Admissions counselors and represen¬
tatives from several universities lined the
Quad on Wednesday, March 2, to meet
with PCC students on University Day.
Over 35 different UC, CSU, and a few
out-of-state universities, both public and
private were represented and ready to
hand out information to students stop¬
ping by their booths to find out about the
many different programs they have to
offer.
An uncrowded table was hard to find
as eager students spoke to representa¬
tives and gathered brochures in an effort
see to which universities they might be
interested in applying to when ready to
transfer.
T.J. Lowther, an admissions counselor
from Marymount College in Palos
Verdes, was quick to say how advanta¬
geous this day is for prospective stu¬
dents. "For any student interested in
transferring, it's a great way to see
what's available. We provide informa¬
tion about our school and answer any
general admission questions students
might have," Lowther said.
Mark Darby, an admissions counselor
and recruiter from CSU San Bernardino,
said that having so many different uni¬
versities come to you is a great opportu¬
nity. "This gives students the opportuni¬
ty to meet with a whole bunch of differ¬
ent schools. They learn what the require¬
ments are and figure out which pro¬
grams they offer to find out which
schools they actually want to apply to
when it comes time to transfer."
University Day is important to both
new and continuing students, said
English Instructor Mikage Kuroki. She
feels that it has something to offer every¬
one and is beneficial to all students.
Crystal Iam/Courier
Anne Gregg, admissions assistant director of Art Center College of Design,
answers a student's transfer requirement question at University Day at PCC.
"[University Day] is a great opportunity to talk to students," says Gregg.
"University Day is helpful for new stu¬
dents because it gives them something to
look forward to and keep in mind as they
enroll in classes and start to think about
transfer requirements. For continuing
students, it's helpful because they too
need to know what different universities
require. A lot of students don't realize
that each university is different, that
UCs, CSUs and private universities all
have different requirements."
Phillip Horwitz, History, thinks that as
a student gets closer to transferring, the
Continued on page 6
President says aim is to trim 300
sections in 2011-12, more later
Neil Protacio
Staff Writer
In an attempt to prepare for a possible $9.6 million
budget cut, administrators confirmed that 300 class
sections would have to be cut next year.
"The plan for next year is not to cut students,"
President Mark Rocha said during a budget develop¬
ment meeting sponsored by the Academic Senate,
"but to get the enrollment down to where the state
wants us."
According to Rocha, the state funds the school only
for a limited number of students. Because PCC
exceeds this cap, however, the school has to reach into
its reserves in order to accommodate those not fund¬
ed by the state.
Rocha explained the various ways being consid¬
ered to identify the 300 sections. These include con¬
verting activity classes, such as physical education
classes, and lifelong learning, such as art classes, into
fee-based classes. Sections with low enrollment
would also be cut while critical sections would be
added, he said. In addition, the calendar year could
be rearranged.
"We're still a community college," Rocha said. "But
the question is, should we be taking money [away]
from students out of high school or should we be tak¬
ing money from students here for lifelong learning?"
Associate Dean of Enrollment Management Sabah
Alquaddoomi said that his department was doing its
best to accommodate both students and faculty.
"Nothing is set in stone," said Alquaddoomi during
the meeting. "We're looking at student needs and
access."
In a chart produced by enrollment management,
Rocha noted that in the 2010-2011 school year, PCC
offered more sections than in the previous year.
"We are the only community college that has more
Continued on page 7
Girls' science event sparks curiosity in minds of PUSD students
Staff Writer
Mercy Fabila
Staff Writer
About 300 girls joined at "Girls' Science
Day" on Saturday at PCC. For workshops
aimed at educating middle school stu¬
dents on various fields of science.
The annual event, free to girls attending
middle schools within the Pasadena
Unified School District, included activities
related to astronomy, geology, marine
biology, and other fields of science.
According to David Douglass, division
dean of natural sciences, the event was
"amazing."
"I think it shows [the girls] something
they have not seen before. They arrived
looking apprehensive in a way. They did
not have a clue what they were going to
learn, but they seemed interested in the
end," said Douglass.
One participant from Wilson Middle
School found the event to be helpful in
choosing a career to pursue.
"Girls' Science Day was very education¬
al and fun. We checked blood pressure
and did CPR on models. Now I want to
become a doctor," said Izzi Bunn, 12.
Another student from Wilson Middle
School would like to attend next year's
science event.
"[The day] was cool! My favorite part
was when we made fudge lava because
we also got to eat it. I want to come back
and recommend this to my friends," said
Topazio Linan, 12.
The event was made possible with the
help of volunteers from MESA, a program
designed to assist disadvantaged students
earn degrees in mathematics, engineering,
and science. Parents, teachers, and mem¬
bers of the community participated as
well.
"We had different projects for the girls,"
said volunteer Tina Zhou. "Professor
Continued on page 7
Two middle school students from PUSD examine
a cactus in PCC's Rock and Cactus Garden
during Girls' Science Day.
ONLINE POLL
Should students and professors
be allowed to carry
concealed guns on campus?
vote at
PccCouriercow
Laptops
AS provides
laptops for loan
in Wi-Fi Lounge.
Page
2»
Oscar hosts
Performances of
Franco, Hathaway
get mixed reviews.
Page
7»
For exclusive stories and photos check out the Courier on the web at PccCourier.com
COURIER
Pasadena City College
Badminton
Lancers rout
the Tartars
of Compton
Page
8»
Volume 103, Issue 3
“The Independent Student Voice of PCC, Serving Pasadena Since 1915.'
Thursday, March 10, 2011
. University
Day guides
transfers
i Chenin Burnett-Doering
Details
emerge on
class cuts
