PCC Courier, April 04, 1985

Dr to / - By Joe Holman News Editor How do students in India differ from students here in the United States? According to Dr. Kalindi Randeri, principal of Women’s Polytechnic College in Bombay, India, only two things separate students in both countries. “Students in India finish high school at an earlier age (16),” said Randeri, who toured the PCC campus last week. “Also, I think that students in the United States are more motivated to work hard in school because many must pay for college themselves.” She added that fees for Women’s Polytechnic are entirely subsidized by the Indian government. Randeri visited PCC on March 29 as part of a six week tour of vocational and technical college programs in the United States. The tour was underwritten by Fulbright grants and sponsored by the U S. Educational Foundation in New Delhi. Randeri Visits Observe N Randeri is part of a nine member group of educators from different states in India. Randeri was the only one of the group to come to PCC. “I was especially interested in how the technol¬ ogy department was run,” said Randeri. “I also earned my Ph.D. in this country (at Southern Illinois University,) so I am all ready somewhat familiar with the way things are run.” Randeri also worked as a social worker with Jewish Family-Community Services in Chicago. “Human beings are the basically the same every¬ where . . . Chicago was a good human laboratory,” she said. She also stressed the opportunity to experience the American culture has helped her in her work at Women’s Polytechnic. Women’s Polytechnic college was established in 1976 as a pioneer institution and is part of a four year university system. The college is the same as community colleges in California except that it provides vocational and technical job-oriented courses for women only. The school is the only- women’s college in India. “The diploma courses are of lesser duration than the degree courses, hence a very meaningful alternative is presented to women students who wish to go for higher education,” said Randeri. Women’s Polytechnic offers eight different courses of study including medical and pharma¬ ceutical technology, fashion and interior design, food technology and electronics. While at PCC, Randeri was primarily interested in observing the workings of the Allied Health Department, computer lab and data processing. Her trip was so deemed so successful, that she discussed plans for a faculty exchange program with PCC’s president Dr. John W. Casey. “I have been in the United States on and off for seven years,” said Randeri. I find my visits to be very inspiring.” Dr. Kalirti Randeri _____ ) VOL 60, NO. 7 PASADENA CITY COLLEGE, PASADENA, CALIFORNIA APRIL 4, 1985 Students' Needs Create Legislation Counseling and Assessment May Alter Education Commission to Review Master Plan of Education Legislation on student counseling and assessment which could signifi¬ cantly change the way community col¬ lege students receive their education has been introduced by Senator John Seymour. The legislation, sponsored by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and carried out by the Orange County Senator, seeks to provide students with help in achieving their educational objectives. The legislation is called the Student Assessment and Academic Progress Act (also called Matriculation) and would, on a pilot basis, require partici¬ pating community colleges to more systematically assess the skills and educational goals of entering students and advise them about what courses and programs they need to reach thes^, goals. It also requires par.tcipaf.ing colleges to follow up on students’ progress and offer support services, if necessary, to reach their target. Initially, ten to 20 colleges in the state would implement the program. If successful, it would then be im¬ plemented elsewhere. The program includes several basic components: an application for ad¬ mission; an orientation program; com¬ prehensive assessment of skills, abili¬ ties and needs; counseling; follow-up of progress; and institutional research to determine how well the program is working. “This is a major change for com¬ munity colleges,” said George David Kieffer, president of the 15-member board of governors. “Considering the variation in the abilities and prepared¬ ness of the over one million community college students, a more systematic process of matching students to pro¬ grams and courses is essential if we are going to provide a quality education while meeting individual educational needs,” • -- :- The bill contains no provision for funding. Money will have to be pro¬ vided for in the 1985-86 State Budget. It is estimated that somewhere between $10-30 million, depending on the number of colleges which implement the plan, will be needed. The members of the Commission to Review the Master Plan for Higher Education were sworn into office on March 25, representing the official beginning of the review. The 16-member Commission will re¬ view the 25-year-old plan, which de¬ lineates and coordinates the responsi¬ bilities of the three postsecondarv seg¬ ments: University of California, Cali fornia State University and California Community Colleges. The Com¬ missioners’ final report will be done by March 1987. The a reassessment of the community colleges, will be completed by the end of 1985. Representing the California Com¬ munity Colleges will be David Kieffer, president of the board of governors. Kieffer has served on the Board of Governors' since 1981, during which time he chaired the Board’s Budget, Finance and Legislative Committee, and has for two years served as its president. Kieffer has also served on the University of California Board of Regents. Currently Kieffer is chair of the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions and partner in the national law firm of Manatt, Phelps, Rothenberg and Tunney. The Master Plan Review Com¬ mission includes one representative from each of the following: California Community Colleges, California State University. University of California, Association of Independent Univer¬ sities and Colleges, California Post¬ secondary Education Commission, and Superintendent of Public Instruction. Three representatives from each the State Senate and State Assembly, and four from the Executive Office are included. The four representatives for the Ex¬ ecutive Office, appointed by Governor George Deukmejian. are William Campbell, Meredith J. Kha'chigian, J. Gary Shansby and Dr. Edward R. Mosely. All four are republicans. The Commission's first meeting was held on March 26, when Chancellor Gerald C. Hayward presented an over¬ view of the California Community Col¬ leges. AS Supports Student Services Fee By Dan Stuart Editor-In-Chief On Tuesday, the Associated Student Board unanimously voted to support in principle a plan that could eventually give the group administrative control over $200,000. The measure served as a vote of confidence for a master plan that would impose an optional student service fee on registering students. In exchange for the fee. students would receive a “student service card” that would make them eligible to fully enjoy the benefits of the fund. A committee made up of Dean Alvar Kauti, AS Adviser Jennifer McKinney, AS President Chris Cofer, Executive Vice-President Angie Parker, and AS Board members Jim Mares and Karen Vargo vistited three local colleges to get an idea of what can be done with student service fees collected at regis¬ tration. In support of the proposal, AS adviser Jennifer McKinney said, “many colleges throughout the state of California have what is called a student service fee. Pasadena City College has not had one in the past 20 years or so. Its the feeling of the Board and of the Administration and of Dean Kauti and myself and some of the student govern¬ ment officers that we’ve spoken to that there’s a need to fund a variety of programs on campus.” Cerritos College collects an annual budget of $478,000 tnrough its service fee program, which boasts a 99 percent student participation rate. According to the proposal submitted at the AS Board meeting, PCC could collect $247,000 based on a policy of charging a $5 to students taking fewer than six units and $10 to students with six units or more. According to McKinney, this amount was derived from taking a survey of all of the community colleges that now have a service fee. The passed resolution went to the Student Personnel Committee Tuesday afternoon. McKinney said, “it will eventually get to the Board of Trustees and will hopefully be implemented in the fall.” If the proposal takes effect, the new funds would be used to help the stu¬ dents in many ways. “We would provide a variety of support services and campus services, educational and co-cirrcular, for the college. Things such as tutoring, athletics, child de¬ velopment center, campus beautifica¬ tion, cultural development, honor roll and many other worthwhile programs could be enhanced or made available to the students,” said McKinney. The plan includes providing students with free use of typewriters and would develop an evening escort program for night Depository Libraries Offer Necessary Information By Keith Gustafson Special Correspondent In the U.S. more than 1,390 Federal Depository Libraries offer information to interested individuals. The informa¬ tion is provided by the government to make citizens more aware of govern¬ ment issues and to help citizens with everyday problems they face. How¬ ever, few students take advantage- of the information available, according to Nancy Applegate Coffey, reference li¬ brarian for the Pasadena Library. The Depository Library is con¬ sidered a library within a library. One can exist inside a college or university library, a public, state, or federal Library. Each year librarians who are involved with the program choose from more than 25.000 publication titles is¬ sued by the government each year. The Pasadena Library, located on Walnut, is the closest Federal De¬ pository Library to PCC. Libraries can be regional or selective. The regional libraries receive all the publications of the government. The and supply information to other librar¬ ies in their region. As soon as they receive the information from the gov¬ ernment a permanent record is made of the document. The State Library in Sacramento is the regional library for California. There is usually only one regional library in each state. Each year librarians in selective libraries choose from a list of titles and determine which will be used most frequently used by their readers. If the selective library does not have some information on file, the regional library sends the information. In addition to the government pamphlets, depository libraries collec¬ tions are filled with information on careers, statistics, how to books, and many government documents. “ I feel it's a constitutional right that this information be available to the reader,” said Coffey. T just wish more people would take advantage of all this information. We do have people using the information but only ci oiYlcjll number take advantage of all the re¬ sources.” According to Coffey even with a proposed plan by President Reagnn to eliminate some of the information, the government continues to publish more each year. Three oi four new de¬ positories libraries ar ■ formed each year. Before depository libraries were des¬ ignated in the early 1900's, special acts were passed making available suffi¬ cient number of copies from the jour¬ nals of the Senate and House of Repre¬ sentatives. Local Parade Features Trolley Cars students. “The proposal includes hiring a cou¬ ple of staff persons; one accountant person to be employed through the Student Business Services office to handle all of the AS accounts and this account as well as an activities facil¬ itator to be an assistant to Dean Kauti and myself,” said McKinney. The money collected by the student service fees would be classified as non¬ district funds and would be adminis¬ tered bv the AS government, according to McKinney. The proposal is currently in its early development stage, and is likely to undergo many modifications before its implementation. BUDDING STARS — Dick Butkus (center) and Buboa Smith take time out between takes to talk with PCC student Tina Carter. Butkus and Smith were filming scenes'for the television series “Half Nelson” on the PCC baseball field. -Photo courtesy ot Rick bones MAGICAL FINGERS _ Carl Dominik performed Mozart's Piano Concerto last week in КЗОО. Dominik also lectured on the points of Mozart s life and times. -Courier photo by Johnny Nodar By Lisa Acosta Assistant News Editor Authentic trolley cars from the turn of the century will once again be running in Pasadena. The new system will be installed in the area known as “Old Town” on the corner of Raymond and Colorado. The trolley cars will be an important part of a major rennova- tion project for “Old Town.” On April 18, a parade beginning at 5 p.m. at city hall will travel the route of Pasadena’s original trolley cars and begin the ground breaking for a project scheduled for completion within a year. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, trolley cars ran through areas of Pasa¬ dena on Green, Raymond, Union and De Lacey streets. Three trolley cars have been purchased and are being restored for use again. One will be featured in the parade. A reception and fundraiser im- mediatly following the parade will be presented for selected guests. Proceeds will benefit the new market¬ place, local charitites, Pasadena Heritage and the Pasadena Symphony Association. Developers John Wilson, Bob Morris and A1 Ehringer are in the process of creating a marketplace in the perime¬ ter of the parade and trolley route. It will encompass an entire city block in “Old Town” and plans include a seven screen theatre, a food hall, two major restaurants and a half-dozen bistros and cafes. The Pasadena Hotel will remain located in the marketplace. Plans for 75 retail stores are also in the makings. All the major networks will be cover¬ ing the groundbreaking and reception which will feature a Cajun menu. A $30 donation per person is required and food will be suplied by Gladstone’s 4 Fish, the Rib Joint and Irvine Ranch Farmers Market. “The trolley system will not only reinforce the marketplace and the en¬ tire Pasadena area business wise, but it will give our residents something to enjoy and be proud of,” said Michelle McElrath, PCC communications major assisting in publicity for the event. KPCC will also cover the event. PLANNED PROJECT — A Farmer's Market like the one above will be constructed in "Old Town.”