March 25, 2020, Vol. 20, No. 12

SPECIAL E-EDITION Introducing the Bulletin’s New Student Forum See pages 4-5

BULLETIN California State University, Dominguez Hills

MARCH 25, 2020 • VOL. 24, NO. 5

csudhbulletin.com

@dhbulletin

Transition Prompts Questions

By JORDAN DARLING Editor-in-Chief

Bulletin: Have you ever dealt with, or heard of, a university transitioning to online halfway through a semester?

Carrier: No, I’ve never seen or experienced a university having to move online without warning.

There are some things we definitely know about the university’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, such as the campus is mostly shut down for the duration of the semester, and all instruction will be administered online or in other alternative formats.

But there are also things that the Toro community does not know moving forward. And in light of some students reaching out to the Bulletin’s social media pages with questions, comments and concerns, we looked into some of their biggest questions and this is what we found.

What is going on with the Graduation Writing Exam?

A big question for graduating seniors is the status of the Graduation Writing Exam. Students who applied for Spring 2020 graduation and waited to take the GWE until their final semester will have the requirement waived. Communications General Education and Special Projects Advisor Penny Roe-

[See Carrier, page 3]

[See Questions, page 3]

Glenn Marshall Bulletin

In his 22 years at CSUDH, Dr. Mark Carrier has earned outstanding professor, excellence in service, and innovation and leadership awards.

Q&A with a Veteran of Online Teaching

By ROBERT RIOS Co-News Editor Editor’s note: For the full version of this story, see ONLINE at csudhbulletin.com.

There are many teachers the Bulletin could have asked to help give us some context and insight into how

online teaching differs from in-person class, and how the CSUDH faculty is handling this abrupt transition.

But we had to choose Mark Carrier, for reasons you may deduce from a feature story on him we published last year. Plus, he’s taught at CSUDH for 22 years, and is equally adept in a physical classroom as a digital one.

Food Pantry Will Re-Open Today

By MATTHEW ALFORD Staff Reporter While all instruction and student support services will be online until further notice, there are a few physical spaces on campus that remain open for students who need computer access, food, or health assistance.

Note: everything seems to be changing daily in light of the ongoing public health crises, and these hours could change. Check the campus’ alert page for updates.

LIBRARY: Closed except for the Toro Computer Lab on the first floor(G-146).

Mon-Fri., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

LOKER STUDENT UNION: Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, The Toro Food Pantry will be located in the LSU meditation room and open during LSU’s operating hours.

Bookstore: Mon-Fri., 10 a.m.to 2 p.m.

Everytable: Mon-Fri: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Union Grind: Mon-Fri., 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m.to 2 p.m.

Toro Fresh: Mon-Fri, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

STUDENT HEALTH AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES:The Student Health Center is open Monday through Friday under special hours and students are seen by appointment only. Students re urged to call first and make an appointment before showing up. Call 310-243-3629 for appointments.

Refund Coming for Parking Fees; More to Come?

By DAYZSHA LINO Co-News Editor It took only two days for CSUDH student Monique Davis to get part of what she asked for: a partial refund for students who bought a spring, 2020 parking pass.

Davis’ petition on change. org, which she posted March 17, drew more than 1,000 signatures before CSUDH President Thomas A. Parham’s March 19 memo that announced parking pass holders

will receive a prorated parking refund.

The memo did not address two other fees that the petition mentioned: refunds for housing fees and on-campus fees.

Though yesterday, the petition had drawn 3,000 signatures.

“Since Cal State Dominguez Hills is transferring the rest of the semester online, students should be reimbursed for their parking passes, university [See Parking, page 3]

2

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020

PERSPECTIVES

CSUDH BULLETIN

ONLINE Visit our website, csudhbulletin.com, for updates and breaking news throughout this public health crisis.

Uncertain Times Call For Uncertain Measures

By TAYLOR HELMES Assistant News Editor What will reality be like after COVID-19? That question has haunted me during this uncertain time that we’re all living through. Unsure about what the future economy or healthcare system will look like, how long we’ll be quarantined in our homes, when will toilet paper be restocked; these are thoughts constantly rushing through my head.

With nearly my entire 24 hours each day this past week being spent indoors, there’s been a lot of free time to just sit and think about those thoughts.

But an unusually abundant amount of free time spent indoors with limited activity can be a recipe for one anxious, slightly depressed, college student. Especially if they’ve already battled with their mental health before this crisis.

Like me.

Living with depression and anxiety is a daily battle.

There’s no vaccine to treat clinical depression or a blanket treatment that works for all individuals that suffer from anxiety. Today, I can identify my triggers and combat them in a healthy way. But with

Photo courtesy of goodfreephotos.com

Following each sunset is a new day. But when you’re under stay-at-home orders, it’s challenging to look on the brighter side of things.

the new Stay-At-Home order from Gov. Gavin Newsom on March 19, the level of difficulty to manage my mental health skyrocketed.

Normally, a combination of a healthy diet, my daily medication, physical and social activity was the recipe for a “Happy Taylor.”

But like everyone, this pandemic threw a wrench in my life. Then again, that’s why they call it a crisis.

It’s easy to get stuck in the downward spiral of negativity that seems to be never ending.

Social isolation and a lack of physical activity doesn’t help either. But, that’s exactly

Feel Powerless in the Pandemic? Think Again

By SARAI HENRIQUEZ Assistant Culture Editor Wash my hands? OK. If that’s the main way this virus with the funny name perfect for memes (Heineken bottle wearing a medical mask in front of a Corona bottle) will affect me, no big deal, right?

It’s a big deal now. As one of my professors, Dr. Brant Burkey, told our class shortly before our unplanned break, we are now “living in confusing times,” and we have to take it seriously.

As a senior, I’m disappointed. My grandparents in El Salvador, so proud of their granddaughter graduating from an American university, won’t see it. I had to cancel a trip to New York City with my boyfriend. No Disneyland for a while.

But none of that compares to people losing their jobs, or nothing feeling normal, of having no idea what the

future holds.

I am scared. Not of the virus, but reactions to its threat. Last week it was hoarding toilet paper. What happens if the power goes out?

It’s easy to imagine any terrible tomorrow bringing out the worst in people, but so hard to imagine one where the worst brings out our best.

Yet, it is possible, but imagining, hoping and wishing won’t make it happen.

Only our actions will.

A Washington Post story last week began with worstcase scenarios from experts.

But, there was a “scary but empowering truth,” in those scientific models, the story continued, “that what happens next depends largely on [the] 328 millions inhabitants of this country--all making tiny decisions on a daily basis with outsize consequences for our collective future.”

Getting through, or not

getting through, this depends on what we as students, teachers, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters choose.

I am choosing to stay at home as much as possible to keep from being infected or infecting others. To wash my hands regularly and thoroughly. To not surrender to fear or anxiety but to consider how I can help others instead of expecting help from them.

And to my fellow seniors?

We may not walk in May in front of our families as proud graduating seniors, but we can walk through this crisis with our heads held high, recognizing and appreciating the dignity and respect every human being deserves.

Yes, we are living in scary and confusing times; but it’s also our time to rise and overcome the first real test of our generation.

It’s in all of our hands.

what’s happened since CSUDH semi-closed its campus and changed all of our classes to online .

In President Parham’s March 19 memorandum, he called on his background in psychology and gave his recommendations on how to combat, “feelings of uncertain-

ty and anxiety.” He suggested students follow health advisories and take them seriously, to stay informed and updated, to practice social distancing and good hygiene by washing our hands, and to try and focus on the positive stories of recovery that are also part of this health crisis.

Solid advice, but I have completed one 30-minute home workout the past week, and that won’t cut it. I’m used to going to the gym, weight lifting, hot yoga and sculpting classes. But they’re all closed now--even my apartment complex’s gym.

Disruptive changes to our routine range from minor to catastrophic depending on who you ask.

For me, this has been pretty major. No school and no work means I’m no longer socially interacting; lack of Vitamin D and physical activity results in my mental health declining; and my anxiety has heightened because of the unknown future.

I know I’m not the only one.

And if you are someone trying to fend off a hostile external threat who is also dealing with something that comes from inside you, please try to remember this: We’re all in this together.

Four Generations under One Roof

By JASMINE NGUYEN Culture Editor For the first time since I was probably 10, my whole family is under one roof.

That’s what you get when you’re practicing social distancing and everyone is working from home for the foreseeable future.

So you have me, my younger sister, my father and my two grandparents in one home.

The past week we’ve fallen into a routine. I wake up in the morning to hear my dad arguing with my grandfather, urging him not to go out, while grandmother tries to calm them both down. My sister, on the other hand, has walked into my room, phone in hand as she begins to record a TikTok dance with me in the background.

There’s been a lot of talk

about how different generations are taking this whole COVID-19 situation to heart.

For example, one poll suggested people over 65 are least concerned and Millennials are slightly more concerned, while poor Gen X is the most worried.

I think while observing my family throughout the past few weeks, I can agree.

My two grandparents are both from the Baby Boomer generation, and my grandfather especially refuses to see himself as an “at-risk” individual and will brave out to the grocery stores any time of the day. He said to me one day, “ I’m not old, why do you all keep saying I’m old, do you want me to die already?”

No, Grandpa I just want you not to get sick because [See Multi, page 3]

STAFF BOX EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jordan Darling MANAGING EDITOR Yeymy Garcia CULTURE EDITOR Jasmine Nguyen OPINION EDITOR Robin Bolton

CO-NEWS EDITORS Dayzsha Lino, Robert Rios ASST. NEWS EDITOR Taylor Helmes ARTS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR Destiny Torres PHOTO EDITOR Nova Blanco-Rico

CO-SPORTS EDITORS Jessica Olvera, Jeremy Gonzalez ASST. CULTURE EDITORS Sarai Henriquez Darlene Maes WEB EDITOR Angelica Mozol

REPORTERS Matthew Alford, Joseph Cascio, Julissa Casillas, Brian Hinchion, Andrea Mendez-Ochoa, Benito Morales, Iracema Navarro, Ulises Rodriguez, Velia Salazar,

Brenda Verano, Joseph Witrago LAYOUT ASSISTANT Luis Guitierrez AD MANAGER Andrew Baumgarnter ADVISER Joel Beers

The print and digital version of the CSUDH Bulletin is published bi-weekly and is produced by students in Communications 355, News Production workshop. The views and expressions contained on both do not necessarily reflect that of the Communications

Department, or the CSUDH administration. The Bulletin operates within, and is protected by, the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.

Comments, criticism, and story ideas can be emailed to bulletin@ csudh.edu. We reserve the right to edit any letters for length, grammar and punctuation, and libel.

NEWS/PERSPECTIVES

CSUDH BULLETIN

CARRIER From page 1

ONLINE

I can tell you [that] most professors or even our administrators have [no] experience with this because if you look at the chatter online it’s everyone, it’s not just the teachers, but it’s [also] the administrators that don’t know what to do.

“The problems are running all the way from the classrooms, all the way up to the top, in terms of just the whole network of higher education in the US. Everyone was really unprepared for this.”

The Show Must Go On? Arts overcome challenges of campus closure

What is your take on the general consensus of CSUDH faculty members with this transition?

“There’s no consensus. I think everyone is all over the place. What I saw was some instructors were basically caught blindsided. They have never imagined they would have to teach online.

“Then you have the whole other end of the spectrum of professors who were already teaching online and were unhappy that the president delayed or suspended instruction for 10 days. So they couldn’t actually continue teaching. There is no consensus at all.”

PARKING From page 1 housing fees, and on-campus fees. As students, we understand that the university is trying to adjust to this pandemic as smoothly as possible, but it is completely unfair that we are advised to stay away from campus but still pay for services that are unavailable.

Although various emails state that the campus will remain open, it is advised that

MULTI From page 2 you tried buying milk.

My father, born during the last leg of the Gen X era, has so much anxiety about COVID-19 he asks every single one of us how we’re feeling while throwing vitamin C pills in our faces. Which I’m not that mad about. He cares about us, but. sir, nothing’s gonna change in the 15 minutes since you last asked me.

I think my 20-year-old sister has been done with the whole social distancing since the first day. There’s not an hour in the day where she doesn’t come to up to me to tell me she’s bored. Or where she’s not dancing to Megan Thee Stallion for a Tiktok. I think her online shopping addiction has only grown in the past week.

As for myself, ( a Gen-Zer? I’m not sure, the early part of it ) yeah the anxiety is very apparent, not so much for the

Do you think it’s fair to have professors who work at multiple campuses have to switch to online so quickly? “ I don’t know if it’s a question of fairness. It definitely would be painful to be one of those professors in that situation. Given the circumstances, it’s important to our students to put the effort in to make it happen, even if it’s hard to do it.

“The most important thing I think for the professors is to make sure the students finish the semester and get through all the material that was originally planned. We have to maintain the integrity of our education.”

What is the general mood like? Do they feel intimidated or are they looking forward to the challenge?

“I think there’s both. For some professors they’re going to welcome working at home for the rest of the semester. Just like I think some of the students will be fine and pleased to be home extremely limited services will be available for safety and health reasons. It is already burdensome that we are expected to complete the rest of the semester online which eliminates the much-needed face to face interaction that CSUDH students need. It is even more burdensome to continue to pay for services that are unavailable to us. Most students invest their money into their education with confidence that their university virus, but the lack of socializing. I miss my friends, not enough to risk going outside, but I think the anxiety of getting the virus is probably third on the list of “ Things Jasmine freaks out about.”

I don’t really know why all these generations react differently. But to me, I think Gen X worries the most because they’re often heads of the household, so they have to care for their elderly parents and their children.

While Baby Boomers, at least according to my grandparents who are immigrants, have seen a lot worse happen. F And maybe for us younger people our usage of the internet means we’ve been kind of overloaded with information since birth, so maybe we’re desensitized already.

Either way, living with multiple generations under one household can always be hard. But, for the sake of public health, I think we can manage.

and take their classes.

“But I do think there are professors who do feel rushed and just intimidated.

They feel they are paid to teach a face to face class and that’s what their skills are.

And then they feel like now suddenly the job is changing on them. They’re unhappy because they don’t feel like they’re going to be ready to be able to pull it off.

Are tenured professors in a better position to handle this adjunct faculty?

“There is no guarantee that a tenure or a tenured-track professor would already know how to do this. There’s no requirement to get tenure [like having] to know how to teach online.

“But honestly in my personal opinion, I think this is one of those bright spots. What this is all going to reveal is that we all should have been trained on how to do it. It should have been required a while ago. We wouldn’t have all the problems we are having now.

Maybe we should have. Obviously it would be necessary for a time of need.

For the full interview, see ONLINE on our website, csudhbulletin.com. will invest that money back into their students. With the remainder of the semester being online, we are unsure of how that money is being spent.

We appreciate the university staff for handling this situation quickly and looking out for our best interest, but it would benefit us financially even more if we have our fees returned to us.

Monique Davis Some of the students who signed the petition commented

QUESTIONS From page 1 buck-White said that the exam set for April was canceled due to the coronavirus.

White also said that students who applied for Summer or Fall graduation can take English 350 over the summer. If students have any questions advisors are still on campus and working, please reach out to your advisor about your academic concerns.

What can seniors expect for their commencement?

Commencement has been postponed until further notice! On the school’s website, there was an announcement that commencement would be postponed until further notice, but seniors should have received an email on March 24 with a survey for when they would like to see commencement and if they

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020

3

Silver lining alert: Many offering deals

By TAYLOR HELMES Assistant News Editor Amid the flood of information we’re receiving from health organizations, the government, and universities, common sense would seem to dictate that the only spring break any student should have is parking their rear end somewhere in their house and studying or binge watching something on TV. But when airlines like Southwest, Frontier and other companies are giving such incredible discounts, one can feel torn between following one’s head, or taking advantage of some sweet deals: (Note, I am not encouraging anyone to use these deals out of anything but necessity. As in you can’t afford a plane ticket home or are in a jam because with campus closed, you had to move out of your place and stashed a lot of your stuff at a friend’s house).

But, if you do need a cheap flight, a discounted U-haul or FREE INTERNET ACCESS, if you qualify, here are a few tips, most of which CSUDH Professor La Tanya Skiffer, president of the CSUDH chapter of the

CFA, the teacher’s union, shared with the DH email list last week.

On March 13, Frontier Airlines announced its Student Fly Free program, where any student, who uses their .edu email to book their flights, are eligible for a $100 voucher on trips booked before March 23, 2020. The catch to this promotion is that students must use their school email address to create a new Discount Den membership. But since the only real qualification needed for this discount is an .edu email and promotion code, staff and faculty may be able to take advantage as well.

Most airlines are modifying their cancellation and change flight fees to adapt to COVID-19. Southwest Airlines has discounted fares to extend its $49 one-way sale and oneway nonstop flights under $129 throughout the continental U.S. Some other companies that are using these unprecedented times to offer free services are Comcast, which has created a free 60-day Internet Essentials package for low-income households, and U haul is offering students 30-day free self-storage.

on why they deserve a refund from CSUDH. Dartagnan Chavez said he signed the petition because he thinks his parking pass will now go to waste.

“I feel like I spent my money on a parking pass that I won’t get to use for the rest of the semester,” Chavez wrote.

Another student named Emily Rodriguez wrote, “Although I appreciate the university’s effort to keep us safe, I still do believe we shouldn’t

have to pay for services that we aren’t using and for the price of a lower quality education.”

Seeing that California State University, Fullerton is able to refund parking passes, it is possible for CSUDH to do the same.

Students can sign the petition on Change.org using the link below: https://www.change. org/p/the-president-anddean-of-cal-state-dominguezhills-refund-for-cal-statedomin

were willing to change the format. The three options were postponing until the fall of 2020 or the spring of 2021; or students voting on whether to participate in a virtual graduation which would include a shoutout on the school website. The fate of commencement is still hanging in the balance as we wait for updates.

What about refunds?

There will be at least one refund. The school sent out an email March 19 letting students know that they can expect to receive a partial refund on their Spring parking passes but this does not extend to Spring tuition, and students are still holding their breaths about other campus-related fees.

The Bulletin will continue to answer questions throughout the semester as the toro community settles into the new norm that has been

created by this public health crisis. You can reach us on our social media accounts @ DHBulletin on Instagram and Twitter.

So most classes have transitioned online.

What about student support services?

According to the info for students section on the university’s alert page, academic advisement, including EOP, ETE, TRIO, the multicultural center and all other academic advisers are working remotely. Information can be found on the online advisor hub.

The Toro Learning Center is also operating remotely, as is the Writing Center, which is offering individual online appointments and email tutoring services.

Finally the CSUDH Career Center has transitioned all in-person appointments and workshops to Zoom for the remainder of the semester.

4

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020

NEWS

CSUDH BULLETIN

Toros Assemble!

Welcome to a special feature in this special e-edition of The Bulletin, in the most unusual week in the history of this campus: the first where we transition into online and other alternative teaching for the rest of the semester.

Think of this as a community bulletin board, letters to the editor, an open forum, or a place where you can perhaps process some of your thoughts and emotions about these last two hectic weeks and the aforementioned transition.

On this page are thoughts from some of our staff as well as a few students they know who they asked to contribute.

We’d like to tender an official invite to not just students but anyone involved on this campus, including faculty, staff, administrators, anyone, to contribute their thoughts.

We will run them, as well as the full versions of the excerpts below, on our website, csudhbulletin.com They can be serious or somber, angry or funny, confused or questioning. All we want is for you to speak your truth, whatever that looks like.

We will update this on our website throughout the semester.

We do ask that you keep your submissions to less than 175 words, including your first and last name, class year and major (or job title or department where you work). And we do reserve the right to edit for issues of length, libel, clarity and punctuation/grammar clean-up. Please email us at bulletin@csudh.edu or via our social media handles at @DHBulletin on Instagram and Twitter, and facebook.com/DHbulletin.

Gopi Patel, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Senior The transition from in-person lectures to virtual learning has been a major adjustment. I would like to thank all the professors and faculty at Dominguez Hill who have taken the pressure and privilege to still deliver great lectures.I truly believe DH has taken the right precaution necessary to keep the community safe and us.

Angelica Mozol, Web Editor Being stuck in one spot for long was one thing that I always had trouble with so therefore the quarantine isn’t sitting too well for me. I have no problems with staying home at times, but for multiple days is something that I’m finding hard to do. We’re forced to plan out our days once at a time because that’s how foreign the outcome has become. It’s gotten really scary and almost feels unreal to me. I personally can’t wait for the day we look back at this and say “Hey remember when the coronavirus almost took out the entire world? Yeah, that was weird.”

Sarahi Vargas, Anthropology , Senior

Jessica Olvera, Co-Sports Editor Who would’ve thought that my last semester of college would be spent quarantined inside my home and taking classes online in my pajamas? What was supposed to be the “grand finale” to my educational career, has now become a setting where fear, panic, worry, and unease creeps in as I don’t know what to expect for the future, let alone the next day. As someone who is at a higher risk because I have Lupus, an autoimmune disease that suppresses my immune system, I have to take extra precautions to protect myself. So please don’t be offended if I keep an extra distance from you and don’t have enough energy to respond to you right away. I am most likely keeping myself protected from the “spring breakers” who don’t understand what social distancing and “stay at home” means.

Honestly, I don’t mind it closing. It was just the fact that they kept us in the dark about it for a while, like they could have given us a heads up before. Or if they were gonna close it, they should have told professors to not schedule any big due dates the week of closure.

Because when they did that it was all messy!!! Like when we got the email from the president I couldn’t even concentrate in class anymore. Like I understand everyone’s doing the best possible to get through this, but I just don’t think these online classes are going to work.

Hulisses Lopez, 25, Major undeclared How has my college experience been turned upside down? Honestly, It’s completely f**cked up.

Going to classes gives me a greater sense of taking responsibility for myself when it comes to my school work. I work at a grocery store and with all the chaos COVID-19 has caused my job has been way more demanding than usual. Going to school was my “break” from the job. Being on campus gave me i don’t know, motivated me to stay on top of everything and now having to change it all up and be online sucks because now I have to figure out the online tools and get used to a new way of learning.

Violeta Rocha, Senior, Journalism

Ulises Rodriguez, Staff Reporter Life after having society shut down almost every social gathering and public spaces has not been entirely bad. The thousands of zombie movies and apocalyptic video games during my childhood I would say have prepared me for this type of situation.

It sucks not being able to go to the theater or go to the gym, but the plus side to this “apocalypse” is the ability to have most of the city to myself.

As a photographer, I spend most of my time looking for areas that aren’t full of people, but now that most of the world is locked in their homes I’m able to go out and have the world to myself while still keeping my social distance. No people, no traffic, everything is peaceful now….I guess it’s my introverted dream becoming a reality.

Nora Banuelos, Senior studying psychology [These days] have been stressful and overwhelming only because this has never happened before. So, along with many people, I do not know how to digest everything that is going on. We are still getting our education, it has just moved online.

For me I’ll be fine. I meet with my class via zoom and it is just as fun as it was face to face meetings. People should see this as a good thing because they are trying to help us prevent spread.

I had to go through a transitional change and didn’t have time to process the evolving changes due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). I’m jobless and don’t know when I’ll be able to get back to work. This was supposed to be my year. A summer trip to Europe, graduation, and getting out in the work-field and in a matter of days my life came crumbling down. I feel like I’ve been robbed. I’m devastated that there’s a slight chance that my family and friends might not get to see me walk. I’m coping with trying to find my daily routine and it’s been challenging.

I’m trying to keep my mind, body and soul healthy.

Darlene Maes, Assistant Culture Editor The coronavirus has put a halt to certain aspects of my daily routine. I can’t go to school and separate myself from other responsibilities and focus on my classes. Having to turn my homework desk corner at home into a “classroom” for my four classes is ridiculous. Having to completely change my way of learning in the middle of the semester is now another item on the laundry list of issues I have to somehow manage through. Seeking a higher education comes with its hardships already. I rent a room, I unfortunately don’t have the privilege of being with family and have been self-supporting myself since I was 13. COVID-19 has changed everything.

CSUDH BULLETIN

Julissa Casillas, Staff Reporter With all this shit going on it’s confusing and very depressing. Being single and recently dumped you want to go out and meet people, but its difficult when your stuck at home with both of your sisters face-timing their boyfriends. It’s depressing being at home and not being able to do things to get your mind of things. It also sucks seeing my dad, who is the bread winner of the family, stress out and trying to go out and make money to help us out. What is upsetting me is people going out and not taking this quarantine very seriously. Young adults are still going out to others houses and having a party and it’s really stupid. But one bright side is that I get to get rid of stuff I don’t need and save money from not going out.

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020

5

Alexis Granados, Business Administration, Senior The past two weeks for me have been a bit confusing, I’m constantly checking my blackboard and emails to see if my professors have updated us one what’s going on.

Although it feels good to have a week off during the semester it’s still a bit stressful because we don’t know what’s going to happen next. Having professors postpone assignments can be a bit confusing because I’m not sure if I should work on certain assignments.

For my law class I was supposed to have a group project due next week, but with COVID-19 going on she canceled it, not keeping in mind all the work we have already completed and the effort we put in it.

Now, we have to write an individual paper on a different topic, which is upsetting because my group and I put time and effort into our group presentation. I understand that it has to do with our class going online, but it was a bit upsetting to hear that she canceled it.

Destiny Jackson, Senior, Journalism With each passing week we are all venturing into the unknown—a weird mix of calm then sudden anxiety—and trying to process what is happening within our country and now balance that with homework is hard when you can barely put together a cohesive thought let alone try to write some thesis paper.

Nova Blanco-Rico, photo editor It has been weird, interesting, and scary these days. It seems so surreal and I don’t think I’ve fully registered how serious it all is. I feel horrible for all of my friends who are seniors and don’t get to have their last semester be something special (though everything that is happening is pretty one of a kind). I am worried that due to such a quick change, there will be problems with giving out clear instructions on assignments, along with problems with grading. Many professors already have difficulty with inserting grades, now they have to use technology they weren’t prepared to use. I am fearful for the complications that will arise.

Chrissna Sin, senior, business aministration: management & human resources I feel very conflicted with my studies. Since the break, I’ve been feeling very lethargic and unmotivated to do my work. I think it’s the fact that there is uncertainty of how the rest of the school year is going to end is what is affecting me.

I feel uneasy knowing that almost all students have to switch to online classes. I personally don’t really have a problem with the online classes because my classes wouldn’t be that hard to transition onto zoom; however, I still feel uneasy because I don’t like the idea of learning online. I’m curious to how this will affect other students because I know some classes just aren’t teachable online. Also, I know there are some professors that are hard to learn from in class, so I wonder how my fellow colleagues will handle their online class.

Brenda Verano, news assistant Quarantine fucking sucks. I’ve realized that I’m like a plant. I need fresh air and sunlight to survive. I know we all do, but maybe I need this more than the average person? I don’t know, but what I do know is that I miss school, which is not a phrase that I say often.

I am more of an in-person class type of person so this whole online thing is not my cup of tea. In fact technology overall is not necessarily one of my strongest qualities.

Anxiety is already creeping in when I start thinking about having classes through Zoom. Will my internet lag? Will Zoom freeze up in the middle of the lecture?

Destiny Torres, lifestyle editor As a senior, there are some big things I was looking forward to like the Dolore Huerta Graduation, but there’s a lot more little things that I’m going to miss about my college experience. Things like being in our newsroom, eating chicken tenders for the 100th time at the Sports Lounge and fighting for parking in Lot 6. Remembering these things, I cried. A lot. I know I’m not the only graduating senior who feels like their last semester got cut short or like the cancellation of events means they won’t get to celebrate their accomplishments. It’s sad that everything ended so abruptly for everyone.

Robert Rios co-news editor When I heard we were being asked to go home I thought maybe I could relax my body, but that does not seem to be the case. My mind is just not computing that I’m not at school and it doesn’t help that everyday there seems to be no good news about the world’s current condition.

Right now however, I don’t feel stressed and I don’t feel relieved. I’m in this unnatural state. I’ve been asking everyone what is going on but it seems as though nobody has an answer.

Jeanette Montoya, junior, journalism This whole situation about this virus is just out of control.

I’ve never said this before, but I honestly miss going to school. I miss waking up late, being in a rush to be able to make it on time for my 8:30 a.m. class and then see my friends in between classes and doing homework with my friends in the Student Union. This situation really sucks!

All of these thoughts will be roaming my thoughts for the next few days.

Alexis Granados. Business administration, senior Andrea Mendez, staff reporter/illustrator The only thing I’m trying not to do is panic because nothing good comes from it. I don’t live in fear but in caution. I do have a mother with an autoimmune disease that I have to think about.

I am pretty bummed out that regular class was cancelled because being on campus made me feel like I was productive and just meeting new people was great. I’m not going to lie, there was someone that caught my eye but now I can’t even say a simple hello or invite her out to a bar.

Overall, I am enjoying that this moment is exposing the greed of capitalism and the true colors of the people in charge of this country. I mean it is something that has always been a given but I do hope people really reflect if this country is really about what dreams it sells to the people that actually make it run.

Ruby Munoz, junior, journalism Finding out that my classes are now online classes is a little frustrating, but I guess I can work on assignments at home now. I’m taking advantage of the time I can spend with my family, which I’m really grateful about. I’m not fearful, whatever happens will happen. I’m just glad I’m with my family, and I’m hoping this will end soon. Honestly I feel like this coronavirus is just teaching us about self reflection, how to have good hygiene, how short life is and it’s showing everyone’s true character and colors.

The past two weeks for me have been a bit confusing, I’m constantly checking my blackboard and emails to see if my professors have updated us one what’s going on. Although it feels good to have a week off during the semester it’s still a bit stressful because we don’t know what’s going to happen next. Having professors postpone assignments can be a bit confusing because I’m not sure if I should work on certain assignments.

Dayzsha Lino, co-news editor I wouldn’t say that I feel saddened or angry about the coronavirus situation, but it does feel rather strange, like everything in my life has been put on hold. But at the same time, it does feel kind of relaxing to now have so many assignments due on a later date. As for the virus itself, the only thing that scares me are the people who aren’t taking things seriously.

People have to realize that this is a pandemic that might stay with us for a while. So please wash your hands and do what the CDC tells you to do.