The Telescope 66.3

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BUDGET

ON2012-2013 THEbudgetBRINK OF DISASTER approved by Governing Board; cuts look to be massive if tax initiative Prop. 30 doesn’t pass in November

the telescope Palomar College’s Independent Newspaper Vol. 66, No. 3 • Monday, Sept. 24, 2012 1140 W. Mission Rd, San Marcos, Calif.

These are icebergs.What you see above is certainly not what’s down below.

SMOKING

NANCY CHADWICK, PALOMAR GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER, ON THE BUDGET FIGURES

Lisa Martlett/Telescope

SMOKING ON TOBACCOFREE CAMPUS NOW HAS CONSEQUENCES SCOTT ROBERSON THE TELESCOPE

Campus police have been directed to step up enforcement for the campus smoking ban, according to administrators.

A no-smoking policy was put in place by the Associated Student Government (ASG) last year, adding Palomar to a list of schools that officially condemn public smoking.

While students are not allowed to smoke on campus, the policy has not been regularly enforced by authorities, leaving some uncertain if police or faculty even have the power to do so.

Campus Police are now being instructed to patrol the campus and take down the names of students in violation of the tobaccofree/smoke-free campus policy as Palomar College moves forward from the educational period of the policy.

First-time offenders will receive a verbal warning; however, habitual offenders “are referred to the Office of Student Affairs,” said Laura Gropen, Palomar public affairs officer.

Violators will then be sent to the Sherry Titus, the OSA director.

TURN TO SMOKING, PAGE 9

WHAT’S INSIDE

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Palomar went smoke-free during the summer of 2011 now you can get a warning and be reported to the Office of Student Affairs if caught lighting up on campus

Photo/offroadcoder.com

IAN HANNER THE TELESCOPE

The Palomar College Board of Governors voted Sept. 11 to approve a new school budget with grim reminders of the current financial state.

While the 2012-13 budget reflects the efforts of administrators to balance finances through various means, it also takes into account no further funding cuts. However, if Prop. 30 is voted down on the November ballot, administrators project a budgetary shortfall of about $6.8 million.

“These are icebergs,” board member Nancy Chadwick said of the budget figures. “What you see above is certainly not what’s down below.”

Prop. 30 is a tax initiative that was proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown last year to raise revenue for California schools. If the proposition fails, administrators will lose state funding for nearly 4,000 Full-Time Equivalent Students (FTES).

An FTES is the correlative number of full-time students after adding up the units of people enrolled part-time at Palomar. Each FTES represents 15 units. The number of FTES Palomar can afford to serve directly corresponds to the number of students who can be enrolled there.

According to Ron Ballesteros-Perez, the vice president of finance, the projected number of FTES that Palomar would serve if Prop. 30 passes is around 18,288. In the same meeting, President Robert Deegan offered a less optimistic estimate should the propo-

MULTITASKING: GOOD OR BAD?

OPINION / Are students able to balance many different tasks and still focus on studying and learning while in class?

7

sition fail. According to his report, if Prop. 30 fails, the projected loss in FTES would be about around 1,335.04.

Deegan added the school would look into ways to balance the budget without cutting classes. According to the budget report presented to the Board of Governors at the meeting

by Deegan and Perez, “…the district is formalizing a contingency plan in case the voters do not support the ballot measure in November.”

a yes on prop. 30

would provide $209 million for community colleges to maintain the current budget. It would also raise $6 billion annually.

A NO ON PROP. 30

would cut $209 million from community colleges and $6 billion would be cut in January Palomar’s 2012-2013 budget ending balance: $11,047,863 (if Prop. 30 passes) Palomar’s 2012-2013 budget ending balance: $5,006,684 (if Prop. 30 doesn’t pass)

SOURCE: PALOMAR COLLEGE 2012-13 BUDGET

In the past, faculty at Palomar have criticized the administration for what they alleged was an unacceptably large ending fund balance, commonly

NEW PLAY TAKES STAGE LIFE / “Paragon Springs,” opening Sept. 28, tackles debates about environmental issues.

referred to as a surplus by critics. The ending fund balance from the 2011-12 school year was approximately $18.48 million when the original projection was $14.37 million.

This was achieved through a combination of factors, including not filling some vacant staff positions and some class section cuts during the 2011-12 year, according to Palomar spokesperson Laura Gropen.

“It’s atrocious,” said physics professor and activist Daniel Finkenthal.

“The Board of Governors seems to gloat over the fact that they have this surplus, but what it means is that year after year they have consistently spent less on educating students than the state has paid them to. I have to balance my household’s budget too. Do you starve the children to sock away some money for a rainy day fund? Of course not.”

Finkenthal has been an activist on campus in the past, but his opinion is mirrored by Shannon Lienhart, the co-President of the Palomar Faculty Federation.

“They have more than three times the amount of money mandated to be saved by law,” Lienhart said. “There are a few problems with that, one being many students aren’t being served.

Another is that they’re banking on Prop. 30 passing, essentially asking the state for more money while not spending all they’ve already got. By holding onto so much money, it sends the wrong message to the public.”

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TURN TO BUDGET, PAGE 9

PERSISTENT GOLFER

SPORTS / Natashca Wiebe looks to lead team to second straight championship.

2 • NEWS From the News Desk

Monday, September 24, 2012 Library

News to Know Administration merges two positions in the library hayley elwood The telescope

A former Palomar professor is working double duty in the one of the quietest places on campus.

On April 30, Palomar College appointed Dennis Casey as the Fiscal Specialist and Interim Manager for Palomar’s Library.

Casey has been at Palomar

aging the libraries both here on the main campus and also in Escondido.”

Casey cited budget cuts as the main reason Palomar had to consolidate the two positions.

While the library has no plans for finding a permanent manager at this time, Casey says he hopes to maintain the library’s level of excellence that has been around since its

College for 11 years, working as an adjunct professor in the school’s Business Department and as a department assistant for the Computer Science and Information Systems Department.

“I am responsible for developing the budget and purchasing all the library’s resources including books and databases,” Casey said. “I’m retaining all those duties in addition to man-

inception.

“The main idea is to continue working collaboratively with the faculty and staff, while also maintaining and enhancing the excellent services we provide to the college community…even though the challenging fiscal issues may mean more limited resources,” Casey said. helwood@the-telescope.com

Ian Hanner The Telescope

Note from the Editor: It can be hard for a student body to stay up to date on news around their own campus, let alone important stories from around the globe. It is my hope that I can give you a column where, in brief, you can catch up on the stories that are truly important to the international scene.

This is News to Know.

2012 North American megadrought During 2012, the United States has been experiencing what some are calling a worse drought than the dustbowl.

This year over 1,452 counties have been designated disaster zones due to drought, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA has also said that many American crops have been testing very low quality. Our largest agricultural export, 47 percent of corn inspected has been evaluated as being of poor to very poor quality.

This mirrors a growing trend across North America toward climate extremes. The National Climatic Data Center reported that in March, records for temperature extremes were broken in 7,755 locations across the United States, prompting some to dub 2012 “the year without winter.”

Muslims protest over offensive film In early September, protests and civil unrest erupted around the world, but especially in the Middle East over a low-budget American film that insulted Islam and the Muslim prophet Mohammad.

The unrest started with an embassy bombing in Benghazi, Libya on Sept. 11, the 11th anniversary of the Twin Towers attacks. Four men were killed in the blast, including Chris Stevens, an American ambassador to Libya.

Since then, protests and remote pockets of violence have spread to Cairo, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Yemen, and even Australia.

Though the director’s identity was only recently made public, the film was funded in America, which is largely responsible for the spreading sentiment that the violence is aimed at the United States. ihanner@the-telescope.com

Students listen to speakers during Constitution Day on Sept. 17 in the Student Union at Palomar College. • David Babayn/Telescope

EVENTS

Students get to know their rights Scott Morton The telescope

Palomar College officials helped students understand their constitutional rights with an event called Constitution Day on Sept. 17 in the Student Union.

The Office of Student Affairs organized the three-hour event.

Pocket-sized versions of the Constitution were passed out for free to students and there were a number of Constitution-themed events.

Christine Moore, a history professor at Palomar, said it is important for students to know their rights.

She brought her class out of the classroom to participate in the festivities.

CLUB RUSH

“The students will learn about the historical foundations of the country and what their constitutional rights mean to them,” Moore said.

Bill Jahnel, also a history professor at Palomar, hosted a game of constitutional Jeopardy.

It included questions about economics and political history pertaining to the founding of our country.

“We are a politically naive people,” Jahnel said. “We must learn for ourselves what our constitutional rights are.”

He said it is especially important to know what the Constitution means during an election year.

“Politicians on both sides will turn the Constitution into political slogans,” Janhel said. smorton@the-telescope.com

HEALTH

Health Services temporarily moves to new location oliwia persson The telescope

Palomar students Scott Stafford and Kaly Baker participate in musical chairs during Club Rush on Sept. 19 at the Palomar Quad. • Chelsea Boothe/Telescope

Palomar’s Health Center has temporarily found a new location at the former NO building, now designated as building HC, Health Services Center. This is a temporary move due to the construction of the Humanities Building.

The Health Center will still be providing the same type of services, provided you are a Palomar student. All students pay mandatory health fees upon enrollment. The Health Center will find a new home in the library,

which will become the new Student Center, at the conclusion of construction. The move is projected to happen in five to 10 years, according to Lenka Schanka from the Health Services Department.

Remodeling for the Health Center at the Escondido campus will begin in the summer of 2013.

For more information about the new Student Health Services, you can visit the website at: http://www.palomar.edu/ healthservices/ opersson@the-telescope.com

OPINION • 3

the telescope

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BUDGET

Proposition 30 needs to pass Scott Morton

the telescope Focused On Palomar Monday, Sept. 24, 2012 Vol. 66, No. 3 Palomar College, San Marcos, Calif.

KAITY BERGQUIST editor in chief COLLEEN PETERS MANAGING EDITOR & COPY EDITOR IAN HANNER NEWS EDITOR APRIL TESTERMAN OPINION EDITOR EMMA MALISZEWSKI LIFE EDITOR GIO NIETO SPORTS EDITOR BRIAN KOREC PHOTO EDITOR MATTHEW SLAGLE TELESCOPE TV DIRECTOR ERIN HIRO ADVISER MIKE COE BUSINESS MANAGER STAFF WRITERS HaYley Elwood, Cameron Hoskins, Conner Jones, Marissa Milloy, Scott Morton, OliWia Persson, Anna Maria Petrov, Scott Roberson, Ayden Solorzano, Jonathan Stroud, Danielle Taylor, Sydney Davison, Cynthia Green, Brittany Habeck, Pat Hartley, Diana Laine, Katherine Scordo, Nick Shumate, Diana Valdez PHOTOGRAPHERS Phyllis CelmER, Peter Ahsue, Chelsea Boothe, Mike Bricke, Joseph Canter, Guillermo Escamilla, Michelle Fields, Daniel Garcia, Anthony Guerrero, Rebecka Hebb, Sebastian Humphreys, Lisa Marlett, Jassamyn Payne, Quang Pham, Albina Rasmussen, David Santillan, Alex Semel, Andrew Serrana, Michelle Skoglund, Andrew Szikla, Jill Thudium, Robert Trousas ADDRESS THE TELESCOPE PALOMAR COLLEGE 1140 W. MISSION ROAD, SAN MARCOS, CA 92069 PHONE / 760-891-7865 NEWSROOM / MD-228 website/ www.the-telescope.com facebook/ search “the telescope” twitter/ @telescopenews EMAIL/ editor@THE-TELESCOPE.COM AD EMAIL/ ADS@THE-TELESCOPE.COM THE TELESCOPE WELCOMES ALL LETTERS TO THE Editor.

Letters must be typewritten, under 300 words and include the author’s first and last names, major and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published. Letters should be emailed to editor@the-telescope.com.

The Telescope reserves the right to edit letters for space and grammatical errors and not to print lewd or libelous letters. Letters must be receieved one week prior to the newspaper’s publication to be considered for inclusion.

The Telescope is published 8 times per semester.

Opinions expressed in the newspaper are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent those of the entire newspaper staff, Palomar faculty and staff members or the governing board trustees.

ASSOCIATED COLLEGE PRESS

california newspaper publisher’s association

The telescope

Budget cuts for community colleges hurt California in the long run.

Community colleges enrich the local area and help the economy by making higher education more available.

Every year it seems that classes get harder to get into, as well as more expensive. While it is not a permanent solution, there is a ballot measure meant to help students and colleges make it through this tough economic period.

In the fall, Prop. 30 is up for vote. Prop. 30 adds .25 percent to the sales tax for a temporary time to try and generate $9 billion in funding for schools.

Without this extra funding, classes will continue to be cut and costs will have to go up.

Palomar alone would face $6 million in cuts.

The state is pressured from all sides to cut from its yearly budget. Many of the people pressuring the state don’t see the value in community colleges, and attack it saying the state gives too much money to smaller colleges.

What these people don’t understand is that community colleges help California in the long run. It educates the local population. People with higher educations and incomes pay more in taxes. If California makes college unavailable to people with low incomes, or

A SOLUTION TO PARKING WOES WHAT WE THINK We have enough to worry about as it is, parking should be the last thing on our minds.

Illustration by Jassamyn Payne/Telescope

people who are undecided on a goal, then it will have fewer people contributing through taxes.

Colleges contribute to the local economy of a city and to California in general. Palomar has roughly 30,000 students, and combined with the 10,000 at Cal State San Marcos they bring thousands of people to the city spending money.

More rules and regulations are placed on students as funding gets slimmer and the state wants to push us out of the cheap community college option that they subsidize, and into the more expensive universities and California State Universities, where they get more money per student.

Most recently, there have been added requirements for retaking a class you have failed more than three times. Counselors are under pressure to get students on a focused plan, and get those students out as soon as possible.

Community college is something that should not be taken for granted. Even at the current prices, California has the lowest fees of any twoyear public school, according to the U.S. Department of Education. It noted that 97 of the 100 lowest were in California.

Up until 1984, community college was free and students only had to worry about the cost of books. In 2002 Palomar classes were $11 a unit, just 10 years later it has gone up to $46 a unit.

Keeping community college available to low-income students, or students looking around for a major to settle on should be a priority for California voters. It may seem like a good, short-term solution to cut classes, but educating the local population will pay it back in the long run. smorton@the-telescope.com

STUDYING

Multitasking is a student’s worst enemy April testerman the telescope

Technology has brought us a long way in the last 20 years, however, I’m not so sure it’s benefitted me as much as it has hindered me.

Whenever I’ve tried to utilize a computer in class, I always find myself distracted.

More times than not, I’ve left the classroom just as clueless about the material as before.

Here’s the thing, I don’t think college students are as good at multitasking as they think they are.

With the distractions of texting and a computer in class, it baffles me how students actually believe they are going to absorb the information being taught in class, let alone receive a decent grade.

This issue here goes beyond the classroom; I feel like every time I have a paper to write, or a topic to research, I find myself on Netflix, Google, Twitter, etc. and not doing my homework or studying for my next test.

Unlike many other students my age, I’ve actually taken the initiative to completely delete my Facebook. I realized that it

OUR VIEWPOINT

Alexandra Tuazon waits for her business law class on the second floor of the MD building on Sept. 19 at Palomar College. •Albina Rasmussen/Telescope

was hindering me more than it was helping me, so I knew that I had to get rid of it.

See, I’ve recognized the fact that it is impossible for my brain to multitask. I can’t be on my phone texting and be fully engaged in a conversation, so why should I be able to effectively retain the information that I am studying or learning in class?

Texting and driving is illegal for a reason. We can’t fully pay attention to the road while we are texting; the constant accidents caused by texters has proven this time and time again. We cannot expect the classroom to be any different.

It’s my belief that the most effective way to retain information in the classroom is the good old-fashion lecture, with a side of class discussion.

I’m not going to say that I’ve never pulled my phone out mid-class to read/send a text, because I definitely have; I’m just saying that students need to recognize the things that distract them in the classroom (and while studying), and to take the steps to eliminate them to create a more effective learning environment and promote healthy studying habits.

Atesterman@the-telescope.com @apriltesterman

With a new parking lot opening for construction workers only, we as students feel shirked in the process of parking. If anyone should be getting more parking, it should be us, the students, who have to deal with a severe lack of parking on campus throughout the day.

The lot, located just south of Parking Lot 12, has opened around 200 student parking spots by moving construction workers out of student lots, Palomar spokeswoman Laura Gropen said. We believe that this lot should be available to students in the afternoon, once construction has halted for the day.

We have nothing against giving the construction workers their own designated parking spaces.

They are doing valuable work to make this campus a better place for all students. But, we’ve never seen the lot near full capacity- even at the peak of the day when all the workers are there.

Plus, most of the spots in the construction lot are vacated by midafternoon, and opening them to students could alleviate parking issues if students were allowed to use it after that time.

We’ve also noticed that, despite the 200 spots that are now open in student lots, construction trailers in Lot 12 have occupied a great amount of additional spots. Even though spots were opened by construction workers not parking in our lot, the actual equipment and trailers are taking up spots anyway.

Even though there are more spots available as the day goes on, the construction lot is a more central location.

Palomar has an extreme lack of parking. Everyday students come to school a half hour early just to find a spot in the very last row.

Though the lot is planned to open to students after it is no longer needed by construction, we think it needs to be opened to students now, for at least a designated portion of the day.

As students, we should not be constantly stressing about whether or not we will be able to find a parking spot; it should be the last thing on our minds. Most of the time, the only guarantee to a decent parking spot is showing up at school around 8 a.m.

The frustration of looking for a parking spot may even cause some students to give up on trying to find a parking spot and miss class, even when a practically empty lot is right around the corner, but forbidden.

4 • OPINION

Monday, September 24, 2012

PRO

Counseling Department proven to be great for new students Katherine scordo the telescope

Counseling at Palomar College provides new and current students with useful information to succeed in college.

They do this by taking the time to answer your questions and help lead you in the right direction.

My first trip to the counseling office at Palomar was nerve wracking because I didn’t know what to expect. I kept asking myself what if my counselor is one of those if-you-don’t-have-questions-readyI-can’t-help-you. To my surprise, it was quite the opposite.

The counselor I met with was very helpful and kindhearted. She instantly made me feel at ease when I walked into her office and told her I had no idea what I was doing. Instead of turning me away because I didn’t have questions prepared for her, she asked me questions.

She started by asking me if I had picked a major yet, and if I thought about getting my associate degree or transferring. Since I was a new student, she explained to me what requirements I would need for both, and suggested a few classes that I should take. She didn’t waste any time, and spent the full 45 minutes making sure she fully helped me.

I left her office feeling better about my education, because I had finally understood how college works. I now consider her my go-to person on campus whenever I need a little help.

If you are struggling to pick a major or aren’t sure what classes to take next semester, I would recommend that you go speak with a counselor. If you feel that the counselor you are seeing isn’t helping you, there are plenty of other full-time and part-time counselors to choose from for your next visit.

In addition, the front desk staff is always friendly and willing to answer and

questions students may have.

Another convenience is that the counseling office makes appointments a week in advance from the day you call. The reason I like this is because it gives everyone a chance to make an appointment, and prevents students from not being seen.

On another note, the counseling web page on Palomar’s website has a lot to offer

CON

Counseling Department needs more than just a little TLC

April Testerman the telescope

In general, Palomar’s counseling staff does nothing for the school’s students.

A counseling department has one true obligation: to help students as much as it possibly can, and quite frankly, I don’t believe this to be a goal of most of Palomar’s counselors.

In my opinion, half of the staff has no idea what they are doing. Two of the five times I have had an appointment with a counselor, I was given information that was not remotely related to my academic goal (which I had clearly stated from the beginning of the meetings). I was given papers with information on how to transfer to a UC, when I had requested information and help on transferring to a CSU or out-ofstate school.

Secondly, I’m convinced Palomar student Gary Arrasmita waits for his appointment on Sept. that the staff has little to 18 in the counseling office. • Chelsea Boothe/Telescope no intent on helping students. Most students who choose to go to a two-year institution are as well. A list of all the current counselors looking for direction, help, and imporis found on the website, as well as hours of tant information on the right ways to go operation and tips for success. about selecting classes.

On the website, www.palomar.edu/ Attending college for the first time is counseling, you will also find an easy stepscary for most people, and colleges have by-step guide to enrolling at Palomar College with quick links and a list of majors tools like counseling services to help and certificates, which I found handy. students in a crucial way, but Palomar I find the Counseling Department at doesn’t seem to value these tools like Palomar has been extremely helpful, and they should be.

I would recommend that students at least The first time I went into the counseling office, I met with a kind womgive it a try. If you are unhappy with your an who seemed willing to help me. current counselor, try again with someone new. They might surprise you.

However, I left the office even more confused on how to enroll, let alone

choose the specific classes I needed to take as a freshman.

Palomar has many students who are looking to transfer out-of-state schools, and therefore require a certain expertise. I realize that most twoyear schools, like Palomar, do not have transfer agreements with out-of-stateschools, but that doesn’t bar counseling professionals from becoming educated in that area.

Originally, I had planned to transfer out of state. I was somewhat delayed due to the counselor “not knowing a thing about transferring out of state.

I hardly believed her, it was almost as if she had never heard of a student wanting to transfer out of state. She denied me any information she had regarding the process of transferring to a school in another state. I’m positive I was neither the first, nor the last student she encountered with such a goal.

Going on my third year at Palomar, I often look to see what I could have done differently that could have expedited my journey through Palomar, and generally I see it as a fault of the Counseling Department. I was never met with consistency, and was never given adequate information regarding classes I needed to take for my major or path to transferring.

All I’m saying is that the counselors at Palomar need to dedicate more time to their obligation to Palomar’s students, at least the one’s I’ve met with do. I’m certainly not making a blanket statement that no counselor is helpful, I’m just making a general call to the department asking that they start honestly helping the students who take the time to ask for it, and maybe Palomar will begin to see a higher transfer rate. atesterman@the-telescope.com

KSCORdo@the-telescope.com

TAG

UCSD ending transfer agreements with community colleges Hayley Elwood The Telescope

University of California San Diego’s decision to end guaranteed transfers in 2014 is one of the worst moves the school has made in recent history.

According to a press release from UCSD, the school is implementing a “phase out” period whereas of fall 2014, UCSD will no longer be guaranteeing acceptance to community college students via the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program. The school cites budget cuts and an influx of applicants as two reasons they made this decision.

Earlier this year, board members from the San Diego & Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association wrote UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox a letter expressing their discontent.

“Eliminating a program that benefits our local students in order to ‘address capacity and budget issues’ potentially disenfranchises our diverse community college, transfer-seeking populations,” wrote the board members.

Currently, community college students that follow TAG and keep grade point averages of 3.5 or higher have guaranteed admission to UCSD once they complete their required coursework and meet application deadlines.

Students attend community colleges for

various reasons. Some choose to go because they didn’t do as well in high school and couldn’t get into a four-year university after graduation. Others go for financial reasons.

Then there are students, like myself, who did well in high school and got into colleges, but chose to attend a community college and enroll in TAG in order to transfer to UCSD because it is a world-renowned institution located in our own backyard.

I graduated from UCSD in 2010 with a degree in communication, but I transferred to the school via TAG from Miramar College in 2008. Currently, I’m taking class at Palomar in order to get more hands-on experience in my desired career field.

UCSD is one of the most highly regarded pubic universities in the country and world.

According to U.S. News & World Report’s 2013 collegiate rankings, UCSD is listed as 38th in the nation out of all public and private institutions and 9th for public universities alone.

I feel that lower-income students aspiring to transfer to UCSD will be affected the most by this decision.

“When you look at numbers of students who maybe cannot afford to attend a UC school and need to stay home, it really affects them. Even when TAG is gone, I would still hope that they would be able to have the ‘college experience,’” said Elvia NunezRiebel, Palomar College’s Transfer Center

Director.

Community college is an extremely affordable option for students who want to pursue higher education but can’t afford to attend a university from the start or have to work in order to make ends meet. It isn’t their fault that they’re in that position so why is it fair that such a prestigious institution is threatening to shut them out?

A lot has Artwork celebrating Chicano history on Sept.2 at UCSD. • Daniel Garcia/ Telescope changed since I transferred to UCSD in 2008. Accord- of 3.5 or above will be able to transfer, ing to UCSD’s website, transfer applicant even without TAG.” rates have almost doubled while the adIf it weren’t for my own TAG with mit rate has dropped by 20 percent from UCSD, I wouldn’t know where I would 2008 to 2011. This increasing competi- be today. Lucky for many of you, you’re tion is what is edging transfer students still covered by TAG if you apply to transout. It’s hard enough to gain admission fer by fall 2013 at the latest; however, as freshmen and now UCSD is making it the upcoming crop of Palomar students won’t be so lucky. I am still very proud almost as hard for transfers.

Still, some feel that eliminating TAG to have graduated from UCSD, but I am won’t hinder the aspirations of students not proud of the institution for this decias long as they keep competitive GPAs. sion.

Nunez-Riebel stated, “I would hope that future students who transfer with a GPA HElwood@the-telescope.com

OPINION • 5

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PALOMAR SPEAKS SPEAK OUT

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

How would you vote on Prop. 30?

Proposition 30, if passed, would increase sales tax by 1/4 percent for four years, and tax the incomes of those who make more than $250,000 a year for seven years. It would generate $6 billion annually and would avoid significant cuts to higher education.

Palomar community college district budget, fiscal year 2012-13

“I’ll probably vote yes, because Palomar has served me well.”

Brian Merril Electrical engineering

“I’ll vote yes, just because

APATHY VERSUS IGNORANCE Dear Telescope, Thank you for your important coverage of the ASG and the introduction to incoming President Johnathan Farmer. Both Mr. Farmer and this newspaper lament the lack of student participation and blame student apathy for the fact that less than 80 students voted in the last election, which featured absolutely no competition.

However, it must be pointed out that several students did attempt to seek office but were denied due to the ASG’s last-minute changes to the application deadline. These changes were not announced until weeks after the election, and effectively prevented any student other than ASG insiders from seeking office. A post-election survey of 500 students revealed that very few knew about the election or their right to participate. Ignorance should not be confused with apathy.

While Mr. Farmer’s goals and intentions are good, he is trapped in a corrupt and dysfunctional ASG controlled by the college ad-

ministration. As faculty advisor to the Coalition for Democratic Education, I disagree that Palomar students are apathetic. Last year over 3000 students signed a petition calling for a vote to re-organize the ASG into an independent organization. This proposal was endorsed by past ASG presidents, faculty, and this independent student newspaper. So far the ASG under direction from the college administration has refused to put the matter to a vote as required by ASG bylaws.

On July 11 civil rights attorney Bryan Pease filed a writ in Superior Court asking a judge to intervene and order the College to hold the required election.

While we await a decision from the judge, I would hope the matter could instead be resolved by The College simply holding the required election. The engagement of the student body in an open election featuring a real competition of ideas, with real stakes and potentially meaningful outcomes would be a true

Last year over threethousand students signed a petition calling for a vote to re-organize the ASG into an independent organization.

DANIEL FINKENTHAL• PROFESSOR

test of student activism versus apathy.

The students of Palomar College have a fundamental right to vote on how their own government should be structured. Nothing is more fundamental to our democracy than the right to vote. Visit www.

FixTheASG.org for more information.

Daniel Finkenthal Associate Professor, Physics & Engineering

FALLBROOK CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION

colleges need money at this time, and they’re already cutting as it is.”

Josh stevens Mechanical engineering

“I’ll vote yes, because we are paying for it anyway with everything we buy.”

Lizbeth reyes Chemistry

“I’m voting yes, because I want to help my fellow students.”

Dre porter Television broadcasting

Construction on Horse Ranch Creek Road • File Photo

PALOMAR IS SENSITIVE TOWARD NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE diana valdez the telescope

The misconception of Palomar College being insensitive to Native Americans is not the college I know. I have been attending Palomar for three years, and have never seen any type of disrespect towards any culture, specifically Native Americans.

The discovery of the remains of the Village Tom-Kav put a hold on construction for a year on the future North Education Center of Palomar College on Horse Ranch Creek Road in Fallbrook.

San Diego County and the Army Corps of Engineers allowed the college to continue construction.

The road falls outside the property owned by Palomar, and any deals are handled by the Pardee family, who owns the property where the remains lie.

Allegations of workers pushing dirt around with no consideration created an uproar and started up lawsuits by Native American groups and protest by members of the Luiseno Indian Tribe.

Worst of all, the college was accused of “having no concern with spiritual sensitivity” and committing a “shameful act” by Chairman Mel Vernon of the San Luis Rey Band of Luiseno Indian Tribe.

After the American Indian Studies Department sent a letter concerning the situation, Palomar President Robert Deegan hosted a meeting and discussion with department members.

Deegan also sent a letter suggesting using shovels and having a minimal amount of workers on the site. Included in the letter, he wrote that the college has no control over road replacements.

Palomar has taken steps to do all that is possible to work with

the San Luis Rey Band of Luiseno Indians and the American Indian Studies Department by inviting them to meetings, sending letters to the community to clarify anything that occurs on Horse Ranch Creek Road, and ensuring that the college has the greatest respect toward any culture.

How can our college be seen as insensitive to Native Americans when the President of the College has taken the steps to now include AIS and the Luiseno Tribe in any meetings, and sends letters to the campus community letting them know any situation that occurs on the site, when the school has no legal obligation to do so.

“We honor and respect Native American community and will continue to work with them as we move forward with this project.”

DVALDEZ@THE-TELESCOPE.COM

6 • LIFE

Monday, September 24, 2012 Music

Podcasting for greater audience Hayley Elwood The Telescope

Illustration by Jassamyn Payne/Telescope

Palomar Performing Arts Department is making its weekly Concert Hour available to the masses by streaming it online.

Weekly selections from the department’s Concert Hour series are now being recorded for podcast so students and the general public can stream or download the content for their listening pleasure.

“It’s really a way for us to reach out to the community and share the series with everybody,” said Justin Smiley, manager of Performing Arts Production.

The podcasts are being recorded and edited from the free Concert Hour that take place on campus most Thursdays from 12:30-1:20 p.m. during fall and spring semesters. Concerts take place in either the Performance Lab D10 or the O2 Performance Studio.

Each hour acts as both entertainment and enrichment that focuses on featuring a musical act for its audience. Podcasts will be uploaded weekly. The first September Concert Hour is already online, and two Concert Hours from last year have been posted as well.

The diversity of the musical con-

tent is what makes the series renowned across the country and even the world, officials said recently.

“Each hour features a professional performance. It can be a string quartet, piano solo, or even rock music,” said Randy Hoffman, publicity/program coordinator for the Performing Arts Department. “The series is remarkably well-respected amongst musicians and organizations, including the Center for World Music. We have notoriety across borders.”

This isn’t the first technological advancement for the department’s Concert Hour. They tried live webcasting the series over the course of 10 years, but it didn’t pan out how they would have liked.

“It was Chad Ohlheiser who talked to me about switching to podcasts because we encountered a certain amount of technical problems with a live webcast. A lot of times the webcasts wouldn’t load and the quality was inconsistent. We figured a podcast would be a more stable platform to work from,” Hoffman said.

While the concerts are exciting to view in person, the department believes the podcasts will supplement, and even benefit, the live performances.

“The subscriber can actually listen to the podcasts on their own time,”

said Ohlheiser, audio production coordinator for the department. “It will also give listeners the opportunity to listen to the pieces a few times, which can be helpful especially if you’re studying music so you can get deeper into the sound.”

With acts that come from not only San Diego but all over the world, Hoffman and the department’s ultimate goal of podcasting is to have the music reach a larger audience.

“We’re all about getting more people involved. I want to attempt to show listeners how big the music world is. Podcasting creates the potential for more people to enjoy Concert Hour other than Thursday at 12:30,” he said.

Currently, only audio podcasts are available for download. Ohlheiser and the rest of the staff are hoping to incorporate video in the near future as well, with aspirations that the department can assemble a full archive of concerts.

Podcasts are available for free download by searching Palomar College Performing Arts on iTunes, and can be streamed online through the Palomar Concert Hour website www2.palomar.edu/performingarts/ category/concert-hour. helwood@the-telescope.com

Clubs

Palomar Print Club is open for business Conner Jones The Telescope

The Palomar Print Club is open for business and making custom T-shirts for the student body. The club meets 9 a.m. Fridays in MD-133 and is looking to gain new members and customers.

Starla Cortapassi, print club vice president, said “the club helps students get into the business of print by teaching them how to use the machines, understand the business itself and teach them the basics of T-shirt design.”

Started by head of the screen department and print class professor Ken Dodson, the relatively new club has all the equipment to produce and sell T-shirts.

The club has already made 512 shirts for the San Diego Gear Up Program, a group that hopes to improve the college preparation for high-need middle schools, and for the Office of Student Affairs. The club has plans to increase it’s market and test the abilities of their club members.

The club has a wide variety of shirts for sale, using

an assortment of high-quality fabrics and inks. Their customers range from bigtime fundraisers to individuals with a design in mind.

The club has a top of the line exposure and wash room.

Club members have the opportunity to learn all the essentials needed for being a part of the print business, including understand the safety procedures when dealing with machinery.

The print club is open to students who want to learn the craft of print and the business involved with it. They hope to attend this year’s Specialty Printing & Imaging Association Expo, on Oct. 18.

At the expo, commonly known as the SGIA Expo, the print club hopes to further memebers business by sending their name to people and companies across the country.

Prices for the shirts vary, depending on the design, amount of colors within said design, and the overall color the shirt itself.

Above left: Club advisor Laura Kaye places a screen into the 6-color manual press on Aug. 30 at Palomar College.

Above: Victor Ramirez, working on the 6-color manual press, creates a test print. • Jassamyn Payne/Telescope

Club president Mark Bealo said that T-shirts could be priced from $5.50-11.50 each based on the quality/ style of the shirt and how much color is used.

Any students who are interested in getting T-shirts

printed by the club, or are in need of help for formulating a design for a club are encouraged to contact Cortapassi at starlacortapassi@ me.com Cjones@the-telescope.com

LIFE • 7

the telescope Play Preview

Palomar’s ‘Paragon Springs’ opens Sept. 28 Sydney Davison The Telescope

In anticipation of the November presidential election, Palomar’s theater department will open its first production of the year, “Paragon Springs” on Sept. 28.

Michael Mufson, play director and faculty adviser of the Theater Arts Program at Palomar College, said that it is no coincidence that a play that causes an audience to examine controversial issues was put on right before the coming election.

In fact, that was his goal.

“The play is about an environmental crisis relevant to today’s debate over global warming, pollution and energy, as well as the conflict of doing the right thing versus the immediate economic interests,” he said.

The play is written by Steven Dietz, and is an adaptation of Heinrich Ibsen’s original play, “The Enemy of the People.”

Set in 1926, the play takes place in a small Midwest town that’s main industry is the healing waters from the local hot springs.

However, weeks before the sick and crippled arrived to be healed, the protagonist Dr. Thomas Stockman discovers the waters have been tainted.

Relationships are tested and families threatened as the doctor leads a crusade for the truth against the big businesses, the media and the government of the town. They are put on trial for their choices, their ideals and whether or not they become part of the majority and support the democracy.

“Paragon Springs” is a play that can resonate with any audience, and poses underlying themes that are still applicable to an audience today. The play questions issues such as environmental problems, the influence of media in our society and the role of democracy in our nation, according to Mufson.

“The play addresses how democracy functions when a major-

Above: Donna Howe and Abby Fields interact during a rehearsal for “Paragon Springs” on Sept. 14 in the O building.

Below: Michael Mufson (center), director of the play, talks to cast members (from left) Abby Fields, Donna Howe, David Cochran and Daniel Deussen. • Alex Semel/ Telescope

ity of the people remain ignorant,” he said. “How they can be so easily manipulated when the interest of business collides with media to control information.”

Mufson and the cast’s vision is to challenge people to think about the issues and to become more informed.

“My goal is to get people talking on they way home” said student Dan Deussen, who plays the protagonist Dr. Stockman, “and to get people to think, are the way things are, the way they are supposed to be?”

All students and the public

are welcome to attend. “Paragon Springs” will run until Oct. 7.

There will be Friday and Saturday showings at 8 p.m., Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. and one Thursday showing at 4 p.m.

The show will take place in the D-10 performance lab on Palomar’s San Marcos campus.

Ticket prices are $12 for general audience, $10 for seniors and staff, and $8 for students.

For more information, visit h t t p : / / w w w 2 . p a l o m a r. e d u / performingarts/ sdavison@the-telescope.com

Money

Tips to turn all that clutter into cash for students Amy Dunn The News & Observer/mctcampus.com

It’s a lot easier to purchase things than to purge them; a huge deterrent to buying more clutter, by the way. For all those reasons, cashing in on your clutter is a smart financial move.

Like coins you find in your sofa cushions, it’s found money. Why not put it to work financing a vacation, shoring up the family emergency fund, adding to a child’s college fund, boosting a Roth IRA or bankrolling a cash-only Christmas.

CRAIGSLIST VERSUS EBAY: For the casual seller, Craigslist is probably your best bet. Also check for local pawns shops or stores willing to buy. Take advantage of the fact that it’s free to post your items, there’s no sales commission and you don’t have to worry about shipping.

Be sure to post photos because most buyers won’t even click on a listing without a picture. Be honest if your item has any flaws. Include measurements for pieces of furniture. And be prepared to negotiate.

HALF.COM: Incredibly easy to use, Half. com is great for selling books, DVDs and CDs. Type in the ISBN number and rate the condition of your item using Half.com’s rating system. Within minutes you can easily post dozens of items. Emails alert you to a sale and when money is deposited in your account. Half.com takes a 15 percent cut on items up to $50. The seller also is reimbursed for shipping.

Be prepared with padded envelopes and ship your items promptly. Before you set your price, check your competition on Half. com and price your book, DVD or CD for a bit less.

ETSY.COM: Known more as a virtual

craft fair where vendors sell hand-made goods, Etsy vendors also sell vintage items _ everything from pearl-studded clip-on earrings from the 1950s to the 1974 Fisher Price toy record player.

Your vintage items must be at least 20 years old. You also may sell your unused craft supplies on this site.

RESALE SHOPS: If you only wear a third of what’s hanging in your closet, why not sell the rest while the items are still in style?

Resale clothing stores, like Buffalo Exchange, Plato’s Closet and Clothes Mentor, are counting on your cast-offs. Once again, don’t expect to strike it rich selling your clothes this way, but you will be rewarded for popular labels.

Inspect your clothes before you bring them in to be sold. Be picky because store buyers will reject anything out of date or stained. If you have a Coach handbag or a

pair of brand-new Uggs, you may be better off selling them yourself on Craigslist.

CONSIGNMENT SALES: If your house is drowning in toys, baby equipment and kids’ clothes, you should be on the lookout for consignment sales. Consignmentmommies. com lists a huge inventory of consignment shops in each state, so finding a local one is easy.

JEWELRY STORES: You jewelry box could be a gold mine. While gold prices have come down a bit from their all-time highs, your broken chains, lone earrings and the high school boyfriend’s class ring could be worth hundreds of dollars, depending on weight and gold content.

Take your gold and silver to a trusted jeweler in your area and he or she will make you an offer. If you’re not satisfied, get a second opinion.

t

8 • ADVERTISEMENT

Monday, September 24, 2012

INTRODUCING...

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TELESCOPE TV DEBUTS THE WEEK OF SEPT. 24

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NEWS • 9

the telescope budget Continued from Page 1

According to Lienhart, passing Prop. 30 is extremely important to the continued ability of California schools to serve students, but she feels it is poor form not to utilize all funds the administration already has.

The ending fund balance was then repurposed as the beginning fund balance for the 2012-13 school year, covering a legally mandated five percent reserve and other

expenditures. After these expenses were covered, the board was left with an emergency fund of about $4.37 million.

Since this is overshadowed by the nearly $7 million projected shortfall if Prop.30 fails, administrators would have no choice but to find areas in the budget that could be cut. ihanner@the-telescope.com

smoking Continued from Page 1

Professor Phil DeBarros on his 1982 trip with the Senior Fulbright grant. • Courtesy photo

Prof. earns second grant to do research in Africa marissa milloy the telescope

Professor Phil “Dr. D” DeBarros was awarded the Senior Fulbright Grant by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars in Washington, D.C. for a second time in his career recently.

Both of the awards are a part of the regional African research program. He will use the grant to go to the Togo region of West Africa to conduct archaeological research.

DeBarros has been teaching at Palomar for 18 years. He is a professor of anthropology, and has been the coordinator of the Palomar College Archaeology associate degree and certificate program since 1996.

He has received several other awards and grants, as well as being published.

His first Fulbright Grant came in 2002 when he went to Togo for 7 months. This time, he will travel to Togo in early January 2013 and remain there until late July.

DeBarros said that it is a rigorous application to be eligible for the grant.

“You have to submit three documents: one is a five-page research design that has to be extremely, carefully written explaining what you are doing, why you are doing it, how it links to past research, and how much time it’s going to take,” he said.

“Then a three-page bibliography that relates directly to the project area. And then, submit a detailed resume that relates to your qualifications.”

Also required are three letters of recommendation, in which he says he was “lucky,” to receive from “three top people in the field,” that he is sure “assisted in getting him the grant.”

The major area of study he specifies in is ancient traditional ironworking, which involved the making of iron, and then using it to make tools for farming, weapons, animal traps and many other things.

Some of his research goals this time around are to, “explore, and try to find some of the furnaces from the early period, because we don’t have a good idea the

type of furnaces from 2500 years ago.” He also plans to “investigate when the region began specialize into the smelting and a smithing zone, instead of working together and investigate into blacksmithing workshops.”

As to why he chose to focus in this area of study, he said, “there are many things you can study about prehistory, but iron working was a major milestone in the history of humanity. Iron was a major revolution in the history of technology.”

DeBarros is no stranger to this area of Africa; besides conducting research there before, he also served as a volunteer in the Peace Corps for six years.

“I was originally supposed to teach English as a second language, but I was asked by the nuns of a girl’s Catholic school to teach the history and geography of Africa to grades 7-12 in French,” he said.

For DeBarros, who is fluent in French, that wasn’t a problem. It was his time spent teaching that he learned about African history and geography, something he was unfamiliar with before.

After serving his time in the Peace Corps, he returned home and decided to change his area of study.

“I never took a single anthropology class at all when I was an undergrad at Stanford,” he said. “I majored in political science and history. Then later...I decided I would get a degree in archeology.”

What he said is one of his most interesting finds to date is when he stumbled upon an “early Iron Age site, which I first found accidentally in 1982, and then I was able to work on it extensively in 2002. I discovered it was a thousand years older than I originally thought - that was pretty extraordinary.”

DeBarros will be bringing a team of four others with him on the trip: Gabby Lucidi, Tia Griffin, Kelly Kandybowicz and Danielle Litchfield, who are all former or current members of the Palomar Archaeology Program. mmilloy@the-telescope.com

the change.

Now a year removed from the new policy, the college is ready to move forward with its plan.

“Students didn’t really comply, and so the decision was made that we would then look at enforcement regarding that policy,” Gropen said.

Although the policy is now being enforced, some Palomar students find it ineffective. The unofficial smoking area in front of the library is still populated with many smokers.

Palomar student and smoker Curtis Richardson said he finds the enforcement inept.

“It obviously hasn’t [worked] because I’m looking at, like, eight people smoking a cigarette right now.”

Richardson added that campus police are giving mixed messages.

“I’ve heard [students] can get a ticket if caught smoking,” Richardson said. But he said he has also been told by campus police “that they really can’t enforce it that far.”

Fellow Palomar student and smoker Tobias Hons does see the enforcement working as fewer people are smoking around the library.

“Eventually, if they keep enforcing it, kids will probably not come around here as much,” Hons said. sroberson@the-telescope.com

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grant

According to Titus, first-time offenders will be lead through the school’s policies in an effort to reach an understanding. “[I will] have them sign a form stating they understand we have a policy, and if it continues they will be written up with a consequence more severe than a warning,” Titus said.

According to Titus, if a student continues to violate the policy “they will probably get community service, and further down the road will receive a suspension.” She added that she does not expect matters to reach that point.

According to Gropen, prior to the smoking ban, designated smoking areas were in place around campus in an effort to contain second-hand smoke.

“There was an almost 10-year period where the Associated Student Government was the spearhead to change that because the smokers were not staying within the confines of those designated smoking areas,” Gropen said.

Due to the ineffectiveness of the designated smoking areas, the ASG and other constituent groups won approval for a smoke-free/tobacco-free campus policy.

“The first year was going to be for educational purposes,” Gropen said.

She said she didn’t believe it would have made sense to move to a completely different policy without first warning students of

10 • SPORTS

Monday, September 24, 2012

Palomar men’s goalkeeper Tadd Caraway makes a goal-saving fingertip block during the game against Riverside City College on Sept. 9 at Minkoff Field. • Brian Korec/Telescope

Palomar women’s soccer player Mara Serpa (18) watches as teammate and goalkeeper Samantha Maldonado blocks a goal during the game against Mt. San Jacinto on Sept. 9. •Brian Korec/Telescope

Palomar women’s soccer player Yvette Ponce (15) takes the ball toward the goal with teammate Amber Munoz (2) chasing during the game against San Diego Mesa on Sept. 11 at Minkoff Field. • Robert Trousas/Telescope

LEFT : Palomar’s Austin Dennis (23) leaps past a Southwestern defender during the Sept. 15 game at Wilson Stadium. The Comets won 47-43. • Brian Korec/Telescope MIDDLE: Palomar’s Rudy Trujillo (7) steals the ball from Compton Community College on Sept. 14, at Minkoff Field. • Andrew Serrano/Telescope RIGHT: Palomar women’s volleyball players Kelli Day (left) and Jacqueline Deslauriers (right) make a jumping block during the game against Fullerton on Sept. 7 at the Dome. • Brian Korec/Telescope

SPORTS • 11

the telescope CROSS COUNTRY

RUNNERS USE SUMMER BREAK TO TRAIN FOR UPCOMING SEASON SCOTT ROBERSON THE TELESCOPE

Palomar cross country runner Micaelina Sarmieto (532) makes her way to the finish at the Palomar Invitational on Sept. 6.

Micaelina Finished in 18th place. • Anthony Gurrerro/Telescope

Palomar’s cross country team members say they have been training hard in hopes of reaping the benefits in the upcoming 2012-2013 season.

With many sophomores returning to the team this year, the team expects a successful campaign in 2012.

Head Coach Jessica Williams and Assistant Coach Hugh Gerhardt said they are making sure the team reaches its goal of “a top 10 finish in state for both men and women.“ With the amount of work put in this summer, they believe this goal is very obtainable.

“We have been running all summer,” Gerhardt says. “It is easy to tell the difference between the ones who ran over the summer and those that do not.”

A hardworking mentality is an important trait that the sophomore runners are attempting to instill in the freshman class, according to the coach.

Gerhardt pointed to team leaderssophomore runner Marco Ramirez, 21, and Sophomore runner Tori Dorsey.

Ramirez said that practice is hard, but the experience is rewarding.

He emphasizes that the younger runners need “self-will” and “mind-

over-matter.”

The freshman class is talented, but still need the hard work to win.

Making state finals is no easy feat because the hours and miles put in would deter most.

Freshman runner Micaelina Sarmiento, 18, finds pleasure in the training, calling it “fun.”

“I hope we do really good and make the state finals,” she said of her expectations.

The coaches said they want to promote a more enjoyable training atmosphere by introducing new ways to get in shape without putting miles on the pavement.

“Besides the usual runs around here, we sometimes meet at different locations such as the beach, Daley Ranch and along the Twin Oaks golf course,” Coach Gerhardt said.

Also, the team recently participated in a hike to the peak of San Jacinto Mountain, and kayaking at the La Jolla coves.

This is music to freshman runner Aleiha Nelson’s ears. She describes normal practices as rigorous and “hot,” stating they run “usually 5 miles.”

The season kicked off Saturday Sept. 7 at Guajome Park in Oceanside, and continued Sept. 15 in Costa Mesa.

SROBERSON@THE-TELESCOPE.COM

WATER POLO

FORMER OLYMPIAN TO COACH WOMEN’S WATER POLO After representing the United States at the Sydney, Australia Olympic Games, she is still dedicated the sport

GIOVANNI NIETO THE TELESCOPE

Kathy “Gubba” Sheehy was named the new head coach of Palomar’s women’s water polo team over the summer.

Sheehy helped pave the way for future Olympians by participating in the first women’s water polo competition in the Olympics.

Sheehy was part of the team that represented the United States at the 2000 Sydney, Australia Games.

The team brought home a silver medal.

“Only six teams from the world were able to compete in those Olympics, and now there are more teams participating,” Sheehy said.

It was during the 1900 Paris games that men’s water polo sport made its Olympic debut.

“It took one hundred years for women’s water polo to join the games,” Sheehy said. “So I was stoked, and I was fired up.”

For Sheehy, it was a dream come true to be an element of that first team.

At the time, she said that

Another accomplishment for Sheehy was the USA Water Polo’s Master It took one hundred years of the Year award. She her achievefor women’s water polo to describes ment as a cool reward for still participating, at 42, join the games. in the sport.

KATHY “GUBBA” SHEEHY• HEAD COACH “What they are try to do in essence is keep people involved in the sport,” she said.

Sheehy said that she she was already part of the didn’t get the opportunity to play water polo in college. national team since 1991.

“I didn’t get to play in colShe also mentioned water polo for women almost made lege,” she said. “I would play it to the Atlanta games in and practice with any team, 1996, but for reasons that are or any club, or any person not quite clear, they didn’t that would get in the water.”

Sheehy started playing not get to participate.

Sheehy was also inducted water polo at the age of into the U.S. Water Polo Hall nineteen.

She said that water polo is of Fame in 2010.

There are a lot of respect- the love of her life, because ed people in Sheehy’s Hall of she loves the game and that Fame Class. is how she makes a living.

One person in particular Sheehy has dedicated 25 who she mentioned is her years to the sport of water good friend Heather Moody, polo, playing and coaching a two-time Olympian and with a variety of teams. former teammate.

She has worked with “It was cool to be a part of high schools like La Costa the Hall of Fame,” she said. Canyon, Poway and Gross“The class I went in with had mont. She was also at Miraa lot of famous people. The mar College. whole class in general was a great class, so it was a good gnieto@the-telescope.com @gio_nieto experience.”

Palomar women’s water polo head coach Kathy “Gubba” Sheehy works with the team on Sept. 18 at Wallace Memorial Pool. • Anthony Gurrerro/Telescope

12 • SPORTS

Monday, September 24, 2012

An immaculate reception

Palomar Comets tight end Ryan Ena (85) goes up and grabs the game-winning 13-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Lamb with 1:07 left in the game. The Comets defeated Southwestern 47-43 on Sept. 15 at Wilson Stadium at Escondido High School. The touchdown capped a four-play 64-yard drive. Palomar hasn’t lost a game to Southwestern since 1988. • Peter Ashue/Telescope

WOMEN’S GOLF

A realistic shot at a state championship Student with back injury isn’t shying away from leading the woman’s golf team to back-to-back championships Jonathan stroud The Telescope

Palomar women’s golf player Natascha Wiebe poses during a team practice on Sept. 18 at Twin Oaks Golf Club. • Jassamyn Payne/Telescope

SPORTS ON DECK

Tues., Sept. 25 Women’s Soccer

Miramar 3:15 p.m.

Minkoff Field

While most of us were relaxing with friends and family over the Labor Day weekend, Netashca Wiebe was hard at work placing first in the Foothill Golf Conference in Palm Desert and helping lead Palomar’s golf team to third place overall.

Even though it was a preseason tournament, this was a preview of what the team hopes to achieve during the season.

In 2011, the team took first in the State Community College Women’s Golf Championship. Weibe finished the state championship tournament in a tie for 10th place.

“We are going for back-to-back state championships after winning it last year,” Wiebe said.

But, her success has not come without struggles.

Wiebe, 18, has big ambitions.

Born with spine weakening scoliosis, she was diagnosed in 7th grade during a routine checkup, and each year her condition worsens.

“My back has a curvature of 17 degrees; doctors recommend surgery after it reaches 15 degrees,” Wiebe said. “But there are too many risks that come with surgery, so for now I just have to suck it up.”

Against medical advice, she continues to practice six times a week, and she works full time at Twin Oaks Golf Course in San Marcos.

She recently tattooed her favorite proverb on her troubled back to remind her to find strength in what she does—no matter what her physical limitations.

“Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower; you’ll grieve not but rather find strength in what remains behind.”

Wiebe tries to constantly submerge herself mentally into the game. She finds this to be a key factor of her success. As a strong longhitter, she is able to out-play many competitors, but she still worries about the mental aspect of her game.

“Golf is an 80 percent mental game” Wiebe said. “An area that I’ve struggled in the past.”

This is a weakness she has worked hard to improve upon with the help of the Palomar coaching tandem of Jonathan Fleming and Mark Eldridge.

“It’s clear she is one of the best players in the state,” Fleming said.

“Everything about her attitude, determination and work ethic is a shining example of the athletes we want representing this program.”

It is high praise for the rising star with plans to turn professional as early as next year.

Wiebe cannot win the state championship alone, and neither can her teammates. The Palomar women’s golf team is always looking for new members.

Regardless what level of talent aspiring students have when entering the program, they have the opportunity and tools to obtain a high level of experience and understanding.

With the regular season conference in full swing, the team expects it to be an exciting and promising one. jstroud@the-telescope.com

Wed., Sept. 26

Wed., Sept. 26

Sat., Sept. 29

Southwestern 2 p.m.

Wallace Memorial Pool

Irvine Valley 5 p.m.

The Dome

Golden West 6 p.m.

Escondido H.S.

Women’s Water Polo

Women’s Volleyball

Football