Friday wrap-up

“Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe.”

—Frank Zappa

1. DIVINE RETRIBUTION.
From the latest edition of Bob Park's "What's New?"

...Television evangelist Pat Robertson had previously called for hurricanes to be unleashed on sinful Florida, and told residents of Dover, after they voted out the school board, not to bother turning to God if disaster strikes, because "you just ejected him from your city."

Yesterday, Robertson suggested to his audience that Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine punishment for "dividing God's Land." Meanwhile, Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who had already declared that the holocaust never happened and Israel should be wiped off the map, told a group of Muslim clerics that he hopes Sharon perishes.

[re a new & effective HPV vaccine:] ...[H]uman papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted viral infection in the U.S., and the cause of almost all cervical cancers. At least half of U.S. adults have been infected....

Nevertheless, New Scientist magazine quotes Bridget Maher of the Family Research Council, a leading Christian lobby group: "Giving the HPV vaccine to young women could be potentially harmful because they may see it as a licence to engage in premarital sex."

2. THE MOLD MONSTER.
Reportedly, the private company that tested the environment of building A200 at Irvine Valley College has submitted its report to the college.

You'll recall that, a month or two ago, some biologist denizens of A200 tested the air in that building and found some truly nasty spores. Not long after, administration had the air tested and declared (reportedly) that the building (or just it's air?) is clean. The biologists, however, noted that tests of the air mean little re health threat. You've gotta test the surfaces too. These bio people are pretty good about things biological. Not so good on fashion.

Evidently, subsequently, another company (?) did more thorough testing--not just of the air, but of various surfaces, including A/C units--and its report is in (as of Dec. 5). Those who have read the report tell me that its results are "eye opening." No doubt, by next week, I'll be able to tell you exactly what the report found.

3. HALF OF THE HIGHLY-EDUCATED ARE, UM, BONEHEADS
Have you heard about the literacy study that was conducted by the "National Center for Education Statistics" (of the Department of Education)? The L.A. Times reported its findings:

When adults with higher-education degrees were asked to compare the viewpoints in two newspaper editorials...or interpret a table about blood pressure, less than half could do it successfully...Among the most significant findings is that among adults who have taken graduate courses or have graduate degrees, 41% scored as proficient, compared with 51% a decade ago." (12/16/05)

4. WHAT'S GOOD FOR GENERAL MOTORS....
My report on the "Chancellor's Opening Session" (Tuesday) did not include mention of the rest of that presentation, i.e., beyond Raghu's curious performance. So here's a little catch-up.

The keynote speaker was an economist from northern Idaho who makes his living assessing the impact of community colleges on local economies. Evidently, the results of his studies--which were instigated by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT)--have consistently shown that community colleges are great for the local economy. The Spudster's company was asked to study OC in particular, and, as you know, the resulting report has been much balyhooed by Raghu and Co., who seem to think that it proves that our colleges are even better for the economy than are tax-breaks for George Argyros.

This expert--one Kjell Christophersen of CCbenefits, Inc.--sounded competent and knowledgeable. I'm in no position to assess the worth of his study. But isn't it a tad hinky for trustees nationwide to rely on the results of one research organization? And from friggin' northern Idaho? (They've got potatoes and that's it; I checked.) An organization that has much to gain by providing consistently rosy findings?

I have no reason to doubt Christophersen's conclusions or methods. But have none of the leaders of community colleges heard of the need for replication? What's the difference between Bushian "cherry picking" and the community of CC trustees relying on only one research entity? Tell me that! (I'm sure some of you will set me straight. Please do.)

Plus Dr. Christophersen's report and approach seem uncomfortably simpatico with that retrograde right-wing philosophy according to which students--conservative students, anyway--are consumers and colleges should give the consumer what he or she wants.

You might wanna check out the ACCT's website. (ACCT) There, the words "corporate" and "business" come up a lot.


5. WE'RE EVEN STUPIDER THAN WE THOUGHT
On Tuesday, Jim Gaston gave a fine presentation called "Reading & Teaching the iPod Generation." Essentially, he explained that we teachers are mostly in the Stone Age while our students live and breath all things digital. As Gaston put it, students are digital "natives" and we teachers tend to be digital "immigrants" at best.

He recommended that we teachers increase student "interaction"--online and in person. Plus we've gotta satisfy students' desire for "customization" and "personalization." This Gaston fella is a good speaker.

One thing though. What's an iPod?

6. HERE'S YOUR PRIZE
On Tuesday, I forgot to mention that about half of the audience (for the Chancellor's Opening Session) was asked to climb up to the stage to receive a prize. At one point, I do believe I was nearly the only person left in the audience. I waved.

7. FACULTY ASSOCIATION FEED-BAGGERY
I attended the FACULTY ASSOCIATION luncheon too. Highlights:

Lewis explained about some MOUs that dangle hideously from the rear end of the recently approved faculty contract. One MOU concerned the form used to evaluate instructors. The new one will be a big improvement, said Lewis.

The President of CCA (that's the higher ed part of CTA), Carolyn Inmon, gave a nice little speech about the "challenges" faced by the California community college system. She mentioned a "hidden tidal wave" of about 100K extra students who will be in need of remedial instruction. Evidently, these students won't be awarded High School diplomas owing to their failing a (very simple) exit exam. At the same time, the CFU system is giving to community colleges an increased roll (more specifically, a large cinnamon roll) in educating their students. So, as usual, the mission of the CCs is expanding in all directions.

Inmon, who resides in Irvine, inspired laughter when she engaged in snidery, as when she referred to the Bush Administration's "No Child Left Untested" program.

Later, Lewis underscored the importance of the next election, which includes races for trustee seats now held by Wagner, Milchiker, and Padberg. (Word on the street is that the FA PAC will recommend supporting Milchiker and Padberg and going after Wagner. That's little more than a rumor, but I hope it's true!)

Lewis also noted the agedness of faculty leadership and the importance of encouraging young faculty to step up to the plate. And, sure enough, I looked around the room, and it appears that, with few exceptions, denizens of the chow hall on that day had all received applications from the American Association of Retired Persons. --CW