Pistol course, no problem

Gun safety class is not as problematic as local neighborhood council claims

Pierce College has offered a one-day basic pistol course as part of their non-credit program, Pierce Extension, since 2008 but members of a local neighborhood council want it removed from the campus. Some members of the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council–the same group that got the Heritage Days Civil War reenactment removed from Pierce–want the course removed because the basic pistol course involves unloaded firearms that they feel should not be present on college grounds.

Considering that nothing has happened in the five years that the course has been on campus, there doesn’t seem to be a real need to relocate it.

Some of the reasoning behind this is presented in a letter addressed to Pierce President Kathleen Burke-Kelly, stating that the sight of a gun on campus might cause alarm among those unaware of the course.

But the class is held in a room with a locked door and windows that are covered from outside eyes.

The letter also mentions that Sheriff’s Deputy Al Guerrero was unaware of the course offering, but the instructor of the course told the Roundup that he checks in with the officers at the sheriff’s station, and that they are aware of the unloaded guns that he brings onto campus.

The college should not go out of their way to appease these NIMBYs–meaning “not in my backyard”–who want to exert influence over the college.

If anything is to be done, a written policy outlining the procedure for introducing such a course should be drafted and voted on.

—EDITORIAL—

Horrendous heat needs hurried solution

With summer right around the corner, temperatures are rising as quickly as the semester is coming to an end.

Woodland Hills has been known to experience some of the highest, ands record-breaking, temperatures during summer months.

This scorching weather is not the best for students who are walking through campus or hanging around while they wait in between classes.

Although Pierce College does have ample areas for students to sit around and hang out, most of which are not shaded or cool, including the picnic tables directly across from the Freudian Sip.

The spots with shade are very limited in number and are not able to accommodate even a fraction of students on campus.

The Roundup proposes that Pierce takes further action with regards to providing shade on campus. Since Pierce is reopening its summer session, the campus may want to consider installing umbrellas near the benches or tables around campus.

Aside from umbrellas, Pierce could also install more water fountains on campus to help keep students hydrated.

The college could make sure every table or seating area where students sit down to socialize or eat is properly equipped with an umbrella or something to keep the tables out of the sun.

Pierce could also move some tables or benches with shade up to the art hill, where shade is exceptionally limited.

Installing more umbrellas and water fountains along with mist lines could greatly benefit the campus population during summer session. It’ll not only benefit, it could reduce any potential accidents caused by extensive heat.

The San Fernando Valley is a desert, and Pierce should seriously consider these changes to ensure their campus and students stay cool.

-Corrections-

Volume 118 - Issue 10

On page 5, in the “Art Gallery showcases creative ability” story, the two photos on the left were taken by Monica Salazar, not Carlos Carpio.