UC Berkeley offers Pierce a roadmap for transfer Transfer program allows students the opportunity to meet with Berkeley representatives

BY PABLO ORIHUELA

After years of requests, the UC Berkeley Transfer Alliance Program (TAP) has arrived. It is now available at the Pierce College Transfer Center, giving Pierce students easier access to their preferred university with assistance in academic advising.

Transfer Center Director Sunday Salter said getting the program to Pierce has not been easy. The program was concentrated in Northern California and the only Southern California branch is located at Santa Monica College.

“Over the years I would email, call, run into them at events and ask them, ‘When are you guys going to expand? Our students would love to have this opportunity,’” Salter said.

UC Berkeley Transfer Specialist

An email sent by Montevirgen on March 9 said five Pierce College students attended the same American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference in Washington, D.C., where three confirmed cases were found.

He said LACCD has created a four-part task force to monitor the status of COVID-19 in each college. Student Health Center Director Beth Benne is part of the Health and Safety section. She said the group will be meeting again Thursday to finalize their plan.

“Hopefully, we have a preliminary approach to how we're going to deal with the COVID as if it comes and knocks on our door,” Benne said.

The sections of the task force are Health and Safety, Academics, Communications and Facilities. They are also working to create three levels of urgency. Benne said she is happy with the quick, organized and financial response from the district.

“The district is approving overtime, so we can really get down and really wipe down those keyboards and get supplies into the computer labs where students are touching the keyboard in between classes,” Benne said.

Associated Student Organization President Vivian Yee said the Student Affairs Committee passed a suggestion to the Board of Trustees to increase custodial staff.

Montevirgen said classrooms and TAP representative Bryan Oldaker said the program will get transfers closer to being admitted than if they were to apply on their own.

“Students who participate in the program have about an 80% acceptance rate,” Oldaker said. “Berkeley’s overall transfer rate is closer to 20%.”

Berkeley chose to expand the program to diversify its community.

UC Berkeley TAP prioritizes certain students but does not limit those who can apply.

“It involves low-income groups, you can also be the first in your family to go to college. It involves students who are marginalized based on their race or ethnicity, a disability,” Salter said.

The program offers appointments with Berkeley representatives where they assist in guiding students won’t be the only focus when it comes to sanitization. Restrooms will also be sanitized to prevent infection.

“There have been steps in place that have been documented in terms of our facility staff redoubling and making a committed effort not just in terms of the restrooms but in terms of classrooms,” Montevirgen said.

Academic Senate President Barbara Anderson asked for opinions on the resolution that would be presented to the Board of Trustees. The resolution is to temporarily relax the qualifications for distance education.

“Level three is where we're moving classes to more of a hybrid status but, of course, that doesn't work for every course. There’s definitely no one-size-fits-all,” Anderson said. Some members said the resolution would cause problems rather than alleviate them. They argued some students or staff don’t get involved with online classes on purpose, others don’t have the technology at home, or some classes can’t be transferred over to an online environment.

“We assume students have a device to complete assignments online and they have a reliable network connection at home or at the hospital to complete the courses,” Chair of Modern Languages Margarita Pillado said.

Benne confirmed the changes that are taking place are district-wide in order to maintain consistency.

California State University, Northridge has ordered 13 of their with their transfer applications and financial aid, answer questions about the college and provide insight on what organizations and clubs to join once admitted.

Pierce College counselor and UC Berkeley alumnus Diane Orellana recalled what intrigued her the most about the college when she was a transfer student.

“I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and live away from home,” Orellana said. “That’s why I picked the Bay Area. As far as picking Berkeley specifically, the academics. As I would research them more, the rigor and the reputation Berkeley had as a research institution, I was always impressed.” students, who also attended the AIPAC conference in Washington, D.C., to self-quarantine until March 17.

Orellana went on to talk about what she felt was the most rewarding part of attending UC Berkeley.

“Having gone to Berkeley opened more opportunities,” Orellana said.

Various universities in California have decided to close to prevent any infections. As of March 9, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, and San Jose State have closed their campuses. UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ released a statement regarding their status.

“There are no confirmed cases on our campus at this time,” she said, “However, as local, national, and global public health recommendations shift to include mitigation of transmission, the campus is proactively taking steps that will help to protect the community.”

Several of the universities have shifted to online classes in response to the closures. They were all motivated by the guidance released by the California Department of Public Health.

According to a statement released by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, there are now 17 confirmed cases in the county excluding Pasadena and Long Beach. One of the new cases has been deemed the first instance of community transmission.

“This is our first case of community transmission in LA County and we will continue to see more cases of COVID- 19,” Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer said. “With more cases, we are urging people with underlying health

“For graduate school, I went to Harvard for my first masters and Columbia for my second. I think having that Berkeley Degree, really made a difference. Every California student that was at Harvard when I was there, had been a UC Transfer. So for students who are thinking of applying to competitive institutions, it can make a difference to have such a highly regarded school on your resume.” porihuela.roundupnews@gmail.com conditions, pregnant women and the elderly to practice social distancing by avoiding non- essential travel, public events, community gatherings, and indoor venues.” pcastillo.roundupnews@gmail.com

Oldaker reassured students who were interested in participating in the UC Berkeley TAP to make sure they meet with him to verify if they’re qualified for the program. Students can set up a meeting with the representative through the Pierce College Transfer Center website for March 16 and 26, April 15 and 28 and May 13.

The entire state of California has confirmed 133 cases with one death from the virus. California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency and asked citizens to prepare in the case of closures.

"It's a question of when — not if — some California public schools will face closure because of COVID-19," Newsom said.

According to an email sent on Tuesday by Director of Communications and External Relations William H. Boyer, the five Pierce students who attended the AIPAC conference reported feeling healthy.

The Chancellor, Deputy Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, College Presidents, District Senior Staff and College Deans are also restricted from travelling that is nonessential.

Information regarding updates within the LACCD district can be found at laccd.edu/coronavirus. Reports or questions could be directed to the information hotline (213) 2215112 or by email at coronavirusinfo@ laccd.edu.

To report anything related to Pierce, call the Office of the President at (818) 719-6408.

For more information, call the LA County: 211.