Etera Dallas College Eastfield Campus
Learn easy ways to
reduce your
carbon footprint
See pages 6-7
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Volume 53, Issue 8
Wounds of war
Family of Dallas College employee faces uncertainty in Ukraine See page 2
NEWS
2 Wednesday, April 6, 2022
@TheEtCetera
The Et Cetera
‘It’s going to be bloody’
Student success coach worries for family trapped in Ukraine By CARLOS GUZMAN Managing Editor @TheEtCetera
Fourth grade teacher Svetlana Almazan’s day was interrupted by a commotion of gunfire and explosions. Living in Sumy, a Ukrainian city close to the Russian border, Svetlana was one of the first people to witness invading forces march into her neighborhood on Feb. 24. Russian tanks and soldiers swarmed the streets of her town. Ukrainian defense forces arrived just as quickly, setting the stage for the Battle of Sumy. Nonstop fighting dragged on until Russian forces moved to other targets across Ukraine. Two weeks into the invasion, Svetlana was finally able leave Sumy to visit her father in Russian-occupied Putyvl, a Ukrainian village located 30 miles from the Russian border. “Everything has changed,” Svetlana said in an email interview. “Nothing is normal anymore.” Russian tanks and checkpoints are set up throughout the Sumy Oblast region, making trips outside one’s home a gamble for one’s life. However, donations from Svetlana’s sister, Viktoriya Almazan who is a student success coach at Dallas College’s Richland Campus, means one less trip into a war zone. “I didn’t expect Russians engaging in so many war crimes,” Svetlana said. “They continue to attack civilian targets.” After apartment bombings started in her area, Svetlana moved into her father’s home. She said she believes her fourth-floor apartment is a prime target for Russian artillery. Not only does Svetlana worry about indiscriminate airstrikes and gunfire, but also her elderly father, Viktor, who has heart issues. Svetlana eventually transferred her father to a hospital, but doctors can’t help without access to medicine. “My friends and family are suffering,” Svetlana said. Viktoriya said she found out about the invasion from the news. She im-
mediately reached out to her sister. “The first thing coming to mind is that it’s going to be bloody,” Viktoriya said. Viktoriya calls her family in Ukraine three times a day and texts them frequently. She said she feels instant relief when her sister replies to her texts. “They still have electricity and gas, but nobody says it’s going to stay that way,” Viktoriya said. “Everything changes by the second.” Viktoriya pushed for Svetlana and her father to evacuate as soon as humanitarian corridors were established but backtracked after hearing about civilian casualties on protected routes. Like many Ukrainians, Svetlana is holding out for a better evacuation opportunity. “There are many stories, but all of them are sad,” Svetlana said. “War has a lot of grief and distractions.” North Lake student Hanna Lutchenkova, a refugee from the 2014 Russo-Ukrainian War, relates to Svetlana’s experience. She lived in the Donbas region, one of the first areas assaulted by Russian forces. “It was 4 p.m., and I was taking my son out of day care,” Lutchenkova said. “Everything went as usual until we got to Main Street. I saw big Russian tanks.” For four months, Lutchenkova and her seven-year-old son hid in their apartment. She couldn’t go to a bomb shelter because of the indiscriminate killing carried out by Russian forces. Lutchenkova lost a friend in a Russian airstrike: the woman and her four-year-old daughter were both killed. This incident compelled Lutchenkova to shelter in place, fearing a similar circumstance for her and her son. “This was hell on earth,” Lutchenkova said. “My journey was long and horrible . . . every minute was risky, a chance to lose your life.” Lutchenkova eventually scraped together enough money to smuggle herself and her son out the country. Much to Lutchenkova’s satisfaction, Russia failed to capture Ukraine
RORY MOORE/THE ETCETERA
Success coach Viktoryia Almazan tries to make daily contact with her sister and father, who are trapped in Ukraine.
in 2014. Seven years later, citizens like Svetlana hope for another Ukrainian victory, but fear military escalation in this case. At the end of March, Svetlana’s bus to Putyvl frequently passed groups of angry, starving Russian soldiers retreating to the border. She dreaded the possibility of Russian soldiers assaulting the bus. “The war has affected everyone in Ukraine, from one way or another,”
Svetlana said. Svetlana and her fellow citizens try to maintain faith in Ukraine’s military. “I think, from a military standpoint, the Ukrainian army has done a great job from an army that outnumbers them 10 to 1,” Svetlana said. Svetlana and Viktoriya celebrate successful pushbacks by the Ukrainian military. In early March, Svetlana told her
sister about Ukrainian forces marching 15 captured Russian soldiers through the streets of Sumy. She described the locals erupting into joy, herself included. But with no end to the war in sight, small victories pale in comparison to Svetlana’s unyielding wish for a Russian pullout. “Nothing good can offset the horrific things this war has bought,” Svetlana said.
NEWS
3
The Et Cetera
eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Dallas College 2030 plan looks to the future By HARRIET RAMOS Editor in Chief @TheEtCetera
Chancellor Justin Lonon’s Dallas College 2030 Plan is designed to address employee concerns following the college-wide reorganization. More information will be given at the April 13 virtual town hall at 10 a.m. “It is a framework that really allows us to focus on what are some of those aspirational goals that we want to look towards over the next several years,” Lonon said. Lonon said the Dallas College 2030 Plan involves measurable short-term goals and key performance indicators to keep the college on track. It is also a transparent way for employees to see the direction Dallas College is moving. Specific goals and key performance indicators are still in the development phase. Lonon said one of his goals is to boost employee morale, and he’s going to be asking for employee feedback. “Knowing some of the pain points that we still have internally through the consolidation, from an employee standpoint, I want to position us to be identified as one of those best places to work,” Lonon said.
Corine Burnett, information desk representative for Information Central, said the changes that are being implemented are just going to take time. “I think they’re trying to do it, it’s just that it’s new,” Burnett said. “Everything is new so it’s going slow. But I think they’re going to work it out.” The second phase of the Dallas College 2030 Plan, Action 2022, involves initiatives to be implemented this year. According to Lonon, some of these shortterm goals are making sure there is a human resource presence on every campus and improving campus signage. Lonon said the bottom line is making Dallas College a place where students and employees feel supported. “In the short run, we want to make sure that students have access to what they need,” Lonon said. “Can they get the classes they need, where they need them, when they need them?” As part of making courses more student friendly, Lonon said the college is working to develop some completely online programs for working students. They will also look at the mix of 16-week and 8-week courses to make sure there are sufficient flex-term classes available.
Lorie Vazquez, a business major who returned to Eastfield after 20 years to finish her degree, said flex-term classes are ideal for her situation and will allow her to finish her degree in less than two years. “[I’m] a single parent, a busy mother,” Vazquez said. “I’m an adult paying a mortgage, paying bills, and it’s very hard for me to take a 16-week course versus that flex class.” Lonon said another part of supporting students is making sure the college provides adequate social services. “We know childcare is an issue,” Lonon said. “Access to health care in general and access to mental health services. So when I talk about we’re in the barrier-busting business, we’re going to continue to do that and ensure that students feel a sense of a welcome place, a sense of togetherness.” For employees, Lonon said building campus community is a priority. “That has been disrupted,” Lonon said. “Certainly as things were moved around during the transition and . . . during the pandemic as everyone was scattered.” Admissions specialist Joselyn Valenciano said improved communication from the administration down would help employees. “It would be nice if [information] was re-
layed as soon as possible down to us, especially with all these changes that are happening,” Valenciano said. Valenciano said she’s seeing more students get involved on campus. There are more events for them to participate in now, and students she talks to say they are joining campus clubs. Education major Lisa Cooper said she feels supported as a student. “I feel like [the college is] really nice,” Cooper said. “I see that they’re very diverse, which is really good.” Education major Nathaniel Rodriguez also said he’s had a good experience at Dallas College. “One of [the employees] approached me about Hispanic . . . students getting scholarships and financial aid and stuff like that,” Rodriguez said. “I thought that was really cool. The counselor’s office [also] approached me.” Lonon said the Dallas College 2030 Plan is centered around what he feels is important in building culture for a place employees would want to work and students would want to go to school. “That is something that I’m going to be spending a lot of time on, on building the Dallas College culture,” Lonon said. “That’s a multi-year initiative. That is ongoing.”
Transgender youth face ongoing legal battle By CARLOS GUZMAN Managing Editor @TheEtCetera
A controversial directive targeting transgender youth has been temporarily blocked by the Texas Third Court of Appeals. On March 21 the court halted child abuse investigations into parents of transgender youth, challenging Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive branding gender-affirming care for minors as illegal under current Texas law. Following an ACLU lawsuit on behalf of transgender youth, the court stated in a legal order, “the temporary injunction is necessary to maintain the status quo and preserve the rights of all parties.” The ruling reinforced an injunction ordered by a lower court on March 11. The directive and investigations that have spawned from it have yet to be permanently struck down. As the Associate Dean of Support Programs, Katy Launius supports LGBTQ programs and initiatives across Dallas College. She voiced concern for how the directive will negatively affect transgender Texans as a whole. “We know that a lot of students, a
TAYLOR MCMILLAN/THE ET CETERA
lot of individuals, have been forced back into the closet,” Launius said. In a letter to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services on Feb. 22, Abbott called for child abuse investigations into doctors and parents providing gender-affirming care to transgender minors. Abbott’s directive said teachers and doctors are legally bound to report adults who obtain gender-affirming care for minors. “It puts people who [transgender youth] normally see as trustworthy individuals into a position of mis-
trust,” Launius said. Chris Schlarb, an adviser for Dallas College’s LGBTQ student organization PRISM, is concerned the Texas government is cultivating a hostile environment against transgender Texans. “It makes you fearful to live in Texas,” Schlarb said. “The governor is going after transgender kids.” As a transgender male who uses the pronouns they/them, Schlarb worries this directive will affect the reputation of people like them. Schlarb said supporting student
engagement is difficult because students face fears of harsh reactions from their social circles. “It makes you question if you want to be ‘out’ or not,” Schlarb said. “But if you’re like me, it’s too late to put the cat back in the box.” According to a 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transgender youth are at a higher risk of depression and suicide due to stigmatization. The report goes on to state transgender youth are more likely to get bullied — 43% of transgender youth experienced bullying compared to 18% of cisgender youth. “Trans youth experience so many barriers,” Launius said. “To find a doctor who provides gender-affirming health care is already journey for a lot of transgender folks.” Texas has garnered a reputation for proposing anti-LGBTQ legislature, and Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance President Joli Robinson said the directive “just further stigmatizes the community.” As part of her work with homeless services, Robinson encounters numerous transgender youth who were kicked out of their homes.
“[This directive] continues to marginalize this community, especially youth who are trying to figure out other things,” Robinson said. People like Robinson fear the directive will worsen a transgender Texan’s quality of life, even for those with a supportive household. “It’s making parents scared,” Robinson said. “They’re just trying to do what they think is right for their child.” Minors cannot consent to receiving gender-affirming care, therapy or counseling without parental approval. “Obviously, as a family, you want your kid to be happy and healthy,” Schlarb said. “If you’re not providing gender-affirming care, then it would hinder that.” Schlarb worries the state will go after LGBTQ employees like them next. As an active member of the LGBTQ community, Launius is angered she must endure legal assault directed against people like her. “The LGBT community needs allies in this fight,” Launius said. “Even though I’m not trans, this is my broader community, so I’m going to show up for my trans siblings.”
4
NEWS
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
@TheEtCetera
The Et Cetera
Women leaders discuss community impact Robinson takes action against homelessness By LONDY RAMIREZ Contributor @TheEtCetera
A work trip to India in her early 20s inspired Joli Angel Robinson to fight for better economic equality at home. During the trip, she saw the social challenges the country was experiencing, including young children begging in the street. She set a goal that when she came back home, she was going to start Robinson finding ways to help others here in the United States. Today, Robinson is the president and CEO of Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, an organization that works to eliminate homelessness in Dallas and Collin Counties. Robinson was one of three women panelists who spoke at Eastfield during the “Walking in Her Shoes” event on March 8, in commemoration of Women’s History Month. The two other panelists were State Rep. Victoria Neave Criado, Brookhaven Campus President Linda Braddy and moderator Monica Lira Bravo, chair of the Dallas College Board of Trustees. Robinson, Neave Criado and Braddy talked about their journies, the obstacles that they had to overcome, their inspiration and advice they would give women that haven’t found their path and their biggest failure and accomplishment Robinson said she’s also trying to eliminate obstacles for her employees by ensuring everyone is paid equitably. She said women have been conditioned to live in a maledominated atmosphere. She compared that to a fish that has always lived in salt water and when given the opportunity to move to fresh water, the fish doesn’t survive because it is not used to the new water. “Sometimes we’ve learned to operate and breathe and drink salt water for so long, that when given an opportunity to set policy, we lose our mind,” Robinson said. Robinson said one of the failures she sees in her life was spending too much time on a path that others had set for her. “I think I spent too many years, I do not want to call them wasted years, but just too many years trying to align to the vision that other people had for me,” she said. Robinson said her biggest accomplishments are in the work she does today — helping the homeless of the community. Robinson’s father has experienced homelessness for the past 12 and a half years in Atlanta, and she sees the work that she is doing as a legacy. “I wish and hope that there are people up there in Atlanta that are working just as hard and passionately for him and those that are experiencing homelessness alongside him, just as I am here,” Robinson said. She said this thought motivates her to do more to ensure the system works. In the end, Robinson encouraged women who want to follow in her footsteps. “Set goals,” she said. “Go at your own pace, and you’ll make it happen.”
Neave Criado investigates sexual assault cases By CARLOS GUZMAN Managing Editor @TheEtCetera
State Rep. Victoria Neave Criado frequently goes door-to-door to contact her constituents for issues to bring to the house floor. Eventually, she came to the doorstep of Lavinia Masters, a 50-year-old woman with a rape kit that went untested for Neave Criado 20 years. After hearing Masters’ story, Neave Criado followed a bread crumb trail laced with tragedy: She discovered over 5,000 untested rape kits in Texas. “[Masters] told her story and never gave up trying to figure out what happened with that evidence,” Neave Criado said. A former Eastfield student, Neave Criado credits her career success to people like Masters, drawing lawmaking inspiration from ordinary citizens. Neave Criado spearheaded the Lavinia Masters Act, a bill ordering Texas to clear the backlog of rape kits. Although the bill passed with minimal pushback from state lawmakers and representatives, the resources needed to accomplish Neave’s ambitions were daunting. According to a press release by Neave Criado, over 80% of backlogged rape kits in Texas have been resolved
since the passage of the Lavinia Masters Act. The bill’s success depended on $50 million in funding and reforming the system for rape kit investigation. “The stories of women who raise their voices across the country is so inspirational,” Neave Criado said. “It gives us the drive the knock down those barriers in law.” As the first person in her working-class family to go to college, Neave Criado said she was determined to improve her community even before her political career began. Neave Criado acts as a voice for women in Texas, continuing to draft more bills meant to tackle sexual harassment and assault. “We have a long way to go to make up for decades of the laws not written in [women’s] favor,” Neave Criado said. Even when people scream or swear at Neave Criado, her negative experiences with a door-to-door campaign are nullified when a citizen chooses to share their story, leading her to her next political move. At the end of her speech, Neave Criado recounted meeting a pair of young girls at an apartment complex in one of Dallas’ poorer neighborhoods. The girls recognized her immediately and told her they wanted to follow in her footsteps. Neave Criado has a photo of those girls in her office and said they give her inspiration. “It’s drives us to do the work we’re doing,” Neave Criado said.
Braddy emphasizes female leadership in workforce By MOIRA MCINTEE Contributor @TheEtCetera
As a student, Linda Braddy looked around at her classmates in the master’s level applied mathematics class and wondered, “Where are all the women?” Eight years after graduating with a bachelor’s degree Braddy in math, Braddy made the decision to follow the advice of her father and get all the school she could. During her graduate studies, she became aware of the under representation of women in STEM. When Braddy became president of Dallas College Brookhaven c ampus, she set her sights on making math accessible to all students. “Generally speaking, we really suck at teaching math,” Braddy said at Eastfield’s International Women’s Day celebration. “We guard it like a secret club.” Braddy along with Joli Robinson and Victoria Neave Criado participated in the March 8 “Walking in Her Shoes” event. They each shared advice for women who
haven’t yet found their path and talked about the obstacles they’ve overcome to arrive at their current positions of leadership. For Braddy, one of those obstacles was trying to break into a male-dominated field. After spending eight years away from school, and mathematics in general, Braddy went into her first semester of graduate school feeling unprepared and in need of additional help. After one of her first classes, she approached her professor and asked him for clarification but was turned away and told she shouldn’t even be in his class. “So, I went and dropped it and got into something else,” Braddy said. The new professor was a stark contrast from the first. After Braddy failed her first exam, the professor opened his office to her for an hour every day to give her one-onone instruction. “When you feel like you’re not capable, you need somebody who will say, ‘Yeah, you are,’” Braddy said. As Braddy reflected on both the good and bad experiences with professors, she realized changes in how math is taught need to begin with administration. That’s when she decided she wanted to become a college president. See BRADDY, page 12
Life &Arts The Et Cetera
5
eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Sustainability director keeps Dallas College green
Q& A
As the senior director of sustainability, Georgeann Moss consistently pushes to make Dallas College’s campuses as eco-friendly as possible. This includes being one of the orchestrators behind the college’s transition to a 100% renewable energy plan. Moss joined The Et Cetera managing editor Carlos Guzman in a video interview to reflect on 30 years of work in protecting and sustaining the environment.
Q A
What has kept you in this field for 30 years?
It’s my passion in life. I’m one of those very blessed people who gets to do what they love in their job. I’ve always been interested in the environment. In an earlier position, I worked with Dallas Water Utilities to teach water conservation. Since 1989, I have been working in a job as well as in volunteer positions to protect the environment.
Q A
What initially motivated you to work in your current field?
I am very concerned about our world and what will happen if we don’t take care of the environment, and so my motivation is my children and my grandchildren. I want to leave the world as good or better than I found it for them.
Q A
Do your kids share your passions for the environment?
My son, Ryan, is an environmental engineer. He’s a water resources engineer for an engineering firm in Houston. My two older children are stepchildren, and they are very supportive of sustainability in the environment.
Q A
Do you apply knowledge from your job at home?
We live in Sunnyvale, and [my family] built the first green home in Sunnyvale. I’ve applied a lot of what I learned on the job in the house. For instance, instead of two-by-fours, we use two-by-sixes for framing. And then we put spray and foam in there so it’s like living in a cooler. It’s very well insulated. We have done all the energy-efficient windows and low-flush toilets.
RORY MOORE/THE ET CETERA
Georgeanne Moss leads an environmental task force with a goal to build eco-friendly infastructure at Dallas College.
Everything that I’ve learned over the past 30 years we’ve tried to practice in our home.
Q A
What is your proudest sustainability project?
The first one that comes to mind is that last year Dallas College signed its first ever 100% renewable energy electricity contract. That took a couple of years to get that to come about. Right now, we’re also working on a project with that. We use renewable energy credits — that means somebody, somewhere, has built a solar farm or wind farm. The next step we want to take is building solar on-site at our campuses. It’s a more effective way to add renewable electricity to the [college’s] power grid.
Q
I’ve noticed that you earned the Green Source Lifetime Achievement Award. Can you tell me more about that?
A
I’m very, very proud of that. A colleague put in my name for that because I’ve been doing work in the
community for the past 30 years. I was voted to receive it in 2015. To be recognized by your colleagues and peers is just very, very special to me. And, quite frankly, I’ve been working with a lot of people in the community for 30 years. People who go into sustainability are determined and persevere. They don’t give up. They know that we must be resilient, and we must be sustainable in our efforts.
Q A
In your current position, do people come to you as a leader?
Even before I had this position, I was recognized by people in the organization as the sustainability change champion. I am known throughout the organization for being a champion for sustainability. And for being open to partnerships and collaboration with anyone who wants to help us improve our practices in sustainability.
Q A
What’s your approach for influencing change? My approach is to be very collaborative and nonjudgmental. I un-
derstand that people in organizations do things the way they do for a reason, and I try to work with them. [My organization is] not adversarial. We’re their partners, and we work with them. We recognize that change takes time, and we’re willing to work as long as it takes.
Q A
Where do you plan to go from here?
So right now, our team is working on the STARS self-assessment — STARS stands for the Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System. We like to find five major areas across the college, then we see where we have opportunities for improvement. It’s a huge, huge project. We’ve been working on it for over a year. What’s good about it is that we’re on the path, but you’re never really finished, right? There’s always something new coming along that we learn about and can do. It covers academics, outreach, engagement, planning and innovation. We look across all those areas and make sure that we are following the best practices of other colleges and universities across the United States.
Recycling is the least anyone can do to decrease their carbon footprint. It reduces the amount of waste we send to landfills and incinerators, all while conserving natural resources.
Recycle
By using less electricity and water, you’re helping reduce the demand for fossil fuels. Turning off lights you don’t use, unplugging devices, taking shorter showers and washing clothes and dishes in full loads can help. You can save both your money and the environment — a win-win for you.
You shouldn’t waste money and resources buying clothes you don’t plan to wear often. Look for durable and versatile clothing. While you’re at it, try to learn how to repair your own clothing. Even if that old shirt doesn’t seem to have any more use, you can always give it a second chance. There are plenty of places to donate your clothes, repurposing them into new clothes and goods for the needy.
Buy clothes for life
Words and Design by April Calvo & Mattheau Faught
Limit electricity and water usage
The planet Earth has done a lot for us, but it’s taken a big blow from our increased carbon footprint. Now it’s our turn to help out. You don’t need an expensive car or solar panel to help the environment, the little things can make an impact too. In honor of Earth day on April 22, we’ve prepared a list of simple and effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
Help yourself Help the environment
Rather than burning precious fossil fuels, try carpooling with family and friends. If your destination is close by, consider going for a walk. It’s good for your health, too.
reduce car usage
Animal-based foods create up to 14.5% of the carbon footprint, according to Forbes. Try compiling a shopping list so you buy what you need. That way, you aren’t wasting money and resources on foods you’re going to throw away. Also limit your consumption of meat and dairy, like fast food. You can save money, improve your health and help the Earth.
Reduce meat and dairy consumption
OPINION Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Etera Award-winning member of: • Texas Intercollegiate Press Association • Texas Community College Journalism Association • Associated Collegiate Press • College Media Association
Dallas College Eastfield Campus 3737 Motley Drive Mesquite, TX 75150 Phone: 972-860-7130 Email: etc4640@dcccd.edu Editor in Chief Harriet Ramos Managing Editor Carlos Guzman Presentation Editor Mattheau Faught Photo Editor Rory Moore Contributors Daniel Luna Londy Ramirez Sofia Fleitas
Keturah Jones Moira McIntee Taylor McMillan
Photographer Martha Villalobos Staff Writer Manny Willis Graphic Designer April Calvo Publication Adviser Elizabeth Langton Student Media Adviser EJ Vernon Faculty Adviser Lori Dann The views expressed on the opinion pages and other opinion pieces and cartoons in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of The Et Cetera, Eastfield College or the Dallas County Community College District. The Et Cetera is published by a student staff. Each member of the college community is entitled to one free copy of The Et Cetera. First Amendment Right Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Letters to the Editor Letters must be typed, signed and include a phone number. Letters will be edited for profanity and vulgarity, Associated Press style, grammar, libel and space when needed. The content will remain that of the author. Letters should be no longer than 250 words.
ABOUT THE COVER Viktoriya Almazan, a student success coach at Richland Campus, holds a photo album with pictures of family members stranded in Ukraine. Photo by Rory Moore/The Et Cetera
8 @TheEtCetera
The Et Cetera
OUR VIEW
2030 plan will foster communication, engagement Chancellor Justin Lonon’s 2030 plan will move Dallas College forward. The creation of measurable goals and key performance indicators will help Dallas College stay on track. The initiatives of continuous improvement, culture and communications will help build employee and student morale. Students say they love campus events, and we want to see more of them. Students need a reason outside of class to come to campus. Activities still haven’t reached pre-pandemic levels, and now that the pandemic is winding down, students want to connect to peers and have fun on campus. Students also say they need flexible class options they can work into their busy schedules. We applaud efforts to provide more online programs and flex classes, as well as in-person classes to meet the wide range of student needs. Communication continues to be an issue for both employees and students. Employees say sometimes they are the last ones to hear about changes in college policies — infor-
ILLUSTRATION BY MATTHEAU FAUGHT/THE ET CETERA
mation they need to know so they can pass it on to students. Students say they don’t always hear about new situations, such as the construction blocking off two of Eastfield’s parking lots. Consistent communication to both employees and students will help the college run smoother. Employees are dealing with major
campus changes. Many of their colleagues are no longer with Dallas College or have been moved to a new location. In some cases, employees don’t even know who their new co-workers are. Employees need opportunities to build community with each other, and we support all efforts to make that happen.
There has been a lot of talk about Dallas College being student centric. While we are in favor of that, we hope the new goals for Dallas College will also include robust initiatives to support faculty and staff. All efforts to support them will benefit students as well. Thank you for looking toward the future with the 2030 plan.
Choose a healthy lifestyle for a brighter future It’s Lent season, a time when everybody is giving up chocolate to commemorate the sufferings of Christ. This is a great time for a lifestyle change, body, mind, and spirit. The body is the connector to this earth, without it, you couldn’t operate among the living. The body is only a cage housing the real person—The spirit and the mind. When the body ceases to function at full capacity, weakness of the spirit and mind sets in. Building the body up empowers all three parts. One is no good without the other. The aim of this argument is to raise awareness and stimulate action for change. The mind, which is the inner person, the place where freedom of choice, and decision making abides. The spirit is the conscious, the place where God communicates with human beings. What does being fit have to do with this? Well, exercising will heighten awareness, sharpen discernment, and relieve stress. Concentration is stronger and the spirit is more noticeable. The physical benefits exceed far beyond any-
Keturah Jones @TheEtCetera
thing imaginable. Confidence and a happier persona permeating from an elevated consciousness are worth every effort. There is an ore, a savvy, smooth, clean charisma about people who practice fitness. Thirty minutes with an expert set the tone for achieving this end. Dr. Hussien, Ph.D in nutrition, recommended counting calories for control. At mealtime there should only be a ½ of a plate of fresh vegetables, ¼ of the plate is for grains with fiber to lower cholesterol levels. And a ¼ of the plate should be for meat, unprocessed chicken, and protein from beans. Make changes to any recipe requiring butter,
instead use vegetable oil and half the recommended amount of butter. And drink only 2% Milk, to avoid saturated fats. Dr. Hussien said to avoid cancer-causing foods like cold cuts, hot dogs and other processed lunch meat because of the elevated levels of nitrate. Exercising is only 10% of the battle and eating is 90%. Belly fat is actively producing insulin resistance, inflammation in stored fat on the abdomen, increasing the bad LDL cholesterol. At this point the body is at risk, or more susceptible to diseases. People who struggle with discipline, please know it will automatically come the moment you understand the purpose for food. After hearing a few tips from a nutritional expert, making changes for a healthier lifestyle should be easier now that our physical IQ has been elevated. Please don’t be hard or overly concerned about making adjustments too fast. Change will take time, expect to see progress gradually. —Keturah Jones is a contributor and communications major
9
OPINION The Et Cetera
eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Stop fake news about the war in Ukraine You’ve probably heard of the war in Ukraine by now and come across posts about the conflict on social April media. Calvo Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, @TheEtCetera YouTube and other social media platforms restricted posts from Russia the moment they announced their invasion of Ukraine. confuse people and cause them to Platforms are restricting inforchange their beliefs and percepmation from Russia because of tions. It’s the main reason why social the propaganda they may share to confuse people. However, since there media cut off their connections with Russia — so widespread confusion are other users who will take the doesn’t happen. opportunity to create misinformaAnother user posted an audio clip tion for clout, it is important to fact of 13 Ukrainian soldiers, whom the check all content about the RussiaUkraine war before you share it with user claimed were killed by Russian soldiers at their post after refusing to the world. surrender. The user added that they Before you post, I recommend were awarded a medal of honor. In going to websites such as snopes. reality, the Ukrainians were captured com, factcheck.org, reuters.com and alive by the Russian soldiers. apnews.com to check your news. We shouldn’t glamorize history Rather than agree with what you see that doesn’t exist. on social media, leave it to the press Another consequence for posting to uncover the real news. The practice of taking audio from misleading content is that Ukrainians who see their family members other videos and placing it over on these sites may believe they were videos of the Ukraine war has been killed or lied to by their government. responsible for creating fake news. The people shown in these videos For example, a user posted a video are real people with families, and it of a tank from a video game on isn’t ethical to distort their situations. TikTok and claimed it was part of In a world where we rely on social the Ukraine war. media to show us what is happening This type of deception can
APRIL CALVO/ET CETERA
in the world, it is important to check before you share. Some of these fake posts can affect lives. We shouldn’t misrepresent people who are fighting in a conflict
outside of their control. If you ever come across a post that you see as far-fetched or exaggerated, it’s a good idea to use the above websites to make sure what
you share and post is accurate information. With your help, the cycle of fake news can end. —April Calvo is a graphic designer and digital media major
Another Live Nation disaster is imminent What do a long history of safety violations, 10 deaths, 300 injuries and a $2 billion lawsuit have in common? Live Nation music festivals. And the entertainment company’s next big event appears to be staying in line with this trend. If you aren’t on social media, or maybe you just don’t associate with any former emo kids, you may have missed the announcement about a music festival called “When We Were Young.” The lineup looks like a near perfect resurrection of our childhood iPod shuffle playlists. Sixty-five of some of the most famous pop-punk, hardcore and alternative bands are coming together Oct. 22 for one day of festivities. You read that right. One day. 65 bands. 12 hours to be exact. How they plan to fit that many artists into such a short time frame sounds like an impossible task. Rolling Stone magazine reports that there will be 20- or 30-minute sets for most artists, and 45 minutes for the top-billed performers. That might not sound like a bad plan on the
Moira McIntee @TheEtCetera
surface, but as a well-seasoned festival attendee, I would be happy to explain why these will likely be very unsatisfying shows. At most festivals, bands play for 45 minutes or roughly seven songs per set. You then have a small intermission while another band sets up, time to use the restroom or maybe stand in line for some refreshments. And you’ll have time to make it back to see the next performer. However, the way “When We Were Young” plans to run their show will effectively eliminate any downtime between bands and limit them to about 15 minutes of actual play time.
When the organizers announced Oct. 23 and 29 as additional dates I hoped that would solve this problem, but unfortunately the lineup will be identical. We can finally relive the live music of our adolescence, but only in three songs or less. Don’t have a weak bladder or you might miss the entire thing. The length of time I get to see some of my favorites on stage isn’t my only concern. I’d like to remind you of the tragic event in Houston last November: Astroworld. The show, headlined by Travis Scott, took the life of 10 attendees and injured hundreds of others. Live Nation, the company that failed to organize appropriate safety and security accommodations for 50,000 people, is the same company behind this Vegas-based emo fest. With the pressure of multiple lawsuits being filed against them from victims of their previous show, it only makes sense that they would be selling tickets for $250 plus to a one-day event. Hopefully, they learned their lesson. Maybe this festival will finally have the security and
first-aid stations that a mass of people like this might need. I would be shocked if a few former punk kids didn’t get a little roughed up in a mosh pit while trying to feel like their younger selves. Live Nation might very well be expecting this too. However, with approximately 200 deaths on their hands since 2006 as well as numerous OSHA citations, according to NPR, it is hard to stay hopeful. The premise of “When We Were Young” is something I would love to support. The lineup for this festival is the throwback to my childhood I have always dreamed of. Unfortunately, I struggle to overlook the potentially disastrous ending it’s very likely to have. Instead of handing my money over to a questionable company, who’s putting together an even more questionable event, I’m going to spend those dates in October digging my MP3 player from 2007 out of the junk drawer and rocking out in the safety of my living room. And I suggest you do too. — Moira McIntee is a contributor and a communications major
Sports ‘It wasn’t meant to be’ April 6 April 13 April 20 April 27 May 4
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Baseball vs. Brookhaven Baseball vs. North Lake Baseball vs. Richland Baseball vs. Mountain View Baseball vs. Cedar Valley
@TheEtCetera
1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m.
10
The Et Cetera
Harvesters suffer 1-point loss in national semifinals, finish fourth By MANNY WILLIS Staff Writer @TheEtCetera
ROCKFORD, Ill — The Eastfield Harvesters finished fourth in the NJCAA National Tournament, losing 80-66 to Rock Valley on Saturday afternoon. The North Lake Blazers beat Genesee 83-80 in overtime to win the national title. The Eastfield Harvesters’ dream of a national title came to an end when they lost 77-76 to the No. 2-seeded Genesee Cougars in the semifinals of the NCJAA Division III national tournament in Rockford, Illinois on March 11. The game came down to the final second, but the Harvesters missed two free throws with .03 seconds left and went on to finish fourth in the tournament. Eastfield ended the season with a 23-7 record and a district tournament championship. “We gave it everything we got. I wouldn’t say we fell short,” guard Geontay Davis said after the national tournament. “Things happen, but it’s a daily achievement to be better than the day before. This season helped me personally grow, and I hope this helps me get to that next level.” The Harvesters opened their national tournament journey March 9 with an 81-67 win against the Community College of Philadelphia, never letting them get close. The Harvesters flexed their defense and forced 29 turnovers. That defensive pressure would was a crucial element to the Harvesters’ style of play throughout the tournament as they forced 32 turnovers against the Rhode Island Knights the next day, easing past them with a 93-74 win. “We were everywhere, and we never wanted to let them breathe,” guard Spencer Simes said. “We played fast, Eastfield basketball, hands in the lane, putting pressure consistently. That’s huge. We played them right into our hands, and that’s important in any game.” In the semifinals against Genesee, the Harvesters struggled to find their rhythm early – dropping passes and losing possessions – but they took the lead by two at halftime after their defense rallied to force turnovers that led to points. The Harvesters were able to cut the deficit to three in the final three minutes. The teams went back and forth until, with 12 seconds on the clock and Genesee leading by one, Simes led the Harvesters in one more attack. After a few passes and an attempted shot by Williams, he was fouled with .03 seconds left. He was unable to hit either free throw, however, as the Cougars advanced to the championship game. “This didn’t come down to the last shot,” Simes said. “There were hundreds of plays before that, but that’s what just everyone sees in the moment. Missed free throws, wasted moments. Sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose. Today just wasn’t meant to be.” Simes led the scoring with 21 points while Williams added 14. Mike King came off the bench to score 15 points, but it was not enough as the Cougars outplayed the Harvesters in the paint, shooting 49% from the field along with 45% from 3-point range. “I think this is one of the better Eastfield teams in history, and
MANNY WILLIS/THE ET CETERA
Geontay Davis consoles Jacore Williams courtside at the game against Rock Valley.
tonight showed that,” Eastfield coach Anthony Fletcher said. “This loss won’t tarnish everything these guys have done. Sometimes that’s part of the game. We averaged (forcing) about 30 turnovers a game at this tournament, and that’s not something you see very often. This is just what happens at a semi-final game.” Tired legs and bodies stepped into the arena for the third-place game the next day as the Harvesters lost 80-66 to tournament host Rock Valley College. “It was a battle,” Eastfield coach Anthony Fletcher said. “Even though we were playing a national tournament, we were playing an away game. We hung on for a good while, but they played well and shot well. I think with everything that happened in the semifinals, it took some breath out of us, but it’s important we competed and didn’t lay down.” The Eastfield Harvesters took a six-point lead early, but it wasn’t long before Rock Valley dictated the game and cruised on to a 16-point victory. Even though the Harvesters did not win the national title, they were rewarded for their efforts with the 2022 NJCAA National Tournament Sportsmanship award. “Being in the national tournament five times in the past 10 years gives us more opponents to learn from, where we are able to even use it in a recruiting sense,” Fletcher said. “We’ve learned what these other schools like to do in a tournament and take it into consideration.” Simes, the second-leading scorer in the nation for the NJCAA Division III ranks, was selected to the all-tournament team for his standout performance, putting up 77 points, 21 rebounds, 16 assists and eight steals and blocks during the tournament. Anthony Hunter scored 60 points, and Williams added 53. “It was very much a learning experience,” Fletcher said. “So now the goal is to be back next year with the same goal to win it all.”
MANNY WILLIS/THE ET CETERA
Spencer Simes takes a shot during the game against Philadelphia.
MANNY WILLIS/THE ET CETERA
Jamari Robertson kneels down in dejection after Eastfield’s 1-point loss to Genesee.
SPORTS The Et Cetera
11 eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Eastfield earns sportsmanship award The Eastfield Harvesters finished their season fourth in the nation after an 80-66 loss to Rock Valley on March 12 during the national tournament. The Harvesters won the first two games of the national
Jacore Williams makes a drive past two Philadelphia players.
tournament, beating out the Community College of Philadelphia and Rhode Island on March 9 and 10, and brought home the 2022 NJCAA National Tournament Sportsmanship award.
MANNY WILLIS/THE ET CETERA MANNY WILLIS/THE ET CETERA
Coach Anthony Fletcher accepts the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Division III Sportsmanship Award on Eastfield’s behalf.
RORY MOORE/THE ET CETERA
Players and coaches along with administration members gather in the gymnasium in the P building to celebrate the Harvesters’ fourth place finish in the National Tournament on March 31.
MANNY WILLIS/THE ET CETERA
Tyler Jones cheers on his team from the bench during the semifinal game on March 11
WRAP-UP
12 Wednesday, April 6, 2022
@TheEtCetera
Braddy breaks barriers Continued from page 4 “Sometimes it’s seen as a bad thing that you want to be an administrator,” Braddy said. “Sometimes women are criticized for being ambitious.” Even though women work 52% of the nation’s jobs, Braddy said only 15% of the top leadership roles are held by women. “And that’s not because we’re not capable,” Braddy said. “There are gender issues that women face that are obstacles, and we haven’t yet broken the glass ceiling.” During Braddy’s time as a professor of mathematics she molded her own curriculum to help her students be more successful in their learning. “I’m not smarter than you. I’ve
The Et Cetera
Absurdizm Comics by Clayton Graves
just had more practice at math,” she would tell her students. Making the transition from teaching to administration was a natural step. Braddy realized if she were a department chair or a dean she could influence the educational experiences of other students and have a greater impact. Braddy became president of Brookhaven in 2019. When talking about making decisions about the future, she encouraged women to pay attention to both what excites them and what makes them angry. “I tried to focus on higher education and the inequities that exist there,” Braddy said. “And to help make sure that students get the education they need so they can better themselves.”
Student newspaper earns state awards The Et Cetera was named best newspaper and website among twoyear colleges at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Convention in Ft. Worth on March 26. The newspaper also won best of show. Et Cetera staff won 35 other state awards: 12 first place awards, nine second place awards, seven third
place awards and three honorable mentions. Editor-in-Chief Harriet Ramos won Reporter of the Year and was runner-up for Editor of the Year. Presentation Editor Mattheau Faught won Designer of the Year and the Mike Warms Scholarship for TwoYear Students worth $400.
MARTHA VILLALOBOS/THE ET CETERA
Romanian pianist Catalin Dima plays the piano at Eastfield’s Recital Series on March 30. Dima has performed at Carnegie Hall and other world-renowned venues. He’s currently serves on the music faculty at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
Become a Pioneer
with a degree from Texas Woman’s Join us at First Saturday on our Denton campus Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Come learn about: • Admissions • Financial Aid • Scholarships
Tour the campus — Families welcome!
Register at