After a walkout occurred at Skyline on Nov. 23, The Skyline View’s editorial board thought it seemed important to find out what resources students actually have at their disposal to communicate to administration.

The group “Solidarity” is the Skyline student group organization that originally coordinated the walk out. This group is a student organization within the district.

In order to successfully hold a walkout, this group had to sign a form through Student Life that would allow the administration to review the group’s demands for the protest. The administration doesn’t wish to censor the students, but are required to be made aware of what the walkout entailed.

The walkout itself is a drastic step to take just to feel heard on a college campus. And while there are some other, more beurocratic routes to take, they aren’t very clear or easy to use.

The primary outlet students can use is ASSC meetings. Students can attend an ASSC meeting and present any issues or matters concerning them. Student Life considers this way to be more efficient, but many students could run into several problems here.

The meetings are held only once a week, frpm 4 pm to 6 pm. Unfortunately, some students may not be able to make the meeting, due to work and the commonly overloaded schedule of students today. Or they may have to miss a class to attend.

It also doesn’t address immediate and timely concerns that can’t just wait for the next meeting. Are those students issues then pushed aside or can no longer be heard?

The ASSC prides itself on representing skyline students on campus with district issues as well as being a “responsive campus climate that encourages open communication.” But maybe there is room for improvement in allowing students to express issues that impact them, either as an individual or a community.

A simple solution could be the addition of a complaint form that students can get from the main office in building 2, fill out, and return. Including student email or contact information can help administration reach the students and address their complaints more directly.

Alternatively, an online form could be implemented. The goal is to create a first step for students who feel unheard. Walking out of class and making such an active statement should be a last resort, not a first step.