Volume 58,Issue Issue Volume 60, 4 1
www.thecrcconnection.com
November 1, 2012
EDITORIAL
Proposition 30: a saving grace It is well known that the budgets of California colleges have been declining since the recession hit in 2007. But there is something we can do to stop that downward spiral. A yes vote on Proposition 30 is a yes vote for yourself and for the future of community colleges. By raising the state sales tax a quarter of a penny and income taxes on those who make over $250,000 annually, Proposition 30 would raise $210 million for community colleges AT A GLANCE alone and would stop the $338 million in trigger The Issue: Community cuts. colleges are facing millions Opponents say that of dollars in budget cuts. Proposition 30 has no Our View: Everyone needs guarantee that the monto vote "Yes" on Proposition ey raised will be spent 30 and "No" on Proposition on education, but that is simply not true. 38 According to the official voter information Agree? Disagree? guide, the money raised Send comments to for schools will be put connect@crc.losrios.edu into a special fund that the Legislature cannot touch or use for state bureaucracy. In addition, mandatory annual audits will be made public and insure that the funds are spent only on schools. Recently, Proposition 38 supporters have tried to convince voters that this is the bill that needs to pass because it ensures money for education. What they don’t tell you is that Proposition 38 is the death of community colleges and only funds K-12 schools. In the grand scheme of things, Proposition 38 does
Get Connected Campus-wide effort to go green comes to the spotlight. Features, page 6 Soccer player Rigo Gomez: the story behind the goals Sports, page 4 Through a college student's eyes: A letter to the President Opinion, page 3 Visit our website for additional content www.thecrcconnection.com
As Bill Clinton would say, “you do the arithmetic.” The passage of Proposition 30 would allow 20,000 new students to attend college. While this may not seem like much, it is godsend when you take a look at the numbers over the past three years. In those three years, community colleges have cut $809 million, 12 percent of funding overall, enrollment has dropped 17 percent and 70 percent of colleges have reduced the number of courses they offer, according to a survey conducted by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. If Proposition 30 does not pass, those numbers will only get worse. In addition to all those cuts, many colleges would have to cut staff members, mostly parttime employees. These employees are essential to running an effective college. These are our school nurses, janitors and professors. Not only does Proposition 30 help colleges, it would also do wonders for public safety. The initiative guarantees funding for public safety services, like police and fire departments. Like the education fund, the money for public safety cannot be touched by the Legislature. In fact, Proposition 30 is the only proposal that establishes a guarantee for public safety funding. Unfortunately, Proposition 30 and 38 are written so both cannot pass, whichever receives the most “yes” nothing for public safety, California colleges or jobs. votes will be put into effect. If you feel like we do at The Connection, the choice It also increases income taxes on annual earnings of $7,316, where Proposition 30 only taxes the wealthiest is simple: Proposition 30 does more to help California and its colleges. Californians who make more than $250,000. In the words of our student senate president Rich Compared to Proposition 38, Proposition 30’s tax increases are so minimal, yet do so much good for our Copenhagen, “no one can afford to have Prop 30 not pass.” schools, our public safety and our state.
New tech building brings new courses to campus By Britni Alford balford.connect@gmail Despite the cold weather, more than 50 Cosumnes River College staff members, students and other community members came together for the dedication of CRC’s Northeast Technological Building on Oct. 25. Those who attended were welcomed with coffee, muffins, pastries and bottled water. Guests were also welcomed by CRC staff members as they walked into the building waiting for the ceremony to begin. CRC President Deborah Travis thanked everyone, highlighting the students in attendance, as well as Elk Grove Councilman Gary Davis. Jon Sharpe, Interim Chancellor of the Los Rios District, then spoke at the podium and explained the background history of the building. The process to get the building to where it is today took 10 years and was covered by Britni Alford | The Connection Measure A and Measure M, Sharpe said. Los Rios Board of Trustees member Kay CRC President Deborah Travis and Board of Trustees Member Kay Albiani cut the ribAlbiani spoke about how the students will be bon to dedicate the Northeast Technical Building on Oct. 25. They were joined by Los able to understand the lessons they learn and Rios board members, CRC students and staff. apply them in real life. President Travis spoke again about how Some courses that will be offered include To conclude the festivities, the board important each contribution was in order to welding, construction and horticulture. members, CRC staff, the representatives from make the construction of the building successSharpe, Albiani and Travis then presented F & H Construction, DLR Group and some ful. the plaque that would be displayed in front of students from the welding program gathered “These things don’t happen without a team,” the building. outside to cut the ribbon. Travis said as she continued to thank everyone “We gratefully acknowledge the generosity Everyone positioned themselves and prewho helped the project become a success, in- of the Los Rios Community College District pared for the photo-op as Travis and Albiani cluding F & H Construction, DLR Group, an taxpayers,” Travis read from the plaque, “and cut the ribbon on the count of three. architecture design group, and the staff of CRC the California taxpayers who funded the con“We feel that the students learn from the that helped to move the equipment. struction of these buildings.” mind and heart,” Albiani said.