College of San Mateo • www.sanmatean.comVolume 172, Number 2 February 22, 2010

San MateanTHE

Seven jobs were lost at KCSM television station last year in an effort to lower expenses to keep the station afloat. The television station needs $1 million to continue broadcast-ing. Previously $1.8 million was needed, but the job cuts lowered

Jeffrey GonzalezThe San Matean

KCSM-TV cuts 7 jobs amid budget crunchthe amount to the current $1 mil-lion mark. The cuts were managed through the college, and staff members were kept in accordance to the importance of their jobs, said KCSM General Manager Marilyn Lawrence. In some cases, Lawrence merged two jobs into one. In others she asked herself “What tasks do I still need done?”

The reductions cut two accountant technicians to just one. Other jobs, like program engineering, were not completely cut, but reduced to half time jobs. “Yes, I feel the pressure,” Law-rence said. $1 million has to be raised by the beginning of the fiscal year, July 1. Things are just in the planning stage, with Lawrence, working

for KCSM since 1996, and a small group of staff in charge. On Feb. 24 a board meeting will be held to present ideas and opportunities to help the station. Plans have been made to sell digital substations to outside programmers such as LinkTv, Daystar, and KQED. Other undisclosed arrangements will be proposed as well. Approval will be given or denied at the board

meeting. $30,000 been raised so far. KCSM-TV programs have asked viewers to go online and donate money. Even with that amount collected, the station is $970,000 short of its monetary goal. The station is having its fifth an-nual Bay Area High School film festival at the end of this month.

Student OK as plane hits house, kills 3 on board

Students informed about Haiti’s troubles

See page 3

Football Scholarships for 10BulldogsSee page 4-5

Lady Bulldogsmake playoff pushSee page 6

Alex Farr and Bruno ManriqueThe San Matean

See “Crash” on page 7

A plane crashed through the roof of student Janisa Jones’ East Palo Alto home, Wednesday, Feb. 17, killing the pilot and two passengers. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined. The small plane crashed into an East Palo Alto home on Beech Street at about 8 a.m. on Wednes-day, Feb. 17. By noon, National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration officials were on the scene to begin collecting pieces of the plane and investigating the crash. The process was completed Thursday, Feb. 18. Debris was found from the location of the downed power pole to the main point of impact, a distance of “approximately 1,200 feet,” NTSB

Investigator Josh Cawthra said. Pieces of the plane were trans-ported to a secure location for further analysis and investigation, according to Cawthra. “It was unreal,” Jones, 20, said. “I just couldn’t believe my house was on fire and that there was a plane in my backyard.” Firefighters got to the 1200 block of Beech Street within five minutes of the initial crash, Jones said. Neighbor Heather Starnes warned the Jones family about the fire and helped them out of their home. Jones, called “Nene” by her friends, was surprised by her Lady Bulldog teammates, who showed up at the hospital, offering use of their homes and clothes. Her friends and teammates have given her endless support, she said.

Class members dance gracefully during a Saturday morning hula class. The nine-session class is part of the Community Education program, and taught by Joy Hau’oli Manlapaz. In addition to

dancing, students in the class learn about traditional Hawaiian culture and language.

Saturday SwayingPhoto by Cecile Basnage of The San Matean

Districtwide protests and rallies are planned to coincide with the March 4 statewide Day of Action. Varying groups, however, have expressed interest in differing plans of participation. “The intent of March 4 pro-gramming is educating the whole student,” said Professor Kate Mo-toyama, who is coordinating events at CSM. Events are being planned to expand on perspectives expressed during February’s teach-ins, and a number of groups not represented in the earlier events are scheduled to participate. “March 4 events in the CSM theater are still very tentative but the space has been reserved from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m,” Motoyama said.

Alex FarrThe San Matean

‘March in March’ protests and rallies plannedA number of departments and pro-grams including Student Activities, Music, and Athletics, among others, have already agreed to participate. “Drumming and spoken word is to be part of this event. It’s a call to action and celebration of the CCCs,” Motoyama said. The ASCSM body is also working to raise awareness of the March. Starting Feb. 17, student senators will begin setting up tables in the quad and handing out informational pamphlets, filled with budget facts. “We’re not just promoting the march, but posting facts. But making sure the content is also correct,” ASCSM Vice President Alex Quintana said. They will set up and do the same thing every Wednesday and Thursday leading up to the march, to recruit more students to join.

ASCSM senators Brittany Arthur and Stephanie Chiou also began a letter drive last week. Other student senators will also help by giving presentations in classes. They’ve collected only a few letters so far. “We want to give students a chance to write about the budget cuts personally. We’re hoping to put a face to the student body,” Chiou said. While faculty, student groups, and Student Activities have worked in unison to plan events on the CSM campus, the student government and student groups at Skyline are taking differing approaches to the event. The Skyline student government is organizing a Stop Education Cuts Rally on the Quad at 11 a.m, on March 4.

Photo by Petero Qauqau of The San Matean(From left) Students Michael Carter and Timothy St Louis wrote a song protesting budget cuts. For the full story, see page 2.

“I feel that God is trying to tell me something,” Jones said. “I have a purpose here on this earth, so I’m

just gonna try to figure out what it is from this point on.” The Jones family is now living in

a hotel. They have not yet decided whether to keep their home or move

See “KCSM” on page 7

See “Protests” on page 7

Page 2 • The SAN MATEAN News February 22, 2010

Campus Briefsby Stephen Barsanti

Campus Blotter Mon., Feb 1, 12:20 p.m. - A backpack was stolen from the CSM Library. A suspect was identified by video surveillance, and the suspect was found on the campus. The owner of the backpack made a ‘citizen’s arrest’ and the backpack was recovered. The suspect, and 18-year-old San Mateo resident, was cited and released by the San Mateo Police Depart-ment.

Mon., Feb 1, 1:15 p.m. - A non-injury car collision occurred on campus. Those involved exchanged information and no police report was required.

Mon., Feb 1, 7:05 p.m. - A report of a hit and run on a parked car on campus was received by the San Mateo Police Department. The person who made the report left before the police arrived, without having provided any more details to the police.

Tue., Feb 2, 11:33 a.m. - San Mateo Police responded to a report of an argument between two men in parking lot B. According to witnesses, one person opened his parked car door into the side of another person’s parked car. Both people left the parking lot prior to the police arrival.

Fri., Feb 5, 12:24 p.m. - San Mateo Police were dispatched to campus regarding a student smoking in a non-smoking area. The situation was resolved before the police arrived.

Mon., Feb 8, 6:17 p.m. - A non-injury collision occurred on campus. Those involved exchanged information and no police response was required.

Information provided by Lt. Mike Brunicardi of the San Mateo Police Department.— Alex Farr

The San Matean

If there is an event that readers would like listed in Campus Briefs, please submit it to The San Matean at Bldg. 19, Room 123 or sanmatean@smccd.edu. Submissions should be typed neatly. For more information, call 574-6330.

Page 2 • The SAN MATEAN News February 22, 2010

University of California Berkeley Campus VisitTuesday, Feb. 2310:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Last day to declare Pass / No Pass option for semester long classes with this option.Tuesday, Feb. 23

Dr. Vincent Tinto“Access Without Support Is Not Opportunity”Wednesday, Feb. 24Presentation, noon to 1:30 p.m., TheaterLight Refreshments, 1:30 to 2 p.m., Theater LobbyQ&A and Roundtable Discussion, 2 to 4 p.m., Choral Room

San Mateo Farmers MarketWednesday, Feb. 249 a.m. to 1 p.m.CSM Lot 1B

University of California Davis Campus VisitWednesday, Feb. 249 a.m. to 2 p.m.CSM Upper Quad

CSM Celebrates Black History MonthThe Karamu (Feast)Thursday, Feb. 25Noon to 2 p.m.Building 17, Room 112, Office of Student Life

SportsMen’s Baseballv. Ohlone College, Tues, Feb. 23, 2 p.m., San Mateov. College of Marin, Thurs, Feb. 25, 2 p.m., Marin

Women’s Softballv. Foothill College, Tues, Feb. 3, 3 p.m., Foothillv. City College of San Francisco, Thurs., Feb. 25, 2:30 p.m., San Francisco

Track & Field7-Way Meet, Fri, Feb. 26, 12pm, San Mateo

Swimmingv. Ohlone, Fri, Feb. 26, 2pm, Ohlone

CorreCtion

The San Matean would like to apologize for a reporting error in the Feb. 8 Issue of The San Matean. In a story about the slaying of a CSM football player, he was described as being six years old in 1991; he was actually 6 months old at the time. A funeral mass was said to be on Jan. 12; it was on Jan. 11. His name was misspelled as Vatuvai rather than Vatuvei. The vigil was held at All Saints Catholic Church, not All Souls Catholic Church. The San Matean regrets any confusion this may have caused.

A defendant in the Skyline Col-lege shooting incident last fall pled no contest to felony possession of a firearm in a public place and was placed on three years supervised probation Jan. 26. Eric Douglas Brewer, 20, a Skyline student and San Francisco resident, was shot in the buttocks Sep. 2, the afternoon of a dispute between two groups of men on the Skyline campus. He was treated for his injuries at the college health center, transferred to San Francisco

General Hospital and released the same evening. Brewer was subsequently arrested and jailed in lieu of $100,000 bond. In addition to supervised proba-tion, Brewer must stay away from the Skyline campus and is subject to random search and seizure, according to Karen Guidotti, spokeswoman for the San Mateo County District Attorney’s office. His weapon was “abated,” another term for destroyed, she said. Brewer will also get credit for 266 days time served, she said. Co-defendant Germaine Bernard Benjamin, 18, also of San Fran-

cisco, was arrested after the Skyline incident and was free on $50,000 bond. He pled not guilty. Benjamin was subsequently re-arrested in San Francisco on Sep. 25 for making terrorist threats, battery and being a member of a criminal street gang. He was jailed, pled no contest and was sentenced to 120 days in jail and three years supervised probation and released to San Mateo County, making an initial court appearance Jan. 21. Benjamin’s pre-trial conference is scheduled for May 10 and sub-sequent trial June 21. He remains free on $50,000 bail.

John ServatiusThe San Matean

Defendant in Skyline incident pleads no contest

In the spirit of unity against budget cuts to education, students Timothy St Louis and Michael Carter have created a theme song for the budget cut protests, scheduled for March 4 in San Francisco and March 22 in Sacramento. The duo was asked by Professor Kate Motoyama to create a theme song for the planned protests. The song was first played at the teach-in held at the CSM Theatre on Feb. 3 and 4. “It’s a good collaboration,” Mo-toyama said. “They have a good sound and the message is unique. It is a message of hope for us to do something.” Both artists picked up music and found their passion from an early age. St Louis, 22, produces music under the name “Oshyn” and is studying civil engineering at CSM. A passionate musician and singer, St Louis started playing the piano at an early age and at 12 years old, he was introduced to the electric guitar. Until he was 21, he played in

the Los Angeles area and helped with his father’s band. While in Hollywood, he had the opportunity to sign with a record label from Orange County. In 2009, St Louis moved from Hollywood to the Bay Area. “There is so much going on around the country, we wanted the song to be an awakening for all of us, to change for the better,” St Louis said. “We took our in-spiration from the budget cuts, from the fact that people were losing their jobs and houses,” he continued. His musical partner, Carter, also known as “Mike Pre,” is looking at music full time. He already has his own studio, called “Stunna Productions,” based at his home in San Carlos. Carter and St Louis

are working together on recording an album. “Music is my life and my inspira-tion is my parents, both of whom continue to push me forward to achieve my dreams,” Carter said.

Petero QauqauThe San Matean

Students write song for strike

Photo by Petero Qauqau of The San Matean

Student Timothy St Louis helped create a theme song for March’s budget cut protests.

NewsFebruary 22, 2010 The SAN MATEAN • Page 3

Black History Month will be marked by three on-campus events – a lecture on Haiti, a film viewing and the Karamu Feast. The Diversity in Action Group, Multicultural Center and Office of Student Life worked together to plan the activities. Two speakers with Haitian ties spoke before an audience of nearly 30, Feb. 16 in Bldg 19, Room 104. The lecturers addressed the prob-lems Haiti will face in the wake of the Jan. 12 earthquake. It may take 10 to 15 years for the nation to recover, according to one of the speakers, Reginald Jean-Gilles, who works with the International Students Center at Sacramento Community College. “Haiti needs all the charity it can get,” Jean-Gilles said. “There is an urgent need to rebuild commerce, infrastructure and the education system.” The 7.0 magnitude quake and a

lack of basic medical care has already caused more than 200,000 deaths. People who have homes still standing do not sleep indoors, be-cause they are afraid another e a r t h q u a k e will strike. “Many have set up camps in their own c o m p o u n d s and are accom-modating oth-er Haitians,” Jean -Gi l l e s said. Though born in the United States, Jean-Gilles was raised in Haiti, and his parents are still there. They have been squatting

in their compound and take in up to 25 people every night.

Petero QauqauThe San Matean

Haiti talk kicks off Black History Month “Haiti’s problem i s tied to Haiti’s history,” CSU Sacramento Assistant Vice President Dr. J ean -P ie r r e Bayard, the other speaker, said. Bayard immigra t ed f rom Hai t i over 20 years ago. “60 percent of the population can’t read or write,” Bayard said. “With the illiteracy rate so high, a majority of the people are poor.

“With most schoo l s de -

stroyed, I was looking into a kind of adopt-a-school program or a

book drive – something that would get to those in need. But this would have to be carefully planned out first,” he said. After a rebuilding phase, emphasis will need to be placed on building the economy through commerce, Bayard said. The second Black History Month event was a viewing of the docu-mentary “African American Lives,” Feb. 18 in the Little Theater. An audience of eight watched Harvard professor and scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ film. The movie traces the genealo-gies of eight prominent African-Americans. The blend of historical public records and scientific DNA analysis reveals their complex racial identities. The final event is the Karamu Feast on Feb. 25. The public event will be an op-portunity for students, faculty and staff to sample African cuisines in Bldg 17, Room 112. Karamu is a Swahili word for “a place of joyful gathering.”

(From left) Speakers Dr. Jean-Pierre Bayard and Reginald Jean-Gilles were introduced by student Shawn McGriff, social science major.

Photo by Cecile Basnage of The San Matean

The Disabled Students Programs and Services took a 45 percent budget cut for the 2009-10 fiscal year. This puts the program in a $265,000 deficit, said Director of Student Support Services Danita

Scott-Taylor. Because of cuts, the testing process will take longer. It normally takes eight to 10 hours to test a student for a disability. Right now, the DSPS can only perform 12 hours a week of testing. Students who have been enrolled

William HennesseyThe San Matean

Budget chopped for testing disabled students longer and are closer to transferring will have higher priority over those who have enrolled more recently. Students can be tested off campus, but those tests can run over $1,000. The DSPS Staff is facing other hardships as well. They had to let go of the staff involved with Instruc-

tional Adapted Physical Education Program, and there is still a vacancy on the staff that cannot be filled because of the lack of funds. Right now the DSPS has only two Learning Disability Specialists, one part-time and one volunteer, help-ing out with testing.

Although there is no financial relief in sight, Kevin Sinarle, DSPS counselor, said students can help by getting in touch with their State Representatives and participating in the Student Marches, March 4 in San Francisco and March 22 in Sacramento.

The district will present a parcel tax to voters on the June ballot, and has until March 11 to submit its proposal. The Board of Trustees will ap-

prove language for the measure at its meeting, Feb. 24. Bryan Godbe, President of Godbe Research in San Mateo, offered the board an array of choices at their Feb. 10 meeting. The most successful scenario appeared to be a dollar amount “in

John ServatiusThe San Matean

District proposes parcel tax to raise fundsthe mid-thirties,” with 69 percent of the vote, Godbe said. With 220,000 parcels in San Mateo County, the measure would raise $6 million annually. The four-year term of the measure “is fairly common,” Godbe said. A two-thirds vote is necessary for

passage, he said. “The board has pretty much decided to move ahead with it,” said Barbara Christensen, spokes-woman for the district. She confirmed that the annual per parcel tax would be $34, and that it would bring in $6 - $7 million a year

for the four-year period of the tax. “Everybody was shocked that the number was so high,” said Karen Schwarz, a member of the board of trustees. “I don’t think that we can ignore that,” she said. “It’s absolutely up to the voters.”

The Extended Opportunity Pro-grams and Services’ main mission is to provide low-income students with an opportunity to progress towards their education. This program is funded by the state of California with the intention to aid students and let them work towards an educational goal, be it an associate’s degree or a transfer plan to a four-year university. To take advantage of EOPS, a stu-dent must be considered full-time with a minimum of 12 units, and be eligible for a Board of Governors fee waiver. Additionally, the student must have completed less than 70 units and meet additional criteria determined

Bruno ManriqueThe San Matean

EOPS helps low-income students reach educational goalsby a staff member, including basic Math and English placement. EOPS had a total of 537 CSM students enrolled in the program in the last academic year. This semester, 242 students are enrolled. “This program counts with a state budget of $415,000 for this aca-demic year, including a carry-over of funds from last year,” Director of Student Service Danita Scott-Taylor said. “We offer program-exclusive opportunities such as the Orozco/Yoshimura scholarship,” EOPS Counselor Lorena G. del Mundo said. This scholarship was named after Adrian Orozco and Yoneo “Bo” Yoshimura, two EOPS counseling pioneers.

Some of the tasks that a student must do to remain on this program are to complete a progress report for each class, and meet with a

counselor three times a semester to regulate educational progress. “Our program helps students with the cost of books, but also creates

a community where they feel com-fortable and are able to succeed,” Program Services Coordinator Tami Hom said.

SanMatean@smccd.edu

Check out

SanMatean.com

for more stories, pictures and archives of past issues.

NewsPage 4 • The SAN MATEAN February 22, 2010

Quarterback Matthias Pelesasa, Western Kentucky University

Quarterback Matthias Pele-sasa, 21, who helped lead the Bulldogs to their first ever State Championship game last year, is moving to the Sun Belt to play for the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers.

“I would want my family to watch me play, but I think a change of lifestyle, transferring out of state to a new community would be a

good experience for me,” said Pelesasa of the move to the Mideast. “My family are all very happy for me and it is a great relief off my back for me to know that my parents no longer have to continue worrying about paying for my college education.”

“All the successes I have accomplished are all due to the program,” said Pelesasa. “CSM gave me a good foun-dation of football and academics; the coaches do whatever it takes to put us out there and I love them to death.”

“I will always be proud to be a Bulldog for life and will always be proud to represent the program and the Bull-dogs,” Pelesasa said.

Pelesasa initially majored in communications in CSM but later switched to majoring in business management. “I am on the fence right now on which major to take (at West-ern Kentucky),” said Pelesasa. “I might major in business management and minor in communications or vice versa.”

Pelesasa hopes to one day pursue a career as a sports broadcaster.

Offensive Lineman Kameron Edwards, Lamar University

Offensive lineman Kameron Edwards, 19, has accepted a schol-arship to Lamar University, where he would be part of the first foot-ball team that will be playing for Lamar since Lamar’s football pro-gram was dropped in 1989.

“The reason I chose Lamar is that I want to be part of a new dy-

nasty, part of a brand new program,” Edwards said.Edwards also cited the small classroom sizes for why

he chose Lamar.“Unlike schools like Arizona State (University) or

(University of) Houston, where there are 60-70 students in each class, Lamar has small class sizes of 25 people, so I will be able to get more of the one-on-one learning I need,” said Kameron. “Also, Lamar is more community-based, situated in the country, so there will be no distractions.”

Edwards majored in liberal arts at CSM and will be majoring in sociology with a minor in business at Lamar.

“I am not doing this for myself; this degree is for my whole family, to help support my family,” said Edwards. The Edwards family recently welcomed the birth of their newborn son Kameron Donte Edwards Jr. on Feb. 12 and his daughter Kamari turns one today. (Birthday Feb. 22)

Edwards plans to live in the dorms in his first year and move into an apartment in his second year so he can bring his family over. Edwards will be leaving for Lamar in June and will stay in touch with his family via Facebook and Skype. In the meantime, Edwards is busy concentrating on his studies at CSM and is looking to spend as much time with his family as he can.

He will also miss his mother, who is “proud that I am taking the right step”, and his Bulldog family.

“I am never going to get the (Bulldog) experience any-where else, an experience I will always remember and miss a lot,” said Edwards.

Like Elder, Edwards had joined the CSM Bulldog football program because he wanted to get the same type of coaching that he got at Luther Burbank High. Luther Burbank High’s coaching staff are Bulldog alumni.

“The coaches at CSM are all about teaching you how to survive in the real world,” said Edwards. “They set that standard and put good pressure on your to get your grades

Bulldogs win scholarships to 4-year universities, remember coaches and teammates

up.”Edwards’ real aim is to get a sports management de-

gree, but as Lamar does not offer that major, he hopes to get it at another university after he graduates from Lamar. In high school, Edwards had made a promise with Elder that if either one makes it to the NFL, the other would sup-port him as his agent.

“While I would love to play in the NFL one day my-self, if that doesn’t work out, I want to get a sports manage-ment degree so that I can be a sports agent and help support my Bulldog teammates who make it to the next level,” said Edwards.

At Lamar, Edwards will be one hour’s drive from where teammate Matangi Tonga currently is, at University of Houston. They both plan to find time to meet a few times a year amidst their packed academic and football sched-ules.

All-American Safety Eddie Elder, Arizona State University

Despite verbally signing on to play for the University of Arizona Wildcats, a transcript discrepan-cy allowed All-American safety Eddie Jiles Elder, 20, who was named state defensive player of the year, to make a switch to play for rival Arizona State University Sun Devils.

“The football programs at both universities are both great, but I like it at Arizona State as it is more family oriented,” Elder said.

And family is very important to Elder. “When you are on the field, you won’t be as good if you have nothing to play for,” said Elder. “When I play football, I play for my friends, and especially for my family. That is basically my goal when I am on the field.”

Elder will miss his family, as although Arizona is only a state away from California, it is still a 12-hours’ drive from Sacramento and his family won’t be able to come watch him play as often.

He will also miss his other family, his Bulldogs foot-ball family. “The coaches were all very supportive and gave us real support whenever we needed it,” said Elder. “My teammates and my coaches, they are like family to me too.”

Elder majored in business and communications at CSM, but is seriously considering making a switch to ma-joring in social work at Arizona State. “I love children, and if football doesn’t work out for me, I want to to work in a profession where I will be able to really help children.”

Defensive Back Owo Mobio, Wingate University

Defensive back Owo Mobio has signed on to play with Wing-ate University Bulldogs in North Carolina.

“It just felt right; they really wanted me and as a player that’s what you want, someone to want you to be a part of their family,” said Mobio.

Mobio, who will be joining his new Bulldog family in the

summer, credits the CSM Bulldogs program for helping him develop as a person both on and off the field.

“I don’t think I could have gotten anything like this anywhere else, not even at a four-year university,” Mobio said. “The coaches at CSM taught me so much about how to be a man and also developed me as a player and student athlete. I am a CSM Bulldog for life.”

“I am going to miss my teammates; they are great

people and I love all of them,” said Mobio. “I am going to miss my family a lot; I am also going to miss California. But I have to go and make both CSM and my family proud and make something of myself.”

Mobio majored in liberal arts at CSM but will ma-jor in either political science or environmental science at Wingate.

“I hope to further my football career but if that doesn’t happen I look to find a job in my major and work my way to the top just like it football,” Mobio said. “I’m interested in politics and I want to be involved in the environment and making it better and safer for the future generation to come. I just want to contribute to the world and have an impact whether it be big or small.”

“With hard work anything is possible,” he continued. “It’s like our saying: CSM plays hard and never quit. Play-ing hard and never quitting is not just in football and I think that everyone of us will go on to do great things.”

Defensive Back End Earl Anthony Joseph, William Jewell College

Defensive back Earl Anthony Joseph has signed on to play with the William Jewell College Cardi-nals in Missouri.

The education and academ-ics (at William Jewell) are good,” said Joseph. “It reminds me of (College of) San Mateo.”

“Also, just like the coaches at CSM, the football coaches at Mis-souri are down-to-earth; they got

your back 100 percent and are willing to go the extra mile for you,” Joseph said.

“I will still miss CSM and the camaraderie with my teammates,” Joseph said. “Nowhere can you duplicate the coaches (at CSM) and nowhere can you duplicate the heart (of a community college like CSM).”

CSM will not the only thing that Joseph would miss.“The hardest part of moving is not being with my fam-

ily,” said Joseph, who had just got back from driving his 13-year-old sister Ketiesha to school.

“I am leaving this Sunday (Jan. 24), so even if it is just a chance to spend an extra five minutes with my sis-ter, I will take it,” said Joseph. Joseph wakes up at 7 a.m. on school days to drive his sister to school as often as he can. “If it wasn’t for football, I wouldn’t want to leave, but I have been playing football since I was seven and this scholarship to Missouri is a great opportunity.”

Joseph majored in business management at CSM, and hopes to get his bachelor degree in business management at William Jewell. “I want to go into finance and business, so it is important that I learn (business management) skills (from college).”

Defensive Lineman Andrew Moeaki, San José State University

Defensive lineman Andrew Moeaki chose to commit to San José State University so he could stay close to his family.

“I chose San José because I want my family to see my games,” said Moeaki, who has been living in San Mateo all his life.

Moeaki plans to major in sociology at CSM and San José. Like Elder, Moeaki likes working

with children and working with people.While he “would always want to remain on the field

(playing football)” and hopes to play in the NFL one day, Moeaki is interested in working in the criminal justice sys-tem as a probation officer.

Ten Bulldogs players have signed their letters of intent to play for the football teams of 4-year universities, earning them full scholarships to pursue their bachelor degrees.

NewsFebruary 22, 2010 The SAN MATEAN • Page 5

Bulldogs win scholarships to 4-year universities, remember coaches and teammates

“I have been through that road when I was younger, and would like to help keep youths out of jail by helping them to get back on track,” Moeaki said.

Moeaki is thankful for the many opportunities that CSM gave him and would miss his teammates, who are “all like brothers” to him. “Like we always say once a Bulldog always a Bulldog and everyone knows offense is cool but defense rules ‘Darkside for Life’,” said Moeaki, referring to the Bulldogs’ No. 1 state defensive ranking last year.

“The CSM Bulldog program is more than just foot-ball,” said Moeaki. “The coaches also teach you life les-sons, like how to communicate with people. Without them and without the support of all of CSM, none of this would have been possible. I would like to give a special thanks to all my coaches and to the teachers that cared for me.”

Running Back David Aknin, UC Berkeley

Running back David Aknin has signed on to play with UC Berkeley and will be transferring there in June.

“I chose Berkeley because it is close to home so my friends and family can come to see me play,” said Aknin, who lives in San Car-los. “I also chose Berkeley for the academics; my whole family taught me the importance of edu-

cation.” Washington Monthly ranked Berkeley first in its 2009 National University College rankings.

Aknin has an AA majoring in liberal arts at CSM but plans to major in economics at Berkeley. “I have a genuine interest in the finance industry,” Aknin said.

“I am going to miss my teammates,” Aknin said. “CSM is like my family and my second home. It was an amazing experience and I will never forget the coaches who help everyone of us evolve as a person and I am very thankful to all the supporters (of the team).”

Upon graduating from Carlmont High, Aknin initially joined high school teammate Anthony Burrell to play for City College of San Francisco but left the CCSF program after a month. “I found a better fit at CSM,” Aknin said.

“CSM is an offensive team,” joked Aknin in response to Moeaki’s quip that “defense rules ‘Darkside for Life’.”

He looks forward to playing against Elder in a tele-vised game on Nov. 26. “We may be buddies, but on the field it is business; we are top competitors,” said Aknin with a laugh.

Aknin hopes to one day bring his game to the next level. “It is the dream of all aspiring (football) student ath-letes to play for the NFL,” Aknin said.

All-American Outside Linebacker Jack Forbes, Portland State University

All-American outside line-backer Jack Forbes has committed to play for the Portland State Uni-versity Vikings and will be leaving CSM on Mar. 27 or early April.

“My sister lives in Portland and I have extended family mem-bers living in Seattle,” said Forbes, who lives in Pacifica. “I am a fam-ily guy; staying in the West Coast is very important to me and my

family will be able to come and watch most of my games.”“I visited the university and it was right in the middle

of the city; I am a city guy and I like the lights and city at-mosphere,” said Forbes. “The football program at Portland has a brand new coaching staff who are going to turn things around and I really want to try and help them out.”

Forbes wants to follow in his father’s footsteps and be a firefighter. His father is a fire captain at San Francisco.

Forbes plans to enroll at CSM’s firefighter academy before transferring to Portland State to major in business and communications as Portland does not offer a major in Fire Technology.

“Firefighting is a good job; I grew up in that environ-ment my whole life and it is like being around a big fam-ily,” Forbes said.

“It is like a big family at CSM too; I will miss my teammates and coaches, the camaraderie and brother-hood,” said Forbes.

“All the coaches are great; they taught me a lot. My teammates I consider as my brothers. When I am on the field I trust them to watch my backs just as I do theirs, and you can only trust family to do that,” he said.

Slot Eric Roberson, Northern Arizona University

Slot Eric Roberson has signed on to play with the Northern Ari-zona University Lumberjacks and looks forward to playing against Elder in their first game this fall against the Sun Devils.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun; I promise not to whack him too hard if he makes me look good,” joked Roberson in a role reversal of El-

der’s safety against his receiver position.Like Tonga, Roberson has an associate degree major-

ing in physical science and is interested in a career as a personal fitness trainer.

He is currently taking some additional Math and English classes this spring at CSM before transferring to Northern Arizona in the fall.

“I like the atmosphere; the people there are very nice, the coaches are great and they have a great program,” cited Roberson as his reasons for joining the Lumberjacks.

“Even though it is going to be different, not seeing my family everyday like I do here, it is part of the process,” said Roberson.

“It is a two-hour flight and nine-hour drive from Cali-fornia so my family will probably come to watch me play for half the games,” he said.

Roberson credits the Bulldog football program for all his successes on and off the field.

“Without them, who knows where I will be right now,” said Roberson.

“No offense to the other programs, but the Bulldogs have the greatest program, and there is not one that is bet-ter,” he said.

“From the coaches to the people behind the scenes, they check with our families to ensure that all of us are do-ing well; they make sure that each of us get our highlight videos and make sure - there are about 100 of us - that all of us are on track to get our AA degrees,” said Roberson. “This is really a D1 (Division 1) program and I am honored to play with them and proud to call myself a Bulldog.”

All-American Defensive Lineman Matangi Tonga, University of Houston - Texas

All-American defensive line-man Matangi Tonga, 22, who was named most valuable defensive player in the state championship game last year, majored in physi-cal science at CSM.

He wants to further his major at the University of Houston in Texas.

“I have been playing sports

my whole life,” said Tonga. “I have always been interested in player injury and

would like to become a sports physical therapist. So it is important that I get my B.A. majoring in physical science (from University of Houston),” he said.

“I have one year of eligibility left, so I want to go to a team that was going to be good,” said Tonga of the Hous-ton Cougars football team.

“When you are playing for a good team, you are going to want to play your best,” he said.

Tonga hopes to one day play football professionally for the National Football League.

“That has always been my lifelong dream, hopefully to one day play in the NFL,” said Tonga.

Tonga comes from a family of athletes; Tonga credits his athlete genes to his father Latiune Tonga, who used to played rugby.

His older brother Manase Tonga plays for Brigham Young University, his younger brother Siosifa Tonga plays for the Lewis and Clark (college) football team and Tonga played together with his cousin running back Seta Pohahau on the CSM Bulldogs team last year.

When Tonga first came to CSM more than two years ago, he was rusty from not playing football for two years, and he credits defensive line coach Dave Heck for helping him get back into the game.

“Coach Heck started to get me used to playing foot-ball again by teaching me the mechanics and techniques (of playing football),” Tonga said.

“All the coaches are all very willing to help,” said Tonga.

“If you do your part they do theirs. We have the best and dedicated coaching staff here at CSM, it is like a fam-ily,” he said.

“Everyone was so close together last year; everyone wanted to play well for each other,” said Tonga.

“We take pride in how we play. There was really no selfish play so we played well as a team and I think that is the reason we were ranked the number one defense in the state last year,” he said.

Tonga also credited his coaches for the ranking.“(Defensive coordinator) Coach (Tim) Tulloch would

be the first one to let us know whenever he felt that we were not playing to our fullest potential,” Tonga said.

“He would say to those of us who he thinks are slack-ing: ‘you are not playing like a Bulldog’. We always try our best to give 100 percent and maybe even more after hearing that comment from him,” he said.

Coach’s Reflection

“This is why we coach; we coach to help young men find opportunities, not only to help them develop as foot-ball players, but also to help them get a college education, a bachelor’s degree, and help them develop as young men,” said Tulloch of the scholarships.

“We are very happy for all of them; the scholarships will help them a lot,” said Tulloch. “All the players have worked extremely hard.”

About 15 to 20 Bulldogs players receive offers of scholarships from four-year universities every year but more can be expected this year due to the Bulldogs’ most successful run since the program began in 1922. Many players are still in talks with the four-year universities and will sign their letters of intent by the end of spring.

— Sharon Ho The San Matean

Ten Bulldogs players have signed their letters of intent to play for the football teams of 4-year universities, earning them full scholarships to pursue their bachelor degrees.

Check out

SanMatean.com

for color photos of players receiving scholarships.

sports/eNtertaiNmeNtPage 6 • The SAN MATEAN February 22, 2010

Brenda Barrientos, 20Dental Hygiene, San Mateo

“I’m rooting for Penelope Cruz because I really like the musical and her dance.”

What are your thoughts on the Oscars?

In the Mix By Cecile Basnage

Lorenz Baldon, 21Hospitality, Burlingame

“I don’t know who’s nominated-- I like watching what everyone is wearing.”

Elaine Martinez, 20 English, Daly City

“The Hurt Locker might win.”

Vale Kress, 21Music, San Mateo

“I’m for Avatar and Inglorious Bastards... I haven’t really seen anything.”

Chad Hendrick, 21Undecided, San Bruno

“I don’t watch the Oscars.”

Bruno Manrique The San Matean

Bulldogs beat Hawks, 76-62

The Lady Bulldogs played host to City College of San Francisco, Friday, Feb 12. For three and a half quarters, it was a competitive game, until CCSF countered with consecutive 3-point jumpers, to finally pull away from CSM with a sixteen point lead. The game started evenly as Erica Hayes got the first steal of the game in the first six seconds of regulation. She dribbled the length of the court to score a lay-up. The Lady Bulldogs involved their center Alisi Niupalau in basic pick and roll plays for easy scoring inside. The Rams responded in bunches as they scored their first four baskets

from beyond the arc. They applied full-court pressure in every pos-session, whether it would be after a made basket or a long rebound, burning about eight to ten seconds off the clock. “We were just patient and tried to pass the ball efficiently,” said fresh-

man point guard Jackie Orje, 18. CCSF’s backcourt provided very solid offensive rebounding as Shawnte Taylor and Ciera Fos-ter seemed to gather every long rebound after a three-point miss. Rams head coach Jamie Hayes

played a high-post based offense, which often caught CSM off-guard with baseline cuts to the basket resulting in open lay-up opportu-nities. In spite of the persistent rebound-ing, CSM hung around, trailing by just six points at halftime.

The Lady B u l l d o g s turned the ball over twenty one times in the game, which ended up cost-ing them the

game. The Rams shot thirty-one free throws to the Lady Bulldogs’ eleven, a devastating total of plus twenty. Their backcourt shot the three ef-ficiently as four of their five shooters

had more than one three-pointer in the game. “Their ability to drive and kick the ball to the outside hurt us, they have great execution and often find the open shooter for a good look,” said CSM Head Coach Michelle Warner. Erica Hayes had a very efficient game with 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals, supported by a strong 5 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks from Janisa Jones, who made most of her impact on the defensive end. “The most challenging aspect of playing (CCSF) was defending their 3-point shot and running with them, they’re very well conditioned,” said forward Janisa Jones, 20. CSM will face Las Positas College on Wednesday, Feb 17 in their last home game of the season.

Bruno Manrique The San Matean

Rams make big run, beat CSM 80-64

The Lady Bulldogs beat the Lady Hawks of Las Positas College on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 76-62. This game was also “sophomore’s night” for the Lady Bulldogs, as second-year players were presented with bouquets of roses and noble words by the announcer. “When I heard their names an-nounced, I thought ‘Wow, seven of our girls are leaving soon.’ They’ve gone through so much, it’s nice to see them succeed,” Assistant Coach Vange Chau said. CSM established an early domi-nation in the paint as their guards chased their own misses on the offensive glass only to put them back in. CSM went to the line often as they shot 37 total free-throws in the game, making only 22 of them. Seven players went to the line at least four times. “We drove in (the paint) more and attacked the basket, that made the difference in us getting to the line

so much,” sophomore center Alisi Niupalau, 20, said. The Lady Hawks offense was stagnant, as they could not handle the half-court pressure and often rushed shots instead of working to get better looks. Las Positas also looked exhausted at times, that being due to only hav-ing seven active players on their roster – four forwards, three guards. After running their offense through shooting guard Stefanie Montanez, who committed a few turnovers early in the half, the Lady Hawks switched to their forward Marree-sha Lynch who did not have any more success than Montanez as she committed several traveling violations. CSM led by more than 20 points for most of the first half, but the lead was cut after a 10-0 Las Positas run with 2:58 to go in the second half. The Lady Bulldogs pulled off a 14-point win against a conference opponent, but this meant more than just another win, at least it did for sophomore forward Janisa Jones. That morning her East Palo Alto

home was struck by a plane. Despite the morning tragedy, Jones suited up in her number 32 jersey and started in the Lady Bulldogs’ last home game. Jones filled up the stat sheet once again with yet another double-dou-

ble of 11 points and 12 rebounds, also adding five assists and three steals. “Basketball is my outlet,” Jones said. “(I used it) so I could forget everything that went down and play with heart and passion like I

always do.” The Lady Bulldogs will play their last game of the season on Friday, Feb. 19, against Chabot College in Hayward. A CSM win will clinch their spot on the playoffs.

Photo by Petero Qauqau of The San Matean

(From left) The Lady Bulldogs, Alisa Rhodes; Alisi Niupalau; Jackie Orje; Janisa Jones; Erica Hayes; Denise Won; and Ofa Taimani.

“Their ability to drive and kick the ball to the outside hurt us, they have great execution and often find the open shooter for a good look.” — CSM Head Coach Michelle Warner

Still trying to get your Bulldog

fix?

Check out TheSanMatean.com

for more sports stories, stats and pictures.

NewsFebruary 22, 2010 The SAN MATEAN • Page 7

Historian and best-selling author Professor James W. Loewen spoke before an audience of about 250 people at the Feb. 17 President’s Lecture Series in the Little Theater. Loewen, 68, began the lecture by explaining his background. He grew up in Illinois and graduated from Harvard University. He has been

Julie Myhre The San Matean

President’s Lecture Series reveals history’s liesteaching for over 20 years and is a regular contributor to the History Channel’s “History” magazine. Much of what students have learned in history classes is not completely accurate, Loewen said. To explain this hypothesis, he introduced “historiography,” the writing of history. A reader needs to keep in mind both when a piece was written as well as the story it tells, he said.

“Never visit a historical monument without a magic marker,” Loewen said as he showed a picture of a monument in Almo, Idaho with graffiti marks left by uncredited Native Americans. Loewen explained that some “events” in history never actually occurred, using the 1861 Almo Idaho Indian Massacre as an ex-ample. He also explained that some events in history have never been

documented in a history book. “His lecture was a real eye-opening experience because many of the events he mentioned, I have never heard of,” said Diana Hoegerle, 26, political science major. One event which has never been documented is the Nadir Race Rela-tion, from 1890 to 1940, according to Loewen. He explained how this event was one of the darkest times in United States’ History because

this was when racism flourished. “I’m surprised that in history class today there is no mention of the Na-dir era,” Wesley Nunes, 23, political science major said. “It’s a disservice to our students, especially given our political climate today.” Immediately following the lecture, Loewen held a book-signing in the lobby of the Little Theater, where his latest book “Teaching What Really Happened” was sold.

to a new one. The mechanics of the plane’s steering system were functional, Cawthra indicated. “Flight control continuity has been verified,” he said, but he declined to offer any analysis of what other factors might have contributed to the crash. The full investigation is expected to take between six months and a year. Both of the engines separated

from the plane and were intact, but there was no “black box” or other on-board recording device, Cawthra said. “The downed power pole is cur-rently in two pieces and is being prepared to be air-lifted out by heli-copter,” PG&E news representative Joe Molica said. The power pole was apparently the initial point of impact in the crash. PG&E is erecting a new power pole

to replace the downed one. Until then, electricity is being routed through other poles to maintain power in the affected neighborhood. Meanwhile, cleanup efforts con-tinue. “1180 (Beech) is being pres-sure washed,” Menlo Park Fire Protection District Chief Harold Schapelhouman, said. Six cars burned in the wake of

the crash were removed, and that work is underway to patch the roof of 1103 Beech, where one of the plane’s engines landed. “At 12:25 (Thursday, Feb. 18), the residents were allowed back inside in order to see if there were any be-longings that could be recovered,” Schapelhouman said. The Fire Protection District patched the hole in the roof of the house where the plane crashed, to

prevent any further damages to the remaining belongings of the family, he said. “We let them know all this, and they asked jokingly, ‘Will you mow our lawn too?’” Schapelhou-man said. Access to the block is restricted by the police, in an effort to assure ac-cess for PG&E and other clean-up, repair, and investigation agencies and organizations.

Crash continued from page 1

KCSM continued from page 1Students from across the Bay Area will submit short films and KCSM broadcasts them on the air. Last year they had 108 entries. The station will see drastic chang-es, but “CSM broadcasting classes

will remain fairly unchanged,” Broadcasting professor Michelle Brown said. Since the TV station and broadcast-ing program are different entities, the classes will see little impact.

There are now between 80 and 100 students enrolled in the programs, and the state provides funds. “Even if (KCSM station) goes away, the classes will remain,” Brown said.

While the television station struggles to stay alive, KCSM radio is not doing as badly financially. They just finished their first of three fundraisers of the year. With a pledge goal of $325,000, they

raised $340,000. But, because KCSM radio and KCSM-TV are two separate fi-nancial entities, the surplus money cannot be transferred from the radio to the TV station.

Protests continued from page 1 “The ASSC has been working very hard to organize events to help educate students on the impact the state budget has both at Skyline and community colleges across the state,” said Denisse Gonzalez, Associated Students of Skyline College president. The group “Skyline Against the

Cuts,” a group of students, workers and faculty, has decided to take a different approach to the call for a “local day of action.” The group is planning to spend the morning working to raise student awareness, then planning a 10 a.m. walkout. “At the Thursday (Feb. 11) meeting, with a healthy turnout,

everybody in the room was saying ‘I think we should do a walkout’,” said Michelle Araica, an organizer of the group. “Cañada Strikes Back,” another group of students, staff and faculty, is also discussing and voting on a walkout. “We’re planning on doing it in a

democratic process,” Cañada Ad-junct Professor Robert Ovetz said. The details of actions to be en-dorsed by Cañada Strikes Back are to be worked out in the group’s general assembly meetings every Tuesday from 2 to 3 p.m. in the study rooms at the back of the campus library.

“There’s a lot of excitement to take direct action on campus,” said organizer Katy Rose. There are also budget cut protests planned at the San Francisco Civic Center, March 4 at 1:30 p.m. and again at 5 p.m., as well as other protests and rallies planned across the state, and the country.

adviSer: Ed Remitz

Member ofJournalism

Association of Com-munity

Colleges

Are budget protests effective?

opiNioN & public forum February 22, 2010Page 8 • The SAN MATEAN

editorial Back Talkby Cecile Basnage

Amadell Alfonso, 21 Dentistry, Pacifica

“No, I don’t, because nothing has really changed.”

Simone Cappadocia, 21Accounting/Astro., San Mateo

“I wouldn’t say it’s over. But miracles will have to be performed.”

spin CyCle

After thinking long and hard, the realization struck me- the budget cuts really are for the best. It’s time that we and our fellow Californians learn to “make do.”

The planet has limited resources, and likewise the state, it stands to reason. The important thing at this juncture is to evaluate the situation, and assess how best to distribute these limited resources.

To start with, the college is currently looking at 30 percent increases in fees, while eliminating faculty and reducing the availability of classes. Projected future budgets show no sign of impending change.

Following this trend, every three and one-third years tuition will double, while faculty will shrink, and shrink some more. Facilities such as the greenhouse and KCSM-TV face elimination, and likewise more and more facilities will undoubtedly soon face elimination as well.

Without the greenhouse and surrounding flora, what will the horticulture department do? Obviously, they will “make do.” There are plenty of other plants on campus. Right?

They can study those.And what about the loss of KCSM-TV? What will the broadcasting department do without KCSM-TV?Well they could give up, switch their majors to horticulture, and study the beautiful lawns that the cam-

pus makes a point of maintaining... or they can “make do.” They have digital cameras that can be used to make films, many even have these in their phones. They have laptops. They have internet access. They can make their films on their cameras, edit them on their laptops, and upload the films to YouTube.

Voila, problem solved. Budget balanced.As for next year, well the faculty of the broadcast department can be let go obviously- all the students

really need is documentation for the assortment of gadgets involved, and they can find that online. Likewise the horticulture faculty, the campus landscapers can lecture expertly about the lawns, no need for expensive faculty.

And while we’re at it, let’s get rid of the math department. If the students’ phones don’t have calculators, then there’s always Google.

And the year after that? Well, at this point the educational interests of the students’ would best be served by not bothering to enroll. That way the students will be able to instead invest that money in an upgrade for their phones, laptops, and internet provider bandwidth.

Teach the students to teach themselves. Autodidaction 110. Lab hours at the discretion of each student.In other words, the district can really save a lot of money by cutting- the district.I’m sure it’s an option that the Board of Trustees will give due consideration.

— Alex FarrThe San Matean

The bright side of budget cuts

Staff: Stephen Barsanti, Taylor Bickel, Julie Burns, Toi Cheung,

Carina Collins, Chris DePass, Ashley Farabee, Tevye Friedlander, Jeffrey Gonzalez, Tommy Hart, Christopher Haynes, William Hennessey, Doreen Joiner, Trygve Katigbak,

Marcin Marciniak, Marjorie Mopas, Julie Myhre, Tannith Patterson, Jessica Ritter, Will Ruddock, Michelle Wang, Nick Zirbes

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. Advertis-ing 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.

adviSer: Ed Remitz

Founded in 1928

advertiSing: Jennifer Mills415-359-2772 • jmills@sfexaminer.com

CollegeMember ofCalifornia

NewspaperPublishers

Association

Member ofJournalism

Association of Com-munity

Colleges

San MateanTHE

Petero QauQau

maNagiNg editor

CeCile BaSnage

photo editor

Bruno ManriQue

sports editor

Senior Staff writer: John Servatius

Margaret BauM

executive editor

alex farr

editor

Manuel orBegozo

eNtertaiNmeNt editor

Sarah Madsen, 18 Undeclared, Pacifica

“To a certain degree. If people get pumped up, it might work, but if there’s no incentive, it won’t.”

Julia Trabucco, 18 Culinary Arts, Pacifica

“Sometimes people just protest without knowing what they’re protesting. Some people just hear about it because of their friends and they do it too.”

Kushboo Anadita, 18 Dentistry, Redwood City

“It is, but I think we could do more. Like me, since I’m an independent and also trying to support my family- my dad is out of a job.”

Brian Robertson, 23Journalism, Menlo Park

“Not particularly, but I’m still glad they happen because they raise awareness.”

Take a standBudget cut protests mean that it’s time for students to decide how

much they want their education.

Students now must ask themselves if they want to celebrate the class cancellations as if they were an extended holiday, or if they want avail-able classes. If students want to maintain access to classes, the time has come to make their voices heard. Go to the budget cut marches, swell the numbers at the protests, make noise. It must be realized that budgets are an allocation of resources, and that allocations are made according to priorities as judged by those draw-ing up the budgets. Students who seem unconcerned about their classes can only indicate to those making budgets that there is room to cut resources for education, and to community colleges in particular. Stu-dents who are out on the streets marching in protest of proposed cuts sends the opposite message- that students are enthusiastic about their own education. Marches and protests and teach-ins are all very important methods of loudly expressing the value that students place on their education. And it must also be realized that the value of the education is related to the perceived quality of the educational institution. Every class elimi-nated, every program diminished, every aspect of the institution that is lost by the wayside, impacts the quality of the education provided. Part of the value of the college is the breadth of classes available. Every re-duction, even of classes that a given student may not be interested in, is a reduction of the perceived value of the education offered.

First Amendment update:Meeting held

The San Matean is involved in an ongoing dispute with the adminis-tration concerning the future of its newspaper and website. A meeting was held on Feb. 18 to discuss any changes being made to journalism offerings and how this would effect the publication and the program. A letter was sent to President Michael Claire from a pro bono lawyer representing the interests of The San Matean in December requesting the meeting. Representing The San Matean were Rachel Matteo-Boehm, pro bono legal counsel; Jim Ewert, Legal Counsel for California Newspaper Pub-lisher’s Association; David Burruto, District Director for Senator Le-land Yee; Jay Seidel, President of The Journalism Association of Com-munity Colleges and the publication’s Executive Editor. The Student Press Law Center, an advocate for student press rights has also been closely monitoring the situation. Ed Remitz, Journalism Adviser was also invited to participate in the meeting and attended. Representing CSM was John Nibbelin, Deputy County Counsel for San Mateo County; Tom Casey, past County Counsel; Susan Estes, Vice President of Instruction at CSM; and Kathleen Ross, Dean of Business/ Technology. Those representing The San Matean voiced concerns about the future of the program and the transition to the new Digital Media program that will be implemented for the Fall 2010 semester.. The parties representing CSM explained that no decisions have yet been made and may not be made until the budget is passed in August and enrollement numbers are verified. All classes must meet the 20 student minimum or run the risk of being cancelled. The San Matean should remain a First Amendment student-run pub-lication and provide an independent voice for the college community.