PALOMAR COLLEGE, SAN MARCOS, CALIF.
MONDAY FEB. 9, 2009
FOCUSED ON PALOMAR
VOL. 62, NO. 14
the-telescope.com
Palomar club focuses on environment ROBIN WITT THE TELESCOPE
For students who want to make a difference in the environment but don’t have a lot of the Environmental time, Student Organization of Palomar College may be the club to join. A club for the busy student has been an important theme from the beginning of ESO. Founding members Kimberly Herman, Ed Solis and Alejandra Mendoza wanted to create an organization focused on the environment and community service, but at the same time realized students don’t have a lot of time. Herman, who is studying biology, has served as copresident since ESO was formed over a year ago. She said academics are important to the group so they try to balance school and other commitments by having meetings and community projects only once a month. Herman said she works three jobs and wants to specialize in ecological systems engineering. Biology major Andre Navarro, also a co-president said busy students concerned about the environment are encouraged to join and contribute their ideas. Herman said one of the first projects for ESO is a program later this month tentatively called “Leadership, Design Intention, and Abundance: Eliminating the Concept of Waste and Scarcity.” It is part of Campus Explorations, an ongoing seminar series that is focused on the environment this TURN TO CLUB PAGE 3
Palomar holds breast cancer fundraiser PAT CUBEL THE TELESCOPE
On Valentines Day, the Palomar Athletics Department wants you to show your heart and support for breast cancer research by attending the Pink Zone event at the Dome. The Pink Zone is an organization established by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, dedicated to increasing awareness of breast cancer. The Palomar men and women’s basketball teams will host a double header Feb. 14 starting at 3 p.m. as the women take to the court against Southwestern College and the men play Miramar College at 5 p.m. “Our goal for (the event) is to fill the Dome,” said Scott Cathcart, Palomar College’s Director of Athletics. “We can accommodate 1,200 fans at the games and we are going to donate all of the proceeds from the event to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. This is a great opportunity for the college to come together as a community and show its support.” Ticket prices for the event are $4 for students and seniors and $6 for adults and can be purchased at the Dome. For the Palomar women’s basketball team, having the opportunity to host the Pink Zone event is something that hits very close to home for the team. “One of our player’s mother is a breast cancer survivor,” said Natalie Curran, who plays guard.“I think a lot more people need to be aware of breast cancer. There is only so much I know about it and I think being at the Pink Zone will make a lot more people aware of it.” COURTESY PHOTO With the death of North Carolina States women’s basketball coach The women’s basketball team is holding a fundraiser for the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund KayYow from breast cancer on Jan. on Feb. 14. Kay Yow is an inspiration to millions of basketball players, fans and cancer sur24, the sporting world was remind- vivors. She coached for over 30 years and died from breast cancer on Jan. 24.
ed again of the loss of another N.C. State basketball coach. Former Wolfpack coach Jimmy Valvano passed away from cancer in 1993. As a coach, Yow was one of the most respected coaches in women’s basketball and a very influential force for the growth of the sport. She spent 32 seasons on the court as the head coach of North Carolina State’s women’s Wolfpack as well as coaching the United States Olympic women’s basketball teams to a gold medal. Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and fought the disease for 22 years by living life on her terms and coaching basketball. “When life kicks you, let it kick you forward,” said Yow before her death. Following the example of Yow as a coach and teacher, Palomar Coach Sherri Jennum felt that she (Yow) always did things right. “For me as a coach and as a teacher, her message is very clear,” Jennum said.“It’s about basketball, but it’s also about much more. It’s about teaching young kids that come through your program about becoming the best individuals that they can possibly be.” Before his death in 1993,Valvano started the V Foundation for Cancer Research with the help of ESPN,and in 2007 the WBCA started the Kay Yow Cancer Research Fund.The two have now partnered and are using the Pink Zone events as ways to promote knowledge and raise research funds to help find a cure for breast cancer. “With stuff like this (breast cancer), there just has to be more money so we can get the research completed and find a cure to stop it so women aren’t succumbing to this anymore,” Jennum said. “I want it to be a memorable and empowering day for everyone there,” Jennum added, “where you can sit back and say that was an amazing time.”
Students may pay for state deficit MAGGIE AVANTS THE TELESCOPE
The next few years may prove to be financially tough for California Community Colleges. Statewide budget deficits have forced legislators to propose ways to make ends meet, including talk of tuition hikes and the elimination of Cal Grant B. Almost half of most states’ budgets go to education, according to a Jan. 14 report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington D.C. and therefore large budget deficits greatly impact education. Ron Owens, spokesman for California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, said that over 2.7 million students attend community colleges in California, and the proposed budget cuts would leave 260,000 students without the classes they need.
OPINION
Palomar College President Robert Deegan, who recently attended the Community College League of California’s Annual Legislative Conference in Sacramento, said the state of California is expecting a $40 billion revenue shortfall in the next 18 months. In an effort to make up the difference, the Legislative Analyst’s Office has proposed not only the elimination of Cal Grant B, but also raising tuition to $30 a unit as early as July 1. “I have even heard from the LAO that it may go beyond the $30 mark,” Deegan said. “But what the state needs to realize, is that we (community colleges) are a part of the solution to the problem in California.” Palomar students spoke out against the proposed tuition increases.
PAT CUBEL | THE TELESCOPE It was standing room only in the Governing Board Room on Feb. 4 for President Robert Deegan’s All College Forum, TURN TO DEFICIT PAGE 3 in which he discussed the California budget and how it affects Palomar.
ENTERTAINMENT Schools spending in wrong places PAGE 5
Taken delivers a psychological thrill PAGE 8
SPORTS
FOCUS Valentine’s Day gift ideas PAGE 6
Comets gear up for new season PAGE 11