I am also a student at Mesa College who is affected by the rapidly increasing gas prices in California. They have actually saved me money as well. I live about 1 1/2 miles from campus and because of the outrageous prices, I make the extra effort to walk to school every day. I have a small tank in my car and I go through it in about two weeks, maybe even longer. As much as I loathe the expenses of gas, I want to add that these prices could actually be a blessing in disguise. People will drive if they must, but they are taking extra measures to decrease driving as much as possible. This could have a tremendous positive impact on the environment. Perhaps all things have their own reasons for happening. I just wanted to add in that aspect of it. Thank you for your time.

Maggie Young, 22
Journalism/Communications

The smoking laws on the Mesa campus have gone too far this semester. Even after Mesa became a “smoke free campus,” we smokers were able to find our little safe havens away from the crowds of healthy non-smokers and get our daily nicotine fix in between classes.

On the first day of the current semester, I went down to the usual smoking spot near the cafeteria to find a row of frustrated people standing practically in the canyon on the other side of the street smoking. I looked around and saw at least 20 new “No Smoking” signs. I also saw a woman carrying a sign that had a picture of a young person smoking and words that read “Utter Fool”. Clearly, smoking a cigarette on the edge of the canyon so not to be on what is considered Mesa campus is the best solution to the smoking problem, especially considering the wildfires we San Diegans are all very familiar with.

My question is this: why is so much effort put into eliminating smokers? We’re college students. Some of choose to smoke, some choose not to. We know the dangers, we know it’s bad. We obviously wouldn’t do it if we didn’t need to, and no rule that Mesa creates is going to make us quit. I understand not wanting litter from cigarette butts. I understand that cigarette smoke bothers some people. So why not give the smokers a specified area to smoke, separated from the non-smoking Mesa population and well equipped with ashtrays? It’s something to think about.

Alexandria Montague, 20
English

In your recent edition (March 11), there was a full-page article on big swells as the sports section.

There are more Mesa College sports than how big the swells are 5 miles away. There isn’t any support for the softball, baseball, men’s volleyball, swimming/diving, tennis, track or badminton. Yes, badminton.

With many sporting events happening each week, there isn’t any coverage from the Mesa Press that can help support school awareness of athletics and the happenings in the realm of school spirit.

Why can’t the Mesa Press send a photographer out to a baseball game or volleyball match to show the students of Mesa College that we have a healthy athletics program and promote each sport?

Come out to a game, the schedules are on the Mesa College Web site.

Sean Manzi, 23
Broadcast Communications

As everyone who goes to Mesa should know, smoking is NOT allowed on campus. Although this rule is established and followed by most, some people choose to ignore it and it is disgusting. Along with most of the non-smoking student body, I do not want to breathe other peoples’ gross habits or see their cigarette butts lying on the ground. It would be greatly appreciated if smokers would go to the proper and designated areas to smoke (the parking lots). With these illegal occurrences becoming daily, it is apparent that our so-called campus police are not doing their job. People are walking around and sitting in public areas on campus while smoking. This ban needs to be enforced and anyone caught smoking on campus should be ticketed. It would mean a lot to those who do not smoke if their choice is respected, just as the right to smoke, and slowly kill oneself, is respected.

Sarah Swasey, 18
Political Science and Spanish

Yes I know we have a new rule at Mesa where it says no more on-campus smoking allowed. However every day I come to school I see someone smoking a cigarette. The other day as I was walking toward campus a girl in front of me was smoking and all the smoke was blowing in my face. Even when I tried to get out of the way the smoke was still hitting me. That is not how I would like to start my day, with smoke in my face.

If Mesa College is going to put in a rule I feel that they should also enforce it when they see someone breaking the rule. It’s just like parking. When an officer roams the lot looking for a car without a permit they write a ticket. The same should go for people who smoke on campus. The college should have officers roam the campus looking for people who are doing this and give a ticket to the person.

I think the no smoking on campus is a great idea. It allows people to roam campus smoke free and breathe fresh air. If we continue to allow people to smoke whenever they please then what is the point of making new rules. If we allow people to smoke on campus then we should also allow people to park on campus without purchasing a permit. Let’s enforce the non-smoking for not only me but for ALL the students at Mesa College

Darryl Anderson, 20
Communications

I am a student here at Mesa College, and I am concerned about the amount and steepness of the stairs around campus. I am a petite female in decent shape and I find it difficult to climb the stairs. This causes me to feel concerned about how difficult it is for others who are not as fit as me to use them. The main parking lot is the only lot that has elevator access onto campus and this is the first parking lot to fill up in the day. The other students who are left to park in the other lots on campus get stuck having to climb the stairs.

Additionally, I recently injured my knee and because I was not able to find parking where there was elevator access, I continued to further my injury. On one occasion, the pain was so unbearable that I had to turn around and go back home because I couldn’t fathom the thought of having to climb the rest of the stairs. Something needs to be done about the stairs here on campus. My observations and personal experiences have led me to believe that the stairs are not only a waste of time but also a hazardous roadblock to the success of the students here at Mesa College.

Amber Terrell, 20
Public Relations

Mesa College is currently building more parking lots to accommodate the growing student population, but the process is long and slow and I cannot wait any longer. Mesa College’s parking lots are crowded, very crowded. If one is trying to find a parking spot at 7:45 in the morning, they might as well give up. If you’re not there at a certain time, you might as well park in the football field and be prepared to walk a long way to your morning class. Besides the problem of finding a parking spot, trying to get out of your spot is another huge problem! Each parking row across from one another is so compact that if one is not paying attention, it is guaranteed that you will hit something or someone. The constant battle, fighting over a parking spot, is out of control. I do not know how long I can be patient at this current situation, as well as everybody else. The parking lots are a big mess and it needs to be fixed as soon as possible! Let’s not wait until every pissed off student will have a sudden rampage all over the parking lot, side-wiping every car he or she sees until they get their parking spot.

Crizza Peredo, 19
Communications

We would love to hear from you guys. Email the Editor at mesa.press@gmail.com and maybe your letter will be posted on here. Be sure to include your name, major/profession and email address.