Volume 135 Fall 2021 Roundup Issue 1

Interim president cultivates students

Valley local and gardening enthusiast welcomes new Brahmas

BY TRISHA ANAS Editor-in-Chief

It’s a warm and sunny afternoon as Interim President Aracely ‘Ara’ Aguiar sits at her desk. In between meetings, this Valley local barely has enough time to sit down for lunch.

Aguiar said she's worked with the Los Angeles Community College District for 34 years, but she has been in the Valley since she was 9 years old. She attended three LACCD schools--Valley, City and West.

“My education has been local, so I know the schools, and the compassionate community has helped me connect,” Aguiar said. “I know the institution, I know its history and what it represents in the community. Everything that I had in my mind about Pierce is true. It’s a strong institution.”

Appointed in July, Aguiar said her main focus while at Pierce is the transition to being back on campus while also catering to students who might want to remain online.

“I would say that my number one priority has been coming back to campus so that we can serve our students in different modalities, and so that we can become a much more flexible institution during this time while keeping everyone safe,” Aguiar said.

Malina Koani, executive assistant to the president, said that Aguiar has had a lot on her plate since taking over as interim president, but has been handling it well so far.

“She’s really hit the ground running,” Koani said. “There was a lot of work to do, especially with the transition

for all of us coming back to campus. It’s been busy, but she’s handling it beautifully.”

A month after being appointed, Aguiar and Koani had set up a ‘Lemonade with the President’ event in August at the college’s Botanical Garden which gave students the opportunity to meet the new interim president.

Student Tehilla Siboni said that though she was unaware of Aguiar’s appointment and attended the event out of curiosity, she was all for it.

“I think with any new opportunity, especially a new position like [interim president], she could use as much support as she can get,” Siboni said. But being the new interim

president and a valley local are not the only things interesting about Aguiar. She’s also got a green thumb.

“I love gardening because it gives me time to just relax my brain and breathe,” Aguiar said. “I was raised by my uncle, and he loves gardening. When I lived in North Hollywood, I would go there every weekend and help him with the plants and roses. I grew up with it and grew a love for it.”

Aguiar’s term is going to end on June 30, 2022, so for the time being, everyone will have to see how she’ll blossom while she’s here.

tanas.roundupnews@gmail.com

Testing a must for all faculty

BY ALANA KING News Editor

Interim President Ara Aguiar has announced that all full time and adjunct faculty at LACCD must be COVID-19 tested by Oct. 8 at any of the approved testing locations.

LACCD has partnered with the company Biocept to provide on-campus testing for employees and students on a rotating basis at the nine colleges and District facilities.

During her president's report, Aguiar said that Biocept is requiring all employees to take a "baseline" test.

“It’s a protocol that this company has because this is now a condition of employment,” Aguiar said. “All employees, whether on campus or off campus, need a baseline, regardless of vaccination status.”

Both Los Angeles TradeTech College and East Los Angeles College will have testing available on Sept. 16 for LACCD employees from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Faculty will need to create an account with Biocept (also called Clear4) prior to scheduling the first COVID-19 test.

Beginning next week, regular testing will be available twice a week at Pierce from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays and 10 a.m to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Testing will also be available at the other LACCD campuses.

Aside from the COVID-19 updates, the board also discussed the termination of the program Proctorio by the end of December.

Proctorio allowed professors to conduct exams

while ensuring that no students were cheating. Media Arts professor Jill Connelly shared her concerns about losing the Proctorio application by December.

“We’re doing a lot of Hyflex classes in our department, and it seems like if some students are in person and the teachers are watching them [while they’re testing] and then the ones online aren’t being watched just doesn’t seem right,” Connelly said. “There's some issues to still think about in that area, and I was hoping we could look into some alternatives.”

Clay Gediman from the Distance Education and Instructional Technologies Committee said that there is a proctoring consortium that’s being offered as an alternative to Proctorio.

“There are compliance issues with [Proctorio], and that’s why the District is not interested in supporting it,” Gediman said. “Students can go to any community college campus that’s part of the consortium, and they’re going to be proctored there. It’s not a great alternative, and we understand that, but it’s what’s being offered right now.”

The Senate also discussed the new OWL devices being used for some of the hyflex classes and fake bots filling up registrations.

The next Senate meeting is scheduled for Sept. 27 at 2:15 p.m.

Is it a bird? A plane? It's a Meeting Owl!

Hybrid classes accommodate students with the help of new technology

BY AJ WERNER Reporter

While some students might be hesitant to return to in-person classes, Pierce College now is offering a new online accommodation.

The Meeting Owl is a camera that follows the teacher around the classroom so that students who are attending class via Zoom can still see and hear their professor at all times, along with students in the room.

The high-tech camera isn’t available in every hybrid class, but cinema professor Ken Windrum already had some experience teaching

with the Owl.

Windrum, who has been teaching since 1998, said that the Owl has been a great addition to his lectures.

“If you have a live class, you don’t want to be sitting just looking into your monitor,” Windrum said.

“You want to be able to walk around. You want to be able to look at the students.”

The Owl has a simple design and works discreetly. It’s voice-activated so as long as the professor is talking, the camera will know to follow.

Windrum explained that the camera allows for more flexibility during his Zoom meetings.

“It seems to be a great solution so that students can

choose to be in the room or to be on Zoom, and you can accommodate both,”

Collins-Smith has been at his side to make sure things go smoothly.

Collins-Smith has had hands-on experience with the Owl, he’s gotten to see how it all works and has some high praise for the high-tech camera.

“It makes it a super efficient way to teach people who are in the classroom and people who are not in the classroom simultaneously,” Collins-Smith said.

“It’s not difficult to operate,” Collins-Smith said. “As long as you train with it and learn how to use it properly, it’s fine, it’s perfectly simple to use.”

There are only two Owl cameras currently being used on campus.

Professor Erin Hayes, who has also been using the camera for her lectures, said that the flexibility has already proven to be valuable.

if they had to move or do something different, because they could do it remotely, they were so happy.” Hayes recommends that this gadget be used in more classes around Pierce.

“I think it works very well for lecture classes,” Hayes said. “It’s important for our students and that’s what we should be doing. We as teachers should be adapting ourselves to the needs of our students.”

Windrum said. Professor Windrum has used this device for only a handful of meetings. So while he’s still learning exactly how to operate the device, Sean

With any new piece of technology, there can be a learning curve.

But with some due diligence and playing around, Collins-Smith found the classroom tool to be fairly easy to operate.

Football player shortage

“I have one student who was in a situation where they weren’t sure if they were going to be able to continue with the class,” said Hayes in a Zoom interview. “When that student found out that they were going to be able to continue the class, even

“We as teachers should be adapting ourselves to the needs of our students.”

- Erin Hayes Anthropology Professor

Photo by David Pashaee

Aracely Aguiar, interim president, talks on the phone at her office at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Sept 20, 2021.

Photo by Raquel Frohlich

Malina Koani, executive assistant to the president, works at the Lemonade in the Garden with the College president event at Pierce College, Woodland Hills, Calif., on Aug. 25, 2021. More photos of the event are on page 6.

OPINION

Roundup

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From the desk of the Roundup EDITORIAL

More color to the campus

Alana King

Sophie Ward

Shayne Tamkin

Walter Orellana

Giselle Lomeli

Pamela Kiladasan

AJ Werner

Anastasiya Orel

Angie Alvarez

Dominique Duñgo

Madeleine Schade

Pauline Gener

Brandon Sinclair

Ginina Pulcinella

Jasmine Casanova

Bre Jenkins

Letters to the Editor

Dear Roundup,

The Board has just mandated Covid vaccinations for all students and employees.

I do not intend to get a Covid vaccine at this time. First, we lack longterm studies of potential side effects of the proposed therapeutics. Second, the Covid survival rate is high (near 95%) for most age groups. Third, there are alternative well-established treatments available should one contract Covid.

I'm not opposed to vaccinations. The concern is the new therapeutic is being pushed out to millions without the long-term studies that have historically been done - and for a lowrisk virus.

District officials say “safety” is their only motivation. The problem is we do not have enough information to know whether it is “safer” to get the vaccine - or “safer” to wait, rely on our own immune systems, and use known treatments with proven track records. The District is allowing those with religious or medical excuses to opt out. Not

pharmaceutical companies have relief from liability should long-term harms develop.

This Board mandate was passed August 1 and updated September 1 - months after I signed my fall contract. AFT needs to immediately clarify what the impact will be for fall. Will I be terminated mid-semester? I need to know, so do my students. Several labor unions nationally are objecting to “vaccine mandates.”

The District is demanding a lot -- too much. We need to stand up and say NO to this regulation.

There are ways to accommodate those with reasonable concerns: encourage 100% online classes for those wanting exemption; allow those desiring alternative medically-proven treatments or with natural anti-bodies exemptions. GIVE STAFF AND STUDENTS CHOICES - SO THEY CAN CONTINUE LEARNING.

Pam Brown Economics professor

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.

When walking around the Pierce College campus, there is an abundance of flourishing trees, plants and other botanicals.

But there is a noticeable shortage of color and artwork.

This is something that can easily be remedied with the help of artistic students.

Utility art programs are extremely popular in California, and Pierce College can join this trend.

The college can use this opportunity to combine artwork, culture and education, and also add a bit of beauty to things that are typically mundane, such as the utility boxes.

Murals on college campuses can be used to show support for social movements, such as the Black Lives Matter mural at Davidson College in North Carolina.

In addition to public commentary on political and social movements, a variety of themes can be expressed through the murals. Sustainability at Colorado State University Spur, the meaning of community at Anoka-Ramsey Community

College and college ideals at University of Alabama, Birmingham.

The Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center at UCLA has also initiated an art project called “Our Environment,Our Health,” which looks to use traffic signal cabinets on campus as canvases to raise awareness for three topics — climate change, health and well-being.

For the project, Pierce College administration can assign certain utility boxes or wall spaces to be painted. Pierce art students and local artists or alumni who are interested could submit designs.

The financial cost for administration would be relatively low as they would only be required to provide a stipend for additional art supplies. For reference, the Sherman Oaks Chamber Foundation provides a $350$450 grant depending on the size of the area that will be painted.

After a difficult period for students, Pierce should strongly consider livening the spirits of students, staff and community through art.

newsroom.roundupnews@gmail.com

Pierce pamphlets

For students new to a collegial environment, the transition might feel jarring at first.

Pierce College should help make the process easier by offering an informational guidebook/pamphlet, complete with parking information, a QR code for an interactive map and other helpful tips.

The pamphlets could be offered in both a digital and paper form, and could be placed in front of the Student Services building. They would be an effective yet inexpensive way to better inform students about the school.

For example, students might want to know where to buy parking passes, how much parking passes would cost and which parking lots are best depending where their classes are.

Another way the guidebooks could prove useful is giving students the ability to access an interactive map via a QR code. The map could include where the water bottle stations are, where they can access certain services, and the locations of the blue emergency phones. Students might also want

to know the best tips for registering for classes and counselor appointments, as well as more information about financial aid.

According to an article on the National Public Radio website, almost 200,000 fewer students transferred last year.

If Pierce students had a small guidebook to give them information about what sorts of scholarships or financial aid are available or when and where to make counselor appointments, they might be more encouraged to make more progress in their educational careers.

Though some of this information can be found on Pierce’s website, it’s often hard to find because of the website’s design.

The tips could be student based, written by students for students, because they better understand the needs of their peers.

Think of the pamphlet like a one stop shop. You could find all of the helpful information in one place.

Photo by Raquel Frohlich

A painted utility box sits at Riverside Drive and Alameda Avenue in Toluca Lake, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021.

Photo by Raquel Frohlich

A painted utility box sits at Alameda Avenue and Pass Avenue in Toluca Lake, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021.

Photo illustration by Trisha

The Valley votes on campus (again)

BY GISELLE LOMELI REPORTER

Pierce College hosted an 11-day voting center on campus for the recall election of Gov. Gavin Newsom. The center, which was held in the Faculty and Staff 600 Building on campus, opened on Sept. 4 and closed on Sept. 14 at 8 p.m.

Pierce was one of five Los Angeles Community College District colleges that allowed eligible and registered voters to either drop off or cast ballots at the center, according to a press release from the LACCD.

Voters from various cities and of all ages each had a different experience at the voting center.

Robert Knight, a Reseda resident, said that he loves the voting center because it was a simple process which made it a great experience. He said that having the voting center is beneficial to the community because it is close and he no longer has to go to a specific precinct.

“When you come into the voting center they will sign you in using your ballot card or they will check your address,” Knight said. “Once that’s all verified they give you your ballot to take to the machine and make your selections.”

Knight said that the voting center is so convenient because voters can come when they want to within the dates and times provided which he said is definitely a benefit to the community.

Maryanne Greenberg, an Encino resident, said that she

had no problem with the voting center, but a problem with the machines.

"In terms of that, that does not impact me not coming here again," Greenberg said. "I always try to vote in person, but I would rather vote with a paper ballot than this."

Katayoun Kavoussi, a Reseda resident, said everyone inside was wearing masks and were provided with sanitizing wipes, but felt that the safety precautions were not overbearing. Kavoussi also said that having new voting machines felt a bit intimidating.

California State University Northridge student Kayla Hardy said the voting center did well by keeping it safe and clean for voters. She said her experience went smoothly because all safety measures were taken into account for COVID-19.

“They got me checked in and I did have some issues because my address was not showing up at first,” Hardy said. “They figured it out really smoothly, and then I just used the casting ballot machine.”

Hardy said the casting ballot machine is very efficient and updated technology. She said the voting center was easy to navigate with all the signs which helped her figure out where to enter.

Hardy also said that there are many neighborhoods around the voting center, which is why it is beneficial because it is a location that a lot of people know about.

The election resulted in the rejection of Newsom’s recall, with 63.6 percent voting ‘No’ and 36.4 percent voting ‘Yes,’ according to NBC News.

Documents delayed

By Shayne Tamkin Reporter

Itis a satisfying feeling to finish a degree or certificate and move on to the next aspect of your life. But last summer, students were delayed in getting necessary documents to transfer.

This issue has caused concern among students, as many of them are trapped in limbo until the applications have been looked over and approved.

Student Hannah Hotchkiss says that she is starting to feel the pressure of not having the documents she needs.

“I'm freaking out,” Hotchkiss said. “UCLA is emailing me saying they can't advance my enrollment without my official transcript being sent there, and I ordered it maybe a month and a half ago from today. Probably actually longer than that.”

According to Pierce College Registrar Lorena Lopez, the delay is in part due to COVID-19, combined with three members of the review staff leaving since February.

Lopez added that the departures leave only two people left to do the work.

“In reality I have 1.5 evaluators,” Lopez said, referring to herself and one union member who can dedicate 40 percent of their time to union duties.

Interim Vice-President of Student Affairs Donna-Mae Villanueva said that many students are reaching out about not receiving their documents.

“Students email me because they're frustrated about the fact that they have not yet received their transcripts,” Villanueva said. “So because they don't know the process and who to reach out to, they are looking for a VP. That would be me.”

Despite these obstacles, Transfer Center Director Sunday Salter said that she thinks things are moving in the right direction.

“The Vice President has got it pushed through that we are going to replace the evaluators who left so at least we'll have a full staff again this year so that's good,” Salter said.

Salter added that although bringing in a new staff is good, she only sees it as the first step.

Keeping Pierce safe, one app at a time

By Anastasiya Orel Reporter

Pierce College now is providing a mobile application with safety and security resources on campus. The app, called LAPC SAFE, has combined efforts with Pierce’s Sheriff Station to prepare students and staff with additional protection on campus.

It displays a number of features, including an emergency contact list and a campus map. The app also has a safety toolbox containing a feature called Friend Walk, providing an escort for safety purposes, a notification history function and a mobile bluelight that enables you to send your location to the blue emergency phones topped with bright lights on campus, directed to LAPC security.

Sophomore Tiffany Corina

Micu said that she believes the app is a good source to have when attending classes or events on campus.

“I’m glad that it's there,” Micu said. “It definitely could benefit campus life just by making the general population feel safer, knowing that there is help around the corner.”

With more classes returning to campus post-2020 lockdown, the app also features resources for COVID-related procedures and information.

Interim President Aracely Aguiar said that they’re still working on adding more features to the application.

"We’re trying to implement systems by which, for example, a faculty member will have some kind of QR code or some kind of clearance already on their phones through a phone app," Aguiar said.

Aguiar also said that on top of having the LAPC Safe App, they’re also planning to have weekly testing on campus via an outside company.

LACCD sent out emails to inform and request that students and staff complete symptom self-check questionnaires through the app before coming to campus.

Another feature on the SAFE App is tip reporting, establishing communication directly to LAPC security in regards to safety concerns on campus.

Doctor Lee Loveridge, a physics and astronomy professor, recalled that years ago, he had encountered a situation in which the LAPC SAFE App could have been resourceful if it were available.

"I was here on campus very early and saw a couple walking," Loveridge said. He explained how the couple had been adversarial at that moment and it had led to an altercation. He had reported the situation to 911 and the Sheriff's Department, yet not much happened. "That could

have been a nice time when an app could have been useful to apply to."

Because the last year of education has been offered through online courses, the adaptation of on-campus presence is gradual and progressive. The LAPC SAFE App is a recent addition to campus security and is not wellknown.

Sophomore Owen Pogue said that he knows little about the app and would be interested if it were advertised more.

Pogue said. "I think that it’s good that there is more access to these safety resources around campus,” Pogue said. “The app is the best way you can do it."

Pogue said that he is concerned with the application and usage of the app because many students are unaware of it.

"A lot of people have barely even heard about the app," Pogue said. "I feel like if there was more awareness and people did

actually know about it and they had a good experience with the app, then that would encourage more people to use it and take advantage of it.”

President Aguiar said that she is confident in the campus body in complying with the requirements of on-campus returns.

“Many students in the online environment simply need a little bit more information for us to

help, but I think it’s going to work,” Aguiar said. “We’re very confident. All of the students have been wearing masks and all of the faculty. Everybody’s been very compliant because we’re all very concerned. We want to be safe.”

The app is available for Androids and Apple phones on the App Store.

“Step two is I went ahead and reached out to the University of California Office of the President to ask if they could do a data share with us.”

This data transfer would allow Pierce to know which students got into what UC schools, as well as which students attended which schools.

“They do a data share where they'll share back with us in January and say okay, all these students apply from Pierce College to all of these UCs and these majors,” Salter said. “But what they don't do is a second data share to tell us who got in.”

Salter took the initiative of sending an email to start the process to not just get the records of who has applied, but also who got in. According to Salter, knowing who got into what school gives the transfer center a roadmap to which transcripts need to be done first according to either the semester or quarter system.

Interim President Aracely Aguiar said extra time has been taken to bring in the new hires, as well as more investment in the current staff being able to accomplish their goals.

“We have provided overtime to expedite the process,” Aguiar said. “We are making sure we are asking other individuals. In other

Photo By Dominique Duñgo

The voting center for the California Gubernatorial Recall Election at Pierce College, Woodland Hills, Calif., on Sept. 7, 2021.

Photo by Jasmine Casanova

An image of the LAPC Safe App. Students can take COVID-19 self assessments through the app before coming to campus to ensure the safety of themselves and other students.

Photo By Dominique Duñgo

The voting center for the California Gubernatorial Recall Election at Pierce College, Woodland Hills, Calif., on Sept. 7, 2021.

Photo By Dominique Duñgo

Stickers at the voting center for the California Gubernatorial Recall Election at Pierce College, Woodland Hills, Calif., on Sept. 7, 2021.

“I’m glad that it's there. It definitely could benefit campus life just by making the general population feel safer, knowing that there is help around the corner.”

-Tiffany Corina Micu Pierce student

Seeing double on the football field

Twin football players migrate from Tucson to Woodland Hills to pursue passions

BY WALTER ORELLANA REPORTER

Coming in hot from Arizona are twins

Peyton Pelletier and Parker Pelletier, who are eager to get on the field and show their rivals how much explosive energy they’ve got.

Born and raised in Tucson, Ariz., the Pelletiers were inspired by their father, a former Pierce football player and alumnus.

“Since we were little, our dad introduced us to various sports. But football was really something that hit me and Parker hard,” Peyton Pelletier said. “It was a passion for us. Our dad said that if this is what you guys want, then I’m going to coach and train both of you. It's been that way since I can remember and that’s how we got into football.”

Since the age of 6, the identical twins have been nearly inseparable. The duo played football together until their junior year at Salpointe Catholic, when Peyton Pelletier transferred to a different school district to gain more playing time as the quarterback at Ironwood Ridge.

However, in his senior year, COVID-19 was on the rise and restrictions kept him from playing a full season at his new school.

“[During] my senior year, the pandemic hit, but I was lucky enough to play two full games,” Peyton Pelletier said. “It would have been nice to have a full season and playoffs to see what our team could've done and what I could've done.”

Parker Pelletier contemplated leaving Salpointe Catholic to join Peyton Pelletier at Ironwood Ridge but

decided against it.

“I decided to stick it out and it paid off because I was able to play a full junior and senior season,”

Parker Pelletier said. “I got to play with some of the best players in the country,”

Parker Pelletier said the coaching staff is one of the best he’s worked with.

“It’s not just all about football, they’re making sure that we have proper housing, transportation and food,” Parker Pelletier said. “The coaching staff is going above and beyond what people see and I think they deserve all the credit and we’re grateful for them.”

The move from their hometown to Woodland Hills, Calif., has been a welcoming one. Both are grateful for the opportunity to represent the Brahmas and to be united on the field once again.

“My expectations as quarterback are to make every player at any level better,” Peyton Pelletier said. “We have good team chemistry and in order to get better we need to do it together as a unit. We have a great team with an amazing coaching staff. Every week we’re getting better and that’s the goal.”

Interim head football coach Anthony Harris gave his analysis on the newcomers.

“The twins look alike but they are certainly different. Peyton is the quarterback, and Parker a wide receiver for us.

Parker is a versatile player, who can play on defense and offense.

Peyton is very athletic and has all the tools to be successful right away, and did some good things during the scrimmage against Bakersfield. Sky’s the limit for him and I’m pretty excited about him,” Harris said.

Harris expects the team to give it their all and to see games through the fourth quarter.

“My expectations are to give it everything this season to help and develop our young players individually and as a team unit having the ability to execute every play,” Harris said. “I think that if we can do that we can take control of the game and have an opportunity to be successful in the fourth quarter.”

Photo by Brandon Sinclair Peyton (left) and Parker (right) Pelletier are on a break from practice on the field at Shepard Stadium on Pierce College campus in Woodland Hills, Calif. for an upcoming game, on Sept. 9, 2021.

Photo by Brandon Sinclair Peyton (left) and Parker (right) Pelletier are on a break from practice on the field at Shepard Stadium on Pierce College campus in Woodland Hills, Calif. for an upcoming game, on Sept. 9, 2021.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021

It’s Open Your Books Season, Brahmas

An overdue return to the Library on campus

BY PAMELA KALIDASAN REPORTER

The Pierce College Library Learning

Crossroads is turning the page from its pandemic chapter and has reopened its doors.

The library is now open Mondays to Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Library Department Chair and Systems Librarian Lauren Saslow said that she is eager to have some sense of normalcy.

“I’m looking forward to going back to normal,” Saslow said. “It’s just a matter of keeping our services going and keeping us afloat during this time.”

With the reopening, precautions have been added and librarians and staff are working on implementing them.

Saslow said that there is social distancing between cubby holes and half of the chairs in the library are gone. Masks are required when students enter the library and certain areas have been closed off such as the computer lab and the study break rooms.

Philosophy major Luis Cervantes said that he’s excited to return to campus.

“It gives you that feeling that school’s really returning, not like semi-returning,”

Cervantes said. “I actually thought that the library was going to be closed, so I’m pretty glad that it’s opened.”

First year student Luna Dahler said that she wasn’t able to see the library when she did her student orientation.

“I think it’s gorgeous, and I think it’s great that it’s reopened,” Dahler said. “It’s also really comforting.”

While some students are looking forward to being in the library again, Saslow said that there were still a few concerns. According to Saslow, new computer technicians have not been hired, and the break rooms don’t have proper ventilation installed, which students have previously complained about.

Professor Michael Habata, Cataloging Librarian, said the library prioritized making digital resources available for students during the closure.

“Since print books were not available since we were closed, the way that you accessed the library website focused much more on ebooks and the databases,” Habata said.

Returning student Nelson Solares said that online resources were a long time coming, but also recognizes the pitfalls.

“What I don’t like about the heavier reliance on online technology is that it makes it easier for students to not come on campus and not engage,” Solares said.

Despite all the modernization, not many students visit the library and the library is unable to open their services to students on the weekends.

“We don’t have funding for it to be opened on the weekends,” Saslow said. “In the past we have asked ASO to pay for the weekends. We didn’t do that this time around. We’re still trying to see how busy we’re going to be.”

According to Saslow, there is no set maximum for students occupied because of the low turnout rate, but it’s set at 50 percent occupancy.

For some students, the library is a place for comfort and to do their daily grind of work.

Animal Science major Alexis Destiny M. Singleton has said that the library is one of her favorite places on campus.

“I’m very antisocial so I don’t like to be around big groups of people,” Singleton said. “I love to read [at the library].”

In Solares’ case, the library was a way to forget about everything going on in the world.

“I know that the more I come into the library, the more I generally feel like we’re opening up and the pandemic is not a thing, even if it’s just an illusion,” Solares said.

ASO virtual Club Rush

BY PAMELA KALIDASAN REPORTER

The Associated Students Organization hosted the annual Club Rush event on Sept. 14 and 15 over Zoom.

New ASO president Qais Azizi said that he wants to advocate for students expressing themselves.

“I want Pierce College to be a place where students can really be comfortable about who they are,” Azizi said.

Since Club Rush was hosted digitally, Azizi explained how ASO advisors directed students to the clubs they wanted to participate in and speak with the club representatives.

“We followed the procedures we took last semester,” Azizi said. “We had our Zoom call, and one of our advisors shared a screen with a flyer of all the clubs that were available on campus. We had separate breakout rooms for each club and it worked pretty flawlessly.”

At the event, each club presented their agendas and their missions.

The Child Development Club specialized in educating diverse topics revolving around psychology, child care and career skills in education.

Child Development Club president Vincent Denoga discussed how he was able to make sure people involved in his club would know about future virtual meetings, gatherings, discussions and more.

“We’re one of the few clubs who have our own Canvas shell, and we’re able to use our own platform

Día de la Independecia de México

BY ANASTASIYA OREL REPORTER

TheLACCD Chancellor’s Advisory Committee for Mexican American, Central American and Latino Affairs met with the DACA Immigration Task Force on Sept. 16 in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

On Sept. 16, 1810, Mexico gained independence from Spanish rule, establishing religious independence and the demolition of the mission system.

Every year, elected officials emulate the famous Grito de Dolores (the Cry of Dolores), a battle cry of the Mexican War of Independence that was first spoken by Roman Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.

This day brought forward discussions of identity, social and racial justice and immigration.

Congressman Tony Cardenas, a representative of California’s 29th congressional district, was a guest speaker for Thursday’s event. When asked what his personal priorities beyond immigration reform that can help support the Los Angeles Latino community are, Congressman Cardenas discussed the history and current Latin presence in Congress.

“I’ve been working on juvenile justice reform, which was something, back then in the 1990s when I got elected, people frowned upon,” Cardenas said. “I’ve been trying to get funding and laws changed to reduce sentencing, and also to make sure that we have good programs in our communities throughout California and throughout our country.”

Cardenas said he is pushing for putting language into the healthcare bills and other bills to make sure that regardless of an individual’s documentation status, they will have access to healthcare. Cardenas is also working alongside the Latino/ Hispanic Caucus in Washington to push forward on bills.

Antonio Turok, an internationally acclaimed Mexican documentary photographer, said he agrees with Congressman Cardenas on how working as a society and as a community will produce truth and unity.

to easily message our club advisor,” Denoga said. “We could organize stuff on our calendar. We’re lucky enough to have such an active advisor.”

Koreatown Youth and Community Center have actually started off with communicating online with students and the communities they’re involved in. One of the club’s specialists, Aimee Newton, said that trying to recruit club members has been a bit challenging.

“We actually started this work remotely, and it had been tricky since we wanted to go collect observations on campus and recruit students, but students have obviously been going through a lot,” Newton said.

According to Newton, the club’s focus is on working with three community colleges, including Pierce College, on a coalition against second-hand smoke.

The clubs on campus have learned to balance this new way of connecting online. They’ve also merged that practice to form new goals of reaching more people who will be regularly updated on club activities and have more flexibility within their schedule.

According to Azizi, this year’s ASO Club Rush had better attendance and engagement from students.

As the campus has been opened, Azizi spoke briefly about the plans ASO and the LACCD Board has in mind for this year to make sure

more students feel welcomed on campus.

“It’s still in the works so I don’t want to go into further detail about it, but there’s also board policy 2900, where there’s going to be an opportunity for a medical or religious exemption for the COVID vaccination,” Azizi said.

Azizi said that there will be three options for students to choose from: yes, no and rather not say. Students who respond yes will have to verify their vaccination by submitting their vaccine card. If students respond no or rather not say, regular COVID testing will have to be done, to keep track of the possible spread and keep the campus safe.

Azizi added that as of now, “students are required to take the survey that’s called the Daily Pass [before arriving on campus],” and he mentioned that the Daily Pass had been replaced by Clear Four and in his own words “which is like an improved version of the Daily Pass.”

In addition, Azizi encourages more students to partake in joining a club this year and motivate themselves to have a positive mindset.

“It’s been really hard on all of us to balance the work and life schedule,” Azizi said. “One thing I could say, although it does sound cliche, is to keep persevering. I would encourage students to join a club or involve themselves in student government.”

For more information about the clubs involved, please contact ASO adviser Lara L. Conrady and ASO co-adviser Geremy Mason.

Turok presented a PowerPoint slide of photographs he took to document certain aspects of Indian life that had never been seen by the rest of the world.

“It took 20 years or longer for me to be accepted to be part of the community and that’s how long it took, that I was allowed to be even considered part of photographic history,” Turok said. “I have photographs that you’ll see of interiors of the church that had never been photographed.”

Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez said he was moved by the images, and the frozen introspective pain the images depicted.

“I still think a lot of us are processing, I know that I am,” Rodriguez said. “The one that struck me was the malnutrition and how beautiful she was in the pine box but it shows the condition that the one had followed it was in.”

The pictures Turok displayed produced remembrance of the war of independence from Spain.

“I want to share with you the struggle and the idea of ya basta,” Turok said. “Translated into English, ‘we’ve had enough’. We don’t want to be Indians anymore, we want to be considered human beings.”

Photo by Ginina Pulcinella

Library Department Chair Lauren Saslow at Pierce College Library in Woodland Hills, Calif., Sept. 8, 2021.

Screenshot by Ginina Pulcinella

Students Supporting Israel Vice President Miller Friedman discusses club activities via the ASO Club Rush meeting on Zoom Sept. 14, 2021. She spoke about the club working on getting a bill passed on campus that targets anti-Semitism.

Photo by Ginina Pulcinella

Student Alexis Maldonado studies for her course in education at the Pierce College Library in Woodland Hills, Calif. Sept. 8, 2021. .

Photo by Ginina Pulcinella

Students studying inside the Pierce College Library in Woodland Hills, Calif., Sept. 8, 2021.Woodland Hills, Calif. Sept. 8, 2021. .

Screenshot by Ginina Pulcinella (From top to bottom) Vincent Denoga, Jordan Stivers and Robert Loy attend Club Rush on Sept. 14, 2021.

LEMONADE IN THE GARDEN WITH THE COLLEGE PRESIDENT

with the President event at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif.,

Ara Aguiar, interim president, at the Lemonade with the President event at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Aug. 25, 2021.

Rudy Mccollum (center) gives out Career and Technical Education information to attendees at the Lemonade with the President event at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Aug. 25, 2021.

Tommy, a miniature Schnauzer owned by Viviana Torres, participates in the Lemonade with the President event at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Aug. 25, 2021.

New and returning students and faculty mingled with Interim President Aracely Aguiar under the shade of the Botanical Garden. Guests had the opportunity to meet Aguiar and had access to in-person services from the Information Desk, Admissions and Records and the Financial Aid Office.

Aguiar chose to have the event at the Botanical Garden because of her love for gardening and connecting with the community.

New students attend a campus tour following the Lemonade with the President event at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Aug. 25, 2021.

Mohammed Shirazi, who is taking English language courses, attends the Lemonade with the President event at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Aug. 25, 2021.

Claudia Velasco, CalWorks director, speaks to attendees at a Lemonade with the President event at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Aug. 25, 2021.

Ara Aguiar, interim president, speaks with new students at a Lemonade with the President event at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Aug. 25, 2021.

Copy by Cecilia Parada

Photos by Raquel Frohlich

SCHEDULE

Women's Volleyball Football Soccer Water Polo Men's Basketball

Roster issues for Pierce football

Brahmas struggle to have enough players cleared

BY AJ WERNER Reporter

Sports have finally come back to Pierce College.

Coming out of a canceled season, however, the football team found itself in a hole early to begin their schedule.

The team had to cancel a game against Bakersfield College due to many of their players being listed as ineligible.

In fact, only 14 out of 42 players were deemed eligible come gametime on Saturday, Sept. 4.

Interim head coach Anthony Harris said that this happened due to some complications with eligibility forms.

However, the team has learned from this and is now determined to move forward.

“We’re learning from that process,” Harris said. “Now really trying to make sure that on a weekly basis that we’re staying on top of our guys so that we can have as many guys eligible when the week comes around.”

Two seasons ago Pierce had a full roster, but in 2021 the football roster is smaller than previous years.

Harris explained that this is a product of multiple factors.

“I think it's for a couple of reasons,”

Harris said. “COVID number one, there’s a lot of kids who decided not to play football, we graduated a ton of sophomores from the ‘19 program.”

Like all the sports programs at Pierce, in some way, the football team was impacted by the pandemic.

Harris said the pandemic affected his team in many ways but most importantly their preparation for games.

“You have to practice football to be good at football,” Harris said. “You have some schools that were able to participate in the spring, we had zero, we couldn’t even be out here.”

Sophomore quarterback Andrew Young said that there were some minor difficulties getting back into the swing of things.

“It took a little while to get back into it,” Young said. “But I think everything is coming together and it just feels like we’re starting right back off where we left at the end of last season.”

After a 47-0 loss in their season opener, the team’s mood isn’t expected to be pleasant.

Young, however, said that despite the feeling of a blowout loss, the team is on the right path moving forward.

“Getting punched in the mouth in the first game but we’re coming together now and I think we’re really improving after that," Young said.

While the season hasn’t gotten off to a picture perfect start, players on the team are still working hard in order to turn things around.

Dennis Jones, a sophmore running back, said the team is focused on getting better and doing it together.

“These last two games we just lost, it’s been tough,” Jones said. “We know as players, we can only control what we can control. It’s just a learning

Football returns to action

Soccer shakes things up

Brahmas win over LA Harbor; leave after Carson earthquake

BY FELIPE GAMINO Sports Editor

The Pierce College women's soccer team continued their great start to the season beating LA Harbor College 2-1.

The Brahmas began trailing, but responded with goals from forward Kiara Washington and midfielder Halle Manalili.

process right now. Everything is coming together and I think this next game, we’ll get a win.”

There’s a lot of areas the team feels they need to work on in order to start cranking out wins.

And Jones believes it comes down to the team’s camaraderie.

“We need everybody to buy into the process,” Jones said. “Everybody has to do their job, execute, and play as a team. Other than that, everything else will play it’s own part.”

awerner.roundupnews@gmail.com

After the game an earthquake struck in Carson.

Goalkeeper Joanna Cerda said the team was cooling down when she saw the lights move.

“All of a sudden we saw the lights flickering and we freaked out. The coach told us we were in a safe spot so we had nothing to worry about.”

Head soccer coach Adolfo Perez earned his 297th win. He is three wins away from 300.

Perez said he was pleased about the team's performance.

"We found a way to recover after letting a goal in the first

minutes of the game," Perez said. Halle Manalili scored which for me was goal of the year."

Cerda said the team started slow.

“We didn’t have a great start. We conceded early, but we found a way to tie the game at the half,” Cerda said. “Second half we came back harder and we started to have more communication on the field and we did a lot better.”

Defender Julianna Euyoque said she’s pleased the team is playing well.

“After six games to know that we are playing well is obviously a good feeling. I’m sure that we will continue to pick up wins because we don’t want the second week of November to be our last,” Euyoque said.

Women’s soccer are back on the field Friday against Clovis. Kickoff is at 4 p.m.

Volleyball drops game to the Corsairs

Brahmas lose season opener in straight sets; no spectators allowed to attend

BY A NASTASIYA OREL Reporter

After more than a year, the Pierce College women’s volleyball team hosted their first game of the season Friday evening, against Santa Monica.

After two years of absence due to the pandemic, the Brahmas are off to a rocky start. They lost in straight sets 25-14, 25-20 and 2514.

Assistant Coach Cynthia Buggs said she is proud of how the players progressed throughout the matches.

“We did get a few aces which I was very proud of,” Buggs said. “We were able to get them out of the system, so I was happy with the serving.”

Buggs said the team needs to work on being more combative in their offensive approaches.

“I thought that our defense was pretty good but we just couldn’t turn those into points,” Buggs said. “I just want the girls to be more aggressive, whether we are tipping or roll-shotting.”

The COVID-19 pandemic halted many indoor sports. With its return back on campus and inside gyms, indoor sports lack an audience that can show off their spirits.

Outside hitter Lana Blourtchi said that motivation was a key factor when maintaining focus during the game.

“Nobody wants to lose, especially if it’s a home game,” Blourtchi said. “We kind of need to go off our teammates’ energy so I feel like motivation has the biggest impact on us.”

Captain and setter Emma Hammer said the lack of audience was unusual.

-Lana Blourtchi Outside hitter

“It was a little quiet,” Hammer said. “Fans make it a lot more energetic in here.”

Hammer said that she ran a different offense and was able to get a block in. She believes running more offensive attacks would produce more side-outs.

“I think we need to work on siding out quicker,” Hammer said.

“If they have the ball, we need to get it back quicker.”

Head coach Edison Zhou said he believes the Brahmas did not win due to more defense rather than offense.

“We started practicing on the 15th of August and we have just been working on defenses,” Zhou said. “After the defense and passes, we were not really able to hit well so we will have to improve and figure that out.”

Zhou said he believes the next game will be better.

“Everybody, in the beginning, is nervous and has so much weight on their legs, they cannot really move fast,” Zhou said. “But with each set, they played better, and they played good defense. We need to fix our setting problem but I think we should be fine next week.”

The women’s volleyball team is back on the court Friday against Glendale Community College.

First serve is at 6 p.m.

Photo by Brandon Sinclair

The football team has practice at Shepard Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in Woodland Hills, Calif.

“Nobody wants to lose, especially if it's a home game. We kind of need to go off our teammates' energy so I feel like motivation has the biggest impact on us.”

File photo by Ben Hanson

(L to R) Yadira Raigoza and Gabriela Portillo react to Preet Kaur scoring a goal during a game against Ventura College at Shepard Stadium in Woodland HIlls, Calif. on Oct. 22, 2019.

Photo by Cecilia Parada

(Left to right) Ela Nordsfor and Emily Bell attempt to block Gianna Garcia's set during a volleyball game against Santa Monica College at Pierce College's South Gym on Sept. 17, 2021.

File photo by Cecilia Parada

Trevor Gill tries to maintain control of the ball during a game against Los Angeles Harbor College at Pierce College's Shepard Stadium in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Nov. 2, 2019.