Vol. 162, Issue 1 | August 24–September 6, 2016 | City College of San Francisco | Since 1935 | FREE
Finally teaching under contract City College faculty approve contract agreement following summer negotiations By Teddy Luther tluther@theguardsman.com
In a vote held during the first full week of fall classes, members of City College’s faculty union AFT 2121 voted in approval of a tentative agreement that was reached in mid-July. The deal was negotiated in a week-long session this summer following a fact-finder’s recommendation for the administration and union to return to a mediator for the talks. While a final vote count was unable to be revealed at the time of print, AFT 2121 Executive Director Chris Hanzo said that the vote had passed overwhelmingly. “At this time, 97 percent yes,” he said. “I didn’t expect it to be quite that high, but there were no major concessions. That made it easier for everyone.” The three-year contract guarantees an 11.4-14 percent pay increase for faculty members, and will apply to both full-time and part-time faculty. “During the last few years, faculty at City College of San Francisco have gone above and beyond to defend, improve and rebuild our college,” AFT 2121 President Tim Killikelly said. “This agreement will support faculty in delivering quality and accessible public higher education.” Faculty have been working without a contract for over a year. During the long and contentious negotiations, both
AFT members, teachers, students and protesters march down Market Street, toward the Civic Center campus of City College as part of the faculty strike on April 27, 2016. (File photo by Bridgid Skiba/The Guardsman)
sides accused the other of unfair bargaining. The division between the two sides became most apparent during April’s faculty strike, the first time the union had ever gone on strike. “Our united power was clearly demonstrated during our high-participation strike,” Killikelly said, “which was supported by community, students and elected officials, and
moved the district to make a deal before the issuance of the fact-finding report.” In earlier negotiations, the administration had offered a AFT contract continues on page 3
National title defense: Can the Rams go back-to-back? By Dakari Thomas dthomas@theguardsman.com
The City College Rams are looking to add to their ring collection after winning the National Junior College Football Championship for the 10th time last fall. It was their first title under new head coach Jimmy Collins, who took over the program after the 2014 season from George Rush, the winningest head coach in junior college history. The Rams will need some new stars to step up their game if they don’t want to succumb to a championship hangover. With 10 starters from last year transferring after receiving scholarships, competition will be fierce in fall camp between the incoming freshmen and motivated returners. The departure of their entire starting linebacker core that included Khalil Hodge football preview continues on page 8
By Bethaney Lee blee@theguardsman.com
City College football players scrimmage at George Rush Stadium on Aug. 17, 2016 in preparation of defending their state and national championship titles. (Photo by Izar Decleto/The Guardsman)
CULTURE
Street art roots shape City College alum's black and white shoots PAGE 5
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New conditions for summer financial aid prove stifling
To be considered a full-time student and claim the full amount of a financial aid award package during a summer semester at City College has now been made nearly impossible due to the internal college policies and stringent Federal Pell Grant regulations. In order for a student to be considered full-time during a summer semester, they are required to take the “maximum of eight units,” says Lisa Romano, chair of the New Students Counseling department. “The summer term is short and intense. Class meets more often and for longer hours,” Romano continued. “Depending on the course that a student wants to enroll in, we may advise that they only take one course. In other instances, we might suggest 2 courses.” This becomes a large problem for students seeking funding and services through the Financial Aid Office. “For financial aid purposes, full-time is considered different than our enrolled full-time students. It is the same process as fall and spring through financial aid, so it’s 12 or more units for summer to be considered full-time,” said Elizabeth Coria, dean of financial aid. “It is really not advisable for a student to take 12 units in the summer,” Romano summer financial aid continues on page 3
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