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:.L .}j Palomar College, San Marcos, Calif.
Board approves budget for the new fiscal year By Jason Dunn THE TELESCOPE
SHAHRAIID EIIICifUAS I THE TELESCOPE
A professor of history at Southwestern College, Victor Chavez, gives a presentation on Mexican migration to the U.S. at a forum held on the San Marcos campus Sept. 15.
Forum on immigration held By Shahrazad Encinias THE TELESCOPE
The cause and effect of illegal immigration in the United States was the main topic at a forum on immigration held by the Multicultural Studies Department Sept. 15. Many students, faculty and community members attended the forum including policemen,
members of the military and minutemen. Four guest speakers, including Palomar College professors John Valdez and Morgan Peterson, were on the panel. Victor Chavez, a professor of history from Southwestern College, gave a presentation on the history of Mexican migration to the U.S.
College faces $4.3 million lawsuit by local residents
Chavez had two focuses. His first focus was how immigration is a social phenomenon. His second focus was on border relations with Canada and Mexico. Justin Akers Chacon, a professor of Chicano Studies from San Diego City College, discussed immigration in the United States as an interna• SEE
IMMIGRATION, PAGE 8
The governing board unanimously approved a budget for the 2006/2007 fiscal year at its Sept. 12 meeting. The budget has a general fund totaling $128 million. Before board members voted, Vice President of Finance and Administration Bonnie Ann Dowd presented the details of the proposed budget. She said the budget did not include the expected increase in Palomar College's state funding if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signs Senate Bill 361 by Sept. 30. SB361 would provide equalization funds to many of the state's community college districts. Dowd said during the presentation that Palomar would stand to gain about $2.6 million. During the meeting, governing board member Nancy Chadwick spoke about two other bills awaiting the gover-
nor's signature, which she said could significantly affect money available to the college. Chadwick said Assembly Bill 2951 would create a carte blanche for public utility companies to gouge prices, increasing Palomar's utility bills, and that Assembly Bill 2948 would take away ROP funding. "This could really be a dollar impact that could be substantial," Chadwick said. Governing board president Michele Nelson and board vice president Mark Evilsizer spoke about running unopposed for their seats on the governing board in the upcoming Nov. 7 election. College president Robert Deegan said the uncontested seats showed support for the existing board. "I think it's a strong message from our community," he said. He added that the college • SEE
BUDGET, PAGE 8
Enrollment increases slightly By Jason Dunn THE TELESCOPE
By Jason Dunn THE TELESCOPE
Palomar College is set to face a $4.3 million lawsuit in court Nov. 13. Palomar College is being sued by homeowners living next to the San Marcos campus who claim the college is responsible for diverting water onto their properties. The owners of four homes that border the southern end of Lot 12 are bringing the suit. They claim that renovations made to Lot 12 during an infrastructure replacement project, which occurred between 1999 and 2001, have caused water to be diverted from a natural drainage course to their properties.
The lawsuit was filed in September 2004. According to a letter sent to Palomar College's attorneys by the homeowners' attorneys, a drainage system was installed under Lot 12 during the renovation, but is not working properly. Kirsten Zittlau, one of the attorneys representing the homeowners, said the drain is supposed to transfer water to a storm drain that runs down Comet Circle. "You look down into the grate of the storm drain and there's no water," Zittlau said. "Obviously the water isn't connecting from the french drain
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LAWSUIT, PAGE 9
Enrollment in semesterlength credit classes at Palomar College is up 0.8 percent from last fall semester and administrators said they expect enrollment to keep rising in 2007. "We noticed a surge in enrollment about a week before classes started," said Director of Enrollment Services Herman Lee. The final enrollment numbers were determined on Sept. 5, the day after the deadline for students to drop classes and receive a full refund. "I've noticed that this year more than last year, students seemed to be more last • SEE
ENROLLMENT, PAGE 5
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JARED LANSFORD I THE TELESCOPE
Students walk past the Student Center during Welcome Week festivities Aug. 23.
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