FEATURE
OPINION
Leo and Kate may have done a scene or two in "Titanic," but they were outnumbered on the set
ENTERTAINMENT
Hooray for Hollywood, and that self-gratifying night of nights when they commend their arrogant selves: The Oscars. Here's our predictions ...
~ D6nde
esta a solid education these days? Is it a buefio idea to blietzkrieg our schools with bilingual education? Does it create unnecessary problemas? Nien? Qui? Huh?! Page 5
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Tl:tt• FRIDAY, MARCH
13, 1998
PALOMAR COLLEGE
Palomar plugs • to PeopleSoft 1n Michael Paisner Copy Editor
Students in today's world demand that schools have the latest technology to help them apply to a school, register for classes andspend their money at a school. Dr. George Boggs, superintendent/president of Palomar College, told that to a crowd that almost fiPed the Howard Brubeck Theatre on March 4. The attendees were there for the kickoff of IRIS (Integrated, Reengineered Information Systems). IRIS is the name of the project that will replace the software used to run all administrative computers on campus.
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holds financial information, another computer holds student information. Until now, when students requested information, and then wanted financial information, they had to wait while the server ran the other software. With PeopleSoft, when a student record is requested it comes from one server running software that only handles student records. If financial information for that student i also needed, the request is sent to a server handling just financial information. This happens in the time it takes to push a key on the keyboard.
T R R N ! T
DIFFERENT TASKS LINKED
SOFfWARE WILL SMOOTH PROCESS Although IRIS is the project name. the actual name of the software program itself is PeopleSoft. Lew Conner. director of customer services, education and government for PeopleSoft USA, Inc., explained why he thinks his co1~pany's software will make the Palomar campus run smoother. "Typically, software runs on a client (the user's computer) and accesses information from a server (central computer where all records arc stored). Our product takes some of the load off of the client so that a student going on to the web from their home computer... doesn't have to have as much memory, doesn't have to be quite as powerful, " said Conner. Conner says that they do that by making use of multi-tier processing. This process is where several computers each run a single software program that does one kind of job. For example, one computer holds class records, another computer
Boggs said, "This is going to help across the institution in every aspect; From instruction to human resource services to student services to fiscal service. It's going to integrate those things that in the past have been separate. Whereas before you couldn't interface or link them, now you can." Also involved in the project is InfoSolutions.edu, Inc., a local company that will be the first line of contact for PeopleSoft. It 1s InfoSolutions.edu that will install and handle the training and follow-up. Jim Lyons, president of InfoSolutions.edu said, "Dr. Boggs has some big expectations. Those expectations are not unreasonable." The kickoff was not the day the system was installed , it was used to mark the start of the process to get the campus converted. It will take 18 months before the system is
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Photo illustration by Jason Schock and Teresa Stalcup I The Telescope
UNIVERSITY DP IRTERIIET Diplomas of the future may be attainable through California Virtual University Michael Paisner Copy Editor
You may soon be able to go to class at Palomar College naked. Just don't show up to the main San Marcos campus or any of the outlying education cen ters in the nude. Palomar College is linking up with the California Virtual
Hear it comes!
University. The CVU is a web site that will al low you to take classes in California colleges and universities around the state without leaving the comfort of your home. Dr. George Mozes, director, library/educational TV, said that telecourses aren't 'p ure virtual courses. "You sti ll have to come onto the campus 4, 5 or 6 times
distance learning," said Mozes. The current telecourses that Palomar offers aren't pure virtual courses. said Mozes. A pure virtual course you can take in another country. Course work is viewed on tl1e web. Homework and tests are sent by e-mai l. The CVU is not a college. It offers SEE
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Campus theft: how to reduce the risk Christine Tatum College Press Sen·ice
Comet pitcher Greg Bochy unleashes another blaster towards an unwary batter. The Comets next game is tomorrow at San Diego Mesa College. The first pitch is at noon.
during the semester. With true virtual classes, you won't have to come to the campus at all," he said. The CVU, however is still in its infancy. Even though their web site (www.california.edu) lists Palomar College as a participant, clicking on the link brings users to the Palomar's home page (www.palomar.cdu). "It is the first step to pure
With laundry spinning in the dryer and dinner in the oven upstairs, one student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill bounced between fl6ors to make ure both chores got done. Someone had taken her clothes by the time she went to retrieve them. She wound up getting some of her belongings back when she spotted her jeans perpetrator attached - walking around campus. "She recognized a bleach stain and knew the pants were hers," said Lt. Angela Carmon, a university police officer. "It's really funny until it happens to you." Theft is still the most common crime on campus. Police working for colleges nationwide logged I 02,081 incidents of theft in 1996, according to Security On Campus, Inc., an organization that encourages students tp guard against cnme. More students complained about sticky fingers than alcohol and drug vio lations, car theft and sexual
offenses. That's not to say everything should be bolted down to keep someone else from taking it, Carmon said, it just means students should assume more personal responsibility for their belongings. "People are too trusting," she said. "We're talking about a crime of opportunity. Don't give people the opportunity to take your things, and they won't - or at least they won't very easily." Year after year, Carmon said she reviews reports from students who are missing belongings . And year after year their stories are much the same: Left the door unlocked while running an errand. Left things on a table while looking for a library book. Parked the car and didn't check on it for at least a month. There are ways to guard against theft, experts say. - View everyone as a potential suspect includ~ classmates,
fraternity brothers, instructors, sorority sisters and roommates. Sometimes the better a person thinks they know you, the more entitled they feel to use - and not return - your belongings. - Discuss safety and the measures you're taking to protect yourself with those living with and around you. "You don't want to go around insulting people, but at the same time you have to let everyone know you are taking steps to protect your things," he added. "Sometimes you can get your message across if you encourage other people to do the things you're doing. - I f you don't need it or it is of great sentimental value, don't take jt to school. Added Carmon: "Campus is not the place for you to bring family heirlooms. Leave them with your parents until you have a place of your own." - Put your name or an easily
identifiable mark on your valuables , even if its your favorite sweater, compact disc or pair of jeans .. Lock your door, lock your doorandlockyourdoor. - Keep a list of the serial numbers assigned to your appliances, and register your bicycle with the local police department. - Check on your car regularly. "Campus police officers do routine patrols, but they can't see everything,·" Carmon said. "Students have had their cars broken into, but they can't tell us when it might have happened because they haven't checked on their car for at least a month." - Pay attention to what's going on around you. "People don't know what's going on around them and they're easy targets for pickpockets and possible attackers," said Carmon.
FOR A BREAKDOWN OF WHICH AREAS OF CAM· PUS
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