USC UCLA
NEWS
ARTS Students perform at the Vision Club Talent Show
USC, UCLA representatives inform students on transfering See page 5
Volume 72, Issue 22
ARTS Let’s Dance Company hosts Repertoire Concert
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Wednesday, May 20, 2015
www.elaccampusnews.com
financial upsurge Governor Brown proposes to increase college funding BY YANNDERY FLOW Staff Writer The May Revise for the 2015-2016 budget proposed by Governor Jerry Brown includes an inpouring of funding for California Community Colleges, the largest system of higher education in the United States. The system services more than 2.1 million students on 112 campuses. These funds will aid colleges in their continued recovery from the funding reductions of the economic downturn. During the economic downturn, community colleges were forced to cut course sections. Course sections were reduced by approximately 25 percent and non-credit course sections decreased by approximately 38 percent. Community colleges also had to turn away hundreds of thousands of students resulting in an enrollment decrease by more than 585,000 students in four academic years (from 2008-09 to 2012-13), all as a result of the severe budget cuts. Community colleges were also forced to reduce student support services, as well as tighten operational budgets. Districts with relatively low proportions of full-time faculty would be required to hire more than districts with relatively high proportions of full-time faculty. For the upcoming 2015-2016 budget year $2.7 billion will be added. Seventy-five million dollars were allocated to increase the number of full-time faculty at each district. Six-hundred and nineteen million dollars were geared toward the community college system operational budgets. Two and a half million dollars were approved toward programs, which include EOPS, DSPS, CalWORKs and the Childcare Tax Bailout programs. Two million dollars in one time funds for a pilot program are being used to foster collaboration between colleges and CSU campuses relating to basic skills instruction. A twenty-five million dollar increase in Proposition 98 funds, for the Awards in Innovation in Higher Education, coordinated by community colleges. One hundred and forty-eight million dollars have been allocated in one-time funding for deferred maintenance and instructional equipment. Forty-two million dollars have been allocated to allow colleges to regain enrollment funding for declines in enrollment over the past two years. Sixty million dollars have been allocated to one-time funding for the Basic Skills and Outcomes Transformation Program. This seeks to improve basic skills instruction through the adoption of evidence-based models of placement, remediation, and student support. It will aid the progress and success of basic skills students. Fifteen million increase for Student Equity Plan funding requiring the implementation of SB 1023, authorizing a pilot program to provide additional support of foster youth who participate in EOPS. Overall, significantly more resources were approved in Governor Jerry Brown’s updated budget plan this month, in comparison to the proposal made in January. Given the circumstances that community colleges are still under as they try to recover from the economic downturn, as well as the general volatility of the state’s revenue system, it has been suggested that districts plan carefully now so they are prepared to meet the challenges ahead. Because the legislature accepted Governor Brown’s revision of the proposed budget without any changes, the next steps in the budget process include a review by the budget committees of each house and a legislative conference committee to iron out differences between the two houses. The budget is expected to be approved and signed by the Governor prior to July 1. The numbers do not add up to $2.7 billion because of allocations to program outside of community colleges.
Total amount added to the 2015-2016 budget year:
AJ Club gives 39 Scholarships
$2.7 billion Amount allocated to increase the number of full-time faculty at each district:
BY DOMINIQUE PORTER Staff Writer
$75 million Amount geared toward the community college system operational budgets:
The Administration of Justice Club at East Los Angeles College gives students an opportunity to receive scholarships. The club’s scholarship committee has been offering several scholarships for students majoring in Administration of Justice (A.J.) since 1999. The award is available to community college students who are either continuing or t r a n s f e r r i n g t o a f o u r- y e a r institution. The number of applicants gives staff and leaders an idea of how many scholarships to offer each year. Two ELAC professors, Wayne Posner and Patrick Hauser, started this organization, and this year will mark the 16th year the club has given out scholarships. The Administration of Justice Club was created for students who want to have a career in Criminal Justice. This club helps prepare students for a career in criminal justice by offering police ride-alongs and by scheduling field trips to county jails and shooting ranges. The students also get to hear guest speakers who have professional careers within the criminal justice system. The speakers share their experiences and knowledge with students. The club also participates in various community service projects. In addition to preparing students for their careers, the club teaches students to give back to their communities. Throughout the year students and faculty collect food, such as canned goods and turkey, which the club gives to various need-based organizations during the holiday season. Each year, the club has a toy drive for less fortunate families and for different organizations. Members of the Administration of Justice Club consider themselves to be more than just a club; they consider themselves as family. “I have seen so many students throughout the years achieve so much, being a part of the Administration of Justice Club,” Janis Cavanaugh said. All scholarship applicants must have six units of Administration of Justice courses at ELAC and must be A.J. majors as well.
$619 million Amount approved toward programs, which include EOPS, DSPS, CalWORKs, and the Childcare Tax Bailout programs:
$2.5 million Amount of one time funds for a pilot program used to foster collaboration between colleges and CSU campuses relating to basic skills instruction:
$2 million Amount increase in Proposition 98 funds, for the Awards in Innovation in Higher Education, coordinated by community colleges:
$25 million Amount allocated in one-time funding for deferred maintenance and instructional equipment:
$148 million Amount allocated to allow colleges to regain enrollment funding for declines in enrollment over the past two years:
$42 million Amount allocated to one-time funding for the Basic Skills and Outcomes Transformation Program:
$60 million Amount increase for Student Equity Plan funding requiring the implementation of SB 1023:
$15 million
News Briefs
Symphonic Band Spring Concert
The Symphonic Band Spring Concert will be on Friday at 8:00pm at the S2 recital hall. Tickets are $5 for students with ID, $10 pre-sale, and $12 at the door.
Death and the Maiden
The Theatre Arts Department presents “Death and the Maidan” at the P2 Black Box Theater on Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 for ASU students or presale, $10 general, and $12 at the door.
AWARDS Continued on page 5
Pup Edition
This week’s issue of Campus News was written, produced, edited, and photographed by the Journalism 101 classes held at East Los Angeles College campus and South Gate College campus.