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A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION
Volume 117 - Issue 4
October 17, 2012
One copy free, each additional copy $1.00
Professor called out on unions Economics instructor accused of hypocrisy during ‘Day of Politics 2’
Billel Bensalem/Roundup
bbensalem.roundupnews@gmail.com
A comment made by Don Sparks, president for the American Federation of Teachers Chapter 1521A, directed towards Economics professor Pam Brown raised more than a few eyebrows at the Proposition 32 debate on Thursday, Oct. 11. Video footage of Brown and Sparks’ exchange during the debate
appears between 31:46 and 32:43 in the Multimedia section of theroundupnews.com. “People have philosophies, and they can stick to them,” Sparks said. “But if you’re a hypocrite about your philosophy, that’s a different story.” The cheers and applause within the Great Hall echoed the crowd’s support for Sparks’ comment. Both parties separately agreed to speak to The Roundup on the subject
Monday. Although many members of the audience noticed the comment, Brown did not. “I don’t remember him saying that I’m a hypocrite,” she claimed. Brown is a non-union professor at Pierce College, a unionized campus. Sparks did not deny making the controversial comment at the debate. “I probably did say something like that,” he confirmed.
Proposition 32 requires that unions get permission from members before they use paid dues for political activism. “Because I am at Pierce, the union negotiates for me,” Brown explained. She also explained why she thought Sparks called her a hypocrite. “Pierce, a unionized campus, the union negotiates for me, so I’m a hypocrite because I’m not [See UNIONS, RU ONLINE]
Pam Brown
Donald Sparks
Proposition 32 YES: Unions and corporations can not use money deducted from an employee’s paycheck for political purposes. NO: Unions and corporations can still use money deducted from an employee’s paycheck for political purposes.
Fallout continues for Sherman Dems nearly come to blows in Great Hall
Jose Romero/ Roundup
SMART: Physics Professor Margaret Wessling uses a SMART Board in her Physics 6 class on March 22, 2011.
SMART Boards coming in Fall 2013 Natalee Ayala/Roundup
nayala.roundupnews@gmail.com This March, bidding will begin for the installation of next-generation technology at Pierce, according to a statement made at last week’s Academic Senate meeting. Jill Binsley, Technology Advisory Committee member, announced that the buildings in the North Mall will be equipped with 70 SMART Classrooms. These will be installed and ready to use by Fall 2013, with a few now being used in the Center for Sciences building. “Pierce will have the most [SMART classrooms],” Binsley said. David Schamus, Chair of the Computer Science and Information Technology Department, explained to the Academic Senate a little more of the new state-of-the-art equipment. “[SMART Boards] are essentially electronic versions of the white board,” Schamus said. These new boards will be directly hard-wired into the room, so that instructors will not have to worry about bringing in their own cables to hook up their laptops. Blu-ray players, AV connectors, and higher Wi-Fi connectivity will also be in place with the new gear. “Interactive and media-rich environments in our classrooms is our goal,” Schamus said. The SMART classrooms are just one of many programs geared toward fast turn-around for students. Transfer Center Director Sunday Salter also introduced a new website, ADegreeWithAGuarantee.com. [See SMART, RU ONLINE]
Spike Pink pg. 6
Matt Gottesman/Roundup mgottesman.roundupnews@gmail.
Congressional hopefuls, hosted in Pierce College’s Great Hall on Thursday, have continued to make headlines across the nation as two former allies each deal with fallout this week from their high-tension display. The 30th Congressional District race heated up late last week when Rep. Brad Sherman forcefully put his arm around opponent Rep. Howard Berman’s head with unclear intentions. The debate was part of Pierce’s Day of Politics 2, sponsored by Pierce’s Departments of Political Science, Economics, Criminal Justice, and Law and Chicano Studies. “We are in a heated and expensive race,” Berman said in a press statement earlier this week. “It’s become a very emotional race.”
“Howard, you wanna get into this?” Nadine Gustantian/ Roundup
-Brad Sherman Berman’s campaign manager, Brandon Hall, was not so accommodating about the situation. “He reached up and tried to put him into a headlock,” Hall said. “That’s not appropriate for a congressman.” While trading rebuttals initially focused on responding to a question asked by a student regarding the Valley’s entertainment industry, Berman reassured the audience that he was the author of the DREAM Act,
HEATED: Rep. Brad Sherman contributes to a heated discussion with Berman Howard at the Day of Politics 2 in the Great Hall at Pierce College in on Thursday, Oct 11, 2012. a bill meant to help illegal immigrants comment by addressing the audience. “Howard, Luis Gutierrez cooperative. They split up. They were gain permanent residency. “He lies,” Berman said. “He knows introduced the bill. You didn’t. And no problem at all.” Berman, who fell out of his chair I’m the house author of the DREAM the official records of Congress will The congressmen, who have twice during Sherman’s opening Act. Why does he say that? Because he prove you wrong,” Sherman yelled been pitted against one another this speech because of a gap in the stage, thinks he can get away with it. But, in into his microphone. “Howard, you election because of redistricting, maintained that he was the author the end, ya can’t fool all the people all wanna get into this?” continued to speak over the crowd of the bill, despite Sherman’s saying the time, Brad.” Upon seeing Sherman put his arm while Dunkin was on the stage. otherwise. Standing up, Sherman waited over Berman’s shoulder while yelling “Don’t you dare stand up here in “When untruths are said, a person until the crowd’s cheers died down at him in the microphone, Deputy the West San Fernando Valley and get has to defend himself,” Berman said to share his point of view, citing Bill Dunkin stepped onto the stage to in my face,” Sherman said. “Stay away in his own defense. “And that raises the congressional representative prevent the situation from escalating. from me. You wanna put your face in the intensity of the debate.” of Illinois’ Fourth District, Luis “I heard a little bit of a heated mine? Go ahead.” Berman retorted to Sherman’s Gutierrez, as the author of the bill. argument,” Dunkin said. “They were [See FALLOUT, RU ONLINE]
$6 billion in losses if Prop. 30 fails Two professors help students understand lasting ramifications of failure Oskar Gustowski/Roundup Danny Duarte/ Roundup
EXPLAIN: Dr. James McKeever and Dr. Pamela Brown debate proʼs and conʼs of Prop. 30 during the Day of Politics 2 inside the Great Hall on Oct. 11. The two prominent instructors faced off about how the ballot measure will determine the future of community colleges throughout the state of California.
P I E R C E The Pierce College Weather Station has provided meteorological data to national agencies since 1949. Information for this week’s report comes from the National Weather Service and Accuweather. The Pierce Weather Station Report will be back next week.
ogustowski.roundupnews@gmail.com Two well-known professors explained alternatives and fiscal consequences during a debate on Proposition 30 for students in the Great Hall during the Day of Politics 2 at Pierce College on Thursday, Oct. 11. Professor of sociology Dr. James McKeever argued for the proposition and professor of
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economy Dr. Pamela Brown argued against it. Prop. 30 will be featured on the ballot this upcoming election, and if passed, the legislature will temporarily increase sales and income taxes to balance the ever-growing budget from 2013 to 2019, according to McKeever. Income and sales taxes, added together, make up two-thirds of California’s General Fund, as stated by the State Attorney General.
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If the bill doesn’t pass, there will be a $6 billion tax cut, heavily impacting K-12 schools and community colleges throughout California. Spending on education is currently the most expensive item on California’s budget. Under this rationale, in order to balance the budget there will be a reduction of education funding. [See PROP. 30 FAILS, pg. 3]
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