PCC Courier, December 16, 1983

SAFE AND SOUND?— The Space Shuttle "Columbia" landed safely last Thursday at Edwards Air Force Base despite an on-board fire that threatened two of three auxiliary power units used for landing and braking. H Courier photo by Ted Soqui ■ в m frn&t m mm m*. AS Dispute Comes To An End By Richard Riehl Staff Writer The AS/Collegiate Republican dis¬ pute concluded Tuesday as the two groups reached accord at the AS Ex¬ ecutive Board meeting. Helen Hanson, AS president, and Christopher Cofer, Collegiate Re¬ publican president, resolved the con¬ flict calmly, in contrast to the emo¬ tional exchange at the Nov. 29 AS meeting, by reanalyzing the AS dis- association resolution. AS approved the resolution so as to relieve itself from any connection with the Collegiate Re¬ publican float. “It was not the content, but the intent (of the disassociation resolution) that was disputed,” said Hanson. The agreement settles a four-week controversey that began on Nov. 19 when the Collegiate Republican Home¬ coming float “Keep the Reds Out” received an accolade for “most origi¬ nal” float by the Alumni Association and was denounced shortly thereafter by Hanson as being “tasteless and disgusting.” In its Nov. 22 meeting the AS Ex¬ ecutive Board briefly discussed the possibility of censuring the Collegiate Republican float. The float’s theme referred to Soviet exclusion from the 1984 Olympics. The AS Board disap¬ proved censorship action but motioned for disassociation, a lesser disciplinary action, from the the Collegiate Re¬ publican Homecoming activities. In reaction to the AS Board dis¬ cussion, Cofer sent 28 letters on Nov. 28 to various local, state and national Republican government officials, in¬ cluding President Reagan, requesting assistance in resolving “anti-Free Speech, pro-communist action taken by the Associated Student Body Govern¬ ment at PCC.” The letter piqued the curiosity of U.S. Congressman Carlos J. Moorhead, 22nd district. Bob Cochran, Moorhead's executive assistant, telephoned Alvar L. Kauti, dean of student activities, to relay the congressman's concern about the right of individual's to speak out, according to Kauti. “He (Moorhead) was curious as to what was happening in this situation,” Cochran said in a follow-up telephone interview. The conversation with Kauti was “strictly informational.” On Nov. 29 the AS Board sparked emotional debate with the Collegiate Republicans when it unanimously passed a disassociation resolution. Cofer and Jeff Wright, Collegiate Re¬ publican secretary-treasurer, defended their club’s position at the meeting prior to AS approval of the disassocia¬ tion. The resolution draft presented by Hanson to AS members for delibera¬ tion, in the presence of Cofer and Wright, stated, in part, that “the As¬ sociated Student Government of Pasa¬ dena City College disassociates itself from any affiliation with, or responsi¬ bility for, the Collegiate Republican Club or their actions at the PCC Home¬ coming Parade of Saturday, November 19, 1983.” However, the final resolution passed by the AS Board in that meeting was edited to state, in part, that AS only disassociated itself from any “re¬ sponsibility for the Collegiate Re¬ publican Club’s actions at the PCC Homecoming Parade. ...” After the Nov. 29 AS meeting ad¬ journed, Cofer and Wright called a special session of the Collegiate Re¬ publican Executive Board and passed its own resolution disassociating itself from the AS governing body. Cofer and Wright accused AS members of infring¬ ing upon the club’s First Amendment rights to free speech in addition to charging the college with acts of dis¬ crimination. The controversey snowballed when Hanson called for an illegal, closed- door executive session at the Dec. 6 board meeting whereby the press was excluded. Ostensibly, the session was held to discuss a libel lawsuit that Hanson considered filing against the Collegiate Republicans for allegedly calling her a “subversive communist” in a purported letter. However, the letter and accusation were hearsay and litigation ceased. The Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act prohibits student government bodies from holding closed-door sessions in litigation matters unless an attorney- client privilege must be maintained, according to Wayne Overbeck, at¬ torney and associate professor of com¬ PCC VOL. 56, NO. 14 PASADENA CITY COLLEGE, PASADENA. CALIFORNIA DECEMBER 16, 1983 JPL Technician Electrifies Students By Christine del Villar Assistant News Editor This is the second in a series on teaching professionals. Across the United States high technology com¬ panies are clamoring for well trained electronics workers. The industry finds a resource in Phil Salomon’s electronics classes at PCC. A member of Jet Propulsion Laboratory's (JPL) technical staff, Salomon teaches four classes at PCC: Logic Design, Microprocessor Design, Solid State Design and Electronics Math. “Most students who graduate from our programs enter the job market relatively easily and wind up with pretty good paying jobs,” Salomon said. Those that transfer to earn bachelor’s degrees will earn much more in high growth careers within electronics, according to Salomon. Options in courses of study are many, including computer logic and design, the relatively new laser program and electrical engineering. Some students elect to enter a certificate program, some decide to earn an AA degree, still others plan to transfer to a four university and continue their education. Many students from PCC end up with advanced degrees. Shelly Jenkins, a certificate candidate in the laser program, sees Salomon’s industry experience as a definite advantage. “We’re all going to end up in the field anyway and he doesn’t teach what isn’t neces¬ sary,” said Jenkins. The mother of two and a clerical worker for many years, Jenkins enrolled in the laser program to increase her earning capability. Although she would like to transfer to a four year college, she plans to go directly to work after receiving her certificate. Pat Benak, who plans to pursue an electrical engineering degree at Cal Poly Pomona, describes Salomon as “a teacher that takes time to help you. You don’t find that very much. He knows what you need to know. He teaches you the latest things, and gives you first hand experience.” Salomon assigns students design problems and projects similar to what he is currently doing at JPL. These include digital decoders, synchronous counters, and digital microprocessor circuits. Lec¬ tures are followed by informal labs where the theoretical aspects of electronics design are demon¬ strated in practical applications. Evening courses are designed with the working student in mind. The college provides valuable refresher courses for those already working in the PHIL SALOMON — "Most students who graduate from our program enter the job market relatively easily and wind up with pretty good paying jobs." — Courier photo by Christine del Villar rapidly expanding and changing field, Salomon said. Classes also provide technical updating for people whose skills need such a boost. In order to keep the program current Salomon and his PCC colleagues turn to their Electronics Advisory Committee which was especially created for that task. “We meet with key industry people and solicit from them how the program should be run. " Industry representatives include engineers from JPL, Eastman Kodak, Vega Corporation, the City of Pasadena and the owner of a small electronics firm. “From the large multi-national corporation to the entrepreneur, quite a diversity of viewpoints” are made available to PCC’s industry hopefuls, Salomon said. The committee helps select textbooks, new lab equipment and suggests new course offerings. Because of student demand and strong support and encouragement from the electronics community, the electronics program has not suffered as much from budget cutbacks as other PCC departments. How¬ ever, courses that did not fulfill certificate or degree requirements have been cut and retiring teachers have not been replaced. With a total of 24 years of electronics design experience at JPL, Librascope (Singer Precision) and Hycon, all high tech companies specalizing in space or military applications, Salomon holds mas¬ ter’s degrees in science and engineering from UCLA. He has taught part time at PCC since 1964. Salomon obtained a third master’s degree, this time in education, from Cal State Northridge to become a full time assistant professor of engineering. He recently made the transition from full time to part time at JPL. Salomon enjoys the inquisitive minds of his stu¬ dents and does not find the challenge involved in combining teaching with an electronics design career difficult. “I have a lot of diversity in my work. When I look at my day, it’s a very interesting day.” Gertmenian Still Aims to Avoid Tie-Breaker Trustee Election Runoff Date Is Finalized By Lisa Lowery Staff Writer The PCC Board of Trustees con¬ tended with more obstacles affecting the unsettled Area 4 election at a special meeting Monday. The date for the Gertmenian-Miele runoff election was set back one week to Jan. 24. Following county counsel’s request, the Board determined its legal responsi¬ bilities and decided it had to reset the second election date despite incumbent Roger Gertmenian’s claim that he filed an injunction in Superior Court to avoid a second election. At the meeting, John H. Martin, board president, read Gertmenian’s statement that reported he had filed an injuction in an effort to avoid the runoff election and leave the election outcome for the court to decide. (The Gertme¬ nian-Miele election ended in a tie after a recount.) Gertmenian included rea¬ sons for the action in his statement, “During the recount, Gertmenian said ‘There were 11 ballots that had been challenged by both parties as showing clear indication of the intent of the voters.’ Gertmenian believes a court ruling on those specific votes would break the current deadlock and avoid the costs of the special election.” According to candidate Susanna Miele, who was also present at the recount, the ballots in question did not meet the specification for an accept¬ able vote. She commented that by asking a court to intervene, Gertme¬ nian is asking the county to change its rules. When trustee Dr. Richard H. Green asked when the petition was officially filed, Gertmenian stated, “No com¬ ment.” A search of county records disclosed that no such injunction had been filed during the last year up to Dec. 12 by Roger Gertmenian. How¬ ever, to contest the election results, Gertmenian later filed Dec. 14 pursuant to State Election Codes 20021 and 20050. Section 20021 specifies cause for contesting an election, and section 20050 is the format for filing such a contest. According to Gertmenian, he is seek¬ ing a hearing date to determine whether a judge will review the 11 ballots. “I have no idea how they (the 11 ballots) would affect the election,” he said. When the Board set the previous runoff date, Gertmenian requested an investigation or split term be con¬ sidered as alternate ways to break the tie. The Board, however, voted and set in motion the predetermined runoff procedure according to its 1976 resolu¬ tion. On Dec. 8, county counsel informed college officials that the elections could not be held on the day following a legal holiday, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth¬ day. Walter T. Shatford II, board vice president, also sought advice pertain¬ ing to the mentioned legal action. Based on what county counsel said, Shatford reported that the election date must be set at the earliest date consis¬ tent with the Registrar’s requirements. According to Shatford's report, county counsel said a judge might interfere, but a court action is speculative and the Board should not postpone the election on that ground. Also representing the Registrar, a county counsel deputy added that the rules and procedures for determining contested votes were proper, and in his opinion a judge would not overturn the procedures in the Registrar's office. He advised the Board that it is legally required to go ahead with the election without futher postponment. Shatford advised the Board that if it did not act according to legal require¬ ments, it’s possible the runoff election could be contested due to improper execution on the Board’s part. The vote resetting the election date passed with four in favor and two abstentions by trustees Gertmenian and Warren L. Weber. munications at Cal State, Fullerton. Hanson later admitted ignorance of that law and conceded that she was attempting to limit the publicity of the AS/Collegiate Republican issue. Addi¬ tionally, Hanson apologized for the error in judgment. The Collegiate Republicans de¬ livered 295 copies of a letter dated Dec. 7 to Luise Leigh, vice president of the California Republican Assembly, for distribution among Republicans. The letter, written by Cofer, stated, in part, that the club was “being selectively harassed by Student Activities Office in regard to the enforcement of the Col¬ lege’s publicity policies.” Cofer and Wright initiated a probe into Hanson's private life. “We are trying to see if she is telling the truth." said Coffer. “She said she is a Re¬ publican, and we wanted to make sure.” “It’s a manipulative gesture and I'm not scared,” said Hanson of the probe. On Dec. 7 Hanson met with Cofer and Wright privately. Hanson proposed a resolution whereby the Collegiate Re¬ publicans would be publicly acknowl¬ edged for their efforts in promoting political awareness on campus through voter registration drives. Additionally, she would give consideration to placing a Collegiate Republican club member on the AS Board as an interim replace¬ ment for Jeffrey Williams, vice presi¬ dent of student services, who is on leave- of-absence. “It’s a peace-making gesture, " said Hanson. Although Cofer and Wright were agreeable to the compromise proposal, they said that it would have to be approved by their club members. In the meantime, Hanson met indi¬ vidually with several of the AS Board members, and she determined that the compromise proposal would not be supported by the board. “It wasn't the best way to resolve the situation, " said Hanson. “It would look like we're not making decisions and standing by them. " Finally, at the Dec. 13 AS Executive Board meeting. AS and Collegiate Re¬ publicans meted their differences. Poor communications had been the stumbling block inciting controversey. according to Hanson and Cofer. “The lack of communications produced a confrontational attitude on both sides, ” said Hanson. The AS government, as co-sponsors of the Homecoming half-time festiv¬ ities with the Alumni Association, wanted to ensure, through its dis¬ association. that there was no connec¬ tion between itself and the Collegiate Republican political Homecoming theme, according to Hanson. On the other hand, the Collegiate Republicans interpreted the disassocia¬ tion as a censure of the club as an entity, according to Cofer. “1 felt our club's reputation was at stake and that we were going to be defamed.” said Cofer. “Our club's future was jeopardized.” Unproductive confrontations motivated the groups to settle the dispute. Hanson said that her hands were virtually bound by this issue, and she has not been able to concentrate on the day-to-day business of running the government. “They (AS) have not been getting anything (else) done, and we have not been getting anything (else) done,” said Wright. “ It was a stand-off.” HERALD TRUMPETS — Seven herald trumpets will announce the Queen's float in the 1 984 Rose Parade. PCC has participated in the parade for 54' years, and the herald trumpets for four. The ensemble has been practicing for the event every Sunday since Nov. 13. News Youth Christmas Party The Pasadena Salvation Army will be presenting a youth Christmas eve party from 10:00 a.m. til 4:00 p.m. The party will feature Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck from Disneyland and Kareem Abdur Jabbar. star center of the Los Angeles Lakers. Jabbar will be presenting trophies, awards, and pres¬ ents to those in attendance. Location of the Salvation Army is 180 N. Mentor (one block east of Lake Ave). The public is welcome. □ OMD Inductions Omicron Mu Delta inducted new members Violet Rozelle, Sally Ratlibun, Anthony Mitchell, Virginia Homer, Jennifer Norheim, Lyn Ames and John Horn Tuesday. OMD is a campus honorary society. Members include those active in both the campus and community. □ Slide Presentation The International Club will be having a presentation on the “Holy Land,” today at 2 p.m. in C301. The show is presented by John Shamma. All are welcome. □ Library Closed The campus library will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 21, through Tuesday, Jan. 3, 1984. Classes resume on Jan 4. Briefs Goldberger to Speak Dr. Marvin Goldberger, president of the California Institute of Technology and Chairman of the National Academy of Sciences' Committee on Interna¬ tional Security and Arms Control, will be the guest speaker at the PCC Social Science Forum today at noon. . The theme of this event is “Arms Control Update," featuring Goldberger's views on the ever-controversial nuclear arms issue. MARVIN GOLDBERGER — Caltech President speaks today at noon in the Forum