Volume 134 Spring 2021 Roundup Issue 3

Automotive Technology student Luca Goldenberg, works on a Subaru Impreza at the Pierce College Automotive Tech Lab in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 25, 2021.

Photo by David Pashaee

Lending a hand virtually From the desk of the Roundup

www.theroundupnews.com newsroom.roundupnews@gmail.com

Reza Rastegarrazi

Brenden Rodriguez

Tatyana Ekemekjian

Ashley Adan

Marquesha McCoy

Raquel Frohlich

David Pashaee

Sergio Moreno

Michaelis Sanchez

Dominaja Lewis

Letters to the Editor

Policy: Letters and guest columns for or against any position are invited. Letters should be kept as brief as possible (300 words or less) and are subject to editing. Letters must be signed and include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms or initials will not be used, but names may be withheld upon request and approval of the Editorial Board. The Roundup publishes “Letters to the Editor” that are not obscene or libelous and do not contain racial denigration. Writers are given the opportunity to revise unacceptable letters. The Pierce College Roundup will not publish, as letters, literary endeavors, publicity releases, poetry or other such materials as the Editorial Board deems not to be a letter. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. the Sunday prior to the issue date.

Editorial Policy: The Pierce College Roundup position is presented only in the editorials. Cartoons and photos, unless run under the editorial masthead, and columns are the opinions of the creators and not necessarily that of the Roundup. The college newspaper is published as a learning experience under the college journalism instructional program. The editorial and advertising materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, are the responsibility of the student newspaper staff. Under appropriate state and federal court decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by the virtue of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the L.A. Community College District, the college or any officer or employee thereof.

Anew crisis emerged amid a surge of deaths, economic devastation and social disconnect caused by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Pierce College should seriously consider creating virtual support groups for students, faculty and staff to address the evolving cases of depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide. These mental health problems grew exponentially among college students. They were amplified by the closure of campuses which led to isolation, low grades and an increase in the dropout rate.

A study by the Student Experience in the Research University found that students are screening positive for depression and anxiety at higher rates than in previous years.

Help is necessary to address the different mental issues that stem from having contracted COVID, the loss of a loved one, unemployment and financial

hardships, as well as the mental health decline due to distance learning.

Fortunately, mental health awareness campaigns on social media have destigmatized the topic among young people, which has led school districts to recognize the issue and seek ways to provide access to specialized counseling for students.

But Pierce should pay attention to what other community colleges are doing to support their students and get them to graduate and/or transfer to a four-year college.

For example, Connecticut College has group counseling that involves five-to- eight students along with a counselor. They work to address areas of need, receive feedback and encouragement from their counselor, and learn skills that will help them achieve their mental health goals.

Also, San Diego City College provides support groups that primarily offer opportunities to focus on issues such as stressreduction for larger sets of students as well as relationship

From the desk of the Roundup EDITORIAL

building.

At Pierce, these support groups could be initiated by the psychology professors with the assistance of those in leadership, as well as outside counselors with experience working with students and mental health issues.

This community could hold weekly virtual meetings through Zoom, where people could openly express their experiences in a supportive and uplifting environment.

Also, Pierce should look into allocating funds to target suicide prevention and to provide other resources, such as outside counseling to those students or faculty members dealing with suicidal ideation.

Most importantly, it is paramount that school administrators recognize that there is room for improvement and that we can do more to address the mental health repercussions exacerbated by the pandemic.

newsroom.roundupnews@gmail.com

Community growth for a bargain

Pierce College holds the Topanga Vintage Market for independent vendors to sell goods to the community the fourth Sunday of every month. The market attracts 2,200 to 3,400 shoppers, according to its website.

But to be a vendor at the event there is a fee of $75 or more, and they must bring a setup along with items that will be for sale.

For many students, acquiring things that are trendy or impulse purchases is a common occurrence. Pierce should host a student garage sale to minimize waste and to create a more lively student life and campus experience. Students could sell textbooks, clothes, decor and items that they don’t need or

EDITORIAL

want.

Niagara University hosts a yearly community garage sale program called “2 Good 2 Toss,” which raised $1,800 for student outreach programs. The program began in 2012 to keep students and faculty from throwing away or leaving behind items that are still in good condition.

Since its establishment, the event has raised $12,000 for student outreach programs and for the community. Pierce could follow Niagara’s lead and host the event once a semester. Money could be collected to be donated to a different organization or to fund different on campus events. Students pay Associated Student Organization (ASO) fees every semester, so the ASO could sponsor the event. Universities across the

From the desk of the Roundup

country hold similar events. The wUniversity of Missouri hosts an event called the Tiger Treasures Rummage Sale, Yale University hosts a Spring Salvage and University of Puget Sound holds Grizz’s Garage Sale.

University of San Diego’s event is open to the surrounding community, but only students and faculty can be vendors.

Community colleges tend to have a quick turnaround of students because of transfers and graduations. It also leaves little room or time for a sense of community among students. A garage sale event will allow students to find vintage items, reduce waste and build a stronger sense of community.

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Learning Together

ith most students attending college through Zoom, Pierce College should come up with a strategy to help students move through their college experience online easier.

Counselors can create cohorts for students with similar interests, majors and goals to help keep each other accountable in moving toward their goals.

According to Wharton Online, from the University of Pennsylvania, the benefits of cohorts include collaboration, support, structure, perspective and networking. These cohorts could meet

Wonline during a set time and day in the week with a counselor directing them through which classes to take.

This also allows students to engage with each other, broadening the perspective for everyone in that area.

Currently, elementary schools are planning to reopen with this method of engagement.

From the County of Los Angeles Public Health’s reopening schools protocol, Public Health states, “Revised maximum size of small, stable cohorts to 14 students and two supervising adults.”

Although these new guidelines are for maintaining social distancing practices in the classroom, many studies

have shown small group learning is better for student engagement.

“This model enhances the success of adult learners due to a consistent structure that offers a stable and supportive group,”according to educators from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Coordinating cohort groups for Pierce students will assist students through their journey at Pierce.

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the desk of the Roundup

Time to go mobile

Navigating the Pierce website and campus can be overwhelming at times, but creating a mobile app specifically for Pierce will make students’ and faculties lives easier.

A mobile app is convenient for almost everyone considering most people use their smartphones for hours a day.

According to a 2017 study done by Ellucian, having a centralized mobile app eased the transition to college for 85 percent of students. The study also found that it helped more than 70 percent of students become more involved on campus.

Pierce students typically follow up to 5 mobile apps, Canvas, LACCD app, Grad Guru, Microsoft outlook and QLess. Condensing them into one would help settle the confusion for many. The app would be a modern take on the school website, which some would suggest is outdated and confusing.

Trying to find your way around campus is already a hard enough task and by the time students are allowed back in person many of them will have never stepped foot

on campus. The app could have an interactive feature that tells you not only where all of the classrooms and offices are but also how far away you are from it.

One important feature that a Pierce mobile app would need is an emergency alert system.

When there had been emergencies on campus one of the main ways of informing students was through email. The main problem with that is not everyone checks their email constantly.

The app could have an emergency notification system that would immediately alert everyone about what is going on and what they should do during a crisis.

Another way the app could increase student engagement is by working with the Athletic department to create notifications for Pierce sports teams.

Students could keep track of whichever sports teams they are interested in and be

In the loop for upcoming games and scores.

When it comes to the academics part of the app, one feature that could boost attendance would be sending

reminders to students that they have an upcoming class. This would work for both in person and online classes because sometimes students simply forget.

At CSU Channel Islands they have a mobile app with most of these features. Students are able to register for classes, pay fees, view class schedules and grades, find places on campus all through the goCI app.

Developing an app can be expensive depending on who is hired to create it. One way Pierce could cut the cost of creating the app is by offering students the opportunity to develop it. Not only could it be offered as a project for a computer software class, but could also be something a student puts on their resume.

A mobile app would benefit students and staff because it would be designed to make their lives and jobs simpler.

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Outdoor Dining Is it safe?

PRO

BY MICHAEL LOIZZO

It’s been more than one year since COVID-19 shut down the country and nearly the entire world.

The pandemic has been stressful, exhausting and rough on people’s mental health, but things started to look like they were taking a turn for the citizens of Los Angeles in early January.

Jan. 29 is when officials finally allowed restaurants to continue outdoor dining after an additional two-month suspension that forced the restaurant industry to transition to delivery and take-out only.

With restaurants limited to a 50% capacity on top of a strict mask mandate, cleaning protocols and the positioning of tables to be at a minimum eight feet apart, business owners are taking as many safety precautions as possible.

Prior to the reopening of outdoor dining, the LAPD busted several secret parties with hundreds of people in attendance.

When officials decided to shut down all outdoor dining in early December 2020, things did not get better from there. On the Los Angeles Times, county supervisor Kathryn Barger said that though cases had been increasing, the rise could “not be directly attributed to outdoor dining.”

It’s better for people to go to a restaurant that provides outdoor dining with strict and helpful protocols to keep us safe from COVID-19, rather than people gathering together at secret house parties with no restrictions.

According to the Los Angeles Daily News, Superior Court judge James Chalfant said that the county

COLUMN:

In solidarity with the AAPI community

BY KARLA AVALOS

Much like last year with the murder of George Floyd in broad daylight, now we find ourselves in a moment of racial reckoning as we continue to witness daily violent attacks against members of American and Pacific Islander community all over the country.

In the last few weeks, the assaults seem to be increasingly targeting elders of Asian descent who are just going about their day running errands, walking to church or on their way home. Other reported assaults consist of racist slurs hurled at people minding their business.

But these attacks peaked last week when six women of Asian descent were murdered in Georgia at three different massage parlors as a man walked in their place of work with an AR-15 and murdered them in cold blood.

These are the victims of bigotry and of great injustices whose only offense was to exist while trying to live their lives at the wrong place and at the wrong time.

CONThe hatred against Asian Americans began last year when former president Trump riled up his supporters when he started propagating lies about COVID-19 by calling it the “China virus” or the “Wuhan virus” with evident racist undertones.

BY TRISHA ANAS

With the rise in hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, there is no shortage of words to describe what emotions I feel as a Filipino American; anger, sadness and disappointment above all else.

Anger toward those inclined to attack our friends, our elders and our community.

Sadness for those who have lost loved ones or have had to watch the senseless acts of violence while feeling helpless. Disappointment toward the country we so desperately wanted to be accepted into, but instead were greeted by the silence of so many who enjoy aspects of our cultures while we suffer.

The Los Angeles Times reports that since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, there’s been an increase in both verbal and physical racially motivated attacks on AAPIs.

The organization, Stop AAPI Hate, formed last March “in response to attacks related to the perception that Asians were responsible for the coronavirus because of its origins in Wuhan, China,” according to the LA Times.

The number of attacks, the Times said, was around 3,800 from March 2020 to February 2021.

could not “sufficiently show a rationale for the decision made to close outdoor dining.”

Outdoor dining is a blessing in disguise because of how safe officials are trying to keep it. No one is at parks mandating people staying at least six feet apart or wearing masks while they’re having picnics.

Before outdoor dining reopened, there were nearly no safe activiåties for people to do that got them out of their houses. There was a massive spike in mental health issues during the lockdown.

With the reopening of outdoor dining, people are finally allowed to leave their house and see their friends to get the serotonin their brains need to have a healthy mentality.

Not only did the shutdown result in a spike of mental health issues, it also destroyed small businesses and restaurants, causing many of them to close permanently.

Now that restaurants are allowed to serve customers, hundreds of residents have their jobs back making this a huge opportunity for small business owners to make the money they need to save their businesses.

The reopening of outdoor dining is one of the first good things that’s happened since the new year. It’s showing a sign that things are starting to slowly go back to normal, and that we will get through such a dark time in all of our lives.

mloizzo.roundupnews@gmail.com

BY DOMINIQUE DUNGO

After one year of trying to be safe and obeying stayat-home orders, COVID-19 cases are still spiking. Outdoor dining provides options for customers to enjoy their food while keeping their distance with each other maskless.

But is it worth the risk of possibly affecting employees and other customers who could pass it on to their loved ones and endanger their lives for the luxury?

According to Healthline, while many restaurant owners are frustrated at the tighter restrictions on their businesses, some public health experts say the restrictions are necessary to reign in the spread of the virus.

Healthline added that people are spending an extended period of time in close contact with other people, and they have to take their masks off to eat and drink.

Los Angeles County’s outdoor dining will slow down the process of reducing new cases and continue to create an unsafe environment for everyone.

KTLA news reported the risk of transmitting COVID-19 increases when people from different households gather in close proximity for extended periods without masks or other face coverings talking and laughing.

Forcing waiters to serve customers and have close contact with cooks and other coworkers is unfair and can cause excessive stress.

Food service workers who serve and clean up leftover trash and utensils from customers daily have a greater chance of catching the virus and unknowingly taking those germs home with them.

Restaurant owners should think about their employees and consider their health and safety, remembering that they also matter and satisfying customers by providing availability to eat at their location should be the last thing on their mind.

Unemployment rates have skyrocketed ever since the pandemic began. People are either struggling to find a job or losing one. At this point, there is no choice saying no to any job that’s available.

The urgency for customers to eat out at restaurants shows that no matter the circumstances, lavishness at fancy restaurants and fine dining matters most.

Food delivery services like GrubHub, Uber Eats, and Postmates are readily available and convenient for people to stay safe while eating their favorite meals in the comfort of their own home.

With vaccines slowly in motion, President Biden is pushing and expecting to provide every American adult the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of May, but that shouldn’t mean we should move forward without remembering to still take precautions and consider other people’s risks.

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Privileged people are letting their prejudices, fears, hatred and distrust of others supersede their humanity and compassion for other fellow human beings.

And also, there seems to be an unrelenting resistance to accept this country’s rich diversity, the fact that we are a nation made of immigrants, and that diversity makes our nation stronger and more powerful.

This rise in attacks caused by anti-Asian rhetoric was confirmed in the alarming and devastating report released by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino. This study assessed that hate crimes against AAPI people have seen an increase of 150% between 2019 and 2020.

Lamentably, these attacks are not relenting even after the pleas of dozens of human rights organizations and activists as well as mass rallies and protests around the country for an end to violence against members of the AAPI community.

But what’s more devastating is that our fellow Asian Americans feel unsafe when making the difficult decision to go outside or feel fearful for their elders being in danger when they are out and alone.

We must defeat ignorance, prejudice, xenophobia, racism and violence against Asian Americans.

We must stand united and condemn all racially motivated attacks against members of the AAPI community, decry anti-Asian hate speech, and for the public to do the right thing by stepping forward and intervene if they see an injustice being perpetrated against a member of this community.

We need to be allies by staying alert and supporting our Asian peers, our friends and our neighbors because their identity is more than a race: they are human like all of us.

This is an urgent call for unity and solidarity as members of the AAPI community deserve kindness, dignity and respect and to live their lives in peace.

However, this is not the first time the AAPI community has faced bouts of discrimination.

According to an article on One Down, during the wave of Filipino immigrants during the 1920s, “mobs burned down workers’ living quarters, threw stones at Filipinos in the streets and threatened Filipinos with ultimatums to leave the county or die.”

Another instance of injustice against Asian Americans was the placement of Japanese internment camps during WWII. The U.S. History website reports that over 127,000 people were imprisoned because of their Japanese ancestry, despite their American citizenship.

The Huffington Post wrote that many Japanese Americans during WWII faced a lot of anti-Japanese sentiment, including “bigoted sloagans,” and “racists attitudes perpetuated by government officials.”

The New American Economy Research Fund reports that there are approximately 1.4 million AAPI healthcare workers in the country who have worked on the frontlines during the COVID-19 crisis. So, why are so many Americans treating them with hatred?

In light of the recent violence, I strongly believe that to stay quiet while these incidents are happening daily is hurting our community.

I am tired of worrying for my safety as well as the safety of my loved ones.

I don’t want to live in fear.

This is not a matter of politics. Acts of racism and violence should be condemned. What the AAPI community needs most right now is solidarity and support.

‘Asian’ is not a virus, racism is. tanas.roundupnews@gmail.com

‘Sadness, anger and disappointment’

Live on campus

Career technical education courses remain in-person

BY TRISHA ANAS & MADISON CREEKBAUM

At Pierce College’s Applied and Industrial Technology buildings, people are likely to be greeted by the sounds of welding metal, the sight of sparks flying and the echoes of what would’ve been full classrooms under normal circumstances.

2021, however, is anything but ordinary.

While some classes such as English or anthropology have been able to transition their courses online, other subjects such as nursing or auto technology could not replicate the same quality of instruction without hands-on learning as easily.

Welding instructor Ruben Hernandez said he, like some of the other industrial technology professors, didn’t know what to expect when Pierce announced its temporary closure last March.

“The other instructors and I were in the mindset that welding has to be done in the workshop environment,” Hernandez said.

“That’s the only way the student can learn [welding]. By doing the motions and applying the techniques, they tend to learn a lot faster. It’s very hands-on.”

Welding and Automotive Technology are both hybrid courses, meaning that lectures are held online while lab hours are in person.

Kevin Moreno, a welding student, said that the transition to an online curriculum was difficult without any of the hands-on labs.

“It was rough at first,” Moreno said. “When we came back, it was limited but much better than just having online classes.”

Auto Service Technology professor Alex Villalta said he was eager to return to campus despite the pandemic. Villalta said he struggled with the lack of communication with his students over Zoom, and found it hard to equip his students with the proper hands on training they needed to complete the conventional certifications.

“If they don’t get that adequate training here with us, then they’re going to suffer because ultimately they’re going to be employed and they’re going to be deprived,” Villalta said.

According to Villalta, there were only so many theories and interactive videos that he could review with his students. Villalta said he had even invested in a GoPro for his Zoom lectures, but could see his students’ motivation levels dwindling.

Instructional Assistant Rodolfo Fajardo said that prior to COVID-19, the welding class size was around 40 students. But now, the number has gone down to about 20.

The classes, separated into smaller groups, meet on different days spaced throughout the week.

“We have less students, which is okay for now because we don’t want to have the room too crowded,” Fajardo said. “Fortunately, Pierce agreed to let us continue [in person]. It’s good for the students.”

Hernandez said the reason there’s been a decrease in the number of students is because some decided to pursue job opportunities instead of continuing classes.

“It was no one’s fault since quarantine came unexpectedly,” Hernandez said. “A lot of students did go through [the career] route because of the uncertainty, but a lot came back when the labs started to reopen.”

Some students were eager to return to campus, while others have found it difficult to adjust while balancing their jobs.

Auto service technology stu -

dent Julian Herring, said it was rough getting back into the routine of in-person classes, and was still getting used to driving to Pierce at 8 a.m.

Herring said he picked up a job during quarantine and online classes made it easier to balance his work load. According to Herring, he enjoyed being able to work on classes at his own pace.

Most students in Villalta’s class, however, have expressed gratitude towards their ability to come on to the Pierce campus to practice what they love.

Mohammad Mirzaei, another auto service technology student, said he missed the connections he made with his peers before the pandemic.

Mirzaei also said he missed the ability to ask his teachers questions with ease.

“It felt good to have interaction with people, because we’re human, so we need to communicate. It feels like if you don’t communicate you kind of go crazy,” Mirzaei said.

Mirzaei shared that coming on campus to work with other students has increased his incentive to learn.

“Now that we get to go on

campus, you’re more motivated to learn because you’re able to do things hands-on,” Mirzarei said.

“We talked with the students, we talked about our own cars, and our own experiences, which makes it more fun and makes you want to come in again. Talking to people has made everything a lot easier through the transition.”

Villalta said that his classroom changed in a lot of ways throughout the pandemic, including a sense of closeness between him and his students.

“Classes have become a lot more intimate with the students,” Villalta said. “We share a lot of things that sometimes may not be relevant to the class, but is how we can all pretend that we’re living in a normal era.”

Villalta said he admired the dedication his students have shown above all challenges presented to them.

“Ultimately it was a big change, but I’m very proud of these kids,” Villalta said. “They’re resilient.”

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“It felt good to have interaction with people, because we’re human, so we need to communicate. It feels like if you don’t communicate, you kind of go crazy.”

Mohammad Mirzaei Auto Tech Student

Scott Tellez makes a one inch v-groove in a welding booth during an in-person class at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 25, 2021.

Photo by Benjamin Hanson.

Photo by Benjamin Hanson Cameron Nelson practices welding during an in-person class at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 25, 2021.

Photo by Benjamin Hanson Sparks fly as Robert Cabigao welds scrap metal during an in-person class at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 25, 2021.

Photo by David Pashaee Celso Mejia picks up a tire part from the storage area at the Pierce College Automotive Tech Lab in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 25, 2021.

Photo by David Pashaee

Andrick Hinojosa and Alejandro Sosa cut an automobile brake at Pierce College Automotive Tech Lab in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 25, 2021.

Abandoned field in need of a team School athletic facilities haven’t been maintained

BY MADISON CREEKBAUM

The Academic Senate appointed Tuesday a new representative after a heated discussion about potentially offensive and discriminatory comments one of the candidates said were leveled against her.

Alex Villalta was appointed as the Senate Representative on the Pierce College Council on March 22. He was the only person running after Garineh Avakian withdrew her name from consideration.

Avakian expressed her disdain toward the process of the election and she said that there were things said about her that she found unacceptable.

“What has transpired in the past few weeks, regarding this election is demoralizing and unprofessional to say the least,” Avakian said. “I understand we are in a remote environment, but campaigning for this position has been gruesome, especially on my part. I was contacted by campus faculty warning me and notifying me involving shenanigans, discriminatory racial and derogatory comments spread about me trying to persuade people on how to vote.”

James McKeever, a member of the Academic Senate board led the discussion about these concerns of unprofessionalism.

“I feel like this election has brought out the worst in us,” McKeever said. “I’ve heard how some lies and innuendos about some people that can even come off as borderline sexist and racist even if they don’t mean it that way, that’s the way it does come off. They have been used to kind of sway votes and I think that’s wrong.”

Communication Studies

department Chair Yeprem Davoodian expressed his feelings about the ethical way faculty should treat each other.

“Pitting people against each other is not something we need to do,”Davoodian said. “Instead of engaging in this toxic process, we need to urge everyone to empower themselves, and take the initiative and speak up on their own behalf to departmental decision leadership.”

The meeting continued without further explanation about what possible sexist or racist actions had occurred. Many senate body members said they felt uncomfortable confirming Villalta due to the nature by which Avakian had withdrawn from consideration.

District Academic Senate

Representative Jamie Langan expressed her unease toward voting Villalta as the representative of the Senate for Pierce College Council. She urged for the delay of the vote until more information was released.

“I would love to hear the whole story,” Langan said. “These are serious allegations and it needs to be addressed in this body.” But the vote proceeded, and Villalta was confirmed.

“I honestly have mixed emotions right now, “Villalta said. “If Garineh changes her mind and wants to continue with the vote, I would appreciate that, but if not, maybe not very pridefully, but I will continue with representing the Senate PCC.”

After Villalta’s appointment, the Senate continued to pass several items on their agenda, including a Resolution in Support of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Students, Staff, and Faculty in response to recent violent hate crimes directed toward Asian Americans. This resolution restates the support and inclusion for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders as well as the college’s intolerance of discrimination. mcreekbaum.roundupnews@gmail.com

BY FELIPE GAMINO

The athletic facilities coaches and student-athletes use at Pierce College have sat empty for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a previous Roundup story, Pierce President Alexis Montevirgen said he wanted to have the athletes return to conditioning after the Los Angeles Community College District decided to opt-out of competition in February.

Now that LA County is moving to the orange tier, it is more possible, but the question arises in what condition will the facilities be when they go back.

Interim athletic director Susan Armenta in an email acknowledged that there are some maintenance issues.

“As for our facilities, we will be requesting maintenance for the [baseball] field and stadium. It doesn’t appear that Kelly field has been maintained, unfortunately,” Armenta wrote. “As for Shepard Stadium, I have seen some of the grounds around the field maintained, but not I’m aware of the field itself.”

Armenta said the softball field is in similar condition to Joe Kelly Field. She mentioned that the stadium and other facilities are safe.

They will address how they can fund the maintenance of the fields altogether.

Former athletic director Bob Lofrano in a phone interview said he is primarily concerned for the outdoor facilities although every facility should be looked at.

“Do you want to take a ground ball at shortstop if it bounces and breaks your nose? That’s the way to put it. I’ve been on campus twice during the pandemic and I looked over the baseball field and it didn’t look good at all,” Lofrano said. “If I was a father and my kid wanted to play there I would be very concerned about the outdoor facilities. Not the pool nor the gym.”

Lofrano added, “Just go back to 2020. The baseball team couldn’t play any of their games on the field because it wasn’t in the right condition. That is absurd. All the hours I put in to maintain it and Billy [Bill Picketts] as well to maintain the field. However they need help. And help comes from the school. To not play home games last year is a travesty.”

Lofrano said he had the idea of maintaining a facility year-round.

He said the trainers should make the call if the facilities should be able to be used because the well being of the athletes conditioning is important.

“The health of the studentathletes is the main goal,” Lofrano said.

Lofrano said no one should expect for the facilities to be better if no one has been on campus in

over a year. Head men’s basketball coach Charles White said in a phone interview he has a plan if they are allowed to use Ken Stanley Court to condition.

“I’m not too worried about the facilities. They are safe. What we would do is we would have the players in pods. 10 players per pod. There will be no rotating around. Get tested at least once a week. If someone tests positive, that whole pod would have to get tested and quarantine,” White said

He said the district should give the green light to return as soon as possible.

“There are 30 students in the class. The assistant coaches and I want to see our players in person and not only on Zoom,” White said. It doesn’t matter if we meet inside or not, let’s just meet and greet.”

Interim head football coach Anthony Harris in a phone interview said it is valuable for the studentathletes and coaches to practice again at the stadium.

“It is a great thing for us to return so we can get positive feedback from one another and it is good for our mental and physical health,” Harris said. “It is great to be working with Susan and do everything we can to get our athletes back on campus We are heading in a positive direction.”

Harris said Armenta is a huge advocate for the coaches, and athletics in general.

He said the players and coaches

are excited to return and joked saying that he has earned a PhD in Zoom meetings.

Harris mentioned that it is very important to have the in-person interaction and said they want to hit the ground running like other community colleges are.

“Since our field is synthetic grass you don’t need to cut or mow

it. We will probably just need to use the sweeper and blower to get the leaves out of the way,” Harris said. As soon as we get the green light, we will get out there and get it cleaned up for our student-athletes,”

Harris said.

Harris said there is enough space for everybody to condition.

“One of the things that I like

from the coaches, the staff and our athletic department is we operate like a family,” Harris said. We want to see everybody succeed and if we need to share space we share space. That is what we do.”

Photo by Benjamin Hanson

Joe Kelly Field at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 25, 2021.

Photo by Benjamin Hanson.

A tennis ball left behind has lost its color at Joe Kelly Field at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 25, 2021

Photo by Benjamin Hanson

A golf cart outside of Joe Kelly Field at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 25, 2021.

Anti-Asian violence rising nationwide

Professors, students and community respond to hate crimes

BY DOMINIQUE DUNGO

Hate crimes against the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community have increased since March 2020, causing the AAPI community to come together in protests.

According to stopaapihate.org, the Asian Pacific Planning and Policy Council (A3PCON), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA) and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University launched the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center on March 19, 2020.

Librarian and professor Michael Habata wrote in an email after hearing the news about an assault against an elderly Asian American woman.

“She was walking to church in Manhattan when a man knocked her to the ground and brutally kicked her in the head multiple times while yelling at her that she did not belong in this country,” Habata said.

Habata said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, discrimination and racism towards AAPI was exacerbated by the scapegoating and blaming by former President Donald Trump. “His blaming of the virus on China calling it the “China virus” and the “Wuhan virus” helped create the climate that existed when the pandemic started,” said Habata.

Habata said that racism and discrimination are so deeply rooted in this country’s history, and it’s difficult to have a multicultural society where systematic racism can be overcome.

“It’s important for us not to normalize hatred or scapegoating against members of a group,” said Habata. “It’s never okay to commit acts of violence and hatred against members of a community, whether it’s on racial, ethnic, gender-based, religion, or sexual identity.”

Habata said he wrote a resolution for the Academic Senate on March 22 in support of AAPI faculty, staff, and students.

“The resolution calls on all campus leaders including faculty and administrators as well as the student body to promote respect, inclusion, and a welcoming climate, and reject acts of hatred and intimidation,” Habata said.

Chemistry Professor Benny Ng said through a Zoom interview that it isn’t clear why people behave a certain way.

“Anything that has to do with violence is not acceptable in any means in our society,” Ng said. “Violence against any group, not just AAPI or African Americans, is unacceptable especially with the behavior and aggression.”

Ng said that the movement brings more attention to the issue and it has been ongoing for a long time.

“I think we need cognitive effort through different education to get the facts correct,” Ng said. “And for the law, legislation, and enforcement to really stop that.”

Ng said there’s no evidence that COVID-19 actually originated from China.

“I think that also has to do with the media, reporting, and how people keep referring to it as the kung flu, China virus, or the Wuhan virus,” said Ng. “That really gave a bet on notation or implicit implication and that belief got into peoples heads.”

Ng expressed the only reason the hate crime against the AAPI community is noticed and acknowledged is because in recent news, it’s more exclusive violence.

“Back then, you walk past someone who says something to you and it wasn’t to this level of crime to where they’re shooting people, pushing elders, and looking for the weakest victim to try to pick upon,” said Ng. “It’s just not the way it’s supposed to be.”

Ng says without COVID-19 and the Anti-AAPI hate crimes, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders may not have gotten that attention.

“We’re getting more exposure because now we are facing our vio-

lence,” said Ng. “I hope things will get better.”

Pierce student Lauren Eldib wrote through email on how it is to be an Asian American living and growing up in the U.S..

“Invisibility is a word I would use to summarize the Asian American experience and the way Asian Americans have been treated by American society,” Eldib said.

Eldib adds that lack of Asian American representation is severe in politics, Hollywood, entertainment, and media.

“Us Asian Americans have few popular actors, singers, models, and politicians to look up to and see ourselves in,” said Eldib. “As a political

science major, it is painstakingly obvious that Asian Americans are missing from politics.”

Eldib said that during the election, Asian American votes are rarely heard even though they are making up more of the country’s population.

“If you ask someone if they know an Asian politician, they may say Andrew Yang or may even tell you they’ve never heard of one,” said Eldib. “That means non-Asians are making laws decisions for Asian Americans on our behalf, and I think this invisibility comes from the assumption that Asians are quiet, docile, nerdy, and lack leadership skills.”

Eldib said that she fears for her mother, grandfather, and uncle who lives in San Francisco.

“Our voices go unheard and our history seems erased based on the extent to which it’s taught,” said Eldib. “Asian American oppression has existed ever since Chinese immigrants came to America in the 19th century.”

“They don’t even teach about the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 in most schools in which Chinese people were banned from coming to America for years much like former President Donald Trump’s Muslim ban,” said Eldib. “I cope by educating and informing myself, friends, and family about current events and history.”

CSUN student Reema Haque spoke about the xenophobia and discrimination on Asian Americans in a Zoom interview.

“With the rise of hate crimes against Asian Americans, it’s not an isolated incident,” said Haque. “This xenophobic ideology has been happening for centuries and I definitely think what is rooted in this is white supremacy.”

Haque said elected officials have even expressed those universal big ideologies.

“When it’s from Asia, people are always so against us,” said Haque. “We’ve been called being dirty or being curry lovers and these stereotypes have gone on for centuries and espe-

Guiding student’s health online

cially in this pandemic - it only proves how much there is a huge prevalent problem and xenophobia in America.”

Haque expressed that she hopes this is not something people treat as a trend and does not die down.

“I hope people are very pleased with their efforts because that’s how I feel about this,” said Haque. “It’s great we’re spreading awareness, but I hope we are very consistent with bringing that awareness to these hate crimes.”

“I’m Bengali Muslim and so people characterize Muslims as terrorists and growing up it made me a little scared going outside,” said Haque.

Haque said the first time she encountered a whole group of people against her was in 2019 when she witnessed a protest in Woodland Hills against Illhan Omar when she was in town.

“They were shouting ‘terrorist go home, terrorist go home!’” said Haque. “I felt like I didn’t belong here and this pandemic only proves further as to why.”

Haque spoke about the importance of the safety of AAPI on campus and what Pierce and other colleges should do to support.

“Colleges and Universities should provide a lot of resources for us to come and speak about our concerns,” said Haque. “I wish institutions would do a lot more than putting out a statement that says they’re solidatring with AAPI.”

Harque said that she feels like a lot of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders can relate about staying silent to survive.

“It’s sad but it’s true, because if we do speak up we’ll face consequences for it,” said Haque. “It’s upsetting and I want to personally argue with people who have these racist ideologies. My parents tell me ‘no, you have to step back,’ and they’re not saying it because they support itthey’re doing it to protect me.”

ddungo.roundupnews@gmail.com

Going to the COVID-19 drive-in

Major movie chain opens parking lots for movie screenings

BY MAX OSBURN

Movie and drive-in theaters have been finding ways to reopen and screen films that entertain families while complying with COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.

The Regency Theaters have adopted many different procedures to ensure safety of viewers. According to their website which features a guide to comfort, safety and cleanliness, Regency Theaters have several standard preventative measures like requiring masks unless eating, reduced seating capacity, and enforcing social distancing.

But the company has also implemented other strategies like plexi-glass safety panels at serving stations, regular disinfecting,superior air quality with increased air flow and enhanced A/C filters. They also promise that many locations now have Merv 13 air filtration along with air purification in auditoriums with UV Sterilizers installed in their heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to ensure clean and fresh air.

Drive-in theaters have become very suited for cinema entertainment during the pandemic, so much so that some standard movie theaters are now being transitioned into drive-in theaters, according to Regency Theaters District Manager Andrew Gualtieri.

“The last couple days of August [2020], we started our drive-in at our Van Nuys Theater,” Gualtieri said. “We basically bolted a forty foot screen to the side of our building.”

There have also seen a lot of highly anticipated movies become delayed due to COVID-19 related setbacks but even with the shortage of big named movies, theaters still have plenty to offer. The showings at the Van Nuys drivein theater have been a mixture of new movies and old movie rentals which definitely offers plenty of options for families to go out and

BY MICHELLE OAKES

College students who are more vulnerable to mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression, are also facing a global pandemic, increasing their likeliness to develop these illnesses.

To ease the burdens of some, Pierce College held a virtual health fair event on March 16 and 17 organized by Beth Benne, the Student Health Center director. The fair covered a wide range of topics including mental health, heart health, nutrition and COVID-19 precautions.

In one of the forums, mental health professionals spoke on the causes and risk factors of mental illnesses like depression, stress, and anxiety.

Postdoctoral therapist, Masoumeh Nourshahi, addressed the immense impact COVID-19 had on college students’ mental health during quarantine.

“For example, one study indicates rates of major depressive disorder among college students, doubled in 2020 compared to 2019, which is significantly higher,” Nourshahi said. “Another study also confirmed these findings are showing 90% increase in depression rate during these two years, and every study also showed the proportion of college students at the risk of clinical depression ranges from 46% to 69% from March to July.”

During the meeting, Pierce therapist Roz Hedayatian, addressed some coping mechanisms students could use to counter depression.

“These protective factors can include seeing a therapist, being in good physical health, having job security, being responsible for children, having pets, having the support of a significant other or support from friends, having plans for the future, having a duty to others, going on medication if need be, sobriety, decreasing substance use, and having life and problem solving skills are just a few,” Hedayatian said. Attendees at the event were able to partake in a meditation exercise that aimed to get students to relax as they focused on their bodies and their breath.

Postdoctoral therapist Inbar Malevski said some of the benefits of practicing regular meditation included reducing anxiety and depression, facilitating a positive mindset, improving concentration and reducing chronic pain. In one of the other panels that focused on stress and anxiety, Malevski helped students understand the difference between the two commonly mistaken terms.

“It’s important to know that stress is typically caused by an external trigger, something that happens in our environments, versus anxiety, that is basically persistent excessive worries that don’t go away even in the absence of stressors.” Malevski said.

They also recommended engaging in safe hobbies, regular exercise, mindfulness, socializing, setting goals, sobriety and deep breathing exercises to reduce levels of anxiety.

watch movies they already love on the big screen.

“We played ‘New Mutants’ for a week or two. And we played ‘The Croods’ which did really well for us,” Gualtieri said. “We can do about 67 vehicles per show, and families are really coming out to do something that they can do.”

With precautions put into place at nearly all theater locations and the transition of some standard theaters into drive-in theaters to minimize contact, many of Pierce College’s own students have been able to find themselves attending.

Allyson Roche, a Pierce student, went to a drive-in theater at the Outfest Film Festival to watch an early screening of ‘The Nowhere’ and attended the Street Food Cinema at the Santa Monica Airport to watch ‘When Harry Met Sally’ on Valentine’s Day.

Roche said going to watch a movie at the big screen from her car felt refreshing, but still

prefers the standard movie theater experience.

“During COVID, it’s really exciting to make plans and anticipate them because it reminds me of the time before COVID,” Roche said. “However, the drivein definitely doesn’t make up for a theater experience. I miss overhearing people’s reactions during the showing, sensing the tension and anticipating laughter from strangers around me. I just miss going through that experience with others.”

Matthew Alley, a Pierce student, had never been to a drivein theater prior to the pandemic. Alley, went to see ‘Tom and Jerry’ at the Van Nuys Theater, said that he still prefers the experience of a standard movie theater, but the drive-in theaters are a happy medium given the circumstances.

“To me, there’s nothing like sitting in a theater with a bunch of friends with the big screen right in

front of us,” Alley said. “We can’t really have that same exact feeling when we’re cramped in a car but all things considered I can’t really complain. It’s still a good time to get out of the house and finally watch some movies.”

Alley also explained how being able to remain in the car made him feel more secure for his protection and the protection of others.

“I pretty much stayed in my car the whole entire time,” Alley said. “I brought my own snacks and everything, which is something you can’t really do at the regular theaters.”

As the county remains to require masks and social distancing to fight the spread, drive-in theaters have become a great way to stay safe and still enjoy a movie.

The meeting was concluded with a deep breathing exercise guided by Hedayatian. According to Hedayatian, the exercise helps students lower levels of anxiety and it discourages the fight or flight response mechanism which triggers anxiety. Hedayatian said by practicing this consistently, students can experience decreased levels of anxiety.

Health counselors offered several resources that can be found on the Pierce portal, such as free group or individual counseling which can help treat depression and anxiety.

moakes.roundupnews@gmail.com

Photo by Ashley Adan

People sit in parked cars outside of the Regency Theater at The Plant for a drive-in movie in Van Nuys, Calif., on March 11, 2021.

“They were shouting, ‘Terrorist go home, terrorist go home!’” I felt like I didn’t belong here, and this pandemic only proves further as to why.”

Reema Haque CSUN Student

“We can’t really have that same exact feeling when we’re cramped in a car but all things considered I can’t really complain. It’s still a good time to get out of the house and finally watch some movies.”

Matthew Alley Pierce Student

Dog’s Day Out

Canines play with their companions

BY BALA SUBRAMANIYAN

Dog parks are a way for furry pals to meet and make new friends.

Dogs enjoy playing in the open area and getting exercise without phyical limitations.

Sometimes dogs are there for training and others are there to navigate pack dynamics.

Some people don’t have dogs so dog parks are way for them to see what it is like to be a dog owner. A day at a dog park also gives opportunities for the owners to interact with each other.

Families who go to these parks are able to relax and enjoy the outdoors with their pets.

Pet owners may not have a big backyard available to them, so dog parks are a way for dogs to run wild and free. Dogs also get to see other dogs and some may get along or some may not.

bsubramaniyan.roundupnews@gmail.com

Photo by David Pashaee

Andrew Weber trains Max with a treat at Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash dog park in Van Nuys, Calif., on Feb. 23, 2021.

Photo by David Pashaee

Maria Perez prepares Barney for a photoshoot at Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash dog park in Van Nuys, Calif,. on Feb. 23, 2021.

Photo by David Pashaee

Richard Hayes, Ella Hayes and Pepper enjoy their family time at Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash dog park in Van Nuys, Calif., on Feb. 23, 2021

Photo by Ashley Adan Mary Acosta’s black golden retriever Dexter climbs a tree at Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash dog park in Van Nuys, Calif., on March 5, 2021.