PCC, LAC students open their hearts to send best wishes to children. See page 8 October 17, 2013
Shutdown has profs concerned
Volume 87, Issue 5
Published Since 1927
Financial Aid paperwork could start to back up.
another recession. LBCC political science professor Elliot Rock said Tuesday, Oct. 15, a financial collapse is not certain, but it doesn’t look good to By Samwell Favela foreign investors. Social Media Editor Rock explained if foreign investors decide that investing in LBCC political professors are the U.S. is a bad business move, worried about the national gov- they will no longer loan the federnment shutdown. eral government money. “There The Los Angeles Times said was a time when foreign investors leaders have come to an agree- took risks on the U.S. because the ment to fund the nation until dollar was going strong, but since Jan. 15 and raise the debt ceil- it is going down and they consider ing through Feb. 7. The plan still it ‘funny money,’ they are no lonneeds to be voted on on Wednes- ger willing to invest,” Rock said. day evening, Oct. 16 and ap“We currently receive $2 bilproved by President Obama. lion a day from foreign investors LBCC Director of Govern- and any kind of slowdown will ment Relations Mark Taylor said, pop the dollar bubble that will “The shutdown won’t have a di- lead to inflation or deflation,” rect impact in which he said the foreseescares him able future.” immensely. If proPo l i t i c a l longed, howscience proever, a masPaul -Mark Taylor fessor sive backlog Director of government relations Savoie said he of paperwork was not surwill face all prised everylevels of education and students thing was pushed back. who receive federal aid. Savoie said he hopes for betThe shutdown backlogging ter results from the pushback. He funds is not the only problem stu- is worried that if the U.S. does not dents would have to worry about. meet the Oct. 17 deadline, the If Congress could not come Gross Domestic Product could to an agreement before Thursday, drop 5 percent. Oct. 17, the Washington AssociSavoie said if that scenario ocated Press reported that the U.S. curs it may plunge the world into could default on its loans, a sce- yet another recession. nario which could trigger financial markets to plunge and cause
“The shutdown won’t have a direct impact in the foreseeable future.”
Earthquake drill set for Oct. 17 at 10:17 By Katie Cortez Staff Writer LBCC students and employees will participate in the great California shake out, a statewide earthquake drill and evacuation exercise, Thursday, Oct. 17. At 10:17 a.m. the ground at both LAC and PCC will begin to “shake” without warning. Teachers will instruct students to drop to the floor, take cover under their desks and hold on until the shaking stops. The simulated earthquake will last anywhere from 60 to 90 seconds in all
LBCC buildings. Evacuations will take place on the LAC in buildings M, N and K when the building alarms begin to sound. Disabled students will be evacuated by elevator. All others will exit through stairwells. Students are advised to look at the signs that will be posted in those buildings to ensure a safe and efficient exit during the exercise. The goal of the shake out is to make sure students in California are aware of evacuation and safety procedures in the event of an actual large-scale earthquake.
Bakr Alduhaim/Viking IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Correspondent Jennifer London with Al Jazeera America reported from the LAC Wednesday, Oct. 16, interviewing students about the two-tier fee bill, AB 955. LBCC was specifically chosen due to President Eloy Oakley’s strong support of the new law.
Brown OKs fee hike for Winter, Summer Contested AB 955 two-tiered tuition bill will be battletested at LBCC first. By Leonard Kelley Staff Writer And Eliza De La Flor Copy Editor Many students, employees and community members expressed strong sentiments Thursday, Oct. 10, when Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 955 into law, allowing Community Colleges to offer high-demand courses at the significantly increased charge of $250 per unit during Summer and Winter intersessions. LBCC volunteered to participate in the 5-year pilot test program. In an official letter to the state Assembly announcing his decision, Brown said, “This seems like a reasonable experiment.” Board of Trustees President Jeff Kellogg spoke about the law to a newswriting class in P111 on Tuesday, Oct. 15. While briefing students on what to expect when covering a trustees’ meeting, Kellogg was asked for his assessment of the board’s relationship with
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the student body. Kellogg mentioned the bill in his response, but said, “I have no idea what the student body thinks about AB 955.” Groups opposed to the bill include the LBCC Political Action Coalition, comprised of teachers, counselors, librarians and staff. In a press release reacting to Brown’s decision, Jonathan Lightman, executive director of the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges, said, “This measure reverses the underlying philosophy of California Community Colleges, which is equitable opportunity for all.” Jennifer Heron, 24, a communications major, said, “I am keeping up on the bill and I’m upset that no one is listening to the underprivileged students.” LBCC President Eloy Oakley lobbied to pass AB 955 and posted a message on the college’s website urging people to contact Brown and provided information on how to do so. Executive Vice President of College Advancement and Economic Development Lou Anne Bynum said, “This bill is not harmful to students. New stu-
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dents will rearrange their schedule during the two semesters that the class price is in their reach. AB 955 opens the pathway for students not to be lingering around for three to four years to transfer from a 2-year Community College.” Leslie Agis, 21, a journalism major, said, “I like the idea of being able to advance faster in my career, especially with how impacted classes can get. But paying $250 is ridiculous. It offsets the opportunity for many.” The controversial new law has drawn the ire of LBCC students and the national -Jerry Brown attention of Governor news organizations such as Al Jazeera America. Al Jazeera America sent a camera crew to the LAC on Wednesday Oct. 16 to interview students about the change. LBCC was selected by the news organization because of the six schools eligible for the pilot program, the college was the only one willing to quickly implement the new program. According to the bill, schools can offer extension courses that may only be offered in the Summer and Winter sessions.
“This seems like a reasonable experiment.”
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