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T R U T H • L I B E R T Y • I N T E G R I T Y

The

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POV PAGE 7

SPORTS PAGE 8

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ONLINE

FOCUS

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SCENE

Cranky Old Guy’s déjà vu with Algebra.

Stephen De La Cruz: dominates the mat for Chabot.

Mill Valley Film Festival returns to the Bay Area.

An interview with Tom deWitt of the Daraja program.

The Spectator has advice for students who are planning to transfer.

Missing links for Instruc-tional Office Building plans.

graphics and bottom photo by abraham rodriguez

Peruvian fabric art at Chabotwww.chabotspectator.com

Driving the future

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Obama administration supplied electric vehicle programs with stimulus money to help with research and development. City College of San Francisco, in partnership with Chabot College and three Bay Area companies (Central Shops, Pat’s Garage, and Perfect Sky) received $500,000 from the federal government to create education programs for electric vehicle technology, including lithium ion battery technology. Bay Area giant Tesla Motors, the Silicon Valley based auto company uses these same batteries in their flagship vehicle, the Tesla Roadster.

This car runs on an electric battery pack that has a 200 mile range, which coupled with its lightweight carbon fiber body makes for an efficient car. Its engine is 8 inches in diameter and almost a foot long and produces about 240 horsepower, or 280 for the new Sport edition of the roadster. Because of its electric motor, it produces instantaneous torque which negates the use of a typical multi-gear transmission as seen in conventional vehicles.

Do not let the electric car stigma scare you, this is a true sports car in a different format. It still uses a conventional single din-style head unit, your lightweight sport seats and MOMO-style steering wheel with it’s black leather on metal color scheme. It even has seat warmers for both the driver and a passanger, an iPod adapter and a Bluetooth microphone to use when connected via Bluetooth on your cellphone. Instead of a standard gear box that you would find in an average car with a shifter with speeds, the Roadster only has four buttons: One to drive forward, to reverse, a neutral setting and a park. There is no need for a first or second gear because of its instant torque. You have the type of control you’d typically find in a manual in automatic setting. Above the drive settings is an LCD screen with touch settings, which displays technical information such as mileage left on battery and torque and

horsepower settings.A nifty thing about the display is that you

can set it to record your highest torque and horsepower output. If you were to give the car a good launch it would record how much horsepower is generated and the top amount of torque used as well as the amount of g-forces during the launch. On the minimalist gauge cluster is a speedometer coupled with a tachometer, along with a kilowatt gauge. The gauge displays either how much energy your using if you’re driving the car fast . Or if you’re a slow, conservative driver it would display the amount of energy being saved. To the left-hand side of the driver’s seat are the light controls. It has all the bells and whistles you’d expect in a regular, large production car.

The dashboard itself is very minimal and emphasizes Tesla’s desire to save as much weight in the car, but doesn’t pass off as ugly. It still has a combination of leather and carbon panels you’d expect to find in any super car. For those often complaining about large complicated gadgets, this would be the car for you.

In the middle arm rest area, underneath the emergency brake lies the traction control button. Turn this button off and you’ll have the Roadster going sideways. With its mid engine, rear wheel drive set up it definitely adds the excitement of a Porsche or Mercedes Benz. With it’s drilled rotors the Roadster stops can be almost instantly, almost as fast as it launched.

Because it uses an electric motor the Roadster is extremely quiet when compared to a gas operated internal combustion vehicle. On the road all you ever hear is the sound of wind hitting the car and a whine coming from the battery pack in the back of the car. That same soft, gentle whine increases whenever the car is accelerated and at high speeds becomes the only reminder that you’re driving a car and not floating rapidly above the pavement. The drilled brake rotors stop the car almost as quick as it comes to life in a quick , neck-breaking motion. The car certainly handles itself very well on

straightaways as well as corners and turns. A tour of the Palo Alto hills demonstrated how sharp the handling is. Twisty turns and sharp corners are no match for the Roadster’s lightweight carbon fiber body.

“Even if we put a gas engine, this would still be a very efficient vehicle because it’s very lightweight,” says Dan Myggen. Myggen, who works at the Tesla Dealership in Menlo Park. He explained that the components in the Roadster are made from Ion-Lythium battery packs, the same batteries used in laptop computers.

“The Roadster’s lightweight design serves two purposes: to have a high-range vehicle and to also provide a fun and sharp handling car, “ said Myggen. For electric vehicles, range is important and as cars get progressively heavier their range decreases as it takes more energy to move a heavier car. Having all of its panels made from carbon fiber and its lightweight chassis design allows the car to have a high mileage range.

Electric power is already becoming widely accepted as a new alternative. Recharge stations for electric vehicles are popping up along Highway 101 and more are being planned. The Roadster already numbers to about 700 units and already there is a new member joining the Tesla family. The Model S, an all new four door sedan, will be joining the market in 2011 and features a quicker recharge time with an evolved version of the Roadster battery system.

Tesla Motors has already built a larger headquarters and a factory in Palo Alto to increase its production. Both of these were made possible thanks to a $465 million loan from the federal government.

But what could Tesla bring for the future of the Bay Area, even California? It remains to be seen, but as of now we’re starting to see a development of more and more “green” cars on the road. And more people are driving higher efficiency vehicles. Whether or not Chabot will supply the future technicians of these vehicles is unknown at this moment, but for now, the future can be predicted as a greener forecast.

top photo by Jack barnwell

By ABrAhAm rodriguez

EdIToR IN cHIEf

How the car of tomorrowwill change the rules of today

Chabot College Thursday, October 8, 2009 chabotspectator.com

and how Chabot will be a part it

Construction for the Instructional Office Building is expected to be completed in the spring semester.

NewsThe specTaTor • Thursday, ocTober 8, 2009

2

The Chabot College Jazz Program presents:An Evening with Andy MartinTrombonist Andy Martin will be playing at the Performing Arts Center on Friday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. This world-class jazz musician, who has released eight albums and performed with many jazz groups, including Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, will be accompanied by Chabot’s Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Lab, led by John Palacio, Jr. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. For more information call (510) 723-7233 or visit chabotcollege.edu/music.

Chabot’s New Art ExhibitOpening night for the exhibit, “Picturing Paradise: Cuadros from the Peruvian Woman of Pampolona Alta as Visions of Hope” is tonight, Oct. 8 from 5 - 7 p.m. in Room 1002, the Art Gallery. The embroidered and appliquéd textiles known as cuadros were made by women who live in Pamplona Alta, Peru, outside of Lima. Through this art the women express their aspirations for the future. The exhibit will be in English and Spanish. Anyone who wants to visit can do so until Nov. 5. Mondays and Wednesdays 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. or 2:15- 3 p.m.

College Seeking Art for DisplayThe Chabot Public Art Committee is inviting artists to submit original artwork that will be permanent on the campus. It would like work that makes an educational statement, and/or creates a public identity for Chabot. To apply for submission, interested artists should go to www.calforenty.org to access the Request for Qualifications, and must apply by Nov. 20. For questions contact Chair of the Public Art Committee Diane Zuliani at (510)723-6938, or e-mail dzuliani@chabotcollege.edu.

“Dig Deep”This organization and the Chabot Volleyball Team have partnered to bring fresh drinking water to people in Kenya. The team’s goal is to get enough sponsorship money for a well in Kenya. Sponsors support a player by multiplying every kill, dig, ace, assist or win of the season by the sponsor amount. All the money will go to Kenya and the money is tax deductible. To learn more, contact volleyball coach Amber Sammons at her office, (510) 723-6938, or call her cel-phone, (805) 215-2420.

It’s Not Too Late to Apply for Financial AidTo get help applying for financial aid, attend a workshop in the library in Room 119 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on one of the following dates: Oct. 14, Oct. 21, Nov. 4, Nov. 11, Nov. 18, Dec. 2, Dec. 9. Make sure to bring an e-mail address, a 2008 W-2 with income tax forms, your total of 2008 untaxed income, driver’s license or state I.D., social security card, spouse or parents’ social security numbers and dates of birth and a permanent resident card number if you are not a U.S. citizen.

NEWSLINE

The fate of the new Instructional Office Building (IOB) is still uncertain. The issue at hand is that the arrival of the new building may cause chabot to be out of state compliance in regards to how much space can be occupied by administrative and faculty staff. This would mean that Chabot would have to close one of its administrative buildings, sending some of the displaced administrators, including the president of the college into the IOB, which was promised to the faculty, who were expecting to move in this fall and have been eagerly anticipating its arrival for over a year.

This issue has stirred up a lot of questions and confusion in regards to who and how the decisions are being made involving the IOB. What’s even more frustrating is the perceived lack of communication regarding the decisions made about the issue. This is resulting in more controversy and fueling rumors of the President of Chabot College Celia Barberena allegedly making an unilateral decision regarding the future of the IOB. Vice President of Academic Services George Railey had this to say when asked about the allocation of space in the IOB; “ The office utilization study report data will be available at the end of September/beginning of October. At that time the president will share it with all constituencies regarding the occupancy of the Instructional Office Building.”

Still, several questions remain: When exactly will this report containing the informationto will help decide the fate of the building be made available to concerned faculty? Who is making the decisions regarding the allocation of space in the building? Barberena, shed some new light on the issue last week, emphasizing that Chabot is still, awaiting the report conducted by TBP, a consultants report based on space utilization. It is due out in the next few weeks if there is too much space allotted to administration and faculty before any decision regarding the IOB is made. She also stressed that if any

building were to be closed, it would be the building with the least impact on students,. This would be the administrative 200 building.

It may not be just the data the faculty is concerned about however. When asked if she planned on discussing this issue with concerned faculty members, Barberena said that the facilities committee (which is open for any concerned faculty to attend) would be involved in the decision-making process. When asked what she would say to faculty concerned about the decision-making process, she said, “The decision has not been made—data is the beginning of the discussion.”

Fate of the new office buildingstill undetermined

By elizABeth Akintomide

copY EdIToR

photo by Jack barnwell

Chabot The specTaTor • Thursday, ocTober 8, 2009

3

Program inspires success for black students

VOICESWhat extracurricular activities

are you involved in?

COMPILED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY MANNY MEDINA

By Ralston EaRlE

staff writer

“First year football.”

Bryan Jones, 18Undeclared

“Jazz combo, jazz lab and weight training for

football.”

Rich Taylor, 18Undeclared

“I want to be in the Puente program.”

Lizette Espinoza, 20Nursing

“Martial Arts.”

Hector Rodriguez, 21Undeclared

The Daraja Program has existed at Chabot College for 23 years. It was created by now-retired counselor Carolyn Greene and now-retired director of student services Ruth Self. Due to a lack of African American student success in the classroom, Darja has dedicated itself to raise the rate of African American academic achievement in the classroom and help more blacks students move on to universities.

Tom deWitt, who has been teaching English in the program for 22 years, spoke about things that have been going on in the program.

Spectator: What is new about Darja this year?

deWitt: “Daraja has a more formal and stronger relationship with Striving Black Brothers,

a support program for young black me. We have meetings together, sharing progress reports and calendars, and keep up with students.

Spectator: What is the inspiration of Daraja?

deWitt: “The main inspiration of Daraja is the Umoja Community, which is a statewide initiative. Umoja helped build programs like Daraja at 23 schools around the U.S. There are over 3,500 students that are in programs

like Darja statewide. The biggest achievement of this program is that these students are still here and still moving strong. Daraja is helping students more and more each day to learn who they are as a person and then moving on to how they can, as a student, unleash their intelligence in a powerful way. Right now Daraja and Umoja are working on making the program statewide, and adding math to the program.”

Tom deWitt

Left: Daraja’s logoPhotos courtesy of chabot college

FocusThe specTaTor • Thursday, ocTober 8, 2009

4

Allergy season is here once again, bringing with it an abundance of runny noses, itchy and watery eyes, etc.

Allergies are caused by the immune system’s response to a harmless substance in the body such as pollen, dust, and animal dander. The immune system’s job is

to protect the body against pathogens that can be potentially dangerous to a person’s health, such as viruses and bacteria.

When functioning properly the immune system keeps people from getting sick every time an ill-intentioned germ enters the body. In some cases, the immune system has a hard time

establishing the difference between the “good guys” and the “bad guys.” The overactive immune system pulls out all the stops to defend the body against these harmless substances.

These substances are also known as allergens, which

cause runny nose, sneezing, and itchy and watery eyes.

But there is one important culprit most people overlook when going over their checklist on what allergic reaction producing substances to avoid. Perfume.

Ever think your favorite scent could be potentially harmful to someone else? Disabled student counselor, Shari Jacobsen (and a sufferer of perfume allergies herself) urges Chabot students to think twice the next time they spritz

on their favorite scent. “ I know people who have had to be hospitalized due

to allergic reactions from perfume…what smells good to someone else may cause an allergic reaction in another person.”

Walk into any department store, soap boutique, or even décor and jewelry stores and you’re more than likely to be overwhelmed with the scents of perfume, deodorizer, aromatherapy candles or fragrant potpourri. These scents may be harmless to

some, while to others they present a real health hazard; allergies and sensitivities to fragrances are a health concern faced by many.

The main cause of allergic reaction to perfumes is in the chemical content of the product and the toxicity levels and

health of the person. The majority of scents and

perfumes sold today have little to no plant perfumes; instead, they are a mix of various chemicals that have been synthesized in a laboratory. Synthetic fragrances are common allergens, as are the preservatives and fixatives that are added to most commercial scents.

Who’s at Risk for a Perfume-Related Allergic Reaction?

People whose diet consists of a lot of processed food.

People who are overweight.

People who have been exposed to chemicals formaldehyde, pesticides, etc.

People experiencing health problems related to the liver, colon, skin or lungs may also find that their tolerance for perfumes and other scents are especially low---and they react more frequently with headache, sinus, or breathing problem to all kinds of smells.

Tips for Avoiding Allergies

Avoid shopping at times when supermarket aisles will be full of other customers.

Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask someone to give you more space if their perfume is offensive; most people are aware of allergies and are willing to accommodate them.

Invitations to parties can be sent out with a note to avoid wearing hair spray, perfume or cologne.

Can your perfume be harmful?By ElizaBEth akintomidE

Staff Writer

The requirements for transferring have become more of a prediction than a certainty. In past years, Chabot students were likely to be accepted at UCs if they followed the IGETC, UC’s prescribed courses. And not long ago, state schools granted acceptance to students if the students completed their general education requirements.

This is no longer the case. The traditional ways of preparing to go to a four-year college are long gone. New, strict, and unpredictable obstacles are in store for the average transferring student.

Some CSUs such as Sacramento State and San Diego State are accepting only upper division transfers.

An upper division transfer requires 60-plus units including all major preparation units. This is difficult for students wanting to go to a four-year college just after two years at Chabot. That would mean 39 units must be straight general ed, and (most likely) 15 units or more must be dedicated to major preparation. That leaves maybe one class during the whole two years devoted to an elective.

For many students this change may mean staying another year at Chabot.

The major preparations for transfers are strict. If one class is not offered at Chabot (check at assist.org) then the four-year school expects the student to enroll in

multiple community colleges also known as cross enrolling. So prepare yourself early and be flexible for upcoming changes!

On the San Jose State University Web site and the San Francisco State University Web site there is no message that they are only accepting upper division transfers. So far it looks as if they still accept lower division (requirements accomplished and a GPA of at least 2.0-2.5).

However, there are reports of students being told they had been accepted to a CSU then getting a letter from the university

By ana navarro

Chief Copy editor

Budget cuts affect hopeful transfer students

All GrAphics by chloe WAldrep

Laboratory-made chemicals in perfume are potential allergy disasters for some

Now more than ever it is more difficult for community college students to get into universities

that stated all preparation courses must be completed before entering. This is the first time universities apparently have changed their minds after acceptance of a student’s application.

The failure to fulfill requirements after an agreement promise means the university will drop the student and he or

she will have to wait an entire year before reapplying.

Another obstacle of higher education is that many schools are only taking in students for the fall semester. In order to attend a school for this year, one must

apply and be finished with all the academic requirements by Nov.

30. According to the

Tec Transfer Basics Workshop, Cal State East Bay allowed students to apply in September 2008 for enrollment in 2008. That is impossible

now and an unrealistic dream

for students wanting in for 2009 and 2010.

Chabot is setting forth every effort to help students through this transferring time. The week before Oct. 1 professors were asked to give handouts of transferring workshops. There are also many posters and flyers around campus providing important deadlines to apply to the college of your choice.

The Tec Center workshops are very small and personal. They allow you to ask as many questions as you want. It is essentially seeing a counselor instantly instead of scheduling one. However, students should also schedule a meeting with a councilor to make sure you can get into the college of your choice. Space is limited and a meeting scheduled now could mean a meeting on Nov. 29.

Transfer basics is for new Chabot students, first semester or second semester. However, this class is incredibly useful for all Chabot students who haven’t had the time to learn about transferring during their first year at Chabot.

Upcoming dates for Tec Workshops are Oct. 13, Oct. 15, and Oct. 20. Get a full detailed list of times in October and November by visiting the counselors in Building 100. There are flyers with important information on counselors’ desks or inside the Tec Center, which is the room beside the counselors’ front desk.

Finally, applying to many schools might not be the best idea. If you change your mind it’s difficult to go back to the school you want. Try not to worry about getting in.

If schools cannot accept you the first time because of recent budget cuts, you might want to stay a year at Chabot as an option. With the help of assist.org you can continue with classes your major requires to the school of your dreams.

The SceneThe specTaTor • Thursday, ocTober 8, 2009

5

People gain a view by going vertical and climbing a light pole.

Disk Jockeys along with their emcees were the heart of every float and kept the crowd dancing.

photos by: thomas Jurich

By ABrAhAm rodriguez

editor in chief

Bay Area’s youth takes over San Francisco’s Civic Center The LovEvoluion 2009 festival leaves many hungover, bruised, gagged, beaten and blindfolded

The Annual Lovefest (now known as LovEvolution) parade and electronic music festival was held this past Saturday in San Francisco.

Originally started in Germany during the ‘90’s, the Love Parade was held in Berlin as the political climate changed.

Starting off at about 11 a.m. south of Market street, a fleet of trucks loaded with sound equipment stormed through downtown Market Street. The window glass literally shook as the floats rumbled on by the

many buildings that lined the street. Even down on the BART station, you could hear the music. The street itself was littered with people; it was impossible to walk without having to shove people off.

Onlooker who somehow ended up getting mixed in the commotion outside gazed in question, they knew nothing of what was going on and probably felt they needed to decide if they wanted to participate or go on with their lives.

The music has consistently always been Electronic, from drum and bass to dubstep, Trance and techno, etc. This year was no

different. The official afterparty itself had big name talents from other parts of the world such as Deadmau5, Groove Armada, even Fischerspooner was there.

Held at the Bill Graham Auditorium, tickets were on sale for about $70 dollars but suffered from the same problems overcrowding as the main parade event.

If you were part of the 15,000 or so that attended, you know you had a good time. Let’s just hope you still remember it.

This float was a sight to see with it’s Souther Pacific theme.

The SceneThe specTaTor • Thursday, ocTober 8, 2009

6

Mill Valley Film Festival By Ben CArver

business manager

The secluded Mill Valley in the North Bay is where you can find one of the biggest film festivals of the year. The 32nd annual Mill Valley Film Festival opens up today, boasting a varied selection of big-star films, film-makers, and workshops.

The Mill Valley Film Festival is known for being the West Coast equivalent to the Toronto International Film Festival Mill Valley boasts premieres of Oscar buzzed flicks that will be coming to the screens in the next few months. Previous Mill Valley Festivals have included screenings of Slumdog Millionaire, Crash, and Capote.

This year is no different with the Opening Night choices of Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire, along with The Boys are Back. Precious was a Sundance favorite and has buzz for its surprising performances by comedian Mo’nique, Paula Patton, and pop singer Mariah Carey, while The Boys are Back has Mill Valley’s favorite Australian filmmaker Scott Hicks of Shine and Snow Falling on Cedars directing Clive Owen in a large scale melodramaticic performance about life, death and family.

Clive Owen and Uma Thurman with also be heading

the festivals: “Spotlight” and tribute nights with screenings and interviews with film-makers and actors. Clive Owen’s spotlight will be on Oct. 9th at 7p.m. with a screening of his highly underrated British caper, Croupier, from hard boiled director Mike Hodge.

Uma Thurman will be on hand the following night October 10 at 7pm with a tribute to her film work and a screening her new comedic star turn, Motherhood, which deals with being a mother and writer in up- scale New York. Thurman seems to be going for a frazzled hair look than her usual model of beauty this time around.

Thurman’s performance in Motherhood is one of only several features to show women-power on screen. An interconnecting theme for the festival this year seems to be driven by women will power, with surprising acting turns from Robin Wright Penn and Julian Moore in The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, Carey Mulligan in An Education, Emily Blunt in The Young Victoria, and Demi Moore in Happy Tears. A documentary called, Zombie Girl: The Movie, takes a bite out of the ever growing sub-genre.Even a panel called, Girl Geeks, will discuss women and the digital arts and entertainment business with contemporary women in charge.

The guys are not excluded with screenings of John Woo’s new epic Red Cliff (Director Woo will be at the Occ 16, 9:30 p.m. screening), the Iraq war drama The Messengers with Woody Harrelson and Ben Forster, Youth in Revolt with Micheal Cera, Ken Loach’s football dramedy Looking for Eric, A recently added screening of The Road, the highly anticipated Cormac McCarthy adaptation starring Viggo Mortensen, certainly will be punching up the festival a notch.

The spotlight on influential filmmakers Jason Reitman, Henry Selick, and Seymor Cassel will be prevalent through- out the festival. A workshop titled, Henry Selick and the Art of Coraline, discusses the world of stop animation the filmography of Selick, a screening of Reitman’s new film Up in the Air starring George Clooney his follow up to his Oscar-nominated Juno. Insight workshop titled, The Cassel Touch that will focus on the long ever-spanding career of cinema’s greatest character actors.

The festival also highlights various documentaries, features, and shorts from around the world. The top three most interesting are Soundtrack for A Revolution, a documentary of the civil rights movement intercut with new soundtrack

recordings by Wyclef Jean; Elevator, film budgeted on $500 dollars from Romania, and from Russia the ‘50’s drama, Hipsters, a film focusing on the clash of communism and rock ‘n’ roll music.

If your heading in that direction in the next two weeks, Oct. 8-18, why not check out the

festival that will have guests such as Clive Owen, Uma Thurman, John Woo, Emily Blunt, Viggo Mortensen, Jason Reitman, and Woody Harrelson all in one place.

For more on the Mill Valley 32nd Film Festival and tickets/showtimes go to the Web site at www.MVFF.com

North Bay city will play host over the weekend to one of the biggest film festivals of 2009

Poster of Lion Gate’s upcoming 2009 dramatic film Precious. photo courtesy of lionsgate films

2x=10+4

X=10-8X=y-z

EditorialThe specTaTor • ocTober 8, 2009

7the

Spectator2007 General Excellence

Award Winner

AbrAhAm rodriguez

Editor in ChiEf

chris stott

managing Editor

NAyA durAN

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Chabot lifE Editor

thomAs jurich

sCEnE Editor

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the average reader.

Who’s calling the shots?

The hidden advantages of algebra

I was chatting with Ben, this column’s greatest fan, when the subject of math came up. The placement test I took this fall before joining our Chabot community indicated that I knew about as much math as a turnip. Nonetheless, I came into this school year with a feeling that mastering algebra (again) would be about as useful as having a

tail would be.If I had one, I could

probably fall off ladders better, but that’s where the upside would end. I’m sure many of you expressed the same sentiment to your algebra teacher in high school, and got that patronizing Yoda look when he or she replied “You’ll be surprised how many times algebra will come in handy in the years ahead.”

Well, I have lived more than 25 of those years now and I’m here to tell you that you’re right: it never once came in handy. And then a funny thing happened.

I was watching the NFL’s version of Tourette’s syndrome; the alleged Oakland Raiders, when the announcer informed us that our quarterback of the apparently distant future, JaMarcus Russell, was “Nine for 10, having completed his last eight passes”.

It doesn’t take many more brains than George W to figure out the second pass was the incompletion, but I realized the reason I knew this instantly was because of algebra: “X=10–8”! I exclaimed to myself.

There are many career

paths where algebra is crucial: engineering, architecture, nerd. But there are many more where it is not. That said, I now realize that even a passing familiarity with algebra often brings us to an answer we might have otherwise eventually gotten, but came to much quicker, thus leaving more time for important pursuits such as armchair quarterbacking and beer pong.

So I thank my algebra instructors, all four of them. Maybe I’ll finally be motivated to make sure some of it sticks with me this time.

Editor:

I’d just like to point out that Campus Safety does in fact have the AlertU brochures outside our office and they have never run out like the article [Alert Who?, Oct. 1, 2009] says.

Thanks,Ruben PolaDirector of Campus Security, Chabot College

Letter to the editor:

AlertU brochures

By Cranky Old Guy

STaff WriTer

Spectator file photo

Chabot Cunstruction coordinator Doug Horner (center) gives a tour of the unfinished Instructional Office Building to a group of administrative support staff on Sept. 10.

The editors of the Spectator have been keeping a close watch over the potential closure of Building 200 and whether this would mean the Chabot President Celia Barberena would move into the soon-to-be completed Instructional Office Building

There is nothing inherently scandalous about the possibility of President Barberena moving into the IOB. The planning for the building began long before she became the president of Chabot College, and the issue surrounding how much space can be allotted to faculty members should have been taken care of in the earlier stages

of planning, not after construction had already begun. If Building 200 will indeed have to be closed, it would be almost expected that President Barberena move into the Instructional Office Building.

The issue at hand lies not with the possibility of a change of plans for the new building, but with the discussion, or lack thereof, surrounding the possibility.

We feel that President Barberena should have been much more open about her potential move into the IOB. She has said that no decision will be made until a consultant’s report has been completed, and insists that concerned faculty will have the ability

to voice their concerns.However, the floor

plan of an area in the IOB labeled as “President’s Office” seems to suggests that discussion has already occurred, without the awareness of faculty involved. Many staff members feel that decisions have been made about the building behind their backs.

We recommend to all those who make decisions at Chabot, not only about the new office building, but everything that affects faculty or students, that they take care to not cause the feelings of exclusion that have occurred in this instance by making everyone involved awareof potential issues.

The specTaTor • Thursday, ocTober 8, 2009

SportS8

A Gladiator shows dominance

Dominant may be the best word to describe Chabot wrestler Stephen De La Cruz. His head coach Steve Siroy defi-nitely seems to think so.

Adhering to the fact of De La Cruz’s esteemed Chabot wrestling career, he has handled his competition with relative ease this season going 10-0 and emerging at the top of his class.

Since coming from Livermore High School, De La Cruz has been a force for the Gladiators.

Last Fall he finished his sea-son ranked fourth in California in the 141-pounds division.

The role he plays in the wrestling program is what any team, group, or company needs, and that is leadership and a work ethic that will make fellow comrades notice.

“He’s dominat,” said Siroy. Whether it be adding hours in the weight room, doing the continuous motions to put the human body in sharp and mint condition, or running till feet are sore, De La Cruz has done so.

And the results have more than showed, thus reiterating the cliché, “lead-

Stephen De La Cruz proves why he is an All-American and All-Conference for Chabot wrestling

By Ricky claRk

Staff writering by example.” “He’s a good leader, outspoken, tells it like is and pushes guys to do better.” Siroy said of his wrestler’s demeanor.

The first time Chabot took notice of the wrestler came in the pre-vious season during the program’s annual alumni match.

It brings both the school’s past and present to grapple on the padded mats en-folding the

school’s gymnasium.

In his match against another well-regarded Chabot wrestler,

Johnathon Ronny who competed during the state finals, De La Cruz was able to get the best of him. Siroy was pleased with his perfor-mance and knew he had a promis-ing recruit in his possession.

Siroy describes his wrestler as a smooth takedown artist and an aggressive grappler.

When the refs blow the whistle, he’s all business. On the

mats his

goal is to

“pound heads,”

says De La Cruz, get in faces, bullies around, and

tires out his op-ponents.

This fall he destroyed Fresno

City College’s Kevin Miller in a 15-0 techni-

cal fall. Asked about what’s

leading to his strong per-formance he said, “My mental

toughness. The ability to keep going when tired.”

His season last year would then lead to finishing with a top five ranking in his weight class. This lead to his garnering accolades such as being an All-Conference and All-American. Yet De La Cruz felt this wasn’t enough.

He knew that he needed to push more to get to where every wrestler desires, and that’s aiming to be first in his class.

“This summer he got himself prepared, doing extra running and extra

lifting,” said Siroy.Although De La Cruz has had success

so far in the 149-pound division, he took it up a notch to get himself into the 141-pound division.

He feels stronger at this weight class. The results may be even more exciting for what may come.

“I’m running a lot, watching my diet and what I eat and drink,“ said De La Cruz. He has the competitive drive and talent to make big things happen, and at Chabot, he has accomplished just that. His major goal is to be a state champ.

You can check out De La Cruz and the rest of the Chabot Wrestling team on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.

The match is against the Fresno City College Rams at Chabot College.

From left to right: Stephen De La Cruz stretches out his body. De La Cruz attempts to take down his fellow teammate. De La Cruz smiles as he stretches his legs.All Photos by seAn jones

Chabot loses 2-1 on a very unlucky goalThe Gladiators found themselves

suffering bad luck on Tuesday when they lost to De Anza College 2-1. De Anza defender Jose Cortez’s lofted, arcing free kick in the 70th minute managed to miss everyone. The ball went into the goal, giving De Anza the luckiest goal in the world. The loss proved to be tough for the Gladiators. Chabot played with a lot more intensity, passion, and heart. “They played better today,” said head coach Tony Igwe. “The goal they scored was by luck and the soccer gods were on their side.”

Tuesday’s game was a battle of pos-session between the two midfields. The game featured a lot of back-and-forth and counterattacks. A costly Chabot mistake 10 minutes into the game put De Anza

By DaviD BeRmuDez

SportS editor

ahead 1-0. In the 25th minute, De Anza tried to clear the ball from their area. Chabot midfielder Andres Ponce took the ball away and beat the keeper to tie the game up at 1. Most of the offense is run through Ponce and he is able to easily elude defenders and distribute the ball to his teammates. Unfortunately, Chabot seems to be lacking a goal-scorer. Once Ponce or any of the other midfielders had the ball and passed it to the forwards, De Anza easily took it away. A lot of it had to do with the De Anza defenders just being bigger and faster.

As coach Igwe said, the Gladiators are getting better and taking their loses as a learning experience. Chabot also has a lot of talented players on their team. They just need to fill in some holes. “We are gradu-ally getting better. It’s hard when you play very good and lose. But I told the men that you have to keep your head up,” said Igwe. jAck bArnwell/Photo editor

Chabot players Francisco Valencia and Andres Ponce try to take the ball away.