PCC President Holds Forum with Limited Audience

Thirty-one students showed up for the President's Forum at the Vosloh Forum Tuesday afternoon where president Paulette Perfumo and the Associated Students board answered students' questions about PCC.The Vosloh Forum's 10 rows of seats can accommodate 296 patrons; Tuesday's forum brought capacity to about 10 percent.

"We will have to publicize this more [in the future]," said Devin Leung, AS vice president of business affairs.

Questions for Perfumo were submitted on half sheets of paper, which were reviewed by the AS board prior to being answered. Of all questions submitted, four were addressed by Perfumo and the board: PCC's high student enrollment, the new smoking regulations, making the campus "green," and "rigid" student learning outcome (SLO) standards.

Perfumo began the forum with a speech about current issues. PCC is in the midst of a self-study, which is part of the school's accreditation that comes every six years. Perfumo explained that it is very important in that only accredited schools can have their credit hours transfer to other institutions. The once-every-six-years accreditation process also determines PCC's eligibility to receive federal financial aid for students.

Perfumo went on to explain the Measure P Bond construction underway. The complex being constructed on the west side of campus will include a new campus center and the industrial technology building. The project, which will contain a two-story bookstore, "smart" classrooms, and a new cafeteria with wi-fi, now has its outer walls installed.

"We want to make your education state of the art," said Perfumo, referring to the "smart" classrooms, which will have computer consoles that control a video projector where students will view relevant presentations.

Perfumo answered the first question, which asked what PCC is doing to accommodate the 5 percent enrollment growth, by saying that professors did a "noble job" in taking as many students as possible. She also explained that faculty will do its best to keeps students' best interests at heart when fiscal heat comes in January.

Perfumo also responded to a question about the new smoking regulations. She said that besides the obvious inconvenience that smokers cause non-smokers, smoking on campus yields a lot of litter, which is aesthetically unpleasant for school visitors. She explained that creating three designated smoking areas on campus would be a win-win situation for both groups.

Perfumo then addressed an inquiry about what PCC is doing to "go green." She explained that the new Center for the Arts building, which is set to break ground some time next year, will be PCC's first LEED-rated (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building. The arts building is anticipating a "silver LEED rating." Landscaping will soon be watered using "grey water," reclaimed water obtained from nearby facilities. Perfumo focused on concerns over whether or not the campus' expansive lawns will be torn up, by saying that landscaping must be balanced between a comfortable learning environment and "green" standards.

The fourth and final question was asked about new rigid SLOs and if they will dictate how a professor will teach a class. Perfumo explained that SLOs are assessed via peer review and therefore aren't government regulated. SLOs are simply suggestions for professors, not lesson plans or specific curriculum.

The President's Forum was an idea spawned by Perfumo, and this was the second time it was held. Eager to hold another forum, Perfumo wants the AS to organize and advertise again, hopefully to attract a bigger audience.