PCC Courier, April 12, 2012

Pasadena City College Online edition pccCourier.com Track Big races in ‘Tiny' classic Page 12» Facebook PCC Courier Twitter @pccCourier Volume 105, Issue 7 The independent student voice of PCC. Serving Pasadena Since 1915. April 12, 2012 $180-per-unit classes unlikely to be offered Large majority of PCC board members are opposed to the concept of a two-tier system Get smart Blair Wells / Courier Demo specialist Robbie Sabako demonstrates a new, interactive whiteboard. New whiteboard showcased Dusty Earl Staff Writer A new high-tech whiteboard was presented to teachers and administrators on April 3 in the Shatford Library. Product demo specialist Robbie Sabako from Digital Networks Group led the demon¬ stration, explaining the benefits and features of the ENO Interactive Teaching board. The new technology is being considered as part of the SMART 18 initiative that aims to improve the technology in classrooms on campus. The board, manufactured by Polyvision, is an interactive learning board, incorporating multiple technologies and func¬ tions into one moveable base unit. One useful feature is the pro¬ jector being mounted above the screen. The short throw projector may make the ceiling mounted projector a thing of the past, and will put an end to "glare from the projector when a teacher looks back at their students," according to Sabako. The ceramic and steel based projector screen also serves as a standard white board. It can also be digitally written on with a built in pen, that can change the color and size of the digital ink by touching a magnetic tool strip on the board. The screen material is also essentially tag-proof. Sabako demonstrated this by writing on the screen with a permanent marker, then wiping it off Continued on page 9 Nicholas Zebrowski News Editor A two-tiered tuition system- in which some students could pay up to $180 per unit- is unlikely to be offered at PCC. A large major¬ ity of members of the Board of Trustees contacted are opposed to the concept. " [The two tier tuition system] is a mistake," Board President Geoffrey Baum said. "I under¬ stand the need to increase rev¬ enue, that does not seem to be an effective way." A controversy drawing nation¬ al media coverage erupted last week at Santa Monica City College (SMC) where the Board of Trustees in early March approved such a two-tiered fee system. The SMC Board on Friday responded to a request from the Community College Chancellor's office and canceled the summer pilot program post¬ poning the entire two-tier tuition system. Chancellor Jack Scott had requested SMC wait for a report from the state Attorney General about the legality of the system after angry protests at an SMC Board meeting led to several people needing medical atten¬ tion. . Speak out! j Would you pay j : $180 per unit if it j ; was the only way to j : get into a class? j • vote at : pccCourier.com A legal question arose concerning the non-profit organization set up by the college to manage the high-cost classes. PCC Trustee Linda Wah said she is not in favor of the two-tier tuition system. "The way it was implemented was not the correct way," Wah said. "There needs to be some way to subsidize afford¬ able community college [for] the entire community." Scott expressed doubts in a telephone interview. "[The two- tier tuition system] is an attempt to offer more classes, but I am not sure if this is the correct way," he said. "To price [classes] this high appears to me to have problems with equality." He added that such high-cost Continued on page 10 CHP veteran appointed as new police chief Philip McCormick Staff Writer A 27-year California Highway Patrol veteran has been appointed as the new PCC Chief of Police. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously in favor appointing Stanton Perez for the posi¬ tion of Director of Police and Safety Services in its April 4 meeting. "It's my passion for law enforcement that drew me to this job," said Perez in a telephone interview. "This opportu¬ nity was ideal for me, so I applied." Perez started his law enforcement career with the CHP and stayed with it for a little more than 27 years. He rose through the ranks and reached the position of regional chief of the valley division before retiring. As chief, he was responsible for CHP operations in 13 counties. Perez is also currently working as an adjutant instructed here at PCC, teach¬ ing Homeland Security through the college's Criminal Justice program. "We look forward to meeting our hopefully future Chief Perez at the next board meeting," said President Board of Trustees President Geoffrey Baum at the board meeting. Perez said that one of the first things he plans to do when he gets situated as chief, is to learn about the PCC com¬ munity, and figure out what it is the campus needs in terms of security. "I plan on fallowing in [Interim Police Chief Frank Scialdone's] foot¬ steps," said Perez. "But I also want to put my own stance and flavor on the police force. I love working with peo¬ ple and I'm looking forward to this job and the experiences it will bring." PCC contracted Bob Murray & Associates to look for someone to fill the position. The company narrowed it down to 12 applicants, who were screened. A panel of various staff members from different departments reviewed those 12 and narrowed it down again, to four. The panel interviewed the top four applicants and chose two finalists. President Mark Rocha had the final say in which of the two got the job, and selected Perez. "[Perez] is a nice guy," said Interim Chief Scialdone, who is retiring. "He is very bright and articulate. I think he'll do just fine." Perez begins his duties as chief on Monday. "I look forward to that day," said Perez. "With [Scialdone's] help, it should be a smooth first week." Blair Wells / Courier Stanton Perez is the newly appointed Director of Police and Safety Services at PCC. 8зз^з8загззаэ1й5азаЕ81§аваяивааая88В1иваавйавв83ввюааа18ааад!ваадави1виайиа11ВВВ8В8ввам1^8 Look for Auto class, assemble! щ ч, ' j Technology T— - JMf л - r— -1 - the next issue The automotive See how the campus if of the Courier on technology lab keeps * «.*& m ш!тшк ~ stays connected in this stands things movin’ week's Scene May 5 Page 5» Pages 6 and 7»