Antonio Hernandez
Students still taking puffs might want to think twice. At a meeting Oct. 22 the Pierce College Academic Senate discussed harsh consequences for cigarette smokers that do not smoke in the designated areas around campus.”How big do we have to make these signs!” said Diane Levine, academic senate member and professor of anthropology.Even though campus sheriff’s personnel can hand out tickets to students who do not smoke in designated areas, they rarely issue such citations. With a strong recommendation from the faculty, that might change, however some senate members do not agree that tickets would deal with the problem.”While I think we should be a smoke-free campus, we should also explore the idea of working with the Associated Students Organization in creating positive enforcement, such as issuing warnings and educating students,” said Beth Benne, academic senate member and school nurse.Monday, during their next meeting, the senate will vote on whether to make a recommendation.The Senate also discussed the controversial plus/minus grading system, and voted on whether to have a task force assembled to investigate the use of the grading system at Pierce. The vote was 11-9 against forming the task force.The issue of credit card companies on campus was also discussed. Representatives from such companies are accused of preying on students, offering free T-shirts and rewards for signing up friends. The Senate proposed to have the vendors restricted to Free Speech Areas (FSA) on campus. FSAs are areas for vendors to pass things around campus and promote products or services. The ongoing construction for the Center for the Sciences at Pierce is estimated to be finished in October 2009. The new Student Services building is scheduled to be completed in August 2009. The Faculty Resource Center, an area where faculty can study or work on campus, was under discussion for continued support for operation.”It’s very important for us to have a place to go, all of us, including the adjunct professors,” said Tom Rosdahl, Academic Senate president. An open house for the center is scheduled for Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. The continuing support for the center will be voted on at the next meeting.