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NEWS
NEWS BRIEFS
Important Dates
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Full credit eight-week late start classes begin Oct. 18. The fnal day to add classes is Oct. 27. The fnal day to drop with a “W” is Nov. 2, and the fnal day to drop without a “W” is Nov. 4. The fnal day to drop with a refund is Oct. 24.
Second coronavirus dose deadline updated
Students now have until Sept. 30 to receive their second dose of the Pfzer or Moderna vaccine to reach full immunity by Oct. 14.
ASRCC Student Senate Election
Electronic voting for candidates will be open from Sept. 28-29. For applications or more information email asrcc. vp@rcc.edu, or visit ASRCC in the Bradshaw Building room 207.
ASRCC Resource Center
Free snacks, school supplies, toiletries and more are available in the ASRCC Resource Center. Hours of operation: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All of these dates are subject to change due to possible regulations to come involving the containment of the coronavirus.
Corrections:
- In our previous issue we misspelled Chancellor Woldeab Isaac’s last name as “Isac.”
- In our previous issue in the sports section about RCC sports returning, we stated the “frst event in the fall semester will be a football game at San Diego Mesa.” This was actually a scrimmage, not a game.
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 calender, send information about the event to viewpoints. news@gmail.com.
JOHN GUERRERO | VIEWPOINTS Riverside City College hosts Club Rush on campus for the frst time since the pandemic from Sept 14-16. Many clubs shared a similar sentiment that the pandemic negatively impacted club attendance.
Club ‘Rush’ returns to Terracina Drive
Many students cautiously optimistic attending in-person
ANDREA MENDEZ STAFF REPORTER
Club Rush returned to Riverside City College’s campus for the first time since the pandemic forced all activities online.
The three-day event was held in a hybrid format to accommodate for those who are unvaccinated or unable to come onto campus.
Many were excited to be returning to campus.
“It feels great,” Amy Bartels, biology major at RCC, said. “I actually have never been on campus, this is my second year at RCC.”
She did, however, have some concerns over the promotion of Club Rush. Many of her classmates were not aware of the student-run event.
“I heard a lot of my classes did not know about it until the professors told them,” Bartels said.
Information on the hybrid event was spread by professors and through Associated Students of RCC’s Instagram account. The student government spent time organizing Club Rush and assisting clubs with member recruitment.
“This Club Rush was especially a lot of work,” Elisabeth Etchell, sociology major and an Inter-Club Council Director said. “We put up an extra effort to help the clubs get on their feet. Clubs have really suffered last year since recruitment was really hard when it was online only.”
The pandemic affected many areas of all new and existing clubs and organizations operation wise.
“There has barely been any clubs,” Kayla Batchelor, English major and member of the SOC club said. “The whole in-person Club Rush is a stark contrast to what it was the previous spring semester.”
Clubs have changed how they operate by enforcing and following COVID-19 regulations such as implementing mask mandates, CLEARED4 daily pass checks and social distancing.
“We are going to mandate along with the school for the safety of others,” Phong Ngo, kinesiology major and member of the Asian Pacific Student Union, said. “We are going to try and have people six feet apart if possible with 10 or less members in our club location.”
Club funding is another area that has been slightly wavering due to the pandemic.
While newer clubs have not been affected monetarily, it has still impacted their ability to fund raise for club events. Budgets are up in the air to be settled with for new clubs as they are to be further discussed with student government.
“I spoke with the ASRCC president and they said we could plan the whole year full of events and that it would be reviewed to see what can be done within the budget,” Carlos Alvarado, psychology major and member of the Asian Pacific Student Union said.
The student government does plan to have as many regular events as possible while following safety regulations on campus.
“We’re working on having as many of the regular events as possible, like a COVID-safe Halloween Town and Scare Week,” Etchells said. “We’re working on making sure we can have something for the community if that’s possible but also making sure that it’s safe.”
Clubs do plan to follow along with the scheduled events that ASRCC will be holding so as to not overlap.
“For now we are following ASRCC Halloween Town, and Week of Scare, and any other monthly event they plan,” Alvarado said.
Original date for fnal vaccination changed
VACCINE from page 1
effectively to students throughout this process and should move the deadline to a further date.
As a result, the Faculty Association and Chancellor Wolde-ab Isaac held an emergency meeting to discuss extending the deadline.
“It appears there was some confusion,” the Sept. 17 email from the chancellor stated. “In an effort to support all of those working towards full vaccination, recognizing that some may have misunderstood the September 30 deadline to be the date by which they were to receive their second dose, the deadline has been extended.”
The new deadline now allows students to reach full vaccination status by Oct. 14.
“As Student Trustee I am delighted that the deadline got pushed back,” Student Trustee Jack Harris said. “I think the best thing to do is to push back until winter arrives… It is helpful for our most economically disadvantaged students who must work a lot and often don’t have reliable transportation or even childcare, however, students who are partially vaccinated still should maintain vigilance for their fellows with pre-existing conditions of life including autoimmunity, morbid obesity, old age, etc,”
The district will most likely utilize the CLEARED4 system and continue to offer COVID-19 tests and vaccinations through the fall to spring semester.
“I know it has been very stressful for everyone,” Isaac said. “And I’m deeply grateful for people’s patience and tenacity and determination.”
Isaac continued to thank the student body and all district employees for their cooperation.
JOYCE NUGENT | VIEWPOINTS Above: The La Quinta community honors the victims of the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania terrorist attacks at a candlelight vigil Sept. 11. The event featured touching musical performances, several speeches by local dignitaries and a special dedication to fallen Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez, the Coachella Valley native killed in Afghanistan last month.
Above: A C-47 Sky Train returns to the Palm Springs Air Museum after fying over 26 fre stations in the Coachella Valley on Sept 11 to commemorate the anniversary of 9/11. The aircraft carries fags honoring local service personnel lost as a result of the Global War on Terrorism and Gold Star families.
Bottom: Palm Springs Police Capt. Michael Kovaleff lifts his son Cash over the crowd on his shoulders so he can witness the 20th anniversary commemoration at Palm Springs Fire Station 2 on Sept. 11. Master of Ceremonies, Palm Springs Fire Department Engineer Mark Chavez described the events of September 22, 2001 for those who are too young to remember.
Coachella Valley remembers lives lost during Patriot Day
9/11 from Page 1
“We remember all the heroes of that day,” Palm Springs Fire Department Deputy Chief Jason Loya said.
A 9/11 memorial sculpture was unveiled by the Cathedral City Council, Cathedral City Public Arts Commission and Cathedral City Fire Department in a ceremony that concluded with a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. to coincide with the time American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
The city of Indio gave away 300 small trees in honor of the victims of 9/11 and Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez, who was killed in Kabul, Afghanistan.
“Planting these trees will eventually provide shade, a beautiful canopy around our city and a generational legacy in Hunter’s honor,” Indio Mayor Elaine Holmes said in a prepared statement.
“In addition, it’s a small way we can recognize the signifcance of the 20-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and the many sacrifices made by our troops since that time.”
Multiple World War II war planes from the Palm Springs Air Museum few over 26 fre stations in the valley and High Desert. The aircraft carried the American flags honoring local military personnel who lost their lives in the Global War on Terrorism.
As the sun set and the day of remembrance came to a close, City Council Member Kathleen Fitzpatrick issued a call to action at a candlelight vigil in La Quinta.
“Right after the attack on our country, we were at our best. We saw beyond our differences and unifed in one vision,” Fitzpatrick said. “Let’s go forward from now and be worthy of the sacrifces of those families that were left behind. Let’s honor the heroism and courage of the frst responders who lost their lives and those that are still suffering. Let’s be our best selves again, willing to do what’s right, working together for the beneft of all Americans.” Above: A memorial honoring the 343 frefghters and thousands of others who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and on U.S. Flight 93 Sept. 11, 2001, was unveiled at the newest Cathedral City Fire Station Sept. 11, 2021, the 20-year anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States. The 12-foottall memorial that now stands at the base of the American flag at Fire State 411, was designed by Cathedral City Fire Capt. Corey Goddard and fabricated by Jason Carlin.
’32-’42: growth breeds golden age
DANIEL HERNANDEZ MANAGING EDITOR
After 10 years of working to establish a student-run publication at Riverside City College, a new era came to fruition in 1932 with the hiring of a former alumnus: Robert Patton.
Between 1922 and 1932, both the Tequesquite — a year book — and the student newspaper were only considered extra-curricular activities. Unlike today, there were no journalism classes that taught students the rules and ethics of being a reporter..
However, this all changed at RCC with the arrival of Patton.
Within the first year of his tenure, a class in practical newspaper reporting was added and he became the adviser to both publications. While not much information can be found about what the class taught, its influence on the student publications was admired by the author of “A 65 Year History” and within the articles published in the subsequent years.
His mentorship came at the perfect time for the paper. Between the end of the Great Depression and the beginning of World War II, the RCC community became more involved in state, national and international affairs — including the student-journalists at The Arroyo.
Fortunately for Riverside, the Great Depression did not impact the college or the city like it did the rest of the United States. It was, however, the catalyst for the community’s interest in the politics of the era.
The first signs of political interest at RCC began in 1932 when The Arroyo held a straw poll vote for the upcoming presidential election. The polls indicated that the college students were in favor of the reelections of Republican presidential candidate, Herbert Hoover, and California senator, Republican candidate Tallant Tubbs. It solidifed that the college was still staunchly Republican in ideology.
During that same time period, The Arroyo also reported about a speech held in Riverside by an outspoken Socialist at the time named Upton Sinclair. The reporter called him interesting and elaborated on how the audience felt as if his ideals were the only for economic freedom.
The threat of war looming over RCC also affected the college paper, which had articles discussing the potential of going to war as early as 1936. They reported on a “peace plebiscite” where respondents refused (21%) to go to war or agreed only if the U.S. was invaded (45%).
In the following years, the paper would continue to publish editorials, profiles and news articles all relating to World War II.
The publications did not only cover political affairs. It also covered RCC’s growth as a college.
The student-journalists at The Arroyo were proactive in reporting on the campus’ growth, documenting almost each and every new developmental project occurring within its borders.
DANIEL HERNANDEZ | VIEWPOINTS
PHOTO COURTESY OF RIVERSIDE CITY COLLEGE Students-journalists from The Arroyo sit in the newsroom and prepare an issue of the bi-weekly paper.
From the Lovekin Art Center in 1939 to the addition of a pipe organ within the Auditorium, the program was proactive in documenting the college’s growth.
Overall, the paper thrived with the arrival of Patton. His presence helped guide the student-journalists to be proactive with their reporting. “A 65 Year History” illustrates a typical front page as having 21 different items, concerning a variety of articles.
The Arroyo’s golden age, however, would seemingly end around the beginning of the 1940s.
JOYCE NUGENT | VIEWPOINTS A banner prominently displays Cpl. Hunter Lopez at the middle school that he attended while growing up in Indio Sept. 17. It honors Cpl. Hunter Lopez and the other 12 American service members who died during the bombing at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan Aug 26. Hundreds mourn hometown hero in three-day procession
LOPEZ from page 1
JOYCE NUGENT STAFF REPORTER
A homemade fag made by Army and Air Force veteran Brian Gray is left standing at the Palm Desert Sheriff Station.
The fag reads “Hunter Lopez 9/21” in honor of United States Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez of Indio, who was among the 13 American service members killed during a terrorist attack near the international airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 26.
“I found a piece of wood and some material from JoAnn’s that has the Marine Corps symbols and Semper Fi all over it,” Gray said. “I just made a fag out of it and wrote ‘no greater honor is given than a man who gives his life for his fellow man.’”
Lopez died a hero shortly after he and a fellow Marine lifted two small girls over a fence to safety.
He served in the Marine Corps for four years and spent his first three years as part of the Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company A, 5th Platoon. Most recently he was a member of 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Golf Company, 1st Platoon, 3rd squad.
Lopez, 22, was born in Palm Springs and spent his youth in the Coachella Valley and is the son of two Riverside County deputy sheriffs. His mother, Alicia Lopez, is the Riverside County Sheriff’s Association Board secretary and his father, Capt. Herman Lopez, is chief of La Quinta Police Department.
“Before Hunter became a Marine, he was a son to Alicia and Herman, a brother to Owen and Trinity, a friend to many, a student and an Explorer Scout captain with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department,” Riverside County Sheriff’s Lt. Tim Brause said Sept. 18 at the Palm Springs Convention Center during the memorial service. “Hunter’s early commitment to serve others led him to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.”
The Lopez family said in a statement that news of their son’s death was “the news that no parent wants to receive.”
“Our family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and condolences we’ve received in the wake of Hunter’s sudden passing,” the couple added. “Please know that Hunter wore the United States Marine uniform with love and pride, and it is very apparent that the community will never forget his sacrifce and our family.”
On Sept. 16, the streets in the Coachella Valley were lined by men, women and children dressed in red, white and blue proudly holding American fags to honor Lopez as his motorcade traveled from the Forest Lawn Mortuary in Cathedral City to St. Francis of Assisi church in La Quinta.
You could hear a pin drop as the procession passed the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station. Some people placed their hands over their hearts, veterans and law enforcement saluted and others simply watched through tears of gratitude and sadness.
The second day of the three day memorial event to honor Lopez a somber procession made its way through his childhood schools, Amelia Earhart Elementary School, John Glenn Middle School and La Quinta
JOYCE NUGENT | VIEWPOINTS Firefghters from Fire Station 412, Cathedral City and Fire Station 442, Palm Springs climb on aerial ladders to secure an American fag to honor Cpl. Hunter Lopez at the convention center in Palm
High School.
At Amelia Earhart Elementary, school pictures of Lopez taken during his younger years lined the sidewalks fanked by American fags that represent the school’s community.
“Rest in Peace, Cpl. Hunter Lopez,” Principal Ann Morales said. “You will live in our hearts and memory forever.”
Teary-eyed family and friends lovingly shared stories and memories of Lopez at his memorial service Sept. 18.
Nick Conway, Lopez’s friend since the fourth grade, wiped away tears as he told how he, Lopez and Matthew Zamora cried with laughter while playing Xbox, shared frequent sleepovers with nerf gun fghts, Star Wars movie nights, pool fghts, birthday parties and stupid inside jokes.
According to Conway, Lopez always had a sense of maturity and level headedness about him. He always had a plan and was able to execute. After he joined theMarines the only things he cared about were his family, becoming a better person and a better operator.
“He was the kind of friend you wanted by your side, he would do anything for you,” Conway added. “Hunter lived and died by the motto ‘service above self.’”
Sgt. David Traylor was at the airport with Lopez Aug. 26.
After the pair pulled the children to safety, Traylor said he looked at Lopez and they fstbumped.
“Unfortunately, I never got to see my brother again,” Traylor said. As the funeral procession — escorted by dozens of law enforcement vehicles from local agencies and the California Highway Patrol — approached Banning on its way to Riverside National Cemetery, the San Gorgonio Bridge was being decorated with the American Flag by Erik Barajas, a U.S. Air Force veteran, and his family.
“I lost my Lieutenant in Iraq so I know what it feels like,” Barajas said.
“It is important to me that Hunter’s family knows the people of Riverside County care about them and their son and what they are going through.”
JOYCE NUGENT | VIEWPOINTS The California Highway Patrol clears Interstate 10 near Banning for the motorcade carrying Cpl. Hunter Lopez out of Coachella Valley for the last time. The procession travels from the memorial service held at the convention center in Palm Springs Sept. 18 to the Riverside National Cemetery where he is buried.
