Faculty union pushes for adjunct pay parity

Share: As a single mother, Wendy Eller, an adjunct Spanish professor at Pasadena City College (PCC), spends more time on her non-teaching job outside of the college. Eller is one of the adjunct professors at the school who is not a ‘freeway flier,’ a term referring to adjunct or part-time faculty who spend most of their time driving between teaching jobs at various CalStates, UCs and community colleges in the region. In many cases, adjuncts are paid a fraction of what full-time professors make, but …

BLOTTER: Suspect flees flea market after hitting employee and traffic cones

Share: Monday, April 29, 2024: 12:23 a.m.: The officer observed a male walking in the quad area on the CEC campus. The officer flashed his unit lights and the subject left towards Foothill Blvd. 1:47 a.m.: The officer contacted a female charging her phone near the CA building. The subject was advised to leave and complied. 4:12 a.m.: Staff reported a male possibly defacing an electrical charging station in lot 7. The officer checked the area but did not find evidence of vandalism. The subject …

Post-COVID, PCC shifts spending priorities for $565 million master plan

Share: While plans to renovate and dismantle buildings like the W and L buildings are underway, PCC Facilities Services is hosting open forums for students, faculty, and staff to voice their desires and concerns for future projects considering budgetary limits and the college’s shifting needs. On April 25, PCC hosted one of four forums in the wifi lounge for students to provide their input on the revamping of the 2022 Facilities Master Plan (FMP) in which many hoped for “better transportation opportunities to the school” …

Planned demolition of W building leaves uncertain future for dance program

Share: Pasadena City College’s (PCC) Facilities Master Plan, endorsed by voters in 2022, is facing a wave of apprehension from students and faculty in the dance department as the college gears up to demolish the W and L buildings. The W building, which houses the dance department, has become a point of particular contention. At a recent Board of Trustees meeting in April, students enrolled in the dance program voiced their concerns about the impending demolition, citing worries over the lack of suitable replacement facilities. …

Learning deficiencies persist in all levels of education post-pandemic

Share: As many classrooms across the U.S. have returned to in-person schooling, a wider epidemic of a student learning deficit has lingered, impacting students at all levels of their education, including at colleges across the United States, and here at Pasadena City College. According to a Gallup panel poll from 2020, within the first few months of the pandemic, 3 in ten parents had claimed that their children were already suffering from mental harm, while 14 percent of parents polled believed that their children were …

PCC joins nationwide movement as students face pushback from admin, police

Share: As of early May, students all over the United States have gathered together to peacefully protest against the past and present actions of the Israeli government and to demand that their universities divest from Israel. After almost two weeks of protests nationwide, Pasadena City College has finally responded with a walkout attended by approximately 300 students and faculty calling for the school’s divestment of weapon manufacturing companies and oil companies that exploit the Middle East. Led by PCC’s Anti-War Club, the walkout included several …

Pasadena Hilton hotel workers won’t give up fight to unite

Share: Pasadena hotel staff have been on strike since July 2023 fighting for a new contract agreement that would grant them health care benefits, livable wages, and policies to protect workers rights that would benefit their long-hour commutes and heavy workloads. As the largest hotel worker strike in the history of the United States rages on, The fight for workers rights at the Hilton Pasadena pushes further. Signs in front of the hotel read “¡EN HUELGA!”, “ON STRIKE!” in protest of unfair labor rights. The …

2-for-1 deal: High school students receive dual enrollment degrees

Share: Pasadena City College recently celebrated the achievements of seven Muir High School graduates who completed their high school diplomas and associate degrees through PCC’s extensive dual enrollment program. Collaborations for dual enrollment between community colleges and schools facilitate students’ effortless transition to college-level courses, leading to an associate degree, a transfer to California State University or the University of California, or a credential or certificate in career technical education. These collaborations set up the coursework in a way that supports students’ achievement. “We have …

BLOTTER: Almost there! Person fell asleep in front of java hut

Share: Monday, April 22, 2024 6:13 a.m.: An officer relayed an individual in lot 4. The individual was told to leave, obeyed. 9:41 a.m.: Faculty reported a male in the L building disturbing the peace. The male refused to leave when told by faculty and was accompanied off campus. 11:38 a.m. A student described a male gazing at female tennis players in the tennis courts. The individual was advised to leave, agreed.   Tuesday, April 23, 2024 9:22 a.m Faculty reported an individual loitering in …

PCC selects Jose Gomez as next permanent Superintendent-President

Share: Following several months of searching for a Superintendent-President, the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees has selected Interim Superintendent-President Jose Gomez in a 6-1 vote at a special Board meeting on Friday. “I and the board are excited to have Dr. Gomez continue in his leadership role with us at Pasadena City College,” Board President Alton Wang said in an interview with the Courier. “I think he has shown great vision and tenacity as a leader so far. We have faith he will lead …