Student lounge in jeopardy
Bullying, inappropriate sexual behavior, inappropriate language and student to student confrontations have escalated in the student lounge to the point that student government offices have asked UCC administrators for assistance in monitoring the facility. At one point, video cameras were even considered.
ASUCC president Melissa Osborne explained, “There are a small number of students who are potentially affecting us all with their inappropriate behavior. The student lounge is meant to be a place where students can come to do homework or just relax between classes. At this point, the student lounge is in danger of being closed due to the high volume of complaints and the safety of students.”
Closing the lounge and the video and audio recording that were considered have been put on hold for the moment in an attempt to protect student’ civil rights. “Osborne, whose offices adjoin the student lounge, does have the right to evict unruly student’, multiple complicated steps are required in this process. This definitely complicates matters “Osborne said.
Vice President of Student Development Lynn Moore has been the direct link between the administration and ASUCC working on this issue. “We are looking at the problems in the student lounge from a variety of angles. Our goal is to find a solution that deals with these issues without hindering the civil rights of our students. We want to find a balance between student rights and the spirit of learning.”
The lounge has become such a negative place for some students that the amount of bullying there has caused some to think of dropping out of school altogether. Those concerns came to the attention the administration. “When a student loses their self esteem, it endangers their ability to learn, and this cannot be tolerated,” said Moore.
The solutions discussed so far have been the closing of the student lounge temporarily and the installation of video surveillance which will record both video and audio so that those caught on tape could be dealt with in a legal way. “This is not what Umpqua Community College wants to be remembered by and this is being thought of as a last resort,” said Moore.
The problems have not escaped students’ attention. “I have been disgusted with the mentality I have heard while passing through the lounge. I wish there could be a solution so that I could enjoy the lounge without hearing inappropriate language or rude remarks,” said UCC student Elena Goforth. The cafeteria and library have been a Godsend to serious homework minded students due to the student lounge problems,” she said.
Students like Goforth who have observed problems are encouraged to act. “At this point we are asking students to record inappropriate actions in writing to ASUCC officers or the Vice president of Student Development Lynn Moore’s office,” said Osborne. “Another great idea would be for students to hold each other accountable in a proper, friendly way.”
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