PCC Courier, April 28, 1988

COURIER VOL. 66. NO. 10 PASADENA CITY COLLEGE, PASADENA, CALIFORNIA APRIL 28, 1988 Band Member Drowns in Fresno Pool By Heidi Wilson Opinion Editor A trip for PCC’s brass and per¬ cussion ensembles ended tragically Friday when 19-year-old student Gabriel Gonzales drowned in the swim¬ ming pool of the Fresno Hyatt Lodge at approximately 1:40 a.m. Band director James Arnwine, who traveled with the group, explained, “We arrived late. At 1:15 a.m. people went to their rooms. Gabriel went for a swim with one of the other band mem¬ bers.” The name of the swimming companion was not released. According to an account given to the Star News by assistant superintendent Dr. David Ledbetter, “they decided to race each other, but when the other student reached the end of the pool, he saw Gonzales floating lifelessly at the other end.” “I was awakened right after it hap¬ pened and I was told he wasn’t doing well,” said Arnwine. “By the time I got there, police and paramedics were attending to him.” They were attempt¬ ing to revive Gonzales by cardio¬ pulmonary rescusitation. “We tried to contact Gabriel’s mother right after the incident, but she couldn’t be reached,” said Arnwine. Approximately 90 minutes after the incident, Fresno Police informed Mrs. Gonzales of her son’s death. An autopsy would be conducted. A main concern of the family and friends of Gonzales is the reason for the delay in notification by school author¬ ities, who finally reached Mrs. Gonzales Saturday afternoon. “I only got a very businesslike call from the Fresno Police that gave me a few basic facts,” said Sara Gonzales, Gabriel’s mother. “My daughter and I went through mental agony trying to reach someone who knew something. They (the school) said I wasn’t home when they called, but I have witnesses who know that I was.” According to Cynthia Edwards, fam¬ ily friend, “It is amazing that a respon¬ sible adult traveling with them didn’t call right after. They said they tried, but this was an emergency situation where you had better make sure the family is notified. I spoke to the school and expressed my disappointment in that they were lax in responsibly han¬ dling this dire emergency. There was time for a personal call.” The delay also hindered the process for consent of donating Gabriel’s or¬ gans to medical science. “It was real sad that there was such a long delay. They could only use his eyes, bone marrow and skin, but no vital organs.” Sources say that the hotel pool gate may not have had a sign prohibiting swimming at late hours. “At 1 a.m. anyone could go in and drown if there isn’t a sign or a lock,” said Edwards. As a result, Mrs. Gonzales and her family are considering legal action against the hotel if such is the case. According to Gabriel’s brother Anthony, Gabriel’s body will be cremated and a memorial service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Bernard’s Church. Gabriel attended Franklin High School where he started as a drummer in the marching band. Gabriel played in the Los Angeles All-City Band with whom he marched in the Rose Parade twice. He entered PCC in 1986 and played in the Tournament of Roses Marching Band before starting in the percussion ensemble in 1987. “The fac¬ ulty felt that he was naturally gifted as a percussionist,” said music depart¬ ment chairperson Paul Kilian. The band was scheduled to perform in the Wind Festival at Fresno, but, due to the incident, returned to Pasadena the following morning. Gonzales was the youngest of six children residing at the family home in Los Angeles. He would have celebrated his twentieth birthday last Monday. “He was just always so happy,” said his sister Mona. “Gabriel was real sweet and real innocent; almost too innocent for his own good sometimes,” said brother Anthony. “He was really a good guy.” Talented Deaf Students Win Big By Sally Blake News Editor Although most deaf people live in a silent world, some find unique ways to communicate their ideas. Manuel Alva, Melanie Oxley and Alexander Bilenke found the perfect way. They demonstrated their artistic skills and won top honors at the In¬ ternational Creative Arts Twelfth An¬ nual Regional Three Contest, a contest for deaf artists. Alva won two first place awards and one third place. Oxley won second place and Bilenke won a first place and second place. Alva has entered the contest the last four years and has placed high every time. This year his first place entry in the photography category was entitled Columns Right. The photograph was a picture of the pillars of Pasadena City Hall. The second first place prize, Reminis¬ cence, was done in prism colors. This piece also took best of show. His third place award was won for water colors of a little boy with a puppy and a kitten. It was entitled Inseparable. Speaking through Gloria Muldoone, instructional aide and interpreter for the special services center, Alva ex¬ plained that he was very excited when he won. “I was so surprised that I won again. I knew there were a lot of good artists there, and I didn’t think I had a chance. I was really shocked.” Oxley won second place for her stipal art of two hummingbirds fluttering around a branch of flowers. She enti¬ tled it Sweet Hummingbirds. She said that Alva had convinced her to enter the competition. “I’m really glad he encouraged me to enter. I was thrilled when I was notified. I went and told all my friends. It was really a good experience.” Bilenke won first prize for an oil painting of his self portrait. He re¬ ceived second place for a picture that was drawn in white pencil on a black matte. He also expressed surprised in win¬ ning the award, “I really was not expecting to win. As a matter of fact, I wasn’t even going to enter. Now, I’m glad I did.” Artists from such countries as Can¬ ada and Puerto Rico also entered the contest. Bilenke is a student at the Art Center Institute of Design, as well as PCC. All the students will receive their awards at a banquet in Chicago on April 29. Alva will enter a pantomime competition while there. He will per¬ form Bubblegum, in which he acts as a little boy who begins to blow up a bubble, and finally ends up in the bubble. Bilenke said that he is really looking forward to the competition, “I will be very thrilled to meet other deaf ar¬ tists.” None of the artists were born deaf, as 99 percent of deaf people are not. Alva became deaf at age 2 because of a high fever caused by the measles. He was an oralist, (one who practices oralism — which is the oral method of teaching the deaf) until the fifth grade, when he learned sign language. Oxley became deaf when she was eight months old. Her handicap was also caused by a high fever that resulted from the chicken pox. Bilenke lost his hearing when he was nine months old from an infection that developed from the flu. He said he does not remember a lot of his hearing, but he does remember the noise of cars and trains. Courier/Megan Feeney Manual Alva, Melanie Oxley and Alex Bilenke display their talent. Women’s History Soon Added to Curriculum By Coleen Meyers Editor-in-Chief Changing the basic perspective of women in history seems natural for a woman to do. And three women on campus have set out to do just that. Phyllis Mael, associate professor of English, Laura Davis, associate professor of social sciences, and Kay Dabelow, professor of social sciences, have pooled their resources and or¬ ganized “The Western States Project on Women in the Curriculum” to meet on campus May 19 through 21. This conference will bring professors from 13 western state community col¬ leges together to share and disseminate information about the contributions of women in molding the society. And two hours prior to the con¬ ference Mael, Davis and Dabelow will brief PCC and local high school faculty on the conference materials. Dabelow has already begun integrat¬ ing women’s historical contributions into her history 7A class and Davis has done the same in history 7B. “We have been conditioned,” said Davis. History has always focused on men, the government and the economy. But a balanced view of women and minorities who didn’t have anything to say about economics must be included, she said. “Students for so long have been taught that presidents, legislation and wars have been important, but when the issues of women and social changes and child rearing practices come up, somehow they begin thinking that is not really history,” said Dabelow. According to Davis and Dabelow their future classes will look at family structures and the way people relate to each other. They will go beyond simply acknowledging specific accomplish¬ ments of women. Both Davis and Dabelow agreed that their courses will still deal with the same issues of legislation and wars, but their goal will be not to overlook the women who took care of the home front or worked in the factories during the war. “We will be looking at the way that the issues of gender, class, ethnicity and race actually changed and molded history. That is the integration proc¬ ess,” said Dabelow. The conference’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Johnnella Butler, chair of Afro-American studies at the Univer¬ sity of Washington. She will speak on “Gender, Ethnicity, Race and Class: New Visions for Curriculum.” Fridays panels will discuss in¬ corporating women’s contributions into the courses of literature and composi¬ tion, introductory psychology and soci¬ ology, American history, the arts and humanities and classroom teaching strategies. Saturday’s workshops will include developing and sustaining a curriculum change through institutional perspec¬ tives and networking. Aproximately 100 people are ex¬ pected to participate. Conference participants are en¬ couraged to bring 50-100 copies of syl¬ labi, bibliogrphies and other course and program information to share. The deadline to register for the conference is May 9. Conference registration form and the $35 two day fee or $25 one day fee can be turned in at Dr. William Goldmann’s office C209. Additional information may be ob¬ tained by contacting Betty Schmitz or Candace Conte at (206 ) 543-9531. Risser Awards Honor the Best By Meta McCullough Staff Writer Teachers play an important role in education and very often their in¬ fluence can either make or break a student’s future. Every year, PCC stu¬ dents are given the opportunity to show their appreciation to their instructors by nominating them for the J. Ray Risser Outstanding Teacher Award. According to Dr. William Goldmann, executive assistant to the president, this award is currently open to all regular, full-time faculty members who students feel have aptly demon¬ strated the necessary criteria. The criteria is quality of instruction, in¬ spiration to students, fair and under¬ standable grading, evaluation, grading and loyalty to the college and to the United States of America. Adminis¬ trators are not eligible for the competi¬ tion. Along with a plaque, the winner receives a check for $1,000. “The Risser Award provides the student with an opportunity to not only nominate an outstanding teacher, but to thank that teacher in a most tangible way,” said Goldmann. Past recipients of the Risser Award include Tony Georgilas of the com¬ munications department, Ted James of the engineering and technology depart¬ ment and Sam Soghomonian of the social sciences department. The 1987 award winner, Leonard Franco, of the English department, is currently in Oxford. There is also a separate Risser Award for the non-teaching staff. The winner ofthat award receives a check for $500. “Whether one wins or loses, it is truly an honor to be nominated for the Risser Award,” said Goldmann. The Risser Award was originated by the late Dr. J. Ray Risser in 1976, and the funding was set up at that time. Risser was at one time chair of the social sciences department. Risser served PCC from 1938 until his retire¬ ment in 1975. His son, Dr. Joseph Risser, is currently overseeing the selection process. He is a former educator from PCC having worked extensively in the counseling area. The judging committee includes past recipients of the award and Risser. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony and banquet in May. Students interested in nominating a deserving teacher should pick up the necessary forms in C209. A minimum of 20 student signatures required for each application. The deadline to submit the applica¬ tions is Wednesday, May 4, 4:30 p.m. Hallinger Re-elected To Senate President By Sean DuPont Associate News Editor Jane Hallinger was re-elected to the presidency of the Faculty Senate last week in a landslide victory over two other opponents. Of a total of almost 200 ballots, Hallinger captured almost three- fourths of the votes cast, defeating both Joseph Barnes and Dr. Enrique Orosco. Both Rosemary Gaines and Mary Ann Sherman were re-elected to the posts of vice president and secretary while Donald Wilson was elected as treasurer. Their terms begin June 1 and last one year. The results were posted Friday three hours after balloting closed at noon. The election ran smoothly, according to Hallinger. Earlier this year, senate ballots were thrown out after some senate members expressed their con¬ fusion over nominating and election dates. At that time, Hallinger decided to reset the elections. “I didn’t want to assume an office with an election that people questioned,” she said. Hallinger declared that the biggest challenge she faces in the next year is dealing with the passage of AB1725, a proposed law in the state senate that would allign the community college system closer to that of the state university’s. Included are reforms in tenure, funding, faculty input and credentials. Hallinger said that she will work to pass the bill and also lobby the governor to pass a funding bill that she feels is needed to complement the proposed law. A letter writing cam¬ paign and other lobbying efforts are planned. Hallinger believes that the faculty members on campus are very active at the state level concerning legislation. “We’re known to bring the most dele¬ gates to state conferences, as many as 11.” She added that Dr. Harry Kawahara, past president of the sen¬ ate, holds a powerful position in the state faculty senate organization. Programs such as faculty retreats, peer reviews and faculty advisements are also attention worthy in the coming year, according to her candidate state¬ ment. Rosemary Gaines had the closest race of the four posts, winning re- election by only 35 votes and defeating John Jacobs. And Hallinger’s opponent, Barnes, is the current treasurer of the senate. Wilson, who ran unopposed, has held the post previously. “He did an ex¬ cellent job in his two years as treas¬ urer. He brought us to the modern world by putting our records onto computer files.”