Volume 132 Spring 2020 Roundup Issue 7

Fall goes online

Remote instruction continues

BY ARIELLE ZOLEZZI

The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) has decided to keep courses in their online format through the fall 2020 semester, but some professors are hoping to return to in-person instruction.

No future plans have been solidified, according to Pierce College President Alexis Montevirgen.

“We’re working with the district on what they call a recovery plan,” Montevirgen said. “We’re at phase one right now where we’re responding to the situation. Phase two would be seeing who we need to bring back on the campus, who we absolutely need to bring back.”

Montevirgen said phase three is to start thinking about the 5% of classes that were unable to convert online and how to try to get those courses to have some classroom time while respecting social distancing.

“I know many students are like, ‘Well, I need this to graduate’ and I understand that” Montevirgen said.

“We’re trying to move as fast as we can, but we want to do so in a way that’s very intentional and thought out.”

Sociology professor James McKeever said via audio recording that although he gets the logic behind the decision, he is afraid that Pierce and LACCD might lose student enrollment because of this pandemic.

“I understand why they made that decision, because they don’t want a bunch of people in one place,” McKeever said. “But I am worried about our most vulnerable student population, which is working class Black and Brown students, who may go to work and never come back.”

Performing arts professor Garineh Avakian wrote in an email that this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and that the school will look back at this time of instruction in awe and see that people persevered mentally, physically, emotionally and socially.

“With the situation being so fluid, I think it was a wise decision, though it poses a lot more issues and concerns from various departments on campus,” Avakian wrote. “In regards to the performing arts, music area, it is unfortunate to not have live performances, concerts, lessons, and classes.”

Avakian has been getting ready to shelter in place by setting up an art studio in her home office with a Yamaha keyboard, professional microphones, tripods, music software for video and audio editing and hightech speakers.

“I am able to supply my students with tracks for them to sing to,” Avakian wrote. “I am utilizing Canvas to ask them to record their songs. As for the fall semester, I have asked and invited contacts from my own network to join me in my classes at Pierce to talk about their own journeys as professors, performers, agents and producers.”

Political science professor Denise Robb wrote via email that when campus closed, she was in the middle of taking a class that certified her to be an online teacher for a second time.

“I’ve been certified already for a few years, but I was putting off creating an online course because I really like teaching in person,” Robb wrote. Robb wrote that because of her online certification, she is familiar with Yuja, Zoom, EDPUZZLE, and knows how to create video quizzes.

In terms of plans beyond the immediate future, Montevirgen said that department chairs are thinking about what courses will be offered for spring 2021.

“I think what we’re doing is trying to learn as much as we can, and understanding that those things may change,” Montevirgen said. “Even for the fall, we’re going to plan for it to be online because that's the safest and most responsible way to plan.”

Looking COVID-19 in the eye

Frontline healthcare workers risk their lives to help patients during the pandemic

BY SHEHREEN KARIM

Aman alone on his deathbed looked over at his wife and son. He wanted to be able to hold them close, but he was forced to say his final goodbye through a glass door.

Joy Gerales, 34, witnessed this. She is an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse at a Los Angeles hospital who declined to give the location for safety concerns.

“That was the most depressing thing that I’ve ever seen because this is not the norm,” Gerales said in a phone interview. “I’ve been an ICU nurse for 11 years and I've seen a lot of deaths, but this was totally a different feel.”

Gerales said hospitals normally accommodate families by letting them stay in the room as they’re close to dying. But because of COVID-19, hospitals are forced to take precaution and limit how many medical personnel enter the room once the patient dies to limit exposure.

“It was so different unlike any other cardiac arrest because when you see the patient is in cardiac arrest, you can’t even drop a needle in the room because everyone is there like doctors and nurses,” Gerales said. “Now we cannot even jump in the room because it has to be contained and controlled.”

Despite these precautions and limiting how many nurses go into a COVID-19 patient’s room to preserve their protection gear and to limit exposure, Gerales managed to contract COVID-19 and was required to self-isolate in a separate room and bathroom from her family for a month.

At first her fever wouldn't go above 100.4, but within a matter of days Gerales started to experience shortness of breath.

“If I start panicking, my breathing problem will get worse. I'll probably end up calling 911. I'll end up tubed in the ER. I will never see my family,” Gerales said. “That's what I'm thinking and debating alone at 3 a.m. in my bed.”

Gerales said what kept her going and remaining calm was the thought of her husband and 4-year-old son waiting on the other side of the door for her to get better.

“I know my son missed me so much because everytime he passed by my room he would say, ‘Mama I love you and miss you’ outside the door,” Gerales said.

After more than two weeks in isolation from her family, Gerales said the moment she was finally able to hug her son felt like she was granted a second chance at life.

But at the end of their shifts, the anxiety doesn't leave. Instead, they fear that they’re taking home COVID-19 to their family.

Ryan, 38, is a full-time nurse at Kaiser Permanente and who declined to give his last name for safety concerns. He said he takes precautions by taking his temperature before and after every shift to protect his family.

Students of all ages

Pierce parents have become teachers at home

BY ARIELLE ZOLEZZI

Since the shutdown of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), many Pierce professors and students have doubled as their children’s teachers while continuing to fulfill personal and work obligations.

Communications professor Jennifer Rosenberg reflected in a Facebook direct message about the transition to homeschooling her children, while still maintaining her courses, which are now taught in an online format with Zoom and synchronous classes.

“If you want to know what it is like to homeschool and teach at the same time, watch a three minute video and have someone interrupt you every 20 seconds,” Rosenberg wrote. “Homeschooling is both challenging and rewarding, but I am looking forward to summer.”

Sociology professor James McKeever chimed in via voice recording that when he isn’t integrating quality time doing activities and sports with his son, homeschooling is a tag-team partnership with his wife who is also a professor.

“His mom does most of the homeschooling, and when she can’t handle it I step in and that has been really helpful,” McKeever said. “I feel in some ways this has helped me connect more with him, so I am grateful for the time to do that.”

But it isn’t just professors who are feeling the effects of schools closing. There are students who have their families who now have to learn and teach all at the same time.

Pierce student Ashley Shellmire (a Roundup photographer) said via Slack direct message that she has yet to go insane with balancing being a teacher, full time cook, cleaner, babysitter, coming up with new ideas to keep her 4-year-old busy, all while striving to maintain a 4.0 GPA.

“I would compare it to trying to stand on a balance ball while holding 6 cups of hot coffee but only having two hands to use. You're gonna get burnt,” Shellmire wrote. “I take it day by day and try to make time for myself at least 30 mins a day. I call it my ‘Me time.’”

He said preading COVID-19 to his wife and daughters would be the biggest regret of his life.

“We [healthcare workers] all took an oath that we’re going to take care of patients, but our families did not take an oath,” Ryan said in a phone interview. “That’s our main fear: to bring the virus home.”

COVID-19 stays in the back of his mind even while celebrating his daughter and wife’s birthdays. He must distance himself from his high risk elderly parents, which forced them to celebrate behind glass windows.

With healthcare workers working full time, many cherish the little moments they have with family. But even at home, the fear of COVID-19 doesnt leave their mind.

For 24-year-old Lizbeth Rodriguez, being an ER Nurse during the pandemic helped her realize how precious life is and to appreciate each day.

She also explains how even her intimate moments with her husband are clouded with anxiety from COVID-19.

“What if this kiss is my kiss of death and what if I give it to him through this kiss,” Rodriguez said in a phone interview. With the added strain of healthcare workers being at the forefront of the pandemic and having difficulty enjoying their private lives, people have deemed healthcare workers as “healthcare heroes.”

For 34-year-old Ziska Arnold, a surgical ICU Nurse at Cedar Sinai, she understands why people call healthcare workers heroes but explains it’s part of the job.

“It's nice they’re calling us heroes now, but we’ve been heroes all along,'' Arnold said. “Not many folks can do what we do and deal with what we do on a daily basis. I wish they could give us all this respect pre and post pandemic.”

Despite the sudden praise for healthcare workers, Rodriguez says people who break social distancing rules are going against the efforts of healthcare workers.

“People flocking toward the beach right now and not having any sentiments towards social distancing, feels like a slap in the face,” Rodriguez said. “We are working toward so much to get this to the point where we can go back to our normal life.”

Although elderly people are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, Gerales said healthcare workers are seeing elderly patients go on ventilators as well as young patients without any medical history.

“It doesn't matter if you're over 65, we get patients in their 20s and 30s,” Gerales said. “This pandemic made me see that everyone is able to get sick and vulnerable.”

Gerales sympathizes and explains that efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic must come from healthcare workers and the general public.

”If only people understood how emotionally draining it is to see patients dying alone in the ICU bed, and their families to be so helpless that they can't even be there with their loved one as they die,” Gerales said. ”I know it's hard right now, but everyone has to do their part and have to stay home for this pandemic to end.”

Photo courtesy of Joy Gerales

Intensive care unit

suit in May 2020.

From the desk of the Roundup: Editorial

BY TALEEN KEUROGHLIAN

There’s an old adage that goes “I’m bored in the house and

I’m in the house bored,” which many college students, such as myself, have been resonating with lately.

Even after taking up several new hobbies it’s hard to shake the lulls of boredom when one is home all day everyday. With work usually taking up a significant chunk of my day, I’ve now found myself with hours of free time.

People are looking for ways to bring a sense of normalcy to their lives while stuck in quarantine. Students are no different. To recreate the feeling of an in-person classroom, professors should allow at least five minutes of “student time” before their Zoom classes start to let students to socialize.

This would help create a more realistic learning environment, because during regular classes students often use passing periods and the beginning of class to casually chat with their peers.

Professors can also use the time to answer students’ questions.

Student time would give an opportunity to catch up with classmates and de-stress before class officially starts.

PRO: Reopen states

BY GISELLE ORMENO

I n the past few weeks, a surge of protestors from various states vocalized their desire to end the Safer at Home orders. The growing discontent and demand for states to reopen is something that governors can no longer ignore. It's essential to stimulate the economy as quickly as possible to avoid long-term damaging e ects.

The Labor Department reported on April 24 that nearly 10 million people had led for unemployment insurance over the past two weeks.

Nick Bunker, economic research director at job search site Indeed, said to CNBC that today's numbers of unemployed are abysmal and an understatement of the damage already done to the U.S. economy.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a news conference on April 20 that he will start reopening businesses that were previously nonessential in stages over the weekend.

Massage therapy centers, tness centers, barbershops, hair salons and gyms were allowed to reopen on April 25 as long as these businesses followed social distancing and strict hygiene procedures.

Kemp stated that the next step is taking place on April 27, where movie theaters, restaurants and private social clubs can open as well.

However, other businesses such as night clubs and amusement parks are going to continue to remain closed, pending additional advice from public-health experts.

Even though Kemp's decision to reopen nonessential businesses has been met with pushback by President Donald Trump, he insists on going ahead with plans to jump-start the economy as early as possible.

Kemp is con dent that business owners that decide to reopen will adhere to Minimum Basic Operations that prioritize the health and well-being of employees and customers.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has already reopened beaches for "essential activities" in the northern part of the state on April 17.

Gatherings of 50 or more people are still banned according to DeSantis and strongly urges people to socially distance themselves on the beach as they exercise or do activities like sur ng.

South Caroline Gov. Henry McMaster, on April 21, opened up beaches and previously deemed nonessential businesses. He acknowledges that there is still a dire situation and people must continue to social distance.

While there is no set end date for California, Gov. Gavin Newsom joined a multi state task force along with Washington and Oregon to discuss how to reopen their states.

Counties in California, such as Los Angeles, have plans to reopen gradually.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer spoke of di erent approaches being in place as they begin to lift their health o cer order.

Retail stores are going to limit how many people can be in the store at any given time so people can maintain a good amount of distance between themselves.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said that the county would need to make sure that its hospitals control the capacity to treat both people who are sick and those with standard medical needs.

That includes guaranteeing the hospitals are su ciently sta ed, have su cient resources to perform testing and have an adequate number of ventilators and other medical supplies to handle routine care as well as the possible increase of COVID-19 patients.

The rate of unemployed people in the United States is believed to have gone up more than 13%, according to The New York Times. Reopening the states has to happen because the longer people stay at home and the longer that businesses remain closed, the higher the jobless rate increases.

The rami cations of how the economy will look after COVID-19 lls many people with dread and anxiety to the point that they are protesting out in the streets, demanding businesses to reopen.

If states reopen sooner rather than later, while still following safety guidelines and keeping strict rules of social distancing, then it will atten the curve and relieve fears that many Americans are currently having about the future of the economy.

gormeno.roundupnews@gmail.com

They may also participate in class more because they have already spoken and been engaged in the meeting.

Some students who are not used to taking online classes may view every online session as daunting. Student time could help ease their anxiety by giving a soft start to their classes.

Student time would not detract from classes because it would only

last five minutes, and professors would be able to monitor it to prevent Zoombombing.

Some professors are already doing this, so it wouldn’t be hard to implement across all classes.

One simple change could help students connect with their classmates and feel like they’re back in the classroom. newsroom.roundupnews@gmail.com

CON: Keep states closed

BY VICTOR BRETADO

The coronavirus has caused the majority of the world to go into quarantine.

The state of California and its counties has a Safer at Home order that is in e ect at least until the end of May, but it’s likely that the date will be pushed further back.

Quarantine is the safest way to help prevent the spread of the virus. Lockdown has been in order for almost two months and some nonessential businesses have considered reopening even though the virus has not shown any signs of slowing down.

A vaccine could take as long as 12 to 18 months to be FDA approved, produced and ready to be administered to people.

According to an article published by U.S. News, an expert for University of Maryland’s Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health said there are three di erent phases to the trial process.

“Phase I trials test whether the vaccine is safe, and usually last about six months,” the expert said. “Phase II trials examine how well the vaccine works in creating an immune response within volunteers, and last up to a year. Phase III trials track the e ectiveness of the vaccine in preventing infection in people who are being exposed to the pathogen.”

The U.S. and the world needs to remain on lockdown until the virus is either gone or has fewer cases being reported.

Although it may be boring, it is better than being sick in the hospital not knowing if you are going to make it through.

Businesses such as fast food restaurants,pharmacies,grocerystores and hospitals should be the only places thatremainopen.Essentialworkersare already risking their health everyday by continuing to work.

Nonessential businesses that are losing money have been persistent in trying to get their store to reopen but even if they do, customers should avoid going inside to maintain safe social distancing.

Florida reopened its beaches about a week ago and had many people show up and ignore the lockdown orders. The state still has plans to reopen more beaches in the coming week, but has some restrictions that people need to follow.

This idea isn’t smart at all. All it takes is one sick person in a public space to infect other people.

Anyone you know can have the virus and they might not even know it because they haven’t had symptoms and the virus is asymptomatic.

It is simply safer to take extreme precaution by staying inside where you’re surrounded by only people you know have not gone out in a while or at all.

If everyone stayed inside, the virus could potentially end faster.

If states reopened, it is likely that the number of people who are at risk of catching it will only grow.

vbretado.roundupnews@gmail.com

My first few weeks of quarantine were mainly spent adjusting to online school and this “new normal” way of life. I am an extrovert and so much of my day used to revolve around outside activities, so acclimating to life strictly at home took some time. I was also so used to seeing friends on a daily basis but video chatting has allowed me to stay social even when I can’t leave the house.

As I am sure many of my peers can attest to, online school is both easy and hard.

Zoom classes have allowed us to stay in touch with professors and students, but many of us need the structure of campus life and in-person classes to stay driven. Although class from the comfort of your own home sounds appealing, it has many students, myself included, lacking focus.

Aside from school, I did recently take up a few personal projects and hobbies to keep myself occupied.

I’ve always played piano but in recent weeks I’ve been learning how to produce music which is something that I may have not had the time for otherwise.

I’ve also taken up painting which I’ve especially enjoyed since I can include my younger sister in my projects and that allows us to bond while we’re both home.

I’ve been able to participate in online volunteering projects, as well as work on my own nonprofit which is something I’d always wished I had more time for.

The most important thing for me has been staying active even if that means just doing laundry because as long as I’m occupied I’m not bored.

I’ve also been taking my dogs on walks regularly, making sure to walk far from people, which is my favorite activity since I can actually get out of the house.

Boredom aside, however, I’ve used this down time to do some inner reflection, as cliche as that may sound. I’ve been able to really sit down and process my goals and how I plan to achieve them.

We live in a fast paced world where many people forget to slow down and relax, so as chaotic as this time may feel, I believe there will be a lot of good that comes from it.

*For

Illustration by Angelica Lopez

Pierce student wins scholarship

One of 50 to receive prestigous Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship

to spend another year at Pierce and apply again, and it paid off.

Chancellor Update

BY PETER VILLAFANE

BY KATYA CASTILLO

Months before graduating high school, Kyle Becerra was ready to give up on education.

But after completing two years worth of high school in one month at a continuation school, his reality changed.

“College seemed impossible for me to reach,” Kyle Becerra said in a phone interview. “Then I ended up finishing all that work within one month and I realized that I’m capable of succeeding academically. I felt like wow, if I could complete two years of work in one month, something that I thought was impossible, there’s nothing I can’t do.”

Now, at 20 years old, he is one of 50 recipients of the highly selective Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship and is waiting for acceptances to prestigious private universities.

The scholarship awards up to $40,000 each year for up to three years at a four-year university.

“Coming from a family who’s experienced poverty our entire lives, it takes so much pressure off,” Kyle Becerra said. “I won’t be in debt. My family doesn’t have to pay for something they can’t afford. It’s the ability to study without having to worry about it. “

Kyle Becerra started classes at Pierce in the fall of 2017 with no direction, but had a goal to maintain a 4.0 GPA -- which he has. Then, he wanted to push himself academically and eventually transfer to a highly selective private school, so he joined the Honors Program to challenge himself and prepare for higher education.

Counselor Shelley Tadiki helped him on his transfer journey for the three years he attended Pierce.

“Working with Kyle is great,” Tadiki said in a phone interview.

“He’s very motivated and has really big ideas for what he wants to do, and that was really inspiring for me to be working with students who have really put a lot of thought into what they see for themselves in the future.”

Kyle Becerra said the rigor of the Honors Program gave him the tools he needed to set himself apart from other scholarship applicants.

“It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” Tadiki said. “It takes a lot of hard work, maintaining relationships with faculty members and taking advantage of and researching opportunities beyond Pierce. He took a lot of initiative and spent a lot of

Government relief money excludes some students

COVID-19 response teams explore options

BY TALEEN KEUROGHLIAN

The four COVID-19 response teams discussed short and long term goals for online education in an online Zoom meeting April 24. Pierce College President Alexis Montevirgen said that many students, including those without documentation, are not eligible for the CARES Act. He said Pierce is exploring different funding sources to financially support students who are “being excluded.”

“That is the main focus right now on the district level,” Montevirgen said.

Vice President of Administrative Services Rolf Schleicher reviewed an LACCD Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Report which outlined key plans for school, such as Cares Act support for some students and preservation of jobs.

“[The report] gives the school crucial insight, such as trend lines that will eventually be a useful source when Pierce begins discussing reopening plans,” Schleicher said.

Schleicher said the districts are discerning where every school stands with reopening.

“Each college is giving input, usually each day we have about 4 or 5 bullet points of things that have transpired so that the district can access those issues,” Schleicher said.

Director of the Student Health Center Beth Benne began Team A’s update by stating that although premature, discussions regarding reopening the school occurred this past week. The Student Health Center is working to give “reasonable response to the concerns” that students have, said Benne.

“We are gathering resources to review what’s going on,” Benne said.

Associate Vice President Bruce Rosky began Team B’s update by addressing mailroom procedures and offered a solution to some mailroom users.

time working on those applications and building the relationships to be able to be successful.”

In addition to the help from his peers, professors and counselors, Kyle Becerra received support from his family.

His older sister, Gloria Becerra, calls him Superman.

“Having each other and our family as a support system has really helped shape Kyle to who he is,” Gloria Becerra said in a phone interview. “It gives him his power. He’s grounded by family and it really helps him achieve everything he sets his mind on.”

Gloria Becerra said that as much as she hopes to inspire her brother, he inspires her too.

“Seeing his journey has been really amazing for me,” Gloria Becerra said. “I’m super proud of him. He works his butt off for everything he sets his mind on. He is a really big manifester. He says, ‘I’m going to do this, I’m going to achieve that, I’m going to make this move.’ It always comes true because he puts his words to action.”

Last year, Kyle Becerra applied to the same scholarship, but didn’t get it. Even though he had been accepted by four-year universities, he decided

“I think this year, compared to last year, Kyle was much more intentional in strengthening those aspects of his application and really genuinely taking to heart the values of the scholarship, and showing how he embodies those values,” Tadiki said. “Specifically his commitment to serving the community, leadership potential, giving back, having big dreams and working hard to achieve them.”

Kyle Becerra plans to study public policy and governance and is waiting to hear back from his top choices for university, Yale and Stanford. While the scholarship helps eliminate the financial burden of attending private universities, he said that the best part of the scholarship is the community.

“They’re like a huge family of community college students from different walks of life,” Kyle Becerra said. “They all know adversity. They all know challenges. Being able to navigate these highly prestigious institutions, to have each other, I’m so excited. The fact that they’re like a family that in a way mirror my own family, with unconditional support.”

Pierce College President Alexis Montevirgen celebrated Kyle Becerra’s achievement through a Zoom call with him..

“I’m just so happy for him, and so optimistic in terms of what else is in store for him,” Montevirgen said. “This is a great accomplishment, but I have a feeling that at the end of the day, this is going to pale in comparison to all of his future accomplishments.”

While he isn’t sure which university he will attend yet, the scholarship has already made a huge impact for Kyle Becerra and his family.

“It’s the ultimate validation and I’m so grateful that they recognize my hard work and my vision to change the world someday,” Kyle Becerra said.

kcastillo.roundupnews@gmail.com

“We have worked with Team A to ensure that the safety concerns are addressed,” said Rosky. “The mailroom will be open for large volume mailroom users on Wednesday and if any mail comes to any individual they should be receiving an email from the mailroom staff indicating that they have received the mail.”

The recipient would then tell the mailroom staff how they would like the mail to be dealt with after being given a list of options.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Sheri Berger from Team C reviewed the topic of continuity in the fall 2020 semester if the Safer at Home guidelines continue.

“We’ve been asked what the fall semester will look like if contingency plans were to remain remote, but we have a bit of time to plan so the fall 2020 production timeline is on pause right now,” Berger said. “I should also mention that the summer 2020 schedule went live today and is available online.”

Public Relations Manager Doreen Clay from Team D said there was a district Chromebook scholarship available and that 3,000 students still have not responded to their emails in the LACCD portal and will not be able to receive the Chromebook until they provide their mailing address.

“The students own the Chromebooks so that also means that there’s tech support from the district and so they need to contact the vendor,” said Clay. “I’ve posted that information on the student COVID page on social media.”

Schleicher mentioned that there have not been any outbreaks in the EOC and they are following vital health guidelines.

“We’ve pushed very hard to have very few people on campus for good reasons,” said Schleicher. “It is vital to be cautious during this period so that we can return to physical school safely and as soon as possible.”

Student services available online

Cranium Cafe and Google Voice help guide students with academics

BY JOEY FARRIOLA

Although in-person meetings with counselors and tutotrs are closed due to COVID-19 prevention, a new path is open for Pierce students who are seeking academic help.

The Cranium Café offers virtual tutoring. Transfer Center Director Sunday Salter said that guidance counselors can continue making education plans with students online through the Cranium Café platform.

“They can share their screen, they can take a student to websites with the student watching so they will log in as the counselor,” Salter said. “I have access to all the students’ records, so I would be able to pull that up and do an education plan.”

Students can log in directly from the Cranium Café website by using their Pierce credentials. There, students can schedule appointments with counselors or virtually knock on the doors of faculty who are available at the moment.

Career and Transfer Center mentor Lauren Franco said that the website allows her to keep track of who attends workshops. Despite the occasional technical glitches, she said her live chats have been successful in connecting with students.

“There have been so many changes in such a short period of time that students are taking time to adjust,” Franco said. “I have chatted with some students who are bummed about not being able to walk for graduation and really missing a lot of the in-person interactions.”

Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD)

Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez updated faculty, staff and administrators on the district’s plans in the wake of COVID-19 in an email on Tuesday.

Summer and fall semester

Nearly 95% of classes are online, and the spring 2020 semester will continue to be remote until its scheduled end on June 8.

The summer and fall sessions will be online. Some “hard to convert” courses may be offered in person if health and safety restrictions allow it at any point in the semester.

Commencement

The LACCD Virtual Graduation Planning Committee was formed on April 1. The committee will release their final proposal by May 1 to plan and potentially organize a “virtual recognition” of the graduates. A survey has been sent out to upcoming graduates to gauge their support for a virtual commencement.

COVID-19 cases

LACCD has the following number of self-reported cases regarding staff, faculty and students reported to the Emergency Operations Center as of April 28:

42 self-reported testing positive for COVID-19

22 self-reported symptomatic, but not tested

26 self-reported case of possible exposure

1 fatality (included in the 42 testing positive) Cases are being reported to the information hotline at (213) 221-5112 and by email at coronavirusinfo@laccd.edu.

Financial help

LACCD has raised more than $1.5 million to support the basic needs of students. The District will also distribute funds from the CARES Act for direct student assistance as soon as the federal aid is received.

pvillifane.roundupnews@gmail.com

BRIEF:

Stimulus in check

BY ARIELLE ZOLEZZI

The CARES act has authorized the U.S. Department of Education to provide stimulus funding for universities and colleges, including Pierce College, to help navigate this unprecedented time.

The Career and Transfer Center is also in the process of using Google Voice so mentors can speak with students over the phone instead of video chatting.

“We are starting to roll out Google Voice to talk with students on the phone if they have poor internet or are not comfortable chatting online,” Franco said.

According to Franco, it will be up and running by next week.

Admissions and Records assistant Vivian Meshriky said that she hopes Cranium Café can be utilized even when the campus is allowed to be reopened.

“The Café should be a backup plan if another outbreak comes again,” Meshriky said. “I like the idea that after we go back to the office, we can provide virtual help for the students.”

According to section 18004 (a) (1) of the CARES act, total allocation that Pierce will be receiving is $7,694,796, with a required minimum of $3,847,398 of that money going toward Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

The federal stimulus package that had been ratified in March is supposed to send out around $14 billion in grants directly to “institutions of higher education.”

Institutions have the complete responsibility of determining how grants will be distributed to students, from how the amount of each student grant is calculated to the development of any instructions or directions that are provided to students about the grant.

Even if they wanted to, students cannot apply for assistance directly from the U.S. Department of Education. They should contact their institution or college for further information and guidance if assistance is needed.

Photo courtesy of Kyle Becerra

Keeping the community going

Every day essential workers go out and risk their health and safety to keep their communities active while others are stuck at home.

They provide the essential services that are needed during this COVID-19 pandemic. They help ensure people can still get their essential needs, including groceries, prescriptions and over-thecounter medications, take-out food orders and mail.

Copy by Benjamin Hanson

Co-owner Donna Magsaysay weighs sweet potato fries behind the counter at Mambo International Kitchen in Northridge, Calif., on April 30, 2020. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.

Senior Pharmacy Technician Stella Fernandez collects essential items for customers to purchase in the Walgreens drive-thru in Chatsworth, Calif., on April 29, 2020. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.

United States Postal Service Mail Carrier Javier Hermosillo sorts mail into a shared mailbox in Northridge, Calif., on May 1, 2020. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.

Fedex Express Delivery Driver Shaun Den sorts packages in his truck in Chatsworth, Calif., on April 30, 2020. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.

Cashier Julio Garcia rings up a customer’s items at a Vallarta Supermarket in Canoga Park, Calif., on April 7, 2020. Photo by Karla Avalos.

Assistant Store Manager Lady Chavez cleans a plexiglass partition at a Walgreens in Chatsworth, Calif., on May 3, 2020. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.

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Teresa Berrouth on the foreground shops for salads while a Costco employee fills up the display at Costco in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 18, 2020. Photo by Karla Avalos.

Rain, shine or pandemic

Pierce College farm stays open to care for hundreds of animals

Clubs connect on computers

ASO encourages online meetings

BY GISELLE ORMENO

A ssociated Students Organization (ASO) club meetings are now taking place over Zoom to keep clubs connected and engaged as they plan their activities for the rest of the semester at home.

Club President of Child Development Club Vince Denoga wrote on an Instagram message that he and Vice President Jasmine Guzman host biweekly Zoom meetings with the club to do mental health checkups, share resources and brainstorm ideas to boost their social media presence.

“The vice president and I are both child development tutors, so we try to do crossadvertising,” Denoga wrote. “We let our members know we are available to tutor them if they’re struggling with their classes and let our tutees know about our club’s social media post regarding resources and activities.”

BY KATYA CASTILLO

For the 205 animals on the Pierce College Farm, the Safer at Home order hasn’t changed their daily routine. The farm workers, on the other hand, now have much more work to do.

In a normal semester, agriculture and animal science students come twice a day to help farm workers feed the animals, give them fresh water and clean their pens. Because of the Safer at Home order, there are only nine people that maintain the farm. Four full-time workers and five student workers continue caring for the animals during the week while following safe practices during the pandemic.

Farm Manager Marcie Sakadjian says the farm is an escape from their usual quarantine experience.

“I feel safer here,” Sakadjian said. “It’s when I go out into the world, like if I go to a grocery store, or god-forbid Costco, that’s when I feel anxious.”

Along with practicing social distancing and wearing masks and gloves, the farm workers understand how to stay safe.

“We do surgeries here and various medical treatments,” Sakadjian said. ”We know how to wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) so we’re not touching germs.”

Since the switch to distance operations and learning, the workflow has changed for the nine workers on the farm.

Without students on campus, faculty don’t have to spend as much time planning and preparing for lectures and hands-on teaching.

Instead, they can focus more energy on labor-intensive activities that take more time, such as planting

trees for added shade, building pens for the sheep and building play structures for the goats.

Chia Lee, a pre-veterinary science major, works on the farm three times a week. She helps maintain the sheep unit along with Natalie Albizo, a full time employee.

Lee said she’s grateful that the farm is her outlet during quarantine.

“After the classes went online, I had no reason to come out here, so it’s actually good for me to get out,” Lee said. “I do miss the students though. We usually have classes where students come and learn about the animals, and now it’s just us and it’s a little lonely sometimes.”

Albizo relates to Lee in that the Pierce College Farm doesn’t feel the same without students.

“I’ve always enjoyed the students,” Albizo said. “They’re enthusiastic. They’re all willing to learn and

Students forced to move back home mid-semester

COVID-19 changes housing plans abruptly

BY TALEEN KEUROGHLIAN

College students dream of a smooth transition from university into the workforce, filled with exciting opportunities and a new beginning. This, however, is not the reality anymore for some current and former college students.

The Safer at Home order has forced many college students to move back to their hometowns. Because many students’ post-graduation plans have fallen through, many are feeling helpless and stressed.

Pierce College alumni

Danielle Padilla has been affected by the countrywide campus closures. She said she feels that the quality of her education decreased despite the continuation of classes and internships.

“I am constantly facing distractions from home life,” Padilla wrote in an interview via email. “I’m tired all the time trying to make school work despite a three-hour time difference with my teachers and classmates.”

Padilla had 36 hours to move out of her dorm suite at Boston University and then relocated to another part of campus. This was the moment she realized how uncertain her future was due to COVID-19.

“I planned to stay in Boston for the summer because of a job that granted me free oncampus housing,” Padilla wrote. “However, my school announced they will not reopen the campus for summer.”

Instead, Padilla must work remotely and won’t gain the onsite experiences she wanted.

USC Annenberg student Jessica Doherty had to re-configure her post grad plans as she geared up to move back home to New York.

“I applied to a lot of post grad internship programs, but many of them were cancelled or postponed,” Doherty wrote in an interview via text messages.

She is currently searching for opportunities in New York City, where she will be able to save money by living with her family.

Although Doherty had to change her career blueprint, she has found a silver lining from her situation.

“I was planning on taking the GRE’s [graduate record examination] because it’s easier when you’re mentally in school mode,” Doherty wrote. “Now I am looking into grad programs earlier and more seriously than I did before, while also taking the time to update my portfolio materials.”

USC has also announced that graduation will be postponed, a decision Doherty is grateful for.

“It makes it easier to feel like students will eventually be able to get some sense of closure,” Doherty wrote.

Other students have less options during the pandemic.

Josh Yazditibar is a San Diego State University student who intended to work as an EMT (emergency medical technician) during post graduation to gain experience for medical school. He has now put this plan on the back burner.

“For now I am just waiting until things get under control to resume my original plan,” Yazditibar said in a phone interview. “I’ll most likely do some studying on my own in order to stay focused on my long term goals. However, I have a specific path to follow and there are not many possible deviations.”

Despite how COVID-19 has affected his course of action, Yazditibar is trying to stay optimistic.

“The whole situation is pretty weird for students,” Yazditibar said. “I’m trying to look at it positively, like something good will come out of it.”

willing to help. So doing it on my own it’s not as fun, and I do like sharing my knowledge. It’s a perk of this job.”

Besides farm work, Albizo runs the Instagram page @natalamb444 which features animals on the farm. Since classes switched to remote learning, she tries to post more often to keep students connected to the farm.

“I get a lot of feedback, comments and direct messages saying how they miss the animals and asking if they can come and help,” Albizo said. “I graciously say, ‘Thank you, but you can’t come.’ It’s really made me feel good as a staff member that students are still engaged even though they can’t be here.”

Students in the agriculture department continue their lecturebased course objectives through Zoom classes and quizzes on Canvas.

As far as completing the handson course objectives, faculty are waiting for direction from Pierce administrators to determine if students can complete their labrelated course work over the summer or fall semester.

The other concern is if students will need to take an incomplete for the classes and makeup the inperson course objectives when the campus reopens for face-to-face instruction.

For now, the nine faculty and student workers maintain the farm on their own.

“One of our concerns is the health and safety of our animals, but also the health and safety of our students,” Sakadjian said. “Rain, shine or pandemic, we’re here.”

kcastillo.roundupnews@gmail.com

The show must go on Dance film to replace Spring concert

BY ELIZABETH DOWELL

The semesterly dance concert, usually held in the Perfoming Arts Building, will be replaced with a video dance concert, available from May 22-24.

Fourth year dance professor Brian Moe said dance students are currently working on developing their solo performances. Each student will submit their individual performances on Canvas, which will then be compiled into one virtual dance showcase. Moe will do the editing and video performance montage.

“Dancers will be doing their freestyle solo performances at home, and will reflect their feelings of isolation through their performance,” Moe said. “Students will record their performances with creative individuality.”

The video will be available on the school website, the dance department’s Facebook page and on social media, according to Moe.

Dance Company Director Denise Gibson said social distancing changed the course of the dance concert.

“Providing the students with a virtual platform has enabled the course to remain very similar in structure with the exception of the final exam performance, which will be presented online instead of in a theater,” Gibson said.

Gibson said she is providing guidance to ease students’ stress and help create their best performances.

“The students have been prepped online with information and assignments regarding key elements of creating movement such as improvisation, and popular choreographic training formulas such as the Time/Space/Energy method,” Gibson said.

Fanny Valdez is a performing arts dancer and will be participating in the virtual dance concert.

“I was selected this semester as one of the student choreographers and ironically, I was already choreographing a piece within the similar theme,” said Valdez.

“Although there’s no space like studio space, I’m extremely eager to see how my creativity is going to come into play. This is a piece that I will forever live in this space, my room.”

Valdez dances a minimum of one to two hours every day and makes the most of the space available to her.

“I’m having a lot of difficulty adjusting to the minimal space available at home but I’m having so much fun experimenting,” Valdez said.

Valdez said despite never having performed without an audience, she is still able to find inspiration.

“I go off what the music makes me feel. I could be inspired by something so simple like a child’s run or my clumsy self,” she said. “Inspiration can be found within anything and anyone. I always choreograph based on my life events.”

Child Development Club’s first meeting was April 10, and Denoga had his members send in pictures of activities that they are doing with the children in their lives while quarantined.

Other clubs have not had as smooth a transition meeting online.

Lea Thomas, president of the Horticulture and Agriculture Club, said in an email that the club has not done any online meetings, but members have kept in contact with each other through texting.

Online meetings are not suitable for the Horticulture and Agriculture Club because they mostly support ongoing campus projects for the Horticulture Department.

“We have ongoing projects, and we were planning some upcoming events that all have been either canceled or unclear when we can schedule them again,” Thomas wrote.

ASO Club Council President Nicole Alfaro said in an email that the campus closure due to COVID-19 prevention had been a challenge, but the ASO is trying to keep it as normal as they possibly can.

“Students can still reach me during my office hours via email, and they can always schedule a meeting with me, and I will send them a link for a Zoom meeting,” Alfaro wrote.

Alfaro wrote that so far, the ASO hasn’t had a Club Council meeting and suggested that all the clubs hold meetings on Zoom during their usual time to give students a level of normalcy.

She also said that each club has its own way when it comes to handling meetings online or having a group chat to keep everyone connected.

“I’ve been reaching out to clubs to make sure they are doing okay, and they have also shared resources with me, such as scholarships to share with others,” Alfaro wrote. “These student leaders are amazing, and I am so glad they are all still very connected and adjusting to the issue.”

Katya Castillo / Roundup

Chia Lee, a pre-veterinary science major and student worker cleans a sheep pen on the Pierce College Farm at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 23, 2020.