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A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION
Woodland Hills, California Volume 124 - Issue 1
Inside: Zen master Page 6
Roundup
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
One copy free, each additional copy $1.00
Enrollment down at Pierce
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Eleven classes added to schedule KELLAN ALEXANDER MAX SULLIVAN & SAMANTHA BRAVO
Enrollment is down five percent this semester compared to the spring of 2015, which has led to the addition of nine 10week online classes that will begin on March 14, according to Sheri Berger, vice president of Academic Affairs. The college receives revenue from the state board based on the amount of students enrolled full-time. Enrollment is at 96 percent, according to Doreen Clay, public relations manager for Pierce College. Pierce is the second largest school in the district and the target number in the district is 100 percent, according to Berger. Berger says the improved economy may be a reason for the five percent reduction in enrollment this semester. “This softening in enrollment could be due to the change in the economy,” Berger said. “When the economy wasn’t doing well enough, many working-class citizens decided to go back to school to get more training to be more appealing in the job market.” Pierce College added 11 classes that start on March 14 to raise the numbers. Pierce College is optimistic about the active strategy to increase enrollment to advertise and promote the college with TV commercials. “From my perspective, advertising is a key component to reaching out to potential students in our community, to alert and inform them about our class offerings and opportunities,” Clay said. “My plan is to always keep a steady momentum of advertising going to support the college in both the good and bad economic times.” Jose Alvarado, 18, said he would consider taking the online 10-week course. “If they had the classes I need, I would add them so it won’t last long and I could finish faster.”
Mohammad Djauhari / Roundup
April Reed picks up her son at the Child Development Center on Thursday, Feb. 25. Reed says she has some reservation with photography inside the CDC if cell phones are used because photos could end up on social media.
Privacy concerns at CDC
Child Development Center moves for more strict photo policy SAMANTHA BRAVO News Editor @sammybravo93
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rofessors in the Pierce College Child Development Center are currently in the process of implementing a new policy that will ban students from taking photos of children in the center. The issue was discussed at a Los Angeles Community College District and Child Development District Discipline Committee meeting on Feb. 19. Pierce College Child Development Center director and instructor, Phyllis Schneider filed a complaint to the committee opposing the photography of children by students in the program, including for assignments. Children in child care settings are owed a degree of confidentiality and their information should not come out of the center’s files,
according to Schneider. “Students may not do it with any bad intent, but now that child’s image is out there,” Schneider said. “We’re working on the details but the decision was made in our academic department. We discussed it as a large group. We can still achieve assignments without taking photographs.” Schneider is concerned that photos taken of children during class will end up on social media. “Even though students think they require photos as evidence that the students did an assignment, the progress of technology now means we need to look at things differently,” Schneider said. “Before social media, there wasn’t a possibility that their image could be everywhere.” Schneider believes there are alternative ways to do assignments that do not require photos of a child. “There isn’t any necessity for a photograph. If an assignment needs a photograph, then that can be
arranged to where it doesn’t need a child’s photo.” Schneider said. Technology is forcing the child development faculty to figure out more creative ways to verify assignments and ways for students to learn. “Obviously seeing children and watching what they do and examining what they do is really important [for the program]. We’re [just] being protective,” Schneider said. Mission College Department Chair, Janice Silver, has a strategy in place to protect children on their campus. However, it is still a work in progress. “We don’t allow cell phones. That was directed in September of last year,” Silver said. “For us, it’s still a work in progress. There are still some classes that need documentation of photos but that’s why we have iPads available for the children to use.” Melissa Brisbois, pre-school teacher in the development center, wants to make sure that her
students are safe and their identities are protected. “We have to create something that would work to protect the children and keep their identity out of the public eye,” Brisbois said. “As times change, we kind of have to change our requirements and policy. It’s easy for someone to take pictures but it used to be harder to get a picture out there.” Although parents signed waivers in the beginning of the semester, some parents don’t feel comfortable with students taking pictures of their children. “Other than staff, I don’t feel comfortable. Unless I am notified and I know where the pictures are going, I may say yes but it depends,” said Nazi Kamali, the mother of a child who attends the pre-school at the Child Developement Center. “As long as it’s far away and not up close, I’m okay with it,” said parent, Elizabeth Rojas. [For the full story visit theroundupnews.com]
SAMANTHA BRAVO News Editor @sammybravo93 The Freudian Sip is the only established cafe on campus, but after 10 years, the Pierce College Student Store is looking to cut ties with the California State University Northridge (CSUN) franchise to build a new cafe. The Pierce College Student Store has been paying from $25-36,000 a year for the franchise since 2006, according to assistant bookstore manager, Candy Van. A focus group made up of Pierce students was held on Feb. 2 to discuss and share ideas on
rebranding the Freudian Sip cafe. “I think it’s great that the cafe will become it’s own independent coffee logo,” said Laura Hernandez, a 31-year-old marketing major who attended the focus group. “I’m excited to see the new logo.” The student store declined to give too many details until the decision is official. “If we change the name, we can do more,” said Grigor Hogikyan, assistant bookstore manager. “With a new logo and name for the Pierce College cafe, I think it will be very beneficial in a sense that it will be something new,” said Jamie Daughtry, a 20-yearold communications and tourism major. “It can get more students to come over and check it out.” Shant Varazian, senior cashier at the student store, helped organize the focus group. “The Freudian Sip has been here for about 10 years, but if we can customize it to Pierce College
Health Survey Confidential health surveys will be randomly sent to the Piercecollege.edu emails of 9,000 students on March 7. Completion of the survey enters you for a chance to win a MacBook Air and an iPad, according to director of Student Health Center, Beth Benne.
Club Rush The semesterly Club Rush where various campus clubs line the mall with booths will take place on Tuesday, March 8, through Thursday, March 10.
Brahma Hall of Fame The Pierce College Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony will take place May 26th at the Woodland Hills Country Club. This being the fourth ceremony since the first in 2010.
From stale beans to fresh grinds Student store seeks to create home grown cafe
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Athletic Director Bob Lofrano, Women’s Soccer Head Coach Adolfo Perez, and Women’s Volleyball Coach Nabil Mardini will be among the many people to be inducted on the night. The dinner will be at 6 p.m. with the awards ceremony starting at 7 p.m.
RUONLINE? /theroundup Mohammad Djauhari / Roundup News
Engineering major Walter Moreno, 25, walks in front of the Freudian Sip on Thursday, Feb. 25. The Student Store plans to rebrand the Freudian Sip this semester and the new, unnamed cafe will open during the Summer.
students, they can have a place of their own,” Varazian said. According to Varazian, the Pierce College student store and
cafe are trying to separate from the Freudian Sip franchise. “I believe that change is good.” Varazian said.
With the cafeteria under construction, the food trucks, [For the full story visit theroundupnews.com]
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