Southwestern Sun

Investigators put Southwestern on probation

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Two-and-a-half years of rancor and controversy have left Southwestern College somewhere it has never been before - on probation.

In a highly-critical 38-page report, a team of investigators from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) outlined 10 areas of deficiency that SWC will have to correct if it is to maintain its accreditation.

Accreditation: Southwestern is on the clock

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Every six years California colleges and universities undergo a head-to-toe check. An evaluation called accreditation is performed by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) to make sure the institution lives up to state and federal standards.

Chopra receives failing grade from faculty

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Last year the Southwestern College governing board evaluated Superintendent Dr. Raj K. Chopra and, to the dismay of faculty and students, awarded him a $15,000 raise. Evaluation time has come up again and faculty have devised an evaluation of their own. The result is a resounding "F".

Professors challenge speech Restrictions

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

A small group of Southwestern College faculty, students and community members celebrated Martin Luther King Day with an act of civil disobedience to protest free speech restrictions on campus. Protesters collected signatures to recall three governing board members who voted to cut spring classes.

New counseling policy for students

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Line up, fill out three pages of paperwork and wait to be e-mailed. Wait three days for further instruction.

This is all part of the new procedure for setting up a counseling appointment at Southwestern College, effective Jan. 13. A placard on the wall next to the counseling center reads, "Dear Student, SWC thanks you for your patience.

Professors say policies could cost college millions

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Ramin Moshiri stood in front of Southwestern College's governing board in December with a challenge.

Millions of dollars were at stake for medical-IT federal grants, and the adjunct professor challenged the college to snatch a few.

Moshiri's frustration was one that many faculty members on campus are feeling.

Salas: Invest in education to help state

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Times were tough for a 37-year-old single mother named Mary when she decided to return to Southwestern College to start over. She had child care issues and had not been to school for many years. Mary was not sure what to expect.

Now she does. Four-term California Assemblymember Mary Salas said she expects community colleges to do what they have done for 50 years-bring hope, success and economic energy to individuals and our society.

Three strikes you're out for students who drop, fail classes

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Withdrawing from classes is still easy at Southwestern College, but getting back in could soon get a whole lot harder.

An update of the campus withdrawal policy is cracking down on students who repeatedly withdraw from classes or who repeat classes in which they earned a D or F.

Unsigned

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Years from now, when scholars and citizens look back at this low point in Southwestern College's history, they will talk about "the wave off," Dr. Raj K. Chopra's flippant dismissal of a question that effectively brought an end to a "town hall meeting" called to foster communication.

Letter To The Editor

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

My responsibility as Chief of Police is to insure that my officers provide to you with a safe environment in both good and bad times. Our goal is to provide a professional, neutral presence on campus. As police officers we must remain neutral regardless of our personal feelings.

Letter To The Editor

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Dear Mr. Alioto,

According to the American Civil liberties Union and the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, the requirement for pre-approval of free speech is a prior restraint on a First Amendment right. No one has the right to require either approval for a student rally or to limit it to a so-called "free speech area" pre-determined by Mr.

Letter To The Editor

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Remarkable budget indeed! Even more remarkable is that the Union Tribune, once a Pulitzer Prize- winning publication is so easily hoodwinked by the scam being perpetuated by Raj Chopra at Southwestern College.

Why has the UT now published a series of error-riddled, glowing editorials that appear to have been crafted by Raj "Harold Hill" Chopra himself? (May 24, 2009 and July 4, 2009)

Your July 4 editorial is fraught with errors: in point of fact, five full-time employees have already been terminated, not to mention part-time staff layoffs.

Letter To The Editor

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

I wish to thank those who were responsible for the wonderful breakfast, in recognition of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. held on January 15, 2010. It was a wonderful event, sponsored by the Southwestern College Foundation Associated Student Organization.

Warrior Woman

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Sheilah Naajiibah Dasher is a young woman warrior with strength and fearlessness in her name. Naajiibah means "woman who went to war many times" in Navajo. Dasher wears her Native-American heritage proudly and will represent her people as a candidate in the Miss Indian World 2010 pageant this May in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Commitment bonds Teaching Excellence winners

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

"Excellence is the gradual result of always wanting to do better," said legendary basketball coach Pat Riley. SWC teachers Jackie Thomas and Henry Aronson insist on pushing the ball up the court.

Thomas, professor of chemistry, and Aronson, an adjunct English instructor, are recipients of the 2010 Teaching Excellence Awards.

Black history month

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Twenty-four years have passed since its first observance of Black History Month, but on campus the tradition carries on. February became Black History Month in 1926 when historian Dr. Carter Woodson brought national awareness to important contributions made by African-Americans.

MLK breakfast serves up inspiration

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

This year's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast served food for thought. Attendees agreed it was a nourishing morning.

Inspiring speakers, artists, scholars, dancers and scholarship winners shone on the stage that became a secular alter in celebration of the remarkable life of Dr.

Pieces of Africa

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

African history and art have combined to create a unique learning experience at Southwestern College during the month of February. Professor Chuck Ambers is sharing his culture and artifacts with students during Black History Month.

As owner, curator and leader of the Casa Del Rey Moro Museum in Old Town, Ambers has an extensive collection of books, art and knowledge of the North American African descents on the West Coast.

Exhibit displays artistic beauty, scientific wonder of nature

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Leonardo DiVinci famously said that all great art is inspired by nature. Payson R. Stevens gets that. Stevens, who like DaVinci is an artist, scientist, inventor, and Renaissance man for the 21st century.

Stevens brought his multifaceted artwork to the Southwestern College Art Gallery for a memorable exhibition of mind-blowing visual art inspired by science.

Strings sing for Bunnell family

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Somewhere George Harrison was smiling. As the five young siblings that call themselves the Bunnell Family Strings played Harrison's masterful love song, the romantic and ethereal spirit of "The Quiet Beatle" lived again.

Those Bunnell kids have serious musical chops, but they also have something that cannot be taught in a conservatory-feeling.

Students in director's chair for play festival

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Southwestern College's New Plays Festival is taking on partners and going multimedia. Expect to be dazzled warn excited organizers.

Mark Pentilescu, SWC's enthusiastic professor of theater, has partnered his Theater 118 class with Telemedia 218 to create a New Plays Festival that could also produce television shows and short films.

Almost Islanders

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Bob Marley meet Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Even though the Jamaican and Hawaiian superstars never met, their music is a marriage made in Heaven -- or Hana.

Southwestern College musicians help make up the nine-member band Almost Islanders, a talented and tasty whiff of the tropics.

Students Speak out Through Art

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Class cuts and diminished opportunity were the theme of the Student Art Gallery Exhibit. Though the idea was brilliant and the timing perfect, the exhibit was strongly unsatisfying.

"No Vacancy". Is a protest of the recent wave of 429 class cuts that was presented at a governing board meeting.

Child Development Center moulds creative minds

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Recycled plastic soda bottles twisted with wooden beads, bright orange ribbons and small fern branches hung from the ceiling created a beautiful chandelier. And a round mirror base with a small chunky tree on top, scattered with white pieces of clay showed how pieces of nature could be used as decorations.

Students speak out through art

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Limits placed on freedom of expression at Southwestern College have inspired campus artists to be more expressive than ever.

Art students armed with paintbrushes and ideas have taken a leadership role on campus after Performing Arts Coordinator Silva Lugo was laid off last spring.

Heart stopper keeps playoff hopes alive

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Tiffany Depfer drained a heart-stopping top-of-the-key jumper with 40 seconds left in overtime to lift Southwestern College to a 72-70 win over Imperial Valley and a shot at playoffs. Depfer's Michael Jordan moment was another highlight in a resurgent second half of the season for the Lady Jags.

Low-key OTC is a Chula Vista treasure

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Vancouver is the capital of the world for a fortnight, its scenic and cultural beauty a backdrop for the elite winter athletes of the world. Skiers, skaters and curlers have center stage under the azure Canadian sky.

Meanwhile, in a remote corner of Chula Vista, unknown athletes from all over the United States train hard and wait for their moment in the summer sun.

Imperial Beach a surf paradise despite a few gnarly locals

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

"John from Cincinnati" showed Imperial Beach to the world. Not everybody thought that was a good idea.

While visionary leaders like environmentalist Dr. Serge Dedina and former mayor Michael Bixler thought the exposure could help their beautiful but enigmatic beach city on the border, some of the more xenophobic locals disagreed.

SWC swim team pools its talent

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

With a record-breaking season behind it, Southwestern College's swim team looks to push the pace even further.

Last season ended with the team scoring the highest number of points at both the Pasadena and the Mt. San Antonio College invitational. This semester the swimmers insist they do even better.

Softball at Southwestern

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Softball has not been a marquee sport at Southwestern College this decade. But there is a new coach in town that promises that's all about to change.

Yasmin Mossadeghi, a former university standout, said she is raising the bar and cranking up expectations.

Versatile phys. Ed. Icon just a Stone's throw from retirement

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

All good things must come to an end, even it seems the teaching career of the indominable Art Stone.

After 39 years of teaching judo, coach Stone has decided to hang up the gi and retire at the end of the semester. Stone's retirement might also mean the end of the judo program at Southwestern College.

Marcha Migrante V

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

SASABE, MEXICO -- For thousands of Mexican migrant workers looking for jobs, this dusty and tumble down pueblo in the state of Sonora is the first part of the journey to el norte. Sadly, for hundreds of the same people, the unforgiving desert of the American Southwest is also the end of their journey.

A New View

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

We are privileged to have the gift of free speech and live in a country where we can exercise freedom of expression. We are free to voice our political views without fear of being killed for our opinions.

Some people get upset that America is not the country it is supposed to be.

Sex and the Sun

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

As you walk hand in hand with your partner/significant other this year, here are a few resolution ideas to make this a great year together.

Texting

At the start of a relationship, try not to over-text. Texting has become a generally accepted way of communicating, but the new flame may not appreciate constant texts, especially when at work or school.

The Human Chord

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

A
t any given time, on any day you can hear the loud noise of Southwestern's life throughout the campus. Anything can be heard from mariachi to hard rock playing outside of the Student Center to Mayan Hall as students, staff and faculty celebrate different cultures, hold job fairs, stress relief days, root beer chugs and the diverse variety of activity in which we can all participate in and grow.

The Spinning Wheel

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Keep your friends close and your passwords closer.
The Internet has exploded in the last couple of decades. I remember a time before laptops, when everything was done at the desk. Now we log onto our lives at coffeeshops and even on our cell phones while waiting in line to buy groceries.