CLARION c i t r u s
Dancing and donating DANCE COMPANY MOVES FOR A CAUSE PG. 9
Photo by Hannah Walleck Clarion
c o l l e g e
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 | VOL LXXI ISSUE 7 tccclarion.com f/ccclarion T@ccclarion
Articulate change Clubs join forces to host slam poetry open mic
Campus salutes veterans BY NICOLE SPATA STAFF REPORTER
Photo Illustration by Megan Bender Clarion
NSPATA@CCCLARION.COM
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For me I feel like colleges are incubators for new ideas, and part of those ideas come from inspiration of not just poetry but maybe it’s like publication, art work and this is our way of putting that out there to promote that type of expression.” -FERNANDO FLORES
full story PG. 6
Inter Club Council Supervisor
Faculty and staff contract negotiations underway Unions dig in for contentious contract negotiations BY JAMES DUFFY STAFF REPORTER
JDUFFY@CCCLARION.COM
Citrus College negotiates with faculty and staff this month, as previous contracts expire Dec. 31. The three unions renewing their contracts with the district, Citrus’ staff, full-time and part-time faculty,
will have difficult decisions to make. As of Nov. 17, the college incurred $12,449.50 in fees for a labor law attorney, Peter Fagen, to aid the district at the bargaining table. Teams carefully protect their negotiating positions and will not discuss many aspects of the process. “Our research indicates that staff salaries are lower than others in the field,” Andrew Sundstrom said in an email. Sundstrom is the chief negotiator for the union representing classified staff, the California School Employees Association. Representatives of each of the
faculty and staff bargaining units have said their employees are not being compensated equitably. The most contentious issue is the staff and faculty salary schedule. “Ultimately, it comes down to salary, it is the one that affects everybody,” Robert Sammis, the head of human resources and chief negotiator for Citrus College, said. “We have an interest in working with our three unions to see if there are ways to control some health care costs—health, dental, vision.” Divisive positions are represented by negotiating parties, however. “The last contract negotiations,
when they gave us 2 percent or whatever little fledgling crumbs they could spare, they said they we were going to break the bank,” Cathy Day, language arts administrative secretary and CSEA negotiator, said. Administrators like Sammis speak from stronger financial positions. Sammis’ 2016 total compensation was $230,480, according to http:// www.transparentcalifornia.com. Citrus College Superintendent/ President Dr. Geraldine M. Perri made $375,619. It was one one the highest community college presidential compensation in the area, SEE CONTRACT • PAGE 6
Every year, Citrus College hosts the “Saluting Our Veterans” event in efforts to show commitment and support in honoring the nation’s troops and the sacrifices our veterans make. Citrus hosted their 12th annual “Saluting Our Veterans” event on Nov. 8 in the Campus Center Mall. The college is well known for being a military friendly campus by “GI Jobs,” honoring all branches. The original celebration was created in 2006 by history professor Bruce Solheim. “We had just started the vet program and we had no celebration and we needed it,” Solheim said. “I thought it was wrong.” Veterans from past and present wars gathered and were paid a tribute with the honorable three-volley salute. Students, as well as the community, were welcomed to show that Citrus and citizens do not forget the sacrifices which they make. Harald Griffith, Korean War Veteran, was amongst the attendees. He attended Citrus College in 1960 and has been attending the Citrus College senior fitness program for 17 years. “I was in Korea for a year and in the reserves for 13,” Griffith said. The event kicked off with a musical prologue by the Gladstone High School marching band, directed by Joseph Calderor. The National Anthem was sung by Citrus Singers Christian Blass, Israel Lacy and Christian Pineda. Colonial Rick Givens delivered the opening speech, a salute to our fallen veterans. He thanked all that came out to honor those who served. “It’s a time to pay due respect to those who have not returned, paying the ultimate sacrifice to our nation,” Givens said. Though Memorial Day is specified to honor those who have passed, Veterans Day is to support all troops. “Those who returned wounded, mentally or physically,” Givens said. Since the first event, the Valley Veterans Memorial Team have performed the firing of the three volleys and playing of taps, more formally known as a 21 gun salute. A trumpet played the formal song “Colors,” a traditional memorial song by Veteran Monroy. “I love it,” Pete Ramirez, officer in charge, said. “I’ve been here for 12 years and never said no. I’m totally committed to Citrus College.” The Campus Center Mall was filled with recruiters from the different branches and the Army set up a pull-up bar, seeing which students SEE SALUTES • PAGE 6