Holiday Brings A Moment of Thanks

BY LISA DANG
Contributing Writer

TESS DONOHOE / SPECIAL TO THE GUARDSMAN

When it comes to history before my time or situations that seem to have no effect on me, my usual mindset was always, “the past is the past and I had nothing to do with it.” But these past few years have been different.

Personal tragedies such as a friend getting severely beaten because of his sexuality, a 19-year-old friend with a tumor and global disasters such as the tsunami and hurricanes have made me think twice.

It’s a cliché to say we should all be grateful on Thanksgiving for what we have, what little that may be, but there’s some truth in it. We could be sick and homeless, but thankful for spare change. Some of us may not have families but we have friends to depend on.

We are usually too busy with work, school and personal issues to stop and appreciate things. Anything can happen tomorrow, and that could mean losing a friend you forgot to call or taking that last drink that results in a car accident.

All of us should take a moment to do and say some of the things we have put off due to our busy schedules. Today is a good start. If not today, Thanksgiving is as good a day as any, but then it’s Christmas, then the Fourth of July … after that anything might happen and all that’s left are regrets.

Recent Disasters Show A Need for More Emergency Planning

STAFF EDITORIAL

After the hurricanes and their resultant chaos, one wonders whether or not California and City College are prepared for a natural disaster of their own.

No one can predict when the next earthquake will strike this area with any certainty, but seismologists have said the next “big one” will hit soon. Once that happens, people will have to rely on government officials to lead evacuations and rescue efforts.

But when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, the government failed to adequately aid the people of Louisiana.

A recent fire in the City College Student Union caused confusion. Students were unable to locate any of the fire extinguishers in the building. The fire was put out by the automatic sprinkler system.

Fire alarms have been pulled in other campus buildings, and faculty members therein had no clue about any kind of emergency evacuation plan. A recent faculty poll conducted by The Guardsman found that nine faculty members were unsure whether or not City College was prepared for a terrorist attack. Though natural disasters and terrorist attacks are different scenarios, both are disasters nonetheless.

This brings about the question of whether students, faculty members and campus buildings are prepared for an emergency situation. Clearly they are not, given the Student Union fire and the continued, procedural ignorance of the school’s population.

City College needs to re-evaluate its emergency plans to ensure they are up to date and are understood by its faculty members and students.

e-mail: editorial@theguardsman.com

Special Election Goes Unnoticed

BY JONATHAN SHOCKLEY

LESLIE HICKS / GUARDSMAN

Proposition A is going to provide $246 million to City College to construct and repair its buildings, but many of those who’d benefit most from it — students — were unaware of this proposition. Some students didn’t even know about the special election.

Some students don’t even vote because the same corporations that support regressive propositions have created a consumer culture that creates apathy, isolation and alienation from the democratic process.

The government does not devote enough resources to counter that influence by informing students and making them feel personally involved in the democratic process.

Unions, grass roots organizations and other such institutions are not strong enough to raise students’ awareness. They have a hard time competing with billions of dollars of corporate advertising.

Some students who work to pay for their education are often used to the undemocratic environment of their workplace. They are not used to participating — they are used to following orders. They are often tired and too busy to become informed about elections. They might also be too busy thinking about their next pair of shoes or about who won the football game.

Schools and universities train students to become part of the workforce but often cater to the needs of the biggest employers. They create specialists who will fulfill their task as intellectuals, workers and consumers without interfering with the status quo and the autocratic powers that be.

Thus students’ priorities become not about creating a democratic society, but about maximizing personal gain.

COMING IN

Faculty Poll

Is City College prepared for a natural disaster?

Yes: 29% (4 out of 14)
No: 71% (10 out of 14)


“I don't think so. There aren't any emergency drills or guidelines. But the Downtown campus seems prepared. They run drills and have proper guidelines posted.”
Tulin Good, Institute for International Students

“I think there is a natural disaster plan that will be implemented in case of an emergency but the faculty has not been fully informed.”
Francisco Wong, political science

ON THE RECORD

Is City College prepared for a natural disaster?

Elizabeth Carnagnola

“I’ve never really thought about it. The buildings here seem pretty sound. I really wouldn’t be too worried. It might be hard to coordinate since there have been no drills.”

Glenn Johnson

“Is anybody prepared for natural disaster?”

Dawn Cooper

“I have no idea. I hope City College is prepared. I guess it depends on how prepared San Francisco is.”

Andrea Melara

“I don’t know. I have not seen any signs or plans posted.”

Thomas Eugene

“I have no idea. How am I supposed to know?”

Mark Everett

“Yeah. I’ve seen them retrofitting the buildings before.”