C I T Y C O L L E G E O F S A N F R A N C I S C O ’ S N E W S PA P E R S I N C E 1 9 3 5
Volume 152, Issue 4
TheGuardsman.com
October 5 - October 19, 2011
Victor y for VIDA
Final budget for 2011-2012 approved $1.9 million in classes cut; 3000 students denied classes By Joe Fitzgerald THE GUARDSMAN
JOE FITZGERALD / THE GUARDSMAN
Carlos Martinez reads a letter from Steve Lee on behalf of “VIDA” (Voices of Immigrants Demonstrating Achievement) in support of granting the office of mentoring and learning services $200,000 in grants to the board of trustees before their vote on Sept. 22, 2011.
By Joe Fitzgerald THE GUARDSMAN
Undocumented immigrant students at City College can now be legally hired by the school using a $200,000 fund from the new college budget approved on Thursday, Sept. 22, after a heated battle during the Board of Trustees meeting that night. Originally $200,000 of the new $191 million 2011-2012 school year budget was set aside for access by undocumented students through the Office of
Mentoring and Learning Services, an office run by City College. The money would fund internships and scholarships under California’s “Dream Act,” also known as bill AB540, a law allowing undocumented students to pay for college at in-state tuition rates. The $200,000 is a small part City College’s multi-million dollar budget, and Board of Trustees President John Rizzo was about to take a vote to approve the college’s budget in its’ entirety without even mentioning the smaller fund
once. Just as Rizzo lifted his gavel to begin the vote, student-elected Student Trustee Jeffry Fang piped in. “I’d like to offer an amendment to this, one little change. This amendment is section 6, line A,” he said. The sounds of papers shuffling filled the room as audience members searched the fifty page document. Fang asked that instead of having the $200,000 dollars set aside for undocumented students come only through the Office of
Mentoring and Learning Services, that the language of the document be changed to include the Learning Assistance Center (which runs tutoring in the main library) and EOPS, the Extended Opportunity and Program Services. “I made this amendment not because I want to deny anyone, because I was told, vehemently by the way, that this is for all students, low income, anyone. If this for all students, EOPS is in great need... EOPS and LAC DREAM ACT: Page 3
SF Mayoral race heats up at City College forum By Darren Girard THE GUARDSMAN
City College students posed questions on hot button topics at the mayoral forum held Sept. 28 at the Diego Rivera Theatre, hosted by the Associated Students Council in conjunction with New American Media. Mayoral candidates addressed questions about MUNI, poverty, crime and of course - jobs. David Chiu began by touting working class values in an attempt to connect with his audience of City College students and faculty. Chiu went on to state “jobs are the number one issue in this campaign,” he added, “I believe every business should start an internship program.”
On the inside:
Some candidates took the issue further: Jeff Adachi talked about re-investing pension funds to create more jobs, while John Avalos mentioned the local hire ordinance he authored last yea focusing on the poorest communities in San Francisco. Emil Lawrence spoke of his proposal humbly named “The Lawrence Plan,” connecting City College students to the future job market. “My plan is to cut 5,000 jobs from the fat cats in city hall and replace them with 5,000 entry level positions available to San Francisco college graduates.” Lawrence explained, referring to “The Lawrence Plan. Two of the most pressing issues the candidates face this election cycle are MUNI reform
and the Central Subway Project. The Central Subway’s cost has ballooned to over $1 billion, and
opponents of the plan wonder how a cash strapped MUNI MAYORAL FORUM: Page 6
BETH LABERGE / THE GUARDSMAN
Thirteen candidates answer questions during the Mayoral Forum at the Diego Rivera Theatre on CCSF’s Ocean Campus on Sept. 28. Questions ranged from city problems such as homelessness and crime to public transit and public school funding.
Opinions Elizabeth Zarubin argues for more English tutors in the wake of massive budget cuts. Page 4
News
The City College Board of Trustees voted to approve a budget of $191 million for the remainder of the college’s 20112012 fiscal year. This budget includes cutting a whopping $1.9 million in funding for classes, a sacrifice made in the face of an ongoing statewide fiscal crisis. “It’s not a perfect budget... but I think on balance it reflects the budget in this state and elsewhere,” said Trustee Steve Ngo, who is also the chair of the budget committee. When reached for comment, Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance Peter Goldstein said that originally the school had planned to cut $3.8 million from classes, but found other means of BUDGET: Page 3
Quick Facts $1.9 million That’s the exact amount of classes and courses we’re losing this year in dollars, compared to last year. It can be roughly equated to turning away 3,000 students from needed classes. It won’t affect the current semester, but will hit the spring and summer semesters. $6.5 million That’s the amount the noninstructional fund: paying for things like honors coursework, librarians’ salaries, and health services on campus. The school currently has only a limited idea of how this money is spent. 85 faculty members As teachers and faculty retire and/or quit the school, City College plans to not hire new faculty to replace them. This saves money for the school by eliminating positions entirely. This limits student assistance (like financial aid or tutoring), says Clara Starr, director of human resources for City College.
Culture
St. Anthony’s church throws a block party for those who need it most in the Tenderloin. Page 7
Erotic Film Fest in the Castro titillates with orgies, drag queens and tennis. Page 9