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Trustees “Take the Heat” When There is None on Campus

NEWS BRIEF Fallen tree crushes car on Ocean campus By Ellen Yoshitsugu egiese@mail.ccsf.edu Strong east winds toppled several trees on the Ocean campus on Tuesday March 21, 2023, crushing one parked car next to the science building and trapping several others behind the student union. There were no injuries.

The special City College Board of Trustees meeting on heating problems at the college on March 14, 2023, at the Mission campus. Photo by Ellen Yoshitsugu/The Guardsman.

By Renée Bartlett-Webber rbartle8@mail.ccsf.edu

Trustee President Alan Wong called for an emergency board meeting that was held on March 14. “The heating issues at our City College campuses are unacceptable,” wrote Wong in his meeting announcement two days prior. Despite the

short notice, many members of the public attended to express their distress over the lack of heat as well as other operational issues. By the end of the meeting, the board approved the transfer of $2.6 million to a fund that will be used to fix the heat issues, and three other action items to help expedite contracts. While allocating the funds

is a necessary step, it will still take months to repair the buildings that don’t have heat. Members of the public appealed to the board to address solutions that will help now. We have taken temporary measures. We have provided space heaters… Additionally we have provided hand warmers, recognizing that it’s not a

“

long-term fix but it is something that we can provide to give short-term comfort for our students and employees in the classroom,” said Chancellor David Martin. Many of the 17 public

commenters said that faculty were only provided two hand warmers in the beginning of the semester and that students didn’t have any. Some instructors didn’t receive a space heater

"I have zero faith that this problem will be fixed in the fall"

Heat, continued on page 3

City College Mental Health Services Gears Up Faculty, Staff Amid Suicide Rate Spike

By Shawn Ree Canin scanin@mail.ccsf.edu One person dies of suicide every 11 minutes in the United States, according to 2020 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. City College is taking measures to offer resources and assistance for mental health to its students as suicide rates grow nationwide. More than 50% of community college students exhibit indications

of mental health disorders, according to a recent study. Among the most impacted are students of color, LGBTQ+, veterans, and those from lowincome backgrounds. Their rates of services were also the lowest. The Student Health Services have started a number of programs to prevent suicide and promote mental wellness on campus in response to this growing epidemic. In a recent presentation for Flex Day on March 7, Sandy Vaughn,

a mental health counselor, instructed faculty and staff on how to spot critical warning signs and how to assist students. Among the risk factors that contribute to suicide include loss of housing, financiaproblems, problematic substance abuse, relationship or physical problems, and a crisis in the past or present, among many others. Mental Health continued on page 2

The 1-800-273-TALK (8255) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is free and confidential that will help connect with skilled and trained mental health professionals in your area.

As he left his last meeting of the day, Student Trustee Malinalli Villalobos noticed the fallen tree on Science Circle and went to see if any one was hurt, because, he said, “people sleep in their cars here.” City College Police Chief Mario Vasquez blocked off the areas with cones and safety tape. In an email to the campus community, he urged everyone to be watchful in outdoor areas for the rest of the week and to report any leaning trees or safety hazards to campus police at 415-239-3200. “The college is contracting with an Arborist to come to our Ocean Campus to identify trees that may need removal for safety purposes,” Vasquez said by email. The storm strengthened rapidly Tuesday afternoon and then stalled over the Bay Area, bringing wind gusts over 60 mph in San Francisco. The high winds brought widespread damage and five deaths.

Fallen pine tree crushes a parked car next to the science building on City College’s Ocean campus. Photo by Ellen Yoshitsugu/The Guardsman

High winds on March 21, 2023, topple a pine tree, crushing a parked car next to the science building on City College’s Ocean campus. Student Trustee Malinalli Villalobos takes a photo. Photo by Ellen Yoshitsugu/The Guardsman

Teachers

Have Your

RAMS

Picketer

Say

Baseball

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