Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About Cougar print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1976-1977 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 11, 1976)
telson takes problem ! to board I By Lenna Fitch Staff Writer When all else fails, one takes his burden the [board. "Hope it works. . .or we'll start a war," d Mike Ayers, student body president. The Clackamas Community College Asso- iteg Student Government (ASG) voted lanimously to support Bonnie Nelson. She an art major confined to a wheelchair th Multiple Sclerosis, who's been denied ¡ual access to classes. "The board should take the initiative in Iving the problem," said Jerry Bellavita, sistapt to the student body president. Bonnie Nelson is on the agenda of the ov. 10 CCC Board of Education meeting, he board meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second lednesday of each month and students are icouraged to attend. Even though the law requires that all ideral and state institutions make their acilities safe and accessible to handicapped ersons (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation act), Nelson found 17 stairs between her nd two of her art classes at Smuckers. She declined the many offers of help ecause of the risks involved in being carried ip and down the steep staircase in a wheel hair. She hopes to see a wheel chair lift in- tailed. The Montgomery Elevator Company istimates the cost of this installation to be aetween $5,000 and $6,000. "That doesn't seem like a lot of money," ;aid Nelson, "when we consider that the school can afford a "goof off" room in the Community Center with 3 pool tables, 4 foosball tables, and 4 pin ball machines. . . let alone the cost of the room. . .the tile, the paneling and fixtures. At the same time they deny handicapped students an educa tion." Shortly after enrollment this fall, Nelson made her problem known to the admini stration. CCC President John Hakanson said thaaevery attempt would be made to correct the situation. "But I still can't get up the stairs," said Nelson. Nelson made arrangements with CCC art instructor Leland John, to do outside assign ments in painting and drawing, but said she pays tuition and has a right to in-class instruction. John said that she does very well. He suggested that since she is in this district, perhaps CCC could pay her tuition to another college until the situation is corrected. One factor to be considered is whether it Photo by Brian Snook "Smiling Jack" White demonstrates the expertise that has put him among the best pool players in the world. (For related story and photos, see page 5.) would be practical to install a lift in a building as old as Smuckers. "‘'Tie building isn't expected to be in use by the art department for more than 5 years," said John. Jerry Bellavita argues that the figure should be more like 10 years. Julie Bauch, secretary to Donald Fisher, Developmental Planner of CCC, said that all the buildings constructed by the college have ramps for the handicapped, and ramps are added where needed. Fisher said that he was notified recently that there was a need for a ramp in one of the trailers. "We had one up in two days." Fisher said that his office has made an extensive research into the feasibility of either a ramp or a chair lift. He said that an enclosed outside elevator for wheelchairs only, would be the most feasible because the hallway is not wide enough to accommodate an inside lift. The cost would be about the same. He expressed the possibility, but explained that the cost of an elevator had not been budgeted for, and would have to be approved by the board. Meanwhile, Nelson has called Salem and countless other places. "Everyone I talked to was willing to give me another person to talk to. All I got was a lot of frustration." She wrote Senator Bob Packwood, who contacted Dave Backman, co-ordinator of the disadvantaged and handicapped in Ore gon. He told Nelson he'd look into the mat ter and that was the last she heard. "If I can't get something done about it at the board meeting, I'm going to engage in a suit," Nelson concluded. "If the board doesn't support the stu dents, the students may not support the board," said Mike Ayers, ASG president. If ASG were willing to share the cost, Bonnie Jones, Chairman of the CCC Board of Education, said that it would show that they are genuinely interested in the student body. CLACKAMAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE ARCHIVES