From the desk of the Roundup EDITORIAL More color to the campus

Alana King

Sophie Ward

Shayne Tamkin

Walter Orellana

Giselle Lomeli

Pamela Kiladasan

AJ Werner

Anastasiya Orel

Angie Alvarez

Dominique Duñgo

Madeleine Schade

Pauline Gener

Brandon Sinclair

Ginina Pulcinella

Jasmine Casanova

Bre Jenkins

Letters to the Editor

Dear Roundup,

The Board has just mandated Covid vaccinations for all students and employees.

I do not intend to get a Covid vaccine at this time. First, we lack longterm studies of potential side effects of the proposed therapeutics. Second, the Covid survival rate is high (near 95%) for most age groups. Third, there are alternative well-established treatments available should one contract Covid.

I'm not opposed to vaccinations. The concern is the new therapeutic is being pushed out to millions without the long-term studies that have historically been done - and for a lowrisk virus.

District officials say “safety” is their only motivation. The problem is we do not have enough information to know whether it is “safer” to get the vaccine - or “safer” to wait, rely on our own immune systems, and use known treatments with proven track records. The District is allowing those with religious or medical excuses to opt out. Not pharmaceutical companies have relief from liability should long-term harms develop.

This Board mandate was passed August 1 and updated September 1 - months after I signed my fall contract. AFT needs to immediately clarify what the impact will be for fall. Will I be terminated mid-semester? I need to know, so do my students. Several labor unions nationally are objecting to “vaccine mandates.”

The District is demanding a lot -- too much. We need to stand up and say NO to this regulation.

There are ways to accommodate those with reasonable concerns: encourage 100% online classes for those wanting exemption; allow those desiring alternative medically-proven treatments or with natural anti-bodies exemptions. GIVE STAFF AND STUDENTS CHOICES - SO THEY CAN CONTINUE LEARNING.

Pam Brown Economics professor

Policy: Letters and guest columns for or against any position are invited. Letters should be kept as brief as possible (300 words or less) and are subject to editing. Letters must be signed and include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms or initials will not be used, but names may be withheld upon request and approval of the Editorial Board. The Roundup publishes “Letters to the Editor” that are not obscene or libelous and do not contain racial denigration. Writers are given the opportunity to revise unacceptable letters. The Pierce College Roundup will not publish, as letters, literary endeavors, publicity releases, poetry or other such materials as the Editorial Board deems not to be a letter. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. 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.

When walking around the Pierce College campus, there is an abundance of flourishing trees, plants and other botanicals.

But there is a noticeable shortage of color and artwork.

This is something that can easily be remedied with the help of artistic students.

Utility art programs are extremely popular in California, and Pierce College can join this trend.

The college can use this opportunity to combine artwork, culture and education, and also add a bit of beauty to things that are typically mundane, such as the utility boxes.

Murals on college campuses can be used to show support for social movements, such as the Black Lives Matter mural at Davidson College in North Carolina.

In addition to public commentary on political and social movements, a variety of themes can be expressed through the murals. Sustainability at Colorado State University Spur, the meaning of community at Anoka-Ramsey Community newsroom.roundupnews@gmail.com

College and college ideals at University of Alabama, Birmingham.

The Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center at UCLA has also initiated an art project called “Our Environment,Our Health,” which looks to use traffic signal cabinets on campus as canvases to raise awareness for three topics — climate change, health and well-being.

For the project, Pierce College administration can assign certain utility boxes or wall spaces to be painted. Pierce art students and local artists or alumni who are interested could submit designs.

The financial cost for administration would be relatively low as they would only be required to provide a stipend for additional art supplies. For reference, the Sherman Oaks Chamber Foundation provides a $350$450 grant depending on the size of the area that will be painted.

After a difficult period for students, Pierce should strongly consider livening the spirits of students, staff and community through art.