The stage on the Campus Center was set: a mock tombstone amidst a pile of textbooks, the focal point of a protest of their extravagant prices.
March 27 was a day of demonstration, albeit a sad one.
In a building that can accommodate seating for 380 people, fewer than 20 showed up in support of the cause.
Many campus leaders were present, including Pierce College President Robert Garber, Academic Senate President Tom Rosdahl and Abraham White, president of the Associated Students Organization (ASO).
Even Darroch “Rocky” Young, chancellor of the L.A. Community College District was there. Still, there was one crucial element missing at the event-students.
Granted, White was there speaking for the student body.
But where were his senators rallying around him?
Where was the rest of the student government to lend its voice to its representative, thus giving his efforts the endorsement they deserved?
White said the protest was impromptu, which may have been the reason for the underwhelming attendance.
It was organized one week prior with help from ASO Sen. Lara Kalaidjian who also spoke out against the high prices of books. She is responsible for putting together events that bring about community awareness.
However, two people cannot obtain the impact desired, even with support from the faculty and administration, without backing from those whom they are attempting to help.
What White and Kalaidjian were trying to do was great because expensive texts affect all students and throughout the years, books have only gotten more costly. But because of poor promotion, execution and backing, their efforts were lost in the midst of the day’s cold winds and poor weather.
If there is to be another protest, better preparation and planning is needed on behalf of the ASO in order to make itself better heard about the message it’s trying to convey.
A message that’s loud and clear should let everyone know, from one end of campus to the other, that the ever-increasing issue of soaring book prices has gone on for long enough and cannot afford to be overlooked any longer.