PCC Courier, March 18, 1983

X Protests Fly at Board Meeting By Michael Aguilar Copy Editor At an emotional meeting last Thurs¬ day, scores of protests were hurled at the Board of Trustees. Speakers from virtually every department were in attendance to present cases against cuts in their programs. Security was tight, as the safety department did not allow anyone in Sexson Auditorium until 15 minutes before the meeting. Safety officers ordered those with protest signs to leave them outside. The largest group present was the Student Nurses Association (SNA) that staged a rally outside C Building before the meeting started. According to Virgi Feldman, presi¬ dent of SNA, the effects of the cuts would be “devastating.” “If these cuts go through, about 50 students would be dropped regardless of what their grades are, because the California Hospital Association only allows a l-to-12-student classroom ar¬ rangement,” Feldman said, adding that the nursing program would lose its accreditation if class size went over that. Superintendent-President Dr. Stuart E. Marsee warned the protesting nurses, “I don’t care what you think you should have, or what you think you tv Шш* € w Ш l lilt- * TAKING HEAT — Sexson auditorium turned into a Truman's kitchen for the Board of Trustees during last week's meeting, as protestors filled the room. Left to right: Roger Gertmenian, John Martin, Gary Adams, Walter Shatford, Richard Green and Joseph Sargis hear complaints. Not pictured is Warren Weber. — Courier photo by Jay Hoover need, if you don’t have the money to pay for it, you aren’t going to have it.” Karen Norris, professor of English, accused the administration of being guilty of making poor estimates re¬ garding the $3.5 million shortfall. “We are alarmed at the bad timing with which the administration and Board propose changes without con¬ cern for the people who must carry them out. Such procedural changes as shifting registration from June until August, an inconvenient time for most students, only contributes to the pres¬ ent state of confusion and crisis by decreasing enrollment by 10 percent. These present proposals are much more serious. They threaten the very heart of academic policyat PCC, ’’Nor¬ ris said. Head librarian William K. Grainger read a prepared statement against the proposal to eliminate certificated li¬ brary staff. He said the Education Code and Title V of the Administrative Code mandate the employment of certificated librarians and specify the services they are to provide. He also said the Education Code (Section 87436) states that “any librar¬ ian when employed full time . . . shall rank as an instructor.” Grainger concluded his presentation by saying “I believe these facts are compelling reasons for not eliminating the certificated staff of the library. Try as I might, I am unable to see any reasonable justification for terminat¬ ing my entire professional staff. I believe that the college library, under a staff of professional librarians, has demonstrated that it is indispensable to the instruction and is absolutely essen¬ tial to the proper functioning of the college. I trust that you will agree.” One speaker told the Board that if they reduced or shutdown radio station KPCC-FM they would be in breach of contract, since they signed a contract with the FCC to run a radio station. One man made a plea to save the surveying program because PCC is not only “the best in Southern California, it’s also the only one” offering survey¬ ing classes. William Tate, AS vice president, advocated a letter-writing campaign to the state legislature, asking it to do what it can for the school. Motion By Sargis Trustee Joseph Sargis made a mo¬ tion to reduce the number of vice- presidents from four to two. The mo¬ tion failed 34 with Sargis, Dr. Richard Green, and Roger Gertmenian voting yes. Opposed were Warren Weber, John Martin, Dr. Gary B. Adams, and Walter Shatford. Much of the criticism from the floor was leveled at interim Marsee’s nine- point budget plan. Marsee reminded the audience that the current fiscal situation wasn’t his fault. The fault, he said, rested with the state legislature and it was the people’s responsibility to write Sacramento to bring about change. During a later interview Marsee said he was not confident any change would be made by writing the legislature. PCC COURIER LANCERS : FALL IN STATE FINALS See Page 4 VOL. 55, NO. 5 PASADENA CITY COLLEGE, PASADENA, CALIFORNIA MARCH 18, 1983 Senate Wants Independent Audit Now By Mark Blocker News Editor The Faculty Senate Board voted unanimously to send a letter to the chancellor of the California community colleges requesting an independent audit of the financial books prior to the end of the fiscal year. “We usually have an audit after the fiscal year, which is June 31, however, we believe the school needs to find out how much money we have now,” said Dr. Fredrick E. Holland, senate board president, “because people will be fired May 15. “The auditor might have a more accurate forecast of our ending balance. If we found another million, jobs would be saved,” said Holland. The general faculty senate voted unanimously last month to question the credibility of the administration’s estimated budget. In other business at last Monday’s meeting, it was disclosed that cuts in the nursing department will total 17, one up from the originally planned 16. The music department was said to be also tagged for another layoff bringing that department’s total to 6.75. According to a faculty source, layoffs are now said to total 103 combined, up from the original 94. “I believe this (rising layoffs statistics) to be a negotiating ploy by the Board of Trustees,” said Holland. The senate board also requested interim Superintendent-President Dr. Stuart E. Marsee to initiate direct communication with the state^ legislature to find sources of funding to correct the projected $3.5 million deficit in the budget. Later in the week, Holland said a mistake by the administration may have cost PCC $500,000 in state-supplied ADA revenue. The mistake, according to Holland, stems from underestimating attendance and instruction statistics. “Apparently to make up for it, accelerated courses will be initiated, which will run from mid-term to the end of the semester. They will require six hours per week instruction as they run half the length of a regular semester-long course requiring three hours per week,” said Holland. f ш -ттш ON THE FLOOR — A chain of nursing students, led by Darlene Stewart address the Board of Trustees at last Thrusday's meeting. The Student Nurses Associa¬ tion held a protest rally outside C Building prior to the meeting. Their department has been severely hit by the proposed layoffs. —Courier photo by Jay Hoover Nursing Department Reacts to Trustees' Looming Scalpel By Shat on Johnson Assistant Arts Editor The budget guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees include the dismissal of 16 out of 30 instructors in the nursing department. This constitutes a 53 percent cut. At last Thursday’s Board meeting approximately 200 nurses showed up, most in uniform, to protest the proposed cuts. They picketed in front of the C building before the meeting, chanting and carrying signs such as “the money you spend now may save your life.’ According to Kristine de Quieroz, nursing department chairperson, “If we do away with 16 instructors, it paralyzes the department. Two hundred students already in progress can’t be serviced by 14 instructors.’ The cuts would mean there would be no freshman admission in the fall, no transfers, and no students readmitted. “Career ladder entry into Nursing 3would be eliminated (this is when a nursing student enters in her sophomore year after she has completed all her general education requirements), along with the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program and the one year Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) program, said de Quieroz. This year there was some difficulty placing the graduates, but “people are shortsighted when they talk about placement because last year there was a critical shortage and the cuts we make now don’t affect nursing for two years. We don’t know what the job market will be like then,” de Quieroz said. She also said the nursing department’s attrition rate is practically “nil” and this year’s graduates passed the state board exams at 100 percent on their first attempt to get their LVN and RN licenses. Trustee William T. Shatford said the board was aware of the arguments for the program. “If you cut out half of the program in nursing, that will, in essence, mean that you would have to give priority to those who have already covered a year, that you would only have a starting class every second year and that is an undesirable situ¬ ation, ’’said Shatford. Although there may be some temporary difficulties placing last year’s graduating class, the recent history in nursing “indicates that there will be a fairly good demand for nursing in the future, depending, of course, on the economy” and “it is my hope that any cuts in the nursing program will be of a minimal nature,” said Shatford. '$1 Little To Ask in Return' 'Foundation Awareness Week' Set By John Pierce Production Manager “Foundation Awareness Week” is planned for March 21 through 25 in the quad by the Student Foundation Associa¬ tion. The student foundation is led by Student Trustee Learned Jeremiah Hand as chairman and Darryl Grimaldi as executive director. The foundation was started to recognize the efforts of the PCC Foundation. The primary reason for this awareness week, according to Hand, is to increase student awareness of the PCC Founda¬ tion. “Students don’t know that the Foundation has given $800,000 (to the school) since its inception,” said Hand. “The PCC Foundation has given so much to PCC and now they need unrestricted funds to cover operational expenses. “My hope is that during this week we can raise funds, raise a spirit of togetherness and have a good time . . . have the biggest damned party this campus has ever seen,” said Hand. Hand plans to raise funds by offering $1 donation member¬ ships to the Student Foundation Association. The donation also acts as a drawing for special prizes. “A student is here for two years free. A dollar isn’t much to ask for public education ... the college is hurting, programs need funds. That student’s dollar is little to ask in return for keeping programs going,” said Hand. “The beauty of this is that every dollar goes directly to the PCC Foundation. All the money goes to the Foundation, and therefore, back to PCC,” said Hand. The first $3,000 from this fund-raising week will go to buying benches for the quad, according to Hand. Many activities are planned for the week. Monday, Pasadena Mayor Loretta Glickman speaks about education. Tuesday, the PCC Jazz Band performs. Wednesday and Thursday will feature sets by the local bands the Sneaks and Snotty Scotty and the Hankies, with a “Pepsi Challenge” on Wednesday. “Almost every organization I’ve been in contact with is happy to work on this, from continuing education to service clubs,” said Hand. Those interested in giving performances, such as mimes or jugglers, are asked by Hand to call him through the Associated Students office at 578-7384. AS to Support Foundation By Sharon Ching Assistant News Editor The Associated Student government selected a new commissioner for the physical science department at their last meeting. The board also voted to aid the Student Foundation Association for up-front expenses and decided to support the distribution of student discount cards. Jeff Ohannesian was chosen as the new commissioner of physical sciences. The primary function of his job includes acting as a liaison between the board and the instructors of that department, according to Paul Kelly, AS president. After 12 years away from school, Ohannesian decided to continue his education to attain a degree. “I do not want my current education hindered by administration blunders of the past dealing with money,” said Ohannesian. In regards to his new position, Ohannesian would like to have a “good working relationship” with the instructors and the student council and “help diminish these proposals.” Student Foundation The board, in its decision to support the Student Founda¬ tion Association for up-front expenses prior to Foundation Awareness Week, March 21-25, granted the foundation $907 to buy 168 cases of soda pop for the event. The Student Foundation, initiated by Student Trustee Jeremiah Hand, is the student branch of the PCC Founda¬ tion. The main objective of the affiliation is to “upkeep the school by raising funds,” said Darryl Grimaldi, executive director of the Student Foundation. “Magic Cards” AS approved the idea of distributing discount “Magic Cards” to students. These cards, which will be available in mid-April, will enable all registered students, to receive discount rates from certain local merchants. Although all of the merchants have not yet been determined, AS plans to print up 20,000 of these cards, with the discount places listed on the back. This card will be News Briefs Risser Award Nominations are now open for the 82-83 Risser “Outstand¬ ing Teacher Award,” where students can nominate their favorite teacher. Students must pick up a petition in the Office of Administrative Services, C-209, or the Campus Center. Winners are judged on “quality of instruction, inspiration to students, fair understandable evaluation and grading and loyalty to the college and the United States of America. Winners will receive $1000. Deadline for filing petitions is May 2. ★ ★★ Sodium and Cholesterol Lecture A free lecture entitled “What You Should Know About Sodium and Cholesterol” will be presented by clinical dietitian Julie Matsumoto, RD. The talk, constructed to show people how to avoid great amounts of sodium and cholesterol in their diet, will be held on March 22 at 1:30 p.m. in Seton Hall at the Saint Vincent’s Medical Center in Los Angeles. For more information call (213) 484-7121.