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The
Skyline View
Volume XXXV - Issue 6
The Voice of Skyline College, San Bruno, California
April 8, 2015
www.theskylineview.com
Skyline reflects and recites Skyline offers new
study abroad program
Students have the option to study abroad in the forbidden land of cigars and rum. By Michelle Brignoli TSV Staff Writer
Skyline College is offering its first ever study abroad trip to Cuba this summer. Professor of History, John Ulloa, is the facilitator of this trip. For the first time in nearly 60 years, the leaders of the United States and Cuba met with one another to discuss policies for relations between these two nations. This permits travel between the two nations for the first time in years. “The core idea is that the students will develop cultural competency that includes learning Courtesy of Nathan Perucho how to decipher the culture you are visiting and interact The Kababayan program jump starts Skyline’s poetry month with a collaboration of with the people and institutions musicians and poets on Thursday, April 2. Here, Kevyn Lorenzana (left) is with Nathan respectfully,” Dean of Social Science/Creative Arts Donna Custodia (right), working on some material before stepping up to the mic. There will be Bestock said. numerous events being held throughout the month of April. The trip is expected to be a spectacular opportunity to travel and to be educated by the different aspects of the culture. The itinerary has been customized by Ulloa to meet his specifications. It will include two visits every day to different sites such as museums By Matt Pacelli school’s ability to provide the best amount of the bill out of pocket. and studios. Also every day there’s The problem faced by Kern is in educational opportunities for the TSV Staff Writer a bus tour followed by group no way unique: Part time educators students. discussions and journaling about “There are really excellent part are not included in the district’s the day. After the discussions you One day, Michelle Kern, a part time faculty members who don’t health plan, and only receive a have the option to roam around time teacher at College of San $600 stipend per semester for remain in the district,” Harer said. and explore. It’s advised to travel Mateo, noticed a small cut on her “Students don’t get the benefit of medical expenditures, and that’s in pairs or groups, but not by foot. At first, she thought that it only if they already have some sort excellent instruction because they yourself. was nothing serious. She applied aren’t getting adequate support.” of health coverage. The medical “I have personally as a student Neosporin, in the hopes that it Harer went on to state that expenditures incurred by these benefitted from my study abroad would heal up. teachers often far outstrip the students who were concerned about to Cuba,” Ulloa said. “I think that It didn’t. funding provided by the district. their part time teachers should voice students can certainly benefit from Kern’s cut began to grow larger, Part time educators make up their concerns, either by speaking to my specialty area. It was the focus and a rash emanated out from it, their own part time teachers or by a significant part of the district’s of my graduate studies in history spreading up her leg. Eventually, directly contacting the union office. and in cultural anthropology.” teaching force; upwards of 700 after extensive pressure from Skyline student Jonathan Gonzales The program is offered at faculty members are classified as her mother, she went to a doctor. mirrored this sentiment, stating part time. However, the medical Skyline as a three unit course that However, the trip to the doctor was benefits that the district provides that teachers have little incentive to you can enroll in once registration something that Kern dreaded for stay if they are not covered by the to these educators are low. When opens for summer courses. The one prevailing reason: She did not compared to the ten other bay district. cost of a three unit course is have health insurance. “I think they should have at least approximately $138 and the rest area community college districts, “When the doctor came in basic coverage,” Gonzales said. “If of the trip costs $3,900. A three referred to as the Bay Ten, to see me, he demanded to SMCCD currently ranks ninth. they’re receiving some coverage, unit course has a total of 48 hours. know why I didn’t have health it’d be more of an incentive to Further complicating matters is The trip is the lab portion of the insurance,” Kern said. “He asked the fact that the income earned by stay. If one district offers coverage course and there will be 16 hours how someone who was a college and the other doesn’t, then they’d many part time educators places of class time. This class time will teacher could not have health them above the poverty line, probably leave.” be filled with demanding work in insurance. I started crying and said AFT Executive Secretary Dan making them unable to receive order to prepare for the discovery part time teachers don’t get health Kaplan stated that the recent MediCal benefits. of cultural differences. insurance at my school.” Katharine Harer, a teacher at presentation to the board of trustees “There is always great value in While Kern was able to get Skyline College, felt that the experiencing another culture,” the necessary shots to stop the district’s lack of coverage for part Ulloa said, “One, we get a better progress of her infection, she also time educators is detrimental to the Continued on page 2 understanding of how other ended up paying a significant people live their lives. On the flip
Adjunct faculty face healthcare issues
side, we get a better sense of our own selves because when you experience another culture besides the one you’re born into, your own cultural deck is going to get shuffled.” There are two meals and bottled water provided daily, always breakfast and sometimes lunch or dinner. Students should stock up on snacks and bring a little extra pocket change for dinner. Roundtrip airfare is included in the total cost, as well as double occupancy at a three star hotel. However if you want to room by yourself, single occupancy is available for an extra $350. Student Rebecca Chilldree, showed curiosity in the program. “It’s outside of the United States and the borders have been closed for so long, so I’m interested in the culture, the music, and the food,” she said. Get in touch with Ulloa about the little things you will need. If money is an issue you can talk to Skyline’s director of financial aid, Regina Morrison, who is working with students individually to see if they can come up with financial solutions. The first deposit of $300 is due on April 15, so if you’re interested do not hesitate to contact Ulloa. “On a deeper level, I want students to experience Cuba before it completely changes over, because right now we are on the cusp of great change, especially with the political leadership there,” Ulloa said.
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