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CLUB: Asked to remove flags continued from PAGE 1
As a result the Pride Club has found itself scrambling for meeting places and having to settle for locations that are not necessarily “Safe Zones,” let alone “Safe Spaces.” According to Alexis Arenz, Assistant Program Director for University of Pacific’s Pride Center, a dedicated Safe Space is a safeguard against unwanted attention. “Just because some place has a ‘Safe Zone’ sticker it doesn’t mean that it’s a ‘Safe Space’,” said Arenz, noting that sensitive conversations can sometimes be overheard by others in a Safe Zone, even unintentionally. This sort of problem has already been an issue at Delta, according to Perez. At a recent Pride Club meeting a student’s decision to “come out” to her fellow members was affected by the fact that she’d be forced to do so in a semi-public setting because the Pride Club was not allowed to hold its meeting in the Pride Center. While room availability for meetings is an issue, those most affected by the recent changes seem most concerned about the center’s lack of student influence. According to Perez, an email from Butler informed Pride Club members that they had to remove their presence from the center. The room was cleared out within days. Considering how one of the Pride Center’s main purposes is to provide literature and materials to those who may need answers to delicate questions, a welcoming atmosphere plays a key role in its existence. The bare walls currently on display are not conducive to such an atmosphere said former Pride Club Vice-President, Isaiah Merriweather. “It doesn’t feel like a Pride Center anymore. It does not feel warm and inviting. It just doesn’t feel right.”
“They can’t do this to the students,” said Perez. “After all the work they did to make it their own they have to do this with the students.” Dr. Lisa Cooper, Delta College’s Vice-President of Student Services, attended the most recent Pride Club meeting and acknowledged the situation at the Pride Center could’ve been handled better. “My hope was that there would’ve been more sensitivity with the transition,” said Cooper. “The school wanted to make a fresh start, but I’m not sure that taking down the Pride Flag should’ve been a part of that.” “Having students involved in discussions would’ve been how I would’ve preferred it,” continued Cooper. Merriweather agreed. “I wish there was more of a collaborative approach,” said Merriweather, lamenting those who were most involved in establishing the center have not been involved in any of the decisions regarding the current transition. “It was a center created by the students, for the students.” Merriweather said he believes Delta has good intentions and believes the resources once offered at the Pride Center will eventually return. “How things are today aren’t forever,” said Cooper, noting that the longterm vision for the center would revolve around, “honoring what the purpose of the center was designed for.” Despite the apparent miscommunication, Cooper confirmed the Pride Club can resume using the center for its weekly meetings. “That was never the intention, for the club to not have access to the center,” said Cooper. As for the continuing evolution of the center, Cooper assured the Pride Club: “Your voice matters in all of this moving forward.”
Oct. 7, 2016
Delivery service helps battle the crimson tide By Midori Morita Editor-in-Chief
Small businesses help cities thrive. Stockton is no exception. You can find a business and a clientele for anything — even feminine products. Toni Valenzuela, 50, Devon Valenzuela, 25, and Samantha Valenzuela, 20, have started a feminine product delivery service called The Dot Spot. The business is a first of its kind for Stockton. “The whole idea started with us being on our period at the same time and wishing there was a service we could call to bring us junk food. So we decided why don’t we start one,” said Samantha Valenzuela. The Dot Spot has a variety of different packages filled with feminine products such as tampons, pads and sanitary wipes. The kits also include candy, water and Advil. Each package is $10 which includes delivery. Customers can add an extra water or a soda for an extra 50 cents. “We get about six calls a week. From high schoolers to college students to boyfriends,” said Samantha. The mother, daughter trio delivers the packages Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Dot Spot has only been open for a month so the business is sticking to the Stockton area, but hopes to expand to different cities. Since they have been open for a short time, they have a small amount of clients, but are quickly gaining traction. “We have a great support system. We hope to help women and girls feel comfortable and confident and that they have someone to call in case of an unexpected visit or accident,” said Samantha. The Dot Spot hopes to incorporate panties and condoms into packages in the future. Small, pink fliers can be found around campus with their information.
EPIC Club inspires leadership skills for students By Analese Najera Staff Writer
There is a new club on campus for Fall. The Empowering Positive Initiatives for Change is also known as EPIC Club. “The club was formed because of the Epic Program offered here at Delta Community College,” said Mercy Bacallan, a member of the club. This club is meant to promote higher education to high school students. This club is meant for Filipino, Pacific
Islander, and Asian American students but is open for all students. “The [Epic] program is a learning community that will help you to become aware of yourself and the influences that have shaped who you are today, giving you the knowledge, tools, and motivation to establish goals that will help you to become the person you want to be” said Bacallan. The club goes to high schools around the Stockton area to inform students on not only the Epic Program but all pro-
The Political Edge
life-long relationships so that students return and give back to the community.” Some things the club do is engaging with community service and networking with students and professionals. They connect students to tutoring services and help with study group opportunities. The club meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. the location is to be announced.
With Killian Barnhart and Zach Merces
national The Presidential election has finally picked up as the debates ended Sept. 26. Donald Trump started the debate off with a decent amount of momentum, nailing Hillary Clinton on trade, and foreign policy. However, soon after whatever momentum he had disappeared and Trump fell on the defensive. Trump, by all accounts made himself look like a fool, for example when the conversation fell onto Trumps tax returns, and Clinton made the point Trump might not even have paid his taxes he interjected embarrassingly
grams that are offered at Delta. “[The] Purpose of the club is to expose students to the possibility of change, giving individuals access to leadership opportunities and to utilize those leadership skills for the betterment of the San Joaquin Delta College Community District,” said Serey Vann, staff member for the club. When asked why someone would want to join the club, Vann said, “Celebrate the diversity within the Asian cultures; build
with the statement: “That makes me smart.” Despite this, the debate was a pyrrhic victory for Hillary, as according to RealClearPolitics Clinton’s average in the polls only went up to 2.6 percent across the country. According to Cristian Acosta, a Delta student, Hillary won the debate “Based off how she reacted to the questions, in terms of temperament, and how prepared she was for the questions. Whereas Trump was constantly interrupting, barely answering the questions and blabbering on.”
local In the local political arena, The Record leaves Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva behind by endorsing Council Member Michael Tubbs for mayor for Stockton. Furthermore Silva has declared Stockton a “war zone” and that he “declared war on” all the gangs and gangsters in Stockton including a plan to work with the police to do enforced gun sweeps over known gang affiliates. Silva and Tubbs will face off in debate at San Joaquin Delta College in the South Forum Oct. 14, 2016. Silva is under pressure as he has not
earned any endorsements and has had a recent slowdown in donations starting June 5, as Silva only raised $1,500 from the local Plumbers and Pipefitters union whereas Tubbs has raised $78,000. Also he is still under investigation for allegedly recording a strip poker game without consent and providing alcohol to minors. “With Silvas obvious issue in the past, also based on his over performance I don’t know if he deserves the chance for an addition term quite honestly,” said Nick Wolters, another Delta student.