From the desk of the Roundup: Editorial

With the inadequate and somewhat counterintuitive parking situation at Pierce College, it might seem that students who take greener modes of transportation have a more hassle-free time at school.

However, after taking a quick look around campus, it becomes clear that it is not much more accommodating for students who take their bikes or skateboards to school than it is for students who drive.

Though racks are made available for students to secure their bicycles during class, there is nothing offered to those who take their skateboards, forcing students to lug their boards with them wherever they go.

Also, there are no dedicated pathways for students to ride their bikes or skateboards at the college, and it is actually prohibited for students to do so on campus.

Pierce should take measures to accommodate students who ride their bicycles or skateboards to school by designating a bike lane in the Mall and installing racks where students can secure their boards.

Skateboard racks should be installed at key points to cover the campus’ needs—one near the Library/Learning Crossroads, one near College Services, one on the Art Hill and one to service the Village and Gyms. This would reduce the burden on students, because they would no longer have to carry their transportation with them across campus and into their classrooms.

From the company Boardloch, a 14-board rack costs $1,550. If the college were to purchase the suggested amount of racks listed above, the cost would only be about $6,200.

-Corrections-

Volume 127, Issue 8, Page 2: The cartoonist Wyce was misrepresnted as Beck.

The University of California, Davis reported in 2014 that 47 percent of its students biked to school, which is reflective of a rising nationwide trend of commuting via bicycle. No similar statistic exists for Pierce’s student body, but assuming that the percentage of students who commute by bicycle is similar to what UC Davis reported, that

Pro:

ANNA CLARK Features Editor @AnnaClarkReport

Joining a club on a college campus can provide a group of peers to a lonely student, offering a sense of being. They help promote friendships, better social skills, and encourage community service.

Volume 127, Issue 8, would mean more than 9,000 Pierce students ride a bike to school.

Rather than obligating these students to walk their bikes on and off campus, Pierce should streamline traffic with a twolane bikeway that runs across the college. Each lane should be wide enough to accommodate cyclists and skateboarders traveling single file in each direction— the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) specifies that the minimum width of a bike lane is 3-4 feet. The college could designate a 6-8 foot wide stretch of Mall that goes from the Library/Learning Crossroads to the College Services building.

A railing should be installed to separate the bike lane from the rest of the Mall to keep cyclists and skateboarders from traveling outside of the area designated for them. This would keep pedestrians safe and the bike lane’s traffic fluid. Simple conveniences such as these can lend themselves immeasurably to student success.

"JafarfromAladdin.Hejust hassomeswaginhim."

-Yazzmin Gaber, 18, Undecided

Clubs are a great way to find new inspirations, interests, or ideas. If all students were required to join a club, they would benefit by having a creative and social outlet.

An arts and crafts club on campus could give students the chance to be artistic, without being worried about a grade that would normally come from taking a class. A multicultural food club would offer people with different backgrounds an opportunity to come together, bonding over similarities and learning from others differences.

“12 Reasons Why You Should Join a Student Organization,” an article published by Bentley University in Waltham, Mass., suggests that joining a club is beneficial.

“Whether you join as a member or choose to lead one, simply taking part in an extracurricular group will enhance your school experience,” the article said. “Gaining skills, making connections, and broadening your knowledge through a student organization will help you become a more well-rounded individual — one that’s ready to take on their future career!” aclark.roundupnews@gmail.com

On the Pierce College website, there are more than 40 clubs listed, as well as additional ones which are not posted, for example the LGBTQ club.

When students feel lost in the stress and chaos of college life, a club can add balance and a fun way to spend the week. They establish a greater community on campus, as students can socialize with others who share their interests.

Club meetings tend to span an hour or two, and meet on campus. Times vary, which means there is no excuse for a student to not engage in an organization. This is beneficial not only because students come to school for class, but students without transportation may not be able to take part in extracurricular activities outside of the campus.

Club Rush, which takes place at the beginning of both spring and winter semesters is an event where various clubs set up tables and share their mission and philosophies. Students can travel among booths, signing up for an unlimited amount of clubs.

If students are required to join a club, the positive effects will outweigh any negative areas and help the student in a myriad of ways. Not only will members be fulfilled, but they will more be involved in the college community.

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ROCIO ARENAS Reporter @rarenas_roundup

For college students, joining a club can take more of a toll than provide resources. Every semester, there is an event on campus where dozens of college clubs can showcase their cause, and why you need to join their club. With this bombardment of information, and pressure to commit to these various organizations, students often say they feel pressured to immediately decide which club to commit to, and not when they can afford to commit.

An article published by Sunil Pandey of gethow.org in 2014 addressed the top reasons why students feel joining a campus club should not be required of them. The leading reason was distraction to studies.

Pandey argues that joining the social activity of a campus club can derail a student’s educational goals by taking their attention away from studying and aiming their focus at social gatherings to promote their club.

If students are investing hundreds and maybe thousands of dollars into their tuition, why should they be “required” to risk earning the best possible grades?

Although not all college campuses make joining a club a requirement for students to graduate, college counselors heavily influence students to make time in their busy schedules to participate in college clubs. The problem is that some students may have other

Cartoonist: Beck Shields Wyce Mirzad responsibilities such as raising a family, working, or juggling all of that and full-time class loads. Joining a club could cut into their busy schedules even more. rarenas.roundupnews@gmail.com

Peer pressure adds to the stress of joining college clubs, amongst the pressure of counselors and club rushers.

In reported cases, college students become victims of hazing or bullying once they join the club, because it may be a social initiation protocol for that club’s agenda.

This happens to students when they are rushed or pressured to join a club and fail to research the club’s history.

In July of 2014, Calif. State University Northridge student and fraternity member, Armando Villa was pressured by his frat brothers to hike in extreme weather conditions in order to become officiated in to the fraternity, Los Angeles Times reported in 2015.

This resulted in Villa’s death by dehydration and a loss for his loved ones. Joining clubs could potentially be fatal, and death by hazing is common in larger universities like CSUN.

Although joining college clubs have benefits such as networking, resume building, and work experience, becoming a club member on campus should not be required for students because it could be more detrimental than beneficial to the student accepting the invite.

"HarleyQuinn.Herboyfriend istheJoker,andsheisher own character too. She was apsychiatrist,thenshemet theJokerandtheyjustcause troubletogether."

-CatQuisenberry,21, Undecided call Matt at (818) 710-2960 the Sunday prior to the issue date. Editorial Policy: The Pierce College Roundup position is presented only in the editorials.

Cartoons and photos, unless run under the editorial masthead, and columns are the opinions of the creators and not necessarily that of the Roundup. The college newspaper is published as a learning experience under the college journalism instructional program. The editorial and advertising materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, are the responsibility of the student newspaper staff. Under appropriate state and federal court decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by the virtue of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the L.A. Community College District, the college or any officer or employee thereof.