ELAC Campus News Spring Issue 19

Volume 78, Issue 19 | www.elaccampusnews.com | Wednesday, April 20, 2022 | Single copy free - additional copies 50 cents

AB 1705 puts students last Placing new students in transfer-level math courses may deter them from attending college The amended bill would allow for students’ needs to take Staff Writer precedent.

The following wording would Assembly Bill 1705 is making its way through the California give students more freedom.

“AB 1705 shall not be used state legislature, will require new community college students to to prohibit or deny a student an start in transfer-level English and opportunity to enroll in any pretransfer level mathematics or math courses.

The bill will require community English courses based on students’ colleges to enroll new high school right to determine for themselves and GED graduates into transfer- their academic needs.”

Judge is a former level math and ELAC student. As English courses “AB 1705 is a student he was

by July 2023.

Community putting students working and taking care of grandparents, colleges would in those transfer- h i s m o t h e r a n d no longer offer looking after pre-transfer level level math and siblings. math and English English courses “It took me four courses. The years to graduate author of the bill is and saying ‘Do from community Assembly member the best you can, college and transfer.

Jaqui Irwin.

East Los just get tutoring, I started in Geometry 120, then I took Math Angeles College you have three 125 (intermediate mathematics algebra) before p r o f e s s o r tries and good I could get into a and Chair of luck.’” transfer-level math the Districts course. If you Mathematics DANIEL JUDGE said to me ‘we’re Council Daniel Mathematics Professor going to start you Judge is leading at a transfer-level the opposition to course,’ I would’ve the bill. Judge has proposed an improvement plan along with other never gone to college. For me this is a very personal thing. community college faculty.

“AB1705 is putting students I understand what students go in those transfer-level math and through because I went through it English courses and saying, ‘Do myself. This would’ve stopped me the best you can, just get tutoring, from going to school. I would’ve you have three tries and good luck.’ been disenfranchised,” Judge said.

He said disenfranchised students The problem with that is students have other responsibilities, they are another reason for opposing may not be able to add three extra the bill.

Judge has students come to hours a day in an English or math class to get tutoring. They may him saying they were put into have to go home and take care of transfer-level math and can’t do their children, go to work, or take it, so they’re not even going to try.

“When students have limited care of their parents. It’s not so easy to say to somebody to go get options, they become desperate this extra stuff done,” Judge said. and turn to for-profit schools.

The District Mathematics For-profits leave students in large Council proposed amendments to amounts of debt and sometimes the bill to focus on students having their for-profit degree is not the right to chose to enroll into a accepted for jobs.

“We are trying to protect our pre-transfer-level math or English course if the student believes it community college mission and fulfills their academic needs based protect our students from forprofits.” on the following criteria: Judge said they have been • Completing a certificate program.

• Completing course requirements fighting to change the language in a career and technical education of the bill. The exact wording of the final bill is currently unknown. program.

“We went to Jaqui Irwin’s office, • Learn content knowledge in math and English courses because of we met with her representative, we learning loss due to the COVID- presented our amended bill and 19 pandemic or having stayed they were not accepting of our out of school for a period of time. amended language,” Judge said.

Campus News has reached out • College program needs.

• Fulfilling a learning priority in a to Irwin’s office and is currently waiting for a comment. math or English course.

BY ANNETTE QUIJADA

GRAPHIC BY DANIELLA MOLINA

Program helps students pay for college

BY DANIELLA MOLINA Staff Writer

C a l i f o r n i a ’s c o l l e g e a n d university systems joined the State of California Governor’s office to launch a historical $146 million investment for higher education called The California For All College Corps program. East Los Angeles College was one of 45 colleges that was selected after a competitive application process.

The program will roll out this fall and is designed to help up to 6,500 students across California pay for college.

The financial assist comes in exchange for students’ commitment to give back to their communities in meaningful ways. Students commit to 450 hours of service work. The services focus on critical issues such as climate action, K-12 education, community health issues, food insecurities and COVID-19 recovery efforts.

Selected volunteer students who

complete their first year of service work and education will receive academic credits and $10,000 to cover tuition costs. The program will also provide a $7,000 stipend for living expenses along with a $3,000 education award.

Of the 45 colleges and universities that were selected to participate in the college opportunity program.

Cal State LA, ELAC, and Rio Hondo College were the three colleges representing the San Gabriel Valley. Approximately 200 low- to moderate-income students from the San Gabriel Valley area can be chosen to participate in the program. The rest will be selected from partner colleges and universities across the state of California.

This program will introduce California students of all backgrounds and ethnicities to statefunded educational opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds for the first time in history.

Each campus will be responsible for recruiting students from their campus for the application process.

All students who are in good academic standing are welcome to apply. Student dreamers, or undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as young children, are also eligible for the program through AB 540.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through June 15. For best consideration, apply by May 15.

In hopes of building the next generation of community leaders and activists, the program is providing new options and ways to pay for college. New career paths are being carved out to cater to critical issues that underserved communities are currently facing.

There are gaps in the current system. Even with financial aid and Pell grants, millions of students still fall into educational debt. Financial hardships and food insecurities fall

back on the students while attending colleges. Some students are forced to choose between books or bread.

However, with the California For All College Corps program, offering financial support will ease some of the burden. Students may be able to focus more on learning while performing and obtaining career related work experience and building leadership skills that can be used within their own communities.

This also affords the opportunity for students to graduate on time and with less debt.

The program is similar to the military GI Bill in which, one who is willing to serve can receive assistance with paying for college.

ELAC students who are interested in applying are encouraged to contact a dean in the office of Student Services and/or visit www.californiavolunteers.ca.gov/ californiansforall-college-corps/ for further program application information.

Male perspective given at sexual assault awareness workshop

BY LUIS DIAZ Staff Writer April is sexual assault awareness month, and the Sexual Assault Awareness Violence Education Team hosted a virtual workshop on Thursday.

The SAAVE conference focused on sexual violence toward men and women.

The virutal workshop explored the multiple points of view and defined sexual assault and rape.

The conference was hosted by East Los Angeles College’s East Los Angeles Women’s Center’s Gabby Orozco. The workshop had two guest speakers, prevention specialists Osvaldo Cruz and Luis Mendoza.

One of the points discussed was the fear that accompanies the act of sexual assault.

Many teenagers and/or adults

have fear of being able to stand up and talk about their experiences and live with that trauma.

A two minute video called “CONSENT, it’s simple as tea” gave a clear explanation of how not to force anyone in any way using the perfect example of tea. The video shows two people with one person forces the other one to drink tea when they don’t want to.

Cruz’s Powerpoint presentation said how important consent is. Cruz said there are certain factors when a person is asking for consent.

“If you see me in pictures, you will always see my hands behind my back and never on a person without asking them first if it’s fine” said Cruz.

“What made me become a prevention specialist was the fact that I have daughters and I just want to be able to make a difference so their lives are safe, and I also have boys, you know, and being able to

guide them and helping everyone out there is what made me do this,” Cruz said.

Another video was presented in the workshop which demonstrated a group of people who read off a page explaining the trauma that an unknown person went through.

At the end of the video the person whose past experience was written on the page came out.

“In many households it can be very tough to express certain experiences. Even when someone is crying, parents say why are you crying or stop crying,” Cruz said.

Sexual assault not only happens to women but it happens to men.

The workshop showed that it is important to listen. This can help people understand other’s point of view it can help others respect their decision. ELAWC offers a variety of services for men and women. The Men’s Healing Circle is a safe space where men can come

together to process life issues.

These issues include childhood trauma, sexual tramua while also supporting the discovery of coping mechanisms, and tools for stress relief and healing.

The support group is virtual and registration is required. The group meets every Thursday starting April 7, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. To register or for more information contact Luis Mendoza at Imendoza@elacwc.org.

East Los Angeles Women’s Center offers 24/7 Rape & Battery Hotline. The number to contact them is 1 (800) 585-6231. The main office can be contacted at (323) 526-5819.

Other ELAWC programs and services include the following: Individual Therapy, Support Groups, Parenting Class, Case Management, Accompaniments, 24/7 Hotline, Referrals & Advocacy and Volunteer Programs.

METRO GO PASS

GRAPHIC BY TERESA ACOSTA

News Briefs

Free donuts

NO MEANS NO—The importance of consent and the use of the word “no” is highlighted by Ozvaldo Cruz during the virtual presentation.

The Anthropology, Geography and Geology Departments are hosting an outdoor open house tomorrow from 12:10 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. between building G8 and G7. Students can learn what the departments have to offer and enjoy free donuts.

Stage-combat workshop

A free workshop titled “Hollywood Swashbuckling & The Art of Victorian Swordplay,” will take place tomorrow from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Theater Departments P2-Black Box.

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Virtual Museum Studies Meetup

The Vincent Price Art Museum is having a collaborative conversation about community museums tomorrow at 6 p.m. with visual artist and art history student Anaís Orozco.

Students can register at https://laccd.zoom.us/meeting/ register/tJEldumqpzkjGNzG8ETCjAeunTs2Vpk8DjeK

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OPINION/NEWS

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022

California should reduce 40 hour work week to 32

BY LEONARDO CERVANTES Staff Writer California can make history by becoming the first state across the U.S to enforce 32-hour work weeks instead of 40-hour workweeks.

The Bill, AB 2932, would shorten the current work week from 40 hours to 32 hours for employers in California with at least 500 employees.

This bill would require that work in excess of 32 hours in a workweek be compensated at the rate of no less than 1 1/2 times the employee’s regular rate of pay.

The bill would also prohibit an employer from reducing an employee’s regular rate of pay as a result of this reduced hourly work week requirement.

Shorter work weeks would allow people to devote more time to other priorities they have.

Having eight hours less from a work week would do wonders for everyone’s physical health.

Residents would have less stressful weeks and could improve their physical and mental health.

With reduced stress levels, workers could potentially be more engaged at work and perhaps finish jobs easier.

People would be able to spend time with their loved ones and recover from their grueling schedules.

Working 40 hours a week can be seen as a challenge for some but reducing it to only 32 hours could improve work morale and potentially increase attention to detail for workers.

Less hours at work would improve stress levels which would also

EDITOR IN CHIEF Annette Quijada Brenda De La Cruz MANAGING EDITOR Zasha Hayes Daniella Molina ONLINE EDITOR Raymond Nava

CN/ MAX MIRANDA

improve the effectiveness at work. a fulltime job don’t have realistic Workers tend to slack off during options to be full time students. the final hour or two of work due to With an extra eight hours of free human nature. This bill would most time this would likely change. likely improve that.

Workers would have the option AB 2932 to take an extra would have its class or two and biggest effect Student workers would further advance their at the onset studies and get a a s p e o p l e have the option to take degree ahead of their will see eight an extra class or two expected date. extra hours AB 2932 could and further advance also open the doors to themselves so they will for workers that are their studies.” most likely be eager to continue motivated at their studies but their workplace. haven’t been able to due to their Many workers have busy lives. schedules.

They attend school or have kids The bill could also increase to care of. An extra eight hours a potential job options by having week could help them better balance people eager to apply. Shorter their lives. work weeks could definitely reduce Many part time students that work unemployment.

Certain companies that qualify for this new bill could see their part-time workers become full-time workers due to the new hour change.

Working 40 hours a week can be grueling. With the change, those that were once doubtful can potentially be swayed to join the workforce.

This new bill could change the lives of many people by breaking their boring schedule and allowing them to experience more of life.

Some people’s schedules are so constrained they only have a few hours to themselves.

This could potentially allow them to travel more or perhaps get rest and sleep in a couple of hours.

People could potentially spend more time with their friends and loved ones or meetup with those whose past work schedules restrained them from meeting.

It would allow people to expand their social life and become more familiarized with their community.

In Iceland, a four-day work week trial was conducted by Autonomy and the Association for Sustainability and Democracy (Alda) and was viewed as a success.

“Worker wellbeing dramatically increased across a range of indicators, from perceived stress and burnout to health and work-life balance... Productivity and service provision remained the same or improved across the majority of trial workplaces,” researchers said.

This bill would be groundbreaking as it would be the first time in the United States since 1926 where the 40-hour work week would see a change. Governor Newsom has until September 30 to sign or veto the bill.

Black immigrants’ college success at disadvantage

BY RICARDO MARTIR Staff Writer

CN/MAX MIRANDA

Free transportation supports students

BY RAYMOND NAVA Staff Writer Assembly Bill 1919 was passed by the California State Assembly’s Committee on Transportation on April 4. AB1919 would require all transit agencies that receive state funding to provide free transportation to people who are 25 years old or younger. The bill was passed through the committee unanimously with bipartisan support.

AB1919 was introduced by Assemblyman Chris Holden. Under AB1919, the following agencies would need to comply with the change: the State Transit Assistance Program and the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program.

Functionally, these transportation agencies would be required to provide aformentioned individuals with free transit passes.

The legislative text of AB1919 specifies that local authorities, school districts and colleges would be required “to maintain their funding for free or reduced fare youth transit as provided in the 2018-19 fiscal year.”

AB1919 would require that passes be given to individuals who meet the criteria, regardless of immigration status.

The passes would be treated as full-price fares for the purpose of determining the amount the state would need to reimburse transit agencies as a result of AB1919. www.ELACCampusNews.com

When widening the scope, the The transit agencies would i n i t i a l l y p r o v i d e p a s s e s t o number jumps to 25% of youth that individuals 25 years old or younger use it at least monthly.

The study said mass transit is out of their own operating budget.

They would then be entitled to depended upon by individuals aged reimbursements the next time the 16-30 on a disproportionate scale.

AB1919 would allocate roughly appropriation process begins.

Funds used to support this $115 million for the creation of the would come from the regular state free transit passes so transit agencies who may be struggling won’t have appropriation process.

Holden said that transportation to add another financial burden is an issue that relates to student their plate.

One other benefit, that may or may success. not be intentional, In a press is that if AB1919 release from leads to more his office using regarding the “We need to create a individuals these agencies, bill’s passage in committee, pathway to success for the state could Holden said, the students of today by choose to increase funding for them. “ We n e e d This is funding reducing the barrier of to create a in addition to the pathway to transit.” standard amount success for received during the students the normal of today by CHRIS HOLDEN appropriation reducing the California State Assemblyman process. barrier of AB1919 still transit.” has a long way to In a study published by the UCLA Luskin go before it becomes a law, as it has School of Public Affairs, it found only made it out of committee.

The bill will need to pass the that transportation use was strongly associated with individuals who full Assembly and the State Senate could be classified as being of before it heads to the Governor’s desk. “student status.”

Supporters of the bill may Three main points stick out from the study. The study said about find it encouraging it was passed 8% of people who are 18 years in committee on a unanimous old or younger use many forms of bipartisan vote. This increases the odds that it could become a law. transportation daily.

The Immigrants Rising group raises awareness among staff, faculty, and administrators on how to create access and opportunities for Black undocumented students in higher education programs throughout the country.

The hosts of the webinar were Eva Vera Burns, an organizer at Black Alliance for Just Immigration, and Shirleen Achieng, an organizer for the Haitian Bridge alliance.

The hosts said a Pew Research study shared “An estimated 575,000 of Black Immigrants were living in the US without authorization in 2017, making up 16% of the Black immigrant population.”

A lot of Black immigrant students don’t attend college because they don’t believe it’s possible.

According to a 2019 study by the US Census Bureau, out of the 427,000 undocumented students 53,617 of them were Black immigrants.

Black immigrant students are ranked fourth highest out of five possible ethnic groups. Out of those 53,617 students only 9,607 were eligible and enrolled for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. That’s only 5.3%of the Black immigrant college student population.

Vera Burns said students who are part of the minority and immigrant population often lack the tools and knowledge to take advantage of the resources available for their disposal.

Students not having the time to prioritize their studies and scholarship opportunities is a common story because not only do they have their educational duties but they also have other responsibilities such as work and taking care of their family.

A student from California State University Los Angeles said, “I always knew that I was undocumented since the age of six.

My parents thought that the only way for me to go to college and get a scholarship was to be really good in extracurricular activities such as sports and music…however, I started building up anxiety because of the pressure that my parents were constantly putting on me.”

Under representation is a big reason for the Black immigrant community having few students

attending and pursuing higher education.

A student from California State Dominguez Hills University said, “It is important to have a role model that looks like me and that can understand the battles that I have based on my identity. Unfortunately, DRC (Dream Resource Centers) do not provide that element of representation.”

The hosts said the situation is partly due to students being unaware of all the opportunities programs offer.

“Of the educators interviewed, almost all noted that the undocumented student services on their respective campuses did not target Black undocumented students,” Burns said.

Under representation is a big reason for the Black immigrant community having few students attending and pursuing higher education.

Burns said faculty and popular media iare unaware of the opportunities out there. This leads to a lack of representation in higher education.

Instead, these students face repercussions from campus policing.

Some solutions to fix under representation include: • Hiring competent financial aid workers who are conscious of racial bias.

• Developing fellowship opportunities for non-DACA graduate students.

• Establishing specific scholarships/fellowships strictly saved for Black undocumented students.

By starting these actions social connections can begin and a shift in representation is possible The hosts said spreading awareness is possible through foundations including Hatian Bridge Alliance, The Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Black Immigrant Collective, African Bureau of Immigrants and Social Affairs.

FRONT EDITOR Teresa Acosta OPINION EDITORS Luis Diaz Eduardo Sanchez NEWS EDITOR Breanna Fierro FEATURE EDITOR Alma Lizarraga ARTS EDITOR Gabriela Guitierrez SPORTS EDITOR Nick Tercero COPY EDITORS Luis Castilla Juan Calvillo CARTOONIST Max Miranda STAFF WRITERS Jonathan Bermudez Leonardo Cervantes Jesus Hernandez Beatriz Garay Miguel Dominguez Ricardo Martir Adonia Burciaga

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News

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022

Students, faculty elligible for visa

BY GABRIELA GUTIERREZ Staff Writer Current students, faculty and staff who are considered immigrant survivors may be eligible for a United States visa through services offered by the Central American Resource Center.

The Central American Resource Center, or CARECEN, shared information with East Los Angeles College Thursday on how current students, faculty and staff who are undocumented, specifically those who are considered immigrant survivors, can potentially qualify to obtain a U.S. visa.

CARECEN describes immigrant survivors as individuals who are routinely victimized by criminal and violent elements. Senior Staff Attorney Tessa Copeland said immigrant survivors might stay silent due to fear of losing their immigration status, fear of retaliation by either their perpetrator(s) or someone within the immigration field, or simply a lack of knowledge of the available resources to them.

There are three primary ways that an immigrant survivor can choose from to potentially obtain a U.S. visa. ·A U-Visa. ·A Violence Against Women Act petition. ·A T-Visa.

Each process has its own qualifying requirements and defining elements for immigrant survivors to learn about and choose which option is best for them. It is important to note that for each

process, the qualifying requirements must all be met without exceptions.

To potentially qualify for a U-Visa, applicants must meet the following: ·Must be the victim of a “qualifying criminal activity.” ·Must have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of that qualifying criminal activity. ·Must have been helpful, are being helpful, or are likely to be helpful in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. ·Must possess information concerning that criminal activity. ·Must have certification from a federal, state, or local law enforcement authority certifying their helpfulness in the detection, investigation, or prosecution of the criminal activity, and ·The criminal activity must have violated the laws of the U.S. or occurred in the U.S. “The idea behind the creation of the U-Visa is about creating this option so that noncitizens are not afraid to go to the police and report their crimes,” Copeland said.

Copeland said one of the most challenging things about applying for a U-Visa can be receiving certification from a law enforcement agency certifying that an applicant was helpful in the investigation because it is up to the agency to decide whether to certify or not.

A U-Visa typically has no time limit on the crime. If the crime happened years ago or a week ago, applicants are still able to apply.

With U-Visas, family members such as spouses, children or other

eligible family members may derive status from the original applicant.

All applicants must be admissible to the U.S. If a spouse, child or family member is not admissible to the U.S. then that person will not be eligible to derive status.

The U-Visa has an annual cap of 10,000 applicants, which means the process from beginning to end can be 15-20 years. Applicants deriving status from another applicant are not counted in the annual cap.

To potentially qualify for a VAWA petition, applicants must meet the following: ·Be the victim of battery or extreme cruelty committed by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or former spouse, a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident parent, or a U.S. citizen son or daughter. ·Resided with the abuser at some time. ·Must be currently living in the U.S. and ·Have good moral character.

Although VAWA aids individuals who are victims of violent acts, it pertains specifically to those who have suffered domestic violence.

Unlike a U-Visa, VAWA has no annual cap. VAWA has fewer applicants than a U-Visa or a T-Visa and the process is typically much faster than that of a U-Visa.

To potentially qualify for a T-Visa, an applicant must meet the following: ·Are or were a victim of a severe form of human trafficking. ·Are in the U.S., American Samoa, the Mariana Islands, or at a

port of entry due to trafficking. ·Comply with any reasonable request from a law enforcement agency for assistance in the investigation or prosecution of human trafficking (unless under 18 or unable to cooperate due to physical or psychological trauma). ·Demonstrate that they would suffer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm if they were removed from the U.S. and ·Are otherwise admissible to the U.S.

A T-Visa pertains to individuals who are victims of a severe form of human trafficking. Like U-Visas, T-Visas have an annual cap, but individuals deriving status from an applicant are not counted towards the cap. The annual cap for T-Visas is 5,000, however, the USCIS.gov site Q&A states that the T-Visa cap has never been reached.

The benefits of all three processes are that applicants who qualify can receive deferred status, a social security number and the ability

CN/COURTESY OF CARECEN

to work in the U.S. without being persecuted for deportation. This is all before receiving their permanent residency if they are eligible to receive it.

CARECEN is currently offering free legal services to ELAC students and faculty. Appointments for college legal services can be made at https://carecenla.simplybook. me/v2/.

MESA hosts transfer event for eligible STEM students for things and ask for letters of recommendations,” Reyna said.

Students should also consider if a campus offers job prospects, East Los Angeles College’s networking, career services, Mathematics, Engineering, Science graduate and professional school. and Achievement Program advises “Career opportunities should be students on what to consider when highly considered because that will selecting a transfer school. determine if students will get hired E l i z a b e t h R e y n a M E S A’s after graduation, help students get STEM Coach said there are many internships, work experience and wonderful universities in California provide support for graduate school students could choose from, applications” like the University of Southern Campus environments are things California, University California like housing, student organizations, Davis, Pepperdine location, University, Students should also extracurriculars, University how safe the California of consider if a campus c a m p u s i s , Los Angeles emographic offers job prospects, dand and Stanford work-study.

University.

“Acceptance networking, career “The factors rates for private t h a t s h o u l d services, graduate and u n i v e r s i t i e s be considered professional school. a n d p u b l i c are academic universities environment, career should be highly opportunities, considered. resources and financial aid. There Meeting the required grade point are different four years to choose average is great but performing from such as CSUs, UCs and private higher would increase your chances universities,” said Reyna. of being accepted to a prestigious Academics are essentially the campus” Reyna said. majors, graduation rate, class size Students can book an appointment and quality. with a counselor or with Elizabeth “Campuses like USC have fairly Reyna for Academic Advising at smaller classes in which students can https://laccd.craniumcafe.com/ build connections with professors reynae.

BY ADONIA BURCIAGA Staff Writer

Free bus passes, laptops, hotspots still available

BY EDUARDO SANCHEZ Staff Writer The Welcome Center at East Los Angeles College is offering free resources for students including laptops, hotspots and Metro bus passes.

Abir Abdallah, a student worker at the Welcome Center, presented during the Business Club’s “Speaker Series” last Thursday and shared some of the resources that are being offered to students.

The pandemic forced classes to move online and as a way to assist students with this transition, ELAC is offering resources in the form of laptops and hotspots. Due to funding, these resources are only available for the current semester.

Devices are still in stock.

Students can apply via a QR code or link found in the Welcome Center office. The link routes students to the scholarship portion on the website. This connects their student account with the application so that it can be filled out and then revised

by Student Services to ensure applicants qualify.

“We do have laptops still available for students,” said Abdallah.

To ensure that other resources are still in stock, Abdallah suggests students ask at either the Welcome Center or Students Services, located in room 213 in the E1 building, as they are the ones in charge of distributing the equipment.

Student Services is also the department to contact in case applicants have not received a response after submitting their applications.

Another resource that is being offered to students are Metro bus TAP cards. Unlike the laptop and hotspots, the only requirement is to be an ELAC student. Students can apply via the QR code or link which can be found at the Welcome Center office. Once submitted, Student Services will get in contact as soon as the pass is available for pickup.

Students will have to activate the card before use and must renew every semester to continue using the free service.

The Welcome Center is not limited to on-campus resources for students, but off-campus as well. For Homeless students, the Welcome Center can offer guidance

to some of the on-campus resources available like the campus pantry for food and the Health center, which offers certain types of hygiene products. ASU provides items to distribute to non-members. Students can either directly ask them what is available or can get in contact with the Welcome Center for assistance.

The Welcome Center has more information on other services on and off campus for food and housing resources.

Services for undocumented students offered on campus include free legal services to renew Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals applications. The Dream Resource Center can help with AB540 applications, Dream Act applications and provide legal assistance.

Another service that Abdallah spoke about was the 10 counseling sessions students are entitled to through the Health Center as part of ELAC’s health fee. Students struggling with mental health can make use of these sessions that are available for support.

Safe spaces is another service that is offered to students on campus.

Any office that has a butterfly poster

or person with a badge is certified a safe zone. Students are able to speak with the individuals and receive guidance with what services might be needed or just be listened to if that is what is needed.

The Welcome Center can also assist with adding classes, Cleared4 assistance, and offering information on graduating and transferring to ensure students are on track and meet deadlines. “If you are not sure if we offer it or you’re not sure… (if) we have it? What’s the process for it? Who do I talk to? We will provide all of that for you at our office,” Abdallah said.

The Welcome Center is available to students without an appointment or they can email questions to elac-welcomecenter@laccd.edu.

Emails made after 5 p.m. will be answered the following day.

Students sending an email should provide their name and student ID number. The in-person office, located in room 176 in building E1, is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

CSU’s Academic requirements are:

-Completing 60 transferable units -Completing the golden four which are English language, oral communication, critical thinking and mathematics/quantitive reasonings.

-Completing the rest of the general education courses and major prerequisite courses are required: UC Academic Requirements -Complete 60 semesters(90 quarter) units of transferable college credit with a GPA of at least 2.4 (2.8 for nonresidents) -Complete the following course pattern requirements: Two transferable college courses (3 semesters or 4-5 quarter units each) in English composition, one transferable college course (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units) in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning.

Our transferable college courses (3 semesters or 4-5 quarter units each) are chosen from at least two of the following subject areas: the arts and humanities, the social and behavioral sciences the physical and biological sciences, plus major prerequisite

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Features

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022

Husky softball team beats Pasadena City College

BY NICK TERCERO Staff Writer The Husky softball team came out on top against Pasadena City College with a final score of 8-5 after seven innings.

The Huskies are back on a winning track after dropping back-to-back games to San Diego Mesa.

This is the fourth win in the last 10 games for the Huskies, and their sixth on the road.

The first inning was a slow one for both teams.

The second inning wasn’t any different for both sides.

Chastity Martinez struck out for the first out. Dani Varela followed by hitting a single and stealing second base after Serena Lopez fouled out to right field.

Daejah Madera was last to bat in the inning, but got out at first which allowed Pasadena to get a double play and end the inning for the Huskies.

The first two innings for ELAC were scoreless, but they still had a lot left in the tank.

ELAC were warming up for what was to come the next inning.

ELAC took all the momentum in their favor and dominated the third inning.

Irene Huizar was walked to begin the inning.

Jade Hidalgo followed by reaching first after a fielder’s choice which allowed Huizar to advance to second after Pasadena’s shortstop made an error.

With two batters on base, Irene Dorado hit a single across midfield allowing Huizar to score the first run of the game.

Dorado recorded the first RBI in the game.

Arlyne Ruiz was next to bat, with batters at second and third for East Los Angeles, Ruiz hit a single to center field.

Ruiz was able to advance to second while also recording two RBIs, both Dorado and Hidalgo were able to score unearned runs.

This put the Huskies up 3-0 with no outs in the inning.

Although ELAC was up, they still wouldn’t take their foot off the pedal.

Dani Varela bunted the ball to third base which allowed Ruiz to score a run, earning Varela an RBI. Pasadena we’re having trouble getting stops to slow down ELAC. Madera was next to bat, she hit a single across center field scoring in Varela and Hernandez in the process and earning two RBIs. The Huskies finished the third with six runs and four hits.

This was their best inning through the entirety of the game.

Pasadena remained scoreless after three innings.

ELAC followed up the third with

a scoreless fourth inning and gave up two runs for Pasadena.

This was the first time Pasadena scored in the game. 6-2 was the score after 4 The Huskies had another scoreless inning in the fifth, while Pasadena added two more runs to their score.

ELAC got back on track after Huizar scored an unearned run in the 6th inning.

The Huskies defense wasn’t able to stop Pasadena from scoring and Pasadena scored another run in the sixth.

ELAC was able to close out the game strong.

S c o r i n g another run and closing out Pasadena in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The final score was 8-5.

The Huskies finished with eight runs, nine hits, eight RBIs and six batters left on base.

This win puts the Huskies at 14-18 overall record and 6-8 in thier conference. With a win percentage of .429%.

This is the 14th win for East Los Angeles in the season and their sixth in the conference The Huskies Softball team will face Cerritos next on the road. That game starts at 5p.m.

The Huskies are back on track after dropping back-toback games to San Diego Mesa.

COURTESY OF ELAC SOFTBALL TEAM

SOFT TOUCH—ELAC’s softball team beat Pasadena City College with a score of 8-5.

LACCD students can pick up a free Metro GoPass

BY STEVEN ADAMO Staff Writer

All students in the Los Angeles Community College District are eligible for the Metro GoPass, a Tap card that is prepaid with bus and train fare.

With a student ID, students can pick up their Metro GoPass at the Fiscal Office located at G1-107. Students can also sign up online at: http://www.taptogo.net/gopass

Get on a bus or train. www.ELACCampusNews.com

Go to the Fiscal Office (G1-107) and pick up the free card.

The GoPass is a partnership between the LACCD and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The goal of the program is to address the address transportation equity and allow LACCD students increased access to their education.

Once students have received their GoPass, they then need to activate it by visiting the URL www.taptogo.net/gopass.

Once there sudents must scroll down and select the first option under the “I am a Community College Student” section.

After filing out the student information, including the 16-20 digit number on the back of the Tap card and a unique Eligibility Code found on the front label.

Once the online form is completed, the card will take up to one hour to be activated. The GoPass must be tapped on a Metro fare box within 45 days of activation. The Metro GoPass expires December 31.

Go to: www.taptogo.net/gopass