The Collegian - Published Feb. 19, 2021

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TikTok recipes gain traction online

‘Blindspotting’ explores racial issues

The Collegian ENTERTAINMENT, PAGE 6

FEATURE, PAGE 5

Issue 8 • Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 •

deltacollegian.net

/deltacollegian

Delta College now a COVID-19 testing location BY HANNAH WORKMAN News Editor

Delta College is now offering COVID-19 testing to anyone from the general public, made possible through a partnership with San Joaquin County Public Health and HRSupport. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Delta College and

HRSupport states the term of the agreement began on Feb. 8 and will continue through Aug. 8. Testing, which began on Feb. 16, will be available from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The tests will be conducted in the Shima 1 and Shima 2 parking lots. Drive-thru testing is in Shima 2. Walk-up testing is

in Shima 1. Both sites are near the main parking lot entrance. The service is free for those who bring a valid form of identification. Results can be expected in less than five business days. “Personally, I think it’s awesome,” student Michelle Quinones said. “Testing is a vital part in keeping this virus from spreading so quickly. I am all for as many testing sites

as possible, including at Delta College.” According to SJReady.org, there are fixed testing sites in Stockton at Chavez High School, Edison High School, Franklin High School, Stagg High School, Hong Kingston Elementary School, Eastland Plaza, Old Courthouse Plaza, SJC Human Services Agency and San Joaquin General Clinics.

Other locations pop up throughout the area as well. As of Feb. 12, there are 164 patients who have been hospitalized with COVID-19 and ICUs are at 106 percent capacity in San Joaquin County, based on data provided by the City of Stockton. In addition to providing free COVID-19 testing,

See TESTING, page 8

Spring 2021 virtual commencement ceremony planned

FILLING IN THE BLANKS?

BY HANNAH WORKMAN

COLLEGIAN PHOTOILLUSTRATION

News Editor

With UC, CSU decisions made for a return to campus in the fall semester, the California Community College chancellor puts questions of reopening to individual campuses BY DOMINIQUE WILLIAMS Editor in Chief

With San Joaquin County COVID-19 case numbers totaling 65,359 with 2,936 active cases, University of California (UC), California State University (CSU) and California Community College chancellor’s offices are making decisions regarding on-campus classes resuming in the fall semester. UC is planning to return to primarily in-person instruction systemwide in Fall 2021, according to a Jan. 11 statement from the Office of the President. UC President Michael V. Drake said as the university continues to monitor the evolution of the pandemic, the system is also carefully planning a safe return to in-person classes.

“Current forecasts give us hope that in the fall our students can enjoy a more normal on-campus experience,” Drake said. Classes at CSU campuses are also projected to be on campus. In December, CSU Chancellor Joseph I. Castro said that the system was approaching planning for the fall term with the goal of having the majority of its on-campus experiences returning. “This decision comes at a good time as high school and transfer students have until December 15 to complete their applications for fall admission,” said Castro, who officially became chancellor on Jan. 4. With admission applications now closed for CSUs and UCs, high school seniors moving on to

higher education who didn’t apply will have to either wait for Spring 2022 admission applications to open or apply to a community college, where applications are still open. The question of whether on-campus community college courses will restart in the fall remains as the Community College Chancellor’s Office monitors public health officials’ statements of safety regarding school reopenings. California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley said systemwide questions have been asked about plans for reopening. “I know this remains a very fluid situation because as you can tell over the last several months things

See RETURN, page 8

In a campus-wide email sent on Feb. 10, Delta College announced it will hold a virtual commencement ceremony for Summer 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 graduates. The decision was made due to the high number of COVID-19 cases in the region, according to the email. “We know this probably isn’t what you were hoping to hear,” the email said. “We wish we could gather with you and your family to celebrate your accomplishments in person. But your health and safety come first.” The announcement comes as a disappointment to many students. Students in the San Joaquin Delta College public Facebook group responded to a post where the information was reiterated. “I am not ready for a virtual commencement ceremony,” student Saira Naz said. “Imagining myself walking on that stage was my encouragement all the time when I was ready to give up.” Student Lorina Sanchez-Garduño shared similar sentiments. “I kept imagining myself walking while my husband and daughters cheered me on,” Sanchez-Garduño said. “I wish they would still do one but in shifts, with very small groups over a two-week period at different days and times.” Delta College alumna Alondra Haole graduated in 2020. She attended the last virtual Commencement ceremony. “It definitely wasn’t as exciting as I would have hoped,” Haole said. “I felt like my accomplishment was under-celebrated. It was disappointing, but I tell myself that I was able to hold on in a pandemic and everything that came with it, and still graduate with honors.” Although she was disappointed, Haole said she tried to look at the bigger picture. “There are far more important things going on and I can sacrifice the ability to walk to help keep people safe and healthy,” Haole said. “That doesn’t mean it didn’t suck to not walk, but I just try to put it into perspective.” The Delta College post on Instagram informing students of the news was met with one user commenting that it’s “bittersweet.” Vivienne Aguilar, a 2020 graduate, spent her last few months at Delta College in online

See VIRTUAL, page 8

NEXT ISSUE: March 26 • CONTACT US: deltacollegian@gmail.com or (209) 954-5156 • ONE FREE COPY


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