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POWER STRUGGLE Comets drop doublehe11der to top te11ms in st11te. www. the-telescope.com

Negotiators say contract deal close By Donnie Boyle THE TELESCOPE

PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE TOMBRINCK I THE TELESCOPE

Palomar College President Robert Deegan disaJsses laws regarding the use of disbict facilities for political purposes during an all-campus forum April 25 as Vice President of Human Resources John Tortarolo looks on. Deegan also updated the college on the district's pursuit of a $600- to $800-million bond.

Discussion over bond heats up By Donnie Boyle THE TELESCOPE

In order for Palomar College to pass a $600- to $800million bond measure on this November's ballot, it will need support from a majority of district voters. Right now, college president Robert Deegan is simply looking for support on his own campus, where apprehension for the measure, especially among faculty and staff, is high. Deegan tried to calm those fears and communicate the bond's importance at an all-campus forum April 25. "I have said it many times and I will say it again- this bond will be the second most significant event in the college's history," Deegan said. "We need to demonstrate what this bond means to the campus and the community." Not everyone shared Deegan's enthusiasm. Many faculty and staff members questioned· whether it is necessary to build two new education centers, one in Fallbrook and one near Poway. They have expressed concern that • SEE BOND, PAGE 6

Palomar College Library manager Katherine Gannett questions college president Robert Deegan about the feasibility of opening two satellite campuses during an April 25 all-campus forum.

Just days after the district released more than $1.7 million in Cost Of Living Adjustment pay for faculty members, negotiators from both sides met to iron out the details of a new contract. The COLA funds, which amounted to a 4.23 per· cent increase for the 2005-2006 academic year, had been tied to a compensation package that was being negotiated. The negotiations, which have been contentious in recent weeks, are showing signs of progress, said district and faculty negotiators. Progress was made on several key issues at an April 27 negotiations meeting, said Palomar Faculty Federation negotiator Shannon Lienhart. "Things went very well today," Lienhart said. ''We are close, very close, to an agreement." The issues being negotiated included office hours and partial health care benefits for part-time faculty members, an increased sabbatical pool and proposed changes to the tenure evaluations process. While the sabbatical and benefits issues are largely financial, disagreements over the faculty evaluations process are philosophical. The district rejected an earlier proposal to create an appeals process for probationary faculty who are denied tenure. Lienhart said negotiators from both sides compromised, agreeing to create a task force made up of faculty and administrators to develop an appeals process that is acceptable to both sides. College president Robert Deegan said he believed the two sides were close and would reach an agreement soon. "Neither side wants this to be a long, drawn-out battle," Deegan said. ''We want to take care of our faculty, they drive the learning process. But at the same time we need to do what is fiscally responsible and make sure we can maintain the level of quality education that have in the past - I believe we can do both." The 4.23 percent COLA is retroactive to July 2005 and faculty members will receive the increase beginning in May and the nine-months back pay in June.

Name change for student gov't to be decided in election By John Asbury THE TELESCOPE

Palomar students will decide a longstanding debate over a proposed name change by the Associated Student Government in an online election May 2 through May 4. Students will vote online through the Palomar and ASG Web site to decide if the ASG should change its name to the Associated Student Organization through a constitutional amendment. Voters will also decide if the ASG can formally amend its meeting procedures and the numbers of senators in attendance needed to conduct business. Both measures require a two-thirds majority of student votes to pass. The ASG has enacted the policies for the past year and ASG President Neill Kovrig said

The ASG collects a $1 student reprethe election is the final part of the process. year's board proposed dropping the term "This election is less about the people "government" from its name and has used sentation fee, which pays members to sit running and more about the issue," the name "ASO" throughout this year. on college committees and attend weekly Kovrig said. "If stu· Kovrig said "organiza- meetings. The fee also pays for student dents feel strongly tion" better reflected lobbying efforts such as a March 16 con· enough about it, then what the group does ference in Washington, D.C. ASG memfor students and was · bers also control a $37,000 budget, they need to speak up, and voting is their more appealing to stu- which is partially used to fund and plan dents and perspective campus events. chance." Since the student government began members. Online polls will May 2 through 4 "I don't think the using the name in the fall semester, sevopen at 8:30 a.m. May term 'government' fits eral college committees have also began 2 and will be open con· on Palomar's Web site at www. palomar.edu anymore. The last to refer to the group as "ASO," but some tinuously until 4 p.m. May 4. Students will time it fit was when groups and students have been resistant vote using their stumore than 500 people to the change. ASG Senator and vice presidential dent identification numbers and voting voted," Kovrig said. "Using the term 'govwill also be available through the ASG ernment' is disingenuous and implies we candidate Michelle Eichelberger, who office in Room SU· 7. pass legislation and broad became a member April 7, said she ASG members decided to change their ordinances when we _ just don't do that." .name in August 2005 after the previous • SEE ASG, PAGE 12

Assoei•ted Student Government llettion

BLEACHED OUT Tips lor pltlfing it Slife in the

sun during Skin C.neer Month.

• PAGE 10

STATELY AMBIDON

KISS HIM, HE'S IRISH

Two students work on polititlll t11mp11igns.

Student rotks the be11t lor Iotti/ b11nd The leperkh11nz.

• PAGE II


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