ROUNDUP UP therounduponline.net
Woodland Hills, California
A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION
Volume 114 - Issue 1
One copy free, each additional copy 50¢
March 2, 2011
President absent Madison Bell/Special to the Roundup Donna Rodriguez/ Roundup
Jose Romero / Roundup
OUT WITH BRUCEʼS, IN WITH TATAS: Javier Perez hands over orders from students to cook inside the Tatas Catering truck, the newest vendor at the Park Café.
Park Café suffers food shortage Students’ food options limited as Bruce’s Catering leaves campus Kevin Reynolds/ Roundup Pierce College’s Park Café hit a snag when Bruce’s Catering tendered their resignation weeks ago. The College has been looking to replace the catering company since receiving two-week notice from its operators, but have been unsuccessful so far, according to Associate Vice President Larry Kraus. “We are currently in talks with several catering companies but have yet to come
to a decision,” said Kraus. There is still food available on campus at the Freudian Sip and a hot dog stand near the Business building. Many students are dreading the loss of the outdoor café. “I hope that they get something here soon,” said Jennifer Hyde, a 23-year-old philosophy major. “I’m on campus all day on Mondays, and I hate having to leave to get food between classes.” There were numerous reasons for the loss of the Café in the Park, most important of which was reportedly low sales
numbers, according to Kraus. Bruce’s Catering refused to comment. “We are really just getting our feet wet with this whole thing,” said Kraus. “We thought more people would use the service.” The construction plans for the new cafeteria are estimated to take upwards of two years. “I just wish they’d hurry up,” said Jason Prepton, a 19-year-old music major. “I mean, I like the outside café alright, but the closer we get to summer the less I think I’m going to like it.”
Not all students on campus, however, are as disappointed with the loss of the catering truck as others. “They weren’t very good,” said Jeremy Vandyke, a 30-year-old history major. “I’d rather eat the stale pizza at the [Freudian] Sip then eat off a roach coach.” Larry Kraus hosted meetings with several catering companies on Monday Feb. 28, and a new catering service will be approved soon.
Pierce College President, Kathleen Burke-Kelly, is filling the presidential vacancy at Los Angeles Mission College until a replacement is named. As reported first on therounduponline.net in January, Burke-Kelly took over as acting president at Mission College Feb. 1, and is expected to remain there until April 1. According to a press release from the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Chancellor’s office, her past experience as interim vice president of academic affairs at Mission from 2006 until 2007 made her an eligible candidate for the position. “My plan is to be back [at Pierce] no later than April 1,” said BurkeKelly, in an interview with the Roundup earlier this year. “If the new president [at Mission] is not able to start in April then we will have to look into other options.” During Burk-Kelly’s term at Mission, former interim president Joy McCaslin has taken over the presidency at Pierce College. “I collaborate with her on the issues [at Pierce],” said McCaslin. “It’s an enormous construction program, there are a thousand details and scheduling of classes.” According to the Chancellor’s press release on the matter, McCaslin’s experience as an interim president has prepared her for this role. “I will talk to Kathleen to make sure things go in the direction she wants,” said McCaslin in January. Other faculty members fear for the duration of Burke-Kelly’s term at Mission. “The fear is that this will drag on for more than two months,” said Debbie Swarens, a member of the Pierce College Council.
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Black History Month closes with civil rights speech Economics instructor educates students on equality In honor of Black History Month, the Associated Student Organization (ASO) sponsored an event featuring a speech from assistant professor of economics, James McKeever on the Civil Rights Movement. The two-hour event took place inside the Great Hall, including food, games and prizes. McKeever talked about different issues such as education, incarceration, budget cuts, unions and inequality. He emphasized the importance of understanding that the Civil Rights Movement is equality for all, not just African Americans. The speech, followed by a quick PowerPoint that read: “Not Brown Enough,” outlined President Obama’s negligence toward middle class America.
“Fuck Main Street and lets start thinking about Cesar Chavez Boulevard and Martin Luther King Drive,” said McKeever. “The only change we got is the change in our pockets.” He went on to discuss the achievement of the Egyptian people, who overthrew their government in only 18 days. The breakthrough caused a lot of controversy around the world. “How many days will it take you to restore your education system?” said McKeever, after alluding to an illusion of democracy in the minds of Americans. Shahda Hashemi, a student at Pierce especially enjoyed McKeever’s speech. “He talked about the Egyptian people. It’s true, it’s their business if they want a Muslim leader,” said Hashemi. The PowerPoint also presented a picture of McKeever’s son. He went on to share
the story of the first time he took his son to a rally and why it’s crucial to teach our youth about civil rights. “Should children really know about this? Yes, we’re fighting for their future,” said McKeever. He then concluded with the importance of understanding racial inequality. He believes that in order to move beyond ‘black and white,’ we have to stop focusing on our differences, but rather look at our similarities in order to promote unity. Students were able to ask questions and give their input at the end of the presentation. The event ended with an invitation to eat and chances to win gift cards by playing trivia games covering topics like culture, arts, literature, figures and history.
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ROUNDUP BLOGS
Mayra Bocanegra/ Roundup
Stephanie Pardo / Roundup
TRANSLATED IN ART: Student Maiqui Layaoenʼs painting stands outside the Great Hall in honor of Black History Month.
Check out “Whatʼs Next” by Sydney Grossman, managing editor. In her most recent entry Grossman discusses meeting Arianna Huffington of the L.A. Times. http://www.therounduponline.net/
̶INSIDE SECTION ̶
Photo Essay Page 6 Demolition of the Country Café.