CLARION citrus college
Wednesday, September 5, 2019
Motorcross racer changes gears
Volume LXXIII Issue1
CAMPUS NEW POLICIES
OUTREACH
Adopted Budget Forum
FACTS
The 2019-2020 Adopted Budget Forum will be presented from 2:45-3:45 p.m. Aug. 29in the Center for Innovation. The forum will discuss a financial summary from the 2018-19 school year, the state budget, Citrus’ budget priorities, the proposed budget, and long-term fiscal considerations.
The Veterans Administration Long Beach Healthcare Hospital will conduct a Suicide Prevention Workshop from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Campus Center. A Citrus College Student Affairs memo said participants will learn how to recognize suicidal tendencies or symptoms of distress. The memo said the workshop teaches questions to ask, how to ask them, and interventions to keep those contemplating suicide safe. Training is open to all college employees, but limited to 30 participants. If interested, the memo says to RSVP to Rosario Garcia at regarcia@citruscollege. edu.
First Offense: Verbal Warning, Second Offense: Written Warning, Third Offense: Referral to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action
THREE PUFFS, YOU MAY NOT PASS
NEW RULES FOR THREE PUFFS, CITRUS SMOKERS IN EFFECTYOU MAY NOT PASS
NEW RULES FOR CITRUS SMOKERS IN EFFECT
NO BUTTS: ABOUT IT INSIDE NO BUTTS:
ABOUT IT INSIDE
Campus Safety Recruits Campus Safety emailed a pamphlet campus-wide saying they are “committed to provide us with high-quality safety and security services that work in partnership with the community through dedicated efforts and innovative programs.” Campus Safety recently hired three new employees with safety, military, or police backgrounds. Campus Safety said their vision is to create trusting and interactive relationships within the community. As described in the pamphlet, Campus Safety intends to keep Citrus’ image as a “safe, desirable and vibrant community.”
Mobile Food Pantry Returns Citrus College will host a mobile food pantry event twice a month on campus at the Campus Center Mall. Basic Needs Coordinator Dunia Valladares said The Campus Center Mall was chosen based on its closeness to the bus stop. The Mobile Food Pantry needs 10-15 volunteers for every event. Students can help by contacting basic needs coordinator, Dunia Valladares. Her email is dvalladares@citruscollege.edu The pantry meets as follows: 9-11 a.m. Sept 10, 1-3 p.m. Sept 30, 9-11 a.m. Oct 10, 1-3 p.m. Oct 21, 9-11 a.m. Nov 13, 1-3 p.m. Nov 26, 9-11 a.m. Dec 4. Citrus College held its District Academic Senate Council on August 23. There were another meeting discussed six year curriculum review due dates for courses. The senate says it was created to participate in the development of educational and professional policy.
Illustration - BEATRICE ALCALA
By: Skye Jensen Ashley Economou contributed to this article Smoking, vaping and all other tobacco products were recently banned from campus on Aug. 19. Campus Safety Supervisor Ben Macias described the repercussions of being caught smoking on campus in an email. Macias referred to the new campus policy regulating tobacco products, AP 3570. “Students reported to Campus Safety as well as students observed by Campus Safety shall be issued the following: First Offense: Verbal Warning, Second Offense: Written Warning,Third Offense: Referral to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action,” Macias said. Dean of Students Maryann Tolano-Leveque will decide the consequences for those who are caught. “There will not be fines, but there will be disciplinary actions,” Tolano-Laveque said. Tolano-Laveque said designated smoking areas have been removed from campus. Smoking is permitted on city sidewalks around the perimeter of campus. “I think it’s a positive thing; it’s a health issue,” Tolano-Laveque said. “I think it is encouraging people to quit.” Despite the ban’s recent enforcement,Tolano-
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Laveque said it is “very rare” to see people smoking. She said students and faculty have been “very respectful” of the ban. One student criticised the rule. “We’re all adults here,” said freshman Britney Milligan. “I think we should do what we want.” Another student, Tatiana Olavarria welcomed the new policy. “I think it’s good,” Olavarria said. “It’s kinda gross smelling all that smoke everywhere.” Olavarria said she had still “seen someone vaping” during the first week of the fall session. The policy has already taken a noticeable effect -- cigarette butts no longer litter the grounds except on some campus sidewalks. Some people were still smoking around the outskirts of campus, near the math building, in parking lots and around the mechanic shops. In the Campus Center Mall, where a majority of students spend their time, smoking has noticeably declined. The Citrus student government passed a resolution in 2016 recommending a ban. Last spring campus governance committees including the Academic Senate, ASCC and the Board of Trustees approved the tobacco ban.
Campus Resources expand with new food pantry Several campus food pantries offer resources to those in need By Bianca Nuñez Students suffering from food insecurity have a new resource in the heart of campus. A new food pantry opened over the summer is in the Campus Center. Dean of Students Maryann Tolano-Leveque and Student Life supervisor Rosario Garcia helped secure donations and space for the pantry in the Campus Center. In 2016, Tolano-Leveque and her team surveyed students. Her team found many Citrus students needed support. “I pulled a group of people together and we decided we were gonna figure out what we need to do to help our students.” Tolano-Leveque said. To access the as much food as needed, ask a Campus Center host to unlock the door and scan a student ID card. Students may visit the new food pantry up to once a week, so budgeting for the week may be required. Food in the pantry currently includes yogurt, oatmeal, cup of noodles, instant meals, frozen meals, and canned goods. Supplies may vary by donation. All the food is donated and regularly restocked. Students can stop by the pantry anytime the Campus Center is open. Mobile food pantries that visit the campus bi-weekly, serve students in need of bigger food quantities. Students may receive up to 30 pounds of food. The trucks can serve up to 250 people. The next mobile food pantry will open from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sept. 10 in the Campus Center Mall. Rachel student worker who has been working at the Campus Center for 3 years now, spoke to me about how important the food pantry can be. “It’s really important to have READ MORE AT since this on campus, especially CCCLARION.COM we’re a community college, most people’s income isn’t that high,” Student food insecurity is
CAMPUS TRANSITIONS TO PAID PRINTING By Vicman Thome and Bianca Nuñez Incoming ASCC President Lilia Alvarez noticed the new printing stations have several drawbacks, but still welcomed the transition to the Wepa system campuswide on June 24. Alvarez said librarians visited the ASCC last spring to demonstrate how much paper was being used by students. “It was a problem, students were printing multiple things, school and non-school related... Printers were getting jammed constantly,” Alvarez said. “It just got to the point, basically, where
it didn’t benefit the school, especially if it’s not being used wisely for all of us.” Over the summer, Citrus College adopted a printing system Wepa which allows students to print from several printers across campus. The Citrus Board of Trustees approved an invoice to Wepa for $100,000 in July. Students now must pay to print documents, unless campus groups they join subsidize the cost. Alvarez said ASCC will still be able to print for free as will EOP&S, CalWorks, Honors Programs, Care, the Veterans Center, Stem Trio and the honors
program. The Wepa system has not delivered ease of use to students familiarizing themselves with the new method. “”I’ve used the printers myself and it’s difficult sometimes,” Alvarez said. “There are some computers, I’ve personally experienced in Student Services, that it won’t pop up a code. So, without the code, you cannot use the Wepa printer to print, so it’s kind of a hassle there.” Campus WEPA printers allow students to print from smartphones or laptops. Before the WEPA system was installed on June 24, students had to log in
to a Citrus network computer then request a print to a campus printer. Students are still learning how to use the new system. “If students are using their cell phones, they’ve come to me with that it’s not uploading on there,” Alvarez said. “I know in the campus center, there are little posters with instructions and things like that, but I feel like there should be more around, especially in the Student Services.” Printing costs 12 cents for a READblack MORE and AT white single-sided
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opinion
Wednesday, September 5, 2019
STUDENTBODYLETTER
PRESIDENTWELCOMEMESSAGE
SUPERINTENDENT
Fall 2019
Welcome Citrus Owls to the 2019 Fall semester. I am excited to start this new academic year with you as your student body president! Our executive board, Vice President Dustin Glover, and I are here to improve your experience in all aspects of campus life. The Associated Students of Citrus College (ASCC) are dedicated to assisting you in your journey of higher education. We are a diverse group of individuals with majors in Business, Biology, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, Communication, and many more. ASCC members are also is involved in many clubs on campus such as LUSA, GSA, PTK, AGS, PSSA, Math Owls, and Student Veterans. We have great resources available to you on campus. If you need help in any subject, tutoring is available at the STEM Center and the Learning Center. The Writing Lab is also available for essays and research papers. The help desk is also available for all to use Monday through Friday. The wonderful library has study rooms available that can be reserved online for groups of two or more. We have the best librarians in the world that are a great resource for your long days of research. There are many programs within the school that benefit a variety of students; such as, Promise, EOP&S, CalWORKs, Stem Trio, Veteran Success Center, and many more. Make sure to check out what is available to you and take advantage of it! After your studying and homework, be sure to check out one of the many clubs we offer on campus! We have a wonderful student life and student life staff. Citrus provides clubs that can fit anyone’s interest and a new campus center to meet with them! If you have an idea for a new club; create it! Make Citrus College your own. It’s your story to write! We always welcome anyone to attend our board meetings. We want to hear from you and any complaints, compliments, or ideas that you have for your school. You can reach us on Tuesdays at 2:40 pm in room CC-111 for Executive Board meetings. Our Campus Activities Board (CAB) meets on Thursdays at 2:40 pm in room CC-104. You can always check the Campus Center for information, and we can’t wait to hear from you! I want to wish everyone a successful, productive, and fun semester! I look forward to seeing everyone on campus and during our many activities throughout the year. Please stop by and say hello whenever you see our booth setup! The ASCC board and I are here to serve you to the best of our abilities. Good luck Owls!
Dear Students, I am delighted to welcome you to the fall 2019 semester! I hope you had an enjoyable summer, and are ready to begin a productive and exciting year that will bring you one step closer to reaching your academic and professional goals. Whether you are a new student attending college for the first time, a returning student seeking new academic opportunities or a continuing student striving to complete your education, there has never been a better time to attend Citrus College. By enrolling this semester, you now have access to innovative academic programs and comprehensive support services that are specifically designed to help you achieve success. Citrus College offers associate degrees in 64 programs of study including 25 associate degrees for transfer. Eighty-nine certificates of achievement and skill awards in career technical education programs, such as cosmetology, vocational nursing and automotive technology, are also available. With so many educational options to choose from, we are confident you will find an area that interests you. Of course, you are not alone on this journey. Thwe college’s faculty and staff are committed to doing all they can to help turn your academic dreams into realities. I encourage you to seek out and take advantage of the many enriching services provided by Citrus College. These include financial aid, tutoring, the Student Equity and Achievement program, the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) program, the Honors program and much more. For a complete list of services, please refer to the online fall class schedule at www.citruscollege.edu/ schedule/fall2019. In the months ahead, Citrus College will continue to enhance the tools it provides to assist you as you advance on the road toward college completion. From the grand re-opening of the modernized Handy Campus Center last May to much greater network bandwidth and enhanced Wi-Fi coverage across our campus, there are signs of our continued progress all around us. My hope is that you will soon discover for yourself that Citrus College in an institution dedicated to excellence. You have joined a community of achievers of which you can be proud. Take advantage of all that Citrus College has to offer and make the most of the months ahead. I wish you a successful and rewarding semester! Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D. Superintendent/President of Citrus College
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Greetings to all, First and foremost, a warm welcome to our incoming and continuing Citrus College students. I am sincerely honored and humbled to be your newly elected Student Trustee. I am one of many student leaders on the Associated Students of Citrus College (ASCC) Executive Board, but my role differs in that I not only represent the students of our school, but also serve as the Student Trustee on the Board of Trustees who serve our school while overseeing our surrounding communities. As a fellow student, I understand that the issues which affect our communities directly affect how we perform in class and that when they are at risk, we are too. I wish to communicate to you all that if there is a need you feel has not yet been addressed, please come forward and bring your concerns to our attention. We on the ASCC Executive Board and the Board of Trustees are aware of several prominent issues students are facing, especially within our food and housing insecure student populations, but the best ideas are brought forth by students facing those challenges. In the flourishing partnership of ASCC with Student Life and Leadership Development, there are many programs, workshops, and resources that have been developed to empower our students. Among them are our Food Pantry, located in the newly renovated Handy Campus Center, and the Mobile Food Pantry which serves our students twice a month in the Campus Center Mall. Please stop by the Handy Campus Center to learn more about these resources. We have also welcomed new workshops including the Dreamer Ally Training, to help student be better advocates for our undocumented peers, and the LGBTQ Ally Training in support of the LGBTQ community. As we gather more feedback from students like you, we hope to develop our current programs and provide many new resources to better serve our student body. The fact is we can do more and should do more so that every student has an equal opportunity to be successful and achieve their associate degree or certificate, to graduate and transfer. As your Student Trustee, my ultimate goal is to make sure your voice is being heard and addressed. However, that voice cannot just come from my ideas and my vision. We all have diverse backgrounds with diverse circumstances that have shaped our lives. Please, if there is any change you wish to see, reach out to me or any of your student leaders through ASCC because one voice may be small, but as a collective force we will be heard. Sincerely, Nancy Gonzalez-Villatoro Student Trustee
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SPOTL
Wednesday, September 5, 2019
MOTROCROSS
HARRIS RIDES AGAIN
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Freshman motocross racer changes gears to focus on degree By Ada Gomez Trauma victims often mark time by its relationship to a life changing event. After a near-fatal crash, doctors told an incoming Citrus freshman he would never ride motorcycles again. On the anniversary of a paralyzing accident at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, Al Harris got back on his bike. His parents took him out to the desert.The ride was Harris’ one year recovery goal. “It was really fun,” Harris said. “Really fun.” In motocross racing, crashes are expected. When Harris flew over the handlebars, his mother didn’t know it was a big deal. Peggy Harris said she saw her son fall so many times, the crash didn’t shock her. “Oh ouch, that’s gotta hurt, but he’s gonna get up right now,” Peggy Harris said. But, he didn’t get up. “He’s gonna get up, he’s gonna get up.” When she ran to him, she said Al Harris shouted, “’I can’t feel anything.’” Al Harris was in surgery for six hours. “He shattered his cervical vertebrae,” Peggy Harris said. Cervical vertebrae are in the neck, below the skull. They consist of seven vertebrae and eight nerves, and they are all responsible for several different body functions. “When I first got hurt I had a lot of smoothies, because I couldn’t swallow food,” Harris said. Over half of Al Harris’ vertebrae were shattered. He was paralyzed from the nipple down. His mother said he has a fighting spirit and follows all of the doctor’s orders. “He knows this is his life right now,’’ Peggy Harris said.
Al Harris said he is excited to attend Citrus College. He is taking two classes this fall in kinesiology and health. He also goes to physical therapy five days a week. For now, he says he is majoring in kinesiology. Harris’s plan before the accident was to continue riding before attending college. His plans changed. Peggy Harris said her whole family had to adjust to living with Al’s disability. The restroom had to be refitted to accommodate him. Now he owns a bed that reclines so it’s easier to get out of. His mother said Harris’ older sister, his father, and his friends in Claremont are all part of Harris’ large support system. His friends come over once a week to play video games and watch TV. “They never make him feel left out,” Peggy Harris said. “If they’re going out, they come pick him up.” To practice riding again, Harris started on a bicycle. He got on a bicycle again on April 23 -- his 18th birthday. He said he was excited and rode up and down in his neighborhood a couple of times. The day marked 15 years since he began riding a motorcycle at age 3. He said his next goal is to use his walker less and drive a car again. Harris has his learner’s permit and was about to get his license before the accident happened. Before his accident, when he was done racing, he wanted to train other riders. The Glen Helen accident happened during Harris’ his first professional race for prize money. Entry into a professional race requires a skill level assessed by gaining professional skills points. Points are awarded for a rider’s judgment in a
race. Professionals make it on TV when they accumulate enough “pro points.” Harris waited over a decade for his TV debut, but his goals changed after the crash. Next he wanted to walk in graduation. The former racer said going back to high school his senior year, after the accident was a strange experience. “It was different and took adjusting,” Harris said. Walking on stage for his diploma was his next goal. Harris missed every high school dance except prom because he was in the hospital. After his daily therapy, Harris’ teachers would visit him at his home close to Claremont High School. He’d get dropped off every morning and picked up by his sister, Shannon, or father, Ken, who would take him to therapy. He left school during lunch because therapy was at 1pm. Harris raised himself from his wheelchair to a walker and up a ramp to receive his diploma on June 14.. Citrus was the first place his family said he should attend after graduation. Peggy Harris graduated from Citrus too. Even though he says therapy is difficult, Harris said he hopes to continue while earning his degree. “Some of the workouts are really hard,” Harris said. “Walking without a walker is hard to balance.” But Harris said he could not move anything after the accident “It could be worse,” Harris said. He also receives swimming therapy once a week. Some things are harder in the water. When he is in the 7-foot deep end, Harris swims with two pool noodles so he does not sink. “Never give up,” Harris said with a smile. “It could always be worse. Be happy.”
LIGHT
Wednesday, September 5, 2019
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WINTER 2020
COSTA RICA JAN. 12 – FEB. 7, 2020
Enroll in CSU/UC transferable credits this winter!
STUDY ABROAD WORK TOWARD YOUR DEGREE OVERSEAS! Visit www.citruscollege.edu/studyabroad for up-to-date program information and meeting dates.
SPRING 2020
SEVILLE, SPAIN FEB. 21 – MAY 16, 2020
Enroll in a full semester of CSU/UC courses!
opinion
Wednesday, September 5, 2019
LOCKDOWN AT SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL: Parents react to news of a shooter on their children’s campus By: Felise Alaichamy Staff Reporter I received a message -something no parent wants to hear from their child, a couple hours after I dropped off at San Dimas High School "We're having an actual lockdown rn," my daughter texted. My heart stopped, and dread washed over me. I reminded myself to sound calm as I texted her back to find out more about the situation. Plus, I know my daughter is level-headed and responsible. I trust her to do the right thing in an emergency. San Dimas High School French teacher Robert Ruh confirmed the students knew what to do. “(Students) knew the protocols and immediately went into action. They were silent as church mice, listened for directions, followed those directions, and took the situation seriously,” Ruh said. He explained that although more than 90 students hid in a 30-person classroom during the lockdown, the students helped each other “feel safe and comfortable.” When students sat on the floor in their classrooms with the doors locked, they were told someone brought a firearm to school in a backpack. Another parent of students at both theSan Dimas High School and Lone Hill Middle School, Atousa Mazandarani said she remembers being at Trader Joes that morning. “I saw deputies going from classroom to classroom, with guns drawn, checking backpacks,” Mazadarani said. She heard a helicopter hovering over the high school and middle school. She drove to the high school to investigate. She also began receiving texts from her children at both schools. Lone Hill Middle School was also set to lockdown due to its proximity to the high school. Thereafter, my middle school son said he was stuck in his first period classroom, not knowing the reason for the lockdown. Mazandarani’s son in middle school student hid in a storage room. Thirty minutes later, the police checked my daughter’s classroom to confirm everyone was safe. They continued clearing rooms, checking on the students and teachers. An hour and a half after every room was checked, the students and teachers were allowed outside. Mazandarani waited outside the school with KTLA News 5 and concerned parents. The next update she received was when the campus police search finished. “(Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies) came out with the principal of San Dimas High School and announced that the campus was safe,” Mazadarani said. Parents received an email later
that afternoon from the district superintendent with more details. A student called 911 reporting that someone on the basketball court had a firearm. The police notified the school and the school called a lockdown. However, the call was a prank by a student. No one brought a firearm on campus. To know the call was a false alarm was a relief. Students, teachers and staff were not in danger. The police and the school's immediate response was also reassuring. Students were prepared for the emergency. Parents raised in the 80s knew only fire drills, tornado drills, and earthquake drills. Now, students also must practice lockdown drills. The schools and teachers had prepared the students well. Not only was a lockdown procedure in place, but the students knew what they had to do in the event of a lockdown. Of course, students and children should not have to learn how to handle an active shooter or go through lockdown drills, but I am glad that teachers are preparing their students to handle the worse case scenario. Ruh praised the students in his classroom. “I could not have been more impressed and proud of this group of young people who understood immediately the seriousness of the situation and demonstrated maturity, care and compassion,” Ruh said. Parents said they were proud of those in charge. “(They handled it) very, very nicely. I’m very appreciative of the deputies, the staff and the teachers and the principals at both schools,” Mazandarani said. After the initial relief faded, a deeper unease remains.
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Campus Center today!
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CAMPUS RETAIL SERVICES
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Art & Coffee Bar Mon-Thu: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Fri: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. www.owlbookshop.com
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Box Office Robert D. Haugh Performing Arts Center Citrus Little Theatre www.haughpac.com
Cashier Discounted tickets to movies and local attractions www.citruscollege.edu/stdntsrv
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The Range at Citrus Mon-Sat: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sun: Closed www.citruscollege.edu/golf
Vending Machine
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Owl Bookshop Mon-Thu: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fri: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. www.owlbookshop.com
CC
Owl Café & Grill (lower floor) Mon-Thu: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fri: Catering only www.citruscollege.edu/stdntsrv/owlcafe Owl’s Nest Food Truck Mon-Thu: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (near PC)
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Cosmetology/Esthetician Services The SPA at Citrus Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For appointments, call 626-335-1234 www.owlbookshop.com
Supporting Campus Retail Services Supports Students!