Center offers help, referrals

March 15 - March 21 -Reporting by Scott Prewitt -Compiled by Scott Prewitt

3/17—Bike Theft

A second bicycle was stolen this week, this one from a bike rack near the library. The unknown thief cut the chain that secured the bike.

3/16—Burglary not being able to focus,” said Schachter. “I’d like to see there be less stigma attached to mental illness, and for students to know that there’s nothing to be ashamed about.”

The Health Center also offers crisis intervention and a suite of online training simulations meant to help students better identify, assist, and refer stressed peers to support services on campus.

Each week there are about 50 hours of psychological counseling available with either a post-doctoral intern or fully-licensed clinical psychologist. If additional therapy is recommended, appropriate referrals will be provided.

A psychologist can determine if you need a referral, and has the training to determine whether a patient’s issues should be taken care of in a six-session program or if they need more in-depth mental health evaluations.

A 2011 study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that on average one person dies from suicide approximately every 15.8 minutes, and according to a nationwide survey of college

Senate addresses online-ed

JULIE LUDERS Roundup Reporter @jluders_roundup

At the Academic Senate’s meeting Monday, senators debated instructors’ freedom to choose which online education programs.

Concerns were raised that programs such as Moodle, Canvas, and MyMathLab, used by distant education courses, would not be authenticated in the future.

“The controversy was we were worried that somebody would interpret in the future that you just have to use Moodle,” said Mathematics Chair Bob Martinez.

“You have to be careful about language because you don’t know who will interpret it in the future.”

Martinez uses MyMathLab, and said “it’s the most solid platform for online delivery of math.”

Instructor of computer applications and office technologies Joseph Perret agreed that misinterpretations in the online realm can impede teaching processes.

“The misunderstanding of online environment leads to people writing very restrictive regulations that hampers teachers from doing their job,” Perret said.

Perret said Pierce is behind other district schools in regard to online courses.

“I want more online classes. 2 percent of all our classes are taught online. The district-wide average is 6 percent, the statewide average is 15 percent,” Perret said. “What that says to me is Pierce is far under-serving their students because there is a demand that we are not meeting.” students conducted by the American College Health Association, about 30 percent of respondents reported feeling “so depressed that it was difficult to function” at some time in the past year.

The Senate attempted to pass new Distance Education Approval Guidelines, but senators decided to postpone a vote after the debate lasted too long.

Also discussed at Monday’s meeting were the HIV Awareness Week, Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez’s upcoming visit, April’s Farm Walk event.

Faculty Accreditation Coordinator Margarita Pillado also briefly addressed the senate about the current status of accreditation.

“The annual report is something we are mandated to submit at the end of March to the Accreditation Steering Committee, [and] among many items must include institutional performance in the institution-set standards,” Pillado said.

The Academic Senate will meet again on April 13 at 2:15 p.m. in the Great Hall.

“We want students to say ‘let’s talk about this,’” Benne said.

A burglary in the men’s locker room in the SGYM resulted in the theft of a student’s phone. Suspect unknown at print time.

3/12—Bike Theft

An unknown suspect stole a bicycle from a bike rack near the CFS building. A chain used to lock the bike was cut by the perpetrator.

[From FOOD, pg. 1]

Bass expressed interest in the cafeteria after seeing the wide selection of food it could provide.

“I looked around the cafeteria and I noticed that there were many types of stations there. I saw spaces for pizza, Asian and Mexican food,” Bass said. “There was also a space where I could see myself selling food as well. Whatever the case is, I would love to get involved.”

Despite numerous attempts, Bass continues to wait for a response.

“The trouble is that it seems that they are not ready to make a decision,” Bass said. “I have pretty much sent the deed to everyone who is involved in making a decision and I’m still waiting.”

LACCD Chancellor Francisco

Rodriguez is aware of the lack of food throughout the district and assures that change is underway.

“What we are doing now is contacting each individual college and having them create focus groups with the students in order to better understand their needs. It is also a way for them to have their voices heard,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said that the focus groups should begin between April and May, and also explained the diversity on each campus may require more than just one solution in terms of food options.

“History and culture are different at every college. The food that we bring into these schools should reflect the different needs of the students,” Rodriguez said.

Political Science major Arno Shivarjoo said he finds Friday options especially restricting.

“I don’t even count on eating food on campus. It’s highly inconvenient that I end up having to leave,” said Shivarjoo.

Shivarjoo said he believes the cafeteria could benefit students by providing them with healthier food options.

“I don’t think the Freudian Sip or the food trucks are really getting the job done in terms of health,” Shivarjoo said. “It would be nice to have a cafeteria where we can get decent food.”