The Collegian - Published Feb. 3, 2023

FEATURE, PAGE 5

FEATURE, PAGE 4

The Collegian

Atmospheric river storm leaves trail of damage

BY VANESSA GOMEZ Staff Writer

Several large storms damaged the Delta College campus over the winter break, overwhelming the drainage system and causing some power outages.

The majority of the damage was located primarily in the Budd and Shima buildings.

Around 15 rooms experienced some sort of flooding, around one or two inches at most, according to Stacy Pinola, the director of facilities management.

The storms toppled 25 trees, with one tree falling on the roof of the Budd building, causing some damage.

Delta College did close its campus on Jan. 8 and 9 due to the severity of the weather.

There was a power outage for those two days, but the majority of buildings had generators for backup.

“We had to manage the storm drains while it kept raining,” stated Claude Chavez, who works as a plumber for Delta. “It got to a point where we could no longer get rid of the water, so we could only manage it so it didn’t get worse.”

The robotics class and lab located in Budd 221 and 221G, respectively, did have some electronics receive water damage. Four computers were also damaged. These classes have been relocated to Shima 207 and 218, respectively.

Chavez, who has been working at Delta for nine months, said that no one in the maintenance crew had ever experienced a storm like this before.

Everything that was damaged by the water will be replaced.

The carpeting in the rooms that were flooded was immediately removed to prevent mold growth, according to Chavez.

The total cost of the damage is estimated to be around $1.8 million, which will be covered by insurance.

Importantly, aside from the two days that the campus was closed, no services were paused or rescheduled.

The majority of the damage done was able to be resolved before students returned to campus on Jan. 17.

Both Pinola and Chavez credit the maintenance crew for successfully getting the campus back on track to welcome students for the Spring 2023 semester.

“We have a dependable crew that were ready to work during the winter break,” said Chavez. “If we didn’t, it could have definitely been a lot worse.”

Flood damage shuts down art gallery

BY ARIANNA JUÁREZ Editor-in-Chief

The heavy rain that flooded parts of Stockton over winter break also caused damage to Delta’s L.H. Horton Jr. Art Gallery.

Drains along the entrance to the gallery overflowed following the series of intense rainstorms California experienced during the recent atmospheric river storm.

This caused water to leak underneath the wood floor of the gallery, soaking the wood and warping it.

This is not the first time water has damaged the intricately

laid wood floor.

Just this past September, a burst pipe damaged the wood floor in another section of the gallery floor, necessitating repairs.

This time, the flood damage was severe enough that it led to the premature closure of the Faculty Art Exhibition.

This diverse collection showcased art made by Delta’s own faculty and staff.

It opened on Dec. 1 and was meant to run a few weeks into the spring semester.

The damaged floor has forced professors and faculty to collect their work far earlier than they anticipated.

For sculpture professor Gary Carlos, this meant that his piece “Fly Over” is now tucked away in his office instead of on display.

Jan Marlese, gallery director at the Horton Gallery, says the work to repair the gallery floor is still in the beginning stages.

According to Marlese, the damage to the flooring is severe enough that the entire wood floor will have to be removed. The wood floor will be replaced by finished concrete.

Marlese said that although the timeline for repairs is just starting to take shape, the annual student art exhibition will See FLOOD on page 8

Water damage caused the wood floor in Delta’s art gallery to swell and warp, prematurely ending the Faculty Art Exhibition. PHOTO BY ARIANNA JUAREZ

Two weeks of winter storms left damage across campus, mostly in the form of downed trees. Above, maintenance crews removing a downed tree in the Budd parking lot. On the right, a falling tree lands on the Budd Center. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALEX BREITLER

vacancies threaten student representation

BY NICHOLAS MICHELSEN Entertainment Editor

DeltaCollege finds itself without a full board of elected student officials for Spring 2023, with six positions open, including Vice President and Secretary.

Applications to fill the vacancies are being accepted through Feb. 7.

Given that elections happen every Spring and are intended for officers to hold a minimum term of one year, this raises questions. What happened to our student government?

“There was a voluntary resignation with previously appointed officers which was mutually agreed upon. As the Director, it is my role to keep the ship going even if circumstances like this occur in order to have the least impact on services in my program areas,” said Shayla Walker, Director of Student Activities when asked why these vital campus roles became suddenly vacant.

According to the Associated Students of Delta College (ASDC) page on the main Delta College website, the governing body is “responsible for providing student input on College decisions that impact students, including Campus facilities, District policies and procedures, Curriculum, Student equity, and the District budget.”

The students are leaders who sit in meetings for committees that help run campus. Their presence represents the student body.

That presence is essentially missing in governance without more representatives.

If you’ve checked your student-email inbox within the last month, you may have noticed an email from ASDC, asking for students to apply for the vacant positions.

The first of these emails came on

As of Feb. 2, 2023, the Associated Students of Delta College only listed five officers for its Spring 2023 lineup. They are, from left, President Brandon Lopez, Treasurer Gilberto Ramalho, Senator of Public Relations Sammy Jimenez, and Student Trustee Fabian Molina. Senator at Large #1 is listed as Viviene Fabro, but no image is included on the ASDC section of the Delta College website.

Nov. 2 of last semester: “We are is currently accepting applications for the following position(s): Senator at Large.”

The deadline was set to fill this vacancy by Nov. 10.

The next email asking for applicants was sent Nov. 30. This time the inquiry was not only for the Senator at Large position, but seven additional seats had then become available.

“The Associated Students of Delta College(ASDC) is accepting applications for eight (8) positions! The deadline to submit an application is Thursday, Dec. 8,” the email stated.

The email listed these vacant positions:

Secretary, Treasurer, Senator of Activities, Senator of College and Community Relations, Senator of Legislative Affairs, Senator of Public Relations, and two (2) Senator at Large positions.

All ASDC public documents found in the archives available on the San Joaquin College ASDC web page under ‘Meetings’, through Oct. 17, 2022 show full occupancy of its officers. In an agenda document titled ‘ASDC Agenda (October 31 2022)(1).pdf’, the record shows the first vacancy that appeared was: Senator of Legislative Affairs, a seat previously held by Viridiana Gon-

zalez.

By Nov. 28, only three sitting members remained according the ASDC Nov. 28 meeting minutes.

By January 2023, the roster showed two remaining elected officials, and has since added two new appointed candidates to the board. The document shows only four out of eleven positions occupied.

The most recent email sent was on Jan. 24 again soliciting applications for seven open positions with a Feb. 7 deadline.

“The ASDC is also responsible for approving the distribution of funds collected through the Student Activity fee to support student clubs/organizations, campus events coordinated by the Student Activities office and ASDC programs and services,” according to its home on the Delta College website.

Walker elaborated on the critical roles and responsibilities of these leaders.

“The ASDC officers serve on campus shared governance committees, coordinate events and activities to promote campus life, and advocate for Delta students locally and statewide.”

ASDC Services and Events:

“The Mustang Pass (Issue Delta

College ID Cards), Monthly College Hour, Food 4 Thought, Holiday Meal Giveaway, Townhalls, Meet & Greets, ASDC Community Scholarships, Mustang BBQ, Shared Governance Committees, Student Leadership Conferences, Fundraising, Blood Drive, Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) advocacy,” according to Walker.

Given ASDC’s vital role on campus which includes the aforementioned services, what can students expect with a government that is nearly all absent?

These duties and services come at no small cost as well. The most recent document shows a total budget of $89,400 for the fiscal year of 2020-2021.

At Club Rush this week, Student Activities Coordinator Cassie Findlay, noted the importance of the governing body, particularly as “they advocate on behalf of students here on Delta’s campus.” The meetings, she noted, are open “which means [any current] students can attend them.”

Findlay expressed hopes of getting all the seats appointed.

“...we’re trying to set a full board,” she said.

For the sake of student voice and representation, we hope so too.

Mysterious MyDelta fees: What are they for?

BY JADA PORTILLO Opinion Editor

Every semester a majority of students see a miniature red exclamation mark with the words “Payment Due.”

Students are either confused or don’t know what the fee is.

Do you know what the $12 fee is?

“Don’t know,” said Jesus Espinosa

“Never paid it,” said Mary Diez

“I’m not really sure,” said Naveah Garcia.

What is the fee in MyDelta?

Every semester, a $12 fee is issued, this fee includes the Student Activity Fee ($10) and the Student Representation Fee ($2).

The Student Activity Fee is how students can get their Mustang Pass, which includes benefits like discounts on local businesses, raffles and free food.

This fee also helps to plan student activities.

“The Student Representation Fee pays for stu-

dent representation and participation in the California Community Colleges at the state level, so it helps give students a voice on important decisions and policies,” said Director of Marketing and Communications, Alex Breitler.

Students are encouraged to pay these fees, though they are optional.

“Both of these fees are optional,” said Breitler. “Students will see the fees listed in MyDelta, but if they don’t want to pay them, they can just wait and the fees should automatically drop off at the end of the semester.”

Students can also email the Fiscal Department: student.fees@deltacollege.edu for a faster removal of the fee.

“The Fiscal Department oversees student accounts. We are the admin for the student fees email and answer all requests/concerns within 24 hours,” said Fiscal Technician, Colleen Byars.

According to the Delta College website, under Financial Account frequently asked questions, you

The Collegian is the student newspaper of San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif. The paper is published six times a semester.

As a First Amendment newspaper we pride ourselves on a commitment to the students of Delta College while maintaining independence.

We reinvigorate the credo that the newspaper speaks for the students, checks abuses of power and stands vigilant in the protection of democracy and free speech.

can also opt out of the fees by logging into MyDelta, going to Tasks, and clicking on the Student Fee Guide to opt out of the fees.

Despite the $12 fee information being in the FAQ section, this fee should be made more clear towards students considering the amount who have no idea what the fee is for and if they should pay it or not.

ASDC MISSING OFFICERS INTO SPRING 2023

COLLEGIAN CRITIQUES THE SPRING SEMESTER START

Thumbs up or

• More on-campus classes

• More students back on campus

• Professional attire now available in the Food Pantry

• Free parking

• Free sporting events

• Warm meals in Danner Hall

• Scholarship applications open

• 1,000 Internships Initiative still going

• Valentine’s Day

Thumbs down

• Full parking lots

• Only walk-in counseling appointments during first week

• Homework

• Athletic fields in such a condition that sports can’t be played on campus

• Commuting to school

• Some classes still not on campus yet

• Textbooks prices

• Valentine’s Day

Stigma remains towards psychiatric disorders

BY DYLAN JAEKEL Feature Editor

Mostpeople are aware there’s still an ongoing stigma toward mental health and psychiatric disorders.

However, when we first consider addressing these stigmas, many speak mainly about anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression are two disorders that still receive stigma, but not in the same way as other classifications of psychiatric disorders do, or even in the same way as some of the disorders directly linked to anxiety and/or depression.

The classification of psychiatric disorders that arguably receive the most negative stigma is psychotic disorders.

Psychotic disorders, also known as psychosis, are defined by having symptoms like hallucinations and delusions. Hallucinations can be visual, auditory, or sensory experiences that are not occurring in reality. Delusions are false, often seemingly irrational, beliefs that do not align with reality.

“The word psychosis is used to describe conditions that affect the mind, where there has been some loss of contact with reality,” according to The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). “When someone becomes ill in this way, it is called a psychotic episode. During a period of psychosis,

a person’s thoughts and perceptions are disturbed, and the individual may have difficulty understanding what is real and what is not.”

These disorders include schizophrenia, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and substance-induced psychotic disorder. Symptoms of psychosis can sometimes occur in people with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and bipolar disorder.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), three in 100 people will experience psychosis at

some point in their lifetime; this can be if they do or don’t have a psychotic disorder. The onset of psychotic disorders is usually seen between a person’s late teens to mid-twenties, encompassing a large portion of college students. Most psychosis and psychotic disorders can be treated; treatments include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, and/or psychoanalytic therapy. Treatment can also involve treating a possible source of psychosis which can consist of other mental health disorders, infection, or, more commonly, epileptic psychosis.

Though treatment options exist for those experiencing short-term or ongoing psychosis, seeking that treatment can be tricky. There are issues of cost and accessibility of doctors, but there’s also the stigma against psychotic disorders and psychosis, which deter some from seeking treatment.

Suppose a person believes they may have schizophrenia but has grown up in an environment that classifies people with psychotic disorders as “crazy” or tries to distance themselves from those with the disorders. In that case, they may be hesitant to accept that they may have a psychotic disorder themselves. The fear of being on the receiving end of that stigma and criticism may prevent some from seeking immediate treatment, which can lead to more significant health concerns.

The stigma against those who have psychotic disorders does not just affect those with the disorders but everyone. You may care for someone who experiences psychosis, or you may one day experience it yourself. The othering of people with psychotic disorders puts them in harm’s way due to social perception.

Mental health disorders aren’t jokes, and words do have an impact. Before passing judgment on those with a hidden health issue, such as mental health disorders, consider how that can impact you, others, and the community around you.

Counseling only sees walk- ins during first week

BY BRYAN RAMOS Sports Editor

Delta College only offered counselors walk-in appointments for the first week of the semester, a departure from the appointment model students have known.

“The walk-ins only was just during the first week of class,” said Alex Breitler, Delta’s director of marketing and communication.

Although the walk-ins were only for a week, the system caused a lot of inconveniences, particularly when considering how the semester started, particularly the weather.

The semester started with floods across San Joaquin County, including in Stockton, Tracy, and Lodi.

Other places have suffered the aftermath for more than two weeks of nearly nonstop storms, with potholes and destroyed roads.

A lot of Delta students and staff come from other cities and these roads prevent them from getting to campus to see a counselor. No virtual options were available to talk to counselors.

These events passed but some places are still being affected. Under certain conditions, people from certain areas won’t be able to get to Delta for a counselor appointment.

Walk-ins for the first week weren’t the best idea either because of time. Walk-ins mean that there will be more students waiting. This also meant that counselors couldn’t take their time to help out their students properly. Through appointments, they can take longer periods of time with students.

At this point, I believe students had strong feelings towards seeing a counselor as a walk-in because they’re used to the appointments system.

I believe if they were going to have walk-ins, they should’ve stuck to that for more weeks. I think 1 week is simply too little time for walk-ins considering how many students Delta College has.

Since there are a lot of students, it would basically be impossible to attend all of them in 1 week. Every student would need help at some point so having the walk-ins for 1-2 months would at least help a chunk of students go get the help they need.

It’s not a completely bad idea to have walk-ins, I just feel like the timing was inconvenient due to the storms. If more time was given for walk-ins, it could’ve worked out much better than how it currently worked.

Hitting the books at Goleman Library

BY DYLAN JAEKEL Feature Editor

Visiting the library is always a good idea whether you’re a fresh or established student on campus. Whether you’re there for leisure or academics, there’s always a quiet and cozy spot.

Goleman Library is relatively central on campus, near the southwest corner of the koi pond. Ramps and elevators also make it so that the library is easily accessible. The first floor consists of ample study space and group study rooms that students can reserve. The cafe is also on the first floor, making it easy to find a study snack when your energy needs a top-up.

The second floor consists of the library’s books and resources. The perfect place to go if you're looking for a good book to read in your free time or to find a book you need for a class. The library, however, is much more than shelves filled with books, audiobooks and DVDs.

Many students may not be aware of the full capabilities they have access to at the library.

“The library is the primary place where you have access to information resources and all kinds of technology resources for your use,” said librarian Steve Schermerhorn. “We

GOLEMAN LIBRARY

have a large physical book collection and a very large digital collection. We have such things as free printing and free scanning for your use.”

Students are able to look through the library’s catalogs to find books, articles or videos on a computer or at home through Delta’s website.

Some books are digital,

and students can access them through their own devices. Students can check out physical books in the library or online, with a reserve a pick-up time.

If you need to cram for a quiz and have left your textbook at home, chances are the library has a copy.

“I would emphasize that

one of the most popular collections in the library is our reserved book collection. And the reserved books consist of our current textbooks. We collect a large percentage of the current textbook, and the books are here for students to use, mostly one hour at a time in the library,” said Schermerhorn.

Textbooks can also be scanned for later use.

“... We have two high quality, very easy-to-use scanning systems, where a student can get access to a textbook and make a scan of their chapter or chapters for their own personal use under fair use copyright law. They can use materials that way. And we try to make it as easy and accessible as possible.”

If you need a quiet place to do homework, help citing a source for a paper or a new book recommendation, the library is the place to go.

“The library has some of the longest open hours on campus,” said Schermerhorn. “We also have, I believe, the most open space in any one building, where you can come and, for example, and be in a place where you have access to a table, a study space, access to wireless data, access to the libraries collections, and access to librarians and library technicians. We are all here to help you use the library effectively.”

This semester's start may come with headaches and stress but school life can be much easier if you are able to use the library to your full advantage. If you have questions about navigating the library, you can always visit Delta’s website or ask a librarian or library technician.

• Phone: (209) 954-5145

Website: deltacollege.edu/department/library

Fulfilling your academic goals with pride

BY DYLAN JAEKEL Feature Editor

Being an LGBTQ+ student isn’t the easiest. Nearly all LGBTQ+ people face some degree of social isolation and prejudice; this can then negatively affect a person’s mental health, academic studies and much more.

Having a place to feel free to be authentically yourself among a group of supportive peers can drive these students’ happiness and well-being. The Delta Pride Center provides that environment.

“Being in the still-conservative Central Valley, for LGBTQ+ folks, finding a place to feel safe being your authentic self can be difficult,” says Jasmin Arroyo, the Pride Center’s Student Program Specialist. “Having access to a program and staff that understand the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people can help students feel more welcomed and supported as they achieve their educational and career goals.”

Students can visit the Pride Center to be with their friends and advisors, but the center takes it further.

The Pride Scholars Program helps to guide LGBTQ+ students toward their academic and life goals.

“The Pride Scholars program is for enrolled LGBTQ+

students who are pursuing a degree, certificate, and/or looking to transfer to a 4-year college or university. You would join a community of scholars who receive support to ensure their success at Delta and in their future. There are many advantages to being part of the Pride Scholars Program,” says the Delta college website.

Students enrolled in the program can access various services, such as one-on-one

advising, letters of recommendation, free printing, school supplies, hygiene products, and computer access.

Having a program like this available on campus is very important to the community built by students and Delta College.

“It’s important for LGBTQ+ students to have access to a program like this because LGBTQ+ folks deserve a sense of belonging within a Delta College community that

values the success of all students,” said Arroyo.

If students wish to join the pride scholars program, they can access a new student form on Delta’s website and set up a welcome meeting with the Pride Center.

Students who do not feel safe or comfortable being out to certain people can still apply to and participate in the program.

“Program involvement is

The Pride Center’s hours are:

• Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Contact numbers are:

• Campus Office: (209) 954-5260

• Google Voice: (209) 597-8349

• Jasmin Arroyo (Resource Specialist): 209-954-5260

• Dr. Ricky Gutierrez-Maldonado (Program Manager): (209) 954-5836, ext.5836

only contingent on having regular, one-on-one check-in’s with our Pride Center Program Specialist, Jasmin,” said Arroyo. “These are private meetings that can be done in person at our Pride Center or virtually via Zoom or over the phone. Safety and privacy is a top priority.”

If students want to join the pride scholars program or seek a safe space to hang out with other LGBTQ+ students, they are encouraged to visit Delta Pride Center. Students are also encouraged to contact the Pride Center with any questions.

The Goleman Library, located in the center of campus, provides more than just books to students. PHO-

TO BY DYLAN JAEKEL

It’s that Valen-time again

Need a last minute Valentine’s gift? Not sure what to get? Doubting your artistic ability? Don’t worry, The Collegian’s got you covered with some Delta themed cut-out cards guaranteed to make your valentine swoon.

COMEDY CLUB OPENS IN SPRING

BY NICHOLAS MICHELSEN Entertainment Editor

SanJoaquin County is a place in the valley that is home to approximately 800,000 people. Small towns, Delta landscapes, and a couple of cities surrounded by farmland. Being just outside of the Bay Area; the valley is mostly a place that outsiders pass through onto other places for destination-entertainment and travel. For stand-up comedians seeking clubs and professional stages, it has been the same song and dance. A struggle felt by local performers and audiences alike. That is until this year came along. The 209 will be home to its very own club, the Deaf Puppy Comedy Club’ and that is set to open mid-april.

Meet the man behind it all:

Chris Teicheira is a comedian, writer, entrepreneur, and (soon to be) first-time comedy club owner.

The nucleus of the Deaf Puppies’ comedy crew; he is a friend and inspiration to many, including myself.

Chris Teicheira was born and raised in Manteca.

In 1999 he packed his bags and moved to L.A. with dreams of comedy, but admits he had never even performed at an open mic. He ended up doing a few mics while there and finding a job managing a Golf Shop in North Hollywood.

“Four years later I was home on a tractor…

It’s much clearer now years later that moving to a bigger city to attempt stand-up, if you’ve never even [been] established in your own area, is a total pipe dream,” Teicheira explains.

In 2008 Chris began bartending at a place in Modesto called Banana Joe’s. It didn’t take long for him to realize that the Central Valley had no established comedy scene at the time, and what existed was miniscule and amateur.

Chris started hosting an open mic.

One month into it, an established comic from Sacramento named Jason Resler showed up to do a show, and

they quickly connected. Within a few months he was opening for Resler, often traveling to Sacramento and the Bay Area to seek these opportunities. Six months after his second start, Chris met Anthony K (Krayenhagen), a fellow 209 native; at an open mic. Together they started establishing rooms in the area such as the Fat Cat, Guru Lounge and Isadore’s Pub and Lounge.

Before long, upcoming comics took notice and were willing to travel to the valley to work with them. “We’ve picked up and laid down many comedy cohorts along the way, and are proud to see there is a thriving comedy community with the 209 these days. I don’t wanna take full credit - but I’ll take full credit,” Chris wrote half-jokingly in a text with a smiling emoji.

The ‘Deaf Puppy Comedy Club’ gets its name from the crew behind it all. ‘The Deaf Puppies’. With a name so unique it must have some great backstory with a vision in mind. If you thought that, you’d be dead wrong.

“It’s funny that you ask when I ‘formed’ the Deaf Puppies, cause that’s a thing that literally never happened. I’ve even had a few people ask ‘What was your thought process as you formed? Diversity? Like one of each?’ To which I reply ‘WTF?’,” Teicheira continued.

“There were 5 of us; Ant K, Saul Trujillo, Nick Larson, Jason Sohm, and myself on a [Facebook] Group Chat. And we used it just like anybody else does — to talk s**t about everyone.”

By everyone he means everyone, including each other. Roasting is a part of the fun and the culture in the comedy community.

In 2015 he found a puppy online, a miniature Australian cattle dog, and as it turns out she was born deaf.

“Jason Resler was my roommate at the time and made a couple “Def Puppy” album covers parodying Def Leppard. [I] made some different tee shirts, and it just kind of stuck. There

wasn’t a meeting or an official recognition that ‘We are now the Deaf Puppies’,” Teicheira wrote.

Fellow comic Jason Sohm said, “That’d be a cool name for a punk band,” according to Teicheira.

Four more comedians later joined the ranks of the original five.

Taylor Evans, Connor Martin, AJ Demello, and Andre Morton.

Legend has it, the San Francisco crowds would see the group of comics together wearing the parody ‘Deaf Puppy’ tee shirts, referring to this group of funny friends as ‘The Deaf Puppy Guys’.

Chris Teicheira says he embraced this early on and so did the rest of this rag-tag, punk-rock, joker-squad of microphone killers.

“I very much got a kick out of it, [because] it mostly stems from us all loving this stupid little deaf dog I have ‘Banshee’,” he said.

Despite this love and acceptance of their origin story, speak to any of these comics today and all of them will agree that the name was a joke,

and their group is just friends bonded through the craft of writing and performing standup comedy.

“Let’s be honest, having a comedy crew with a hopefully hip nickname is lame out of the box ...But here we are.”

Having always wanted to establish a comedy club, Chris Teicheira has been scouting locations for over three years. By April of 2022, the location was found and acquired right here in the 209 community. I took a trip to the building where this club is being built, located at 127 Main St., Manteca, where Chris gave me a walk-through

of the floor space. The showroom has a square footage of 2,400 feet, where at maximum capacity it will seat an audience of 120 people. With a total floorspace of 4,500 square feet; complete with a full bar, a full kitchen with a custom menu, plus an abundance of parking, this ambitious build is hitting all the marks to be something great.

Teicheira is designing this room to not only be a viable business and local hang, but a place that puts comedians and stand-up comedy first. The Deaf Pupp Comedy Club’ is truly a place built by a comic, for the comics.

According to Chris, the club is on track and set to open mid-April, with construction and installations taking place at the time of writing this.

Following the opening, we can expect ticketed shows every weekend, weekly showcases for upcoming comics, and even an open mic for new and existing comics to practice their craft.

Students find respite at Danner Hall gaming area

BY CHRISTINA GOODMAN

Delta College has an area dedicated to gamers located in Danner Hall, on the first floor near the front doors that lead to the quad.

It gives students a space to take a break in between classes to relax and enjoy the company of other students in their spare time. Students bring their own gaming consoles to campus and hook up to the screens provided.

Alex Breitler, Delta’s director of Marketing and Communications provided information about the gaming area.

“A Danner Hall revitalization committee was formed, and one of the ideas that came from that group was to create a gaming lounge,” said Breitler. “The group decided that it would be cool to in -

stall a student mural in that area and opened up a contest to Delta students to design

the mural. We just wanted to make sure that they had a place they could go between classes, hang out and have fun.”

Students have been taking full advantage of the opportunity.

“For me at least, this corner serves as a good place for me to play some games, hang out with friends and easily meet new like-minded people,” said freshman Ryan Vutthy.

Another student, Jacob Fernando, agreed.

“I feel like this gaming wall is a real safe place where I can hangout with others like me in college and from other walks of life,” said Fernando.

Students were involved in the creation of the space from the start, too.

“A student named Liv Yee

won the contest for their design of the mural that you now find in the gaming area. The mural was installed, the monitors were set up, and the rest is history,” said Breitler.

“I guess the bottom line is that it wasn’t a single person who came up with this idea... It was a whole group of folks including both students and employees,” said Breitler “Shortly after all of this work was done, COVID-19 came about and we didn’t have very many students on campus to enjoy the new space. Hopefully now that we have more students on campus, the gaming area is being utilized more and folks are having fun with it. I know that almost every time I go into Danner I see people playing games there so I think that is a good sign.”

Another view of the club store front, right. Club owner Chris Teicheria, left, and his deaf miniature Austrailian cattle dog, Banshee.

A gaming area in Danner Hall features gaming euqipiment and a mural a former student. PHOTO BY CHRISTINA GOODMAN

Photo Editor

The front window of the Deaf Puppy Comedy Club in Manteca. PHOTOS COURTESY CHRIS TEICHERIA

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL DEFEATS SIERRA AFTER TWO-GAME LOSS

St. Joseph’s Medical Center hosts annual Fun Run

Money raised from event benefits the center’s Cancer Institute

BY DYLAN JAEKEL Feature Editor

Participants were able to run or walk a 5K around the University Park Campus in Stockton, just south of the hospital.

Hundreds of runners and walkers, young and old, came out to participate, show their support, and donate.

There were mothers and fathers pushing strollers, children racing their siblings, and even a few four-legged friends who were a part of the action.

Volunteers were scattered around the race route, cheering as loudly and powerfully as they could for each participant as they passed.

The event wasn’t all fun and games but impact too, as proceeds go towards the medical center’s Cancer Institute.

“It (the Fun Run) has raised so much money, funding the cancer institute. It allows us to have programs like the wig bank, where we are able to help people who are going through chemotherapy and losing their hair. It

is free to them; they can come in and try on the wigs,” said Arthur Hill, the institute’s director.

“The patients that are going through cancer have needs that aren’t just cancer (treatment), there’s other things, and we provide those programs to help them get through, so they have the strength to work through their recovery. But it’s all based on volunteer work, the foundation dollars, and donations that allow us to do that. The community has been very supportive of cancer care, and it’s allowed us to expand our service.”

This year’s Fun Run proceeds are going towards a Trident HD Breast Specimen Imaging System.

“This technology will enable us to image breast specimens in the operating room, which will let the surgeon know immediately if they removed all the tissue necessary for the patient,” according to the St. Joseph’s Foundation of San Joaquin website.

Donations to St. Joseph’s Cancer

Institute will also be going towards a linear accelerator, making St. Joseph’s one of a handful of facilities in Northern California to have technology of this capacity.

“That same technology that they’re doing there (in the Bay Area), we’re going to be able to bring to our community, so it’s huge,” said Hill.

Teams and groups brought in thousands of dollars this year, with the top team raising over $9,000.

Last year the Fun Run brought in $71,000 to support St. Joseph’s Cancer Institute. This year fundraising has surpassed $91,000.

“Listen, everybody knows somebody who has had cancer, right? It touches just about everybody’s life, and knowing that when you come out and do something like this that you’re having an impact for those particular people and their recovery. And so just by signing up, the dollars that you donate, just for being able to participate, get the sticker

on your back and walk, it all helps to contribute to that. It’s all of those little funds that grow into these big funds which allow us to do this,” said Hill.

We have all seen in some capacity how cancer can affect the ones we care about, and the St. Joseph’s Fun Run provides a way for people to feel more involved in the impact of cancer treatment.

Each year, participants are able to have a good day out with their friends and family, while also supporting their community.

If you couldn’t make it to the run this year, don’t worry, there’s always next year, and there are ways to donate to St. Joseph’s Cancer Institute.

If you want to donate, you can go to their website, click the donate button, and contribute. If you cannot donate money but can donate some of your time, the website also has ways to volunteer particular services or for events.

Delta’s womens basketball team played a home game against Sierra College on Jan. 31. They won, 67-66. Bottom images, Keyara McCoy shoots. PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA GOODMAN

Club Rush kicks off in Danner Hall

Visit deltcollegian.net for more stories reported by Collegian staff, including:

• A report on the baseball team’s season start

• An update about what the Delta College Foundation has done in the past two semesters

• A report out of the semester’s first President’s Council

The award-winning Collegian website also includes photo and multimedia reporting, news updates, and a complete archive back to 2010.

FLOOD: Student art exhibition still expected to begin on May 4

continued from PAGE 1

take place on May 4.

This exhibition will give students the chance to showcase their own artwork, and is open to all students enrolled at Delta.

“We will be saving this,” said

Vandals strike with fire extinguisher during winter break

BY JADA PORTILLO Opinion Editor

Prior to the start of the Spring semester, Delta faced waves of vandalism and stolen property, with a total of six windows broken in Shima and one outside the Atherton Auditorium.

“Five in Shima took place during New Year’s weekend, during heavy storms and power outages. We believe they occurred late at night,” said Police Sergeant and Public Information Officer Jim Bock.

“One in Atherton took place during the campus closure (caused by storms) in the late night hours between Jan. 9 and 10. One in Shima took place late at night between Jan. 11 and 12.”

The attacks didn’t happen in one night but on separate oc-

casions.

“Due to the manner in which the vandalism occurred, we believe they are all connected to the same subject,” said Bock.

With Campus Police patrolling during graveyard hours, during the flood, power outage, and the falling of 12 trees, cameras were on.

“When the glass was broken it was so far back it didn’t trigger the motion sensors,” said Bock.

The back of the art gallery, office windows in Shima 114 and 136, and a classroom in Shima 109, were all damaged.

There have been no repairs on the windows besides wooden boards covering the broken glass.

With nobody but police scouting the campus, the vandal might have been alerted by

an officer’s keys rattling.

“We are always diligent throughout the night,” said Bock.

The fire extinguisher across the hall from Shima 114 was also stolen, leaving traces of red residue on the windows.

This fire extinguisher is believed to be the cause of the broken windows according to Bock.

An individual was arrested with stolen property from Delta and the possessions of a burglar.

If you have any information or concerns, you can contact Delta Campus Police at 209954-5000 or extension 5000.

Delta students are automatically enrolled in police notifications through their Delta emails. Phone numbers as well can be opted in by texting “MustangAlert” to 226787.

Board of Trustees tackles big-budget items in first spring meeting

BY ARIANNA JUÁREZ Editor-in-Chief

In its first meeting of the semester, Delta College’s Board of Trustees hit the ground running by tackling several high-profile agenda items.

It approved more than $300,000 to move forward with renovation plans for campus athletic fields that are currently unusable.

The board voted on the final sale of the Galt property. Members also elected a new president.

The board also approved the purchase of encrypted police radios and other communications devices for Delta’s campus police.

This upgrade to communications equipment is set to cost $1,047,593.

FIELD RENOVATIONS MOVE FORWARD

The board authorized a $395,000 contract with local civil engineering firm Sigfried to renovate Delta’s track/ football, softball, and baseball fields.

These fields have been unusable by student-athletes since the Fall 2022 semester.

The fields have suffered from major weather-related deterioration and were deemed unsafe for use just a few years after they were first installed. The Stockton-based engineering company has worked with Delta College before.

In the past, Siegfried was tasked with renovating Burke Bradley Drive, as well as the DeRicco Student Services Building.

Funding for this new contract is provided by Measure L Bond funds.

This bond was adopted in 2003 and sets aside $250 million to update and renovate buildings and facilities on Delta’s campus.

GALT PROPERTY OFFICIALLY SOLD

The sale of a plot of land in the rural city of Galt was also finally approved by the board, for the amount of $1,342,557.50, to the San Joaquin Council of Governments.

This sale comes nearly 16 years after Delta initially purchased the land, with the goal of transforming it into a satellite campus to service members of the northernmost parts of San Joaquin County.

Environmental reviews and

infrastructure issues halted this dream in its tracks, and the land sat empty and unused for over a decade.

Now, the board has approved the sale of the land for less than what Delta initially paid for it.

NEW PRESIDENT INSTALLED

The leadership change follows a December meeting where the board initially failed to select a new president.

This time, Janet Rivera, who represents Area 3 in North Stockton, was elected as Board President for 2023.

She replaces trustee Dr. Charles Jennings, the representative for Area 4, who served as board president for the last two years.

This appointment came af-

ter the board failed to come to a consensus during its Dec. 13 meeting, where the new president traditionally gets elected before the start of the new year.

This stalemate began as an even split down the middle, with trustee Kathleen Garcia, the representative for Area 5, receiving two votes in support of her appointment as president.

Rivera also received two votes in support of her election. A tie-breaking vote was unable to be cast, as trustee Jennings was absent due to illness.

The board’s newest member, Valerie Stewart-Green, the representative for Area 6, was elected board vice president during the Dec. 13 meeting.

Trustee Catherine Mathis, the representative for Area 7, was unanimously voted as board clerk.

Marlese, motioning to the Delta College emblem that is engraved into a small section of the wood floor near the entrance to the gallery.

A full photo gallery of the artwork showcased at the Faculty Art Exhibition is available to view on deltacollegian.net.

A broken window outside of Shima. Vandals smashed windows in Atherton and Shima using a fire extinguisher on two seperate occasions during winter break. PHOTOS COURTESY OF TARA CUSLIDGE-STAIANO

Above, Taylor Thomas and Luka Vega tabling for the SJDC Horticulture Club. On the right, Benjamin Colorado, Alyssa Suarez, and Elpidio Tellez tabling for the Latino Medical Student Association at Danner Hall on Jan. 31. PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA GOODMAN