Apr 30, 2009 (40.9)

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C

The

ommunicator Spokane Falls Community College

Celebrating 40 years of campus coverage

April 30 - May 13, 2009

Student sues CCS Shea

Staff Report

The Communicator

Sidelines Skate park profile Page 16.

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Hilary Vandenbark/The Communicator

Sheeran v. Shea could go to the Federal District Court. to SFCC Associated Student President Oscar Ocaña for review. On Jan. 14, McKenzie and Ocaña told SFCF and Sheeran that they could not hold the event because “the event was too one-sided” and that in order to use the dis-

7482.20

7278.14

7% 10% 14%

7% 10% 14% Madison McCord/The Communicator

SFCC prepares for budget crisis Editor’s note: This report was sent to press on April 27 and is current as of that date.

Madison McCord Online Only The Communicator Editor SFCC students will face cuts in facroundtable ulty, a rise in tuition and larger class podcast on sizes starting fall quarter. The Washington State Legislature our Web site. has cut the Community and Technical College’s Operating and Capital budget for the 2009-11 biennium by

The Communicator

10.7 percent. The bill, HB 1244, which was passed by a 29-20 vote in the State Senate on April 26, does not include the estimated 7 percent tuition increase. This would bring the cut from 10.7 percent to 7.6 percent. The reductions also include the 4.3 percent cuts made to this year’s budget. The bill has been sent to Gov. Christine Gregoire’s desk. The governor now has 20 days to approve or veto the bill. In order to balance the state’s cuts,

(509) 533-3602

See Lawsuit on page 2.

Street detour affects student commutes

The Communicator

SFCC

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play case they would need to place pro-choice information alongside their information, the complaint reads. In an interview with The Communicator, Roberts said nei-

Joseph Engle

3830.40

3696.00

WSU 3595.20

Focus Chemical Dependancy program Page 12.

800075007000650060005500500045004000350030002500200018001600140012001000-

The Attorney General’s office is also investigating the constitutionality of the CCS Board of Trustees’ student conduct codes. Sheeran, in conjunction with the Spokane Falls Christian Fellowship (SFCF), planned to reserve space in the display case in the SUB lounge for Jan. 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. They planned to post facts about abortion and provide students with a pro-life viewpoint. They also planned to pass out fliers to “willing recipients in the outdoor areas of the campus,” according to Sheeran’s complaint. The complaint states that on Jan. 11, Sheeran submitted a request to the SFCC StudentFunded Programs office to reserve the center display case and submitted the fliers

Projected quarterly tuition costs for full-time in-state undergraduates UW

998.29

3-D artist exhibit Page 9.

971.79

Culture

In-state tuition cost per quarter (in $)

Flavors Spokane’s first dueling piano bar Page 6.

An SFCC student has filed a lawsuit against CCS, claiming that her First and Fourteenth Amendment rights have been violated. Beth Sheeran, a 28-yearold pre-nursing major, claims that “Orwellian speech codes” and “personal bias” kept her from exercising her right to construct a pro-life display in the Student Union Building. Sheeran’s attorney, Jeffrey Smith filed suit on March 9 against the five Board of Trustees mem-

bers, CCS Chancellor Gary Livingston, SFCC President SFCC Mark Palek, SFCC Associate Dean of Student Life Gregory Roberts and Director of Student-Funded Programs Heather McKenzie. The verified complaint alleges the administrators “acted under color of state law” to violate Sheeran’s rights. “The District, acting through its trustees and chancellor,” the document reads “has implemented a District-wide Orwellian speech code that is vague, over broad, viewpoint discriminatory and a prior restraint on student speech.” The Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative legal foundation based in Scottsdale, Ariz. is working in conjunction with Smith. The Washington State Office of the Attorney General is representing CCS.

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Sheeran v.

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Perspectives Cultural imperialism Page 5.

Volume 40 Issue 9

SFCC has released its proposed 5, 7 and 10 percent reduction strategies. The college is responding to the legislature cuts by eliminating the Business and Workforce Education Dean and a Media Tech position. The elimination of these positions would save the school $166,652 for the 2009-10 school year. Both positions are currently vacant. Other staffing cuts include the elimination of two 5-credit classes taught

See Crisis on page 2.

Construction on Alberta Street will put SFCC students in a detour until the end of the summer. The $3.8 million project is part of the $117 million 2004 Spokane City Street Bond. The construction has closed down Alberta Street from Francis Avenue to Northwest Boulevard. Most of the southbound traffic has been diverted down Ash Street, further exacerbating the already significant morning gridlock. Upon completion, Alberta Street will be completely repaved, with handicap accessible sidewalk ramps at the corners. Asphalt paving projects like this one are part of the city’s effort to stay on

See Detour on page 3.

Madison McCord/The Communicator

Alberta Street construction causes major inconvenience to students.

www.spokanefalls.edu/communicator


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