Volume 136, Issue 5
City College Crime Beat: October 1 - 9
compiled
by Ian Leibert
Guardsman Staff Writer
Bomb Threat 10/09: Castro/Valencia Campus, 1759 hours- An unidentified caller reported there was a bomb at the Castro/Valencia Campus. The building was evacuated while police searched the building. Students and teachers were then allowed to return to class.
Attempted Thievery
10/09: Ocean Campus, 1640 hours- An adult male attempted the theft of a purse at the City College bookstore. When confronted, the man fled on foot.
No License, No Car
10/09: Ocean Campus, 0925 hours- An officer on patrol conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for an equipment violation. The driver was issued a citation and his vehicle was im-pounded for a suspended driver's license.
Smashed Window
10/08: Ocean Campus, 1345 hours- The rear window of a student's vehicle was smashed.
Stolen Car Stereo
10/08: Ocean Campus, 1330 hours- A car stereo was stolen from a student's vehicle in the North Reservoir parking lot.
Loitering Dope Fiends
10/07: Ocean Campus, 1000 hours- Four suspicious subjects were spotted loitering behind the Ornament-al/Horticulture building. When approached, one of them threw what appeared to be marijuana on the ground and attempted to conceal a marijuana pipe. A search of the subjects yielded knives, drug paraphernalia, and marijuana for sale. The suspects were booked for possession of marijuana for sale, possessing a knife on school grounds and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.
Successful Thievery
10/06: Ocean Campus, 1045 hours- A student reported that her purse was stolen from her locker in Smith Hall.
No License, No Car
10/02: Southeast Cam-pus, 1501 hours- An officer investigating a verbal argument in the parking lot discovered that one of the suspects, who was behind the wheel, had a suspended drivers license. The driver was issued a citation and her vehicle was impounded.
Trespassing Student
10/02: Southeast Camp-us, 1350 hours- A disruptive student who had been expelled earlier in the day was spotted. The student was detained for trespassing and a routine records check came back showing a warrant had been issued for his arrest. The student was booked at the Youth Guidance Center.
Man Threatens Girl
10/02: Ocean Campus, 0900 hours- A student was threatened by her ex-boyfriend in the Science Building. The suspect broke a computer monitor before fleeing the area.
No Licence, No Car
10/01: Evans Campus, 0730 hour- A City College employee witnessed a driver hit a fence on the edge of campus. The suspect was driving with an expired license, was issued a citation and had his vehicle impounded.
By
Rob Nagle
Guardsman Staff Writer
A survey conducted by the Office of Research, Planning and Grants, which has been introduced to gauge students overall satisfaction with City College, found more than 25 percent of City College students who petitioned for graduation in 2001 and 2002 were unemployed and that training they received at City College did not help them find employment.
The survey found that 37 percent of students who graduated or petitioned to graduate in 2002 were unemployed, up 7 percent from 2001. The number of students who felt City College did not help them find employment was at 32 percent up 10 percent from 2001.
According to Pamela Mery of the Office of Research, Planning and Grants, the survey was conducted "to get feedback from our students. We did a grad and a drop survey to catch what we anticipated would be 'two different ends of the spectrum.' In fact, the responses of both groups were relatively similar. We always intended to expand to all students, and that is what we have done," Mery said via e-mail.
The information gleaned from the survey is used for "program review, college core performance indicators for strategic planning," said Mery.
Other significant trends recorded by the survey were that 26 percent of students reported having family or personal problems, 17 percent said that they lacked a sense of belonging on campus and the number of students who don't intend to transfer has declined by about 9 percent.
Overall, the survey showed that most student's experience at City College was positive.
The award winning Ro-senberg library showed especially high ratings among students, particularly the Learning Assistance Center and the Language Lab.
Students who filled out the survey noted little change in computer and Internet access, but student proficiency in computers improved. Those that considered their computer skills to be at least at an intermediate level of expertise went up 9 percent.
The textbook loan program showed more student use, but due to a small number of people who responded to that question the gains were not statistically significant.
The results of the survey were released in March of 2003. Mery is presently working on the next survey which most likely won't be released until the end of the 2004 academic year.
Southeast
Asia Opens Doors to City College
Students educated in Southeast Asian business practices
By
Rob Cruz
Guardsman Staff Writer
The door to the Pacific Rim is about to get wider with the opening of City College's Southeast Asian Business Center.
The center, located at the Downtown Campus, plans to educate students on how to do business in Southeast Asia, as well as exposing local small and medium-sized companies to this region and its economic opportunities.
The program will focus on one Southeast Asian country at a time; starting with Vietnam, though plans are in place to extend the program over the entire region.
"I think we're going to do something really worthwhile and beneficial for the community, for our students, and for the college," said
Steven Glick, Dean of the School of Business for City College.
A five-step agenda is in place to accomplish this mission, beginning with establishing a new certificate program for students and companies. A monthly speaker series will give students the chance to listen to people of local interest give advice and share experiences on doing business with Vietnam.
City College business students will also have the opportunity to participate in a six-week summer internship that will send them to Vietnam and place them directly into business settings.
Instructors will be able to go to Vietnam as part of a faculty exchange program, giving teachers the chance to bring their experiences directly to their lesson plans.
The internship and exchange programs will give students and faculty invaluable first-hand experience.
"This will expose students to what it's like to live in a global community," said Glick.
Finally, the center will lead local businesses on trade missions to build relationships with Vietnamese companies and establish contacts.
The person in charge of executing this agenda is Project Manager George Saxton, who is also Executive Director of the San Francisco- Ho Chi Minh
City Sister City Committee, which will serve as lead partner in the center. Saxton, who volunteers full-time at the Sister City Committee, knows better than most what it takes to make in Southeast Asia.
"I have unique insight into Vietnam and I also know the trade community very well," said Saxton, "and they all know me."
Saxton sees the center as an opportunity to elevate San Francisco's status as a center for trade, as well as a chance for City College to further distinguish itself in the academic world.
"It will improve (City College's) already unique status as a center of education for people in the San Francisco bay area," said Saxton, adding that the college should become a focal point of training for students and businesses in this discipline.
Though there is an emphasis on local companies, the main focus of the center is to educate and prepare City College's students for the challenges of conducting business on the Pacific Rim.
"If the students don't benefit," said Glick, "then we've wasted a lot of time and money on an academic exercise."
Students can drop by the center, which is located on the third floor of the Downtown Campus at 800 Mission St. or call Dean Glick at 415-267-6504.
Students Take Prop. L Campaign to Stonestown Mall
By
Zuri Berry
Guardsman Staff Writer
The Youth Workers United (YWU) decided to take their campaign for Proposition L straight to the workers at Stonestown mall on Oct. 10.
Proposition L, which will be on the Nov. 4 ballot, would raise the minimum wage in San Francisco from $6.75 to $8.50 an hour.
In an attempt to recruit more youth to vote in favor of the proposition, the YWU visited stores within and around the mall to persuade employees.
YWU, made up of City College and San Francisco State students, went to Stonestown midday Friday.
YWU member, Sara Flocks made it clear that the YWU were not at the mall to stir up trouble.
"We're not going in to get kicked out," said Flocks. "Our basic goal is to get the information out to as many people as possible."
"If anyone gets asked to leave the store or gets asked to leave the mall, we're not going to do a sit in, we're not going to, at this point, (mess) up our tactics."
As the YWU made its way through the mall, there were no altercations or any major distractions caused by their presence.
One employee admitted that she would "definitely" register to vote to help the proposition pass.
Evelyn Baylen, YWU member and City College student, was ecstatic about her group's success that day saying, "We were surprised we got a sales manager!"
Upcoming
Election Propositions You Should Know About
Your guide to the City and County of San Francisco November 4 ballot
Proposition A School Bonds
Proposition A would authorize the District to borrow $295 million by issuing general obligation bonds to renovate classrooms and facilities, improve accessibility for the disabled, repair health and safety hazards, correct environmental hazards such as asbestos, and renovate a building for the School of the Arts. This money would be spent only if additional public and/or private funds are raised for this purpose.
A 55 percent majority vote is required to approve school bonds.
Proponent/Sponsor: Arlene Ackerman
Proposition B Retirement Benefits for Safety Employees
Proposition B would allow the City to amend its retirement contract for some safety employees, like probation officers and district attorney and public defender investigators. The current contract with the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) forbids an increase in the cost of the contract. The amendment would allow for an increase, as long as it would be paid for by the employees rather than the city.
Proponents/Sponsors: Board of Supervisors
Proposition C City Services Auditor
Proposition C would authorize the City Controller to also serve as the City Services Auditor. In its expanded capacity, the office of the Controller would audit the performance and efficiency of city departments and analyze and report on the city's finances. The city would set aside at least two-tenths of one percent of the city's annual budget to fund the City Services Auditor program. A Citizens Audit Review Board would advise the CSA about the performance of the CSA's duties
Proponents/Sponsors: Board of Supervisors
Proposition D Small Business Commission
Proposition D would make the Small Business Commission a permanent part of the Charter and expand its powers to set city policy that affects small businesses. The composition of the board would change, increasing to seven members from five, (four would be appointed by the Mayor and three by the Supervisors). At least five of the seven commissioners would own or operate a small business in San Francisco.
Proponents/Sponsors: Board of Supervisors
Proposition E Ethics Reform
Proposition E would consolidate, amend, and expand the city's ethics laws. The revised and proposed amendments tighten regulations around conflict of interest, campaign contributions, lobbying and contracting with the city.
Proponents/Sponsors: Board of Supervisors
Proposition G Rainy Day Fund
Proposition G would replace the Cash Reserve fund with a new Rainy Day Reserve (Economic Stabilization fund). In any year when the City collects over five percent more money than it collected in the previous year, the City would reserve half of this money for the Rainy Day Reserve fund, one quarter for capital and other one-time spending, and one quarter for unrestricted use. It could also use this money to help the School District.
Proponents/Sponsors: Board of Supervisors
Proposition H Police Commission Office of Citizen Complaints
Proposition H would change the rules for appointing Police Commissioners and increase the number of commissioners from five to seven. Four members would be appointed by the Mayor and three would be appointed by the Board of Supervisors. (Currently all the commissioners are appointed by the Mayor). The proposal would also give the Office of Citizen Complaints (OCC) more power to discipline and file charges against police officers.
Proponents/Sponsors: Board of Supervisors.
Proposition I Smart Start for San Francisco Kids
Proposition I would create a separate "Smart Start for San Francisco Kids" program to pay part of the cost of child care and preschool for low-income working families. No money has yet been set aside to fund this program.
Proponents/Sponsors: Fiona Ma, Sophie Maxell, Bevan Duffy & Chris Daly
Proposition J Facilities for the Homeless
Proposition J would require that San Francisco provide safe, decent and sanitary facilities for homeless people with special needs (seniors, youth, families and disabled individuals) to have access to shelters that are separate from the facilities provided to the general homeless population. It would make it city policy to protect homeless seniors, youth, families, and disabled individuals from homelessness and poverty.
Proponent/Sponsor: Angela Alioto
Proposition K Sales Tax for Transportation
Proposition K would continue the one-half cent sales tax, and replace the current transportation spending plan with a new, 30-year plan. The Transportation Authority would continue to direct use of the sales tax. It could spend up to $485.175 million per year and issue up to $1.88 billion in bonds, to be repaid from the one-half cent sales tax.
A two-thirds majority vote is required to approve this measure.
Proponents/Sponsors: Board of Supervisors.
Proposition L Minimum Wage
Proposition L would require that all employers in the City and County of San Francisco pay a minimum wage of $8.50 per hour, an increase from the state's minimum wage of $6.75. This would be one of the first locally enacted minimum wage ordinances in the country. It would take effect in February 2004 for all employers that are currently covered under the state minimum wage law, except for businesses with fewer than ten employees. Non-profit employers and other small businesses would have until January 2005 to comply, at which point they would start with a phase-in minimum wage of $7.75 for the first year. Also beginning in January 2005, the minimum wage would be increased annually to account for inflation. The ordinance specifies how employees would be protected if they reported violations, and how the city would enforce the minimum wage requirements.
Proponents/Sponsors: Barry Hermanson & Alexis Gonzales
Proposition M Aggressive Solicitation Ban
Proposition M would replace current panhandling and solicitation laws with a new, specific citywide ban on aggressive solicitation that includes clear definitions of restricted behavior. It would specifically outlaw soliciting at or near ATM machines and check cashing outlets, on streets, parking lots and highway ramps, and on public transportation. Law enforcement officers would be required to issue a warning before citing or arresting violators. After one warning, offenders could be issued a misdemeanor or infraction and would be required to pay a fine or attend a diversion program, which would provide substance abuse and mental health screening and assessment. Any person found guilty of violating the proposed ordinance three or more times in a 12-month period could be referred to a community service assignment or imprisoned for up to three months.
Proponent/Sponsor: Gavin Newsom
Proposition N Taxi Driver Disability
Proposition N would change the City requirement to take permits away from taxi drivers who are unable to meet the minimum driving requirement, if the driver could not meet the requirement because of a disability.
Proponents/Sponsors: Geraldo Sandoval, Jake McGoldrick, Fiona Ma & Chris Daly
Annual
Wellness Fair Distributes Condoms and More
Preventative Care Emphasized
by
Jim Powell
Guardsman Staff Writer
Nursing students Amber Fank and Felicia Lee, both wearing brightly-colored condoms attached to their clothing, urged passersby in Ram Plaza to attend the Annual Wellness Fair held Wednesday, Oct. 22 in the Student Union building.
 Photo by Jorge Parada City College students Felicia Lee and Amber Frank, handed out a variety of free condoms to students who took an STD screening test at the Health Fair |
"Students don't necessarily like coming to the health center," said Sunny Clark, clinic director of the Student Health Center and an organizer of the event. "There's more energy with all the people coming through the Student Union, so it's a little more fun for students to have the health fair here." Clark estimated the turnout to be approximately 1,000 students and faculty.
Booths staffed by nursing and medical students were set up inside. They offered condoms, information about sexual health and family planning, and screenings for a variety of conditions including Chlamydia, high-blood pressure, and anemia. Free flu shots were also available to the first 300 students, a benefit paid for by the City College Associated Students in what Clark called "a collaborative effort to bring health services to the student body."
"At the health center we are very interested in teaching students how to take care of themselves, but another part of our job is to help students who are learning to provide medical care for others," said Clark.
One of those students is Jennifer Jantz, a nursing student who was administering flu shots. "The health fair is a good way to encourage students to get health care and identify problems early," said Jantz, who wants to work in patient education after she graduates in December.
"It would be nice to have a health fair twice a year," said Min-Min Wu, a City College student who had just received a flu shot. Even though Wu is insured by Blue Cross, she liked the health fair because "it's more convenient than going to the hospital."
Karen Schneider is another student who took advantage of the event. She was screened for anemia and diabetes, as well as signing up for family planning services. Schneider summed up her feelings about the fair: "This is exactly what students without health insurance need; preventative care."
Calling
All Trannies, Friends and Supporters
5th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20
The 5th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance will be held on Thursday, November 20 at 6 p.m. Participants will gather at 18th and Castro Streets in front of the Bank of America. A candlelight march will follow, traversing Market Street from Harvey Milk Plaza, at Market and Castro, to the LGBT Community Center at 1800 Market. The observance will conclude with a memorial presentation at 7:30 p.m. in the Rainbow Room of the LGBT Community Center.
The event is in part coordinated by City College faculty member Ms. Bob Davis and City College student Kitty Kastro. Together they are reaching out to "transsexuals, transgenders, crossdressers, gender queers, intersex, questioning youth, friends, supporters and partners." Their goal is to "show the community that there are trannies at City College."
For more information, contact Ms. Bob Davis at (415) 542-5242 x3, or Kitty Kastro at (415) 240-6461
Student
Enrollment Decline: Budget Cuts or Not?
Recent decline in student enrollment could just be business as usual
By
Tara Carney
Guardsman Staff Writer
This year the number of students enrolled in the California community college system will decrease by 51,000. The last drop in enrollment of this magnitude has not been seen since 1995.
During the first two weeks of this semester, students were lined up trying to add classes they were shut out of due to cuts and high demand. According to a report by California Community College's Vice Chancellor Patrick C. Perry, the availability of classes has fallen across the board by 4.8% The report also notes an increase in class size from 27.1 to 28.4 students per class.
Some analysts say a squeeze in classes along with tuition being increased by $7 per unit may explain why students are not bothering to come back. Some students fear they will not be able to afford community college, even though funding for financial aid has been increased to account for this.
Tuition is not the only thing that has gone up in 2003. According to a report issued by the Community College League of California, fees have increased 59% this school year. The cost of books, supplies and transportation has risen 2.1%
Some four-year colleges are enforcing unprecedented enrollment caps due to decreased availability of classes. While this may result in higher enrollment at community colleges, some worry that there will not be enough room for everyone, eventually leading to a serious dent in higher education in California.
While some college officials blame state budget cuts and higher tuition fees for the drop, some analysts call this claim premature. Steve Boilard, a higher education director for the Legislative Analyst's Office, says one semester of downturn is not necessarily indicative of the future.
Student Activists Protest Police Brutality
By
Ian Leiber
Guardsman Staff Writer
A student demonstration marking the 8th Annual National Day of Protest Against Police Brutality took place between the Rosenberg Library and Cloud Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 22. On the lawn across from the library, protestors erected makeshift tombstones inscribed with the names of those killed by police officers. The protestors stood nearby and shouted anti-authoritarian remarks.
 Photo by Rosiland Kwan Makeshift tombstones litter the lawn across from the library as a grisly reminder of police brutality. |
One of the most vocal and passionate student protesters was Daisy "Doe", as she preferred to be called. Pacing back and forth across the one lane street, slowing traffic and passersby, Daisy expressed her concern for those who had been killed. Her feeling was that "you can't trust the government, you can't trust the police!"
Many students not directly involved in the actual protest seemed supportive of what was taking place. "You go girl!" shouted a student from a group of onlookers as Daisy took a breath between anti-police and anti-government remarks. Kitty Kastro, a City College student activist herself who runs support groups for transgenders, said she "fully supported the protest against the police." Kitty says, "the word on the street is City College isn't safe for transgendered students. Many of them want to come to school here but fear the campus police."
Sprinkled among the students were a few administrators including Vice Chancellor Griffin. When asked what he thought about the campus protest, he said, "My concern is the possibility that this will cause a disruption of classes."
Living with the Terminator as our Governor
By
Miles Harwell
Guardsman Staff Writer
Californians received the news that of the numerous candidates running for governor, the people had selected actor Arnold Schwarzenegger to replace current Governor Gray Davis on the evening of October 7, 2003.
An astounding 55.3 percent (4,589,224) of participating Californians voted "yes" on the recall. 48.7 percent of the special election votes went to republican Schwarzenegger.
The only Democratic challenger was Lt. Cruz M. Bustamante, who received 31.6 percent of the vote.