A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION Woodland Hills, California Volume 137 - Issue 4
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
One copy free, each additional copy $1.00
(No more) horsing around this fall
Equine Science classes affected for lack of horses BY VANESSA ROQUE Reporter
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tudents attending the Equine Science program are experiencing the absence of a key element to their program—the horses. With oval-shaped hooves, long tails, short hair and a muscular build, horses are what these students need on campus to receive their Equine Science (ES) degree. This semester, the administration has not provided horses for the Equine Sceince classes and the Equine Science department has some concerns about whether the current students will attain their ES degree. Equine Science professor Heidi Paul shared how important it is to experience physical encounters with horses. “You wouldn't teach a car repair class or carpentry class without the proper materials and a course like this requires the proper materials just as those would,” Paul said. “The horses are our materials.” Equine Science student Jack Mitchell expressed his frustrations during this time of uncertainty. “It can be seen all over the Pierce website and advertising, how they boast of their agricultural programs, it is really shameful to the college that they cannot deliver on their promise to the public to provide a comprehensive education,” Mitchell said. “I wholeheartedly believe they are failing that promise by not having horses on campus for students this semester.” The uncertainty has some
do these classes?' and the professors struggled to answer,” Mitchell said. Equine Science professors Paul and Nicole Land are still teaching classes regardless of their horseless status. “The students would have been served better had this class been offered in the Spring when we had horses on campus," Paul said. "I hope that can be remedied." Interim president Aracely Aguiar shared the troubles of housing the horses for multiple semesters. “Having the horses here yearround, or as long as we had them, has created some financial burden. It places a tremendous financial burden on the college,” Aguiar said. Aguiar said that even though the class with the horses is only offered in the spring, they are planning out the curriculum for the Equine Science classes. “In the spring, we always offer that class with the horses. So that is a done deal,” Aguiar said. “The key is going to be that as we are mapping out the curriculum, that the students are aware that it’s going to be in the spring.” Mitchell explained how important it is to have horses for the Equine Science program as they are a requirement in many classes Photo by Benjamin Hanson needed for students to earn their Nicole Land's Equine Science students practice saddle cleaning techniques at the Equestrian Center at Pierce College in Woodland degree. Hills, Calif., on Sept. 15, 2022. "Having horses is intrinsic to the program. Without them, we cannot wondering if continuing the course Paul said that developing for injury or illness. And just some. have any of the required classes for will be beneficial to their future the skills to handle horses for a watching them interact in their “Personally, I know that the certificate or degree," Mitchell endeavors. profession takes both time and pens gives you a real insight into practically all of my classmates said. "All three levels of riding “If we can't be promised hands- perseverance. their "society", which is essential to and peers are unsure of the stability classes, equine health and first aid on experience (with the horses) for “You need to see and feel many understanding why they behave the of the program. The first question and the equine management class our classes, how can we expect things on the horse itself in order way they do,” Paul said. everyone asked after we were told suffer severely." to be able to finish the program,” to learn what is truly going on, The visions of working alongside horses would not be on campus this Mitchell said. whether you are riding or checking horses are beginning to fade for semester was 'How are we going to
Demolition begins of the old library
vroque.roundupnews@gmail.com
Process ongoing as building will make way for new classrooms BY FABIOLA CARRIZOSA Bull Magazine Editor-in-Chief
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loom and fog hung in the air at dawn, as Pierce College began a new era, phasing out the old Library building to make way for a new structure to provide students with modern amenities. The first phases of the former library building demolition project were completed as planned on Monday morning, despite the actual excavation process being postponed by a day due to a personal issue with the equipment operator. Laborers in hard hats and yellow vests could be heard working and talking amongst themselves within the boundaries of the temporary fencing that continues to block off the old building from the public. Piles of debris and concrete could
be seen outside the back left side of the gutted structure. Above the former library on the hill leading up to the Performing Arts Parking Lot were two dormant excavators, as the “crunch and munch” method will be used to take the building down. "The prep work proceeded and was completed as planned, but the actual demolition will start tomorrow morning,” said Marco Tarantino, the former College Project Director, on Monday. There was plenty for the laborers to do, despite the setbacks. Daniel Jesus Garcia, one of the laborers of the project, said that they did the prep work for dust control, and that piles of concrete were going to be loaded onto Super 10 trucks on Tuesday. “Safety is key when it comes to these things because the power is still live,” Garcia said. Excessive sound and dust were not
an issue on day one. Ehsamzadeh Farahnaz, a payroll assistant whose office is near the demolition site, said that letters were sent out to staff to alert them of the activity. Farahnaz said that she was not disturbed by any extra sound. “We welcome change. We should cooperate with the changes,” Farahnaz said about the ongoing demo. Elizabeth Delgado, a Retail Management and CHW Major who has classes in front of the former library building, said that she is for these changes and renovations. “You’ve got to continue to revise and to make the buildings compatible and safe for the students,” Delgado said. According to the Bond Construction Management team, demolition will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, and should be complete prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. fcarrizosa.roundupnews@gmail.com
Photo by Fabiola Carrizosa Rubble and dirt surround the old library before it gets demolished at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 10, 2022.
Former Brahma returns [see SPORTS on pg. 6]
Opinions...................................2 Features....................................3 LA Life......................................4 Photo Essay..............................5 Sports........................................6