Viewpoints spring 2022 vol. 100 issue no. 8, Feb. 10

FEBRUARY 1O,

2022

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in this issue LIFE

RUSD trigonometry teacher fired JENNIPHER VASQUEZ INTERIM NEWS EDITOR

4 Viewpoints’ top 10 picks for the most anticipated movies of 2022 OPINIONS

VOL. 100, NO. 8

Riverside Unified School District has fired John W. North High School teacher Candice Reed after a 4-1 vote by the Board of Education on Feb. 3.

Reed was put on administrative leave in October after the district became aware a student recorded and posted a video of her mocking Indigenous culture as part of a lesson.

Many activists, organizations and tribal council members have rallied together since then to voice their concerns and demand that Reed be fired from the district.

Shiishonga Tribe Chief and Chairman Michael Negrete spoke at the Board meeting on Thursday.

He said the district took too long to terminate Reed’s employment.

“We stood up for our rights as Indigenous people and our voice has finally been heard,” Negrete said. “For far too long our voices haven’t been heard, it’s like they

just bypass us.”

He and other tribal council members had met with RUSD Superintendent Renee Hill in October regarding Reed’s employment status and other concerns.

“We were really careful in the way we said things,” said Dee Dee Manzanares Ybarra, director of the American Indian Movement SCREENSHOT VIA TWITTER of Southern California. “We did Candice Reed imitates Native not expect any more than what American culture in front of students at John W. North High See REED on page 2 School.

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Campus community reflects on its history

Board of Trustees passes last-minute mandate EDITORIAL

From cultural figures to community leaders, RCC students explain Black History Month’s impact on Riverside

6 Board of Trustees puts students and faculty first throughout pandemic SPORTS

DAESHA GEAR INTERIM OPINIONS EDITOR

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the back of the bus.”

Thompson died Jan. 19 in Riverside where he spent much of his time educating.

He was a criminal justice instructor at Riverside City College, where he taught for over 50 years, starting as part-time faculty Nov. 1, 1971 and transitioning to full-time Aug. 27, 1999 until his retirement Jan. 12 this year.

Many students remember him fondly as a prominent and active voice at RCC. “You inspired positive change in the masses,” former student Luis A. Bolaños said in a Facebook post about Thompson’s death. “One person CAN (sic) make a positive difference! Rest in Peace Chief.”

Riverside City College’s Umoja community and Ujima organization, student engagement and equity programs for Black students are honoring Black History Month and its impact on Riverside.

Both programs will celebrate the month by hosting events that analyze the aspects of Black culture, historical events and influential figures.

Oliver Thompson, an instructor of administrative justice, was an influential figure in both programs.

Umoja will be commemorating Thompson, whose family experienced the Tulsa Race Massacre. The racially motivated attack occurred 101 years ago when a White mob targeted and decimated a prosperous Black business district and neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, referred to as the Black Wall Street.

Students and faculty members will also reflect on Black History Month’s symbolic events from the Reconstruction Era to the Civil Rights Movement and up to the present-day United States. “(Black History Month) means that it’s a time where we should all reflect on the repercussions that,

See OBIT on page 2

See HISTORY on page 3

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PHOTO COURTESY OF LUIS A. BOLAÑOS

A young Oliver Thompson smiles for his Inglewood Police Department portrait.

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INDEX NEWS LIFE OPINIONS EDITORIAL SPORTS MAP

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Prominent instructor dies at 79 LEO CABRAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Oliver Thompson has been thought of as an agent for change and justice throughout the Southern California Community but, like many, made his home in the Inland Empire.

He lived through segregation in educational institutions and the civil rights movement and used his life experiences to navigate his career and his interactions with the world around him. “(High school) prepared us to go out and be a successful American in society,” he said to Viewpoints in a 2015 interview. “In spite of your skin color, in spite of the fact that you still had ‘white’ and ‘colored’ water fountains, and you were still expected to sit at

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February 10, 2022

Interim news editor: Jennipher Vasquez | viewpoints.news@gmail.com

NEWS Colleagues remember Oliver Thompson OBIT BRIEFS from page 1

HOLIDAY Campus will be closed Feb. 18-21 in observance of Washington’s Birthday and Presidents Day. Riverside City College accreditation reaffirmed The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association for Schools and Colleges reaffirmed accreditation for RCC, Norco College and Moreno Valley College. Norco College’s accreditation was reaffirmed without the need to undergo evaluation. Accreditation by the ACCJC affirms that accredited educational institutions are in compliance with standards of academic quality, institutional effectiveness and student success. The next review cycle for all three Riverside Community College District campuses will begin in 2026.

California mask mandate lifted G o v. G a v i n N e w s o m announced on Twitter that California’s statewide indoor mask mandate will expire on Feb. 15, unvaccinated people will still be required to wear a mask indoors. He stated that California’s COVID infection rate has dropped by 65% since the peak of the Omicron variant spread. The announcement came less than a week before California will host Super Bowl LVI at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

UMOJA Celebrates Black History Month Virtually RCC’s UMOJA club is hosting a variety of online celebrations via Zoom throughout the month of February to celebrate Black History Month. Events include a poetry jam, a series of workshops to address mental health among Black men, and a speech by RCC alumni Justin Hudson. Registration for each event is free but is required in order to attend.

For more information visit https://bit.ly/3J3KJrN

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, v i s i t t h e Vi e w p o i n t s 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.

He was a beloved friend and community member throughout Riverside Community College District. Many faculty and staff remember him as a close confidant and dear friend.

“Dr. Thompson was someone I respected greatly and will never forget,” sociology instructor Eduardo “Eddie” Perez said.

“One of his greatest lessons to many of us is to never give up the good fight and to alway(s) fight for what’s right, even in the face of adversity.”

Before he taught full-time at RCC he served as chief deputy, among other positions, with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department from 1965 to 1992 and as chief of police for the Inglewood Police Department from 1992 to 1997.

Prior to his career in law enforcement he spent four years in the U.S. Air Force.

“I was lucky enough to have Dr. Thompson as my professor,” Desiree Reyes said, an officer with the RCCD Police Department. “He was a true motivator and believer of what he was teaching. Years passed and I became a police officer for (the) RCCD Police Department.”

From lecturing about prisons to participating in community forums, Thompson was known as willing to

AJA SANDERS | VIEWPOINTS

File photo of Oliver Thompson in his office in 2015. educate and support those around him.

“He would always hold the administration accountable,” RCC President Gregory Anderson said.

“And he would always do that in a very powerful way, but never in a rude way. Never demeaning.”

Many knew him as the kind of instructor that always made time

for his students and colleagues.

“Sometimes those of us in his hallway could hear his booming voice helping students over the phone, or his laughter chatting with students and colleagues in the halls, but also his insistence to students that they could meet the challenge in front of them,” English instructor

Kelly Douglass said. “And to colleagues — Oliver poking his head in your office to offer a word of support or concern or just to grab a snack could be the moment to turn a rough day around.”

The influence he had on his community continues to this day.

“It’s hard to put into words the admiration and respect I hold for him,” said Debbie Cazares, an instructor and department chair of School o f E d u c a t i o n a n d Te a c h e r Preparation. “He lived through so much, and those experiences made him into the incredible person that he was. I learned so much from him and am grateful that we crossed paths. He is already missed.”

He was born on March 20, 1942 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was raised by his grandmother, great grandmother and great aunt.

Thompson raised four children of his own.

He briefly taught at UCLA, UC Riverside, CSU Los Angeles and CSU San Bernardino.

There will be a viewing for Thompson Feb. 15 from 4-8 p.m. at Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary located at 7944 Magnolia Ave. A graveside service will be held the following day from 10-11 a.m. at Riverside National Cemetery located at 22495 Van Buren Blvd.

Cultural appropriation leads Board to take action REED from page 1 they did.”

She was among those who met with Hill.

“It gives us a sense of pride knowing that we’re proud of the student who stood up,” Manzanares Ybarra told Viewpoints. “We suffered a lot of trauma from the way we had to grow up, but we want the trauma to end. It’s time.”

Paulina Kiriakos, 24, protested among others at the RUSD office in downtown Riverside and has since continued to advocate for a resolution. She said the decision came as a result of the community’s effort to speak up for what they believe in.

“Regardless of the hate, regardless of the blockages that

we faced, we prevailed and we got what we deserved, which was justice,” Kiriakos said. “This teacher doesn’t deserve to teach.”

Protesters say that although the decision to fire the trigonometry teacher is a step in the right direction, a lot of work still needs to be done to prevent this kind of behavior from happening again in the school system. They do not believe this to be a stand-alone incident.

A history major from Orange County, Jon, who wished to be identified only by first name, was also among those who protested when the video surfaced. He hopes to be a high school teacher in the future.

“This is clearly something that needs to be taught no matter what

field you’re in,” Jon said. “It’s something that needs to happen right now if students like me want to become teachers in the future so that way things like this will not repeat. When things like that repeat, there’s going to be consequences.”

Independent professor Citlalli Citalmina Anahuac, who teaches decolonial historical courses centralizing on indigenous perspectives, said the lack of immediate district action highlights deeper rooted issues within the educational system.

“It shows an institutional problem when it comes to respecting and understanding indigenous history, culture and identity,” Anahuac said. “I think beyond the hiring practices there

has to be an entire reeducation and restructure of how teachers are being taught to teach these subjects and what type of consideration are they giving to the population.”

She said the outpouring of activists, community members and historians that joined together to demand justice serve as an example of what can be accomplished through this kind of advocacy.

“It was very powerful,” Anahuac said. “This shows the power that we have in the community and this hit home for a lot of folks. Indigenous people in the diaspora all over were able to relate to this type of violence.”

Following the board’s decision, Reed will have the opportunity to appeal the charges for dismissal from RUSD.

Interim editor: Will L.G. Stephens

viewpoints.features@gmail.com

LIFE

February 10, 2022

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Fight to end systemic racism continues HISTORY from page 1 as a society, we’ve created (for) Black people,” Daniel Calderon, a dance major, said.

Black History Month serves as a reminder for Sharon Walker, a Umoja educational advisor, that this month is not a one-time occurrence — it’s everlasting.

“Black History Month isn’t just one month for me; it’s all year long,” Walker said. “It is an important month because it’s just a reminder of all of the wonderful things and wonderful history and culture that we have.”

According to some students and faculty, society needs to progress further.

“My ancestors, they’ve done so much to get me to this point, and it’s up to me and everyone after me to get further to where Black History Month isn’t a month — it’s something that you learn throughout the year, throughout your life,” said Daxia Tilghman, Ujima president and political science major. “(Black History Month) also reminded me that this isn’t normal. Our society is not normal, and we need to change that.”

Emmanuella Otubuah, a biology major, and others are taking the initiative to understand further the often overlooked historical contributions of African Americans.

“It’s about learning about all the Black history and how this country came to be,” Otubuah said. “We don’t really talk about Black history here as much as we should.”

Like Otubuah, honoring Black History Month holds a greater meaning to understanding one’s origins for students like Chimdaalu Ezeunala, Ujima secretary and psychology major.

What historical contributions made by notable African American figures are impactful and inspirational to Black History Month?

Below are the prominent Black leaders RCC students found inspiring.

Emmanuella Otubuah Figure: Allyson Felix “I used to be a track star in high school, and I have the two highest records for long jump and triple jump, but I really looked towards her because she is a runner,” Otubuah said.

“She’s also a mother, and I realized that because of her being a mother, she lost a lot of her endorsements, and I really didn’t think that was fair because of the record she had.”

DAESHA GEAR | VIEWPOINTS

Gregory Johnson Figure: Amiri Baraka

From left: Tennis player Arthur Ashe, Rosa Parks and track and field athlete Allyson Felix are considered to be role models to Umoja and Ujima students.

“It’s his poetry, it’s the way he was able to use words to provide an impact to what was “I’m not that connected with said. “There’s got to be some sort of to challenge societal standards.

Nigeria as I should be,” Ezeunala accountability because the reason “I think it’s a really big issue going on in society,” Johnson said. “So it’s my time to take a step why (racial inequality) continues because it’s the root of many said. back and reflect to see how hard my mother, father, aunts, uncles and cousins worked. All of them came from Nigeria and had to build a life in a new continent, so it’s (Black History Month) personal to me.”

As emphasized by some, this month reflects on the reality of the bigoted mindset that existed in past-eras.

Societal issues like institutionalized racism, police brutality and voter suppression that activists have fought against throughout history are becoming more prevalent in American society.

“It definitely is an issue, and it does need to be addressed,” Walker

the way it does is because of the lack of accountability.”

These racial inequalities occurring in present-day society bring an honest question to those at RCC: has society fully progressed?

“I don’t think so — It still happens a lot, like police brutality and people getting arrested for no reason because of their race,” Samantha Munoz, a biology major, said. “A lot of bad things are happening. Still, I don’t think (society) has improved that much, to be honest.”

Due to the widespread commonality of racial inequalities across marginalized communities, individuals are devoting their time

problems that are affecting a lot of people in society,” Calderon said. “And the fact that minorities are still so suppressed is enraging because I’m in this society, I am part of it, so I want to actively do things to change that.”

The dedication to continuously inspire change, like those during historical periods, exists in the diverse backgrounds at RCC. “As a generation, we are doing such a great job of making it known that we are fighting for this right,” Otubuah said. “I feel people are starting to see it and start to walk with and protest with us because it’s a change that (needs) to be made.”

Daxia Tilghman Figure: Arthur Ashe “He was a tennis player as well as an activist; he suffered from HIV/AIDS, and he did a lot to advocate for people’s health and advocated against anti-homophobic campaigns,” Tilghman said.

Peter Kim Figure: Frederick Douglass “He has such a great articulation on the way that he feels that he and his brothers feel about this whole problem that we have,” Peter Kim, a computer engineering major, said.

Samantha Munoz Figure: Rosa Parks “I think because she was a woman,” Samantha Munoz, a biology major, said. “Also, there was a lot of discrimination back then for women, and she was also Black, and she stood up for herself.”

Daniel Calderon Figure: Simone Biles “I was a gymnast too, and like I know what type of environment gymnasts deal (with) sometimes — sadly regarding psych and all of that stuff,” Calderon said. “And I just think that she’s a powerful woman that has a lot of things to say and a lot of things to show to the world.”

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February 10, 2022

Interim life editor: Will L.G. Stephens | viewpoints.features@gmail.com

Viewpoints’ most anticipated films of ’22 releases is virtually impossible.

But, in a year that is going to be packed with superhero films, long-awaited sequels and a few Picking the 10 best films from romantic-comedy features, I tried the 2022 lineup of upcoming my best.

WILLIAM L.G.STEPHENS INTERIM LIFE EDITOR

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“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” Release: May 6 It’s wild to think that Benedict Cumberbatch only has one standalone “Doctor Strange” film.

It certainly doesn’t feel that way.

After all, he’s played a pivotal role in “The Avengers” franchise and most recently “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”

But come May that will no longer be the case.

If that’s not enough to get you excited, “Evil Dead” and “Drag Me To Hell” director Sam Raimi will be taking over directing duties.

Raimi also directed the Tobey Maguire “Spider-Man” films. So he is no stranger to Marvel.

“Thor: Love and Thunder” Release: May 6 In a year that is going to be packed with superhero releases, I had to go with my man with the giant hammer.

Most of the anticipation comes from how great of a film the previous installment in the franchise, “Thor: Ragnarok,” was. Not to mention the fact that Taika Waititi will be returning behind the camera.

If you need more persuasion, Christian Bale will be playing “Gorr the God Butcher.” Is there a darker villain name than that?

watching “Downton Abbey: A New Era.” After a year of the pandemicera box office, we still aren’t out of the woods yet, so predicting if these films will be released on their

posted date is a lot like predicting a wrestling match: It’s all subject to change.

So “bend and snap,” and kudos to you if you got that “Legally Blonde” reference.

20TH CENTURY STUDIOS

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“The Northman” Release: Aug. 12 Robert Eggers, director of “The Witch” and “The Lighthouse” will once again be returning to a period piece. This time with a film he co-wrote about a viking prince (Alexander Skarsgård) going on a mission to avenge his father's death at the hands of his uncle.

Joining the cast will be Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Willem Dafoe, Ethan Hawke, and Icelandic singer/songwriter Bjork.

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“Avatar 2” Release: Dec. 16 I would be shocked if you haven’t seen James Cameron’s 2009 “Avatar.” It’s only the second highest grossing film of all time.

The second installment in the franchise will bring back the familiar cast members from the first one with the addition of Kate Winslet and Vin Diesel.

The film is set to be released the same day as “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” so expect one of those two movies to be moved to a different release date.

“Avatar 3” is already tentatively planned for a 2024 release date.

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Condolences to “Indiana Jones: 79” sorry I mean “Indiana Jones: 5,” “Uncharted,” which stars Mark Wahlberg basically playing Mark Wahlberg, and anyone who gets guilt tripped by their partner into

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“Nope”

Release: Aug. 12 It’s hard to find a better horror writer and director right now than Jordan Peele and Ari Aster — don’t worry, we will get to the latter later in this list.

Jordan Peele blew audiences away with his debut film “Get Out” in 2017. Last year he wrote and produced for the “Candyman” remake which was arguably even better than the original.

Now he is once again writing and directing his latest film, simply called “Nope.” As of right now the plot is unknown, and I’m not even mad. I’m sure whatever it’s about it will be one of the best films of ’22.

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“Jackass Forever” Release: Feb. 4 By the time you read this, the fourth feature film in the Jackass franchise will have already come out. However, I simply can’t neglect “the boys.”

What started out as nothing more than a bunch of dudes getting together, skateboarding and doing ridiculous stunts has manifested itself into a generation of misfits.

Originally set to be released last year, the film was delayed by COVID-19 and then once again by a lawsuit of fellow Jackass member Bam Margera.

Something about getting together with your friends after a long hiatus always hits home.

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“Killers of the Flower Moon” Release: Sometime in 2022 Scorsese. De Niro. DiCaprio.

Let that sink in.

The film, which will be Scorsese’s sixth collaboration with Leo and 10th with De Niro , is based on the 2017 book of the same name by David Grann.

Members of the Osage tribe in the United States are murdered under mysterious circumstances in the 1920s causing J. Edgar Hoover, the notorious first Director of the F.B.I., to investigate.

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“Top Gun: Maverick” Release: May 27 “I won’t let you down Goose," the excessively quotable, over the top, cheesy pinnacle of ’80s films, is finally getting a sequel more than 35 years later.

Returning to the “Danger Zone” are Maverick (Tom Cruise) and Iceman (Val Kilmer). Miles Teller, Ed Harris and Jon Hamn are also joining in on the action.

The film has been delayed several times due to the pandemic.

Let’s cross our fingers and hope it’s worth the wait.

A24

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“Disappointment Blvd” Release: Sometime in 2022 Filmmaker Ari Aster has only two films under his belt.

They just so happen to be “Hereditary” and “Midsommar,” two movies that have redefined horror films by adding more to the genre than jumps scares and body counts.

Aster described “Disappointment Blvd” as a “fourhour long nightmare comedy” that stars Joaquin Phoenix in the lead role who will portray a decade spanning portrait of one of the most successful entrepreneurs of all time.

So, the plot synopsis says.

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“The Batman” Release: Mar. 4 That’s right. I chose DC over Marvel. Sorry to all the “Twilight” fans out there but it’s official — Robert Pattison is now one of “the boys.”

There are few things that make me more excited in this world than Batman. The bar has been set extremely high by Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. I don’t expect this film to top those. At the same time, see if you can get through the film's trailer without cracking a fanboy smile.

Zoe Kravitz, Colin Farrell and Paul Dano will be playing “Catwoman,” “The Penguin,” and “The Riddler” respectively in the film, which is set to follow The Batman in his second year of crime fighting.

Interim editor: Daesha Gear

viewpoints.opinions@gmail.com

OPINIONS

February 10, 2022

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DANIEL HERNANDEZ | VIEWPOINTS

Riverside City College nurses administer the Pfizer vaccine to dozens on the top level of the RCC Parking Structure on April 22.

History is repeating itself on campus Riverside Community College District proposes late vaccine mandate

DAESHA GEAR INTERIM OPINIONS EDITOR

The new booster mandate passed by the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees is giving me déjà vu of fall 2021, and it’s unnerving.

Similar to the last-minute COVID-19 vaccine order in the

fall 2021 semester, which called for both doses from Moderna or Pfizer or the single vaccination from Johnson & Johnson, this new mandate from the district inconveniences students, staff and faculty.

T h e d i s t r i c t ’s l a c k o f transparency and professionalism to enforce the last-minute implementation is beyond comparison to the Cal States and UC’s, which established their booster requirement for students in December. RCCD informed its students and faculty members through an email on Jan. 19 to have the booster shot less than two weeks from the proposed Feb. 1 deadline.

Although I am not here to compare and contrast RCCD to

a CSU or UC, the delivery of enforcing a serious order in such a rushed manner is unsatisfactory.

These matters should be carefully considered due to their impact on faculty members, staff and, most importantly, students.

RCCD encourages students who haven’t received any vaccinations to “do it now.” However, despite recently receiving both shots, students cannot return to campus because their bodies need to build immunity.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults will be eligible to get the booster after five months for Moderna and Pfizer and two months for Johnson & Johnson.

This presents a challenge for students who planned to return to

their respective colleges the Spring semester, as many who received their second dose in September and October will barely be eligible for a booster by February and March.

Everyone eligible to come back is given an either/or option: either receive the booster vaccine and upload proof to CLEARED4 before Feb. 1 or undergo weekly testing to monitor COVID-19 symptoms to access essential locations around the campus until eligible.

The district’s plan to host weekly vaccination sites reminds me of the notorious black tents and wrist bands that monitored who was safe to return to campus in the fall semester.

RCCD’s strategies to check COVID symptoms and blue/green passes disappeared shortly after

a single week despite initially being heavily enforced. With that in mind, it makes me question the district’s consistency with the rules they enforce.

RCCD expects its students and faculty to get a booster vaccine to attend in-person and hybrid courses this semester while repeatedly delivering requirements within short notice.

T h e d i s t r i c t ’s p a s t inconsistencies regarding COVID-19 are becoming more noticeable and objectionable. It is uncertain how well this new order will play this upcoming semester. History is undoubtedly repeating itself regarding RCCD’s lack of consistency on the COVID mandates they implement to its students and faculty members.

District is pushing boundaries with students

JOHN MICHAEL GUERRERO INTERIM SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

The booster should be optional rather than enforced and made mandatory.

The RCCD Board of Trustees voted to pass a booster mandate for the 2022 spring term Jan. 18.

All eligible faculty and students will now be required to receive a booster shot for either Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson by Feb. 1 to be eligible for in-person and hybrid courses.

The district is overstepping its ethical boundaries by forcing many

students to get the booster. Many students hold a similar belief.

Of the 34 students I surveyed on campus throughout the week, 13 students supported the mandate while five students were hesitant and 14 students were against the enactment of the mandate by the Board.

Through interviews I conducted around Riverside City College, I found that 41% of students attending on-campus classes for the winter session said they are against the Booster Mandate.

For instance, several students have expressed they would rather not be forced to take the Pfizer or Moderna booster shots, not because they are opposed to vaccines or protecting others, but because they are concerned about personal freedoms, access to the proper medical resources and their own well-being. “(The COVID vaccine) keeps us safe, but it’s also unfair for (RCCD) to force students to get (the booster shot), it should be a choice,” Liza Rodriguez, an undeclared major, said.

Many of the students who hold

extreme or undecided thoughts about the booster mandate share similar sentiments to Rodriguez.

The requirement of the booster being a prerequisite to attend inperson classes is an extreme step in reopening the college campus after a whole year of lockdowns.

While personal safety should be prioritized above all else, the COVID vaccine should be the only main requirement to participate in hybrid and fully on-campus classes, not the booster shot.

As a college student who attended the fall 2021 term with both doses of the vaccine, wearing a mask and practicing COVID safety guidelines, I was able to safely begin my college education. Although this does not completely protect from COVID and its variants, keep in mind that many who are taking the risk of continuing their education in a face-to-face format while fully vaccinated should be enough.

The only case in which RCCD should open the floor for the booster shot is if it was decided to completely open up all campuses to all students, faculty and staff.

PHOTO COURTESY TO PIXABAY

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Interim opinions editor: Daesha Gear | viewpoints.opinions@gmail.com

February 10, 2022

Editorial

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

STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Leo Cabral (951) 222-8488 viewpointseic@gmail.com INTERIM MANAGING EDITOR Daniel E. Hernandez viewpoints.managing@gmail.com ADVERTISING MANAGER viewpoints.advertising@gmail.com JOURNALISM SPECIALIST Matt Schoenmann matthew.schoenmann@rcc.edu FACULTY ADVISERS Matt Schoenmann Angela Burrell INTERIM NEWS EDITOR Jennipher Vasquez viewpoints.news@gmail.com INTERIM SPORTS EDITOR Daniel Hernandez viewpoints.sports@gmail.com INTERIM PHOTO EDITOR viewpoints.photo@gmail.com INTERIM OPINIONS EDITOR Daesha Gear viewpoints.opinions@gmail.com

LEO CABRAL | VIEWPOINTS

The Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees hold their biweekly meetings at the RCCD Office.

District listens to stakeholders Board put students and staff first during pandemic Being a student, classified staff or faculty member within the Riverside Community College District throughout the last two years have been undoubtedly difficult. Our community has suffered through many trials, from the struggles of distance education to the mental and physical anguish COVID-19 brought.

There was no precedent set on how RCCD should handle such an event. Nor did the world have concrete data about this specific respiratory disease, which made it difficult for any organization to make clear and safe decisions.

Despite not having a clear roadmap of our future, we believe that the RCCD Board of Trustees made the right calls throughout the pandemic to ensure the safety of the students, classified staff and faculty — with the mask and vaccine mandates as their best decision.

Both the vaccine and mask mandate set in place Aug. 10 were considered controversial to some students and faculty.

Tons of public comments condemning the Board were submitted after the decision and

the Trustees sat and read every single one.

Yet they remained unwavered and stuck to their belief of what was best for the district and it paid off.

So far the mandates, paired with hybrid courses, have avoided mass outbreaks on any of the district’s three campuses.

It is that sense of security, coupled with campuses slowly progressing to a new normal, that demonstrates how the Board has put both the safety and mental health of its community first.

Throughout the pandemic, the Board was presented with statistics showcasing how enrollment across the district fell more than 20%. Low enrollment is cause for concern for a non-profit Community College district, which relies on consistent attendance to ensure it can continue to provide its services to the students and pay its employees.

Other colleges around the country felt the pressure of the financial strain and decided to fully reopen their doors in the fall semester. RCCD, however, chose to follow a hybrid plan which ultimately led

to a majority of its students continuing online classes.

At first, the decision to keep most classes virtual could have been seen as unnecessary or fearful. The Board, faced with the reality of the situation, could have interpreted the facts of the situation much differently. For example, the vaccines were already widely available at this stage of the pandemic. The mandates they implemented would, for the most part, ensure that the people within the campus were fully vaccinated and wearing masks to minimize the risk of a serious outbreak.

Ultimately the Board listened to their classified staff and faculty, who asked that a majority of their classes remain online because they didn’t feel safe. They made the conscious decision to remain cautious and put the community first.

Looking back at the fall semester, it was undoubtedly the right decision to take a cautious approach to reopening.

We urge the Board to continue to listen to its staff and faculty which has led to safe decisions.

INTERIM LIFE EDITOR Will Stephens viewpoints.features@gmail.com ASSISTANT LIFE EDITOR Elaina Kleven INTERIM MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Tim Nacey multimedia.viewpoints@gmail.com INTERIM SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER John Michael Guerrero viewpoints.socialmedia@gmail.com REPORTERS: Sean Ryan

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.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

CalFresh’s stigma needs to be broken Hello, my name is Adela Gonzales. I am a California Student Ambassador for RCC breaking the stigmas against CalFresh and encouraging students to apply for benefits.

I wanted to start off with a few misconceptions about the program. Many students believe they will not qualify for benefits because the government only has so much funding for the program, which is incorrect, we do in fact receive more funding from the federal government to provide as many people benefits as possible.

Some students also believe it’s too hard to apply and takes too long to be reviewed when actually it takes about 10 minutes to apply, and depending on your current financial status the county has 3-5 business days to review and file your case.

Another misconception is that students believe they are required

to pay back what they used while receiving CalFresh benefits in which they do not have to pay a cent back, it is purely for food gain.

You could use your benefits to buy hot meals at some approved restaurants, but the best part is that you can use your benefits at Farmers Markets and the majority of farmers markets double the dollar making it easier to stock up on farm-fresh produce and support your local farmers.

I believe it is definitely worth a shot to apply for free money solely for food, we apply for financial aid for our schooling, why not for food?

ADELA GONZALES RIVERSIDE RESIDENT

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Interim editor: Daniel Hernandez viewpoints.managing@gmail.com

SPORTS

February 10, 2022

On track to return RCC track and field prepares for season DANIEL HERNANDEZ INTERIM MANAGING EDITOR

In 2019, the Riverside City College track and field teams had one of the best California Community College Athletics Association (CCCAA) State Championships showings in recent history.

The men’s team dominated, earning the title with a total of 116 points, 43 points above the second-place finisher. Meanwhile, the women’s team took home second place.

Both teams were set to continue their success in 2020. The men’s

team looked to defend its title while the women’s team sought to earn its first state title since 1994.

Then the pandemic hit.

“Covid really has played a dirty trick on all of them,” men’s head coach Jim McCarron said. “As a coaching staff, we are all very aware of that.”

After the involuntary hiatus, the Tigers will return to the track for their season opener at Moorpark College on Feb. 4.

The team, like any other, has had trouble maintaining a consistent practice schedule due to the pandemic and plans to use the first couple of meets to gain momentum.

“We just want to use it as a

training,” women’s head coach Damien Smith said. “Hopefully by the end of February we are kind of ready to start really competing.”

The pandemic, however, has not stopped the track and field teams from bringing some key weapons into the 2022 season.

Both teams have veterans who participated in the short-lived 2020 season and some star-studded newcomers who trained with toptier high school programs.

“We’re good enough to where we can win almost any meet we go to right now,” McCarron said.

“We’ll be a team that’s definitely top five at the state meet with the amount of talent we have.”

Moorpark Highlights

in first at the OEC Championships and seventh at the CCCAA State Championships.

“Abel will be our 5k and 10k guy,” McCarron said. “He’s a top end runner.”

During the shortened 2020 season, Ramos’ strengths were in the 2-mile, finishing at 10:05.69, and the 3,000 at 9:10.18.

Novye James: James is a triple threat for the men’s cross country team.

Horizontal jumps are his forte, reaching 44-10 3/4 feet in the triple jump and 21-11 in the long jump during the 2020 RCC Invite.

However, coach McCarron is putting him in the 4x400 meter relay where he believes James’ athletic ability will help the team shine.

“This year I want to make sure I can get faster,” James said. “So I’m going to get into more sprinting events.”

Home Games Feb.10 at 4:30 p.m. vs Grossmont Feb. 15 at 4 p.m. vs Palomar Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. vs Barstow Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. vs LA Mission

Softball Feb. 10 at 2:30 p.m. vs Santa Barbara Feb. 12 at 12 p.m. vs Allan Hancock Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. vs LA Mission Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. vs Fullerton Feb. 17 at 2:30 p.m. vs Southwestern Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. vs Southwestern

Men’s Basketball Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. vs Cypress

Women’s Basketball

DANIEL HERNANDEZ | VIEWPOINTS

specialist, placing first in the Arcadia Invitational, second in CIF Southern Section finals and third in the 2021 CIF State Championships.

“Kyle has a good chance to win the state meet in the 800 meters,” McCarron said. “I love his work ethic, he’s a great team guy and everyone loves him in the middle distance.”

Collin Orlando: Orlando, another Division 1 newcomer, will bring his pole vaulting skills to RCC and has the potential to become one of the best pole vaulters in the state.

Orlando was a top Santiago High School competitor who placed fifth place in the CIF Southern Section finals with a 15-3 feet PR and eighth in the State Championships with 14-3 feet.

Lovewyn Don-Willies: Don-Willies finished strong Lorenzo Boyd: in the Division 1 CIF Southern McCarron said Boyd could be Section finals. He set two new PRs, a top contender in the state for the one in the 100-meter with 10.8 100-meter if he stays healthy. seconds and in the 200-meter with Boyd broke three PRs in 2020, 21.78 seconds. going under 7 seconds in the 60-meter dash, 11 seconds flat in Darius Hill: the 100 and 22.64 seconds in the Hill will have another 200-meter dash. opportunity to reach great heights at the Community College level Men’s Track and Field after winning the high school state Newcomers championship.

Hill placed first in every high Kyle Reden: jump event in 2021 and rarely went If there is one thing Great Oak below top five in long jump and High School is known for, it’s triple jump. top-tier running. Year after year, He has lofty goals for 2022. the Temecula school has been a “At least 7, if possible 7-4 for Division 1 favorite. Reden was a high jump,” Hill said. “Long jump pivotal piece of the program.

I definitely want to kick in the 24 R e d e n i s a n 8 0 0 - m e t e r feet range.”

1000 Steeplechase

1 Mile Run

High Jump

1st: Raen Reyes - 2:57.52 1st: Briana Rodriguez - 3:52.37

1st: Mario Jacobo - 4:38.01 2nd: Abel Ramos - 4:42.50

1st: Darius Hill - 6-8 feet 2nd: Layah Mora - 4-9 feet

600 Meter Run

3000 Meter Run

Long Jump

1st: Raen Reyes - 9:01.51

1st: Kyelyn Tucker - 15-5 inches 1st: Novye James - 25-2 inches

1st: Kyle Reden - 1:25.94

Upcoming Baseball

Here’s a look at the top athletes to watch Women’s Track and Field in the 100-meter at the 2020 OEC Returners Invite with a time of 12.24.

“Off in the state she will be a Briana Rodriguez: contender,” Smith said.

Rodriguez, who led the women’s Her high school PR for the 100 cross-country team to win the is 12.09.

Orange Empire Conference (OEC) title, looks to be the women’s go-to Women’s Track and Field steeplechase and distance runner.

Newcomers Pre-pandemic, Rodriguez placed second in the women’s Elani Huntley: 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Huntley finished her first OEC Invitational and 10th in the college cross-country season 24th 3,000 at the RCC Invite. in the state with a PR of 19:32.10.

She was also a fraction of a second Helena Valdez: behind Rodriguez earlier in the year Valdez placed fifth in the during the OEC Championships to c o n f e r e n c e c r o s s - c o u n t r y earn a second place spot. championships, which was pivotal In high school, Huntley’s to the team earning a perfect 15 specialty was the 1,600, earning score and the title, with a time of a PR of 5:26.59 in the 2019 Ivy 21 minutes and 26.7 seconds. Now, League Finals. as Valdez transitions into track Huntley said the shortened season, she looks to shave some 2020 season was tough. time off her previous personal “I really didn’t have the right record (PR). mindset for it but I can tell it’s “That’s pretty much my goal going to be different this season,” after every season,” Valdez said. she said.

“Just trying to make myself a little stronger than the last season.”

Trina’i Bedolla: Valdez’s specialties at Riverside Bedolla, a 2021 high school Poly High School were the 200, graduate from Elsinore High 400 and 800 events.

School, is another horizontal jump specialist who reached a 17-7 feet Taylyn Henry: PR in May and a 34-4 PR in the A horizontal jump specialist, triple jump in April.

Henry placed first in the triple jump “I’m just looking for her to event at the RCC Early Bird Invite improve off those,” Smith said. with 32-5 feet and fourth in the long “If she can jump anywhere in the jump event with 14-9 3/4 feet. In 18 feet, she will be a contender at both events, her PRs are 35-5 feet the state meet.” and 16-6 1/2 feet, respectively.

“Taylyn has gotten stronger, she Men’s Track and Field is more focused,” Smith said. “I’d Returners just like to see her jump further than she’s jumped before.”

Abel Ramos: OEC male runner of the year, Hailey Hunt: Ramos cemented himself as one Hunt, a sprinter, earned first of RCC’s top runners by coming

7

Feb. 11 at 5 p.m. vs LA Valley Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. vs Pasadena City Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. vs Orange Coast

Track and Field Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. RCC Early Bird Feb. 25 at 12 p.m. OEC Invitational March 4 at 1 p.m. RCC Invitational March 18 at 10 a.m. RCC Open

Men’s Golf Feb. 28 at 11 a.m. Riverside Invitational April 4 at 11 a.m. Riverside Host Match April 18 at 11 a.m. State Preview May 16 at 7 a.m. CCCAA State Championships

Beach Volleyball March 18 at 10 a.m. vs Orange Coast March 18 at 11 a.m. vs Cypress April 8 at 10 a.m. vs Golden West April 15 at 10 a.m. vs Fullerton April 15 at 12 p.m. vs Irvine Valley

Swimming and Diving March 11 at 10 a.m. Riverside Invitational March 12 at 9 a.m. Riverside Invitational March 25 at 9:30 a.m. OEC Meet #2

Women’s Tennis Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. vs Southwestern Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. vs Cypress

Men’s Tennis Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. vs Ventura Feb. 18 at 12 p.m. vs Hope International University Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. vs Santa Barbara Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. vs Irvine Valley

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.

RIVERSIDE CITY COLLEGE

1. Alumni House – 3564 Ramona Drive • RCCD Foundation 2. Art 3. Automotive Technology 4. Business Education (Alan D. Pauw) • Mailroom/Admin Service Center 5. Ceramics 6. Cosmetology 7. Digital Library & Learning Resource Center (Salvador G. Rotella) • City Grill Express Food Services • Dean, Student Success & Support • Glenn Hunt Center for Teaching Excellence • Guardian Scholars Engagement Center • Journalism/Viewpoints • LHSS Academic Engagement Center • Study Abroad Office • Technology Support Services • World Languages Lab 8. Early Childhood Education 9. Facilities, Maintenance & Operations 10. Gymnasium (Arthur N. Wheelock) • Athletics • Student Athlete Engagement Center • Fitness Room 11. Gymnasium (Catherine S. Huntley) 13. Kane Student Services & Administration Building (Dr. Charles A Kane) • Academic Affairs • Admissions & Records • Auxiliary Business Services/Cashier • Business Services • CalWORKs • Career & Transfer Center • Counseling • Disability Resource Center • Extended Opportunities Programs & Services (EOPS)/CARE

Map Key • Financial Aid • President’s Office • Student Employment Services • Student Financial Services • Student Services • Transcripts • TRIO – Student Support Services • Veterans’ Resource Center • Welcome Center 14. Landis Performing Arts Center 15. Lovekin Complex • College Safety & Police (L1-3) • Gateway to College (L4-9) • Tennis (L10) • Tennis Courts • Photo Lab & Studio (L12-14) 16. Martin Luther King Jr. High Tech Center • Center for Communication Excellence • Math Center • STEM/Fine & Performing Arts Academic Engagement Center • Tutorial Services • Writing & Reading Center 17. Math & Science Building • Dean, STEM 18. Music 19. Music Annex 20. Music Hall (Richard M. Stover) • Dean, Fine and Performing Arts • Marching Tigers 21. Nature Trail (Arlene & Robert F. Richard) 22. Quadrangle (Arthur G. Paul) • Art Gallery • Dean, Languages, Humanities & Social Sciences (LHSS) • Honors Study Center

23. Parking Structure 24. Pilates Studio (Eleanor H. Crabtree) 25. Planetarium (Robert T. Dixon) 26. Practice Field 27. RCC Coil School for the Arts – 3890 University Avenue 28. RCC Culinary Arts Academy – 3801 Market Street 29. Riverside Aquatics Complex 30. School of Nursing 31. Sports Complex (Samuel C. Evans) • Baseball Field • Softball Field (Ab Brown) 32. Stadium (Arthur N. Wheelock) • Weight Room 33. Student Center (Ralph H. Bradshaw) • ASRCC Student Government • Bookstore • City Grill Food Services • Dean, Student Life • Food Pantry • Hall of Fame • Student Health and Psychological Services • Heritage Room • La Casa Cultural Engagement Center • Student Activities • Umoja Cultural Engagement Center 34. Technology A • CTE Academic Engagement Center • Dean, Career & Technical Education 35. Technology B • International Students and Programs Center • Printing & Graphics Center 36. Warehouse 37. Outdoor Plant Laboratory • Greenhouse