After a morning class at noon, you go to the Student Center between classes to get some work done. As you walk downstairs, you finally find an open place to sit among the crowd. Opening up your laptop, you see out of the corner of your eye a grown man being cradled by who you assume to be his girlfriend, burrowing his face into her lap while also caressing her chest. Get a room (that’s not on campus).

The Mt. SAC student center is the new social center of campus and has many resources such as the cafeteria, a convenience store, study rooms and plenty of chairs and tables to study in between classes. With that being said, some people don’t use this new social space appropriately.

Public displays of affection are a common sight on the first floor as couples seem to think that the student center is their bedroom. Whether it’s cuddling, kissing, massaging, sleeping or anything else potentially vulgar someone has seen it. Although the description of the student center is said to be used to “unwind” the length at which people do so is being taken advantage of.

According to the student center rules and regulations, “Any student engaged in disruptive or inappropriate behavior can and will be instructed to leave and a Misconduct Report will be submitted to the Student Life Office.” This obviously has not been a priority for the school as the student center practically seems to be a brothel during certain times of the day.

Not only do the promiscuous acts of students in the student center distract those trying to get work done but several others go unspoken.

If you’ve ever wanted to go to a petting zoo look no further than the student center. Students have brought bunnies, kittens and who knows what other animals into the student center.

Harmless as a bunny or kitten may be, the student center is sadly not the environment to take them to. Although they may be cute, they are also against school policy. According to AP 3440, Mt. SAC only allows dogs and miniature horses as service animals for those with disabilities. As shocking as it might be — yes, miniature horses.

And just when you think you will have a moment of peace in the student center while heading inside, you are met with people trying to invite you to their religion. The ability to preach and practice a religion differs from the issue at hand; the problem is when you are not interested in participating, and the person is very persistent in getting you to join.

A simple no doesn’t suffice, and then they ask you for your social media or phone number. There is nothing wrong in creating community, but when it falls into the margins of coercion and harassment, it is time to examine these practices.

Among the lovers and missionaries, there are also musicians. Unfortunately, the Student Center has turned into a stage where some play their guitars like an open jam session at the park. This creates another nuisance for those looking to study as a group or alone in a relaxed environment.

The annoying behaviors keep coming like some who play their audio out loud for the whole student center to hear. Whether it’s social media, YouTube, movies or even personal conversations, having your device volume at a level everyone can hear shows no respect to those around you.
Another huge issue is the number of students who decide to claim a spot on the bottom floor or the cafeteria with a plethora of their belongings and then leave for some other adventure.

Claiming a spot then going to the restroom and coming back is one thing but deciding to use these spaces as a personal storage site for their belongings is disrespectful to the students who need to utilize that space for school-related activities.

This article’s goal is not to be the fun police but to shed light on those who would like to be a little less distracted while they try to get their work done.

As college students, respect for others and proper public etiquette should be expected from one another on campus. Although Mt. SAC is a community college rather than a 4-year institution, this doesn’t allow for inappropriate behavior in a public space.

Immaturity and inappropriate behavior shouldn’t be allowed to continue just because school officials aren’t harshly enforcing the rules, but instead just out of respect for others. This isn’t high school anymore.

If you do see something out of the ordinary, someone being harassed or assaulted, notify the campus safety by either texting or calling (909) 274-4555 or by filling out the Unlawful Discrimination Complaint Form.