CityTimes
www.sdcitytimes.com
Volume 61, Number 12
Kickin’ it on campus
Train your mind and body Sports, page 16
Covering the San Diego City College community since 1945
May 22, 2007
From City College to the world ... Graduates leave to begin their careers or further their education By Rosemarie Davis City Times It’s 7 o’clock in the evening and it’s time for her political science class, but she’s thinking about her toddler that won’t get over the flu, that it’s about time to get her oil changed, how
much homework she has in her statistics class and the list goes on and on. Debra Mundine, who raised her children before going back to school, knows what it’s like to have a full schedule, and will look back at her experience attending City College
with appreciation. Her story is shared with many students who have grueling obligations outside of school and continue to be self motivated. They persevere through daily hardships to better themselves and the lives of the people around them. About 15,000 students attend
City College per year. These students come from diverse backgrounds with numerous responsibilities on top of going to school. The average age of City College students is 28, and it takes about 5 to 6 years to graduate, only one out of five actually graduate within two
See WORLD, Page 2
Grad stats ■ 874 students graduating with diplomas or certifications ■ 153 issued for transfer studies ■ 274 students expected to participate in graduation
District officials looking at options for campus safety By Mariana Lima Contributor
Rebecca Saffran / City Times Brandon Macer, drama major, casts his vote on May 17 in the student election.
Students vote Valdez in, smoking out By Scott Landheer City Times Clemente Valdez became the next Associated Student Government president, beating his closest competitor, Denise Haughton, 276 to
66 after all the votes from the May 15-17 election were counted. In a very close vote, an initiative to ban smoking on campus passed by a vote of 230-215. Valdez, who has served
Humanities dean retires Winston Butler reflects on career as he leaves City College Life, page 10
as ASG media representative, will be sworn in next month to begin his term. He said his top priority is to get the Student Center fee passed next semester. The
See VALDEZ, Page 2
If a gunman were to enter a classroom, what should students do? There are no specific rules that will apply to everyone when it comes to self-protection in case of armed attacks, according to the San Diego Community College District’s 2006 annual report, “Safe and Sound.” “We had some situations where students, faculty members attempted to overpower a person and sometimes that works, and in another situation that could be a very wrong thing to do,” Lt. Jack Doherty of Mesa College said. The 2006 district report suggests self-defense classes from a licensed professional instructor if one decides to use chemical spray against aggressors. In addition, Doherty explained the district offers Rape Aggression Defense classes, in which police officers teach courses of actions against sex offenders. But against shooters, selfdefense techniques might not be as effective. “I am just not aware of anything that really is all that useful. That’s a kind of quick fix for the average individual,” Doherty said. “It’s a rare situation (a shooting emergency), it’s a dangerous situation. It’s really really difficult for someone who hasn’t got a lot of training to deal with those situations.” The “Safe and Sound” guide offers security tips in case of
Focus on rights
Amnesty International chapter holds Human Rights Fair Life, page 8
attacks, such as “disengage and run” or “your goal is to escape,” but “the course of action you take is strictly up to you.” During an armed attack, “if you feel your life is about to be taken,” the guidelines suggest to “never stop trying new methods until you have completed your Constance escape.” Carroll “If a gunman were to intrude a classroom, students should try not to panic and follow direction for their own protection and that of other classmates,” Terrence Burgess, president of City College said. And it is because of the Terrence e m e r g e ncy Burgess response plan or district policy that City College and the College District can prepare and respond to disasters, whether natural or manufactured. “The San Diego Community College District has taken the Virginia Tech tragedy very seriously as an opportunity to review our own policies and procedures,” Constance M. Carroll, chancellor of the district said in an e-mail to John Nunes, the
See SAFETY, Page 2
Index
Calendar ....................................2 News .........................................3 Opinion .....................................4 Arts ...........................................9 Sports .....................................16