With a head count slightly more than 21,000 for the Spring 2008 semester, Pierce College has continued to expand and maintain a growing campus. Pierce enrollment has increased about 8.5 percent in enrollment compared to Spring 2007. In a few ways, Pierce has already begun to adjust to this growth by adding 250 new parking spaces, a new cafeteria and new ideas for the future.
Month: February 2008
Where you are in the money scheme
In what has been declared a time of fiscal emergency, the California Community Colleges System (CCC) and K-12 stand to suffer a forecasted $4.4 billion budget cut, according to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed 2008-09 budget. Schwarzenegger proposed a $40 million cut to the CCC for the remainder of this fiscal year; with the new fiscal year starting July 1, another $480 million is forecasted to be cut.
Profiling leaves black mark on record
An investigation report relating to allegations of racial profiling at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (LATTC) was released in January, stating that the “saturation patrol” used by L.A. County Sheriff’s deputies on Oct. 17, 2007, was indeed a form of discrimination.
Racial profiling investigation of Sheriff’s at Trade Tech
An investigation report relating to allegations of racial profiling at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (LATTC) was released in January, stating that the “saturation patrol” used by L.A. County Sheriff’s deputies on Oct. 17, 2007, was indeed a form of discrimination.
New smoking policy might rock our socks
Many smokers are brooding about the new smoking regulations being put into effect this semester. Some non-smokers are complaining that the lack of sternness exercised by the new regulation makes it no more than an elaborate “please.” Look at the bright side of it all, though; now, everyone knows where it’s alright to smoke and where it may bother someone.
Proposition 92 shot down
Proposition 92, which would have reduced student fees and injected money into K-14 funding stabilization and student fee reduction act, was voted down in the primary elections on Feb. 5. The proposition, also known as the Community College Governance, would have lowered community college fees from $20 to $15 per unit and limited the ability of legislators to increase fees, according to Daniela Perdomo, a Los Angeles Times staff writer.
Budget cuts tighten deadlines
A further attempt to cut spending in community colleges has resulted in a district-wide push-back of department purchasing deadlines. A memo from the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) gave schools until Feb. 28 to make any last-minute department purchases for the 2007-08 fiscal year, which ends on June 30.
Education board veteran wins Assembly seat
Democrat Warren T. Furutani, a former board member of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), won a special election on Feb. 5 with major approval to the 55th Assembly District. Winning with an overwhelming 69.84 percent of the votes, Furutani ran against Libertarian Herb Peters, who earned 14.
Alumnus found dead at campus residence
A Pierce College alumnus who transferred to U.C. Santa Cruz as a junior was found dead at his on-campus residence on Feb. 14. Efrain Sanchez Jr., a 20-year-old psychology major, was found unconscious in the shower of a College 10 residence hall at 9:40 a.
Mercy call ends softball game early
The Pierce College softball team was beaten by Citrus College 3-17 on Thursday, with the umpire calling for mercy in the fifth inning. In the first inning, Pierce matched Citrus run for run with Citrus scoring two runs in the top and Pierce answering with two runs in the bottom of the inning.