Richland clubs lack involvement

Raine Caldwell Staff Writer

Dallas College provides many students with resources and helps students from all walks of life. For students looking to add more substance to their lives, there are clubs on Richland Campus like the Philosophy Club or organizations like the Male Achievement Program. These help students looking to find friends or more opportunistic spaces to be in. They are open to all students at Richland, and many students find their calling through them.

Looking at the list of available student clubs and organizations available at Richland, the list is quite short for a school so big. I asked Vida Davies, the coordinator of the Office of Student Life, why the clubs weren’t available. Davies said the students overseeing those clubs had graduated and that nobody was willing to fill the positions. Clubs like the African Student Union do not have a standing body to continue, nor an adviser to lead it. There weren’t any students continuing the cycle of attendees. I wanted to find out the reason for the lack of student involvement at Richland, and why these positions remain empty. that they couldn’t help her find a doctor for those in a car accident.

Richland Campus is largely comprised of dual-credit students working toward an early start in life. I asked a 17-year-old dual credit student, who wanted to remain anonymous, why he wasn’t involved in any clubs or organizations.

“Because they just interfere with the worklife balance I have already set for myself. I am a dual-credit student and I also have a parttime job, so I don’t have enough time in the week to be more involved,” he said.

This is the case for many students attending Richland. Some non-traditional students just do not have the time to be more involved in their education. The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t do the campus any favors. enrollment has decreased since then. It takes a lot of encouragement to be part of a community after being isolated for some time. This is why the Office of Student Life provides guidance for those looking to join or even start their own club. By just filling out a form and having a campus adviser to supervise, anyone can do it.

“I thought that doctors [who] don’t take car accident victims was a big news [story.] But it [isn’t.] The answer is normal things here. I was shocked. The only way is to hire a lawyer as soon as possible after the car accident happened.” Currently, her lawyer is still handling her case with the insurance. “This is a big lesson for me.

“I cried for help, but no one answers!” Liu said. Since leaving the ER, her blood pressure has been at 180 and 100. She had no pills to treat it. “I got high blood pressure and memory damage, many mental problems. I feel hopeless, and many times I want to end my life and the pain!”

According to Liu, her success coach at Richland, Juliet Wiley, referred her to the student care coordinator Stephanie Harris. And she talked with a claims adjuster and referred to counselor Karen Cutthill, who is currently helping her recover from the traumatic event.

“I feel so grateful and appreciate Juliet and our school,” Liu said, “Karen, she gives me big help.”

Liu, a Chinese native, is aspiring to study psychology. However, for the past three years, she has been taking ESL, ESOL and creative writing classes. And like most international students, Liu is required to take English courses before being eligible for the classes that she desires most to start her career.

Liu said she no longer needs to walk with a cane and has recovered 80% of her memory. She says she no longer has recurring nightmares.

Her neurologist, Dr. Yu Zhao, was referred by a Dallas College alumna Jessica Wang 25 days (about 3 and a half weeks) after the accident. According to Zhao, “when I saw her the second time,” on Dec. 09, 2022, “She was better than the first time” thanks to the medication that she prescribed.

“I am lucky that I am a student [at] Dallas College. I got a big support from our school when I need[ed] help,” Liu said. “So far, I don’t need to do surgery. But I do physical therapy and counseling every week.”

Richland President Dr. Kathryn Eggleston commented via email, “At this time of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the dedication of our professional staff and faculty who support and care for our students in times of personal challenge and hardship.”

Liu sent a letter addressed to Dr. Eggleston last Thanksgiving: “Today, I want to thank our school and my success coach Juliet Wiley, Stephanie Harris student care coordinator, counselor Karen Cuttill and Johnathan Moss, etc. They used different ways to help me to get over the car accident. I am so grateful and touched for what they had done for me.” Adding, “I really appreciate your leading, and thank [you] Wiley, Juliet, Stephanie Harris student care coordinator, counselor Karen, and Johnathan Moss, etc. Thanks again for helping me.”