Issue 16, May 2, 2013

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ONLINE EXCLUSIVE:

Video: LOL OMG no way! Internet acronyms used in real life

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FEATURES: Finding a summer job. Tips on what to do and what not to do! -------->

Tired of inky fingers? Scan for DAILY news at ECCUnion.com May 2, 2013

EL CAMINO COLLEGE

Cuts for a cause help save

Campus survey measures accreditation status of EC Kayla Maaytah Staff Writer

Betty Rene Norman/ Union Yadira Polanco, 19, social work major, has her hair cut by Gene Rock, EC instructor, for the ASO Hair Donation Drive. Students donated a minimum of 8 inches of their hair to help support cancer patients.

Torrance, California

EC’s Department of Research and Planning will be releasing a survey this week on the current state of campus climate and condition in preparation for the next accreditation board meeting. The survey covers several aspects of campus life and climate including satisfaction of police services, library/learning resources, technology and administrative services. “We have two versions of the campus climate survey that are coming out. One for the employees of the college and one for the students,” Joshua Rosales, research analyst for EC’s Department of Research said. “The employee one should be coming out next week. And the student one, we’re sending it out this coming fall. We will covers things like our college mission, interactions with student services, classroom instruction, use of multiple learning styles, safety and more.” While many of us hear consistent talk on the topic of accreditation, many aren’t even aware of what that even means for EC or any

higher education institution. Irene Graff, Director of Planning and Research says accreditation is the way that the federal government can assure that educational institutions are meeting certain standards and are of a certain quality. “The process the U.S. government uses is to have independent bodies, nonprofit organizations, to monitor quality at higher education institutions. Other countries are monitored by the government directly, but we have accrediting bodies. The process we use is peer review, so other college representatives visit to determine the quality of the institution,” Graff said. There have been a variety of surveys that have been offered cyclically in the past, Graff said. “We come back and ask students every few years some of the same questions. Many of the aspects of these surveys assess institutional quality, student satisfaction and student learning,” Graff said. Graff said of the many questions in these surveys, some include: Are we fulfilling our mission as college? How are we communicating? Are we getting the word out? How’s our website? How’s interaction with the faculty? This upcoming survey will be

the fourth survey ever in preparation for maintaining the school’s accreditation and each survey holds consistent results. The survey selects a random sample of students to which they have a response rate of anywhere between 10 and 20 percent; the last survey alone garnered the responses of anywhere between 250 and 400 students, Graff said. “In every case, what we do is take the survey results and discuss them campus wide so the student government will look at them,” Graff said. “We have bodies across campus that look at college policy and see if they need to change. Those groups review and we’ll see if there’s something we can do.” EC has never come close to losing its accreditation; although in recent years we have received a warning which is a list of things we recommend we address. Student learning outcomes are amongst the biggest issues that need to be addressed. The next accreditation board visit will be in the fall of 2014; making the survey process about every 2 years. “We’re trying to come together to have a consistent practice of reporting,” Graff said.

New task force focuses on campus security and communication Celene West

Union Intern

In order to maintain a safe environment on campus, the EC Police Department uses a number of safety methods which includes encouraging students to remain aware and to never hesitate in communicating their concerns. “People are little more on edge. They want more information and we understand that, so we’re more than happy to help them out,” Sgt. Dal Toruno said. EC has recently launched a threat assessment group called the AIMS Team (Assessment Intervention Management for Safety). The AIMS Team consists of Chief Mike Trevis, two faculty members, the clinical psycholo-

gist, the dean of students and a number of other people with disciplinary backgrounds, Trevis said. “The purpose of the team is not punitive or disciplinary, but to see what we can do to help everyone at EC succeed with their goals,” Trevis said. “We’re in the middle of developing a website for the AIMS Team right now.” “We just try to keep the line of communication open between students, the staff and ourselves,” Toruno said. “We truly believe that everyone should come here and learn, work, teach, play, visit and be safe,” Trevis said. Students can freely walk around campus without worrying about their safety. “I feel pretty safe. Although

I would like to see more officers on campus,” Amanda Corona, 18, sign language major, said. Trevis said there are also quarterly meetings with staff at the various divisions on campus that students can attend. Suggestions are also offered on how to improve safety; it could be something as simple as training sessions or tips on arranging furniture right in order to be prepared in the event of an emergency. “Like many colleges and universities, this is an open campus. Our services are open to the public. It’s perfectly fine for people to be here as long as they are not disruptive,” Trevis said. If students have questions about crimes on campus they could look up the Clery Act, Dr. Juli Soden,

professor of human development, said. “The Cleary Act Legislation mandates that colleges report crimes that occur on campus so that students can decide what they think and make an informed decision,” Soden said. There are also more challenges now with technology. People often walk around with earphones on and they’re texting, but they should look around and be aware. “Suspects are really on to this. They’re looking for easy prey,” Toruno said. If a student sees something suspicious on campus then they should alert authorities right away. “Follow your gut feeling,” Toruno said, “If it doesn’t look right, give us a call.”

Kyle Borden/ Union Paul Saldana, 24, architecture major, is a Community Service Officer who is part of a team that drives the Toyota truck. He is pictured above patrolling the El Camino College campus which are part of his duties.

EC planning to give out a record $1.4 million in scholarships for the upcoming school year Karen Garcia

Online Managing Editor

NEWS LINE

Being a recipient of an EC scholarship is as simple as answering a few questions. EC is planning to award a record breaking $1.4 million in scholarships for the Fall 2013 2014 semester. Katie Gleason, executive director of the EC foundation, said that the college awarded half a million dollars in scholarships to students for the 2012-2013 academic year. Due to the recent sequester there is the question as to wheth-

By Eric Hsieh

er budget cuts will reduce the amount of scholarships awarded but Gleason does not believe this is the case. “Because of the budget cuts I think that will bring more scholarships, donors will want to give back because they understand how difficult it is,” Gleason said. Gleason wants to point out that many students believe that scholarships are only given to those who achieve academic excellence, but this is not the case; many scholarships are given according to major and personal interests as well as academic ability.

“The perception of scholarships is all the same, that all scholarships are tied to academic achievement,” Gleason said. There is now a scholarship program for incoming high school students that wish to attend EC for the fall semester; the program selects 30-34 students and awards them $1,000 for two years. “I believe that this will appeal to many students that want to apply and attend EC,” Gleason said. There are many scholarships that students are unaware of but they are more than welcome to visit the scholarship foundation

office or log on to their MyECC account and look under the scholarship tab. Saiyada Haroon, 19, biology major, was awarded an Osher Foundation scholarship in the amount of $1,000. “This will definitely benefit me and my academic goals because I will be able to pay for certain materials such as my books,” Haroon said. “Books are so expensive, its ridiculous.” The simplicity of applying for her scholarship was a main factor that drew Nausheen Merchant, 19, nursing major, to applying for one.

Do you struggle with a disability?

Feeling the pressure of picking a major?

Take a tour of your future Headed to a CSU this campus fall?

Have concerns about your financial aid?

Dr. Jan Schaeffer will be hosting a workshop on setting up a support system today from 1-2 p.m. in the Communications Building, Room 307. Contact the SRC front desk at 310-660-3295 for more information.

The career center is holding an undecided major workshop today in SSC 207 from 1-3 p.m. Call 310-660-3593 ext. 6137 for information on this event.

The transfer center will be heading a tour to CSU Northridge on May 3 for prospective students. Inquiries about this event can be made at 310-660-3593 ext. 6137.

The Financial Aid Office will be hosting a workshop on May 8 in SSC 204-G from 2-4 p.m. Register or find out more about this event by calling 310-660-3493 or by emailing eccfaid@elcamino.edu

Merchant was the recipient of the Scholars Foundation Award in the amount of $1,000. “Applying for the scholarship was extremely simple. I logged on to MyECC and applied via the scholarship tab. It was a few general questions and two 300 word statements,” Merchant said. There are many different scholarships that are being awarded throughout the year by EC and by other foundations that students are unaware of. Jorge Matsumura, 26, economics major, received an invitation through the mail for the EC Presi-

Don’t leave unprepared. Come to a CSU basics workshop May 7 from 1-2 p.m. in Social Science 213. Contact the Transfer Center at 310-660-3593 ext. 3408 for more information.

dential Award Scholarship from the Behavioral and Social Science Department. The letter stated that “I was nominated and I have to write a brief statement of how EC influenced me,” Matsumura said. “I applied and received an EC scholarship last year in the amount of $500.” According to the EC Foundation office, there are websites that students may visit to receive more information about scholarships that are being awarded such as mach25.collegenet.com, which is a electronic scholarship database.


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