Rise and Shine Page 4
NIO U N
Serving the campus community since 1946
EL CAMINO COLLEGE
April 26, 2012
Torrance, California
Fire Academy demonstrates drills at graduation Protesters demand pay cut
from top administrators Thomas Schmit Staff Writer
Mike Williams/ Union Recruit Thomas Studley, mans the fire hydrant during a demonstration at the EC Fire Academy last week.
Occupy El Camino sought to restore the 2013-14 winter session after debuting its new “Chop from the Top” proposal at the April 16 board of trustees meeting. The proposal calls for a 20 percent decrease to the salaries of EC’s President and five Vice Presidents, money which would be used to fund the currently canceled winter session, OECC Organizer Robert Dewitz said. According to a document released by OECC, administrator salaries have increased an average of 20 percent since 2007 and the cuts could save the college up to a quarter of a million dollars yearly. “We’ve been cutting courses, counselors and raising student fees. So far we’ve only been cutting from the bottom, so it’s only fair to make cuts to the top,” Dewitz said.
However, any hope for an easy victory seems unlikely, judging from board president Will Beverly’s response. Comparing the proposal to Karl Marx’s philosophy of “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need,” Beverly added that it “was not as simple a process as that”. “Should we all contribute what we can and receive the same rewards? Some would think so, but that seems to not work out in many societies,” Beverly said. “A lack of incentive will prevent good people from taking the job. It’s a complex subject,” Beverly added. Far from being discouraged however, OECC has launched a new campaign aimed at garnering student support for “Chop from the Top,” Dewitz said. “We’re circulating petitions, See ‘Salaries’ on page 2
CSUs inquire about students sexual orientation Kenneth Berry Staff Writer California State colleges and universities are developing plans to ask students about their sexual orientation on next year’s application or enrollment forms. The plan itself is still in preliminary stages. Then inclusion of the optional questions is based on a littleknown state law that aims to gauge the size of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations on UC, Cal State, and community college campuses in order to access enough services such as counseling. The law that these potential questions stem from is called Law AB 620. It was written by Assemblyman Marty Block, D-San Diego and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last fall. AB 620 calls for students to adopt policies that discourage bullying and harassment of gay and lesbian students. It also asks, but doesn’t require, state campuses to allow students and staff to identify their sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression on any forms used to collect such other demographic data as race and national origin.
“I think the LGBT community would be really upset about it and petitions would probably start and I think it would stir up a big discussion.” President of the Gay/Straight Alliance Club, Edlin Burciaga, 19, nursing major said. “If just a couple of us already think it’s not right.” If it becomes nationwide, it’s going to
Fullerton, Long Beach and even a community college like EC or Santa Monica College.” Marcell Barrett, 19, journalism major said. “It’s going to disturb them because they’re going to be thinking do I fill this out, put my sexuality and possibly be criticized or judged or do I step back and wait to see what happens?” “If it’s not required then its good because I don’t think we’ve reached a level in society where we’re comfortable with homosexuality and as bad as that is we still have to recognize the majority of the population isn’t comfortable yet,” David Saldana, 19, geology major, said. “The only benefit I would see would be more help for bullying in the LGBT community,” Burciaga said. One belief is that the questions are an invasion of privacy. The other belief is that the LGBT community is finally getting more recognition. “If you’re not ashamed of who you are then put it down because you have nothing to hide but if you are ashamed or you just don’t want to put it down then don’t,” Linda Massarotti, academic probation and transfer counselor said. “Some people might say well what are you hiding and then someone might respond to that by saying nothing and it’s none of your business.”
be something that I don’t think the nation is ready for.” If the plan to ask students about their sexual orientation is implemented, California’s state colleges and universities would be the largest group of schools in the country to do so. “The questions can scare a lot of people who may be thinking about applying to a UC like UCLA, Cal States like Northridge,
MBHS building on schedule to be completed Robert Ceaser Sarah Bremme Union Interns At last, the sounds of construction on campus will be winding down. Construction of EC’s newest Math, Business and Health Sciences building is continuing on schedule and with little issue, Mike Dickson, the project superintendent, said. This means that the facility should be ready according to schedule, in spite of a few political and communication issues in the way of the project. “The challenges of this job have been the politics behind it and the people who are in contact with the contractors,” Dickson said. Those contractors include Issac Leon of
Irrigation Labor Landscaping, who is still with the project five months after his estimation that his work should take two weeks. Between 50 and 60 workers such as Leon are on the project at a time. Most work Monday through Friday with the occasional Saturday shift, paid for by the project’s $21 million budget. Part of the budget is also going toward special medical equipment that will be installed on the fourth floor, including X-ray machines and hospital beds. Sections of the student parking lot near the facility’s site were rotationally closed this week as a part of the construction, which has captured the attention of many students. Students such as physics major Vanessa
Alarcon, were unaware that the closures would be happening and were unsure as to why. “There’s always so much traffic even when there’s not closures,” Alarcon said. Thankfully for students, workers were able to get a large portion of work done during the spring break, which “was a relief” Dickson said. The official MBHS Building project hit its two year mark this month and is expected to be complete by fall of this year, Dickson added. It is currently unclear whether the facility will open in time for fall semester classes.
Robert Long /Union The construction on the new Math, Business and Health Sciences Building.
Children to take part in ‘Childrens Day’ this Saturday at EC Aryn Hicks Staff Writer
NEWS LINE
Giggles and laughter accompanied by the pitter patter of small feet will be heard on campus as the Child Development Center will host Children’s Day on Saturday April 28 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will take place at the Art Patio. Children between the ages of 2 through 8 can attend. The event is free and open to the public. “It provides opportunities for children to come
Eman Elshiyab
and explore things they don’t get at home,” child development professor, Michelle Moen said. The students that participate create activities for children and see if children respond to them. Activities include art projects, learning about science and music, and obstacle courses will also be at the event. These activities will help the students implement and evaluate age appropriate activities and help the children use their motor skills and senses. “Children get a chance to come and experience activities that improve their motor skills”
Noemi Santa Cruz, Liberal Studies major, said. Moen said that Childrens Day allows parents to learn about age appropriate activities and let their children interact with other children. As well as the students getting to practice what they learned in class and get hands on experience with children. “ I like how we apply everything we learned and see if they work,” Nancy Alvarez, 30, Child Development major said. Children’s day is an annual event that happens once a year during each spring semester. Moen also said the department has been host-
ing this event for many years and hopes to continue in the coming years. For most of the students in the child development department, participation in Children’s Day is required but all the students are encouraged to come and participate in this day. Faculty even suggests that students bring their own children. The faculty also advises that parents bring extra clothes because the stations can get messy.
UCLA Transfer Conference to take place
CSULB tour for interested students
Financial aid workshop scheduled
Win a Pirate’s Dinner Adventure for two
Workshop for a smooth transition
There will be a college tour tomorrow at UCLA for the “STOMP Transfer Conference.” Interested persons should visit the Transfer Center located on the first floor of the Student Services Center, or call 310-660-3593 ext. 3408.
There will be a college tour tomorrow at CSU Long Beach. Interested persons should visit the Transfer Center located on the first floor of the Student Services Center, or call 310-660-3593 ext. 3408.
A Financial Aid training workshop will take place Monday, April 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Student Services Center Room 204 G. For more information interested persons may call 310-660-3493.
Win a Pirate’s Dinner Adventure at EC with ASB today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Library Lawn. Look for the ASB table to enter the drawing and win dinner for two at Pirates Dinner Adventure in Buena Park.
Presented by the honors transfer program, Achieving a Smooth Transition to a University workshop will take place today from 1 to 1:50 p.m. in Room MCS 100A. Interested persons may call 310- 660-3593 ext. 3815.