Students question parking, smoking
by Ines Salomon, reporter

    South Campus students expressed concerns and asked various questions about signage in parking lots, smoking locations and schedules of classes during the student/administrative forum March 7.

    Dr. Ernest Thomas, South Campus president, and other faculty and administration provided answers to many of the students’ questions and concerns.

    Students expressed concern about the current parking lot signage. Many suggested having more signs stating designated areas for faculty and student parking to prevent students’ getting parking tickets on campus.

    In addition to student parking, many students expressed opinions about faculty parking.

    Students mentioned that when the faculty parking is empty, students should be allowed to park there.

    Thomas said he and building services personnel would look into this concern. He said they would look at all the options for possibly opening up some of the faculty spaces for students.

    Another issue was better lighting throughout the campus.

    Students expressed concern about the lighting, especially since there are night classes, and at times the lighting at night is very poor.

    Building services staff said they will take care of the problem as soon as possible so that the students will feel safer at night.

    David Waldrop from building services updated the group about an issue that was brought up last semester concerning the locations for smokers.

    The department has devised a plan for designated smoking areas.
    Many students have expressed concerns about people smoking in front of entrances.

    The proposed plan for smoking will not include entrances; instead, it will include places located away from doorways.

    Waldrop hopes to have this plan implemented as soon as possible. The department is also in the process of making proper signage for the new smoking locations.

    One of the most frequently expressed concerns was with class scheduling and some professors. Many students believe there are not enough sections scheduled for some courses.

    Dr. Jo Bagley, dean of instruction, advised all of the students to get advisement early and get into the classes they need as soon as possible before they fill up.

    Many students said they are not receiving the proper instruction and materials from some of their teachers. Bagley along with Dan Chacon, dean of student development services, advised the students to speak with their teachers and let them know the concerns that are occurring in the classroom.

    Bagley and Chacon told students they could talk with a department chair or division chair if they believe their concerns are not being met on the student/teacher level.

    Lonzetta Smith-Allen, director of counseling, asked for suggestions on how to get more students into advisement early. She said counselors have been experiencing numerous returning students registering at the last minute.

    To eliminate this problem, Smith-Allen asked for suggestions on ways to better notify students about early advisement.

    Suggestions included making flyers and distributing them, getting the teachers to make announcements in their classes, giving away refreshments and displaying banners throughout the campus for this purpose.