by James Hearne
Horizon Reporter
“Insulting to my intelligence.” “Little to no impact.” “What posters?” These are some of the reactions students have had towards the posters in the second floor of Syre student center.
The posters, put up by the Associated Students of Whatcom Community College, that offer the rules of decorum, are the result of a meeting held to address concerns regarding behavior on the second floor of Whatcom Community College’s Syre student center.
Have the posters been a success? Janelle Barton, who frequents Syre center, doesn’t think so. “I didn’t notice them until someone pointed them out,” she said.
Barton says that she, and the group of people she hangs out with, frequently play Magic: The Gathering, as well as other games, or will sometimes just sit and talk. She says, however that the noise and other disturbances make sometimes move to the downstairs auditorium.
Barton says that she is skeptical that the posters will do any good. “Students don’t listen to other students,” she said.
Barton is not alone in this sentiment. Aaron Cream, a student who also frequents Syre, said that there has been little change. The litter, he says, is just as bad. “I’ve seen less trash at the bus station,” he said.
In addition, Cream said that people will often ring the elevator’s emergency stop bell, bringing the elevator to a halt. He insists that this is not mere negligence, but “is entirely for their own amusement.”
“The anecdotes are endless,” Cream said. One man, appearing very intoxicated, carrying a bottle of alcohol, sat down at their table, and wanted to play Magic: The Gathering. They politely declined.
Blaise Carey, another frequent patron of Syre, is also tired of the atmosphere on the second floor. “The anecdotes go on and on,” he said, adding that the public displays of affection have gotten out of hand.
“I don’t need to see up your skirt,” he said.
“College students are horny little buggers,” Carey said, “and they can’t afford their own homes.”
ASWCC president Laura Hansen understands the skepticism about the effectiveness of the posters. However, she says that the posters are up so there are no surprises when the faculty and staff begin enforcing the rules.
“It would be unfair to have expectations of people,” Hansen said, “and not tell them what those expectations were.”
Hansen adds, however, there are still things to be done before the Syre upstairs project will be complete. For instance, they still need to designate where the furniture should be, marking it on the floor with tape. Also, there are plans to bring in more mobile chairs. However, once the rules can be enforced, she said, “that is when the real change can start to take place.”
