Horticulture: Students plant garden in South Coast Plaza. Page 10
SOCCCD’s STUDENT NEWSPAPER
Summer Travel: Exotic locales for student vacations. Page 9
28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, California
Vol. 43 No. 22
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Certain core classes increase by one unit in fall semester EVELYN CAICEDO uring fall 2010, the English department at Saddleback College presented a revision of the English 1A curriculum which would change the course to a four-unit class instead of three to be put forth in the fall 2011 semester. The curriculum was changed due to the fact that “students are not adequately prepared for English 1B nor are they getting the skill set needed to succeed in upper division courses that require a research component,” said Suki Fisher, the co-coordinator of English composition. So now English 1A, the course which focuses on expository writing skills, will be four-hour a week class to better the learning of the students and to better complete the next level of English. “In reviewing the goals that we wished our students to have accomplished upon completing both 1A and 1B, we found some holes,” Fisher said. “Namely that we expected students to master skills presented to them in 1B without first giving them the introduction or development period in 1A.” The shift to an essay word count of 4,000 words in 1A to 1B courses at 8,000 is said to be too great, and thus the unit change was to be needed for the students, according to Fisher. “Currently 1A students are expected to learn how to organize an essay, develop clear ideas, write a complex thesis, and write fluidly with only minor grammatical errors,” Fisher said. “The added unit will allow us to address skill sets that are needed to prepare students for writing the research paper: namely, how to find, analyze, and respond to a given text.” Fisher adds that by adding the curriculum change would also allow students to learn how to utilize an outside source, such as how to incorporate outside material, correctly cite the source, and correctly create a work cited page.
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Photo by Oliver Yu/Lariat
FAREWELL: Instructors seal the deal to retire this year. Some may opt to return in fall parttime as part of agreement hammered out by teachers’ group.
51 SOCCCD faculty say goodbye thanks to golden handshake Long-term plan to save district $3.6 million will change faces in classrooms MARYANNE SHULTS
T
he South Orange County Community College board of trustees adopted a resolution last week of a supplementary retirement incentive program. A total of 51 full-time eligible faculty at Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College have opted to take part and will officially retire at the end of the 2010-2011 academic year according to Vice Chancellor of Human Services David Bugay. Also, those faculty members were offered the option to teach on a parttime basis after their retirement. Bob Ferguson has taught various psychology courses for over four decades. He came into the teaching profession with a background as an agent in the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and students were entertained with his anecdotal, real-life tales that made his curriculum come to life. He said teaching was never boring. “The retirement incentive definitely
had an impact on my motivation to retire. However, another event occurred last semester which was even more of a wake up call,” Ferguson said. “ I have had children of former students in my classes for years but I had a grandchild of a former student in my class last semester for the first time. It is time to hang it up when that starts.” Ferguson confirmed he will return as a part-time instructor in the fall. Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS) has made available to the district a supplementary retirement plan, supplementing the State Teachers’ Retirement System / Public Employees’ Retirement System (STRS/PERS) program. The plan will provide a portion of one year’s salary over five years. “This [plan] provides financial saving to the district of $3.6 million over five years,” Bugay said. “ The positions will not be replaced for one year and will be filled by adjunct instructors.” During the 2011-2012 year, the colleges will conduct a hiring process to fill the vacant full-time positions. Those hired will begin with the 20122013 academic year. Lewis Long, president of the SOCCCD Faculty Association said there are two sources of savings for the district. “First, for the first year, classes will
be taught by part-time faculty with lower pay and without the same benefits,” Long said. “Second, the faculty who will be hired eventually to replace the relatively highly paid retirees will come in with much lower salaries.” The retirement incentive plan was conceived and proposed by the Faculty Association as part of a restructuring of the faculty salary schedule, Long said. Plus, it will make the district more attractive to new faculty and “continue to attract the best, most qualified” instructors, he added. There will be no reduction in the numbers of class sections, or growth in class sizes, as a result of this process. However, because of the dismal condition of the state budget and the resulting reduction in growth allowed to the colleges, there may be fewer class offerings for other reasons, Long said. Students will benefit from having fresh, enthusiastic new faculty members who have the advantage of recent education in the newest developments in their fields. “While the retiring faculty members are experienced, dedicated teachers, we can all benefit from fresh perspectives and knowledge of the newest developments,” Long said. “Also, because of the condition of the state budget, there are a lot of excellent teachers looking for jobs, so
Students react to bin Laden death KIMIYA ENSHAIAN MCKENZIE SIXT
P
resident Obama announced Sunday night that al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was killed in a raid at a compound in Pakistan. The overall vibe the following day, across the world at both Saddleback and Irvine Valley College was that bin Laden was merely the symbol of radical terrorism. Some students said that his death does not end any problems while others were pleased with this news but believe nothing will change. “I feel like it’s a great accomplishment for U.S. but he’s spread his knowledge to his followers,” said Stephani Saltos, 20, psychology. “These people have been trained in the same manner he was, they’re just as dangerous for us.” For others like Chris Hooshmand, 27, psychology, bin Laden’s death was a victory of sorts, proving to the world that
the U.S. deals with its enemies eventually. “I’m happy they’ve (al-Qaida) realized you can’t cause trouble here and get away with it, it felt like he (bin Laden) was just laughing in our faces for ten years,” Hooshmand said. There were other students,
Jason Burwen/ Flickr: CC by-SA 2.0
photo credit
Osama bin Laden such as Isadora Sharon, 18, zoology, a previous New Yorker and witness to the September 11 attacks, who was not overwhelmed by the news. “I’m not really impressed
because I think there’s going to be someone to take his place,” she said. “For me I don’t really believe it unless I see evidence that it’s him and that it’s his body and more details on it.” Some compare bin Laden to ultimate evil. “I am thoroughly pleased that he is dead,” said Daniel Corning, 22, political science, “but, I want to see the devil dead.” With the help of DNA analysis and facial recognition, the government said it had confirmed his death. In previous cases of terrorist deaths there was an immediate release of photographic evidence of the killings. The cases of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s dead body, video footage of Saddam Hussein’s hanging, and pictures of Hussein’s two dead sons were given to the media as evidence.
kenshaian0@saddleback.edu msixt1@saddleback.edu
we should have a very deep pool from which to select new faculty.” Those who teach look for the best in their students, and communicate clearly that each one has untold potential, and this confidence can inspire their students to grow and develop more than they ever thought possible, according to Keirsey.com. In whatever field they choose, teachers consider people their highest priority, and they instinctively communicate personal concern and a willingness to become involved. “We all struggle with self-fulfilling prophecies that hinder us from achieving our maximum potential. My teaching goal at Saddleback was to motivate students to achieve beyond their individual expectations,” Ferguson said. “Also, I don’t believe that you have had a complete day unless you have helped someone in need who is not in a position to give you something in return. I have always tried to fulfill that philosophy with my students.” As a parting remembrance, Ferguson has established the Robert W. Ferguson scholarship fund to help needy students. To see the list of retirees, go to lariatnews.com.
mshults0@saddleback.edu
See UNITS on Page 2
Invocations continue for college ceremonies CARMEN ULLOA
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loophole in a recent court decision will allow invocations to continue at graduation and scholarship ceremonies at Irvine Valley and Saddleback colleges. The subject of religion in school is a hot-button issue. Most schools have invocations, or opening prayers, at ceremonies and board meetings. For several years, Saddleback and Irvine Valley College have held official prayer at numerous events including scholarships ceremonies, the Chancellor’s opening sessions and graduations. This practice caused indignation and unrest among students, professors, donors and community members which resulted in a lawsuit. Westphal vs Wagner was filed in Nov. 2009 at a District Court in Los Angeles.
Defendants including Tod A. Burnett, president of Saddleback College, held that these invocations were constitutional and did not violate the establishment clause and continued to practice invocations despite the claims. A settlement was achieved in early April 2011. The district will continue with their 40 year invocation tradition. However, at any event in which an invocation is held by the district, students and staff are not required to attend and will not lose their privileges, employment status or benefits. The district will continue to direct the content and form of their events, select the speakers and the order in which they speak and invocation shall not exceed two minutes, with the speaker not delivering any religious remarks. Read more at lariatnews.com
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