By Marley Malenfant/se news editor
Inadequate parking, Campus Cruiser updates, science equipment and TCC’s new mascot were the concerns during SE Campus’ annual student forums Oct. 20-21.
The early parts of the forums focused on the campus’ lack of science labs. President Judith Carrier said SE Campus will expand its labs by January.
“We will have a tour of the new Science Building in November,” she said.
“The building will have more science labs, more office space for instructors, a bistro, and it will add more parking to the campus. We should have up to 500 new spaces with the new building.”
Carrier also said that TCC wants to add a stoplight on New York Street and Southeast Parkway but said the city of Arlington is holding that up.
“The city looked and said, ‘You need more space before a light can be added,’” she said. “The campus needs another entry either on New York Street or Southeast Parkway before a light can be added.”
Vice president for student development services Rusty Fox said students in need of extra income should apply for note-taking jobs.
“You won’t get rich for it, but you could get paid just for sitting in a history class taking notes,” he said.
Fox also notified students about the campus’ depression programs.
“We have licensed professional counselors on campus that can help you if you lost your job or you broke up with your girlfriend,” he said.
Many students complained that they’re not able to receive Campus Cruiser updates on their phone. SE student Mario Barraza said TCC should modernize the software for students.
“We wish there was an app for CampusCruiser because everyone is on their phones now,” he said. “UT Austin has [an app]. We should have one too.”
SE student Tommy Vu said he’d like to see TCC more involved with social media.
“We’re moving toward a 2.0 age,” he said. “Eighty percent of students use social media, so I’d like to see TCC gear toward that.”
SE associate professor of history Linda Frazier countered the technology argument by stating that TCC is involved with social media.
“TCC has a Facebook link, Twitter link and a MySpace link to use,” she said. “You can also get updates through that.”
SE director of development services Doug Peak said TCC’s new mascot was a marketing idea.
SE student Steph Buonogiorno said the mascot doesn’t benefit students.
“With schools, you look at the types of degrees, professors, type of clubs and programs they have,” she said.
“The last thing we’re thinking about is a mascot. We pay good money for our education, not a mascot.”
