Introducing Pierce's acting president The process of filling the role explained in the Senate meeting

MARC DIONNE

Online Editor

@Marc_D_Photog

For the next six weeks, Pierce College will have a temporary president, who spoke to the Academic Senate durng its last meeting of the semester.

Sheri Berger introduced herself to the senate as the acting president of Pierce College.

She reported the status of choosing a new college president and how the process will work.

"The deadline to submit their interest [for president] is this Thursday," Berger said. "We have processes that we have in place.

There will be a hiring committee."

Berger will be the interim president for the next six weeks.

"My whole goal is to keep the ship afloat," Berger said.

The process for electing a new president will take an estimated eight months, LACCD Francisco Rodriguez said.

"The chancellor is hoping that the permanent president is in place for January 1," Berger said. mdionne.roundupnews@gmail.com

Berger said former President Kathleen Burke intends to attend graduation on June 5. Academic Senate President Anna Bruzzese shared an email sent by Burke about a recommended decision for the Academic Senate.

"President Burke informed us of her decision to agree with our recommendation on engineering," Bruzzese said.

Use it or lose it: equity funds sent back

The initiatives pay for degree, certificate, transfer services

RICHARD ESPINOZA Reporter @EspinozaReport

The state allocates funds to Pierce to fill any gaps in the educational resources offered. However, if those funds aren’t used, that money goes back to California.

The Senate approved Bill 860 in 2014, an addition to the Education Code Section 7822 that ensures equity funds for all college students based on different necessities. The purpose of this law is to ensure equal educational opportunities and promote student success, regardless of race, gender, age, disability and income.

Crystal Kiekel, the director of the Center for Academic Success, said the funds are used to identify equity gaps on campus. “We use our data based on student statues, such as veterans, disability, race, creed and gender to cover the gaps,” Kiekel said. Kiekel said that when equity funds are not spent, the state takes it back.

“If they are not spending the funds, we are in a position that we either spend the funds or give it back to the state of California,” Kiekel said.

Vice President of Student Services Earic Dixon-Peters said the state provides the equity funds to the college.

“The student equity statewide initiative is when the state allocates funds for California community colleges to close equity gaps in five different areas,” Dixon-Peters said. “Those areas cover course completion, degree, certificate, transfer and basic skills.”

Dixon-Peters said there are guidelines on spending the equity funds.

“As we move into the integrated planning with the equity funding, we have two years to spend the equity funds that the state gives us,” Dixon-Peters said. “The state has specific mandates on how we spend the funds based on requirements of each area that covers each initiative.”

Charles Johnson, instructor on special assignment of the Veteran's Resource Center, said that equity funds are important to fund his department.

“Equity funds are a major support for the veteran services here at Pierce College,” Johnson said. “Equity funds fill in the equity gaps, which in this case, gives all access to veterans for all programs. For example, the equity funds pay for the coffee maker, printer, computers or any supplies we need for our program.” correctly.

“It is important that they know how to use them because an instructor can easily disable the smart classroom by a push of a button,” Rosky said. “I am aware there was a large training push early in the year and at the end of summer for all faculty in the new North of Mall.” have learned information that applied to him. ckern.roundupnews@gmail.com

Tchertchian said because some instructors have not been trained, the smart boards are misused.

“We learned about undocumented immigrants and how the DACA program is being taken down by Trump’s administration, and how even Obama’s sanctions can't keep it above water. But, most importantly, we learned that we have a community that supports us.” Yadegar said.

“I have not heard of many issues other than some instructors simply haven’t learned how to use them,” Tchertchian said. “The pens are sometimes clunky and have to be recharged, and the instructors also write with markers over the smart boards, making them messy.” rjespinoza.roundupnews@gmail.com

Henderson said that the classrooms that are without Wi-Fi are now going through a bond approval phase.

“Phase one is done. However, phase two bond is going through and we are getting quotes for that right now,” Henderson said.

05/15

Student Injury

A student tripped and fell, hurting her shin and leg in Music 3401 at about 2:17 p.m.

05/15

Trespassing

A suspicious female was spotted in the women’s locker room in the North Gym at about 6:02 p.m. She was warned and advised to leave campus.

05/16

Student Incident

A student reported that a 5’8 male with dark hair, wearing a long striped muscle shirt with a pink backpack made inappropriate comments to her in the Village at about 9:30 p.m.

05/17

Petty Bicycle Theft

A bicycle was stolen from the bike rack south of the library.

05/17

Ill Employee

A faculty member was feeling ill during class in room 1504 at about 9:15 p.m.

05/18

Student Injury

A student fell and hurt her chin, hands and knees in VLG 8330 at about 3:35 p.m.

05/18

Petty Theft

A faculty's rolling bag was stolen in Alder 1000B.

These incidents were reported between May 13 - May 19 Pierce College Sheriff’s Station General Information: Emergency: (818) 710 - 4311

Dear Students, History is in the making and time is calling out for your attention. The sacred power of education, advancement and equality is the key to the success of our society. Endowed with empathy, devotion and envisioning endless possibilities towards progress, I believe that, you the students are the gateway in passing the solemn transfer of this great power to our next generations. Here in America, we are blessed with the Declaration of Independence that serves us the rights of equal opportunity. It is only upon us to preserve these rights, promoting peace and progress. I stand to remove the burdensome student loan and heavy debt conditions. I stand to create new better paying jobs and to remove economic hardships faced by the students for many years. It is in this noble cause that I stand to serve and protect your future, asking you for your heartiest help and participation. God bless you and God bless America.

I will fight your fight, for your rights and for your future. I will be your champion for humanity. I will set our youth on a winning path and strengthen women in the workforce. Women are pillars of our workforce and TIMESUP for sexual harassment.