All Entries in the "News" Category
Chancellor: be a lifelong learner
By Astrid Verdugo
Pima Community College Chancellor Roy Flores says his ambition while growing up in East Chicago was to work at the local steel mill. Because of a recession, he didn’t get the job.
Flores decided to join the Air Force instead, and served for four years.
Though he was born in Laredo, Texas, and lived in Indiana before moving to Chicago, Flores said his time in the military enlightened his understanding of America’s diversity.
“I learned that the country didn’t look like East Chicago. It was broader and bigger,” he said. “We knew distinctively from movies what the rest of the country was like but to actually know someone with different experiences, background, foods and customs … it was fascinating!”
Flores later received a master’s degree in economics and a doctorate in monetary theory and regional economics at Indiana State University.
He worked at the U.S. Department of State as an economic adviser in Washington D.C., where he says he obtained a sense of the important roles that community colleges play.
Flores was a chief administrative officer at Northern Virginia Community College in charge of finances, physical plant and information technology. He also served as president at Allegheny Community College in Pittsburgh and president at Elgin Community College in Elgin, Ill.
He has been PCC’s chancellor since 2003.
His advice to PCC students is to be open to new ideas.
“Find joy in doing a job really well for its own sake,” he said. “Master whatever it is you are doing, and do it well.
“If you want to learn how to dance, for example, then learn it as best as you can and you’ll feel good about it.
“Or if you want to shoot basketball, improve yourself so that you are comfortable with the game. You don’t have to be a Kobe Bryant.
“If it’s playing an instrument, just master it and do it well,” he added. “Or if you buy a computer, learn how to use it really well, so that you are comfortable with it.”
Flores suggests that students try to see connections among the courses they take, whether it’s psychology, writing or Japanese history. Read things related to the topic of study, just for enjoyment.
“Try to understand other societies, and how they view the world,” Flores sad.
“Go online, and search the Web,” he added. “These are things I certainly didn’t have when I was in school. The Web will give you entertainment, knowledge and everything else. So, try to find out what’s going on in other worlds — find out everything you can.”
Flores emphasized that doing so will reinforce the subject matter the student is taking. He also stressed the need to do things for pleasure and not just for work.
“I don’t think you could be successful in something you find distasteful,” Flores said. “You could get by and pass the class, but you’ll feel really good if you strive to master, improve and find joy in it.”
Flores enjoys approaching the world like a child and being open to everything. Because of his curiosity and thirst for learning, he channel surfs while watching television.
“Whether I see something obscure about the depths of the oceans, like discovering some plant, or fish or life no one had dreamed existed, or something real mundane like how to cook the best apple pie, I can’t help but learn,” Flores said. “My mind can focus on anything that is available at the moment.”
His professional duties include serving on the board of directors of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
A typical day for the chancellor includes waking up at 4:30 a.m. He checks his computer for e-mails and for the local temperature, then stretches for a seven-mile run.
“With any job, it’s important to be physically fit, and that’s the truth of it,” Flores said.
“On my way to work, I’ll call the office,” he added. “Typically my calendar is well crafted, and it’s full. You try to stick to it, but sometimes the unexpected happens, so it has to be modified significantly.”
He meets with the vice chancellor, campus presidents and others to talk about issues and opportunities on a wide variety of topics. He deals with the legislature, works with universities and interacts with community college colleagues.
“Basically, that’s a regular full day,” Flores said. “Then you figure out it is 5 o’clock, and you wrap it up for the day.”
Pakistan aid slow to arrive
By Debbie Hadley and Jordan Condra
Monsoon season in late July resulted in the worst flood Pakistan has ever had. The devastation has displaced millions of Pakistanis and more than 1,600 are reported dead. Yet the U.S. media has been slow to provide coverage of the crisis.
Rashad Rogers, a Pima Community College political science major, criticized the response.
“I think it’s an outrage,” he said. “That’s what the press is for but no one is talking about it and no one wants to talk about it.”
While entire villages have been ruined, and water and food are short in supply, contributions to Pakistan are less than donations for Haiti earthquake relief. Billions of dollars less.
International aid pledged totals more than $800 million so far, while donors have pledged nearly $10 billion in aid to Haiti.
One reason for the stark difference: studies show that media coverage concentrates on natural disasters with higher death tolls.
The flood in Pakistan, which happened much more slowly than an immediate catastrophe such as an earthquake, put many houses and acres of land under water but does not have the dramatic effect of other natural disasters.
Another factor could be Pakistan’s public image in the United States.
A recent CNN poll found that 78 percent of Americans hold mostly unfavorable views of
Pakistan.
Many Pakistanis also share a dislike for Americans. A July poll conducted by the Pew Research Center Global Attitudes Project showed that 59 percent of Pakistanis described the United States as an “enemy.”
The U.S. government has taken steps to help Pakistan. Dan Feldman, the Obama administration’s deputy special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, has said the United States will provide up to $150 million in aid.
U.S. helicopters have also helped provide medical transport for displaced Pakistanis living in temporary camps. The flood has created an infestation of water-borne diseases.
Both Feldman and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have downplayed suggestions that U.S. aid is aimed at boosting America’s image with Pakistanis.
“We’re doing it as a response to a humanitarian crisis,” Feldman said.
Krystal Hardiman, a PCC veterinary technician student, pointed out the irony.
“We’re giving them aid and they say that they don’t like us,” she said. “I just think they could show a little bit more respect to the United States because we are out there helping them.”
Pakistan isn’t the only country to react that way, Hardiman added. “We give more money in donations than any other country in the world to countries that are in need and don’t like us. But that’s the United States – that’s the beauty of it.”
Chris Messer, a PCC theater major, believes Americans should provide aid because Pakistan is suffering. “There are a lot of people that have lost everything they’ve got.”
To help with the Pakistan flood relief effort, look to the sidebar below. The international groups listed are reputable organizations that help ensure donations go to people in need.
How to donate
American Red Cross
1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-435-7669)
UNICEF United States Fund
1-800-FOR-KIDS (1-800-367-5437)
Doctors Without Borders
1-888-392-0392
Oxfam America
800-77-OXFAM
U.N. World Food Program
Hypnotic reaction
Audience members rest in a deep state of relaxation as “Hypno Joe,” 56-year-old Joe DeCarlo, entertains during Welcome Week activities at West Campus on Aug. 31. From left are Mario Portillo (wearing face bandages for imaginary cuts), Student Life Coordinator Rosemary Ortega, Joshua Reyes and Ashley Lopez. In the photo below, a hypnotized Reyes does his best Britney Spears imitation.
Aztec Press photos by David Mendez
Veterans group welcomes new members
By Liza Porter
Vets helping vets: That’s the main purpose of the Pima Community College Vets4Vets Club, which held its first board meeting of the semester Aug. 27 at Downtown Campus.
“What we want to do is have a gathering place,” said PCC employee and V4V advisor Tim Kelliher, a veteran himself.
“We’re here to help the veterans,” Kelliher said. “From whatever era they come from, to get into school and be successful.”
V4V meets every Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Student Life Office at Downtown Campus (LB-171) for both social and practical purposes.
During the V4V meetings, Kelliher and student advisers help veterans with any problems they may have, whether regarding enrollment difficulties, adjusting to college life or finding a job.
V4V president Chris Clemens and resources director Robert Tobara have much experience helping guide fellow student veterans through the cumbersome registration process many vets must undergo to receive GI Bill benefits and other financial aid.
Election of new officers will take place on Sept. 14.
Fall semester Vets4Vets social activities include a fundraising barbecue at Downtown Campus on Sept. 7.
Also in the works is a rock concert on Halloween weekend at the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Post 4903, which is now one of V4V’s sponsors.
“They adopted us,” Clemens said of Post 4903.
“It’s one of the few posts around town that is actively seeking Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans,” Tobara added. “A lot of the other posts around town are still very, very resistant to let them in.”
VFP Post 4903 will donate use of its hall for the concert. The music will be “younger-generation, more of the assault-your eardrums rock,” Tobara said. More information about the concert will be available soon. Check the “Groups” tab on MyPima for updates.
Post 4903 is also involved in a food and clothing drive organized by Vets4Vets. Donations will be accepted Oct. 4-8 in the Downtown Campus Student Life office. Clothes and food collected will go directly to homeless veterans in Tucson.
V4V wants to encourage all campus veterans to come check out the club, especially women.
The board is concerned that they haven’t made enough of an effort to reach women veterans attending PCC. The club is even going to the extent of changing the wording of their constitution to be less gender-specific.
“We need women here,” member Fernando Felix said. “Women do things. Men, we can talk about it, but I find that women are more effective.”
“We do have experience and knowledge,” Maria Elena Moreno said. The sole woman vet attending the meeting, she said it with a smile.
For more information about Vets4Vets and upcoming events, contact Chris Clemens at 272-9929 and silverwolf6669@netzero.com, or Robert Tobara at 881-0814 and robert.tobara@yahoo.com.
Abel Moreno, Robert Tobara and Chris Clemens discuss issues. Aztec Press photo by Liza Porter.
Battling the Books: Veterans return to college
By Liza Porter
The veteran population at Pima Community College has tripled in the last year, according to Holly Tackett, Student Services Specialist in the Admissions and Registration Department at Downtown Campus.
PCC statistics show that 1,626 veterans and their dependents are utilizing the G.I. Bill so far this fall.
An Aztec Press series, “Battling the Books: Veterans Return to College,” will explore the experiences of war veterans who enroll at PCC following discharge from the military.
Who are the veterans at PCC’s six campuses? Do they have unusual obstacles to overcome while settling into a college career? How is the experience different for men than for women? What does it take to get set up on the G.I. Bill?
These are the types of questions we hope to answer in “Battling the Books.”
We welcome input from veterans and other students, instructors and administration. Contact Steve Choice or Liza Porter at aztecpress@pima.edu or 206-6800.
Resources for veterans
Peer support for Iraq/Afghanistan-era vets can be found at www.vets4vets.us.
Local contact: Chris Clemens, president: silverwolf6669@netzero.com
“Military Guide to College” can be found at www.studentveterans.org. Choose “Resource Library” at the top of the site.
The American Council on Education’s “From Soldier to Student: Easing the Transition of Service Members on Campus” can be found at www.acenet.edu. Choose “Military Programs” under “Programs and Services.”
PCC Veterans Office
Pima Community College District Veterans Office
Address: 4905 E. Broadway, Suite B220
Phone: 206-4715
E-mail: veterans@pima.edu
Financial Aid: 24 hours a day / 7 days a week at:
| Email: | cofinaid@pima.edu |
| Phone: | 206-4950 |
| Fax: | 206-4566 |
Or visit any campus Student Services Center during normal college business hours.
Back to school daze
Students study and use computers at the newly renovated Downtown Campus library. Aztec Press photo by Gabi Pina.
First-day student David Manin looks to the PCC directory for guidance. Aztec Press photo by Ana Ramirez.
Lines form as student register for fall classes. Aztec Press photo by Ana Ramirez.
Grants aid disabled students
By Darcy Arizmendi
With grants from the U.S. Department of Education, East and Desert Vista campuses will each receive $220,000 a year for the next five years to fund two new student programs.
At East Campus, a program titled Students with Opportunities for Achievement and Retention, or SOAR, will help 100 students who have disabilities, including disabled veterans.
SOAR services include academic tutoring, enhanced advising, assistance to promote transfer to four-year colleges and universities, help in applying for financial aid and financial literacy training.
At Desert Vista Campus, the Graduation, Retention Academic Standing and Transfer, or GReAT, program will serve 140 low-income, first-generation or disabled students.
The program includes a personal plan for each participant, and will monitor progress throughout their PCC enrollment.
Free computer training offered
By Jonathan Fraser
Computer skills need a little refining? Need help with research or class assignments? Pima Community College has a solution: basic computer skills sessions.
Free sessions offered at each campus will cover desktop basics, using the mouse and keyboard and how to navigate the PCC web site and MyPima.
RSVP by 5 p.m. the day before a scheduled session. Remaining sessions include:
Desert Vista Campus
Plaza Building Room F-119
(RSVP 206-5101)
- Sept. 10 at 11 a.m.
-Sept. 17 at 3 p.m.
-Oct. 8 at 3 p.m.
-Nov. 19 at 3 p.m.
-Dec. 21 at 8:30 a.m.
Downtown Campus
Campus Center Building Room CC-168
(RSVP 206-7263)
-Sept. 13 at 1 p.m.
-Oct. 12 at 2 p.m.
-Nov. 9 at 8:30 a.m.
-Dec. 9 at 2 p.m.
East Campus
Student Center Computer Commons
(RSVP 206-7861)
-Sept. 9 at 2 p.m.
-Sept. 16 at 10 a.m.
-Oct. 20 at 3 p.m.
-Nov. 17 at 3 p.m.
-Dec. 15 at 3 p.m.
Northwest Campus
Campus Resource Center, Building B–2nd Floor
(RSVP 206-2127)
-Sept. 7 at 1 p.m.
-Sept. 14 at 10 a.m.
-Oct. 25 at 10 a.m.
-Nov. 22 at 10 a.m.
-Dec. 20 at 10 a.m.
West Campus
Santa Catalina, Academic Computer Commons, C-202
(RSVP 206-6042)
-Sept. 8 at 1:30 p.m.
-Sept. 15 at 9 a.m.
-Oct. 6 at 1:30 p.m.
-Nov. 3 at 1:30 p.m.
-Dec. 1 at 1:30 p.m.
For more information, visit www.pima.edu/calendars and click on the “basic computer skills workshops” link.
Immigration firestorm: Legislative bill shines harsh light on state
Opponents protest SB 1070 during a May Day march in downtown Tucson.
Story by Debbie Hadley
Photos by Mike Hawkins
Backlash continues to build since Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed the nation’s harshest anti-immigrant law on April 23.
The bill, which is scheduled to take effect in less than 90 days, requires immigrants to have their alien registration documents on hand at all times. It also allows police officers to ask for documents if they suspect the person of being in Arizona illegally.
“We in Arizona have been more than patient waiting for Washington to act,” Brewer said. “But decades of federal inaction and misguided policy have created a dangerous and unacceptable situation.”
Pima Community College nursing student Hancel Lopez doubts the bill will ever take effect.
“It’s going to be taken to the Supreme Court and most likely be overturned,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to go through because right now everybody’s boycotting us. We’re like the racist state, it’s terrible.”
Immigrants unable to show proof of citizenship can be arrested, jailed up to six months and fined $2,500. The new law also forbids employers from hiring known illegal immigrant laborers or transporting them when knowing their status.
Rachel Woodward, a psychology major said, “Some do come here illegally to work so they can feed their families, and now they’ll be racially profiled and totally harassed.”
A poll taken before the bill was signed into law said 70 percent of likely voters in Arizona approved of the proposed bill.
The SB 1070 bill has drawn national attention from commentators, with some observers saying Arizona has become a laughing stock. A growing movement seeks to boycott the state, with organizations already cancelling conventions scheduled to be held in Arizona.
Opponents of the bill cite racial profiling, saying officers would be more likely to question people who look Hispanic.
“I’m just happy I look white,” nursing major Matt Hollis said. “Are they going to start using paint swatches so they can tell?”
A Tucson police officer filed a federal lawsuit April 29, claiming that the bill violates several constitutional rights. Tucson City Council voted May 4 to sue the state over the bill.
Brewer said she addressed that potential by adding a provision to create training classes for police officers before the law is implemented.
“Racial profiling is illegal,” Brewer said. “We are going to be very diligent, and we’re going to make absolutely sure that the law … will be implemented properly and respectfully.”
Residents opposed to the immigration bill march in Tucson on May 1.
Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., vowed to fight the bill. “We’re going to overturn this unjust and racist law,” he told protesters gathered at the state capitol.
President Obama has called the bill a threat to the fairness that Americans cherish and noted the lack of federal help on the immigration issue.
“Our failure to act responsibly at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others,” he said.
Student Harrison Rawdin, an administration of justice major, noted that some people strongly support the bill.
“They think it’s doing a good thing,” he said. “I just think it’s too questionable.”
Supporters of the immigration bill hold a counter-rally in Tucson.
Students mostly unaware of campus safety programs
Story and photo illustrations by Marie Rodriguez
A young female leaves a Pima Community College campus at night after studying late. The parking lot is nearly empty except for a man lurking behind a car.
This spine-chilling scenario may leave students questioning their ability to protect themselves in a potentially threatening situation.
PCC lists maintaining a safe learning environment for students and faculty as one of its top priorities. However, if students are unaware of safety precautions and procedures, how safe is the campus?
The college has its own police department, officers on campuses from 6 a.m. to midnight, blue emergency phones installed and an escort service available when needed, but crimes still occur.
In 2008, the latest year available, PCC reported 46 disturbances, 12 assaults and six sex offenses. These totals likely don’t reflect the actual number of criminal offenses. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, fewer than five percent of attempted and completed rapes are reported to police.
Crime rates at community colleges may be a fraction of those that occur at universities that have students living on campus, but PCC has close to the same number of full-time students enrolled as the University of Arizona.
Chief of Police Stella Bay said PCC is continually looking for ways to improve safety awareness and crime prevention.
“The physical well-being of all students and employees is of paramount importance to the college,” she said in an interview.
“We have community service officers, police officers, we do training at the campuses, we have campus watch,” Bay said of protecting the campuses. “And then we have the blue phones.”
Students may spot a passing squad car on campus, but it can sometimes be difficult to quickly locate an available officer. As for other safety programs, many students are unaware of their existence.
Apprehensive students leaving campus late at night can call PCC’s escort service at 206-2700 rather than risk walking to their car alone. A secretary at PCC’s Department of Public Safety said the department doesn’t receive as many calls for escorts as one might think.
Bay said she plans to reintroduce a Rape Aggression Defense training program to students. PCC’s Web site describes the program as “a 12-hour training class with much of the time spent on practicing the practical application of defense tactics.”
Currently, there are no programs such as RAD in place to teach students defense strategies.
PCC students Nahrin Jabro and Benette Valdillez are in favor of safety awareness programs on campus.
“That would be so awesome,” Jabro said of self-defense programs. “I know nothing about anything and I have to ask for everything that I need to know about.”
Valdillez is aware of the disadvantages women face in self-defense. “I don’t mean to be sexist, but we’re just girls,” she said. “If a 160-pound guy comes after me, what am I going to do?”
She carries mace, but isn’t sure what to do if she needs to use it.
Neither student understands how the blue campus security phones are supposed to work.
“What if I’m running from someone?” Valdillez asked. “Do I pick up one phone, then run to the next? How will anyone find me if I have to run away from the phone I’m at?”
Other young women interviewed do not feel comfortable knowing that there are 14 level 2 (intermediate risk) and three level 3 (high risk) sex offenders attending PCC classes.
Most students have seen sex offender notices posted by administrators in accordance with Arizona law. Many female students don’t know how to react to the notices and begin to feel uneasy.
“I always feel weird and scared,” Selin Goktis said of seeing notices of sex offenders posted in campus bathrooms. “It’s a quiet place where anything can happen.”
PCC no longer offers programs on campus safety during freshman orientation. “So many resources are available online now,” Assistant Vice Chancellor for Marketing Rachelle Howell said.
Howell also said PCC does not have any available tips for sexual assault awareness.
Bay said the police site, pima.edu/dps, offers only general tips. “I think it’s just safety awareness tips,” she said. “They’re just general, for everyone.”
Arizona voters approve 1-cent sales tax increase
Update: Arizona voters approved Proposition 100 on May 18 by a two-thirds margin. Starting in June, the state sales tax will increase by 1 cent, from 5.6 cents to 6.6 cents, for three years. The increase is expected to raise about $1 billion a year, and will mostly be used to fund education.
By James Kelley
With state education funding drying up, Pima Community College administrators are hoping for a boost from a 1-cent tax increase.
In a special election on May 18, Arizona voters will decide the fate of Proposition 100, a temporary tax increase that would mostly fund education.
PCC Chancellor Roy Flores said during the April Board of Governors meeting that the state will cut education funding further if Proposition 100 fails.
“We’re looking at a scenario that’s pretty ugly, with no good choices,” Flores said.
In April, the PCC governing board voted to increase tuition 4.5 percent to raise $1.4 million to offset rising enrollment and the decrease in state funding. If the proposition fails, tuition could be raised again.
“It’s going to hurt a lot of people,” said Jennifer Laguna, a social services major, about the threat of tuition rising again.
Prop. 100 would raise the state sales tax from 5.6 cents to 6.6 cents, with two-thirds of the revenue earmarked for education and the rest going to health care and public safety. The increase would be in effect for three years, starting July 1.
“I think it’s good. There should be more funding for education,” said Tahisa Amador, a pre-dental major. “They are trying to decrease funding and I think that is bad.”
The proposition is expected to raise between $800 million and $1 billion per year. A University of Arizona study concluded that Prop. 100 would save 13,000 jobs and preserve more than $442 million in federal matching funds for the state.
During the current economic downturn, Arizona has seen a 35 percent drop in tax revenue and has had to cut $2.2 billion from its budget. If Prop. 100 does not pass, another billion will be cut.
“The impact would be very positive for Pima. The state would be able to allocate more funding to our institution,” Student President Hector Araujo said. “That help would decrease the necessity to have to eliminate programs that are critical to our community.”
Prop. 100 is supported by education groups and many Democrats, though Republican Gov. Jan Brewer and the Tucson Chamber of Commerce have also added their support. Brewer said it is the first time she has supported a tax increase.
Opponents are often members of the Tea Party or Republicans, including U.S. senators John McCain and Jon Kyl, five state senators and state treasurer Dean Martin. Small businesses also say the increase will hurt them.
Programs like PCC’s recently saved Adult Education would be at serious risk if the legislation doesn’t pass. The college is using federal stimulus funds as a temporary measure to preserve the program.
“Proposition 100 is an important one,” PCC Board of Governors member Brenda Even said during the April meeting. “In order to secure and continue to support the things that we worked so hard for, we need to be ready to go support it.”
Prop. 100 detractors contend that people cannot tax themselves out of a recession and say the one-cent sales tax hike equals an 18 percent tax. They also call the sales tax a regressive tax because it hurts the poor more than the rich.
Still, many students feel the tax is a necessity that benefits education.
Students have staffed pro Prop. 100 tents at the University of Arizona mall, hosted an ‘80s-themed party to promote it near Arizona State University’s student union and donned T-shirts at Northern Arizona University that read, “I’m a student and I vote!” during a vote-yes rally march to Flagstaff City Hall.
The April 22 issue of Tucson Weekly had a cover that said “Vote Yes On Prop 100: If you don’t pass this sales tax, we’ll kill this state,” with a photograph of a gun pointed at a statue.
Debbie Hadley contributed to this report.
FYI
May 7: Last day to request an early ballot
May 14: Last day to vote an early ballot in person
May 18: Special statewide election
Web sites:
Aztec Press wins prestigious national awards
The Spring 2010 Aztec Press staff gathers for a group photo. The student newspaper will resume publication in the fall, on Sept. 2.
Aztec Press won a pair of prestigious first-place regional awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, then was named a national finalist in both categories.
At the SPJ regional conference in San Francisco on May 1, the Aztec Press won a first-place Mark of Excellence award for all-around best newspaper for two-year colleges.
Senior reporter Liza Porter captured an individual first-place Mark of Excellence award in feature writing for her series on non-traditional students, “Going Back, Looking Forward.”
First-place winners advance to the national level. In competition against 11 other regions, the Aztec Press entries reached the top three and were named national finalists.
Aztec Press Editor in Chief Daniel Gaona accepts a first-place regional award from Kevin Smith, SPJ national president, in San Francisco.
Related story: Opinion page farewell column by Editor in Chief Daniel Gaona:
http://aztecpressonline.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=3036
Building bridges, breaking barriers: Henry Oyama oversees historical milestones
Story and photo by Steve Choice
Most people never make history once in their lives. Then there’s Henry “Hank” Oyama, who oversaw two watershed events and much more during his remarkable life.
Thanks in large part to Oyama, people of different races may now legally marry in Arizona. He also had a major hand in establishing bilingual education programs in the United States, both in the public school system and at the college level.
Far from resting on his laurels, the wise and gregarious elder statesman continues his lifelong commitment to the betterment of the Hispanic community.
Oyama is president-elect and a co-founder of Amigos de Pima Community College, an organization of community leaders and educators that awards scholarships to Spanish-speaking students through the PCC Foundation.
The group will hold its annual luncheon on Thursday, May 27, at 11:30 a.m. in the cafeteria at Desert Vista Campus to honor this year’s 14 scholarship recipients and their families.
Oyama, born in Tucson in 1926, is of Japanese descent. He grew up in a Mexican-American barrio on the south side of town, speaking only his mother’s native Spanish until he attended grade school.
Though she was born in Hawaii, Oyama’s mother grew up in Mexico, and the future scholar’s self-identification as part of the Latino community was born.
Even as a young boy, Oyama displayed personal drive. He manned a street corner during the Depression, hawking newspapers to passersby to help his family make ends meet. When he was 10, his mother bought him a bike and Oyama secured a full-fledged paper route.
“Oh, yes,” Oyama said with a laugh. “That bicycle was really a big thing for me. I was able to help my family even more with the route.”
Oyama’s surroundings changed drastically in 1942, as he and his family were sent to a Japanese-American internment camp at Poston, Ariz., for 16 months.
Far from being embittered at his country’s treatment, Oyama responded by joining the U.S. Army in 1945, as World War II entered its final stages.
The 19-year-old private’s linguistic skills were put to effective use as a counter-intelligence agent in Panama.
“We were keeping our eyes on Germans trying to sabotage the Panama Canal, but mainly we were tracking communists there,” Oyama said of his time in Central America. “That was at the dawn of the Cold War.”
Following WWII’s conclusion, Oyama attended the University of Arizona as an Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadet.
He earned his Master of Arts in education in 1953. From there, he began his career as an educator at Pueblo High School, where he taught Spanish and history.
In 1959, Oyama did something no one had ever done before in Arizona: he attempted to marry outside his race. He and Mary Ann Jordan, a white woman, became the Arizona American Civil Liberties Union’s first clients.
Their legal challenge to a state statute banning interracial marriage eventually reached the Arizona Supreme Court. The state’s highest court declared the law unconstitutional, and Oyama and his young bride blazed a trail that many would follow.
“We had very well-prepared attorneys working for us,” Oyama said. “They all went on to great things in their lives.”
But Oyama wasn’t done helping shape society, as the ‘60s brought strident calls for civil rights.
In 1966, Oyama teamed with local colleagues Adalberto “Beto” Guerrero, María Urquides, Rosita Cota, Martina García de Durán-Cerda and Paul Streiff to publish a landmark study, “The Invisible Minority.”
The groundbreaking work, commissioned by the National Education Association, called for country-wide bilingual education programs. It also shed light on the psychological and educational realities of Spanish-speaking schoolchildren in the Southwest.
“We said ‘invisible’ because most people in the country thought of Latinos as almost a regional group,” Oyama said. “Unlike today, many Americans thought of Hispanics as part of a far-off group of people that had nothing to do with them.”
The study’s research focused on young Hispanics’ educational experiences in five southwestern states, and quickly caught the attention of Texas Sen. Ralph Yarborough. Yarborough spearheaded a congressional effort to enact federal legislation establishing and funding bilingual education programs.
Yarborough’s work came to fruition in 1968, when President Lyndon Johnson signed the Bilingual Education Act into law.
Oyama became director of the fledgling bilingual and international studies program at PCC in 1970. He rose through the PCC ranks as an administrator, attaining the position of associate vice president before retiring in 1992.
Even in retirement, Oyama furthers his vision of greater self-awareness in the Latino community.
He has received numerous awards honoring his contributions, including Pima County Man of the Year in 1993. A new Tucson elementary school was named for him in 2003.
PCC Chancellor Roy Flores called Oyama a “guiding force” who has helped more than 150 students receive scholarships through the Hispanic Student Endowment Fund.
“Amigos de Pima has raised more than $315,000 for the Hispanic Student Endowment Fund, ensuring that the College will be giving scholarships for many years to come,” Flores said.
Oyama’s life experiences have been as varied as they’ve been historical, but the educator’s goal isn’t to bring attention to himself.
“Well…things happen,” Oyama said of the events he’s been a part of. “I’ve just always wanted to do my part to build bridges in whatever I’ve done.”
Henry Oyama shares memories from a scrapbook at his Tucson home.
Looking to rent? Do research first
By Austin Driscoll
Students moving into an apartment or off-campus property for the first time need to be aware of a few things before diving in.
The first step is figuring out a budget. Take into account all the income you generate, either from your job or financial aid, and figure out how much can be spent on rent and bills.
The next thing to look at is whether to choose an apartment or a house. There are advantages and disadvantages to living in either.
Audrey Minot, a student at the University of Arizona, has been renting a house off-campus for the past two years. She says there is an up side and down side to living in a house rather than an apartment.
“Living in a house offers more space and has nice up sides to it like freedom and a backyard to enjoy but it’s also a little harder to maintain because of the size and the Home Owner’s Association can be a pain,” Minot said.
Location is a big factor that will alter the price of the apartment or rental property you eventually end up choosing. Houses in nicer or more convenient areas are going to be more expensive, so you have to decide what is right for you, then decide if you can afford it.
Another thing to keep in mind is the lease agreement. Most landlords ask that you sign a one-year lease. Sub-leasing to another person is an option if you cannot live there the full year.
Breaking your lease can damage your credit rating and cause financial damage, so really must be avoided.
When you start your search, be sure to carefully read any ads or Web sites you come across. Some apartments may seem expensive but may include utilities in the rental price. Air conditioning makes your electricity bill skyrocket, so it can be nice to have utilities included.
Some apartments advertise that they come furnished. Experienced renters say this raises the price of the apartment and the furniture is never of very good quality. If you have friends or family members who are throwing out old furniture, you will save yourself a lot of money by getting their furniture for your apartment.
Always do your homework on an apartment complex before deciding to move in. Many times you can find reviews online or ask the landlord directly about the types of complaints received from past and current tenants.
If you can’t afford the apartment on your own and need a roommate, be sure to choose someone that you know you can get along with. If you’re on a one-year lease and don’t get along with your roommates, they can make your life a living hell for an entire year of your life.
“They kind of suck,” Minot said of roommates. “There are two different kinds, the ones that will actually help out and provide to the house and the ones that don’t do anything and leave their messes everywhere.”
Photo by Gabi Pina
Preschool helps children succeed, supervisor says
Story and photo by Samantha Munsey
In a room full of small chairs and storybooks, Torina Garcia resembles Mary Poppins.
Garcia has been supervisor of the Early Childhood Development Center at Pima Community College’s West Campus for almost nine years and has seen children and families grow before her eyes.
Originally from New Mexico, Garcia graduated with a degree in early childhood development from PCC and began teaching preschool at different childhood centers throughout Tucson.
“I’ve worked with the babies, toddlers and infants,” Garcia said. “But when I moved up to preschool, I really liked the kids. They were just my age group.”
Now, a typical day for Garcia is making sure everything at the Center runs smoothly.
From regulating meals given to children to supervising professional development for the staff, Garcia is the person behind the scenes who ensures that both children and parents are being provided for properly. She even fills in as a teacher from time to time if she is short-staffed.
“When a teacher is sick and we are unable to find a sub, I usually step in to teach for the day,” Garcia said.
The Center can care for up to 25 children ages 3-5, with mornings being the busiest part of the day. Garcia rewards children who make it through the entire two-year program with a little celebration in their honor.
“It’s always really hard for me towards the end of May when we have to see some of the kids go,” Garcia said. “We have a graduation, and give them a cap and gown and little diplomas.”
She believes the ECD program provides building blocks for a good education and socialization because children are familiar with the atmosphere when they start school.
“When these kids go into kindergarten, they have no problem behaving in a classroom and getting along with children,” Garcia said.
She sent her own children to preschool as a result of this belief. They are now teenagers, but she still sees the benefit of them attending.
“Sometimes I run into my kids’ friends who were in my preschool and, for the most part, all of them are doing really well,” Garcia said. “I like to think I had a part in that.”
Garcia and her staff recently obtained state certification and accreditation for the ECD center. The certification will allow the Center to receive grants and funding.
“It was awesome,” Garcia said. “We scored over 100 percent. I’m really proud of my staff.”
When Garcia looks back on all of her years as a supervisor and educator, she is happy to discover she still values the well-being and growth of children most of all.
“I love children,” Garcia said. “Above everything, they are the ones who know how to keep a person grounded.”
Torina Garcia spends time with a preschooler.
Graduation ceremony to be held May 20
By Manny Manriquez III
The 2010 ceremony for Pima Community College spring graduates will be held on Thursday, May 20, at 7 p.m. at the Tucson Convention Center Arena.
Graduates must arrive by 6 p.m. to check in at the Exhibition Hall. Graduates will receive an information card with their name and degree/certificate information.
For those who want to take graduation photos, Focus on Events will be in the Cochise/Apache Room on the ground level of the Convention Center between 4:30-6:30 p.m., and after the ceremony until 10 p.m.
Parking for the ceremony is free for graduates and their guests at designated lots. Parking on the east side of the convention center may be limited due to construction.
Graduates may bring as many guests as they wish. No tickets or reservations are needed.
Only graduates and dignitaries are allowed on the arena floor during the ceremony. Graduates will be seated in the order of line-up.
Caps and gowns are mandatory and can be purchased at all campus bookstores until Thursday, May 20, for $30.27. There will also be a limited selection of caps and gowns the day of graduation in the Exhibition Hall.
Graduates will receive a scroll in place of their degree/certificate, then return to their seats after receiving their scroll. The official document will be mailed within 12 weeks if all requirements are met.
PCC’s Multicultural Convocation, an event that celebrates the academic achievement and cultural diversity of PCC graduates, will be held Friday, May 7, at the West Campus gymnasium. Graduates must register for the convocation.
For more information about the graduation ceremony or convocation, visit www.pima.edu or call 206-4888. For more information on Focus on Events, call 544-0210.
Click Play then click the video to watch on YouTube.
Aztec News
Aztec Sports
Facebook