Share: Efforts to pressure the Pasadena City College (PCC) Foundation to divest from major polluters and defense contractors are pressing on, but the path forward remains unclear due to the foundation’s independent governance, fears of professional repercussions among faculty, and a lack of concrete action in response to student protests and resolutions. Following a 300-person demonstration led by the PCC Anti-War Club in late April, PCC’s student government unanimously passed a resolution calling on the foundation to divest from companies involved in fossil fuels and …
PCC’s campus sees drastic Title IX changes this fall semester
Share: With the recent changes to Title IX’s policies, as well as a recent development amongst administrators in Pasadena City College’s Title IX department, PCC is going to see a noticeable shift in both protocol and the number of Title IX staff on campus in the fall. PCC, along with all other federally funded K-12 schools and campuses across the country, have until Aug. 1, 2024 to comply with these rules, effectively replacing the Trump era changes that were made to Title IX in 2020. …
Here’s what’s planned for PCC’s 100th birthday so far
Share: As Pasadena City College (PCC) prepares for its 100th birthday in fall 2024, the college is planning for a full year of celebrations, gala’s, oral and written histories, fixing the mirror pools, renovating Sexson Auditorium and continued campus revitalization for the school’s next 100 years. “We’re very excited to be celebrating 100 years of PCC,” PCC Spokesperson Alex Boekelheide said. “This is clearly a major milestone in the college’s history. And we think it’s a good chance to really examine how far the college …
With book banning on the rise, California risks following suit
Share: While Pasadena is pushing back on book censorship through participation in events like Banned Books Week, Huntington Beach, Fresno, and other cities across California are becoming the target of efforts to ban books in libraries and public schools. These cities are following a wider national trend in states like Florida, Texas and other predominantly conservative areas. “Book bans are incredibly effective,” said young adult author and national leader of Authors Against Book Bans (AABB) Maggie Tokuda-Hall. “They target places where books are most accessible—in …
AI in the classroom? Policy is still up to professors at PCC
Share: Throughout 2023, educators saw an incoming boom of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools and discussed how to prepare for its impact on their classrooms. Now, as we reach the end of the first full school year since AI came on the scene, PCC instructors have had to adjust their preparations in real-time. “It’s bad out there,” said Dr. Liesel Reinhart, who teaches Visual Arts & Media Studies at PCC. “We are getting a tremendous number of assignments turned in that use various types …
PCC Associated Students Election 2024-2025: Battling Candidates
Share: Pasadena City College is holding elections for the 12-member Associated Student Governing Board (ASG) for the 2024-2025 school year, featuring key positions such as the Student Trustee and the President of the Associated Students. The Governing Board works closely with student committees and faculty subcommittees to advocate for student needs and make recommendations to the college’s administration. Sixteen candidates are running for the 10 open positions on the next Associated Students Executive Board, making the selection process highly competitive. Each committee focuses on specific …
‘Liberation Through Education’ posters covering classrooms promote inclusivity
Share: Over spring break the Academic Senate (AS) put up posters to introduce the “Liberation Through Education” campaign in most classrooms on campus, as a part of an effort to bring cultural awareness and inclusivity to Pasadena City College (PCC). AS President Gena Lopez and faculty created the “Liberation Through Education” campaign and put posters up in classrooms over spring break in hopes of creating an institution where all students are celebrated. The campaign idea began when Lopez started her term in office in 2021. …
More than 80 percent of polled students support winter intersession
Share: After the recent return of the winter intersession in January 2024 at Pasadena City College, (PCC) the Associated Students (ASPCC) have brought up the discussion of removing it once again. While this discussion was only a quick idea brought up by the ASPCC, the group did send out student polls to see what PCC students thought about the winter intersession and if bringing it back has been beneficial to them. After the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees voted in favor of removing the …
PCC’s foster youth programs remain strong despite statewide budget cuts
Share: Despite the massive cuts coming to the California state budget, foster youth programs, including those at Pasadena City College will not face significant cuts to their budgets, one of the many upsides during Foster Youth Awareness Month in May. At PCC, the foster youth program has four separate branches, including Scholars Transitioning And Realizing Success (STARS), NextUp, the Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE), and Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOP&S). The revised California May budget, as of now, has seen a slight increase …
BLOTTER: Transient dances like no one’s watching but gets caught
Share: Monday, May 6, 2024: 1:27PM: A student reported a possible transient in lot 4 level 2. The subject was asked to leave and compiled. 2:48PM: Graffiti was reported in the IT building second floor men’s restroom. 7:55PM: Staff reported a transient without a shirt inside of the GM building. The transient was escorted off campus. Tuesday, May 7, 2024 1:49AM: Dispatch received a silent call from the R building elevator. Facilities staff in the building requested an area check. 6:16PM: Facilities staff reported …