News Briefs

Veterans Day [11/11]

Campus will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day.

Anthropology lecture series [11/12]

The Anthropological and Geographical Sciences Department will be hosting Dr. Brian Pierson on Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 1-2 p.m. for their second lecture of the 2013-2014 Lecture Series entitled “Facial Reproduction: How and Why it’s Done.” The lecture will be held in Behavioral Science room 1308.

- Compiled by Tracy Wright

Drop date approaching [11/17]

The last day to drop classes is Sunday, Nov. 17. All classes must be dropped online through the student information system (SIS). For short-term classes and PACE classes, students are advised to speak with their professors as they may have different drop days.

Workshops available on campus

The Center for Academic Success has over 40 workshops available for students needing help in many areas of academic studies. Stop by room 5130 in the Learning Library Crossroads or contact Crystal Kiekal at 818719-6414 for workshop schedules and additional information.

More resources for freshmen

Senate approves program to assist new students

Kashish Nizami Roundup Reporter

A new program seven years in the making that will provide incoming students more resources was wellreceived with a unanimous vote in its favor by the Pierce College Academic Senate Monday, Nov. 4.

The First-Year Experience will be implemented for matriculating students for the fall 2014 semester if they have registered on time in April 2014, according to the President of the Academic Senate Kathy Oborn.

It will offer incoming students support through resources like counseling and tutoring. These resources will help freshmen to decide which classes to take and which to avoid to aid in choosing a career path.

“It provides our students with opportunities to be more successful,” Oborn said. “The FirstYear Experience is, in essence, a one-stop shop where students can receive counseling and assessment and student success workshops.”

Senate executive Izzy Goodman said that he believes the plan is well thought out and necessary for students to move forward.

“Students ought to spend a little more time on planning their education,” Goodman said.

Joanna Zimring-Towne, director of the Career Center, hopes that the program will positively affect the next generation by aiding in a faster transfer and graduation rate than previous years.

“We have students come to us and say that they want to get out of here as quickly as possible,” Towne said. “What we are trying to do is to get students to reach their goals.”

The First-Year Experience is being implemented across a growing number of public colleges across California and Pierce College will be receiving funding to support the program and a new counselor.

Additionally, an area in the downstairs section of the Library/ Learning Crossroads building was set to be a center for the program. And after years of dedication, Towne joked that she could not imagine this plan not following through even if, for some reason, the financial support was taken away.

“I am not going to live in that world,” Towne said. “That is a sad world—where this does not get funded.” negotiation of a joint occupancy lease agreement with Asylum Productions, Inc. for operation of the Farm Center at Pierce College.”

The office of the vice president of Administrative Services were asked by the Roundup if they have a definitive plan for the farm land that required the eviction of the McBrooms, but they declined to answer any questions.

Cleaning up classrooms

[DIRT, cont. from pg. 1]

Kathy Oborn, who chairs the criminal justice department and also spent personal money on mini-blinds for the classroom, said she’s noted the classroom is always unlocked on weekends and that there have been kids in the room watching league games.

“Some kids came in on the weekend, took the fire extinguishers and decorated the whole classroom,” Oborn said. She went on to say that she acknowledges that the college is “terribly short-staffed” in custodial services and that students nowadays aren’t as socially conscious of their surroundings.

Further, Oborn noted that the number of custodial staff has not increased commensurate with the increase in square footage from new construction.

A Facilities Advisory Committee-approved Action Item #FAC 9162013 does seem to forecast a need for human resources to maintain newly constructed buildings. But, whether or not that item is carried to fruition is another matter.

In March 2013, the Work Environment Committee noted in its meeting minutes that faculty in the Village had complained about excessive filth. At the same time, the WEC posed no apparent solution to the problem of reduced custodial staff in the Village at that time.

“I’ve talked to everybody and they’re all fed up, but they also know that nothing is being done about it,” Rich said.