Arnavaz Fatemi
Mark Drummond, chancellor of the L.A. Community College District, voiced his approval of construction at Pierce College during a faculty luncheon Thursday about the past, present and future of the campus. Fran Pavley, guest speaker and democratic nominee for state Senate, spoke before Drummond about how she would improve community colleges if she were to win.She said she would make community colleges a high priority in Sacramento.”You can count on my support in Sacramento for community colleges,” Pavley said. “Our public is obviously not spending enough money on schools.”Aside from approval of campus construction and the bonds funding it, Drummond also said that since President Robert Garber has been here, about 30 new faculty members have been hired.However, Drummond said Pierce needs to be a more active place, regarding activities while classes are not in session.The subject of the California budget was brought up, revealing that no extreme budget cuts were made to Pierce.Despite this, Pierce was prepared for the budget cuts anyway.”We won’t have to pull as many rabbits out of the hat to survive,” Drummond said.There will not be a fee increase for the upcoming semester, despite the chancellor’s prediction.”I could have bet money there would have been a fee increase,” he said.However, instead of nonresident students being able to receive fee waivers for up to six units, it will only be available for three units. This decision was due to the fact students from other schools would take six units at Pierce, get the fees waived, and also enroll at their original school as a full-time student.