Budget Cuts Drain FCC Celebrating History Volume CXVII, edition 2
by Ivette Lopez Rampage Reporter On top of recession dilemmas, lack of job opportunities and an even worse economic situation happening to individuals all around the United States, California is facing an even bigger pinch thanks to the legislature’s failure to pass a state budget. At Fresno City College, the lack of a budget has had negative effects on the community as well as students’ uncertainty of their educational future. At FCC alone, the campus is estimated to make cuts that will reduce the budget by $1.7 million from a total amount of $72 million. According to President Cynthia Azari, the preliminary
Since 1949
February 11, 2009
and adding suggestions to the list,” Azari said. She later went on that she desired to “put that money in education.” Even with such cuts in items that FCC could do without, students are still feeling the difference in their wallets. The 11% of students, or 2500 individuals that receive the Cal-Grant from the Financial Aid department is being lowered until a budget is passed by the state legislature. Until then, students that receive the state award will only see 75 percent of their cash. The federal grants, however, have not been affected and will continue to be sent out on time and for the full award price. “The college is trying to evaluate, review, and determine how to keep serving students,” Director of Financial Aid Frank Ramon said.
“We need to look at all expenditures and see where we can cut back. ” - Azari
budget will be set in the budget review exercise that will take place on March 2. Azari stated that the main goal during such meetings was to device a plan to “stay within our allocation.” Due to the reduction of 2.3 percent that will be lowered, the college will have to give up some of its luxuries. Commencement, for instance, is rumored to take place at FCC’s venue, Ratcliffe Stadium. Azari stated that she was pushing for a shave of about $20,000 to $25,000 of the $85,000 total cost of the commencement ceremony. “We need to look at all expenditures and see where we can cut back. If this means using our own facilities or other venues, we need to explore all suggestions,
Due to the economic situation, there has been an increase in the financial aid requests from Photo by Nikole Schroeder students. For the current school Danaillie Davis-Blackwood, of FCC’s Financial Aid office sings the Black National Anthem. year, Ramon stated that there has emony was The Past, Present been an increase of 4000 applicaand Future, an acknowledgement tions, up to 24,813 from 20,113 for by Marcell Dilworth of Barack Obama, America’s the 2007-2008 school year. Rampage Reporter first African-American president. Although the state grants are noD r. F i t z a l b e r t M a r i where in sight, Ramon still advices Fresno City College held u s , s p o k e a b o u t t h e p a s t : students to apply for financial aid. ceremonies to mark the beginning “Today, we are concerned with “There are resources such as fee of Black History Month at the FCC how the past related to blacks’ waivers, pell-grants and student Theater on Feb.2. existence in these United States loans,” he said. The event included a dis- of America and how it affected the Through the turmoil of play of cultural practices includ- present which resulted in the electbudget cuts and student financing pouring of water on the stage ing of a black president, and how es, the administration will work and lectures, one by Professor that will undoubtedly affect the around the economic hardships. Kehinde Solwazi who claimed conditions of blacks in this country The main goal, according to Azari, that all human beings are descen- in the future,” he said. is “to continue to provide access to dants of African (Black) people. Marius went on to tell the students and preserve permanent The theme for the cerpositions.” Continued on page two
Black History Month festivities begin on FCC campus
Phone line damage cuts communication by the Rampage Staff
Communication problems began popping up all over campus on Monday. By Tuesday, the problems had brought the campus to a grinding halt. Some area networks were down completely, while phone lines and Internet services were sporadic across campus. “We’re getting a lot of calls
regarding the network and when it will be up. The internet is down all over,” said Yolanda Renal of the Technical Services Department. Many students expressed frustration over the lack of available resources. “It’s ridiculous. I have a paper due at 12 p.m.,” said Junior Jenkins, one of many students waiting for computers to load in the library computer lab. But students aren’t the
only ones frustrated with the downed services. “It took me an hour to type a requisition yesterday. I eventually stopped and started manually working. Luckily, I had budget work I had to do,” said Sherry Lawson, assistant in the Media Center. The District is aware of the problem. Randall Hernandez, a computer lab assistant, said, “The technicians have been helpful.
They have been working constantly, including late last night. I don’t know when they left.” While technicians work to fix the issues across campus, students and faculty try to remian patient. According to the Interim Vice Chancellor of Workforce Development & Educational Services, Michael Quinn, “There was a brief power surge that caused a power outage that shorted out
some of the wiring and boards. Our technicians are working as quickly as they can to get the boards replaced and run full diagnostics.” As the boards are replaced, power has been restored to various sections of the campus. Quinn said the problem will soon be resolved, “We are following a complete step-by-step process to improve communications campus wide.”