Viewpoints vol. 103 no. 1 Sept. 26, 2024

RIVERSIDE CITY COLLEGE

Solar project complicates parking

The $35 million solar panel project at Riverside City College is projected to have a positive long term impact while proving to have a negative short term impact.

Parking has been difficult throughout the first weeks of school. But the new solar canopies will create a more sustainably powered campus and additional electric vehicle chargers.

“It’s a nightmare,” welding technology student Trenten Perkins says of trying to find parking this semester at RCC.

According to the RCC’s website, the solar canopies over parking Lot C will have the capacity to provide about 859 kilowatt-hour of solar energy while parking Lot E can provide over 1161 kW of solar energy. The project will also provide 30 dual or 60 electric vehicle charging units.

The Solar Project began construction at the end of spring semester.

Lot E, the large lower parking lot between the Tech Buildings and City College Drive will be completed in sections. These sections will be fenced off one by one as the solar panel carports

are completed. Parking Lot E is a major source of parking for students, so when approximately a quarter of the parking is unavailable the shortage carries a significant impact.

Lot C the upper parking lot between the Quadrangle and City College Drive is available again.

Lot E, however, is projected to be under construction until Oct. 18.

Parking options outside of the impacted lot include the current multi-level parking structure with 1,194 spaces available, lot Q with 134 spaces available and parking lot U with 171 spaces available. However, it’s important to note that in the 2022-2023 school year alone, Riverside City College boasted 15,792 full-time enrolled students.

RCC acknowledged the solar project would cause an inconvenience to students in an email sent out to students along with a notice on its website.

“It’s either waste a bunch of gas, get late to your class, or get here really early and I feel bad for people who have classes later in the day.” Perkins said.

Whether or not students at RCC struggle to find a spot to park, they are still expected to pay $30 for a fall parking permit.

“What’s the point of even having it,” Perkins asks. “One time it took an hour and 30

minutes just to find something.”

Some say the parking seems worse this semester.

“Last year the parking lots were kind of full but you could always find something,” Celeste Wong, a third year student, said.

“With them doing the solar project, that took up the biggest portion of the parking so that made it so much worse,” she said. “I feel like they could have had it done before class started or at least provided some other parking places.”

According to one of RCC’s Parking Enforcement officers who asked not to be named, students have tried to get creative while trying to find parking this fall.

“By far, in my personal opinion, this is the worst,” they said. “I’ve seen students try to be creative. I’ve seen students and have ticketed students parking in handicap with no placard, red curbs, and making stalls that don’t exist. They’ll go in the green for 30 minutes and then be there for two hours.”

While the officer doesn’t take it lightly when students park illegally in spots for people with disabilities, they are empathetic to students who are desperate to find a spot as they try to make their classes on time.

“Students need to get to class.

Wildfires burn through Southern California

That’s how they get their grades, their education, their degrees,” the officer said. “The handicap stall, everyone knows you can’t do that without a placard or blocking a disabled stall. Those, I’m like, there’s no excuse.” Both students and staff are appreciating the shade provided by the solar panels popping up around campus.

“Students aren’t allowed to park in staff parking, but staff are allowed to park in students’,” the Parking officer said. “I find that unfair because the solar panels are in the shade so now staff are taking up student stalls. Students have to struggle to find parking so they’ll end up parking in staff, which gets them a citation.”

The Solar Project will provide an energy offset of 27% for Riverside campus, and a 52% offset districtwide.

The school has asked for students’ understanding and patience and patience with the difficulties parking as the project is underway.

Despite the temporary “nightmare” parking situation on campus, Perkins is optimistic about the end goal of this project.

“I’m a huge supporter of solar panels,” he says. “I think it’s important that we find alternatives to get energy. In the long run, it’s good.”

Now that the summer of 2024 has come to a close, the wildfires that have struck multiple areas of Southern California are still active.

The four biggest fires, the Park Fire, the Bridge Fire, the Line Fire and the Airport Fire have caused the utmost damage to communities that have an estimated total of 113,000 acres of land burned. The Bridge Fire has caused the most damage to the surrounding areas of several Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

Many communities in Orange County, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Bernardino County and regions of Big Bear have already evacuated as we plan to put a hold on the southern California summer heat and look for cooler temperatures in the upcoming weeks.

According to data provided by CalFire at https://www.fire.ca.gov/ incidents, the Park Fire currently at 99% containment and has burned through almost 430,000 acres, with the Bridge Fire currently at 59% containment and has burned through 54,795 acres, the Line Fire at 53% containment and reached 39,232 acres and the Airport fire at 51% containment and has reached a total of 23,519 acres. Thus far, as the fires still remain active, the cause for them still stands unclear, however, a suspect was detained for the suspicion of starting the Line Fire.

See NEWS on Page 6

Anna Schwabe | VIEWPOINTS

Solar panels line, Lot C at Riverside City College on Sept. 11.

CARMELITA WHYTE NEWS REPORTER

ANNA SCHWABE LIFE REPORTER

Jennifer Cardona-Leon | VIEWPOINTS

NEWS BRIEFS

Homecoming Homecoming week will kick off on Sept. 30 with a scavenger hunt from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Activities will run throughout the week, with free trail mix and root beer floats on Oct. 1, free mechanical bull rides and games on Oct. 2, a pep rally on Oct. 3 and free food and drinks at the Oct. 4 volleyball game. Before the football game on Oct. 5, there will be a tailgate from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the practice field. The homecoming game will be at 1 p.m. at Wheelock Stadium against Mt. San Jacinto.

Hispanic Heritage Month

RCC will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through Oct. 15 with different events and activities. In the digital library, there will be a Latinx culture and history display up until Oct. 15. Other activities being held include State assemblyman Jose Medina speaking on Latino advocacy on Oct. 3, a Latinx mixer on Oct. 14 and a Latino book fair on Oct. 19.

RCC Music Festival

RCC’s concert ensembles will be performing at the RCC Coil School of the Arts on Oct. 9, 13 and 14. The RCC Symphonic Winds concert will perform on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. and will be accompanied by the Pacific Brass Ensemble. The RCC Wind Ensemble will take the stage on Oct. 13 at 4 p.m. accompanied by the Roosevelt High School Wind Ensemble. RCC’s jazz ensembles will perform on Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. It will feature the Jazz Orchestra directed by Charlie Richard, the Jazz Lab Band directed by Jeff Benedict and Monday Evening Jazz led by Kevin Mayse and Charlie Richard.

Broadway @ RCC Presents

Josh Grisetti

On Sept. 29, actor, director and author Josh Grisetti will perform with RCC musical theater students at the Landis Center for performing arts. The event will feature musical theater students in solos, duets and group numbers.

2024 Ceramics Invitational

Opening Reception

RCC’s Quad Art Gallery will present the 2024 Ceramics Invitational on Oct. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will feature “the finest ceramic artists in the region” including renown artists such as Alison Ragguette, Patsy Cox, Russell Wrankle, Juan Barroso and Jose Flores Nava.

All of these dates are subject to change.

If you have events happening on campus that you want featured, send information about the event to viewpoints@rcc.edu.

College lacks printing options for students and staff

SOPHIA CASTRO MULTIMEDIA REPORTER

The Salvatore G. Rotella Digital Library and Learning Resource Center, also known as the Riverside City College library, is advertised as the main center for printing on campus. Students with an assignment or anything that may need to be printed are often referred to the library, but recently the RCC library has encountered an issue.

At the start of the fall semester, students quickly discovered the library’s inability to print, with Shannon Hammock, RCC’s Library Technical Services

Librarian chair saying that “the library previously had a longstanding contract with Advanced Copy Systems (ACS), which provided paid printing services through coin-operated machines.”

“Unfortunately, ACS phased out both the coin machines and their printing services in Spring 2023,” Hammock added. During the 2023-2024 school year, the library offered free printing, but would no longer be able to with the phasing out of machines.

“There were some things that were beyond our control,” Hammock said.

Due to the library’s inability to print, students at RCC such as Santiago Flores, a second-year Math and Science major, have been struggling in class to turn in assignments.

“It has just been very inconvenient,” Santiago expressed. “I would use the

printers in the library to print out my lab for chemistry or my English paper, things I need in order to succeed in my classes. Without the library, I don’t know where else to go for printing.”

Students around campus have been encouraged to visit their engagement centers for printing. A big help to this printing crisis has been the Language Humanities, and Social Science (LHSS) Engagement Center. LHSS Educational Advisor Douglass Johnson said that the library’s inability to print has affected LHSS in a plethora of ways.

“The lack of printing at the

library has significantly impacted the LHSS Engagement Center, leading to a surge in traffic to our center and an exponential increase in the demand for printing,” Douglass said.

Douglass asserts though there has been much traffic, it has given the staff of LHSS the ability to engage with and support more students by offering them other resources and services, much more than printing.

“We are using this as a marketing opportunity for the LHSS Engagement Center, showcasing the positive impact of our services and programs, and

the fact that we have counseling hours available Monday through Friday.”

In response to the printing crisis, the library has been actively working towards a solution. Hammock said that the library has found a solution and are now waiting for the college and district to respond.

“Wepa has been chosen as the new printing vendor, and we are currently waiting for the budget approval process at both the college and district levels to be completed before the equipment can arrive for students to use,” Hammock said.

RCC looks toward a brighter future

LENNON RUEHLE NEWS REPORTER

Riverside Community College District (RCCD) looks toward the future in the Board of Trustees meeting. With the previous five year plan (2021-2025) coming to a close, RCCD hopes for a bright future in the coming years.

“We want to add into it (five year plan) aspects of efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability.”

Wolde-Ab Isaac, RCCD Chancellor on the next five year plan.

Chancellor Isaac will meet with the superintendents of surrounding school districts, as well as presidents of nearby colleges to develop strategies for getting more students out of high school into college.

RCCD is also working with Mt San Jacinto Community College in establishing a government relations unit, coinciding with RCCD’s goal to support and develop college education.

The Norco College Senate presented its experiential collaborative art project. The project focuses on allowing students to engage in co-curricular and cross campus projects that would emulate a typical workplace.

Megan Lindeman, Associate Art Professor said, “This (project) mirrored the collaboration and exchanges that take place within the work of professional artists.”

The project allows students at Norco College to collaborate across campuses and take on more ambitious projects. The project is supported by California State University, San Bernardino via the Title V grant.

Norco College is also developing a comic book to help students develop information literacy. Cheryl Cox, assistant professor of library services at Norco College views the comic book as a way to teach students how to find trustworthy sources of information. Misinformation and disinformation was identified as a global risk in the coming years in the 2024 Global Risks Report.

Chancellor Isaac met with student leadership from Norco College and Moreno Valley College as well as faculty to discuss ways to increase student voting at the colleges. Student leadership from Riverside City College (RCC) was absent during this meeting.

“We had representatives from student leadership to discuss the role they can play in raising awareness and cultivating a culture of voting on our campuses as a part of our civic duty,” Chancellor Isaac said.

RCCD’s 2026-2030 construction plan was approved at the meeting. The construction plans focus on revamping RCCD’s colleges to become more efficient

LENNON RUEHLE

New 5-year plan holds ambitious goals for RCC.

and effective for its students. New classrooms and labs are being added to each college to meet the needs of an increasing student enrollment. RCC’s tech buildings are going to be torn down and rebuilt to utilize space more effectively, as well as adding new technology that will help student success.

The Board of Trustees recognized the economic hardships that many people living in the Inland Empire are facing and will set its sights on developing an environment where students from

all backgrounds can excel. The percentage of Californians living in poverty increased from 11.7% in 2021 to 13.2% in 2023, the percentage of Californians who were poor or near poor increased from 2021 to 2023 as well.

Undergraduate enrollment across the United States has been steadily declining since 2010. With RCCD’s updated facilities and commitment to putting education first, students and faculty can look towards a bright future in education.

SOPHIA CASTRO | VIEWPOINTS

LHSS Engagement Center opens its doors to students to provide limited printing options.

| VIEWPOINTS

RCC holds grand opening for new building

President Claire Oliveros, Philip Falcone, the Ward 1 councilman on the Riverside City Council..

Riverside City College held a grand opening for its new Business and Law Computer Information Systems Building on Aug. 29. This comes after almost two decades of planning, alongside the building being out of service by RCC for over a decade.

The grand opening was introduced by Kristine Di Memmo, vice president of Business Services, and featured speeches given by RCCD Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac alongside prominent school and city officials such as RCC

In her grand opening speech, Dr. Claire Oliveros, president of Riverside City College, stated that the building is “a magnificent milestone and place of empowerment.”

The building was originally constructed in the mid-60s and served as the home for Physical and Life Science filled with laboratories, classrooms and faculty offices. Its reconstruction and purpose comes with a stateof-the-art courtroom classroom, a functioning Network Operations Center and a simulation lab. The

new facilities allow students to take control of their education and allow them to excel in new ways. Students with a focus on Computer Science now have access to open labs where they can gain greater technical skills with hands-on learning. The functioning Network Operations Center simulates the environment of a professional security analyst. The simulation lab has technology that puts students at the forefront of innovation with VR, AI and machine learning. In addition to the new technology, a student lounge and multipurpose room gives students a new space to spend time and relax before they

have to go to class.

“It’s pretty exciting to see it finished (as) it has been in construction since I got here and my programming teacher hyped it up because that’s where our new classroom is,” Jesse Valdovinos, mechanical engineering major, said. The reconstruction had a budget of $38.2 million. The final construction cost was $29.4 million. The project received money from the state, measure C, and other local resources. Nine different groups were involved in the project, with each playing a different role in making RCC’s vision a reality.

“This building is a testament

to (the) commitment and vision of so many (people),” Oliveros said Along with new state-ofthe-art facilities for the students, the aim for the building is to get a gold certification ranking for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design. LEED gold certification is a certification that shows a building has sustainable design and operation. This coincides with RCCD’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan which aims to lower its carbon footprint. In order to achieve this goal, solar panels are being added to the parking lot to add sustainable and reusable energy to RCC’s ecosystem.

LENNON RUEHLE NEWS REPORTER

LYONNIE-ROSE CABREROS| VIEWPOINTS ( Above ) Janet Lehr, chair of the Computer Information System department (front left), cuts ribbon with Laneisha Judon, Chair of the Business and Law department (front right), as they welcome the new BLCIS Building.

(Left) Councilmember Philip Falcone gives a speech to the participants of the grand opening ceremony on Aug. 29 at Riverside City College.

Workers continue construction on the RCC and UCR housing on Sept. 25 at UCR.

RCC offers student housing at UCR

NATALIE STRAIN MANAGING EDITOR

Riverside City College announces a new housing initiative that will open its doors for RCC and University of California, Riverside (UCR) students in August 2025.

According to RCC and UCR Housing Initiative - Riverside, the school is partnering with UCR to build two residential apartment structures on the UCR campus. Construction is already underway and will be funded by $126 million in

state money that was awarded in July 2023 to both Riverside Community College District and UCR.

In a mass email sent by RCC Student Info, this new structure will provide facilities including study and engagement rooms, a gym, a convenience store as well as access to other facilities at UCR, including the library and dining centers. The apartments will be able to house up to four students in a two bedroom space.

Students interested in this initiative are able to fill out

a Google form to provide information RCC can use to create an effective plan for development. Students

are asked to document their current housing status as well as to describe their current academic standing. The form asks the student a variety of questions, such as if they will be transferring to a four-year university, if they plan on transferring to UCR, if they will be registered in 12 units or more and if the student is able to afford a monthly rental fee of up to $1,000. The rental fee will include utilities and furniture. Students can fill out the survey using the following link: https://bit.ly/3XUFhSo

RCCD schools rank in top 100 community colleges

LOUIS TOZSER

NEWS EDITOR

The state of California holds six of the top 20 community colleges in the United States, according to a ranking done by Wallethub, a finance advice company earlier this month.

“The magic of community colleges is that they can be a gateway to so many opportunities, [as f]or some students, they provide local access to certificates and training in trades and technical career[s]. For others, they provide lower-cost entry points to four-year degrees and beyond”. said Professor Jenniffer L. Steele of American University.

That study revealed that all three schools in the Riverside Community College District (RCCD) made the top hundred on the list of best community colleges throughout the nation and top 20 for the state of California, those being Riverside City College (RCC), Norco College (Norco), and Moreno Valley College (MVC).

On both a statewide and

Photograph of the west entrance of the A.G. Paul

City College

national scale, Wallethub ranked the schools by three demographics, those being cost and financing (which includes things such as tuition, faculty salary, and availability of student employment), Education Outcomes (which includes factors such as graduation rates, student

to faculty ratio & transfer rates) and Career outcomes (student loan default rate, median salary after graduating, and average income after graduating)

On a nationwide scale, MVC was the highest ranking of the three RCCD schools as it came in 12th in the nation, receiving

a total score of 66.48 out of 100 and receiving a ranking of 73/653 for cost and financing, 303/653 in terms of education outcomes, and tying with Norco, Guttman Community College in New York City, NY and Columbia Gorge Community College in Northwestern Oregon for first

out of 651 schools in Career outcomes.

Norco would rank second highest for RCCD, coming in 28th in the nation, receiving a total score of 65.35, with a ranking of 118th for cost and financing, 301st in terms of education outcomes, and tying with MVC. RCC, however, would rank last for RCCD nationwide, as it would come in 75th in the nation, receiving a total score of 63.16, receiving a ranking of 61st for cost and financing, 303/653 in terms of education outcomes, and 316th for career outcomes.

In terms of statewide, the three RCCD colleges would do better as Wallethub would simplify the process for California’s schools and combine the three factors into one simple score ranked out of 100 and rank based on these scales. MVC would still rank the highest for RCCD and the state, coming in third in the state of California, receiving a total score of 66.48. Norco would come in seventh, with a total score of 65.35 and RCC would come in 16th with a total score of 63.16.

ANNA SCHWABE | VIEWPOINTS

Quadrangle taken on August 28 at Riverside

LOUIS TOZSER | VIEWPOINTS

PHOTO COURTESY OF JACQUELINE NORMAN

UCR architect generates image of what the housing project will potentially look like.

Club aims to help students with children

IZABELLA DE LA ROSA MULTIMEDIA ASSISTANT EDITOR

A Riverside City College club says it’s setting up students for success by providing resources that cater to their needs as students with children.

“Being a parent while attaining a higher education was challenging and when I came to Riverside,” Advisor Araceli Calderón said. “I realized that there was no support for parenting students.” Inspired by her own experience Calderón started the club with CalWORKS counselor, Anne Lenox, in 2021.

The Student Parent Club is led by President Maryelese Valencia and Vice President Miriam Muhammad. Both Valencia and Muhammad actively use the resources provided through RCC. “The tools I utilize most are the book and supplies vouchers, the meal vouchers, meetings with counselors, the mental health workshops and the library,” Muhammad said.

The Salvatore G. Rotella

Digital Library hosts a variety of resources for students with children. The Mamava, a breastfeeding pod, can be used by students and faculty to keep breastfeeding on the go and as private and comfortable as possible.

The library also has physical and academic materials to keep children busy while parents study. Education Opportunity Program (EOP) and Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) services are also available to students with children. These services provide gas and grocery cards, parking permits and financial aid for student fees.

California law gives students with children priority registration. Even with priority registration parents can find attending college difficult.

Muhammad has been a member for two and a half years. “My biggest challenge as a student parent is the fact that I am a distance learner. That is the only way I am able to do school right now,” Muhammad said. “The constant changes in online offerings keep forcing me to

reevaluate and change my education plan every semester. It is extremely frustrating.”

The club keeps its members stable and supported through challenges they may experience.

“There are many complexities to being a parenting student,” Calderón said. “I want to bring support and a safe space for parenting students at RCC. For me,

supporting parenting students is very personal.”

This fall semester, Calderón said that there are 2,793 flagged parenting students and 1,004 enrolled parenting students.

While there is significant support for student parents, there is still a desire for more.Valencia dreams of manifesting a Parent Student Resource Center.

A proposal called “Tomorrow’s Tigers” aims to offer counseling and connections to on-campus and community resources. “The first step would be having an adequate area for the program, funding and employment for faculty to be on site at times the program is run,” Valencia said. “It would be a lot of work to get the programs started, but it is possible.”

Drive-in theater screen catches fire

QIESA TAYLOR MULTIMEDIA EDITOR The damaged screen will require cleaning before it can be used again, according to an employee taking tickets at the venue.

A fire broke out at the Van Buren Drive-In Theater in Riverside at 11:27 a.m. on Sept. 11, causing smoke damage to one of the three screens, according to Riverside Fire Department.

The fire started in a storage area and there were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire was undetermined, according to Battalion Chief Garrett Coyle.

Three engines carrying 12 firefighters were deployed and contained the fire to the storage area within the screen. The fire was contained by 11:45 a.m.

Despite the incident, the theater remained open with only two of its screens operational. The Van Buren Drive-Inn Theater, a

landmark in Riverside, opened in 1964 on the site of a former orange ranch. It was expanded to three screens in 1975, offering a special and nostalgic movie watching experience.

There are just over 400 active drive-in theaters remaining in the country, according to the theater’s website.

Patrons began lining up outside the theater around 7 p.m. and the theater began letting them in at 8 p.m.

The Salvatore G. Rotella Digital Library provides books and activities for students with children.

IZABELLA DE LA ROSA | VIEWPOINTS

A Riverside firefighter finishes knocking down a blaze inside a screen at the Van Buren Drive-In Theater.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RIVERSIDE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT

Various fires rip through communities

FIRE from page 1

On Sep. 11, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department held a press conference where detective Jacob Hernandez discussed the incidents that led to the Line Fire as well as the detainment of the suspect involved with the case on Sep. 9.

“On Sept. 10, we located and

detained the suspect at the time we conducted a search warrant at the suspect’s residence,” detective Hernandez said. “Evidence was located inside the suspect’s residence and in his vehicle that supported his arrest.”

The suspect, Justin Halstenberg, a 34-year-old caucasian male from Norco, was booked on arson

charges that led to the Line Fire. He was charged with nine counts which include aggravated arson and as of now, is not eligible for bail. Halstenberg’s case is currently underway, and no set date for the trial has been decided. More information on the charges can be found on the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department website.

As over 100,000 acres of land have been burned, and countless structures burn to a crisp, a glimmer of light beams down. Because temperatures have begun to drop in the last couple of days, the fire is beginning to reach a point of containment. The efforts of all of the firefighters battling the flames

day and night have curbed the spread of the flames, signaling a turning point.

In the wake of destruction, those who want to help support relief efforts can donate to California Fire Foundation, an organization that provides emotional and financial support to firefighters and their families affected by the fires.

Rundown: Propositions for California voters

MARLON CUAYA NEWS REPORTER

This November, Americans will participate in one of the most significant elections of recent times, voting on a range of subjects, including state and federal representatives and the President of the United States. These decisions will undoubtedly impact pressing domestic and foreign policies.

In California, citizens will carry additional responsibilities as they will also vote on ten important propositions through the state’s direct initiative process. This process empowers voters to directly shape domestic policy. As such, citizens should be well informed to ensure their voices are heard in this election.

Accordingly, RCC Viewpoints has compiled a comprehensive overview of some of the most important propositions on the California ballot for the November 5th general election. This guide details the purpose and cost of each proposition, aiming to ensure voters can fulfill their civic duties powerfully and responsibly in this important election.

The following information on the propositions was sourced directly from the Official Voter Information Guide from the California Government website. For more details about the

upcoming general election in California, please visit voterguide. sos.ca.gov.

Proposition 2: Proposition is a $10 billion bond measure to fund repairs and upgrades for California’s K-12 schools and community colleges. It would allocate $8.5 billion for K–12 schools and $1.5 billion for community colleges. The state would pay up to 100% of the costs for school districts unable to raise more than $15 million via local bonds. The proposition focuses on helping underprivileged districts, including those with English learners and foster children, and includes money for lead elimination, transitional kindergarten classes, and vocational training. If Proposition 2 passes, it

would allow the state to borrow $10 for these improvements. If it fails, schools would have to rely on existing local and state bonds for repairs and improvements.

Proposition 32: Proposition 32 aims to raise California’s minimum wage from $16 to $18 an hour. For companies hiring 25 individuals or more, wages would increase to $17 immediately and $18 by January 1, 2025. Smaller companies with 25 or fewer employees would increase wages to $17 on January 1, 2025, and $18 by 2026. Furthermore, the minimum wage would rise annually in line with inflation, beginning in 2027, though the governor may block these increases should a recession occur. The proposed plan would not alter local or sector-

specific minimum wages, some of which already exceed $18. If Proposition 36 passes, California’s minimum will progressively rise to $18 by 2026. If it fails, the state’s current inflation-based wage adjustments will continue.

Proposition 33: Proposition 33 seeks to provide local governments the authority to enact and enforce rent control laws on residential properties. It would repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995, which forbids rent caps for new tenants and limits rent control on specific properties, like single-family homes and post-1995 buildings. If passed, it would provide local governments the power to limit rent increases and impose rent control on all housing types while forbidding the state from imposing limitations in the future on local rent control initiatives. If it fails, the current Costa-Hawkins Act limitations on local rent control will remain in place.

Proposition 35: Proposition 35 would extend the current managed healthcare insurance tax, scheduled to expire in 2026, which helps fund Medi-Cal healthcare services, benefiting especially low-income families, the elderly, and disabled individuals. The proposition would require that the taxpayer funds be utilized only for Medi-Cal services, including family planning, mental health, emergency care, primary and specialized treatment, and

prescription drugs, while limiting administrative expenses and requiring independent audits.

Estimated Medi-Cal funding rises range from $2 to $5 billion annually, though short-term costs could be $1 to $2 billion, with unknown long-term effects. If Proposition 35 passes, the managed health care insurance tax would be permanent, securing Medi-Cal funding. If it fails, future funding cuts may occur after 2026.

Proposition 36: Proposition 36 proposes higher penalties for drug possession and theft and establishes a distinct legal framework for repeat offenders. Individuals with two or more prior convictions could face felonies for possessing certain narcotics or committing crimes under $950. The proposition also increases the sentences for drug trafficking and theft and introduces a “treatment-mandated felony” option, where offenders may choose for treatment rather than jail time; noncompliance would lead to up to three years in prison. It also mandates that anybody convicted of drug sales be informed they could face murder charges if their drugs cause a death. Finally, the proposition seeks to repeal parts of Proposition 47, which reduced penalties for a number of offenses. If Proposition 36 passes, certain misdemeanors will become felonies with harsher sentences. If it fails, Proposition 47 will remain in effect alongside current laws.

San Bernardino Fire Line getd dangerously close to homes on Baseline Street Sept. 6.

JENNIFER CARDONA-LEON | VIEWPOINTS

JOSHUA WORONIECKI | UNSPLASH

CAPTION

Editor: Laura Bautista viewpoints@rcc.edu

Young Entrepreneur takes over tire shop

MARISSA PEREZ STAFF REPORTER

First Call Tires, located about 20 minutes from Riverside City College, was recently taken over by 19-year-old Jason Alvarez, who discovered the business through its previous owner.

“The previous owner was dedicated to selling shops and sent me an offer,” Alverez said. Since taking over, Alvarez has added his personal touch to the business, which offers tires, wheels, alignments, oil changes and more.

Alverez’s interest in cars began at age 14. “I’ve always focused on tires; I never saw myself doing anything else,” he said. He credits his older brother for introducing him to cars, though his brother did not pursue it deeply. As he got older, Alvarez also learned from his uncle, who was in the same field and lastly, a family friend who motivated him to take over First Call.

Alverez officially took over the shop in January 2024 and noticed changes in his life. “Owning a business feels like a sacrifice. I dedicate so much of my time here, even when I’m not physically at the shop,” he said. “Working overtime takes a toll on my body and mental health.” Despite the challenges, Alvarez said he feels content to be able to support his family and do something he loves. “Overall, I’m glad I can offer services to my family and take care of them financially,” he added.

Alvarez didn’t open First

Call alone. His 20-year-old friend, Anthony Salinas, joined him when First Call reopened in January. Alvarez and Salinas were friends before working together, and Salinas noted that balancing work and personal relationships can be challenging. “There are boundaries, and we learned to respect each other when working,” Salinas said. “We had to take work seriously,” Alverez added.

Unlike Alvarez, Salinas initially worked in construction before working with cars. “I’ve always wanted to work with tires since I graduated high school,” Salinas said. He now dreams of opening his shop. “When the time is right, I’ll go for it, but I don’t want to rush,” he added.

As the business started running, the two began to create relationships with their clients. Loyal customer Anthony Rojas has been relying on First Call since January of this year. “I’ve started to come to the shop once Jason took over,” said Rojas. “Ever since January, they’ve kept up with the maintenance of my vehicle. I always felt welcomed and well taken care of,” Rojas added. However, talking to clients wasn’t that easy for Alverez. “I would get nervous talking to customers, especially with my Spanish,” Alverez said. “But then it grew on me. I started to enjoy talking to customers.” For Salinas, working with the customers has been an easy process. “When you’re at work you know how to talk to people because they’re here for something that you know how to do,” Salinas said.

| VIEWPOINTS

The future looks bright for both First Call Tires and its young owners. Alvarez hopes to expand into new locations, including San Bernardino, where he sees opportunities in the mechanic

industry. “By the end of this month, I plan to hire a full-time mechanic,” Alvarez said. For now, the Moreno Valley location continues to grow, adding new services and employees.

First Call Tires is located at 12578

St. in Moreno

The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. as well as on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

RCC encourages students to vote this November

NATALIE STRAIN MANAGING EDITOR

In honor of National Voter Registration Day, council members, educational advisers and students gathered at Riverside City College to discuss the importance of voting.

Educational adviser Douglass Johnson and grants administrative specialist Maurice Bowers hosted a non-partisan voting initiative called “Tigers Taking Action: Voting Matters” on Sept. 17 in the Language Humanities and Social Sciences Engagement Center. Johnson and Bowers are currently on a committee to bring voting booths to campus, and their hope is to make the process of voting more accessible for students.

The RCC staff welcomed Elena Baca-Santa Cruz, councilmember representing district 1 of Moreno Valley, to empower students to vote in local and presidential elections after noticing a lack of voters in recent years.

“Six years ago, there was an election that was won by seven votes,” she said. “My whole

house could have swayed one way or the other. You have the power to decide who’s gonna be in charge.”

She addressed why there is a lack of involvement in local elections, stating that ballots can be long and intimidating, but Baca-Santa Cruz advised students to invest their time into learning about the candidates and policies they are voting for.

“Grab that ballot,” she said. “Take notes on it. Take some time with it, but if you are afraid you are going to get fatigued, start at the

bottom. That is where you have the most power.”

Baca-Santa Cruz took the next step to motivate students to get involved if they do not agree with what they are voting on. Students can vote candidates in to represent their needs in the community. “If you don’t like what’s going on, then you need to step up and be a part of that solution,” Baca-Santa Cruz said. “If you don’t like the leaders, then you have to become them.”

Supreme court justice of

Associated Student of Riverside Community College Adela Gonzalez also appeared at the event, offering support to students with concerns on campus.

“If you have something you want to talk about, we can definitely get you to a specific dean if there’s something in particular that needs to be done,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez added that the school hopes to host an open-campus forum where students can meet with local political candidates.

Maurice Bowers urged students to check their registration status before casting their vote.

“Regardless of your age, you have a say in the way that your present and future goes,” Bowers said.

“We’re seeing issues of voter suppression, meaning you may be registered to vote, but then all of a sudden your registration status either becomes inactive and you’ve been voting, or you’ve been taken off a voter role.”

“It is not to tell you who to vote for,” Bowers concluded. “The intention is for you to know how serious it is to vote.”

Student Dominic Medina contributed his opinion to the conversation. “I think it’s important for students to vote just so they have a say of what goes on, at least to vote locally, to have a say of what goes on in the local community,” Medina said. “I think community is really important, and people don’t really value it as much anymore, at least people our age.”

In the state of California, citizens can register and vote the same day. To register to vote or check your voter status, students can go to Vote.org.

Heacock

Valley.

MARISSA PEREZ

From top to bottom, inside look into First Call Tire as a Dodge Charger recieves maintenance by Anthony Salinas and a display of tires in the main office of First Call Tires on Sept. 13.

NATALIE STRAIN | VIEWPOINTS

Councilmember Elena Baca-Santa Cruz speaks at the RCC “Tigers Taking Action: Voting Matters” about the importance of voting in the LHSS Engagement Center on Sept. 17

Lowrider Show Highlights

Families, students and more come together

MARISSA PEREZ STAFF REPORTER

“Many students love it, and people look forward to this event,” vice president of the Associated Students of Riverside City College Anna Karen Carbajal said. The LowRider Car show, hosted by ASRCC, is now in its fifth year with organizers continually making improvements to make each one memorable.

Tony Ortiz, an educational advisor, said Chicano history is at the heart of the event. “The educational component has been getting better. We used to

have just images of lowriders, but now we’re incorporating the history of Chicanos, which gave birth to this culture,” Ortiz said.

As the event grows each year, more students participate.

Angel Barrel, co-president of the Music Industry Club, said this was the club’s first time managing music and sound for a school event. Club members noted that music plays a significant role in culture with member Nova Acosta creating a playlist filled with popular

Latino music.

Student leaders play a crucial role in the success of the event, but cars and families also bring it together.

Patricia Florez, a Riverside local who brought their 1953 Ford Crestline to the event said “I’ll never miss it, I’ll come every year.”This is now her third year participating. Florez shared that her brother was into lowriding, and she now passes on her love for cars to her daughter and grandchildren.

Students also actively

participate in the event.

Mary Valencia, president of the Student Parent Club and owner of a 1964 Chevy Bel Air Wagon, said, “I love it. It gives me a chance to be who I am.”

“I feel represented,” said student Cindy Peña. “Instead of ignoring it, they’re honoring it. Students like me are being represented.”

Each year, ASRCC strives to improve its events. “We try to advertise as much as possible. No matter where you’re included or what your

major is, you’ll know about the event,” Carbajal said. She added that promoting the event was a key focus this year, hoping more advertisements would lead to greater student engagement.

The lowrider show represents community, culture, and leadership here at RCC. With an excellent response from the students, faculty, and staff, the event aims to thrive in future years and continue celebrating Chicano culture at the college.

John Scothorn’s 85’ Buick Regal sits high in the sky at Riverside City College’s Annual Lowrider Show on Sept. 19.The event took place among Mine Okubo Avenue. Associated

Hispanic Heritage Month

together to represent Chicano culture

CHRISTIAN CARRILLO|VIEWPOINTS

Particia Flórez waves the Mexico flag high while showcasing her 1953 Ford Crestline. MAC WILSON|VIEWPOINTS

Richie Velaquez displays artwork at the Raincross District.

Raincross District promotes sustainable fashion

has provided a space for sellers to sustainably maintain their business and gain more traction.

It’s definitely helped with cash flow and business dramatically,” Beck said.

in “to hang out, not just to shop,” Brown said.

Raincross District owner Ana Brown promotes sustainable shopping in Downtown Riverside, providing a space for vendors, local artists and events. The marketplace began in 2021 to help vendors “revive their businesses at our prime downtown location,” Brown said.

The Raincross District is located at 35583 Market St. and is open from 12-8 p.m., a new second location is located at 3770 Orange St.

With costs of brick and mortar stores starting at $1,000 to $10,000 per month, it is difficult for sellers to stay open. The Raincross District

Brown’s goal for the marketplace was to make second-hand shopping accessible to all with “changes in consumerism and awareness of product origination,” she said. This led to local partnerships with pop-up events like the Goodies Night Market, catering to the youth in the college area.

“The statistic is that 68% of every dollar spent in small business stays in the community,” Brown said.

Daniel Beck, a vendor owner, designed his own brand Praying Rabbit. He chose the Raincross District due to its location and welcoming space.

“I can restock inventory, talk to the owner, meet new people and make more sales overall.

Events are not only limited to fashion but live music, yoga classes and open mic nights. “It’s their own space to express themselves. Everyone comes in, and they do it differently, and you are able to walk around and see that. It inspires other people,” Raincross District employee Talia Ron said.

Events are posted on Instagram and the Raincross District website. The commerce allowed for diversity where art is showcased for free throughout the store, many of which are tactile from murals to collages.

“I love that it’s local. Everything local should stay alive,” Brown’s friend Carlotta Maggi said. Customers and tourists come

Campus department celebrates Hispanic Heritage

The Language Humanities Social Sciences Engagement Center held a gathering for Hispanic Heritage Month with an array of students and staff on Sept. 17. Reminding us to take advantage of the centers on campus and to provide spaces where everyone feels free to commemorate their heritage.

This center is located at the Music Building, Room 104 and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

LHSS EC Faculty Coordinator Doris Namala is a history instructor determined to guide students on their educational path.

“There’s a line between academic success and feeling seen while having those resources so you are not doing this on your own,” she said.

The LHSS ensures the

acknowledgement of all cultures, creating inclusivity for all students and staff. “It feels like we should’ve reached a place where we don’t have to create structures to make sure that that is happening, but we still have to,” Namala said .

Past institutions were White male predominant where many cultures were dismissed.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects the right of honoring cultures in schools.

“We’re celebrating tradition right now with Independence

day but other traditions we are actively trying to dismantle,” she said.

Elizabeth Villegas, Rising Scholars Student Support Service Coordinator is a bilingual second generation immigrant. Hispanic Independence means “recognizing the struggles our people went through,” she said Sophomore Camilla Alvarado is also a second generation immigrant trying to make her parents proud. Advancement in the school system has allowed

the celebration of her own differences, she said.

Educational Advisor Tony Ortiz was a former Riverside City College student when Engagement Centers were not yet established. “When I was a student at RCC we didn’t have places to hang out. It was literally the parking lot or just some place on campus like a bench,” he said

The objective was to create a space where students can form relationships with fellow students and faculty. As well as

We’re celebrating tradition right now with Independence day but other traditions we are actively trying to dismantle –Doris Namala

providing a collaborative space where students can meet with a counselor or professor, use computers, print, study or grab a snack.

This has seen to be fulfilled with over 1,000 students that have visited the center since the start of the semester, said Ortiz.

“There are 9 engagement centers on campus, each one is a front door,” he said.

The LHSS is not limited to any specific major or culture. All students are on the path of completion. “Your history, your identity, your culture is welcome here,” said Ortiz.

LHSS Educational Advisor Doug Johnson has helped many students by providing services like blue books and even secure housing. “RCC is super large, you can get lost among the crowd. But here you can come here and feel like you’re a part of something” he said.

Karen Taylor, a garden designer and educator, has a Bloom shop at The Raincross District.

GRACE ESQUIBEL LIFE REPORTER

GRACE ESQUIBEL LIFE REPORTER

‘A Good Girl Guide to Murder’ adaptation disappoints

Netflix released a new series based on the book, “A Good Girl Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson on Aug. 1. But many people point out the dramatic difference between the series and the novel.

“A Good Girl Guide to Murder” is a young adult murder mystery novel. It follows Pip uncovering her quiet town murder case that happened 5 years ago. Believing Sal did not kill Andie, his girlfriend, she makes it her duty to prove his innocence.

The show is only based on the first book in the series of four: “Good Girl Bad Blood,” “As Good as Dead” and “Kill Joy “ which is a prequel. Differences pointed out are from the US version of the book.

First season only has six episodes, around 45 minutes which raised red flags. Halfway through the first episode it became clear that details, scenes and characters were missing. This caused everything to be different compared to the book. You will still get a lot of the plot, just handled differently.

People took it to social media, expressing dissatisfaction. Hailey, @archersprophecy, took it to “X formerly known as Twitter”, how all around the episode limit takes away from its development.

“The pacing of ‘A Good Girl Guide to Murder’ is genuinely so bad,” Hailey said. “And it’s due to the 6 episode limit they gave to the show. We’ve got to bring back even 15 episodes per season to see genuine stories and character development. I’m so sick of this.”

Information about the murder is more told to Pip rather than her uncovering and piecing together evidence in the book. The TV series takes out important scenes, making the plot jump to different pieces of the story. Also, having the series move at a faster pace makes the show unfit for a murder mystery, taking away from the tension you feel before moving onto the next episode.

Missing scenes and characters also take away important character and story development, especially if Netflix decides to turn the

JENNIFER CARDONA-LEON PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

second book into a second season.

However, some people have suspected the second season will be skipped entirely since they already gave all the information you need for the third book.

Katie Leonard, an actress, singer and curve model, posted a review on TikTok as a lover of books, films and shows. She expressed what a let down this series was when the novels had her hooked.

“My issue was the script,” said Katie Leonard. “I have no idea if BBC and Netflix have or had any plans to continue this series, but they didn’t do a great job of setting up a seamless transition from season 1 to season 2. They mentioned the duct tape killer when they were camping, I was like ‘Oh they are totally setting this up for more seasons,’ but in this series they never mention Stanley.”

What makes “A Good Girl Guide to Murder” readers interested in the series is how many times Pip gets herself into dangerous situations. Plot twists and roller coasters of emotion

have elevated the book, leading to such a successful ending.

The series did stick well to Pip’s character development being such a “focus on school type” of student, not letting parties, drinking and drugs get in her way. Because of this, the murder case consumes her life and mind entirely.

She questions the mystery behind the murder, not always knowing the next step, especially when the murder circles back to her. That is where she feels the pressure, second guessing if this case is worth it.

Adrenaline and pressure can change a person including dangerous situations, saying things people want you to say and wanting to see something in a separate way until it is right in front of you.

This case has always been more than proving Sal is innocent. The case is about freeing his family from the town’s disgust, at least in the book. Some points in the series state that she is more selfish than her original character , that if she doesn’t solve it, it will

be self guilt as if she had to deal with the harassment.

However, a lot of the readers loved the casting. Emma Myers keeps Pip’s curiosity on point, keeping her bounding from one question to another. Zain Iqbal’s adaptation of Ravi adds emotion to his tone of voice and facial expression. The four part book series is a must read. Holly Jackson carefully writes the characters and storyline to connect the entire plot. The reader is able to experience different emotions and heart-dropping scenes in the book that they have not gotten to see on the big screen.

Tinka, @TinyTinkerBell9, took it to X, expressing both love and hate towards the adaptation. She gave the series credit and praise to the actors who played Pip and Ravi.

“It’s a bit of an odd adaptation,” Tinka said. “It stays mostly loyal, apart from some weird changes, but the pacing is kinda off and it never reaches the excitement of the book. Still, an overall fine show. At least Pip and Ravi delivered.”

A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder,Generic Portraits,AGGGTM;Pip Fitz-Amobi (EMMA MYERS)

SALLY MAIS|MOONAGE PICTURES

OPINIONS

Cell phone ban a slippery slope, government overstep

CAITLYN NELSON OPINIONS EDITOR

Students across California are losing their ability to use cell phones while on school campuses.

Will this restriction really help with the development of their minds or is this just another way in which the state is trying to take away the rights of students?

According to his website, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 272 (Muratsuchi) into law in 2019 granting school districts across the state the authority to regulate cell phone usage during school hours. However, with the new 2024-2025 school year, Newsom is pushing all schools to further implement the banning of cell phones.

Currently 76% of U.S. public schools have restricted non-academic usage of cell phones during school hours, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The Los Angeles Unified School District’s Board of Education approved the resolution to form a phone free district in June 2024. The ban is expected to take effect in 2025.

As a former K-12 student of California I believe that the banning of cell phones does

not have a very good chance of longevity. Since I was in middle school many schools leaned toward online learning and started to implement resources such as Canvas as a way for students to turn in homework or to check any updates on their grades.

According to Devlin Peck, 72% of K-12 students are using cloud-based tools, such as Guru99. Whether or not students have their cell phones is essentially meaningless as they will still be required to access the internet via Chromebook or laptop and have opportunities to access their social media while doing classwork.

According to Newsom’s letter to the school districts, the AB 272 legislation was a part of the effort to help minimize distraction and foster

a more conducive learning environment. I believe that without cell phone usage many students may start to tune out more frequently to talk to their peers during lecture time. This could cause further distractions for the whole classroom.

According to a Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences article, Attia Najya and her team conducted a poll in which 72% of the students said that chit-chat among themselves produced classroom distractions. Conversely 68% of students found that a ringing or buzzing cell phone was the most common distraction, which is slightly lower than one would expect.

My main concern is in the way that schools are going about the banning of cell phones. Many districts are

forcing students to buy Yondr Pouches— a bag that locks your phone away and unlocks it at a phone-free zone, or a place where students are permitted to use phones.

Phones have continuously been an issue within school, but teachers took it into their own hands to tell students to put them in their bags and silence them. This has been recurring for individuals since cell phones became popular. Why all of a sudden do students need to lock their phones away in small bags and then unlock them in certain phone-free zones? Personally it feels a bit over dramatic and unnecessary.

Banning the usage of cell phones caused communication problems between students and their parents.

According to the National

Parents Union, 56% of parents believe that students should sometimes be allowed to use their phones. Many parents agree that students should use their cell phones less while at school, but should be allowed to use them to arrange for transportation, at school sporting events, during their free time, and also in classrooms for academic reasons.

Ultimately, the viability and longevity of this legislation is bound to fail. Although the distraction of cell phones may be gone there can be larger distractions such as students talking to peers during instruction time that will come into play. There will always be distractions within a classroom, but it is up to the student to control their education outcomes.

PS5 Pro price too steep fo upgrades provided, unnecessary

VICTOR LEDBETTER OPINIONS REPORTER

The PS5 Pro reveal is incredibly disappointing, as a $700 marginal upgrade to an already powerful console is a big ask.

Sony’s technical presentation showed off the PlayStation 5 Pro, a mid-generation upgrade from the base PS5. The features, broken down by Tom’s Guide, are as followed:

The PS5 Pro will have 65% more GPU, 28% faster memory, advanced ray-tracing

and PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) which should provide sharper images and increase clarity.

All of this is to say that the Pro model will try to provide the player with better graphics and a smoother gameplay experience, cutting out the need to choose between fidelity(which prioritizes graphics) and performance (which prioritizes framerate/gameplay).

The “upgrades” that were made to the newer model are very minor, and I feel as though most people will not be able to tell the difference.

The consumer has to factor in that the Pro model does not come with a vertical stand or disk drive, accessories that should already come with the console. What if people want to play their physical copies of their games? What if you want to make the console stand up to make space? Sony is demanding an additional $100 combined

if you want those items, which brings the total up to $800. Again, a big ask when you can pay $500 for all of these features on the PS5.

That is the problem. The base model, as explained by Sony, has much better details,

graphical capabilities, a much higher frame cap at 60 FPS, and the DualSense controller that senses haptic feedback (with tension on the triggers and an environment-based vibration).

If you factor in the lightningfast loading times and the ray-

tracing capabilities/4k graphics, you already have a console that is far and away much better than the PS4.

These features are the reason I paid around $500 for mine a few months back. Why would I ever consider paying a couple hundred dollars more for minor upgrades? If The Pro was far better than the base, this would be an immediate buy from me, but I just do not see how anyone can get behind this.

There will definitely be some games like Final Fantasy Vll that will be greatly enhancwed with the power of the PS5 Pro, but again, the base version is already powerful.

Is the Pro upgrade necessary? No, not really. You should keep saving money to get a gaming PC or buy the base model. However, if you do end up buying the PS5 Pro, make sure to get a high-end TV or a really good pair of glasses to maximize your experience.

Students release their cell phones from their Yondr pouches during their free time at school.

LEA SUZUKI | GETTY IMAGES

A look at the new release of the PS5 Pro

PHOTO COUTESY OF SONY

OpiniOns series

Teachers should engage in controversial topics

ZEBA BALOUCH STAFF REPORTER

Today, students in one of the most liberal states in the U.S. are fed information instead of being prompted to critically analyze the topics and issues that most concern them.

High schoolers within the Corona Unified School District in Southern California spend six hours of their days at school. In those few hours, nothing about racism, book banning, global wars, pandemics, school shootings, cancel culture, gender norms or sexism is discussed.

However, students will learn about everything from calculus to the revolutions of 1848, but current events and controversial issues are avoided. Although teachers and educators have the right to freedom of speech within and outside of classrooms, they withhold students from exploring vital information about the world they exist in.

I believe the answer to why educators have avoided such necessary discussions is the fear of pushback from parents and conservative lawmakers. This fear has kept students from knowledge that can empower, validate and acknowledge their opinions as being valued. The bigger question that needs to be answered is whether those in power are willing to let that fear drive the future of this country into ignorance?

An interview with Sarah Noé and Ashley Heath, English

teachers in the district reinforced my belief that others share my views. When prompted on whether she believes students benefit from discussing controversial issues in an educational setting Ms. Noé stated, “Definitely, I think that students need to be taught how to sift through media and how to access certain sources and to think critically.” Ms. Heath responded to the very same question by saying “Yes, because it allows them to hear multiple perspectives when forming their own opinions.” I strongly agree, and I do not believe we are alone in this belief.

Parents may feel that their children should be allowed to enjoy their schooling without concern over issues that do not impact them. However, it is important to note that students have access to such information through technology and media.

A study conducted by Common Sense Media states that “66% of the participants trust family as a news source and 49% cited online media, such as social networking sites, websites and mobile apps as their source for news.”

Campus Conversations

TOPIC

What are some issues you have with printing on campus?

Interviews and photos by Multimedia Editor, Qiesa Taylor

“There is a limit to how much you can print. That defeats the purpose, I have multiple classes to print for and if I can’t print all that I need then, then what is the use?”

-Oyinye Okirie, 19 Major: Business Marketing

By creating an environment where controversial issues are avoided, educators are preventing students from receiving credible information and from processing these issues in a safe and protected space.

According to an article by the National Council for Social Studies, Kawashima-Ginsberg and Junco found that “... either concomitantly with or as a byproduct of residential self-sorting, the media ecosystem roughly follows the overall polarization trend.” This goes to show that today’s media does not accurately portray the nuanced perspectives that students need in order to form their own opinions based on varied sources of information. Instead it presents highly opinionated articles that feed into students’ biases and preferences.

Rather than expanding student’s narrow ideas about a certain issue, the media will elicit a positive reaction from users by presenting them with perspectives that match their views. Students that will not be forced out of their comfort zones, will likely develop an affinity for the ideas they have

already established for such core issues, and will never feel the need to expand or change their views because their opinions have never been challenged by the media or otherwise.

The media does not only force students into information bubbles, but it also elicits blind acceptance rather than critical thinking.

Neil Postman, an author, educator and media theorist referred to the modern-day in his book Amusing Ourselves To Death, as a peek-a-boo world where “facts push other facts into and out of consciousness at speeds that neither permit nor require evaluation.”

Without practice at an early age, students will grow habituated with blindly accepting and believing the information those few sources they rely so heavily on are presenting. This blind acceptance is dangerous as it builds a future of adults with no ability to comprehend information for themselves or develop beliefs based on a varied number of sources with a multitude of perspectives.

“You have to login with your student ID and email in order to be able to print. This process makes it time consuming. I end up being late to class due to the steps you have to take before you are able to use the printing services.”

-Jocelyn Montiel, 20 Major: Elementary Education

“Before now, I didn’t even know that we had printing available. It should be advertised somewhere, so that students know they can come get free printng here instead of going somewhere like Staples.”

-Monserrat B, 19

Major: Sociology

Students need to feel free to have such open discussions with their peers. Otherwise, it becomes a cycle of fear and ignorance that leads students to become closeminded and avoidant.

Citizens of this democratically based nation need to have the skills to think for themselves so that they may vote on important bills and elections with their own conviction. More importantly, students need to feel that their voices and opinions matter, that the teachers and educators they look up to care about what they have to say. Without the encouragement of educators students are less likely to feel an importance towards controversial issues, they are less likely to protest, less likely to vote, less likely to use their voices and perspectives to raise awareness and incite change.

Fear is the only thing holding students back from a future where they can use their voices, to share their views, and have the knowledge that their opinions matter. One classroom is all it takes. One classroom where students feel connected to the world around them.

“We are limited to the amount of pages we can print at some of the engagement centers, and it can be annoying when you have to go to multiple centers in order to print.”

-Calvin C, 20 Major: History

PIXABAY

Editor-in-Chief

Eric Pacheco Viewpoints@rcc.edu

Climate Crisis weighs heavy on Californians

The devastating damage caused by the climate crisis cannot be stopped by our efforts alone.

The forests are being destroyed by wildfires, sea levels continue to rise and temperatures are breaking records every year. However, much of the climate crisis response focuses on small, individual actions such as recycling and conserving energy.

We need urgent, effective measures from government leaders to address the climate crisis. This is crucial not only for safeguarding public health but also for securing a sustainable future for everyone.

Despite California’s ongoing leadership in fighting climate change, the Inland Empire remains the most affected.

Due to the Inland Empire’s cheaper housing, the population is increasing substantially causing more individuals to experience intense heat. As a result, public health problems are worsening and increasing demand for the region’s

limited resources.

A CalMatters report, by Alejandra Reyes-Velarde and Arfa Momin, stresses the growing risks of this issue, warning that “extreme temperatures and the increasing population will put more residents at risk of heat-related illnesses and challenge unprepared local officials.” Additionally, county and city officials need to consider how they can protect people who currently struggle to keep cool and pay their electric bills. Despite the warnings, many local governments have not taken action.

Furthermore, California is not the only state experiencing the growing intensity of the climate crisis. Extreme weather, which causes a rise in heat waves and wildfires, is happening throughout the United States.

According to an article in The Independent by Ethan Freedman, over 100 million Americans will face extreme temperatures by the end of the decade, as compared to

8 million this year. Furthermore, Lower-income and minority communities are expected to be disproportionately affected by these extreme temperatures due to having less access to cooling services and proper infrastructure.

This emphasizes the need for systemic change because our local governments must invest in appropriate and long-lasting infrastructure in lower-income communities, renewable energy sources and laws to ensure the safety of those most vulnerable.

A Washington Post analysis found that reversing the damage already done will be more challenging the longer our government continues to ignore initiating comprehensive climate change measures. Additionally, the analysis highlights that without significant, extensive interventions in energy, infrastructure and environmental policies, the cost of inaction will escalate, and more people will lose their lives due to

intensifying heat waves. The window for significant action is closing fast and the impacts of the climate crisis are already evident.

Sadly, our individual efforts won’t be enough to address the problem as climate disasters grow more frequent and severe.

Politicians, businesses and governments must take on this challenge and implement strategies that will help combat the climate crisis. This includes modernizing infrastructure, switching to renewable energy and passing laws to protect disadvantaged communities. It is only through systemic, coordinated efforts that we can hope to confront the climate catastrophe on the scale it requires to be dealt with.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the editor should be kept to 250 words or less and include contact information. Email letters to viewpointseic@ gmail.com. Viewpoints reserves the right to edit letters for space and to reject libelous or obscene letters. Letters to the editor and columns represent the opinions of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the entire Viewpoints staff, Viewpoints faculty advisers, student faculty, administration or the Board of Trustees. Dates below are subject to change.

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REPORTERS:

ERIC PACHECO | VIEWPOINTS

Student shows concern for ongoing climate crisis.

Tigers dominate in four to end pre-season

ASHTON TRULL SPORTS REPORTER

The Tigers soundly defeated the College of the Desert Roadrunners to end the preseason 6-4 before Orange Empire Conference play begins.

The Riverside City College volleyball team matched up against the College of the Desert Roadrunners on Sept. 18. The stage was set for RCC to set the tone going into the regular season.

The Roadrunners got off to a hot start in the first set taking an early lead of 7-4. However, the Tigers kept fighting and eventually came back to win the first set 25-23. The Tigers, primarily led by sophomore outside hitter Kilyn Hayes who had 15 kills, dominated on the offensive side of the ball on the way to a win over the Roadrunners in four sets.

“I need to prove to my team that I can be relied on when getting kills and being able to help put the team in any way,” Hayes said. “I focus

on getting kills in order to help. I tell myself ‘Nothing drops’ so that I know whether I have to throw my body into people, chairs, etc. I will do what is needed to prevent the other team from getting a point.”

Hayes embraced a leadership role throughout the game by establishing faith in the rest of her team.

“I tell the rest of the team to take a deep breath and to take a step back,” she said. “I tell them to stay calm and collected and make sure that everyone is on the same page. I also make sure we’re having fun because if we’re not having fun on the court, we’re not going to win.”

In the second set, The Tigers started off hot and never looked back finishing the set with a final score of 25-15. RCC went on another offensive charge led by freshman libero Tabitha Irish.

“I have nothing to lose out there,” Irish said simply. “I have no reason to not go hard and leave it all on the court at the end of the

game.”

Irish helped Hayes lead the team with three service aces.

“I make sure to have encouragement and support when I go back into the huddle,” Irish said. “I tell my team that it’s okay to have trust in themselves and their teammates and I’m really good at making sure we all trust each other.”

When the third set began, the Roadrunners seemed to have figured something out after winning the third set with a final of 25-9.

However, that was all for COD as the fourth and final set was won by the Tigers at 25-14.

Head caoch Ckara Lowden was elated to have such a dominant performance.

“We keep building, and we keep working on everything in practice and making sure we have confidence every single time,” Lowden said. “Same as every game, preseason or conference, focusing on the opponent’s specialties and taking the season one game at a time.”

With the Tigers having a solid performance to wrap up the preseason, the stage had been set.

The Tigers would continue their winning ways in a victory over Irvine Valley in the OEC opener.

Waterpolo goes undefeated in tournament

SERGIO CONTRERAS SPORTS REPORTER

The Riverside City College women’s water polo team hosted their annual tournament going 4-0, setting the tone for the remainder of the season.

The Tigers defeated rivals Santa Barbara City College 7-6

in a much-anticipated rematch of last year’s state championship final.

Santa Barbara got off to an early lead, converting two penalties in the second quarter and the Tigers could not convert after the opposition goalkeeper made some saves.

The Vaqueros took a 4-2 lead going into halftime. However,

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third-quarter heroics from Yosra Elseifi paved the way for the Tigers to come back 7-6.

“I told myself I have to get out there and adjust to my mistakes. It felt mistakes it felt good to be there for my team,” Elseifi said. Early in the third quarter, Elseifi scored two goals putting the Tigers on level terms and saves from goalkeeper Sofia Mather kept it level.

Late in the third quarter, the Tigers were able to take the lead however, with 8 seconds left Santa Barbara was able to tie the game 5-5 setting up an exciting end to the game.

Early in the fourth quarter both teams were going back and forth yet they could not break the deadlock.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Tigers took the lead and with 1 minute and 33 seconds Elseifi scored to put the Tigers up two and killed the game.

“There were a lot of nerves but excitement, the older girls wanted to win and that gave us the drive and motivation to win, we went out and played this game as a team,” said Elseifi.

Goalie Sofia Mather also made several important saves in the fourth quarter to keep the Tigers lead alive and ultimately get the win.

“This year we have a high goal of getting a ring, I’m glad we showed up and showed out,” said Mathers.

The Tigers move to an impressive 13-1 record and a 2-0 conference record as they prepare to play Long Beach and prepare for state.

“This win is important confidence and we know we are right there in terms of the conversation,” Tigers head coach Doug Finfrock said “This gives us a glimpse into our futures and we can use this as an advantage that carries us through the rest of the season,” Tigers assistant coach Sarah Greenawalt said. They’ll be back in action on Sept. 28 for the Cuesta Tournament at Cuesta College.

They will look to continue their hot streak on Oct. 2. As they head to Golden West after a week long layoff.

Riverside City College outside hitter, sophomore Kylin Hayes, lays out for the save against The College of the Desert Roadrunners on Sept. 18 at the Wheelock Gymnasium.

Riverside City College Tiger freshman libero, Keira Isgar, goes up for the serve against The College of the Desert Roadrunners on Sept. 18 at the Wheelock Gymnasium.

Riverside City College attacker Samantha Thomas prepares to make a goal against Santa Barbara goalie Kate Densmore with 19 seconds left on the timer.

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Defending champs open season 1-0

ERIC PACHECO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Under scorching temperatures at Wheelock Stadium, the Tigers offense blazed by the Vikings to open the season 1-0.

The defending California Community Colleges Athletic Association state champions and the #1 Riverside City College football team met the #23 Long Beach College Vikings in a muchanticipated top 25 season opener on Sept. 7.

The Tigers’ offense, led by sophomore running back Devyne Pearson who found the endzone three times, ran early and often against the Viking defense, en route to a 44-21 victory.

“I felt really good running the ball, even though it was a very hot game things opened up for me, and the offensive line executed really well,” Pearson said.

“It took a little bit of the pressure off a lot of young starters on offense,” Tigers head coach Tom Craft said. “We’ve got good backs, and we do it by committee.”

Craft credited freshman Beau Bruins for his key role in the running game’s success as a superutility man working between tight

Football

Tigers recover in a dominating win over #16 El Camino College on Sept. 21 with a score of 70-45. The Tigers, now 2-1, turned a 21-17 halftime score into a 56-24 lead, scoring 35 points in the third quarter. RCC accumulated 226 rushing yards and 535 passing yards in the 24 minutes and 15 seconds of having possession of the ball. The recovering win comes after a heartbreaking loss to #8 Golden West on Sept. 14.

end, running back, and full back.

After both teams traded scores in their opening drives the Tigers would squander away opportunities by committing six first-quarter penalties which halted any sort of momentum.

“First game … and a lot of young players,” Craft said simply. “We put a lot of pressure on them to perform during practice and in situational football.”

The Tigers ended up committing 18 penalties for a total of 185 yards lost by the game’s end.

Redshirt Sophomore Brady Jones who was making his first start in the orange in black would show great poise as he managed to settle down the offense and manage the offense to victory

Jones rushed for 50 yards on four attempts while throwing for 329 yards and a touchdown.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment, it feels good to have a solid game,” Jones said. “He’s earned it,” Craft added.

Craft compared Jones’ performance to that of star quarterback from last season’s championship team Jordan Barton saying, “He’s not where we want him to be yet.”

“As we go through the season, and he puts more games together I’m hoping he can get better and

Men’s Cross Country

Men’s cross country took second as a team at the Golden West Central Park Classic on Sept. 20. Anthony Ruiz was the first to cross the finish line at 21:22.62, securing 14th place. The majority of the points came after though as sophomore Kailil O’Brien took 19th place with a time of 21:34.40, and Martin Torres-Sandoval (20th, 21:35.48), Daniel Nava (21st, 21:35.66) and Jorge Guillen (22nd, 21:38.47) followed shortly after.

better and be one of the better quarterbacks here,” Craft said.

The penalty problems would once again erupt in the third quarter as the RCC offense was tagged four more times in a single drive.

“Keeping composure, staying structured, and doing what we do in practice every day,” is what Jones

Sports Briefs

Volleyball

Volleyball took home a five set win of Sept. 20 at Irvine Valley College. After falling behind during the first two sets with scores of 25-18 and 25-20, the Tigers came back to win the final three sets with scores of 25-17, 25-23 and 15-11. Sophomore Kilyn Hayes led the Tigers with 25 kills.

attributed to the offense’s ability to overcome those penalties.

“The offense stepped up and the defense showed their true colors getting us some stops and getting us the lead,” Jones said.

“We have a target on our back, and we have to keep the pedal to metal,” Pearson said.

The Tigers have since gone 1-1. Losing on a last second extra point to Long Beach City College on Sept. 14. They rebounded winning 70-45 on the road against

Women’s Cross Country

Women’s Cross Country took third place as a team at the same event. Nadia Munoz led the Tigers, finishing in fourth place with a time of 19:15.64. Celeste Mendoza and Citlaly Ruiz finished 24th and 25th after with times of 21:44.88 and 21:48.38.

The Tigers dropped their next game in a last second one point loss to Long Beach City College on Sept. 14. They rebounded winning 70-45 on the road against El Camino College on Sept. 21. They’ll return home to Wheelock Stadium on Sept. 28 as they take on Palomar.

Men’s Water Polo

Men’s Water Polo fell short on Sept. 19 in a match against Grossmont College, where the Tigers lost 1810. Nathan Ferguson led the team with four goals, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to save the three game win streak.

For all the latest in Tiger sports follow us @RCCVIEWPOINTS on Instagram for our weekly sports report.

Riverside City College Tigers pray together after winning the first game of the season at Whelock Stadium on Sept. 7.

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Riverside City College Tiger wide receiver Ross Nickson III battles for the football with Long Beach Viking defensive back Hagen Foreman.