OXNARD : Students Protest, Demand Respect From College Officials

A small group of Oxnard College students demonstrated Friday to demand more respect from school administrators.

Protesting during a campus speech by Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria), the students said college administrators did not listen to their concerns and refused to install condom machines in bathrooms at no expense to the students.

Students also charged that administrators refused to install vending machines to raise money for student government.

The students said they were being harassed by college officials whenever they presented dissenting opinions.

“We wanted to use this opportunity to show we can get organized and that we have some power,” said student senator V.E. Martinez, one of about a half-dozen student government leaders who held placards during O’Connell’s speech.

Oxnard College Vice President Ron Jackson said that officials do not harass students and that student input into college decisions is always solicited and considered.

Jackson said the student government association will not be charged for the condom machine installation, and the vending machines were installed to raise money for the cafeteria.

“The institution makes every effort to get students involved. The vehicle exists, but sometimes we make decisions that don’t please the students,” Jackson said.

O’Connell, who was at the campus to discuss the state budget’s impact on the school and other school-related topics, was not heckled. He welcomed the students and said they had a right to protest.