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COURIER
Upcoming Events Today: Shakeout Drill: 10:17 a.m., on campus Jazz Trio: Quad at noon. Family Circles Auditions: 3:30 p.m. in the Little Theater, C-106. Scripts on hold in the Library. Great Gatsby: 8 p.m. in the Sexson Auditorium, C Building. Tickets sold at the door only. Friday: CSUN Campus Tour: 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet at L-110 to sign up for transportation. Women’s Soccer hosts Cerritos College at 3 p.m. at Robinson Stadium. Great Gatsby: 8 p.m. in the Sexson Auditorium, C Building. Tickets sold at the door only. Saturday: University Rep. Essay Review: 9 a.m. in C-217. Bring your applications essays to be reviewed. Great Gatsby: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Sexson Auditorium, C Building. Tickets sold at the door only. Monday: CSU Application Workshop: Noon in L-110. Academic Senate Board meeting: 3 p.m. in the Circadian. Tuesday: University Rep: 8:30 a.m. in L-110. Studio Jazz Singers: Noon in the Quad. Men’s Soccer hosts El Camino College at 1 p.m. in Robinson Stadium. Women’s Soccer hosts El Camino College at 3 p.m. in Robinson Stadium. Compiled by Christine Michaels
Police Blotter October 7
A man was reportedly sitting in his car smoking marijuana in Lot C at CEC. The man was contacted and cited for possession of marijuana. October 8
of a man saying he wanted to of the R building. The student was contacted and taken over to Psychological Services for evaluation. October 13 A female student fainted in W-201. The student refused medical attention and was assisted to her residence. Compiled by Daron Grandberry
NEWS
October 17, 2013
Mirror Pools are tradition-less Daron Grandberry Staff Writer
Every educational institution has its own history and traditions. From Occidental College’s birthday ritual, where they toss the birthday student into their memorial fountain, to UCLA’s Undie Run, students are always creating different—and sometimes weird—traditions at their alma maters. But for students attending PCC, our traditions are not well known. “I really don’t know of any traditions here on campus,” said LaToya Andrews, kinesiology. “I don’t know if you would consider it a tradition, but students are always hanging out around the pools. Sometimes you wonder if they’re even going to class.” Built in 1937, the mirror pools continue to be one of the campus’ most popular places for students to relax, socialize and sometimes study. During any time of the day you can catch students around the two pools, the larger about 150 by 50 feet. “I hang out at the mirror pools here and there when I have time between classes,” said Wendy Gonzalez, nursing. “The mirror pools are just a nice place to be, that fact that it’s shaded is a plus and the water just gives that added tranquility. It’s a place I come alone and with friends.” “A lot of people hang around
TUNNELS high secrecy of it all. Many students have no idea that the tunnel system exists, meaning this secret has been very well kept. But why is there so much secrecy regarding the tunnels? To Eckmann, the tunnel system is a weapon in disguise. “We kind of want to be cautious about talking about them,” he said on the phone discreetly. “In the event of an issue, we may not be able to get into Director of Facilities Rueben Smith whispered one morning that the tunnels have many faces to them that must be kept under wraps. “There are certain things we don’t want people to see,” he said. According to Eckmann, the tunnels have many uses, including some that were not so top secret. Facilities Services uses the tunnel system on a regular basis to make repairs on heating units, optic cable lines. Yes, the tunnels are used to transport hundreds of data lines, sewage pipes, and hidden escape routes. The Campus Police also use the tunnels, but just for training Jose Arechiga. “The SWAT team even uses them for training from time to time,” he said. So when did these tunnels
Students sit on the edge of one of the mirror pools outside of the C building. Mary Nurrenbern/ Courier
the pool,” Andrews added. “ I used to think the mirror pools were gross and disgusting, but they’ve been looking ok lately.” Thanks to a great job by the facilities staff, the mirror pools are cleaned once a week. “We clean the pools weekly and remove the leaves and coins” added facilities worker Mike Jennings. “It takes some time to clean both pools, but we make sure they’re cleaned and looking nice for the students.” Knowing that the mirror pools are cleaned weekly is good news to Valerie Belis, communications, who admits that she doesn’t normally hang out at the pools. “We don’t normally hang out here, but it’s the little things like the cleaning of the mirror pools Continued from page 1 show up? The answer is not concrete. According to CAD technician Jamie Flitter, the tunnels have been here as early as 70 years ago. “Looking back at our site plans, it appears that the tunnel system—or some version of what is currently there—was in place fairly early on. I have plans from the 1940s that show these tunnels,” she said. Some of the tunnels have been built and closed off in tandem to certain buildings on campus as well, according to Eckmann. In the hidden room below the V Building is another tunnel entrance on the opposite side. When the door opens this time, however, a cement wall appears. “Some of the tunnels have been closed off,” he said. “This one used to go to the old T Building. The Center for the Arts is there now.” Flitter, who has worked at PCC for decades, thought the tunnels were historic and very neat, even if they have to keep hidden. “The tunnels are pretty cool,” she said. “[But] we have to be conscientious of our distribution of plans and site information, as it is a safety concern.” Maybe one day these tunnels will see some more light of for now, these hidden treasures will be kept under our feet.
that might make students more comfortable at this school.” Belis said. “One minor detail can make a huge difference.” When asked about the traditions on campus, many of the students and faculty questioned had a hard time naming those weird and wacky traditions that stand out on other campuses across the country. But for faculty members like campus use specialist, Marcie Ambrose, PCC’s traditions have always been to give back to the community. “Every year the Veteran’s club has a Veteran’s Memorial Service for Veteran’s Day,” Ambrose added. “It has also been a tradition for the associated students to have Christmas activities for those less fortunate. Here
at PCC we have our tradition is to give back and help others succeed. The Lancers also have a Tournament of Roses Honor Band. “It has been a long tradition for the band to participate in the Rose Parade.“ Ambrose added. Although most colleges have their own wacky or superstitious traditions, here at PCC those traditions are hard to come by. Because PCC lacks a common tradition or superstition that students are aware of, the Courier Staff is encouraging you, our beloved readers to come up with a mirror pool tradition for us students to take part in. Comment on the story at pcccourier.com and who knows, maybe you can be the next student to make history at PCC.
Benjamin Simpson/Courier One of the many tunnels underneath the PCC campus, this one leads from the V building to the C building. The tunnels 1924 and include old heating steam tunnels, modern communication infrastructure and passages.