Vol. 161, Issue 2 | Feb. 10 – Feb. 23, 2016 | City College of San Francisco | since 1935 | FREE
WATCHDOGS CONDEMN EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE By Marco Siler-Gonzales mgonzales@theguardsman.com @mijo_marco
The Rams football team pose for a picture with San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, Mark Leno, Willie Brown and other officials after being honored for their national champion football program on Feb. 5, 2016. (Photo by Santiago Mejia/The Guardsman)
Rams Honored for Dominant Program
By Cassie Ordonio & Shannon Cole
cordonio@theguardsman.com scole@theguardsman.com
Cheers erupted through the ornate halls of San Francisco’s City Hall as the players and staff of the City College football team gathered to receive a proclamation of honor from Mayor Ed Lee and other dignitaries on the afternoon of Feb. 5, 2016. The Rams secured their tenth national junior college football title on Dec. 12, 2015, when they defeated the Saddleback College Gauchos in a 26–14 contest held at George Rush Stadium. It was the first title for the school under the guidance of new head coach Jimmy Collins,
who inherited the program from longtime coach George Rush, the winningest junior college coach in the nation’s history. Nearly two months after earning their second consecutive championship title, the team was proud to finally receive offi-
state Sen. Mark Leno and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. “I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the weekend than to be with champions,” Mayor Lee said as he handed a symbolic golden football to coach Collins. Joining the mayor and sena-
that, you will be remembered and having that legacy is what we strive for.” Coach Collins presented Mayor Lee with a football signed by the coaching staff and players of the championship team. The afternoon ended with officials posing for a group photo with the team and a renewed “This is a college that’s going to appreciation for football within the walls of City Hall. continue to thrive and set higher “This is a college that’s going standards.” to continue to thrive and set higher standards,” Leno said. — Senator Mark Leno For a team whose successes on the field have been overcial recognition for their efforts. tor were former San Francisco shadowed by City College’s A table displayed their shining mayor Willie Brown, the Super accreditation crisis, the victory championship trophy to more Bowl Host Committee, and San represents more than just than one hundred members of Francisco 49ers CEO Keith athletic accomplishments. the Rams team and coaching Bruce and 49ers center Marcus “This is a school that’s staff gathered on the second floor Martin. supposed to be a challenged balcony of City Hall to watch “Y’all are doing big things,” school but continued to break the Rams receive accolades from Martin said. “Working hard like all records,” Leno said.
CULTURE
Community Tackles Homelessness
Homeless rights activists take to the streets in the wake of SuperBowl 50.
Page 6 – 7
Leaky water pumps, deteriorating buildings, and an out of control boiler have all sprung to the forefront of City College’s maintenance priorities. The Board of Trustees (BOT) responded by declaring an ‘emergency situation’ on Dec. 10, 2015, which authorizes the school to quickly contract labor and purchase materials without advertising or inviting bids. Critics say City College is taking a wide stance on the California Public Contract Code ‘emergency’ situation clause for a $3.8 million maintenance project that will dip into the school’s maintenance fund and bond monies. Cathryn Hilliard of the Construction Industry Force Account Council (CIFAC) said these maintenance issues could have been avoided if action were taken earlier. “The way that it was done was not transparent for how and why these projects needed to be completed,” Hilliard said. “No one could object. They need to be clear on how they spend bond monies.” The declaration of emergency allows the school to sidestep the state mandated process of contract bidding and advertisements which safeguards against fraud and favoritism when public money is spent. “This work cannot be accomplished in a sufficiently timely manner if the repairs are required to be subject to the formal bidding and advertising requirements of the Public Contract Code,” the BOT measure stated. City College spokesperson Jeff Hamilton was not able to respond to questions regarding whether or not the school has been in contact with CIFAC or give a specific timeline to when these projects would be completed.
Damage Control
The list of needed repairs is sizable. There is the failure of a condensate pump in the Creative Arts Building that has made temperature control impossible, and an overexposed and quickly deteriorating hot water pump and boiler in the Student Watchdogs continued on page 2