A N AT I O N A L PA C E M A K E R AWA R D N E W S PA P E R
Volume 60, Issue 8
theswcsun.com
May 23, 2017
Kirstyn Smith elected new ASO President By Brelio Lozano News Editor
Kirstyn Smith was elected ASO President and Rudolph Villegas Student Trustee by voters in the 2017 student elections. Smith becomes the first African-American woman ASO president in school history and will replace the outgoing Mona Dibas on June 1. Smith said she wants to continue contributing to the college and create a space for students
of all backgrounds to feel comfortable and confident sharing their ideas. Villegas will replace Freda Hernandez, who served as the first SWC Student Trustee after the position was split off from the presidency last year. He is a senator-at-large, a member of the Shared Consultation Counsel, and the Education Planning and Enrollment Committee. Jose Gutierrez claimed a narrow 26-vote
Splash Down
win over Alvin Cook for ASO Executive Vice President. In June Gutierrez will enter his third year of service to the ASO. He said goals include creating better services and benefits as well as sexual abuse awareness and prevention. Four students ran unopposed for executive positions. They are Social Vice President Marissa Eguiza, Vice President of Club Affairs Omar Aceves, Executive Secretary Andreana Noemi Vazquez and Vice President of Finance
Cynthia San Pedro. Hanan Ali was declared the Vice President of Outreach after her opponent, Emily Faith Romero, was disqualified due to social media campaign violations. Vice President of Public Relations is vacant after the only candidate, Mayrene Cervantes, was disqualified for failing to submit candidate financial statements. please see Elections pg. A3
Suit filed in union contract dispute By Katy Stegall Viewpoints Editor
Former business instructor Michael Van Keith has filed a small claims suit against Southwestern College over an alleged violation of the SCEA faculty union contract. Van Keith stated in the suit that he was denied teaching assignments he had a right to due to his vested status as an adjunct with rehire rights. He said he was blocked from an assignment he had held since 2005. Van Keith said he is owed more than $16,000 based on his faculty agreement one year prior, but is only suing for $10,000 due to the maximum amount permitted in San Diego Superior Court, Small Claims Division. He also said this was a political move by the college which forced him into retirement. At least in retirement, he said, he could tap his Apple retirement account for adjuncts. “This has been a cat and mouse game almost for the duration of my work at SWC, where I would have two assignments and one would get cancelled,” he said. “I wasn’t even offered the one class I was vested to have. I did not roll over. I decided to leave.” Van Keith said he was also deprived of $22,409 in income
Michael Van Keith
when the college did not honor his 2012 contract as a business advisor with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). “I pursued many channels attempting to collect on the compensation I was owed without success,” he said. “Facing a mortgage payment, two children in private school and other bills, my hand was forced into retirement.” Part-time instructors like Van Keith achieve vested status after six consecutive semesters teaching at the college, which he obtained in 2006. Article XV in the SCEA contract, reads “vested status will be upheld so long as evaluations continue to be satisfactory.” Van Keith said he always had good evaluations. He said he did not seek help from his union representatives, despite his claim that the Southwestern College Education Association (SCEA) union contract was violated. please see Lawsuit pg. A2
New grants to assist struggling students By Elizabeth Farin Staff Writer
Victoria Sanchez/Staff
Southwestern College steeplechasers David Flores and Augustin Barreto fly toward a close finish at the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference track trials. SWC’s small team did very well, placing 12 athletes into the SoCal Championship. Story on pg. A17
VIEWPOINTS A7
Follow us at TheSWCSun
Formerly incarcerated students deserve a second chance once released.
CAMPUS A12
SODA recipient Cindy Sison speaks volumes by her example.
A sizeable portion of Southwestern College students struggle with more than math, English and speech classes. One in three suffered from housing insecurity. One in four do not understand how to successfully apply for financial aid. One in five report food insecurity. A new grant aims to help. SWC Cares Emergency Grants were created to assist students at risk of dropping out from unexpected financial emergencies. Creators say it is intended to aid students to stay in school and complete their educational goals. The ASO kicked off the
ARTS A13
Impressive set of student plays highlight social injustices.
fund raising with a $45,000 donation. SWC’s Foundation has also pledged funding. SWC Cares grants may be used for food, financial assistance, personal wellness, safety, legal issues, immigration resources, childcare and family support. Financial Aid Director Patti Larkin said many students have responsibilities aside from school that interfere with educational goals. “ E x t r a o rd i n a r y t h i n g s happen in the middle of the semester,” she said. “We want to allow students to address that need with a little bit of financial assistance to stay in school.” please see SWC Cares pg. A3
SPORTS A16
Elizabeth Rozow has record-breaking season for women’s swim team.