The Telescope 56.15

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TIJETELESCOPE

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Although contract negotiations are continuing to move ahead , new complications are cropping up for both the district and the teachers union.

Two prominent issues the two groups are dealing with are a recent increase in prescription drug co-payments and an early retirement plan.

A co-payment is the small fee a person pays their health-

ECHIIIACEA ,1 Echinacea is Y a big boost to system during ilf.ness. Only use this herb when sick, however, your body will become immune to tts effects.

care provider for prescription drugs , rather than paying the full price.

The human resources office informed full-time employees of the $1 to $5 increase Dec. 18, 2002.

Despite knowing about the 400 percent increa se months earlier , the district did not tell any employees about it until December, said Mary Ann Drinan , co-president of ■ SEE FACULTY, PAGE 3

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THITRESCOPE

Disabled Students Programs and Services may be hit hard by this year 's proposed budget cuts. The state has proposed a 43 percent cut for the department, which will add to the 3.66 percent budget cut implemented this year.

"If the big cut happens , we won't look the same next year," said DSPS director Ron Haines.

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For tea , steep six cloves in a cup of cool water for 6 hours.

ARTHURANDERSON / TIUTEUSCOPE

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sickness , t ake ' two-three capsules of 500 milltgrams 30 minutes • before departure. For tea. 2 teaspoons powdered or grated root per cup, steeped 1o min• utes. Drink up to 3 cups per day.

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■ SEE DSPS , PAGE 3

Marsella Alvarado swimsthebreaststroke relayduringa swimmeetFeb.21- 22.Alvarado andfellow Palomar swimmers Heather Falvey andMegan Hoagtookthirdplacein therelay.Thewomen's swimteam placedsecond overallin themeetandthemen'steamtookfirst place.

Tll'ETELESCOPE Ginger prevents motion sickness and may help

"I don't really understand why they picked on us, " Haines said.

DSPS offers a range of support services to disabled students, including mobilit y assistance , note-taking assistance, test accommodation , adaptive equipment, alternate media , assistive listening devices, interpreting services and counseling.

With a massive state budget cut expected this year, Palomar College officials are considering not rehiring several college administrative managers and directors.

The plan would only involve Palomar staff currently hired to oneyear contracts. President Sherrill Amador said that while there are no definite

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plans yet, the administrative managers and directors must be notified by March 15 if it is a possibility they will not be hired back . After that, there is a ''legal requirement" that any staff cuts have to be made before June 30, Amador said.

"Just imagine that you have normally have $100 a month to spend, and then suddenly $20 is taken away, so you're left with $80."

Amador said. "Obviously

you'd have to make some sacrifices."

According to Jack Miyamoto, vice president of human resources , 59 administrative managers and directors on one-year contracts are being sent resignation notices.

The staff cuts would help reduce the budget deficit Palomar College faces for the 2002-03 fiscal year, which ends on June 30. The actual amount of the deficit is still uncertain, because the col-

Conceptual drawing of thenewscience building.

Construction willbegin in Julyandbecompleted bythefallsemester 2004.

Sciencefacilityon schedule

By Erin Owens

THl TELESCOPE

Palomar College's new hightech science lab building will begin construction July 1, said Facilities Director Mike Ellis.

It should be completed for classes by the fall 2004 semester.

"The high tech lab building ■ SEE CUTS, PAGE 2

will provide a wide variety of new lecture and laboratory classrooms as well as house some faculty and staff offices," said Ellis. The building will be located north of the library, and will require the removal of staff parking lot 7. This new building is the first new ■ SEE SCIENCE, PAGE 3

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THE TELESCOPE ■ MONDAY, MARCH 3,2003

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Speechteamgarnentwo 4th-placewins £iWIIIIIIDAR

By Adam Marantz Mardi nra TEUSCOPE

4: ■

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The Palomar speech and debate team recently took home two fourth place finishes in its last two tournaments.

At the recent Cerritos College Tournament during President's Day weekend, seven Palomar speakers placed in the top three in individual competitions.

Two hundred individuals competed in the event Feb. 15 and 16.

"I am very proud of the team this year," said Dewi Hokett, speech team coach. ''They possess a lot of talent and drive."

Two weeks prior to that tournament at the Sunset Cliffs Classic, 13 Palomar speech team members placed in the top 10 of their respective competitions.

The team again placed fourth out of 74 schools, and four Palomar students received engraved gavels for personal achievement.

Skip Rutledge, speech and debate team coach at

■

Point Loma Nazarene University, presented a $500 scholarship to Chris Champine, the Palomar speech team president.

"I had already sent in my application to Point Loma Nazarene University," Champine said. "So I guess it was just great timing."

Champine said it was the best moment for him as a speech and debate team participant after being on the team for a year and a half. "I feel a lot closer to this team this year than other teams in past years.

We are all very close, and I believe we have something special," he said.

Palomar is currently ranked eighth in the nation among community college teams. It is one of the top five teams in California.

"Orange Cost College is the number one team in the state," Hokett said. ''But we are breathing down their necks."

The team's next tournament is the California Community College Forensic Association State

COURTESY PHOTO/ PALOMAR SPEECH TEAM

Palomar's forensics teamposeswiththeirtrophiesaftera recentcompetition.

Theteam finished withfourthplaceat its lasttwotournaments.

Championships in Costa Mesa. It will be followed by the National Championships .in Porland, Ore. Hokett believes Palomar can boost its national standing from eighth place.

The trophies and ribbons received

by Palomar student are not all the

speech team coaches focus on. ''These students not only receive better academic skills, but it also hones their communication skills for the future," Hokett said. "We are grooming them for far more than Palomar College. We are grooming them for life."

CUTS:Contractstaff could be laid off before next year

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 lege has been given three possible budget scenarios, said Jerry Patton, vice president of administrative services.

The first scenario stems from Gov.. Gray Davis's statewide budget proposal, and it would result in a $4.3 million loss to Palomar College.

The state legislative assembly's proposal would cut $3.6 million from the college. Finally, the state senate's plan would reduce Palomar's budget by $2 million.

Patton said the college was

hoping for a compromise between the assembly's and senate's proposals, but Gov.. Davis recently said he will veto such a plan.

"We'llknow in another week or two what budget we'll have to work with," said Patton.

Over the next 18 months, Patton said Palomar College faces a "worst case scenario of $15 million in cuts." At best, the college can expect $9 million in cuts, Patton said.

Along with the possible staff

cuts, Palomar has 40 staff positions that will remain unfilled indefinitely, Miyamoto said.

"Positions were approved that have since become vacant, and we have decided not to fill those so that we wouldn't exacerbate the problem of a reduced budget," Miyamoto said.

Eighty-seven percent of Palomar's budget goes into personnel salary, according to Miyamoto.

The remaining 13 percent of Palomar's budget is for discre-

tionary funds. If the staff cuts are avoided the difference has to come from those funds, Amador said.

Palomar officials will decide on a "department by department basis" what cuts they can make. ''Everything is up for grabs," Amador said.

The college is already planning on reducing spending on "supplies, travel and printing," Patton said. ''We're just trying to reduce costs everywhere."

Tax tiIUe:what· students need to know before April 15

By Don Viles

TIU TEUSCOPE

W

ith April 15 just seven weeks away, it is time to start thinking about filing tax returns again. Whether it is your first return or you are an experienced filer, it is a good idea to obtain assistance before sending your returns to the IRS. Fortunately, there are now more choices for tax assistance than ever before. The traditional approach for many is to labor through tax booklets and then seek help from someone with more experience, perhaps a parent. This approach can work, but it may not be the best solution.

Another traditional approach is to consult a professional tax preparation firm.

However, these firms can have pricey fees.

H&R Block, a major tax preparation company, charges $88 for the least expensive federal/state filing. This choice seems to make the most sense for those with more complicated tax issues.

One of the best alternatives is available at Palomar at the San Marcos campus.

You can receive personal assistance from the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which is sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service. This is a free service geared toward low-incometaxpayers filing relatively simple returns. A volunteer is available at the library on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. He can normally complete your federal and state returns during a single visit. This service is popular, so arrive early.

Another excellent solution for many students is brand new this year. The IRS has

arranged with commercial tax preparation firms such as TurboTax and H&R Block to provide free access to their online tax preparation software. To qualify, your adjusted gross income must be under $28,000. The software is very user-friendly and will electronically file the return as well. It appears that the California state return is also included in the free filing, although that may vary among providers.

Visit www.irs.gov. and click "Free Filing" for more information. You may select from more than a dozen commercial firms listed.

If you do not qualify for the free online service, or if you are uncomfortable entering your tax data online, you can purchase software such as TurboTax or TaxCut for less than $30. There is no limit on the number of returns you can prepare with the software on a designated computer, so family and friends can all contribute to the cost.

My personal experience with TurboTax has been very good. The software systematically walked me through the process. It is virtually idiot-proof.

However you decide to prepare your return, some issues are particularly important to college students. Perhaps the most important is the handling of tuition and fees, which can be included in your return in any of four different ways. In each case, however, you cannot deduct these expenses on your return if you are claimed as a dependent on someone else's return, e.g. your parent.

Hope Credit permits a deduction directly from your tax for tuition and enrollment

fees up to $1,000, plus another 50 percent of the next $1,000. This will almost always be your best alternative if you qualify. The credit is limited to your first two years of college.

Lifetime Learning Credit permits a deduction of 20 percent for your tuition and enrollment fees up to $5,000 annually. ($1,000 maximum credit is available.)

Both the Hope and the Lifetime Learning Credits are reduced or eliminated if your adjusted gross income exceeds certain levels.

Prior to 2002, you could not deduct tuition and fees unless you itemized.

However, now you can deduct from taxable income tuition and enrollment fees up to $3,000. Since this is a deduction from taxable income rather than a deduction from your tax, this approach works if

you do not qualify for the Hope or Lifetime Learning Credits, or if you are in a tax bracket above 20 percent.

Tuition and fees incurred in connection with employment are deductible if you itemize, but then only to the extent these and other itemized deductions exceed two percent of your adjusted gross income.

Taxpayers at least 25 years old as of the end of the tax year may qualify for Earned Income Credit if they have earned income less than specified amounts: $11,060 if no children, $29,20 if one child; $33,178 if two or more children. The EIC is refunded even if you do not have a tax liability.

Of course, there are any number of other credits and deductions that could apply to each individual's situation.

Remember, before you mail that return, be sure to get some advice.

What you needto knowto file your truces ■

Free tax assistance is provided at the library Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings.

■

Consult professionaltax assistancefirms like H&RBlock. Be prepared to pay a hefty fee, however.

If yourgross annual income is below $28,000, visit www.irs.gov.to access free electronicfiling.

■

■

Use tax preparationsottwaresuch as TurboTaxorTaxCut. These productstypJ.. catty cost under $30.

• Investigatespecial programssuch as Hope Credit, Lifetime Leaming Credit and Earned Income Credit. Many incentives are available for certain groups of people, especiallYstudents.

THE TELESCOPE ■ MONDAY, MARCH 3,2003 a $50 honorarium at the end of the semester for their services.

DSPS also provides the stuCONTINUED FROM PACE 1 dents with carbonless copy paper The purpose of these services, for the process. which are mandated by state Each semester, an average of and federal laws, is to provide 35 students use this service, disabled persons an equal oppor- Haines said. tunity to learn.

"We have stopped honorarium ''These services help these stu- payment," Haines said. dents get through If a student the system. You finds a volunteer, take them away however, DSPS and they won't will continue to graduate," provide copy Haines said. paper, he said.

The current Jeannemarie budget cut has Watts used this already taken its toll on some service last semester. services.

"Notes are very essential. It If Gov.. Gray Davis imple- helps us understand the course ments the proposed cuts, many better," Watts said. more services will disappear by With the removal of this servnext semester. ice, Watts said she plans to Note-taking is provided to stu- record lectures on tape. dents who need help taking She said she cannot continue notes in class. Students who are to do so for long, however. willing to provide copies of their "It's expensive. I am a disabled notes to DSPS students are paid student and have limited

■·

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income. I can't afford for long," Watts said.

Watts' only alternative is to find a volunteer to provide her with copies ofnotes . This is going to be very difficult, she said.

Jose Mendoza is another student who has encountered difficulties. He has severe hip arthritis and needs mobility assistance.

"I can't walk too far. It hurts," Mendoza said.

DSPS formerly helped such students with on-campus transportation by providing staff-driven golf cart escorts or personal mobility carts.

With the removal of this service, however, Mendoza must walk to his classes despite his physical disability.

"I am managing to make it to the class by walking slowly. I take my own time. Because of this, at times, I get late to the class," Mendoza said.

For some students, like Anida Bradford, the very thought of

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Thedepartmentisfacedwitha possible 43 percent cutto its budget nextyear.

education without DSPS services is frightening.

Bradford uses test accommodation and alternate media services from DSPS, and she fears these services will disappear if the budget cut happens. ''There's no way I could keep

up with the classes without these services. If these services get cut, I'll quit," Bradford said.

"Cutting these services is like taking away an opportunity to better our lives," Watts said. "It's like snatching away our right to education."

FACULTY: Disputesarise over prescriptiondrugs, retirement planCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Drinan said the PFF has documents showing the district knew of the change for almost a year. ''They needed to bring co-pay to the table, and they had it a year ago, and they are required by law to bring health care issues to the union," Drinan said.

In response to co-pay, the PFF filed an amended unfair labor practice complaint Feb. 19, with PERB. The original complaint was filed Sept. 25, 2002 and is currently under deliberation.

The district's proposal for a Supplemental Early Retirement Plan for the PFF is another contentious issue in negotiations.

Intended to be an incentive to bring an

the Palomar Faculty Federation.

Although the co-pay is still a small amount, Drinan said she thinks it is the district's duty to negotiate co-pay no matter the cost.

The PFF challenged the increase during negotiations, asking the district to absorb the additional cost for prescription drugs.

According to the PFF Web site, the district has offered no proposal to negotiate a resolution to the issue.

Jack Miyamoto, chief negotiator for the district, declined to comment on the copay issue until after a Public Employment Relations Board hearing, which will be held in the next few months.

Department has a greater need than any other department for storage space, lab facilities and classrooms, but they are not the only one that is cramped for space. The instructional facilities built at the San Anatomy/Physiology Department has Marcos campus since the early '90s, and it been unable to grow for the last ten years due to space limitations. is a very needed addition, he said. ''Towards the end of last semester, the "If you have ever taken any science lab classes, then you know the current facili- classrooms were so hot and stuffy. It was ties are not conducive to learning," Ellis really hard to concentrate," Aimes said.

"Sometimes the class would smell for a said. ''The temperature controls are inadeweek after certain lab quate, the ventilation of exercises," Aimes added. chemical and fumes is It has yet to be deterinadequate and the rooms 11lf youhove,,,,, tok,n mined what will be done do not meet the requirelobe/01111, with the current science ments of high technology any1ti1nt1 labs in today's society." building.

The th,nyouknowth, Planetarium and an earth Many science programs ,urr,ntfo,iliti,sor, not sciences computer lab are at Palomar have suffered 11 to J,orning. scheduled to remain in due to a lack of adequate eondu,ire the current earth sciences facilities. Most science classes are heavily DIRECTOR building. ''It will be very costly and difficult to renweighted to a laboratory learning experience. ovate the current buildings and we are considerMany professors find the current facilities are not up to par in either ing removing the buildings and building a size or quality. It has limited the growth of new instructional facility," Ellis said. The programs as well as posed a concern for Educational and Facilities Master Planning Committee is working on develenvironmental and health issues.

"I took Anatomy last semester, and the oping plans on what will be done.

As classes become more technology orilab space was too small and there was never enough room for us to store our sup- ented, many professors have said the need for updated facilities is a must. The new plies," said student Krysta Aimes.

The lack of storage space is an issue for science building should address these nearly ever department. The Geography issues.

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SLEEP RESEARCH Do you normally sleep 9 hours or more a night in order to feel refreshed and ready to take on the day?

Or Do you normally sleep 6 hours or less a day and have no problem with drowsiness during the day?

If you answered yes to one of these questions and are a healthy adult between the ages of 18 and 59 with no history of alcohol or drug abuse or psychiatric disorders, you may be eligible.

Volunteers will be compensated Financially

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June 30 retirement, Miyamoto said.

"It's just a matter of time that is left in the semester," Miyamoto said.

Drinan said the timing of the offer is unusual because the PFF asked for a SERP in negotiations months before.

According to Drinan, Richard Currier, the district's former chief negotiator, said there would be no SERP unless the state mandated it.

Miyamoto said the district did not previously offer an early retirement incentive because it is not supposed to be a regular option for professors.

Instead, it should motivate older faculty to retire early, so new faculty can fill those positions.

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early resolution to contract negotiations, the district requires full agreement on the contract by March 7.

The proposal offers retiring professors an additional 5 percent benefit based on their highest salary earned by their June 30 retirement.

SERP applies to full-time faculty members who have worked with the district for 10 or more years and are 55 years or older.

Despite the enticement of SERP, ''March 7 seems unrealistic," Drinan said.

Miyamoto said the March 7 deadline is due to the way in which SERP is administered. The plan is controlled by the Public Agency Retirement System, which needs enough time to prepare for a professor's

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THE TELESCOPE ■ MONDAY, MARCH 3,2003

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TifEULESCOPE

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We need to learn about courtesy Bv Chanel Hachez

TIIETELESCOPE

ce again I find myself eandering through the parking lot searching for a spot. After about 15 minutes of driving up and down virtually every row, I see in a short distance a person leaving. ABif the clouds parted and the sun shined down upon the one empty spot, I could almost hear it call my name.

AB soon as I got close, a man stepped out in front of me, and decided to station himself in front ofmy spot.

I saw no police badge on his shirt, no handicap sign attached to him in any way, if so, I would have happily him when he said I could not park there.

He started yelling at me, and told me that he was saving it for a friend who was not there yet.

Now, this pissed me off. Who was he to save a spot, wasn't the idea of this hodgepodge of parking spaces we call the Palomar Parking Lot, "first come, first serve?" I wasn't going to just bow down; instead I exchanged some dodgy adjectives with him, and ended up parking with nothing short of my pride.

This experience has brought me to the conclusion that there has been a downfall of courtesy amongst students on Palomar's campus. Discourteous behavior

is an epidemic that is poisoning communication, personalities, and students.

What is this world coming to?

Have we all forgotten the golden rule that our parents have drilled into our memories? Well, let me give you a refresher- ''Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Being courteous is being able to put others needs before your own. A lack of selfesteem may be the culprit to this large cancer that is malignant within us.

By not having 11 respect for yourself, ·· ·· · you may not have the energy to find courtesy for others. Depression, stress, anger and moodiness have a great effect on your daily life. It can lead you to be tired, irritable, mean, and ultimately discourteous to those around you.

The majority of us that suffer from one or many of these symptoms may not even realize it. We have no time to make others lives cheerful; we are too concerned with our deteriorating ones.

So how can we improve ourselves and become courteous?

We must detangle our muddled lives in order to find happiness.

This means eliminating those factors that cause our unhappiness, stress, anger and discontent.

What are the things that truly make us unhappy? Has it been

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the pressure of school? The anxiety of the pending war? A family problem? A self-esteem problem? It could be something as simple as rearranging your schedule to allow more sleep, or something that may need some psychological assistance.

If you suffer from any of the symptoms listed above, try alleviating them with more sleep, exercise, a healthy diet and meditation. If you cant find motivation to do this, find an exercise class you enjoy. I recommend yoga for those sedentary types, or something highly intense like kickboxing for those supper aggressive types.

By improving how you feel physically, it will improve your mental sanity and soul. If all else fails and you still walk around with a constant rain cloud above your head, then think about seeking a professional's help.

Being courteous may be as simple as flashing a smile at someone as you pass through campus, holding the door for someone or using words such as please and thank you. If you have a hard time doing these things, then use the philosophy of karma and the golden rule to motivate you.

We certainly all understand how difficult and energy-consuming life is. All of us face our own battles, and sometimes you must overlook others to be able to concentrate on improving oneself. Try to keep in mind that graciousness, and courtesy can act as a luminous remedy to a deteriorating self-image.

If there's one thing I take out of this semester, it is this: Being healthy is good for you.

No, seriously, it is. Really.

I actually would have thought this was common knowledge, but evidently the district knows better than I do, because all students with any goal other than just enjoying the great food in the cafeteria are required to take Health 100. This course is very carefully and deliberately designed to teach you that being healthy is, in fact, good for you.

Here's a basic rundown of one class period: "Students, exercise makes you healthy. This is good! On the other hand, not exercising is bad for you. Exercising - GOOD!Not exercising - BAD!" This isn't a case of a lazy instructor, either. This is actual course material. Somebody up there thinks we need to hear this.

Okay, let's assume the committee that decided to make this class a requirement really was onto something and wasn't just smoking some rather unhealthful substances.

Ifwe really are this dim-witted, then a class to fill these crucial gaps in our survival instincts certainly would be helpful. But is it really the job of a college to play the uber-mom and tell us to eat our veggies?

I'm sure there are a lot of other areas in which students are at least as desperately uninformed and could benefit from more knowledge. For instance, why doesn't PaloMom insist that we take a basic computer skills class? In this day and age, we're actually a lot more likely to need to type 90 words per minute in a spreadsheet than, say, do 20 pull-ups.

And you know, meditation is supposed to be good for the soul. I don't think my soul gets enough meditation. How did they miss this obvious course requirement?

Wait, I think I know - they must realize this isn't their place!

If a student feels like he needs this to be part of his education, he can seek out the classes on his own. It's beside the point of an institution of higher learning to require these classes.

But I'm an agreeable guy. Maybe there's some reason I'm not seeing here. Let's take it for granted that the school really does have some overwhelming stake in making sure its students are all lean, mean fighting machines.

Is a generic ''health" class the best way to do this? ABit is, we cram everything into a mammoth one-size-fits-all biology-course-slash-workout-program. Instead, why not give students a choice of taking an actual biology course as well as one of the many athletic programs the school offers (like football, dance and capoeira)?

On top of all that, requiring students to take this course in order to graduate can actually lead to further lethargy. For obvious reasons, rather than tracking absolute fitness in order to evaluate your performance, in this class it's your ability to improve that earns you points.

If a student has already started a workout program before the semester starts, he's going to have to start working out even more to improve in this class. The obvious solution? Just let yourself go as much as possible before starting Health 100.

While I would have a hard time arguing that health is such a bad thing, I really don't see any reason why anybody feels this class is really what any student needs.

IeIescgpe the Monday, March3, 2003

FOtUSID

Volume 56, No.15

ON PALOMA/I

The Telescopeis published weekly on Mondays, except weeks containing holidays or exams. Signed opinions are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent those of the entire newspaper staff, Palomar faculty and staff or the Governing Board.

STAFF WRITERS MARKBEERMAN, PATRICK EDITOR IN CHIEF SARAH STRAUSE COSTANILLA, DESIDEWITT, ERIKGOODSON, BEN NEWS EDITOR ANDREW PHELPS GREENSTEIN, JYOTHI GUMALEDAR, SARAH HOFFER, OPINION EDITOR CHARLES STEINMAN LISAJACKSON, TIFFANY JONES, MINEKO KUDO, ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR CHANEL HACHEZ CHRYSTALL KANYUCK, CARRIE MADARIAGA, ADAM FOCUS EDITOR JESSICA MUSICAR MARANTZ, COLLEEN MCBRIDE, DREW MEIER, CYNTHIA NIELSON, MARCUS NIMm, MATTNULL, SPORTS EDITOR JASON KALCHIK ERINOWENS, ALEXPALHEGYI, DAYNA RHODE, ONLINE EDITOR ANDREW PHELPS JONATHAN RODLEY, MATTROSSI, JONSHERLOCK, PHOTO EDITORS BENBURGESON DONVILES COPY EDITOR STEPHEN KELLER ADMANAGER KRISTIAN SMOCK STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS ARTHUR ANDERSON, MELISSA INSTRUCTIONAL ASTS.TOMCHAMBERS, CONREY, ANTHONY DONEZ, CHRISDONEZ, WAYNE SHORT, VIRGINIA WHITTAKER RICHARDSON MIRON JOURNALISM ADVISER WENDY NELSON PHOTOJOURNALISM ADVISER PAULSTACHELEK CARTOONIST NICOLE RUDOLPH

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4.

THE TELESCOPE ■ MONDAY, MARCH 3,2003

5

Nationshouldlearnfromshuttletra1edy many problems during routine flights.

The panel was also worried en the space shuttle that NASA would not be able Columbia exploded to cover the costs of safely February 1, the public keeping these shuttles in use. reaction was . one of Since 1991, NASA's budget has shock. The people of the United dropped by 40 percent. Al States were shocked to see some- Keel, who was Ronald thing so tragic occur completely Reagan's national security out of the blue. advisor and the chief investiThe true tragedy, though, is gator of the Challenger accithat the Columbia explosion dent in 1986, said in a recent shouldn't have been a surprise. interview that ensuring safety With the amount of "takes money. And money that had NASA doesn't have the money." been cut from Is it r,al/yany NASA's budget in During the surprisethata Columbia's most the 1990s, it was only a matter of ZO-y,ar-old recent launch on time before some- spae,shipwould January 16th, a thing went seriouslarge chunk of insuha,, probl,ms ly wrong. lation fell off of the Some may op,rating? external fuel tank remember that this and smacked into isn't the first time the left wing. The that the Columbia had problems. same wing was later reported to In July of 2000, a short circuit be experiencing sensory failures during liftoff caused the engine and the loss of several heatcontroller to be shut down, forc- resistant panels that help proing the crew to make an immedi- tect the ship. ate emergency landing.

Now- is it really any surprise After the accident, a panel of that a 20-year-old spaceship with 80 Aerospace Corporation known wiring defects and insulaexperts inspected the Columbia tion that peels off during launch and other shuttles, and found would have problems operating? several hundred wiring defects I think that the Columbia acciin each craft. dent is very sad, but it doesn't The panel's main concern was mean anything if we don't learn that aging spacecraft such as the something from it. The space Columbia (at over 20 years of program, like any other part of age, one of the youngest space the government, needs to be conshuttles that was then in use) stantly kept up to date or else would be likely to experience problems will occur.

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If the military used planes and tanks made with technology from two decades ago, it would be an embarrassment. And a space shuttle has to deal with a fire several times stronger than any grenade - there is no reason that the spacecraft should not be optimized to deal with this pressure.

Fortunately, it looks as if Bush

was on his way to remedying this problem long before the accident itself happened. Whatever my general negative opinion on our current President may be, I cannot deny that his proposed space agency budget for 2003 featured a boost of $500 million. While that still puts the program at about $200 million below its 1994 total, it is undeniably an

improvement.

It still needs to be realized, however, that the tragedy of the Columbia was the result of a general unwillingness to allocate -money to optimizing space safety. It should not be viewed as an "accident," but as a mistake - a mistake that we will hopefully do something about in the near future.

Drugprevention efforts lack focus on women's problems

By Ralfh Nader

KRTHEW SERVICE

Despite some encouraging statistics about recent declines in substance abuse, the use of drugs, alcohol and tobaccoby teenagers and young adults remains one of the nation's most serious and destructive health problems.

A lot of time, money and words have been expended on prevention programs. So, why haven't we made more progress in reaching young people about the dangers of drug abuse and addiction?

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University has come up with an intriguing answer to at least part of the puzzle.

The prevention efforts have largely been designed with males in mind; ignoring the unique needs of females and, thereby, failing to influence millions of young girls and women, according to a three-year study and a 231-page report - ''The Formative Years: Pathways to Substance Abuse Among Girls and Young Women, Ages 8-22" issued by the Center earlier this month. ''The findings from this study cry out for a fundamental overhaul of public health prevention programs," says Joe Califano, president of the Center and former Secretary of the U. S. Health, Education and Welfare Department. ''The women of America have paid a fearful price in premature death and destroyed lives for our failure to craft programs aimed at their unique needs."

The numbers bear out Califano's alarms. More than 4.4 million women are alcoholics or abuse alcohol. More

than 2 million use illegal drugs. Thirty-one million women smoke.

The study cites a long list of risks and consequences of smoking, drinking and drug use that are unique to women. Among these are the facts that girls typically experience puberty earlier and are more likely to be sexually abused - both risk factors for substance abuse than boys.Also, they can sink into substance abuse more quickly and are more likely to experience adverse consequences from substance abuse.

Tobaccoand alcohol manufacturers come in for heavy criticism for their practice of spending billions of dollars each year on advertising and promotions, sponsorships of events and product placements in movies and television shows in an effort to promote use of their products by women. ''The tobacco industry has a long history of targeting its marketing efforts to young women, exploiting women's desire for independence and sophistication, and appealing to perennial female concerns about weight and appearance," the report says. "Alcoholindustry advertising makes drinking, and by association women who drink, appear fun and sexy."

What can be done to reduce the risks for women, particularly young women in their formative years?

Not unexpectedly, the report cites parents as the ''first line of prevention." In a survey of 1,220 girls, nearly 62 percent who had conversations with their parents about substance use said the conversation made them less

likely to smoke, drink or use drugs.

The report urged that health care professionals be alert to signs of substance abuse in routine screening of young female patients and encourage those in need of help to seek treatment.

The report also recommended that prevention programs target girls at times of highest risk and be sensitive to the reasons they use drugs, how they get them and the very neglected conditions such as depression that increase their risk.

The report calls for more government investment in research, prevention and treatment that focuses on the special needs of girls and women.

Despite the deplorable findings of the study, the Califano is optimistic that a properly crafted prevention program that recognizes the unique needs of women can bring about major change in the outlook for a reduction of substance abuse.

Califano projects that a reduction of only 25 percent in the number of women abusing and addicted to substances could mean saving 8 million women from smoking, 1 million from alcoholism and abuse, and a half million from drug abuse and addiction.

Under Califano's leadership, the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, has produced an extremely valuable document that should alert the nation to the need for a major change in the way we approach women's health, particularly in the critical arena of substance abuse.

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THE TELESCOPE ■ MONDAY, MARCH 3,2003

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A student art display showcasing pieces by amateur artists closed Feb. 27 at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts .

The exhibit, titled "Transformations: from Absolute Amateur to Accomplished Artists," displayed students' first drawings in addition to their improvements.

These students couldn't even draw a straight line when they started the class, professor Sandra Angelo said. But after they took Angelo's art class, "So You thought You Couldn't Draw," their hidden potential awoke, Angelo said.

Angelo would never have dreamed that these students who were so bad when they first started would become really good artists she said.

Barbara Schiefer, a Palomar student, took Angelo's class five years ago with rudimentary skills. She had taken an art class earlier on in college, but she said she was frustrated because she couldn't draw what she was seeing.

"That was the hard part.

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Studentartwork wasdisplayed at thePoway Center forthePerforming arts

I just didn't want to draw for years because I didn't think I was very good," Schiefer said, "I was really bad."

Once Schiefer got in Sandra's class, "She (Sandra) just completely turned everything around," she said. "That was the best way I've ever learned."

Now, Schiefer enjoys drawing and it has become one of her dreams. "I've progressed probably 500 percent," she said.

When Nita Draut, a student, started with Angelo, she was 70-years-old. She said she had never taken

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an art class before and now she has fallen in love with drawing.

"I had no idea my life would change forever," she said. Drawing has become her passion and she draws about 100 pieces a year.

It was with trepidation and doubt when Marsha Vanetsky, another Palomar student, entered Angelo's classroom. She simply wanted to learn how to play .with colored pencils. She finally went on to become the winner in the U.S. Postal National Graceful Envelope Contests.

Vanetsky's artwork will

be displayed in the Smithsonian Museum this spring.

These students are now accomplished artists, but they could have never become like this without Sandra Angelo.

"It is just really exciting," Angelo said. When she was looking at her students' transmission and art pieces, she said she felt great because she was part of it and that was really rewarding to her, she said.

She found her successful method through her struggle to teach students.

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It begins with a quiet, yet intense moment. The ghosts of sexual misfits tell us their fragmented stories: a transsexual who overdosed on downers said "I was already dead when they found me . .. I hope my wig was on straight."

A young man reminisces about playing with dolls and never fitting in with the boys. Another recounts being savagely beaten. They speak only to themselves, but it escalates to a conversation of name calling and answers back.

"Queen!"

"Faggot!"

"Dyke!"

"Homo!"

"Pansy!"

"Queer!"

That is only the first movement of "(Un)Defining Queer".

It's a refreshingly unique production that attacks the issue of gender and the restrictions it places upon sociaty.

It was written and staged by the Palomar Interdisciplinary Ensemble under the direction of Michael Mufson.

Before the second movement, we meet a bickering couple. They emerge from the audience and argue about whose turn it is to wear the penis.

Frey and Freya now guide the audience as well as fellow performers through the show. The lost souls are born playful infants, grow to unsure toddlers, and finally meet in the schoolyard. This is where they begin to learn that boys and

She walked into a classroom full of students , who couldn't draw, and she used a method on them that didn' t work. "The reason why, is that it doesn't work to teach gifted students in the same way to students who aren't gifted," she said , "I realized they had to be taught stepby-step-by-step. This is the end of the pencil you should sharpen, this is the side of paper you should use , and this is where you start. " There is a big difference between her method and other art instructors' , Angelo said.

"Most teachers, even in beginning art classrooms, put a model in the middle of the room, and say 'Draw.' You don't know what to do. You have no clue," Angelo said, " I believe in a classical training that you need to master basics first. Then you can be creative."

She said she has been criticized for that because of her style of teaching. "I don't care. My students love it and it is very successful. To my critics I just say, 'Oh. I will show you.

One day you will see this works'."

"Everyone is born an artist. It is just hard to stay one," Angelo said, "What I do is just unlock this potential and just let people have at it."

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girls don't play the same games.

The souls continue to grow and chooseidentities, trying them out to see how they fit.

In the next movement the souls are burdened with childrean, and with the job of nurturing and caring for them: the women's role.

They are also faced with a test of who is the most manly? The souls reward is the breadwinner's briefcase. Also in this movement, the Ensemble 'celebrates the feminine' with a group dance.

A movement titled ''The End of Gender" concludes the performance, and all the souls symbolically shed their feminine and masculine traits.

Instead they opt to be human, with varying skills and interests.

They are no longer threatened by the danger of not fitting into the cookie-cutter standard of what it means in our society to be either a man or a woman.

Visually, the piece was fun.

Colored cellophane served to dress the set and its actors. The outer wall was lined with mirrors and brightly colored paintings. Instead of props being moved about by stage hands in the dark, they are passed from soul to soul, and back and forth among the gods adding to the overall motion of the show.

Ears were entertained by music and also by 'soundscapes,' recordings of short phrases and sound effects that complemented the actors' movements or dialogue.

The fact that there was no main character, and instead a group of nameless and transforming souls gave it an "everyman" feeling. That combinedwith the close proximity of actors to audience and a highly personal topic made "(Un)Defining Queer" a truly thought provoking piece without being preachy or pretentious.

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THE TELESCOPE ■ MONDAY, MARCH 3,2003

APalomar healthservic•sdoctor of I5 yearsdiesat 8 7 After 15 years of service tothe Palomar College Health Services Department, George Theodore Wilson has died.

Wilson died Dec. 27, 2002, during the winter break. He was 87.

Wilson was born in Peoria, Ill., and he lived in Rancho Bernardo. A memorial service was sponsored by his four children at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma.

Wilson was a dermatologist and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. He served in the Navy Medical Corps as a lieutenant during World War IL In addition, he was a member of the American Medical Association and the Society of Dermatology. Wilson was a world traveler and enjoyed golfing and scuba diving.

Wilson set up a program to make mole and cyst removal an affordable option for students who might not otherwise be able to afford such specialized healthcare. Wilson volunteered the last five years of his service to the students of Palomar. He did not receive a salary.

"His greatest satisfaction was found in being able to provide dermalogical care for students," said Margery McCrory, a Health Services staff member. ''Thursday, 'Dr. Wilson Day,' will never be the same," she said. "I don't think we will ever be able to replace him."

-

7

''The library usage on Saturdays was very, very light.

There's only 10 or 12 credit classes offered at Escondido anyway, and most of those are self-sustaining , such as the E.M.T program."

The library will continue to be open Monday through Friday throughout the school year.

"Obviously this is going to affect students, but not as much as if we cut hours Monday through Friday," Arnsan said.

While no library staff will be cut, the library must "release the Saturday hours of one adjunct librarian," Arnsan said. ''Right now we're open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, so that's four hours we'll have to cut from someone," Arnsan said.

The library will remain closed on Saturdays "indefinitely,"Arnsan said, "or until the budget situation stabilizes."

The library at the San Marcos campus will continue to provide service on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the spring and fall semesters.

-

Matthew Rossi

able skills for their careers and build an online business presence."

Graphic Communications is already registering students for the program in the current semester. For more information, students can call (760) 744-1150 ext . 3078.

-

Erin Owens

NewNativeAmerican satellite channel launched Feb.4 Beginning Feb. 4, Educational Television will launch the Native American Educational Channel through the California Community College Satellite Network. It will broadcast every Tuesday and Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. on CCCSAT's Affiliate's Contribution Network, channel 80.

The Native American Educational Channel will connect to the Barona and San Pasqual reservations with downlink equipment. It is part of the Hewlett Packard Digital Tribal Village project.

The downlink systems will be at both reservations and at Warner Springs High School. CCCSAT supports the academic mission of the California Community Colleges and the California Community -Colleges Chancellor's Office, which funds the CCCSAT grant.

The Native American Educational Channel will begin with four hours of Native American-focused programming each week. Native American producers will provide programming, with educational and informative segments focusing on subjects such as Indian elders and young native scholars . There will also be exercise shows and music videos.

The first program to air will include a reading from Native American poet and writer Gordon Johnson. It all began with an idea to reach out to undeserved communities within the California Community College system, in an outgoing attempt to better reflect the population of faculty, staff and students.

Graphic communications to offer commercial Websitedesignprogram The Graphic

Communications

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will

Colleen McBride team up with Monet, a software developer, to offer a

new e-commerce certificate. The certificate program will teach students how to develop commercial Web sites.

They will learn how to design interactive Web sites with shopping carts as well as learn about security, payment options and privacy.

The department will also provide technical support Due to recent budget cuts, the Ernest J. Allen Library and increased marketing opportunities with Monet.

"The e-commerce market is expected to grow to 2.5 at the Escondido Education Center will be closed on million merchants by 2004. There will be almost 3 milSaturdays, beginning March 1.

Librarian Dan Arnsan said closing the library on lion online businesses, an increase of 40 percent, by Saturdays was the best way to handle the current budget 2004," wrote department chairwoman Lillian Payne in a Palomar College news release. problem.

"By partnering with Monet, students will gain valu"Welooked at the situation very carefully,"Arnsan said.

Escondido Center library willbe closed Saturdays beginning March I

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Comet,JordanFeramisco helpedtheteamdimboutofthe cellarallthe wayto the topofthe PacificCoastconference.

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t's been more than a month since the NFL went on hiatus. Sundays are now filled with golf, college basketball and NASCAR. There won't be another Brett Favre pass, Junior Seau tackle or awkward facial contortion from Jon Gruden until August.

Not having football on the television can be summed up with two words: it sucks.

If you struggle watching endless golf tournaments, where Tiger Woods is inevitably the lead story; or you have trouble sitting through the left-turn-only circuit - better known as NASCAR then I have a few remedies for you.

Here are five 1 simple survival tips to help you make it through Iii, the "off" season. tan 1. Join an Internet message board about your favorite 11 team. Not only lllfkl, will you get different viewpoints, you might find some "inside" information, that Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton isn't yet privy to. Plus, it never hurts to exchange ideas with other fans.

2. Join an Internet message board of another team. Maybe your team's biggest rival. By doing this, you get different opinions on your team, from die-hard fans from another team. This is a good way to stay up to date, with what is going on around the league.

3. Try and watch a little hockey. Not only is the NHL violent, it's a great sport to watch live. If you pretend every goal scored is a touchdown and every body check is a tackle, you might be able to make it. Remember, the NHL Playoffs last two months. What more could you ask for?

4. Give time to your significant other.

Football was an excuse to get out of the house. Now you have to make up for the time you missed with that special someone. Being romantic won't be a chore, if your date is dressed up as a cheerleader.

5. Play video games. Madden 2003, NFL2K3 and NCAA 2003 can satisfy your need. Plus it's a great excuse to get your buddies together for a tournament.

Need some cash?

Hone your Playstation skills a little bit, and rake in some cash by winning some bets.

Using any combination of these five steps will help you make it to the NFL Draft (April 26-27).

Keep reminding yourself training camp is only five months away. You can ge"t through this ' dark period.

ShootingComet:Feramisco soarshighfor Palomar ·

By Marcus Nimetz

less than eight points," Feramisco said. "We lost two games by fter losing 10 of their first one point, and we 11 games, the season did- were playing all n't look very promising for the top teams in the Jordan Feramisco and the rest state. ''We knew eventually of Palomar's basketball team. we would turn it · But the season was resurrected and the Comets (13-14, 10-3) around. It just took rallied to make the Southern hard work and the chemistry we already had California Regional Playoffs.

The sophomore guard, on this team."

Men's basketball Feramisco, was a Pacific Coast coach John O'Neill, in Conference player of the week year at during December 2002. He his first scored more than 430 points Palomar, made sure this season - including 20 in the Comets didn't give Palomar's victory over San up. Their hard work and determination Diego Mesa on Feb. 12. them "There are so many good helped improve from worst, players in this conference - a big-time award (feels) good," to first in the PCC. Feramisco chose Feramisco said. basketball over Feramisco, who graduated other sports from Torrey Pines High, was basically the sixth man for the because his older Comets in 2002. But this year, brother used to he received ample playing time play hoops.

"I'd go watch my and he took advantage of it.

"At the beginning of the sea- brother play, with son, we were losing games by his friends, and

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he'd also play against me," Feramisco said. "My brother was the guy I always looked up to, he always looked after me and took care of me.

"He was my role model when I was growing up."

Feramisco oftencontributed electrrifying dunks thathelped histeamgainthemomentum in pivitolgames.

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Comets fa.II to Orange Coast~ 2-7 overall Bv Erik Goodson

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The Comets baseball team continues to reel after another frustrating loss, this one to Orange Coast College.

The Comets lost their sixth consecutive game, dropping their record on the season to 2-7. "It's tough right now, we expect to win, and it just isn't happening," said Joe Ramos, who had two hits including his first homerun of the season in the ninth inning.

The Comets, ranked No. 17 in the pre-season poll, have skidded despite high expectations. They returned eight players from last year's team, and also got back two pitchers, Jon Fleming and

Joey Sintetos that red-shirted last season due to injury.

That combined with a talented group of freshman have caused the start to this season to be more frustrating.

"It's hard to say, we're right there, but just not getting the job done," says Bob Vetter head baseball coach on what it will take to tum things around.

The Comets got off to another tough start right in the first inning. With runners on the corners and one out, the Comets had a chance to end the inning on a routine double play ball hit up the middle to Joe Ramos. But the relay throw to first base

by Aaron Garcia skipped low and Brian Robinson couldn't dig it out, allowing two runs

to score. Orange Coast would add another unearned run in the inning giving them an early 3-0 lead that they would never relinquish.

Bright spots for the Comets included Joe Ramos who slammed his first homer of the year in the ninth inning with one on, and one out. This brought the Comets within one run at 7-8. But that would be it for the Comets as Orange Coast was able to record the final two outs and secure the victory.

Other hitting stars for the Comets were freshman Scott Robinson who was 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI, Matt Guiliano also went 3 for 5 with a stolen base, and Bobby Meyers who was 2 for 3 on the game.

WIYII SIOIT/ THETELESCOPE

SeanRichardson (right)triesto tagJoeAeming at a recentscrimmage.