Volume 134 Spring 2021 Roundup Issue 6

Chancellor visit opens door for Fall return

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Playful Partners: Bond between pet and owner

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Protest for Palestine

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Pierce faculty retirees for this year

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Esraa Hayat (left) and Najla Hayat, participating in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing violence in Gaza at the Israeli Consulate building in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 18, 2021.

Photo by David Pashaee

Roundup

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Max Osburn Michael Loizzo

Dominique Dungo Ariel Gil Madison Creekbaum

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Reducing waste, one bottle at a time From the desk of the Roundup EDITORIAL

Pierce College could do its part in helping the environment by encouraging students to use reusable bottles on campus to reduce the amount of plastic waste.

There are many ways to promote the use of reusable bottles to students while at school.

cover the entire campus,thousands more plastic bottles could be saved every week.

Shandani Jackson Tatyana Ekemekjian

Ashley Adan

Raquel Frohlich David Pashaee

There are several reusable bottle refill stations on campus, including in Students Services, Business office and Performing Arts buildings, one near the South Gym and one by the courtyard at Learning/Library Crossroads. It’s a start, but Pierce has 426 acres, and by increasing the stations to

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.

Pierce also can help by promoting the already established refill sites on the virtual and physical Campus Map and Directory. Signs about the station could be added at either end of the Mall. The stations are free, and the average price for a bottle of water is $1.50, so that means a savings of $7.50 a week.

In January of 2019, Fullerton Community College in Orange County introduced 23 reusable water bottle stations on its campus. In two weeks, the refill

stations saved 168,000 plastic water bottles from being used, according to their College President Greg Shulz.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, if you walked into a classroom on campus you would likely see several students with reusable bottles, such as Hydro Flasks. Many of those bottles would be decorated with stickers.

The school could offer free Pierce designed stickers to students who bring a reusable bottle as another way to get students to avoid using plastics. Not only would it be a creative way for students to show their school spirit,but it would be an

inexpensive way as well. Another way that the school could influence students to use a reusable bottle is by allowing them to earn a free one as a reward. Students who finish the semester with a good academic standing could be given Pierce designed bottles. Even though the campus is not fully reopened, taking these small actions now could help start making a significant difference at Pierce for years to come.

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Building communites through textbooks

Two things that many students almost always need at the start of every new semester are textbooks and money.

A way for Pierce College to help students with both of these problems would be by providing a textbook exchange program.

The program could be facilitated by the school’s Student Store, and it would involve students selling textbooks to another person the following semester.

For example, if in the fall semester a student took an English 100 class, that student could then sell the textbook to someone who will take that same class and needs that same textbook in the spring.

With this program, students

can be afforded the ability to make some money from their initial purchases while also providing students with a cheaper alternative to a new textbook from the store or online.

If students are afraid of getting scammed, the program can require would-be sellers to have their textbook meet a necessary condition before being approved for selling.

This would incentivize students who want to sell their textbooks to keep them in good shape, and it would give buyers confidence in the pre-owned books.

Student2Student is a website that runs a program similar to this. However, if Pierce was to host one for their students, that

would provide the students with another way of engaging with their campus.

Those students can interact with each other when they sell their class materials and make connections that will allow them to have an easier transition to college life, especially for new students.

Tufts University runs a program like this, and the students have been enthusiastic about participating. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, Philp Miller, who helped start the program said that since it began four years ago, it has “facilitated the sale of more than 2,000 textbooks; saved students $177,000.”

The Pierce program could

run on the Mall and operate on the first and last week of each semester.

In a post-pandemic fall semester, many students may feel that they’ll struggle to make connections with others once they return to a physical class setting. With many campuses already planning how they will reopen in the fall, Pierce should consider running this program to promote interaction among the student body, while also providing students with an opportunity to make and save some money in the process.

BY MARIAH BRITT

With piles of school assignments and exams, it’s easy for students to forget about getting the proper rest they might need. To combat the stress, students should make a strong effort to create personalized sleep schedules to enhance the quality of their day to day schedules.

The benefits of having a routine include being more focused in school or work, having a healthier heart and feeling more refreshed than before. And with a wide variety of many different sleep aids, setting a routine will feel like a breeze.

For example, there are sleep therapy machines that relax the brain by making different noises like ocean sounds and white noise. Other aids include essential oils and cooling or heated blankets.

Making a sleep schedule is especially important for college students to succeed within the realm of their academic career.

It is a common misconception that people retain more information if they just stay up to study the night away. However, they actually wouldn’t be able to retain any information because

Should you make a schedule?

PRO Sleep

sleep is one of the prime ingredients that the brain needs to function properly.

Also, studies have shown that insufficient sleep is a common side effect of problems happening with one’s mental health. 50% of insomnia cases can stem from the result of depression, anxiety, or stress.

When the quality or quantity of our sleep suffers, so does our mental health. An example of this would be having low energy, trouble concentrating and difficulty with memory after sleeping less than normal.

Students should set a schedule and allow themselves to get at least 7 hours of sleep per night, so that they can function properly. A good tip would be to replace the habit of scrolling through a phone with a more relaxing activity that would slow the brain down, such as practicing different yoga stances or reading a book while listening to some quiet music.

At the end of the day, sleep is crucial and should be held on a high pedestal in order to keep a healthy lifestyle.

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CON

BY SHANDANI JACKSON

While sleep is essential to overall health, setting a routine for sleep isn’t always possible for people with fluctuating schedules.

People should sleep when they’re able to put in those hours depending on what works best with their lifestyle.

For most students, having chaotic schedules is normal. This is especially true for students with children or other family members at home to take care of, along with varying work days. There is no guarantee in having consecutive similar days.

Because of this responsibility, improvisation is necessary. Being able to set a consistent sleep schedule is a privilege that unfortunately, not everyone can have.

Not having a scheduled time for sleep also allows for more productivity. Rarely will there be successful people in the world putting sleep first. It’s always, “The earlier you wake up, the better.”

In fact, it’s the irregularity of a schedule that allows deep sleep due to the constant use of energy throughout a 24 hour period. In other words, your mind and body become trained for different sleep cycles.

For example, night nurses who work the graveyard shift find it easier to go into a deep sleep when they get home in the daytime.

Another reason having a set time for sleep isn’t ideal is because life is uncertain. It’s unrealistic to always sleep at the exact same time everyday. Not everyone functions the same, so setting a sleep schedule might not be for everybody. Sometimes, all that can be done is to get sleep whenever possible.

Chancellor visit opens door for fall return to campus

Town hall event also covers search for new president and student equity

BY TRISHA ANAS

While the question of who will be the next Pierce College president is still up in the air, a general timeline of the selection process was addressed Tuesday morning by Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez.

The meeting, led by Rodriguez, centered around Pierce’s reengagement plans for the upcoming fall semester, focused on the selection process for a new president and emphasized the importance of vaccinations and campus safety.

With this town hall being the first in-person since the campus closure March 2020, Rodriguez said that he wanted to answer any questions the community had face-to-face regarding future plans for the school.

“I had this urgent sense of wanting to step [back] on this campus,” Rodriguez said. “Given the crossroads and the juncture of where we’re at with discussions around equity, discussions around where we’re at with the budget and moving forward with leadership, I said one of the ways that I could demonstrate care, concern and an authentic interest is to show up and thank you for being here.”

Rodriguez said that the campus was planning to have all students and staff complete symptom check-ins through the SAFE app to track and trace any new outbreaks, per state law. He also emphasized that it was important for any staff member interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine to get vaccinated.

“The goal here is the obvious one,” Rodriguez said. “The goal is immunity, just to be very clear. As we think about a greater in-person presence this fall, science is what’s going to guide us towards that direction.”

Rodriguez also said that Pierce was working closely with the LACCD Emergency Operations Center to ensure that safety remains as the top priority.

With regards to searching for a new president, Professor and faculty guild member Curt Duffy said that filling the position would be challenging.

“A college president is an extremely difficult role here, and that person has to not only consider all of the different demands and needs of the actual campus, but then has to interface with the district which may have needs, desires and plans of itself,” Duffy said.

Duffy also asked Rodriguez what was necessary of any

Taking the virtual walk

BY MAX OSBURN

While COVID-19 related restrictions are loosening, many classes and events will remain online for the time being, including graduation, which will take place Tuesday, June 8, at 6 p.m.

Dean of Student Services Will Marmolejo at Pierce College will oversee the event.

He explained that it will resemble a normal, in-person graduation as closely as possible with featured speakers.

“The ceremony is prerecorded,” Marmolejo said. “Like our traditional in-person commencement ceremonies, the event is emceed by the Academic Senate president. This year, the Academic Senate president is professor Barbara Anderson. The LACCD chancellor, Dr. Rodriguez, our college president, Dr. Alexis Montevirgen and board member

prospective candidates to be able to succeed and thrive in that role.

Rodriguez said that a successful college president would need to be well-versed in technology and have good communication skills.

During the meeting, the Chancellor also presented an outline of the anticipated timeline for the new president. The process would include selecting a search firm to conduct background checks and forming a screening and interview committee, and would take place during the remainder of this year going into 2022.

“[The candidate’s] value statement, the notion of being authentic, caring, compassionate, empathetic, value driven and equity minded are all essential, non-negotiable characteristics in this kind of work,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez also said that the new president would have to align with the values of Pierce, and understand the school’s needs.

Gabriel Buelna will address the class. The student speaker is Perez Jacoby.”

With the pre-recorded commencement ceremony, Marmolejo explained how students will still be featured and celebrated even though they will not be taking the walk in person and their families will be able to comfortably attend.

“Students have had the opportunity to email us their picture that will be shown when their name is announced,” Marmolejo explained. “The virtual ceremony will be broadcasted on Pierce College’s YouTube and Facebook sites. The event is free.”

Montevirgen said that the graduation committee is hard at work to make this event run smoothly for Pierce graduates and families.

“The virtual commencement is scheduled and we’ve already recorded some of the portions,” Montevirgen said. “Now we’re trying to make sure that their name, their degree and in fact even their picture. I know some of our faculty and our staff have been busy recording congratulatory messages.”

“The currency that we have with presidents here, or even chancellors, is integrity,” Rodriguez said. “Our influence, our integrity, our ability to confront issues, our ability to confront challenges, our ability to be comfortable with ambiguity and to make precise decisions within precise information; that’s the role of being a leader.”

According to Rodriguez, the interim president would be announced sometime next week.

President Alexis Montevirgen said that he is hopeful with not only where the school is headed, but also for the future in general.

“These last 14 months were definitely unprecedented times, and it’s great to see that we as a campus, as a city, as a country and as a nation are now turning the corner on COVID-19,” Montevirgen said.

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Perez Jacoby is an immigrant from Kenya and the first girl in her family to attend college and said she feels a great sense of accomplishment. She explained how even though the event is online, she still looks forward to the graduation ceremony and is proud of the work done behind the event.

“I feel humbled, excited and with so many mixed emotions,” Jacoby said. “We were presented with an unprecedented challenge, with all the complications of taking online classes we kept going. People should look forward to meeting determined, resilient and inspiring students. Everyone worked hard, the professors, counselors, and all the staff and faculty to make this come true.”

In Jacoby’s recorded speech, she acknowledges the challenges that students had to face after the pandemic changed so much of their lives. Jacoby also wanted to emphasize her encouragement to the students to keep working toward their goals.

“My message to the students is to know that this is not the destination,” Jacoby said. “[Students] should continue to

press on whether it is transferring or graduating and moving on to the next big thing. Take in the moment and celebrate. We set our goals and not even the global pandemic stopped us. It was sudden and with very little warning. You are a force to be reckoned with. I am very proud of the academic class of 2021.”

Montevirgen echoed this sentiment and said that the graduating and transferring students should feel proud of this moment.

“[Graduating students] have made it through a pandemic, and that is a testament in itself to their resilience to their sort of perseverance,” Montevirgen said. “I know moving forward, that they will be successful and that the world is at their disposal, and is available to them. Hopefully they have had a positive experience here at Pierce College because we are so proud that they have chosen to pursue their certificates and their degrees, and that they now walk away with those certificates and degrees.”

Photo by Benjamin Hanson

LACCD Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez speaks about the enrollment, the hiring process for a new president and the importance of getting vaccinated during the first in-person Town Hall meeting since the pandemic began in the Pierce College Theatre in Woodland Hills, Calif., on May 18, 2021.

Photo by Manu Multani Staff, administrators and faculty members of Pierce College gathered socially distanced during Chancellor Rodriguez’s visit on May 18, 2021, in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Photo by Benjamin Hanson Operations manager Rodney Allen, who is retiring this year, at Pierce College in Woodland Hills., Calif., on May 25, 2021.

Playful partners Pandemic reinforces bond between pet and owner

BY MADISON CREEKBAUM

As unfamiliar feelings of isolation seeped in and people were forced to stay at home, it was only natural they turn to their furry companions for some company.

COVID-19 stay-at-home orders helped pet owners build closer relationships with their four-legged animals. As they spent time doing different activities with their pets, it kept them distracted from the severity of the pandemic.

Political Science Professor Denise Robb accidentally became a mother of four extra kittens during the pandemic, in addition to her three previously rescued cat children. Robb placed herself on several waitlists to rescue cats because the demand for pet companions had skyrocketed throughout quarantine.

“The kittens are really obnoxious,” Robb said. “They like to destroy everything. They’re always jumping around and knocking things over. Larry is a real terror, he likes to chew paper towels up and spit them on the ground, but it’s better than thinking about the 560,000 people that died.”

Robb said her rambunctious cats kept her company while she taught over Zoom. One craved her attention so much they ended up knocking down and breaking her computer in the middle of her class.

Robb was particularly grateful to spend this extra time with her twentyone-year-old cat, Buster, who was diagnosed with cancer.

“I feel like I know them so much better and I’m closer to the older ones too. Buster is so old and sick, so now we never leave him alone. We’re always with him,” Robb said.

Dance Professor Brian Moe was appreciative of the camaraderie and comfort his three chihuahuas and two cats shared with him during this period of isolation.

“It’s good to have that unconditional love and support no matter what, though we think we’re

crazy because we’re talking to the animals more than other people,” Moe said.

Before the pandemic, Moe would have to wake up at four in the morning to get his dogs out for their morning walk before his long commute to Pierce. The pandemic has allowed for a more convenient schedule to take Moe’s dogs on their daily walks.

“The dogs have gotten into a routine. They know first thing in the morning we take them for a walk, they know when it’s about four or five in the afternoon it’s time for their second one,” Moe said. Moe explained what he would enjoy about the separation from his chihuahuas.

“I do miss that excitement whenever you come home and they thought you were never coming back. That level of excitement they have, I wish my students were like that,” Moe said jokingly.

Having this time with their pets has allowed owners to know their pets more intimately and uniquely.

Pierce Student Diba Talehakimi and her twelve-year-old cat, Artemis, have become inseparable over the quarantine. Talehakimi explained the foreseen challenges of leaving Artemis.

“I think it definitely will be hard leaving him. I’ve gotten so used to him being around and having him be one of my priorities, but I love him so much that I will continue giving him as much attention as I can,”

Talehakimi said.

Talehakimi will miss the companionship and having her cat lay on her lap as she carried out varied tasks.

“I’ll miss having him around so often, especially since I will be transferring in the fall and can’t take him with me,” Talehakimi said. “I’m just glad I can always come home, and he’ll be right there waiting for me.”

“The kittens are really obnoxious. They’re always jumping around and knocking things over. Larry is a real terror, he likes to chew paper towels up and spit them on the ground, but it’s better than thinking about the 560,000 people that died”

Denise Robb Political Science professor

Photo by Raquel G. Frohlich

Denise Robb, an associate professor of political science at Pierce College, at home with one of her seven cats in Pasadena, Calif., on Sunday, May 23, 2021.

Photo by David Pashaee

Brian Moe sits with his dogs Fritz Elijah, Cesar Emmett and Crouton Eugene at his house in Long Beach, Calif., on May 25, 2021.

Elotes! Raspados! Chicharrones!

Organization helps local street vendors in the San Fernando Valley

BY MICHAEL LOIZZO

The hard work from street vendors in the San Fernando Valley doesn’t go unnoticed and to community members they are more than just vendors, they are friends and childhood staples.

Miguel Talavera, a Pacoima resident noticed that his community’s local street vendor, Don Max went from selling throughout the neighborhood every day to vanishing for roughly three months.

“I would buy a Coca-Cola from him every day throughout the stay-at-home order,” Talavera said. “I then noticed that I hadn’t seen him for almost three months. I assumed that he went back to the city he is from in Mexico. I then found out he had been hospitalized for over 2 months.”

Talavera developed a relationship with Max through buying from his cart every day. When he found out that Max had been hospitalized for such a long period of time, he decided to start a GoFundMe to recoup the money Max had lost from those months off work.

“My original goal was $3,600 because that was equal to about two months of income loss,” Talavera said. “The money helped him pay rent and pay for a surgery he had in the past.”

Two weeks after Max received the $3,600 from Talavera, Max was told to move out of the place he was living with a two-day notice.

“Max got back from work and all of his belongings were packed in garbage bags,” Talavera said. “He explained to me that he was basically homeless now. They kicked him out without a reason.”

One of the community members that donated to the GoFundMe that was made for Max reached out to an organization that supports street vendors.

Las Calles Del Valle, “The Streets of the Valley,” is an organization that was founded in July 2020 that makes an effort to support street vendors throughout the San Fernando Valley by sharing information about vendors in need, as well as hosting buyout events.

Sebastian Araujo, a founder and organizer at Las Calles Del Valle was contacted by a donor

from Don Max’s GoFundMe. “I went and visited Don Max to see if he needed anything that was immediate and by this time, he had already been kicked out of his house,” Araujo said. “It was a very rough situation. He was sleeping where street vendors store their carts. We took him to Lowe’s to get fans and other necessary things that he needed like hygiene products.

Araujo asked Max if he would like a buyout event organized for him to get him back on his feet and Max accepted the opportunity.

Within a day of Las Calles Del Valle promoting the buyout event and the GoFundMe that was created by Talavera, an additional $7,000 was raised. Within a week, enough money was raised for Max to pay his rent for over a year.

The buyout event was held on May 9 at Hubert H. Humphrey Park in Pacoima, which is part of

Veronica Flores

Regular customer

Max’s daily route. “I chose this location because people know him in that area,” Talavera said. “I knew people were going to come and support him there. At the actual buyout, there was a long line for an hour and a half, just non-stop. He nearly sold out.”

Veronica Flores is a customer that’s been going to Max’s cart for 13 years.

“Out of my heart, he deserves a lot, he is such a hard worker,” Flores said. “We basically became family. My daughters and I would go to see him every day and buy a popsicle or chips, just something to support him.”

Not only did Flores want to help support Max, but her own daughter wanted to help out as well.

“My daughter said “Mom, give him my money, I want him to have it.”” Flores said. “When I

BY DOMINIQUE DUNGO

Young struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis attempts to hide from the repossession men seeking his car when he drives into a desolate mansion in Sunset Boulevard belonging to silent movie star Norma Desmond.

On May 10, the Pierce College Film club discussed Billy Wilder’s 1950s film “Sunset Boulevard” through a Zoom meeting as the last series of the semester regarding mental health. The movie concerns Gillis (William Holden), who becomes entwined in the dysfunctional world of Desmond (Gloria Swanson).

English professor Brad Saenz said through Zoom, “You stumble upon a house and these celebrities are barricading themselves from society and making themselves believe they’re still great stars.”

Saenz said what he likes about Desmond’s character is when you probe into her, you look at her psychologically. Not only does she have a lot of reasons for behaving the way that she does, she’s also a strong character for persevering the way that she has.

Film club President Travis Raser said through Zoom, “It’s so easy to read Desmond as a villain, but you look at her life and everyone in her life is lying constantly - theoretically for her own good, but she’s not given a say in anything.”

gave Don Max the money and said it was from my daughter, he started crying because he has known my daughter since she was a little girl.”

Since the buyout, Talavera has kept the GoFundMe open for donations to help support Max. Though he still has yet to find a place of residency, Talavera is still dedicated to helping him raise money.

“I did an interview for a publication named LA Taco about Don Max’s situation,” Talavera said.

“On social media they have around 80,000 followers and once my interview went live, the GoFundMe raised an additional $10,000 and that put the total over $25,000.”

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New chapter begins at the library

Patrons return as LAPL resumes in-person services

BY TRISHA ANAS

While COVID-19 cases continue to drop, Los Angeles County is finally turning the page on the pandemic by allowing some of the public libraries to resume in-person services.

During lockdown, the libraries only offered curbside pickup. Now, they’re offering in-person browsing and borrowing, public computer usage and free wireless printing at select locations.

Hillary St. George, head librarian of the Chatsworth branch, said that being back in person felt like a relief to many of the staff.

“It was so exciting and comforting to reconnect with our community again and the people that we were so familiar with,” George said. “We were so used to working with the public, working with our patrons like people we would see everyday or every week, and kids who were constantly around. To lose them for a year and a half was significant.”

George said that because of the unpredictability of the pandemic, it was a challenge coming back to work.

“I think that was a universal feeling that I don’t think was just limited or particular to us in terms of the massive amount of uncertainty,” George said. “As we slowly started to return to coming into the branch to work, it was jarring and kind of a significant process of reacclimation to a place that we were formerly comfortable with, reacclimating to our workspace and to our coworkers.”

Though things are gradually

opening again, safety is still very important to the staff, according to David Hagopian who is head librarian at the Platt branch.

“We’re providing people with masks and hand sanitizer,” Hagopian said. “We also hired several porters to clean up every single thing on the floors, on the book shelves and door knobs to ensure that everyone is staying safe.”

Hagopian also said that their branch is no longer issuing late fines for any overdue items.

George Valle, an employee working at the Chatsworth branch, said that he missed having the company of both his coworkers and library patrons when everything was shut down.

“Every day, you would get different types of people,” Valle said.

“You miss a lot of regulars, a lot of friends and a lot of coworkers. We’re excited to help everybody. We can’t wait to have everybody come back and start checking books out.”

George said that she enjoys seeing the library full of people again, and is glad that everything is gradually returning to normal.

“I enjoy having people in the branch, and I like seeing the branch

utilized,” George said. “I like seeing kids look for books and adults looking for books, getting the things they need and getting excited about things they’re discovering. Watching that process from the reference desk is, for me, one of my favorite parts of the job. I’m so happy to have patrons back inside the branch.” tanas.roundupnews@gmail,com

Raser said Desmond’s made to believe that she’s more popular than she is and she’s prevented from ever coming to terms with reality.

“It’s not that she’s ignoring reality - it’s that everyone else around her is actively enabling that bubble she lives in,” Raser said. “Everybody seems to be helping her in a way that benefits them.”

Film club Treasurer Kamaal Walker said he was fascinated with people’s modern obsession with celebrities.

“What happens when your entire life is based on people praising you?” Walker said. “Based on people loving you? Being a center of attention? That’s all taken away from Desmond. She had her entire life that she built up taken away from her as soon as she’s out of the limelight.”

Film club panelist Angelica Hymel said through Zoom, “I can empathize with Desmond, I cannot sympathize with her.”

Hymel said maybe Desmond could’ve continued her career had she been okay with taking a smaller part.

“The other side of it is sad that when women get older they have to say “well, I just have to go take a smaller role now” and I think that’s very unfortunate,” said Hymel.

Film club guest speaker Justine Gurse said through Zoom that the film represents a different part of the film industry, but also can be taken a step further.

“This could be any industry in business that this happens to,” Gurse said. “Higher up CEOs who run out of ideas for their companies and toss that aside or the lower working people who try to make their way up like Betty Schaefer’s character who’s an aspiring writer.”

Hymel said a lot of the time silent actors couldn’t make the transition or are not wanted anymore, but a lot of people from the silent era didn’t want to.

“They thought speaking in a film was taking away the fact that film used to be a universal language because there was no dialogue,” Hymel said.

Walker said there’s an external factor, Gloria Swanson aka Norma Desmond being some form of older silent actor outside of the film.

“It really grounds it to where it could’ve been a parody due to how dramatic everything was, but then all those external elements help ground the film and bring to the fact that’s how it exists in Hollywood,” Walker said.

Vice president of the Film club Lizi Escobar said through Zoom, “At some point there’s a saying only you can really help yourself - you have to want to have that help.”

“ We basically became family. My daughters and I would go to see him every day and buy a popsicle or chips, just something to support him ”

Photo by Tatyana Ekmekjian

Santa Clarita local Stefanie DeVries browses the childrens’ books section of the Old Town Newhall Library with her son Bennett in Valencia, Calif., on May 20, 2021.

Photo by Bala Subramaniyan

Street vendor Luis Flores selling food in the Pacoima neighborhood in Los Angeles, on Friday, May 21, 2021.

Protest for Palestine

Amira Saleh participates in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas

Photo by David Pashaee

Demonstrators express support for a general strike by Palestinians in Israel and the Gaza Strip at the Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles, on May 18, 2021.

Demonstrators express support for a general strike by Palestinians in Israel and the Gaza

Palestine

Hundreds gather at the Israeli Consulate

BY DAVID PASHAEE

Hundreds of Palestinian protesters have rallied in the streets of Los Angeles and other cities across the United States, demanding an end to deadly Israeli air raids on the Gaza Strip. May 16 marked the deadliest day in Gaza during the conflict with more than 50 killed, according to the region’s health ministry. Since the violence broke out last week, Israeli firepower has killed

more than 200 Palestinians, including 61 children. More than 1,400 people have been injured, the ministry said.

At least 10 Israelis have died as a result of Hamas rocket fire, the Israel Defense Forces said.

In Los Angeles on Tuesday, protesters waving signs in front of the Israeli Consulate that said “Free Palestine” and shut down traffic on a major thoroughfare, chanting “Free, free Palestine” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Several people also carried placards that read, “Stop the bloodshed in Palestine” and “Solidarity with Palestine”.

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Photo by David Pashaee in Gaza at the Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles, on May 18, 2021.

Photo by David Pashaee Bilal Zaweel participates in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas in Gaza at the Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles, on May 18, 2021.

Photo by David Pashaee Gaza Strip at the Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles, on May 18, 2021.

It’s long Overdue

New resident forms clean up group

With Los Angeles producing an average of 59,000 tons of trash every day, a huge percentage of it ends up improperly disposed of in public areas.

Maxwell Suwaki is a 27-year-old that recently moved from Portland to Los Angeles. Within a week of moving, Suwaki’s dog Leon almost stepped on a heroin needle in a parking lot. Suwaki was already shocked because of how much trash was left in public compared to Portland, but after his dog was put in danger, he knew he had

to do something. He decided that a clean up of Los Angeles was far overdue, leading him to start a community clean up called Overdue.

Suwaki created a website and social media platforms to help promote his movement. He posts the progress he makes everyday along with the amount of trash they collect during each cleanup. One of the most important factors of Overdue’s organization is that they keep track of what they collect and send email updates everyday to anyone who signs up to hear more about what they do.

Suwaki wanted to make it easy for people to join the daily cleanups by allowing anyone to simply email him letting him know they’re coming. Trash bags and gloves are provided as a safety precaution and everyone is required to wear a mask while maintaining the social distancing guidelines.

As of May 12, 2021, Suwaki and Overdue volunteers have collected 34,840 pounds of trash throughout Los Angeles.

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Copy and Photos by Samantha Neff

Jessica Gonzalez pulls trash out of a planter on the sidewalk during the Overdue cleanup in Reseda, Calif., on May 12, 2021.

Maxwell Suwaki, 27, leads Overdue’s morning cleanup in Canoga Park, Calif., on March 31, 2021. Suwaki brings his dog Leon to every cleanup to help him get his daily exercise.

Susan Farrell and Egor Chumak break down cardboard boxes during the Overdue cleanup in Canoga Park, Calif., on March 17, 2021.

Riley Lawrence picks up trash off the sidewalk during the Overdue cleanup in Canoga Park, Calif., on March 17, 2021.

Lily Li participates in Overdue’s community cleanup in Canoga Park, Calif., on March 24, 2021. Li filled a whole shopping cart with trash within the hour.

Career in student centered education

Long time counselor and professor retires from Pierce this year

BY MANU MULTANI

It may not have been luck, but when Elizabeth Strother got her job as an adjunct professor and counselor at Pierce College, she felt like she hit the jackpot.

As an educator for the last 35 years, she has initiated and implemented many successful programs positively impacting the lives of the students.

Strother is one of several people retiring at the academic semester.

“Working in education and making a little bit of extra effort makes an impact on a student’s life being able to give that extra motivation or encouragement, I love it because I see the results,”Strother said.

Strother’s journey at Pierce included leading Extended Opportunities Program and Services. (EOPS)

“I believe in what the program offers,over and above services for students with academic and financial disadvantages,” Strother said. “I knew this was the program I wanted to work for and the campus I wanted to work for. It was my dream job when I started working there.”

The EOPS program was established during the Civil Rights Era, and it was these sorts of examples of community activism that brought Strother to sociology, a subject she teaches at Pierce.

“Relationships with students are temporary, but EOPS requires us to see students several times a semester,” Strother said. “We get to know them well. We get to share in their struggles and their accomplishments. That is a big motivator for me to be able to walk them through from start to finish.”

Strother attributes her successes to the support she has received on campus.

“I was very lucky at Pierce to have colleagues who believed all the things that I did,” Strother said. “I have been surrounded by people who have the same values.”

Many faculty members and students appreciate and praise the hard work Strother has contributed to the Pierce community.

Psychology professor Angela Belden has worked with Strother in the Guided Pathways program at Pierce.

“Liz is definitely one of those people who will fight for her students,” Belden said. “She will go to bat for her students. Every day, all day, 24 hours a day, seven days a

week. She doesn’t rest when it comes to student success and that is true inside of the classroom and in her role as a counselor. She cares so deeply about students, and it shows.”

Belden attributes her growth as a counselor to Strother.

“It really has helped me understand that counselors are important,” Belden said. “I always knew that, but I didn’t really understand all the details about why they were important. She has helped me reframe and learn that and helped me understand that on a different level. Her passion and kindness and care and concern for students is just so evident in her pride.”

Belden said Strother is a special part of the Pierce community and counseling team.

“Her pride in the students just radiates from her. She’s a gem. She’s a total gem. She is one of those Pierce College treasures,” Belden said.

Guided Pathways is a program that offers students a program mapper

that is on the landing page of Pierce’s website. The program mapper allows students to plan their time at Pierce defining what their class pathway will be. It is a roadmap that shows what classes a student should take according to their major and general education classes.

“We do a map where we plan up the student’s courses from start to finish,” Strother said. “We also know that there’s probably going to be bumps in the road, so we know the program that we plan out is going to need to be reevaluated every semester. Maybe they change their major, maybe they don’t pass a class.”

Strother said the map helps students with a clear map, short and long term goals.

“The whole idea of being able to say ‘Ok, here’s where you are and here’s where you need to be,’ and mapping that out is very helpful,” Strother said. “Some of us, like me, who were kind of lost when we were

college students, and didn’t have any pathway at all. That’s why we see how important it is to be able to say, ‘This is where you start.’”

Belden recognizes Strother’s hard work in creating the program mapper and how her zeal to ensure student’s success has been a source of pride for her.

“I absolutely love the stories that she tells about her students about their background, about their challenges, about their multiple dimensions and how she says, ‘And this student is getting, you know, not one, not two, not three, but four degrees from Pierce College’ as they walk across the stage,” Belden said. Pierce Transfer Director Sunday Salter has worked with Strother in multiple capacities and believes Strother’s contribution to Pierce has been pivotal because of how she navigates difficult situations.

“She definitely asked a lot of questions, but that is what I love about

her the most is that she is not afraid to not only ask those questions that everyone’s thinking, but is embarrassed to ask,” Salter said. “She’s not afraid to do that because she really sees the power in knowledge.”

Strother has been improving her approach to counseling throughout the years and she indicates that the most important thing as a counselor is to believe in your student from the beginning.

“There’s a lot of different counseling techniques and stuff, so you know I’ve built them over a very long career,” Strother said. “We start exactly where the student is. I never, ever try to shut the door on possibilities.”

Strother explained that students shouldn’t be underestimated by counselors.

“One of the things that I learned from the research I did for my dissertation is not to just tell a student that their major is going to be too hard for you, because we don’t know what

they’re capable of,” Strother said.

Strother said she takes a student-centered approach and believes in putting the needs of her students first.

“When you’re in a room with a student, that student is the most important person in that room,” Strother said. “And you gotta remember that? OK, it’s not you. Your needs have to go. You need to push your needs to the side and focus on the person at hand.”

For Strother, the Los Angeles Community College District offers unique and distinct opportunities.

“No matter where you are, no matter what you’ve done and no matter what your life has been like and whatever age you are or whatever, anyone could walk into Pierce College or LA City College and start right there no matter what, and I just think that investing in that is so important to our community,” Strother said.

Strother believes in the values that Pierce instills in its educational practice with a dedicated student population.

“I am very, very proud of the accomplishments of our students,” Strother said. “They come from very humble beginnings. Some are immigrants. Let’s just say they are not going to get in through the admissions scandal side door. Our students are going to transfer to wonderful universities through the front door, because they are beyond dedicated.”

Strother said she hopes that her successor understands how fortunate they will be.

“Be kind to each other,” Strother said. “When you land a job at this school, know that you have hit the jackpot. There is no question about it. You hit the lottery when you get a fulltime faculty job at Pierce or any kind of job, so treat it with the kind of respect that it deserves because you’ve got a great job.”

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Pierce faculty retirees for this year

BethBenne,director oftheStudentHealth Center,hasworkedatthe schoolfornearly27years. Sheearnedabachelor’s degreeinnursingfrom PointLomaCollege,and wasdescribedbyoneof hercoworkersasatrue advocateforstudents.

Bennefoughtforan extensionofhealthcare servicesatthecenter.

AmySirotthasbeen teachingintheComputer Applicationsand OfficeTechnologies departmentatPierce College,andheldupa reputationamongher studentsforbeinga kind,understanding andhelpfulprofessor. Sirottcompleteda master’sdegreein educationaltechnology fromCaliforniaLutheran University,andhas taughtatPiercefor16 years.

DavidSchamushas beenworkingatPierce asaprofessorinthe ComputerInformation Systemsdepartment since2007.Schamus earnedaBachelorof ScienceinBusiness Managementfromthe UniversityofPhoenixand aMasterofEducational Technologyfrom PepperdineUniversity. Hehassaidthathe loveshelpingpeople andcreatingwin-win situationsforeveryone.

Since2001,JillBinsley hasbeenteaching intheComputer Applicationsand HospitalityManagement departmentatPierce. Binsleyservedon theSenateElections Committee,theStudent LearningOutcomes Committeeandthe TechnologyCommittee.

ZhilaTabatabaihasbeen withPierceCollegefor 29years,sharingher expertiseasaprofessorin theMathdepartment.

JodiJohnsonhasbeena professorintheEnglish departmentatPierce Collegesince1984.

Photo by David Pashaee

Elizabeth Strother enjoys her time after a busy work day at her backyard in Van Nuys, Calif., on May 25, 2021.

Screenshots by Tatyana Ekmekjian

Rodney Allen photo by Benjamin Hanson

File photo of Beth Benne by Jasson Bautista

Promises fulfilled for college graduates

Students are honored through a mobile commencement

BY MADISON CREEKBAUM

More than 160 students from the Los Angeles Promise Program participated in a drive-through medal ceremony at Pierce College on May 14.

Graduates waited in their cars as the outreach team distributed medals and sashes.

Student Outreach Recruiter

Zafar Sarajzada said he wanted to organize this commemoration to honor the students.

“After spending such a long time going through all the hard work, all the effort that went into accomplishing transferring or getting their certificate or associates,” Sarajzada said. “I think it’s important for them to be highlighted and recognized for all their hard work.”

Sarajzada said the process of getting students on campus for the medal ceremony was challenging.

“We needed the campus approval given the different restrictions of the pandemic,” Sarajzada said. “It’s not the way we’d love to celebrate them, but it’s what we have to work with right now.”

The program, aimed to increase the number of college graduates, helps students in need attend college as full time students for free. Those enrolled must maintain a full time status and a 2.0 grade point average.

Graduates shared their unique experience attending Pierce, both before and throughout the pandemic, and what they would miss most when they transferred.

Political Science Major Einna Macavinta shared what she cherished about her college experience.

“I think attending Pierce is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” Macavinta said. “I met some really cool people, some of the resources were great and there were nice people as well. I’m grateful to the Promise Program because of the two years of free education.”

Biology Major Maia Flores described her disappointment when Pierce moved classes to an online format, especially since many of her

classes involved labs. Flores said she missed her friends during this period of online instruction, and would miss those same friends when she moved to UC Santa Cruz.

“I didn’t think I was going to make friends in college,” Flores said.

“I came with a mindset of just going to focus on my studies, but I think I gained a lot of good relationships, and it was sad that we had to go online. I might not even be able to graduate with them in person.”

Film Student Faith Amoussou said the UMOJA program helped create positive experiences at Pierce.

Amousso said she would miss UMOJA and Pierce’s botanical garden once she transferred.

Nursing Student Jedrick Francisco said the transition to online classes was challenging.

“I enjoyed Pierce until COVID happened, and then we transferred to online school,” Francisco said.

“I wasn’t a big fan of that. I’m sure a lot of people weren’t, but I still managed to get things done.” Francisco said that he missed socializing and familiarizing himself with classmates throughout the campus.

Benjamin Cooperman, a student planning to transfer to University of Santa Barbara, said he was grateful for Pierce and the Promise Program over the past two years.

“I didn’t get to spend too much time in person, so that kind of sucks,” Cooperman said. “But the time that I spent here was great, especially in the Promise program. It was awesome. It’s a big jump from high school to being a college student, so I think [the program] was a big help to me.”

Cooperman said he appreciated the event because he didn’t think a commencement ceremony would happen due to COVID-19. He also said he would miss the familiarity of the school once he transfers.

“I had friends coming here, but going into Santa Barbara, I don’t know anybody,” Cooperman said.

“I’m going to miss that comfort.”

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Brahmas making a competitive return

BY FELIPE GAMINO

The California Community College Athletic Association in a statement affirmed their plans to have competition starting next school year.

With vaccination eligibility open for everyone ages 16 and older, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the state may be fully reopened by June 15.

“We recognize that we will be managing the pandemic for the foreseeable future and we will continue to prioritize the health and safety of everyone involved with our sports. Safety will always come first,” the CCCAA said. “However, we will mitigate the challenges to the best of our abilities, just as we have done while navigating these unprecedented times.

The association also said, “Our districts and colleges will continue to have the opportunity to do what’s in their best interests and we will support those decisions. The CCCAA is fully committed to a safe return to its full complement of sports and championships.”

Only few schools competed in athletic competition this semester. Some colleges opted in to play in the later spring sports. Moorpark, Ventura, Antelope Valley College were a few schools to play.

Football also had some games according to an email by Southern California Football Association Commissioner Jim Sartoris.

“We have three schools opt-in for Spring 1 season,” Sartoris wrote. “Only one college actually played games - that was Antelope Valley

Transfering tales

BY ARIEL GIL

Los Angeles Pierce College commemorates hundreds of students on their acceptances to universities this upcoming fall.

Transfer Center Director Sunday Salter worked with the counselors to assist students with the entire transfer process.

“I make sure everyone is upto-date on the requirements and information that they need to assist all of our students,” Salter said. “The other thing I do is plan all the transfer related events and workshops, and maintain the Transfer Center website that has all of the links that students need when it’s time to apply to transfer.”

Many students look forward to furthering their education outside of Pierce and share their thoughts on what they look forward to the most.

Student Farah Yousuf said that despite the simplicity of the actual online meetings, it felt more difficult to book counseling appointments online.

“I was able to do that through Zoom, and it was actually pretty smooth,” Yousuf said. “The only difficult thing was getting a counseling appointment.”

Yousuf also said that she missed in-person interactions with the counseling department.

“I would have preferred if it was in-person, just for the change of scenery,” Yousuf said. “I feel like people act differently when they’re at their campus. They have a student side to them, but I would have loved to talk in-person to some of the counselors there.”

Enduring the pandemic has made many students extremely grateful for the opportunity to transfer to a University.

Yousuf will be attending UC Irvine this upcoming fall and said she is very appreciative for being able to accept such an offer.

Removal of remediation Disagreement over AB 705 continues

BY SHANDANI JACKSON

and English courses.”

College which played two games with College of the Sequoias. Orange Coast College and Golden West College opted in but did not actually play any games - they did scrimmage each other once.”

Sartoris said he is hopeful to have a full season in the fall.

“We are very encouraged by the CCCAA intent to return to a full athletic schedule for the Fall 2021,” Sartoris wrote. “The SCFA plans to have a full 10 game football schedule for all our 37 member colleges this fall. We have released a tentative schedule to the colleges with the hope that all 37 colleges will participate.”

Interim Athletic Director Susan Armenta in an email wrote they are hopeful to return in the fall.

“We really are just focusing on each phase of returning to campus. We still have to make sure that Pierce can support everything we’d need to compete, which would include regular testing, travel arrangements, and protocol for games,” Armenta wrote.

Armenta mentioned they are focusing on the current restrictions in LA County which moved to the yellow tier.

“The district has approved a vendor that would provide COVID-19 testing kits that we would need to administer weekly to our studentathletes wanting to participate in full, non-contact practice and practice indoors,” Armenta wrote. “Once our indoor plan is approved by the college and the county, we can practice indoors in 14 days.” fgamino.roundupnews@gmail.com

While hundreds of students find the removal of remedial math and English courses useful due to AB 705, some professors disagree.

The law began in 2017 with the purpose of discontinuing unnecessary classes to give students the option to take transferable courses. Before it was put in place, students were required to take placement exams that would determine which classes they needed to take.

Because of these placement classes, many students had their educational plans delayed.

Math Department Chair Edouard Tchertchian said that he feels the law helps many people.

“I think that it’s positive because of how it affects students,” Tchertchian said. “That’s the most important thing. It allows more students to take transferable math and English [classes] when they should be placed into those classes right after their high school education.”

Pierce College student Nicholas O’Neil was accepted to CSUN and feels shocked by the news.

“Wow, I guess it’s great for the students who get that option,” O’Neil said. “ I didn’t get that option, but I wish I did. It would’ve saved me a lot more time and stress.”

Tchertchian said the remedial courses were holding some students back.

“In the past I felt like we ended up placing a lot of the students one or two levels below,” Tchertchian said. “They could have succeeded without having to take those remedial math

Pierce student Faith Amoussou, who has just been accepted to UC Berkeley, said that she was also surprised by the removal of classes.

“I spent so much time taking those classes, and those were the classes I needed the most tutoring in,” Amoussou said.

Amoussou said that the remedial classes felt unnecessary.

“None of the information I’ve learned from those classes were usable for my transferred math classes,” Amoussou said. “I think it’s great for students who don’t want to waste their time.”

Tchertchian said that there were issues in the beginning, but agreed students should take part in the law change.

“We definitely support AB 705 Law and the experience of it,” Tchertchian said. “Unfortunately, the implementation of the law in the Los Angeles Community College district wasn’t the best. That’s where we had a little bit of an issue.”

English Department Professor Jodi Johnson said that she doesn’t agree with the complete removal of the remedial classes because she feels students should at least have more options.

“ I think that putting students into a class that exceeds their present capabilities is generally not beneficial for them,” Johnson said. “But we no longer have the mechanisms to be able to appropriately place people.”

Johnson said that there could’ve been another way to handle the issue.

“They won’t even let us offer classes,” Johnson said. “Students who feel like they don’t have the

skills to succeed no longer have options to get those skills.”

Amoussou said that she still understands there are majors that must go through remedial classes.

“Obviously if you’re a math or engineering major and you need those core classes, it wouldn’t be a bad idea,” Amoussou said. “But I think it’s really awesome right now because students don’t have to waste four units on a class that’s not transferable.”

Tchertchian said that it was difficult to compare statistics due to the pandemic.

“It’s hard to tell because we’ve been in the COVID-19 pandemic, so you can’t really compare how students are doing during COVID versus when we were on campus before,” Tchertchian said. “All I can say is that we continue to be number one in the district.”

Johnson said she sees how students would have been misplaced in certain situations.

“Sometimes students who perhaps don’t test well were sometimes funneled into classes where they actually had the skills to go to a higher class instead,” Johnson said. “It’s obviously not fair. It’s not fair to throw obstacles in their path.”

Like Tchertchian, Johnson believes that the previous path may not have been the best.

“There had to be some middle course,” Johnson said. “Perhaps we had too restrictive a format before, but I don’t think abandoning the ability to provide a series of classes that are progressively more advanced so that students can start at a level for them is a bad thing.”

“I know a lot of students are struggling with the pandemic and it’s really hard to just do school at home,” Yousuf said. “I for one am not that type of person to do homework and everything at home. Before the pandemic, I actually did a lot of my work in the library, so that was a huge adjustment. It means a lot.”

Sofía Zaragoza, who will be attending UC Berkeley this upcoming fall semester, saw her opportunity to transfer as a reward for her constant perseverance towards maintaining her work ethic.

“Transferring has really been like a culmination of the last two years of constant work, so being that it is in the pandemic I will say it just means taking the opportunity to be able to transfer,” Zaragoza said. “I’m gonna be able to move out there really seriously and take advantage of everything that I can, but most importantly I treat the opportunity with respect in the sense that not a lot of other students have the opportunity to be able to move out somewhere during a pandemic.”

Daniel Gonzalez, soon-tobe Pierce graduate and CSUN student, said he feels grateful to have been presented with the opportunity to transfer.

“I felt like it would mean that even through all this hardship that I’ve been through, it feels like a relief to be able to get stuff done,” Gonzalez said.

Getting accepted to a university is a high milestone in the life of a student looking to make their way in the world.

“University is their next step towards their future, so it is a big transition,” Salter said. “It’s what they’ve been working towards. I think the campus life, being able to take their major courses and focus on their major after completing all the general ed is really exciting.”

Photo by Benjamin Hanson

Benjamin Cooperman admires his Los Angeles College Promise Medal in Woodland Hills, Calif., on May 14, 2021.

Photo by Benjamin Hanson.

A Los Angeles College Promise Medal in Woodland HIlls, Calif., on May 14, 2021.