Perhaps one of the most important gatherings for our school this semester, the Pierce College Council meeting Thursday discussed the Campus Facilities Master Plan, along with seven other items on the agenda. The meeting was from 2 to 4 p.m. in the CSB conference room. Tom Oliver is the president of the PCC and the only non-voting member, due to his status on the council. In speaking of the academic annual program plan, the horticulture department was mentioned. “We’ve completed a study in horticulture and hopefully we’ll have a new hire very soon,” said Oliver. “A new faculty member for horticulture will probably happen by fall.” Barry Logan is a representative of the academic senate of Pierce College. “The way the campus is set up does not accommodate conversation amongst students, and that’s an issue,” said Logan. He was speaking of the way campus buildings and walking areas are arranged. The campus consists of one thick walkway surrounded by buildings on either side. The walkway is similar to a street, lacking a common community center in which students can mingle and talk. The campus facilities master plan will be the topic of a series of scheduled meetings with the planning committee, where they will discuss possible uses for the empty space next to the business building, according to Logan. The planning committee will also discuss the layout of the Pierce campus. Representing the AFT faculty was William de Rubertis. He, too, voiced his opinion of the Pierce campus layout design. “Our campus structure has a setup to tell students ‘keep it moving.’ Those things need to be on your mind,” said de Rubertis. “‘Go away, area not for students,’ it seems there’s a lot of that,” he said of the multiple off-limits areas of campus. Council members were encouraged to be involved with the campus facilities master plan. As technology is rapidly changing and becoming more high-tech in society, Pierce is also adapting to the change in pace. “We’ll be looking towards more technology in the classrooms,” said Oliver. The next meeting of the PCC will happen on November 29, from 2 to 4 p.m.
