PCC Courier, November 30, 1979

INS Interviews Iranian Students Donated Rocks, Minerals On Display By Davis Barber Staff Writer The Dana Club received $1,200 worth of rocks and minerals and sold $600 worth of minerals, T-shirts and assorted items at a geology and min¬ eral show, at the Pasadena Civic Center Nov. 17 and 18. At the annual show sponsored by the Mineralogical Society of Southern California, the club received free floor space in return for its assistance in setting up prior to the show. The money raised by Dana Club will go towards scholarships awarded at the end of the year. Although the net profit has not yet been de¬ termined, adviser Dick Ohrbom felt the show was very beneficial . and gave students an opportunity to par¬ ticipate in a large geological show. "This show and another in Phoenix are the biggest exhibits this side of the Mississippi River,” Ohrbom claimed. The society stages the event on a nonprofit basis, although there is usually money left over. Dealers come to the show to buy and sell their own merchandise and share informa¬ tion with visitors. Dealers pay as much as $350 for floor space. The money is used to pay for rental of the building, and the remainder is donated to Dana Club. This year the club was given approximately $400. The specimens donated this year are on display in the geology depart¬ ment office in room E210. After six months they will be moved down¬ stairs to the geology museum, also in E Building. — Courier photo by D*v* Clark* By Katrin Wegelius and Dereck Andrade Staff Writers With the consent of the majority of PCC’s Iranian students, the Immigra¬ tion and Naturalization Service con¬ ducted a series of on-campus in¬ terviews Monday and Tuesday to de¬ termine whether the students were abiding by the terms of their visas. An estimated 60 of the 64 Iranians enrolled at the college showed up, and at tha conclusion of the interviews only two faced minor difficulties. “Since many schools had turned away the INS from their campuses feeling their (INS) actions were un¬ constitutional, the first thing I decided to do was to talk to the Iranian Club,” said Ben Rude, coordinator of the foreign student program. “I just layed it out to them asking should we allow them (INS) on campus or not. Feeling they had no choice, the students decided they’d rather do it on friendly ground than on enemy territo¬ ry” Of the two students who had to be they all have in common is that they’re living in fear of the future,” said Rude. “Although none of them are on gov¬ ernment scholarships and are there¬ fore not affected by the freezing of Iranian government funds in the United States, they’re concerned that the flow of even private funds may be cut off.” The two days of interviews went smoothly with no reported incidents, except for the distribution of a flyer throughout the hallways of C Building where the interviews were conducted. The flyer warned of the “Facist de¬ portation of Iranians and of KK- Karter’s War Plans.” It also said that “the United States is using the issue of the hostages in Iran as a pretext for developing war and facism.” NOVEMBER 30, 1979 PASADENA CITY COLLEGE, PASADENA, CALIFORNIA VOL. 48, NO. 14 T rustees Vote To Seek Cost Estimate Only Two Face Minor Difficulties referred to the downtown Los Angeles INS office, one had refused on principle to have his picture taken; the other’s transfer records were in disarray. According to Rude, these were only minor problems. “There will absolutely not be any students deported from PCC,” he added. The most controversial aspect of the interviews, the one that caused USC and UCLA to suspend on-campus in¬ terviewing, was the INS’ photo¬ graphing of the students. Yet, the agents refused to allow a Courier pho¬ tographer to take their picture while interviewing the students. Agents Dan Hudson and Gary Lavordy, normally assigned to INS’ Fraud and Smuggling divisions, said that photographing the students is just part of the registration process. Ac¬ cording to them, it is nothing against the Iranians personally but part of a program that will soon be applied to all foreign students. Asked if they thought the investiga¬ tions were discriminatory, they ex¬ plained the procedures were intended to determine which students had main¬ tained a legal status before going after those who had not. Commenting on USC and UCLA’s refusal to allow the INS on campus, the agents agreed that the universities are just making it harder on their students. Having to go downtown forces the students to wait in long lines the whole day, whereas on campus they could be in and out of the interview in 10 minutes. Iranian students were told to bring to the interview their passports, 1-94’ s (forms granting foreign students per¬ mission to be in this country) and any identification showing their current address. They were asked to prove their full-time student status and to report any off-campus employment. The INS agents stated that the in¬ terviews were by no means a “witch¬ hunt” and said they were only follow¬ ing a presidential order. While waiting to be interviewed by the INS, a number of students ex¬ pressed mixed feelings about the cur¬ rent situation and President Carter’s order that all Iranian students be iden¬ tified. Concerned about how their com¬ ments would be interpreted, they all preferred to remain anonymous and gave only their first names. “They (INS) are hassling the poor students,” said a student who called himself Jim. “Iranian students here in the United States spend millions of dollars per year. If they (the U.S.) don’t want us or our money, we’ll go back home even though I don’t support the current government in Iran. I don’t fear being deported because I haven’t done anything wrong.” Rima, a female student commenting on the taking of pictures, said, “It’s pretty stupid. It’s discriminating against one group. I think they should check all foreign students not just the Iranians.” “I cannot judge if the Immigration Department is right or wrong,” said Alek. “I suppose this is a legal thing . . . They’re just doing their job.” Garen, another male student, voiced his bitter feelings about the INS pro¬ cedures stating, “The only mistake I've made is to be born Iranian . . . Why should I be interviewed and photo¬ graphed when I haven’t done any¬ thing?” Many of the students interviewed wore crosses on chains around their necks. They explained they wished to show they were Christians and not in favor of the Islamic government. According to Rude, the Iranian stu¬ dents here at PCC are not a homogenous group. Many of them are Armenian or Assyrian Christians or are of Jewish descent. Even the Moslem students are divided into two sects, the Shiites and the Sunnites. ‘‘In spite of their diversity one thing For Further Review of Courier Policy By Dan Hutson Editor-in-Chief The Board of Trustees took its first step towards hiring a law firm to review Courier policy in a special meeting Nov. 19. In a 4-2 vote with trustee Charles F. Briscoe abstaining, the Board agreed to seek an estimate from the firm of Latham & Watkins on the expense of reviewing the Courier’s general policy. The firm will also be directed to determine the legal basis of prior action taken on the matter. Trustees Roger Gertmenian, David S, Hannah, Robert Spare and Warren Weber voted to seek the estimate. Richard H. Green and Walter Shatford opposed the action. Although action on the matter had been postponed until the next regularly scheduled meeting Dec. 6, when Spare and Briscoe vacate their spots, a spe¬ cial meeting was arranged over the Awards Received by 120 For Honors at Entrance By Sonia Garza Associate News Editor The Parent Teacher Student As¬ sociation awarded $7,400 to Honors At Entrance Award recipients Tuesday night in the PCC Forum. Of the 120 students who qualified for the award, 74 attended the ceremony. Past recipients received $75 each, however, this year’s recipients were surprised when Dr. Irvin G. Lewis, vice president of student personnel services, announced that the award had been increased to $100 for the first time. Students had been notified by letter that the award would be only $75. Awards were announced by PTSA President Stella Williams and were presented by Dr. Lewis while he and Superintendent-President Dr. Richard S. Meyers offered their congratula¬ tions. “This is a very rare treat,” said Dr. Meyers. “It is the kind of event we look forward to, and we are very proud of the students.” He also said it was important that the students be recognized for their “hard work, diligence and dedication.” Those who qualified maintained a 3.5 grade point average from grades 10 through 12. Those students who qualified but did not attend the awards ceremony may pick up their $100 and certificates in the Financial Aid Office. weekend. The trustees’ decision to hire a firm versed in constitutional law stemmed from the Board’s recent adoption, and then reversal, of an amendment to Courier policy. The revision had required the Courier to publish rebuttals to “politi¬ cal editorials” appearing in the paper. Gertmenian, who proposed the re¬ vision, cited a May editorial criticizing his stand on the student trustee issue. The amendment, passed Sept. 20, was rescinded Oct. 18 after the Board reviewed two legal opinions suggesting the amendment “too broadly restricts editorial freedom.” The Board also decided at that time to look into hiring a constitutional lawyer. Shatford, a lawyer himself, argued against hiring further legal assistance because it would be a waste of tax dollars. He made a motion to postpone dis¬ cussion on the matter until the Dec. 6 meeting, calling it “bad business” to advance talk on the matter without giving public notice soon enough. Shatford was also concerned about making a decision the new Board would have to “pay the bills for” later. Spare stated that the Board had decided to hire an attorney at the Oct. 18 meeting and that nothing had changed to alter the decision. The only concern to the Board, according to Spare, is to make a “better determina¬ tion” as to the Courier’s policy. After defeating Shatford’s motion for postponement, the trustees dis¬ cussed a list of prospective attorneys before deciding on Latham & Watkins. According to Weber, he did not antic¬ ipate a lawsuit or further action, but he was not “100 percent” happy with the current situation. He voted to hire a lawyer because he thought it best “to be educated” on the Board’s alter¬ natives in the matter. Iranian students wait for their turn with immigration officials. —Courier photo by Katrin Wegetius Fifty-one Advance in Rank Faculty Promotions Announced The Faculty Senate Board, acting upon recommendations from the Academic Policies Committee, has an¬ nounced the promotion of 51 faculty members. Promoted from associate professor to professor are Joseph Barnes (physi¬ cal sciences), Phyllis Brzozowski (business), Robert Carter (library), Kenneth B. Cheney (physical sci¬ ences), Donald G. DePledge (student personnel services), Beverly Johnson (women’s physical education), Kennon G. Miedema (social sciences), Alan Keith Miller (physical sciences), David F. Randolph (physical sci¬ ences), Harry Sarkisian (business), Ruth G. Silten (foreign languages), John E. Tulley (student personnel ser¬ vices), Margaret Vietmeier (nursing) and Alberta Walker (social sciences). Faculty members promoted from assistant professor to associate pro¬ fessor include Audrey D. Anderson (women’s physical education), Rae G. Ballard (English), James B. Bickley (social sciences), Joan I. Brandlin (al¬ lied health), Martha R. Burkhard (al¬ lied health), Cleon L. Butz (student personnel services), Donald R. Gruver (math), Lily Heftmann (art), Bobby Jones (math), Akira Kawai (allied health), Jo Ann Lee (business), Robert Levis (social sciences), Charles E. Lewis (art), Judith Lewis (nursing), Virginia McCready (foreign lan¬ guages), Joseph Probst (communica¬ tions), Ann Reynolds (social sciences), Ethel Roberts (social sciences), Ben Sakoguchi (art) and Jerry Todd (men’s physical education). . Nineeen faculty members have been awarded the rank of assistant pro¬ fessor. They are E. Erdley Beauchamp (student personnel services), Jo Anne Billingsley (student personnel ser¬ vices), Douglas T. Bond (art), Bruce A. Carter (physical sciences), Susan B. Clifford (allied health), Edward H. Cucchiarella (engineering and technol¬ ogy), Ralph Gutierrez (cooperative education), Richard E. Hauck (engi¬ neering and technology), Harvey Hyde (men’s physical education), Lome R. Johnson (engineering and technology), Eugene Pinchuk (business), Bessie Radcliff (allied Health), Joel O. Reid (social sciences), John E. Reitan (en: gineering and technology), Lisa Ann Sugimoto (student personnel services), Daniel M. Tiberi (social sciences), Geoffrey A. Turnbull (business), Mary Jane Vogler (math) and Gary L. Woods (business). Faculty members may apply for advancement in rank each fall and spring semester. Applicants who meet the qualifications and comply with the procedures established by the Faculty Senate and recommended by the super¬ intendent-president will earn the new rank. PCC Players T о Appear In 'Star Spangled Girl' By Rich Tullio Staff Writer Neil Simon’s “Star Spangled Girl” will be performed in the Little Theater beginning Dec. 7. The cast selected by director Duke Stroud includes Bill Hodge as Andy, Bill Quinones as Nor¬ man and Sue McGee as the “All- American Girl,” Sophie. The romantic city of San Francisco serves as the backdrop for this comedy involving Norman and Andy as room¬ mates and business partners in their own magazine publishing venture. Problems begin when Sophie moves next door. Norman falls madly in love with her and the conflicts start. This is a fun play to do,” said Hodge. “It deals with the irrationality of love, the physical attraction involved and the fact that, no matter what, love usually conquers everything else.” Stroud has chosen to enter the play in the American College Theater Festi¬ val, an annual showcase for college and university theater throughout Ameri¬ ca. “It gives us an opportunity to com¬ pare our skills with other groups,” says Stroud. “We will be competing against schools in our area, both four-year and junior colleges.” Following the 8 p.m. opening night performance, “Star Spangled Girl” will continue Saturday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. The play will run the following weekend at the same times. “It’s a good play for the holidays,” added Hodge. “The audiences should really enjoy it.” “I like the fact that we’re playing young individuals,” said McGee. “It’s easier to relate to the characters.” Tickets are on sale for $2 at the Little Theater box office for all per¬ formances and good seats are still available. To qualify for the rank of professor a teacher must be tenured and have had 12 years of full-time college teaching experience, including a minimum of four years as an associate professor at PCC. To earn the rank of associate pro¬ fessor a faculty member must have secured tenure at PCC, completed sev¬ en years of full-time teaching and shown evidence of continued pro¬ fessional growth. A teacher may receive the title of assistant professor after completing two years of full-time college teaching and securing tenure at PCC. Courier Staff Earns Awards PCC journalism students took 12 awards at the Southern Section Con¬ ference of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges, held Nov. 17 at Ventura College. Approximately 50 community col¬ leges attended the all-day conference which featured writing and photogra¬ phy competition, various journalism workshops and an awards ceremony. Competition was divided into two areas. Previously printed material had been mailed in for competition in writ¬ ing, photography, layout and general excellence in both newspaper and mag¬ azine work. On-the-spot contests cover news, edi¬ torial, feature and ' sports writing, copyediting and layout, and sports and feature photography. In the on-the-spot competition, pla¬ ques went to Shari Miller, first place, editorial; Tom Pfeiffer, second place, copyediting and Dereck Andrade, third place, sports writing. Awards to Courier staffers went to Andrade, first place, sports news; Sheri Emond, first place, investigative news; Dan Hutson and Tom Pfeiffer, second place, news; Tom Trepiak, third place, sports feature; Bobbi Vil¬ lalobos, first place, sports feature and Stephanie Zimmerman, first place, opinion. Third place for news feature in a magazine went to S.K. The 1979 summer Courier took third place, general excellence for a large college, tabloid-size newspaper. Fifth place, full-size layout went to the spring semester paper. Each college was allowed three en¬ tries in all but the general excellence categories. All entries had to have been published between Oct. 6, 1978 and Oct. 6, 1979.