Serving San Jose City College
Vol. 41, No.9 er
•I Thursday, February 25, 1988
Machine tech classes help unemployed By Jim ~oeckl A group of 25 economically disadvantaged students will graduate Friday from a Labor Employment & Training Corporation (L.E.T.C.) machine technology course. , Four years ago the L.E.T.C., in cooperation. with the United Auto Workers union, developed a six-month, 960-hour training program specifically for economically disadvantaged and unemployed · people who want an opportunity to learn the basic skills necessary to enter the field of machining. These skills provide . meaningful job opportunities which in turn can enable these people to become economically independent. The course exposes the students to a broad spectrum of machine shop equipment,
'Anybody who passes the course and really wants to work can get a jo~·
Joe Roy from conventional milling machines, lathes, and grinders, to the more sophisticated computer numerical controlled (CNC) machines. Students also learn the basics of reading blueprints, shop mathematics, plus inspection and quality control techniques. There is even instruction in resume writing and job interviewing. Program director Joe Roy thinks that vocational training is lacking in the high school systems and that too much emphasis is placed on college prep. "Only about 15% of high school students actually go on to graduate from college. Of those who don't, many face
the job world without any skills. School should be a place for them to learn the skills to get a good job and make a decent living." he said He points out that in his program, there is much m~re involved than just teaching the students machining skills. Each staff member must also be able to motivate, inspire, and instill confidence in the students to help them overcome barriers that have held them back in the past. · With a list of 4,000 machine shops on file, job placement after graduation is all but guaranteed. "Anybody who passes the course and really wants to work, can get a job." Roy said. In addition to job placement assistance, the graduates earn certificates of completion, 32 units of college credit towards an A.A. degree in Machine Technology, and a starter i.ool kit. Of the students interviewed, the majority praised the program and showed appreciation for the chance to participate. The program, which has trained over 250 students during the last four years, is government-funded by the Job Training Partnership Act. Roy says that with a larger budget he could train more students and ease the long waiting list. He would also like to acquire more CNC equipment to expose the students to, as it is the technology of the times and the future. The graduation ceremony will be an informal gathering of the students and staff members of the program, and will most likely take place in the machine shop (room 109L) around noon.
Photo by Jim Boeckl
Thuong Le (left) helps Jesse Alcala set up a milling machine
The 'Dating Game' SJCC students try their own version as a warmu for Valentines Day By Keith Gaxiola
In the spirit of Valentines Day, City College held its .own version of the Dating Game Wednesday Feb. 10 in the Student Union. Approximately 250 students were on hand to witness an enjoyable hour of a favorite American pastime-flirting. Prizes were also awarded to the lucky couples. The master of cere-. monies, counselor T. J. Owens, was pleased with the "full student participation". Dating Game chairman Fernando Licea went on to comment about the special screening of contestants, in which the number of contestants was reduced from 30 to 9. They were asked about their hobbies, special interests and, academic majors. In the first game, bachelor Gary Clark chose Kim Watson, whose idea of a good night is "partying." They then went on to pick the envel_ope that
contained the tickets to · dinner at Lou's Village. In the second game, bachelorette Denise Anderson picked Tim Jackson after he said he would impress her on the first date by just showing up. The envelope they selected had tickets for horse back riding at Grant Ranch, near Mount Hamilton. In the final match, bachelor Gary Michael May chose Alba Elena after the other two bachelorettes sang
a song recommending her. Alba and Gary were given a certificate good for a free pizza from Murphy's. Most students liked the game; however, some stated that the contestants were hard to hear. "Some of the students acted like they didn't want to be up there," said freshman Christina Oliver. Licea mentioned that another game may be planned for the end of the semester.
Assemblyman Hayden invited to talk By Martin Oppus
Tom Hayden Speech planned
Southern California State Assemblyman Tom Hayden has been invited back to speak at City College, but the date has not been determined. His speech, which is expected to take place later in the spring, is expected to focus on the state of community colleges in California It was Hayden's surprise appearance during the last graduation exercises that led to the walkout of about two dozen students, most of whom were Vietnamese. David Yancey, Faculty Senate President, extended the invitation to Hayden with the approval of the Associated Student Body and the Classified Council. The Classified Council represents the classified employees on campus. Hayden is generally recognized as being on the forefront of
Community College education in the State Assembly. According to Yancey, Hayden is one of the "m?st supportive and most concerned" California legislators m the area of community colleges. Hayden has written legi.slation ~or the Community College Funding Bill. He is also m tl_le mtds.t of preparing a book on the future of community college educauon. Hayden's invitation is not without controver~y. ho~- .ever. Tran Thien, a Viet-namese student counselor, satd that lliS not the right time" for such an appearance because of the high emotions that are still running among the Vietnamese students. Thien said the college's admin.istration should be "car~fu~" since Hayden's appearance·may cause the same f~o~ that It ~1d before. He said he is pleased that Hayden s Iffipendmg appearance is being announced in advance. Hayden, hush~~ of actress Jane Fonda, angered many Vietnamese when he vtstted North Vietnam during the Vietnam war.