PCC Courier, October 07, 1983

Board Forced to Revise Budget By Leann Sumner News Editor PCC faces a $2.5 million deficit due to the state legislature’s failure to reach a com¬ promise on the issue of community college funding by Oct. 2. Funds cannot be distributed to the colleges during this school year unless a funding bill is declared emergency legislation and passed in the Assembly by a 2/3 vote. Compensation for this deficit requires major budget revisions, and the Board of Trustees must have a plan of action no later than December, said Dr. John W. Casey, superinten¬ dent-president. The board adopted a balanced budget in August “with the understanding that revisions would ()e made within that framework," said Casey. “We do not want to do long term damage to the quality of education in solving a short term problem," he said. “At this point we want to examine all the options and get the views of faculty, classified and administration on the best method of meeting the deficit. We are all in this together. In order to get out of it we are going to have to work together. I’m doing my best to keep the lines of communication open and keep everyone up to date.” Casey plans to attend the meetings of each department to talk about “conditions at the college and solicit recommendations from the faculty. I am interested in any ideas that anyone has. Our combined wisdom is better than the wis¬ dom of several individuals.” Casey intends to present a composit of all the suggestions to the board. “We have examined some of the possibilities and found that by simply not filling positions we cut the unmet deficit down to $836,000 without laying anyone off. Salaries and fringe benefits account for 85 percent of our expenditures, and it may be difficult to cut $836,000 from the other 15 percent. There is not much cutting we can do before the spring semester. We are committed to offering all the classes now underway. All we can do is keep costs down and plan for spring." In the meantime, college personnel will continue to put pressure on assemblymen to reconvene and allocate funds to community colleges. “We’re not going to give up," said Casey. Funding decisions affect the college's financial status in the future as well. “We are working toward involving the com¬ munity in our efforts also. This is the key to legislative lobbying, since legislators listen to their contributors.” Casey met with members of Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and president Robert Finch to persuade them to “adopt us and make sure their voices are heard in Sacramento on our behalf. We must establish a closer working relationship with the business community," said Casey. The main thrust of the pressure is on the Assembly to reconvene and pass AB 207. the bill which combines restoration of $108.5 million and tuition. The bill passed the State Senate 25 to 10 (71 percent). "Most of us at PCC are comfortable with that compromise." said Casey. "There is a possibility that the legislature will reconvene in November. If they do not, we will pressure for a compromise when they meet for regular session in January." The executive branch is being pressured to compromise on this issue also. "We are not placing blame on either side. Community col¬ leges want state funding — with or without tuition." PCC Busboys Perform See page 3 VOL. 56. NO. 6 PASADENA CITY COLLEGE, PASADENA. CALIFORNIA OCTOBER 7. 1983 Candidates Campaign for AS Executive Offices Elections to be Held Next Week, Oct. 11,12 By Richard Riehl Assistant News Editor Candidates seeking Associated Stu¬ dents executive offices embark on a second week of campaigning today. Campaigns conclude on the last day of elections which occur Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 11 and 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in center quad and 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. on the campus center porch. All students enrolled in credit classes are elgible to vote. Helen Hanson and Kathy Minges, are vying for the presidential position. Min¬ ges and Hanson rely on their individual backgrounds and ability to articulate ideas effectively in a leadership role. Both candidates stress the importance of a collective student voice forged from student awareness. Hanson, a sophomore majoring in physics, intends to “work toward the goal of a strong, united AS Board that will function effectively and serve as an example to the students of the potential power inherent within a col¬ lective voice.” Minges, a sophomore majoring in political science, believes the student constitution must be amended to provide specific operating guidelines for the board to communicate more effectively with the student body. Minges’ platform slogan, “Working for Affordable Education,” indicates her attitude towards tuition. “It’s un¬ fair for the state government to use the community colleges as pawns in a political game,” she said. “Tuition may be a necessity at some point but we are not at that point in time yet.” Hanson believes a unified AS govern¬ ment must form a student lobby to deal with community college legislation, fortify evening security measures pres¬ ently enforced in the campus parking lots, and establish an AS student schol¬ arship to be awarded to qualified civic- minded students. Minges supports a more structured constitution with explicit bylaws to augment AS efficiency. She is com¬ mitted to strengthening student politi¬ cal awareness through increased stu¬ dent participation in AS Board meet¬ ings, informing students of activities available to them, and enlarging mi¬ nority student representation within student affairs. Minges hopes to form a league of student voters to exert influence on the state legislature and increase bi-lateral communications between the AS Board and the student body. The issues with which Hanson is concerned are the promotion of overall political awareness among students, and the formation of more serious communication channels between stu¬ dents and the Board of Trustees and administration. Hanson was the 1982-83 AS Coordi¬ nator of External Affairs and member of the AS interim summer board. Dur¬ ing the 1981-82 academic year Hanson was AS Senate Vice President. She has worked on a number of volunteer and appointed student-oriented organiza¬ tions on campus. Minges advances her presidential candidacy with personal character¬ istics of self-motivation, excellence in academic performance (3.8 g.p.a.), thorough researching capabilities and effective public relations skills de¬ veloped while working for a television station. Minges’ feels “the 1983-84 academic year is crucial for student involvement at PCC. We are facing major issues such as tuition, fees, state funding, staffing and class size — issues which past AS officials have not dealt with in an effective manner. I propose to bring a new, more professional attitude to student government, initiate some ma¬ jor changes in communication, create more involvement with the individual student, and speak out on important issues which affect every student at the college.” When asked why she was running for AS president, Hanson replied: “I’m the best choice for the position because I am extremely familiar with the terri¬ tory, having served on the executive board. I am aware of the capabilities, limitations and explicit and implicit responsibilities of the office. I am confident that, if I’m elected, this year’s Associated Students government will be as efficient and effective an organization as it can possibly be.” Jay Harvey and write-in candidate Tony Mitchell are contending for ex¬ ecutive vice president. Other vice presidential offices ap¬ pearing on the election ballot are those of academic affairs, business affairs and student affairs. The respective candidates for these positions are: Kevin Connors — uncontested, Joseph Serrato and Glenn Schoenfeld, and J. Sloan Williams — uncontested. David Dawson, Angie Parker and Monika Woods are running for coordi¬ nator of campus activities. The posi¬ tions of coordinator of cultural affairs external affairs and special programs are sought by write-in candidate David Leatherberry — uncontested, Jayne Davis — uncontested, and Lorelei Mooney — uncontested, respectively. — Courier photos by Ted Soqui PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES— Kathy Minges (left) and Helen Larson vie for the top spot in the AS Board. CROWDED CLASSROOM — Dr. J.G. Muha is one of 30 teachers assigned large group instruction (LGI). The California Teachers Association filed an unfair labor practice suit against the district in an effort to have LGI removed. Teachers argue they were given no opportunity to negotiate the increase in class size which is in violation of their contracts. — Courier photo by Ted Soqui PCC Foundation Made Auxiliary of College By Lisa Lowery Staff Writer The PCC Foundation, which has operated as a non profit organization since 1979 to solicit funds for the college, becomes the first auxiliary of the district. The Board of Trustees voted to allow the founda¬ tion to affiliate with the college and adopted the regulations necessary to recognize it officially. The PCC Foundation has raised and contributed almost $1 million in goods and services during the last three years. “It expects to raise another $100,000 this year,” said Dick Ratliff, president of the foundation. Adoption of implementing regulations is the first step of many to make the foundation an auxiliary organization. “The changes are largely technical corrections more than procedural ones,” said Henry P. Kirk, vice president for personnel services. By approving the implementing regulations the district is permitted to subsidize the foundation in staffing and fiscal support. Kirk, the foundation’s appointed director said, “As a private organization the foundation had overhead costs of $75,000 to $100,000 per year. The reorganiza¬ tion of the foundation is still in the works. The articles of agreement are filed with the California Com¬ munity College Chancellor’s office,” said Kirk. As an “in-house operation” the foundation will have “more campus input, more faculty, student and staff involvement, and therefore cut the high ov¬ erhead costs,” said Kirk. “A good foundation does not just raise money. It raises community awareness, loyalty and support,” said Kirk. “It will enable us to have better coordination with and evaluation of the college’s needs,” said Ratliff. Dr. Bonnie R. James, vice president of business services “has played a role in the development of the regulations, and lie will continue as financial adviser for the foundation. Other officials of the college will be asked to help,” said Kirk. In March 1980 the governing board of the com¬ munity college system passed Title V which required each district to establish regulations to govern its relationship with the auxiliary organization. Since that ruling, “12 community colleges have established auxiliary organizations. Many more are in the process of doing so,” said Kirk. Other steps involved to make the organization an auziliary are: an agreement between the district and the foundation, a district review of the foundation’s existing articles and bylaws, a public hearing for its estahalishment as an auxiliary, and the approval of these agreements with the chancellor’s office. “The implementing regulations are written very generally in order to write specific agreements with each entity according to its individual activities,” said Kirk. “Under the regulations other auxiliary organiza¬ tions can be formed to support services, programs and functions such as the bookstore, food and health services, student and alumi activities and organiza¬ tions, and campus facilities and equipment,” said Kirk. IN CAR Protests Fees Demonstrators Rally The International Committee Against Racism (INCAR) sponsored a rally Tuesday protesting the imposition of drop fees during registration. ' “INCAR called this rally to focus on what it considers a blatant attack by the administration on the working class and minority students of this campus,” said Bruce Myers, co-chairman of INCAR. In response to the charge of discrimination Dr. John W. Casey, superinten¬ dent-president said Wednesday, “Obviously, the deposit fee is not aimed at any particular group or class within the student body. Deposits have been charged by the district in the past for other reasons.” The event was highlighted by a speech from Compton City College instructor Joyce Mills, who said 70 to 80 percent of Compton College’s teachers are presently on strike. “We have a legal and binding contract. Yet our salary was cut five percent and our fringe benefits 15 percent,” said Mills. “Also our workload has been increased by 20 percent.” “The student apathy concerning this rally alarmed me,” said PCC student Doug McComb. “Students attending it seemed like they weren’t really listening to what was said. This apathy is too bad because it can degenerate into complacency, where we tolerate things we should not.” Disability Center Gets New Computer System By Michael Collins Feature Editor The Learning Disability Center re¬ ceived a new computer through a private donation made by Jobplans, Inc. The money was received over the summer and was used to purchase a VIC-20/cassette system. “Our dream is to utilize the com¬ puter in helping students read, spell, do basic math, increase their attention span, improve memory and increase eye-motor coordination. It will also assist students in learning the vocab¬ ulary of their occupational or academic classes,” said Dr. Emy Lu Weller, learning disabilities specialist. Although the computer is installed and in the process of being pro¬ grammed, the center still lacks a monitor screen. Fundraisers are being planned in order to compile the necessary funds to purchase a color monitor. Bruce Gary, Jet Propulsion Labora¬ tory engineer, found the donor of the computer. Last summer he volun¬ teered several hours a week at the center. He saw the need for a computer and sought out donations. Gary pres¬ ently volunteers four hours a week to teach students, tutors and other volun¬ teers the computer programs he has written. One of the learning disabilities the center deals with is dyslexia, or word blindness. “This is just like color blind¬ ness, only with words. It has nothing to do with intelligence. You can be brilliant and have dyslexia." said Weller. The center’s staff if limited to eight tutors and ten volunteers. With these contraints the center cannot give dys- lexics and students with other learning disabilities the one-on-one tutoring they need. CORRECTION— Drop fees are refunded if the student drops a class within the first two weeks of the semester. This information was misstated in last week's article. I л