Petition seeks to grant a room to LGBT students

MOHAMMAD DJAUHARI Reporter @17thletter

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students face a set of challenges that their peers outside the LGBTQ community do not, which has prompted one club to advocate for a club room for the group.

petition has been pretty smooth,” said Aba’noub Awad, president of OSTEM. “Once you lay out the proposal and all the particular points [the petition is for], that hard part is getting it to administration and to prove that there is a need for this.” have had higher rates of experiencing harassment, according to a survey conducted by the Association of American Universities, which focused on campus assault among college students this year.

Awad independently made the decision to draft the petition advocating the need for the building. So far, the club has acquired more than 120 signatures according to Awad.

That statistic strengthens OSTEM’s petition to create a new building dedicated to the LGBTQ community of Pierce.

“A building would represent a welcome [to the LGBTQ community],” said Donna Robles, secretary of OSTEM. “You’re saying that here at Pierce, we welcome everyone other than giving us a little room. People will take notice.”

Awad has reached out to the Associated Students Organization (ASO) for assistance with the petition, but there was some concern with what Awad and OSTEM was asking for.

“When he came in and talked about it, we weren’t really sure what he was asking for,” said Vice President of the ASO Barbara Lombrano. “There were questions and concerns from some senators who felt why the group needed a special place for like counseling, when there’s a place for counseling and a health center already.”

The club’s need for the building, along with two mental health professionals that are “LGBTQ specialists” as well as other requests, are detailed within the petition written by Awad.

“It’s a space where we can run our own programs, have some form of literature to circulate around campus and above that, we’re looking at the mental health pamphlets [currently provided at the health center],” said Awad. “LGBTQ is not considered a part of that and the center would provide those benefits.”

Nov. 14 - Nov. 30

11/30—Possible Gas Leak

The Los Angeles Fire Department was notified of a strong smell of natural gas at about 9 p.m. Monday. The LAFD determined there was no danger to students or staff.

See News Brief below for more information.

11/30—Student Incident

At about 9 p.m. in VLGE 8400, an ex-boyfriend and ex-girlfriend caused a disturbance during class.

11/24—Student Incident

A faculty member had a dispute with a student in CFS 92049 over the student’s suspension. The dispute occurred between 1:15 and 3:30 p.m. and was reported to the campus Sheriff’s Station at about 5 p.m.

11/20—Suspicious Person

An unknown white male entered the PAB practice room “acting strange” at about 4 p.m., then left shortly after being asked to.

11/18—Bike Theft

At about 6 p.m. Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Station received a report that a student’s bike and bike lock had been stolen from near the 1500 building. The bike was described as a Schwinn Cruiser. There are no known suspects or witnesses.

11/18—Bike Theft

Prior to the above incident, another bike was reported stolen earlier on Wednesday at about 1:15 p.m. Described as a mountain bike, the theft occurred near the 1400 building. There are no known suspects or witnesses.

11/17—Traffic Incident

At about 4 p.m. Tuesday, a car parked in an unspecified lot was hit by an unknown car. No injuries were reported.

11/17—Student Incident

The OSTEM club, which is an academic group that caters to women, LGBTQ and minorities in the fields of STEM (Science, technology, engineering, mathematics) majors, is spearheading a student petition to create a building dedicated for the LGBTQ community of Pierce College.

“Acquiring signatures for this

“All this center would provide is this idea of security,” said Awad. “Something tangible and localized on campus because all we have here on campus are social groups for the LGBTQ community, but we don’t have any administrative or professional groups catering to that community.”

Students who identify as LGBTQ