PCC Community Joins with
Millions at Inauguration
Linus Shentu
Scene Editor
The bone-chilling, single-digit
degree temperatures were not
enough to dissuade members of the
PCC community as they participat¬
ed in the historic swearing-in cere¬
mony of Barack Obama as the 44th
president of the United States on
Tuesday in Washington, DC.
“Oh my goodness it was phenom¬
enal. It was something I’ve never
experienced in my life,” said Health
Instructor Grace Apiafi. “There
were people screaming, it was so
enthusiastic, and so exciting. It was
unbelievable, a once in a lifetime
opportunity. One of the best experi¬
ences was when I met Michelle
Obama and shook her hand.”
On that significant morning, at a
freezing 4 a.m., people from all over
the country and the world, were cov¬
ered from head-to-toe in scarves,
earmuffs, gloves and beanies making
their way to catch a glimpse of his-
tory-in-the-making.
Continued on page 6
Linus Shentu
/
Courier
Advertising student Angela Muiruri, who is part Kenyan, flew to Washington DC from Tacoma, Washington
to attend the 2009 Inauguration on Tuesday.
Campus
Overjoyed
Jacob Matthes
Staff Writer
The atmosphere at PCC was one
of joy in recognizable change after
the 44th president of the United
States, Barack Obama, was sworn
into office on Tuesday.
“I feel America has finally gotten
past its intense racial divides. It is a
new day and age, not only for this
country, but for the world,” reflected
22-year-old business major Charles
Holmes.
Holmes gathered on the steps of
the E Building with a large group of
friends. The excitement displayed by
him and the rest of those students
resembled something not often visi¬
ble when covering the campus reac¬
tion to an important event.
Continued on page 3
Coach's Fate Remains Undecided
Jeremy Balan
Editor-in-Chief
Over four months after Head Football
Coach Kenny Lawler was put on administra¬
tive leave, PCC administrators are still
unsure of his fate.
According to school officials, the third-
party investigation into his “policies and pro¬
cedures” has concluded, but further action
regarding Lawler’s status at the college is
unknown
"Really nothing has changed, even though
the investigation is completed. There has not
been any decision made. At this point
Kenneth Lawler is still on paid administra¬
tive leave and that’s basically all I know at
this point," Interim Dean/ Athletic Director
Beverly Tate said in a phone message on
Tuesday.
When asked if she knew what further
steps would be taken in the case, Tate
responded, “I don’t know. It is not at my
level. All I know is what I told you in the
message.”
Daniel Lottes
/
Courier
Kenny Lawler at a football practice.
Tate directed any further questions to the
Human Resources department.
Interim Dean of Human resources Lyle
Engeldinger and Supervisor Melinda Polo
were in meetings all day Wednesday and
were unavailable for comment.
Lawler was put on leave after an 0-2 start
this season and after it was discovered that
Darryl "Slurp" Stephens, a member of the
football team, was a registered sex offender
and parolee, was arrested for assault on cam¬
pus.
The reasons for Lawler’s leave have been
cloudy, as PCC administration has sent
mixed messages.
Vice President of Instruction Jacqueline
Jacobs said in a prepared statement on Sept.
17 regarding the Stephens case, "Pasadena
City College does not condone the recruit¬
ment of players who have a record of sexual
offenses. This institution is conducting an
investigation into this matter."
There is no school policy regarding the
recruitment of sexual offenders, but Section
67362 of the state Education Code declares
that any student athlete attending any public
collegiate institution will be ineligible if they
are stiff serving time on parole or probation
for a conviction of various listed felony
offenses once they have enrolled in college.
The section does not apply to Stephens,
however, because the offense he committed
occurred prior to his enrollment at PCC.
In fact, he previously played at Mt. San
Antonio College in 2005, after the incident.
Continued on page 3
A& E:
Lancer Life:
History of the Sexson:
Stress: Expert tips on
No ghosts, just histo-
how to avoid frnstra-
ry. Page
10»
tion. Page
8»
Anti-Smoking
Policy Won't
Be Enforced
Rodrigo Mejia
Arts Editor
Those caught in violation of the recently publicized
campus’ smoking policy will not be fined. Instead, they
will be warned to obey the policy which stems from state
law.
“The state law itself basically prohibits smoking
inside any district facility. Now we had this on the books
since 2003, we just never enforced it,” said Director of
Public Relations Juan Gutierrez.
The campaign, headed by the Health and Services
Department under the title, “No Buts, No Butts,” lists
the details of both the prohibited areas of smoking and
the potential penalties if disregarded. One such clause
states citations for violations will be issued as of January
2009. However, citation refers to a warning and not a
ticket or fine.
Continued on page 2
Opinion:
Obama: Wait
and see before
applying Ms
crown. Page
5»