PALOMAR COLLEGE, SAN MARCOS, CALIF. MONDAY MARCH 9, 2009
FOCUSED ON PALOMAR
VOL. 62, NO. 16
the-telescope.com
Bio students study in Catalina ROBIN WITT THE TELESCOPE
During spring break students can join Palomar College for a hands-on field trip course to explore the unique bio-geographical features of Catalina Island. A fee of $180 covers boat transportation from San Pedro Harbor, cabin accommodations and kayak rental for the three-day field course, March 22 - 25. There are additional costs for food, snorkeling gear, parking and one unit of tuition. Student Carri-Lyn Cameron took the Catalina Island field course last year. Cameron is studying environmental systems, but a biology background isn’t required to go on the trip. According to Cameron, the trip would be a good choice for students who are outdoorsy, like to learn and want to spend time with fun people on an adventure. She said it’s a better alternative to getting drunk in Mexico and less expensive, too. “It is really a blast,” Cameron said. “As long as you’re down for getting a little dirty and having a BETH PEARSON | COURTESY PHOTO little fun.” In addition to fun, the field Palomar biology students have the opportunity to do fieldwork in Catalina during spring break. The Two Harbors area is pictured. course provides the participants
Buses: TYPHANIE SHARFNER THE TELESCOPE
Eight bus routes around North County have been cut because of the slow economy On Jan. 25 the North County Transit District’s bus routes enacted weekdays route cuts due to budget constraints. These cuts affect stops in Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido. Possibly the most noticeable to Palomar students is route 341/342 that traveled through all of San Marcos and parts of Escondido. This route included stops at Palomar College as well as Cal State San Marcos and the San Marcos Civic Center. According to the North County Transit Rider’s guide many of the routes cut were in high traffic areas and include routes 311/312, which traveled through West Oceanside, route 324 in Carlsbad, the 338/339 in Vista, route 349 in Escondido, route 365, which traveled through Encinitas and route 397, which traveled through Camp Pendleton. As of the first of the year, prices were also increased for many day and monthly passes as well as one-way tickets, however these
OPINION
increases did not affect the monthly specials for students attending Palomar, MiraCosta or Cal State University, San Marcos. Sarah Benson, marketing representative for the North County Transit District, assures that no more lines are expected to be cut this year and that cutting lines is only used as a last resort. “The last thing we wanted to do was cut service,” Benson said. “We wanted to cut costs while affecting the least amount of people.” When deciding where to cut the budget for NCTD, Benson said they first increase fares, then they laid off employees and they save cutting routes as a last resort to make ends meet.” Benson insists that those chosen to be cut, such as the 341/342 routes, are the least productive and only had six to eight passengers per hour, making them unprofitable for the company. But the cancellations have affected many Palomar students who ride the bus. Some students have resorted to using the Sprinter, the train located right across the street from
Rihanna sets bad example for abused women PAGE 6
TURN TO CATALINA PAGE 3
New budget, more cuts
Disappearing from the stop nearest you
TURN TO BUSES PAGE 3
with an opportunity to interact with the subject matter. “I am very much a hands-on learner and appreciated being able touch all the plants and rocks,” Cameron said. “The professors are really knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the island and all of the plant life and geological features.” One of Cameron’s favorite parts was snorkeling in the kelp beds. “I am an ocean kind of girl,” Cameron said. She described the beds as “huge underwater forests.” Computer science major Adam Reaves also went on the trip last year and gave it high marks. The part that stuck out for Reaves was the plant life. He said some of the plants there only grow on Catalina Island. Biology Professor Beth Pearson said because the island came up out of the ocean and was never part of the mainland, it colonized and evolved separately. “Lots of interesting things happen in that scenario,” Pearson said. “That is a big focus of our course.” Pearson teaches the field
Community colleges cut by $39.8 million KELLEY FOYT THE TELESCOPE
In an attempt to climb out of a $42-billion budget deficit, California legislators passed a new state budget on Feb. 19. Community colleges fared moderately well in the controversial budget, which is based on a combination of cutbacks in expenses and increases in revenue, according to Bonnie Dowd, vice president of finances at Palomar. In the 2008/2009 school year, a $39.8 million cut will impact all California community colleges to eliminate the 0.68 COLA (cost of living allowance). In addition, community colleges will sustain a $3.6 million reduction to capture unspent prior-year funds and a $4 million cut to mandate payments. “It will affect us negatively, but it’s not as bad as it could have been,” Palomar President Robert ROB BACON| THE TELESCOPE Deegan said.“We’re not expecting NCTD is cutting bus routes, including one that stops at Palomar, due to budget cuts.
ENTERTAINMENT
‘Watchmen’ most fun since ‘Power Rangers’ PAGE 8
FOCUS
Keeping fit during the semester
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TURN TO BUDGET PAGE 3
SPORTS
Women’s bball ends season with one-point loss
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