The Western Sun - Vol. 41, No. 7 Dec 5 - Dec. 14, 2007
This is the final issue of the Western Sun for the Fall 2008 semester.
The next issue will be published during the first week of Feburary 2008.
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Costco plan hearing at the college
GWC will host meeting Monday evening in Student Center lounge
By April Ehlrich Sun
executive editor
A meeting will be held on the Golden West College campus on Monday to discuss ideas of replacing some student grounds with a Costco development. Meanwhile, residents continue to protest.
The meeting will be with the Board of Trustees of the Coast Community College District, in which they will hear a staff report in regards to the proposed Costco. The CCCD operates Golden West College, Orange Coast College and Coastline Community College and is headquartered in Costa Mesa.
Board meetings are usually held at the district offices.
As all CCCD board meetings, the general public is allowed to attend and be informed of the current predicament of the proposal. It will be at 6:30 p.m. at the GWC Student Center Lounge on Dec. 12. Seats will not be reserved.
Residents of the surrounding neighborhoods continue to create posters and protests against the Costco proposal, making headlines in county newspapers and televised newscasts.
If plans are approved, the wholesale giant would be constructed on the east side of the campus, which is currently occupied by Gothard Street student parking and some athletic fields.
Protesters list the problems they feel that will result of a Costco at GWC, such as increased pollution and fumes, traffic congestion and noise, a deflation of athletic activities due the loss of campus fields, and a decrease in housing value.
Then, some have pointed their fingers towards the vacant Montgomery Ward at Bella Terra; a spacious lot just down the street from GWC. Residents such as Dr. L.B. Mittleman ask why the Costco cannot be built at a place of more convenience.
So far, some on the CCCD board have expressed positive attitudes towards the proposal in recent meetings, since it will bring in $1.75 to $2 million annually to the district.
Still, the Costco will be built on the brink of Huntington Beach bordering the city of Westminster. Although traffic congestion will be directed into that city, it has yet to be offered a portion of the revenue. This being so, the mayor pro tem of Westminster Kermit Marsh has authored a resolution against the Costco proposal that was approved by that city's council.
Smoking ban moving puffers into park lot
By Jennifer Holst
Western Sun staff writer
Golden West’s new no smoking policy, the Health Center and campus security were determined to make a difference. So far, the enforcement has been successful with the help of nurses, security guards, and gifts to those who smoke off campus.
The “Smoke Free Campus” began at the start of this semester, permitting smoking only in the parking lots. What has this meant for those who smoke? No lighting up between classes, unless willing to walk to a designated parking lot.
Though the policy is a campus-enforced rule, many at first refused to follow it. “They knew they were doing something wrong but people still continued to do it” says Susan Wong, a nurse at the GWC Health Center.
After noting the change didn’t exactly occur in the beginning, Wong has noticed a considerable difference. “We’ve had a really nice, great improvement,” she says.
With the help of campus security, the rule enforcers, the number of smokers is said to continue to drop during the next semester.
Volunteers at the Health Center are also contributing by handing out “Remind-AMint” flyers to on campus smokers in hopes to remind them about the new campus policy.
“Remind-A-Mints” display designated areas for smoking, explain the idea of a smoke-free campus, and are equipped with a peppermint candy to freshen the smokers’ breath.
In addition to mints, offcampus smokers may be gifted with “Thank You!” cards with a gift certificate enclosed. Gift cards are primarily for bookstore purchases and other on campus businesses, but are also for off campus stores as well.
The Health Center also hopes that students will begin to see the dilemma and predicaments that smoking causes.
Wong expresses her views on the campus rule, saying, “We hope a smoke free campus encourages people to quit. It’s the best thing you could do for your life.”
Campus officials, along with the help of the Health Center, plan to make more permanent signs noting the change, rather than the laminated paper ones seen on campus now. The Health Center will also advertise individual and group meetings for those trying to quit, and hope students and teachers take heart in that.
All in all, Golden West College is now and forever will be a smoke free campus.
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