PCC Courier, November 12, 2009

For exclusive stories and photos check out the Courier on the web @ pcccourier.com Review / Call Of Duty v game hits MODERN WARME cj Pasadena Oity College the shelves Page 4» Volume 100, Issue 10 "The Independent Student Voice of PCC, Serving Pasadena Since 1915.' Thursday, November 12, 2009 Add review Academic Senate is looking at proposed new rules for adding students to full classes. Aubrey Quezada Staff Writer The Educational Policies Committee of the Academic Senate is taking steps toward developing a new policy for students who try to add a class after it has already closed. James Bickley, president of the Academic Senate, said that it's likely that the policy may come into effect by the time registration for the upcoming spring semester begins. "We're trying to draft a recom¬ mendation for what we feel is the fairest way to add people to class¬ es without disrupting them," said Bickley. Bicldey also said that the first come first serve basis will most likely prevail. According to the recommenda¬ tion, "the fairest and most expedi¬ tious way to add students is an unpaid wait list of 10 percent to 30 percent or more, of the class size, based on the Division's prefer¬ ence." Any student who has tried to get into a class after it has closed knows how slim their chances are of actually getting in. "The first two to three weeks are very stressful for students who have to run around looking for classes," said Jason Herbert, AS vice president for academic affairs. "It's unfair to students who want to learn and have to sit in a class for the first few weeks and have the teacher say that they can't add them. It's also disrupting to teachers who have to deal with students popping their heads into classes," Herbert said. Jackie Jacobs, vice president of instruction, said that the Board of Continued on page 6 /л 48% Art Lemus/Courier Veteran and PCC student Cameron White, left, speaks with a Veterans of Foreign Wars representative at the veterans appreciation event on Monday. Campus fetes veterans Speakers , services offered during awareness event Michael Cheng Staff Writer An observer in the Quad on Monday may have thought PCC was doing a reenactment of a war movie, showing off old military vehicles, Ml 6 guns, and old Vietnam War body armor. In fact, it's veterans apprecia¬ tion week, and it's sponsored by the Veterans Club. According to club president Carol Calandra, the club is trying to bring aware¬ ness not only to students but also to staff and families. Calandra added that it's the club's first time for creating the veterans awareness week at PCC. "PCC is a great community college for returning student veterans. PCC is [only] the second community college in the nation to hold an event to help out returning veter¬ ans," she said. "We are here to step back and say, thank you!" Waiting by his table eager to answer ques¬ tions was Lorenzo Powe, a Salvation Army Liberty Program Manager. According to Powe, the Liberty Program provides servic¬ es for combat soldiers who have served or are currently in Iraq or Afghanistan. Their services include grocery vouchers, gas vouchers, providing shelter for home¬ less vets, utility bill pay and others, accord¬ ing to Powe. "There are a lot of veterans out there that need our help," said Powe. "Liberty Program also provides DVDs and comic books for children, so they can understand what's going on with their par¬ ents," he said. "PCC is doing a great thing. Many suffering veterans do not realize there are resources out there to help them. Veterans serve us, now we want to serve them." In addition to the Liberty program, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) group was also in the Quad. Michelle Richardson of the DAV said it's a non-profit association and has been offering benefits for about 88 Continued on page 6 Swine flu shots begin Free H1N1 vaccinations offered to those determined at high risk Catherine Sum Staff Writer Swine flu shots will begin today, free of charge for students who have undergone the Student Health Services screening process and obtained a ticket for an appointment. The college received its shipment of the H1N1 vac¬ cine the week of Nov. 2 and immediately moved for¬ ward in securing flu shot clinic dates with nursing program students, according to Coordinator of Student Health Services Jo Buczko. Plans are already in action for more shipments to be sent to the college in the upcoming month. Buczko said she could not release the number of vaccine units the college has, but assures that Student Health Services is "planning on a timely distribution over the next couple of weeks so that [the college] can handle the number of people who may want it." Despite the concerns surrounding H1N1, described in Health Services flu handouts as "a new respiratory illness," the vaccine distribution process is unchanged from years past. The only difference, said Buczko, is that H1N1 is a "new and serious strain that has many people wor¬ ried. "For the most part, people who get H1N1 will recover after the illness, but there are those who won't do well with it and for that reason we are advising the vaccine." Flu shots will be administered to the top five prior¬ ity groups deemed most at risk or susceptible to the Continued on page 2 Coach suing college told his job will end Justin Clay Asst. News Editor Football Coach Kenneth Lawler who is suing PCC for defamation, received a notice Monday that his employment will be terminated on June 30, according to his attorney. "We are definitely not discouraged by this," said Thaddeus Culpepper who represents Lawler. "The letter didn't disclose what the reason was for coach Lawler's termination," he said. PCC President, Lisa Sugimoto would not comment on the situation. "I am so sorry, since this situation is personnel related, even though I would truly like to talk with you, I will need to refer you to [Public Information Office] Juan Gutierrez," she said. Lawler, who has been on paid leave since September 2008, filed a federal lawsuit against the college in October alleging violation of due process, defamation, violation of public policy and emotional distress. Continued on page 6 Basketball: Lancers defend title by winning season¬ opening tournament Page 8» ONLINE POLL Do you support legalizing marijuana? VOTE JSSFt pcccou rier.com Choral Recital: Choir performance opens to an enthusiastic crowd Page 4»