NEWS

NEWS BRIEFS

Important dates:

Finals Week is Dec. 10-16.

The last day of the fall term is Dec. 16.

Winter and Spring 2022 registration is now open

Registration for winter began Nov. 8. Students can log in to MyPortal to check registration and deadline dates.

The winter semester will begin Jan. 3 and it will end Feb. 10. Registration for spring 2022 began Dec. 6. The term will last from Feb. 14 to June 10.

Have you filled out your FAFSA yet?

Enrollment for the 20222023 academic school year is open. Take advantage of getting free money to pay for classes. Aid is limited, so be sure to submit applications by March 22.

Deadlines vary by state, visit the FAFSA website at studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/ fafsa/fafsa-deadlines to verify deadline dates.

The Festival of Lights returns to Riverside

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa annual Festival of Lights will return to downtown Riverside on Nov. 29 and will run all throughout the holiday season.

Participate in the RCC toy drive

ASRCC will be sponsoring a toy drive for children registered with the Salvation Army. Donations are being accepted at The Salvation Army before Dec. 13, located at 3695 First St. in Riverside. Email any questions to deborah.hall@rcc.edu or lisa. schwartz@rcc.edu.

Corrections

A cutline in a previous issue mislabeled Shanon Jordan from the women’s basketball team as Marquis Ashley from the football team.

All of these dates are subject to change due to possible regulations to come involving the containment of the coronavirus.

To stay up to date on upcoming campus events, visit the Viewpoints calendar listed at viewpointsonline.org.

If you have events happening on campus that you want featured on the calendar, send information about the event to viewpoints. news@gmail.com.

District hears out students’ concerns

LGBTQIA+ from page 1

classes because they were misgendered,” Brown said. “Even though they came out in that space as a trans woman or trans-femme-identified, they were often, in that course, referred as ‘he’ and not respected for their gender.”

Similarly, Jennifer Shaw, Sexuality and Gender Acceptance Club (SAGA) representative and vice president, further explained students’ difficulties when experiencing harsher treatment from their faculty, staff or peers.

Some nonbinary, transgender or gender nonconforming students who faced discrimination have diffculties reporting their experiences to the college.

“It’s mostly pertaining to microaggressions, and that is harder to report,” Shaw said. “Their body language and how they act (toward) you — you can’t really report on that.”

Despite challenges, one program strives to offer support toward this demographic of students through the understanding and support of allies.

The Ally training program is offered at all three college campuses to educate staff, faculty and students on the issues of marginalized sexualities and identities.

Andrea Dillon, LASSE and Ally program coordinator, emphasized the benefits of attending the training seminars.

“As we gain more knowledge, the more we can pass it on to provide more resources than just talking to people,” Dillon said. “You can tell someone to have an inclusive environment all you want, but if you’re not providing resources on how to do so, you’re still doing (students) a disservice.”

Some leadership from prominent backgrounds also recognized the importance of the training.

“It’s one thing to be an advocate, but if you don’t have an understanding of the history and background, then it’s harder,” RCC President Gregory Anderson said. “Ultimately, if we can have more employees, classifed professionals, faculty members and administrators who are seen as allies, it creates more of an inclusive environment here.”

Ally training, however, is optional for staff, faculty and students, and students have mixed feelings on whether it should be mandatory for instructors.

“I’m not sure about having (Ally training) be mandatory,” Jess Castillo, social media director of SAGA, said. “I think (instructors) should choose for themselves if they want to take part of this training program and learn (about) their students better.”

For some, the lack of participants creates an environment of indifference.

DANIEL HERNANDEZ | VIEWPOINTS LGBTQ+ Association for Student Success and Equity (LASSE) members join hands in a circle.

“There are certain types of professions where a level of understanding is necessary — a college staff or faculty member is one of them,” said a student who wished to remain anonymous. “This can be applied to any marginalized group. Colleges say they want to help (their) students, but you can’t help someone you don’t understand.”

Making Ally training mandatory is a major district decision, according to Anderson.

“Any decision like that has to be negotiated with the bargaining units that represent the employees — so, it’s a working condition that needs to be negotiated.”

However, some recommend those who complete the training return in the future since the subject of LGBTQIA2+ issues are constantly evolving.

“I encourage everyone to attend our knowledge training when they can,” Weyant-Forbes said. “But just attending it once — I don’t think it’s enough because needs and issues are evolving.”

Having a reliable location — similar to an engagement center — is essential to ensure a welcoming environment for LGBTQIA2+ students.

“I think having a permanent space would be really affrming, not only for LASSE but for students to actually have a space where they can go to know they’re going to be loved, cared for and supported,” Silva said.

Another goal for LGBTQIA2+ students is greater access to mental health services. In 2016, The Jed Foundation, a nonproft organization that advocates for mental health, conducted a national study among these overlooked college students. The California Community College (CCC) Chancellor’s offce further researched the disparities that LGBTQIA2+ students face compared to their heterosexual counterparts. The CCC discovered that LGBTQIA2+ students experience high rates of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, housing insecurity and attempted suicide. “I think we still have a lot of work to do in terms of having greater access to mental health care to physical health care,” Weyant-Forbes said. “We’re getting there — we’re doing some of the work on campus, but we still have a lot more left to do.” Representation is another key to achieving an ideal inclusive environment through the LASSE, Ally training and mentorship programs. “We’re slowly not a full representation, but we’re getting there, and a lot of it has to do with what we’re doing with queer, trans and ally of faculty, staff and students,” Robert Hyers, SAGA adviser, said. Inclusivity amongst faculty members is crucial, but it may not be enough in solving issues for students that continue to be unrepresented. “One of the amazing things about this group is that we do have a mix of folks that are here and have been involved and say, ‘we want to support you in any way we can,’” Brown said. “So I think we’re getting there, but hearing about the stories about those students (experiencing discrimination) — I can say those stories happen every semester is a sign we’re not there yet.” The right for inclusivity and representation for LGBTQIA2+ students is needed at RCCD to ensure that their voices are heard and recognized. “We’re still fending for ourselves a little bit — we’re still in our infancy, even though our community has been around forever, but I think we’re working toward it,” Dillon said. “As of right now, we’ve still got a lot of room to grow up. I don’t feel like everything has been discussed; I don’t feel that all of our voices have been heard.” Voices are not fully represented at RCC, but allies are dedicated to hearing the disparities that marginalized communities face. “I think it’s very clear to anybody who’s met me and met members of my administration team, and we’re committed to hearing that voice,” Anderson said. “And we’re committing to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for all of our students.” Some students feel represented, but the same reality may not exist for others. “I’ve felt like our voices are being represented in some ways,” Castillo said. “I believe we now live in a time where people cannot deny us for existing — especially on school grounds — and it’s good that they’re listening to us somewhat. I cannot say for others, though, but that’s my personal take.” “I have felt nothing but welcomed by staff. I have pride pins that are visible and have not felt unsafe on campus,” said a student who wished to remain anonymous. “Of course, there’s always the possibility of other students not being that welcoming. It’s only in those situations where the college will show whether or not they’re actual allies.” LASSE and members of other student services strive to continue advocating for unrepresented students at RCC. “I believe that the administration and staff leadership is moving forward slowly, but they see us,” Sharice Fox, LASSE mentor program coordinator, said. “They see us because we’re loud, bold and colorful. So I do believe that we’re going to be supported, but with anything that’s worth having, there’s always a battle.”

BURIED from page 1

PHOTOS BY JOYCE NUGENT

Recycled water is pumped into a water feature at a golf resort in Palm Desert. The Coachella Valley Water District recycles more than 2 billion gallons of waste water each year. Recycled water must meet strict water quality standards.

Water infrastructure, solutions

WATER from page 1

of energy resources engineering at Stanford’s School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences.

The alliance and other advocates proposed investing $105 billion in existing US water infrastructure repairs and maintenance. The infrastructure bill President Joe Biden recently signed into law provides $55 billion to upgrade water infrastructure and another $50 billion to go toward making the system more resilient.

“Will the investment help? Yes, it will help, but the investment is not the solution. We have to cut it back,” said Samuel Sandoval Solis, an expert in water resources planning and management at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences. “This is not about bringing more water. If we bring more water, rest assured that water will be used. It’s about how can we use less water.”

Nowhere near enough water has fallen on California in years, and there’s nothing anybody can do to make it rain, according to Scott Maloni, vice president at Poseidon Water. “Can you really count on the Colorado River or Northern California to continue to supply the vast majority of the state’s population with water?”

So, where else can California get water?

One idea gaining traction is desalination (desal), the process of converting seawater into drinking water. While desal has long been constrained by steep costs, lengthy permitting processes and environmental concerns, some critics now say it merits a place in the state’s water portfolio.

Susan Jordan with the California Coastal Protection Network is a longtime critic of desal. She says communities should frst exhaust their other options.

“If you’re going to do something like desal, you want to make sure you’re doing everything you can in terms of conservation and water reuse,” Jordan said.

Water reuse, also commonly known as water recycling or water reclamation, reclaims water from various sources then treats and reuses it for benefcial purposes such as agriculture and irrigation, potable water supplies, groundwater replenishment, industrial processes and environmental restoration. Water reuse can provide alternatives to existing water supplies and enhance water security, sustainability and resilience.

Adopting sustainable practices to maximize the amount of water collected and minimize the amount lost to evaporation can help increase the effectiveness of reservoirs and canals.

An analysis of the California Water Project’s efficiency conducted by the University of California, Davis found that installing solar panels to cover the 444-mile-long California Aqueduct could prevent the loss of 9,855 acre-feet of water per year that could be used for irrigation or even released as environmental fows.

Just as technology has made monitoring water use in the home easier, technological innovation enables more efficient water use in agriculture. From smart water sensors on the ground to drones and satellites in the air, farmers can access better data faster and apply more targeted irrigation methods.

Smart water sensors can monitor other variables, including pH level, salinity, and additional factors that impact crop health.

On average, each Californian uses 60 gallons of water every day. Where does all that water go?

Approximately 28% is fushed, 23% for laundry, 19% for showers or baths, 15% through faucets, 3% for dishwashers and 12% through leaks.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, household leaks can waste more than 1 trillion gallons annually nationwide. That’s equal to the annual household water use of more than 11 million homes. The average household’s leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year. Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.

Many changes can be made around the house to conserve water. If all Californians commit to using water efficiently, the combined result could reduce the state’s water consumption by up to 30%.

By making conservation a way of life in California, the state can save water, minimize water waste, prepare for the uncertainties of climate change and minimize the harmful effects of drought.

For an extensive list of watersaving tips, go to https://www. epa.gov/watersense/start-saving.

Water footprints for a variety of dishes on a holiday table: • Roasted 15-pound turkey with herb butter: 4330 gallons (of water) • Bowl of mashed potatoes with butter: 275 gallons • Green bean casserole with fried onions on top: 547 gallons • Dinner rolls (24): 585 gallons • Pecan pie: 1086 gallons • A glass of wine: 36 gallons • A glass of milk: 49 gallons

leave. Their objective was not to leave but they did want a fair price.”

Most families in the communities were being targeted with scare tactics to force them to sell their homes. Of those tactics, community members were told that if they didn’t sell and leave, their homes would be condemned.

Montalvo relates these scare tactics to landlords in current times that unreasonably threaten tenants facing eviction with calling law enforcement.

The homeowners of Palo Verde, La Loma and Bishop were also promised that they would be granted a 2700-acre park by the Dodgers, which was never built because the Dodger corporation had the deal thrown out in court and kept that piece of land.

He and Melissa Arechiga spoke of what reparations would look like to them and their families, even though their homes have already been destroyed.

“When you look at the law, if you have in your possession stolen property, the law then and the law today makes you take that land back and give it to its rightful heirs,” Montalvo said. “It doesn’t matter who took the land, the principle purpose is that it was stolen.”

Arechiga said in an interview with historian and activist Citlalli Citalmina Anahuac, that the frst step in achieving any reparations would be public acknowledgment of what they and their families have gone through.

“One of the things that we would like is a public apology from the city and County of Los Angeles, as well as the Dodgers’ corporation,” Arechiga said. “To acknowledge the wrong that they did to us and in the violent way they took the land from us, and inficted trauma not just in our families but also the inherited trauma that a lot of us would inherit generations down.”

She also said she’d like to see three community centers erected and named after Palo Verde, La Loma, and Bishop to serve as locations for those affected by the displacements to come together and support one another in honor of what the communities had once hoped their futures would look like.

Activist, city commissioner and former regional field director for Bernie Sanders, Edin Enamorado, protested alongside three others at Dodger Stadium in September to bring awareness to the displaced communities.

“It’s sad that it took this for a lot of folks to know the true history,” Enamorado said in an interview with Anahuac. “The families of these three communities have been doing this for the past 60 years, it’s just sad that it took this drastic measure for folks to be reminded and for some folks to catch wind of it for the frst time ever and we’re going to continue the work and never stop believing.”