The Telescope 66.11

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LAWSUIT

the telescope Palomar College’s Independent Newspaper Vol. 66, No. 11 • Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 1140 W. Mission Rd, San Marcos, Calif.

BUDGET

COALITION TAKES STUDENT GOV’T TO COURT

File photo of Palomar College President Robert Deegan.

Conference clears budget Heather Randall THE TELESCOPE

Palomar President Robert Deegan and a group of Palomar representatives went to Sacramento in late January to find out that Palomar will be able to afford to add classes next year.

The group, which consisted of Governing Board members, students and faculty attended the California Community College Legislative Conference (CCLC) in Sacramento to learn about the governor’s budget and lobby for Palomar’s needs, he said.

Deegan said recently that after years of bad news, the state budget--which provides money to Palomar--looks better.

“We’re pleased with the governor’s budget,” Deegan said. “Overall, it’s the first increase we’ve seen in a number of years.”

Palomar College will be allocated an additional $3.2 million of funding this year, bringing the budget from $88.8 million to $92 million. According to the 2013-14 California Budget Update Report, this additional funding will not fully restore the budget to where it was in 200809; however, it will enable Palomar College to offer more class sections this coming academic year.

Palomar’s newly elected Board of Trustees members John Halcon and Nancy Anne Hensch and Associated Student Government (ASG) President Johnathan Farmer, accompanied President Deegan at the conference.

turn to budget, page 6

WHAT’S INSIDE

Palomar student and Coalition member Alberto Nunez speaks to the Governing Board at the Feb. 13 meeting. • Photo courtesy of Melinda Finn

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Coalition attends Gov. Board meeting, expresses complaints HEATHER RANDALL THE TELESCOPE

A group of Palomar students told Palomar’s governing board Feb. 12 that they are sick of the board’s inaction and are taking their complaints to court.

The group, called the Coalition of Democratic Education, told Palomar’s Governing Board of Trustees that they are done with the board ignoring their concerns about how the college’s Associated Student Government is run.

The Coalition has been complaining since Fall 2011 that the ASG does not properly serve students.

The group filed legal action at the end of 2012, alleging the ASG had not appropriately addressed or responded to their proposal for the ASG to separate from the Office of Student Affairs, the group that manages it.

Alberto Nunez, representative of the Coalition for Democratic Education was the first speaker at the meeting, he spoke about his and the Coalition’s dissatisfaction with both the Board of Trustees and the ASG. Nunez said that members of the Coalition had learned “that the student government is a joke, the

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE?

OPINION / Barack Obama proposed a minimum wage increase to $9 during the State of the Union. Is it a good thing?

shared governance is a ruse, that the college administration will use all matters of trickery and deceit to protect their status.”

Nunez indicated several times that neither he, nor any member of the Coalition, would make any further attempt to resolve their outstanding issues with either the Board of Trustees or the ASG. Nunez spoked during the public comment period. Since the issue was not on the board’s formal agenda, board members are not supposed to comment or respond.

But Nunez has repeatedly asked board members to put the issue on the agenda and weigh in.

So far, the board has declined, with members saying they will wait for the lawsuit ruling first.

Nunez also went on to claim that the ASG did not “act in good faith and follow [their] bylaws.” Meaning, ASG officers, by his testimony were not elected democratically.

ASG President Johnathan Farmer, who sits as the student representative on the board, responded at the board meeting.

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turn to board, page 6

During hearing, judge says he will contact parties on decision

April Testerman/Telescope

APRIL TESTERMAN THE TELESCOPE

Attorneys for Palomar’s student government and a group trying to change it went to Vista Superior Court Feb.15 to settle a lawsuit.

Judge Robert P. Dahlquist heard 40 minutes of arguments from both sides and said he would contact the defendant and plaintiff as soon as he had made a decision.

The plaintiff, a group called the Coalition of Democratic Education, was pushing the judge to force Palomar’s Associated Student Government to be separated from the Office of Student Affairs, which oversees it.

The group wants the issue of separation of the ASG to be put up for a vote

by Palomar’s student body.

However, according to ASG President Johnathan Farmer, the ASG found that

DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE LIFE / Attend the Palomar Performing Arts’ latest play, “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” showing March 1-10.

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the proposition was against its bylaws in addition to being against school policy.

After hearing both the plaintiff’s and defendant’s arguments, Dahlquist asked if the ASG’s bylaws were amendable, perhaps the bylaws could be amended in such a way to allow constitutionality of the proposition.

The plaintiff argued that the ASG did not actually determine the constitutionality of the proposition, and that the ASG refuses to put the matter up for a vote to the students, among other things.

The coalition went to Palomar’s Governing Board meeting earlier this month, one of several attempts to get the fivemember, voter-elected board to weigh in on the issue.

Palomar officials, including the board, are not supposed to comment on pending legal issues.

WOMEN’S B-BALL COACH SPORTS / Head women’s basketball coach Leigh Marshall helps team rebound from past seasons.

2 • NEWS

Monday, February 25, 2013

ENROLLMENT

Campus Safety

Palomar sees a 4 percent drop in enrollment for the semester Jordan greene the telescope

Palomar President Robert Deegan announced that as of Jan. 8, there was a 4 percent drop in enrollment between the Spring 2012 and Spring 2013 semesters.

According to the Spring 2012 and Spring 2013 Census Comparison Report issued by the Palomar Research and Planning Board each semester, in the Spring 2012, there were 25,538 students, and Spring 2013 there are 25,151. There are more part-time students this semester than a year ago.

Vice President of Student Services Mark Vernoy said that “anytime there is an enrollment drop, it is bad because it means students are having difficulty getting the classes [they need].”

Some students have mixed feeling about this statement, however.

Nursing major Hannah Hawk said, “It was easier for me to get the classes I needed. Not as many were full when I went to register as they were in previous semesters.”

Communications major Bryana Brendis disagreed.

“It was hard to get my classes,” Brendis said. “I’m taking all general education courses, and in almost every class I was waitlisted or had to crash the class to get in.”

Vernoy also pointed out that students are less inclined to enroll in classes because of the increase in fees. It is now $46 a unit, $10 more than it was a year ago. He also said there could be a more positive reason for student enrollment. Perhaps students may be getting hired and joining the workforce.

“There are also demographics involved,” Vernoy said. According to the California Department of Finance’s General Enrollment Projections Table, there are less high school seniors graduating, so there are fewer new college students.

The full-time equivalent stu-

dents (FTES) were at 16 percent.

This means that there are fewer students, but those students are able to get more classes. Palomar added 144 sections in highdemand areas for Spring 2013, which opened up just over 5,000 seats for classes that were previously impacted, such as English, history and other general education courses.

The construction around both the San Marcos and Escondido campuses reflects a vision to bring in more students by means of visual appeal and class sizes.

“The number one reason for these new buildings is to provide needed classrooms for the sections we have added, and students will be in better learning facilities,” Vernoy said.

With money for all major construction provided by the construction bond called Prop.

M, “we are going to upgrade the reading lab and all humanities related classes to state-of-theart [classrooms],” he added. “It should expand student support services, leading to greater retention and increased student population. We are going to expand the summer and fall selections as well.”

Another possible reason for the drop in enrollment is that Palomar didn’t mail out class schedules last fall. “They are online, and it is expensive to print and mail a copy to everyone, especially with class cuts and reduced money coming in. If it continues to be difficult to get students on campus, of course we will reconsider this decision,” Vernoy said.

As a result of the decreased student population, fewer parking permits were issued this semester according to Student Services. “[A parking garage] is in the master plan for construction,” Vernoy said. “We are trying to make more spaces available by moving the athletic facilities, such as the baseball and football fields, to the north side of campus and putting concrete over where the fields are now.”

CSUSM Police department on Feb. 12 • Photo

by David Krueger/ Telescope

CSUSM recognized as safest university David Krueger the telescope

For the last two years, California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) has been recognized as the safest four-year university in all of California, according to StateUniversity.com.

In a recent press release, CSUSM’s Chief of Police Robert McManus said that “student safety and campus crime are sometimes overlooked during the college evaluation process. We believe it is important for students to be aware of crime on campus and in the surrounding community.”

McManus said there are several reasons why CSUSM’s campus is so safe; one of which is the daily contribution of everyone involved on campus, including his own department and the students alike.

“We have a great working relationship with every entity here on campus,” McManus said.

In addition to that, McManus stated that the school’s location is also an important factor because the city of San Marcos has an exceptionally low crime problem overall.

“We’re blessed to be in a great part of the community,” McManus said.

CSUSM’s Public Information Officer Margaret Lutz-Chantung said she sees this recognition as a point of pride for the campus and also as a way to attract new incoming students.

“You can feel comfortable sending your son and daughter here; we take pride in that,” LutzChantung said.

Unlike most universities in the area, Cal State has a smaller population of students, around 10,000 (less than 10 percent of whom live on campus), which means fewer people on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Lutz-Chantung added.

Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) President Scott Silviera said that with fewer people on campus, it feels more like a family environment.

“It is a tight-knit community,” Silviera said.

Alex Kowalczyk, 30, who’s a CSUSM graduate student, said he feels safe to walk around campus without giving it a second thought.

“I’ve never really felt unsafe in any way here,” Kowalczyk said.

According to McManus, one of the most common types of crimes on campus is a student stealing from other students. Items like

cell phones and laptops have been known to disappear from students who act carelessly by leaving their belongings unattended in common areas like the library and dorm rooms. McManus said he feels students living in the residence halls need to take more notice of their surroundings.

Generally there are two to three officers on duty patrolling the campus 24 hours a day. The Police department is trying to take a more “humanistic approach” to law enforcement by making it a point to interact with students one on one.

“The officers are encouraged to get out, walk around campus, just talk to people and say hi,” McManus said.

The officers also regularly give talks to groups on and off campus regarding drinking and driving, drug use and sexual assault, as well as raising awareness about general issues surrounding college students.

Though it may not be well publicized, the police department offers an escort service for those who need necessary assistance whether it be medical or to avoid a potential dangerous late night walk to your car.

Health Center

Low-Cost health services provided throughout the Spring semester JOrdan Greene the telescope

With the flu epidemic and other illnesses going around, it is important to know what resources are available for Palomar students in their efforts to stay healthy.

The Health Center, located in the HC building just outside the NS building, provides free services for students who are covered by the mandatory $19 Student Health fee paid during registration. There is no additional cost to the student except for medications and lab work.

In addition to first-aid treatment and flu shots, the Health Center also offers dermatology services, hearing and vision tests, women’s and men’s health services, blood and urine testing, and substanceabuse counseling.

The Health Center’s “Health

for Success” program offers nurse visits, nurse practitioner visits and physician visits for free to all registered students. They also have both free and low-cost events promoting health and wellness throughout each semester on both the San Marcos and Escondido campuses.

Health Services also offers free HIV testing by appointment for the entire semester. The dates can be found on Palomar’s website.

Lenka Schanka, staff assistant at Health Services said, “It is important to have a health clinic on campus, one of the main mottos of the campus is to promote student success through having a healthy lifestyle.”

Health Services has long office hours to accommodate students’ schedules.

“It is more convenient to come to

the clinic on campus instead of driving to the doctor’s office. I got my flu shot here, and I really liked the staff,” said Palomar College student Chelsea Rettig.

“The nurses here are either Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) or Registered Nurses (RN), and our doctor on campus is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). We take a holistic approach to student health, focusing on mental health as well as physical health,” Schanka said. Health Services also has nurse practitioners with certificates who can prescribe medications, do lab work and refer students with more serious conditions.

To make an appointment and for a complete list of services available, visit www.palomar.edu/healthservices or call 760-744-1150 ext. 2380 for San Marcos or 760-432-0624 ext 8105 for Escondido.

OPINION • 3

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PROPOSAL

STUDENTS WILL BENEFIT FROM WAGE INCREASE Rose Miriam Babiarz

the telescope Focused On Palomar Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 Vol. 66, No. 11 Palomar College, San Marcos, Calif.

KAITY BERGQUIST editor in chief COLLEEN PETERS MANAGING EDITOR & COPY EDITOR APRIL TESTERMAN NEWS EDITOR MARISSA MILLOY OPINION EDITOR EMMA MALISZEWSKI LIFE EDITOR SYDNEY DAVISON assistant LIFE EDITOR SCOTT ROBERSON SPORTS EDITOR SCOTT MORTON ONLINE EDITOR MATTHEW SLAGLE MULTIMEDIA EDITOR ERIN HIRO ADVISER DEB HELLMAN BUSINESS MANAGER STAFF WRITERS Rose Miriam Babiarz, Lloyd Bravo, Carolyne Corelis, David krueger, Cliff Ireland, Gary Nelson, Heather Randall, zach phelps, Nada Sewidan, Christine Foronda, Nicole Gibbs, Jacqueline Haudek, Conner Jones, Daniel Swalm, Diana Valdez, Jordan Greene PHOTOGRAPHERS PETER ASHUE, Phyllis Celmer, Brian Korec, Andrea Gruber Matthies, Gary West

ADDRESS THE TELESCOPE PALOMAR COLLEGE 1140 W. MISSION ROAD, SAN MARCOS, CA 92069 PHONE / 760-891-7865 NEWSROOM / MD-228 website/ www.the-telescope.com facebook/ search “the telescope” twitter/ @telescopenews EMAIL/ editor@THE-TELESCOPE.COM AD EMAIL/ ADS@THE-TELESCOPE.COM THE TELESCOPE WELCOMES ALL LETTERS TO THE Editor.

Letters must be typewritten, under 300 words and include the author’s first and last names, major and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published. Letters should be emailed to editor@the-telescope.com.

The Telescope reserves the right to edit letters for space and grammatical errors and not to print lewd or libelous letters. Letters must be received one week prior to the newspaper’s publication to be considered for inclusion.

The Telescope is published 8 times per semester.

Opinions expressed in the newspaper are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent those of the entire newspaper staff, Palomar faculty and staff members or the governing board trustees.

ASSOCIATED COLLEGE PRESS

california newspaper publisher’s association

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In President Obama’s State of the Union Address on Feb. 12, he proposed an increase in the national minimum wage. Looking at the bigger picture, a minimum wage increase would be a good thing for very obvious reasons.

The president’s proposal is to increase the federal minimum wage of $7.25 to $9. In an article in the New York Times from September of last year, the average household income, according to the Census Bureau, dropped to $50,000 in 2010 from $61,000.

Given that the last minimum wage increase was in 2009, it would help the average household income to go up. Also, it would help the college students who are working either full time or part time to have extra change to help pay for bills, maybe tuition, among other things.

A CNNMoney article stated that the average student loan upon graduation as of 2011 was about $26,000, which was an increase of 5 percent from 2010.

With that amount of debt, any working college student would appreciate an increase in the minimum wage rate.

Over the past three decades, Congress has only increased the minimum wage three times beginning from $5.15 to the current

penses are very costly. Even with a full-time or multiple part-time jobs, making ends meet is a long stretch with the current minimum wage.

As of Jan. 1, California has one of the highest minimum wage rates in the nation. Other states with high rates include Vermont, Oregon, Nevada and Washington.

Currently, the state of Washington holds the highest minimum wage in the nation which is $9.19.

A rate of $7.25 an hour only adds up to $15,000 annually if you’re working full time. This is well below the cost of living in most areas of the nation. If the increase is established, it would U.S. President Obama gives the State of the Union on Jan.24. • Olivier Douliery/MCTCampus only benefit a number of people, especially working college stuminimum wage of $7.25. At the a week, were employed. About dents. With tuition fees continuend of last year, 10 states were 73 percent of those who were go- ously increasing, it could only help considering increasing their state ing to school part time were em- lighten the burden of expenses.

“Even with the tax relief we’ve minimum wage, including Wash- ployed. ington, Vermon, and Ohio. This While this is only the statistic put in place, a family with two year, several more states, includ- for working students in the 16- kids that earns the minimum ing California, are considering 24 age group, many of these stu- wage still lives below the poverty dents are married and have chil- line,” President Obama said in his doing the same.

It is about time that states in- dren. Nevertheless, there are a State of the Union Address. He crease their minimum wages. number of reasons why students added, “That’s wrong.”

The proposed increase would be opt to get a job while going to The President’s proposal an advantage to millions of low- school, oftentimes to afford tu- might not have been directly intended for us working students, wage workers, including college ition fees and living expenses.

In general, the average col- and we may not be who he had in students.

According to the National lege student is 26 years old. Even mind when he proposed this, but Center for Education Statistics, renting a room or still living at we will be able to benefit from it. in 2010, about 40 percent of col- home, living expenses alone, lege students who were going to such as daily food, cell phone RBABIARZ@the-telescope.com school full time, at least 12 hours bills, car payments and school ex-

JOBS

INTERNSHIPS ARE SLOWLY BECOMING IRRELEVANT Zach Phelps The Telescope

The sad truth is that internships have increasingly become less reliable for guaranteeing the future success of students.

Although, in a time of high unemployment, for many of America’s young and resourceful, internships have quickly become the ready alternative to paid grunt work.

For many companies, internships have become less of a way to bring in and evaluate future employees, as they have become a way to conscript a sizable portion of free or severely underpaid labor. Don’t get me wrong, internships can be an avenue to greater things, and even a fruitful experience in their own right.

Internships pretty much always look good on both college and job applications.

They can provide interns the chance to see the skills and work ethic needed to pursue a particular career before they commit themselves to a particular path and, often, they do help interns gain contacts in a given industry or profession through proximity.

However, as they’ve grown in popularity (larger companies such as General Electric and Amazon have reported having to pull from a pool of several thou-

sand students each), students have come to see internships as a necessary step in gaining real employment, which frankly is not always true. By default, since interns lack experience, they are limited on what duties they can perform. This means that they often are forced to do basic tasks (i.e. shred papers, answer phones, make coffee, etc.).

While this is indeed necessary work at any company, it’s usually the duty of low-paying secretarial work, not true “on-thejob experience” for say, students looking to potentially become doctors, lawyers or scientists.

In this sense though, companies often bring in interns under the guise of experience building, only to make them operate as temporary free labor.

On top of this, many college graduates are coming to discover that internships, no matter how useful the experience provided can be, do not always guarantee future job opportunities.

According to Internships. com, an internship marketing group, roughly half of all interns are eventually offered paying positions by employers. This might not sound so bad, but the odds aren’t necessarily in your favor.

Considering that many internships are treated with the same intensity as real jobs, with no pay,

the ends often don’t compensate for the means.

And finally, there is the reality that many people just don’t have the time to commit to an intensive unpaid internship.

Many people, especially older students going back to school, are already struggling to balance the demands of school and supporting themselves simultaneously.

For these people, spending a

good portion of their time essentially working for free just isn’t an option.

Truth be told, internships have and can be a great path for many students looking to move forward toward their career goals; however, especially in current times, their value is often overstated.

Zphelps@the-telescope.com

Erin Lewis, left, of FirstMerit Bank in Akron, Ohio, is in charge of recruitment and internship programs for the company. She meets with intern Candace Kotsalieff, an accounting student at Kent State University. • Courtesy of Jocelyn Williams/MCTCampus

4 • LIFE

Monday, February 25, 2013

MMA

Palomar hosts mixed martial arts event in the Dome Emma Maliszewski

The fighters featured are from the top of the amateur circuit and have advanced from previous shows to be a part of the Full-contact mixed martial arts is a qualifying fight. Winners of the regional sporting event that’s been around since qualifiers will go on to compete at the state the ancient Olympians, but its popularity championship in San Jose in December. in the last few years has risen immensely, “Anyone that hasn’t been to an MMA making it arguably the fastest growing event before should definitely see one,” sport in the world and the fourth most Piga said. “Amateur MMA is a lot like popular sport in the United States. college football everyone is hungry and Mixed martial arts organization, World wants to take it to the next level. They are Combat Series will be hosting the 2013 laying everything out on the line, and you Southern California regional qualifiers are at the edge the edge of your seat the on March 9 in the Dome on campus. The whole time.” all-day event will beThe main show will gin with a junior chalconsist of 12 consecutive lenger tournament at full-contact fights with 9 a.m., followed by three 2-minute rounds. an MMA fitness expo event will feature You hear everything... You The featuring apparel and professional MMA fighter Kyle Kingsbury as one supplement vendors hear a loud smack when of the ring commentafrom 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. tors, and Friday Night The doors to the main people go down; you can Fights ring announcer event open at 2 p.m. hear them breathing and Donald DeNoyer. and feature the top “It’s like no other amateur fighters from hear when they get tired. sport because there are all over southern Calipoint. fornia.

12 different fights with Former Palomar MIKE PIGA • WORLD COMBAT CO-FOUNDER 12 different outcomes student Mark Piga cowith different types of founded World Commartial arts where two bat Series in 2010 after guys go in one cage opening a World Gym in Vista that special- and anything goes,” Piga said. izes in training professional fighters. The Tickets are available at worldcomorganization’s first event in 2011 in Orange batseries.com and are $25 for students.

County had a large turnout, and Piga is ex- There will also be VIP cage-side tickets cited to be hosting the upcoming show in available, so fans can experience the excitement of watching a live fight up close North San Diego County.

“There are up and coming and sea- and personal. soned fighters competing for the champi“What’s cool about the cage-side seats onship this year,” Piga said. is that you hear the smack. You hear evThe Telescope

Photo courtesy of World Combat Series

erything. I’ve seen so many fights in my life, but I’m still at the edge of my seat. You hear a loud smack when people go down; you can hear them breathing and hear when they get tired.”

“It’s crazy,” he added. “You get all the emotion. It’s an experience.”

This is the second event Piga and World Combat Series has held on campus, the first was a Jiu-Jitsu tournament on August 2011.

“Coming back to Palomar is great; I played football here in 2001 and 2002. All my old coaches and teachers are still here, and I like having the support of the staff who are fans of MMA themselves,” Piga said.

After Palomar, Piga went on to play football for Chapman University, and got a degree in marketing from University of Phoenix. Piga said he hopes that by hosting events on campus, he will inspire students to continue their educations and accomplish their dreams.

“I want to be an example to other student-athletes at Palomar. I want them to say, ‘He was here, he played here, and look what he’s doing now.’ I want to be a good role model to Palomar students, because I have a lot of pride for this school. The education, sports and the football here is top notch, and I’m proud,” Piga said. emaliszewski@the-telescope.com

Women’s history

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‘Half the Sky’ film showing for Women’s History Month Nicole Gibbs The telescope

tries around the world. It brings together stories of women in Cambodia, Kenya, India, Sierra Leone, Somaliland, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Liberia and the U.S. The film premiered in the United States on Oct. 1 and 2, 2012 on PBS .

The film’s motto is, “Turning oppression into opportunity,” and

In honor of Women’s History Month, Palomar’s Sociology department will host a free viewing of segments of the film “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide” on March 5 and 7. Everyone is welcome.

“These films are part of a broad movement to empower women,” Professor Susan Miller said. Miller is one of the professors who is working to organize the event at Palomar.

The film is based on the book “Half the Sky” written by Photo courtesy of poptech.org journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wu-Dunn, the movement has spread quickly. who traveled the world interAccording to Miller, every viewing women facing issues March the Palomar Women’s from sex slavery to domestic vio- Faculty Group plans an event for lence and disabilities.

Women’s History Month. This The name of the book and film year, they have decided to take comes from the quote, “Women an international approach to hold up half the sky” from Mao women’s issues. This event will Tse-Tung, a Chinese leader who tie in with other activities that promoted the status of women in are being planned by the LGBTQ China.

Alliance and other campus orThis documentary is a four- ganizations during the month of hour series filmed in 10 coun- March.

The film is scheduled to be shown from 2 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on March 5 and 7 at Palomar College. There will be speakers at both events followed by light refreshments.

The March 5 event will focus on economic empowerment for women. There will be a speaker there to discuss KIVA, an organization that offers “micro-loans” to women to help them overcome poverty.

The second event, on March 7, will focus on human trafficking, which is a growing concern in San Diego County and throughout the world.

Both events will take place in room MD-157. They are free and open to everyone in the Palomar College community.

Watch for flyers around campus in the coming weeks for more information.

These events will tie in with HIV awareness events and other activities that focus on women’s issues. ngibbs@the-telescope.com

LIFE • 5

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clubs

ICC has new chairperson Christine Foronda The Telescope

Morgan Phillips and Sarah Wootton rehearse in the Performance Lab D-10 at Palomar College on Feb. 19. • Heather Randall/Telescope

‘Dead Man’s Cell Phone’ opens March 1 Sydney Davison The telescope

Curiosity gets the best of many people who are attracted to the drama of other people's lives. However, becoming involved can spiral outward and will ultimately consume their own life.

Palomar’s production of "Dead Man’s Cell Phone" is running March 1-10 on campus. The play, originally written by Sarah Ruhl, follows a woman’s actions after she answers the phone of man sitting dead in a coffee shop.

"Dead Man’s Cell Phone" was originally written in 2007, on the cusp of the technologically savvy era. It posed the question of technology’s impact in our lives. But Director Pat Larmer decided to take this show in a different direction.

"I chose this show because it is interesting and the playwright has some beautiful dialogue. I like the dialogue; it is evocative,” Larmer said.

Larmer’s goal for the production was not to show technology’s interaction in our lives, but more of people’s interactions in our lives.

“I just enjoy the overall concept of what happens when you butt into people’s lives,” Larmer said.

Larmer said he decided to show more of the consequences of protagonist, Jean's actions and her impact on the dead man’s family and friends, as well as Gordon’s, the deceased, impact on the people around him.

The decision to answer the call takes Jean, played by Palomar student Sarah Wootton, on a journey to discover the life of Gordon and the life he left behind. She speaks to different callers of Gordon’s phone, and ultimately weaves herself into his relationships.

"The entire play is Jean trying to draw out the good, to put Gordon in the best light and rectify his memory to others," Wootton said. "Jean goes about to make him (Gordon) seem as a good person."

“It shows the effects of a good lie,” Larmer said.

And it begs the question, “Is there ever such a thing as a good lie?” It is a question that is discussed throughout the play as its characters find themselves wound up in the lies of each other.

"I enjoy the character because everyone wants to find the good in others," Wootton said. Jean's conflict and story revolves around lying. "She has the ablitiy to shape him (Gordon) in others' eyes."

Wootton said.

If you are venturing for a dark comedy, make a point to see the Performing Arts department's,

Sarah Wootton (left) and Dustin Emery (right) at rehearsal on Feb. 19 in the performance lab (D-10) at Palomar College. • Heather Randall/Telescope

"Dead Man’s Cell Phone" in the performance lab D-10 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., and Thursdays at 4 p.m.

Look out for the department’s ticket promotions as well. The first Thursday of the month, the department discounts $2 off of every ticket level. Also, look out for its buy one, get one free ticket promotion for liking the "Dead Man’s Cellphone" Facebook page. sdavison@the-telescope.com

The new leader of Palomar clubs is hoping to use her position to get more students involved in campus life.

On Jan. 29., Associated Student Government (ASG) Sen. Jennifer Gonzalez headed her first Inter-Club Council (ICC) meeting in her new position as the council’s chairperson.

The ICC is a subsidiary of Palomar’s ASG that promotes inter-club relations and organizes club activities on campus.

When Gonzalez saw that the ICC had an opening, she was more than happy to fill the role of chairperson.

“It would only help me take my work in the ASG one step further, as well as my student involvement in Palomar College,” Gonzalez said.

ASG President Johnathan Farmer said he believes that Gonzalez is perfect for the position.

Farmer said that, when he first met Gonzalez, he was impressed at how hard Gonzalez worked, how focused she is and how well she dealt with other people. “[Gonzalez] is very good as an ICC chair because she has the ability to work well with different personalities.

She is good at dealing with everybody, works hard and is very easy to talk to,” Farmer said.

“She is a great ICC chairperson and the [Inter-club council] is lucky to have her.”

Gonzalez said that going through academic and emotional struggles in the past played a part in inspiring and motivating her to take on both positions as ASG Senator and ICC Chairperson.

“My parents were unsupportive (toward my education).

They thought it was a waste of my time,” Gonzalez said. “The ASG provided the support system I feel I lacked at home and was a big influence in my academic success.”

According to Gonzalez, coming to Palomar exposed her to different personalities, different perspectives and different backgrounds; being more involved in school created a family through the ASG and ICC. Gonzalez added, “Working with the ASG and ICC, I gained leadership skills and grew per-

ASG Senator Jennifer Gonzalez, newly appointed Inter-Club Council chairperson. • Christine Foronda/Telescope

sonally and professionally.”

Gonzalez stated that one of her goals as chairperson is to bring the ICC and Palomar’s clubs to the attention of the student body.

“A lot of people are unaware of the programs and clubs that Palomar has to offer, and I want to increase the amount of people who participate,” Gonzalez said.

She wants the ASG to play a more active role with the ICC and the clubs by promoting the clubs, supporting their events and help with any monetary requests they may have.

“I want more of a cohesiveness in which clubs and the ASG can openly work together,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez emphasized continuing to build a bond between the ASG, the ICC and campus clubs.

She said a good way to create that link is by allowing them to work in partnership to do outreach events and community service.

“I want to encourage outreach, because I feel we, as Palomar College, are a community.

And by volunteering, we are serving each other and benefiting this campus as a whole,” Gonzalez said. cforonda@the-telescope.com

A lot of people are unaware of the programs and clubs that Palomar has to offer, and I want to increase the amount of people who participate.

JENNIFER GONZALEZ • ICC CHAIRPERSON

6 • NEWS

Monday, February 25, 2013

bUDGET

board

Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1

The last several years of California’s recession have appeared in the form of severe budget cuts, fewer class sections for students and a heavier workload for faculty and staff. Palomar College has been fortunate, though. Officials at Palomar say that they have not had to borrow any money from the county to stay whole.

As a result of Proposition 30 passing in November, and some improvement in the economy, Gov. Jerry Brown increased apportionment funding for all community college districts by 3.6 percent.

While the governor was able to allocate additional funds this year instead of imposing cuts, he did not stipulate how the additional apportionment should be spent.

Instead, Gov. Brown has requested that the Board of Governors who oversee all of the community colleges, dictate how the additional moneys are to be spent. In the past, the governor would typically allocate additional funds for such things as cost of living allowance,

(COLA), restoration of class sections for students, or if possible, for growth.

Now that Gov. Brown has presented his proposed budget, several more steps in the review process must take place.

The next major date that the community colleges wait for is in May. After the governor releases his proposed budget, it is reviewed by the Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) in Los Angeles. After the budget is reviewed by the LAO, they send it to the Assembly and the Senate to further scrutinize and adjust if need be. After all of those parties review the budget, it is returned to the governor, who then releases what’s called the “May Revise.”

The May Revise is adjustments the governor makes to the original budget after hearing from all the additional parties who have added their input over the first several months of the year. A final budget is due for release by July 15. At that point, all of the districts can then begin to take legitimate action and begin planning for the next academic year.

He said the ASG members believe the Coalition’s drafted proposal is not only “unconstitutional” according to the ASG’s bylaws, but also against school policy, and therefore did not put it up for a vote to the students.

Farmer noted that the Coalition is not an officially recognized club or organization by the ASG or Palomar College because not all of its members are current students at Palomar.

“The ASG cannot ignore school policy because a group of people have gotten signatures that say they should.” Farmer said. “This issue with the Coalition has eaten a lot of the ASG’s resources. It takes away from the ASG doing what it should be, which is representing the student body.”

UPCOMING EVENTS colleen peters the telescope

Palomar College has a lot of important dates coming up for students to remember.

The last day to apply for May 2013 graduation is Feb. 28. The last day to drop full semester classes is March 8. At this point, any student who drops a class will receive a “W” on his or her transcript.

The final day for students to change grading status and audit status is Feb. 26. Students who wish to audit a class must submit a form to the counseling office. The form must be signed by the class instructor, the department chair and the department’s dean. The audit fee is $15 per class. If the student is enrolled in at least 10 units, one 3-unit course may be audited for free.

Spring break is March 25-29. There will be no classes held during this week.

Final exams begin on May 18, and the semester ends on May 24.

Commencement will also be held on May 24 for students who were approved for graduation during the Fall 2012 or the Spring 2013 semesters.

HRANDALL@THE-TELESCOPE.COM cpeters@the-telescope.com

HRANDALL@THE-TELESCOPE.COM

SPORTS • 7

the telescope SOFTBALL

tennis

Tennis team aims to take next step scott roberson the telescope

The Comets tennis team has been on the heels of San Diego Mesa the past four seasons, finishing second or third to the reigning conference champions. They aim to get over the hump and knock Mesa off their throne.

The goal this season: Beat Mesa. This is an obtainable goal with the help of returning players such as sophomore Brandon Crisp, and the San Diego champion Sophomore Tracy Beblie, according to Head Coach Ronnie Mancao.

After falling short of Mesa for nearly half a decade, the Comets have adopted an aggressive mentality this season to get the metaphorical monkey off their backs.

“Our mentality is to go out and pretty much destroy whoever we are playing; no mercy,” Beblie said.

Although Coach Mancao said he is very excited to have his undefeated No.1 player

returning, he is excited about all of the players.

“We have very good depth on this team.

Our top four players are very close to the fifth and sixth player, which is very important in the case of an injury,” Mancao said.

The gap between the upper and lower echelon players on this team is very close.

This is a very important facet of the game to win championships.

Sophomore Karleyne Ishima-Oien said she believes this team is very talented, but as a leader, she reminds her teammates, “You can never underestimate anyone.”

When that happens, you begin to lose matches.

Beblie said he knows this team has what it takes to beat Mesa this year, but to reach their goal of a conference title he said the team needs to be hungry for it.

The men’s next home game is against Mt. San Jacinto on March 6 at 2 p.m. The women compete against Victor Valley at home on Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.

golf

Golf sets high standards scott roberson the telescope

Palomar men’s golf team members said they intend to win a conference title this year; however, their expectations do not stop there.

Not only are they determined to take Southern California regionals, but they’re aiming for a state championship as well.

The golf team’s season began Jan. 9 with 20 hopeful athletes, and after a 5-day qualifying tournament, Coach Mark Halda whittled it down to 10 athletes. With only six golfers able to compete at a time, competition is welcomed to make the team better.

“Your expectations should always be to win the Superbowl or the World Series. Our expectations are to win the state championship,” Halda said.

Although the team has lost its top golfers from last season -- Chris Pearce and Richard Kearns -- key recruiting has kept this goal within reach. Coach Halda throughout the year identifies and recruits players who may not get recruited straight out of high school.

“We look for players that can shoot 75 (strokes) or better every time they come out. If they can do that, we can challenge for conference titles and Southern California championships every year,” Halda said.

The biggest issue with recruiting new golfers is the time commitment. Not only are tournaments an all-day ordeal, but the athlete must commit several hours a day to be proficient. Not to mention as a student athlete, they must keep their grades up as well.

Halda believes that this squad can handle it though, because they are mentally tough. He said he believes this to be one of the most important traits a golfer must possess to be successful on the green.

Halda intentionally places his players in bad spots during practice to challenge his athletes not only physically but mentally as well.

“We try to make it tough for them (the athletes) in a practice situation, and make them grind a

little bit, so when we get a match they are already used to tough situations,” Halda said.

He continued, “Everything is magnified (in golf), but at the same time you got to have a sense of calm and peace about you when you play. You got to accept the bad things and understand good things are going to happen if you stay in the present.”

A golfer must be able to live in the moment, blocking out all distractions, and overcome any misfortunes he may experience in a round of 18 holes.

“I just shut everything else out, and take it one shot at a time,” Freshman Nick Bellstrom said.

Coach Halda said everyone on this team can really play. If they are able to stay positive, all the goals and expectations should take care of themselves.

The team looks to rally as a unit rather than individuals with different goals and mindsets.

“In order for us to be successful, we have to keep learning. We need to have a purpose that everyone could unite behind,” sophomore Jonathan Ochoa said.

Sroberson@the-telescope.com

Sophomore Vogel leads softball team lloyd bravo the telescope

As the Comets prepared for another softball season, all eyes were on Jasmine Vogel, a sophomore and recent scholarship recipient. With a team-leading batting average of .525 in conference last season, Vogel, 19, said she is ready to lead Palomar to a conference championship.

Growing up in Oceanside, Vogel attended Guajome Park Academy, but in her senior year went to El Camino, a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division 1 high school.

Vogel grew up with softball, and credits her 11 years of experience to her family, watching her older cousins and eventually getting into the game at the age of 8.

Recently earning a scholarship to Colorado State University Pueblo, Vogel’s goal is to keep a 3.0 GPA and study kinesiology, which focuses on human movement.

“School and softball are definitely my main focus,” she said.

Coaching softball is hard enough, but it is made easier when each player has the drive and determination to compete on a daily basis.

“She has a lot of speed and a lot of heart,” said Head Coach Lacey Craft. For any member on the Palomar’s softball team, coach Craft said she is constantly looking for women who want to compete and play at a higher level. Vogel brings both to her game, while motivating the rest of her teammates, Craft added.

This makes Vogel an essential player to this season’s team, according to other players.

“That’s what I like about her. She has a one-track mind,” fellow teammate Haylee Williams said about Vogel. “When she has a goal, she sticks to it.”

An attribute most wish to attain, Vogel uses her positivity to inspire her team, and has been regarded as the team captain, even though it is unofficial.

Well-versed in her skills as a batter and outfielder, Vogel is recognized as one of the best in the game, her teammates said.

“She is a strong and consistent player, “ catcher Mercedes Montanez said. “She is a great example to others on our team and has high standards for herself.”

Vogel describes the secret to her suc-

Jasmine Vogel prepares to leave for an away game at Citrus on Feb. 14. • Gary West/Telescope

cess by explaining, “Putting time in everyday on and off the field at practice, after practice, at home and going to the gym.”

However, it’s not all hard work for Vogel, who still enjoys the occasional night out with her friends. ”I hangout with the girls on the team a lot,“ Vogel said about her social life.

“They’re all my friends.”

Vogel said she wants to establish a lifelong relationship with softball, especially teaching and training children much later in her career.

When asked about the people who inspired and motivated her to succeed in her studies and softball Vogel merely said, “Definitely my parents, who have taught me to work hard and taught me nothing comes easy.” lbravo@the-telescope.com

8 • SPORTS

Monday, February 25, 2013

basketball

Coach’s leadership drives team to success cliff ireland the telescope

When walking up to her office, it would be easy to mistake her as a player not the coach. A young, relaxed, casually dressed woman sitting behind the desk talking on the phone while surfing the Internet.

Her door is open, which she said is always that way so any of her players know they can come in anytime, for anything.

It’s a small, yet subtle way that she lets her players know she is not only their coach, she is their sister, therapist, tutor and whatever else, but more importantly, their friend.

This type of openness and mentorship are just two of the ways that Coach Leigh Marshall has used to build the Palomar College women’s basketball program from the ground up over the last three years.

Prior to Coach Marshall joining the team, the coach from the previous season left for another school and the coach hired to be the replacement at the last minute changed his mind. To make matters worse, all the players from the previous year were gone as well.

However, not only did the women’s basketball program continue, so did the season, as Athletic Director Scott Cathcart decided not to cancel the season.

“The goal of the administration when I was hired was to pretty much keep the program afloat for the first year,” Coach Marshall said. “They didn’t think that we would really get a team out there. And if we did, please just get through the season so we don’t

have to cancel our season.”

Besides finding players during the first year, basic goals were established by Coach Marshall that would develop into the foundation and culture of what she envisioned the program would become.

“Our biggest thing the first year was to get to practice every day, be positive and to get better. To teach them a skill set… but to teach them what being a college athlete is about and being a part of a team is about,” Coach Marshall said.

The first year however, would prove difficult. The team would go the entire season without winning, and wouldn’t win their first game until the seventh game of the following season.

Hugh Cox, who has taken pictures of Palomar sporting events for the past six years, said, “(The first year) was an amazing season.

The way that morale was on that bench, even when only four players were on the court, was amazing.”

After hearing that and looking embarrassed, Coach Marshall said, “The thing is, I have been surrounded by really good people who believe.”

Assistant Coach Courtney Ford is one of those people who believe in her. Ford had Marshall as one of her assistant coaches when she was a player for Orange Coast College .

“She has always been one of my favorite coaches,” Ford said. “I have her back through everything, and she has always been there for me. I really love coaching with her.”

Loyalty like Ford’s is one of the cornerstones to Coach Marshall’s

coaching style as she continues to build for the future. It is something she said they can carry on with them even years after the team has stopped playing together.

When watching the team play, it is easy to see that the staff and players believe in their coach’s style as well.

If a call doesn’t go their way or a play doesn’t go as planned, you will not see it in the players’ emotions or hear it in their words.

During one game a couple of weeks ago, the only words spoken from one of the players other than to each other was when Ashley Witherspoon said “thanks” to someone who passed the ball back to her after it had bounced into the bleachers.

“I tell them, you don’t need to show emotion. You don’t need to talk to the refs at all. That’s my job. That’s what I get paid the big bucks for,” Coach Marshall said.

But it doesn’t stop there. There are no cell phones, iPhones, iPods and so forth anywhere near the players once it’s time to get ready for the game.

“Be where you are at. Don’t be on your iPod, don’t be on your phone,” Marshall said after being asked to why she doesn’t allow that.

Even though her coaching style can be considered old school, she does, show some signs of the newer-age coaching style.

Before every home game, you can hear and see the girls grouped together with their hands up and feet moving to the rhythm as two of their teammates, Mikaela Stanton and Alliya Pinckney, rap to a song they created for the team.

Palomar women’s head coach Leigh Marshall (Center) strategizes with her team during a timeout on Feb. 1 in the Dome • Peter Ahsue/Telescope

Dancing, cheering and laughing are not the only things that are seen from this display of selfencouragement.

Toward the end of the rhyme, the entire team turns toward their coach, waves their hands

toward her and in their own way, show respect to the person who has not only brought them together, but brought them back to the top. cireland@the-telescope.com

basketball

Basketball teams host cancer fundraiser Nada sewidan the telescope

The Palomar College men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader on Feb. 15 raised a total of $710 that will be contributed to the American Cancer Society.

The doubleheader kicked off with the men’s team playing San Diego City College and concluded with the women’s team facing its rival, Grossmont College. All proceeds from ticket sales and donations during the game were donated to the cause.

However, gate proceeds were not the only efforts used in obtaining donations for the fundraiser.

During halftime of both the men’s and women’s games, a contest was held that allowed audience members to shoot a three-pointer in exchange for a $1 donation. If successful, a Palomar College Tshirt was given as a prize.

The men beat San Diego College 73-57.

The women beat Grossmont College 86-68.

Palomar College was not the only participant in the effort to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

It was among many other community colleges throughout the state of California taking part in similar events.

This fundraiser is part of a collaborative effort introduced by the men’s and women’s California Community College Basketball Coaches Associations.

The proceeds raised from the evening, in addition to proceeds raised from other community colleges from the state, will be combined into one large contribution and donated to the American Cancer Society.

Once the overall sum of the donations have been compiled, a submission of the donation will be offered to the representatives of the American Cancer Society during both the men’s and women’s basketball state championships in March.

Nsewidan@the-telescope.com

Palomar center Joe Vaz (center) drives to the basket on Feb. 13 in the Dome. The Comets beat Imperial Valley to remain tied for first in the PCAC standings. • Peter Ahsue/Telescope