The search for private funding

In the wake of proposed sweeping cuts in state education funding, California community colleges are turning to private sources to supplement their stagnating, sometimes even shrinking, operating budgets. “Like California’s four-year public universities, our community colleges have realized they can no longer solely rely on state funding or bond measures for financial support,” said Dr.

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Students rally against fee hikes

Rallies organized by the Students for California’s Future against suggested cuts in education funding took place across the state Monday. According to the SFCF, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget plan for the 2008-09 fiscal year would cut $483 million from community college general funds, as well as hundreds of millions from University of California and California State University programs.

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Pierce aims for higher state graduation rate

While recent research reveals that roughly half of all high school seniors in the 50 largest cities in the U.S. don’t graduate, Pierce College continues to try to persuade students who may have left their education early to return to school. A study released April 1 by America’s Promise Alliance found that in the 2003-2004 school year, the graduation rate in Los Angeles was at 43.

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UC’s accommodate transfers

University of California admissions are more competitive than ever, with high school graduates in California at record high numbers – but will a decrease in high school graduates in the coming years mean an easier transfer into a UC? Not necessarily, said Elizabeth Atondo, transfer director at Pierce College.

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ASO Open Mic Night

Despite a low student turnout, the recent Open Mic event sponsored by the Associated Students Organization had those who did attend nearly falling out of their seats. With its “paint your own theme” theme, the night began a bit haphazardly, as hosts going by the aliases Stylus and Mathematic goaded audience members into working up the courage to share anything with the crowd.

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Bill adds to part-time teacher workloads

A bill that would allow part-time professors to teach one more unit within California community college districts has been passed in the California state Assembly and is presently being discussed in the state Senate Committee on Education. Assembly Bill 591 was authored and introduced by Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally, who was unable to be reached for comment.

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Clubs for campus unity

Most students must have heard of the Associated Students Organization. The ASO Web site calls it a “student government [that] supports the growth of the Pierce Campus through active involvement with students, faculty and staff. Our goal is to create a better environment for an overall academic experience through leadership.

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