The college provided students an opportunity to help improve their school, but it’s inconspicuous placing made it so students didn’t know of its existence
Christian Read
Staff Writer
Many students are shocked when they are told that Pierce College has its very own suggestion box. A suggestion box is a small but vital element of a college, giving students an opportunity to let their voice be heard by administration, and affect changes around campus for the good of the college community.
Though it seems shocking that the suggestion box goes almost completely unnoticed, people are less surprised when they discover its location. The suggestion box for Pierce College is a rough, homemade wooden container with a small piece of paper attached to it reading “Suggestion Box” in ordinary font. Until this week, it sat nestled in the corner of the stairwell, not too far from the welcome center in the Cascade building.
Elvira Pritchett works at the welcome center and is familiar with the problems. “Being that a lot of students used to hang out in that area, we placed it there,” she says, “but now that things have changed, we are considering moving it.” Students don’t congregate in the area like they have in past quarters.
Out of a survey taken of students from around campus, an average of 3 out of 4 students were unaware of the box’s existence. One student had heard of the mythical suggestion box, but did not know where it was. Some students were even unknowingly surveyed in front of it. Despite the ignorance of the box, the surveyors had plenty of suggestions to offer.
Many suggestions offered were concerned about adding to parking, to different academic departments, and to the amount of teachers. A few suggestions were very simple yet very brilliant ideas. For example, a few students simply desired that the cafeteria stay open longer, so that evening students could utilize the food and the space offered there, even at night.
Unfortunately, these bright ideas go unnoticed without access to the suggestion box. “I’m hoping that students will take advantage of voicing their comments or concerns,” Pritchett says. Many students have something to say, and the suggestion box is the best way to be heard.
Luckily, the concerns about the hidden box have reached the ears of those who manage it. Plans were recently made to give the box a more ideal home. “We are thinking about moving it up a little bit more in front so that students can see it,” Pritchett says. People would much more likely to contribute their ideas if the box is more easily accessible to them. As a response to the feedback about being unable to voice feedback, the box was moved and is now conveniently located near the entrance, at the Student Ambassador section of the welcome center.
The welcome center is the perfect place for it. Students from all around the campus can always count on the staff behind the counter to help them find any bit of information. The suggestion box needs a home as close to the information hub of Pierce as possible, so that any concerns can be heard by dependable people like Pritchett. “If we hear [an idea] enough, then maybe we can do something about it.”
Although the suggestion box has thus far been nothing but a legend, many students have no concerns to voice and no suggestions to offer. One student praised the diversity of Pierce College, adding that the respectful and non-judgmental environment around the campus is already something to brag about.
No matter what people have to say about Pierce, those voices don’t reach the administrators when the suggestion box is missed by students. Luckily for those voices, the suggestion box has emerged from its hidden home. Students are recommended to keep their eyes out for the fabled suggestion box of Pierce, and to share their greatest ideas in good faith that they will be heard.
