Tomorrow: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Palomar's ME01A organization on campus under the clocktower at noon.
Softball .·headed toward P.layoffs
he Friday, May 3, 1991
Sports/Page 1.3
elesco Volume 44, Number 21
Palomar College, 1 140 West Mission Road. San Marcos CA 92069-1 487
135 vote .in student officer elections Ballots nullified due to joke write-in votes, turnout lowest in four years By Laura Woolfrey Staff Writer If Mickey Mouse·had received more votes, it's quite possible he would have been elected to serve as an Associated Student Government officer. Nineteen out of the 136 ballots cast in this semester's ASG election were disqualified because Palomar pranksters wrote fictitious names on ballots. According to Secretary of Student Activities Marilyn Lunde, to the best of her knowledge, 19 is a record number of ineligible ballots cast. "I beat Mickey Mouse so I'm happy," said newly elected President Erik Johnson jokingly. Johnson is one of the six newly elected officers who will take office on May 8. Despite recent complaints by ASG officers concerning student apathy, the voter turnout this semester was still low. The trend of not casting ballots for ASG officers is worsening. In the fall of 1990, 196 students voted and in the spring of 1991, 150 cast a ballot. This term, only 117 ballots were eligible for tally. No candidate got more then 92 votes. The ASG Publicity Committee
together very well," said Kepics. "I don't think my going out and campaigning would have helped voter turnout because there is a lot attempted to combat student apa- of ignorance about the election." thy by holding a candidates forum Both Kepics and Johnson said but did not get a healthy response they feel they didn't increase stufrom students, according to stu- · dent apathy. dent officers. "Most of them Because publicity wasn't inweren't even listening," said Senator Garrett Whitehead who serves creasing student participation with the government, Whitehead said on the Publications Committee. All candidates expressed con- he tried to shock students to let cerns about lack of student enthu- them know he meant business. siasm. However, some ASG officWhitehead proposed a petition ers accused some of the new ASG officers of being apathetic them- to disband the government because, he said, students don't need or want selves. "They definitely contributed to a government. "If they don't vote student apathy by not campaign- they don't deserve a government," ing because students didn't know said Whitehead. what was going on," said Senator He collected 64 student signaMette Urbach. "Why should students have enthusiasm if the can- tures on the petition. The first four signatures were those of ASG ofdidates don't even show it?" Senators Denny Ngo and Candye ficers. Whitehead said he could Caleb were the only candidates have easily collected the I ,250 signatures required but, "I've had a who campaigned. Johnsonsaidhedidn'tcampaign spell of apathy myself." because "there was really no need." Whitehead said the reactions of All candidates ran unopposed and no one ran for the position of trea- students to the petition varied. "Some wanted to talk to me what surer. Senator Lowell Kepics said cam- my intentions were, some grabbed paigning wm1ld have been point- it right away, others just weren't less. "It (the election) wasn't put interested," said Whitehead. NEW OFFICERS ANNOUNCE OBJECTIVES - see page 3.
Earth Day '91
~~~71 Although Palomar's ~tudent population has grown 7% for the last four years. the DROP BALLOT number of ballots cast in student HERE elections has not risen above 451 .
V'
500
451
400 Number of 300 ballots cast
V'
150
Teri KMieiStaff Plwtographer
135
100 o-L--~~~====~===-~==~
School Year: Population:
1988
1989
1990
1991
20.300
21,000
23,000
26,000
Source:Telescope archives and Student Activities Office
Roman Koenig/Staff Graphic
Senator charges molestation by vice president By Laura Woolfrey Staff Writer
Drums of Fire and Primal Pulse Dancers were one or the highlights of Palomar's second annual Earth Day celebration, held Apri122 under the clocktower. Venders at the celebration sold items such as tie-die shirts. Environmental organizations were aJso on hand with booths offering free information. The band Blacksmith Union performed at the event, which was put on with the help of the campus Biosphere Club. See page 9 for a special "Focus'' section photo essay.
V' V'
200
Molestation charges are being filed by Associated Student Government Senator Nnambi N noli Jr. against Vice President Rob Aikins as a result of his alleged "physical attack" on Nnoli. According to Nnoli, the accused senator verbally and physically harassed him during a personnel discussion. "He attacked me," said Nnoli. Aikins said he believes Nnoli's version of the incident is exaggerated. "There was no fight and no threat of a fight," said Aikins. "I think he has an overactive imagination." Aikins said he had received complaints from committee chairmembers concerning Nnoli 's
failure to fulfill his responsibilities as a member of Publicity and Awards Committees. Aikins said he approached Nnoli with the problem but was "bewildered" with Nnoli ' s hostile attitude. "Nnambi b<!came very loud and demanded to know who was complaining so that he could confront them," said Aikins. In retaliation, Aikins said he askedNnoli to"getoutofmyface" and pushed Nnoli with his index finger. "This must be the molestation he speaks of," said Aikins. Nnoli said he did not hit Aikins back because it was against school rules and regulations. Nnoli said after the "attack" he left the room to discuss the matter with Director of Student Activities Jim Bowen. "I don't know why the hell he (see CHARGES- page 5)