Deukemjian slashes college funding Legislation to fund a statewide community college program which would provide better support services to students and help colleges stabilize their budgets was severely reduced before being signed into law by governor George Deukmejian September 30. Assembly Bill 3, authorized by Assemblyman Robert Campbell and strongly supported by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, would have appropriated $21 million to begin a student assessment and counseling program and $34 million to help colleges which have suffered major enrollment losses. However, citing his own budget shortfall as a partial reason for the reductions, the governor eliminated $21 million for the assessment and counseling program commonly referred to as "matriculation" and
reduced the stabilizing money from $34.3 million to $6.1 million before signing the legislation. While reducing the bill's appropriation for community colleges by 89%, the governor stated in a message describing his action that he supports the programs which the bill would have funded. Chancellor Joshua L. Smith's reactions were mixed. He said, "I am heartened by the governor's clear statement of intent to support matriculation. The community colleges have been requesting funding for this program since 1984; and a special commission established by the state in 1985 to review the 25 year old Master Plan for Higher Education strongly endorsed matriculation this past spring." "I assume from the Governor's statement that his 1987-88 Budget will include a $49.8 million augmentation for the colleges to
implement matriculation. That is good news indeed, especially considering that the Governor is making this kind of commitment to the public when he is aware of the fiscal constraints he will face next year." Chancellor Smith was very distressed, however, with the treatment of the stability funds contained in AB3. The stability funds are temporary support designated for those community colleges which have experienced precipitous enrollment and funding losses. Those districts are in need of temporary funds to enable them to adjust gradually to their reduced size. Although the message accompanying AB3 asserts that the colleges will receive 50% of their stability funds (17.1 million), the reality is that, after reductions, AB3 contains less than 18% of those funds (6.1 million). The inconsistency apparently is explained by the
administration's belief that reimbursements the colleges are slated to receive for an unemployment insurance cost mandated on them by the state is a windfall. Stability finding was reduced from 50% to below 18% after the administration deducted the "windfall" reimbursement expected to be received by the districts. Chancellor Smith's reaction was one of profound disappointment. "Stability funding apparently was reduced below the level necessary for state financial prudency, because of a belief that community colleges should not be reimbursed for a cost imposed on them by the state. The state has reimbursed K-12 school districts, cities and counties for that exact same mandated cost. "I do not understand why community colleges are being singled out for different, adverse treatment on this issue."
Fou nded 1946
40 Years of Excelle nce
Palomar College
Volume 40 No. 3
A Publication tor the Associated Students
Friday. October 17. 1986
Levy fights illiteracy Stan Levy will address the Friends of the Palomar College Library October 19 at 2 p.m., the first of their Sunday afternoon get-togethers this fall at the college library. Levy, director of Reading Services at the college, says "If you are able to read this newsletter, you probably think illiteracy is someone else's problem. But consider: At least 27 million Americans are functionally illiterate. They cannot read the label on a medicine bottle or address an envelope. An additional 46 million people are marginally literate. Their reading and writing skills are so poor they cannot complete a job application or pass a written drivers license test. The speech will review national, state, and local reading problems with possible solutions, and address ways to improve personal reading skills in relation to newspaper and magazine reading. Levy holds a master's degree in Reading Education. Before coming to Palomar in 1972, his teaching experience ranged from primary grades through adult years. He has conducted numerous workshops in reading memory techniques for professionals and paraprofessionals at colleges, universities, and companies throughout the western states. This program for the members and their friends is free and the public is welcome.
Seminars set in Ramona Palomar has arrived in Ramona, bringing education closer to home for area residents. Located on the Ramona High School campus, the Satellite Center is currently offering one-day Saturday seminars to community members for a minimal fee. On Saturday, November 8, seminars include: "Behavior Modification and Weight Control," 9 am. to noon, $10; "How to Start a Mail-Order Business," 9 am. to 2:30 p.m., $20 plus a $2 optional material fee payable at class; "Reading, Memory and Test Taking for the 80s," 9 to 11 am., $10; and "Ten Common Financial Mistakes," 9 am. to noon, $10. Palomar's Ramona Satellite Center also offers full-length credit courses on a semester basis. For more information, contact the center directly, Mondays through Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. at 7885045, or call the Community Education Department at 744-2250 or 7277529, Ext. 2153.
rcos, CA
Book theft Increases •
By Monica Nash
Dr. George Boggs, superintendent/president, acted as moderator in a debate between Clyde Romney (L) and John MacDonald (R), candidates for the :tifth district San Diego County Board of
Supervisors. The program is scheduled to air again Monday, October 20, at 9:30p.m. on Channel 2 (Dimension Cable), and at 7:30p.m. on Channel 30 (Daniels Cable). (Photo by Torn Fry)
Artists show revitalized city Beginning October 17 and running through November 14, the Boehm Gallery will feature a work by Helen Mayer-Harrison and Newton Harrison, collaborating artists, professors on the faculty ofUCSD and husband and wife team. The work, titled "The Guadalupe Meander: A Refugia for San Jose," is their urban re-development proposal submitted to the city of San Jose, featuring the Guadalupe River, a meandering and neglected river which the couple perceived as "a green spine for the city, serving as a refugia for plants and animals and a refuge for the walker." "The refugia is to the city as the
hedgerow is to the field." -Helen and Newton Harrison A handwritten text combining the language of poetry and proposals, drawings, aerial photographs, planner's drawings and other forms of documentation, along with collages that combine photographs, drawings and text, are elements of the show. According to Louise Kirtland, Boehm Gallery coordinator, the Harrisons employ the gallery environment to reach the public with their ideas about "rethinking the urban landscape," and have mounted similar exhibitions that proposed the revision and revitalization of sites in Baltimore
and Pasadena, as well as a "still-born" project for San Diego. "Their works have provided them with widespread recognition, including an invitation to the acclaimed international exhibition, Documenta, which will be held again next year in Germany," Kirtland said. A reception for the artists will be held at the gallery October 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. Regular gallery hours are Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 am. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the Boehm Gallery at 744-1150 or 7277529, Ext. 2304.
Transfer students prefer Palomar By Peggy Kelly
Total enrollment this fall is 16,827. Although the overall percentage of all students has not increased, the percentage of part time transfer students has jumped, according to Director of Admissions and Records Herman Lee. Oddly the highest percentage of students to register this fall at Palomar were the reverse-transfer students. These are students coming back from other colleges with 30 units' or more already acquired. "The phenomenom is the same in community colleges throughout the state," says Palomar President Dr. George Boggs. One reason is that the reverse-transfer student may feel more comfortable here than at a four year university where the atmosphere is more rigid and formal Four year
colleges promote research first. "Here at Palomar teaching comes first." Counselor Jim Bowen thinks many reverse-transfer students are coming back to enhance their job positions or possibly because they have acquired job burn-out and are changing jobs. Another reason for the increase may be the fact that SDSU closed admission swiftly this fall Reversetransfer students and others may
have overflowed into community colleges. "Last fall we suffered a 20% loss in student enrollment," says Dr. Boggs. "But we put our best foot forward to attract students on campus." This year President Boggs plans on tackling the problems that come along with a larger student population such as parking problems, traffic flow, and telephone service.
Children to audition for Christmas show Children's dance auditions for the new Christmas dance production, "A Christmas Fantasy," will be held in the college Dance Studio October 18 at 11 am. According to Dorothie Bleth, director of Palomar's Dance Program, children ages seven to ten with prior
dance training are eligible to audition. Emmy Award winner Tom Hansen will choreograph the production For more information, call the Dance Office at 744-1150 or 727-7529, Ext. 2411, or the Speech/Theatre Arts/Dance Department at Ext. 2405.
Students who walk away from their books may be making an expensive mistake. According to Virginia Dower, manager of the bookstore, many students have been reporting book thefts. "This semester it's happening more frequently," said Dower. "They're not taken from peoples' arms, but picked up when left unattended." Student books have been stolen from the cafeteria, Student Union, Library lawns, classrooms and even the bookstore. "We aren't responsible for books left in the bookdrop; we can't be. I suggest leaving them with a friend or locked in your car," said Dower. Remember to be careful. We have noticed a big increase in students purchasing books a second time." The bookstore requires a receipt for a refund. The major reason is to protect the student, because a thief cannot receive money for returning a book. Unfortunately the patient thief can receive compensation later. "Someone could stockpile books and sell them at the end of semester for halfprice. We ask for I.D., but that may not be a deterrent,"warns Dower.
ASSET test is scheduled By Karen Mol
"Students who are properly placed in English, Math and Reading classes have a greater success rate," says Inder Singh, director of the Counseling Guidance and Career Development Department. All students are encouraged to take the ASSET placement test, a tool for assisting students into classes which are appropriate for them. "This is not used for the restriction of classes," Singh pointed out. The next ASSET placement test is scheduled for November 7 at 1 p.m. in the SCC Board Room. Students who wish to take the test should sign up in the Counseling Department at least two weeks prior to test date. Contact them also for the complete schedule oftest dates. Test early and don't wait until the mad rush at semester end. "Conditions are more conducive for test taking now," advised Singh. There is currently pending legislation which will require California community colleges to administer a full assessment program for all new students.