Paramedics took Flores to TMC after he experienced severe chest pains while working at PCC’s District Office.

In October 2011, Flores underwent quadruple-bypass heart surgery. He returned to work on a part-time basis on Nov. 28, and had gradually been increasing his workload.

Flores, who turns 70 in April, has been chancellor since 2003. On Jan. 20, he announced that he would retire at the end of the year.

From a PCC news release

 —————————————————–

By DAVID MENDEZ

Pima Community College Chancellor Roy Flores announced Friday that he plans to retire from his position “no later than the end of the year.”

Flores’ announcement was sent via mass email to PCC personnel at 4:30 p.m. He returned to work last fall after taking time off to recover from quadruple bypass heart surgery in October.

In his email, Flores reflects upon his life and career, outlining his path from a “shoeshine boy in East Chicago at age 9” to the present. He has spent the last four decades as an educator and administrator.

He explains his thought process regarding his retirement (“I can’t remember the last time I had a real vacation,” he writes) and says his “single-minded focus to work” has worn on him.

“The bottom line is pretty straightforward: The time has come to retire,” Flores wrote, citing his upcoming 70th birthday and recovery from heart surgery as factors leading to his decision.

Flores also touts PCC’s accomplishments over his tenure as chancellor, including a document attached to the email, before thanking the PCC Board of Governors, faculty and staff for their work.

The letter ends with Flores expressing his confidence in the future of Pima Community College, writing “success will be assured if we continue to adapt and meet the needs of the community we serve.”

Read the full text of Flores’ email here.

Read the attachment (“A Short Retrospective”) to Flores’ email here.

Many drivers have done it at least once. No, not speeding, rolling through a stop sign or yelling at other drivers on the road, but texting while driving.

The issue has been debated for years. Currently, 35 states ban texting while driving, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

While Arizona legislators struggle to pass a statewide law, Tucson City Council members are moving to outlaw texting while driving.

All six council members voiced support Jan. 10 for a ban. They will vote early next month on a city ordinance that makes texting while driving a primary offense, with fines ranging from $250 to $1,000.

Steve Kozachik, Ward 6 council member, said texting while driving involves three critical mistakes.

You’re taking your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel and your mind off of what you’re doing,” he told KOLD News 13.

Of course, not everyone agrees.

PCC student Megan Sullivan thinks it will be hard to determine whether a driver was texting.

“I agree that it’s dangerous,” Sullivan said, but from a realistic standpoint, they need to think it through more.”

PCC student Manny Lonjino gives the proposed law a thumbs up.

“I think it’s a good idea,” he said. “I do it sometimes, I’m not gonna lie, but it is dangerous.”

Txting & Driving?

Guns could soon be allowed onto university and college campuses in Arizona.

A bill introduced by Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, would allow faculty and students with concealed weapons permits to carry their guns on campus.

Under HB 2254, campuses would no longer have authority to ban guns. College officials would be allowed to keep guns out of campus buildings if they post a sign and provide a secure area for gun storage.

A similar bill was introduced last year to allow guns in campus passageways but not inside buildings. Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed the bill because it was vague and could have also applied to K-12 campuses.

Gould worked with the National Rifle Association to draft the new, more clearly written bill. He introduced it Jan. 9 at the beginning of a new Arizona legislative session.

Those against HB 2254 believe it will only lead to more violence and confusion during situations requiring police action.

“Pima Community College’s position on this issue has not changed since last year when the legislature debated SB 1467,” C.J. Karamargin, vice chancellor of public relations, said. “At that time and today, such legislation will not make college campuses safer and could very well have undesirable negative consequences.”

Existing Arizona gun laws authorize individual campuses to decide if guns are permitted. Currently, no colleges allow guns.

Karamargin said state gun mandates interfere with the autonomy of PCC’s governing board, which is elected by Pima County voters.

James Sanchez, PCC’s psychologist and head of the Student Behavioral Assessment Committee, also opposes the bill.

“My opinion is there’s nothing wrong with the current law and I don’t see an improvement in security by changing it,” he said.

Those in favor of the bill believe it will allow students and faculty to defend themselves if a crazed shooter goes on a rampage.

In a New York Times story, University of California at Los Angeles law professor Eugene Volokh cited evidence that crime rates increase when people who might use a gun in self-defense are denied that right. He also said evidence exists that criminals are deterred by the possibility of confronting an armed victim.

The Arizona Citizens Defense League, a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to upholding citizens’ rights to self-defense and bear arms, believe those rights are the “foundation for all other rights.”

“The reason we’re in favor of campus carry is because only an idiot would believe posting a sign will make you safe,” Charles Heller, communications director for the AzCDL, said.

“In other words, when you post a sign telling criminals and crazies that they have a killing field, you have established a government-enforced defenseless victim zone.”

Sidebar

Assortment of topics on legislative agenda

A variety of other topics will be discussed in the new legislative session. Some include:

• Banning teen drivers from texting.
• Changing laws to ban new artificial drugs.
• Protecting manufacturers from lawsuits in product-liability cases.
• Requiring parents to promptly report missing children.
• Permitting casinos beyond reservations.
• Taxing Internet sales.

To track legislative issues, visit azleg.gov.

Pima Community College officials will unveil a faster, more user-friendly website Feb. 6.

“We took a step back and really noticed what needed to be refreshed,” said Cindy Dooling, acting vice chancellor for information technology. “The website was due for an update.”

After selecting a vendor in 2010, the college created focus groups consisting of faculty, students, administrators and staff.

The groups met with IT personnel and project coordinators at each campus, outlining changes ranging from website design to content.

“Once the users decided on the design and what features were most important, we then began the process of moving over 2,000 pages of content from the old site to the new,” Dooling said.

After months of meetings, the groups decided an “I Want” theme offered the best description of student website searches.

The top three services rendered at pima.edu are paying for classes, using MyPima and searching for details about programs or campuses.

The new site will use a cookie-based program that connects all links and allows users to customize up to 10 commonly visited pima.edu sites on their MyLinks.

New features and tabs include:

• Pima’s first-ever mobile-friendly version – Pima.edu will be easier to navigate and will load faster on mobile devices.

• Get Involved – A link to information concerning campus clubs/organizations, with details on how to become a member.

• Family of Students – This tab offers information for family members of Pima students. Important dates, school enrollment information and more will be available.

• English/Spanish translated pages – Any page you view in English can be translated into Spanish with a click of the mouse. English as a Second Language students at Pima did translations.

Dooling said the new website will be much easier to navigate and will let users find what they are seeking more quickly.

Image courtesy of PCC

FYI

Anyone interested in previewing the new website is welcome to attend a one-hour video conference demonstration on Feb. 2.

Each PCC campus will open its video conference room for sessions at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m

For further details, call 206-4500.

 Gabrielle Giffords officially resigned from Congress on Jan. 25, just over a year after being shot in the head at an event in Tucson.

Giffords posted a video on her Facebook page to announce her plan to resign after five years in Congress.

“To do what is best for Arizona, I will step down this week,” Giffords said in the video. “A lot has happened over the past year. We cannot change that, but I know on the issues we fought for we can change things for the better.

 “I don’t remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice,” she said in her video.

 Giffords’ letter of resignation was read on the House floor by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D- Florida.

“Even as I have worked to regain my speech, thank you for your faith in my ability to be your voice,” Wasserman Schultz said, reading Giffords letter.

“I have more work to do on my recovery before I can serve in elected office,” Giffords’ letter read.

 Her resignation took place after she placed a final vote of support on a bill she sponsored, addressing smuggling on the U.S. Mexico border.

 “While it will officially be the Giffords-Flake bill, it really is Gabby’s legislation,” U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake wrote on Facebook on Jan. 24. “She worked on it long before last year’s tragedy. It’s passage will be a great tribute to her.”

The bill, which would outlaw the use of ultralight aircraft carriers used to smuggle drugs, passed unanimously.

The Senate is expected to pass the bill as early as Jan. 26.

 The night before her resignation, Giffords appeared at the State of the Union address. Her appearance was met by cheers of “Gabby” and a hug from President Barack Obama.

“I’m getting better, every day my sprit is high. I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country,” Giffords said in her video.

Pima Community College will celebrate the 10th anniversary of El Rio Adult Learning Center on Jan. 27 at the El Rio Neighborhood Center from 4 p.m.- 6 p.m.

The Center is located at 1390 W. Speedway Blvd.

The event will in honor of student leadership in adult learning.

-By Chelo Grubb

PCC, ASU expanding degree program

Pima Community College and Arizona State University are expanding their Transfer Admission Guarantee program to add 16 degrees, bringing the number of degrees in the program to 27.

TAG is a transfer program that guarantees students admission into an ASU undergraduate-degree program upon completing the requirements. Through this program, students are able to complete their associate’s degrees at PCC and bachelor’s degrees at ASU. New bachelor’s degrees include biological sciences, history, family & human development, sociology and business.

For more information, contact C.J. Karamargin at 206-4850 or ckaramargin@pima.edu.

-By Miki Jennings

PCC celebrates new EMT training facility

Pima Community College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new EMT training facility at East Campus.

The facility cost approximately $350,000. It consists of six rooms for training and testing and a mock apartment to simulate and prepare students for tight spaces.

The facility was created by enclosing an overhang of a building adjacent to the current EMT classroom and laboratory.

The space also provides an improved area to administer exams for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

-By Miki Jennings

PCC participates in nationwide study

Pima Community College is one of 50 colleges that participated in a nationwide study to gauge the effectiveness of community colleges.

Local television station KVOA did a story on PCC’s involvement in the study. Vice Provost Dr. Mary Ann Martinez-Sanchez discussed PCC’s role in the Voluntary Framework Accountability in the story.

VFA is a national system of accountability for and by community colleges. Chancellor Dr. Roy Flores is on the Steering Committee of the VFA.

-By Miki Jennings

Brewer’s budget good news for PCC

Gov. Jan Brewer has proposed an increase in state funding for Pima Community College in the 2013 fiscal year.

After years of deep cuts to higher education, $7,353,500 was tagged for appropriation to PCC.

The budget announced Jan. 13 allocated $207,000 more for PCC than the 2012 budget.

According to PCC Chancellor Roy Flores, state aid had fallen 70 percent since 2009.

A “Four Cornerstones of Reform” section on Brewer’s website says, “Education has always been a top priority… I believe an educated, skilled workforce is essential to the Arizona economy.”

Brewer also outlined broad education goals she wants the state to meet by 2020.

The goals include increasing the high school graduation rate and doubling the number of college students who complete a four-year degree.

These proposals and goals are a striking contrast to results of the annual Grapevine Study: In 2011, Arizona suffered the second largest budget cuts to higher education in the nation. Only New Hampshire’s 41 percent drop exceeded Arizona’s 25 percent reduction in state funding.

Nationally, funding was approximately reduced by $6 billion over the past year.

-By Nina Elliott

A mail-processing center in Topawa, Ariz., a small village south of Sells, is one of approximately 3000 nationally listed for closure.

Earlier this month, Pima County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez sent a letter to the Civil Rights Division of the U.S Department of Justice outlining problems that may affect Tohono O’odham voters.

Her letter came in response to a U.S Postal Service proposal all Arizona mail be processed in Phoenix as a cost-cutting measure.

Closing local mail-processing centers would “effectively shorten the early voting period” for all Arizona voters, Rodriguez said, and would be worse for O’odham voters who live in remote areas.

The Tohono O’odham Nation is the second largest tribe in Arizona. The 4,460-square-mile nation has just one post office, located in Sells. There is no home postal delivery.

Topawa resident Janice Rios says, “The change would definitely be different considering, I would have to drive an extra few miles just for my mail.”

“The struggle that our elderly would face would be finding transportation to and from Sells, this may be a hassle because the Post Office will no longer be down the street.”

The Sells post office will remain open, according to postal officials.

Tucson’s mail-processing plant is also on the closure list. Tucson and Pima County officials oppose the plan, saying it will cost hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars.

Postal officials say no final decisions have been made. The earliest date that the mail-processing plants would close is May 15.

People across the nation have had mixed reactions to the ongoing news coming from the United States Post Office.

Steve Hutkins, a literature professor at the Gallatin School of New York University, has started a website called “Save the Post Office.”

This website complies news articles relating to postal closures, and showcases media about the USPS through the years.

Hutkins also writes blogs about individual post office events and issues to his website.

Look for the website at savethepostoffice.com.

FYI

Comments on the proposal to close local mail-processing plants can be sent to:

USPS Manager, Consumer

   and Industry Contact

P.O Box 21628

Phoenix, AZ 85036-1628

Pell grants will be cut for as many as 100,000 students nationwide under a budget bill passed in December by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Millions of low-income college students receive the federal grants each year. The new budget law hopes to save an estimated $11 billion over the next 10 years by tightening eligibility requirements.

Upon it’s passing, the maximum Pell grant available to students would be $5,550 and the minimum would be $550. However, the following changes will take effect:

•       The maximum number of semesters a student could use Pell grants to earn an undergraduate degree would be lowered from 18 to 12. The restriction does not take into consideration whether the student attends school part time or full time.

•        Families earning less than $23,000 annually would be eligible for the maximum grant. Currently, families earning under $30,000 are eligible.

•        Students would need a high school diploma or GED certificate to be eligible.

“The change is going to have a dramatic impact on college enrollment and thousands of people,” Chancellor Roy Flores said in a report at PCC’s January Board of Governors meeting.

PCC does not have any students who have attended school for 18 semesters, Flores noted in his Chancellor’s report.

However, there are currently 54 students who have been enrolled for 15 semesters, above the 12-semester eligibility limit, who would not be eligible for Pell grants next semester when the changes take effect.

Flores said PCC needs to help those students transfer or graduate before they are ineligible for Pell grants.

“I try to stay organized and up on my work, making sure I do it all and I don’t get behind on assignments.”

Sara Holbrook
Science

East Campus

“I have everything planned out before the semester so I keep up with or ahead of the schedule.”

Nikko Grau
Business Administration

East Campus

“I try to manage my time and I do little bits of work at a time so I don’t get overloaded.”

Kade Gigliotti

Engineering

East Campus

“By doing some good exercise and by getting lots of sleep.”

Alma Ruiz

Undeclared major

East Campus

“First of all, exercise. Then I do all my homework on time because if your homework is done, there’s no stress.”

Daniel Trejo

Engineering

East Campus

“I work out, shoot guns and ride horses.”

Tyler Goeswick

Engineering

East Campus

By ERIC KLUMP

The Pima Community College Board of Governors changed how its meeting agendas are written after finding it had been violating Arizona’s Open Meetings law.

The changes came after a complaint by community member Mary Schuh during the Sept. 21 BOG meeting.

Schuh, who attends meetings on behalf of the Pima Association of Taxpayers, claimed PCC did not provide sufficient information in its agendas.

She said it would be hard for the public to understand what would happen at meetings based only on the agenda listings.

The agendas had been written as two- or three-word bullet points since the 1970s. College officials said they thought the format complied with Open Meetings law requirements.

“It was disgraceful,” Schuh said, adding she was surprised that no one had spotted the issue before.

Schuh also registered her complaint with the Pima County Attorney’s Office, which instructed PCC to make its agenda listings more comprehensive.

PCC spokesman C.J. Karamargin said the agendas were written in a format similar to those used by other community colleges in the state.

“Once contacted by the Pima County Attorney’s Office, we responded very quickly to the recommendations made,” Karamargin said.

Karamargin said the college wants to have transparency and will react quickly to situations such as the open meeting complaint.

FYI

All 50 states and the federal government have some form of an open meetings law. Arizona enacted its law in 1962.

Key provisions of the Arizona Open Meetings Law include:

• All meetings of any public body shall be open to any member of the public that wishes to attend. Specific exceptions apply.
• All meetings that are performed by a public body shall have an open agenda providing a reasonable amount of information about what is to be discussed.