I read the article “LBCC provides support for single parents” and I felt the need to respond to the article.
I am a recent student from LBCC I have successfully transfered to UC Merced. As an LBCC student I was an advocate for parenting students. I advocated for the much needed breast feeding facilities with my fellow parenting student Lara Meintjes and the school met us half way with the room that is occasionally available upon request in the health center. It is not promoted and there are no signs. It is in violation of title 9.
As a single parent in LBCC I did not qualify for the care program it is only for students that are parents, that receive cash aid. Many working single parents such as myself do not qualify for the program. EOPS is a great program that I was grateful to have but it is not a program made for parenting students. Children are strictly not allowed to EOPS councilor meetings. I found it difficult to make all 3 of my meetings every semester.
I struggled to get through LBCC as a single parent, with limited recourses, to successfully transfer to a UC. I got through it without the only recourse that is made for students that are parents. I worked full time and I was a full time student. I would just appreciate it if other single parents wouldn’t receive false hope. I feel that it should be clarified that the breast feeding “facility” does not meet title 9, that it is not readily accessible, the care program qualifications should be made clear, and the EOPS program does not put the needs of Parenting student’s first.
Darlene Medrano, Alumni