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Political apathy produces few Palomar voters By Michael Cardenas
FOR THE TEUSCOPE
"I just don't have any time," said Heather Schirm, a third-year Palomar College student. "I have work, school and family plus, I don't really like anybody that is running right now." Schirm, 21, like so many other Palomar students between the ages of 18 and 24, is not registered to vote. At Palomar, there are more than 15,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24. Generally, about one-third of the voters in this age bracket actually make it out to the polls, said political science professor Mary Ann Drinan. So why is it that about 10,000 young Palomar students, like Schirm, do not exercise their right to vote? Some might say it's because a lack of political knowledge. • SEE VOTE, PACE 2
Emergency plan offers ways to escape disaster Bv Ro!!er Renkas
In swelter;i.ng heat, about 1,000 college stQ.dents descended oq the streets of downtoWn. San Diego on April 26 to protest proposed cuts to California's higher education. "'t looks like students from San Diego stood up today,'' said organizer Pete Reilly as he rallied protesters with his megaphone. '"Do not balance the California budget on the backs ofCalifomia'sfuture." Students from Palomar College, Cal State San Marcos, UC Slill Diego and other colleges marched for 25 blocks, carrying signs and chanting slogans that urged Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to save colleges from the chopping block in this month's state budget revision. It was a peaceful but loud demonstration, which stopped all traffic in its. path for two hours. "Students are basically losing access to education," said Erica Kertnani, a 'UCSD student. Kennani brandished a large pair ofmock scissors, which symbolized proposed cuts, she said. · For conimunity college students, Schwarzenegger plans to increase tuition from $18 per unit . to $26. He also seeks cvts ~p. financial aid and outreach programs. "We want oui money. I think we're united t9 b,"'ye gne thing....:.:; and that is to stop the budget cuts fqr Om States and com:fuunity colleges and UCs," said Amador Soto, t~e Associated Stqdt,lllt Government president at Palom~r. Soto marched .w ith .three ASGsenators. Various',orgamzatio:ns coordinated tlle event; including . . .. n~ g!We~ents, MEChi}, ~o~g 'l~emoorats and S~p,~~ .~ .. ·oa: §~ii}pl~~ps pro~¥; we~ ;plannfldJri, an; Fr~cisco . an.d Sjicrammito~
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Knowing what to do in the event of a disaster while on campus is not something that occupies most people's minds. At Palomar, college officials have prepared a plan to address numerous emergency events. The types of emergencies covered by the plan include major earthquake, flood, hazardous material spill, air crash, school violence and wild land fire. ''We tried to address the whole list of potential threats and how we would respond," said Mike Ellis, facilities director. ''Each scenario-requires a different response." The plan, designed nearly 15 years ago, is supposed to coordinate college and community resources following a natural or accidental disaster. "We have developed a plan in conjunction with the City of San Marcos emergency services, as well as the county office of emergency preparedness," said Kelley Hudson-Macissac, campus safety officer. It goes into operation whenever an emergency affecting the college cannot be controlled by normal means. The goal is to preserve life, protect property and provide continuous operation of the campus. • SEE
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EMER6ENCY, PACE 12