Messages on the Mall

Outdated and potentially misleading ads raise questions

She also has AIDS and is a drug addict, similar to Roger.

The dynamic between these two is fascinating. Paez’s vocal performance in “Light My Candle" alone is worth the admission to this play.

Mimi and Roger frequently sing the line “I Should Tell You,” implying that they want to tell each other their life struggles with AIDS, but are scared of the recipient's reaction.

We’re then introduced to Benny (Emmanuel Odaibo), who bought the building where the characters live, and which he plans to turn into a studio after evicting them.

Odaibo does an excellent job portraying the antagonist throughout the production. He made it easy to hate someone that is trying to take the homes of others for selfish intent.

Their performances feel sincere. The skillset it takes to convey a genuine love connection on stage is executed perfectly by these actors.

Joanne (Kaitlyn Foley) and Maureen (Michelle Johnson) were also an important couple throughout the production. They’re a lesbian couple that struggles financially in this poverty stricken portion of New York.

Johnson’s confidence on stage is a spectacle. Joanne speaks early on in the performance about how crazy her partner is, and Johnson executes this perfectly.

When a character gives warning to the audience that someone crazy is about to come on stage, it’s crucial for that character to deliver. Johnson does a fantastic job playing this role. Aside from the outstanding production regarding cast and crew, the on stage band is also worth noting. Their ability to keep up with the show and focus on the perfect timing for songs and sound effects is impressive to watch.

Pierce College’s production of “Rent” will leave people wanting more.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 818719-6488. Tickets may also be purchased online (24/7) at: https://www.brownpapertickets. com/event/5749065.

Several advertisements around campus have not been updated in years, and it is unclear who is responsible.

Some of the ads present movies that came out years ago while others promote four-year universities for transfer. A couple of ads promote what appears to be a crisis pregnancy center called Open Arms Pregnancy Clinic. Many of the ads have been posted since before the pandemic.

After COVID-19 forced school and business closures, processes fell to the wayside. With the stay at home order, there was no real need to update the ads.

History and Gender Studies

Adviser Sheryl Nomelli said she wonders how an ad of this nature was approved in the first place.

“If anyone on campus is going to see something it reflects our campus and our leadership,” Nomelli said. “I think that it is really unfortunate and frankly, scandalous that this would be allowed.”

Rivet Vice President of Operations Kris Swanson said typically the process is a collaboration between Pierce College, a representative from the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) and Rivet.

The media company also serves over 115 other schools in Southern California, including California State University Northridge, where the ads for Open Arms were also seen as recently as April 22.

There are seven kiosks on the Pierce campus owned by Rivet Campus Media. The company is responsible for maintenance and repairs, including removing old ads to place new ones.

Some ads are replaced more often depending on where they are located. Kiosks that are in locations that get a lot more foot traffic get more attention.

Rivet relies on a representative from Pierce to contact them if they have a concern or a request for maintenance.

Swanson said that there is even an opportunity for the contact to approve almost every single ad before it’s placed. It is unclear whether there was at one time such a person at Pierce but there is not one now.

“There's dialogue in many of our campuses, unfortunately, your campus the dialog is not there,” Swanson said.

According to section 91301.12 of Article XIII of the Los Angeles Community College Board Rules, there are certain restrictions for ads containing harmful subject matter. They range from alcoholic beverages and tobacco to lethal weapons and illegal substances.

The rules also state that all advertising contracts have to contain a clause guaranteeing that no ads placed on campus will be “libelous, obscene, misleading, fraudulent, or designed to promote illegal activities” and the failure to adhere constitutes a breach of contract by the advertiser.

Nomelli believes that not only are crisis pregnancy centers misleading in general, but the advertisement promoting Open Arms to Pierce students is, too.

“It says ‘information on pregnancy options’ - that's misleading because you are led to believe all options available,” Nomelli explained. “But again it’s pushing you towards what they believe is right.”

[see ADS on page 7]