PCC Courier, March 06, 2003

Beware of (809) Area Code Scam Ricki Yuen Staff Writer If you get a message on your pager or answering machine asking you to call an unfamiliar area code, beware. You could be the target of a phone scam. Often people leave messages requesting that recipients call back immediately. The most common message says that the caller had informa¬ tion about a sick relative, some¬ one who has been arrested or injured. Other messages indicate the victim has won a prize. If the victims are tempted and # see Scam, page 3 Phone Scam David Arenas/Courier Timothy loves life. He and his fellow 3rd Graders from Ynez School in Monterey Park visited the planetarium as part of a field trip to PCC. Cultural Diversity Gets A.S. Approval Dolores Mendoza Contributing Writer The Associated Students (AS) board voted unanimously to endorse a proposal adding a cultur¬ al diversity requirement in order to receive a PCC associate’s degree. Amy Ulmer, dean of English, and Beverly Tate, coordinator of the College Diversity Initiative (CDI), gave a presentation to the board members at its Feb. 26 meet¬ ing. The point to this requirement is for students to leave PCC with a better understanding of their own culture or maybe different cultures, to “get an intellectual” perspective on them. The proposal would affect PCC students who are here for their associate in arts or their associate in science degrees. Students would need three units of a “multicultural studies” class, but it would not add to the 60 units already needed for graduation. Right now the college offers approximately 50 classes that would meet this requirement, according to a draft copy of the proposal. Many of these courses are already required for a degree. Current students would not be affected. If approved by the board of trustees, the requirement would apply to those enrolling for and beyond. ШШ After hear¬ ing the propos¬ al, the AS members felt as though they should support Jacobs the proposed requirement, and they did. As Ulmer said “At PCC, student input and concerns are very impor¬ tant to faculty and administration.” The AS board was just one of many to endorse the proposal. The curriculum and instruction com¬ mittee, the college diversity initia¬ tive, Dr. Jacqueline Jacobs, vice president for instruction, Ernestine Moore, vice president for student and learning services, Jeanie Nishime, associate dean of coun¬ seling, and Dr. James Kossler, PCC president, are all on record sup¬ porting the proposal. Representatives of the academic senate board are discussing it with their divisions and division deans. Ulmer said she expects to get approval for the requirement before the next school year. Dolores Mendoza can be reached at (626) 585-7130 Trouble Lurks for Students Overseas School adviser stresses student safety and caution while traveling abroad Linda Rapka Staff Writer Students who visit other coun¬ tries with PCC’s study abroad program, or for other reasons, need to be aware of safety pre¬ cautions. The Peace Corps reported that “the number and severity of per¬ sonal safety and security issues is rising in virtually all countries.” The Safety Abroad First - Educational Travel Information (SAFETI) website states, “prob¬ lems range from minor verbal harassment to theft and robbery to serious physical and sexual assault.” Overseas travelers are warned not to dress “too American” in order to avoid becoming easy targets for thieves or anti-American terrorists. The United States State Department Consular Affairs Office recommends that tourists dress conserva- Sierra tively because “a flashy wardrobe or one that is too casual can mark you as a tourist.” Students planning to stay in a country for more than two weeks are advised to register at the American Embassy or Consulate, which would simplify locating family members in case of an emergency. Before departing, travelers should get as much information Travel Tips Tips on how to prevent problems while traveling; can be found at www.travel.stnte.gov. Travel warnings are available 24 hours a day by phoning (he American Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225. as possible about the country they will be staying in. Consular information sheets are provided by the State Department and are available for every country in the world. They describe entry requirements, currency regulations, unusual health conditions, the crime and security situa¬ tion, political distur¬ bances, areas of instabili¬ ty, and special informa¬ tion about driving and road conditions. These information sheets also provide addresses and emergency telephone numbers for United States embassies and consulates. Further tips and information on how to prevent problems from occurring while traveling abroad can be found at the Consular # see Travel, page 3 Syd Mead г Looks to the Future see page 4 Dancers Entertain Gym Rats see page 5 Lancers Get Raided by Moorpark see page 6 See Stab- ftewd, Anticlel *1 'odcuf, Courier Since 1915 VOL. 88 NO. 20 www.pcc-courieronline.com MARCH 6, 2003 Slayer of Student Admits Murder Four Years of Pursuing His Daughter's Killer, Miguel Fernandez Finally Found Justice Rita Vega-Acevedo Staff Writer Miguel Fernandez’s four-year battle to seek justice for the mur¬ der of his daughter Maria Isabel came to an unexpected halt when Johnny Ortiz, 31, waived his right to a jury trial and pleaded guilty to second degree murder last Thursday. Ortiz, born in Colombia, appeared in court wearing shack¬ les and an orange jail jumpsuit, and made his plea through a court-provided interpreter. Presiding Judge Teri Schwartz will sentence Ortiz on March 27 at 8:30 a.m. in Pasadena Superior Court. “This is the best possible con¬ clusion,” said Marian Thompson, deputy district attorney and lead prosecutor in the case. “It gives Mr. Fernandez closure.” His daughter, a 17-year-old PCC student and professional fla¬ menco dancer, was stabbed 46 times in her Harkness Avenue apartment one block from the college on Feb. 5, 1999. Ortiz murdered Fernandez when she terminated their rela¬ tionship. Ortiz faces 16 years to life with the possibility of parole as stipulated for a second degree murder conviction. He also agreed to waive the right to appeal his sentence. Ortiz, initially charged with first degree murder, will now be eligible for parole in 16 instead of 26 years. Thompson doubts that a parole board in California would release Ortiz because of the vicious crime. “Criminals have too many rights here,” said Miguel Fernandez. “By going to Mexico, Ortiz avoided the death penalty and had an advantage. It took over a year to extra¬ dite him from Mexico and it was painful to see delay after delay here. The sys¬ tem was too slow.” Fernandez supports a lifetime sentence for Ortiz without the possibility of parole. He wants friends of Maria Isabel to write letters to Deputy District Attorney Thompson or to fde photo Ortiz prior to fleeing the state parole board to keep Ortiz incarcerated. Born in Bolivia, Maria Isabel lived within walking distance of PCC and excelled in her studies. At the age of 4 she studied ballet and flamenco. According to Ed Young, a friend of Fernandez’s and a flamenco colum¬ nist, she made a serious commit¬ ment to become a flamenco dancer at the age of 1 1 . Roberto Amaral, internationally acclaimed flamen¬ co dancer, men¬ tored Fernandez up until her death. He told a reporter for the Los Angeles Times “she had the spark and glow necessary for greatness.” Fernandez also performed with another legendary flamenco dancer, Juan Talavera. “In my lifetime, I have taught hundreds of dancers,” he said, “but she had that special some¬ thing to be an international star. She had it.” According to Talavera, Fernandez was a professional and planned to study flamenco in Spain. Fernandez, friends say, met Ortiz after a stage performance. They began dating and he soon began to control her life. He often accompanied her to rehearsals and PCC classes where he was not a student. Ortiz dis¬ couraged her friendships and expressed jealousy and rage when people tried to talk to her. Fernandez soon broke up with Ortiz. On Feb. 5, 1999, according to police records, Ortiz allegedly entered the home of Fernandez and attacked her while her father was at work. She placed a 911 call to the Pasadena Police. Controversy ensued when police arrived at the Harkness Avenue address, and hearing no commotion or response at the door, left the scene. Miguel Fernandez still believes that Jiis daughter may have lived if the Pasadena Police Department had knocked down the door. The police later revised its policy to pursue more aggressive action in similar circumstances. file photo ® see ORTIZ, page 3 Fernandez was a popular student and dancer.