Founded 1946
Palomar College
Friday, May 6, 1988
Volume 41 No. 19
San Marcos, CA
AS allots funds for bleachers If it's broke, don't fix it. That might not be quite the way the phrase goes, but it did seem to fit prior to student government action taken Wednesday to fix the decaying, spotty green bleachers alongside the Palomar running track/playing field.
Student government members voted at the Wednesday student government meeting to place $5,000 in a trust fund for use in repair or replacement of the decrepit structure. The deterioration has reached the point where the college could potentially be held liable for any accidental injuries occuring on them, according Boyd Mahan, Campus Patrol supervisor.
In their first competition, the Flying Comets cheerleading team captured a seventh place national ranking in the Universal Cheerleaders Association division two, competitions held in Memphis Tennessee. The squad was the only twoyear college to place in the top 100. Pictured (from
L to R) back row; Carlos Salas, Kevin Etienne, Pat Wedge, Rob Singleton. Middle row; Carmen Howland, Lisa Whetsel, Denise Hoksbergen, Michelle Harding, Keyna Goumbes, Shelly Kennedy. Front row; Becky Margan, Staci Joyce, Cynthia Hollins, Celeste Wiltse, Lisa Cannon.
College seeks traffic solution By Tom Fitzpatrick
San Marcos officials are trying to deal with ever-increasing traffic woes, and the Associated Student Government stands to gain. To the tune of $5,000. There is a catch, however. First the college must create a plan to decrease automobile traffic on city streets during peak traffic hours. While other North County communities struggle to build new and wider roads to keep up with rapid growth, San Marcos officials and members of the city's Peak Hour Traffic Management Task Force see reducing the number of cars on current roads as part of the solution. In a unique project, city officials adopted an ordinance last year requir-
ing most large San Marcos employers to establish plans for reducing traffic. Employers are being asked to encourage riding the bus, carpooling, bicycling and walking, "any type of transportation besides the single occupancy vehicle," according to Amy Foster, staff coordinator for the city. The goal of the task force is to reduce traffic during peak hours, from 6:45 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m., by 45 percent over four years. Participation by school districts is voluntary, thus $5,000 was set aside as an incentive for Palomar to join in. Student government officials are now considering two concepts to reduce traffic.
according to Kevin Fry, student senator. Enforcement of the regulations remains the biggest road block to the plan. The other idea would use the cityprovided money to subsidize student bus passes, paying for as much as half the cost. No . provisions have been made in next year's student government budget to continue such a program once the original $5,000 is de pleated. Student government officials are still looking for suggestions students and faculty members might have. Ideas can be taken to one of the regular student government meetings, held Wednesdays at noon, or left in Kevin Fry's mailbox in room R-22A.
All a student need do to see the extent of the decay is take a short walk under the bleachers. At several places where metal bolts meet wood, the planks are either in splintered shreds or completely separated from the metal framework "The school does have a liability. No doubt about it," said Mahan in regards to possible accidents happening on the bleachers. But fear of liability just recently led towards action by the student government. Mary Reynaga, president of the Associated Student Government, said in February that any action taken to repair or replace the benches involving the Associated Students Government had been "put on the back burner," but it was at her prodding Wednesday that the student senate agreed to establish the fund. Two proposals to solve the dilemma are now under consideration. John Woods, director of Men's Athletics, gave a presentation suggesting replacement of the bleachers earlier this year at the request of student government members. Woods' proposal involved replacing the 800 seat bleachers with a 1600 seat facility at a cost of $80,000. But, he added, the athletic department does not have the funds to cover a bill that size. Neither, say student government officials, does the ASG. An alternative plan, which would repair the existing bleachers, appears to be under more serious consideration. Frank Hankin, Director of Stu-
In one of the concepts, choice parking spaces on campus would be reserved for carpool vehicles only,
"I'm enjoying it. People have been helpful and pleasant," said Jane Bushell, of London, England, about her exchange duty at the library. Bushell met Alexis Ciurczak, librarian, when she did an exchange in England. Arrangements were made for Bushell to visit America and work at the Palomar library. She arrived March 29 and will leave around May 20. Bushell the "Brit", as she is nicknamed by the library staff, has lived in England 26 years. While Bushell is here, librarian Ellen Higgins went in exchange to London. The main difference between the libraries, according to Bushell, is their size. ¡ She said her home library is a small public library. The library people there do all tasks because it is smaller. They
deal with inquiries and many school children. She said they also work a lot with music cassettes. Bushell is from one of nine branch libraries in London named "Clemetattlee." "To broaden horizons and broaden experiences, especially because it is a college library," is why Bushell says she came here. Telling some tales of Merry Ol' England, Bushell says it takes 20 minutes on the tube or underground to get from her house to downtown London. However, she drives to work. Teaching Cockney words to the staff at the circulation desk has been one of the highlights of Jane's visit. For example, she taught them "Don't get Stroppy," which means, "Don't get funny with me ." Another word exchange is "ave a word,"which means "give us a break." When it is time for Bushell to say "Good bye," she and Ciurczak will go back to England for a library seminar.
At present, there are danger signs posted near the ramps, from which the stairs have been removed. Still, Hankin expressed concern that spectators might not heed warnings. "I have a fear that some of these students aren't going to listen to people," he said. The problem is not only that people may injure themselves on the bleachers, but also that injury may lead to civil suits against the school. According to Mahan, California has attractive nuisance laws which could make Palomar liable in case of a bleacher accident. That legislation permits civil suits against institutions or individuals that do not repair inviting hazards, and through their negligence cause an accident. Mike Ellis, director of Buildings and Grounds, originally condemned the bleachers shortly before graduation in 1986, fearing that some students might use them unknowingly. Ellis sits on the safety and security committee which meets to discuss campus safety problems and possible solutions. The committee has no budget, but it does suggest expenditures to the yearly budget committee. Ellis will ask for funds to repair the bleachers and add lights to the field, but said he can do little until the budget committee churns out their decision on the matter, which he doesn't expect until late May or June. ASG head senator Ken Green said he favored rallying support from local sponsors. Green expressed his hope that sponsors might trade advertising space on the west field for the cost of repairing and maintaining a section of the bleachers. In regards to fund-raising for the bleachers, former senator Cathy Freeman said, "It would be something great for the students to get behind."
Blood drive set May 9-10
Library makes exchange with English staff member By Michele Anderson
dent Activities, estimates the cost of repair to be from $18,000 to $22,000. While the remaining funds to complete the seating are sought, fears that an accident will occur are increasing. With upcoming minor league football games to be played on the field this summer, Hankin is worried that some youngsters will use the bleachers.
Jane Bushell, working at the library on an exchange program from England, hopes to broaden her horizons and experiences during her two-month stay at Palom 9 ... (Photo by Terri Kane)
Students wishing to le.n d an arm in donating blood, can participate in the Spring 1988 blood drive. Facilities for the drive will be available on May 9 and May 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Provided by the Community Blood Bank of North County, the bloodmobile is sponsored by the Associated Student Government and Student Health Services. All students, staff and their dependents are eligible to use the Palomar College Blood Reserve Fund when needed, at no cost. Each donor will receive a free "Celebrating North County Comet" Tshirt. The Community Blood Bank meets or exceeds all federal and state regulations protecting the blood donor from diseases such as AIDS. Stringent sterile proceedures will be followed by all blood bank staff members. For information concerning donations, call Student Health Services at Ext. 2380.