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Volume 98, Issue 9
“The Independent Student Voice of PCC, Serving Pasadena Since 1915.”
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Students March Against Prop. 8
JACQUELINE LOK
Staff Writer
The United Rainbow Alliance
marched down Colorado Boulevard
on Tuesday in opposition to
Proposition 8, the ballot measure that
eliminates the right for same-sex cou¬
ples to marry. Participants held up
“Vote No On Prop 8” signs and
waved a large rainbow flag to demon¬
strate pride and support of same-sex
marriage.
"This is the first law in California
history that would actually encourage
discrimination in the state
Constitution and we're just fighting
against that," said Lauren Eras, presi¬
dent of the Rainbow Alliance.
“We were expecting a lot more
people to be around, but we’re just
really glad we were able to do this,”
said Daniel Nguyen, secretary of the
Alliance.
With the upcoming election and
people voting on the California
propositions, the goal of the rally was
to encourage everyone to vote against
Proposition 8.
The last major event the club had
was "National Coming Out" day last
year, which featured celebrities who
were part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender community.
According to Eras, the number of
members in the club has doubled
since last year. The club consists of
students, faculty and former students.
Eras said that some of the people
who attended club meetings are not
even members of the Affiance or stu¬
dents at PCC. However, they attended
the meetings because it is something
they love and want to be a part of.
Not all participants at the rally
belonged to the club.
“I came along because it is a very
important issue that’s coming up right
now. We have a chance to be one of
the first states to authorize equality,
that should definitely happen,” said
Taylor Doran, 19, who was there to
show support.
Members of the college staff also
participated in the rally.
“The main reason I think this
should concern everybody is that the
purpose of a constitution is to defend
the rights of the minority. So the idea
of a constitutional amendment being
voted in by a simple majority should
horrify everyone whether you’re for
gay marriage or not,” said Monika
Hogan, professor of English.
In addition, Eras expressed that
supporters of gay marriage are fight¬
ing for love because the core value of
marriage has already changed, “Even
people in Sacramento have been see¬
ing the attack ads and have said them¬
selves that the ads are false and mis¬
leading.”
Chi Hong Wong
/
Courier
Lauren Eras, president of the United Rainbow Alliance Club, leads the "No on Proposition 8" march around
campus on Tuesday. Students and staff marched to support same-sex marriage.
PCC President Holds Forum With Limited Audience
Michael Rucinski
Multimedia Editor
Thirty-one students showed up for the
President’s Forum at the Vosloh Forum
Tuesday afternoon where president Paulette
Perfumo and the Associated Students board
answered students’ questions about PCC.
The Vosloh Forum’s 10 rows of seats can
accommodate 296 patrons; Tuesday’s forum
brought capacity to about 10 percent.
“We will have to publicize this more [in the
future],” said Devin Leung, AS vice president of
business affairs.
Questions for Perfumo were submitted on
half sheets of paper, which were reviewed by the
AS board prior to being answered. Of all ques¬
tions submitted, four were addressed by
Perfumo and the board: PCC’s high student
enrollment, the new smoking regulations, mak¬
ing the campus “green,” and “rigid” student
learning outcome (SLO) standards.
Perfumo began the forum with a speech
about current issues. PCC is in the midst of a
self-study, which is part of the school’s accredi¬
tation that comes every six years. Perfumo
explained that it is very important in that only
Rolando Bugarin
/
Courier
PCC President Paulette Perfumo speaks in
the Vosloh Forum on Tuesday.
accredited schools can have their credit hours
transfer to other institutions. The once-every-
six-years accreditation process also determines
PCC’s eligibility to receive federal financial aid
for students.
Perfumo went on to explain the Measure P
Bond construction underway. The complex
being constructed on the west side of campus
will include a new campus center and the indus¬
trial technology building. The project, which
will contain a two-story bookstore, “smart”
classrooms, and a new cafeteria with wi-fi, now
has its outer walls installed.
“We want to make your education state of
the art,” said Perfumo, referring to the “smart”
classrooms, which will have computer consoles
that control a video projector where students
will view relevant presentations.
Perfumo answered the first question, which
asked what PCC is doing to accommodate the 5
percent enrollment growth, by saying that pro¬
fessors did a “noble job” in taking as many stu¬
dents as possible. She also explained that facul¬
ty will do its best to keeps students’ best interests
at heart when fiscal heat comes in January.
Perfumo also responded to a question about
the new smoking regulations. She said that
besides the obvious inconvenience that smokers
cause non-smokers, smoking on campus yields
a lot of litter, which is aesthetically unpleasant
for school visitors. She explained that creating
three designated smoking areas on campus
would be a win-win situation for both groups.
Perfumo then addressed an inquiry about
what PCC is doing to “go green.” She explained
that the new Center for the Arts building, which
is set to break ground some time next year, will
be PCC’s first LEED-rated (Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design) building.
The arts building is anticipating a “silver LEED
rating.” Landscaping will soon be watered using
“grey water,” reclaimed water obtained from
nearby facilities. Perfumo focused on concerns
over whether or not the campus’ expansive
lawns will be torn up, by saying that landscaping
must be balanced between a comfortable learn¬
ing environment and “green” standards.
The fourth and final question was asked
about new rigid SLOs and if they will dictate
how a professor will teach a class. Perfumo
explained that SLOs are assessed via peer
review and therefore aren’t government regulat¬
ed. SLOs are simply suggestions for professors,
not lesson plans or specific curriculum.
The President’s Forum was an idea spawned
by Perfumo, and this was the second time it was
held. Eager to hold another forum, Perfumo
wants the AS to organize and advertise again,
hopefully to attract a bigger audience.
News:
Chuck D: The rapper
to speak on campus
on Oct. 28. Page
3»
Entertainment:
The Dining Room: A
new play hits the
campus. Page
10»
Scene:
AIDS Walk: Students
march in the annual
benefit. Page
8»
