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Woodland Hills, California
Volume 114 - Issue 9
A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION
May 11, 2011
One copy free, each additional copy 50¢
President plans for 10% cuts Michaia Hernandez/ Roundup
Joe Kukuczka/ Roundup
DECONTAMINATE: Los Angeles City firefighters decontaminate construction workers following a chemical spill from containers discovered in a vault hidden underneath the old Chemistry 800 building Friday afternoon during renovation projects.
Toxic isotopes found at old chem building Kat Mabry/ Roundup
A fire department hazardous materials team (Hazmat) concluded that there was no danger or threat to Pierce College at the end of the day on Friday following a chemical spill from an underground vault discovered in the old Chemistry 800 building during on campus renovations. A group of construction workers stumbled upon the vault during a digging project and officials officials immediately once there was concern of the containers being broken. 14 construction workers were in proximity to the hazardous area and isolated for treatment and consultation, according to officials. Emergency Medical Technicians offered to evacuate the workers, but they declined. No one involved showed signs of contamination, according to Capt. Sean Miller of the Los Angeles City Fire Department. The LAFD responded to the call quickly, along with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD), and L.A. County Department of Public Health. By coincidence, the LAFD was conducting practice drills down the street from campus that same afternoon. Teams were specifically working 7.2 earthquake drills, playing out scenarios involving hazardous spills, according to officials. Two Hazmat teams arrived on the scene and a perimeter was formed around the con-
taminated area in Parking Lot 7. The underground vault held eight labeled containers, four of which had low-level radioactive materials inside. Following further inspection, the fire department found none of the four to be broken or unsealed. Once Hazmat teams were present and gathered to inspect the one chemical that spilled, they took samples before releasing the information officially. In the meantime, the Pierce College Sheriff’s department declared several areas on campus unsafe and refused entrance to students and faculty. Two classrooms in the surrounding area were evacuated. Following the inspection and the identification of the spilled chemical, Hazmat firefighters decontaminated and released the workers involved. The containers were most likely placed there in 1965, according to Larry Kraus, associate vice president of administrative services. “It is still unclear as to how the containers got there,” said Kraus. “It is believed that they were used in various experiments at the time, and over the years they were forgotten about.” The old Chemistry Building and old Child Development Center have been left unused and untouched since summer session of last year, once the new Center for Sciences and Child Development Center buildings opened. Crews worked Friday and Saturday to ensure that the area was safe for students and
faculty. The containers held radioactive isotopes, declared safe by the Bureau of Environmental Protection of the county health department, according to Kraus. Communication was key during the outof-the-ordinary situation. During inspections, Vice President of Student Services, Joy McCaslin, and Kraus, stayed on scene to ensure that the students at Pierce were safe. Kraus was in constant communication with Kathleen Burke-Kelly, Pierce College president and Doreen Clay, public relations manager, according to Clay. Clay updates the Pulse, a news and events hot spot found on the Pierce College website. She continued to update the release concerning the Hazmat spill while she obtained information throughout the day’s events from Kraus. Of greatest concern were if classes should be canceled the following day and whether the campus needed to be evacuated, according to Clay. “I’m proud of the way that everybody played their role and did their part to make sure that the campus was safe,” said Clay. The release was posted to the Pulse by Friday evening. “We’ve always had a very safe campus, and we want to make sure it stays that way,” she said.
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“We can get through next year,” she said. “What we can’t go through is [201213].” Burke-Kelly also addressed the issue of the hiring freeze currently imposed on community college administrative positions. “The hiring freeze is the worst way to plan,” she said. Burke-Kelly also informed the audience that she has no intention of replacing two administrators who have recently retired. Instead, she plans to reassign existing faculty members to cover all the responsibilities of the retirees. Many of the students who attended the meeting left feeling disheartened. “This is all disappointing,” said Trixcee Comia, 19, nursing major. “It seems like we’re not moving forward at all.” The feeling of disappointment was shared by the faculty officers who attended. “This is really upsetting,” said Ellie Kligman, adjunct Computer Assisted Office Technologies (CAOT) instructor. “California has always been known for its community colleges and the services that they provide.” Samantha Ferrante, 19, history major, expressed her appreciation for the effort the college administration is putting forth with regards to the budget crisis.
In her first town hall meeting held Thursday afternoon, Pierce College President Kathleen Burke-Kelly addressed concerns surrounding the state budget crisis and the ramifications it has on the college. The meeting, which was prepared following Burke-Kelly’s return to Pierce Monday, May 2, began with an open discussion on relevant issues. It was followed by a question-and-answer portion where audience members were encouraged to voice their concerns and inquiries. Though the audience was predominantly comprised of Pierce administrators and faculty members, there were many students in attendance. “I honestly don’t even know who the president is,” said Pierce student Veronica Liberato prior to the event. “I really want to hear what she has to say about the budget crisis and how it affects the classes being cut.” Some faculty members attended the meeting on behalf of the students they instruct. “I wanted to see the direction we’re heading and how it’s going to affect the students,” said Shilo Nelson, instructor of physical education. “That’s why we’re here, for the students.” For most of the meeting, Burke-Kelly spoke of the budget reductions proposed by the district. The best-case scenario is a five percent cut to the school’s budget, according to Burke-Kelly. “The five percent [reduction] at this point is a done deal,” she said as she pointed to her visual aid: a UD/ Roundup projection of a docuPOINTING OUT SCENARIOS: Returning Pierce College ment that broke down President Kathleen Burke-Kelly speaks to faculty, staff the scenarios for each and students during a Town Hall meeting Thursday. budget reduction proposal. “Students need to be more underThe two other scenarios are 10 percent standing,” said Ferrante. “They’re doing and 15 percent reductions, the latter be- what they can.” ing labeled as the “worst case.” The ten The majority of the audience members percent cut is the most likely scenario, ac- were aware, prior to the meeting, of the cording to Burke-Kelly. situation the budget crisis is leaving the Burke-Kelly connected the current district in. budget crisis in the Los Angeles Com“I had known things were getting munity College District (LACCD) to the tougher,” said Steve McHargue, instrucstate budget in her presentation by dis- tor of history and humanities. “It would cussing Governor Jerry Brown’s efforts have been nice to have planned for this last March to “extend existing taxes.” in advance.” Brown failed to gain the necessary Phyllis Braxton, dean of Student SerRepublican support for his proposal, so vices, encouraged students to be vocal there is no possibility for it to be included in expressing their concerns on the isin the June ballot. sue. She suggests that they attempt to go At this point, the earliest that the is- speak directly with the state legislature. sue can be brought to the voters will be “[The administration] doesn’t want in November, according to Burke-Kelly. these cuts for the students,” she said. If the proposal for an additional bud- “This is all happening at the state level, get reduction to the LACCD passes in and we can’t do anything about it.” November, it will prove “devastating [to] mhernandez.roundupnews@gmail.com the spring semester,” she said.
Scholars keep their eyes on the prize: Graduation Lorrie Reyes/ Roundup The spring semester is almost over, which means students can’t wait for finals and the end of the semester. But for those graduating in 2011, the anticipation of June cannot come soon enough. This year’s commencement ceremony will take place on June 8 at 6 p.m. in Swisher Park. “Commencement at Pierce College is one of the nicest ceremonies that we do,” said Dr. Richard Follett, instructor of English and current graduation master of ceremonies. “We do a lot of things very well on this campus, and commencement is one of those.” Students who petitioned for graduation before April 15 will receive an e-mail with all the details on where to go on June 8. According to the Pierce College graduation homepage, graduates will meet in the Center for Sciences quad prior to the 6 p.m. start time. “All students have to wear a cap and gown if they want to participate in graduation,” said David Follosco, dean of Student Services. The traditional black gowns can be purchased at the student store for $29.85 plus tax. Former Pierce College President and current chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District, Darroch “Rocky” Young will be the keynote speaker at this year’s graduation.
Joe Kukuczka/ Roundup
FORMALLY KNOWN AS: Swisher Park will be re-named during graduation in Rocky Young’s honor.
Swisher Park will actually be re-named in Young’s honor later this year. “This year we’ll be renaming [Swisher Park] Rocky Young Park,” said Follett. “That has been approved by Board of Trustees.” Student speakers have not yet been chosen.
With the Center for Sciences and Business Administration buildings completed, planning has become easier for the graduation committee which includes Follosco, Follett and many others. A new procession will begin from the Center for the Sciences building instead of the Campus Center. “In the past, the students walked down by the audience, and back in” said Follett. “It kind of spoils the glamour.” Last year, there were 387 students that participated in graduation. Although Follosco does not know exact figures on this year’s number of graduating students, he estimates this year’s number will be between 380-420 students. “If a person is qualified for the transfer program, they automatically get an AA or AS degree if they request it,” said Follett. “[The degree] is yours, you’ve worked for it. Take it.” Students can still participate in the commencement ceremony if they have missed the April 15 deadline, but they will not be able to have their transcripts evaluated, according to the graduation homepage. Students are encouraged not to forget their cap and gowns or their reader card, which tells the speaker how to phonetically say their name. R U Online? for the full story visit www.theroundupnews.com
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