Palomar College, San Marcos, Calif. Monday may 3, 2010 Vol. 63, No. 21
the-telescope.com
DOUBLING
illustration by patterson clark | mct campus
INSIDE Opinion Campus trees in danger of being cut down page
PALOMAR’S PRICE
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State adviser proposes increase to $40 per unit, effective in Fall
E n t e r ta i n m e n t Popular TV show or left wing propaganda?
diana sanchez the telescope
Why the increase? The analysts suggest that the budget needs a little more balance. So, the Legislative Analyst’s Office reccomends raising community college fees as well as decreasing proposed funding to the universities by $300 million. Such a fee increase would generate $150 million in additional revenues for the system. The extra funding would help the system bounce back from cuts in revenue. Feb. 25 article from California Watch
If approved, a $14 per unit fee increase would be effective starting in the fall semester, making the cost at California community colleges 40 dollars per unit, according to a recommendation from the California Legislative Analyst’s Office. That means that the cost per unit will have potentionally doubled from $20 to $40 between Fall 2009 and Fall 2010. The LAO is the California Legislature’s nonpartisan fiscal and policy advisor. According to their 2010-2011 Higher Education Budget, they have recommended a fee increase at community colleges in order to provide needed funds to the California Community College system. Palomar student Linnea Harris worried that this would mean an added financial strain. “They’ve already raised it. It was no big deal from $20 to $26, but now it’s to $40. It makes me wonder if they’re going to continue with the increments” she said, also stating that an increase would mean longer hours at work so she would not have to limit her units. According to the LAO budget report, community colleges receive three main sources of funding: state General Fund dollars, local property taxes and student fee revenue. If approved, the fee increase would add $150 million to the college system. The LAO also stated in their report that the fee increase would be offset by financial aid programs such as BOG waivers, which exempts financially needy students from paying fees. turn to unit increase page
photo illustration by coral mcmurtry | THE TELESCOPE
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Sports Palomar swimmers place first in conference page
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Focus The dangers of distracted driving page
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Students run to lead school Sleeping with the consequences diana sanchez the telescope
Students can vote for the next Palomar College Associated Student Government president and vice president in the upcoming elections, to be held May 3 through May 6. The Associated Student Government is made up of 16 students who serve on campus-wide sharedgovernance committees, lobby state and federal representatives on student issues, attend leadership conferences, and are responsible for campus-wide activities, according to its website. According to the elections committee, chaired by student Cassandra Padilla, this year’s candidates for ASG president are Juan Sanchez, Bobby Shuster and Channing Shattuck. The race for ASG vice president will be between Evelyn Lucero and Gaby Bahuman. Palomar student Natalie Lowe
commended the ASG on this year’s events. “The ASG has done a good job of putting together events to get the students involved,” Lowe said. “I think it’s important to have a welcoming atmosphere on campus, and I’m glad that this year’s student government has pulled it off so well.” Current ASG Vice President John Aragon stressed the importance of the student vote. “The ASG executive board will shape the goals and direction of the ASG for the next academic year, and the productivity of the student government depends greatly on the quality of leadership,” Aragon said. “It is absolutely imperative that students vote in school elections.” Padilla had similar views. “I encourage all students to take the initiative to be involved turn to asg page
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San Diego County reports some of the highest STD rates in California diana sanchez the telescope
Fifty percent of sexually active people before the age of 25 and one quarter of teenage girls has or will have an sexually transmitted disease, according to Jennifer Coburn, Director of Communications and Marketing for Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties. “It is imperative to get tested and take steps to prevent the spread of disease,” Coburn said. Palomar student Adriana Gordijev believes that discussion regarding issues of health is vital. “It’s important to talk to your partner about their past sexual encounters,” she said. “It’s safer to turn to stds page
10 photo illustration by kelley foytand eric walker | THE TELESCOPE