to do so.

Ramadan is usually a month long, but I was unable to complete it. I have chronic migraines that are triggered by heat and dehydra-tion, and on those days, I would have to eat, which was difficult to explain to others who were fasting why I had to refrain from fasting.

The inspiring tales of fasting made me feel as if I was giving up without reason.

Others may feel as if because they are unable to fast that they have failed, but this is not true. Any attempt at self-improvement is a triumph, not only for Muslims participating in Ramadan, but anyone else as well.

This Ramadan, I was not able to fast for all 30 days, but I was able to learn patience and understand-ing, which are invaluable facets of Islam.

–Yasmine MahmoudThe San Matean

alex PuliSci

Video editor

daryl legaSPi

Copy editor

California College

Media As-sociation

Muslims typically break their fast with dates and milk. They have done so since the time of

Muhammad.

Photo Art by Yasmine Mahmoud