Forum Sheds Light on District

Control Issues     Fresno City College held an open forum Nov. 17 that welcomed faculty, staff and students to discuss the financial situation of the school and district, and the organizational review of the district offices, food services and bookstore operations. Questions and concerns were asked to Dr. Robert Jensen, member of the College Brain Trust.    

One main concern brought to Dr. Jensen during the open forum was the amount of control the State Center Community College District has over the campus. The district makes decisions that most faculty and staff feel should be made from a source closer to the school, from deciding on how bookstore funds get distributed to the food provided to our cafes on campus. In an interview with the Rampage newspaper reporters, President Azari informed the Rampage that she is trying to get at least the food contract in control by the school rather than the district. “We have an agreement with Taher, but we don’t negotiate the contract. That’s negotiated by the chief financial officer in Reedley. Does that make sense? Absolutely not.  Madera, Willow, Reedley, everywhere. And he’s only one person,” said President Azari.

Bob Boyd of FCC’s Philosophy department voiced his concern with the lack of input the college seems to have when a district wide decision is made. “[The District] needs to include more input from the faculty and staff,” he said. The Chairman of the district offered to bring this matter up again another time to help find a resolution, but suggested FCC faculty and staff communicate more with the college representative to the district.

Hopefully this forum will give the district an idea of the importance of school ran bookstores and food services by giving school more independence to make choices that will help the students such as a rent-a-text program with the bookstore to help with the high cost of textbooks, some healthier meal options, and will fix the communication problems between FCC and the State Center Community College District.

FCC Art Space Gallery Showcases Laura West’s Sculptures

From Nov. 8 through Dec. 9 the Fresno City College Art Space Gallery will showcase the work of FCC instructor and sculptor Laura West titled “Additive Memories.” Laura was born in Texas but grew up in southern Illinois, receiving her Bachelors in Fine Arts from Southern Illinois University and her Masters in Fine Arts from Idaho State University. She has taught at Montana State University and at the Johnson Atelier in Trenton, NJ. She is currently the head sculptor for FCC and has a studio in Madera. Laura has been professionally creating artwork for 20 years. Starting with casting metal, she has dabbled in everything from watercolors to carving stone.

The gallery will be open Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. staying open until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec 2. For more information contact gallery Curator Edward Lund at (559) 442-4600 ext. 8909.

Fresno, Ranked Third  on America’s

Dirtiest Cities List

With California holding seven of the top 10 dirtiest cities in America, it is not surprising that Fresno-Madera, with our massive agricultural and dairy industry has taken the number three spot with Visalia-Porterville coming in fourth, Hanford-Corcoran taking fifth, and Modesto claiming the eighth spot on the list (www.forbes.com).

For most Central Valley residents our quality of air is a major concern due to the high percentage of asthma cases in the Central Valley. Holding the most asthma cases in the state the Central Valley has 11 percent of the population affected by asthma.

The question this issue prompts is how can we clean the state of our air. With the cash for clunkers program and the 62 percent reject vote on Proposition 23 to temporarily reduce emission, Central Valley residents show their want for cleaner air. With the rejection of Propositon 23 emission cuts are set to begin in 2012 and a carbon cap-and-trade program will be launched. Plans for the future show a reduction of greenhouse gases by 15 percent in eight years.

If successful, these programs and emission cuts will pave the way for cleaner air in Fresno and around California.

ASG Hosts Debate on Smoking Policy

Due to an overwhelming amount of complaints from non-smokers regarding the amount of second hand smoke, the school has proposed a possible ban on smoking on campus.

The Associated Student Government has held open forums, a smoking tour providing information to students in various classes and has taken polls to see where FCC students stand on a possible ban.

To assure all sides, for the smoking ban, against the smoking ban, and students for a designated smoking area are heard. “I think it’s good that we have a debate open for us students to let our opinions be heard. It makes me, as a student, feel more involved with what is happening on campus,” said FCC student Meghan Pelej. “I don’t smoke but I wouldn’t say smoking has to be banned all over campus, I would like to see designated smoking areas to help contain second hand smoke, and litter from [cigarette] butts,”she said.

Any student who wishes to participate in the debate is reminded that this is a time to get your voice and opinions heard, not to put down and attack the other side.