The Telescope 68.8

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BASKETBALL Lee Lee Tomlinson and the women’s basketball team are currently 14-2.

Follow their progress, as well as the men’s team in Sports • Page 4

the telescope

Palomar College’s Independent Newspaper • the-telescope.com • Vol. 68, No. 8 • Monday, Jan. 19, 2015

Classes cut before semester begins 160 classes were canceled this Spring semester

SUSAN WHALEY THE TELESCOPE

Classes were cut before the Spring semester at Palomar College even began due to low enrollment numbers, according to officials.

So far, 160 classes were cancelled this semester.

The decision to cancel classes was based on low student enrollment. However, during a Jan. 12 Faculty Senate meeting, many professors agreed this decision was made hastily behind closed doors.

But, according to Vice President of Instruction Berta Cuaron, the decision on which classes were cancelled was made between deans and department chairs or program directors. She said it was a tough decision the college was faced with. “(We) make that decision earlier rather than later to give the student a chance to enroll in other classes,” Cuaron said.

Cuaron said that class cuts were made depending on the needs of a certain department, rather than by a class-by-class basis.

Some classes were kept even with less than 20 enrolled because the program needed it for students to graduate, such as a language class or if the class hasn’t been offered in a while.

According to Teresa Laughlin, Palomar Facuty Federation lead negotiator, classes with 15 and 16 students were being cancelled a week before school began Jan. 12.

She said the college threatened to cancel two of her history classes one week prior to the beginning of the semester. One had eight students enrolled and the other had 16. After begging to keep at least one of the classes, by the first day of school the class had grown to 32 students.

“It doesn’t make any sense to cancel (classes),” Laughlin said.

In past semesters teachers usually had the chance to meet students on the first day and try and get enrollment numbers up, but this semester classes were cancelled sooner, Laughlin said. She added that it was because the school wanted class sizes to reach 35 or more.

The number 35 comes from the State. The State assumes an average class size in community college is 35 students and that is how money is distributed. When a class has fewer than 35 students, the college has to pay the difference. Canceling classes saves the college a little money, according to Cuaron.

In the most recent faculty labor contract, it states that a class can be cancelled two weeks before the semester if there are less

than 10 students enrolled.

The class can also be cancelled one week prior to the semester if there are less than 20 students. Once a class reaches 20, the college is prohibited from canceling it.

She said she believes students will just go to another college if the class they need is cancelled instead of enrolling in a different course at Palomar, thus having the college lose money.

Laughlin said eight students in one class more than pays for the class, so canceling it with 15 students already enrolled is only one way of measuring efficiency.

It isn’t just about Palomar losing money, but about the “human cost,” Laughlin added.

Students are inconvenienced and slowed down. Also, part-time teachers lose out because they depended on these classes to pay their rent.

The Faculty Senate is looking to have this issue placed as an agenda item in future meetings.

It costs roughly $3,500 to run one class, according to Cuaron. However, this only covers the cost of faculty salary and doesn’t take into consideration all the additional costs of running the class.

THE TELESCOPE

Bob Lusky, former coach and athletic director at Palomar College• Photo courtesy of Palomar College Public Affairs

Bob Lusky, a former athletic director at Palomar College, died Jan. 2 at the age of 77 due to longtime heart problems.

Lusky, who also served as an assistant football coach and head golf coach, left behind a legacy of accolades to go along with his career as a coach and a teacher. He coached with, as well as mentored some of the current Palomar sports staff, including Head Football Coach Joe Early, and one-time softball coach and current women’s golf head coach Mark Eldridge.

Lusky was born on June 24, 1937 in Cleveland, Ohio, as an only child to Frank and Dorothy Lusky. After moving to Chula Vista at the age

of 11, he served as a bat boy for the Pacific Coast League Padres. While attending Chula Vista High School, he excelled as a dual sport player, playing baseball as well as football, where he was an all-Metro League selection.

As a member of the San Diego State Aztecs baseball team, he won three consecutive conference championships in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, in 1957, 1958 and 1959.

In 1958, he lead the team in strikeouts as the Aztecs went on to win the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Championship over Southwest Oklahoma University. Presently, the 1958 team is the only Aztecs baseball team to win a national championship in baseball. The team was in-

Student body president resigns MIKE PETERSON THE TELESCOPE

ducted into the Aztec Hall of Fame in 2011. After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SDSU, he became their head freshman baseball coach for one season, in 1961.

From San Diego State, he moved onto Antelope Valley High School, where he began his teaching career. From there, he went on to coach baseball and football at Mar Vista High School in Vista, and also coached football and swimming at Hilltop High School in Chula Vista.

Lusky started his long run in Palomar in 1974, as a teacher in the Department of Health and Physical Education (currently the Kinesiology Department). At Palomar, he not only taught, but coached the school’s football and golf teams.

In the Associated Student Government, the top seat now lies vacant.

On Jan. 13, ASG President Jason Hosfield announced his resignation at one of the ASG meetings, citing financial and personal reasons.

“This is not a decision I made lightly,” Hosfield said at the open meeting.

“I don’t have the freedom in my schedule to allow me to work and do this,” he added, “I just don’t have the financial flexibility.”

The meeting was emotional, with several ASG members, as well as adviser Sherry Titus, expressing their sadness.

“Honestly, it is kind of a sad thing to see (Hosfield) go,” ASG vice president Mario Gaspar said. “He’s been a great president for us, without him we wouldn’t have been able to come this far.”

JUMP TO OBITUARY PAGE 2

JUMP TO RESIGN PAGE 2

JUMP TO CLASSES PAGE 2

Remembering former Palomar athletic director Bob Lusky CHRISTOPHER BULLOCK

DATES YOU SHOULD KNOW

2 • NEWS

Monday, Jan. 19, 2015

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RESIGN

the telescope

Focused On Palomar Monday, Jan. 19, 2015 Vol. 68, No. 8 Palomar College, San Marcos, Calif.

SUSAN WHALEY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MIKE PETERSON MANAGING EDITOR & OPINION EDITOR JOEL VAUGHN A&E EDITOR CHRISTOPHER BULLOCK SPORTS EDITOR KIRK MATTU ONLINE EDITOR

ERIN HIRO ADVISER DEB HELLMAN BUSINESS MANAGER STAFF WRITERS MIKE ADAMS, ROSS BECKWITH, PETER BRIGHT, STEVEN BURIEK, TAMARA EAKINS, RODNEY FIGUEROA, JODY JOHNSON, ALISON LEBON, FERN MENEZES, CLAUDIA RODRIGUEZ, ED ROSA, AMBER ROSARIO, JONN’A SIMMONS PHOTOGRAPHERS JACOB BANKS, EVAN CAST, PHILIP FARRY, ADAM GUERRERO, MEREDITH JAMES, SETH JONES, MICHAEL KAPLAN, DANIEL KRESGE, BELEN LADD, STEPHANIE MCLEAN, PAUL NELSON, SEAN STRATTON, JUSTIN SUMSTINE, RICARDO TORRES, LEVANTE VINSON ADDRESS THE TELESCOPE PALOMAR COLLEGE 1140 W. MISSION ROAD, SAN MARCOS, CA 92069 PHONE / 760-891-7865 NEWSROOM / H-103 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. CALIFORNIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER’S ASSOCIATION

Learn how to become a leader on campus

If you are planning on transferring to a 4-year university or applying for a new job, Club Rush might be the event for you.

Meet new people, visit with campus clubs and gain some leadership & teamwork experience.

You can also meet members of the Associated Student Government and ask them about their meetings, purpose and events.

Clubs across campus will also be hosting a fundraiser. The event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 29 in the Student Union from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will be hosted by the Inter-Club Council (ICC).

For more information, you can check on the Student Affairs website at www2.palomar.edu/pages/ studentaffairs. You can also contact Lindsay Kretchman at (760)7441150 ext. 2594 or by her email, lkretchman@palomar.edu

Participate in the Happy Challenge, get a snack

What makes you happy? Participate in the Happy Challenge, hosted by the Office of Student Affairs.

For every student that does, you’ll receive a free snack with with your Spring 2015 Student Activities card (while supplies last). The event is being held Jan. 20 at the Escon-

CLASSES In an interview with The Telescope last semester Vice President of Finance and Administrative Service Ron Perez said the Board decided to use reserve funds instead of cutting classes, laying off faculty and pay cuts for the 2014-2015 fiscal year During the Fall 2014 semester, 150 classes were added.

Palomar has been deficit spending for five years now, depleting the reserve funds. Four years ago, the college had $22 million in reserve funds.

However, after dipping into

MPETERSON@THE-TELESCOPE.COM

OBITUARY

BRIEFS

STEPHEN DAVIS PHOTO EDITOR

ASSOCIATED COLLEGE PRESS

Associated Student Government President Jason Hosfield at the Grand Opening of the Humanities Building Oct. 10, 2014• Photo courtesy of Deb Hellman

According to the ASG’s bylaws, in the case of a president’s departure, the current vice president will ascend to that seat.

The ASG’s vice president this semester is Gaspar.

“I have not a single reservation about Mario Gaspar,” Hosfield said, “He’s going to be phenomenal.”

Gaspar said he is up for the challenge.

“It is going to be a lot more work, and I understand that,” Gaspar said.

“But I believe that I will be able to handle the new workload.”

Gaspar said he hopes to continue the plan that Hosfield laid out for ASG, which was to create a board that can bring lasting change and lay a good foundation for future boards to come.

Because of ASG’s low numbers of members in recent semesters, one of the changes that Gaspar hopes to implement includes editing the ASG bylaws to allow freshmen to hold

senior seats. Currently, freshmen can hold only a delegate position.

Gaspar hopes to allow freshmen with a 3.0 GPA to become senators.

Hosfield will continue to serve as the president for the next couple meetings to allow a smooth transition and transfer of power.

The ASG board will elect a new vice president at their meeting on Feb. 4.

Hosfield said that his main hope for ASG in his absence, and the school as a whole, would be a decrease in student apathy and an increase in student involvement in campus politics and activities.

“I would like to see the students at this campus get involved with their representation,” Hosfield said.

Pending the board’s approval, Hosfield will continue to serve as the student trustee for the new college president selection committee to replace the current college president who plans to retire this summer.

Students cross West Mission Road to get to class on the second day of the Spring semester. Classes began Jan. 12. • Stephen Davis/The Telescope

dido Center Lobby from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For more information on the Happy Challenge, check out the Student Affairs website at www2. palomar.edu/pages/studentaffairs.

Training available for campus club officers

For those interested in becoming a club officer or reinstating a club, the Office of Student Affairs is hosting a Club Officer Training event. Students will get a chance to meet with other club officials and the Student Affairs staff.

They’ll also get a chance to learn how to lead your club effectively, how to recruit, as well as learn about the reserves to cover the costs of the college that the State is not allotting, Palomar currently has $7.5 million left in the reserve fund according to Cuaron.

Palomar College President Robert Deegan said during a Jan. 13 Governing Board Meeting that he was really worried about enrollment at the beginning of the year. There was a 10 percent deficit in enrollment compared to last Spring semester.

Although, after hard work from the administration, the college is only at a 1.4 percent deficit, according to Deegan.

SWHALEY@THE-TELESCOPE.COM

club travel, advertising and more.

The event will be held on Feb. 3 in SU-204 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, check the Student Affairs website at www2. palomar.edu/pages/studentaffairs or contact Lindsay Kretchman at (760)744-1150 ext. 2594 or lkretchman@palomar.edu.

As head golf coach, he won 10 conference championships, had 10 second place finishes, and won two Southern California team titles before retiring on 2002. He also developed two state community college individual champions in Mark Wiebe and Scott Oxandaboure.

Wiebe, who currently plays on the PGA Champions Tour, and Oxandaboure, who went on to lead the University of Southern California to the 2004 Pac-10 Conference team title, are both in the Palomar Sports Hall of Fame.

Lusky is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart Betty; sons Brad (a former Palomar basketball player) and Bryan; their spouses Darla and Ceci; and by grandchildren Jillian, Allison, Blake, Hunter, Brock and Katrina.

CBULLOCK@THE-TELESCOPE.COM

OPINION • 3

the-telescope.com

We should consider free 2-year colleges MIKE PETERSON THE TELESCOPE

Once upon a time, University of California Berkeley’s tuition was free.

It’s almost hard to believe that now, amidst our age of rising education costs and student debt. But a recent proposal from President Obama aims to help with the price of educating our youth. This is fundamentally a good idea.

As the years have gone on and our country has gotten older, our elected officials have stressed the importance of education, especially higher education.

Where once a high school education was socially sufficient, nowadays it almost seems mandatory to pursue a college degree.

But rising tuition and various school costs have made this a continually more difficult goal to pursue.

Last week, in an effort to remedy this situation, President Obama made a proposal to make all 2-year community colleges free to attend, with the conditions being that students maintain a 2.5 GPA and attend classes at least half-time.

If we did expand on this proposal, it would have a substantial impact on our education. Of the 24 million college students in this country, community colleges educate nearly half of them.

It’s estimated that only around 60 percent of students that pursue a bachelor’s degree actually graduate.

How many of the other 40 percent stop attending because of financial reasons?

These days, a high school education can no longer guarantee a student a decent-paying job. If college is essential to a middle-class income, then we, as a country, should put more emphasis on getting students to graduate.

Now, there’s the issue of funding this initiative.

What is your New Year’s resolution?

“My New Year’s resolution would be to care about others without trying to solve their problems.”

ANNAH HILL, NUTRITION

Photo courtesy of whitehouse.gov

This plan is estimated to cost the federal government $60 billion over 10 years.

This seems expensive, of course, and it’s important to be economically sound. Of course, most of the money is likely to come from us: the taxpayers. But let’s look at some facts.

Consider that we, on average, spend more money to incarcerate our citizens than educating them.

California, for example, spends around $62,000 to imprison someone for a year. On the other end of the spectrum, we only spend about $9,000 on every K-12 student.

Something is wrong with that.

Let’s not forget that, as various studies have shown, a better-educated population has an overall lower crime rate. A lower crime rate leads to lower prison populations, potentially saving us much more money in the long run.

Also, a well-educated populace

and workforce is essential to the country’s economic health, especially in our age of outsourcing everything to other countries. It’s no secret that we fall grossly behind in the educational department when compared to other countries.

If we are to remain competitive as a nation, we need to place more emphasis on our educational standards.

We have to remember that we aren’t alone in the world anymore.

A nation’s education performance is directly tied to how well its economy does, and how it stacks up in the global economy. If we are to remain relevant, we have to keep up.

Of course, we shouldn’t blindly jump into any large-scale education reform without serious debate. But let’s not toss out the good ideas with the bad simply because we are fearful of big government.

MPETERSON@THE-TELESCOPE.COM

EDITORIAL

Class cuts aren’t an ideal solution Officials said 160 classes have been cancelled this semester.

Chances are, either you or someone you know has been affected.

Campus officials has cited low student enrollment and deficit spending as two causes of the class cuts.

But whether or not the reasons behind these cuts are just ones, we can’t deny that the decision was made hastily.

It seems odd that the college stresses quick graduation or transfer for its students, but then turns around and cuts classes that may be essential for a particular student’s requirements.

Palomar College should be more responsible at providing adequate education for its students and balancing their budget. It’s not the student’s responsibility to be worried about how the college manages their funding and expenses.

Class cuts obviously hinder a student’s ideal college career path.

In some cases, class cuts could

SPEAK OUT

prevent a student from graduating when they plan to.

One of the major differences that this string of class cuts has is the fact that class were cancelled early. In past years, teachers were able to allow crashers to increase the number of students in their particular class. This year, most faculty weren’t given that opportunity.

Cutting classes further from the semester is also unfair, seeing as how many student’s personal budgets are depleted after the holiday season. Many students have to wait until they have the resources to pay for their classes, textbooks and associated costs.

Palomar should remember that most students don’t owe the campus any particular loyalty. If they are unable to get the classes that they need, they might as well take them elsewhere; costing the college even more money and enrollment numbers.

The college might be trying their hand at being fiscally respon-

sible with their funds, but it isn’t working out. According to officials, Palomar has been in a deficit for several years now. Dipping into the reserve fund, as the school has been doing, is hardly a permanent solution.

Maybe the college has overestimated exactly how many classes should be offered, and the situation is just self-righting itself. Maybe tuition hikes have led to lower student enrollment.

What is certain is that Palomar needs to improve on this issue.

School officials should assess what classes are generally the most important for the average student, and focus their time and resources into those.

Palomar’s primary responsibility is to offer students a fair and supportive education. The school motto is “learning for success.”

All we’re asking is for school officials to try and live up to that tagline.

EDITOR@THE-TELESCOPE.COM

“Keep a personal journal everyday, for the purposes of self-motivation” MARTY GOLINGAN, DIGITAL BROADCAST ARTS

“My New Year’s resolution is to finish what I start. Just with anything in general.”

KAYLEE GONZALEZ, NURSING

“I’m not shaving my beard off until I lose 10 pounds. And to get a $1.00 raise at Home Depot.”

HUNTER COPPOCK, DIGITAL BROADCAST ARTS

“To achieve all my goals, to do better in school and try to do my best in everything.”

ROBERTO ORTEGA, AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY

“My New Year’s resolution is to work out more.”

CHEYENNE SIMONDS, ENGLISH

4 • SPORTS

Monday, Jan. 19, 2015

Comets Basketball Midseason Report MIKE ADAMS THE TELESCOPE

Keisha Cox (#11) shoots a free throw during the second quarter of the Jan. 7 game against Southwestern College. The Comets won 76-68. • Stephen Davis/The Telescope

Spring semester at Palomar College may have just began but for the Comets’ men and women’s basketball, the 2014-2015 season is already in full swing.

Playing games since early November and over Winter Break, both squads are in mid-season form as Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play starts up.

After a 16-11 record last season, Head Coach Leigh Marshall’s women’s team has started this year on fire, with a 14-2 record so far. Having eight sophomores returning from last year’s team, the experience showcased by the group of established players has propelled the team to a No. 1 ranking in the PCAC. “I think (this year) we finally have the puzzle pieces of the athletes, they really buy into the team. They love each other and every day they’re ready to work,” Marshall said.

Starting the season off with a seven-game, winning streak, including a San Jacinto Lions Club Tip-Off Tournament victory, the Comets have continued their impressive run into 2015, with their biggest win a 50-point victory over Imperial Valley College, 88-38, on January 15.

The rapport this team has is one of the biggest reasons for this year’s success, as standout guard Keisha Cox can attest.

“I think we have more chemistry on this team. We really take pride in how we play,” Cox said.

A sophomore from Mission Hills High School, Cox has been a key

Palomar guard James Sampson (#5) brings the ball upcourt against Spencer Perry (#22) during the first half against St Katherine College on Nov.27. The Comets defeated the Firebirds 85-58. •Philip Farry/The Telescope

player for the Comets, averaging 21 points per game as well as 8 rebounds per game.

On the men’s side, the season so far has had a bit of a roller coaster feel to it, as long-time Head Coach John O’Neill and his staff have worked with the mostly freshman squad (11 first-year players, 3 returnees) to an 8-8 record so far. But after two gritty wins to start conference play, including overcoming a 17-point deficit at Mt. San Jacinto College, the Comets seem to be hitting their stride down the schedules’ difficult stretch.

“Right now we’re playing pretty well, it’s just going to be a matter of maintaining what we’re doing and focusing on trying to get better every day,” O’Neill said.

With only three sophomores,

James Sampson (Chaparral High), Keith Houston (Monte Vista High), and Jeremy Franklin (Escondido High), the adjustment period from high school to the college level of play for the rest of the team has been handled fairly well.

“Players are starting to understand that we have the potential to win,” Sampson said.

Franklin added, “We’re really coming together as a whole and starting to find our identity.”

Both teams continue their season with home games at the Dome this Wednesday, Jan. 21, with the women playing first at 5 p.m. against Grossmont College. The men tip off is at 7 p.m. against MiraCosta College.

MADAMS@THE-TELESCOPE.COM

Our college needs your help.

Your Rights: Equal access to education. A safe learning environment. Representation.

Your Role:

Join the Palomar Community. Respect yourself, faculty, administration and your peers. Participate.

Your Associated Student Government is currently accepting applications for Senator and Delegate positions.

To learn more find us in SU-104, SU-102 or online at www.palomar.edu/asg/