LMC Experience Vol. 93 No. 1 - Fall 2020

Trustee race in Ward 2

Halloween spirit on campus

New Play Festival 2020

Greg Enholm and Fernando Sandoval faced off for a position on the district Governing Board — page 3

Members of the Los Medanos College community decorated their cars for the Trick-Your-Ride event — page 5

Nick Garcia and his students put together an improv show despite the pandemic — page 7

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No confidence in Governing Board

Senates pass resolution

By WESTON HOPKINS

Posted online Oct. 12, 2020

Weston Hopkins • Experience

The District Governing Board members during a Zoom meeting held Aug. 25, 2020.

The Los Medanos College Academic Senate and Classified Senate have each passed a resolution of no confidence in the Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board that oversees the three district colleges.

Their decisions in late September followed action that had already been taken by the Classified and Academic Senates of Diablo Valley College. The presidents of DVC’s senates attended the Sept. 28 LMC academic senate meeting to explain the reasoning behind the joint resolution their governing bodies passed Sept. 22 and to urge LMC to do the same.

“It’s been something crazy that I’ve never seen in my almost 20 years in the district,” said DVC Classified Senate President Marisa Greenberg.

The resolution acknowledges the anonymous accusations of ethics violations against trustees Greg Enholm and Vicki Gordon, the shock at the decisions not to extend contracts for several members of upper management at the district office, and the lack of unity among the governing board members.

“They’re no longer making their decisions based on the best interest of the district and our colleges,” said DVC Academic Senate President John Freytag.

Both Enholm and Gordon had anonymous complaints made against them in 2019. The complaints against trustee Gordon involved financial conflict of interest and a “pay for performance” raise for former Chancellor Fred Wood without doing an annual evaluation, though the first allegation was sustained by the investigation and the second allegation See BOARD, page 10

Reece brings valuable wisdom

By ELIZABETH McLAURIN Posted online Dec. 10, 2020

Continuing to build on an already robust career spanning multiple positions within the community college realm, Bryan Reece has taken the reins of the Contra Costa Community District as its new permanent chancellor.

Reece began his journey as a political science major at the University of Southern California, a degree that felt like a natural fit to his upbringing where social issues being discussed at the family dinner table was the norm, but also one that offered many career opBryan Reece tions.

“When I got into a social science class, it just clicked,” he said. “I looked at all the social sciences and political science is the one you can do the most with. You can become a journalist, go to law school, you can go into public relations, you can teach, a lot of directions you can go.”

Reece’s love of political science eventually took him

See NEW, page 10

Jesus Chico • Experience

Judy Walters and Fernando Sandoval each won their race over incumbents Greg Enholm and Vicki Gordon to join the Governing Board.

Challengers win seats on board

By ELIZABETH McLAURIN Posted online Nov. 17, 2020

Voters have elected two new trustees to serve on the five-member Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board. Both challengers for the seats, Judy Walters and Fernando Sandoval, emerged triumphant, ousting two-term incumbents Vicki Gordon and Greg Enholm.

While the election results aren’t officially certified until Nov. 30, both Sandoval and Walters hold commanding leads. To date, Sandoval is ahead by 9,704 votes in Ward 5 and Walters by 14,897 votes in Ward 2.

Sandoval, who ran against Enholm four years ago and lost, said announcing his intention to run much sooner helped bring more attention to his campaign. He also expressed gratitude for his many supporters, who he credited for his win.

“The key to success for my campaign was the support of the community,” he said. “I had 50 endorsements from educators, community leaders and the community college faculty who wanted change and to represent their voices for the future.”

After being encouraged to run for the Ward 2 seat, Walters said part of her campaign’s success was that the district was looking for fresh leadership and also acknowledged the impact of student reporting and faculty support.

“First of all, I think people were ready for a change,” she said. “I’m thrilled with the turnout and how supportive the students and the faculty have been.”

Although Sandoval and Walters will not be sworn in until Dec. 11, both have started preparing for the transition by speaking with board President

Rebecca Barrett and reviewing previous board meetings, board policies, and trustee roles and responsibilities. They’ve also begun organizing plans for the priorities they campaigned on, both highlighting the pandemic as a key issue.

“We are facing critical challenges due to the COVID-19 health crisis and our colleges have had to develop unprecedented ways to educate students and to ensure our district remains solvent,” said Sandoval. “We need to continue to plan to adapt our strategies so that we are ensuring educational excellence and equity as we account for the impacts.”

Echoing these sentiments was Walters, saying that although COVID presents many challenges, she’s determined to work with her fellow trustees to address them.

See WIN, page 9

College receives high praise from accreditors

By ROYA MOHAMMAD and ANDREW GUITRON

Posted online Oct. 13, 2020

Weston Hopkins • Experience

LMC President Bob Kratochvil and the Accreditation Team during the Oct. 8 Exit Report meeting.

Following a two-year process of self-evaluation, a visiting team from the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges praisevvd Los Medanos College in its Exit Report Thursday, Oct. 8 for its commitment to providing a quality educational experience for students.

“The team would like to highlight the college for its robust offerings of profession-

al development opportunities in suppor t of its mission, vision, values, and strategic initiatives based on the use of data throughout the college processes including equity centered practices,” said Peer Review Team Chair Debra Daniel during the Zoom meeting finalizing the accrediting commission’s official remote campus visit that began Oct. 5.

In addition, the team acknowledged LMC’s suc-

See TEAM, page 10

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“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”

— Robert Frost

Bianca Arechiga

Dante Harrold

GUEST COLUMN

HOPEFULLY USEFUL

Don’t let stress weigh you down

Leaders let down American people

Realizing the potential of COVID-19 to rapidly spread, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. This was followed up by the United States issuing its own response and declaring a national emergency two days later. The response propelled us into quarantine, perpetuating feelings of anxiety, isolation and depression for many individuals.

The three biggest stressors of this pandemic are the shelter-in-place order, social distancing requirements and the uncertainty over what might happen in the future. Our lives have been turned upside down and we are expected to adapt instantly to ongoing changes. The Kaiser Family Foundation released a tracking poll revealing that 53% of American adults believe the pandemic is taking a toll on their mental health. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 36% of Americans report that COVID-related worry is interfering with their sleep.

Eighteen percent say they’re easily losing their tempers and 32% say it has made them overeat or undereat.

We always face uncertainty regarding the future, especially now. The pandemic has prompted concerns over physical and mental health, the economy, employment, education, finances and personal relationships. Psychologically human beings crave security, and uncertainty can leave you stressed about how everything will play out. Individuals can vary in their tolerance to stress, but it is important to realize that no matter how anxious, overwhelmed and hopeless you feel, you are not alone.

It’s important to try and let go of those what-if thoughts running through our minds.

They are simply a result of trying to cope with unexpected stress. A lot of our current uncertainty is self-generated, but it can be generated through external sources as well.

Reading media stories that focus on worstcase scenarios or spending time on media sites that pedal rumors and false-truths can bring about stress and anxiety. Even communicating with other anxious people can trigger irrational fear. Remember how everyone started buying loads of toilet paper because they saw so many people buying it?

Witnessing that kind of stress can contribute to our own. Once we’re able to recognize our triggers we can avoid putting ourselves in stressful situations and shift our attention and focus to solvable problems.

It is easy to dwell on what has been lost and feel as if we can’t do anything anymore.

However, it’s important to remind ourselves that being in quarantine doesn’t have to be all bad. In fact, the additional time is a great opportunity to try new hobbies you couldn’t before. Living in the digital age also provides some reprieve, creating a space for online communities and ensuring that social distancing does not mean complete social isolation. Using our phones and devices to text message and video call keeps us connected to others while maintaining safe social distance.

So, play a video game online. Download Duolingo. Binge watch the Twilight Saga.

Being at home is a perfect time to dust off old cookbooks. There are lots of exercises that can be done and still adhere to social distancing requirements, and exercising regularly is known to boost your immune system as well as improve your mood.

In this time of quarantine, finding positivity and making the best of each situation will help keep us from being overwhelmed by stress. We have no idea what the future of the pandemic holds but that doesn’t mean we should be living in constant fear, we don’t have to be scared. We can use this time to better ourselves and prepare for the days when life can once again be lived without fear of infection and spread.

The coronavirus pandemic has shown the need to rely on science rather than dogma in times of medical crisis. We should acknowledge there must be a degree of sacrifice in terms of small comforts to preserve the public’s welfare.

Over the course of the pandemic hundreds of thousands have died due to complications from COVID-19 in the United States.

Worldwide the death toll is over a million.

The U.S. is not even 5% of the world’s population yet disproportionately make up those who’ve died.

This did not need to happen. If more people in government pressed the need for social distancing, things might be different. If masks were not demonized as hampering an individual’s autonomy, things might be different. If people weren’t misled about the deadliness of the virus and more leaders followed the restrictions, things might be different.

I am not laying the blame of all this at one person’s feet. There have been Republicans and Democrats in office who’ve failed in their response to the pandemic. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, for instance, downplayed the deadliness as being little worse than the flu while cases started to spring up in New York.

President Donald Trump admitted on tape that he had purposely downplayed the deadliness of the virus. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi went to a hair salon.

America’s leadership has failed. And as a result so many Americans have been lost.

This could have been avoided.

There have been countries whose example they could have followed from the beginning of this pandemic that has brutalized our nation, particularly in East Asia. Japan, for example, has reported only a couple thousand deaths during the entire pandemic. They didn’t even have to go through a lockdown. Their citizens did the simple things those in the U.S. could have done to avoid catastrophe. They socially distanced. They wore masks. They treated the virus seriously.

In America the mere idea of wearing a mask has become so divisive it’s become a reasonable measure to judge someone’s political leanings in many places. Our economy had to be shut down, wrecking it. Japan has lost lives and had some people suffer, but not to the extent of it being an absolute horror show like here in the U.S. They listened to the science that laid out quite clearly what we needed to do to avoid needless death and suffering.

Social-distance and wear masks. Simple things that would have saved hundreds of thousands of American lives.

New Zealand followed a path similar to Japan, as did South Korea. Our performance has been terrible. We as a nation need to do better in the future, God forbid we face another virus as debilitating as COVID-19.

Vaccines for it have been developed that look to be able to put an end to the pandemic, but a virus like this one may come again. We need to remember all the people who needlessly died.

I empathize with the frustration of so many people in having to do these things.

I want to be able to meet up with friends, to have fun like I used to.

But these precautions, although simple, are critical. And if followed diligently, so many more lives would have been saved.

We need to remember all the steps we as a country could have taken to prevent all the death, all the misery, and all the heartache not following the science has caused. We cannot forget the harsh lessons COVID-19 has taught us.

Because we could do better. We must do better.

Posted online Dec. 21, 2020

Posted online Oct. 8 2020

Weston Hopkins • Experience

Editorial

RBG legacy deserves better Posted online Oct. 26, 2020

T

he United States Senate will vote to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett Oct. 26 to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated upon Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death Sept. 18.

We object.

The vote takes place under the watchful eye and tactical expertise of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The move is a complete turnaround of his stance four years ago, when he maneuvered to block then President Barack Obama’s nominee Merrick Garland, from receiving a vote in the Senate. His reason was that Supreme Court nominations should not be made during an election year.

That strategy proved successful: Garland does not sit on the Supreme Court. And so too has the reversal proved fruitful: McConnell has been able to gather the votes needed to confirm Barrett.

It cannot be overstated that when Barrett is confirmed, a drastic shift will befall the Supreme Court as Barrett and Ginsburg have vastly different interpretations of the Constitution that have guided their judicial rulings. Where Ginsburg saw the document as “living,” something that could adapt and grow with society, Barrett sees the document as an original text, to be read only in the eyes of the founders who wrote it more than 200 years ago. Both the nomination of a judicial opposite and the rushed, hypocritical jockeying of McConnell to fill her seat, not only dishonors the late Justice Ginsburg, it demeans the American public and degrades the legitimacy of our governmental institutions.

Ginsburg deserved better than McConnell’s announcement that he would vote to fill her seat a mere two hours after news broke of her death. She deserved better than the immediate strategizing of conservative judicial organizations lobbying their hand-picked replacements. And she deserved better than the rapid careening her legacy as a lifetime champion of equal rights took toward the single issue of abortion.

Ginsburg was not a single-issue jurist who dedicated her life to abortion advocacy and to reduce her career to such narrow confines, diminishes her contributions to the field of law and her dedication toward defending the rights of every man, woman and child. Such misconceptions are a great disservice to a judge who was not only a champion of women’s rights, but a champion for everyone who found themselves unfairly discriminated against by a Constitution whose own language promised equality, due process, and equal protection under the law.

Just as she didn’t believe that the Constitution should be manipulated to enact laws that limited and restricted the opportunities of women solely because of their gender, the same held true for men. In an interview, she once stated, “I think that men and women, shoulder to shoulder, will work together to make this a better world. Just as I don’t think that men are the superior sex, neither do I think women are. I think that it is great that we are beginning to use the talents of all of the people, in all walks of life, and that we no longer have the closed doors that we once had.”

It’s accurate to say that Ginsburg was a staunch defender of reproductive rights and a woman’s right to choose and sadly, this intricate and more full-scale advocation gets wrapped up in the rigid and compressed narratives surrounding abortion.

Within these narratives, the right to choose is typically framed as a single option: the choice to terminate a pregnancy.

But this willfully ignores that choosing to proceed with a pregnancy and to have a child, is just as equally a choice. RBG was an advocate for choice, no matter which choice was made, and to deny a woman the right to choose, to have autonomy over her own body and to have access to safe and affordable healthcare, was antithetical to the values and rights written into the Constitution.

During her confirmation hearings before the Senate in 1993, RBG spoke of this issue; “The decision whether or not to bear a child is central to a woman’s life, to her well-being and dignity. When the government controls that decision for her, she is treated as less than a full adult human responsible for her own choices.”

Taking RBG’s defense of a woman’s right to choose and making it about abortion is a calculated decision by those determined to see Roe v. Wade overturned. More concerning is that the topic of abortion is used as a sort of campaign hype machine to secure votes from those who are sincerely pro right-to-life, even at the cost of infringement to other rights. The pace at which President Trump and Senate Republicans have moved to confirm RBG’s replacement on the nation’s highest court is reprehensible and a slap in the face to her history and legacy.

To the hasty nomination and vote to appoint Amy Coney Barrett and to the disingenuous and deceptive explanations that followed: We dissent.

Editor’s NotE This digital print edition of the Los Medanos College student newspaper is a compilation of stories posted to the online news site lmcexperience.com during the fall 2020 semester.

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Experience staff expresses Thanksgiving wishes P

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Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

“Were it left for me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”

— Thomas Jefferson

FALL 2020 Editor-in-Chief ..................... WESTON HOPKINS Managing Editor........... ELIZABETH McLAURIN Graphics & Web Editor.................JESUS CHICO Copy Editor ........................ ROYA MOHAMMAD

“I’d rather be sacrificing one Thanksgiving than being infected with COVID and never having a Thanksgiving with my friends and family again.”

— Roya Mohammad

“This year will be very different... and I’m okay with that because I feel strongly about doing my part to limit the spread of COVID. “ — Elizabeth McLaurin

“COVID sucks, but it’s extremely important that everybody be as safe as possible, so that next year Thanksgiving can be normal.”

— Weston Hopkins

“Despite the circumstances, we will try to connect and be thankful for what we have.”

— Jesus Chico

“What Thanksgiving means to me is just being thankful that me and my family got through the year healthy and safe.”

— Andrew Guitron

SPRING 2021 Editor-in-Chief ..................... WESTON HOPKINS Perspectives Editor................. SARINA GROSSI Features Editor......................DYLAN DAVIDSON Arts Editor...................................BAILEE LEWIS The LMC Experience is published Fridays by students in the Journalism Program. The newspaper serves both as a laboratory for journalism classes and as a First Amendment forum for campus communication. Opinions expressed in the Experience are solely those of the students and do not represent the views of the college.

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“Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.”

— Charles Swindoll

Battle for the Governing Board

Repeat matchup in race for trustee

By ELIZABETH McLAURIN Posted online Oct. 11, 2020

In a replay of the 2016 election, voters will again have the opportunity Nov. 3 to decide between incumbent Greg Enholm and challenger Fernando Sandoval in the race for the Ward 5 trustee to serve on the Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board.

Four years ago Enholm had just finished his first term and Sandoval was running in his first-ever election. Today, Enholm has another term of service under his belt and Sandoval has shaken the dust off his rookie campaign. Both candidates reflected on this.

“With my eight years of experience, I know what’s possible,” said Enholm. “I can distinguish with what would be pie-in-the-sky, not achievable, and what is actually possible.”

While Enholm has been touting his experience, Sandoval has been reaching out to voters and promoting his See WARD 5, page 11

Two challengers against incumbent for Ward 2

By ELIZABETH McLAURIN Posted online Oct. 17, 2020

In what’s shaping up to be a tight race, Ward 2 voters will choose this Election Day among three candidates — an incumbent, a former district college president and a former Diablo Valley College student — for a spot as trustee on the Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board.

After running unchallenged in 2016, two-term incumbent Vicki Gordon is facing her most experienced competition yet in former DVC President Judy Walters, who’s received notable endorsements

from the United Faculty and the Contra Costa Labor Council. Also running is former DVC student John Michaelson.

Walters has an extensive administrative work history in California. Before serving as president at DVC, she first held the role at Berkeley City College. Recently she’s held positions as interim chancellor for the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District, and interim president at both Woodland Community College and Yuba College.

While still at Yuba, Walters was approached by a few contacts from the district colleges who

wanted her to run for the Ward 2 seat. After giving it serious thought, she reached back out and was met with enthusiasm.

“I said OK, I’m seriously thinking about running, what do you guys think? And they said yes, we need you and this is perfect for you. It was just overwhelming support,” said Walters.

Gordon is a well-known figure within Contra Costa County education circles. Growing up in the East Bay, she attended area schools and after college, started teaching in the district. In I997, she See WARD 2, page 11

Bookstore worked hard Challenge to keep up with orders

By ELIZABETH McLAURIN Posted online Sept. 1, 2020

Graphic from Jesus Chico

District got a leader Bryan Reece new chancellor

By ELIZABETH McLAURIN Posted online Sept. 25, 2020

After a final closed-door interview Sept.

22, and amid controversy about the hiring process, the Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board has tapped Dr. Bryan Reece to be its new chancellor and will now enter into contract negotiations. On Oct. 14, Reece’s contract is scheduled for public review and consideration, and if approved, he will step into a role last held permanently by Fred Wood, who retired in December after three years of service.

Reece would join the district after previously serving as president of Norco College, vice president of Crafton Hills College, and Dean of Academic Success at Cerritos College.

The district’s search for a new chancellor

nears its end after starting the process almost nine months ago, when it began seeking applicants in January. The search was not without its challenges, most notably when it was temporarily halted in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and because of concerns raised by district faculty over recent governing board actions.

Prior to shutting down, Reece was among the field of candidates up for consideration and when the search resumed this fall, Reece was one of two finalists selected and ultimately became the only finalist after former Los Medanos College President Raul Rodriguez made a last-minute decision to drop out after signing a contract for a different job.

Last week, Reece took part in four disSee REECE, page 11

The Los Medanos College Bookstore has received a heavy influx of online orders from students over the past couple weeks. Although staff encouraged students to order early, many waited until the week before the start of the semester to do so.

The day before the semester started, the Bookstore received 1,630 online orders.

Since then, an additional 1,700 orders have been placed.

“It is fairly typical for students to wait until classes start to get their textbooks.

Sometimes they want to attend the first day of class to judge whether they really need the book or they might be waiting for their financial aid disbursement,” said Robert Estrada,Bookstore Manager.

After LMC decided to move classes online for the fall semester and temporarily shutter campus buildings, Estrada had to plan and adapt how the Bookstore would process orders and best serve the students safely.

Moving the purchasing of textbook and school supplies exclusively online wasn’t the only thing to change, as the potential risk of COVID-19 exposure also meant fewer

Board rejected renewal of third admin contract

By WESTON HOPKINS

Posted online Sept. 25, 2020

The Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board voted 3-2 not to extend the contract of Executive Vice Chancellor Eugene Huff during their Sept. 9 meeting.

Huff is currently ser ving as the Interim Chancellor of the district, though Dr. Bryan Reece was recently offered the permanent chancellor position by the board.

The decision not to extend Huff’s contract has upset many of the CCCCD faculty, who were already upset with the board due to a similar decision made back at their July 22 meeting, where the board voted 3-2 not to extend the contracts of Chief Financial Officer Jonah Nicholas and Chief Human Resources Officer Dio Shipp. The contracts were then put back on the agenda for the board’s Aug. 26 meeting, which many CCCCD faculty attended to voice

their opinions on the excellent work done by both Shipp and Nicholas.

But it was not enough and the board once again voted 3-2 in favor of not extending the contracts.

Executive Director of the United Faculty Jeffrey Michels wrote in an email: “I am angry and disappointed at the reckless behavior of Trustees Gordon, Enholm and Marquez. To publicly reject contracts for these three respected, competent and hard-working managers undermines the stability of our district, including our financial stability.”

When asked for comment, Huff and Nicholas both said that their legal counsel has advised them from speaking about the board’s decision.

Though Huff added, “I will say that the decisions are truly unfortunate for the District and I would encourage you to seek a direct answer from the three Trustees who voted against the

Graphic from Jesus Chico

staf f members would be able to fulfill orders at any one time. These two factors have contributed to the slower speed of orders being fulfilled.

“We currently have three permanent Bookstore employees and we have received well over 3,000 online orders. We normally would have hired numerous temporar y staff as well as about two dozen student workers to assist us during the first few weeks of the semester, but those options were not available to us due to COVID-19 safety protocols and budget concerns,” said Estrada.

It takes two days to process an order, but the staff have been working to fulfill them as

quickly as possible. Students also have the option to pick up their books or have them shipped.

“I recommend that students who are placing orders now choose window pick up if they can,” said Estrada.

Estrada and LMC Administration have had discussions about when it might be safe to reopen to the public and what safety measures are needed.

“For the Bookstore that would mean some of the things we are already doing... facemask requirements, 6-foot physical distancing, the plastic sneeze guards you see nowadays at most registers, and a rigorous cleaning schedule,” said Estrada.

Financial aid there to help in pandemic

By WESTON HOPKINS

Posted online Sept. 9, 2020

Photo from the CCCCD Governing Board website

The Contra Costa Community College District’s Governing Board. contract renewals about why they made those decisions.”

In an email written by trustee Greg Enholm, he explained why he voted not to extend the contracts.

“There are many reasons why it was not appropriate to extend these contracts at this time, primarily because the board is in the final step of deciding to hire a new chancellor

to whom these individuals report either directly or indirectly so it was not appropriate to ask the board to extend these contracts until the new chancellor is appointed and can decide whether any changes are needed.”

When asked for her reasoning, trustee Vicki Gordon wrote: See ADMIN, page 11

Financial aid is a crucial tool for students, even more so during this economically tremulous time. The U.S. is currently facing a pandemic, which has launched the countr y into a recession, leaving millions financially vulnerable. Students need to know what financial aid they may be entitled to and how to get it. Due to the pandemic, the Los Medanos College Financial Aid Office is offering remote services to students.

2In an email sent out by Financial Aid Supervisor Jennifer Ma, she goes over the ways in which students can receive financial aid remotely.

“Students may ask general financial aid questions through our Chatbot, available 24/7 on our website. If the chatbot is unable to provide an See AID, page 11

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“Truth is like the sun.

You can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t going away.”

— Elvis Presley

Lessons of the 2016 election Polling and demographics

By ELIZABETH McLAURIN Posted online Nov. 2, 2020

Los Medanos College Political Science Professor Ryan Hiscocks guided participants Oct. 29 through an array of voting patterns, local ballot measures and why the 2016 presidential election is significant to the current race.

The presentation, Do the Math: Voting Patterns & the 2020 Election was the third in a series of pre-election events on Zoom sponsored and organized by the Honors Program to support and inform voters.

Honors Director Jennifer Saito, who moderated the event, gave a brief rundown of the topic lineup and then kicked things off with a question about how the 2016 election is relevant to 2020.

“Our elections, they don’t exist in a vacuum,” Hiscocks said. “Obviously, what happened in 2016, as candidate Trump became President Trump, is going to be related to his reelection campaign.”

Hiscocks explained that three aspects of the 2016 election season have persisted: polling, the pivotal role of the Great Lakes states, and

Jesus Chico • Experience

Ryan Hiscocks detailed lessons that needed to be learned from the 2016 election. demographics.

The overwhelming consistency of national opinion polls that heavily favored Hillary Clinton to win the presidency, he said, led to immense skepticism of polling accuracy this time around. But Hiscocks pointed out that polls are about odds and weren’t actually incorrect.

“You have to shift your perspective on what the predictions actually meant,” he said.

“Trump’s own campaign only gave him about a 20% chance of winning… so the polls weren’t wrong, it was just the 20% chance happened.”

And it happened in some surprising places.

Several of the Great Lakes states — Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan — are swing states, but recent election history showed they had consistently gone to Democrats over the past few decades, he said. When they went Republican in 2016, it was shocking because

a relatively small number of votes made a big difference in the national outcome.

“There’s a reason why these three states get looked at heavier than others. You see the difference in these three states combined when you look at the popular vote of only 77,000 votes in Trump’s favor,” he said. “So, these states were being decided, especially Michigan, on a razor thin margin.”

Hiscocks reminded the audience it takes 270 electoral votes to win the presidency and these three states account for 46 votes combined. If you took those 46 votes and put them in Clinton’s column, she would have been declared the winner. Three states had the power to swing the presidency in 2016, something Hiscocks called the “red tide in the great lakes,” and there is a high possibility of seeing it replay this year.

Changes in demographic trends — who actually shows up to vote — are also key to who wins an election.

“One of the major realignments that has taken place in this country is based on education,” said Hiscocks. “The education of one group and one group only, a majority group — this is white voters.”

In 2016, white voters without a college degree overwhelmingly voted for the Republican party, while white voters with a college See 2016, page 10

National holiday to register

By ROYA MOHAMMAD

Posted online Sept. 21, 2020

Jesus Chico • Experience

National Voter Regstration Day was created to ensure every eligible voter gets the opportunity to vote and to motivate potential voters.

First observed in 2012, National Voter Registration Day is a civic holiday to celebrate democracy in the United States of America, and this year it falls on Sept. 22.

The creation of the National Voter Registration Day was influenced by the millions of Americans who found themselves unable to vote due to a missed registration deadline, an outdated registration, or confusion on where to register. The holiday serves to ensure every eligible voter gets the opportunity to vote and to motivate potential voters who may not register.

The day consists of hundreds of organizations working together with volunteers to help citizens register

See VOTE, page 10

This is not fake news: Author tells what is

By WESTON HOPKINS

Posted online Oct. 23, 2020

The Los Medanos College Honors Transfer Program hosted a Zoom meeting with author and Diablo Valley College professor Nolan Higdon Oct. 20 to discuss his new book The Anatomy of Fake News: A Critical News Literacy Education.

The Honors Program Director Jennifer Saito hosted this event, the second in a series of three revolving around the upcoming election. Higdon prepared a powerpoint presentation for the event, highlighting the key ideas from his book.

Higdon began by describing what news is, and how the concept of “fake news” came about. The phrase “fake news” became popular

during the 2016 election cycle, especially when then presidential candidate Donald Trump took hold of the phrase and changed it to be his own. He then cites a few examples of what fake news is, such as believing Barack Obama was born in Kenya or the U.S. finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Both are not true, but many U.S citizens believed at the time, and still do believe, these things to be true.

From there, Higdon delves into the topic of who produces fake news?

Self-interested actors, state-sponsored propaganda machines, satirical fake news, nation-states, political party propaganda and even the traditional press can all be contributors to fake news,

the themes of which typically fall into nationalism, hate, fear, and celebrity gossip.

“They try to plant these lower human emotions and generally exploit real fears or feelings people are having with false content,” said Higdon.

With so many instances of fake news, Higdon questioned whether or not fake news is effective? Higdon cited a study by three MIT scholars that stated “Fake news is 70% more likely to spread on the internet than truth.”

Higdon moved on to possible solutions to combat fake news, one being education.

He suggests that a media literacy component be added to education in order to help students critically think and

Screenshot from Higdon’s Zoom presentation

use media responsibly, just as they would with other texts. Which leads to his next point, how to deconstruct the news.

“The answer is always investigate, fake news wants you to react. It wants you to share, get mad, and bring

it up to other people. Don’t do it, investigate it. See if it has any legitimacy,” he said.

Higdon also talked about the importance of checking publishers, authors, whether or not the evidence holds up under scrutiny and who might benefit by the mes-

sage being put forth. After he finished his presentation, Higdon fielded questions from the attendees.

The next and final event in this series will be taking place Oct. 29, for more information please visit the Honors Program website.

Weston Hopkins • Experience

Jennifer Saito led the panel of Nolan Higdon, Roseann Erwin and Cyntha McGrath as they discussed social media, voting information and reputable sources.

Vote Smart: Don’t be manipulated by misinformation

By WESTON HOPKINS

Posted online Oct. 20, 2020

The Los Medanos College Honors Transfer Program hosted Vote Smart!

Information Literacy and the 2020 Election Thursday Oct. 15. The virtual panel kicked off the first of a three part series the program will host throughout October.

Honors Director Jennifer Saito led the panel which included LMC Brentwood

Librarian Roseann Erwin, DVC History professor Nolan Higdon, and LMC Journalism professor Cindy McGrath.

The panel began with a quick introduction from each panelist, and then Saito began asking voter-specific questions such as where students can find reputable voter information, how social media and internet algorithms disseminate information, and the responsibility that social media companies

have to make sure information is true.

The first question focused on the best and worst places to seek out voter information.

Erwin urged students to visit the LMC library website voter information page which contains links to nonpartisan voting guides, registrations dates, and websites that fact-check all kinds of information.

Saito then asked the panelists about social media and how the companies running

those sites decide what each individual user will end up seeing.

“So algorithms are special formulas that software designers use to figure out what it’s going to put in your feed,” said Erwin.

Higdon expanded on this idea and described social media as advertising companies that have the cheapest labor in the world. Users give their information See PANEL, page 10

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Cars in costumes

“Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand.”

— Neil Armstrong

Baskets make holiday special

Groups join hands to help

By BAILEE LEWIS

Posted online Nov. 18, 2020

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and several Los Medanos College groups are gearing up to provide a Thanksgiving basket to students in need.

The Umoja Scholars Program, EOPS/CARE, CalWORKs, Equity & Inclusion, LMC Foundation, and the LMC Food Pantry have joined hands to make the holiday brighter for those struggling to get by.

The pre-packaged baskets will be distributed by LMC Food Pantry staff Thursday, Nov. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. There may be additional hours or scheduled pick-up depending on how many students apply..

“All current LMC students are eligible to apply for a basket. Priority will be given to those students who have not received a basket in previous years,” said Student Life Director, Teresea Archaga.

Baskets will include one turkey or chicken, two cans of corn, two cans of green beans, and other goodies. A vegetarian substitution for meat is also available.

“This will be the 11th year that the Umoja Scholars Program has been providing baskets,” said Program Coordinator, Jamila Stewart.

“The last few years we have partnered with the Food Pantry and this year EOPS is also joining the partnership.”

You can also pitch in and donate to the cause.

“There is definitely a Photo by Weston Hopkins • Experience need”, said Archaga. “We The winning car from the Trick-Your-Ride event held on the Los Medanos College campus Oct. 29, 2020. already have had 125 students apply, many of which are currently pantry visitors, in addition to EOPS/CARE, and CalWORKs students.”

By WESTON HOPKINS EOPS is contributing a as co-judges. The judges rated the Posted online Nov. 6, 2020 large donation consisting cars based on originality, attention Having been online for the majority to detail and theme execution. The of gift cards to purchase of the year, the Los Medanos College scores ranged from 1-5, with 5 being a holiday meal, as well as Classified Senate organized the Trick- the highest score and 1 being the turkeys. They can serve up Your-Ride on-campus event Oct. 29. lowest. Ultimately car number 5, to 200 students this year.

The event served to raise money for decorated in a Batman theme, won LMC Staf f and Faculty student scholarships, and ultimately by one point. also contribute through over $200 was raised. monetary donations.

Highlighting a collaborative effort, The Halloween themed event was the LMC Child Study Center, LMC “It brings me joy to see free to all LMC students, faculty and Food Pantry, the Food Bank of Contra that we are still able to classified professionals. The event Costa and Solano, Contra Costa Health provide suppor t during was set up in Parking Lot A, where Services, LMC Nursing Program, these difficult times,” said guests could visit various booths EOPS, CARE and CalWORKs, LMC Archaga. and participate in a contest for best Equity and Inclusion, Police Services, Stewart said this event is decorated car. special because it was creatthe Office of Student Life and the There were six entrants for the car Classified Senate, worked together ed by students for students. decoration competition, with themes to set up event booths.

“I personally believe that ranging from Batman to Minions to providing meals, whether The Child Study Center had a Minnie Mouse. Center for Academic booth that gave away masks and Mad it’s for the holidays or not, Photo by Weston Hopkins • Experience Support employee Sandra Mills was Scientists kits. The kits contained is a wonderful service to the lead judge, with police services bubbles, ingredients to make oobleck, Food pantry workers before the Trick-Your-Ride event started. They our students who need the Mike Hotton and student Daniel Umo support.” she added.

See TRICK, page 9 handed out produce and snacks to the community.

LMC celebrates Halloween on site

Community engages in ‘Urgent Conversations’ Panelists examine policing practices

By ELIZABETH McLAURIN Posted online Sept. 14, 2020

Series will focus on equity, social justice

By ROYA MOHAMMAD

Posted online Sept. 9, 2020

The Los Medanos College Social Science Department is hosting a four-part series of events called “Urgent Conversations” in order to inform students and teachers on the topics of equity and social justice, while also providing tools, ideas and curriculum to help support teachers and students during these sensitive times. The first part in the series was a History of Social Protest, held July 6, and the recent meeting was Culturally Relevant Teaching, held Aug. 3.

LMC Social Justice Studies Coordinator Dr. Adrianna Graphic left and screenshot above by Weston Hopkins • Experience Simone began her presentation on culturally relevant teaching with the topic of differences in learning styles, Reginald Lemay led the panel of discussing the topics of equality See SERIES, page 9

and social justice.

A panel of Los Medanos College Social Science instructors condensed a few centuries worth of policing in the United States into a roughly two-hour presentation on Zoom Sept. 9 in the third of LMC’s four-part “Urgent Conversations” series.

From slave patrols in the early 1700s to the militarization of police forces in the 1980s, the panelists went through a timeline of significant moments in policing history, unveiling the progression from its infancy to current events in American society.

While the first two parts of the series covered the history of social protests and culturally relevant teaching, the panelists were in consensus about the importance of understanding the country’s history of policing in order to fully comprehend present societal unrest. History Professor Joshua Bearden spoke about the motivating factors for this particular Urgent Conversation.

“We wanted students and faculty and staff and anyone in our district who was interested to understand that yes, they’re living in a historical moment … but at the same time there is a long history that led to 2020 and

See POLICE, page 9

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“The most difficult thing is the decision to act. The rest is merely tenacity.”

— Amelia Earhart

EOPS helps students on campus

LMC highlights programs

By WESTON HOPKINS

Needy Family (TANF), and those transitioning off welfare, to achieve long-term The Los Medanos College Extended self-sufficiency through coordinated student Oppor tunity Programs and Ser vices services,” according to the LMC website. held EOPS, CARE, CalWORKs Days EOPS, CARE, and CalWORKS students September 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and were required to RSVP so that the staff runSeptember 3 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the ning the event could be properly prepared.

LMC campus. CARE is the Cooperative “Over a two day period we had 221 Agencies Resources for Education, and students attend. Students were greeted according to the LMC website it is meant when they arrived and instructed to keep to, “assist single parents who want to six feet apart. There was one check in break the welfare dependency cycle by station which helped to streamline the successfully completing college-level process. The goal was to have students on educational and training programs, and and off campus as quickly and safely as therefore, become more employable and possible,” wrote Steven Freeman Jr., the economically self-sufficient.”

EOPS, CARE, and CalWORKs Manager.

CalWORKs, the California Work OpporAt the event, students were able to tunity and Responsibility to Kids Program, receive backpacks, wireless and wired has a similar goal in mind. earbuds, LMC T-shirts and hoodies as Photo courtesy of Steven Freeman Jr. “CalWORKS funds assist parents who well as snacks and school supplies, such See EOPS, page 9 Students wait in line during the EOPS, CARE, CalWORKS Days in September. are receiving Temporary Assistance for Posted online Sept 7, 2020

Career Services offers support Meetings are remote

By WESTON HOPKINS

Posted online Sept 11,2020

Krys Shahin • Experience

Former Editor-in-chief Krys Shahin won third place in Feature Photo for this image of the Mamava pod on Level 3 of the College Complex.

Experience staff wins 18 awards Students succeed at JACC

By ROYA MOHAMMAD

Posted online Nov 25, 2020

The Los Medanos College Experience staff attended an online journalism conference Nov. 6-8 and were honored with 18 awards for work published during the 2019-20 academic year in addition to the contests held during the conference.

The annual Jour nalism Association of Community Colleges’s state convention is a three-day event that brings together faculty and students from colleges throughout California for workshops, speakers, contests, meetings and more. Due to COVID-19, the convention could not be held in person; however, for the first time ever the convention occurred virtually.

The JACC convened its 2020 fall conference on Friday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 8 with

Katie Loughran • Experience

This image won honorable mention in the Photo Illustration category. a total of 217 faculty, staff, and students from 30 community colleges throughout the state. Here, they recognized the achievements of student publications in a variety of categories for newspaper, video and broadcast, magazine, illustration and photography.

Student publications from the academic year 2019-2020 were evaluated by professionals in the field based on set criteria.

The former Experience Editor-in-Chief Krys Shahin got second place for the Experience’s front page lay-

Jordyn Toscano• Experience

Jordyn Toscano won second place in Environmental Portrait with this image. out, third place in Feature Photo for a photograph of the Mamava pod on Level 3 of the Main College Complex, and honorable mention in Feature Story for an article about the Food Pantry.

Shahin believes her journey for winning those awards was made up by learning as much as she could from Experience Advisor Cindy McGrath and never backing down from a learning opportunity. Addi-

tionally, Shahin was motivated by producing products in the Experience that she would be proud of while she was Editor-in-Chief.

“For the layout award,

See AWARDS, page 9

The Los Medanos College Transfer and Career Services have added a new remote ser vice to their roster for the fall semester, the Career Design Studio. The studio is spearheaded by LMC Career Exploration Program Coordinator Edward Beanes and Adjunct Career Counselor and Instructor Mark Isham.

“The Career Design Studio is an opportunity for LMC students to improve their career literacy by attending virtual workshops offered by the LMC Career Services staff and participating in activities and question-and-answer sessions in a group setting,” Beanes wrote in an email.

The Career Design Studio’s purpose is to give students the opportunity to receive weekly career advice and support in a group context.

“Maybe you’ve heard the old proverb, ‘Give someone a fish and they eat for a day.

Teach someone to fish and they eat for a lifetime?’ Well, we’re hoping to teach LMC students how to fish for their careers so they can leave LMC equipped with essential career survival tools,” wrote Beanes.

The Career Design Studio will tackle a variety of topics week-to-week, the Sept. 10 meeting was all about things to consider when choosing a major and career. Isham began his presentation describing seven points of consideration when choosing a major, which were, values, interests, personality, experience, knowledge, needs and skills, which are encompassed by culture and identity.

What’s important to you See CAREER, page 9

College athletes combat pandemic

LMC offers free legal advice on immigration

Posted online Dec 1, 2020

Posted online Sept 30, 2020

By ANDREW GUITRON

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for students, especially athletes. All sports are currently on hiatus and with most classes being conducted fully online, it can be hard for student athletes to both stay in shape and get proper coaching. But coaches are tr ying their best to help players improve their skills while following health and safety guidelines.

Head volleyball coach Lou Panzella is doing all that he can to help players adjust to the new routine, asserting that students and faculty must meet certain health

criteria and follow guidelines in order to participate in practices on campus.

“Student athletes must be cleared daily on a healthy roster, wear a mask at all times on campus, sanitize their hands when they enter the gym and sanitize the volleyball they use during the session,” he said.

Panzella said they meet twice a week for an hour and a half to, “mostly to do conditioning and fundamentals of footwork, positioning and technique.”

In addition to physical conditioning and practice, Panzella said that online lessons have been developed See SPORTS, page 9

By WESTON HOPKINS

Weston Hopkins • Experience

Immigration offers available to students in need.

Los Medanos College students, staff and faculty have access to free legal immigration services from the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area.

The IIBA was founded in 1918 and “has helped immigrants, refugees, and their families join and contribute to the community for over one hundred years,” according to the IIBA website.

The collaboration between LMC and the IIBA started back in November 2019, and over 30 students have had a consultation which can help with multiple immigration-based

legal issues.

“IIBA can help with immigration legal questions.

We can assess whether consultees qualify for an immigration benefit, such as a family-based petition or humanitarian relief such as U-visa, VAWA, and T-visas, and assist them with the application process. We also provide assistance with DACA renewals, green cards renewals, and citizenship applications. Sometimes, if we have funding, we are able cover the $495 DACA renewal fee,” wrote IIBA Staff Attorney Denny Kasso.

The IIBA has an office

See LEGAL, page 9

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“This world’s anguish is no different from the love we insist on holding back.”

— Aberjhani, Elemental: The Power of Illuminated

Reform begins with education

By ROYA MOHAMMAD

Posted online Dec. 8, 2020

On March 23, 2020, 32 shots were fired when three officers dressed in plain clothes forced themselves into the home of Breonna Taylor. Six of those shots hit Taylor and killed her.

The excessive use of force by these three police officers has created a vital debate considering police brutality and racism in the United States, which has led to various protests demanding police departments and politicians to take action on reforming or defunding police departments.

Los Medanos College Administration of Justice professor Anthony Hailey has written a proposal to reform

the entire law enforcement apparatus within the United States. His approach is not exclusive to community colleges however, it starts here and builds up similar to a building blocks approach.

“So my idea was to fix the education system locally.

After completing that, I make sure that I record data that analyzes and actually looks at the problem and tells us whether we solve it or not and then move on to a larger scale,” said Hailey.

To reform law enforcement Hailey detected the problem between communities, especially communities of color and policing which was a major problem with education.

“I think we’re allowing

“I think we’re allowing people that aren’t qualified to do the job of policing.”

— Anthony Hailey

people that aren’t qualified to do the job of policing. I think mainly we haven’t defined what policing really is. I don’t think people really understand what policing really is,” said Hailey. “So my idea was to correct that locally and then expand that statewide and then start a crusade to push it

nationally.”

According to Hailey’s proposal, “only 80% of the nation’s 18,000 law enforcement agencies do not require any college credit at all even though we entrust police with the ultimate discretion to end human life.”

Fur thermore, Hailey

asser ts police training programs were created with biases, although not intentional biases, rather misunderstandings. These programs were created before taking into consideration minorities such as Latin X, African American, Native American, and Asian communities. Therefore, they need to be looked at and adjusted properly to the present times.

“I teach a course called Community and the Justice System that deals with racial disparities and biases in criminal justice. And that is something that’s not required for most police officers to succeed,” said Hailey. “As a matter of fact President Trump has

proposed that we get rid of all racial sensitivity training for all federal employees and includes federal police of ficers. So there is an attempt to go backwards on it. We need to look at all the courses. We need to make it culturally relevant and timely to what’s going on today.”

Additionally, Hailey believes everyone should have a seat at the table when creating these courses.

By creating a course from a eurocentric point of view instead of a universal point of view, Hailey claims we believe in moral universalism rather than thinking about what is moral relevance.

Therefore, we have to inSee REFORM, page 9

Frosh face COVID hurdles

Online life a challenge

By ANDREW OLIVER

Posted online Sept. 2, 2020

Screenhot from Nicholaus Garcia’s YouTube

LMC student Ian Panela performs in the New Play Festival 2020. Students recorded their parts of the program at home.

Drama moves from stage to screen

By MARJANI MICHELLE BAPTISTE Posted online Dec. 3, 2020

The theater is the heart of the Dramatic Arts program and since the pandemic hit, the stage has been vacant. The pandemic has reduced in-person activities on campus and this has affected the program’s normal fall schedule.

But, as they say in Hollywood, the show must go on. Los Medanos College professors and student actors are not letting the pandemic stop them from doing what they love, and despite the challenges they are managing to create entertainment for the college community.

When the campus closed last spring, they adapted their plans for the annual New Play Festival and the students recorded their parts of the program at home.

Then professor Nick Garcia and Instructional

Assistant Cesar Reyes edited the video.

“Normally the New Play Festival is a three-day event,” said Reyes, who explained that there are usually two days of short plays written by students followed by an improv show.

The spring effort is a 40-minute video entitled NPF 2020 available on YouTube.

In addition, the students in the drama program are working on a new project.

“One of the projects in the works is a full-feature film that was student-written,” said Reyes, who added they have been working on it via Zoom, including the stage production.

The LMC Little Theater is just one of the many being affected by this pandemic — even Broadway is remaining closed.

“We literally cannot reopen unless there is a confidence in the safety of the cast and crew

An essential worker shares experience

and theatergoers,” Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin told MarketWatch.

This pandemic is hitting all live performance and having a real effect on people’s spirits. The LMC Dramatic Arts department has worked hard to keep up the spirits of students and faculty.

“The faculty has periodic check-ins through Zoom to connect students to their peers,” said Reyes.

“The community that has been built continues to support each other through the pandemic.”

The program will have a new production this fall that is also COVID friendly. Look for information about it on the Dramatic Arts home page.

The drama program has adapted to the pandemic at every step, yet is looking forward to so many things post pandemic, said Reyes. “Including dusting off our theater space and welcoming an audience once again.”

By ROYA MOHAMMAD

“The new policies have become normal, but if we didn’t LMC student Zach Lindsay, have these I know customers alumni of Freedom High would be worried and not feel School, has overcome many safe, so it’s best to do it for obstacles during this pandemic the customers,” said Lindsay. working at Raley’s. Lindsay Like others employed in started at Raley’s in Novem- the United States, Lindsay felt ber 2019. Initially, the work the pressure of the pandemic. environment was fun and laid “Before it was more reback. Unexpectedly, laxed and fun. The the pandemic forced customers were for stores to change their the most part nice. everyday routine.

Now our managers “I didn’t think it are stricter, a lot of would last too long, people quit and we but the store was were understaffed the busiest it’s ever for months, and cusbeen. Usually we tomers are always have around $70,000 cranky,” said Lindsay. in sales on a busy SatDespite the presurday, the initial day Zach Lindsay sure, he feels calm, after the lockdown we although sometimes had $180,000,” said Lindsay. it is overwhelming when there In addition, new protocols are long lines and little help. included checkstands being Even with all the pressure sanitized every 20 minutes of the pandemic, Lindsay’s and all the door handles being noteworthy moment was the sanitized every 30 minutes. panic about toilet paper.

Moreover, there is a person “The toilet paper incident watching the door and clean- was kind of funny to me. Cusing the carts. There is also a tomers lined up at six in the limit of 300 people in the store, morning to rush our store and though it never came close to take all of our toilet paper. We that. Lindsay,and others had had to hide some for ourselves to adapt to the new rules to in the back so we could buy combat the pandemic. some,” said Lindsay.

Posted online Oct. 1, 2020

Photo courtesy of Tesla

LMC to host first-ever virtual Tesla Manufacturing and Robotics Info Session.

Auto collaborates with Tesla

By ANGELA JOHNSON

Posted online Dec. 2, 2020

Education and technology are coming together like never before as Los Medanos College and Tesla will announce their collaboration Dec. 3 from 6 to 7 p.m. via Zoom during LMC’s first-ever virtual Tesla Manufacturing & Robotics Info Session.

This collaboration could lead to opportunities for students in the Process Technology Department and the Electrical and Instrumentation Technology Department, as well as students from other departments, to partner with Tesla as they complete their education at LMC. “I would encourage all PTEC/ETEC, Welding, Automotive Tech, Engineering, STEM-interested students, and any other students curious about Tesla, renewable energy, technology to attend the info sessions,”

said Career Technical Education Counselor Camille Santana.

Known for many of its successes within its various programs, especially in their PTEC/ ETEC department, LMC was a sure pick for Tesla for this new project that will be revolutionary for the students of the technological and manufacturing departments on campus.

“Tesla reached out to LMC initially to learn more about our Electrical and Instrumentation Technology program, which is part of the in-demand advanced manufacturing sector.

LMC has one of the only ETEC programs in the state and a great reputation among regional employers,” said Bill Bankhead, program manager of LMC’s Workforce and Economic Development Department.

He explained that Tesla already employs a number of LMC graduates, including one See TESLA, page 9

Los Medanos College has many new attendees during this unpredictable year. The fall semester may be difficult for incoming freshmen to adjust to full-on distance education, but new students are slowly figuring it out.

“I am attending Los Medanos because I had already taken classes that had credits towards LMC… and it’s great for transitioning into four year colleges,” said Anthony Crews. “Since I had a quarter of high school online, then I took summer classes for LMC, I found the adjustment to be a little bit easier.”

While remote learning is easy for Crews, it has been harder for others who have to navigate how classes are run.

“Distance learning is very difficult, everything seems more confusing than it needs to be and the different styles of teachers makes it hard to keep up,” said Miles Oria.

But LMC has supported students financially, taking some stress off their shoulders.

“Los Medanos was a great option for me, money wise and because of its transfer opportunities,” said Cesar Paredes.

Distance learning may have began as a hurdle but Paredes is quickly adapting.

“I got used to the distance learning pretty quickly, it wasn’t too hard of an adjustment,” he said.

Oria has taken the pledge for the First Time, Full Time, Free Tuition program being offered by the Contra Costa Community College District.

The FT3 program is a pledge “to support understanding and navigating your college and career journey, provide free tuition for up to two academic years of college (fall and spring terms only), and commit to help you succeed in meeting your goals,” according to the district website.

To qualify for the program, a student must be a first-time college student, enroll in 12 or more units, be a California resident, and complete the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid or a California Dream Act application.

“The free tuition was a big factor, not having to pay for two years while getting the education I need is going to help me in the long run,” said Oria.

For any first time college students that are struggling with the transition to community college, LMC’s website has a list of online resources to ease the struggle.

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“Every chess master was once a beginner.”

— Irving Chernev

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ review

Trials of a Savant

By DYLAN DAVIDSON

Posted online Dec. 21, 2020

Chess can be traced back 1,500 years when it is thought to have developed in India.

Now, it is heralded as one of the most skillful games of competition, with tournaments that boast impressive prize pools. In “The Queen’s Gambit,” chess is the name of the game, but gender equality, alcoholism, and mental illness are the house rules.

The show debuted on Netflix this fall, and has been regarded as one of the most popular of the year. The eightpart series is based on a 1983 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis, and follows the story of Elizabeth Harmon, an orphaned chess savant who struggles with alcoholism, drug addiction, sexism and emotional issues as she climbs her way to the top.

Harmon is played by Anya Taylor-Joy, and despite not being well known, she delivers an incredible performance.

Whether it be the nervousness and tension from an important chess match, the sparse laughter shared with a friend, or the intoxicated slurred words and shaky movements, Taylor-Joy fully immerses the audience.The supporting actors are just as

See JUMP, page 5

REVIEW

Photograph by Phil Bray/Netflix

“The Queen’s Gambit,” starring Anya Tayler-Joy tells the story of Beth Harmon and her rise to fame in the world of chess. great, no matter how minor the character. Notable performances include Harry Melling as Harry Beltik, and Marielle Heller as Alma Wheatley. Their characters serve a vital role in Harmon’s development, and their performances are as genuine as Taylor-Joy’s.

The acting would not be nearly as superb if it weren’t for the wonderful writing.

Not a single character can

Social media: It’s a real ‘Dilemma’

By JOSH BAHNS

Posted online Sep. 11, 2020

“There are only two industries that call their customers ‘users’: illegal dr ugs and software.” This is one of the many haunting quotes from Netflix’s new docu-drama hybrid, “The Social Dilemma.”

Jeff Orlowski, writer and director of “The Social Dilemma,” interviews technology insiders about the dangerous effects social media has on people. A strange sensation occurs when you watch this documentar y, you quickly

be shoved into a single archetype. The writing is genuine to the point that sometimes character actions are unpredictable, but the outcome is understandable. Characters are often witty, but most of the humor is never forced or unnecessary. The serious scenes are excellent, and some of the best in the series. The word tense cannot be understated, as the actors make the

audience feel as if the world rides on this chess match, or confrontation, when in reality that isn’t the case.

The cinematography is also fantastic, despite the show being character centric.

Director Scott Frank does an excellent job showing the audience rather than telling.

Most of the series is shot from Harmon’s perspective in a way that the audience first

sees what Harmon would be seeing, before reverting back to a close up of her. This is executed brilliantly, and truly immerses the audience in a story that is already so captivating. Scenes often transition or begin with long takes that have an incredible amount of thought in them, illustrating to the audience how Harmon has progressed from the beginning of the scene to the end.

realize many of the world’s problems spawn from social media.

“The Social Dilemma” bounces between interviews of experienced technology professionals, found footage, the occasional graph, and a scripted drama about a family addicted to their phones.

The documentary focuses on social media and how it not only consumes people’s attention for the sole purpose of gathering their data and making them better shoppers,

REVIEW

By WESTON HOPKINS

Posted online Dec. 11, 2020

A breakout newcomer into the music industry, Naija has definitely left her mark on the 2020 R&B genre with songs like “Too Much To Say,” which showcases to fans that behind the cameras and scripted videos could be the biggest and hardest battles being fought between soul and mind. What sets apart this debut album from other albums within the genre is the versatility that Naija has immersed herself into flawlessly by overlapping

The Los Medanos College and College of Alameda divisions of choral and vocal activities hosted the fall 2020 Voices of Equity Masterclass Recital Monday, Dec. 7. Directed by LMC professor Silvester Henderson and featuring special guest clinician and performer Dr. Phillip Harris, the event was a mashup of previously recorded and new vocal solos.

With over 65 people in attendance, new president of the College of Alameda Dr. Nathaniel Jones III expressed his excitement attending his first event as president.

“I look forward to engaging with the campus community and participating in as many events as I possibly can. I wish you all a wonder ful evening,” said Jones. After a brief introduction from Harris, the show began. Featuring a varying arrangement of vocal performances from students, alumni, Henderson and Harris, the audience listened and cheered as per formances started and finished. Though most of the performances were solos, there were also piano pieces performed by Henderson, matched with Martin Luther King Jr. speeches, and a performance by the LMC Virtual Chamber Chorale.

About halfway through the show, Henderson gave Harris the floor to give advice to the performers. “This was really fantastic … Overall there was so much what I like to call ‘healthy’ singing happening, which is a great testament not only to your work but your teachers work as well.

I loved it.”

After singing the performers’ praises and offering advice, the show continued once

See TOP 5, page 9

See CHORAL, page 11

Image via Netflix

‘I’m Thinking of’ keeping Netflix

By JOSH BAHNS

Posted online Sep. 7, 2020

Tristan Harris testifies in “The Social Dilemma.”

If you’re thinking of ending your Netflix subscription, don’t. The streaming service just released a new horror film written and directed

by Charlie Kaufman, and whether or not you’re a fan of horror, you’ll still be a fan of this.

It’s called “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” and the first lines of the film are, “I’m thinking of ending things.” Rarely does a movie start

The Album

Misunderstood

REVIEW

It Was Good Until It Wasn’t

KIKI

with a character saying the title of said movie, but rarely does a Kaufman movie resemble any other. That’s not to say it isn’t beautifully shot and well acted like many great movies are, but it doesn’t feel like any other movie.

It doesn’t have a clear beginning, middle, or end, many of the shots aren’t clear, considering it takes place in an Oklahoma snowstorm. This isn’t a bad thing though, we live in unclear times, and I think Kaufman has made a movie that encapsulates that, to some degree.

See THINK, page 10

Chilombo

Here’s a look at the Top 5 female R&B albums of 2020

By ANGELICA JOHNSON

Posted online Dec. 21, 2020

LMC debuts virtual concert Chamber goes online

See SOCIAL, page 11 Beth, played by Jessie Buckley, meets her boyfriend’s strange and eccentric parents.

Image via Netflix

“The Queen’s Gambit” is a fantastic revival of the 1983 novel, perhaps even better than its source material. While many might find attending a chess match a boring experience, the show demands you live through the tension and suspense. The nerve-wracked faces of opponents as they move each piece across the board will set you up for a satisfying outcome every time.

R&B artists spanning more than two generations, the uplifting and self-written lyrics act as shared interpretations of herself and her own relationships, and the soulful rhythms are expertly mastered. Such as “Wake Up Love” featuring her husband Iman Shumpert ,and “We Got Love” featuring Lauryn Hill, are songs that center around the abundance and depth of communication through love.

Female R&B has been leading the charts since summer with singles, EPs and albums from current R&B queens to newcomers dazzling the timeless and soul-enriching genre with their own signature takes. Lyricism, rhythm, and soul-reflectiveness are three of the main components that make up R&B greatness. And with those factors in mind, here are the Top 5 R&B albums written and co-produced by IT WAS GOOD UNTIL IT WASN’T — KEHLANI women who you should definitely be listening to.

Known to her fans for her vulnerability and transparency, and for lyricism in her music, THE ALBUM — TEYANA TAYLOR Kehlani did not hesitate to do the same with this After taking a short hiatus to focus on her growing album and it certainly does show. With songs like family, Taylor once again released her second gem, “Open (Passionate),” Kehlani lyrically confronts The Album, on June 19. It is her best work yet. the media and public’s portrayal and humiliation Featuring collaborations with other Hip-Hop and of how she expresses her love openly following the

YG cheating scandal that erupted almost a month before the album’s release. All in all, It Was Good Until It Wasn’t details the obvious woman-growth and vulnerability of Kehlani that 2020 had in store for her, and she laid it out for all to hear.

MISUNDERSTOOD — QUEEN NAIJA

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POLICE From page 5

we wanted people to understand that, and to understand that legacy,” he said.

The discussion kicked off with Reggie LeMay, who teaches African American and United States History at LMC, explaining early forms of policing. He described slave patrols and the development of formal policing as a response to working class strikes, which were due to increased inequality as urbanization skyrocketed in the early 1800s.

“State police, city police, as it was created throughout much of the 19th Century was really inspired or created as a result of trying to put down many strikes and prevent labor organizers from presenting an organized workforce,” said LeMay. Topics that followed included the discrimination of Irish Americans, succeeded by their eventual acceptance into white culture, desegregation, policing in schools, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Of particular note, Senior Library Technician Catherine Wood highlighted the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1994.

The law was a six-year, $8.8 billion grant aimed at hiring an additional 100,000 police Classified Senate Presi- officers nationwide, and Wood dent Nicole Almassey wrote spoke of its notable effects.

“We see the number of of the event, “I think the event was school resource officers shoot great. The vibe was great up because they’re being and everyone who drove funded through federal grants, we see mass incarceration through was excited.” shoot up and start to climb to the numbers we see today,” she said.

Another topic of note was From page 6 the development of more to assist student athletes with militarized police forces. With so much media coverage of their training as well.

“We also have online rioting, militarization was a canvas assignments and popular topic during breakout moon sand and ingredients to make a volcano.

“We’re expecting a lot of good fun, we usually don’t do Halloween events,” said Leticia Webb who was assisting with giving out the kits for the booth. “Ever ything in the kits were all donated to the program.”

The EOPS, CARE and CalWORKS booth handed out snacks to students, and the Food Pantry handed out groceries and produce.

“We want to help increase morale in the community, make it feel like normal for a day,” said EOPS manager Steven Freeman Jr. “The Food Bank is providing 125 bags of produce, and we have 85 confirmed to pick up snacks from us.”

The LMC Nursing Program and Contra Costa Health Services teamed up to give out free flu shots at the event. No registration was required for anyone to receive a flu shot at the Halloween celebration, and the nursing students gave out 172 flu shots over the day.

“The students administering flu shots at the clinic did so as a part of their clinical experience hours, which gives them credit towards completing the program,” the nursing program wrote in an email.

SPORTS

alternative assignments for any student athlete unable or uncomfortable to attend face-to-face sessions,” he said.

Soccer coach Zachar y Sullivan also offers opportunities to keep his players in shape while adhering to safety guidelines.

“We are training Monday and Wednesday in socially distanced groups of twelve or less,” he said.

Athletic Director Richard Villegas, who also coaches women’s basketball, explained that the athletic department has made the health and safety of players and staff who gather for practices on campus his top priority after receiving approval to resume training routines.

“All seven athletic teams have been meeting on campus in pods of 12, two to three days a week. The LMC administration approved our athletic COVID protocol to be able to condition our student athletes.”

WIN From page 1

“We’re still dealing with the pandemic,” she said. “There is a lot of work that needs to be done. We’re going to roll up our sleeves and do it.”

When reached for comment, Los Medanos College President Bob Kratchovil welcomed the new trustees and acknowledged the support of Gordon and Enholm during their two terms.

“We look forward to the experience and perspectives [Sandoval and Walters] will bring to these impor tant leadership roles,” said Kratochvil. “The outgoing board members, Trustees Gordon and Enholm, have been very supportive of Los Medanos College over the years… I wish them well as they transition into different roles within our community.”

If you would like to read more about the new trustees, you can check out their campaign websites: Fernando Sandoval and Judy Walters.

You can also see Sandoval and Walters in action when they begin their term Dec. 11 by using the Zoom link located on the district website.

Agendas are posted 72 hours prior to the meeting and can be found at boarddocs.com.

SERIES From page 5

and better teaching strategies that are available. Simone spoke of the importance of getting to know the students, while also being aware of cultural bias. Some strategies are learning student names, self identifies, a mid semester check in, and an end of the semester evaluation.

Another teaching strategy Simone suggested using was assessments. A teacher can create a questionnaire to ask and gather information about their students such as their other classes, jobs, and responsibilities. A mid semester check in and an end of the semester evaluation can be used to get an update from students and to address their concerns.

She also spoke on the importance of diversity in classrooms. Lessons should include information that is culturally varied and relevant such as including lectures, authors, films and documentaries of every race and ethnicity.

“I like to integrate contemporary issues that relate to what they are reading about in the course textbooks or articles,” said Simone.

Simone concluded her presentation by emphasizing that when teachers use these methods it reveals their desire for an authentic and caring relationship with their students by creating a relationship of trust and respect, which are critical ingredients for learning. Another presenter, LMC

TOP 5 From page 8

some hyphy undertone tracks like “Bitter,” featuring rapper Mulatto, and sweet soulful R&B like “Dream,” featuring Lucky Daye.

KIKI — KIANA LEDE Kiana Lede gives authentic storytelling to her listeners by mixing the emotional battles of love, self-love, and confidence in one’s own sexuality in songs such as “Second Chances,” featuring 6LACK, and “Honest” that twirls around the ideas of a tried-out relationship and a young woman who wants to be pleased. It is a project that mixes maturity with immaturity at a relatable and soulful level that will leave you

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sessions, where attendees logged into the discussion could ask questions and comment on the panel’s presentation. Assistant Professor of English George Olgin, recounted that his breakout group questioned the optics of such heavily armed police officers.

“Just the idea of engaging an officer that is in this full type of gear, like what is that communal engagement? Or, if this armored vehicle is coming down the street with 12 guys hanging on the edge of it, what kind of vibe does that give off?” he said.

Christina Craig-Chardon, a student from Contra Costa College, said it would be beneficial for college students to understand why there are police officers stationed across college campuses all over the country.

“I think it would be interesting to think about our different college campuses just to bring it to, you know, something tangible for us,” she said. “I assume the campuses you are all at have some connection with the local police force or a separate campus police force, I’m sure there are ties between the two, but what is it that we think they should be doing? How do students feel in their presence when they come onto campus?”

Fitting hundreds of years of policing history into just a couple hours is no easy task, and although some topics were a little short on substance as a result, the panel enlightened participants about the role history plays in understanding present-day issues.

The fourth and final part of the series, which will cover “Voting in the US: Past, Present, Future” will take place virtually on Oct. 5 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. If you’re interested in attending the presentation, you can register through the Zoom website.

United States Histor y and Women’s History Instructor Courtney Goen, spoke about the importance of mastering student names. By not spelling names correctly or saying certain names incorrectly, teachers set an expectation of what normal names are and what aren’t.

“Learn all of your students’ names, how to spell them, and how to pronounce them.

For online teaching, include names in announcements, discussions and general feedback,” said Goen.

Thyra Cobbs, the Commissioner of Publicity and Outreach for the Los Medanos College Associated Students, recommended platforms such as Khan Academy, Youtube, Podcasts, and Kanopy because teachers and their lessons influence how students see themselves. “The educational system in the United States was not built for African American students and so there is a lot of work we need to do,” said Cobbs.

The next part in the series is being held on Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 2-3:30 p.m. on the history of policing in the United States. This meeting will present the histor y of how policing developed in the United States, examples of how police sanctioned violence and use of force has developed, and provide tools to comprehend current calls to defund and abolish the police. If you would like to learn more, please contact the LMC Social Sciences Department.

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An advocate of spiritual healing through music, Jhene Aiko more than supplies that healing energy throughout her entire third studio album Chilombo. Aiko’s growth in her own happiness is a telltale sign with songs like “LOVE” that channels a catchy mantra as the hook of the reggae-like hit, while “Lotus” portrays the maturity and depth of Aiko’s emotional struggle after her shor t-lived breakup with rapper Big Sean. Healing is a main theme throughout her most recent album, and Aiko expertly delivers the musical antidote crisply and clearly through its duration.

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— John F. Kennedy

AWARDS CAREER REFORM From page 6

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Jordyn Toscano and I worked on the front page every week and bounced ideas off together before finding something we both liked. Cindy always came in handy with fine tuning and making sure we had something that wasn’t breaking too many page layout rules. I’m super glad we got second place because I was really proud of the designs we made as a team,” said Shahin.

“For the photo, before last semester, I didn’t know how to work a camera. I understood the rule of thirds, how to take a decent photo and how to edit a picture to make it look better, but I didn’t grasp actual photography. I purchased my camera for Curtis Corlew’s class and everything I know about photography is 100% because of him. He’s the only reason I was able to get that photo and eventually that award,” she added.

Overall, Shahin feels great about all the awards that the Experience won and is happy with the products the Experience submitted for the awards.

“There’s something so surreal about seeing your name next to the announcement of an award. I couldn’t be happier with myself and all the hard work the Experience staff as a whole put in for the spring 2020 semester.” said Shahin.

The former Experience staff writer Katie Loughran won third place in News Photo for a picture taken during a campus evacuation last fall, and an honorable mention in Photo Illustration for a piece of artwork accompanying a story on Friday the 13th.

When asked about Katie’s preparation and journey for the awards, Loughran said: “Well for starters, in terms of preparation, I’m incredibly grateful for the new staff I got to work with because both photography and illustrations were never my strong suits prior to my time at the LMC Experience. Getting to take part in such a creative and diverse newsroom opened my eyes to venturing outside of the article-writing box that I’d inadvertently placed myself in. I’m incredibly appreciative and proud of how the JACC has celebrated my work, but the real prize for me was having had the opportunity to work alongside our amazing editor-in-chief and news staff.”

The current Experience Editor-in-Chief Weston Hopkins won third place honors in On-the-Spot News Writing, and staff writer Elizabeth McLaurin won honorable mention in On-the-Spot Opinion Writing.

and why? What holds your attention for a prolonged period of time? What do you know, and how do you know it? Were just some of the questions Isham would ask, in order to help students better understand what they should be thinking about when deciding on a major.

Later, Isham introduces three major and career assessments, Career Coach, Find Your Grind and Multiple Intelligences, all of which are free-to-use.

“An assessment is like a questionnaire that you fill out and then after you fill it out you get results that indicate things such as preferences, personality types and interests that help to describe you,” said Isham.

After filling out the assessments, students will receive suggested majors and careers that fit the answers that they gave. Once a student receives their results, the assessment websites allow students to browse through different majors and career fields related to their results.

Beanes had planned to follow-up Isham’s presentation with a custom game of Jeopardy, asking questions related to the topics that were brought up during the meeting, but due to a lack of time, students were unable to play.

The Career Design Studio will take place every Thursday at 3 p.m. through Zoom.

Next week’s topic revolves around finding work during a pandemic. To receive the Zoom link or to find out more about the career assessments, please visit the LMC website.

For more information on the Career Design Studio, please contact any of the Transfer and Career Services staff.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect when I submitted the stor y, I had been on Zoom all day and was ready to sleep. Getting third was cool, but having been a part of the staff during the spring semester I was thrilled with how well the Experience did overall,” said Hopkins

LEGAL From page 6

in Brentwood which is assigned to all LMC consultations, though due to the pandemic they will only take phone calls and emails.

On top of the free legal ser vice the IIBA provides, they will also be hosting a webinar on Oct. 2 through Zoom starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 11 a.m., which is open to all members of the listening to the entire album LMC community. At the webinar the IIBA will: without even realizing it.

CHILOMBO — JHENE AIKO

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“The greater our knowledge increases, the more our ignorance unfolds.”

“Provide information about our free immigration legal services at LMC. We also will talk about the most common immigration benefits, and constitutional rights.

This webinar is geared to ESL students, but everyone from the LMC community is welcome,” wrote Kasso.

To set up a consultation with the IIBA, please call 925-237-8581 ext. 11. The IIBA are available for consultations Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We are eager to meet LMC students and help them achieve their educational goals by providing them sound immigration legal advice,” wrote Kasso.

TESLA From page 7

of Tesla’s recruiters who is working behind the scenes with LMC faculty involved in the program. One of the main goals of this collaboration with Tesla is for the company to add more strength into their workforce pipeline by hiring trained students straight from LMC. “The company is also building a special web page for LMC students so that their applications are flagged for special consideration. All qualified LMC applicants will receive at least a screening interview. Tesla is also engaging with faculty to participate in program advisory boards and sharing ideas for more real-world examples and projects to embed in classes,” said Bankhead.

This partnership between Tesla and LMC officially kicks off in spring 2021, so PTEC/ ETEC students can expect a lot of bonus additions to their curriculum when the semester starts in late January.

“We are expanding our outdoor lab to add more hands-on activities. This includes a workbench with tools to work on flanged piping systems. We also have an air-operated diaphragm pump lab to simulate logistics operations such as truck and trailer filling operations,” said PTEC/ETEC Depar tment Chair Mike Kean.

He also emphasized the programs’ commitment to process safety, an important fundamental of modern manufacturing operations that will be a huge part of the collaboration with Tesla.

But for how these plans will roll into effect next semester, the virtual protocols that are in place today due to the ongoing pandemic will also be the same standards for how these meetings and information event sessions will occur in the near future.

For more information on the Tesla-LMC information sessions please contact CTE Counselor Camille Santana, PTEC/ETEC Dept. Chair Mike Kean or LMC’s Workforce and Economic Development Department Manager Bill Bankhead.

From page 7

clude people’s culture where they stand and accept that there are some differences in our society.

Hailey explained that society as a whole does not understand what law enforcement is and there’s a disconnect between the police and the community.

TV shows like “Law and Order” influence perspectives of police officers however, yet 75% of police work are addressing social calls such as keeping cats out of trees and giving directions to help people.

About 10% of their job consists of enforcing the law however, most of the time police are essentially social workers.

Does the culture of police brutality seen both in enter tainment media and reported on the news throughout the nation exist at LMC? “The negative police culture exists everywhere. I think there’s certain officers that can resist that culture but I think it’s ingrained in police culture. It’s ingrained in the way we’ve trained our police officers,” said Hailey. “I wouldn’t say that LMC has any individual officers or we have any large problems, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t address the overall issue before it becomes a big problem and the biggest problem is the hiring of unqualified people and so I wouldn’t specifically point out LMC as being a problem, but it’s a potential problem because it is part of the culture.”

Hailey points out in his proposal that white supremacy is as common today as it has been in any time since the 1950s.

Research shows high school educated white men are the demographic most likely to hold white supremacist attitudes. Even with this knowledge, in order to become an entry-level police officer in California applicants need only to be between the age of 21 and 40 with a high school diploma, a driver’s license, be in good health, have a clean criminal record, and hold a Peace Officer’s Standards and Training Certificate.

The requirements are similar for those seeking to obtain a police service job at LMC. Applicants should have a high school diploma and GED, valid California driver’s license and completion of the California P.O.S.T. approved Basic Police Academy or California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate.

Because of this, Hailey said sheriff’s departments should increase the educational requirements for entr y level jobs in their departments to a minimum of an associate’s degree. He is devoted to seeing positive change in law enforcement, and his plan includes changes within Administration of Justice programs.

“I am dedicated to and convinced of education’s ability to lead social change, and the need for change in the relationship between alienated young people of color and the power elites,” wrote Hailey in his plan.

EOPS From page 6

as notebooks, pens, pencils, and folders. On the second day of the event, the EOPS staff teamed up with the Food Pantry.

“We handled the school supply and snack bag distribution while the Food Pantry team ensured that students were able to get groceries,” wrote Freeman.

Students were also able to receive assistance with checking out necessities for classes such as Chromebooks, calculators, and textbooks from the library.

To lear n more about EOPS, CARE, and CalWORKS, or to find out when the next event is happening, please visit the LMC website for more information.

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was not.

The district retained Joie Grimmett, an attorney investigator for the Titan Group, to investigate the allegations and in a July 8 letter to trustee Gordon, board President Rebecca Barrett explained that the investigator’s findings appeared to uphold some of the complaints.

“During the investigation process, Ms. Grimmett received additional evidence that suggested Gordon had consistently engaged in other areas of potential misconduct, to include making harassing and/or inappropriate communications to other board members and district employees.”

Trustee Gordon responded to the investigation with an open letter dated Aug. 17, in which she wrote: “I understand that a letter concerning me has been circulating as part of a deliberate attempt to smear my good name … I categorically deny any ethics violations as are being alleged.”

Later, in an interview with the Experience, Gordon added: “If you look at the report, the report is very questionable, there are so many flaws and biases in it. It is based on hearsay.”

Barrett had written another letter dated July 8, this time to trustee Enholm, and she described the allegations against him, “That complaint alleged that you harassed Chancellor Fred Wood and used ‘veiled threats’ in an attempt to influence him to take specific actions in July and October of 2019 to benefit faculty [name redacted].”

The district retained the services of Attorney Investigator John Kochan with Van Dermyden Maddux, and the evidence gathered during that investigation supported the allegation that Enholm had inappropriately advocated for a district faculty member to be reclassified. The allegation of Enholm inappropriately advocating for a faculty member’s application for the Contra Costa College president position was also supported by the evidence. Though the allegation of Enholm making “veiled threats” was not sustained.

When asked about the allegations, Enholm wrote: “In the first anonymous complaint, I was surprised that the professor was not even given an interview in the hiring of the interim Contra Costa College president and stated I thought he should at least be interviewed. In the second anonymous complaint, I was again surprised that the same professor’s request for a reclassification appeared to be treated in an atypical manner. Quite frankly the complaints against me are at the same level as receiving a parking ticket on days when street cleaning was to occur.”

On top of the allegations and findings from the investigations, the board itself has become fractured. The board conducts an annual self-evaluation in May of each year, and this year’s evaluation was assisted by Collaborative Brain Trust consultant Brice Harris.

In the evaluation process board members are given a questionnaire to fill out and each has an interview with the consultant. The findings from this year show that the board is not working as a cohesive unit, and that politics are affecting decisions.

One section of the evaluation included anonymous quotes from each of the board members. When asked, “what is your assessment of the overall performance of the board?” the members answered with “not well,” “we are terrible,” and “we don’t trust one another so we can’t find agreement.”

Both Gordon and Enholm are up for reelection this November, with Enholm running against candidate Fernando Sandoval for ward 5 where LMC is located, and Gordon r unning against candidate Judy Walters. Both candidates running against the incumbents are endorsed by the United Faculty and Local 1 unions.

From page 1

from college student to college professor, a job he held for 16 years at Cerritos College before transitioning into college administration — a career turn that took him a bit by surprise.

“I loved being a faculty member, I never planned on leaving the classroom,” he said. “Fifteen years in, I felt I couldn’t get the success from students that I wanted.”

It was around this time that Reece was getting encouragement from colleagues to apply for Academic Senate president. Wavering at first, a seminar he attended shined a new light on the immense ability an Academic Senate has to support student success.

“I distinctly remember coming out of that seminar and it really gave me a completely different viewpoint… basically a vision of how you could build a collective effort to create an academic institution that elicited more academic success for students,” he said.

The seminar proved to be a motivating force for Reece, spurring his move to the administrative side of community colleges. He went on to serve as Academic Senate president and dean of Academic Success at Cerritos College, vice president of instruction at Crafton Hills College, president at Norco College, all culminating in his eventual selection as the district’s newest chancellor. But it all started with a seminar.

“Everything I’ve done since that point has been trying to build a bigger collaborative ef for t and of fering more resources that can be shared to help influence the success of students,” he said.

While administrative roles don’t allow for as much frequent interaction with students, the potential to indirectly impact student success on a large scale was one of the ways Reece felt he could work to provide better resources and help students reach their educational goals.

“I think back to being a student, I only remember the professor… no one remembers the dean or the president,” he said. “But the work is directly connected to students. The student experience can really be enhanced if we can do good work in the district.”

Among the work Reece feels are priorities to address, not just for the Contra Costa Community College District schools but all community colleges, is bridging the equity gap and helping students from historically underser ved backgrounds find academic success. Two things he believes the district is well-suited to achieve and can set an example for other colleges to follow.

“We’re in an urban setting so we get a broad mix of students,” he said. “There is a strong and palpable sense of social justice in Bay Area politics and culture and I’m interested in applying social justice to students’ lives and

VOTE From page 4

to vote. Help can be found in workplaces, libraries, college campuses and on social media, which will take part in the National Voter Registration Day through technology and media efforts in order to ensure every citizen has registered to vote.

According to the National Voter Registration Website, “Social media outreach and in-platform activations by digital partners to help voters register to vote online and find registration drives nearby.”

When asked if social media had made it easier for students to register to vote online, Bryan Cruz, a student at Los Medanos College said, “Due to social media, current members of society have been exposed to more encouragement of voting. In my opinion, it has been overexposed to us so much that if you have social media and haven’t registered to vote that means you don’t want to vote at all or you just don’t care.”

Facebook, a National Voter Registration Day par tner, released an article Sept. 21 that stated, “Facebook has embarked on

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I think this region has tremendous resources to help pull that off.”

Part of the struggles of community colleges are that they’re under-resourced and the financial support a community college receives from the government per student is significantly less than that of state and public universities. Reece mentioned that a major function of his job will be acquiring and providing resources.

“We need more resources and it’s my job to organize a collective strategy to go out and get more resources for the colleges, which means more resources for the students,” said Reece.

Recently, he has been working on a book that lays out various strategies and solutions to help improve success rates for students from historically underserved backgrounds.

“Historically underserved means you’re getting less,” he said. “We need to make sure every student understands exactly what it is they need to be successful and then wrap services and people around them that help move them through the process.”

As with most new ideas, developing and implementing them costs time and money. To this, Reece again highlighted the value and uniqueness of the Bay Area as a way to help support this.

“The district is located in maybe the most dynamic economy in the world,” he said. “A lot of the solutions are going to need really good technology partners, which we have in abundance right in our own backyard.”

Reece explained that one of the most valuable assets of community colleges are the faculty and staff, and although part of being a chancellor is to hold everyone accountable to high standards, it’s also crucial to provide support, because faculty success is student success.

“The district has a reputation for a high degree of professionalism with regard to faculty, to staff, and the board,” he said. “Every person I’ve ever met at a community college is really interested in helping students succeed. If you focus on helping students have a successful college experience, then you’re focused on something which every single person agrees.”

As Reece begins to settle into his new position, one constant has guided him through his career, from political science professor to author to district chancellor — the undeniable value of education and the potential it has to improve lives.

“Education completely changed the trajectory of my life. My life would be fundamentally different, my kids lives would be fundamentally dif ferent, so much would be different, and education changed that,” he said. “If we can help people from historically underser ved backgrounds find academic success, it can dramatically change their lives.”

the largest voting information campaign in American history, with the goal of helping register 4 million eligible voters in the US this year.”

The article also estimated that social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger have helped 2.5 million citizens register this year.

When asked her thoughts on whether social media has increased the amount of people that register due to social media being widely accessible, LMC student Savannah Pecknold said, “Social media did play an impactful part in making voter registration easier because of how easily accessible (the) internet is; it definitely helped for me because I kept on forgetting to register! I kept seeing ads and social media posts about registering, which eventually prompted me to finally do it. Especially now, where I’ve seen celebrities such as Ariana Grande encourage her fans to register.”

To find out more about National Voter Registration Day or about registering to vote in general, please visit the official website.

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2016 From page 4

degree favored Democrats.

In addition, he said Clinton performed worse in 2016 with women and Latinx voters than Barack Obama four years earlier.

Hiscocks explained that race and gender in politics are often pigeonholed and that geographic-related cultures and beliefs are sometimes overlooked to the detriment of expected outcomes. For example, immigration was a hot button issue in 2016.

“People listening to the rhetoric of candidate Trump would come to the very reasonable conclusion that this was going to alienate Latinx voters,” said Hiscocks. “Problems with coming to conclusions such as this is that you start to believe that you’re talking about a monolithic group of people, but Latinx voters from Cuba in a state like Florida are dramatically different than Latinx voters in a state like California.”

The presentation shifted to state politics when moderator Saito asked Hiscocks to highlight forecasts on a few California ballot initiatives.

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“Ideas are like pizza dough, made to be tossed around..”

— Anna Quindlen

From page 1

cess during the transition of in-person classes to remote instruction due to COVID-19.

“It was obvious that you pulled together and just made it happen so students continued to be served,” she said.

“That’s to your credit how you always focused and continue to focus on students.”

Although the oral preliminary report provided insight into the team’s findings, the final report will be released in January after the accrediting commission reviews and approves the written report.

In an email letter following the exit report, college President Bob Kratochvil noted the team identified no college areas requiring attention and commended the campus community.

“The team was impressed with the atmosphere of collaboration at Los Medanos College, as well as our support for students,” he wrote.”

Kudos to all of you.”

Although Daniels called LMC “a great place” with “a lot to be proud of,” the Contra Costa Community College District itself did not receive praise. The team’s suggestions for improvement were at the district level and suggested it conduct a “regular and systematic evaluation process for all employees.” In addition it called on the district governing board to regularly review and evaluate its policies and bylaws and “delegate operational authority and not interfere with operational activities.”

Daniels explained the purpose of the four-day visit was to evaluate LMC as a whole with reference to the accreditation standards and determine how well the college is accomplishing its mission. The team reviewed the college’s own Institutional Self-Evaluation Report ahead of its visit and spent its time at LMC interviewing managers, faculty, staff and students,

while also holding public forums for feedback. Daniels said the team’s official report will offer recommendations to improve quality in addition to recognizing outstanding practices.

LMC began the process of compiling its self-evaluation report in phases starting in 2018 by interviewing faculty and collecting data on the quality of education and curriculum. In the second phase, the LMC accreditation work group identified LMC’s strengths in teaching, and what could be improved. In phase 3, the group evaluated long-term planning for the college’s goals to keep students’ education competitive and up to date. In phase 4 work group members wrote a draft report and solicited feedback from all campus governance groups and the college district governing board before submitting a final revised version to the accrediting commission last spring.

The accreditation process is designed to encourage educational institutions to improve academic quality, institutional effectiveness and student success.

The accrediting commission, par t of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, is the agency that accredits LMC and other community colleges in the west on a six-year cycle.

voiceover work, to indicate to the viewer her thinking, and feigned intimacy and personability in her actual dialogue with Plemons. Plemons character is slightly harder to read. He is always the first one to correct your usage of assertion, letting you know you should have used asser tation, and he wants to make it clear it’s Trivial Pursuit: Genus Edition, not Genius Edition.

There were some shortcomings of the film as well. This is a subtle horror movie. It always feels eerie, and something always feels off, but it never reaches the boiling point that many other horror movies reach. I do enjoy Kaufman’s take on films and his ability to completely surprise me and shock me. But there are times where I’d like to understand the film’s last thirty minutes.

If you like Kaufman, then watch this movie, and if you don’t know who Kaufman is, still watch this movie. It looks beautiful on your television screen, it makes your living room into a movie theater.

The acting is astounding, and there are more good per formances within the film not mentioned in this review. It’s shortcomings are minimal, and are based on my taste as a viewer rather than Kaufman’s ability to make a movie. This is the kind of film we need right now. I’ve had enough of the comfort TV shows and movies, we need something off-kilter. We need something that respects us as viewers and doesn’t wait for us to catch up to every little plot point. Kaufman doesn’t care if you get it or if you like it, he just makes it. I can’t think of anything better than that.

Prop 16 seeks to reverse Prop 209, passed in 1996, which outlawed affirmative action in the state. Hiscocks said the polls indicate 16 is likely to fail. Prop 22, he said, also seeks a reversal, but of CA AB5, a bill passed by the California Legislature Only accredited colleges in 2018 mandating benefits and universities are eligible for gig workers — those for federal funding, which employed by companies entitles its students to apply such as Uber, Lyft and Door for free federal financial aid Dash. Hiscocks said this through FAFSA. According proposition is also likely to to LMC Accreditation Liaifail despite the vast amounts son Officer Chialin Hsieh in of money being poured into an earlier Experience story, getting it passed. accreditation also ensures “The money coming in courses are transferable to from the companies… you’re other colleges, certificates talking about $200 million, and degrees are recognized an obscene amount of monand that students can be ey,” he said. “This really professionally licensed in gets into deeper questions their fields. about direct democracy in California. It costs so much money and takes a Erwin agreed, describsmall army to get these From page 4 ing that whether it was propositions to the voters… essentially this system, like to these companies and the intentional or not, these so many other political companies in turn analyze companies are now some of systems, is so incredibly that information to connect the largest news providers biased toward people with those users with content they in the world but aren’t held up to the same standards of wealth and corporations.” will like.

“They use that analysis to fact-checking that traditional As the presentation moved into its final segment, an construct content that will news organizations are.

To wrap up, Saito asked audience Q&A, Saito asked either nudge or direct our Hiscocks for his predictions. behavior, usually to pur- the panelists how the panWhile he refrained from chase something but also demic has affected everypicking winners, one thing how we vote and interpret one’s ability to find factual he did predict is a huge candidates,” said Higdon. information during the 2020 McGrath added that election cycle. turnout in voters, something “People actually have already taking place. More users are “feeding our own than 51% of the total 2016 lack of privacy” by giving more access to some kind vote has already been cast personal information to of information and less to in early voting, he reported, these companies, which another,” said McGrath.

She added that during and a majority of polls are then use that information a normal election cycle, giving the edge to former to make money.

Another question asked people typically chat with Vice President Joe Biden. the panelists to weigh in friends, family, and coworkAs the Q&A drew to a close Hiscocks dispensed on social media’s respon- ers in person, discussing last-minute words of wis- sibility in making sure the their views and thoughts dom. “Vote,” he said, and information on their sites about the candidates and various propositions. This then specifically addressed are true.

“The bait and switch has been limited due to the those who think voting is that’s gone on recently is pandemic, causing people to meaningless.

“I know we all think of that the tech companies be in front of their screens ourselves as individuals, have contracts with the much more than they usubut voting patterns hold,” government. And so they’re ally would.

The next event in the he said. “There are millions doing a lot of this data of people just like you and collection and the govern- series will be hosted Oct. the reasons that you’re ment’s using it. So, this is 20 from 1-2 p.m. To attend using and the justifications censorship and surveillance that meeting, please follow the link provided. you’re putting forward about by proxy,” said Higdon.

He describes the situaThe recording of the Oct. why you’re not going to vote, are exactly the same tion as complex and that 15 meeting is accessible justifications they’re going ultimately tech companies through the online version to use… Vote, participate, have the responsibility to of this story at LMCExpenot manipulate its users. rience.com. it matters.”

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THINK From page 8

“I’m Thinking of Ending Things” focuses on Cindy, played by Jessie Buckley, and her boyfriend Jake, played by Jesse Plemons. Cindy is thinking of ending her relationship with Jake, and it’s likely she will. First, she accepts Jake’s invitation to meet his parents, played by Tonie Collete and David Thewlis. Shortly after their arrival at the farm, Cindy’s experience becomes surreal and confusing, but never uneventful.

I liked the movie, especially how it looks. The cinematography fits into a tight box.

Both Buckley and Plemons are firing on all cylinders.

Buckley’s character is always happy to sit and think in the car, rather than talk with her boyfriend. She bounces between intimate and personable

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collaborative approach.

“In 2016, I started late, nobody knew me, I ran a totally grassroots campaign…even though I was a newcomer, I still got almost 40% of the vote,” said Sandoval. “This time, I started a lot earlier, I’m making sure that my message is consistent all the way across the board on why I’m running and what I think we can do from a collaborative perspective.”

Foremost in his second campaign effort, Sandoval spoke about the importance of the community, the people within it, especially the students attending district colleges.

“I’m not running for me, I’m running for the voices of the underserved, I’m running for the students,” said Sandoval.

“The key is in how we do outreach, not just in students joining the community college district but how they become successful. We’ve got to find new methodologies for that.”

Enholm is confident his body of work as a two-term trustee speaks for itself as does his familiarity with the community. He said he prioritized the construction of new facilities for Los Medanos College students and was instrumental in getting the funding to do so.

“At my second board meeting in January 2013, I proposed to have another bond to put some crucial buildings up. We now have a student union building at LMC,” he said. “The old PE building…I said we needed to replace it, so those are two buildings that quite frankly, wouldn’t be there if I hadn’t said…this needed to be done.”

If elected to another term, Enholm said it’ll be a priority to focus on jumpstarting college courses at the high-school level and he also stressed the need to bring more jobs to the area, something he learned was important from community members at the various city council meetings he attends.

“We need more jobs and careers in East Contra Costa, I hear this all the time… people are tired of hour-long, two-hour long commutes,” he said.

If Sandoval succeeds in unseating Enholm, he said his top priorities include – student engagement, creating internship opportunities and building bridges and connections within the community.

“I’m continually making more and more relationships with key people in our education system as well as our community leaders because they need to understand that the college is an asset for the community,” he said. “Let’s build those relationships so we can drive internship opportunities…we have to talk to the businesses to talk about all the young talent that they have in their community, right at the college.”

Both candidates have a financial background. Enholm previously worked as a financial economist, securities analyst and operated his own financial advisory firm before settling in East Contra Costa in 1996. He also taught mathematics at both high school and college levels.

Sandoval grew up in Pittsburg, leaving at age 17 to join the Navy. After his service,

ADMIN From page 3

“Unfortunately, this is a personnel issue and I can not comment on it.”

Board member John Marquez also voted no on the contract extensions and the Experience was unable to reach him for comment.

Though, during the Aug. 26 meeting Marquez read a letter from an anonymous constituent to give his reasoning for not extending the contracts.

Marquez read aloud, “These two individuals stifle what was once an environment of creativity and productivity, morale is at an all-time low.

The unions were coaxed into attacking the board because the contracts for these two individuals were not approved, if that is not unethical, then I don’t know what is.”

he embarked on a career in finance and emerging technology, holding positions as a Global Relationship Manager and International Banking Consultant for some top banking institutions before returning home to the East Bay. Despite his accomplishments, incumbent Enholm’s tenure on the board has not been without controversy.

Last year, he was named in anonymous complaints of ethics violations that he used his position to pressure the previous district chancellor to promote the classification level of an unnamed LMC professor and also encouraged this same professor be considered for president of Contra Costa College. Enholm signed a resolution agreement regarding the complaints in July 2020.

“In the first anonymous complaint, I was surprised that the professor was not even given an interview in the hiring of the interim Contra Costa College president and stated I thought he should at least be interviewed,” Enholm remarked.

“In the second anonymous complaint, I was again surprised that the same professor’s request for a reclassification appeared to be treated in an atypical manner. Eventually, the board approved that reclassification as requested by the professor.”

Separate of the complaints filed against Enholm, the governing board itself has recently been mired in controversy over split decisions to reject contract extensions of three long-time district administrators.

In response to the controversy, Enholm said, “Split votes reflect the differences, but 95-99% of board votes are unanimous. The three board members who voted against extending the contracts felt the new chancellor should have the oppor tunity to meet with and assess the three administrators.”

Sandoval is aware of the current unrest within the governing board and explained that if elected, he will stress the importance of collaboration and trust.

“All my life I’ve been a bridge builder,” he said.

“I’m going to have to earn the trust of the other board members…the best way to do that is building relationships…you’ve got to let people know you’re vested in their success and that your success can only happen with their support.”

While a lot can change in a four-year term and both candidates have their own set of priorities, Enholm and Sandoval share one concern in common – the districtwide disruptions caused by the pandemic.

“With COVID and distance lear ning, it’s not easy…for the students, it’s hard for them…the faculty had to figure out how to do their curriculum,” said Sandoval. “How do we make sure our campuses are safe when we reopen? That’s something that has to be looked at.”

Enholm stressed the importance of safety as well.

“I’m willing to do everything necessary to ensure that there is no COVID-19 infection as a result of being on our campus,” he said.

Local 1 President Neal Skapura is also upset. In an email, Skapura wrote, “The actions of the Board strike at the heart of our contract and working conditions in two significant ways. We have in our contract articles language about progressive discipline and an employee review process. When the governing board does not honor this for any employee – let alone an acting chancellor, CFO, and AVC of HR – it begs the question: do they value progressive discipline and an employee review process?”

The board has begun working on the terms of Reece’s contract as chancellor, they hope to have the contract ready for public review and approval at their next scheduled meeting. For information, visit the district website.

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From page 3 answer, she will for ward the inquiry to a financial aid representative to follow up with the student,” wrote Ma. Students can check their financial aid status through InSite at any time, which will let students know about required documents, financial aid reward packages, and their satisfactory academic progress status.

“Students may submit documents to finaidoffice@ losmedanos.edu. Students must send the email using their InSite email and include student ID number in all communication,” wrote Ma. She encouraged students to try to get in touch with their financial aid coordinator, which is determined based on the first letter of a student’s last name. Students can schedule a phone or Zoom appointment by contacting their respective financial aid coordinator.

Accommodations have been made for students who lack certain utilities.

“No access to a scanner?

Students can scan and email documents without a scanner using the free Adobe Scan App,” wrote Ma. If any students are concerned about there being a lack of financial aid funds due to the recession, fear not.

“The pandemic has not impacted the availability of federal and state financial aid grants. We continue to process applications and process grant disbursements as usual. We encourage all students to apply for financial aid,” wrote Ma. The Financial Aid Office’s remote hours for the fall semester are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., the office is closed on Fridays.

Students can call the office at (925) 473-7525, or by emailing finaidoffice@losmedanos.edu as mentioned earlier. When calling, students will first need to verify the last four digits of their social security number, date of birth and student ID number.

If you need to fax a document to the Financial Aid Of fice, please send them to (925) 473-1651, or if you choose to mail a document, please send it with attention to the Office of Financial Aid.

For more information regarding financial aid, please visit the LMC website.

CHORAL From page 8

again. As the virtual curtain fell, the audience expressed their gratitude for Harris’ appearance at the event and the advice he gave.

“What an honor to have been a part of this. Thank you to all the professors, you are very much appreciated,” wrote performer Tracy James.

If you missed the event and would like to take a listen, you can find the recording on Henderson’s YouTube, along with past vocal performances and other performances from Henderson.

To keep track of when the next choral event will take place, you can find event listings on the LMC Music Department website. If you would like to make a donation to the program, please visit their Network for Good donation page, make sure it is designated for the LMC Gospel Foundation.

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but also how it can turn people against one another and dismantle previously stable democracies. Make no mistake, this documentary will turn that social media notification you receive halfway through its runtime, into a terrifying, little voice you feel powerless against.

The main issue with social media today is the ar tificial intelligence controlled algorithm. “AI controlled algorithm” means a computer controls what you see on Instagram, Facebook, etc. based on the data you provide it. When you click the like button for frozen yogurt or bowling balls, the computer AI tries it’s absolute best to keep showing you those things you like. It’s number one goal is to

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place for everyone. If elected, she outlined stabilization of the district office, increasing From page 3 opportunities for student success, financial responsibility, began the first of a 15-year stint and upholding social justice on the Martinez Unified School values as top priorities.

Board and in 2012 she was “Things I want to do is elected to her first term as the create a stable district ofgoverning board trustee from fice and staff. That’s really Ward 2, the same position her important, especially now grandfather George Gordon during COVID… I want to held for 28 years. achieve financial stability It wasn’t until the district and that includes the ability star ted investigating comto meet contractual obligaplaints of alleged ethics vitions, and I want support olations that Gordon’s seat for students to achieve became a point of contention. their goals,” said Walters.

In September 2019, Gordon “I believe those are things was named in multiple comthat we can do and that we plaints, including harassing can do together.” phone calls to several district For her part, Gordon said employees and fellow board she is proud of her long members while intoxicated, ser vice record fighting violating the Brown Act by for educational excellence calling board members Reand what she’s worked to becca Barrett and Andy Li achieve as a trustee. Chief to garner support to remain among them she said is board president, and calling fostering communication bedistrict employees attempting tween K-12 schools and the to get an item pulled from community college district, the agenda that had personal implementing the diversity, financial implications.

Although Gordon signed equity and inclusion hiring a resolution acknowledging practices, and updating the complaints in July 2020, campus facilities in regards she wrote an open letter after to both infrastructure and disputing the legitimacy of the technology.

Looking ahead, Gordon allegations and the procedure said she’s always been pasof the investigation.

“There is no substance sionate about students and to these ethics violations,” wants to work on creating Gordon wrote. “I met with better metrics to measure board chair Rebecca Barrett student success and manand the lawyer/investigator aging funds as new financial at their request in an effort policies take place.

“The state is trying to shift to resolve the issues — I was in a new funding formula not allowed to have my lawyer attend — and I reluctantly that will, if it is passed, it will decided to agree to informally impact us,” she said. “I’ve resolve the matter… the got to make sure that the entire complaint resolution funding is there to do what I process and meeting was a think is the most important job in this community, which clear set up.”

In a recent interview, Gor- is to help our students.”

Not to be overlooked don explained that there was no proof to most the allegations is Michaelson, who has made against her and that she’s “participated in progressive being held to higher scrutiny. activism for over 10 years.”

“The report is very ques- He said growing up in the tionable, there’s so many flaws East Bay to an indigenous and biases in it,” said Gordon. and working class family “It is based on hearsay and in was something that early a court of law, that would be on, inspired his passion to converse with people from totally inadmissible.”

When asked, if re-elected, diverse backgrounds and how she would approach advocate for the disadvananother term working on taged.

At DVC, Michaelson the board amid the recent criticisms surrounding her de- participated in student govcision-making, Gordon made it ernment which showed him clear that she wasn’t someone “the possibilities of service who bailed when things got to the community through tough. She emphasized that leadership.” And despite cooperation and refocusing not holding a public office back on the students would before, he sees this more as an asset than a liability. be priorities.

“I’m r unning for the “I need to work harder and get along better with my board CCCCD because there is a colleagues,” she said. “I’ve need for more young people been saying, the more that on the board. As a Native we focus on student success, American member of the the more we focus on our Absentee Shawnee nation, students, the less time we’ll I also see the importance of have for the nitpicking and elevating more POC voices to help address the issues of the backstabbing.”

Before joining the race, their communities,” he said.

Walters was aware of the cur- “The community college rent dissension engulfing the system should be serving governing board, and on the the students above all — not campaign trail she’s made it as customers, but as valued a point to sign into all district constituents and members meetings open to the public. of the community.”

Michaelson’s top priorities “Trustees have a particular role and responsibility, their for the district highlight his role is putting together the student-centric approach. policies that need to be put He wants to work to expand into place and making sure basic healthcare for stuto stay within budget,” said dents, increase workforce Walters. “I’ve been attending development partnerships their meetings… I did not see for career training, provide anything like that happening more resources for stuin any of the board meetings, dents to protect against so that just makes me much intimidation and violence more interested in being on on campus, develop better pathways for graduating the board.”

Walters believes in the high school students, and comprehensive nature of to bolster screenings and community colleges and plans in the case of future appreciates that they are a pandemics.

keep you using the app, and in turn, keep gathering data and learning about you. This leads to AI controlled facts, which means, a computer decides what is a fact based on where you are in the country. For example, if you are somewhere conservative leaning, Google may tell you climate change is fake, and vice versa in liberal leaning areas.

I like “The Social Dilemma” from a production standpoint because it nails the basics.

The inter views and their backgrounds are well done.

The inter viewees all seem comfor table, considering they are speaking against the billion dollar industr y that used to employ them. The interview backgrounds avoid being blank, black walls of monotony and also avoid being overly distracting, which is a

surprisingly hard tightrope to walk for a documentary. The audio is crisp, and it feels like these people are in your living room telling you that your addiction to Instagram is bad for your health and will end the world. In between these much needed lectures, there are scripted scenes about a family who can’t put their dang phones down.

The scripted scenes focus on a brother and sister, played

by Skyler Gisondo and Kara Hayward. This segment of the documentary wasn’t interesting, but it did serve as a nice break from the interviews.

At one point the younger sister in the family, played

by Sophia Hammons, gets a rude comment on her social media about her ears, and she begins to cry. At another point Gisondo’s character falls

“We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.”

— Jimmy Carter

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trictwide public forums where students, faculty and district staff observed his responses to pre-submitted questions, ranging from how he would approach the position for the district overall.

“Many faculty were impressed by the commitment to equity and social justice that Bryan Reece described in the forums. Certainly, the United Faculty looks forward to working with him and we hope he will bring positive energy and leadership to our district,” said Jeffrey Michels, United Faculty Executive Director.

In a district press release, Public Information Officer Timothy Leong repor ted that the governing board “acknowledged the hundreds of faculty, classified professionals, managers and community leaders who participated in the public forums and submitted comments to the trustees for consideration prior to their final decision.”

Leong also reported that Governing Board President Rebecca Barrett, “praised the dedication and work conducted by the search committee and Collaborative Brain Trust Senior Consultant Dr. Brice Harris,” who were instrumental in the hiring process.

However, not everyone is happy with how the hiring process played out. The United Faculty, as well as others in the district, urged the board to fail the search and start over.

“The board has stopped listening to faculty and staff and managers,” said Michels.

“Not only have they set themselves up as smarter than the rest of us, but they seem to be working on their own agenda.”

The board recently voted not to extend the contracts of three senior district administrators despite the support of faculty, staff and students at its Aug. 26 and Sept. 9 district meetings.

Current Interim Chancellor Gene Huff will no longer be returning to his previous role as vice chancellor of administrative services when his contract ends and District Chief Financial Officer Jonah Nicholas and Chief Human Resource Officer Dio Shipp will leave the district at the end of their contracts.

Recent acknowledgments of ethics violations by two of the governing board’s trustees, Vicki Gordon and Greg Enholm cast a shadow over the search. Both members voted with board member Marquez to reject extending the contracts of these administrators before the board decided to move ahead with the chancellor hiring process.

As the Governing Board is the hiring body, these decisions have alarmed district faculty.

“It’s troubling, especially when you look at the ‘I’ll protect you if you protect me’ ethics violations and other things that are available in public documents,” said Michels.

District faculty and staff want seasoned district administrators are needed to ensure a smooth transition with a new chancellor. Michels said it is vital for Reece to have, “an experienced and competent team in the district of fice supporting him. So, reversing some of the recent bad decisions by the governing board and retaining Gene Jonah and Dio remains really important.”

down a rabbit hole of videos that seem to be mimicking conservative commentators and feels so empowered he goes to a protest. It feels like an after school special, but its goal was to make an important point clear: social media can lead to action, whether that be making a little girl cry and possibly even taking her own life, or a young man joining an angry, hateful movement.

My passion for the argument “The Social Dilemma” makes should indicate the strength and quality of this film. Rarely do I see a documentary, especially one about something with such a large common denominator, that feels like a fresh jolt of energy. I feel like it woke me up, and if you’ve ever seen “The Matrix,” you know you can’t come back from waking up.

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