Notice: The last day to register for the state primary election is April 24. April 20, 2012
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Actress uses past to build role in ‘Glass Menagerie’
MHCC celebrates Earth Day with events starting Sunday
advocate the
Volume 47, Issue 24
www.Advocate-Online.net
4/20 brings cannabis Budget ‘brethren‘ together committee in celebration proposes $5/credit tuition hike by Mike Mata The Advocate
As you read these words today, someone is more than likely getting high. Today is April 20. Also known as 420, it has become something of a cult- alternative holiday for hippies, stoners and medical marijuana cardholders due to a troupe of high school boys from San Rafael, Calif. known as The Waldos. Note, 420 does not come from a police code for the smoking of marijuana. Myth aside, the origins of this underground holiday lay with The Waldos and their code for getting high after school in the 1970’s. According to a 2009 article from The Huffington Post titled “What 420 means: The True Story Behind Stoner’s Favorite Number,” the five friends heard about a Coast Guard member who couldn’t tend to his crop of marijuana and they, being athletes, met after practice by a wall and a statue of Louis Pasteur at 4:20 p.m. to start a search for the crop. As the story goes,
See 4/20 continued on page 5
Admissions chief retires after more than 3 decades by John Tkebuchava The Advocate
After working at Mt. Hood Community College for more than three decades Peggy Maas, manager of admissions, registration and records, has officially retired Though Maas retired this month, she will continue working at MHCC as a “parttime” staff member through June. “June 29 is my last day,” said Maas, who first began working at MHCC in 1974 as a work-study student in the admissions, registration and records office, and then worked her way up to the manager’s position. “I worked as a student through May 1977, leaving after my daughter was born. I was hired full-time in September 1978.” “I started out as an admissions evaluator for limited and restricted entry programs, then as the transcript/degree evaluator and the international student admissions officer, then as an assistant to the registrar/director of admissions for several years, and then was promoted to a supervisor and my current position in 2001,” she said.
Mt. Hood Community College
Asked what she looks forward to in retirement, simply having some free time is one of the things Maas listed. “My husband and I are planning several trips with the nice feeling of a wide open schedule,” she said. Though Maas said she is looking forward to life after MHCC, she said she still has some work she hopes to finish before her departure. “I have several projects to finish up prior to the end of June. We hope to have my replacement on board for some cross training before I leave,” she said. Asked what her experience was like for her 38 years at MHCC, Maas said, “Absolutely wonderful. I want to thank MHCC for giving me the opportunity for a very satisfying career. I consider myself extremely lucky to have worked in such a nice environment, enjoying the many benefits provided to me over the years.” As for what she will miss most about the college, “I will miss my co-workers in the Admissions, Registration and Records Office as well as the many friends I have made across campus,” she said. Christi Hart, the financial aid manager
and a co-worker of Maas’ for almost 20 years, said Maas’ compassion and demeanor are what makes her stand out the most. “Peggy is such a wonderful and caring person. She will go the extra mile to assist others and is always willing to help out where needed. She is also a lot of fun to be around and has such a positive attitude,” Hart said. “The knowledge she has of MHCC and past practices is enormous, so that will be missed as well. I know I will really miss her,” said Hart of losing the longtime MHCC employee. David Minger, the vice president of student success and enrollment services, said the college is already looking into finding a replacement for Maas’ position. “We’re definitely going to replace (her position). It is actually already posted in several places online. We’ve got seven to eight applicants already,” he said. Minger said that hopefully there will be an “overlap” between the new staff that will be hired and Maas before she retires so they can “do some sharing of information and cross training” to prepare for Maas’ departure.
by John Tkebuchava The Advocate
A $5 tuition increase per credit hour and a $35 access fee, which would replace the current parking fee, are among the suggestions included in the 2012-13 budget proposal presentation at the first budget committee meeting Wednesday. MHCC President Michael Hay said the budget proposal reflects the goals and values of the college and is based on a two-year plan that aims not only to balance this year’s budget, as required by the law, but also to help avoid large fluctuations in budget management. In the 2012-13 budget proposal, in addition to the tuition hike and the new access fee, includes a college services fee increase of $10, various course and administrative fee increases and a distance learning fee increase of $15. Hay also said the college has been in discussions with the FullTime Faculty Association to potentially leave “open certain full-time faculty positions to generate additional one-time only revenue.” To decrease costs, the proposal suggests a restructuring of the college administration by reducing the number of vice presidents and deans, raising fees and reducing the energy use at the aquatic center and reducing the amount of uncollectible tuition through attendance taking and reporting. Hay said the college faces a two-year deficit projection of $7.8 million up from the original $5.5 million deficit estimated for the 2012-13 fiscal year.
See Budget continued on Page 8 Gresham, Oregon