The Collegian - Published March 26, 2021

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Navigating the Year of Uncertainty

Netflix film ‘Moxie’ tackles big issues

The Collegian Th ENTERTAINMENT, PAGE 3

SPECIAL INSERT

Issue 9 • Friday, March 26, 2021 •

LIVE WITH POURZANJANI

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Delta athletics opts in for ‘Spring 2’ sports season

LIVE

BY DAVID VICTOR Sports Editor

BY HANNAH WORKMAN News Editor

On March 22, Delta College President/Superintendent Dr. Omid Pourzanjani hosted his second Instagram Live Q&A session of the semester. Pourzanjani answered questions from students about a variety of topics, including the commencement ceremony being planned for Summer 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 graduates. Pourzanjani confirmed the institution would be proceeding with a virtual commencement ceremony, similar to the commencement ceremony held in May 2020. “I have a brand new Vice President of Student Services [Dr. Lonita Cordova] who’s responsible for commencement,” Pourzanjani said. “She is really trying to come up to speed and run the virtual commencement because that is the sure thing. We are going to do a virtual commencement.” Pourzanjani added that the institution is planning on providing students with free caps, gowns and tassels. More information will be given to students within the following weeks. Pourzanjani said students will be allowed to submit photos and videos to be featured in the virtual commencement ceremony. In addition to the virtual commencement ceremony, Pourzanjani said the institution is considering a drive-through com-

mencement ceremony. “If I can get the resources to take on the project in running a drive-by commencement, certainly we will do that,” Pourzanjani said. “If I can pull that off, that is definitely a goal for me as well.” Another topic addressed by Pourzanjani is free tuition for firsttime, full-time students. In late 2017, Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 19, which waives fees for first-time California community college students for their first academic year. In 2020, Delta College upgraded the program to include free tuition for first-time, full-time students for two academic years. “We’re going to continue doing that, at least this coming year,” Pourzanjani said. Pourzanjani also said the institution is working on a partnership with San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) to provide students with free bus passes when they return to campus. Pourzanjani said his goal is to lower the cost of attending college for students, and encouraged students to not give up on their academic goals despite the challenges that have come with the

PHOTOILLUSTRATION BY HANNAH WORKMAN

President takes to Instagram as a way to answer student questions, engage

pandemic. “The way to get economic mobility is through education,” Pourzanjani said. “I was a community college student, I was low-income and my career certificate in electronics, my AA degree, completely changed my life from a low-income job to a middle-income job.” Pourzanjani encouraged students to consider degrees in fields that are high in-demand to ensure their best chance at employment. “Look for things that can get you jobs quickly,” Pourzanjani said.

See POURZANJANI, page 4

Delta College’s athletics department is moving forward with discussions in hopes of resuming sports competition after opting into the Spring II season. The athletics department opted out of Spring I due to a spike of COVID-19 cases in December, but now it seeks to put its student-athletes back on the playing field by the end of March and beginning of April after a year of competitive inactivity forced by the pandemic. Track and field, swimming and diving, baseball, softball, beach volleyball and men's golf are the teams slated to participate in late-spring competition. However, there is still a possibility Delta may not participate. Director of Athletics Tony Espinoza said the athletics department is still discussing how it will resume activity, and the decision to opt in is helping prolong the discussion. “By opting in we give ourselves more time to continue the conversation regarding our return and allows us for all possible options,” said Espinoza. “It allows us to see what spring sports will look like come the end of March and the beginning of April.” A full-scale return to campus for all teams to practice is still uncertain. The practice start date for Spring II is March 27 and competition is scheduled to begin on April 10, but Espinoza said the athletics program will go through with a return plan based on the perspective of state and local authorities. “The most important part here is that the state moves our county when it is safe to do so,” said Espinoza. “San Joaquin County remains in the purple tier, a return to the red tier will allow us to start the return process for athletics. We look forward to an opportunity to return and work with our athletes on campus.” Student-athletes are eager to compete and are ready to return after a year of remote training. “I’m ready to see if my hard work pays off and excited to see if we get our season,” said Mustangs track and field distance runner Justin

See ATHLETICS, page 4

Vaccinations begin with aim to get more shots to staff in coming weeks BY HANNAH WORKMAN News Editor

Delta College began vaccinating staff on Feb. 23. A vaccination clinic was opened in the Blanchard Gymnasium to employees 50 years of age or older. A total of 139 shots were administered, said Director of Marketing, Communication, and Outreach Alex Breitler. Dr. Phillip Hutcheon, a professor in the English department, was one of the faculty members who received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. “I couldn’t get the Pfizer [vaccine] because my doctor told me that the second round shot for Pfizer has not had many cases of allergic reactions or anything, whereas Moderna has had a little more trouble with the second shot,” Hutcheon said. After much consideration, Hutcheon said he decided to go to Delta College’s vaccination

clinic to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The Moderna vaccine requires two doses given 28 days apart. “It’s very convenient to have it provided to us on campus,” Hutcheon said. Douglas Murray, a professor in the humanities department, also received his first shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Murray said he was excited when he heard that Delta College would be offering employees the vaccine. “It felt like I was going to be able to move forward with some positive to counteract what we were going through,” Murray said. “But then the reality set in of, ‘Oh God, I’ve got to go get in line,’ you know, just the practical aspect.”

READ THE FULL STORY AT DELTACOLLEGIAN.NET

Professor Douglas Murray receives the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, administered by student nurse Jessica Banderuk. PHOTO BY HANNAH WORKMAN

NEXT ISSUE: April 9 • CONTACT US: deltacollegian@gmail.com or (209) 954-5156 • ONE FREE COPY


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