THE INNER
MUSTANG
JH
masscomm50• spring 2015 • edited and written by brian ratto •one free copy
RISE IN OLDER GENERATION STUDENTS
Many students have walked this campus, students fresh out of high school, some still in high school, and others that have returned to school after time away. “I returned back to school to further my education in nursing,” said Tracy FelzienHaight, 41 “I had two kids and a minimum wage job that wasn’t paying the bills.” Felzien-Haight is currently taking general education classes required before applying to the nursing program. According to a 2014 college report from System 2020, out of the 15,485 Full-Time
Equivalent Students, 22- percent are over the age of 30. These are the students who may have had children at a young age, had to work full time, or for some other reason, did not go to college. “It was hard being a young single mom trying to study and raise two young boys,” said Felzien-Haight. Students like Felzien-Haight have struggled to better themselves through education. Even within the current Delta Collegian staff there are a few returning or continuing students. During an economic
depression where jobs are few and far between, many out of work Americans are returning to school. “Delta has been challenging but slowly I’m making it through all my classes,” said Felzien-Haight. Even I, at 30 years old, had to scale back my educational career to work more hours and help pay the bills at home. After a decade of schooling, I am proud to say that I am graduating this spring, with three associates of arts degrees. “I found myself at a point in my life where I was not very happy and I felt deep in my heart
Delta college increases class offerings since 2012
Over the past five years the College has faced severe budget cuts. However, with the passage of Proposition 30 state funds that were cut have been replaced as reflected in the Full Time Equivalent Students, revenue totals, and the course offerings found in 2013-2014. Prop. 30 increased taxes on earnings over $250,000 for seven years and sales taxes by a quarter cent for four years, to fund schools. Currently the college has increased their class offerings from 3360 in 2012 to 3891 in 2014. Between fall 2009 and 2013 the District experienced an 18-percent reduction in its workforce. The number of employees rose from 1129 in 2009 to 925 in 2013. The employee groups with the greatest reductions were educational administrators and classified support staff. The largest increase was the number of part time faculty members at 47. Delta is still growing the campus, the completion of the Science and Mathematics Center, renovations to the rest of the campus is one step in the right direction.
OLDER GENERATION: chart shows the age of students that attended Delta in the 2013-2014 academic year.
that something needed to change,” said Michele Handley, 50. Handley got out of addiction and back on her feet thanks to the Gospel Center Rescue Mission. “It was there that I
decided to get clean. I had a death in the family and that moment I knew I needed to do something to take care of my kids, so I decided to go back to school,“ said Handley.
Data shows students willing to travel Delta College attracts students from across the San Joaquin County region. Whether students travel a five minute or an hour to get to class, Delta College has a lot to offer students young and old. A majority of the enrollments in 2013-2014 were at the Stockton campus, with 23-percent of all enrollments in internet sections. The percentage of students enrolled in at least one internet section is reflective of where students’ reside. A majority of the internet enrollments were from students living in the Stockton or Lodi-Galt regions.
Some students are from outside the county. “I wanted to meet different people other than my high school classmates,” said Melissa Gonzalez, a Ceres resident attending Delta College. Delta does have a top rate nursing program and music program. The college is also home to one of the one of the most technologically advanced microscopy labs in the country and a renowned Caterpillar Service Technology program. “I do believe that commuting involves commitment and it motivates me to keep doing well in school,” said Gonzalez.
2 STUDENT EXPRESSION: RELIGIOUS CLUBS THE INNER MUSTANG
masscomm50• spring 2015 • edited by brian ratto
EDITORS NOTE: this story was written for the Feb. 20, 2015 issue of thecollegian. Since Club rush is over, students may have noticed there are a wide variety of clubs offered on campus ranging from academic or social, to ethnic or religious. Currently, 35 student run clubs have formed and will be active this semester, and four of them are faith based. Many may think that there is a separation of church and state that does not allow religious clubs on any school campus. Unlike University of the Pacific, a privately funded college, Delta College is publicly funded. This requires Delta to follow all anti-discrimination laws set forth by state and federal governments. The college policy states “the District does not discriminate, and prohibits harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, mental disability, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), medical condition (cancer) or marital status, or sexual orientation.” Thus, the InterClub Council, the student organization that oversees campus clubs, follows this policy and allows the students
to have a wide variety of clubs including religious clubs on campus. Latter Day Student Association, Christians on Campus, Christians United for Israel and InterVarsity are the four active faith based clubs on campus this semester. They are not the only
Christians on Campus holds Christian faith Bible studies for students, faculty and staff. Christians United for Israel is part of a national organization that strives “to inspire Christian student leaders to advocate for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem on college campuses across
clubs based on religion that have been on campus. There have been Muslim and eastern religion based clubs in the recent past. Latter Day Saints Student Association is a Mormon based religious group seeking students that are Mormon or are interested in the Mormon faith.
America,” according to the cufi.org website. InterVarsity is the newest religion based organization to join the list of clubs. “Our Bible studies are a place where anyone can come and study God’s word with us. It is not a place where only Christians come
and talk about the [Holy] Bible. We desire to see spiritual seekers and Christians ask questions about the Bible and grow in what the Bible has to say,” said Andy Miller, a club leader. The club was out during club rush explain to students what they stand for and why they are here. According to intervarsity. org “we believe that when students and faculty are transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, their campus is transformed, and ultimately society as a whole comes to more closely reflect the priorities of the Kingdom of God. That is why we invest ourselves in the lives of students and faculty, wherever they are on their spiritual journey.” As the semester progresses, students can seek out one of these clubs for religious study, just as they can seek out any other club. It is up to each student to decide whether to join any of the secular or religious clubs on campus. Giving the students the ability to join a group of like-minded individuals or to seek information about differing topics provides an educational opportunity and may enhance the college experience overall.
Does religion have a place on a college campus?
3 FINDING ME:
THE INNER MUSTANG
masscomm50• spring 2015 • edited by brian ratto
ALI KATRAZ MICHAELS
In 1999, I came out as gay and started to live my life openly. I would, if asked, tell people I’m gay. I could no longer hide it. I told my mother that year as well, and we have never been closer. She has met a few of my boyfriends over the years and has always been supportive of me. My father and brother, on the other hand, did not like it. My dad started calling me “Tinkerbelle” to annoy me and lashing out with homophobic slurs. My brother didn’t want me around him and, later, his family for fear that I would give them “the gay.” Over the years, with help from my sister-in-law, my brother was convinced that I was not going to pass it on to his family and I was allowed to be around my niece and nephews. The rest of my family did not care that I’m gay, but my maternal grandmother still doesn’t know. After finding myself in the LGBT community and working on being an openly gay proactive member, I came across the world of drag. Drag, according to Merriam-Webster.com, is a male homosexual who dresses as a woman especially for comic or theatrical effect. Drag is more than just dressing up and going out, it’s a way of life. Around 2010 I met a few drag queens and wanted to learn more. I began by working with a friend and learned some history of drag. I started helping out the drag charity known as the Imperial San Joaquin Delta Empire (ISJDE). In 2013, I went out in drag for the first
time. It was a friend’s Halloween party where I won the prize for best costume and my drag persona was born. Throughout 2014, I increased my involvement with the ISJDE and worked with my friends to discover who I wanted to be, in and out of drag. In drag, I go by Ali Katraz Michaels and I am the drag daughter of Krystal Archer Michaels and Matthew Archer Michaels. A drag parent is someone who guides, educates and supports a drag child. Drag families can be big or small and are always growing. Krystal and Matthew are not married to each other. They are a couple forever via their shared reign as Emperor and Empress of the 41st court of the ISJDE. I met and became good friends with Matthew Archer Michaels years before I started doing drag. During his reign as Emperor he became a friend who pushed my limits and challenged me to grow. With his help, and that of his partner David and daughter Shyanne, I became invested more time and energy in the ISJDE. I met Krystal last year and since then she has been a positive force in my life. She is always willing to help me grow in the world of drag and a better person outside the drag community. That is why I chose her to be my drag mother. In addition to drag parents I have many drag siblings one being Annie Depressant Jade Michaels. My drag family does what any family would do; they BECOMING ALI: Going from love, educate, guide and sometimes put male to female takes makeup, jewelry hair and attitude. me in my place.
DRAG HELPING THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY
“Yes, religion should have a place on campus because there should be room for people to believe in something.”
CHRISTINA CHAN, STUDENT
“Yes, it should have a place on a college campus. It only becomes a problem if it’s shoved in people’s faces.”
ALEX BALANOS, STUDENT
“No, I would not bring religion to campus. I am not against religion in general it’s just a sensitive topic.”
VAQAAS KHAN, STUDENT
“No, religion should not be on a college campus because it should not be pushed in your face.”
KRISTEN MAISTERRENA, STUDENT
The Stonewall Rebellion that began in June 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, was the watershed moment in the history of the modern gay and lesbian civil rights movement. Drag queens took part in these fights. Some say that a drag queen threw a shoe and started the riots, but others claim it was a wide variety of factors. I believe that there were drag queens involved, yet I don’t think it was started by a queen. The United States wasn’t
the only place to have LGBTQ+ issues and drag queens. I recently watched a Swiss film called “The Circle” about the Zurich based magazine Der Kreis. The publishers hosted balls and other social events and printed a publication that catered to the LGBTQ+ community. They did this under the nose of the very conservative world at the time. This helped to shape Switzerland into becoming one of
the first countries to allow marriage and LGBTQ+ equality. The more effeminate men, masculine women, and drag queens became targets of the homophobic attacks and drew awareness to the issues around LGBTQ+ equality. They are by no means the only groups that raised awareness for the community, but they were a majority of those targeted. Drag queens, like myself, are usually very outspoken
and very protective. I know that those in my family, the Michaels, will stand up for what is right regardless of gender, sexuality, race or religion. I stand up against homophobic comments and actions. Drag has sparked a fire within me that desires a world with true equality. For me, drag is not just dressing up and partying, it’s a way of life and a way to change the world for the better.
4
THE INNER MUSTANG
masscomm50• spring 2015 • edited by brian ratto
Women out number men regarding college degrees As Delta students prepare for graduation, many would be surprised to know that 62-percent of the graduating class of 2014 was female? A majority of the students enrolled at the Delta College are female, less than 24 years of age, and of Hispanic or White backgrounds. “I think it’s a good thing,” said male student Sande Smith, “there are a lot of misplaced homemakers out there now who are trying to find a way to support the family.” “It shows a strong uprising in the amount of female students seeking higher education,” said former female student Amanda Utterback. According to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, there were 1765 Associate of Arts Degrees, 759 Associate of Science DeMORE ACADEMIC: Chart shows more grees and 497 certificates awarded women were enrolled in Delta College in by Delta in 2014. That is 1565 female students to 959 2013- 2014 academic year
male students that earned a degree. The Department of Education states women are more likely to earn a bachelors degree, and they tend to earn better grades then men. Men tend to question if there is a need or if the cost of college is worth the benefit, resulting in more men heading into the workplace right after high school. While there may be more of a need to attend college with the recent recession hitting a majority of Americans hard, there are theories about why men don’t go to college. One of the most well known theories is the book, The End of Men by Hannah Rosin. The book raises issues about the gender roles and its effects on student views of themselves and their potential. By starting at a young age, keeping college as an option, getting help, taking classes that suit your personal needs men can succeed in college.
Q&A: Delta student talks about college experience The average Delta College student is female younger than 24 years old and either Hispanic or white, according to a 2013-2014 statistical report of the college. Twenty-one year old Student Taylor-Rose Cline is one such student. Cline, a 2012 Lodi High graduate and Lodi Resident has been an active student at Delta for three years. As a member of Delta Pride, an LGBT and ally club on campus, Cline has made life long friends and fought for what she believes in: Equality for all. Spring 2013 will be her last semester. According to Cline taking classes enables you to see the true issues in your life and confront them. Below is a question and answer interview about her experiences here at Delta. Q: What do you think about the majority of degrees earned in 2014 going to women? A: “It’s really empower-
Future Tiger: Taylor-Rose Cline in her few years here at Delta College.
ing for women to have a stronghold in college. [I feel] that it’s good that women feel strong and comfortable to get a degree.” Q: Does this help to shatter the glass ceiling? A:“I don’t think it will. When people enter different careers they are looked down upon. Educa-
tion brings a bond which can help to get around or break-through the proverbial glass ceiling.” Q: Why did you choose to attend Delta College? A: “I came to Delta as an escape from my issues. After applying to four year colleges I looked to see if going away would solve my problems and it would not. I needed to secure myself first, Delta was that place. Staying here I was able to stay in a secure environment and spend less money. I had to learn the balance between a work life, home life and a school life. Q: Where are you going from here? A: “I am going to be transferring to University of the Pacific in the fall semester, majoring in English Literature and sociology. I am still undecided what I want to do for my master, it’s either social work or education. I am staying local because
there is no longer a need to run away from my problems and I have built a life here with my boyfriend, Levi.” Q: What is your career goals and how will being college graduate help you succeed in this endeavor? A: “I feel respect is given to those who have a degree. The degree is more than just a piece of paper, it shows the work and dedication and time you put into it. I can say that Delta has prepared me to work with all personalities and types of people.” Q: What can Delta College do to make itself better? A: “There could be more women’s activism on campus to make a better future for women in education and the world. We are slowly getting more LGBT rights, we as women have also been given more rights. There are still gender stereotypes out there that must be addressed”