The Inquirer | Diablo Valley College | 10.24.22

StudentVoiceofDiabloValleyCollege

A Warm Welcome to Fall

Inflation Impacts Students,

DVC Students Vote,

Attack Campus,

Endangering Youth,

Fearful of Climate Future, Bay Area Students Take Action As State Pushes Aggressive Policies

By EMILY STOKLOSA

The Earth’s atmosphere is warming at a significant rate, causing extreme weather disasters and mass uncertainty for the future Now, youth led organizations in the Bay Area are trying to take action before it is too late

A stark example of the climate crisis occurred here last month as a massive heat wave moved across California, bringing temperatures up to 115 degrees in some parts of the state Electricity brownouts and intense wildfires resulting from the heat left many student residents in Contra Costa concerned for their health and home Diablo Valley College student Nicholas Marini, who has lived in the county his whole life, said, “It’s gotten pretty hot here, but this heat wave was nothing like I have experienced ”

The latest weather events confirm what environmental scientists have been warning for decades about the impacts from human activity accelerating climate change The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change noted that the primary cause of global heating is human led burning of fossil fuels Oil, coal and gas are combustible materials that, when burned to produce energy, create carbon dioxide in the air which causes heat to be trapped in the atmosphere

Like many students across the state who are fearing an increase in fires, drought and extreme heat, Marini said he feels California is headed for a climate catastrophe, but that it’s hard to know how to respond

One way some young people have chosen to get involved is through climate activist groups, which offer a measure of hope by organizing against and challenging the power of big corporations that profit from fossil fuels

For example, on Sept 23, hundreds of students came together in downtown Oakland to protest against the transport of fossil fuels through the Port of Oakland the fourth largest public port system in the United States The march began at Oscar Grant Plaza and looped downtown, passing the Oakland Police Department and many federal buildings, with messages like “Say No to Coal” and “People not Profit” written on signs and chanted by the crowd

Marching with students from schools across the Bay Area, the activists were part of a national week of protest as young people took to the streets to fight for a sustainable future

The organization Youth Vs Apocalypse helped plan the event in coordination with an international youth led day of action “Globally, we are asking for climate reparations, not as charity, but as a transformative justice process,” said Hannah Estrada, the group’s co founder

Estrada added, “Big corporations have been profiting from harming the climate and we will no longer stand by and watch our future become a series of catastrophic disasters ”

Locally there have been some signs of progress Oakland City Council, for example, imposed a strict ban on coal storage and handling in 2016 Nonetheless, Phil Tagami, the operator of Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal, has been challenging the decision in court for the past six years

Tagami’s goal is to transport coal through Oakland on ships headed to Asian markets for fossil fuel burning and consumption

Oakland City Attorney Barbara Parker announced that a final decision about the fate of the terminal could occur before the trial date set for April 2023

Climate, continued

DVC Students Want More from Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Program

By CASSANDRA SHONERU

Jonathan Acosta, a student at Diablo Valley College for the past three semesters, wasn’t that impressed when he heard the news about the Biden Administration’s student debt forgiveness program last month

“I have heard about it, but not a lot,” he said “I think it’s good but I feel like people need more ”

Acosta added that after talking with some of his friends who have already picked their majors, the amount the government is awarding simply isn’t enough

“[Students] need a lot more money,” he said “Some of them can’t afford [student loans] ”

President Joe Biden’s Student Loan Debt Relief Plan, announced on Aug 24, will cancel up to $10,000 for people with federal student loans and up to $20,000 for students who received Pell Grants

“This plan offers targeted debt relief as part of a comprehensive effort to address the burden of growing college

costs and make the student loan system more manageable for working families,” the White House stated in a press release

The Department of Education reports that a typical college student graduates with about $25,000 in debt Responding to last month’s news, Rayshell Clapper, an English professor at DVC, said “any sort of financial help is good ”

"I think this is a first step in a more important discussion about the cost of college and how college should be a right, not a burden,” Clapper said “Hopefully this is the first step they take to really rethink the college and university cost ”

Evan Dunla and Jennifer Lopez, two current College Park High School students attending DVC part time, said neither of them had heard about Biden’s plan although they both intend to get degrees "Any money you can [receive] to help not get in debt is very appreciated,

especially considering the fact that college prices are going up and a lot of wages aren’t going up at the same rate,” said Dunla

Lopez added, “We’re going to graduate soon I think it’ll be useful then ”

Ruhi Patel has been a student at DVC on and off for a year and found out about the debt plan through TikTok

“Scrolling through [social media],

it’s a topic,” she said Although she’s unsure of what her next steps will be, she plans to learn more about the program

“It’s absolutely something that I would look into and be aware of and learn more about,” Patel said

According to the White House, President Biden also plans to continue his fight to double the amount of the Pell Grant and make all community college free

Illustration by ERICKA CARRANZA

Photo by GAGE SKIDMORE, CC BY SA 2 0

Letters to the Editor

Millennials are Facing Challenges

Dear Inquirer Editors,

My name is Carlos Ascasibar, and I am a 30 year old who is back in college to finish my education In recent years, other generations have said that Millennials are lazy and entitled As a Millennial myself, I beg to differ Unfortunately, we have been put in a challenging situation and position compared to our parents and grandparents, who had a different course to what is considered the American dream

The American dream is to go to college, buy a home, start a family and work until one retires However, this dream has become harder to achieve College can be way too expensive to afford, so this generation may choose not to pursue an education Also, having families at an earlier age is not a viable option and buying a house has become extremely difficult

I don’t believe we’re lazy or entitled I believe we weren’t set up to succeed by the previous generations We don’t

all come from generational wealth, which affects most of the working class According to an article from CNBC, Gen Z and Millennial generations ages 18 25 and 26 41 want to own a home someday or even now, but the biggest obstruction is affordability

The older generation needs to realize that the cost of living has skyrocketed compared to their generation They need to have more empathy and not judge us, based on our speaking up and calling to action, on the fact that some of us can no longer afford education or to buy a home

There’s a quote from Bernie Sanders that says, “For many, the American dream has become a nightmare ”

I couldn’t agree more as some of us are not able to achieve those dreams until we as a united country begin to understand and help one another Inquirer editors, I hope that one day my wife and I will soon be able to afford

to buy a home, one that our family deserves because we work hard, but apparently not hard enough, to be able to own a home I hope that our leaders do the right thing and explore ways to provide better assistance for those that need it the most This no longer needs to be a generation battle We need to come together as one for the better of our country and for each generation to come

Sincerely, Carlos Ascasibar Concord, CA

Events Around Campus

Monday, Oct. 24 @ 11:10 a.m.

Speaker: Juan Gonzalez -Diablo Room

Wednesday, Oct. 26 @ 1 p.m. Note Taking Skills Workshop DVC Academic Support Center

Thursday, Oct. 27 @ 10 a.m. DVC Pleasant Hill Transfer Fair DVC Commons Area

Thursday, Oct. 27 @ 10 a.m. Journalism & Media Expo Humanities/BFL

Fri/Sat, Oct. 28 & 29 @ 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 @ 2:30 p.m. Theater: She Kills Monsters DVC Performing Arts Center

Disparities in Homeless Resources Between Bay Area Counties

Dear Inquirer Editors,

My name is Sofia Dominguez I am a 21 year old college student living in Oakland, California

Homelessness is a social issue that, I think, needs to be spoken about more in our community So many people are affected by homelessness, but not everyone has the same access to resources

A homeless person living in a bigger city such as San Francisco or Oakland has access to more local organizations and nonprofits who offer housing options, food, and medical services The same cannot be said for homeless people living in smaller, suburban cities such as Pleasant Hill or Concord

More community support needs to

be given to people experiencing homelessness

I did a quick Google search to see housing options for people living in Oakland and in Concord, specifically, since I have lived in both cities I found that there were over 25 facilities for homeless people to stay in Oakland and only three shelters in the entire Contra Costa County area, one shelter each in Pittsburg, Concord, and Richmond

While the shelters available to people in Contra Costa County provide showers, food, and shelter, the Oakland shelters offer the same basic resources plus workshops, transportation, moving costs, life skills training, and job searches

I simply do not think enough aid is being given to the homeless community As a student at DVC, any of my classmates could be experiencing homelessness! I hope if people on campus talk about this issue more, we can come up with community led solutions, such as a carpool system, for example

Sincerely, Sofia Dominguez Oakland, CA

Anti-AAPI Hate Crimes Need to Stop

Dear Inquirer Editors,

My name is Marie, and I am an 18 year old Filipino college student living in Pleasant Hill, California

For the past few years, hate crimes against Asians and Pacific Islanders have grown According to The Washington Post, anti AAPI hate crimes have been reported eight times in 2019, nine in 2020, and sixty in 2021 This is not even including the hundreds of Instagram and Twitter posts of these cases that not even the news has covered This puts an alarming 567 percent increase in reports of these crimes

It hurts even more that a lot of these are inflicted upon elders, who are

The Inquirer

Diablo Valley College 321 Gold Club Road, ATC 103 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

helpless and defenseless

For a country that I dreamt of living in one day, the country that calls itself “Land of the Free,” it doesn’t seem that way anymore Now I’m scared to go outside, to be in cities I’m worried about my dad’s safety at work, and my old relatives who live in San Francisco

It’s time for law enforcement and for the government to step up their game and really keep this the “land of the free ”

Sincerely, Marie Pacis Pleasant Hill, CA

Unassigned articles appearing on the opinions page are editorials and reflect two thirds majority opinion of the editorial staff Signed columns and cartoons are the opinions of the writer or artist and not necessarily those of the Inquirer, Diablo Valley College, or Contra Costa Community College District

Staff Writers

We welcome public comments in the form of letters to the editor, and freelance submissions are always considered for publication Send us your ideas contribute to the diverse news and views at DVC! Write to theinquirer@dvc edu

For more information about getting involved in the journalism program, please contact advisor Michael Levitin: mlevitin@dvc edu

Friday, Oct. 28 @ 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 @ 9 p.m. DVC Plant Sale DVC Greenhouse

Tuesday, Nov. 1 @ 6 p.m. Berkeley Peer Application Workshop with the Society of Women Engineers (Virtual)

Tuesday, Nov. 8 @ 2:30 p.m. Music Major Recital M 101

Thursday, Nov. 10 @ 4:00pm MDUSD Jazz Festival Performing Arts Center

Thursday, Nov. 17 @ 12 p.m. Free Produce Market -Student Union

Wednesday, Nov. 30 @ 1 p.m. Before You Turn It In Academic Support Center

Saturday, Dec. 3 @ 2 p.m.

Abstract Reasoning: Art Exhibit Reception -Library

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022 Monday, Jan. 02, 2023 Winter Recess- College Closed

Monday, January 23 Spring Semester Begins

Alex Shin, Xiomara Sanchez, Kamilly Ferreira, Nikolas Jacobson, Emily Stoklosa, Nathalie Thomas, Marquis Waters, Ericka Carranza, Theresa Henderson

Editorial Board

Editor in Chief Andrea Madison

Managing Editor Cassandra Shoneru

Graphic Editor Ericka Carranza Advisor Michael Levitin

COM

How Inflation is Making Life Harder for College Students

By EMILY STOKLOSA

With interest rates and consumer prices sharply on the rise in the United States, college students are feeling a direct impact from inflation

Take Bella Montes, a freshman at Diablo Valley College As many young adult students are out enjoying their Friday night with their friends this week, Montes will be heading straight to work from school This has been her reality for the past few months having to pick up extra shifts to pay for college requirements and the rising price of gas

“This is my first year at DVC and I did not expect to be spending so much on school,” Montes said “I mean, I knew I needed to worry about textbooks, but I had no idea how expensive it would be to get to and from school I spend $100 a week on gas just for school commuting ”

College students especially have been struggling due to the economic instability the country is experiencing in recent months Agustin Perez has been a full time student at DVC for two years, working toward his degree in psychology He also works full time

Like other students, Perez's academic success depends on how much time he can commit to his studies But these days, given the growing financial pressures, he finds he has less energy to devote to school

“I have not been able to put as much time as I would like towards my classes because I am working longer shifts to pay for things like groceries, gas and wifi for my online [courses],” Perez said

“It is really affecting my ability to focus on school, but I am determined to get it done ”

According to the U S Bureau of Statistics, the Consumer Price Index for the month of July stood at 8 5 percent a significant increase from 5 4 percent recorded during the same month last year

The Consumer Price Index is a measure of the average change in prices over a period of time

Amid the crisis facing young people, DVC’s financial aid and counseling offices have offered some hope and in some instances, financial coaching for currently enrolled and future students

According to Emily Stone, dean of counseling and student success programs, the school’s financial aid office has teamed up with Sparkpoint to help students with tasks such as budgeting, establishing credit, and enrollment in programs like Medi Cal, among other services Sparkpoint was developed in 2009 and is a free, non profit service for Bay Area members

An emergency one time $1,000

grant provided by DVC offers financial support to students who are struggling with their everyday expenses Every student is encouraged to review the information and apply

Additionally, the DVC food pantry provides free groceries to enrolled college students and is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a m to 4:30 p m The online, confidential application for the food pantry takes a few minutes and is an easy step towards providing some relief

for students facing food scarcity

At the same time, if a student is struggling with technology needs, DVC provides a Student Technology Loaner Program, which includes computers, wifi hotspots, headphones and webcams

Stone advised people in need of help to “reach out, because all students have access to financial support and guidance ”

Increase In Campus Police Reflects Students’ Concerns About Safety

By KAMILLY FERRIERA

A heightened presence of security on campus has been noticeable since Diablo Valley College reopened for in person classes in August That’s because, according to Police Lieutenant Kathryn McDonald, the number of police aides hired over the last several semesters has grown the staff from eight to 10, “which provides us a lot of assistance ”

Now, McDonald said, campus police “are here all day and night,” available to help any student who doesn’t feel safe walking to their classroom or their car after dark

The increase in security is intended to relieve the fears of people like Ana Huerta, a 19 year old student majoring in sociology, who said she felt concerns in the past about attending night classes at DVC

"I feel safe on campus during the day, but as a woman, I don’t feel safe walking on campus at night because it’s very lonely and dark,” Huerta

said

Monalisa Rodrigues is both a DVC police aide and student a dual role she says gives her multiple perspectives on the importance of campus safety

“I have a duty, and I can’t be afraid to fulfill my role,” Rodrigues said, but “as a woman, I feel more brave because I need to re enforce the security of other girls, and that comes

in first place ”

Police Lieut McDonald said the school’s police department strives to remind people of some basic steps they can take to prevent crime incidents from occurring such as walking in groups, and not leaving personal items unattended

“It’s getting that message across so we can all work together,” said McDonald This semester, like in

EDITOR'S NOTE

The Inquirer is back!

Diablo Valley College’s award winning student run newspaper has covered critical issues facing the college and its surrounding community for over 70 years Now, after a four year hiatus, the print edition of The Inquirer is making a return to newsstands across campus

At dvcinquirer com, the newspaper has kept an ongoing online presence during the years of the pandemic and with its return to print, it continues to be your source for all things DVC, whether it’s campus culture and events, college district news, student needs and resources, or a local perspective on national and global issues

The paper you now hold in your hands is a testament to the importance of fair, accurate and well rounded news reporting and writing

Andrea Madison, Editor in Chief

“Journalism can never be silent: that is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault. It must speak, and speak immediately, while the echoes of wonder, the claims of triumph and the signs of horror are still in the air.”

Henry Anatole Grunwald

previous ones, campus police have worked with the student union to put on a safety presentation as part of a brown bag lecture series The workshop took place Sept 29 at 1 p m on Zoom

Additionally, a safety tab on the DVC website provides an explanation of the school’s Safety Committee, which has been tasked with creating a safety communication plan to regularly inform people on campus about safety related issues

The committee helps to raise awareness about the school’s safety preparedness program, provides forum information, and also disseminates safety information relating to training opportunities

“Safety should be everyone’s responsibility,” said Huerta “We all need to be aware and not take the campus police for granted ”

Photo by CASSANDRA SHONERU

Photo by KINDEL MEDIA

“Being Involved Is What Makes Democracy”: Galvanizing DVC Students to Vote

By ALEX SHIN

As the Nov 8 midterm elections approached, first year student Kyri Laltoo sat on a bench in the Diablo Valley College Commons beneath the shade of a tree, sharing what he considered to be one of the obstacles to student voter turnout

“I don’t like how, you know, there are two different campaigning parties and they’re all like ‘this is better’ or ‘that is better,’ and you don’t really know unless you put in a lot of work to really uncover the truth,” he said

Laltoo’s sentiment isn’t uncommon among his peers In the 2014 California general election, only 52 percent of eligible youth were registered to vote more than 20 percent less than other age groups, according to the California Secretary of State And when it came time to vote, only 8 percent of people in the 18 24 age group cast a ballot

These numbers improved in the 2018 midterms, when youth voter registration rose to 61 6 percent and actual voting within the 18 24 age group reached 27 5 percent

But according to Shawn Gilbert, co chair for voter services at the League of Women Voters Diablo Valley, there is still much work to be done

“Multiple generations fought so hard for these rights, and it’s our responsibility, as those who come after, [to] stand on their shoulders, to fight to keep them,” said Gilbert, a retired educator

The League a national non profit organization founded in 1920, just months prior to the passage of the 19th Amendment that granted women the right to vote continues to play an active role registering voters, providing voter information and advocating for voting rights more broadly

Another member of the organization, Marian Shostrom, who studied law and worked for five years as a librarian at DVC, said there are easy resources and websites where people can register to vote in the upcoming election Shostrom had a particular message for young voters

“You have so much power!” she said, urging students across Contra Costa County to get educated and participate in the November midterms “Being involved is what makes democracy ”

Nonetheless, according to Chanelle Win, Vice President of Legislative Affairs for Associated Students of Diablo Valley College (ASDVC), voter apathy among students remains high

"We as students can feel like the bills don’t affect us directly,” Win said “People have so many other responsibilities and stuff to do that we forget that the main solution is choosing a good leader that represents us ”

One initiative that ASDVC is participating in is the 2022 Ballot Bowl, a friendly competition among all California colleges and universities to get as many students registered to vote as possible Students who have already registered to vote can re register and even non students can register under DVC’s name to count toward the school’s score

A useful website where students can get informed is VotersEdge org, which shows users their personalized ballot and all relevant information when they enter their zip code or address A joint project of MapLight and the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund, VotersEdge org provides viewers quick, easy access to all voting information without bias, serving as a platform for candidates and proposition advocates to make their case

(MapLight is a nonpartisan nonprofit working on issues such as online transparency, voter information and civic technology League of Women Voters of California Education Fund is the sub branch of the League of Women Voters that operates within California, and provides financial support for education and outreach throughout the state )

An additional site, EasyVoterGuide org, provides a concise and easily accessible infographic that aims “to make nonpartisan information about why vote, how to vote and what’s on the ballot accessible to as many Californians as possible, according to

the organization Founded in 1994, EasyVoterGuide org was the result of a collaboration by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund, the California State Library and the Common Knowledge Group

Todd Farr, DVC’s program manager for student life and a member of the school’s Civic Engagement Advisory, has worked in the past helping grow voter registration This year, he said, “Student Senate for California Community Colleges and our Bay Region III are leading efforts with ASDVC to promote voter registration ”

As a result, a newly established Voter Registration kiosk has been set up in the DVC Library Farr added, “DVC has had a Civic Engagement Advisory for the past couple of years, composed of faculty, staff, students and community members such as the League of Women Voters that have helped with our Civic Engagement Plan ”

Additionally, he said, the Civic Engagement Advisory “works with the local community groups such as Monument Impact, Independent Living Resources and the Contra Costa County Clerk Recorder Elections Department and MoveOn org in Contra Costa who table and promote voter registration in our commons ”

Ms Gilbert, Ms Shostrom and Mr Farr are not strangers to working together on the campus Mr Farr said, “We have partnered with the League

of Women Voters for over a decade They have tabled in the Commons promoting voter registration, participated in Constitution Day as presenters, and offered DVC students internships with their organization We have also worked with the County Clerk’s Office and they have brought their Voter Registration van to DVC to promote voter registration ”

Win said that in addition to working with the Civic Engagement Advisory, the ASDVC is considering “setting up voter registration tables, as well as having computer labs in the Student Union Building or the library, with QR codes to make sure that everything is accessible and streamlined ”

“Some people still don’t know that we can register to vote online, or vote through mail ballots,” she said

Here are some voting resources that students can turn to ahead of the upcoming midterm elections happening on Nov 8:

Register to Vote: https://registertovote ca gov/

When prompted about assistance in completing the form, please list “ASDVC” as a helper, and select “Diablo Valley College” as your school This can be done even if you are already registered, in order to increase engagement towards the 2022 Ballot Bowl

Voter’s Edge: https://votersedge org/ca Easy Voter Guide: https://easyvoterguide org/

With Return to Campus Life, Students and Faculty Weigh the Benefits of In-Person Instruction

By THERESA HENDERSON

The Fall 2022 semester has marked a return to courses conducted in person at Diablo Valley College after nearly two years of classes being held online Now, with the loosening of masking mandates on campus and classrooms filling up, college life appears to be getting back to normal

But as students and faculty make the shift from online, distanced learning back to in person instruction, the reception has been mixed with people weighing the benefits, and costs, of both forms of learning “I think it’s more of a change because I was able to

do everything online,” said Liberty Her, a freshman at DVC

With distanced learning, “resources were more accessible But now, I think it’s better for me because I can ask questions in person, rather than wait for an email response ”

Hayliey Orr, another freshman, agreed that in person classes seem to work better than online classes

“It definitely helped to improve my mental health,” Orr said “I found also, during the summer and online school, it was hard to keep a steady sleep schedule, but with in person classes,

just having someplace to go every day, even if it’s just a few hours, is really useful ”

Many agree that online education helps with students’ busy schedules, but that in person classes are where the real learning occurs At the same time, instructors are glad to be back in the classroom as students populate the campus

“I’m really excited to see the students and see them interact with one another,” said Matthew Powell, a history professor at DVC "It really helped my mood and it just makes me

happy "

Powell added, “I’d rather teach more of my classes in person and fewer online But I do like teaching online for the same reason [as] some students: it’s convenient and you can organize your schedule a little bit differently I like both [methods of instruction] for different reasons ”

Still, Powell said, “If I had to choose, definitely in person, absolutely one hundred percent ”

Photo by CASSANDRA SHONERU

Illustration by ERICKA CARRANZA

The Ants are Marching at DVC

By XIOMARA SANCHEZ

Abraham Allison, a second year computer science and graphic design student, was catching up on schoolwork last summer semester in one of Diablo Valley College’s study rooms when he felt a sharp pinch on his upper leg Surprised, he looked down to find a small black ant crawling on his leg

“It was the most terrifying experience of my life,” said Allison with a laugh “I’ll never forget it ”

Beyond the humor and itchiness of the matter, Allison said these days he often finds himself staring at the increasing clusters of ants in his classes And for him and other students, the insects have actually started to impact their learning

“The ant traps are everywhere I get easily distracted, seeing all the ants,”

Allison said "I just stop and stare at them So during class I’m watching a trail of ants when I am supposed to be listening to this lecture

“It’s very disruptive to my learning,” he said

Ant invaders are nothing out of the ordinary at the start of the fall semester at DVC James Buchanan, the school’s director of maintenance and operations, said the hot summer weather typically drives ants to seek refuge within the air conditioned campus buildings But in August, with the return of students and the food they brought with them armies of ants stormed in with a vengeance

For Buchanan, a typical work day around this time of year includes answering multiple calls of ant reports around campus and delivering Terro

liquid ant baits to the scene He urged students and staff to keep food items well sealed and to clean up any leftover crumbs or trash that could draw in the tiny foragers

In the meantime, students aren’t the only ones feeling under siege English professor Keith Mikolavich said he was heartbroken after he briefly left his office and in it, his lunch only to discover upon his return that it had been infiltrated by a horde of ants

“I had this beautiful piece of salmon, it was wrapped in seran and it got attacked,” Mikolavich said “It was awful because that was my protein for the day and it was really good salmon I hate to say it, but it was traumatizing ”

Beyond getting his food stolen, Mikolavich said he was worried about

the ants distracting his students, so he brought in ant baits

"We should be able to live amongst them peaceably, but we also don’t need them to interrupt our teaching and conferencing,” he said

Allison also wanted to acknowledge the benefit of the invader species, whose members turn over and aerate soil to redistribute nutrients throughout the ground

“Ants do help so much,” he said But these days, Allison is creating a distance between himself and them

“I watch out for ants If I see them getting near me, I move away,” he said as he gently swatted at the “phantom ants” on his thighs

“I don’t let them crawl on me again ”

Pandemic Experience Project Chronicles Student Challenges with COVID-19

By SERENA SMITH

Students at Diablo Valley College have been asked over the past year to share their voices as part of a collection of written, oral and visual archives known as the Pandemic Experience Project, documenting the impact the COVID 19 pandemic has had on their lives

As a result, the project that began in Spring 2021 has published nearly 100 written submissions and recorded more than 40 oral histories, creating an insightful student archive of memory and experience from the pandemic

Debbie Lee, director of the project and a history instructor at DVC, began the project last spring alongside her colleagues, Bridgitte Schaffer, chair of the Applied Arts and Social Sciences Department, and librarian Amanda Choi from the San Ramon Campus

Lee said they got the idea to document students’ stories after learning that the California Historical Society (CHS) was collecting written and visual records of the pandemic experience and exhibiting them on its website At the time, there were no other community colleges involved in the project

“When we saw what the CHS was doing, we thought, we should do this at DVC,” Lee told The Inquirer “Initially, we started with the written and visual records, then quickly added recorded oral [histories] of pandemic experiences ”

This project is important because it creates a real time historical record, instead of recording the experience years later Down the road, people’s memories are likely to be less accurate, so recording experiences now makes a more accurate historical record, Lee said

To contribute to the project, participants have been asked to take a moment of self reflection as they respond to ways the COVID 19 pandemic has impacted their experiences at school and in everyday living For some people, the break from in person learning seemed to also affect them in positive ways

“As a returning student after [over] 15 years, it was quite a challenge to navigate school online,” said Jonathan Gray, a DVC student who participated in the Pandemic Experience Project But, “ultimately the freedom to work online has been a really useful skill It taught me how to schedule, prioritize, and hold myself accountable ” However, for many, the pandemic has also greatly changed what they think of as the “college experience ”

“I have missed out on opportunities not only [to] meet other students, but to create study groups to ensure I keep my 4 0,” said DVC student Sandy Kelsh “I could have really used it last semester in philosophy I also didn’t get a chance to participate in student activities or sign up for departments to work with other students I feel I missed out on what makes

college, college ”

Even as most classes became suddenly virtual in 2020, many students learned to adapt quickly to a new learning style conducted outside the classroom To some, the biggest lesson they learned through the pandemic was how to stay self motivated

“I’ve learned that I need to keep my body and mind active, and that I need to create a structured routine to follow through with my tasks,” said DVC student Brian Coons “I’ve also largely learned to have an open mind, to be flexible with technology, and to always try and learn something new ”

The project is a great way to practice self reflection, Lee added, as participants set aside time to think about their experience and what they have learned and improved on

“This is also an opportunity for members of the DVC community to stake a personal claim in the historical record,” said Lee “Encouraging our diverse DVC community to submit their experiences to the project now will ensure a more equitable historical record for the future ”

Students can participate in the ongoing project by visiting the SRC Pandemic Experience Project at https://dvc libguides com/pandemicexperience and submitting their responses

Students Struggle to Find Affordable Housing As More Young People Flee the State

By SERENA SMITH

Affordable housing in California has become increasingly difficult to find, especially for middle and lower income residents Young people in the East Bay are no exception

“As someone who is just starting their career, the average income needed to purchase a home is really high,” said 22 year old Antioch resident Juan Zanella

“Two people who are advanced in their careers can afford a place here in the Bay Area, but someone like me who is just starting out can’t It makes me feel crazy ”

Another local resident, 27 year old Michael Najera from Brentwood, said, “Affordable housing is a crisis [in California], especially for young people like me The options we try to find around here do not look good at all, and I don’t think it’s something we should accept as normal ”

Housing costs in California have been historically higher than the national average, particularly in coastal cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles The difference today is that those high prices have crept into suburban areas, too Zillow estimates the average purchase price for a home in California has reached $734,612 The average rental rate is around $1,566 per month

In a recent report from Chapman University, entitled “Restoring the California Dream,” author and urban studies professor Joel Kotkin found the median household income of the bottom 99 percent of Californians is

Faculty Voices

$55,152 As a result of the soaring real estate market, more than 30 percent of residents can no longer afford the cost of living

Specifically, many younger people earning less income are struggling to find financial independence

Kotkin told NBC recently, “California, over the last 10 years, has tried to do something that is intrinsically counterproductive it is trying to have housing built in places where people don’t want to move and can’t afford to live ”

He continued, “The problem is that you’re going into some of the remaining middle class enclaves that

are left in the coastal areas, but at the same time, you’re not creating space for the next California middle class ”

Due to these and other factors, people from younger and older generations alike are fleeing California to seek affordable housing outside the state

“I’m currently looking for housing outside of California because housing is a lot more affordable,” said Jacqueline Rivera Camacho, a 21 year old interior design major at San Francisco State

“It makes more sense, since California has the highest tax rates and it’s cheaper to live outside of the state ”

Many factors have contributed to increasing housing costs for state residents over the last decade For one, land and empty lots that could be used for housing remain vacant According to First Community Housing’s CEO, Geoff Morgan, California’s complex system for affordable housing may be partly to blame since delays are preventing new construction Research conducted by Enterprise Community Partners found that over 200 affordable housing projects in the Bay Area alone are stuck in pre development stages because they lack funding

Under law, developers in California must apply for funding from local, state and federal programs before they can start construction And due to high competition, many qualified projects are being denied On top of that, construction costs are rising because of global supply chain issues and shortages of materials Meanwhile, rules to build housing have become more complicated, slowing the process All these factors lead to higher rent prices, making it challenging for young adults and even more difficult for first time homebuyers to get a foothold

Until there is a change, Najera said he will continue living in his parents’ home

“If I had to [rent] then I would have to live with two, three, maybe four other people,” said Najera “That would have to include cutting out expenses, things that I might enjoy on the side ”

DVC Students and Community:

In your hands you are holding a tool for communication and a weapon against misinformation and injustice A college’s newspaper is a platform for students and their advocates to explore ongoing events and debate the best course of action I congratulate and celebrate the student journalists and the staff at The Inquirer on their re launching of the print edition of this paper, and I encourage all to read this publication and to contribute to its contents

The rebirth of the printed Inquirer coincides with several related events on campus The Puente Project and ASDVC are bringing famed journalist Juan González to campus on Monday, October 24 (11:10am to 12:35pm, Diablo Room and via Zoom) to discuss the latest edition of his book Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America

Similarly, the Social Justice Speaker Series and the Equity Speaker Series are offering talks both on campus and via Zoom, and Undocumented Student Action Week took place Oct 17 21 DVC also has a burgeoning Ethnic Studies program, and the English Department will be hosting Lit Week on Nov 16 Student clubs are regrouping and programs are planning field trips around the state and beyond what a great time to get involved!

At the same time, I know students and others are rightly worried about some ongoing situations The price of everything seems to constantly go up, and the recent heatwave and fires hint at the potentially devastating effects of climate change Sickness, political strife, and targeted attacks are very real concerns for much of our community, which is why it’s important that we stay informed and vigilant This is all the more reason to support The Inquirer and the voice of students

Anthony Gonzales, DVC Professor of English and co coordinator of the Puente Program

Photo by IVAN SAMKOV

Vikings Take Down Reedley In Dramatic Fashion

More broadly, the voices of the youth and many California citizens are being recognized by the state’s Governor Gavin Newsom, who has taken strides to mitigate the effects of global warming On Oct 3, Newsom declared a new level of climate commitment by signing 40 bills into law and affirming nearly $54 billion in investments to respond to the climate crisis

Newsom told the public, “We’re taking all of these major actions now in the most aggressive push this state has ever seen, because later is too late ”

One of the bills includes adopting a more rigorous greenhouse gas emissions target increasing the state’s CO2 reductions from a goal of 40 percent to 55 percent below 1990 levels over the coming decade

“There is no other jurisdiction in the world that’s doing what the state of California is doing,” said Newsom

By ABEL ANGUIANO

The Diablo Valley College football team improved to a 2 2 record last month after their dramatic 28 25 win over Reedley College at home

Despite coming off a 20 9 loss against Shasta College and being 18 players short, including missing their quarterback Joey Aguilar the Vikings stood their ground to deliver an impressive performance Notably, defensive back Malachi Ward had a great night with two sacks

At first, it didn't seem like DVC could get their heads in the game as their opening drive consisted of two penalties, setting them up for third down and 20 to force an early punt

The penalties continued as the defense took the field, and flags remained a leading factor hampering the Vikings offense throughout the game However, the team's solid defense managed to keep Reedley from progressing DVC's third drive in the first quarter was the complete opposite of their first Promising movement from

backup quarterback Jordan Cooke facilitated a solid drive as he connected with Javoni Gardere and Gavin Cribbe up the field to give DVC the 7 0 lead after the extra point

But Ward would become the Vikings' prominent figure of the night, helping shut down Reedley's offense as DVC cruised to the second quarter with ease

The momentum then shifted for Reedley Penalties once again tainted DVC's first drive of the quarter, enabling the visitors to hog the ball for a nine minute drive that resulted in a field goal After another three and done for DVC, Reedley pushed up the field with a couple of rushing plays from quarterback DJ Stevenson, who helped make it 10 7 for Reedley at the half

The second half couldn't have gotten off to a better start for the Vikings as they recovered their own kick off at Reedley's 19 yard line DVC only needed three plays after that to score a touchdown, retaking the lead at 14 10

The Vikings looked their strongest in the third quarter, solidifying their superiority on the field with three consecutive scoring drives and 156 passing yards from Jordan Cooke as DVC extended their lead to 28 10 Then, after a successful drive by Reedley quarterback Joshua Magana, who threw a 49 yard touchdown pass, the Tigers pulled to within 11 points as they headed into the 4th quarter down 28 17

Magana would do it again, next throwing for an 11 yard touchdown The turning point came with Magana's two point attempt, which was good At 28 25, Reedley only needed a field goal to tie the game

But it wouldn't happen Despite strong efforts by the visiting team, DVC's defense locked down in the 4th quarter Reedley ultimately conceded a false start with six seconds left in the game, draining out the clock and handing the win to the Vikings

College Hosts First Career Closet Fashion Night

By ANDREA MADISON

Diablo Valley College’s Career and Transfer Center hosted its first ever Career Closet Fashion Night on Thursday, Sept 29

The event was organized to collect donations and raise money for the college’s career closet, which provides professional clothing for students that are entering the job interview process

“We have been working really hard to make sure that this service is known across campus,” said Marina Varela, the interim senior program coordinator of DVC’s Career and Transfer Center

DVC’s career closet offers a selection of professional clothing for students in need

Varela emphasized the career closet’s present need for gender neutral and plus size clothing and said she has seen a demand for the service “We worked all summer on the program structure,” she added Yeni Galvez, the program coordinator for Career and Transfer Services, echoed Varela, saying the big goal was “to make sure students are aware of this program ”

Galvez said the purpose of providing free professional clothing to students seeking to enter the workforce is “all about building confidence ”

The Career and Transfer Center also helps prepare students with mock interviews that are tailored to the positions they are seeking, and provides feedback on their appearance

Varela recommended that students arrive to the mock interviews with their resume, cover letter, and a notepad and be prepared to ask questions of their potential employer

DVC’s Career and Transfer Center seeks to help students make a smooth transition into the job market

She added that DVC students who need clothing from the career closet can visit as many times as they need, and they get to keep the clothes they choose Students are free to choose outfits for events such as job fairs, conferences and seminars

However, following the second visit to the career closet, students must check in with the senior program coordinator to ensure their progress in interviews for jobs, said Varela

“Our services are open to all DVC

students We will never steer a student away,” she added Varela said the fashion night was a great opportunity to “showcase” the variety of clothing that’s available to students The show featured 14 volunteer students modeling 28 outfits, and raised over $1,600 for the career closet

“The event is really to bring everyone together for inspiration and to show what the need is on campus ”

Climate, continued from p. 1

Photo Courtesy of DVC VIKINGS

Photos by ANDREA MADISON

Illustration by ERICKA CARRANZA

Opinion: The Danger of Using Technology to Babysit Our Youth

By KAMILLY FERREIRA

Parents have normalized the use of electronic devices to babysit their children, a trend that could bring a lot of unintended consequences to their development As someone who works with kids, I’m constantly trying to keep them focused on their activities without using electronic devices

According to studies, 87 percent of children watch TV, computers, smartphones and tablets more often than is recommended A study published in JAMA Pediatrics analyzed brain scans of young children and found that kids ages three to five had underdeveloped white matter in their brains if they watched screens for more than an hour a day

It is noticeable that children raised in the environment we live in today are used to having cellphones around them all the time At this point, technology has become part of their basic needs But the results of so much phone time can be damaging

Now, evidence is showing that parents’ educational level can also have an impact on children’s screen usage For instance, children of parents who only hold a high school diploma or a GED were more likely to participate in too much screen time So were children of first time mothers and those who were twins

On the other hand, those children who go to a daycare center with structured activities were less likely to overuse screens as often Similarly, a National Institutes of Health study found that screen time fell by children ages seven or eight when they attended schools where tablets and phones weren’t available

Still, as a teacher’s aide, I’ve spent enough time with children to observe their behavior and to see how they are affected by an excess of screen time growing up Even though they are apart from their smartphones when they are at school, most of what the kids seem to talk and think about is based on what they see on the internet: a new trend, a new toy, a new dance, a new hairstyle They reproduce what they see

There are a lot of other options to entertain a child; for example, by giving them toys, books and instruments rather than a gadget with a screen We are raising a new generation and we shouldn’t use all the technology we have if it is going to harm our kids’ brains

Is Technology Taking Over College Learning? It Depends Who You Ask

By NATHALIE THOMAS

Walk into a classroom filled with students striving to become scholars and you might see a mixture of notebooks, pens, iPads and laptops covering their desks Sometimes the fusion of old fashioned learning with new technology can appear overwhelming

As students across Diablo Valley College search for multiple ways to succeed in their studies, the use of new tech devices raises a question: how effective is traditional pen and paper versus tablets and laptops?

During the first week of classes, Nicole Coniglio, who is majoring in child development, said she felt less comfortable with the way technology was taking over her college life

Coniglio, now in her third year at DVC as she prepares to transfer to a four year university, admitted that she always learned best when she took down notes using a pen and paper For her, the traditional learning style is the most effective way to memorize and learn, which made the switch to online classes challenging during the pandemic

“I am really bad at technology, so it was really hard when we had to take online classes,” she said

Now, Coniglio said she fears the increase of technology in school could be harmful to students and educators, and believes too many media devices

aren’t positive for a classroom environment "It’s easier to get distracted on your laptop and phone,” she said, adding that it bothers her to have to transfer so many assignments from paper into a digital form in order to submit them

“I just prefer pen and paper To me, when I write stuff down I remember better, but if I’m typing it doesn’t stick to me ”

The stated purpose of technology is to allow people to work more sustainably and efficiently After two years of online classes and social distancing, students and educators have adapted to new forms of tech, such as Zoom meetings and online learning management systems like Canvas The switch from in person to online left students with little choice as they found themselves connected to their education through a mouse and keypad

Yet as some students have opened up to new, digitized ways of learning, they’ve also realized how much they’re coming to rely on technology that isn’t always there when they need it

“There was a time when technology let me down,” said Brianna Ngyuen, a third year mechanical engineering major at DVC “For example, I went to class one day and my iPad was dead ”

"Using more technology at school came easy for Nguyen, who understood how academically beneficial and environmentally cleaner tech devices could be requiring less paper, for example, which minimizes deforestation Ngyuen said she finds herself working more these days with digital devices than ever before “I started off this semester with a notebook and pen, but I noticed how much paper I’ve been using, so I’ve resorted to having an iPad,” she said If she had to choose one over the other, she said she leans toward using media devices

“Honestly, both do have their pros and cons, but I just prefer the iPad, mostly because it’s more organized and structural and less use of actual paper,” Ngyuen added

Professors may not always consider that the way they employ technology in the classroom can also heavily impact the way students learn According to student Coniglio, “My professors actually encourage us to use laptops more, so school seems to be going towards that direction of technology ”

But even if tech centered learning isn’t what she prefers, she recognized its benefits

“I mean, online notes you can pull up anytime on any device,” she said

Illustration by ERICKA CARRANZA