Summer
NEWS: The Guardsman continues over the summer
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CULtUrE: Curry and spirituality for hungry people
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SPOrtS: Rams cheerleaders bring zeal to City College
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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 151, issue 8
TheGuardsman.com
may 18, 2011
EDUCatiON EMErGENCY Inside special B Section Sf fees choke college
CLARIVEL FONG / THE GUARDSMAN
City College Chancellor Don Griffin does not plan to retire this year.
City College chancellor to stay for another year By Brant Ozanich The GUardsman
Chancellor Don Griffin dismissed rumors of his retirement from City College May 16, citing the state’s budget crisis and an $18 to $20 million budget gap as the key reasons he might extend his term another year. Griffin was hired at City College as an instructor in 1969 and has since served as a department chair, dean of instruction, vice chancellor of student development and vice chancellor of academic affairs. Due to the increasing amount of cuts state community colleges are facing, as well as an accreditation process and the possibility of a parcel tax in coming years, Griffin thought he was needed for another year. “It’s all about seeing if we can get through this period as well as select a new chancellor,” he said. “The most I would be seeking is an extension on the contract, maybe an additional year. Either I would get just that one year, or I would ask for an additional year.” While his three and a half year term does not officially end until June 30, 2012, the search for a new chancellor usually takes ten to twelve months, so the decision must be made long ahead of time. When asked where a new chancellor could potentially come
GriffiN: Page 3
City College calls for San Francisco to waive $2 million in fees to get through tough year. B3
Candidates on schools
San Francisco mayoral hopefuls sound off on how they would help the city’s schools. B4
RAMSEY EL-QARE / THE GUARDSMAN
(L-R) High school juniors Jo Kasler, Christine Djan and Larle Trumbly shout at the Capitol on May 13.
Teachers and students declared Californiaʼs education system to be in a state of emergency and held several days of demonstrations in mid-May at the Capitol calling for legislators to extend temporary taxes and avoid bridging a $9.6 billion deficit with further
cuts to public education. This issue of The Guardsman contains a special pullout section on California and San Franciscoʼs public education funding crisis and a look at how City College is bracing for what could be one of the worst years the college has ever faced.
Student stabbed at Mission campus By Brian Rinker The GUardsman
A 21-year-old male City College student was stabbed multiple times during school hours on May 6, allegedly by another City College student, after an argument erupted in the halls of Mission campus. The victim called 911 and remained on the phone line until San Francisco police officers arrived, according to police. He received medical aid on the scene and was then taken to San Francisco General Hospital. The SFPD apprehended a suspect near the scene. He was positively identified as the perpetrator by the victim and by a witness, according to police reports. The suspect is a 17-yearold male from San Francisco, and campus police said he is currently a City College student. He was arrested by SFPD, booked as a juvenile at the
Mission Police Station and charged with attempted murder. His name was withheld because he is a juvenile. “It appears the incident took place inside City College,” SFPD spokesman Sgt. Mike Andraychak said. Andraychak said the stabbing was not gang related, but the reason for the attack was not entirely clear. The incident apparently began as an argument between two students and then escalated into violence. In a police report, one witness said she saw three or four men arguing in the hall on the first floor of the Mission campus before the attack. The victim called 911 at 7:21 p.m. The dispatcher relayed the call and reported a male stabbed in the back. At least five police vehicles responded to the call and arrived on the 100 block of StabbiNG: Page 3
JESSICA NORTH / THE GUARDSMAN
The Consul General of Mexico, Carlos Felix, left, speaks on May 17 of the importance of the Pan American Unity mural created by Diego Rivera for City College.
rivera mural’s cultural value to be promoted By Matthew Gomez The GUardsman
Diego Rivera’s “Pan American Unity,” a mural he painted specially for City College, might find a new home in the next few years as its current location doesn’t fulfill Rivera’s vision. The mural, completed Nov. 13, 1940, has been housed in the Diego Rivera Theatre since
the early 1960’s. The mural was intended to be placed in City College’s first library but the architect, Timothy Pfleuger, died before it could be built. Its current location is not considered optimal for viewing the mural, which stretches to almost 74 feet wide. Rivera envisioned the mural being housed in art: Page 2