Monday night’s Board of Trustees meeting marked a passing of the torch for two reasons. One was the presence of new Student Trustee Jonathan Eady, the other was that this was President and Superintendent Tsang’s final Board meeting after nine years here at Santa Monica College. After announcing his retirement in January, Jeff Shimizu was chosen to serve as Interim...

When a shooter made his way to Santa Monica College on June 7, 2013 and took three lives before being shot down in the campus library, SMC professor Wendy Parise was shocked to recognize the face of the suspect. It was her former pre-school student, John Zawahri. Two years later and many questions still hover over the day when Zawahri,...

If one were to ask the average student voting populace of Santa Monica College what it was the student trustee does, most students would be at a loss. At most, they know that trustees represent students on the Board of Trustees, which if you ask former student trustees, is just the tip of the iceberg. The role of student trustee...

The roads between the Pico Youth & Family (PYFC) Center and the Santa Monica City Hall were trodden with fervent protest last Thursday. In the protest, PYFC members, families, friends and children marched with hopes of the Center’s continuance. A few passing by cars honked in support. Many protesters came with signs and drums, chanting in orchestrated cadence:“Let PYFC thrive!...

Like a well-mobilized small army, the Film 33 production class began production on its latest short film project over the weekend. Led by professor Salvador Carrasco, a crew composed entirely have students have been trekking their way from the Bundy campus to the Van Nays to make "The Shape Shifter." Written and directed by SMC film student Kelly Thompson, the...

An hour before showtime and the backstage area of The Broad was a scene of controlled chaos as dancers, instructors and stage hands swarmed to prepare for Saturday night's performance. On nearby stairs a dancer stepped on broken glass and pressed a band aid against her slashed toe, determined to not miss the show. It was the return of Synapse,...

The day wasn't bright but it did start early for Jeff Williams co-president of the Black Surfers Collective. “I load my truck, come to the beach and get ready for busloads of kids," said Williams. Around the tent were surfboards, bodysuits, food and lots of surfers ready to introduce Los Angeles area youth to the waves; all free as part...

Recently, the city of Los Angeles passed a minimum wage increase to $15 an hour. As I expected the peasants danced in the street, the city government called it progress and the talking heads on cable news debated. The increase, while long overdue is nowhere near anything to celebrate. The minimum wage is important if one believes that those who...

Recently, the country of Ireland has legalized the recognition of homosexual “marriage”. Also, in a few weeks, the US Supreme Court is expected to render its decision on the subject. Some expect the Court will force homosexual marriage upon all of America, despite the expressed will of the people in many states, who have amended their state Constitutions to define...

Drawing endless of graphs in his math classes was what made Ron Chinitz, former student at Santa Monica College, come up with the idea of Coordimate. But the day his favorite professor, Don Murray, took 5 minutes from class to give a short speech about the importance of being precise in graphing, his decision was solidified. “I was like 'Okay,...