Viewpoints Fall Issue No. 2 September 19, 2019 by RCC Viewpoints

“The greatest wealth is to live content with little.” - PLATO

viewpoints

VOL. 97, NO. 2 SEPTEMBER 19,

2019

An Associated Collegiate Press two-time national Pacemaker award-winning newspaper, serving as the voice of the students since 1922.

RCC’s defense held Fullerton College to only seven points, blocking two field goals at Nathan Shapell Stadium on Sept. 14.

VIEWPOINTS | ANGEL PEÑA

Tigers victorious against Hornets STEPHEN PELTZ STAFF REPORTER

Riverside City College’s defense held Fullerton College to just seven points Sept. 14, making big plays on third downs and in the red zone. The special teams of RCC also shined the whole game, blocking two field goals, recovering a botched punt, and coming up big in the punting game. Penalties — 13 from each team — also had a major effect on both teams. “The penalties were really the difference,” said RCC head coach Tom Craft, “They just stalled our offensive production.” Tied 7-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Tigers scored 9 unanswered points to beat Fullerton 16-7, marking their first win against the Hornets since 2014. The game was full of good defensive plays, while the offense was kept to short and medium drives with RCC rushing for a total of forty six times and only passing twenty eight times In continuation of last week, starting quarterback Mike Irwin and backup quarterback Jacob Barlage shared the load of the game getting subbed in and out between quarters and even after only a few drives later in the game. “Because we’re trying to find some continuity. And we’ve got to try and find a guy. We have confidence in both but were going to go with the guy that’s got the hot hand.” Said Tom Craft which makes the quarterback

“It’s all there. We can do whatever we want. Just clean up all the small mistakes ” -- Mike Irwin, quarterback “controversy” RCC has very interesting to watch considering the amount of penalties they’ve had these first two weeks hard to even evaluate the play when they both are destined to not play to their abilities the more the

penalties add up. However, something changed in the fourth quarter with The offense and defense of the Tigers, stepping up big when the moment was needed, getting another blocked field goal in the

fourth quarter and getting the ball back after a botched punt return immediately putting them in scoring position. A few plays later RCC quarterback Jacob Barlage threw a touchdown to wide receiver Tyler Kennedy securing the game with less than two minutes to go. The last few minutes of the fourth quarter are when the Tigers finally came together to secure the 16-7 win gaining them momentum going into next week’s game. “I think we started off kinda slow, something we still need to address. It’s all there we can do whatever we want. Just clean up all the small mistakes” said

starting quarterback Mike Irwin when asked about the beginning of their season, showing how strong and confident the team is in their abilities and themselves but know after this game it’s going to be tough down the road if they leave the issues unresolved.

FOR FIRST GAME COVERAGE, SEE PAGE 5

Statistics Quarterback Mike Irwin passed for 72 yards completing 6-11 passes, while throwing one interception Quarterback Jacob Barlage passed for 41 yards completing 12-17 passes, while throwing one touchdown Wide receiver Tyler Kennedy led the team with 43 receiving yards averaging 8.6 yards per catch, scoring a touchdown late in the game Runningback Elijah Bennet rushed for 22 yards averaging 3.1 yards per attempt Punter Carson Reed punted ten times for 393 yards on the day with his longest being 53 yards RCC special teams recovers a muffed punt against Fullerton college on Sept. 14 VIEWPOINTS | ANGEL PEÑA

September 19, 2019

News

Legal clinic offers clean slate ERIK GALICIA STAFF REPORTER

The wreckage of our pasts can in some cases create unjust barriers that stifle our potential for the future. The Transitioning Minds club of Riverside City College is working to break down those barriers for students who have done their time. The club partnered with UC Riverside’s Underground Scholars Initiative to host a live scan and free legal clinic for anyone seeking to expunge their criminal records at the Empire Law Office in Riverside Sept. 7. The free and low-cost services offered come as a useful resource for students who may not have thousands of dollars at hand to pay an attorney. “I understand there are consequences for the things I have done,” RCC student Jonathan Pointer said. “But I want to be a physical therapist and I can’t get into my career. So I’m trying to get my record expunged and my court fees dropped.” Background checks often discourage people from advancing their careers and make it difficult for some to find any work that pays a living wage. Gwendolyn Hamilton, 65,

attended the event in hopes of expunging her record over a crime she committed when she was 22. “ I w o r k w i t h m o n e y, ” Hamilton said. “I don’t apply for jobs where I could potentially make more money because I know they are gonna require a scan. I paid my restitution and did my community service long ago but they still hold it against me.” I n H a m i l t o n ’s c a s e , background checks have resulted in problems that have unjustly affected others. “Eight years ago, my husband and I were trying to get one of my nephew’s sons out of foster care,” Hamilton said. “They scanned me and we were not able to get him out of foster care because of something that happened when I was very young.” Transitioning Minds was created by Michael Saavedra in 2018 to provide a welcoming space for formerly incarcerated students and those affected by mass incarceration. “The goal is to create a pathway for students to universities with like-minded programs,” Saavedra said. “We want to create funding for our students to have money for books, create more scholarships, and a mentorship program to guide students.” Saavedra spent over 19 years in prison, 15 of which were spent

in solitary confinement. “In 2012, those of us who were tired of being put into solitary confinement without due process made a peace treaty amongst all factions inside,” Saavedra said. “We had a massive hunger strike to push up against Sacramento.” The California prison hunger strikes that spanned 2012 and 2013 forced lawmakers to hold public hearings on the conditions in the state’s maximum security prisons. A lawsuit filed by inmates against the state was settled in 2015, resulting in the end of indeterminate solitary confinement in California. Earlier this year, the state found that California prisons continue to commit constitutional violations and ordered the extension of monitoring. Saavedra was able to start taking courses while incarcerated due to the achievement of the movement and enrolled at RCC after his release in 2017. Finding it difficult to relate to others and feeling out of place, he reached out to the Underground Scholars in the UC system for help to create Transitioning Minds and encourage higher education. According to Rosana Gomez, Transitioning Minds president, RCC has not been as supportive of the club as they would like. “Instead of being supportive

of us providing these free events and attracting people to the school, we’ve received push back from RCC,” Gomez said. Gomez alleges that RCC did not charge the club any fees for their spring semester event, which was held on campus. She claims that the college would be charging them $5 per person in addition to janitorial fees had the Sept. 7 event been held on campus. Gomez believes this “push back” stems from RCC possibly not viewing the club’s target demographic as the college’s ideal face. Still, Transitioning Minds emphasizes college education and university transfers at its events. Terance Stewart, statewide director of the Time Done Campaign, spoke on his experience as a former inmate that eventually found himself at a university campus. The Time Done Campaign is an organization that works to educate the public on the barriers faced by people with past convictions. “I had never planned on going to college, so I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” Stewart said. “They told me, ‘Why don’t you transfer to a four-year university?’ So I transferred to UCR from Compton College.” Stewart also promoted empowerment through education

as the key for overcoming the effects of mass incarceration. “The system of mass incarceration, they’re massive homie,” Stewart said. “If you wait around thinking they want us to be free, you’re gonna be waiting for a long time. We have to set ourselves free.” RCC sociology major Mike Ortega comes from a similar background. With 10 years of recovery from substance abuse, he is now employed at a treatment facility and is also working toward transferring to UC Riverside. “School wasn’t for me either,” Ortega said. “However, there are so many resources in college that I didn’t know of. I was working a dead end job and at my age, there’s no way I could have maintained hard labor much longer. I tell the at-risk youth I work with all the time, education is the key. Anyone can swing a hammer.” Saavedra stresses the need for people of color especially to seek academic success in order to break the system’s chains. “There are so many forprofit vocational schools out there that target people of color,” Saavedra said. “They’re trying to pigeonhole us. It’s important for people of color to get educated and help out our communities. If we want to make change, we have to infiltrate the system.”

Non-profit seeks to destigmatize drug addiction ERIK GALICIA STAFF REPORTER

In 1999, the Centers for Disease Control recorded 16,849 overdose deaths in the United States. Rising almost every year since, that number reached 70,237 in 2017, marking a more than 400% increase over a period of 18 years. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that the synthetic opioid fentanyl, sometimes used as a cutting agent for several other street drugs, passed prescription opioids as the leading cause of overdose deaths in 2016. A study entitled National Vital Statistics Reports found that overdose deaths involving methamphetamine, a substance not traditionally considered an overdose drug, more than tripled from 2011 to 2016. “Death from overdose is preventable if someone who knows what to do is around,” said Noah Geraci, an Inland Empire Harm Reduction volunteer. “It’s more likely for someone to overdose when they’re alone, which is why we need to destigmatize addiction. We also teach people to spot signs of overdose and how to perform rescue breathing.” IEHR is a non-profit organization that works to improve the health and wellbeing of people affected by drug

use in the Inland Empire. addicts, stressing that our society problems that can be avoided The group hosted a memorial should “stop thinking of them as with just a little piece of metal and overdose education event disposable.” and plastic that literally costs a at the Riverside Public Library “Instead of using all our few cents.” on International Overdose resources to stop people from Riverside City College Awareness Day on Aug. 31. using, we should use them to student Janet Abzakh, a new IEHR The outreach event included help people recover,” Cabral said. volunteer, criticized Riverside’s photos and mementos of overdose “My last time at the riverbottom, handling of homelessness. victims, information on various I met a married couple that “Riverside is very ashamed drugs and the administration got kicked out of rehab two of its homelessness problem,” of Naloxone, a medication that weeks before graduation because Abzakh said. “They try to sweep can counter the effects of opioid the rehab found out they were it under the rug, keep it out of overdose in emergency situations. married.” sight.” “There are numbers out of Cabral expressed disbelief as Another RCC student and San Francisco that say 1,400 out to how the system could justify volunteer, Marley Brady, also of 2,000 reversed overdoses were such consequences. outlined a conservative sentiment performed by family and friends,” Proponents of harm reduction toward addiction in Riverside. said volunteer Raphaela Omeara. point to the successes of drug “The state department says “There’s a misconception out decriminalization in Portugal, you have the right exchange there that we are just enabling a country once ravaged by needles,” Brady said. “But people to use drugs. But we did overdoses and HIV related Riverside says no.” not always put babies into car deaths. IEHR regularly works in seats, we didn’t always have Portugal decriminalized the streets and the Jurupa River seat belts, we didn’t always wear drug use in 2001 and shifted its Bottom Park exchanging syringes helmets.” approach on users from discipline and handing out food, water and The volunteers argue that to treatment. The Portuguese hygiene supplies. drug use is part of human nature, government’s Dependency and Patricia Cabral, who so the concept of harm reduction Addictive Behavior Intervention volunteers at the Jurupa River could be considered common Service argues that basing the Bottom Park near Mt. Rubidoux, sense. One of their long term solution in humanism opens spoke on the failures of the health goals is to establish local syringe the door for health and medical care and legal systems. She echoed exchange services to combat the intervention rather than judicial the message of humanization of spread of disease intervention. and prevent A 2017 life-threatening analysis by In the long run, imagine never infections. The New York getting help because of what “The idea Times reported of syringe that Portugal’s everyone else thinks. exchanges was Ministry of born out of the Health estimates AIDS epidemic,” a 75% decrease in -- Michelle Martinez, volunteer Omeara said. heroin use since “ T h e r e ’s s o 2001 and a 45% many healthcare decrease in drug-

related HIV infections from 2000 to 2015. The work of harm reduction organizations has produced legislative results in California. The state passed a budget in June that includes $15.2 million in grants for local health departments and communitybased organizations to support syringe exchange and treatment navigation activities. “Most harm reduction sites run on donations and volunteerwork,” Omeara said. “So the ability to pay a staff member will hopefully increase incentives for people to help.” The state also issued a standing order in July that allows people to administer Naloxone without the supervision of a physician. This has allowed the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies to equip its officers with the overdose antidote. Volunteer Michelle Martinez expressed gratitude for the work of harm reduction organizations. “I have siblings in rehab right now,” Martinez said. “I feel better knowing there are services like these incase my siblings were on the streets.” Martinez hopes to reduce the stigma of addiction so the addict suffering in silence will be more willing to ask for help. “In the long run, imagine never getting help because of what everyone else thinks,” Martinez said. “This is your life. F--- the stigma.”

September 19, 2019

News

Chancellor hosts open forum ERIK GALICIA STAFF REPORTER

Riverside Community College District Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac held an open forum to discuss the 20192024 District Strategic Plan at Riverside City College on Aug. 30. Isaac briefly detailed the district’s plan to tackle student homelessness with a downtown housing facility funded by the city of Riverside. The district’s approach toward student homelessness was described as moving away from dormitories and stigmatized homeless shelters. “The facility will be close to the district office,” Isaac said. “Because it’s a pilot, it will only be about 35 students.” The project is still in its early stages but is planned to be in line with the design of the downtown neighborhoods. It will include its own laundry facilities, cafeteria and counseling center. The Housing Authority of the City of Riverside has announced that the goal for this project is to “keep students who are transitioning out of the foster care program and who are in danger of becoming homeless, housed in a stable situation while they continue their education and receive assistance with employment and permanent housing.” According to FeRita Carter, vice president of Student Services at RCC, recent developments have achieved the inclusion of homeless veterans in the housing plan. Carter reinforced that the city of Riverside, not RCC, is paying for this project. The chancellor spoke on the challenges and instability faced by students who have been through the foster care system and outlined the district’s educational plans for these students. “Our focus will be on high skills that are in high demand or,

GEOVANNY GUZMAN | VIEWPOINTS

Chancellor Wolde-ab Isaac plans to take on student homelessness by building a student housing facility at an open forum on Aug. 30. in the academic line, transfers Cal State systems, they gave them supply chain for logistics in the to four-year universities,” Isaac money to increase their dorms. Inland Empire. said. “We are culminating the “The lobby power for Although plans for the project that will break the cycle community colleges is very near future are bold, Isaac also of homelessness.” weak. I think we are learning expressed the need for caution. The chancellor sarcastically how to be that voice. We are “The future looks positive,” called the state’s funding formula learning how to go to those Isaac said. “The only worry that “student-centered” and criticized groups and fight with legislators I have is that we’ve created an its expectation of community and tell them they cannot treat image bigger than ourselves. colleges to perform at the same community colleges this way.” People think we can do more than level as the Cal State and UC Regardless of the we can. The progress we have systems with a fraction of the obstacles, RCC is looking at shown has impressed a number funding. several promising economic of our colleagues and government According to Isaac, developments. agencies.” community colleges get $8 The district is hoping to add “But on the other hand, our thousand per student from the new programs that would qualify degree of preparedness may not state. Cal States and UCs get students to seek employment be there. We have to start looking $17.7 thousand and $33 thousand with the California Air Resources at our internal strength, have a per student respectfully. Board, which may sponsor career focus and not scatter.” “It is very sad that the state growth for RCC graduates. The chancellor referred to legislature would recommend Isaac also revealed a campus safety as a “top priority” with a bill that our homeless possible partnership with the and stressed the need for the students can use the parking Western Riverside Council of campus community to act lot,” Isaac said in a description Governments that would aim to collectively on such matters. of the biases that state legislators encourage entrepreneurship as “We all must protect our have against community college well as a possible partnership campus,” Isaac said. “If you see students. “When they voted for with Cal State San Bernardino, something, say something. That homeless students in the UC and which is looking to create a will make us safer than having

50 police officers on campus. It doesn’t mean we won’t have some crazy person shooting at us, but it will make it harder.” The purpose of the District Strategic Plan was presented as an attempt to “equalize” the district’s three colleges and to “make sure the budget is divided … equitably.” According to Isaac, the District Strategic Plan is the result of almost two years of work to examine the past five years, understand the present state of the district and set clear and attainable goals for the next five years. Isaac admits the district has been disconnected in the past, but is now aiming for “horizontal alignment between and within the colleges” with an emphasis on student access, success and equity. The district hopes for an overall enrollment growth of 3% per year and a 15% yearly increase in four-year university transfers. The data used by the district expects a slightly higher growth rate for Norco College and Moreno Valley College than it does for RCC. According to the latest draft of the plan, sustainment of that higher growth rate will support additional educational opportunities being offered at the Norco and Moreno Valley campuses. The strategic plan also promotes the Guided Pathways framework. “Previously, students would go after an x number of associate degrees,” said Monique Greene, Guided Pathways coordinator at RCC. “Under Guided Pathways, there is one clear path of 60 units so that students are not holding up seats in classes.” Isaac clarified that this plan is still just the beginning of learning how to plan but expressed optimism for the future. “We’ve looked at our data much more carefully,” Isaac said. “We see a trend, a curve going up. We cannot go backwards.”

Riverside City College receives mental health grant CLARISSA CORRAL STAFF REPORTER

Riverside City College’s Psychological Services Department was granted a sum of $306,000 for the mental health of its students for a total of three years, as a recipient of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act. RCC is among 23 colleges and institutions to receive this grant since December 2018. The grant is piloted by the Suicide Prevention Branch of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The growing and worsening of mental health in college campuses across the country was first adressed by Congress following the suicide of Sen. Gordon H. Smith’s son, Garrett, in September 2003. The Garrett

Lee Smith Memorial Act was enacted in 2004. Students’ struggles with mental health is supported by multiple recent studies as a growing and serious issue. “A lot of people think physical health is more important than mental [health]. Mental health is what’s going to get you through life and through college and make sure you’re living a stable life,” RCC student Kaylee Vicondoa said. According to the American College Health Association, 52.7% of college students feel hopeless or helpless and 39.1% said they felt so depressed it was difficult to function in day to day life. “All the time. Everyday. Everyone is stressed out,” Vicondoa said.

Suicide continues to be the second leading cause of deaths among young adults and college students. The most commonly experienced forms of mental health issues in young adults being anxiety and depression. “I deal with anxiety. Friday I had an anxiety attack, which lasted pretty much the whole day … over how to study for two tests at the same time,” RCC student Sara Holmes said. However, the continual occurrence of sexual assaults on college campuses are also an area of concern as they relate to and may trigger these forms of mental health issues. According to Mental Health America, 1 out of 6 female students and 1 out of 33 male students will be a victim of some sort of sexual assault. Mental health issues will

undoubtedly follow these victims with 94% experiencing PTSD, 33% contemplating suicide and 13% will attempt suicide. Another factor among college students is feeling overwhelmed by both coursework and dealing with multiple exams in their class schedules. “[Students] don’t know what to do with themselves. Their mental health is not their priority. Their priority because of their classes is - let me do my homework. They don’t think - is this affecting my mental health?” RCC student Malia Carmona said. RCC student Sara Holmes says students may not seek assistance from the college’s psychological services because students would have to make an appointment instead of being able to walk in.

“Many people don’t know where to go or what is involved in seeking help. How do they help you?” RCC student Britany Bello said. Being too embarrassed and wanting to maintain anonimity while seeking out help with mental health was also a theme with many students. “I think they don’t want anyone to know they’re struggling, so they’d rather keep it to themselves,” RCC student Malia Carmona said. “They should promote [psychological services]. I know professors put it in their syllabus, but some just brush it off,” Bello said. After multiple attempts, Renee Martin-Thornton, director of Student Health and Psychological Services, could not be reached for comment.

September 19, 2019

News

Three announce candidacies

Two-term Mayor Rusty Bailey says he won’t seek reelection, opens door for new blood Patricia Lock Dawson Patricia Lock Dawson, a Riverside Unified School District board member since 2011, announced Sept. 4, that she’s running for mayor. “I ran for the Board of Education because I know great schools are the foundation for a great, thriving community,” she said in a statement.“I dealt with the larger issues in our city of homelessness, joblessness, hunger, and I needed to work to make sure we built bridges to succeed. I’m looking forward to taking the work I already do and building on the wonderful things Rusty has already put in place and (former Mayor) Ron Loveridge put in place.” Lock Dawson, 54, is past chairwoman of the Riverside Planning Commission and a gubernatorial appointee to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICIA LOCK DAWSON

In addition to the Riverside Unified School District board, she serves on several others, including those of the Riverside Art Museum, Rivers & Lands Conservancy and UC Riverside Alumni Board.

She said her priorities include homeless issue, balancing the city’s budget, keeping streets clean and making parks clean and accessible. “The issues facing Riversiders will require a collaborative approach that puts our families, neighborhoods and quality of life first. I am proud of the local support I’ve received from Mayor Rusty Bailey and others who have come out early in support of my candidacy,” Lock Dawson said on her Facebook page. “I am looking forward to the road ahead and to continuing to serve all of our communities and region.” Lock Dawson has the endorsement of Mayor Rusty Bailey, who declared Sept. 3 that he wouldn’t run for reelection in March 2020. “Patricia is a longtime champion for our youth, small business owners and working men and women,”

Bailey said in a press release. “As Mayor, Patricia will be a commonsense leader focused on improving the quality of life and expanding economic opportunity for all who call Riverside home. I know Patricia’s integrity, collaborative spirit and thoughtfulness will serve her well as our next Mayor.”

“I ran for the Board of Education because I know great schools are the foundation for a great, thriving community.” - Patricia Lock Dawson

Andy Melendrez

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDY MELENDREZ

“I’m running for Mayor to protect Riverside’s unique quality of life and make city government more responsive and transparent.” - Andy Melendrez

John Dave Denilofs John Dave Denilofs, who ran unsuccessfully for Riverside City Council after making multiple racist social media posts, announced Sept. 4 that he will run for mayor. Denilofs, 53, said he made his decision before Mayor Rusty Bailey announced Sept. 3 that he wouldn’t run for a third term in 2020. According to The PressEnterprise, the retired taxi driver said that, if elected, he would like the city to sell marijuana at the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art, Culture & Industry and would build a plaque to mark the fact that Enrique Marquez Jr., who pleaded guilty to supplying the weapons used in the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack but now wants to withdraw that plea, is from Riverside. “It’s nothing to be proud of, but we should make it a tourist thing, a little monument to the people in San Bernardino, to say we’re Riverside and we’re sorry

for our mistakes,” Denilofs said to The Press-Enterprise. He also said he wants to give homeless people the option of moving to Martha McLean/Anza Narrows Park, which is along the Santa Ana River, or having their cars towed if they refuse and there’s a legal reason to tow the car. In videos and recorded phone calls leading up to the 2016 presidential election, Denilofs argued that anyone who waves a Mexican flag in the United States should be killed, as should Muslims and “the people who made laws where it’s safe for Muslims.” He said he didn’t believe the statements he made, intending them to drive engagement on Facebook pages he ran. However, he has never apologized for the statements. “We need somebody for mayor who’s been accused of being racist when everybody knows I’m not racist,” he said.

Andy Melendrez, who’s served on the Riverside City Council since 2006, announced Sept. 3 that he will run for mayor. The announcement came within hours of Mayor Rusty Bailey releasing a statement that he will not run for a third term. “I’m running for Mayor to protect Riverside’s unique quality of life and make city government more responsive and transparent,” Melendrez said in a press release. “I believe that my experiences as a city councilmember and longtime local business owner give me a unique set of perspectives, and I am ready to take on the big problems – such as the homelessness crisis – that our city is facing. I am excited to announce my candidacy, and I am looking forward to the

Denilofs said that, unlike his campaign for Riverside City Council, he plans to seek out donations from voters. “Unlike my run for City Council where I did not pursue contributions, I hope that you will contact me in funding my campaign. I also need volunteers to help a candidate that has no political affiliation,” Denilofs said on his Facebook page. “My immediate bosses will be the People of Riverside once I am Mayor. If you ever felt alone and no one listens to you, I am your candidate.” In another post, Denilofs said that those who have opposed him are “either bipolar, has a DUI conviction, felony conviction, drug addicts or social media bullies that I have exposed in my five years as the most investigative Facebook Creator so far in Riverside County.” Denilofs finished fourth in the June race for Ward 7 with slightly more than 5% of the vote.

campaign ahead.” Melendrez, 66, was elected to represent Ward 2 on the Riverside City Council in 2006 and subsequently re-elected in 2009, 2013 and 2017. If elected in March 2020, Melendrez would be the first Latino or person of color to serve as mayor in the city’s 135-year history, he said. Melendrez ran for mayor in 2012, finishing fourth in a crowded field the year that long-time mayor Ron Loveridge retired. Bailey advanced to the run-off and won his first of two terms. “I have a broader understanding of not only the city but of governance,” Melendrez said of the difference between his campaign in 2012 and today in an interview with The PressEnterprise. “Operating a city is

very different from anything else … I’ve learned from two mayors, council members and community members.” Malendrez said he of his top priorities will be homelessness. He said his approach will include affordable housing, services for the homeless and partnerships with property owners. Melendrez announced Sept. 10 that he had been endorsed by Rep. Mark Takano, Assemblymembers Sabrina Cervantes and Jose Medina. “I’m supporting Andy Melendrez for Mayor because he is an effective advocate for safe neighborhoods, expanded youth programs and economic policies that uplift working-class families,” Cervantes said. “Andy works hard and he’s not afraid to stand up and fight for what he believes in.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN DAVE DENILOFS

“It’s nothing to be proud of, but we should make it a tourist thing, a little monument to the people in San Bernardino, to say we’re Riverside and we’re sorry for our mistakes.” - John Dave Denilofs STORIES BY SAMANTHA BARTHOLOMEW NEWS EDITOR

SPORTS

September 19, 2019

“Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it’s so incredible, it’s unbelievable,”

- TOM LANDRY Viewpoints | Angel Pena and Yesenia Huby Clockwise from left: Wide receiver Tyler Kennedy runs past defenders at Wheelock Stadium on Sept. 7 for a RCC touchdown RCC running back Jaylen Young runs through the El Camino defense at Wheelock Stadium on Sept. 7 Giovanni Sanders makes a leaping catch in the endzone scoring a touchdown for the RCC Tigers at Wheelock stadium on Sept. 7 Giovanni Sanders makes a catch for a go ahead tiger score at Wheelock Stadium on Sept. 7.

Tigers Dominate

iverside City College kicked off their season against El Camino college on Sept. 7. The Tigers defense was on full display in the first half against the Warriors, making a pick six on the first drive of the game. Leaving the Tigers with a seven point lead to start the game. The Tigers offense was led by sophomore quarterback Mike Irwin and freshman quarterback Jacob Barlage. Both quarterbacks shared playing time during the game, alternating every quarter. Irwin scoring the most touchdowns and passing for the most yards out of the quarterback tandem with four touchdowns and 233 yards through the air.

Wide receiver duo Tyler Kennedy and Reggie Retzlaf aided Irwin in the passing game catching a total of 136 yards and a touchdown. While the Tigers passing offense firing on all cylinders, RCC’s running back Thomas Kinslow was held to only 27 yards and no touchdowns during the game against El Camino. Riverside put up 55 combined points against the El camino defense with scoring coming from both sides of the ball. The Tiger defense is led by freshman defensive lineman James Harden. Harden led the team in 9 total tackles with 4 solo tackles and 5 assists.

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September 19, 2019 Tell

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IMAGE COURTESY OF CANSTOCKPHOTOS

RCC parking crisis gets worse

Parking structure unfit to accomodate students

SILDA MARTINEZ STAFF REPORTER

“I’m going to be late for class again!” How many times a week do you constantly struggle with this? Too many to count right? The reason so many students are late to classes, especially in the morning, is because of RCC’s parking problem. Yes, I dare to call it a problem because that’s exactly what it is; a problem for hundreds of students on campus. As an RCC student,the reality of bad parking is nothing new. To Begin with the parking lots are small. The new kane building parking lot has a total

of 288 spots with 126 of those parking spots reserved for faculty and disables spots. That leaves 162 spots for students. The parking structure located right in front of the campus on Magnolia Ave. gets full within the first class hours and remains full until the end of the day. The inconveniences of the parking lots and structures cause students to have to park somewhere else further from campus. Students go as far as parking down the block near Grant Elementary School, which makes being late for class inevitable. The possibility of getting tickets also comes along with parking on campus. RCC’s parking enforcement gives a $60 fine for parking in the structure for not having a parking pass as soon as the first day after the two weeks of grace period. What’s the point of paying for a $60 parking permit if you’re not even guaranteed a spot? Instead, you are guaranteed a nightmare to deal with and possibly a citation. Of course, we need more

parking lots made! There are about 20,604 students enrolled at RCC; We clearly need more parking lots with more available spaces for all the students that pay for their permit. Setting up a system for the parking permits can make such a difference to help this problem. For example, assigning students their own designated parking space when they buy a parking permit. Most California State Universities use a system similar

to this one. Their students love it and have no complaints about the parking at their school. For example, San Jose State University uses virtual parking permits giving the students their designated parking area without requiring them to display a physical parking permit, making it easier for students. If San Jose holds 32,773 students and RCC holds 20,604 students, plus rcc being a smaller campus, there should be no problem incorporating a smoother system like San Jose’s

What’s the point of paying for a $60 parking permit if you’re not even guaranteed a spot? Instead, you are guaranteed a nightmare to deal with and possibly a citation.

at RCC. RCC tries to help students with parking by giving brief suggestions such as ariving 20 min before class begins to search for a spot and making sure students know the parking rules before arriving on campus. Whatever they may suggest, it’s still not enough. Students already have enough on their shoulders with the stress of classes. They don’t need more stress added on regarding parking; having to deal with the arduous process of looking for parking and being worried about possibly getting a citation. RCC students have had enough. It’s not fair for those students who spend their money on parking permits and dont get real benefits from it. It’s time RCC does something to fix the problem and help their students. RCC can help make the life of a college student easier while making RCC campus better. Essentially getting the best of both worlds.

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September 19, 2019

College safety is ineffective

Editorial

RCC must stop neglecting campus safety policies

ILLUSTRATION BY MELISSA MILLS

Safety is preached by schools all over the country, however each classroom has a different way of handling an active shooter situation. Leaving students with having to remember different procedures amidst chaos. Most schools send out a mass text letting students know that that is an imminent threat or a lockdown. However, these text messages may not be enough. At Riverside City College the procedures for students to follow during an active shooter situation are not clear, nor are they talked about enough. RCC’s way of maintaining a safe environment on campus is telling students to sign up for “Rave Alert” and “Rave Guardian” these services come in the form of a mass text message in case a threat emerges and an app that allows students to call 911 from it. However, last time RCC had a potential shooter, many students received the text message after the

situation was dealt with. To go along with this service RCC installed emergency phones that will put you in contact with campus police. Campus police should be aware of an active shooter without being informed from an outside source. When in class, students are told to use the “Lock Block” if ever in a lock down and to proceed to the predetermined evacuation area for their classroom. Other than this, teachers and students are forced to create their own safety procedures for these types of situations. “Make a plan with your family, and ensure everyone knows what they would do if confronted with an active shooter,” the Department of Homeland Security said. These procedures can vary greatly from classroom to classroom depending on its location on campus. RCC needs a uniform and consistent safety procedure that every staff member

and student can follow during these scenarios. A quick search on RCC’s website reveals the lack of active shooter safety information. Buried in the many tabs and menus is an announcement of an active shooter seminar being held on campus on Feb. 18. Although this seminar is helpful for those who find the article and attend the event, it is useless for the majority of students that will never hear about it. We the, Viewpoints Editorial Board, believe that faculty should be subject to a mandatory active shooter training course. This would help our campus overcome one of these scenarios, if one should ever arise. Students should stop living with a constant worry that a domestic terrorist is going to open fire on campus. Improving our safety procedures to a uniform way of doing things during an active shooter scenario would greatly reduce the chances of students being caught in the crossfire.

Viewpoints’ editorials represent the majority opinion of and are written by the Viewpoints’ student editorial board.

LETTERS

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