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ROUND OUNDUP A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION
Volume 125 - Issue 10
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
One copy free, each additional copy $1.00
no classes on nov. 24 & nov.25 for thanksgiving break
Help Protest at Pierce, City Hall #PierceNews Men's basketball needed outreach for IT On Thanksgiving morning, the men’s basketball team will be giving food to the elderly. This is the first time it will happen in the program’s history. Coach Charles White wants to send a message to his players that it is not only about playing the sport it is about contributing to the community. “I just want the guys to understand that it is about giving back,” White said. “Also to make them understand it is not only about basketball, it is about life experiences.” The team is also going to be involved with Lawrence Middle School. They will host a clinic on Dec. 3. White also plans on having the Special Olympics adult group play during halftime of their game on Jan. 11.
IT not prioritized in funding list
JOSHUA MANES Reporter @tweeporting Vital improvements to Information Technology (IT) on campus are in question after the Board of Trustees rejected recommendations from Pierce officials to bring in outside help. After a no confidence vote and assessments that industrial IT on campus was not at an adequate level, school officials wanted to hire an outside firm to assist. However, according to Vice President of Administrative Services Rolf Schleicher, the Board of Trustees rejected the request to bring in the Burwood Group due to an alleged contract violation. “We really do need their expertise to help with some of the unique things we’re doing which would not be supplanting our classified union members,” Schleicher said. “There was an assumption that there was some supplanting of work, so when I went and talked to the board I articulated all the things that we wanted to have done and why we were doing it. IT needs some fixers and high-ticket level expertise that we may not have in-house, and they’d like us to use in-house labor.” The developments were discussed at the Academic Senate meeting on Monday, Nov. 21. IT manager Mark Henderson told the senate members that current IT employees are ‘here to maintain, not create and design,’ as many of the projects require. According to Schleicher, regardless of the board’s decision, other IT improvements are in the works. Schleicher told the senate that there are plans to double IT staff, an area ‘that was neglected.’ “We want to get them more professional development,” Schleicher said. “And we’re inverting how we do the work as well. We approach it from a whole different frame of reference, where we’re actually having a help desk up, helping to qualify the work orders.” According to Schleicher, Pierce has been working on a five to 10year plan for fixing the IT issues on campus. Unfortunately, time only creates new problems with technology. The Wi-Fi system on campus is seven to eight years old, according to Henderson, and was designed with different needs in mind. Classrooms in the Center for Sciences were not originally designed to have Wi-Fi inside of them and are being retrofitted to alleviate the problem. At the Academic Senate meeting, instructor of physics Ryan Eagle said he has seen no improvements to the classrooms in the CFS over the last three semesters. “Maybe they have, I’m not in every classroom,” Eagle said. “But I feel like they should have been able to get to more rooms by now.” jmanes.roundupnews@gmail.com
Soccer eliminated from playoffs Calvin Alagot / Roundup Students from Valley College, who did not wish to be identified, stand with sociology major Kaila Khordian (center), from Pierce College at a peaceful protest at the Van Nuys City Hall on Nov. 16, 2016 in Van Nuys, Calif. following a walkout of students, faculty, and staff.
ASO president steps down Interim president is interested in the position MONICA VILLACORTA Reporter @Slesterphoto
B
arbara Lombrano, an advocate for student leadership, announced her resignation from her position as ASO President after a year and half due to health issues. According to the Dean of Student Engagement Juan Carlos Astorga, Lombrano did not want to be contacted and wished to have her privacy respected. “She submitted a resignation as of last week, and I really want to be able to respect her privacy and support her decisions,” Astorga said. Barbara was not available for comment. According to ASO CoAdvisor Lara ConradyWong, they will have the executive board meetings divided between Vice President Amir Haghi, Treasurer Mkrtchian Mher and Club Council President Andre
“She submitted a resignation as of last week, and I really want to be able to respect her privacy and support her decisions” -Juan Carlos Astorga Dean of Student Engagement
Necochea Barnett. According to Barnett, the ASO constitution states that the vice president has to fill in the vacancy until further notice. "The problem is that, for me personally, the role is a little bit too much, when you have to go from meetings to meeting,” Barnett said. “In the light of that, because it's a hard position to have. We are trying to divide the work. It takes a lot." Haghi is making sure the role of presidency is compatible with his schedule, however he is looking forward to stepping up.
“I’m still trying to figure out my schedule, but I am interested in that position,” Haghi said. “It’s a big responsibility, but I’m ready for the challenge.” According to Barnett, the president also has to attend the LACCD region meetings and represent Pierce College. "She [Barbara] did everything she had to. She was on top of her game,” Barnett said. “She was working on the Metro discounted pass for all students and that was
her goal to have these benefits for them.” Haghi believes he has the skills and ability to take on the position. “I think I have a good c o n n e c t i o n with the students and g o o d r el a t io n s h i p s w i t h t h e s e n a t o r s ,” H a g h i said. “I t h i n k
that’s a good trait to have, to be able to communicate with people.” According to Barnett, being a part of ASO committee gives them the opportunity to help Pierce College and the student body. "We were missing Barbara,” Barnett said. “She was doing her part. Again, without her, we are supposed to fill in her part. We weren't prepared for this." According to Wong, the senators have been really productive the past few weeks and is proud of the members for learning how to work together without Barbara. “We have a really great group of senators who are eager to step up and shine at this time and represent students the best way they can,” Wong said. “We wish her all the best. She did such a great job. She worked so hard for ASO. We’ll continue to do so and thankful for her service.”
The Brahmas soccer season came to an end as they lost to the Ventura Pirates, 3-1. Pirates’ Josselyne Pereda, Melissa Cardenas and Janelle Garcia all scored to end Pierce’s season as Ventura advance to the next round. With the loss, the team’s overall record was 14-4-3. The solo goal for the Brahmas was scored by Destiny Brandstetter. The last time these teams met was Sept. 27 at Pierce College at the Pit, which also resulted in a win for the Pirates, 4-2.
Volleyball to play first playoff game The women's volleyball team plays Mt. San Antonio College in the first round of playoffs on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. The Brahmas come into this game with a 26-3 overall record and were undefeated in conference. Their last game resulted in a win over Glendale College by three sets, 25-16, 25-20, 25-20.
Open mic night The English Department is organizing an open mic night on Wednesday, Nov. 30 in the Great Hall at Pierce College. The event is open to the community. Participants can recite or perform their original works or material that was created by others. There will be a wait list at the event to sign up for a performance slot.
mvillacorta.roundupnews@gmail.com
File photo/ Erick Ceron Barbara Lombrano, former ASO president, smiles to the camera at Pierce College in Woodland Hills Calif. on Sept. 18, 2014. Lombrano helped to lower public transportation rates for students while she was ASO president. She has since stepped down due to health related reasons.