Pierce College will update the way it handles evacuations, will have a stress-relief event featuring live animals before the start of finals and will have the new Art building ready for move-in before the spring semester.
The Pierce College Council discussed how the college has handled evacuations, Bond Construction Projects, Associated Student Organization events and the Technology Committee at its meeting on Nov. 20 in the CSB Conference Room.
Deputy Al Guerrero, along with President of Administrative Services Rolf Schleicher and Associate Vice President Larry Kraus, talked about the steps Pierce will take to update the way it handles evacuations.
Kraus said the college would work towards responding to emergency situations in better, more cooperative ways.
“We will grow the program,” Kraus said. “Meeting in two weeks, follow up in January as a cohesive group.”
College Project Manager Director Ed Cadena presented the council with an update on the Bond Construction Projects. The Board of Trustees approved the master plan for this project in July.
“I think everybody knows this project has had its troubles,” Cadena said.
Cadena said Pierce is now using an emergency contractor, approved by Chief Facilities Director Jim O’Reilly, and expects to have faculty to be able to start moving into the building a week before the spring semester starts.
“So that’s the good news about the Art Building,” Cadena said.
ASO President Alex Oloo updated the council on the ASO’s advisor change, and recent events the organizational events. Oloo said the Student Center has become very popular, and the Global Village Event that was in the Great Hall on Nov. 18 was successful and “lots of fun.”
After Thanksgiving break, Oloo and the ASO plan to organize an event for students to come to the Great Hall to relieve stress before finals. ASO is thinking about having animals from the farm at the event for students to pet.
“We should briefly talk about the animals biting people,” Schleicher said.
Distance Education Coordinator Wendy Bass discussed what the Technology Committee needs to keep up with the current system.
Bass said Moodle does not work with Internet Explorer; so they are requesting Chrome as a replacement. But Pierce needs to have two web browsers available because the district’s web program work only with Internet Explorer.
The next PCC meeting is Dec. 11 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the CSB Conference Room.
