Photo by Patrick Brown

MAR. 7, 2014College of Marin

Marin homes of the rich and famousPage 6

The small fellowship of

the ring at COMPage 2

Page 10

In the swim of thingsIn the swim of thingsMariners look forward to upcoming seasonMariners look forward to upcoming season

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2 College of marin Mar. 7, 2014

Most students here at COM are living the free and single lifestyle. Free to make their own

decisions, they can stick to a disciplined schedule of sleep and study, or not. Alternative students are more common at community colleges than at a four-year university, and you are more likely to meet an older or a married student here at COM. Still, it is rare to meet a classmate who has shucked tradition and taken their vows before they’ve taken their college diploma.

The National Center for Educational Statistics reports that of 20,928 undergraduate students surveyed in 2008, 18 percent were married. This is a high number compared to individual college surveys, whose results hover around seven percent. Though obtaining a marriage license and a college diploma may be similar in significance to the trajectory of a student’s life, most wait until they are done with college before saying “I do.”

At College of Marin, the best way for you to gauge how many married students there are, is to spy the ring fingers of your classmates. There are no statistics available telling the number of married students that attend. Melody Creel is COM’s very own research analyst, and all she could say is “We don’t ask that.”

For many, it’s difficult enough to keep a healthy balance between studies, sleep, and recreation. Add to the list of responsibilities a spouse to attend to, and the pressure can seem unbearable. Having children to care for as well can exacerbate the stresses that need to be kept at a manageable level. Vicky Lamke from Student Affairs explains, “Some married students have children, and that adds to the pressure.”

For married without-children couples, it could go either way. “You have to mature and take on a new role,” Mark Regnerus, a professor of sociology at the University of Texas in Austin, told CNN. Marriage can be a great boon, or a huge detriment, depending on the maturity level of the student, and the subsequent strength of the relationship which they are considering making official.

Lance Reyes, the 2013-2014 Student Trustee at COM explains that one needs to take into account the specificities of any given marriage. “It depends completely on the dynamics of the relationship, and how the two individuals relate to each other. You know, it’s always beneficial to have another support system.”

When it’s finals week, it can be far better to have someone make sure you are getting your protein and eating your carrots, than to fend for your sleep-deprived self.

Dr. Amber Paulk, an assistant professor in Alabama, reports, “Your satisfaction is going to depend on where you are in the romantic relationship cycle.” Paulk continues, “Everyone’s experience is going to be different based on that. College isn’t going to make a marriage less satisfying. But what we do know after research is that the younger a couple is, the higher the divorce and dissatisfaction rate is.”

In addition to concerns about keeping stress levels to a healthy minimum, college students might want to consider how being married will affect their social life, their “college experience.” At four-year colleges for example, many married students live off-campus or in married housing.

“This can sometimes isolate a married couple and disconnect them from the student community,” reports online magazine Campus Explorer.

To help remedy this, they recommend “joining student organizations, clubs, fraternities and sororities, and athletic teams.” This helps the students keep connected to their scholastic community, to support the college experience they may be hoping for.

A co-ed law student at Golden Gate University got married when she was 21. Although she was a full-time student, she did not find that the wedding or marriage detracted from her studies in the slightest. “It was my senior year at Humboldt State, and I was almost done with school. I had momentum.” Getting married was not a detriment to her schoolwork. Though her husband was not a fellow student, she found that her new marriage helped, and did not hinder her life as a student, and “that having a husband or a wife is inherently a support no matter what you’re doing.”

This is not necessarily how it is for married students across the board. Sometimes, when only one of the married couple are attending college, it can cause further stress in the relationship, bringing about issues of trust, support and financial burden.

“It is another relationship that needs to be maintained,” further explains Lance Reyes, “which can take away from the quality of your studies.” In addition to the relationships you have with fellow students, teachers, and the friendships

and family relations you already have, it’s important you maintain a healthy and steady relationship with sleep, schoolwork, and discipline.

Married student Paul Bowers reports on his “Married in College” blog in 2011, that academically, nothing was affected. He and his wife both continued with their full schedules, and at least Paul benefited from the added marital support, attaining a 4.0 GPA in their first married semester.

Asked if he felt he missed out on the college experience at all, Bowers was happy to report that he even had room in his schedule to take Spanish Film, “So I can speak intelligently about Pedro Almodóvar now, and my wife is a few steps closer to passing her final nursing exam.”

Ask Bowers about the college experience “in the extracurricular sense,” he supposes they somewhat missed out. “But then again, we never did buy into the National Lampoon vision of college.” Many are familiar with the image of John Belushi in his sweatshirt with the word “College” in all caps spelled across the front of it. That movie lent itself to inspire such films as “Revenge of the Nerds” in the 80’s and later “Old School” with Will Ferrell.

Clichéd college characters aside, for students who do decide to get married, hopefully they are grown up on the inside, and not simply behaving as adult-sized children. For a truly mature student – one who no longer makes decisions based solely on selfish and instant gratification – it can be the first best choice they ever make.

University of Michigan student Peter Nesbitt told CNN, “You’re with your best friend all the time, so it’s not like, ‘oh my gosh, it’s a ball and chain now.’” Nesbitt proposed to his fellow third-year university student in 2011, when she was 19, and he was 20.

With all the pressures that school can add to ones life, the support of a loving partner can balance out the intensity, and serve as a buoy in tough and rough times. If the decision and therefore the marriage are born of immaturity or just plain terrible thinking, the opposite, unfortunately, will be true – in which case, the student may want to continue to make bad decisions all by themselves.

ECHO TIMES

By Chandra Smith

Married with midtermsThe small fellowship of the ring at COM

For better or for worse, some students find that being married is helpful in attaining their educational goals in college.

Cover photo: Freshman Kim Baca is a standout member of this year’s COM swim team.

Photo by Patrick Brown

3ECHO TIMESMar. 7, 2014

What if City College of S.F. closed

City College of San Francisco is under attack. The 78 year old institution, which had been a

crux of the community is on the verge of potentially having its accreditation revoked. If this should come to pass the college would lose its public funding and in all likelihood be forced to shut down.

As of 2012 City College had a student populating of 86,000, making it one of the largest Community Colleges in the country. Its closure would be catastrophic, and precedent suggests that rather than enroll in nearby Community Colleges, many Students would simply forgo their educational careers.

College Of Marin student, Brenda Chiu remarked, “It’s horrible, if it was happening at COM, I’d probably leave as soon as possible.”

On October 10, COM released its “midterm report,” an extensive documentation of steps that have been taken by the college to address various recommendations that were outlined by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges back in 2011. While the College currently has no negative accreditation status, the recommendations addressed in the report are the same that caused COM to receive “warning” in 2012. The report expresses optimism on recent advancements, but an ACCJC evaluation team will get to decide if enough has truly been done.

The agency responsible for the College’s woes is the ACCJC, or the Accreditation Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. This board is one of five federally approved external agencies that monitor U.S. community and junior colleges.

They have the power to review the internal affairs of schools and ultimately decide whether or not they are in compliance with federal code. The ACCJC oversees every junior and community college in California including the College of Marin.

In 2012 the ACCJC visited City College in order to assess the quality of the classes being offered, the competency of the administration, and schools finances. By early July the school was informed that its status was being demoted from full accreditation to “show cause,” as in the college is responsible for showing cause that it should remain accredited.

The commission generally uses five different accreditation statuses in its review of a college, but in this case City College, after only one visit, was dropped from having the highest possible status to the lowest possible while remaining

accredited. In justification of its decision the

ACCJC cited financial instability and an understaffed administration; however they had nothing to criticize about the institution’s primary function: the education of its students.

By July 2013 the ACCJC voted to terminate City College’s accreditation, explaining that the school had only addressed two of the 14 recommendations for change that the commission had outlined. However, this decision came as a shock to many at City College who felt that the institution had undergone extensive change since being informed of their “deficiencies.”

John Rizzo, the president of the City College Board of Trustees, was quoted as saying that the ACCJC’S decision was “shocking and outrageous, given the massive changes we’ve made.”

Since then City College has entered the appeal process, during which they must come up with new evidence to present before the commission. To streamline this process the California Community College Chancellor’s office has appointed Robert Agrella, the former president of Santa Rosa Junior College, as a special trustee with vast control over the college’s proceedings.

As City College’s struggles have become more publicized the ACCJC’s has received extensive criticism from the college itself, members of the community, and even local politicians.

The agencies critics have accused it of being corrupt and politically biased. Groups such as the Save CCSF Coalition claim that the ACCJC’s attack on College is part of a larger political effort to reduce junior and community colleges and push students towards for profit education.

One of the ACCJC’s major benefactors is the Lumina foundation, a private institution with the mission of increasing the number of students with

four year degrees, and an advocate of for-profit education. Lumina is also known for its close links to ALEC, a strongly conservative and controversial organization that connects legislatures with special interest groups, also known

for its support of private education. The ACCJC’s critics believe that high

number of warnings the agency has issued to junior and community colleges, coupled with the severity with which City College has been treated demonstrate that the ACCJC serves the interests of its sponsors, not the colleges it oversees.

The ACCJC has drawn further criticism for its secretive proceedings and seemingly undemocratic establishment. Working out of a small office building in Novato, the committee’s 19 commission members are not publicly elected officials; instead they have the power to appoint their successor upon resigning their post.

Further, almost none of the agency’s proceedings are publicized, nor do junior colleges reviewed by the ACCJC receive a formal report from their reviewers; instead they are appointed a status by the commission, who’s deliberation is also closed to the public.

While not much is unknown about this immensely powerful entity it seems clear that the ACCJC’S presence at City College has been counter intuitive.

While on one hand they have been clear to highlight the school’s economic

ECHO TIMESBy Max Wolf-Johnson

City College of San Francisco students, faculty, and other supporters marched in protest to the ACCJC decision to strip City College of its accreditation.

News

Photo by Camila Bernal

Accreditation Continued on page 11

Could accreditation become a problem for College of Marin?

Feature4 College of marin Mar. 7, 2014

ECHO TIMES

By Chandra Smith

Still life exhibit at the Emeritus Center

Local Marin artist Judith Klausenstock has her first exhibit up at College of Marin in the Emeritus

Center. The show, “Paintings by Judith Klausenstock,” opened with a reception on February 6, along with a reading by her poet-husband, Oskar Klausenstock.

Primarily an artist working with watercolor and pastels, Judith studied at Massachusetts School of Art, and then at Harvard University where she received her

Bachelor of Fine Arts. She moved to California, where she continued her studies at San Francisco State University, University of California, and finally, here at College of Marin.

Judith actually seems to have been born an artist. She certainly has been painting and drawing for decades. When asked for how long, she is coy with her answer.

“Well I’m not going to answer that. I’ve been doing art for a while. When you’re a kid you draw anyway so—I don’t know when or how I started.”

A deep relationship with her subject matter is evidenced in her paintings. The show is primarily comprised of still life and portraits, and Judith’s affinity for the beauty of simple objects is apparent. Her effort, it seems, is to give an object its due, to bring out the essence of “a white cup – an orange.”

As part of her process, she will often take photos to better “see” the object she is placing her attention on. Through the photos she grows more intimate with the shadows of a thing, with “the beautiful shadings.” In all of this, she eventually and naturally brings out an object’s essence.

Asked to expound on her definition of the essence of a thing, she says, “The essence is— not just the natural, physical part of the image, – but the whole of it.” When Judith composes a painting, she is “placing it in a state where it brings out more than the object itself.” When she does this, she’s doing “nothing complicated— simple backgrounds and shadows, giving it more depth.”

When asked if she thinks then, that essence is a feeling, “A feeling yes— it’s making the object more important,” than it otherwise might be perceived to be. “What I’m doing is I’m giving it more importance.”

Some of her achievements, degrees and exhibits, are highly recognizeable, but her academic accomplishments are not what make Judith Klausenstock a painter. It is the close personal relationship she has developed with the light and shadows that she finds in life—still, and otherwise,

that has taught her what she knows as an artist and painter. She distills it as “Simply put—by painting one learns to paint.”

Asked about her straightforward philosophy, she says, “That’s right. It just comes. It comes later on. You progress, and you get better and better.”

A retired M.D, Oskar Klausenstock is a fan of his marriage to Judith. At 91, Oskar is proud to have been a “doctor, a writer, a poet, and husband to Judith Klausentock.”

Like his wife, Oskar has been doing his art for a long time. “I have been writing

nearly all my life, before I was a doctor, even.” He is retired now, which leaves him more time for poems, which would explain his three hundred-plus page poetry manuscript.

Oskar has a lot to write about. He was born and raised in Poland, arriving in the US in 1949, the last remaining member of his original family. He has studied and learned seven languages, including English, which was “completely self-taught.”

Oskar is proud of his accomplishments and incarnations, as well as his polyglotism. Perhaps most importantly, he is proud of the “very good marriage” he shares with Judith.

Oskar happily describes the functionality of their creative living spaces. Judith works in her studio at home – a converted garage, now a space for her paints, charcoals, and internal conversations with still life.

Inside, Oskar writes in his room. When Judith needs some advice, she calls, “I need an eye!” Oskar then goes into the studio, and has a look at Judith’s current work.

She will do the same for him, answering to “I need an ear!” And then, she will, “Come inside, and she sits

and patiently listens to what I have just written,” Oskar happily relays. It works for them.

Judith Klausenstock has shown her work all over Marin, including at the Marin Society of Artists, Artworks downtown, retirement homes, libraries, and the Tiburon City Hall. This is her first showing at COM, or with the Emeritus College.

It is here at College of Marin where Judith and her husband Oskar began attending the Discussion Group of Morals and Ethics through the Emeritus College, where they were then asked to share their art with the rest of the community.

Oskar’s writing can be found on both Amazon and Google. Judith’s paintings can be seen through March 28.

Collage #71 and “Collage #96,” two of Judith Klausenstock’s charcoal portraits.

“Tumbling Cups,” watercolors, 23-inches wide by 14-inches high.

Photos by Patrick Brown

Local artist Judith Klausenstock features her work on campus

“The essence is not just the natural, physical part of the image, but the whole of it... What I’m doing is giving the object more importance.”

– Judith Klausenstock, artist

5ECHO TIMESMar. 7, 2014

Feature

“Two Boats”, watercolor, 22-inches wide by 14-inches high.

“Peaches in Bowl,” watercolor, 24-inches wide by 18-inches high. Local artist Judith Klausenstock stands next to her watercolor painting entitled “Two dried artichokes.”

“Three Persimmons,” watercolor. “Four Pomegranates,” watercolor, 16-inches wide by 5-inches high.

Feature 6 College of marin Mar. 7, 2014

Marin homes of the rich and famousPhoto courtesy of the Huffington Post

Marin home of San Francisco Giant’s Pitcher Barry Zito, which overlooks beautiful Tamalpais Valley.

Star Wars Director George Lucas’ mansion is nestled in Lucas Valley. The property is situated on 4,700 acres of land.

Celebrities attracted to some of the most expensive real estate in the country

Over the years, Marin has unquestionably remained a special place for some of the world’s most

successful people and brightest stars. In a most recent report published by the S.F. Gate, Marin County surpassed the hefty sum of $120,000 per joint income tax return. This figure, seemingly high to most people, fails to represent the true virtuosity of Marin’s wealth. Many of the rich and famous here remain distant from the public eye.

Only a handful of higher end properties may truly be considered anything less than reclusive. This seclusion around much of Marin’s finest of realty gems has inspired a wholesome sense of privacy, harbored in turn by a great many celebrity inhabitants such as: famed directors, David Fincher (Social Network) and George Lucas (Star Wars); actors, Sean Penn (Mystic River), Robin Williams (Dead Poets Society,) and

Peter Coyote (E.T.), renowned chef Julia Child; prominent political figures, Barbara Boxer (Senator), and Gavin Newsome (Lt. Governor); Olympic gold medalist, Johnny Mosley; authors Anne Lamott and Isabella Allende; and legendary musicians, Sammy Hagar (The Red Rocker), James Hetfield (Metallica), Janis Joplin (Big Brother & The Holding Company), Tony Bennett, and Carlos Santana (Santana).

Marin however, has done more than attract its fare share of famous figures and public personalities. It has given rise to a great many of its own as well. Recent news would highlight the work of Pete Carol, an often-revered opponent of the Bay Area’s 49ers. Carol attended Redwood High School before taking courses at Kentfield’s College of Marin.

Some of Marin’s prominent public figures have moved. In the last few years, both Bennett, and Penn have chosen to reside elsewhere, having sold their homes for a combined $35 million respectively.

ECHO TIMESBy Kyle Kelly

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.com

Feature 7ECHO TIMESMar. 7, 2014

In 2011 Mr. Bennett listed his property for $27 million on the coastal outskirts of Belvedere, while Penn who purchased his home in 1996 with then wife Robin Wright, carried a significantly lower price of only $15 million, selling in 2010 for a modest $8 million, approximately $6 million above their original purchase price.

Bennett’s five-bedroom, seven-bath Belvedere estate falls shy of some of the more expansive hillside castles. It more than makes up for it with a tremendous amount of charm and classic Italian allure. Designed by early Twenthieth-Century architect Warren Callister, the 9,500 square-foot humble abode offers a premium array of sweeping Bay Area views. Included is the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco’s finest skyline, and Mt. Tamalpais.

Bennett’s home includes a plethora of finer amenities: an office, a library, five fireplaces, an upscale living and dining area (boasting an elegantly designed set of French Doors that lead to an assortment of side terraces,) and a three-leveled lawn. It also includes a one-bedroom & one-bath guesthouse.

More than a year before Bennett’s hillside manor was listed, Sean Penn had already sold his Spanish style home in the heart of Ross. The Penn’s spent more than two years reconstructing the 7,557 square-foot Spanish villa originally built in 1933, before relisting it on the market in 2008. The home, residing on a little more than two acres came with a number of fanciful amenities, which included a renovated home gym, pool, tennis court, gardens, dog run and Au Pair quarters.

Barry Zito, once beloved pitcher of the Oakland A’s turned San Francisco Giant, has claimed recently that the commute from Kentfield to San Francisco has been proving problematic, as it is

simply too long a distance to be of comfort to him. With his contract expiring at the end of this season, it may be a prelude to a more complicated matter. Whether or not he will remain a Giants team member by next season is yet to be determined. At 35-years-old, with his career winding down, these are likely factors in his residential decision-making.

Listing his property in the hills above Phoenix Lake has proved problematic. The market place has balked at just about every offer thrown their way. The initial listing price was in many respects overzealous, at nearly $12 million. Mr. Zito, who has widely discredited his Bay Area reputation with a number of less than stellar seasons for the Giants, has been slashing millions from his homes listing price over the years. Zito’s current contract with the Giants stands at seven years, $120 million. Most recently the four-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath home has been listed

at slightly below $10 million. Through his silent charity and

humbling presence, there is one notable figure that single-handedly epitomizes the legacy of the rich and famous in Marin. That individual is George Lucas. Although he maintains an undeniably overwhelming presence throughout the community, both with charitable donations to education and community parks, his appearances are few and far between. He joined the small community of Marin in the mid 70s after his film American Graffiti, and before Star Wars was known to the world. Lucas wrote some of his most famous works while residing in his old Victorian home on the hillside above Park Avenue in San Anselmo.

During his crowning inauguration of the new “Imagination Park,” he donated to the downtown area of San Anselmo in 2013. There he stated, “Both Star Wars

and Indiana Jones were created here just down the street. They were both written and made here, Star Wars especially was made here, the actual film was made here in San Anselmo, and now we have a monument to remind people that this is where the whole thing started right here in San Anselmo.”

Before his overhaul of one of San Anselmo’s premier downtown regions, Mr. Lucas extended his generosity to a small music shop on the Miracle Mile, directly across from the United Market. This little shop, Amazing Grace, went on sale in 2004 after concerns grew that it might be going out of business. It was promptly purchased by Mr. Lucas, resulting in him pouring copious amounts of funding into the redevelopment of both the 1936 building and its surrounding landscape. Today Amazing Grace remains a pleasant

Famous singer Tony Bennett’s humble abode high up on the Belvedere Penninsula.

Photo courtesy of nbcbayarea.com

Star Wars Director George Lucas’ mansion is nestled in Lucas Valley. The property is situated on 4,700 acres of land. A look at the extensive library of Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch.

Continued on page 8

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.com Photo courtesy of scifinow.co.uk

Feature 8 College of marin Mar. 7, 2014

jewel on its original dividing median with the same gentleman who had been running the shop before.

The culmination of his presence in Marin, perhaps more than anything else, is his famed Skywalker Ranch in Lucas Valley. According to the Wall Street Journal, the 4,700-acre property with a man-made lake, Lake Ewok, has

cost Lucas an impressive $100 million in development since its purchase in the later half of the 70s. Occupied by his 50,000 square-foot main house designed to replicate an 1860s rancher abode, the residence is sure to humble anyone who is privileged enough to enter.

When David Grega of Sotheby’s Realty was asked about what he felt were the bigger reasons behind such high profile figures joining the Marin scene, he offered

a number of prime elements he believes may be contributing factors.

“Certainly, good schools, low crime and people tend to gravitate towards the city,” Grega said. He later spoke on some of the inspiring architecture around Marin as well, noting works primarily by famed designer John Marsh Davis. These homes can be seen at 625 Lovell, Mill Valley, and 16 Crest Road, Belvedere.

If walls could talk, perhaps they would

tell tales of Marin’s wildest 60s bashes, famed movie sets, embarrassing tales of celebrity youth, questionable habits and glorious stage performances. These homes, virtual beacons of titanic accomplishment, embellish Marin.

They have had a profound effect on the perspective of Marin County on a national scale, as its very name commands for its residents an acknowledgement of well-being.

Marin Realty Continued from previous page

Photo courtesy of bornrich.comPhoto courtesy of Huffington PostActor Sean Penn’s 7,557-square-foot Marin County estate was originally built in 1933.Marin County residence of former San Francisco Mayor and current California Lieutenant

Governor Gavin Newsom.

Marin County’s homes of the rich and famous

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Shakespeare. “Petruchio is every inch an unapologetic fortune hunter, a Clint Eastwood style (in manner and dress) frontier mercenary,” said San Francisco Chronicle Theater Critic Robert Hurwitt.

The first producion of Dunn’s “Wild West Shrew” was at COM back in 1970, inside the Intimate Studio Theatre. The British Consul General in San Francisco fell in love with the

production. He quickly obtained an invitation to perform the play at the 1971 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where it was a smash it receiving a Fringe first prize. Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret requested a performance for herself, and other members of the Royal Family. The play was hailed by the British press and reported on in the international wire services.

Show dates are Friday, Saturday

and Sunday now through Sunday March 16th. Shows start at 8PM Friday and Saturday evenings and 2PM Sunday afternoon.

“A professional showing of this production could run anywhere from $75-100. This is the cheapest you can ever see a production of this caliber,” says College of Marin’s theater’s namesake James Dunn.

A night at the Comedy Clubs in San Francisco will run you at least $100, A-list European House DJ’s concert at least $200 and neither will make you look as culturally refined and sophisticated as seeing Shakespeare take on the Wild West. The production is now playing at the James Dunn Theater located on the College of Marin Kentfield campus.

Show dates are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday now through Sunday, March 16. Shows start at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings and at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Tickets are $20 at the door or online, but due to anticipated sell outs nightly, it is highly recommended that you call the box office at (415) 485-9687 to ensure your seats. COM students with school issued ID receive a 50 percent discount on tickets. That’s a $10 ticket price to see the same production played for the British Royal Family.

Marin County residents are in for a rare treat. Having opened last Friday, College

of Marin’s very own James Dunn is directing a production of his internationally renowned adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” The show features College of Marin students Skyler Collins and Amanda Eckstut in the roles of Petruchio and Katherine respectively.

Shakespeare’s classic takes place in the English countryside. The story of a practical joke being played on a poor tinker named Christopher Sly by a wealthy lord is contrasted with an amusing story of three suitors and three damsels who battle wits to bend each other to their wills. The subsequent drama that unfolds has made Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” a classic. With classics comes timelessness. One can extract the plot, characters and emotions of 16th Century Shakespeare and place all those elements in any time and any place, step in James Dunn.

Dunn, College of Marin’s drama department chair has taken these timeless elements and placed them into a Western style adaptation of the 1800’s. Refined William Shakespeare has become The Kid “Billy”

Arts & Entertainment9College of marinMar. 7, 2014

ECHO TIMES

By Will Weber

‘Taming of the Shrew’ in the Wild West

Photo courtesy of COM Performing Arts Department, Kim Foulger

A scene from College of Marin’s Western-style adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” which is directed by James Dunn.

10 ECHO TIMES Mar. 7, 2014

Sports

College of Marin Swim Coach, Warren Logan, and his diving counterpart, Coach Mike Klunk,

have 41 years of coaching experience between the two of them. Logan has been the swim coach here at COM for 31 years, Klunk has been the diving coach for ten. They know the program, and their swimmers and divers, very well.

The teams generally consist of a “broad continuum of people” who are participating, explains Logan. Some are fresh out of high school, very fast club swimmers. Some participants are adults who have competed in masters and triathlons and want to improve their swimming. Others have never competed in swimming before. This broad range in experience level and age is the norm for the COM swim and diving program.

Despite this varied group the coaches inherit each year, they have managed to keep a steady string of top swimmers and divers reaching State competition and/or Community College All-American status

for the last five to six years. Among them, was last years standout

swimmer, Raquel Newman. Newman took two second places at the State Championship, and earned the title of Bay Valley Conference (BVC) Swimmer of the Year. She also made Community College All-American in two swimming events. “We always have the goal of facilitating the personal growth of everybody on the team, and we’d like to keep the string going of having a top swimmer make state and make (Community College) All-American for several years in a row,” says Logan. Regarding diving, he adds, “Coach Klunk’s specialty is taking people with no diving experience at all and teaching them how to dive.” It seems to have paid off, as two divers have made All-American status and a handful of divers have made it to State Championships under his tutelage.

This year, Klunk explained that

Olvhina Alatriste, who had no previous experience, competed for the first time two weeks ago. One of five beginners, she performed well, scoring higher than two others in her category.

“The important thing we are trying to do as a team is, whether someone is a beginner, or a fresh out of high school hot shot, we really want to make sure that everybody recognizes the value in this athletic experience and can take something from the pool deck into their lives,” said Coach Logan. “In terms of learning how to apply themselves, or having a little more integrity in what they do, or taking a little bit more risk in going for it in whatever they may want to do beyond swimming.”

Currently, there are 14 swimmers, men and women, and two divers in the program.

This year, be on the lookout for female swimmer, Kim Baca, this issue’s cover model. She’s got a lot of strong high school experience, and she won an event last year in the Marin County Athletic League. She can swim all the different strokes; but, her strengths are distance freestyle and breaststroke. She has a chance at advancing to the state meet.

On the men’s side, returning sophomore, Tylor Sarrafzadeh is looking to improve upon his impressive performance at last years’ conference meet: one second place and two thirds.

ECHO TIMES

By Shirley Beaman

Swim season gets underway

Sharpen your mind by completing your bachelor degree at USF in downtown Santa Rosa. Degrees now available

in Management, Psychology, and Health Services.

LEARN MORE AT AN

InformatIon meetIngat the USF SANTA ROSA CAMPUS

tuesday, march 18, 5:30pm

Learn more or to RSVP call 707.527.9612 visit www.usfca.edu/santarosa

or email santarosacampus@usfca.edu

Think you got what it takes to be a journalist? Then come add your voice

to the Echo Times this semester!We are currently recruiting writers,

photographers and editors.

Stop by LC32 or call 485-9690 for more info

“We really want to make sure that everybody recognizes the value in this athletic experience and can take something from the pool deck into their lives...”

– Coach Warren Logan This semester has been a challenging time for the women’s softball team

here at College of Marin. The team was ready for the season to take off, but due to unexpected circumstances, softball season is cancelled.

Coach Nina Richardson said, “Unfortunately we didn’t have the numbers this year, having two girls quit. I’m obviously very sad, I feel bad for the girls that gave up their time and commitment, for them not to be able to play this year is probably the hardest part for me as a coach.”

COM has had the softball program for about five years. Last year was their best season with a 25-14 record, and they were hoping for an even better season this year.

Softball player Briana Russo-Williams says that she is sad and disappointed. “It wasted a year of eligibility and I could’ve had more play time,” she said.

Richardson is ready to coach next year if the program is reinstated. Hopefully they will have a substantial amount of players again.

ECHO TIMES

By Rachel Mouton

Women’s softball season cancelled

ECHO TIMES

By Johnny McEvoy

Little progress on kidnap assault investigation

11ECHO TIMESMar. 7, 2014

News

City College’s accreditation crisisdifficulties, the commission has offered no support to stabilize the institution’s finances. Instead, in the last two years registration is down 34 percent because students fear the College’s seemingly imminent closure, and in turn CCSF has lost $14.3 million that they receive on a per student basis.

Students that have remained at City College are currently in a sort of limbo, many with limited viable alternatives, yet proudly committed to their school.

Although many students have been active in vocalizing their frustration with the ACCJC, CCSF student Elis Aguilar commented that in regards to the very real possibility of the College being shut down, many of her classmates seem to be “either ignoring it or really hopeful that it wont happen.”

Recently, CCSF students have had reason to be hopeful. With the help of significant public support City College’s cause has been gaining steady momentum. Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the ACCJC from teachers unions, the Save CCSF Coalition, and even San Francisco city attorney Dennis Herrera.

Attorney Herrera’s case was brought before San Francisco Superior court justice Curtis Karnow, who, roughly 7 weeks ago, granted City College a reprieve, ruling that the college will retain its accreditation at least until the trial for the case against the ACCJC has been held.

In early January, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi made an appearance at City College’s Chinatown Campus and spoke out in favor of the school, referring to City College’s issues with the ACCJC as “highly unusual.”

In recent developments, more local politicians have stepped up in attempts to assist City College and change how the ACCJC operates. In mid February Rob Bonta, a State Assemblyman from Oakland claimed, “existing law does not provide suitable standards for the California community College accreditation system.”

Further, Assemblyman Bonta is proposing a bill that would attempt to

correct some of the failures of the current accreditation process by, letting community colleges select the accreditation agency that oversees them, forcing such agencies to make their deliberations and finances public, giving community colleges the right to a fair appeal and due process, and disallowing accreditation agencies to maintain any conflicts of interest.

Additionally, Mark Leno, a California State Senator proposed a bill that would provide City College with the money it is estimated to lose over the next four years due to enrolment drops. His bill would buy City College more time to establish sustainable funding

without requiring the institution to make major cuts.

As some COM faculty and students are aware, a few weeks ago several San Francisco City College representatives came to College of Marin to discuss their crisis. Among the speakers was board of

trustee’s member, Rafael Mandelman, who was elected after the college received its show cause sanction.

Mr. Mandelman provided his perspective on the boards actions since he took office, commenting that although City College admittedly had “legitimate issues…the board did basically everything it was asked to do.” This included reorganizing the college’s administration, and approving a budget that had a $2 million surplus and restored the reserve. Mr. Mendelman reflected, “I really felt like there’s no possible way they were going to shut us down,” adding, “In retrospect, that was naïve.”

City College’s predicament raises the question: can this happen here? The answer is unclear, but the outrage and dissatisfaction voiced by large numbers of the students and faculty members of the City College of San Francisco should serve as warning to us here in Marin. The ACCJC continues to hold complete and unchecked power over California community and Junior Colleges, and COM’s students and staff should seriously regard the allegations that have been raised against this agency.

“I really felt like there’s no possible way they were going to shut us down. In retrospect, that was naïve.”

– Rafael Mandelman,City College Trustee

Accreditation Continued from page 3

CAMPUS ALERT. You may have seen one of these bright pink notices hanging around the campus

in the past month. Listed on these flyers is the story of a male student who was sexually assaulted. The assault took place in Lot 13, the unpaved, free parking lot, on January 23rd around 8:00 pm. Since this time, little to no information has been released on the assault. Students have been left wondering about their safety without much reassurance from our local or campus police force.

When asked if there was any new information on the assault, the lead investigator on the case, Lt. Jamie Scardina said, “I don’t have any new information that I can give at this time”.

Students are concerned about the lack of information being released. Kevin Eagleson, an Administrative Business major here at College of Marin, says, “I haven’t heard anything since it was updated as a male on male assault”. The lack of information being released to our students is concerning.

There may be a reason for the lack of information being released, “There are a lot of legal constraints in what we can find out, no matter how much we want to know. Even if the officers had a really good image of what the person looked like, unless it was deemed necessary, they don’t release that information,” Student Body President Steven Petker

said, “They make a very careful determination of when they’re going to release a sketch, or when they’re not. The only time you ever hear of one being released, is when that person is so dangerous to the public, it’s becomes a public safety issue for everyone to know. “

Petker went on to say how amazed he was at how quickly our campus and institution has responded. It only took one day for Lot 13 to be gated. They are also working on making the gate automated and the parking lot lit with LED lights. An automated gate would allow cars to exit the parking lot after 5:00 pm but not enter it.

Progress has been slow due to a tight budget, the need to contact the neighbors near the parking lot, and the need for electricity to be hooked up to the lot from PG & E.

Students and faculty alike have been concerned for the safety of all those involved at College of Marin. When asked if the incident has made her fear for her safety here at College of Marin, Chemistry Major Jennifer Lee said, “ Yes, I’ve been a little more conscious to park closer to class because it’s dark when I get out of my math class”.

Lee also stated that she has noticed an increase in campus security and police officers on campus and along College Avenue. Some, however are maintaining a brave outlook, “I don’t really feel at risk personally,” said Gina Cullen, a counselor here at College of

Marin.When asked if he has feared for his

safety, student Cody Hartman said, “No, I keep my doors locked.”

Hartman’s advice may be some that all students want to follow. Greg Nelson, vice president of operations at College of Marin, held a forum on February 4th at the Indian Valley campus to address the incident. Along with giving information on the incident, Nelson also told the students to always keep their doors locked, be cognizant of their

surroundings, and to use the buddy system.

If students are unable to utilize the buddy system or simply wish to feel safer, they are encouraged to ask for an escort from campus security.

Anyone with information on the incident should contact the Marin County Sheriff ’s Office at (415) 479-2311 or the College of Marin Police Department at (415) 485-9696. Until then, we all anxiously await any new information on the incident.

Photo by Johnny McEvoy

Parking Lot 13, where the assault took place. The lot is now gated in the evenings.

12 College of marin Mar. 7, 2014

CalendarEvents

Painting Exhibit at the Emeritus CenterBoston-born painter Judith Klausenstock is the featured artist in the current exhibit sponsored by the Emeritus Students of College of Marin. She attended the Massachusetts School of Art and received her BFA at Harvard University. She also studied at San Francisco State University, the University of California, and here at COM. Klausenstock uses watercolor and pastel as her main media and focuses on rendering the essence of the subject matter as she uses light and shadows to emphasize space, color, and dimension.When: Exhibit runs through March 28, Gallery hours: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.Where: Emeritus Center, Student Services Building, room 147, Kentfield Campus

Indian Valley Organic Farm and Garden Stand Open WednesdaysThe produce and flower stand for the flagship organic farm and teaching garden is open for business every Wednesday, rain or shine. When: March 12, 19, 26, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Jazz Ensemble at the Seahorse in SausalitoCayce CarnahanCome swing with the College of Marin Jazz Ensemble at the Seahorse in Sausalito. Great music, great food, and great atmosphere. Second Thursday of each month, no cover charge.When: March 13, 7 pm to 9 pm Where: Sausalito Seahorse 305 Harbor Dr. Sausalito

Contemporary ComedyYou are invited to enjoy the Brown Bag Theatre’s free student-directed scenes. On select Thursdays only, Actors Without Lines (A.W.O.L.) students from both beginning and advanced improv classes perform in the drama classroom. When: Performance: March 13, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.Dress Rehearsal: March 12, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Where: PA 134, Kentfield Campus

COM’s team vs YubaWhen: 3/11/2014Where: Away

COM’s team vs MendoWhen: 3/13/2014Where: Home

COM’s team vs NapaWhen: 3/18/2014Where: Home

COM’s team vs CCCWhen: 3/20/2014Where: Away

COM’s team vs LMCWhen: 3/25/2014Where: Home

Mariner InvitationalWhen: March 9, All dayWhere: Novato (IVC)

Solano InvitationalWhen: March 30, All dayWhere: Fairfield

49er 6-Way Meet When: 3/8/14, 11amWhere: Yuba College

Bob Rush InvitationalWhen: 3/21/14, 10amWhere: College of San Mateo

American River InvitationalWhen: 3/29/14, 10amWhere: American River, Sacramento

Baseball

Dates to RememberEnd of Midterm Period: March 14

Deadline for filing Application for Spring Graduation: March 14

Midterm Grades available: mycom.marin.edu: March 21

Softball

Swimming and Diving

Track & Field

COM’s team vs Delta CollegeWhen: 3/6/2014, 2:00Where: Stockton

COM’s team vs American RiverWhen: 3/8/2014, 1:00Where: College of Marin

COM’s team vs YubaWhen: 3/11/2014, 2:00Where: Marysville

COM’s team vs YubaWhen: 3/13/2014, 2:00Where: College of Marin

COM’s team vs YubaWhen: 3/15/2014, 1:00Where: Marysville

COM’s team vs Napa

When: 3/18/2014, 2:00Where: Napa

COM’s team vs NapaWhen: 3/20/2014, 2:00Where: College of Marin

COM’s team vs NapaWhen: 3/22/2014, 1:00Where: Napa

COM’s team vs Los MedanosWhen: 3/25/2014, 2:00Where: College of Marin

COM’s team vs Los MedanosWhen: 3/27/2014, 2:00Where: Pittsburg

COM’s team vs Los MedanosWhen: 3/29/2014, 1:00Where: College of Marin

COM’s team vs LaneyWhen: 4/1/2014, 2:00Where: Oakland