Citrus College has new buckets that were newly placed in classrooms. They are full of necessities for students to use the restroom during a lockdown. Therefore, their last option would be to use the restroom outside of their classrooms and first option would be to use the mini porta potties instead.
Business administration major Natalie Romo said that students felt discomfort during the lockdown back in January.
“The school probably should have had them from the beginning to be honest. During the lockdown I heard multiple students had to use the trash can, and they did feel very uncomfortable. It’s best to just be prepared for situations such as that one, and to try and make everyone as comfortable as possible during that time.”
Environmental Health & Safety Programs Supervisor Jeff Eichler said the buckets were purchased from Central Sanitary Supply in Rancho Cucamonga. Interim maintenance supervisor Phil Hawkins said that the buckets are basically mini porta potties and there are 204 of them throughout the campus. His team placed them in every classroom and anywhere that felt was needed.
Undeclared major Carlos I. Gonzalez, who was present during the lockdown incident during winter session, said in an email why he thinks it is also important, as well as rational, to have buckets.
“I believe it would minimize uncomfortable and potentially dangerous scenarios. Having these new buckets would greatly improve the situation in the sense if another lockdown does occur, the school and students are much more prepared. As an old proverb goes: ‘The shrewd one sees the danger and conceals himself.’”
Due to the lockdown back in January, there was complications with students using buckets and trash cans because of the six and a half hour wait for evacuation. Custodians had to clean the aftermath of the mess.
In light of these occurrences, a professor said how being more prepared would be ideal, as well as helpful for situations like lockdowns. Speech professor Tasha VanHorn said she is prepared with water bottles and granola bars. She also said in an email that having these new buckets will reduce stress.
“I’m grateful that Citrus has acted so quickly to purchase these buckets. Anything that helps to make a possible future lockdown less stressful and assist faculty, staff and students to maintain their dignity during an extended lockdown is appreciated.”
The bucket kit consists of toilet paper, hand wipes, cat litter, cleaning gloves, tape, a tarp for privacy, and a bag for waste. “The contents are written on the outside of it. They are a fantastic idea and everyone that had to use or clean up a trash can during the last lockdown understands their importance and probably wishes we had them then. I pray that they never have to be used,” Hawkins said.
