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 153, Issue 3
CUT:
TheGuardsman.com
February 22-March 6, 2012
67 classes axed, but the worst is yet to come
Story and Infographic by Joe Fitzgerald
jfitzgerald@theguardsman.com
The Guardsman’s visual guide to CCSF’s newly decimated budget– and its possible salvation.
Spring 2012 classes cut* 67 classes cut from schedule, by department (credit and non-credit)
**info from tax proposal websites**
English as a Second Language 13 Transitional Studies 10 Business 9 9 Physical Education 6 Music 5 English 3 Social Science (History) 3 Engineering/Welding 2 College Success (LERN/IDST) 2 Physics 1 Psychology 1 Photography 1 Philippine Studies 1 Fashion 0
3
6
9
12
15
*one class was missing from the financial document this list was created from
Total funding from STATE 2011-2012
($3.6 mil. in the last week)
$17m
$149m
Tax proposals that would earmark money for CA schools
$17 million/cuts from CA $149 million/funding after cuts
*”Millionaires Tax” - Increases income taxes on $1mil and $5mil earners. Purports to raise $6-9.5 billion a year.
*”Our Children Our Future” - A 1.4% to
2.2% tax increase on top 1% earners. Purports to raise $10-11 billion a year.
*Governor Brown’s tax proposal Raise sales tax 0.5% and raise taxes on highest earners until 2016. Purports to raise $6.9 billion a year. Chancellor Don Griffin’s last ditch ideas to save the budget (PROPOSED–not yet enacted)
*Negotiate decrease in teacher wages *Lay off more part time teachers *cut classes even further *pass a parcel tax on November SF ballot *Cut 60% of 2012 and 2013 summer classes
TOTAL FUNDING FROM STATE 2012-2013 (if no tax proposals pass)
$25m $141m
$25 million/cuts from CA $141 million/funding after cuts
In response to a $17 million funding shortfall from the state of California this year, City College has cut 67 classes from its Spring 2012 schedule. Half of those classes went in a “first wave” of cuts in December while the others were cut as recently as two weeks ago. As reported in our last issue, many of the classes in the first wave were fully pre-enrolled. Interim Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Joanne Low spoke to the College Planning and Budget Committee on Feb. 15. She stated that efforts were made to transfer displaced students into other class sections. The packed room sat in tense silence as Low and Chancellor Don Griffin made their presentation on City College’s dire financial situation to the committee. California “trigger cuts” took $13.5 million from City College in December of 2011, which the college planned for, but in the past month the state has asked for an additional $3.6 million from the school. “If we don’t close the $3.6 million gap by next year, someone else will do it for us,” the chancellor said. “The state may place us in... receivership.” The chancellor was referring to the upcoming state audit. If they find that the college is financially unstable, a state administrator could be placed in charge of the school, assuming the financial powers of the board and chancellor. The chancellor said they would use every possible contingency to prevent that. Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration Peter Goldstein said that over $10 million was saved this year with “one-time use” funds. Next year those options won’t exist. Fiscal year 2012-13’s budget looks even worse, said Goldstein. It will see at least the same amount in cuts, $17 million, with a possibility of losing another $25 million total if no tax-raising plan passes in the state-wide election this November. Correction: Last issue we incorrectly reported 78 classes were cut. This was due to a sourcing error. The Guardsman regrets any confusion. Vice Chancellor Peter Goldstein breaks down the budget crisis in a video released Feb. 16 to faculty and staff.
Watch it on YouTube:
http://youtu.be/fi_vQ70Kuv8
City College student goes on trial Student workers paid less than SF minimum By Alexander Schmaus THE GUARDSMAN
Bayview-Hunters Point political activist and City College student DeBray “Fly Benzo” Carpenter is currently on trial for obstructing and assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. The case stems from an incident on October 8, 2011 when two San Francisco police officers and a group of Bayview-Hunters Point residents had a heated confrontation in Mendell Plaza. The incident began when officers Joshua Fry and John Norment arrived at the plaza, and Fry pulled the plug on a community boombox. Officer Fry testified that
music was playing so loudly that he could not hear the sound of his own radio or earphones. “I could have walked 20 feet away to hear, but I didn’t because that is historically a high-crime area,” said Fry. “It’s our job to be there so people feel safe.” When asked if there was a noise ordinance that applied, Fry said, “no, it’s not applicable, because nobody complained.” The plaza, located at 3rd Street and Palou Avenue, is an important public gathering place in the heart of Bayview-Hunters Point. “People have been plugging in that boombox right there for years,” said Benzo’s lawyer, Severa Keith. “That corner is used for FLY BENZO Page 3
ON THE INSIDE
COMMEMORATING MEDICAL MARIJUANA WEEK - PAGE 6
By Lance Kramer THE GUARDSMAN
San Francisco’s minimum wage recently went up to $10.24 an hour, an increase of 32 cents from 2011, while City College work-study students still receive a flat rate of $9 an hour. According to the U.S Department of Education website, “Hourly wages (for the Federal Work-Study program) must not be less than the federal minimum wage,” which has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009. The City College work-study wage, although far lower than the San Francisco’s minimum wage, is still higher than both the federal minimum wage and the Califor-
A FOOD TRUCK BONANZA: OFF THE GRID - PAGE 7
nia minimum wage of $8 an hour. Those applying for work-study at the college must first file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid and then qualify through the online Student Hiring Eligibility Process. The student must also be enrolled in at least six credit units or 12 non-credit units. However not all students who apply are determined to be eligible for the program Kirk Ireland, a 21-year-old student majoring in history, began attending City College in fall of 2009 and qualified for the work-study program in May of 2011. He works about six hours a week as a docent at the Diego
Rivera Theatre protecting Rivera’s masterpiece and giving tours of the mural. He also works five hours a week in the School of Liberal Arts department office. “It helps me. I don’t have to go home and I don’t have to commute to a job later at night, so it actually helps a lot,” said Ireland about his experience with the work-study program. “It’s part of my success that I attribute to working on campus.” Work-study employees can work a maximum of 15 hours a week, which some feel does not provide enough income to get by on. And, as a result of the current financial crisis, hours are being cut for some students. MINIMUM WAGE Page 2
A Bug in the System
will continue in our NEXT ISSUE– March 7