PCC Courier, December 02, 1983

PCC VOL 56. NO. 12 y- - Army/ Navy Photo Special See pages 4 and 5 .я PASADENA CITY COLLEGE. PASADENA, CALIFORNIA DECEMBER 2. 1983 Controversial Collegiate Republicans' Homecoming Float By Richard Riehl Staff Writer The banner slogan “Keep the Reds Out” earned the Collegiate Re¬ publicans both honor and disgrace as its Homecoming float was judged “most original” by the Alumni As¬ sociation and “tasteless and disgust¬ ing” by AS President Helen Hanson. The AS Executive Board unani- ' mously passed a resolution Tuesday disassociating itself from “the Col¬ legiate Republican Club's actions at the PCC Homecoming Parade of Saturday, Nov. 19, 1983.” The club float design consisted of a background of Olympic rings and a foreground of the Soviet hammer and sickle. Upon hearing the AS Board resolu¬ tion, Christopher Cofer, Collegiate Re¬ publican president, said, “That’s atro¬ cious because the First Amendment of the United States Constitution allows free speech for everybody.” QUARREL OIVI THE QUAD — This banner was used by the Collegiate Republicans in the homecoming parade and as part of their voter registration drive on the quad . . . Cofer and Jeff Wright, Collegiate Republican secretary-treasurer, de¬ fended the club’s position to the AS Board. What began as reasonable dis¬ course quickly turned into emotional outbursts. Several times throughout the meeting Hanson called for order. At one point, Jennifer McKinney, stu¬ dent activities adviser, intervened be¬ cause the meeting was “getting out of hand.” Although there are no specific guidelines for float design or subject matter, the Collegiate Republicans ex¬ ercised poor taste, according to Hanson. “We don’t take that political view,” said Hanson. “We don’t hold any political view.” The Alumni Association judges did passed unanimously, Wright referred to the AS Board as a “kangaroo court with the decision already made" prior to taking a vote. “This is far from over,” said Wright. In a special session immediately after the AS meeting, the Collegiate Republican Executive Board passed its own resolution disassociating itself from the AS Executive Board. "AS has exceeded its bounds.” said Cofer. “It no longer represents the interests of the student body.” After hearing of the Collegiate Re¬ publican resolution, Hanson said, “Their meeting will be beating a dead horse.” Two separate incidents enraged the Collegiate Republicans. Wright said Although there are no specific guidelines for float design, the Collegiate Republicans exercised poor taste, according to (AS president Helen) Hanson. not question the Collegiate Republican float subject matter when bestowing the award, according to Louis Crevel- ing, past president of the Alumni As¬ sociation and one of three judges for Homecoming floats. “There was no indication, at the time, not to give an award,” said Creveling. “As an afterthought, it was in bad taste but (the theme was ) not violent.” After the disassociation resolution the club was discriminated against when he alleged that their float had been edited from the video tapes of the Homecoming activities and that their voter registration banner had been improperly seized by the student ac¬ tivities office during their registration drive early last week. Sharon Stephens, supervisor of the Homecoming video tape production, flatly denied any editing in the manner described by Wright. “We don't have Gertmenian, Miele to Have Run-Off Election Recount Results in Tie By Lisa Lowery -- --'Staff Write*- . ***** The oscillating battle for the FCC Board of Trustee Area 4 seat has not ended after nearly a month of uncertainty. Susanna Miele, the reform candidate, and Roger Gertmenian. the three term incumbent, now face a run-off election to break a tie vote announced after Tuesday's recount. Margarite Brown, director of the election services, who has been in charge of the close race, said the only alternative to a run-off election is to “draw lots.” According to Dr. John W. Casey, superintendent- president, his office is researching the matter and consulting with the county counsel, which is also examining the election tie. Casey has found that the Board passed a resolution in Dec. 1976 designating a special election in the case of a tie. Unless the ruling has been since rescinded, a tie-breaking election will be held. “The way it stands now, there will be a run-off election,” Casey said. The resolution states, “. . . this policy shall remain in full force and effect until rescinded by this Board.” So far, he has not found that the Board has cancelled the 1976 resolu¬ tion. Both candidates said they will meet again with their campaign committees. Both agreed the election has taken its toll. “It’s difficult for everyone who is involved,” said Miele about the election tie. “It’s incredible, and an unfortunate situation. I wish it could be different. According to the State Election Code, a run-off election must take place within four Tuesdays after the final results. An election so close to Christmas is not the best time for voter turnout.” Gertmenian said he will meet with his campaign people and his attorney in order to make a public statement early next week. However, he did say, he was glad that during the election campaigns, can¬ didates discussed issues and not personalities. The Nov. 10 semi-official results showed Gertme¬ nian had won the election by nine votes. He had called it a victory then,' while Miele had decided to wait for the official results before requesting a recount. The Registrar-Recorder’s office produced an early official tabulation, which included 93 additional ballots swaying the election in Miele’s favor by two VQtes. The official vote count was certified early the next week retaining Miele's 2,591-2,589 vote victory. On Nov. 23, Gertmenian filed for a recount which took place Tuesday, costing him $360. The recount resulted in a tie, giving both candidates 2,592'votes. Apparently four votes previouly uncounted de¬ termined the tie. According to Brown, the four ballots had to be ruled on as to whether or not the cards where punched properly. That ruling produced the tie. Brown said the election will be held at the polls since the large number of voters makes a mail-in election impossible. She also said the college’s governing body will determine the election date according to state and educational election codes. Casey projected the tie-breaking election will cost between $30,000 and $45,000. The costs are paid by the district. Forensics' Funds Restored Journalism Wins 14 Awards A team of students from the PCC journalism program won 14 awards at the Journalism Association of Com¬ munity Colleges' competition held Nov. 20 at L.A. Valley College. More than 400 students from 30 southern Califorhia community col¬ leges participated in the annual event. Scott Tompkins won fifth place in copy-editing and second in on-the-spot editorial writing. John Horn placed first in the editorial competition. Debbie Gehlken won third place and Christine Del Villar fifth place in the feature writing competition. Lucio Villasenor placed fifth for his on-the-spot full page layout. PCC photographers won four awards. Doug Burrows placed fifth in sports photography arid second in news. Ted Soqui won third place in news and Jerome Gibson honorable mention for feature photography. In the mail-in competition, PCC won four awards. The Courier won hon¬ orable mention for best use of photo¬ graphs and Prism won third place for best magazine. Barbara Nack placed second for best photograph in a maga¬ zine and John Pierce was awarded fifth place for best satire. After several hours of deliberation the Student Service Fund Committee passed a motion Tuesday to reinstate the forensics budget of $15,770 for the Tall semester. However, the committee will no longer finance meals for the Forensic Team during the spring semester. The committee resolved what Joseph Probst, director of forensics, has called a “philosophical” conflict concerning the forensics team budget. The dispute occurred as a result of the committee’s unanimous vote Nov. 2 not to fund meals for indiviual students for college performance groups. Chrystal Watson, department chair¬ man of communication, Joe Probst, director of forensics, and David Leatherberry, a forensics member were able to present a series of rebut¬ tals to the committee’s resolve. This presentation by the concerned forensics group has allowed their par¬ ticipation in the Pacific Southwest Col¬ legiate Forensics Tournament (PSCF) at California State University, Los An¬ geles this weekend. The committee, comprised of PCC student legislators and two PCC admin¬ istrators, is the overseer of approx¬ imately $70,000 which comes directly from the college bookstore. These funds are then appropriated throughout the college 'departments which request funds for college approved expen¬ ditures. —Ron Siders the time to do that kind of thing," said Stephens. Replay of the tapes did in¬ deed show the club float had not been edited out of the Homecoming video tape. Alvar L. Kauti, dean of student ac¬ tivities, responded to Wright’s second allegation. The banner had been re¬ moved because it had made a political statement rather than an announce¬ ment of an event or activity, according to Kauti. In other AS Board action, Kevin Connors, vice president of academic affairs, proposed a student-faculty-ad¬ ministration forum for Tuesday. Dec. 13, 1983 at noon in the Campus Center Lounge. Representatives of the three groups will respond to written ques¬ tions composed by the student body as well as verbal questions posed by a student audience. . . . but had to be removed after Al Kauti, Dean of Student Activities, informed the club that the banner made a political statement instead of an announcement of an event or activity. — Courier photos by Teel Soqui Aimed to Strengthen PCC Casey Appoints Committees By Richard Riehl Staff Writer Three committees designed to strengthen PCC as an institution have been tormed by Dr. John W. Casey, superintendent-president. Casey appointed members of man¬ agement, faculty, classified per¬ sonnel and student body to serve on the legislative contact, district planning, and policies and proce¬ dures committees. The overall intent behind the proposed committees is to strengthen PCC as an institution. ture to recognize PCC’s value. Kirk said. The district planning committee will embody both long and short term strategic planning focusing on college “goals, objectives, mis¬ sions, organizations and the col¬ lege as an institution," said Casey. Marian Murphy, faculty senate president, believes there is a defi¬ nite need for the district planning committee. Otherwise, the college will be operating under “crisis management - running around just putting out fires.” The policies and procedures Alice B. Mothershead, president of Institutional Support Services Unit, supports the concept of the committees because "we are losing the big family feeling. " according to Casey. Casey im¬ plemented a ■ similar system of committees while chancellor of the three-campus Seattle Com¬ munity College District. Casey said the legislative con¬ tact committee will generate enthusiasm within the community, and actively represent PCC fund¬ ing concerns to the state legisla¬ ture. “We represent a tremendous force but lack mobilization,” said Dr. Henry P. Kirk, vice president of student personnel services. “We are like a sleeping giant.” Effective lobbying is a necessity today. In the past, the college has always expected the state legisla- committee will list policies that relate to all segments of the in¬ stitution and procedures related to these policies,” said Casey. Alice B, Mothershead, president of Institutional Support Services Unit, supports the concept of the committees because "we are los¬ ing the big family feeling.” Mothershead hopes that it will get people involved with the proc¬ ess of creating ideas. “Coopera¬ tion is being lost through in-fight¬ ing," said Mothershead. Other members of the steering committee are Philip Mullendore, director of campus safety, and Helen Hanson, associated students president. ALL THE DOO DAH DAY — Spectators at the 1 983 Doo Dah Parade qet into the spirit of the day. Groucho would be proud. —Courier photo by Douglas Burrows Career Guidance Computing By Annette Salazar Special Correspondent The PCC Counseling Guidance De¬ partment has a program that utilizes a computer to assist students in their career planning. The new System of Interactive Guidance and Information, known as SIGI, is designed as a sophis¬ ticated aid to career decision-making. The system is a computerized voca¬ tional test which asks students ques¬ tions about their educational level, interest level, occupational guidelines, and the type of income most satisfac¬ tory to them. The questions which appear on the computer screen, are all multiple choice. The results of the test are observed by the student and Dina Chase, assitant student personnel service. Chase then counsels the students about possible career choices based upon their an- swersto the questions. "The best way to get a positive response is to be honest when answer¬ ing the questions,” said Chase. Chase added that SIGI is not capable of making career decisions for a stu¬ dent. Instead it increases their freedom of choice, develops their understanding of the elements involved in choosing a career and will improve their com¬ petence in making these decisions. The four-hour test is divided into two hour segments and taken in two visits. The test is taken in Building D-200. The Career Planning Center is open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. But beginning Janu¬ ary 9, and continuing through spring registration it will remain open until 9 p.m.