raiders’ sports
a jump on the competition See page 9
“Funky” phil and the gang post Staff interviews on page 7
page 4-5
Puyallup poSt the
Serving the puyallup campuS oF pierce college
Forum addresses views on terrorism By Lonny Sulfaro Puyallup Post
On October 22, Pierce College sponsored an event to try to ease people’s concerns after the September 11 terrorist
Mohrbacher talked about denotation which is the actual
After Peshtaz, an Islamic spiritual leader Amjad Avu Nar
meaning of a word and connotation which how people inter-
spoke on “the Islamic Experience. Avu Nar stated, “Islam
pret the word. Mohrbacher said, “There is a need for the word
means to submit your life to god,” and then added, “I came to
war, but campaign may be more accurate than war.”
America to help people not kill people. Islamic people
Following Morhbacher community member Yunus Pesh-
believe in all the prophets including Jesus. Avu Nar then went
The event which was entitled “Moments of Reflection: A
taz spoke on “The American Muslim Perspective” Peshtaz
on to say, “The Taliban are calling this a jihad, which means
Dialogue on Terrorism” was sponsored by student programs
talked about how he came to Puyallup 23 years ago as an
holy war. You can not consider the September 11 attacks a
and consisted of a panel of instructors and community mem-
exchange student when Russia invaded Afghanistan. Peshtaz
jihad.”
bers speaking on different topics.
graduated with the highest honors in Kabul and received a
attacks.
The event began with Pierce College Puyallup political
one-year scholarship to attend school in the United States.
Next Pierce student Saif Alkawoani spoke also on “The Islamic Experience.” Alkawoani reiterated Avu Nar’s com-
science instructor Chris Vanneson speaking on “Terrorism in
He went on to say how once Russia was defeated the Unit-
ments and said, “Osama Bin Laden is not our leader. The Tal-
an Age of Globalization.” Vanneson talked about how the
ed States brought the Taliban to power in Afghanistan and
iban is not our government. There is no Islamic government,”
majority of Muslim Americans condemned the terrorist
actually funded Osama Bin Laden for several years.
attacks. He then on went on to discuss the roots of terrorism
Peshtaz had very strong feelings on the situation in
and concluded by saying, “We are all equal. Everyone are all brothers and sisters.”
stating that terrorism dates all the way back to ancient
Afghanistan and said, “Bin Laden is an invader in
Social science faculty member John Lucas then conclud-
Greece. Vanneson then stated, “The reasons behind terrorist
Afghanistan. The people of Afghanistan are running for their
ed the lineup of speakers by discussing how America has
attacks are mostly because of religious differences.”
lives. Islam is a peaceful religion and not against Christiani-
changed over the years.
Pierce College Puyallup English instructor Bob
ty. The people of Afghanistan are prisoners to Bin Laden and
After everyone had finished speaking there was a question
Mohrbacher spoke next on “The Power of Political Lan-
the Taliban. I applaud the action of the United States in the
and answer portion with the audience where members of the
guage: What does it mean when we use the word war?”
fight against terrorism.”
panel answered all questions or comments the audience had.
budget plan the 2nd week of December and
campus security works to ensure student safety
then the legislature will reconvene in January
By Lonny Sulfaro
to start the new session.
Puyallup Post
Budget cuts make future unclear By Lonny Sulfaro Puyallup Post
Pierce College and the rest of the Washington state funded colleges could face a huge economic problem in the future.
have been. There was also $300 million left over from the last legislative sessions in budget issues. All this together adds up to the $1.2 billion deficit the state is now facing.
Governor Gary Locke is set to release his
“It’s as bad as it could possibly be, but we
Ever since the terrorist attacks, security has been an issue in the country.
According to the financial forecast, which
It is still unknown how the deficit will
will try to maintain all programs,” Wall added.
came out November 20 Washington will have
affect Pierce College, but it is safe to assume
The college will have a better idea of exact-
Pierce College Puyallup administrators
a 1.2 billion dollar deficit when the 2002/03
that there will be some sort of impact.
ly what kind of cutbacks if any it will be fac-
haven’t made major changes in security, but at
ing once the legislature begins its session.
least one security officer is on the campus along
biannual budget goes through.
Pierce College President Steve Wall said,
The original forecast prior to the Septem-
“There is no way to put a positive spin on this
“Pierce College is proceeding to review
ber 11 terrorist attacks was that the state would
situation. This is the worst situation I’ve seen
expenditures and proceeding very carefully in
have about a million dollar deficit.
since the late 70’s and early 80’s.”
expenditures to save any money if there are
After September 11 it was expected that the
Phase 3 design work is still continuing at
state would be 6 to 8 million below where they
the Puyallup campus, as is the construction at
wanted to be, because of all the job cuts there
the Ft. Steilacoom campus.
with numerous custodial and maintenance workers who keep a careful watch. So far this year, there has been the usual number problems on campus. There has one
cutbacks. Stay tuned to future issues of the Post as this scary situation evolves.
car stolen, a few backpacks and purses stolen, a case of indecent exposure, and numerous small fender benders.
art class completes patriotic van
There is also occasionally a problem with
By Katie Yates and Lonny Sulfaro
tions regarding the recent tragedy.
Puyallup Post
two years, just waiting for its chance to
Art instructor Elizabeth Sorensen is con-
The van had sat in Sorensen’s yard for
skateboarders and rollerbladers, but that has diminished quite a bit since the new skate park in Puyallup opened. When the newspaper surveyed some Pierce
shine.
tinuing her quest to get 35 students to paint a
It has been cleaned, stripped, repaired,
students (see student speakout on page 2) to see
1984 Volkswagen van as a tribute to the ter-
and painted by Sorenson and her students.
how they felt about campus security most of
rorists events of September 11.
The van was unveiled at the South Hill Mall
them said they felt safe on campus.
Sorensen, who is providing her students
on Nov. 23. and put on eBay Nov. 24.
“More people are more aware of what is
with a hands-on project, hopes to teach them
The proceeds from the sale of the van will
happening around them, so that is one of the
the process of creating a work of art, as well
be donated to a relief organization. The van
reasons we don’t have a lot of problems,” Secu-
as giving students a way to vent their emo-
See patriotic van on page 10
VOLUME 7 ISSUE 3 ¥ DECEMBER 2001
rity officer Maureen Hodges said.