Share: The Eaton Fire continues to wreak havoc across Pasadena and Altadena, burning 13,690 acres with 0% containment and destroying over 4,000 structures. Among those affected are several members of the Pasadena City College community. The fire, which has claimed the lives of five individuals, has forced more than 100,000 residents to evacuate, leaving many uncertain about their future. Students and faculty devastated Several members of the PCC community have lost their homes in the fire, including student Jose Gadea and his family of ten. …
Campus to remain closed through Sunday as Eaton Fire grows to over 10,600 acres
Share: Pasadena City College (PCC) will remain closed with all classes canceled through Sunday, Jan. 12, as the Eaton fire continues to devastate the region, Superintendent-President José A. Gómez announced Wednesday. “We have lost our peace,” Gómez said during a press conference. “Although Pasadena City College has sustained minor damage, our hearts and our prayers and our thoughts are with our greater community.” The college sustained damage from the ongoing windstorm, including loose exterior panels on several buildings, downed light poles and trees, scattered debris, …
Eaton Fire claims two lives as structures burn
Share: The fast-moving Eaton fire has claimed two lives and destroyed more than 100 structures, including homes and a historic synagogue, as it burns through Altadena and nearby communities, officials said Wednesday. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone confirmed the fatalities during a press conference. The fire, which began Tuesday evening near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive, has burned more than 2,000 acres and remains 0% contained. Pasadena City College remains closed due to unsafe conditions caused by the Eaton fire and high winds. …
Campus closed due to Eaton Fire, high winds
Share: Pasadena City College (PCC) campuses will be closed Wednesday, January 8, due to high winds, smoke, and hazardous commuting conditions caused by the rapidly spreading Eaton Fire in nearby Altadena, the college said in an email Tuesday night. “PCC will continue to monitor weather conditions and assess campus safety,” the email said. “We will provide updates as needed.” In-person classes will transition online, and students are advised to check for communication from their instructors regarding alternative arrangements. The decision comes as the Eaton Fire, …
Student concerns persist following Lot 4’s recent elevator meltdown
Share: For weeks, the elevators in Pasadena City College’s Lot 4 parking structure have been malfunctioning, causing frustration for students and staff who rely on them to navigate the multi-level facility. PCC student Kacey Charbonnet lives with Patellofemoral pain syndrome in her left knee which creates irritation and pain when walking up flights of stairs. “It was a painful experience walking up the stairs,” said Charbonnet. “The elevators are very finicky and are inconsistent in their service,” Charbonnet decides to park on the 4th floor …
Forget to pay your tuition? Starting next semester, you could be dropped
Share: As Pasadena City College (PCC) wraps up the semester, students are preparing to register for classes under a new drop policy set to take effect next term. The updated policy introduces stricter payment deadlines that the college says are aimed at preventing fraud, reducing student debt, and increasing access to classes for committed students. The policy is a return to pre-COVID-19 practices, with some modifications to ensure clarity and flexibility. Under the new guidelines, students must pay for their classes on time or risk …
These vendors claim to work for the LA Times. The Times has never heard of them
“It just works how it works,” the man said before declining to answer more questions and abruptly excusing himself.
Math prerequisites are going away, get ready for AI tutors
Share: California Community Colleges (CCCs) have eradicated the majority of foundational math courses due to the passage of assembly bill 1705 in 2022 which was designed to combat inequities in college students’ placement and completion of coursework. With this new law, concerns about student outcomes have risen–leading to the recent development of MathGPT: an AI tutor announced on October 16th of this year, meant to bridge the educational gap left behind by this bill. Assembly bill 1705, in conjunction with AB 705, was introduced in …
Students feel disappointment and uncertainty following Trump’s election
Share: As Aaron Iniguez saw the results come in for the election Tuesday night, he wasn’t surprised at President Trump being re-elected — but the margin by which Trump won the popular vote took him aback. “I was really disappointed with how Kamala performed [from] seeing her campaign,” said Iniguez, who is a political science major at PCC. “I already knew she was gonna perform lackluster and less than favorable. Overall, it was not surprising — but the numbers were very surprising.” Iniguez, 19, identifies …
Technology committee seeks instructors interested in AI closed captioning project
Share: The District Technology Committee is launching a pilot program in PCC’s Winter 2025 term to explore the possibility of AI close captions and transcripts of recorded materials, such as videos or professor’s recorded lectures. The committee is working with a grant from Echo Labs, a research laboratory developing AI-powered accessibility tools. The grant will allow them to work with up to 50 hours of recorded material. As of the committee’s meeting on Oct. 16, the committee is looking for instructors who would be interested …