Ana Barraza
Among other issues addressed during Thursday’s meeting of the Pierce College Council, there was the possibility of campus renovations being discussed during the Pierce College Council meeting on Oct 25.
Wanting an expert opinion on how to make Pierce more of a “hangout,” the administration invited a design consulting group, Sasaki Associates, Inc., to tour the campus.
Impressed by the Spanish architecture of some of the campus’s original buildings, the group surveyed the grounds with an objective eye in order to get an idea on how to achieve a more social-friendly environment.
“Using the space the way the campus is set up doesn’t encourage students to socialize,” said Mark Pracher, grants coordinator of the academic affairs department.
Council members discussed how the “spread-outedness” of the structures has its advantages and disadvantages. Although having your own space may keep the peace, the fact that everyone is so spread out does not facilitate unity or a sense of community, at least among faculty.
“Form really impacts function,” said Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh, vice president of academic affairs.
PCC representative David Oshima, chair of the art department, suggested hiring a color consultant to survey the campus. Other members agreed and addressed the current drab color scheme of the campus.
One council representative did mention, “The blue doors are ugly.”
Members noticed how subtle changes on the campus, such as the new umbrella-shaded tables by the Freudian Sip, have triggered students who smoke to flock to the area, making it a popular area to hang out.