All Entries in the "From the Archives" Category

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Vietnam brought influx of veterans

By Sierra Russell

Even in the earliest issues of the school paper, the Aztec Press reported about war veterans and their involvement in education.

During the years when Vietnam veterans were returning home, articles focused on how to readjust. Many vets voiced frustrations about feeling betrayed and disillusioned.

Stories frequently suggested ways student veterans could prevent or recover from alcohol and drug abuse.

In the mid 1970s, articles encouraged student veterans to join the Pima Community College Veteran’s Organization.

The group was formed partly in response to articles spotlighting student veterans concerned about continuing their education. One aim was to have a unified voice that could be heard in a time when government regulations were frequently changing.

Gil Gonzales, advisor to the association, was quoted in a 1977 issue. “As individuals, veterans have no power; nobody will protect the veterans but the veterans themselves.”

The association began as an avenue to help veterans who felt isolated and silenced. It served as “a stepping stone to bigger organizations,” Gonzales said in the article.

At that time, there were 20-25 active members and approximately 4,000 student veterans enrolled at PCC.

Today, a similar organization called PCC Student Veterans Organization exists. There are currently about 70 active members.

Adviser Tim Kelliher expects those numbers to grow over the next few years. “We take a direct role trying to get students through the paperwork of registration,” he said.

The organization also helps students with issues such as finances, stress, mental health and abuse of alcohol or drugs.

“We try to give students a direct route to outside agencies who can help,” Kelliher said.

Student Veterans Organization meetings are held at the Downtown Campus every Tuesday at noon. Board members meet on the last Friday of each month.

The weekly meetings generally serve as a forum where students can discuss problems, ask questions and talk to each other. The organization also hosts events such as barbecues and fundraisers.

Kelliher got involved in PCC Student Veterans Organization when it formed three years ago, and he continues to play an active role.

“The students really started the organization,” he said. “They needed an adviser to become a club. They knew that I was retired military and that I’m very passionate about the subject. So, we’ve just picked it up and run with it.”

For information about veteran services, visit www.pima.edu/veterans.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Articles detail crime, violence

By Sierra Russell

Over the past four decades, the student newspaper has reported on crimes that occurred across campus, state and nation. The Aztec Press also offered advice to students in attempts to keep them safe from harm.

Common crimes in the history of PCC include traffic violations, vandalism, auto theft and assault.

Firearms were discussed in numerous articles.

In the spring of 1981, a two-page layout displayed stories targeting gun use in Arizona and the United States. It was four months after singer John Lennon was shot and killed, and one week after President Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded.

Gun violence has occurred on college campuses around the world. Even in the early 1900s, there were reports in Europe and Canada about shootings on school grounds.

One of the first school shootings in the United States occurred in 1966 at the University of Texas in Austin, when Charles Whitman killed 14 and wounded 32.

Since then, dozens of tragedies have occurred. Many recall the shootings at Kent State and Columbine. Other incidents have been virtually forgotten, except by those directly affected.

In Tucson, many residents remember the fatal shooting at the University of Arizona in October 2002. A nursing student who was flunking, Robert Flores Jr., killed three professors before killing himself.

There were reports that two of the three victims voiced concern and fears about Flores before the rampage occurred.

Since then, there has been much debate about whether firearms should be allowed on campuses. Some think a right to carry guns in the classroom would help combat danger, while others view guns on campus as an invitation to disaster.

Last September, a revision to state law went into effect, allowing firearms to be kept in cars at colleges and universities, as long as they are locked up and concealed.

Recent debate has centered on whether to allow students, faculty and staff to carry guns on PCC campuses.

Luke Gonzalez, a student at Downtown Campus, said students should be permitted to carry firearms if faculty members are allowed to do so.

“I carry a gun everywhere I go,” Gonzalez said, “Except here, because I’m not allowed to.”

Even as gun regulations shift over time, cars on every PCC campus have continually been broken into and stolen.

Campus police advise students to keep a copy of their Vehicle Identification Number separate from the vehicle, and to avoid leaving important documents such as the car title and insurance card in the vehicle.

Students are also encouraged to look into programs, such as CAT (Combat Auto Theft) and HEAT (Help Eliminate Auto Theft).

Physical assault on campus has also been a fairly typical crime in the history of PCC.

The college offers an escort service for all students, day and night. The service can be especially valuable to students receiving harassment or going through a divorce. Students are also encouraged to avoid walking or jogging alone at night.

Throughout the 1970s, ‘80s, ‘90s and the past decade, campus authorities have reminded students to use common sense and be aware of their surroundings.

With the many distractions that students face, this can be a challenge but caution has helped to prevent many crimes.