26 lines, 6.5″
Discussion of a possible remodeling of Pierce College’s drab color scheme and campus layout lingered at the meeting of the Pierce College Council Thursday. “The campus structure seems to be in opposition to students congregating and having a campus life,” said Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh, vice president of academic affairs. The Campus Facilities Master Plan, which is currently in discussion, is intended to analyze the facilities on campus and their operation. A similar plan was acted upon in December 2002 called the Los Angeles Pierce College Facilities Master Plan. The plan covered land usage, financial issues and efficiency of facilities at Pierce. It was suggested that the only areas popular on campus for socializing are shaded tables and benches, where students seem to be “magnetized” to. Other structures on campus were pointed out as being used for nothing more than classroom sessions. Lyn Clark, chair of the computer applications and office technologies department, suggested removing those buildings scarcely used. “We’d better do something about destroying them before they become historical monuments,” said Clark. While the common goal was to figure out how to eliminate Pierce’s “graveyard” feel caused by unused buildings and empty campus areas, it was also noted that too much socialization can also be a problem. Mark Pracher, grants coordinator and main speaker at the council meeting, commented on over-socialization after visiting and comparing to Los Angeles Mission College. “Sometimes you can create too much community,” Pracher said. “Having the balance is good.”