Former Cuesta Student Pleads Supreme Court Action Cal Poly Student

Page 2NewsMarch 20, 2017cuestonian.comThe CuestonianThe future of energy on the Central CoastCommuting Cuesta studentsmay have taken notice of thenewly glistening field of darkglass along California Highway1.That is Cal Poly’s recentlyimplemented green-energy initiative solar farm, which is estimated to save the university 10million over a period of 10 years.Cal Poly officials have projectedthe facility to power up to onequarter of the campus’ electricalneeds.Resources like Cal Poly’snew solar farm may also fuel inspiration from students aroundthe county, including CuestaCollege students and professors.Terry Reece, director of facilitiesservices, Planning and CapitalProjects at Cuesta, claims theyare seriously considering solar onCuesta’s North County Campus.“In 2016, Cal Poly PresidentArmstrong signed the SecondNature Climate Leadership Commitment for Cal Poly to becomea climate neutral campus,” saidKylee Singh, sustainability coordinator at Cal Poly. “This reallymotivated the need to find renewable energy sources.”The question of energyhas been under the magnifying glass of scientists and engineers around the world in recentyears. REC Solar and Solar City,amongst other companies, haveset the tone for a more green andefficient energy source for futuregenerations.This new strategy will notPhoto by Steven Holguin / CuestonianBy Clara ApplegarthFeatures EditorCal Poly’s new solar farm is located on northbound California Highway 1, just prior to the California Men’s Colonyonly provide students with exciting new academic endeavorsand save the university millionsof dollars, but also is a step toward to Earth-friendly-energy resources while many observe theeffects of climate change aroundthe world, according to Singh.While Cal Poly is beingproactive in their its approachto a curriculum that will offerstudents the chance to pursuedegrees in solar energy, Cuestahas yet to make the jump to solar for a few reasons, such as thefact that the climate and weatherCuesta has consistently doesn’tallow for Solar.Reece, however, has a ratherdifferent idea of what the futureof energy entails.“People go out and buy Priuses thinking they are reducingtheir carbon footprint largelybecause it runs on electricity,”Reece said. “But decomposingthe battery, the shipping of thebattery to where it’s decomposed,the truck that’s used to transportthe battery, those are things youneed to consider leaving a largecarbon footprint.”Reece was also former marine and got his experience doing jobs in heating, ventilation,and air circulation. He has beenworking for facilities at Cuestafor 23 years, 22 of them in hiscurrent position.“There are multiple definitions of what renewable energyis,” Reece said. “What you needto consider is the carbon footprint, what’s cost effective, andwhat is responsible.”Cuesta currently powers at70 percent renewable energy,and 30 percent fossil fuels. Reececontinuously monitors three major components of power: buyingresponsible power at a low price,making sure it’s the most efficient product, and making sure itbreaks even monetarily.At the Board of Trusteesmeeting held March 7, Cuestaapproved a new energy savinginstallations that is estimatedto save the campus 10,560 peryear.SLO fludeathsskyrocketNet neutrality may pose threat to CuestaBy Allison TurnerOpinion EditorStudents face possible challengeswith online class materials as net neutrality rules come to an end on April 23,a critical development that has caughtadministrators and instructors unprepared.If discontinued, these rules, whichhad previously allowed unfettered access and reasonable rates are expectedto have severe repercussions, especiallyfor those on limited incomes and withalready limited access.Net neutrality is the concept of anopen internet that isn’t restricted or controlled by internet service providers ormonopolies. If these laws are repealed,internet providers may have control ofthe speed and price of the internet, aswell as what websites users have accessto.“What would impact studentswould be academic freedom in asense,” said Cynthia Wilshusen, an instructional designer and distance education coordinator. “We want to makesure faculty can still make a tech richenvironment for students.”Academic freedom is the belief thatscholars should be not be impeded fromopenly exchanging and communicatingideas or facts, whatever they may be.Cuesta College does not have anofficial position on net neutrality, according to the Information Technology department. At this time, officialssaid there is no plan inplace.TheCuestonianalso contacted numerous other sources acrossthe campus, including distance educationinstructors, who eachstated that they werenot informed enough onthe issue to comment.The repeal onObama-era net neutrality rules may seriouslyimpact students whoare taking distance education courses, as access becomes limitedor discontinued all together.“It’s hard enoughto obtain a decent education as a working class student, what with sky high tuition and living expenses,” said SydneyLeonard, second year Cuesta student.“The internet has long been a greatequalizer in a greatly unequal society,changing that is a big step backwardsand a big mistake.”In light of Wilshusen’s comments,Cuesta hasn’t seen any repercussionsyet, and doesn’t expect to.“Enrollment in distance educationis access to our portal, so I don’t think itwill necessarily affectenrollment in thesecourses,” Wilshusensaid.On Dec. 14, 2017,the Federal Communications Commission’sRepublican majorityapprovedChairmanAjit Pai’s plan to gutthe net neutrality protections, according tothe Free Press Savethe Internet Campaign.Pai continuously opposed net neutralityrules because they impeded innovation.Gutting net neutrality would meantaking control awayfrom the FCC, making it easier for ISPsto discriminate who gets what type ofaccess to the internet and promote theirown content. This may also negativelyaffect newer websites and start up businesses.“I’m worried that in addition to allof the other consequence of net neutrality, Cuesta will not be able to update its“The internethas long been agreat equalizer ina greatly unequalsociety, changingthat is a big stepbackwards and abig mistake.”–SydneyLeonard,second yearCuesta studentonline resources,” said Teagan Chapman, a third year Cuesta mathematicsmajor. “Moving from Moodle to Canvas gave teachers more tools to helpstudents and improved students experience, but without a neutral internet wemight be limited to the options available to us through the provider Cuestachooses.”Net neutrality came from a 2002decision to classify cable modem as aninterstate information service, meaningthat the FCC’s jurisdiction was subjectto constitutional limitations. This decision also prevents private ISP companies from blocking Voice over IPs, suchas Skype and Messenger.The reversal of this means studentsmay also lose their ability to use Skypeand similar programs for voice communication.“I’m an expat currently living inthe UAE– arguably one of the most progressive, liberal Muslim countries inthe Arabian Gulf region,” said RobertBisser, technical director at ThinkwellGroup Los Angeles. “Internet accessis controlled by one major companyowned by the government. Most notable is the blocking of any of the VoiceOver Internet Protocols Apps exceptthe one the aforementioned internetcompany provides with a subscriptionfee.”By Lindsay DarbyshireNews EditorCuesta alumni Jay Asher accused of sexual harassmentPhoto courtesy of NetflixBy Lindsay DarbyshireNews EditorThe author of the best-selling novel“13 Reasons Why,” who is also a Cuestaalum, has reportedly denied the allegations of sexual harassment recently madeagainst him, and has apparently beenbanned from two prominent literary organizations as a result of the accusations.In his defense, a spokesperson forJay Asher said that the allegations werethe result of extramarital affairs gonesour.Asher apparently entered romanticrelationships with women while he wasmarried, which “ended with some hurtfeelings when they learned about eachother,” said spokesperson Tamara Taylor.Asher, who graduated from Cuestain 1996, came to the college with hopesof becoming an elementary school teacher. He transferred to Cal Poly, but did notgraduate because he instead began working on writing novels.In response to the sexual harassmentaccusations, both the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators andthe Andrea Brown Literary Agency havereportedly severed ties with Asher.However, Asher still claims to be anactive member of the SCBWI.Asher, whose wildly popular novel“13 Reasons Why” was adapted into aNetflix original series last year, reportedly still holds an active membership withthe SCBWI, according to Taylor.“In April 2017, Mr. Asher voluntarily agreed that he would no longer attendSCBWI conferences,” Taylor said. “Mr.Asher was not banned by the SCBWI.”“In fact,” Taylor said, “when he lethis membership in the group lapse lastsummer, Lin Oliver, the group’s executive director, suggested that he keep hismembership going. He did as requested,and Mr. Asher’s membership is activeSan Luis Obispo author Jay Asher watches a scene being shot on the set of Netflix series “13 Reasons Why,” based on his bestselling book. The show is currently filming its second season.today.”However, Oliver released a statement to the Associated Press claimingthat, once an investigation of anonymousclaims was performed, Asher was dismissed from the SCBWI altogether forhaving “violated the SCBWI code ofconduct in regard to harassment.”“It’s very scary when you knowpeople are just not going to believe youonce you open your mouth,” Asher toldBuzzfeed News. “I feel very conflictedabout it just because of what’s going onin the culture and who’s supposed to bebelieved and who’s not.”The ABLA is also said to have parted ways with Asher, according to a statement made by the agency via the Twitteraccount of Sarah Littman, a novelist represented by the agency.“All of the agents at ABLA supportthe important national conversation thatis happening about sexual harassmentand bullying and we fully believe thatall creators should have a safe place towork professionally,” the ABLA said.“We have counseled Jay [Asher] to takea step back from the industry and he’sdoing so. He is no longer working withthe agency.”The second season of “13 ReasonsWhy,” which is currently under production, is reported to be unaffected by theallegations, according to a Vanity Fair.“The false statements to the newsmedia have resulted in inaccurate andhurtful news coverage, which is threatening Mr. Asher’s livelihood,” Taylorsaid. “Mr. Asher has retained legal counsel and is demanding SCBWI and LinOliver promptly retract the false and defamatory statements they made.”The plan is to install moreefficient light fixture modelsthroughout campus, and to put ina new models of HVAC (HeatingVentilation and Air Conditioning) in the welding shop.The project will be doneby Aug. 10, 2018, and will costCuesta 500,000, according tothe plan put forth by Terry Reeceand Dan Troy, vice president ofadministrative services.“We beat the state standardof renewable energy,” Reecesaid. “We look into the math ofsolar every six months, but it justnever prices out.”This isn’t to say Reecedoesn’t value the potential solar has, as solar energy dependslargely on its environment. HenceReece’s serious consideration forimplementing solar energy on theNorth County Cuesta Campus.“If there were classes, itwould be cool to have access toinformation,” said Cole Rodgers,Cuesta mechanical engineeringstudent. “Maybe they could adda basic introduction to solar forstudents.”Reece thinks there are manyapproaches to renewable energy,including wind power and hydropower.“The products are getting sogood that non-renewable energywill become a thing of the past,”Reece said.Cal Poly’s solar farm isscheduled to be operational bythe end of March and will provide engineering students theability to collect data and test solar energy effectiveness, according to Singh.Sixteen deaths so far have been reported by the San Luis Obispo CountyPublic Health Department in what isbeing called the worst flu season theyhave seen.This means there has been a 40 percent increase in flu-related deaths thisyear, as compared to the last.Of the 16 deaths on the CentralCoast, two adults were under the age of64, while the other 14 were over the ageof 65, officials said.The six flu deaths reported the previous year was actually considered anormal flu season, according to AnneMcDowell, an epidemiologist with theSLO Public Health Department.Those most at risk for the flu include older adults, young children,pregnant women, and those with otherhealth conditions such as organ orblood disorders, metabolic disorders, orneurologic conditions, according to theSLO Public Health Department.“It’s important for people at risk ofserious complications—and the peoplewho spend time with them—to protectthemselves from the flu,” the agencystated in a press release. “It’s also important to remember that even young,healthy people can sometimes experience serious complications.”Although the flu is not a reportableillness and the exact numbers are nottracked, public health officials statedthere has been an increase in the number of laboratory-confirmed flu cases onthe Central Coast.If you catch the flu, the best thingto do is stay home, avoid contact withother people, rest, stay hydrated, taketemperature-reducing medicines, andbe on the lookout for more serious signsof the illness, officials stated. Thosewho are infected are said to no longerbe contagious after seven days past thestart of their illness and 24 hours withno fever.More serious symptoms of the fluinclude difficulty breathing, shortnessof breath, chest pain or severe abdominal pain, confusion, sudden dizziness,and severe vomiting. If you experienceany of these symptoms, health officialsadvise seeking immediate medical attention.“[The] flu can be dangerous andeven healthy people can sometimes experience serious complications,” theystated. “If you experience any of thesesymptoms when you have the flu, seekmedical attention immediately.”In order to protect yourself fromthe flu, it’s recommended to frequentlywash your hands, avoid touching yourface, avoid contact with those who aresick, and get the flu shot.Although, according to the CDC,the flu vaccine was reported to be only36 percent effective this year, health officials still recommend getting the shot.“If you get a flu vaccine but stillget the flu, you will most likely havemore mild illness and less risk of serious complications,” officials stated.“The flu vaccine protects against threeto four strains of the flu. If you’ve hadone strain, you are still susceptible tothe other strains. Get your flu shot!”

From BUDGET, page 1case Cuesta, to come up withthat money. Troy said that theschool would need 600,000 to 700,000 a year to make thatamount.Since the school, according to Troy, is underfunded theschool created the SeparationIncentive Program. This givesstaff the incentive to retireearly and the school will offerthem a pay out.To save money, the schooldoesn’t hire people who haveretired or departed, leaving theposition vacant. This is calleda selective hiring freeze. Thisway, the school can use moneythat would have gone to thosepositions for other budget priorities. Recently, this practicehas caused tension between instructors and administrators.In the past, Cuesta hasbeen able to save around 500,000 from this.The school is planning newprograms and majors to helpboost enrollment. They alsoNewsMarch 20, 2018have expanded the dual enrollment opportunity taken by local high school students.“We’re not sitting still,”Troy said.In fact, the school recentlygot awarded 2 million for innovation. This will allow morehigh school students to getcredit for the dual enrollmentwork they do and enable themto get degrees much faster.However, in a seeminglycontradictory act, AssistantSuperintendent Deborah Wulffimplemented an 18-studentminimum enrollment per classbeginning in the fall semesterin every class held at Cuesta.With declining enrollment, as well as an alreadysmall amount of students, thismay cause a copious amount ofclass cancellations. This couldresult in loss instructors andof students — and the studentsbring to pay for the classes.“Together the collegeneeds to continue to improveour course and program efficiency; this is a process forwhich all college programs areresponsible,” Wulff said in aPhoto by Josh Pachio / CuestonianSLO County has begun issuing permits to allow local famers and distributors to grow marijuana.“there are some benefits to seriously ill people concerning pot,the problem is the majority ofusers and card holders are not ill,they are stoners.”On the other side of the issue,Justin Bradshaw said he is concerned that SLO residents will belocked out of the market by overlyrestrictive policies on cannabissales and cultivation.“This plant is here to stay andshould be treated like alcohol, notshunned and pushed out of town,”Bradshaw said. “SLO residentshave every right to be able to buytheir cannabis locally and legally.”Cuesta student Sam Reyesexpressed that having delivery services within the city has workedwell and that retail storefrontsprobably aren’t necessary.“I don’t think weed culture isdetrimental for a city, but I thinkit’s important for SLO to careabout their image and worry aboutstores attracting undesirables,”Reyes said.The closest dispensary retailstorefront to SLO county is 140miles away in Monterey. However,delivery services are still available within the county.California is currently thelargest regulated cannabis marketin the world, according to dataprovided by FinnCanna Capita, acannabis royalty company.The marijuana market industry has proven thus far to be beneficial for the economy with 5.7billion in unregulated market salesand 2.8 billion in medical marketsales. By 2020 this is expected toswell to almost 4 billion in additional annual market size, according to FinnCanna Capita.tails that the state would look ata year’s previous enrollment ofstudents and fund Cuesta basedon that number, despite whatthe current enrollment.Recently, a new community college governor changedthe formula for funding stateschools. This formula will fundthe school 50 percent on theamount of FTS, 25 percent onlow-income students, and 25percent on success rates.“We serve a lower proportion of low-income studentsso it might not favor us,” Troysaid. He added that this couldhave a significant impact to theCuesta’s budget.As of now, the school ispredicting a 551,000 deficitfor the 2017-18 school year.According to Troy, each yearthe school is spending less.“We have a responsibilityto make our expenditures equalto our revenue,” Troy said.staff-wide memo.They plan to improve effi-ciency by shifting the school tostabilization funding. This en-From DACA COURT, page 1In a recent meeting withDACA students at Cuesta, manyresponded to the Supreme Courtaction, however they requestedanonymity for fear of deportation.the Migration Policy Institute. Ofthose, officials estimate 60,000are enrolled in the state’s community colleges; 8,300 at Cal Statecampuses; and, 4,000 at UC.There were reportedly about570 undocumented Cuesta students in October 2017, when officials last released data to TheCuestonian. This number maybe slightly inaccurate, though,because not all undocumentedstudents disclose their status, officials said.A new request for updateddata has been denied, althoughthese numbers are reported to thestate and considered public information.DACA is an act implementedby the Obama administration allowing immigrant students orworkers permission to safely livein the US.“It is unclear how long thistemporary stay will remain inplace,” Salud Carbajal, San LuisObispo’s congressman said. “Iencourage all eligible DACA recipients with expiring authorizations to submit their renewal applications as soon as possible.“We need a permanent fix forDACA recipients who continueto live in constant fear of deportation,” Carbajal said. “That’s whyI am co-sponsoring the bipartisanDREAM Act to codify the DACAprogram and provide certaintyto DACA recipients so they cancontinue to work, attend school,and contrib

Cuesta CollegeÕs nursing program is one of the top per - forming nursing programs in the state of California. For the fourth year in a row Cuesta CollegeÕs nursing pro - gram had a 100 percent pass UDWHIRUÀUVW WLPHWHVWWDNHUVIRU the National Council Licensure Examination. This exam allows students to take the next step and