Students voice campus concerns to administrators in open forum
by Cohe Bolin, Reporter

   South Campus students voiced concern over lighting, books and smokers during a Student/Administrator forum late last month.
   Tarrant County College campuses often sponsor forums to allow students to express concerns, and this recent forum saw campus administrators answering questions from current students.
   Dr. Ernest Thomas, campus president, headed the administrative panel for the question-and-answer session.
   Thomas welcomed students and said he would answer any question he could or find out answers he did not know.
   Students who take night classes requested more lighting in the parking lots. Several students were leery when walking to their cars after dark and felt more light was needed in all parking facilities.
   The administration responded that action was already being taken to get more lighting.
   With finals approaching, students also questioned bookstore hours during the “buy back” program generally held the week of finals, asking for extended hours.
   Students mostly felt the buy back policy did not allow them time enough to get money back from their books.
   The buy back discussion moved into questions regarding book buy back policies and the high cost of books required for classes.
   Non-smokers complained about the polluted air caused by smokers around the entrances to campus buildings.
   Administrators said smokers will be asked to smoke a certain amount of feet from the doors of the buildings and designated smoking areas are possibly in the works for the spring semester.
   Administrators also expressed their concern for students who must wait for city buses or other rides.
   Under consideration is a designated area for people being dropped off and picked up, perhaps with a shelter to help protect them from the rain or cold.
   Spring Break was another issue with students wanting the week scheduled to coincide with public school districts.
   Administrators said that although that will not happen this year, the District is working toward developing comparable calendars for future year.
    In addition, administrators encouraged students to take this issue up with area school boards or district superintendents.
    Several students raised some safety issues as well.
    Among their complaints were uneven concrete in several areas around the campus, graffiti in restrooms and lack of proper signage on campus for handicap access.
    Administrators and faculty told students to become aware of the help and support available to them on campus such as the center for academic success and free tutoring services.