Academic Senate committee joins opposition to in-person learning

Share: Following PCC’s turbulent first week back on campus the Safe Learning Environment Committee, a subcommittee of the Academic Senate, has joined those in opposition against the college’s decision to resume in-person instruction. In an email sent out to Academic Senate President Gena Lopez and other Executive Board Members and Senators on Thurs, Jan 27, the committee outlined specific measures they hope the Senate will enact on their behalf, including demanding that PCC administration establish policy that allows faculty and students to self-determine their preferred …

Divided: Faculty union continues fight against in-person learning

Share: After some faculty members and students held a demonstration last week about returning to campus, PCC welcomed students and faculty back to school this week with multiple COVID testing sites and equipped everyone with a pack of triple-layered surgical-grade masks. Over the weekend, the Pasadena Area Community College District (PACCD) and the PCC Faculty Association (PCCFA) negotiated terms about returning to campus amid a rising surge in COVID cases. According to an email sent from the district to the faculty, there were meetings on …

Bun Bun Bao: New bun spot provides good bang for your buck

Share: Across the street from campus on the corner of Colorado Blvd. and Bonnie Ave., a new Chinese restaurant Bun Bun Bao has recently opened its doors to the public. This restaurant has plans to bring authentic Asian culture into our community with their dishes and drinks.  Students have anticipated trying the new food since their “opening soon” sign first appeared. With limited food options in the area and on campus, there has been a sort of need for diversity amongst the lunch and dinner options …

PCC confirms return to campus, sparking protest among faculty

Share: Faculty at PCC are set to protest the college’s plan for a return to campus, which includes requiring students and staff to wear masks and take mandatory weekly COVID-19 tests at designated testing sites around the school when they return on Monday, Jan. 24.  The PCC Faculty Association proposed an extension to the district in order to continue remote learning until Feb. 12. However, the school district has not signed off on the proposal, prompting concerned faculty and students to respond by organizing a …

Man stuck in elevator and suspicious individuals on campus

Share: PCC Police blotter January 3, 2022 to January 9, 2022 Monday, January 3 Pasadena Fire Department rescued a male occupant stuck in the northwest elevator on the 5th floor of Lot 5. Tuesday, January 4 No Activity Wednesday, January 5  A Male suspect was reported looking into vehicles in Lot 4. Campus police searched the area, but the officer involved failed in their attempt to locate the suspect.  PCC Faculty called police due to an unknown male accused of striking the lobby door of …

PCC postpones most early spring sports season due to omicron

Share: Pasadena City College announced that most sports matches for the spring semester would be postponed or cancelled until further notice because of the rising cases due to omicron, a variant of COVID-19.  According to the PCC Athletics twitter page, the PCC men’s and women’s basketball teams are scheduled to play their first league game Wednesday, January 19 versus Mt. San Antonio College. All other sports matches have yet to be determined. Fans are allowed to attend the game, but the game is located in …

How can PCC better contribute to campus sustainability?

Share: Californians around the state are missing out on up to $350 million in unclaimed recycling funds due to a lack of recycling centers in the last five years – only 68% of bottles and cans are recycled, which leaves the rest of the discarded household recyclables to sit in what is known as “recycling deserts.” In a report by Dustin Gardiner from the San Francisco Chronicle, a surplus has been built over the past couple of years because residents do not have access to …

‘Encanto’ captures the magic of family dynamics

Share: Most classic Disney movies are rooted in the idea of a damsel in distress. A princess unhappy with her current situation seeking a knight in shining armor to save her from misery. Disney seemingly stepped away from that format to provide their audience with a film that can be entertaining, culturally educational, and heartwarming in a time when hope and magic are needed. Like the 2016 film “Moana” which strays from the conventional lead female character but instead portrays a modernist independent-no-prince-princess, “Encanto’s” protagonist …

‘Euphoria’ confronts viewers with explicit vulnerability

Share: Season two of “Euphoria” was finally released on January 9th after almost two and a half years since their pilot episode. This show gets a lot of attention due to it’s controversial themes and unique delineation of drugs, mental illness, domestic violence, and sexual expression. The show is very explicit but does so in a way that creates true understanding of the gravity of the characters’ situations.  The show focuses on the main character Rue, played by Zendaya, and her social and personal struggles …

PCC temporarily postpones in person classes amid omicron surge

Share: Due to LA counties positive Covid cases being at an all time high, PCC has decided to adhere to the suggestion made by the California Community college chancellor’s office’s suggestion to delay in person classes for the first two weeks of the Spring 2022 semester, with plans to resume face-to-face instruction starting on Jan. 24. “The decision to have our face-to-face classes move to synchronous online will be revisited each week,” Superintendent-President Dr. Erika Endrijonas said. “We are monitoring infection rates and local and …