The Skyline View | Spring 2020 | Issue #6

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The SKYLINE View The Voice of Skyline College, San Bruno, Calif.

April 30, 2020 February 13, 2020

theskylineview.com theskylineview.com

Issue 7 +557'

College Assists Students with Learning Disabilities SMCCCD Skyline College is Under Violation of Names ‘50% New Law’ Resources for Skyline Students With Learning Disabilities During The Coronavirus Outbreak

Chancellor The faculty has already been working on an expired contract for over a year now

Spotlight

a lot of online and technological resources that they can use to help them learn. We do have assistive technology a lot of students receive something called Kurzweil and it’s a

By Misha Berman Copy Editor

SPORTS

appointments for students to go over different methods on how they can best learn in this online environment. Many students with learning disabilities are probably feeling a

Current CSM president Michael Claireofwas named tures to “salaries classroom instructorsâ€?, under a formula based to the permanent chancellor upon the current expense educaposition of the San of Mateo WLRQ 7KLV UHTXLUHPHQW FRPPRQO\ County College referred to Community as the “50% Lawâ€?, is the subject of Assembly Bill (AB) 806, ÂżJKW LV PRUH DERXW WKH ZRUNLQJ District

these changes happened at the last minute and professors didn’tofhave ing, which deprives them time a lot of time prepare.and in class, to spend fortoteaching “If westudents.� move into the summer I with Thehaving American Federation of think advanced warning as (AFT1493) believes toTeachers what is going to happen whatthe

Skyline Students with learning disabilities have different resources they can use to Page accommodate 8 conditions of the faculty, since as proposed by assembly member the challenges that many of them Wilk in early they are directly linked with the Scott By Umaima Ejaz 2013. The curitting the Books are having during the coronavirus student learning outcomes. Sky- rent Newsstanding Editor of the school’s allooutbreak. After The Game line College’s faculty consists of cation is at 42.4%, according to Many students are having difficulAFT1493. They urged the district 70% of adjunct faculty. Students balancing ties adjusting to online instruction “So, most of the professors that to support their part-time pay parbut students with learning disabilyou have in your classes are prob- ity proposal, which would establish between academic ities have other unique challenges ably part-time,â€? said Timothy parity at 85% — whereas the numathletics that come withand having all classes 5RWWHQEXUJ DQ DGMXQFW IDFXOW\ bers AFT1493 received from the being online. member himself. “The working district were increasing part-time “One issue has been that students conditions on campus greatly af- from 60% to 85%, at a cost of aphave signedFL: up for classes based on fect how prepared the teachers are proximately $10.6 million, which The Comeback how they learn best. So some stuwhen they come into class that would increase the district’s comNFL season isupover day. If teachers have been asked to pliance by approximately 6.8% — dents specifically have signed for take on a lot of additional work- which, still, is less than 50% even in-personƒÂ?† ˆƒÂ?• ƒ”‡ ƤÂ?†‹Â?‰ classes because they knew load and complete a bunch of ad- after the increase. In the 2018/19 that they learn best by having a proKatharine Harer, Vice President is seen at Union Solidarity Hour ditional paperwork for their teach- academic year SMCCCD was at something new on Feb. 5 in Building 6. fessor and that in-person interaction ing assignment, and every adjunct 42.24%. Ama Bayar/Skyline View and so the move to the online envifaculty member usually works at Members of AFT1493 hope imronment has been really disruptive,â€? GLŕľľHUHQW FRPPXQLW\ FROOHJHV DV mediate resolutions are cast to end has already been working on an LJ hžĂĹ?žĂ ĹŠÄ‚ÇŒ said Disability Resources Center News Editor well, too. And when each commu- exploitation experienced by proexpired contract for over a year Coordinator, Melissa Matthews. nity college asks them to do extra fessors instructing around the San now. Page 6 The way online classes are For over a year, the union has amounts of work on top of their Mateo County Community College Whereas some people argue that structured very dependentService on the Cisommunity EHHQ ÂżJKWLQJ IRU ZRUNORDG HTXL- the union’s main concern is about teaching assignment, it just makes District (SMCCCD). professor because every professor W\ FRVW RI KHDOWK EHQHÂżWV SDUW SD\ FKHTXHV 5LND <RQHPXUD )Dit less realistic for faculty memThe union members believe that can way Help Fund Your Michael Claire, SMCCCD’s New has a different of teaching their time pay parity, and their current bian, Skyline College Chapter coEHUV WR SURYLGH TXDOLW\ LQVWUXFWLRQ happy teachers provide happiness Chancellor. classes and whatEducation materials they use; working conditions. In a Union chair, believes it’s more than that. for students.â€? to students, thus promoting a happy text to speech program so what lot of stress and anxiety with the the same way that in-person classes Solidarity hour Wednesday Feb. classroom environment College is undermay vio- environment; an unhappy environ“Pay is one of the items we are theirSkyline it does thatmembers it reads the screen the transition to online classes. are all different depending on who 5., isthe discussed so ifofthat’s be anSince on- PHQW KRZHYHU DŕľľHFWV WKH VFKRROÂśV lation the going “50% to Law.â€? QHJRWLDWLQJ IRU EXW GHÂżQLWHO\ WKH look for students because one thing “Skyline College Personal Michael Claire, was named chanis teaching the class said Matthews. contract negotiations, and the 1961, California state law has re- atmosphere entirely. biggest problem is workload,â€? line environment that’s very helpInisde our Reality of aboutlanguage the online is continuing to offer cellor of the Mateo thatenvironment the district has pro- Counseling For students with learning disabilHDFK FRPPXQLW\ FROOHJH Meetings areSan held everyCounty WednesYonemura-Fabian said. “Facul- fulTXLUHG and then being able to have the is it may more the textbinding heavy so Community College district April posedbearound arbitra- free, SportsinCulture ities these differences teaching district to with allocate no less than day from 2-4 p.m, you can contact ty confidential, are asked to short-term do an excessive conversation students in that for students who have difficulty mental health counseling, despite 24, replacing Ron Galatolo, who is tion is very limited. The faculty amount of work outside of teach- registration 50% of itsperiod, generalsofund expendistyles especially if they are the type really deter- Chapter co chairs for more details. reading or read slowly the switch being off campus. Once the under investigation by the district of students that learn better with mining like if this class is going to to online might be a challenge campus was closed, we began for misappropriation of funds and face-to-face classes can cause some be online, is that the right class for just because of the amount of offering sessions over the phone,â€? misuse of position. challenges. you at this time, is this the right text they have to process,â€? said said Perry Chen, LCSW, SkyMichael Claire was among one of “There could be a variety of class for you to take online? If it Matthews line College’s full-time personal the three people shortlisted for this Page 4 challenges it just kind of depends on is, what specific accommodations If students needname more time toart and counselor. position. In the of self-expression, Skyline’s very own Open Mic Club was formed how the material is being presentmight need to be set up before the The Grammys: The take their online tests those acOne of the reasons why it “The times in which we find oured,â€? said Matthews. class begins, what access to what commodations are still available has been challenging for every selves are extraordinary, to say the WhileUrban in-personContemporary classes are the technology you might need before “There aren’t a lot and of places said LJ ĹšĆŒĹ?Ć?Ć&#x;Ä‚Ĺś Ä‚ĆŒĹŻĹ˝ ÄžĹ?ĆľÄžĆŒĆŒÄ‚ Matthews. She said that student especially students with least. With uncertainty anxiety preferred methodCategory for many students the class begins?â€? said Matthews. where people can share their opinStaff Writer the Disability Resources Center learning disabilities to adjust to in our community and across the with learning disabilities, there are ions safely, or as is brilliantly as Chanthe (DRC) made a lot of Zoom online classes is because all of globe, the Board proud that opinions and will ideassee [actually] are,â€? Student poets grace Skyline cellor Claire the District saidonly Professor Sapigao, Open Mic College by instituting the camThe Irony in The not through this unprecedented Club’sand adviser. “I also think a lot ofhe pus’ very own Open Mic Club event beyond, but we expect LGBTQ+ Community this month, fostering students’ people — students in particular — will do so with a focus on equity, come to open mics because there creative zeal to perform, and inclusion, collaboration and engageSummer classes will be virtualto but that continue into next spring, Fed approved $300 million might be other parts of their lives express andcould heal themselves ment.â€? Karen Schwar, President,

H

X

FOCAL POINT

OPINION

Students Launch New Club for Performers, Creatives and Scribes

Chancellor Eloy Oakley Ortiz speaks to College Media

through art. in aid and Importance NEWS of census.

The Open Mic Club was spearheaded by spoken word artists By Umaima Ejaz of colleges during this crisis. Donovan Chapman and Nicholas News Editor “Many of our colleges Soriano-Smith, who have act as the vice president, beenpresident donatingand personal protectiverespectively. The medical two of them equipment to local cen-share On April 14, California Communi- ters or a belief sharing your craft and to thethat Office of Emergenty Colleges Chancellor Eloy Oakley cy Services, artistry in micventilais cathartic. as open well as Donovan Chapman (left) and Nicholas Soriano-Smith (right) pose for a Ortiz spoke to student reporters They expressed their opinion tors, and just doing an amazing that photo in building 6 on February 5, 2020. and editors about the Chancellor’s mics are the best avenues to Kevin Arias/Skyline View job atopen respondingâ€? said Oakley. COVID-19 response, federal aid vulnerable to be Hebefurther spokeand about theunafraid depicted as people of color. of whatinto you’re “Each open mic is a little win- means to be soothing and therapeuand resources available at this time aid, signed lawfeeling. by PresiFor Chapman, the idea of need- dow,â€? Chapman said. “You get a tic, both for the performer and audifor students. dent Trump on March 27, which ing an open mic in Skyline Col- lot of people who have the hobby ence. Whereas, the San Mateo County will help cover costs related to “What’s even more important is lege came into being after being of words, speaking, and art, and I Community College District ancollege attendance and provide that it’s relatable to other people,â€? into several open mic events, think that lends itself to being critnounced transitioning classes online students with resources from Nicholas said. “And no matter how observing that the majority of ical. And so, you’ll get a critical throughout summer. Chancellor laptops meals. were comprised of California Community Oakley Ortiz in the obscure Eloy somebody’s perspective the to audiences view of life, like thoseColleges people.â€? Chancellor Oakley said it could be possible “Currently, nearly $300 million filmFor Unlikely. may be, there’s somebody with middle-age adults. Nicholas, open mic is an students might not fully return to in aid“Basically, to students we withjust the wanted great- to opening to speak a piece of your whom it will resonate, somebody you deserve as students will be at this point on those funds. So, campus in fall. est need will be arriving soon. ZLOO ÂżQG LW DQG LW ZLOO EH DQ LPSRUWknow if there’s anything like that identity. “Allneed youthat have to do is impacted by how many people we have asked our colleges to “If we don’t flexibility, So that they may continue their [open mic] at Skyline,â€? Chapman “The open mic is a place where ant piece of art to somebody.â€? in the census,â€? Said prioritize students and learn tocolleges transform educational great, but we arehow asking “And youour willresident touch people through goals. The said. “Because, also,CARES a problem is areallcounted walls are down,â€? Nicholas said. Oakley. “College students are at what we mean by resident student to be prepared in the fall and the your garbage into Act, — goingisinto city, like wheth- “This is an opportunity for me, in art, and I think that’s the most beauwhich whatthethe recently of being counted in istiful every student that attends our he spring to be able to work through thing about self-expression,â€? er it’s Oakland or SF — there ar- risk a couple of under minutes, to be vulnerenacted law is called, provides ƪ‘™‡”•Ǥdz and way this isthat essential.â€? We’re not going to make that scenario,â€? Oakley said. continued. en’t as many people our to age. It’s California able in any I feel like, college. colleges flexibility and how -Thich Nhat Hanh award Oakleyany alsothought made that a Language distinction,â€? Oakley. The Chancellor talked about artssaid professor and Filipipeople who are probably in their Chancellor and communicate this emergency aid to stuit clear that there was restriction Chancellor Oakley encouraged Executive orders that are in place na poet Janice Sapigao believes that late 20s and up.â€? I have, any feeling I have, like in dents, which is what the Califoron the aid, it was for all resident students to succeed in college to support students by allowing for forming this organization is fundaAdditionally, Chapman believes the form of poetry or music. It’s a nia Community Colleges sought amid theparticularly current crisis. mental, due how it conflexibility by temporarily suspendthatlegislation.â€? open mics provide opportuni- students. way I let my soul speak.â€? in this said Oakley. tributes to the upholding andwill fortifying ties for people to share stories that “The money and some of you “We feel resources help 1LFKRODV DOVR ÂżQGV VHOI H[SUHVing student withdrawal regulations, He pressed on the importance of students’ freedom expression. GLŕľľHU IURP KRZ WKH\ DUH XVXDOO\ may sion through poetic andthisartistic have been following but many students getofthrough these makes grading policy more flexible

Page 2 Coronavirus: Campus’s new concern

Equity Training

Series; Whiteness in Education

Inspiration Board

for students and to address the continuity of education in our colleges during the COVID-19. Chancellor Oakley also appreciated the efforts

census for students. “This is incredibly important because the resources that we need and the representation that

half of the money that’s allocated to the colleges from the CARES Act is specific to student needs. That student needs no restrictions

next several weeks, if not months, as we continue to struggle through this crisis,� Oakley said.

that do not allow them to be their whole, full, entire selves.â€? Professor Sapigao also believes students’ do is not proud need to be “The pieces Board perfect in order for them to express that Chancellor Claire themselves at an open mic. As performers, students should, as Profeswill see the District not sor Sapiago put it, “allow art and only through poetry to exist in allthis of its unformsâ€?, and not stress about whether they precedented event and live up the idea of what a good poet or artist is. but we expect beyond, Michael France Sagum, a social he do so withstudent, a and will behavioral sciences was pleased hear the good news focus ontoequity, incluof the club having been created, sion, collaboration and and made sure to join it. “I used to do a lot of spoken engagement.â€? word poetry when I was in middle school and high school,â€? he said. “I stopped writing because I had other responsibilities. And now I’m just SMCCCD board of trustees said in really glad that there’s a space for an email sent districtwide. me to start writing poetry and per“This mirrors the positive feedback forming again.â€? we received students,that faculty, Sagum alsofrom expressed he staff and members of the community anticipates a variety of events and who participated the showcases to take in part incandidate during his screening stay in the and club.public forum events.â€? The of trustees willLWV consider 7KH board 2SHQ 0LF &OXE KHOG ÂżUVW ameeting writtenFeb. contract in its next 5, discussing themeeting club May 13. The terms of steps the contract and planning the next for its future. will be available for public review

before the meeting. Claire will assume his new role July 1.

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