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Easter Isle epic • engagtng
Is Prop. 186 the right cure?
Friday, September 30, 1994
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Brain teasers
Palomar Community College San Marcos, CA
Volume 48, Number 5
Homecoming application sparks debate • Students claim multi-cultural questionnaire suggests bias ./
Jeff Vize Staff Writer
Cultural diversity and racial issues on campus dominated this week's Associated Student Government meeting Sept. 28, with controversy surrounding the upcoming Homecoming Court elections. The problem bas stemmed from a preliminary Homecoming Court Application that bad been distributed by the ASG for approval, according to ASG adviser Jim Bowen. The form states that applicants should specify which 'diverse group' they represent. Over 30 nationalities and social groups are listed on the application. Applicants arealsoaskedtolistanyothergroup they may belong to. The Homecoming theme is 'People of the World' ,said Kelly Lupro, ASG vice-president of social events. "It's a multicultural theme. What we're trying to do is get a representative from each [cul-
tural] group on campus," She explained that the Program and Publicity Committee introduced the proposed change in the elections to allow for groups of all kinds to be represented. The distinctions are not based solely on race and do include classifications for such nonracial groups as homosexuals and handicapped, Lupro pointed out. ASG President Merrill Tyler also spoke about the idea as being a problem. Despite the positive intentions of the multicultural goal, be expressed concerns that the wording of the application form, as well as the separation of ethnic groups for the contest would not be looked upon positively by the student body. "Everyone who bas brought the application to my attention bas been appalled," Tyler said. "The wording needs to be reworked so that we can get the form out as soon as possible."
See ASG, Page 3
Classifed staff seeks pay increase • Employee union lobbys the Governing Board Francis T. Crowley Co-Editor-in-Chief
Vending prices rise while revenues drop Peter Sansom Staff Writer
Soda machine prices on campus have risen by 10 cents since the first few weeks of the fall semester. Due to rising vandalism, competition and lost business (the Snack Shack by the math buildings) and fewer machines due to construction, simple business tactics have produced a more expensive soda. John Soles, owner and president of North County Vending which is currently contracted to place their soda machines on campus, explained the reasons for higher soda prices. First, be said vending sales were down due to
the loss of business to the Snack Shack, and, secondly, be said vandalism was another reason for the price jump. Soles estimated that 85 percent of the Snack Shack's gross is the vending machine's lostrevenue. Snack shack patrons are frequently confronted with a long line when purchasing goods in between classes, thus showing the amount of lost business from vacant soda machines. "We bad to pull some of these machines because of the construction," said Bryant Guy, Palomar's Contract Services Manager.
See SODA, Page 3
The Classilled Employees of Palomar College have been conducting a letter writing campaign and a show of force at Palomar District Governing Board meetings in an attempt to end a salary negotiation impasse. Their actions took on new meaning after the Sept. 13 meeting which the Council of Classilled Employees, termed the reaction of two Board members as being rude. The CCE considered further statements made by board members to be a threat to their jobs, according to a CCE status report to their members. At the Sept. 27 Governing Board meeting, CCE representative Sue Norton demanded an apology from those two members. Board member Ralph Jensen responded, saying, "I for one made this allegedly rude comment. I'll concur that I made this comment however, I'll question whether it is rude." Reading from the minutes of the Sept. 13 meeting, "Have you sent letters to Pete Wilson?" be said, referring to the letters addressed to
"Yes, we would like to give a raise, but the moneys aren't there. " - Ralph Jensen Governing Board member
the Board from classified employees given during that meeting. Jensen continued by describing the desire of the Board to give the classified employees a raise if there was money to do it with. There was also a contention that Jensen slammed down the employees' letters when be was banded them. He denied this charge when directly asked by Dr. Rita White, board president. "We have stated," Jensen added, "yes, we would like to give a raise. But, the moneys aren't there. We can't give you what we don't have to give." Norton ended her statements by reminding the board that she "didn't ask for a raise or mention negotiations but rather bad made the statement that the classified staff de-
serves respect at all times regardless of the current situation." The Council of Classified Employees, affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, represents Palomar classilled employees who have been negotiating unsuccessfully for a change in the salary matrix system since 1989. The matrix is the basic salary schedule. According to Toni Griffith, a grievance officer and chief negotiator for the CCE, the Governing Board agreed to look into the matrix system, but bas never actually done so. According to Griffith, "The result of negotiations in 1989 led to a task force which the District participated in. The task force made a
See EMPLOYEES, Page 4