Sac City Express » Genevieve Jerome

How to survive a campus shooting

Genevieve Jerome — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:34:34 +0000

Sergeant Brian Washington of the LCCPD. Photo by Allison Vallenzuela

The Staff Resource Center along with the Los Rios Police Department’s Communications Center held a seminar Nov. 10, titled Shots Fired: Surviving a Campus Shooting.

The event featured a video presented by Captain Valerie Cox, and Sergeant Brian Washington, of the City College police department, that included security tape footage from the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado. Many faculty left after the footage was shown.

“[This event] really wasn’t driven by the CSUS events. It was started last fall. Generally why were doing this as law enforcement, is because we think it’s important as well to [make students and faculty aware of how to handle an active shooter on campus.] This community training video is an excellent, well thought out video,” said Valerie Cox, Captain of the Los Rios Police Department, mentioning the beating death of a student at the Sacramento State dorm rooms in October.

The Shots Fired video also instructed students to be aware of their surroundings at all times and always seek out exits wherever they may be on campus.

“From all the students on campus, I am sure there will be students here who would take the opportunity to fight off the gunman to either be the hero or just because they might see their own life is worth less than the life if others who are in danger,” said City College student Alex Nedoruban.

Cox discussed why the event is important in the wake of the recent violence at Fort Hood and Sacramento State explaining to faculty and staff that this video is used to make people aware of their surrounding and aware of what measures to take if an active shooter were to come on campus.

“I think it’s good to be in the know. I’m glad that they offer this,” said Brenda Jackson, nursing instructor at City College.

The video showed a simulation event where an active shooter comes onto an Illinois University campus and describes the techniques that faculty and students should use to improve their chances of survival.

Such techniques included running away from the gun fire, using numbers in people to force the gunman out, throwing things at the gunman as well as barricading the room students and faculty are in and turning the lights off.

After the video was shown, faculty and staff were shown various types of rifles as well and instructed to throw tennis balls at a police officer posing as an attacker as a way to explain to people that everything you have in your classroom can be used as a weapon.

“We want you to be aware. [We want] to eliminate the threat ASAP. The sooner we end it, the better,” said Alex Conroy, a Los Rios Police Officer, regarding what Los Rios Police would do in the unfortunate event should an active shooter comes on campus.

Los Rios wins safety program award

Genevieve Jerome — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:51:06 +0000

The Risk Management Pays program recently awarded $12,000 to the Los Rios Community College District for impressive participation in safety program.

The Los Rios Community College District was the highest-ranked participant in the program of all of the districts involved for the program’s first year.

Bill Silvia, director of general services for the LRCCD, is proud of the award and feels honored to have received it. “Recently all of the districts were looked at and we were one of the few that stood out, using facilities, staff and consultants,” Silvia said.

The award couldn’t have come at a better time, according to Silvia. “It gives us extra money and we now have a little fund that can help us with training facilities. This fund allows us to have a resource we can pull from if we need too.”

The Risk Management Pays program works with the LRCCD police department to gather ideas for safety training events for faculty and staff. Included in the events are training videos for proper custodial procedures and safety measures if a contaminated spill or accident happens. The training events also examine the necessary codes to upgrade buildings with the LRCCD as well as forklift training.

The Risk Management Pays program is similar to a credit union with a mutual insurance program with allocated allowances. “They have programs that help prevent us from [budget] losses and in helping us in training,” explains Silvia.

The Risk Management Pays program manages over 20 programs that are on-going and take place throughout the year. The district safety committee holds meetings every quarter and makes decisions regarding district safety issues.

For more information students and faculty can contact Bill Silvia, director of general services at silviab@scc.losrios.edu

Vaccine not coming to campus

Genevieve Jerome — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:57:09 +0000

City College Health Services has posted informational fliers around campus on avoiding infection in response to the growing threat of the H1N1 virus.

“We are trying to educate the campus in general,” said Jeff Christian, City College nurse. “We’ve done several presentations in several classrooms talking to the faculty as well as going to the faculty senate.”

Health Services will not be offering the H1N1 vaccine due to budget cuts, according to Christian. The regular flu vaccine was made available to students earlier this semester at a cost of $25, but only 13 students took advantage of the opportunity.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, people in high risk groups are ages 65 and older, children under the age of five, pregnant women and anyone with chronic medical conditions such as asthma.
President Obama declared H1N1 a national emergency in October, and the Center for Disease Control’s latest Weekly Activity Report states that California has widespread activity.

“For every office they have hand sanitizer bottles and pamphlets in every bathroom,” said Ryan Castillo, international relations major. “Most people don’t die when they get it.”

According to the Health Services page on City College’s Web site, H1N1 is spread by breathing in infected air, as well as touching surfaces that have already been infected by the virus.

Symptoms are similar to those of the seasonal flu and include coughing, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, fever, chills and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.

“I try to be as healthy and careful as I can be,” said Laurie Carpio, a nursing student at City College. “I drink and eat healthy foods and wash my hands constantly.”

Health Services advises students to wash their hands frequently, be sure to get sufficient sleep, eat healthy, avoid smoking and exercise on a regular basis.

For more information about what City College is doing to prevent the spread of H1N1 virus, as well the upcoming H1N1 vaccination clinics, visit the Sacramento county public health page at: http://www.scc.losrios.edu/Documents/HealthCenter/PUB-H1N1-Clinic-Schedule-2009Oct29.pdf or the health alert page at: http://www.scc.losrios.edu/Current_Students/Student_Services/Health_Services/H1N1_Flu_Precaution_Update.htm.

Caffeine, caffeine, where art thou?

Genevieve Jerome — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:35:26 +0000

Walking into United Coffee House, my nostrils are immediately filled with alluring scent of fresh, strong, dark coffee, perhaps a little too strong.

United Coffee House has a strange scent and their coffee is unlike anything I have ever smelled before. The coffee does not smell like the seductive scent of Peet’s Coffee & Tea, nor does it smell like a candy factory, the way Starbucks smells.

They say they sell organic fair trade coffee, and boy, they were not kidding, it smells like the fertilizer in my backyard.

Although the walls are filled with awesome paintings by local artists, the coffee is profoundly below par. United Coffee House may be filled with comfy chairs and have tons of room, but their coffee tastes like the earth, literally.

I’m all about organic coffee growers and the need to support local farmers; however, I’m also all about delicious tasting coffee.

Their coffee is not for students who enjoy a sweet, fattening frappuccino from Starbucks from time to time or a simple soy chai latte from Peet’s Coffee and Tea.

Organic coffee is supposed to be delicious and pure like the ground it grows in. United Coffee House’s coffee reminded me of a really bad batch of fruit that spoiled over a week’s time.

Although the owners, Tiffany Colby and Harginer Sighn, were extremely kind and upbeat, it took Colby at least five minutes to make me my drink. Now for students in a rush, this is anything but good.

Before making me my drink, Colby asked me how I like my coffee. I told her strong, very strong. I was indeed expecting a strong, bold cup of coffee but instead I got a mucky, sea-tasting, batter-of-mildew-like substance that eroded the taste buds in my mouth. It took every ounce of my willpower and all of my acting chops not to spit the coffee right out of my mouth.

Not only does their coffee taste bad, but their prices are anything but fair.

Sandwiches are $5.95. One word: expensive.

Students can expect a small cup of plain coffee to cost them $1.75 and a blended Frappee costs $4.15. The catch with these prices is a small cup of coffee is smaller than a small or tall size at Peet’s or Starbucks.

The coffee is French pressed with a pressing tool for bringing out the most flavor. The process is a great idea if you have the time, energy and patience in the morning.

For a coffee shop to French press all of its coffee is a horrible business maneuver because it takes unnecessary time and energy, and causes a line of people to stand impatiently at the coffee bar, awaiting their order.

Although I didn’t enjoy the coffee at United Coffee House, I must give them kudos for a welcoming atmosphere.

United Coffee House is located across from City College.

But a warning: enter at your own risk.

Campaign targets high cost of textbooks

Genevieve Jerome — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:11:01 +0000

City College student Zach Voss holds four textbooks, which would have cost $100 less if he had bought them used. Randy Brigss

Students and instructors alike are sick and tired of the high prices of textbooks.

The California Student Public Interest Research Group, a student advocacy group, is aiming to change that. CALPIRG is running a campaign to lower textbook prices at City College by collecting support at colleges nationwide.

City College student and CALPIRG intern Lindsey Bourgeois is asking students and professors of City College to sign a petition for lowering textbook prices.

“It is important for students to be involved in this campaign because they are the ones who are directly affected by the rising costs of textbooks,” said Bourgeois. “If students do not speak up about what a hardship paying for textbooks can be, publishing companies will continue to increase the cost of textbooks.”

CALPIRG’s goal is to gather and organize college students from across the country to solve issues that affect students daily, such as financial problems and struggles in graduating from community college. CALPIRG does not currently have any chapters on community college campuses in California, however.

The four-year campaign to lower textbook prices began at UC Berkeley, and has since moved on to schools nationwide. Students interested in becoming involved in the campaign can contact Bourgeois at lindseybourgeois@gmail.com, or visit http://www.scc.losrios.edu/campus_news/textbook_affordability_campaign.htm.

Bring some excitement to City College

Genevieve Jerome — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:40:27 +0000

You’re out on the water, a mile away from civilization, paddling on you board and anticipating that next great swell. Wake up. You’re really sitting in math class, daydreaming about surfing instead of learning algebraic expressions.

Imagine taking classes that you enjoy. You begin when the instructor says, “Alright students, let’s suit up and hit the waves.”

Classes required for transferring or degrees are important to students’ futures. Many courses this semester received cuts and other were wiped off the schedule entirely. The resulting increased competition for remaining seats created unneeded tension for students.

Being in college is rough enough considering the pressure of living, working and maintaining a decent GPA. If City College offered classes that helped relieve the stress involved with being a working student, I think I would be able to take 18 units without ripping my hair out.

If there were more classes that stimulated student activity while giving a break from academic-driven courses, I think enrollment trends would rise and dropout rates would fall.

If I could choose classes to add to City College’s schedule, the first would be Surfing 101. The classroom would have a simulated beach and a pool. Students would learn about surfing safety, the mechanics of waves and local sea life. Advanced students would go on field trips to Northern and Southern California coasts to score a proper wave and explore the oceanography.

Exercise helps reduce stress, which contributes to academic achievement. Students who exercise on a regular basis do better in school.

Although there are already classes that promote good health and exercise, I believe surfing education would be popular because it’s exciting and different.

Lately, my exercise comes from chasing around my border collie puppy. Between school and work, I don’t have time to train her. City College should offer a class, called train your canine, for student dog-owners.

In the evening, students would bring their pets to the local dog park and meet with a certified instructor. The course would offer the basics, like potty-training, commands and interacting with other dogs, an opportune way to train my pup and earn units to transfer.

Before beginning my run-around the campus for my classes, a cup of coffee is essential. An organic French pastry and espresso class would involve learning to make deliciously sweet pastries and flavored espresso drinks, which students would enjoy at the end of class. This is a great way to get a caffeine-boost and light meal in the morning.

Also, the feeling of satisfaction from creating scrumptious treats is a great escape from thinking about the hassle of school. This is a skill that I know I’ll hold on to, unlike how to form algebraic expressions.

Sometimes, it’s nice to be in a class that’s not academic and mentally draining. All work and no play make school a dull place; some new courses that allow students to have fun are the necessary remedy.

Men’s accessories take away weight from wallets

Genevieve Jerome — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:37:39 +0000

Women no longer the only ones to mix and match style

Walking through the busy halls of City College one cannot help but notice all of the hot accessories men are sporting today.
From the guy in front of Lillard Hall who sports Ray-Ban sunglasses and the Ed Hardy messenger bag to the student in front of the LRC who looks as if he wears the store Hot Topic on his body.

Men’s accessories are in full force this fall.

According to NPD Group which keeps an eye on retail sales, men have been dominating the accessories world during these tough economic times.

Back in the Silicon Valley boom of 1994 men would not be caught dead wearing bracelets, scarves and watches all at the same time.

However, according to fashion professor Lynne Giovannetti, that trend has changed.

“We used to see I.D bracelets and dog tags, today we are seeing more of the rubber, colored bracelets,” says Giovannetti. “Glasses are a huge thing today as well as body adornment, which is an accessory.”

Audio production major Keon Murry says he’s addicted to accessories.

“I carry around my Ed Hardy Bag with me all of the time, and I love wearing jewelry, watches and hats too,” says Murry. “[I would say] that I spend at least $10,000 a year on accessories alone.”

Among the other current trends at City College are Jordan tennis shoes and messenger bags.

Nursing major Russell Stephen states his accessories are essential for him and his personality.

“I am constantly wearing my Jordan’s, earrings, gold necklaces, my iPod Touch and my man bag; I bring my man bag with me everywhere.”

The two men mentioned above are exceptions to spending massive amount of money on accessories, because the majority of men at City College spend $50-$100 on accessories.

Communications major Robert Green says he has a large collection of accessories but he has to be frugal when shopping.

“I’ve got about 60-70 pairs of sunglasses right now, but I got them at a really good price,” says Green. “I spend about $50-$100 a year on accessories, not much more than that.”

Plastic-colored rubber band bracelets and wallets are a huge accessory among the young men at City College.

Communications major London Donson says he and his favorite accessories are inseparable.

“My elastic bracelets, I shower with them on [and] I always carry my wallet on my shorts, so I don’t lose it.”

Whether or not the economy is tough right now for some male students, the men at City College have a rocking fashion sense and a keen sense of self and personal individuality.

“I definitely think a lot of men are more fashion conscious,” says fashion expert and author of the popular fashion Blog, The Glass Closet.com by Nicole Stith. “I think that fashion as a whole has evolved as an art form and therefore it is more acceptable for men to portray their individuality through fashion.”

No more fighting for parking

Online Staff — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:46:36 +0000

City College offers alternative instruction

Genevieve Jerome | Staff Writer
jeromeg@imail.losrios.edu

Have you ever rolled out of bed in the morning wishing you could go to school in your pajamas?

Online classes can give you that.

As a student who adores waking up to the scent of coffee brewing and opens her laptop before she is fully conscious, I could not imagine a world without online classes.

City College offers many transferable courses to choose from, including hybrid classes, which integrate in-person class meetings with online lectures and assignments. Students can also take advantage of recorded lectures streamed online and on television.

If you’re a student like me, for whom finding motivation can sometimes be challenging and laziness enticing, City College offers online success courses which aid students in developing a better understanding of the subject while acquiring stronger study and organizational skills.

Some students may be wary of online classes because of the mandatory orientations and in-class test taking. This is a minuscule hassle, however, in comparison to the time, energy and gas spent driving to and from campus everyday—not to mention the freedom from having to grind your teeth while fighting for a decent parking spot.

One of my favorite aspects of online courses is that my professors are accessible through e-mail at all hours – they may not respond immediately, but I can get a question in as soon as it occurs to me rather than waiting for the class meeting when my assignment is due. I can also choose to do my coursework whenever and wherever I want – and if you’re an insomniac like me, that means finishing homework at 2a.m.

“I like online classes because you . . . have no distractions, and all the one-on-one help you need is [available] by e-mail,” says theater major Patricia Lynn Hall.

With the convenience that online courses offer working parents and students otherwise pressed for time, I cannot help but wonder if City College will offer online courses exclusively someday.

For more information on online courses visit: http://web.scc.losrios.edu/de/