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Bless The
Animals!
The Scene
Page 4
Vaccine
Ready
For Use
Caitlin Mendoza-Price
Contributing Writer
The vaccine that protects against HPV, a potentially
cancer-causing STD, is now available on the PCC cam¬
pus. Jo Buczko, Student Health Services coordinator, is a
strong advocate of the vaccine and she has been hard at
work to make GARDISIL available to all female stu¬
dents.
The recent finding that HPV causes the majority of cer¬
vical cancer has alarmed the medical community because
HPV is an extremely common STD. Anywhere from 50
to 80 percent of all people will contract the virus at some
point in their lives.
Although it is rare for HPV to cause abnormal cervical
cells, cervical cancer is the second deadliest cancer among
women in the United States. Anywhere from 10,000 to
15,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the
U.S. each year. Up to 4,100 women die from the cancer
annually in the United States alone, the world average
being 233,000.
The HPV vaccine, which costs $120 for one of a neces¬
sary three shots, prevents 70 percent of HPV. It is also
nearly 100 percent effective in the development of abnor¬
mal cervical cells caused by HPV strains 16 and 18.
These strains are responsible for 70 percent of cervical
cancer.
“We do see a lot of it here,” and “we do see high risk
(types),” said Buczko. The Student Health Center’s staff
encourages preventative measures to be taken against all
STDs and offers many discounted or free services includ¬
ing pap smears. They also have literature on sexual
health and GARDISIL product information.
On Wednesday, March 28, there was a round robin in
the CC lounge which provided tips and information on all
aspects of student health as well as literature and the
availability of a nurse, knowledgeable about STDs and
HPV. Buczko, in particular, is veiy concerned with the
level of HPV on campus because of the dangers associat-
See ‘Virus’ - Page 3
Orlando Pina/Courier
The vaccine that protects against HPV is now
available at the Student Health Center.
A student lights up in front of the V Building. Students continue to ignore signs throughout campus stat¬
ing that no smoking is allowed within 20 feet of any building.
Smoking Still A Problem
Teresa Mayer
Staff Writer
Students on campus continually walk
in and out of buildings and, as the smell
of cigarette smoke penetrates their nos¬
trils, many wonder: why?
According to state law approved in
2003, smoking is prohibited within 20
feet of any outdoor athletic venue owned
or operated by the District and inside or
outside of any District owned building.
Smoking is also disallowed in any space
where food is being served and inside any
building.
To date, there are no repercussions if a
person is caught smoking within 20 feet
of a building, except a possible reminder
about the state law. The campus police do
not plan to issue tickets for violation of
the non-smoking law.
Police officer Michael Despain gave
advice on how to abide by the rule. “I
don’t think there are enough signs to
expose or advertise that rule that’s out
there. You got buildings that are sur¬
rounding the Quad, but if you are in the
middle of the Quad you are in the safe
zone, so that is probably your best bet.”
“It’s usually the classes on the second
level (that cause the most problems)
because people aren’t going to walk down
stairs and then 20 feet away from the
building to light up,” said cadet Edward
Damas.
Campus police did not cite any smok¬
ing violations in the March 2007 police
log.
On the walls of PCC’s campus build¬
ings there are signs reminding students
that smoking is prohibited within 20 feet
of any building. Yet many students con¬
tinually ignore the mandate, and their
actions do not go unnoticed by others.
“If they want to smoke, they smoke.
They don’t want to go far away from the
building,” said student Kevin Kim. Kim,
who is also a smoker, said he has not been
in trouble for smoking next to a building
on campus.
“I guess it takes one person to start
making a difference, but it seems that
nobody cares,” said student Leticia Guer¬
rero, who was not aware such a mandate
was in place.
Enforcement of the Smoking on Cam¬
pus policy permits members of the cam¬
pus community to remind those breaking
the rules of what they are.
Therefore, not only can staff members
tell smokers to step 20 feet away from a
building, but students can as well.
Opportunity Knocks For Latinos
Christine Calvo
Asst. Arts Editor
The President’s Latino Advisory Committee continues its
tradition of giving Latinos at PCC a chance to better their
future.
The committee gives away annual scholarships to the Lati¬
no students who make an impact in their community and are
still of exceptional students. Initiated in 1999 by PCC Presi¬
dent, James Kossler, the scholarship awards $1,000 to win¬
ners.
Once the eligible students have been decided, they are invit¬
ed to an annual scholarship award breakfast, where they are
presented with their scholarships.
In the past, the committee has found some students who
are extremely passionate about their Latino Heritage. Lan¬
guages instructor and committee member Lola Proano-
Gomez mentioned that past winners have had a passion
which serves as an important factor in considering the win¬
ners for the scholarship.
Previous winners include Nancy Casteneda, Maria Limon,
Mark Davidson, and former AS vice-president Jessie Fuenes.
In regards to the current Latino involvement in the commu¬
nity, Proano-Gomez said “It could be a lot more. We need to
help Latinos succeed, to have Latinos who work and who
study and want to transfer and get a higher education.”
Applications for the scholarships will remain open until
April 23.