SCENE THE
Spring Issue 1
February 16, 2018
www.thescenefp.com
Nuts for almonds See page 6
Chaos University See page 7
Bucket list
St. Louis Community College at Forest Park
See page 8
Student assails governor on budget By Timothy Bold The Scene staff
KSDK (Channel 5) news featured a Forest Park student in a recent segment on a Missouri budget proposal that could result in tuition increases and program cuts. Connor Smith, 28, who goes by Connor O’Shay for photography and acting, told TV reporter Grant Bissell that he opposes Gov. Eric Greitens’ proposal. “You’re taking money out of my pocket,” Smith said in the segment, sitting at a table in the Forest Park cafeteria, earphones around his neck. Greitens has proposed a $28.8 bil-
By Joshua Phelps The Scene staff
Watch video Watch athe videoatat thescenefp.com www.thescenefp.com lion state budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year, a plan that would reduce funds for higher education by $70 million or 7.7 percent. The KSDK segment with Smith aired on Jan. 23. Bissell conducted the interview earlier that day after Smith saw his camera equipment and struck up a conversation. Bissell also talked to St. Louis Community College Chancellor Jeff Pittman, who explained that last year’s budget already reduced STLCC revenue
Photo by Joshua Phelps
Connor Smith protests proposed cuts to higher education in Missouri near the Chuck Berry statue in the Delmar Loop. by $5 million, forcing the college to lay off faculty and staff. “We’ve been cut to the bone,” Pittman
said, adding that current proposal would directly affect students. “We’ll be forced to
See Budget page 3
Campus tunnel is closed for good By Jason Ethridge The Scene staff Forest Park has closed the basement-level tunnel between the theater building and D Tower, eliminating a shortcut for students, faculty and staff. Facilities Manager Josh Dewitte said the tunnel has possible safety hazards, such as
Former adjunct files suit over protest arrest
low-hanging pipes. “The tunnel was never meant for student foot traffic,” he said, noting it originally was designed for maintenance use. Workers locked doors on either side of the tunnel on Jan. 25, leading some people on campus to mistakenly believe it was just being closed for repairs. General transfer student Ali Ali, 19,
Forest Park tunnel changes
Map by Victor Paletta
described the tunnel as an “easy route” that kept people from having to cross the courtyard and sheltered them from bad weather. While going to music class, “it saved me about five minutes,” he said. As of Jan. 31, there were no signs informing students, faculty and staff that the tunnel was closed, only locked doors at either end. No notice was sent out because it initially wasn’t known if the tunnel would be inaccessible for good, according to Brittany Aladegbami, campus coordinator of marketing and communications. “Anything that the student body needs to know will be told to them,” she said. Dual high-school and college student Patra Patton, 17, expressed disappointment that the tunnel will no longer be accessible. “It will be annoying to have to go to the lobby to fill up my water bottle,” she said, but she already has found a way around. “It’s not earth shattering.” The tunnel from G Tower to the theater building remains open. Campus police Lt. Terri Buford, who often used the tunnel from D Tower, is looking on the bright side of the closure. “It’s a great way to get some exercise,” she said, noting it also will refresh her memory on how to get around Forest Park.
Former St. Louis Community College adjunct professor Steve Taylor has filed a lawsuit against a Florissant Valley campus police officer and the STLCC board vice president. The lawsuit claims that officer Robert Caples committed battery when he tackled and handcuffed Taylor at an STLCC board meeting on Oct. Taylor 19. Taylor was attending as a representative of a committee negotiating a union contract for adjuncts. The lawsuit was filed in St. Louis Circuit Court. It reads, Gee “As a direct and proximate result of defendant officer Caples’ acts, plaintiff Taylor suffered severe injuries and damages, including traumatic brain injury, concussion, post-concussion syndrome, right shoulder pain, bruising, right rib pain, chest pain, contusion to upper face, back pain (and) headaches.” The lawsuit also claims that STLCC board Vice President Rodney Gee violated Taylor’s rights under the 1st and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. “Plaintiff Taylor seeks judgment against defendant Gee and defendant officer Caples for libel for falsely and maliciously publishing statements that plaintiff Taylor charged the board,” the lawsuit states. Taylor most recently taught math on STLCC’s Wildwood campus but is no longer working for the college. When reached by The Scene on Jan. 26, he referred questions to his attorney, Lauren Bronson, of Newman, Bronson and Wallis. “Our practice is that once we file lawsuits (we do) not discuss the case because it’s in litigation,” she said. Kedra Tolson, executive director of marketing and communications for STLCC, did not return calls for comment. On Jan. 25, she sent an email statement that read, “The college has not been served with any
See Lawsuit page 3