The Hertzberg Davis Forensic Science Center

I was at «The Hertzberg Davis Forensic Science Center» in Los Angeles, CA on Sunday 8÷26÷2012. I was there for one of their «Crime Lab Lectures» which they host in conjunction with LAVA (L.A. Visionaries Association). I’ve been to quite a few of them in the past. This one was by John Leake the author of the book «Cold a Long Time: an Alpine Mystery». It was about the tragic death of Canadian pro hockey player Duncan MacPherson who vanished in August of 1989 and whose body was discovered at the Stubai Glacier, a ski resort near Innsbruck, Austria years later. The case is a facinating one — as have been all the cases that I’ve seen here.

This review is simply for the building that houses the California State University Los Angeles Criminal Justice and Criminalistic department and NOT for the actual program itself.
Yes the building is state of the art. Yes it it «brand new» — 2007?. But it is also lacking in so many awesome student needed necessities.
The «library» doesn’t have any books. Just empty shelves with a few flyers. Some textbooks would be nice, I realize that it is an unguarded and unlocked room but still, even some old «we don’t really care if these get stolen» books or magazines would be nice.
There is a computer lab with several computers, one printer, and one copy machine. The computer room would be great if there was a cash machine so you could add money to your student card — - –you know… like EVERY OTHER computer room on campus has — -, Pretty much you can only use your card to print from the computers, and if your card has no money, 10c a copy, you can either ask another student to use theirs while offering them a quarter, or trek all the way to Salazar hall just to print out two pieces of paper. I’m no engineering major but these cash machines seem pretty simplistic and don’t look as if they’d be too hard to hook up. TECHNICALLY you’re not supposed to eat in the library, but I do it all the time. I’m not an idiot, I won’t eat/​drink at a computer — icky– but the tables in the other separate room honestly serve no purpose to me other than to eat. There are signs up, I’m honestly just waiting for someone to come bitch to me about this so I can unleash my wrath — because as per University rules you’re not supposed to eat IN the classrooms either so where the heck can you eat on a rainy day. .. the floor of the hallway? I DON’T THINK SO!
Besides the one round umbrella’d table out back there are no tables outside for students to sit down and eat. The aforementioned table out back does not pick up the WiFi so it is useless, the door that leads to it automatically locks from the inside so you have to walk around the corner, through the gate, and back around the building to get in, and there is no shade in case you want to sit outside in the glaring sun/​rain.
There is a small store in the building for students and whilst the staff is nice, the store closes before 8pm. That would be okay, besides the fact that NIGHT CLASSES RUN FROM 6PM-​10PM AND BREAKS USUALLY AREN’T UNTIL 8 OR PAST THEN so what exactly are you supposed to do if… I don’t know… you … uhm … GET HUNGRY SOMETIME WITHIN THOSE 4 HOURS? You’re pretty much screwed. You could high tail it to Mcdonalds or Grannys doughnuts, but if you’re only given a ten minute break good luck with that!
Parking is available to students only after 4pm. Don’t park in the lot before then, or you’ll get ticketed. You just have to park on campus, or the surrounding streets, like most of the other students. .. except that everyone else on campus pretty much gets to park — - or at least has the option to — — park relatively close to the building where there classes are.
HDFC leaves A LOT to be desired, and knowing my luck they’ll fix everything the week I graduate.