Viking News

Issue date: 2/15/07 Section: News

To the OCC administration that called him "an angel," Edward Devine of Berkeley shone brighter than any deity could when he announced anonymously last April he would be donating $2.5 million over 10 years to fix the Robert J. Novins Planetarium and keep it operational. But not all that shines is silver or gold.

Devine's promises were found empty as he reneged on the pledges. In fact, it seems he never had the money to begin with.

On March 29, 2006, the Asbury Park Press reported "The Robert J. Novins Planetarium has become a falling star, knocked from its niche in the OCC galaxy by the powerful cosmic force known as the state budget." The Press went on to describe a staff meeting in which people confronted OCC President Jon H. Larson about what he termed a "budget crisis."

He said "it is our obligation to face the reality of the budget cuts. We're looking at a $200,000 cut to our current budget, and a 10 percent cut to next year's budget."

As far as the planetarium was concerned, Larson pledged at that time, "In structuring a plan to meet the challenge of the shortfall, the administration will make every effort to avoid any diminution in the quality of education and any reduction in staff."

The decision then was made and Sara Winchester, vice president of finance, delivered the verdict: "As of July 1, 2006, the planetarium will stop operations."

Then, as suddenly as it was to stop, the planetarium was saved. On May 5, 2006, the college announced through Tara Kelly, vice president of college advancement, "OCC is thrilled to announce we have found an "angel" to save the beloved Robert J. Novins Planetarium. An anonymous donor has pledged in excess of $1 million to replace the aging equipment and to support one half of the operating costs for an extended period of time. This is the largest single gift in the college's 40-year history."

According to Gloria Villalobos, director of the planetarium, "In our December meeting, Kelly told us to look forward to work beginning in January. After numerous postponements, we were, it seemed, finally being given orders to straighten up and prepare for work to begin. They expected the donor to sign, or whatever, so operations could begin. Then a couple of days ago, I heard from Larson's office that it looked like this donor wasn't going to come through. So now here we are, trying to come up with ways to do fundraising, come up with something to keep things going.

Continued...

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