Richland Student Government Association members went to the state Capitol in Austin for Community College Day on Jan. 25. They were joined by other students across the Dallas College campuses and made a mark by expressing their concern for problems that need to be addressed.
Because Dallas College was the biggest participant at the event, they got a day’s head start in meeting with their representatives.
In an unexpected meeting, representative State Senator Royce West (D) from District 23 in Dallas County shared some advice on his commute down the halls of the Capitol. He urged students to get involved in the matters that needed most attention, and speak up for what they believe in. This seems to be a reoccurring theme as many representatives urged young voters to get involved in local government.
In more formal proceedings, students asked questions regarding campus safety, international student involvement and security. When
meeting with representative Julia Johnson (D), who represents District 115 in Dallas County, students from Brookhaven asked if there was anything in place to fund housing on the community college level. Johnson responded with, “I agree with you, and the problem with that is Dallas College is getting big. Almost 90,000 students. It is more than UT.”
This implies that because of the growing population of Dallas College is very hard to cater to a concrete housing system. Also, Dallas College is mostly comprised of early college students, and wouldn’t benefit from housing. Leaving those who aren’t left to other merits of stability like campus food pantries.
Community College Day got students to voice their concerns and meet with lawmakers.
“I think Community College Day was an amazing experience. It taught young people how to lobby and represent themselves to political leaders,” said Hannah Spohn, Texas Junior College Student Government Association president.
The biannual event gave way for grievances to be aired and educate students on the way the Texas government works. Of course, going straight to the capitol isn’t the only way to voice concerns for college campuses. Going to the office of student life or SGA is another way to start talking about what to change.
“We’re incredibly proud and fortunate to have Dr. Williams in this role,” Dallas College Chancellor Justin Lonon said. Dallas College has a new vice chancellor. On Jan. 23, Chancellor Justin Lonon named Dr. Bradford Williams to in the leadership role.
Williams has served as president of the El Centro campus since 2021. Williams also spent six months as interim chief marketing
officer of Dallas College. His role as vice chancellor will have him overseeing functions of Finance, Marketing and Human Resources. During the COVID-19 pandemic while at El Centro, Williams played a critical role in the return of post pandemic student and staff culture.
Prior to Dallas College, Williams was president of the Oklahoma City campus of Oklahoma State University. While there, Williams had a strong commitment to student success. This, as well as being deputy director for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, gave him the background to serve as president of El Centro.
Williams has a bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing and music, as well as a master’s in human resource administration. He received his PhD. in education leadership and higher education.
His service as vice chancellor allows him to use his strengths to help push growth at Dallas College through his extended responsibilities of communication, policy development and institutional planning. These are just some of the new roles Williams will take on throughout Dallas College as needed.
Staff writter
“We're incredibly proud and fortunate to have Dr. Williams in this role.”
- Chancellor Justin Lonon
Simon Pruitt
Managing Editor
Valentine’s Day season is right around the corner! As students across Dallas College look to woo their partner, the perfect date might be sitting right in front of them.
Richland has a load of romantic hideaways for student couples to enjoy themselves and further their education. Here’s the Chronicle’s suggestion for the perfect campus date. Coffee at Starbucks: No couple exists without a couple of nice coffee dates. Starbucks in Sabine Hall has drinks and atmosphere to make your Richland date as perfect as any.
With a nice lounge area and massive glass windows that reach all the way to the ceiling, the space is sleek, modern and great for date night.
Shopping at campus store:
Sharing a wall with Starbucks, the Richland Campus store can satisfy all your retail therapy needs. Take your date out for coffee and leave with brand new Thunderduck merchandise.
Dinner at Mama Deluca’s Pizza:
The headliner for your early night out is dinner at Richland’s in-house fine Italian dining establishment, Mama Deluca’s. Experience a semi-authentic menu with customizable pizzas and wings galore.
The El Paso dining hall has plenty of nooks to settle in with your date as you enjoy the cuisine.
Scenery walk:
As your night comes to a close, take a stroll and see the views Richland has to offer. There’s wildlife, fountains and a killer sunset if you catch the right angles.
This Valentine’s Day, consider the Richland campus date. That is, only if you’re interested in sweeping your date off their feet.
Jerry Maguire” (1996) --
This Oscar-nominated Tom Cruise led tale directed by Cameron Crowe focuses on a sports agent and his quest to take his client to the top. Cuba Gooding Jr. and Renée Zellweger co-star.
“Joe Versus the Volcano” (1990) -- Tom Hanks is a hard-working shlep who gets offered a chance to change the world for a tribe of Indigenous people who love orange soda. Meg Ryan plays a trio of sisters with differing personalities.
“Say Anything...” (1989) -John Cusack leads the way in this comic-drama romantic tale of a man who wants to date the high school valedictorian (Ione Skye). Crowe directs this one as well.
“While You Were Sleeping”
(1995) -- Sandra Bullock is a toll booth collector who loves a man (Peter Gallagher) from afar in this comic-drama with romance. With Bill Pullman and Glynis Johns.
“When Harry Met Sally...” (1989) -- Here’s proof that a man and a woman can’t just be friends. Billy Crystal was at the top of his game in this romantic-comedy that also featured Meg Ryan, Bruno Kirby and Carrie Fisher. Directed by Rob Reiner.
-Ricky Miller
Dallas College campuses were closed from Jan. 30 at 5 p.m. until Feb. 4 at 9 a.m. due to the ice storm that made North Texas look like an ice-skating rink.
On Monday afternoon, the district started to send the inclement weather alerts through social media, texts and phone calls so students, faculty and staff could be prepared and ready to leave campus before the storm hit.
For the next four days, campuses remained closed due to the dangerous conditions to drive and be outside in general.
“The campus was closed for several days due to the inclement weather, specifically there being severe ice, so for the safety of the campus, we closed down and make sure that we didn’t have any classes or any students on campus for that reason,” officer Jasmine Huntsberry of the campus police, said.
From that Monday evening, the updates from the district about the weather conditions kept coming through all kinds of media because by Tuesday morning the Richland campus and most of North Texas was covered with a thick layer of ice.
“All Dallas College CLASSES WILL REMAIN ONLINE, and all locations will be closed Thursday, Feb. 2, due to bad weather. Students: please check eCampus and your email for announcements from instructors. Student services will be available remotely. Stay safe and warm!” Messages like this were sent over and over trough Facebook and Twitter.
According to Kelly Sonnanstine, coordinator of new student orientation at the Office of Student Life, events were postponed due to the weather. After the week of weather interruption though, everything was expected to return to normal. .
“It will be like we’re doing twice as much stuff this week. But by next week, we’ll be back on schedule,” Sonnanstine said.
According to Sonnanstine, the date changing was positive because it allowed a couple of clubs get into the fair.
According to officer Huntsberry, the only damage that she observed is the pitching practice tents used for baseball. She said she assumes they collapsed due to the weight of ice.
Dallas campuses reopened Feb. 4 with only a little bit of ice and a temperature of 52 degrees, which was Mother Nature surprising us one more time with extreme weather changes.
Campus was closed for almost all of the week of Jan. 30 to Feb. 4. Classes were online only. Staff worked from home and the campus looked like a frozen tundra.
Campus events and activities were postponed and basically people were forced to take a “winter break.” Not bad, right?
For Richland Media Student, however, it meant much more than a break. It was production week for the Chronicle and we couldn’t get into our newsroom to work on the paper.
We tried to work from home as much as we could, but due to technical difficulties, our work was limited. So, we decided to make this issue online only a day later, instead of the print issue we have planned to bring you on Tuesday.
We work hard to bring you the paper you deserve.
We have a great team working at the paper to make things happen. We’re sorry that, despite our best efforts, we had to postpone the Chronicle due to the weather.
Here, at the Richland Chronicle, we work hard to bring you the best of college journalism even in challenging situations. Our next edition will be a print edition. Until then, please enjoy this online edition.
ON THE COVER
Staff Photo: Jesse Serrano
Richland Campus on ice
BACK COVER
Staff Illustration: Lana Huynhcong
COVER AND FONTS
Certain cover fonts are provided by the following www.nymfont.com – www.bvfonts.com
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Jerry Weiss
Juan Rivera
Kaden R. Martin
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The T-Ducks intend to play between seven and 10 regular season games next fall. They already have five games confirmed, but the coaching staff is planning on adding a few more. The first one scheduled is against the Texas A&M International Dustdevils on Feb.18 at the Richland campus.
“This phase is very important for the players because they could be scouted and seen by the different universities we are going to play with (in order to get a scholarship),” head coach Herrera said.
Unfortunately, the T-Ducks will lose 10 to 13 players this semester because it will be their last, but Herrera trusts the recruitment process to keep the talent level the team has. Assistant coach García says that recruitment was successful and already includes between 25 to 33 new players.
Last fall, eight Richland soccer players transferred to different universities with fulltuition scholarships.
All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated.
Feb. 7
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
i Carter BloodCare Blood Drive
Mobile Blood Drive Unit East Circle Parking Lot
Feb. 8
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
i Carter BloodCare Blood Drive
The Richland men’s soccer team has already started training for next season, led by head coach Raul Herrera. The Thunderducks were victors last season, winning their fifth national championship in a row. The coaching staff has finished recruiting and think the team has all the tools to defend their title in 2023.
“It becomes easier to recruit new players because everybody wants to play with us. The hardest part is choosing the right members, and you have targets on your back because everybody wants to beat us after our five championships in a row,” García said.
Richland recruits from different parts of Texas, including the Metroplex, Houston, El Paso and even gets some international players.
Mobile Blood Drive Unit East Circle Parking Lot
Feb. 9
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
i Dallas Promise University Transfer Application Drive
El Paso Hall, E089
Feb. 14
9:30 am - 2:30 p.m.
i East Circle Parking Lot
Free STI Testing For Students
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
i “Love Can Build a Bridge” Cookie Decorating
El Paso Cafeteria
Feb. 15
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
i Black Film Festival Screening
Room SH117
Feb. 16
10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
i El Paso Student Lounge
Celebrate Creative Arts, Entertainment, and Design Pop-Up
