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The Connection The student voice of Cosumnes River College since 1970
Volume 57, Issue 3
March 10, 2011
www.crcconnection.com
BUDGET CUTS Campus prepares for the outcome of proposed June election Branden Wiens & Cory Fong Connection staff California community colleges are preparing to brunt the impact of the harshest cuts the institution has endured since the inception of the California’s Master Plan for Higher Education, due to the faltering state economy. As a part of his budget proposal released in January, Gov. Jerry Brown called for the cut of $400 million from the general fund for community colleges within the state. Voting on the budget has been delayed as Gov. Brown attempts to negotiate with Republicans reluctant to approve it. In the last few months, parent groups, teachers, law enforcement officials and other interests groups have called for a temporary fiveyear extension of higher sales, vehicle and income taxes established
two years ago, to weather the impact of California’s sunken economy. The extension would be subject of a special election to be held in June, but the election itself requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the state assembly and senate before California voters can choose. The Cosumnes River College Workload Committee outlined three specific scenarios the district could potentially face. If the June tax package fails, and Proposition 98 – legislation that guarantees funding to K-14 schools – is suspended, then the LRCCD could potentially lose roughly 20,000 students – roughly 3,600 from CRC. This is the worst-case scenario, according to a document from the CRC Workload Committee.
See BUDGET, Page 8
Study indicates correlation between Colleges prepare for blood pressure and education level impacted classes Dorian Love Connection staff
Tracy Gilkerson Connection staff Cosumnes River College students majoring in health and human services, social sciences, criminal justice, health sciences and psychology will discover that transferring to California State University, Sacramento isn’t as easy as it used to be. These classes will be harder to get into, with higher expectations. On March 1, 2011, a committee of professors from CSU, Sacramento, was in CRC’s library room 111 for an open forum arena. The panel spoke about higher education, enrollment and laid out a plan because there are an excessive amount of students that are heading towards these fields of study and CSUS’s staff is unable to accommodate the students given the state’s budget crisis. This was one of the three community meetings where See PSYCHOLOGY, Page 8
Does having a higher education decrease your chances of getting high blood pressure? According to a study published by BioMed Central Public Health on Feb. 28, the answer is yes. The study followed roughly 4,000 people for three decades. Those followed were people whose education went when beyond a college degree. The study found that those who did had a lower blood pressure by several points, according to an article published by The Chronicle of Higher Education. The study further found that even when factors such as smoking, drinking, obesity and hypertension medicine are considered, the data exhibited similar results. There is some truth to the study’s findings, said Michelle Barkley, a Cosumnes River College campus nurse. “Those who have a college education have more doors opened,” said Barkley. ”There is a peace of mind for those insured because they don’t have to worry about breaking the bank.”
Barkley pointed out the connection between education, money and health insurance, or lack thereof, as influences. “Health insurance plays a big role,” said Barkley. “People may not have as many resources to tap into, which can increase a person to stress and added stressors can cause high blood pressure” Paula Parnacott, 24, a sociology major, agreed with this assessment. “I think it could be true because those without education could be more stressed about money,“ Parnacott said. “They may not get what they need.” Lauren Bane, 22, public relations major said regular exposure to pressure situations could help in the future. “I think college students deal with stress better because later in life they know how to deal with pressure because they know what it takes,” Bane said. Dynisha Perkins, a 20-yearold nursing major disagreed with the study’s findings. “I think it’s bogus,” Perkins said. “It’s not true just because of a statement; I think high blood pressure is more about lifestyle.”
Barkley supported Perkins’ statement, stating that blood pressure encompasses a number of factors that need to be considered, such as habits, lifestyle and genetics. “Some people are more prone to develop high blood pressure due to family genetics,” said Barkley. “Some are predisposed to having it.” Having high blood pressure raises your risk for heart disease and stroke. These are the first and third leading causes of death in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control and Protection. It’s increasingly important to remember that high blood pressure can affect anyone at some point, whether it’s family, friends or personal, Barkley said. Although high blood pressure presents risks, there are ways to prevent it, specifically being conscious of actions, Barkley said. Getting information about it and practicing healthy behaviors are steps people can take to limit chances, said Barkley. “Look into ways for some type of health insurance and create a work plan with a doctor.”
Abroad program discussed by faculty Stephan Starnes Connection staff
Studying abroad is something that many students dream of doing. Getting to learn in a new, foreign environment can be exciting, thought provoking and educational. Cosumnes River College communications studies Professor Daniel DuBray explained in an e-mail exchange the many benefits of studying abroad. “We spent six weeks in Southern Spain, Granada and six weeks in Central Spain, Madrid, the metropolitan city,” DuBray said. “It was a wonderful contrast between traditional Spanish culture and the modern Spanish culture and lifestyle.” To enrich student learning, DuBray said that students were required to enroll in a Life and Culture of Spain course, which included required field trips to different landmarks, events and historical areas in Spain. See ABROAD, Page 8