Campus News Spring 2021 Issue 2

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Volume 77, Issue 14 | www.elaccampusnews.com | Wednesday, March 3, 2021 | Single copy free - additional copies 50 cents

Black Lives Matter resilient in racial inequity AAOI encourages students of color to persevere despite COVID pandemic BY BREANNA FIERRO Staff Writer The fight for racial equity continues as students of color are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Los Angeles Community College District Vice Chancellor of Educational Programs and Institutional Effectiveness Ryan Cornner, commended the African American Outreach Initiative (AAOI) for making it their goal to work toward students and communities. Cornner said people need to go beyond supporting the communities during times of crisis, at AAOI’s 2021 Black History Month Celebration. He said to set a goal to begin dismantling systems that have generated the inequities in times of crisis and in times of normalcy. He met with Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez, Co-Founder and Vice President of A2MEND Dr. Edward Bush, AAOI coordinator Nyree Berry, LA C C D s tudent s pea ke rs and staff from the other eight LACCD colleges. “The current struggles remain clear. The systemic and structural barriers that are in place have prevented us from being able to effectively serve our communities and achieve our equity goals,” Cornner said. LACCD student Da’Quinn Shepherd led the student

“Black people have to work twice as hard to get ahead or to be successful, and as a Black gay man, I felt that way, even within.” AIGNER ELLIS

LACC Student

CN/ANDREA CERNA

dialogue on deconstructing the black monolithic. He said he feels like those around him ignore getting to know him first. Instead, they judge him by his ethnic background, when those judging tend to culturally appropriate their culture. Shepherd also said students should do their research before making any decisions, especially

politics, not jumping to conclusions to conduct research to change the world. The speech was followed with a poetry reading by LACCD student Sherry Bradford on her life and journey as a young African American girl to the present day and a deconstruction of the black monologue by LACC student Aigner Ellis.

“Black people have to work twice as hard to get ahead or to be successful, and as a Black gay man, I felt that way, even within,” Ellis said. AAOI coordinator Nyree Berry introduced Edward Bush as co-author of the AfricanAmerican male theory before he took over to discuss the critical juncture in the African American

community and those of color. With the LACCD being the largest College district in the nation, Bush said he doesn’t take lightly the position of influence those of African descent and those of color have right now, nor should anyone else, to view it as an immense responsibility, and due to the complexities associated with the district if

they are able to figure it out. “One thing that drives me to do this work is not out of my own intrinsic idea, it’s because I recognize first and foremost that I have a debt that must be repaid. That when our ancestors died, they knew directly that they would not benefit from the struggle and sacrifice,” Bush said. “But they wanted to do the work because they knew at some point you were going to come along and wanted to make sure you were in the position you are now in order to make a difference.” Dr. Bush said to challenge the policies that stand, that the community of color knows to be deleterious, to understand that no matter what AfricanAmericans and those of color do, they are operating at a point of righteousness and that they are going to be okay.

Lack of unity, procedures leaves in person returns in disarray Future uncertain for in-person instruction BY PAUL MEDINA Staff Writer Many levels of East Los Angeles College faculty and staff failed to reach a consensus on the appropriate actions to take for the return for in-personclasses at the Shared Governance Council meeting (ESGC). The meeting on Zoom Feb. 22, brought together an array of ELAC personnel who reported and discussed pressing matters pertaining to the college’s governance. Amongst the several concerns, the topics of COVID-19, vaccinations and mask wearing were discussed. Dean Paulina Palomino said “some of us would choose to be immunized, some of us would not, but we all have this right for public health and safety. “We should all feel safe, whether we are staff members or students. I almost feel like it’s not enough to allow for a higher entity to make this decision without us making a recommendation. “We are a big entity, LACCD. It just does not feel appropriate. I myself am going to be vaccinated as soon as I can,” Palomino said. Despite the importance of the vaccine in helping to eradicate the COVID-19 virus, there are some personal reservations about the vaccinations.

News Briefs

ELAC’s American Federation of Teachers faculty guild chapter president Michelle Benjamin, who represents faculty’s union rights spoke about how a number of faculty will be opting out from taking the vaccine. Benjamin said many faculty “have reached out to her in regard to opting out of taking the vaccine. Some of them can’t take it due to medical reasons. Another reason was religious reasons and then personal.” “The union has not negotiated that at this point, so as I gather further information, I just want to say that it’s an individual thing and we basically stand by faculty based on their preference for vaccination,” Benjamin said. Albert Roman said that, according to general counsel, a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination would have to be legislated in order to be required. “I don’t think we can legally require them, but it's going to be an interesting situation to roll out if it's optional. As some people may just rather opt out not to get them, the exposure associated with that is obviously huge,” Roman said Vi c e P r e s i d e n t o f Administration Affairs Myeisha Strong reported to the LACCD Emergency Operations Center (EOC)/ Incident Command Center (ICC) to clear up confusion about employees returning to work after testing

Spring 2021 Virtual Club Rush

positive. With existing policies in place, proof of being cleared from COVID-19 is not required. “The district, the college, we cannot require that type of paperwork. It is going to be based off the word of that employee, coming back to campus, and I guess they would also speak to evidence that they are not experiencing or no longer experience symptoms,” Strong said. Roman stressed how the in-person education shutdown has been greatly felt “by many of our undeserved poor communities. Students have gotten so behind on their education. “It's going to be incredibly difficult for them to be able to recover what has been almost a year of education. That has to be balanced again with our ability to come back in a safe manner, where everyone feels that they’re going to be protected.” Roman said. Student Natalie Sanchez is concerned when in-person instruction returns. Sanchez said she is concerned whether she will be informed if someone tests positive and if the school is required to inform students if they become potentially exposed. “I would like to know whether I have been exposed to COVID19,” Sanchez said. Academic senate president

ELAC student association will hold a virtual club rush tomorrow from 5 to 7 p.m. on Zoom. To attend, go to https://laccd.zoom.us/s/97773143184

Jeffrey Hernandez said the district drew from a re-engagement grid based on county and state guidelines to determine whether or not masks would be required. The grid varies based on the level of spread, certain types of instruction and requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Hernandez said that he brought up the concern at the District Senate in the case if a student would not want to use PPE. Hernandez said he believes the district will end up developing some kind of statement which will allow professors to tell students to leave if they don’t have their PPE, refuse to wear it or are not socially distancing. “Whatever comes down in terms of the state, county guidelines, those are the ones that we follow, the EOC and the district. So you know some cities have put ordinances in place regarding masks requirements,” Roman said. A forum will take place on March 12, where ELAC’s students and staff can bring questions to district leaders. Roman said he encourages to be present at the forum to get answers from district officials. The link to register for the forum is http://bit.ly/forum031221 The next ESGC meeting is scheduled for March 29 on Zoom.

Last Chance U: Basketball Premiere

ELAC basketball team are the stars of Netflix’s new series “Last Chance U: Basketball.” Season one will premiere on March 10 at midnight.

CN/STEVEN ADAMO

ELAC Theater Arts: Coversation with ELAC Alum Center Theatre Group and ELAC Theater Arts will

be hosting a seminar with ELAC alum Annie Gonzalez tomorrow from 7 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. For Zoom information go to: www.elactheater.org


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