College President Mark Rocha opposes the proposed opening of a 7-Eleven store across from the PCC campus on Colorado Boulevard because of the possibility that the convenience store could sell alcohol.
Rocha said in an interview with the Courier that he may go before the city planning commission to oppose the opening of a 7-Eleven in the space across the street from campus previously occupied by the Penny Lane music store.
“I’m speaking only for myself but, I don’t see how this is a good idea on many, many levels,” said Rocha. “They are asking for a 24/7 operation and there are very few 7-Eleven stores that don’t have liquor [alcohol]. Not that we’re against liquor or 7-Elevens. But the opening of this store would have a huge impact on campus police and safety and traffic,” said Rocha.
Currently several other businesses near campus sell alcohol like Luigi Ortega’s and Lucky Baldwin’s, among others.
According to Rocha, 35 percent of the student body at PCC is under 21 years of age.
“In recent years the average age [of college students at PCC] has dropped from 28 or 30 to about 22 or 24,” said Senior Vice-President and Assistant Superintendent Robert Miller.
Some students who receive public assistance have expressed their excitement about the proposed 7-Eleven because the store would accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards for food purchases.
“It would be great to have another place for me to eat other than Jack in the Box because 7-Eleven accepts my EBT card,” Jennifer Edwards, nursing, said. “The nearest 7-Eleven is miles away up on Lake or down on Rosemead.”
“Having a 7-Eleven across the street would be another option for students on EBT who don’t have money to buy food,” said Mayra Moetes, nursing.
PCC’s Piazza, Lancer’s Pass café and the campus bookstore currently do not accept EBT cards.
“It would be great if PCC would accept EBT cards for textbooks,” said student Bobby Gera.
According to officials at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, EBT cards issued by Los Angeles County have a general relief cash benefit linked to them. These cards also have a CalFresh food benefit and a Restaurant Hot Meals Program link for those recipients who do not have access to a stove like the disabled, elderly and the homeless.
7-Eleven representatives explained their reasons for opening a 7-Eleven convenience store near the school and pledged not to sell alcohol without approval from the school.
“We would like to be a part of the community and we have services that can help the student body and the college in general,” said Michael Austin, Development Director of 7-Eleven in Southern California. “Currently we have not applied for a liquor license and in the future we won’t apply for a liquor license without seeking city and college approval first. That’s number one, we won’t do that,” said Austin.
“The proposal is still in the works and getting close to being finalized,” Austin added. “President Rocha has his view points and reasons but we believe that that location is a good place to do business.”
Rocha said that he would speak to the Associated Students to get their input on the matter. He also said that he was unaware that PCC did not accept EBT cards.
“The matter is not closed and I was only raising it as an informative issue. If a significant number of students are suffering in any way we want to know about it and do something about it,” said Rocha.
“Since the Courier is just now raising this issue [about students on EBT] maybe there may be another way of addressing it. If we don’t accept EBT cards on campus I want to know why not,” said Rocha.
Director of Dining Services Pai Pispratuang said via email that the school would explore the viability of accepting EBT at the Piazza and elsewhere on campus.
“I have spoken with our marketing department and asked them to research this project,” Pispratuang wrote. “They will contact the department of social services for Los Angeles County… and let’s see how we can move forward with this excellent idea.”
To address the issue of accepting EBT cards on college campuses, some state politicians are trying to bring some relief for students on public assistance.
Assembly bill AB 832, introduced by Assembly Member Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) would require all convenience stores and bookstores on any state college campus to accept EBT cards.
Rocha suggested that one of the alternatives to the 7-Eleven would be for the school to develop the area.
“We’ve had a dream of redeveloping the north side of Colorado Boulevard for campus expansion. In the next year we’ll be proposing that we acquire that same property for a much better use for the college,” said Rocha.
Rocha also said that he’ll be speaking to the planning commission in opposition to granting a liquor license to the 99 Cent Store across from the campus.
- President Rocha will retire Aug. 31 - August 7, 2014
- Former Courier editor-in-chief dies suddenly - July 26, 2014
- Rocha not offered college presidency in New York - July 3, 2014
It’s already demonstrated that PCC is opposed to having President Rocha near campus.
There’s a liquor store right on the corner of Allen and Colorado, if people really want to drink at school so bad they can just walk over there and get it. I don’t see two extra blocks making a whole lot of difference in this situation. However, you can pretty much find anything you would be needing from 711 across the street at the 99 cent store.
What I love about this story is the way Rocha, the president of the college, didn’t know that the campus doesn’t accept EBT cards. In fact, he blamed the Courier for his ignorance.
“’Since the Courier is just now raising this issue [about students on EBT] maybe there may be another way of addressing it.'”
Shouldn’t the president of the college be aware of what the campus does and does not do, especially when he’s making decisions for the rest of us?
Having liquor sales this close to campus would only increase public intoxication. We already have “Archie” the drunk who frequents the college area three days weekly. He always wears navy blue.
What’s the problem of having a 7-Eleven store across from PCC if Austin states that the 7-Eleven pledged not to sell alcohol without PCC’s approval? I agree with Joseph. Rocha and the food service people on campus are just worried about losing revenue to off-campus outlets.
If Art Gastelum from Gateway Engineering (West L.A. College scandal)received some portion of the contract to build the 7-11, and Rocha’s wife received a position as a consultant, then Rocha would agree to the project.