t
the telescope Palomar College’s Independent Newspaper Vol. 66, No. 6 • Monday, Nov. 5, 2012 1140 W. Mission Rd, San Marcos, Calif.
GOVERNING BOARD
“Budget”
“Accountability”
“Cutting classes” “Broader concerns”
“Shortfalls” “Fewer resources” “Best interestS of the students”
the issues at hand
“Decision-making process”
“State fiscal crisis”
“Lack of leadership”
“Honest dialogue” “Bottom line” Governing Board elections are upon us and candidates are discussing matters of importance to students, faculty, staff The All-Candidates Forum featured Darrell McMullen, RoseMarie Dishman, and Nancy Chadwick. • Courtesy Melinda Finn/Palomar College
Trustees go unchallenged at candidates’ forum IAN HANNER
Editor’s note: As the elections close in, Palomar students, faculty and staff have important decisions to make with three candidates up for Governing Board re-election and three challengers. We at The Telescope know that all the political information thrown at us during this season can be overwhelming. We decided that we needed to hear from the candidates themselves, so we asked them each five questions that we think will help you decide who is best to represent the population of Palomar on the Governing Board.
Q: What is the biggest problem facing Palomar?
THE TELESCOPE
Three Palomar Board of Governors trustees went unchallenged when the contenders to their seats didn’t show up to an All-Candidates Forum on Oct. 23. Trustees Darrell McMullen, Rose Marie Dishman and Nancy Chadwick are seeking reelection during this November’s voting cycle. In a move to unseat the incumbents, the Palomar Faculty Federation endorsed Challengers John Halcon, Nancy Ann Hensch and Roberto Rodriguez. The All-Candidates forum is an event open to all contenders and traditionally held at Palomar during an election cycle. The event is intended to allow audience members to better understand the policies of the candidates. This year the forum was devoid of much debate when Halcon, Hensch and Rodriguez failed to respond or attend. “They never responded to the invitation,” said Greg Larson, the president of the Palomar Faculty Senate and one of the forum moderators. “They were contacted by mail and by telephone. As far as I know there was no response from any of them.” The forum was planned primarily by Palomar spokeswoman Laura Gropen and co-hosted by the Palomar Faculty Senate and the Associated Student Government. According to Gropen, included in the invitation sent to each candidate was a phone number they were asked to call if they were attending or if they could not make it. Gropen said the three Challengers did not respond to indicate they would not be particpating. Some lamented that it was unfortunate the challengers did not attend, especially in a year when the political rhetoric has been high.
TURN TO FORUM, PAGE 3
John Halcon: I know everyone is focused on the budget, but the biggest problem plaguing the college is a lack of leadership, accountability, and honest dialog. The only way we are going to get through the state fiscal crisis is if all campus groups work together through a shared understanding of the problem and trust that everyone is working for the best interests of the students. Over the course of this campaign I have met with dozens of students, faculty, and staff members. The common theme I hear from each group is a feeling of exclusion from the decision-making process, a history of being ignored by the Governing Board, and a sense that college administrators are acting to protect their own interests above others. Darrell McMullen: Budget cuts, as is the problem with all educational institutions now This takes an experienced board to make tough decisions. Roberto Rodriguez: As I mentioned above, the biggest problem facing Palomar College is budgetary. Given the possibility of mid-year budget cuts and further state budget cuts in the future, it’s important that we look at the bottom line in conjunction with the
core mission of the college. How do we maintain the highest level of education for our students with fewer resources at a time when four-year colleges are becoming more competitive and the job market more demanding? Rose Marie Dishman: State-funded budget cuts. Planning to mitigate shortfalls is a primary strength of the current Governing Board. Nancy Ann Hensch: If Proposition 30 doesn’t pass, the budget will be a challenge, but there are many other significant problems with the current leadership. The incumbents will say that the ending fund balance is proof of the college’s success. This is an extremely myopic view of their responsibilities. For example: What about students’ access to classes? One of the main reasons the District has been able to amass such a savings is because they’ve drastically cut the ability for students to get the classes they need for success. There are so many factors to consider when making important decisions, yet this board does not consider anything other than the bottom line. Palomar College needs thoughtful leadership that takes into consideration broader concerns by members of the community. Nancy Chadwick: Clearly, the biggest problem facing Palomar is the reduction of state funding over the past several years. This situation has created a crisis that we must deal with using the existing process on the campus (shared governance). This process must be transparent. We have to focus on doing the most we can for students in our community with the resources we have.
TURN TO GOVERNING BOARD, PAGE 2
THE CANDIDATES INCUMBENTS: Darrell McMullen - MBA from CSUSM - BS from SDSU - Board trustee since 2000 - President of the board (2003, 2008, 2012) - Palomar Foundation, six years
Rose Marie Dishman
- Ph.D. from UC Riverside - MS from UC Riverside - MBA from SDSU - Trustee at Palomar and Ocean Beach Planning Board
Nancy Chadwick
- Master’s from CSU Sacramento - Master’s from Catholic University - Bachelors from University of Kansas - Trustee at Palomar in 2004, 2008 - President of the board in 2004, 2008 - Secretary of the board 2003, 2007
CHALLENGERS: John Halcon - Ph.D. from UC Santa Barbara - MA from Loyola Marymount - BA from Loyola Marymount - Secretary of the California Faculty Association - Professor at CSU San Marcos
Nancy Ann Hensch
- Public school special education teacher
Roberto Rodriguez
- MA from University of San Diego - BA from University of San Diego - Teacher at Chula Vista High School
2 • NEWS
Monday, November 5, 2012
SUSTAINABILITY
Palomar hosts free seminar Palomar College will be hosting an environmental building seminar on Nov. 30 free of charge to Palomar Students, the location is still pending. The event will be held by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, collaborating and inspiring our community toward a truly sustainably built environment. The training “is the first in a
series of USGBC- approved workshops, and gives you eligibility to apply for the LEED Green Associate Professional Credential,” said Architecture and Design Instructor Sandra Andre, who is involved with the organization of the event. “It’s training made available for anyone who wants it for the sake of sustainability,” Andre said. Contact Sandra Andre at (760) 744-1150 ext. 3995 for more information.
Finish Your Bachelor’s Degree at
Azusa Pacific University
John Cena ’12 B.S. IN ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Earn your accredited degree on campus or online. A college graduate earns an average of nearly $22,000 more per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. APU’s accelerated programs can help you complete your degree in less than two years. CHOOSE FROM:
B.A. in Liberal Studies
B.S. in Organizational Leadership
19 months to complete On campus and online
15 months to complete On campus and online
• Gain a strong background in the liberal arts and sciences grounded in a Christian worldview. • Advance your career in a variety of fields, including K–12 teaching, counseling, human resources, and social work.
• Learn relevant strategies that empower you to become a leader in today’s competitive market. • Benefit from practical, hands-on training for careers in management and administration across all industries.
Palomar’s Office of Student Affairs is hosting a fundraising event Nov. 15 for the Palomar College Food Bank. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Union Quad, students are encouraged to bring a donation of three non-perishable food items or a cash donation of $5 to the Food4Food event table. Those who contribute will receive a free lunch. Homebaked goods will also be for sale throughout the event. “Palomar students should participate,” said the Office of Student Affairs staff assistant Marilyn Lunde. “It is a great chance to help your fellow students out.” Palomar students who are interested in getting assistance from the Palomar College Food Bank can fill out an application online at www.palomar.edu/pages/studentaffairs/student-assistance/ palomar-college-food-bank/. The application process requires a recommendation from a counselor to be eligible for the program. Students are encouraged to donate to the Palomar College Food Bank throughout the semester at the Office of Student Affairs in room SU-201.
Palomar College will be celebrating Veterans Day with a ceremony at noon on Nov. 8 on the Student Union lawn by the flag pole. Students will have the opportunity to show support for veterans by purchasing a $2 American flag or donating canned foods. All proceeds will be donated to the Helping a Hero Organization, which helps feed veterans’ families in need during the holidays. “It’s a great opportunity for students to come out and show they appreciate all the veterans that attend Palomar,” said Ryan Williams, a G.I. Bill certifying official at the Palomar Veteran’s Services Department. The ceremony will last approximately an hour and feature Palomar alumni veteran speakers and performances from the Marine Corps Color Guard. “Veterans never ask for accolades,” Williams said. “But society deems it necessary to thank them, and Veterans Day is the day to do it.” There will be a free lunch following the ceremony provided by Veterans Services. More information regarding the event can be found at Veterans’ Services.
DANIELLE TAYLOR
JONATHAN STROUD
News to Know
(626) 815-5301 | aps@apu.edu www.apu.edu/go/degreecompletion
AZUSA | HIGH DESERT | INLAND EMPIRE | LOS ANGELES | MURRIETA VENTURA COUNTY | ONLINE 14181
HOLIDAY
Veterans Palomar to be to hold honored food drive
From the news desk
It’s time to complete your degree. Contact us today!
ORANGE COUNTY | SAN DIEGO |
ASSISTANCE
Ian Hanner THE TELESCOPE
A UK-based company unveiled a new technology in October that they claim can make gasoline from air. The company, Air Fuel Synthesis, claims their technological innovation can create hydrocarbons, the base chemical in gas products, from the carbon dioxide that it extracts from air. A byproduct of the process is filtered air. Carbon dioxide, which is emitted by cars, has been credited as the primary greenhouse gas affecting climate change. The process was summarized by Chris Milton, a writer for green technologies website cleantechnica.com. “Wind turbines produce electricity to power an electrolyser. This splits water into hydrogen and oxygen and the hydrogen is combined with carbon dioxide from the air to make the base hydrocarbon. The hydrocarbon can then be used to produce gas, lubricants, plastics and all other sorts of goodies.” “We think that by the end of 2014, provided we can get the funding going, we can be producing petrol using renewable energy and doing it on a commercial basis,” said CEO Peter Harrison, according to Milton. “We ought to be aiming for a refinery-scale operation within the next 15 years.” IHANNER@THE-TELESCOPE.COM
ACADEMICS
Get tutored If you are having trouble with an upcoming test, a homework problem, or just don’t understand something in one of your classes, then you should be one of the many students who takes advantage of the services provided by the tutoring center. The center is located on the bottom floor of the library. There, students can find tutors who can assist them in many subjects from math, science and English to foreign languages and computer programming. The center also provides test proctoring and test preparation for certain exams. There are 27 tutors who can assist students in their studies. The tutoring center is open at 9 a.m. daily and the closing times vary throughout the week. “The tutors are very good at getting students to be independent thinkers and problem solvers so they can do the work on their own,” said Keith Gravesen, a math tutor at the center. The only requirement to taking advantage of the tutoring center is you must be enrolled as a current student at Palomar College. Students must sign up once at any time during the semester to enroll in the system and keep track of the hours spent. If students are struggling, all they have to do is sign in at the center and a tutor will spend 30 minutes of one-on-one time with whatever subject they need assistance. If students need help in a popular subject they can also take advantage of group tutoring where a tutor will aid four or five students at a time. While this takes away from the one-onone assistance, students do not have a time limit and can spend as much time as they need with the tutor. Richard Sauerheber, a group science and math tutor at the center, said that he sees an average of 20 students a day, some of them “stay with me for hours on end.” Students who spend a consistent amount of hours in the center have found that it has affected their grades for the better. Vanessa Grimsley, a communication major who spends about three hours a week in the center said, “if I didn’t come here, I don’t think I would have passed my classes.” Lucio Guerrero went from failing his math class to now passing it with a ‘B’ average. A constant figure at the tutoring center, he said that it has made it “easier to relate to the concepts when the tutor presents them to me.” The tutors warn students to not wait until the last minute to come in and to be proactive about getting help with their studies. Sydney Davison
NEWS • 3
the telescope governing board Continued from Page 1
Q: What is the biggest problem facing Palomar? Halcon: I know everyone is
Darrell McMullen
Nancy Chadwick
Rose Marie Dishman
CHALLENGERS
CHALLENGERS RUNNING TO ASSIST STUDENTS Editor’s note: Since Palomar College’s three incumbent candidates particpated in an on-campus debate last month, The Telescope gave the three challengers an opportunity to comment for this report. Challengers Roberto Rodriguez and John Halcon participated, but candidate Nancy Ann Hensch did not respond. All three declined to provide photos.
APRIL TESTERMAN THE TELESCOPE
Two out of the three challengers for Palomar’s governing board said they are running to lessen the impact of budget cuts on students and to ensure that student and faculty voices are heard. Six people are running for the three open seats on the fiveperson board that oversees Palomar College. The three incumbents, Darrell McMullen, Nancy Chadwick and Rose Marie Dishman are running for re-election against challengers Roberto Rodriguez, John Halcon and Nancy Ann Hensch. Rodriguez, a teacher in the Sweetwater School District, said he is running to keep budget impact to a minimum. “I’m concerned that we’ve passed the brunt of the cuts to the students… one of my priorities is to ensure that we keep that to a minimum by looking at cutting in areas that are as far away from having an impact as possible,” Rodriguez said. He suggested when looking into budget cuts, considering “does the program or a particular expenditure really help the students or not? And I don’t know that that’s happened in the past.” Cal State San Marcos Professor Halcon will approach the position by changing how the governing board is involved. “The big change (for students) will be simply (that) we will open the process to students to have a voice in their government. I don’t believe that the student government is democratic at this point, and it needs to be democratic,” Halcon said. Concerning Palomar as a whole, Halcon added that he thinks there is a better way to run a community college.
“I’ve heard enough complaints from students. I’ve heard from faculty and others who feel their voices aren’t being heard. I want to make sure that if I am elected that those voices are heard,” Halcon said, “We are a democratic country, a democratic state and a democratic institution. I don’t believe we should be kicking people out.” The third challenger, Hensch, did not respond to attempts for comment. There was a concern expressed regarding the absence of the challengers at a debate held on campus. “I think they should have been here tonight if they were really interested in being on this board,” Governing Board incumbent Dishman said at the debate Oct. 25. The debate was co-hosted by Palomar’s Faculty Senate and the Associated Student Government and organized by the college’s Public Affairs department. Daniel Finkenthal, a physics and engineering professor who is the challengers’ campaign manager said, “It wasn’t a forum, it was a farce masquerading as a forum. “There was no dialogue or discussion there,” he added. There was also a lack of timely notice, the challengers said. “I understand the importance of going to these things, but I’m also a teacher in the Sweetwater District, and one of the things that we are trying to do, like a lot of teachers up and down the state, is trying to get some support for Proposition 30,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve been phone banking for the last couple of weeks in order to get support for the proposition… those are things that I have committed to months in advance.” Halcon agreed the candidates were not given sufficient notice to attend the forum. “We had not been advised that this was being planned,” Halcon said. “They didn’t take into consideration that I work... I wasn’t in town during that time, and frankly I’m busy… we are also campaigning and talking to people.” atesterman@the-telescope.com
focused on the budget, but the biggest problem plaguing the college is a lack of leadership, accountability, and honest dialog. The only way we are going to get through the state fiscal crisis is if all campus groups work together through a shared understanding of the problem and trust that everyone is working for the best interests of the students. Over the course of this campaign I have met with dozens of students, faculty, and staff members. The common theme I hear from each group is a feeling of exclusion from the decision-making process, a history of being ignored by the Governing Board, and a sense that college administrators are acting to protect their own interests above others. McMullen: Budget cuts, as is the problem with all educational institutions now This takes an experienced board to make tough decisions. Rodriguez: As I mentioned above, the biggest problem facing Palomar College is budgetary. Given the possibility of mid-year budget cuts and further state budget cuts in the future, it’s important that we look at the bottom line in conjunction with the core mission of the college. How do we maintain the highest level of education for our students with fewer resources at a time when four-year colleges are becoming more competitive and the job market more demanding? Dishman: State-funded budget cuts. Planning to mitigate shortfalls is a primary strength of the current Governing Board. Hensch: If Proposition 30 doesn’t pass, the budget will be a challenge, but there are many other significant problems with the current leadership. The incumbents will say that the ending fund balance is proof of the college’s success. This is an extremely myopic view of their responsibilities. For example: What about students’ access to classes? One of the main reasons the District has been able to amass such a savings is because they’ve drastically cut the ability for students to get the classes they need for success. There are so many factors to consider when making important decisions, yet this board does not consider anything other than the bottom line. Palomar College needs thoughtful leadership that takes into consideration broader concerns by members of the community. Chadwick: Clearly, the biggest problem facing Palomar is the reduction of state funding over the past several years. This situation has created a crisis that we must deal with using the existing process on the campus (shared governance). This process must be transparent. We have to focus on doing the most we can for students in our community with the resources we have.
Q: Where do you officially stand on Prop. 30? Prop. 38? Are you wor-
ried about their competing? Halcon: I support Proposition
30. I cannot emphasize enough how important the passage of Prop 30 is for our students and the future of California Public Education. My fellow faculty and I have been phone banking, tabling, or handing out literature almost everyday of the week for the last month. The students and faculty that support my campaign told me that we registered 923 students to vote last week on the Palomar campus alone. Prop 38 does not have the grassroots support that Prop 30 has and will probably not pass. Prop 30 is better for our students and I believe the voters understand that. This has been my experience in conversations I have had while phone banking for Prop 30. McMullen: I encourage approval of Prop 30. 38 does not include a benefit for community colleges. If they both pass, the one with the highest positive votes will prevail. Rodriguez: I’m in favor of Prop 30. of the two initiatives it is the only one that will prevent mid-year cuts to public education this year. It’s also the only initiative that includes funding for community colleges. While I’m willing to give proponents of Prop 38 the benefit of the doubt and say that they are well intentioned, it does nothing to alleviate the cuts that higher education institutions are facing. Dishman: It was the unanimous vote of the Governing Board to support Prop 30. Prop 38 has no provisions for funding Community Colleges. Prop 38 could hinder the passage of Prop 30. Hensch: Proposition 38 has no chance of passing at this point and all efforts to protect public education need to be spent on getting Proposition 30 passed. I’m actively campaigning for Proposition 30 as it is essential that this proposition pass. Unfortunately this has been made more difficult by the incumbents’ recent sponsorship of an anti-tax newsletter urging a ‘NO’ vote. I understand their desire to win the election by appealing to different audiences but this action really hurts our efforts. Chadwick: I support Prop 30 and do not support Prop 38.
Q: What are three things that can be done by the governing board that would most benefit students? Halcon: Establish a policy of
equal access and influence in the decision making process. Allow the students democratic and fair elections and form a truly independent student government so that their interests be fairly and effectively represented in the decision-making process. Re-focus the College’s priorities on actually meeting the educational needs of students. I will for example request the College President renounce his $15,000 a year car allowance granted by the current board and use the money to re-open essential classes that were cancelled this year.
McMullen: We’re doing it now: New buildings, comfortable learning environment. The latest technology. Maximize scholarships and student loans, book scholarships through the Foundation. The current board puts the students first. Rodriguez: The biggest role that board members have is to oversee how the college is run. As a governing board member my priority would be that we aren’t shortchanging students in any way. That the quality of education and the scope of the educational choices that students have isn’t diminished. Increasing tuition and cutting course sections puts the brunt of the budget cuts on students. If budget cuts go deeper in the future and fees have to go up, we need to be able to look at students in the eye and say, these are all the other things we’ve done to save money before considering fee or tuition increases. Finally, I think board members can play an active role in improving the climate on campus. We can help develop avenues for students, faculty, staff and administration to come together and try to work out some of the difficult problems we are facing. Dishman: Continued focus on student outcomes: Transfers to 4 year schools, Workforce Development and Basic Skills. Continue introduction of new facilities and tools; Continue renovation and expansion of facilities and campuses under conservative stewardship of Prop M funds. Hensch: Keeping classes open. The incumbents will brag that they have an enormous ending fund balance, but that balance was obtained by closing class offerings for students. The taxpayer’s money should be spent on educating students, not on building a large ending fund balance. Making sure that students have access to office hours. Right now, about 50% of the classes at Palomar are taught by part-time faculty who have virtually no office hours. Students need to be able to meet with their teachers outside of the classroom and the Governing Board should urge the District to provide students with better access to their teachers. The Governing Board can ensure that students on campus are truly represented. Right now, the students have been blocked from being able to vote on the structure of the Associated Student Government. The ASG’s own bylaws guarantees the students the right to vote and the Governing Board should direct the administration to ensure that students’ first amendment right to vote is ensured. Chadwick: The Governing Board will continue the policy of increasing class sections for the “golden four” requirements. Any funding potential for supporting student scholarships will continue to be sought. Efforts to lobby for increased student funding will continue including no future fee increases. TURN TO GOVERNING BOARD, PAGE 4
4 • NEWS
Monday, November 5, 2012
FORUM
governing board
Continued from Page 1
Continued from Page 3
“It’s been a very negative campaign,” Dishman said. “I think they should have been here tonight if they were really interested in being on this board.” One of the accusations leveled against the incumbent members of the board was the accusation that the administration was hiding information relating to Dishman’s on-campus car crash.
A campaign flier mailed to voters said, “Incumbent Dishman recently wrecked her automobile on-campus while on her way to a College Board meeting. Taxpayers paid for the clean-up. The college police won’t release the accident report. What’s the college hiding?” “It was a nice picture of my car,” Dishman said, referring
PALOMAR COLLEGE SPECIAL MOST CARS. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS. COUPON EXPIRES 12/08/2012.
LIFETIME BRAKES
AND ALL OTHER QUALITY SERVICES: ALIGNMENTS, TRANSMISSION FLUID EXCHANGE & FILTERS, RADIATOR FLUID SERVICE, FUEL INJECTOR/ S Y S T E M C L E A N I N G , BATTERIES, BELTS & HOSES, U-JOINTS & AXLES, W A T E R P U M P S , STARTERS AND ALTERNATORS!
MOST VEHICLES RECEIVE A FREE BRAKE LINING CHECK!
Most Cars Major Brand Oil, Up to 5 Qts 10W30 or 5W30. Trucks, SUV’s, Mini Vans slightly higher. Canister filters extra. Expires 12/08/2012. Cannot be combined with other offers.
GO COMETS!
to the photo of the accident on the flier. “It was interesting to have innuendos planted [in the ad]. One of my neighbors called and asked if I had been hurt in the accident. I’m very disappointed in the negativity that has happened.” Other accusations that the incumbents denied at the forum included the allegation that they had conspired to layoff faculty and that Palomar had been investigated by a Grand Jury. “I think Mark Twain was the one that said ‘A lie travels the world while the truth is getting its boots on,’” Chadwick said. “I think that a lot of the information that was put on those mailers, particularly the one that insinuated that Palomar College had been investigated by the Grand Jury, was especially surprising since that has not been the case.” McMullen said he believes as time goes on, the facts will prove the accusations false. “Secrecy doesn’t work,” he said. “Truth will always win.” The PFF backed candidates could not be reached for comment after the debate Tuesday. On Oct.24, PFF member Daniel Finkenthal said that prior engagements and late notice were responsible for the lack off attendance Tuesday night. “[The Challengers] weren’t notified until the very last minute which is rude,” Finkenthal said. “They couldn’t change their schedules in time to make it. John [Halcon] and I were phone banking on Prop. 30 which we were scheduled ahead of time to do. Typically when we do these forums, t hey’re planned a month in advance so all candidates have a chance to schedule for it. This was a dog and pony show for President Deegan to showcase his candidates.” IHANNER@ THE-TELESCOPE. COM @ianhanner visit the telescope’s website at the-telescope. com for more articles and photos from around school
Q: Do you feel there has been a breakdown in the relationship between administration and faculty? Halcon: Absolutely. This is
evident in the hundreds of hours many faculty members have spent on getting new members elected to the Governing Board. They are so frustrated with the cavalier attitude of the administration and the rubber-stamp behavior of incumbents that they opted to endorse and support me and two other teachers. Primarily because we as teachers understand how difficult and unproductive our jobs can be when a school board becomes the exclusive domain of administration. McMullen: We have an excellent relationship with the faculty in general. They are the highest paid compared to the 10 “gooder” community colleges in California. Any friction or adversarial relationship comes from a few faculty leaders on a mission. Rodriguez: I obviously don’t work at Palomar College so I don’t know if there is a breakdown. I’ve spoken to enough faculty members and can tell you from my own experience that when we are facing the budgetary constraints that we are facing tensions increase. Administration tends to be the constant bearer of bad news and faculty are feeling the impact in the classroom. I believe that faculty and administration must work together to make decisions that make both financial and educational sense. I’m not sure that has happened. Dishman: The majority of faculty work well with the administration under the guidance of the Board. Hensch: If I thought the incumbents were doing a good job, I wouldn’t be running for this office. The governing board does not fairly consider concerns brought to it by members of the campus community. I believe that more issues need to be discussed in the open portion of the monthly meetings. Many issues are decided by consent before the public is offered a chance to voice their opinion and have an open and non confrontational discussion with the Board. Here’s an example: Without any discussion, the incumbents awarded the president a $10,000 a year raise on top of his quarter of a million dollar salary. At the same time that they closed classes for students and advocated for extreme pay cuts to faculty and staff. This is the epitome of bad leadership and why there is so much animosity on campus. Chadwick: The campus has a shared governance process with clear structures and activities. The process has provided a healthy, constructive relationship means for the faculty and administration.
Q: Are you happy with the results from the current governing board? Halcon: Absolutely NOT. The
current governing board has sacrificed the needs of students to serve the interests of select administrators. The board has cut hundreds of classes, voted to
raise student fees, and refused to allow students to elect their own representatives. At the same time they have approved a massive pay raise for the President to well over $250,000 and provided many additional administrative perks such as $15,000 a year “car allowances” for top administrators. Even in a good economy these perks are outrageous, but with reduced state support, cutting classes and raising student fees, it becomes unconscionable. McMullen: Yes, I’m pleased to see the progress. I represent the Governing Board on the Policy & Procedure Committee, and through shared governance, and following the California Ed Code, we have updated all board policies. From a financial view point, Palomar is in better position then most community colleges due to reserve funds saved for this rainy day time. Rodriguez: The last few years have been challenging for anybody on a school board. I’m running for the board not as a critique of the current board, but because I’ve been a life-long teacher. I believe strongly in the benefits of public education. I think that my experience as an educator and my knowledge of school finances gives me a unique perspective that can be useful in upcoming years. Dishman: Yes, the campus has been transformed in the past four years while maintaining close stewardship of accreditation, planning for future state budget cuts, and the renovation and expansion of facilities. Voters can be proud of Palomar! Hensch: If I thought the incumbents were doing a good job, I wouldn’t be running for this office. The governing board does not fairly consider concerns brought to it by members of the campus community. I believe that more issues need to be discussed in the open portion of the monthly meetings. Many issues are decided by consent before the public is offered a chance to voice their opinion and have an open and non confrontational discussion with the Board. Here’s an example: Without any discussion, the incumbents awarded the president a $10,000 a year raise on top of his quarter of a million dollar salary. At the same time that they closed classes for students and advocated for extreme pay cuts to faculty and staff. This is the epitome of bad leadership and why there is so much animosity on campus. Chadwick: I am proud of the progress the current Governing Board has made including fiscal responsibility measures that have made it possible to avoid layoffs, no reductions in benefits and no furlough days. The board has continued to pursue an aggressive building program using Prop M money to provide modern academic facilities. Most of all, the board implemented student success policies and practices that resulted in the highest number of diplomas and certificates in the history of Palomar.
NEWS • 5
the telescope faculty retirement
Facilities director to retire after three decades at Palomar HAYLEY ELWOOD THE TELESCOPE
After more than 30 years of service at Palomar College, the Interim Director of Facilities Kelley HudsonMacisaac will retire on Dec. 30. Hudson-Macisaac notes her involvement with Palomar’s Educational Master Plan and working with Proposition M, a proposition that gave Palomar $694 million to update the school’s campus, as her most proud accomplishments, through her 22 years in the Facilities Department. However, one of her biggest accomplishments has been utilized on a daily basis since 2007. “I’m very proud of the Natural Sciences building,” she said. “The building was an entirely statefunded project, and it was the first instructional building to be built on this campus in 30 years.” “The Natural Sciences building would never have gotten built if it wasn’t for Kelley,” Construction Manager Christopher Miller said. “She championed that project to make sure we got the funds. It’s a first-class laboratory building… and we’re losing someone who’s played a critical role in moving the facilities of the campus forward.” Hudson-Macisaac received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry
The Natural Sciences building would never have gotten built if it wasn’t for Kelley. Christopher Miller
Interim Director, Kelley Hudson-Macisaac, in her office on the San Marcos campus on Oct. 25. • Jassamyn Payne/Telescope
from the University of California, San Diego prior to working at
Palomar. She also obtained certificates in hazardous materials management and facilities management. “I spent my first 11 years in the district in the chemistry department,” Hudson-Macisaac said. “I was the instructional support person in the lab and taught adjunct.” After her time in the Chemistry Department, Hudson-Macisaac applied for a job in facilities and created Palomar’s Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHNS). “I applied for a job as the District Safety Officer. My job at that point was to develop a comprehensive health and safety program where I created the department and worked with occupational and environmental compliance’s that the district has to meet.” After a shift in staff, Hudson-
Macisaac became Manager of Facilities Planning and Environmental Health and Safety. It was there that she became not only a boss, but a mentor as well. “Kelley encouraged me to take classes in order to grow with the department, which I did,” said Donald Thompson, Palomar’s Prop. M Facilities Planning Specialist. Thompson originally worked under Hudson-Macisaac in the EH&S Department. “Time and time again she would encourage me to take advantage of opportunities to better myself through the resources available here at Palomar.” According to her peers, along with her multiple accomplishments, Hudson-Macisaac leaves behind a legacy of diligence and generosity. “ S h e takes her job very seriously… and works very hard for the college,” Miller said. “She’s the first person in this office every morning
and almost the last one to leave.” According to Thompson, “I came to Palomar for a job, and due to the leadership and mentoring from Kelley, I gained a career.” Post-retirement, Hudson-Macisaac plans on traveling, spending time with her grandchildren, and volunteering for organizations like Father Joe’s Village, yet she is very thankful for the opportunities she’s had at Palomar. “I will miss my coworkers and the opportunity to interact with students,” she said. “I have been very fortunate to spend my career here and develop. I never had to go someplace else to move forward in my career.” helwood@the-telescope.com
PROTEST
Silent activists protest student gov’t THE TELESCOPE
Nearly three-dozen students silently protested the Associated Student Government during the public comment portion of the Oct. 17 meeting, demanding student government reform. The protestors, from the Coalition for a Democratic Education wore duct-tape over their mouths with the words, “No vote. No voice.” Daniel Finkenthal, Palomar professor and faculty adviser to the student organizers, said the words were meant to symbolize the purported lack of influence students have on the ASG. The Coalition began its campaign last school year to mandate that ASG senators be elected by popular vote rather than approved by the Office of Student Affairs. The group spoke to the Palomar Board of Governors during the Spring
2012 semester when they believed the testers demand, “Our right to vote be respected…our representatives be electASG had ignored their rights. The matter went as far as a lawsuit ed…our government be independent.” Once the 10 minutes were up the filed on behalf of the movement’s stu dent leaders against the school. The case protestors left in silence. ASG President was dismissed without prejudice during Johnathan Farmer and the rest of the the Spring 2012 semester. ASG were unable to comment on the According to Finkenthal, the slogan matter as the whole proposition is still was in response to an ASG campaign to caught in a state of lengthy litigation. register voters for the upcoming elec tion, during which ASG volunteers wore cjones@the-telescope.com shirts bearing the motto, “A student without a vote is a student N A T I O N A L U N I V E R S I T Y® without a voice.” The whole of the ASG meeting room was silent for about 10 minutes. During this time the protestors started handing out pamphlets detailing what they think is wrong with the student government and what they would expect 18 cONVENIENT from a functioning student govSan Diego locationS ernment. The pamphlet said the pro© 2012 National University 11700
Conner Jones
Transferring?
BEgIN YOUR BAchELOR’S DEgREE IN hEALThcARE TODAY! National University makes obtaining a higher degree in healthcare possible with bachelor completion programs in the areas of: allied health, clinical laboratory science, healthcare administration, nursing, public health, and radiation therapy. As a nonprofit university, we invest in our students’ success, which means we offer: • Streamlined admissions • Classes online and on campus • Flexible scheduling
• An accelerated course format • Scholarships and financial aid
Approved participant in the Cal Grant Program for current and transfer students
Cars stop at the newly functioning stoplight at the west end of Comet Circle. • Chelsea Boothe/Telescope
8 0 0 . N AT. U N I V
|
N U . e d U / h e A lT h c A r e
6 • LIFE
Monday, November 5, 2012
Music
Palomar prepares for Electronic Acoustic Music Festival Hayley Elwood The Telescope
Combining a mix of genres from opposite ends of the musical spectrum, Palomar’s Electro Acoustic Music Festival aims to delight the ears and minds of its audience. Directed by Associate Professor Madelyn Byrne, the concert features local musicians, members of Palomar’s faculty, and other faculty members from local colleges including UC San Diego and the University of San Diego playing electric and acoustic musical pieces. The performance will be held at 8 p.m. on Nov. 14 in the D-10 performance lab on campus. Admission is $5. “Students, by their nature, are looking to get out of their comfort zone…and expand their horizons,” Associate Professor Ellen Weller said. “This is a chance for students to stretch their ears.” According to Byrne, each musician will perform a 10 to 15 minute piece; either an original composition or a piece that pays homage to the festival’s inspiration, John Cage. Cage was an American composer and musician who specialized in electroacoustic and experimental music. He not only was a pioneer of electronic music, but composed
string pieces as well. The performance is a tribute to Cage who would have turned 100 this year. He died in 1992. “Cage was one of the first people who started to do electronic music in the 1950s,” Byrne said. “A lot of the pioneering work he did really laid the ground for music people did later.” “John Cage is hugely influential for me because he forced us to ask the essential question of ‘What is music?,’” Weller said. “What Cage says is…people have a musical experience when they think they’re having a musical experience. Music is experienced in the listener, not in what is produced by the sound maker.” Byrne attributes Cage as the inspiration for the piece she’s performing with Weller. The piece, “For ANWR,” is an electroacoustic composition. It was written for the acronym’s namesake, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Both artists will work together to create a unique and compelling composition. Byrne will perform “structured improvisation with chance elements” on the computer-generated track while Weller plays flute live. “This piece is a little bit of a tribute to Cage’s idea to ‘free music from one’s own tastes,’” Byrne said. “The notation keeps with the
Professor Madelyn Byrne poses outside the Music department on Oct. 25 at Palomar College. • Chelsea Boothe/Telescope
technique of John Cage. The song and the Arctic embody a lot of his ideals.” The concert is geared toward students and audience members who are interested in electronic and alternative music. Byrne and Weller both see many similarities with John Cage’s work influencing artists of today. “People who do dubstep, whether they realize it or not, are influenced by Cage because they’re doing things to create unique cross fades and mashups,” Byrne said. “Cage is the original mashup guy.” While Byrne views Cage as the forefather of electronic music, Weller thinks Cage influenced
ART
bands like Radiohead and The Mars Volta due to the complex structures and combination of sounds in their music. While the pieces are certainly out of the box, according to Weller, Palomar Performing Arts Publicity Coordinator Randy Hoffman deems “adventurism” as the theme of the concert and feels the theme will resonate with students. “Students are in the best position to pursue and defend adventurism,” Hoffman said. “This performance will certainly give them that opportunity. Performances like these tend to promote new thinking…I hope that all in attendance leave with the wheels turning.”
In addition to getting audience members to think about the pieces they heard, those involved with the performance hope the music strikes them on a visceral level as well. “You know how you feel after you see a fireworks display,” Weller said. “This is what this music does for your ears. These are new sounds that satisfy places you didn’t know you needed to be satisfied. I want your ears to be tickled with delicious sounds.” For more information, please visit the Palomar Performing Arts Department’s website. helwood@the-telescope.com
Movie Review
Gallery exhibit open Cloud Atlas gets 5 stars Diana Valdez The Telescope
Two unfamiliar artists came together to create, “Superposition and Lateral Continuity,” the latest exhibit at the Boehm Gallery. The show is open until Nov. 14 and features two artists featuring different styles of sculpture. Artist Xuchi Naungayan Eggleton used wax, foam graphite and wire as media for his work. According to Boehm Gallery Director Ingram Ober, the pieces are heavy, hard, rough and rock like. He said: “If a piece would fall or break, it would not be a problem. Like how a rock can take a fall and get a piece broken off it does not lose its rock-like form. Same goes
Xuchi Naungayan Eggleton has her “Excavation Series” displayed in the Boehm Gallery at Palomar College. • Guillermo Escamilla/The Telescope
for Eggleton’s pieces. They are supposed to be rough, aggressive and represent action.” Jessica McCambly, the other featured artist, worked with acrylic, powder mica and glass to create delicate pieces. One of her pieces, “Shatter” is exactly how it sounds; pieces of broken glass and acrylic that creates a shimmery frail piece of art. McCambly’s pieces were carefully placed to encourage viewers to see the work the way one would move around broken glass. Both used paper as a base for their art. McCambly’s paper was evident in her work while, Eggleton’s art pieces over took the entire space, leaving no trace of paper. Ober said, “people that come to the gallery will see two sides of the coin.” Ober, an artist himself, said he was amazed by Cambly’s and Eggleton’s work and determination. “Both of these artists did not know one another and somehow combined together and created an outstanding exhibit,” Ober said. “You get a white and a black side in this exhibit.” According to Ober, the show has action and boldness on one side and glass-shattering delicacy on the other. Ober said he could not pick a favorite piece, he simply knew that bringing these two artists together would bring out the best in their work. Those who don’t have contact with the art may find it difficult to understand the pieces of both artists. However, the art is meant to challenge one’s mind, he added. dvaldez@the-telescope.com
Conner Jones The Telescope
If you’re looking to have your mind blown, I’d highly recommend you check out “Cloud Atlas.” At first glance, this ambitious film, may seem like a lot of brain work, what with having to keep track of the varying characters, story arcs, settings and time Tom Hanks and Halle Berry in the movie “Cloud Atlas” distributed by Warner Bros. zones, but as time goes by, Pictures. • MCT Campus understanding this beautiful story becomes easier. “Cloud Atlas” a little intimidating to the Taking place in the past, Rating: R casual viewer. You have to present and a distant dystopian future, “Cloud Atlas” Runtime: 2 hr. 52 minutes devote all your attention is a movie about life, death to the film, and even after and all the relationships we that, you are left feeling form in between. It’s the as though you’ve missed story about reincarnation something, which, I suppose, could add to its reand predestination, that basically tells us everything that they are someone else watch value. All in all, this is one of that happens, happens for a entirely. The movie may seem the most stunning films reason. With a star-studded cast a little daunting, with I’ve seen. The only downincluding Tom Hanks, Halle the run-time somewhere side would be the sheer Barry and Hugh Grant, this around three hours, but the enormity of it all, which is movie is a test of good act- way the story is told, the good to understand before ing. Many of the actors play three hours feel more like you see it. I would recomroles that transcend their one and a half. Through- mend this to anyone looktime-period, race and gen- out the movie viewers are ing to have their mind der. It’s a wonder how the constantly engaged and are blown. However, bring a make-up artists could do left with their minds blown friend to help you figure such a good job covering once the credits roll. the whole thing out. up such familiar faces, and As beautifully crafted as how the actors could convey the movie may be, it can be cjones@the-telescope.com
«««««
LIFE • 7
the telescope
San Diego Beer Week
Photo Illustration by Brian Korec/Telescope
Local breweries celebrate with events and special releases
Emma Maliszewski the telescope
There are approximately 50 breweries in San Diego County, and the number is expected to jump to 80 by the end of the year. So it’s no wonder why in the microbrew capitol of the country, San Diego Beer Week is
Port Brewing
For the seasoned pros at Port Brewing/ The Lost Abbey, San Diego Beer Week is a time to connect with long-time fans and to debut some highly anticipated, new arrivals. Kevin Hopkins, director of Hospitality and Employee Relations for Port Brewing, said, “San Diego Beer Week is a fun time. This is a time of year that all brewers look forward to. I think San Diegans know that their fortunes are here in San Diego because through the week of Nov. 3 to 11 and there is always so many beer-related events going on.” Port is a brewery with two brands that originated from the independently owned Pizza Port restaurants. Port is their West Coast-style beers like IPAs, porters, stouts and pilsners, while Lost Abbey is their Belgian influenced brand.
such a big deal. According to a press release, San Diego Beer Week promotes San Diego’s craft beer culture by sponsoring a 10-day countywide festival that attracts beer tourism, fosters knowledge of the regional brewing heritage and serves as a showcase for San Diego’s breweries, restaurants, pubs and other
Port began beer week on Nov. 2 with a book signing event for the beer-inspired cook book, Brewfoods, at Mission Brewery in downtown San Diego. Members of the Lost Abbey team and contributors of the book were there to talk about the recipes and, of course, the beer. Hours at the Port/Lost Abbey Brewery and tasting room will be extended in honor of Beer Week as well. On Nov. 3 and 4 Port held their most exclusive event, called Night of the Barrels which was the only time fans could sample beer taken directly from the barrels. The beers were paired with an exclusive gourmet menu that featured six to eight guest chefs. The food was tapas style to encourage patrons to mix and mingle while brewers and staff discussed beer, Hopkins said.
Aztec Brewing For up-and-comers like Aztec Brewing Company, who have been producing award-winning beer in Vista since 2011, Beer Week is an opportunity for feedback. During the week of Nov. 3, Aztec beers will be featured among the beers at the official San Diego Brewers Guild Festival at the San Diego Pier. On Nov. 5 Aztec will be at Baja Betty’s in Hillcrest for a Tap Takeover event. Also on Nov. 5, Aztec will be participating in a small brewer event at PCH Bar and Grill in Oceanside. On Nov. 9 Aztec officials will be at FireFly restaurant at The Dana hotel in Mission Bay for the Brewtopia Beer & Food pairing. Finally Aztec will be at the Beer Garden at The Lodge at Torrey Pines on Nov. 11 for beer week’s closing event. Aztec owners Claudia Faulk and John Webster partnered with master brewer Rob Esposito to revive the historic San Diego brewery that originally
businesses with ties to the craft beer community. Throughout the county, breweries are hosting in-house events and parities at local bars and restaurants for the week-long beer celebration. The festival is sponsored by the San Diego Brewers Guild, which hosts the kickoff
The Night of the Barrels event also coincided with the release of one of Lost Abbey’s ales from its Barrel-aged program, Veritas. The series beer hadn’t been made since May of 2011 when it sold out before it was released due to high demand. Guests of the event were treated with a bottle of Veritas at admission and were given the opportunity to buy another one. On Nov. 5, Port will be participating in a beer and food pairing at Urge in Rancho Bernardo, and another on Nov. 6 at Churchills in San Marcos. Both are ticketed events that can be purchased though each establishment’s website. On Nov. 7 Port will be represented at several tap events in the downtown San Diego area, including Neighborhood Bar and Grill. “It’s a great night to come out
opened in 1922. According to Faulk, fans are nostalgic for the original Aztec Brewing company, she said, “the history of the company is an added bonus, something that fans can remember and recognize, which gets people talking.” The Aztec brand resurrection came to be after some research by Faulk and Webster, who are professional graphic designers. They were searching for historic San Diego brands four years ago when they stumbled upon The Aztec Brewing Company, a name that was never re-trademarked and was essentially up for grabs. Last summer at the International Beer Festival, held at the San Diego County Fair, Aztec’s Amber was awarded with a first place gold ribbon, which was a surprise to the team, especially for its first year. “We haven’t done many competitions yet. We will do more in the future, this first year we were just trying to get up to speed and find out what the customers like,” Faulk said.
and closing events. “This festival has something for every beer lover,” said San Diego Brewers Guild President, Marty Mediola in the press release. emaliszewski@the-telescope.com @emmahhhh
and meet the people that work at the brewery,” Hopkins said. On Nov. 8, Port will be participating in a IPA event at Jsix in downtown San Diego. On Friday, Nov. 9 Port will be hosting a 7 p.m. screening of the documentary, “Sud County USA” inside the brewery. The film is about the 25-year craft beer history in San Diego. The film will feature interviews with top brewers and tickets will be sold at the door. Guest are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Finally on Nov. 11 Port/Lost Abbey will be participating in the closing event of Beer Week, a food and beer pairing at the Lodge at Torrey Pines, the event is open to all members of the San Diego Beer Guild. Port Brewing/ The Lost Abbey, has been around for six and half
Iron fist brewing Iron Fist is a family-owned brewery where everyone is involved, even grandparents help buss tables and talk to guests at the tasting room. Iron Fist Head Brewer Brandon Sieminski said that two years ago, “we came up with the idea of starting a brewery and we just went for it. It’s a great job for people who can’t sit still.” While there will be no events held at their Vista brewery and tasting room this year, Iron First will be busy hitting several events throughout the county in honor of San Diego Beer Week. On Nov. 2, Iron Fist was at Mission Brewery in San Diego for a book-signing event for Brewfoods. They even contributed to the book with their own, Velvet Glove braised tri tip sliders, that Sieminski said, “we have here at the tasting room occasionally.” Sieminski and Chocolatier David Bacco will also be at Jake’s on 6th Wine bar to team up in a beer and chocolate pairing on Nov. 5.
years and reside in Stone’s former production faculty in San Marcos. Port distributes throughout the United States and internationally, spanning 13 markets, 9 states and parts of Europe. The brewery has three programs when it comes to the availability of beer; some are year-round at stores, bars and at the tasting room. Others are seasonal, and some are one-off specialty beers that come out occasionally. Fans of the brewery appreciate the variety, range and high quality of the product, Hopkins said. “We are very meticulous in how we create our beer. We don’t make them in small batches because were trying to drive up sales in the market,” he said. “We make them in small batches because they are very difficult to make and take a long time.”
On Nov. 6, Iron Fist will be at Stone for the Brewmasters lunch, to celebrate the one-time release of their Mint Chocolate Imperial Stout, a collaboration beer from Ken Schmidt, Iron Fist, and Stone. The menu will include five entrees and will be paired with five beers, from Iron Fist and Stone. On Nov. 10 Iron Fist will be at The Local, to feature their Mint Chocolate Stout, Uprising, and Nelson the Impaler. Iron Fist will also be hosting a tap takeover at Churchill’s in San Marcos on Nov. 11 where they will feature their regular line up of beers, a cask of their anniversary brew and eight specialty beers that were brewed for the occasion. Iron Fist is infamous for creating specialty beers with a twist. Sieminski said: “one thing that we do here at the tasting room is take our regular production beers and do some interesting stuff with them. We will add more dry hops to our nelson pale ales, bourbon oak to our oatmeal stout and to our double IPA we added tangerine and lime juice to.”
8 • LIFE
Monday, November 5, 2012
Performing arts
Palomar to host ‘Cider House’ play Nov. 9 - 18 Jonathan Stroud The Telescope
Francis Gercke, director of “Waiting for Lefty,” returns to Palomar for her rendition of “The Cider House Rules, Part One,” running Nov. 9-18 in the O2 performing arts studio. This is an ensemble-driven piece that focuses on the vital roles of the entire cast, telling the story of Homer Wells, an orphan with no record of his past who is forced to step aside from his upbringing to see the world. After struggling to be adopted, Wells attempts to bond with his orphanage caretaker Dr. Larch, who wants nothing to do with raising children. Dr. Larch believes in his line of work, forming relationships are unnecessary, distracting and even dangerous. Despite his best efforts, Wells cannot find a family to adopt him and becomes Dr. Larch’s responsibility. Homer begins to learn and participate in Dr. Larch’s secret life. “A secret life called the Lord’s work by some and Devil’s work by others,” Gercke said. Homer is forced to choose between these two extremes and risk the loss of the only family he’s ever known. “Despite this seemly dark description, the play is at times a very silly, touching story,” Gercke said.
Palomar actors (left to right) Elaine Litton, Hailee Byrd, Sarah Wootton, and Dan Deussen (bottom) practice during play rehearsal for their upcoming play ‘The Cider House Rules Part One: Here in St. Cloud’s’ on Oct. 29 in room O2. • Brian Korec/Telescope • Photo Illustration (left) by Telescope Staff
The story discusses personal freedom, personal choice and personal belief, and is based on the novel by John Irving. “I’ve always been taken by every novel of his that I’ve read,” she continued. “‘The Cider House Rules’ is a really good story.” Featuring returning stars from Palomar’s latest performance, “Paragon Springs,” actors Daniel Duessen, Miguel Zubirnain and Abby Fields. “I welcome any and all to come see the show,” Gercke said. “The play is a really big
November 9-18
November 14
The Cider House Rules
Electro Acoustic Music Festival
Part One: Here in St. Cloud’s by Peter Parnell (adapted from the novel by John Irving)
Happy 100th Birthday, John Cage!
Homer Wells, a compassionate young man raised by an eccentric doctor at a Maine orphanage, steps away from his upbringing to see the world. Based on the book by the same name, the story touches on many issues, including abortion rights, incest and family values. Contains adult situations, sexual content and language. Not suitable for children.
task to take on and the entire cast, production team and students ... are really doing a wonderful job.” The play contains adult situations, touches on many current social and family issues and is not suitable for children. “ Cider House Rules” runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 5 p.m. and Thursday at 4 p.m. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for seniors and staff and $8 for students at the door. jstroud@the-telescope.com
Local and out-of-town composers celebrate the life and work of one of our culture’s most celebrated visionaries with acoustic and electronic performances. Directed by Madelyn Byrne
Wednesday, 8pm Performance Lab (D10), Palomar College, San Marcos campus $5 General Admission, Open Seating
Directed by Francis Gercke
Fridays, Saturdays 8pm; Sunday, 5pm; Thursday, 4pm O2 Performance Studio, Palomar College, San Marcos campus $12 General, $10 Seniors and Staff, $8 Students
Tickets: www.palomarperforms.com, 760.744.1150 x2453 or Box Office (GJ Bldg.) Thurs. & Fri., 12 to 4pm “Like” us at www.facebook.com/PalomarPerformingArts • Follow us at www.twitter.com/PalomarPerforms TelescopeAd.indd 1
10/23/12 11:45 AM
the telescope
9
10 • OPINION
t
Monday, November 5, 2012
ELECTION
the telescope Focused On Palomar Monday, Nov. 5, 2012 Vol. 66, No. 6 Palomar College, San Marcos, Calif.
KAITY BERGQUIST editor in chief COLLEEN PETERS MANAGING EDITOR & COPY EDITOR IAN HANNER co-NEWS EDITOR DANIELLE TAYLOR co-NEWS EDITOR APRIL TESTERMAN OPINION EDITOR EMMA MALISZEWSKI LIFE EDITOR GIO NIETO SPORTS EDITOR
Obama is the best candidate for students
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, Sydney Davison, Cynthia Green, Brittany Habeck, Pat Hartley, Diana Laine, Katherine Scordo, Nick Shumate, Diana Valdez, Susan Hamidy PHOTOGRAPHERS 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 Serrano, 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 received 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
Illustrations by Jassamyn Payne
california newspaper publisher’s association
Conner jones the telescope
With the election coming up, as students we have to take into consideration who cares more for education, and from what we’ve seen, President Barack Obama has shown a higher concern. Currently there is so much still to be done to fix our damaged education system. According to a Huffington Post Article, a 2009 study found that U.S. students ranked 25th among 34 countries in math and science. For the past four years, Obama has fought to try and fix our country’s damaged education system and to make it easier for students to get a higher education. Back in 2008, Obama raised the maximum Pell Grant award
from $3,711, to $5,550. To accompany that statistic, during the last 2012-13 school year, 9.5 million students received the Pell Grant as opposed to the 4.8 million in 2008 (at the start of Obama’s presidency). Obama said he believes in investing more into community colleges in order to ensure that everyone who works for a higher education can actually get a higher education. Obama also believes in smaller classrooms, which research shows create conditions to encourage learning. At the most recent presidential debate in Chicago, Obama said, “Teachers will tell you it [smaller [classrooms] does make a difference.” On the opposing side, we have Obama’s running-mate, Republican Mitt Romney. Hav-
ing been governor of the state of Massachusetts, Romney did a series of spending cuts and increases in fees that got rid of an $1.5 billion deficit. He also managed to sign into law universal health insurance to his state. Apparently, things have changed for the Republican candidate, as he has recently vowed to repeal Obama’s health care plan. Obama’s plan would do nearly the same thing as Romney’s reform bill in Massachusetts. Although he tends to change his opinions and political views, he seems to also have a slight concern for education. However, he doesn’t believe in allocating more money toward education, which is what education needs right now. While he was governor of
Massachusetts, Romney cut funding toward community colleges by 17 percent. President Obama has been very consistent on his policies and opinions over the past four years, promising to do the same things he promised to do four years ago. To some this may seem like a bad thing, as some may think he hasn’t lived up to everything he has promised to do as president, however as former president Bill Clinton had said at the recent Democratic National Convention, “No one could fix the problems in one term, not even himself.” There is still so much to fix this country and President Obama may not be the perfect choice but he’s the best choice. cjones@the-telescope.com
Being able to live with Gov. Romney as president Barbara Shelly The kansas city star
Fast forward to next week. It is midmorning and I am still in bed with the blankets pulled over my head. It is Wednesday, Nov. 7, and Mitt Romney is president-elect of the United States. I fear the return of the neocons, with their blustery foreign policy. And the unraveling of health-care reform. I dread the idea of industry interests retaking control of the regulatory agencies. Shudder. Why did I never get around to purchasing blackout curtains? But it is time to face the day _ not to mention the next four years. My Republican parents always told us to “make the best of it,” so I will busy myself thinking up reasons I should be able to live with Romney as president. Let’s go for 10. 1. As governor of Massachu-
setts, Romney led the way to Romneycare _ a system whereby citizens must purchase health insurance and then are able to shop for affordable policies. Thanks to Romneycare, 98 percent of Massachusetts citizens have access to affordable health care. What a great idea! We should try that nationwide. Oh, wait ... 2. For all I know, Romney didn’t mean a word he said in the entire campaign. Once in the White House, he’ll just get out the old Etch A Sketch and, as his campaign adviser said, “You can kind of shake it up and restart all over again.” Excellent! Having liked very little of what Romney has said so far, I am all in favor of a reboot. 3. Romney has promised to create 12 million jobs in his first term. Awesome! That’s 3 million jobs a year, or 57,692 jobs a week. I know a lot of people looking for jobs. Bring ‘em on. 4. Got to give credit where
credit is due. Romney did do a fine job of salvaging and running the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The Olympics are a cakewalk compared with Washington, but a track record as a fixer doesn’t hurt. 5. Jim Talent, the former U.S. senator from Missouri, was a key campaign adviser for Romney and should end up with a role in his administration. I seriously have a lot of respect for the talented Mr. Talent. 6. I like runners, and used to be one, so it’s fabulous that our soonto-be vice president, Paul Ryan, ran a marathon in under three hours. Oh, wait, it was a little over four hours? Well, who’s counting? Ryan is a workout freak, and we’ll need the inspiration once Michelle Obama moves her “Let’s Move” campaign from the White House. 7. Things could be worse. We could be looking at Next Gingrich for president. Or Rick Santorum, Rick Perry or Michele Bachmann. Remember them?
8. Romney boasted in a debate that he had “binders full of women” to consider for high-ranking jobs in his administration in Massachusetts. Just think what that could mean, writ large, in a Romney presidency. File cabinets full of women. Whole computer banks full of women! I can picture it already ... the nation’s first all-woman cabinet. 9. Romney has a way of phrasing things, like “binders full of women,” that is, well, slightly off. Like when he said he loved the state of Michigan because “the trees are the right height.” That kind of talk is great for Twitter, Facebook and late-night comedians. If I can’t be happy, I can at least be amused. 10. I can live with a Romney presidency because this is a great country and we are a great democracy. Romney himself said, “I like to fire people.” Perfect. If he doesn’t live up to his promises, 12 million jobs et al., we can fire him in 2016.
OPINION • 11
the telescope SPEAK OUT
DEBATES
Who are you voting for and why? “Obama, because I think if he gets another term, he’ll have more time to put policies through and I agree with his stance on most things. I feel Romney is homophobic because of his religion and that he only wants to help the top 1% (tax payers).” Shane Walk
“Obama, mainly because he supports gay marriage, but he also has the same mentality about foreign policy as I do.” Emily Kinsey Youth vote leaders and climate activists demand the presidential candidates to address climate change• Bruce R. Bennett/MCT Campus
“Republican, to get a change. I really believe the US I knew when I came here was always in the center looking at the whole country. Now we seem to have gone different ways, voters has to unite in the center and run the country as one. I’ll take Romney because with change maybe things will get better.” Lahshmen Kirpanani
“Obama… ‘cause he’s black yeah… And I voted for him last time, sticking with my guy.” Phil Phillips
“Mitt Romney; when it comes down to it, I am more for economic reasons. I’m wanting to see some change, and I feel he’d be better suited to do so.” Brandon Stables
“Obama, I think he is responsive to the needs of the majority, especially the lesser employed. I feel it’s better for the country.” Michael Gross
Presidential candidates should have focused on women and youth voters Marissa milloy The telescope
With the presidential election campaign in the final home stretch, President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney disregarded some of the most important issues voters are currently facing. The two strongest votes in the 2008 election came from female and youth demographics respectively. Votes from these two groups alone were the determining factors of the election outcome that year. So the adversities that these groups are currently facing should be of the utmost importance if either candidate expects to receive their vote. Women turned out at the 2008 election and it made an impact; there is no doubt the female vote could swing the outcome this time around as well. A research poll done by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University revealed that “women’s votes were a significant factor in Senator Barack Obama’s victory, with a sizable gender gap evident in the election results.” However, over the course of the three presidential debates, the issue of women’s health rights could not have been more neglected. Of course, American men and women alike can agree that the economy is the number one issue of concern, but women also take social welfare into account when voting. More specifically, their own social welfare. Now while both candidates have polar opposite stances on women’s health, a more in-depth discussion in at least one of the debates should have been considered. For whatever reason, it’s been approached more as taboo.
Discussion of women’s health is important because it affects women in their every day lives. With a million other things going on, the last thing a woman should have to worry about is if the president is going to be concerned with her well-being by providing prohealth services. Providing access to programs like Planned Parenthood, that administer not just contraception but other health services for women at an affordable cost, especially those in low-income situations, are essential. So to put a woman’s mind at ease, a more topical discussion should have been held. “What really drives the gender gap are attitudes about welfare and the social safety net,” said Melissa Deckman, a political science professor at Washington College in Maryland who specializes in gender and politics. With the number of women voting now surpassing the number of men and the influence the women’s vote has, issues facing women should not have been so overlooked. “In a very close election, with almost 10 million more women voting than men, the gender gap can make a difference in the outcome of the election,” said Debbie Walsh, of Rutgers University’s Center for American Women and Politics, regarding the upcoming election. Another demographic the presidential candidates should have focused on was the youth. A youth voter is considered to be someone between the age of 18 to 29. In 2008, the youth vote carried President Obama. According to a Pew Research Poll, he captured 66 percent of the youth vote, but that same momentum hasn’t exactly been carried over four years later.
What young people are facing today is unprecedented. Not only is it hard to obtain a decent-paying job, but to get that decent-paying job you need to have a degree. Getting a degree requires going to school for a number of years; with the cost of school only on the rise, it often times leads to student debt. After graduation, students are left with no job and so much debt. On top of all of this, the younger generation will be inheriting the debt of what is the worst economic situation since the Great Depression. So, saying the outcome of this election is important is an understatement considering there are two very different plans for America in the works. With all of this weight on the shoulders of the youth, addressing them as voters should not have been by-passed. There is such a sense of apathy among the youth voter. Many people under the age of 30 are frustrated with the way things are being run by government or feel as if their vote really does not matter. What candidates should have done was try to ignite a spark to encourage the youth vote, because this election needs to matter to them. Affordable education is something that really gets students going; some sort of plan to lower the cost of education and boost post-graduate jobs might just wake the youth up. As a woman and a student voter, I was left disappointed when nothing candidates had to say really appealed or applied to me. I do believe the neglect of these issues will drive voters away from the booth this election. mmilloy@the-telescope.com
12 • OPINION
Monday, November 5, 2012
2012 Election guide State Propositions
Prop. 30
Prop. 32
Prop. 30 will provide money to fund schools after increasing the taxes on earnings. Funds go directly to the state’s general fund before going to schools. Its goal is to improve education. If approved by voters, the high-income taxpayers ($250,000 a year or more) will pay more taxes for seven years and the sales tax will increase for four years. The additional funds are slated to go to k-12 schools and community colleges, some revenue may go to CSUs and UCs. If voted no, the income and sales taxes stay the same, and no additional revenue will go to public schools.
WHAT WE THINK: Vote Yes
Prop. 32 bars unions from using their generated funds (from payroll) for political involvement. It also prohibits union and corporate donations to any candidates and/or their committees. If passed, unions won’t be allowed to use money from an employee’s paycheck for political reasons. If not passed, there will be no change to law. “Unions, corporations, and government contractors would continue to be subject to existing campaign finance laws,” according to the 2012 voter information guide.
WHAT WE THINK: Vote No
Prop. 38 Prop. 30 proposes an increase in funding for the California public schools by increasing state income tax rates for 12 years. If passed, Prop. 38 would ensure all revenue generated by the proposed act would be used for K-12 educational purposes only and could not be used to replace existing state funding for K-12 education. It would also ensure that the Legislature cannot use funds generated by this act for any other purposes or dictate how the funds are spent by schools. If not passed, state personal income tax rates would remain at their current levels. No additional funding would be available for K-12 schools, childcare, preschool and state debt payments, according to smartvote.org. WHAT WE THINK: Vote no
Prop. 31
Prop. 33
Prop. 34
Prop. 35
Prop. 31 will create a two-year state budget, it “sets rules for offsetting new expenditures, and Governor budget cuts in fiscal emergencies.” The local government can change the application of laws that affect state-funded programs. If passed, the financial responsibilities of the legislature and governor will change. If not passed, those same responsibilities won’t change, local governments will not be given “New plans that coordinate services or the authority to develop their own procedures for administering state programs,” according to the 2012 voter information guide. WHAT WE THINK: Vote no
Prop. 33 will allow insurance companies to enact prices based on the driver’s history on holding auto insurance with any company. It also allows relative discounts for those who have held insurance before. it increases costs for those who have not held insurance continuously. If passed, companies will offer new discounts on auto insurance for new customers based on their coverage history of five years. If not passed, it will still provide discounts, but only to current customers, not new, according to the 2012 voter information guide. WHAT WE THINK: Vote yes
Prop. 34 would replace the death penalty in California with life in prison without the possibility of parole. It would apply to all current Death Row inmates, as well any in the future. Also, if the proposition is passed, a special, one-time grant of $100 million would be provided to California law-enforcement. If not passed, it would mean that the death penalty would remain as an option in California for punishing serious criminal offenders and the state would not be required to provide any extra grants to law-enforcement.
Prop. 35, if passed, would increase the penalties placed upon human traffickers and would require all convicted traffickers to register as sex offenders with the state. If not passed, current penalties for human traffickers (which vary depending on the severity of the conviction) would remain in effect, and criminals convicted of human trafficking would not necessarily have to register as sex offenders.
Prop. 36
Prop 36. would revise the Three Strikes Law, imposing a life sentence only on convictions that are serious or violent for third-time offenders. If passed, criminals with two serious and one non-serious convictions could possibly serve shorter jail time. If not passed, all criminals with two serious convictions would receive lifesentences upon a third conviction, no matter the felony.
WHAT WE THINK: Vote Yes
Prop. 37 Prop. 37 requires the labeling of organic food (such as meat and plant-based products) that has been changed through genetic tampering. If the proposition is passed, products covered under Prop. 37 would be given special labeling on its packaging to notify consumers of any modification. If not passed, nothing would change and genetically modified foods would remain unlabeled with this information.
What we think: Vote Yes
WHAT WE THINK: Vote Yes
WHAT WE THINK: Vote Yes
Prop. 39
Prop. 40
Prop. 39 is a measure that would only affect out-of-state businesses. It would hold businesses accountable to pay full California income taxes based on their percentage of in-state sales, which they currently reduce by conducting business outof-state. If passed, it would possibly add $1 billion to the state’s revenue and create approximately 40,000 jobs, according to the non-partisan California Legislative Analyst’s Office. If not passed, most out-of-state businesses would continue to be able to choose one of two methods to determine their California taxable income, according to the California Ballot Voter’s Guide. What we think: Vote Yes
Prop. 40 calls for a veto referendum to the California State Senate’s redistricting plans. According to the official California voter’s guide, If Prop. 40 passes, it means that the State Senate maps drawn by the voter-approved independent Citizens Redistricting Commission will remain in place. If not passed, politicians will have the opportunity to overturn the fair districts drawn by the independent commission—costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process.
WHAT WE THINK: Vote Yes
OPINION • 13
the telescope GRAPHIC
CALIF. 2-YEAR COLLEGE COSTS LOWEST IN NATION Graphic courtesy of Geography Professor Wing Cheung
VOTING
Voters need to take into consideration why they are voting Too many people are going to the polls uneducated and an uninformed vote is worse than not voting at all SCOTT MORTON the telescope
Being politically involved is important to me, however I will not be voting for a presidential candidate this election. Not only is the two-party system flawed, but neither candidate has shown himself to be capable of handling the issues that really affect Americans. While I will not be voting for president, I will be voting on propositions. The direct impact they have on me as a student and a citizen is undeniable. I hope that anyone voting spends some time reading the propositions on the ballot and then casts a vote. Staying informed is important, because this is your money being spent. Casting an uninformed vote is as bad as not voting. Bills and
propositions are often written in a way that may make you believe it represents something helpful, but instead hide its true intentions. Looking directly at the presidential election, the two candidates have not shown they are capable of addressing the problems that most affect the average person. The incumbent, Barack Obama, has had four years in office to show us how he gets things done. Unfortunately, he has shown that he doesn’t get things done in a timely fashion. His major change in legislature has been Obamacare, but it took over a year to get through and neglected the money it would cost, while the national debt spirals out of control. Since 2008, when he was elected into office, the national unem-
ployment level has risen from 5 percent to 8.2 percent, according to the bureau of labor statistics. Now some of these things may be slightly out of his control, but he remained smug during the debates and doesn’t acknowledge these shortcomings. Former Gov. Mitt Romney is in a different situation because less is known about how he would actually handle the office. If what he says is any indication of how he will perform, he also doesn’t address the problems realistically. He comes from a wealthy family and has hundred of millions of dollars. He doesn’t understand the struggles people are going through because he has never experienced them first hand. Embracing Paul Ryan’s economic plan is just as disconnected as the rest of Romney’s campaign.
It doesn’t address the real problems in the budget and is short sighted with its goals. Romney has made some very erroneous and crude statements. Everyone has his or her favorite Romney-ism. While that doesn’t take away from his policies, we need to think if we really want someone who speaks out so uninformed to represent us. Larger than the two candidates is the two-party system they are a product of. The Republican-versus-Democratic battle has led to both parties dancing around the issues in order to win votes. The two-party system is enforced by the amounts of money that go into elections. The smaller parties don’t stand a chance to compete with the amount of funding that goes into the Dem-
ocratic and Republican parties. It makes the Republicans reach to the left and the Democrats swing right, leaving us two parties that can’t get anything done properly or at all. There are also extremist special-interest groups in both parties that identify strongly with the party, forcing the candidate to bend their policies to get votes. It becomes a spending war, where your vote goes to the highest paid and a reasonable candidate wouldn’t make it to the ballot. I do not support giving my vote to this flawed presidential election system, but I will continue to stay informed and vote on the things that directly affect my needs as a student. smorton@the-telescope.com
14 • SPORTS
Monday, November 5, 2012
WRESTLING
Throwing their weight around
Palomar’s Shervin Iraniha (Top) controls his opponent on Oct. 24 during his match against Cerritos in the Dome. Iraniha pinned his opponent at the 4:26 mark of their match, and led the Comets continued to to a 26-16 Southwest Conference victory. The Comets are now 8-1 overall and 2-0 in conference. Peter Ahsue/Telescope.
To make an appointment call 1-888-743-PLAN (7526) or visit plannedparenthood.org | tuplannedparenthood.org
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ppaction
Well-woman exams (pap tests) Family planning • Breast health care • STD testing and treatment Emergency contraception
Someone you know is in love.
SPORTS • 15
the telescope SUPERSTITIONS
Athletes, fans use superstitions to ensure team’s success
Scott roberson the telescope
An unwashed jersey, one sock higher than the other and a pair of lucky underwear; sports fans and athletes will go to no end to give their team the advantage on game day. Whether it’s football, basketball, baseball or hockey, superstitions are the norm for FANatics and competitors everywhere. According to ESPN.com, one in five fans tries to improve the luck for their favorite team. Freshman Marilu Ventura, an avid Oakland Raiders fan, believes her actions play a role in the outcome of the game. “I do the holy cross symbol before the start of each game hoping it helps my team,” Ventura said. A popular superstition among fans is wearing a specific article of clothing among they wear during every game. “I have to wear my hat; if I don’t wear my hat during the Lions game I feel that they’re not going to win,” said Freshman Brendan Lile. Sophomore Aixa Escobar has worn her jersey during every New York Giants game since 2007. Some Palomar students, however, have debunked their suspicions
through trial and error. “I use to wear my lucky underwear, but it never helped the Raiders win,” said Freshman Antonio Maldonado. Although some find sport superstitions asinine, even the greatest of athletes have superstitions of their own. Michael Jordan, a six-time finals champion, wore his blue University of North Carolina shorts because he believed it would bring him good luck. Brian Urlacher, former National Football League defensive player of the year, eats two chocolate chip cookies before every game. Palomar Freshman football player Shalamar Lacurson has an interesting pre-game ritual himself. “I walk around in my underwear in the locker room before every football game,” said Lacurson. “It calms me down.” This may seem taboo to most, but athletes are always trying to find new ways to get their psyche right to get the leg up on the competition. Sophomore Cross Country athlete Omar Romero said he believes good blood circulation to his feet will help him run better. “I always keep my shoes untied until the beginning of the race; I like to keep my feet relaxed and ready to go.” The Cross Country team has ad-
opted the pre-meet ritual of meeting at one teammate’s house the night before for dinner, according to Sophomore runner Kellen Dragan. “We all meet up and tell stories to each other so we can relax before the competition,” Dragan said. He added, “I shave every morning before I run.” The National Hockey League as an entirety developed a superstition in the 1980s. Every year during the postseason, players stop shaving their facial hair until they win the Stanley Cup or are eliminated from contention. This superstition is carried out today, and has been adopted by other sports. Baseball, the mecca of sport superstitions, has many rituals that would baffle anyone outside of that culture, including not talking to a pitcher during a no-hitter, not walking across the pitcher’s mound and the rally cap. Anaheim Angel’s former right fielder and designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero would put his batting helmet on the dugout floor and have his teammates spit on it at the start of each season. Now Anhueser Busch has targeted these superstitions in commercials as a marketing ploy, coining the slogan “It’s only weird if it doesn’t work.” sroberson@the-telescope.com
CROSS COUNTRY
FOOTBALL
Cross Country teams place 2nd, 4th in meet
Palomar Cross Country runner Micalina Sarmeito runs in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference championship on Oct. 26 at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa.•Brian Korec/Telescope
Scott Roberson the telescope
The Comet’s cross country team competed Oct. 26 in El Cajon at the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Championship. The women’s team placed second in a field of five teams while the men’s team finished fourth. Coming into this meet, the men had yet to qualify for the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern California regionals. They had to beat one team to qualify and were able to do just that when they beat San Diego Community College by eight points. The men and women’s cross country teams have been on opposite sides of the spectrum throughout the course of the 2012 season. The women have been nothing less than impressive, yet the men continue to squeak by. Freshman runner Gerardo Alvarez returned just in time to help his team qual-
Palomar Cross Country runner Omar Romero runs during the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference championship on Oct. 26 at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa.•Brian Korec/Telescope
ify after being unable to compete for the past month due to an abdominal pull. “It was hard to watch my teammates compete without me,” Alvarez said. “So it was good to be back.” Alvarez, admittedly not 100 percent, said he was very pleased with his performance. Although he was not able to run at his full potential, he finished in 13th place. Freshman runner Micaelina Sarmiento and Sophomore runner Cristal Favela led the Comets to a second place finish at the conference championship. “The girls did really great; the heat really got to us, but we were able to finish strong,” Favela said. She said she believes that momentum gained by their strong finish will definitely carry over to regionals. Assistant Head Coach Hugh Gerhardt was happy with his team’s performance, but he said he believes they can and will do better. sroberson@the-telescope.com
Football misses out on playoffs MattHEW Slagle
the second half in the team’s next offensive possession they had to punt and turned the ball over on downs. For a football program steeped in such “Every time we got a little momentum, a rich tradition of winning, losing isn’t ac- we couldn’t hang on to it,” Early said. ceptable. Running back Austin Dennis had 11 carries for 42 yards and a touchAfter losing to Saddleback down. Wide receivers Anthoon Oct. 27, 35-21, not only are ny Mount had seven catches the Comets playoff hopes elimiRESULTS nated, they will have to win the for 98 yards and a touchdown, rest of their remaining games to and Mike Hodges had four Sept. 1 avoid having their third losing catches for 85 yards and a El Camino season in Coach Joe Early’s 11touchdown. W 20-7 year tenure. Along with trying to avoid With the loss, Palomar will be a losing season, they are also Sept. 8 unable to reach the seven-win trying to make an impact on Riverside plateau necessary to qualify for the playoffs. L 47-7 the playoffs; this is only the sixth “We’re going to keep grindSept. 15 ing and our goal is to be spoiltime in the last 25 years the ComSouthwestern ets won’t make an appearance in ers,” Early said. “We got to W 47-43 the playoffs. win two in a row and keep a “Anything short of a victory couple of other teams out of Sept. 22 is going to be disappointing,” the postseason. That’s how we Orange Coast Early said. “But that’s the same have to attack it.” L 35-28 every game and every week and The last two weeks can also Sept. 29 every year that I’ve been here. serve as a start to building a Golden West Our goal is to win and we don’t strong foundation for next W 27-7 like losing.” season. Despite the Comets (3-5, 1-3 “(We have to) keep buildOct. 6 ing chemistry and building in conference) defense forcing Cerritos timing with (teammates), four fumbles, the combination of L 35-20 understanding the offense a Tyler Bergman and Ryan Lamb Oct. 20 little more and gaining conthrew six interceptions and two Fullerton fidence and momentum into touchdowns. L 33-32 next year,” Lamb said. Starting quarterback Lamb By closing out the season didn’t practice at all the week Oct. 27 strong, the team looks to parleading up to the game after sufSaddleback fering a shoulder injury in the lay this year’s struggles into L 35-21 game against Fullerton, and his next year’s success, reviving Nov. 3 back up Bergman was called on the tradition of winning the Santa Ana to start the game. Comets have enjoyed over the 6 p.m. HOME The Comets were down 21-7 years. at halftime, and despite two long Nov. 10 mslagle@the-telescope.com touchdown drives in the second Grossmont @matthewslagle half, they couldn’t close the gap. 1 p.m. AWAY The two times they scored in the telescope
16 • SPORTS
Monday, November 5, 2012
Water Polo
Athlete setting pace with 50 goals
Freshman setter Nicki Prohaska with possession of the ball during the game against Southwestern on Sept. 26 at Wallace Memorial Pool. The Comets would go on to win 18-7. •Peter Ahsue/Telescope
sydney davison the telescope
Comet athlete Nicki Prohaska is proof that you can’t succeed without passion. Prohaska, 18, plays set for the women’s water polo team. Her 50 goals scored so far this season have resulted in her being named Athlete of Week. Prohaska said she began playing polo in middle school with her now Palomar coach Katherine “Gubba” Sheehy. Later in high
school, Prohaska played for La Costa Canyon High School and varsity lettered all four years. “I picked it up fast, and realized I was good as it and loved it,” Prohaska said. Beginning her first year of college with a full-course load,a job and three-hour polo practices, Prohaska said she stays focused and organized, keeping practice and the games as one of her first priorities. “I focus on what I need to do and get into game mode,” said
Prohaska when asked about her before game rituals. “I’m a really competitive person.” Prohaska added that the most important of her 50 goals was at the Grossmont dual meet earlier in the season. Prohaska scored the winning goal with 15.9 seconds left on the clock with a longrange, back-handed shot. Prohaska’s shot led to the defeat of Grossmont 11-10. Although she enjoys the games, Prohaska said the tournaments are the hardest. Earlier this
month, the team played in the Battle of the Beach tournament in Long Beach City College. Finishing 2-2 would not have been possible without Prohaska’s two goals in the game against Mt. SAC, her coaches said. As set position, Prohaska is a great asset to the team, according to her teammates and coaches. “Nicki is a really great athlete, she is mentally tough and really passionate, such a hardworker,” said Jackie Puccino, a water polo assistant coach. Prohaska never
misses a practice and shows up to practice ready to work hard, Puccino added. Prohaska's passion for the game can be seen in her focus and mindset in practice and matches, Puccino said. Her success has come from keeping herself grounded and focusing on her goals, as well as putting her all into the sport. “You can tell she cares about the sport and is always trying to better herself," Coach Puccino said. sdavison@the-telescope.com