Final Address for Susan Hammer
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
_ FORUM CAMPUS Daily columnists contemplate school house Get a jump on your week's sci-fi viewing sex, the right to breast-feed and union dues with the Daily's X-Files preview See page 2 DAILY See page 4 Volume 110, No. 21 Serving San Jose State University Since 1934 February 20, 1998 Final address for Susan Hammer End of term brings mayor to new position at SJSU By Leah Bower and go in San Jose, but I think she Staff Writer is the best," SJSU Alumnus Madge Overhouse, from the class of 1947, San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer said. "I have been pleased with her will not lack job opportunities after stewardship." she leaves office. Christensen said Hammer's Hammer cannot run for mayor skillful management of city in the 1998 election because of finances was part of what made her term limitations, but she can teach a good mayor. at San Jose State University. "She took the city through six "We don't know when, but at years of budget deficits without some point Mayor Hammer will compromising the quality of ser- participate in the Leader in vices," Christensen said. Residence project," said Terry Several of Hammer's con- Christensen, chair of the Political stituents agreed. Science Department. "All the things she has worked Christensen said the project for here have been great," said Tony allows real world politicians to Alexander. teach classes on politics at SJSU. Alexander said that the gang- "I think it is a great idea," SJSU task force formed by Hammer in President Robert Caret said. 1991 and other programs for youth "Having real life people in classes is were going to be what he remem- invaluable. They tell it like it is." bered after she left office. Christensen said that Hammer First elected in 1990, Hammer could offer students unusual was re-elected in 1994. She is the insights into how government 62nd mayor of San Jose, the works that they could not other- nation's 11th largest city. wise learn in a classroom setting. Hammer will join former county "When she completes this term, supervisor Rod Diridon as a former she'll have served over 16 years Santa Clara County politician IA Grayson Iiist Spor (ati fth with the city,- Christensen said. teaching at SJSU. "I've seen a lot of mayors come San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer gives the State of the City will be the last State of the City Address made by Hammer due to Address at the San Jose Convention Center Thursday night. This the end of her term. Joint library completion mayoral priority It Leah Ht, er between SJSU and San Jose are in the "I just stnt to make sure the two are Sr .!t first stages of rp,r,a iations concerning the ccarpat Dander said. "There are differ- size, cost and location of the facility. ent kinds of access needed." A resolution nintaining guidelines to be Different concerns were raised by San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer said used in the ne.w,tiation process was unan- Councilman Frank Fiscalini. during her last State. of the City Address approvell by SJSIT's Academic "It becomes a more complex issue when Thursday evening that she would com -;..nati. Feb. 2. you have two governing bodies," Fiscalini plete the joint library project with Sao The guidelines centered around access said. "It is an idea that needs to be pursued Jose State I Tniversity this and circulatinn of SJSU's collection and though." "This is an opportunity for Iwth the titti policy making process. Even if' SJSU and San Jose agree to con- versity and the city to get a new library.; "Tiv university also needs to write a tinue negotiations, a joint library is ulti- Hammer said "I don't think the university memorandum of understanding with the mately a decision for the Californig State or the city has the money to build ott it',." said Caret. 'The draft of that will University system, according to SJSU Vice alone." .1opefully be finished by April." President Don Kassing. The joint library plan would est ;dills!) The memorandum is a non -binding According to Kassing, the university's new building that would house the colter lei-44.111PM to continue. negcitiations. funding would come from a CSII allotment tions of both the university and city Mende), who is run- of a higher education bond. Caret and room Councilwoman Pat libraries, in addition In Mr 20 v' ning in the next mayoral election, said she Hammer could announce formal agree- growth at the current rate felt there were. issues to be addressed con- ments only if the CSU is willing to appro- Hammer, who is prevented by term Inn cerning the joint library's fOnction in the priate funds. from mayor again. said she its running for community. Hammer said the proposal would hoped the .joint library would Mster a Mende) said that the city library served expand both the university and San Jose mutually beneficial relationship between the public diffi.rently than SJSrs by providing an updated facility. the SJSI I campus and downtown San libraries. which are primarily research "It is going to be a 21st century library." Mayor Susan Hammer waves to the crowd after her State of the City Jose. facilities. I hemmer said. President Caret said that discussions speech Thursday Discrimination suit moves forward Tenure-track By Susan Shaw di. ofsncia, wurk the Shot \X tit( I African -American Studies Department is includ ed. ositions held Rodriguez-Andrew recommended against More details have surfaced about the discrini He once told her 'African torture, HMI fimil de ci si,in not t. ination former San .hise. State University American Studies has no grant tenure to Nlahabir in high regard Associate Professor Cynthia Mahabir says she The suit charges Rodriguez Andrew tilt experienced while employed in the SJSU room for an Indian anyway.' He retaliating because Nlahabir el,n11,1.1111,11 31)41111 African-American Studies Department. Ilarris' differential t reattnent Bs Susan Shaw The lawsuit entered its deposition phase IA .1 basically told her she is not Rodriguez. Andrew declined to comment St to Wto,t 13 with a meeting scheduled next week to dis the right race. [weans.. the case is in litigation cuss a trial date, according to Mahabir's attorney 'Arm said he. was disappointed l'resident Facult y tenure. is CI weted and the process lengthy Jody LeWitter. with the lawsint "All I can say regarding it is ' hut getting it can mean cointinued permanent employ- are that Among Mahabir's allegations Jody LeWitter I'm comfortable we made the right decision I ment , according to .1e1 Sprague. acting assnciate dean of Chair Coble addressed her Department Harris Attorney can't get int,' ,peC1111., faculty affairs at San Jose State. University in a condescending manner, made derngatory professor African 1)r Steven a in the f,,As gt tl'IllIrc track pt ito are not easy statemirats about women in he.r pn.sence and American Studies I ft.part merit bccit questioned whether she was (111011'14.d to te.ach ctrutitcted itt It t vitrivss In the upcoming trial "There. are a lot of people. competing for the tenure- -American Studies because she is not African %vas on the department committee that trick positions in this country." Sprague said. "It's very -American, according to 1,I.Witter because if the alleged discrimin.it ii African innusly recommended NIaltabir fttr tolitiri :.,ininipe..titive So we hold people to a pretty high stan- to "lie once told her, 'African American studies because he improperly attempted influence. II'said lit' couldn't C.,11111114Ilt NI:limbic', has no room for an Indian ;tnyway,' LeWilter the. tenure process by asking a member ill the. allcgatuais 4.1..11:mm1'101,m 1At basically tenure committee not to vute for Malialnr 5.151'. each department can have up to 80 percent said. "lie told her she is not the right Pinilinc lit Igati.ai, I can't cum 'nut nu According to California State. l'inyersity t acuity. according to Sprague The remaining 20 race." merit .ra any conversations I may have overheard percent in a depart Mahabir is of Indo.Caribbean descent ;eneral t'ounsel Jim Lynch, only tenured bicul nwrit are. part-time. or non-tenured or anthing I might seen.- Milliter said lecturers Mahabir filed suit last fall against SJSU for ty can yob. iin tenure Hams was not tenured at knoit the LeWitter said she did not when "It 'tenure. is ;t kind of line the university draws," employment discrimination basis of roil the time. and it till Mit been eligible tn on the (if1"-01,ift Pr"i t." II"' Sprague. oral origin and sex after a challenge to her vote said "They decide. of this many people, these delendents w ill be go eit tlicir own depositions ,iri. the ones we want to make career people, and these tenure denial in arbitration failed 'Flu. suit alleges Harris "attempted to 110111 ',oh, atter Maliabir finishes her deposition ,trttows we want to keep for flexibility for special- The suit mited."Mithabir w.is subjected to dit trrniri. process and obtain negatie. 1,eWitter said Maii.flur lias been working part votes against the plaintiff I N1;11111,11-I .tnel inflii itciairses. tor changing trends" ferential treatment, harassment and rot aliat ion emit.. teaching courses .11 Laney f ',4111!1' m Acciirding to SJSU policy. there are. a number of steps trace deeision makers. motivated by (us discruni because she complained of such discrimination nakland And San Franci,co Si ti' I .111% According to the arbitration proceed logs.