The Collegian - Published Feb. 17, 2023

The Collegian

COVID ENTERS NEXT PHASE

BY ARIANNA JUÁREZ Editor-in-Chief

On Feb. 28, California’s COVID-19 State of Emergency will officially expire.

This expiration signals a shift towards the endemic phase of a disease that once stopped the world in its tracks.

Citing the state’s low hospitalization and death rates, Governor Gavin Newsom first announced the pandemic milestone on Oct. 17, 2022. Now, California will adhere to the S.M.A.R.T.E.R. Plan, a new set of guidelines that stresses individual mitigation efforts like voluntary masking and vaccinations.

According to the Office of the Governor, these “simple and clear tools” are meant to aid Californians in the continued fight against COVID-19.

The State of Emergency was first issued on March 4, 2020 — it would be the first of hundreds of provisions enacted by the governor over two and half years to protect Californians in the fight against a novel and deadly disease.

Nearly three years to the date, life around us has seemingly returned to normal. In most public spaces, masks are few and far between. New vaccinations in San Joaquin County have leveled off from a high of 9,720 doses administered on Apr. 9, 2021, to just nine doses on Feb. 12.

At Delta College, many of the precautions first adapted to mitigate the spread of COVID expired long ago.

Indoor mask mandates were removed at the beginning of the summer ‘22 semester. Vaccine and booster mandates for students and faculty were removed then, too.

This new phase of the pandemic means Delta’s COVID-19 response will be ongoing.

“The fact that the state of emergency is ending does not mean that COVID is ending, and we want to make sure that everyone is as safe as possible,” said Alex Breitler, Director of Marketing and Communications when asked how this policy change would affect the Delta community at large.

The end of this COVID-19 emergency will not cause many noticeable changes for Delta students, however.

Students still have access to a variety of resources. Testing in Locke Lounge will remain available, regardless of the statewide shift in policy.

Free vaccinations will continue to be available to students and their families at the Student Health Center in the DeRicco Student Services Building.

In terms of curriculum, students will still have access to online classes.

“There is certainly still a high level of demand for online classes and we will continue to make those classes available to give students as much flexibility as possible,” said Breitler.

With county-wide cases and deaths the lowest they have been since the onset of the pandemic, the catastrophic effects of COVID-19 appear to be in the rearview mirror. According to the California Department of Health and Human Services, the seven-day death average is down to 0.01 deaths per 100,000 residents in comparison to the high of 1,700 per 100,000 in January 2021.

Expansion of gender-neutral in the works

BY JADA PORTILLO Opinion Editor

While Delta College offers six gender-neutral bathrooms on the Stockton campus, the distances to those locations is sometimes long, making equity inaccessible for students using these facilities.

Campus leaders hope to see that change soon.

“It’s obvious that Delta needs to have more all-gender restrooms on campus,” said Program Manager for the Pride Center, Dr. Ricky Gutierrez-Maldonado. “Employees, students, and guests should not have to go to another building to use the facilities. They should be in all campus buildings.”

Just two weeks ago on Feb. 9, President Biden and the White House announced their own COVID-19 policy shakeup — the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is now set to expire on May 11. This expiration has See

While the ongoing conversation for more all-gender restrooms continues, Delta has this in its plans, starting with examinations in current restrooms in order to increase the number of gender-neutral restrooms.

See COVID, page 8

“It’s actually on the college goals,” said Superintendent/ President Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson. “We currently have a group looking at increasing the number of gender-inclusive restrooms that we have on

Celebration of Black History Month continues

Talent show, business showcase round of array of celebration offerings

BY JELISSA KING Staff Writer

In 1976, Black History Month was created by President Ford.

The idea of Black History Month was to celebrate and commemorate African Americans and their contributions throughout American history.

“We can seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history,” said President Ford on Feb. 10, 1976.

To commemorate African American history, Delta College has five upcoming events for Black History Month in February.

Every event is free for anyone who wants to com-

memorate and celebrate African American history.

Two online events are presented by the Black Faculty Force Task (BFFT) and the Ethnic Studies Department of Delta College.

The first of the events is the 2023 Sankofa Series, narrated by Delta ethnic studies professor Dr. Malika Hollinside.

The YouTube weekly series offers short educational videos about African American history from art, literature, and music. The playlist can be accessed at bit.ly/sankofaseries23.

Recent posted videos consist of the Black National Anthem, Black Theater: 200 Years of Magic, and Afrofuturism: Black to the Future.

The second event is the Black History: Films/ Videos which are educational recommendations

for students on Black activism, history, culture, and Black liberation.

The films include Netflix’s “13th,” “Amend: The Fight for America,” “Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World,” “Enslaved,” “Hidden 5: The Art of Black Warfare” and “Talking Black in America.”

There is also a lecture series on African Resistance hosted by Chigozie Enwere, Ph.D., on Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The Black History Month Talent Show will be held at the Tillie Lewis Theater on Feb. 23 from 12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.

The Black Student Union will also host Black Business Unite at the Dolores Huerta Plaza on Feb. 25 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

With State of Emergency expiring, what happens next still up in the air as virus lingers

PHOTO BY ARIANNA JUAREZ

COVID cases have declined from the high in 2022 seen here. DATA FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

AI automation ‘revolution’ built on plagiarism

BY NICHOLAS MICHELSEN Entertainment Editor

Ifyou’ve been following the news of artificial intelligence over the past few years, you may have noticed alarmist views on AI. From the service industry to education to transportation, no job and no one is safe.

On Nov. 23 2022, Elon Musk congratulated the Tesla AI team on the release of the “Full Self-Driving Beta.”

Fully autonomous AI driven semitrucks are said to be rolling out as early as 2023, according to several national publications.

The food service industry is also impacted.

The Matradee L is a robotic food server built for the restaurant industry to replace waiters. Possessing a battery life of 15 hours, the ability to avoid obstacles using LIDAR, and a carrying capacity of 80 pounds, the Matradee L is multi-functional. A fully robotic chef, the “ARM” being tested in kitchens.

With the service industry being under fire and automation becoming ever more likely, surely the white-collar jobs are safe. Well somewhat, but that is also changing. Jobs crunching numbers and making statistic based decisions can already be outsourced to programs designed to do the tasks much faster at a fraction of the cost of a full staff using something called Cognitive Computing.

“The goal of cognitive computing is to simulate human thought

processes in a computerized model.

Using self-learning algorithms that use data mining, pattern recognition and natural language processing, the computer can mimic the way the human brain works,” according to an article by Forbes in March 2016.

The one thing our synthetic offspring can never duplicate is creativity.

Right?

Wrong. Writers, intellectuals, speakers, painters, creatives alike, all could very possibly become heavily assisted and eventually made obsolete. Enter ChatGPT.

What is it?

“ChatGPT is a language model developed by OpenAI, it’s a type of AI that is able to understand and generate human-like text... Essentially, it’s a computer program that can communicate with people in a way that feels natural and human-like,” according to its description within Google’s web store. In other words, the AI driven Chat Bot is learning. This may sound like a harmless engine at first, but the threat of what this may become raises ethical questions.

The latest model has shaken Google’s confidence in information search-

based monopoly. The company has announced its strategy of unveiling its own model which became first available in early beta as of Feb. 7, in order to compete with ChatGPT-3 the third iteration from Open AI.

The Open AI company website describes; “[it] interacts in a conversational way. The dialogue format makes it possible for ChatGPT to answer followup questions, admit its mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, and reject inappropriate requests.”

The AI chat model is able to learn and integrate information by allowing corrections. Students have already began to prompt ChatGPT to write entire essays and due to sources not being cited this raises concerns for

plagiarism in mass. With enough prompting, ChatGPT can also mimic fiction, poetry, lyrics, and even images. Artists have raised alarm in recent months amongst growing concerns of fraudulent work produced by AI. Similar softwares have been trained on the artworks of various creatives to produce images that look nearly identical to the original works it has sourced. Without permission, suddenly ‘new’ art has flooded the internet striking stunning resemblance to the artists it has ‘learned’ from. Because AI uses information based on the work of others, it technically creates nothing. It instead copies and rearranges. In a world becoming algorithm-dependent, it appears we are all replaceable.

Understanding media literacy and paradox of choice

BY DYLAN JAEKEL Feature Editor

Ifyou have ever sat down to watch a movie, but after 15 minutes of scrolling through Netflix, you still haven’t made a decision, you have probably come face to face with the paradox of choice.

The paradox of choice describes the idea that an ample amount of choice can lead to unresearched decision-making and stress. This paradox can be applied to nearly any situation we come in contact with in a firstworld nation in the 21st century but is especially prevalent in media.

Whether it be television, social media, books, or news, we are overwhelmed by the amount of information being given to us. We have what seems like unlimited access to media all day, every day. Though this may seem like a marvel of technology, this endless amount of choice we are given may be more of a negative than we may think.

“These proposed effects of extensive assortments include a decrease in the

motivation to choose, to commit to a choice, or to make any choice at all,” says the research paper “Can There Ever Be Too Many Options? A Meta-Analytic Review of Choice Overload” by researchers Benjamin Scheibehenne, Rainer Greifeneder, and Peter M. Todd. Excessive choice can lead to an overload of information, which can then lead to panic in an individual. This panic can cause a person to avoid decision-making or let another person make the decision-making for them.

Numerous studies have been conducted to better illustrate this “overload of choice,” including one of the first major studies on the topic by Sheena S. Iyengar and Mark R. Lepper in 2000. The study gave one group of participants a choice of six different chocolates to choose from, while a second group had a choice of 30. By the end of the study, it was clear that the group with the choice of 30 was much less satisfied with the chocolates they chose compared to the first group. This can be translated to the overload of choices we see in media as well, as it

The Collegian

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 be seemingly impossible to choose where you receive your media from and what media you choose to consume.

There is also the fact that most media is controlled by only a handful of companies. This brings us to the illusion of choice. The illusion of choice is the idea that of the seemingly unlimited products you are being offered, you are making a decision on your own and with no outside influence, but you would be wrong.

Concentration of media ownership refers to the increasing amount of media being controlled by only a handful of companies, such as Disney, Comcast, or Warner Bros. Currently 90 percent of media is controlled by only six main companies.

The paradox of choice is harmful, but it must also be understood that it exists within the illusion of choice. So you may be choosing between five different news channels to watch, but if they are all owned by one parent company, you are likely choosing from one. An example of this can be seen with Sinclair Broadcasting Group.

Sinclair Broadcasting is a telecommunications company with a conservative political leaning. The company is the largest owner of local television stations in the country, with 173 stations in 81 broadcast markets that stretch from coast to coast and just about anywhere in between, at a time when local news outpaces national news outlets both in overall viewership and trust,” said a 2018 Chicago Tribune article.

Chances are that not many people know what Sinclair Broadcasting Group is, let alone that they own the local news channel that they watch regularly. If your local news channel is owned by a conservative company, then the local news channel will likely reflect similar views, and thus the consumer may develop those views too.

It is important as a consumer to practice media literacy and do your own research. The first step you can take towards media literacy is researching who is giving you information because once you know who is providing that information, your ideas may change.

SUPER BOWL PERFORMANCE PUTS BLACK NATIONAL ANTHEM IN SPOTLIGHT

BY CHRISTINA GOODMAN Photo Editor

Whenit comes to the Black National Anthem do you know the words to the song? Did you even know the song existed?

The question is a valid one after the historic performance during the Super Bowl on Feb. 12. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was performed by “Abbott Elementary” actress Sheryl Lee Ralph. The performance marked the first time in the history of the Super Bowl that the Black National Anthem was performed.

And yet with all the greatness of the historic moment,

Congressional District, stated “Why is the NFL trying to divide us by playing multiple!? Do football, not wokeness.”

Marjorie Taylor Greene, a U.S. representative for Georgia 14th Congressional District, also tried to undercut the anthem’s importance.

“Chris Stapleton just sang the most beautiful national anthem at the Super Bowl. But we could have gone without the rest of wokeness,” she said.

Growing up we sang this song from elementary to high school and even sang it at church during the month of February. This was the only time we would sing it.

for America? Is it downplayed

cans and our freedom?

When asked, several people on campus if they knew the Black National Anthem, only a few said “yes.”

“I found out about the Black National Anthem on my own. Through my own research about my people I discovered our anthem,” said student Camry Turner. “Only within this past decade of my life have I heard it become ‘mainstream.’ So I don’t find it too hard to believe that other Black people haven’t heard it or about it, especially if they’re young. I find it disheartening but not surprising that we have to go searching for our history.”

I feel as if the school system is letting down the students when it comes to black history and what it represents. The Black National Anthem was written in 1900, which means that it’s been 123 years and it’s still not being taught.

America makes sure that we know the National Anthem and what it represents, but turns away when it comes to the Black National Anthem.

LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING

Lift every voice and sing

Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us, Facing the rising sun of our new day begun Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;

Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears have been

“It’s crazy and baffling that more black people don’t know about it but they know

watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;

Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, Our God, where we met Thee; Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand.

True to our GOD, True to our native land

- James Weldon Johnson

America’s National Anthem by heart,” said Johnisha Hampton.

Famous African Americans making differences

Fident,

to educators, activists, and athletes.

These are few African American figures that I believe have made a difference today:

Former President Barack Obama made history by becoming the first African American president of the United States in 2008 and had a second term in 2012.

On June 15, 2012 Obama made a difference today by changing the life of many undocumented children who arrived in this country at a young age by creating the program DACA (Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals).

This program has given the opportunity for many undocumented children to pursue their educational journey by continuing going to college and having a work permit without the fear of deportation and today the program still continues.

First Lady Michelle Obama made a difference today by advocating for girls

and women’s health, education and rights.

Mrs. Obama started a program called Learn Girls Learn to help girls around the world to get equal and quality education.

Not only did she create the program but she focused a lot on the food system the school provided.

According to Forbes, one of the things Michelle Obama achieved when being first lady was the redesign of school lunch programs. Before the redesign school lunches would serve foods like french fries, potato chips and soda. The redesign helps students to eat healthier meals in school and also school chefs to learn how to cook

healthier meals for students.

Forbes said, “The FLOTUS was appalled and championed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, as the USDA indicated the first major changes in school meals in 15-years, to prompt schools to serve healthier foods and reduce the cost of lunches for low-income children.”

Michelle Obama is only one of the many black women making a difference today as Opal Tometi, Patrisse Cullors, and Alicia Garza are important figures because they are co-founders of BLM (Black Lives Matter) movement. Their movement started the Black Lives Matter Global Organization.

This Organization has created funds to help out the black community in their education journey.

In the report of APR news in December 2022 the organization set aside a fund of $500,000 to help black students with debt relief.

death at the hands of George Zimmerman. Zimmerman was cleared at trial, which was one of the reasons the movement initially taking off.

Many believed Trayvon was unfairly racially profiled and brought fear to the black community.

This movement has become more than just a hashtag because it empowers the Black community to have a voice to the injustice the Black community faces from society or police brutality.

Former San Francisco 49ers football player, Colin Kaepernick, is an important figure who in 2016 put his career in jeopardy when he kneeled during the National Anthem due to police brutality and racial injustice.

In November 2017 he was named “Citizen of the Year” and started the “Kaepernick Effect” which led for other football teams to also kneel during the National Anthem.

Today he is an activist. In 2020 he started a fundraiser for the Minneapolis protest due to the George Floyd case of being pinned by a police knee to the ground by saying “I can’t breathe.”

VOICE MUSTANG Professional attire now available in Food Pantry

BY JADA PORTILLO Opinion Editor

Withthe start of a new semester, new attire has entered the food pantry giving students a formal, classy look with a $25 price tag still on.’

Being a college student, classes and textbooks drain you of your money, but with the help of the food pantry, students can be successful, whether it’s with food or new clothes.

Especially with prices of items skyrocketing, when it comes time to needing blazers and slacks for a job interview or fancy attire for a special occasion, the food pantry will provide with their new selection.

“We’re very happy to be able to help our students in this way, and we hope it relieves some of the financial burden of buying brand new professional attire, which can be quite expensive,” said the Director of Student Activities, Shayla Walker.

The BLM (Black Lives Matter) movement started in response to 17-year-old Trayvon Martin’s shooting

The new business attire compared to last semester’s clothing, sold out leaving the clothing stands nearly empty with a few newly added colorful collared shirts.

“The Food Pantry has always offered clothing that had been donated,” said Walker. “But this is the first time that new attire is available for students.”

The food pantry now also offers socks.

“So far the clothing has been very popular, to the point where we may need to order more in the near future,” said Walker.

While last semester’s clothing was more casual wear which included a few blouses, button-ups, slacks, and dresses available for free for students, this semester is more business and professional wear.

This semester’s clothing was shocking to see when walking into the food pantry considering how the attire looked on the clothing stands.

Considering how well the clothing sold out, students enrolled in the food pantry must’ve loved

the new attire.

On the other hand, this semester clothing is 8 points out of the 16 points students receive weekly. Food items remain the same with big boxed food being 3 points, cans being 2 points, and small package foods like granola bars being 1 point.

Overall in a semester, students receive 100 points, you don’t have to use all your points on your weekly visits.

You can sign up for the food pantry through an online application available through the Delta College website. The food pantry offers services to those currently enrolled at Delta.

Business attire can be found at the back of the food pantry, in Shima 101.

The food pantry is open Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information about the Student Food Pantry visit deltacollege.edu/student-life/office-student-activities/student-food-pantry

McKee Student Art Exhibit opens at Haggin

BY DYLAN JAEKEL Feature Editor

The 92nd annual Robert T. McKee student art exhibit is on display at the Haggin Museum from Feb. 2 through March 19. The show invites all San Joaquin County students between kindergarten and 12th grade to submit their work.

“This year, Haggin received over 900 pieces of art chosen by the teachers as the best in their class,” said The Haggin Museum’s CEO, Susan Obert.

The Haggin has two spaces filled with artwork; kindergarten through fourth grade is displayed on the main floor, and fifth through 12th grade is displayed on the second floor.

“The Tuleburg gallery will be filled with two- and three-dimensional artworks created in crayon, colored pencil, pastel, watercolor, oil and acrylic paint, photography, and other mediums,” said Obert.

“This exhibition was first envisioned by founding patron Robert T. McKee, whose goal was to encourage students by providing a public venue for their artwork,” added Obert. “Since the first show in 1931, the Haggin has been honored

to collaborate with the schools of San Joaquin County, resulting in ninety-two years of celebrating the efforts of its teachers and expression of its young artists.”

Robert T. Mckee was the son of a pioneer family who grew up in Stockton. He became an artist and set designer, who traveled the world for

education and work. After inheriting money from his father-in-law, he encouraged his wife to donate funding to the San Joaquin Pioneer and Historical Society so that they may better pursue their efforts in establishing a local history museum. The year the museum opened, Mckee used funds to establish the art competi-

tion and exhibit that remains today.

This year the art competition is being judged by Delta’s own Jan Marlese, Gallery Director for the LH Horton Jr Gallery.

“Jan’s passion for the arts is inspired by the creative process, and she is dedicated to bringing artists and the com-

VALENTINE’S: LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT?

BY ZANIEL WALDO Staff Writer

During the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, groups based at Delta College have made events and activities centered around the celebration to invigorate student spirit. However, young adult Delta students have dif fering views on the significance of Valentine’s Day in today’s modern times.

Nearly three years after the pandemic, when typical acts of affectionate display such as hugging, kissing, and attending events became potential health hazards, it seemed the societal norm for particular events would change.

Specifically among those who were in high school when the lockdown occurred. Being as they are the next

generation of adults, it could alter their views on the celebration and change the meaning of being affectionate.

“Most people have come to expect some type of gift on this date rather than be surprised or surprise their partner throughout the year.

Especially with social media I see a lot of people comparing their relationship to others they see online and what materialistic gifts other people received,” said Ximena Osegueda, a Delta first-year student.

Among students, there is a common criticism that Valentine’s Day has been skewed due to social media trends the masses see.

Pre-lockdown, efforts were made at great lengths to achieve the most outrageous acts of displaying one’s love. The lockdown has made many reconsider their views on what

makes Valentine’s Day meaningful.

“For me and my girlfriend we are very appreciative over small things and having an emotional connection is more important than anything else,” said second-year student Dominic Leon. “Some of the standout acts that make the celebration meaningful is going out to eat and just being together and making each other laugh.”

Small affectionate acts are more genuine as opposed to attending lots of events aiming to accomplish goals of vanity.

“Honestly, it’s all about the smile. As long as the smile is there, then that’s all that matters,” second-year student Julian Cortez said.

The significance of Valentine’s Day to a relationship and as an overall celebration is where the opinions differ.

Leon said “there is a significance to Valentine’s Day in a relationship because on that day it lets you be able to be creative and surprise your significant other in a fun way. In the future, I still see Valentine’s Day having the same impact it does now.”

munity together to share in this experience,” said Obert.

Having an art competition and exhibit like this available to students in San Joaquin County encourages and empowers them to pursue their creative and artistic goals.

“This annual exhibition allows the museum to encourage and support students by fostering their creativity and giving them a place to show their artwork,” said Obert. “The California Public Schools Visual and Performing Arts Framework states that the arts develop young people’s abilities to think, observe, create, organize thoughts and feelings, assess critically and use their imaginations.”

Cortez said the holiday’s significance will increase, and we will see a return of the big plans motivated by materialism.

”It’s going to get even crazier. I saw that they’ve been selling Ramos’, the really big flowers again,” said Cortez. “A couple years ago, I didn’t even see them anymore, but now that people are buying them again, I think it’s going to be crazier with how people celebrate Valentine’s Day.”

The significance of Valentine’s Day appears to be a relevant question among students as it is now more possible than ever to have instant delivery and access to smaller gifts that are more cherished among people. But with that it raises the question if having such a celebration will be entirely necessary in the future.

“I don’t see Valentine’s Day having the same impact it does now. I think it’s just a day in which it is emphasized that you love the other person, but it shouldn’t just be one day out of the year,” Osegueda said.

Protecting mental health with Active Minds

BY VANESSA GOMEZ Staff Writer

It’s no secret that college can be stressful, and for many students, the extra work, along with a whole host of other factors, could potentially cause students to feel anxious, depressed, or generally mentally unwell. It can be difficult to speak to others about having mental health struggles. Active Minds seeks to not only provide students with an ability to voice their struggles, but to foster a healthier and more accepting campus environment.

“We want to make it easier for students to ask each other ‘are you OK?,’” said Adriana Brogger, Digital Media Professor and a supervisor of Active Minds.

The Delta College chapter of Active Minds, a national organization, opened six years ago.

“I had several students who were involved in a multimedia project called ‘Breaking the Silence’ that focused on the mental health landscape on college campuses,” said Brogger. “After the project was done,

ACTIVE MINDS

the students wanted to continue the conversation. That was when Heather Bradford contacted the Active Minds organization, which allowed for students to talk about mental health on a one-to-one level. The initial Active Minds members were the students who worked on ‘Breaking the Silence.’”

The program separates itself from a typical student club by involving students, the faculty, and the campus in general.

“We don’t operate in isolation,” said Brogger, “Bradford links us to the counseling department, which gives us the ability to recommend different services.”

This became much more important as the

Covid-19 pandemic impacted every part of college life.

“Once the pandemic hit, we started receiving a lot more referrals from teachers; students who needed help in one way or another,” said Brogger. “We started linking students to crisis intervention, to counseling sessions, and other professionals.”

The program is run by students, who can choose what topics will be discussed. Students can be chosen to serve as wellness ambassadors for the organization, and can steer the organization based on the needs of their own peers.

Since Active Minds has been a part of Delta, Brogger has seen the perception around mental health change.

“I think the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated a need for people to have a healthy environment,” said Brogger. “People have realized that most people are struggling with something, and that it’s OK to not always be happy.”

Active Minds meets Wednesdays at 1:30 pm on Zoom. For more information, visit the club’s Instagram page @sjdc_activeminds

Left: Sixth through seventh grade art on display on the upper floor of the Haggin Museum. Right: Ceramic works by student artists are displayed at the museum. PHOTO BY DYLAN JAEKEL

Stockton Symphony performs Ray Charles tribute

Foster and Adopt through Stockton Animal Shelter

BY NICHOLAS MICHELSEN Entertainment Editor

A black German Shepherd named Eeyore, stared at me through a chain-link gate with wide eyes of desperation. Having patches of black fur, but a mostly naked body and a large bald patch which sits above his brow, resembling a ‘Who’ from the stories of Dr. Seuss. Eeyore looked especially pathetic and sweet with a name most fitting.

On Feb. 5, I took a trip to the Stockton Animal Shelter. Upon arriving at the large metal locked public access door, a staff member opened it to greet me. I was handed a short form to fill out with ba sic information as part of the intake process. Once the form was completed, I was welcomed inside.

The Stockton Animal Shelter sounds like an orchestra of ca nine voices and is filled with chainlink fences with furry creatures on the other side, all looking desperately for a permanent home. Strolling through the halls on a guided tour, I saw hundreds of canines barking and pawing at the fences. However, many of the longer-term dogs didn’t bother in the least

to get up from their curled position in bed. They just looked onward at us as if to say “Why bother? No one ever picks me.” My compassionate heart sank when seeing so many of them have despair in their eyes, a look that I can only describe as “love-sick.” Maybe in some familiar way, I can relate to them all too well.

That’s when I saw Eeyore. I stood there for a moment longer lost in his eyes, wishing I had room for a bigger dog like him, before catching up with my guide. The volunteer staff at the shelter really care for these animals and it shows.

find foster homes and permanent adoption homes for these animals in need.

After my tour, I was instructed to email her if I had interest in adopting a particular animal.

The process starts with an inquiry, followed by a series of follow-up questions. Interested parties are then emailed a foster or adoption agreement.

Participating in the foster program provides cost assistance by covering some food and basic amenities and is temporary until the animal can be adopted to a permanent home. If you choose to be that permanent home, the Fosterto-Adopt program operates the same way until the neuter/spray process commences. Once that is completed, the adoption goes through, and the arrangement becomes

or/Foster Counselor, and the Behavioral Support person. She works with Sacramento Shelter Pets Alive (SSPA), an organization that works with animal shelters and helps to

“The regular adoption fee for a dog or puppy is $124.75. Every adopted dog or puppy includes a spay or neuter surgery, bordetella and DHPP vaccinations, flea and deworming preventative, microchip and rabies vaccinations. For dogs that are four months of age or older, a oneyear license is also included for City of Stockton or San Joaquin County residents.

“To increase our life-sav-

ing efforts, we regularly reduce adoption fees to increase adoptions, said the Stockton Animal Shelter website. “The regular adoption fee for a cat or kitten is $121.75” according to the adoption tab on the website.”

At the time of writing this, the Stockton Animal Shelter is waiving all adoption fees to help with capacity and encourage more adoptions. Eeyore has also been adopted to a loving home according to staff.

“The Stockton Animal Shelter is the largest open-admission animal shelter in the

city of Stockton and San Joaquin County. The animals in our care depend on our staff to improve their lives while in our care. Animals in our care also depend on volunteers who generously dedicate thousands of volunteer hours each year to improve their lives,” reads the opening statement of the volunteer tab on the Animal Shelter section of the City of Stockton website.

If you would like to volunteer, foster or adopt, please visit the Stockton Animal Shelter website for more information.

Left: Guest Vocalist Billy Valentine. Top Left: The Stockton Symphony’s violin section. Top Right: Billy Valentine sings, while guest conductor Victoria Bond conducts the symphony.

Bottom: The Stockton Symphony’s pianist, cello and bass section, and brass section PHOTOS BY DYLAN JAEKEL

The exterior of the Stockton Animal Shelter located at 1575 S. Lincoln St. PHOTO BY NICHOLAS MICHELSEN

CREATIVITY GROWS AT HATCH

BY NICHOLAS MICHELSEN Entertainment Editor

Entering downtown Stockton; art can be seen everywhere you look. On condemned buildings, storefront displays, and street corners. From murals and paintings, to graffiti and performance art. The city has a long, rich history with artists of all types.

Whether you practice visual or audio, digital or analog, live or isolated, there is a makerspace that offers more than just a floor to create.

Welcome to Hatch Workshop, located downtown at 40 S. Union St, Stockton CA.

Hatch is a place where artists can come together to indulge in the arts, support each other, and even collaborate. Hosting live shows and introductory classes, there’s something here for every artist at all levels from any medium.

“We can hold it down for the artists [you] know, the weird ones and the punks and the funks.

Stockton’s got a character that needs to be defended and I don’t know what other institutions are able to stand for the weird ones,” said Elazar Abraham, co-founder and executive director of Hatch Workshop.

The Hatch Workshop began in July 2017, when Malachi Trent signed a free one-year lease in downtown Stockton. The building came furnished with all the equipment to start.

“Then he [Malachi] started calling everybody and we got together and formed a non-profit [in Nov 2017],” Abraham said.

The project was originally started with a development company called Ten Space Developers.

A Downtown Stockton developer and chief brand officer for Ten Space Developers by the name of Tim Egkan, worked closely with a few of the people later involved with Hatch. Tragedy struck in 2015

for friends and family of Egkan, when he was murdered in September 2015. The crime remains unsolved.

“With Tim, one of the last things that he had done [for Hatch] actually, was establish the contract for all the equipment [and] get the building together,” Abraham goes on to name some of the people involved with Hatch and the Ten Space deal; all friends and partners that worked with Egkan.

After Egkan’s death, the building that would later be the first housing for Hatch, sat vacant for two years.

“The first major grant that we got, there [were] six of us on the team at that point. And out of those folks, one of them is still on our board. And then I’m around, but everyone else just kind of floated along.”

Elazar Abraham shares that everything with Ten Space had quickly fallen apart after Egkan’s death. Because of the effects, the Hatch moved across the train tracks to its current operating space.

The current location for Hatch was found on Craigslist by Hannah Craig, one of the original founders that remains working with Hatch today.

“Once we got into this new building, then we were able to open-up. Everything with that old building and Tim, that’s our backstory. A lot of people in our community feel very very passionately still, about what Tim was doing and what happened,” Abraham continued and explained the first ideas for the workshop.

“The initial conception was a live-work. What we wanted to do was infill shop classes being taken out of schools, we wanted to set up contracts where buses of kids could come to Hatch and do woodshop and metal-shop. Then we would have teaching-artists that were able to live there [on-site].

That’s a f**king expensive dream. We didn’t know, we

were all young” Abraham explained. While looking back on the dream they all shared, Abraham expressed a passion for helping artists thrive. He mentioned the importance of “dollars staying local” and “leveraging the growth of the organization to draw more resources into the community.”

Abraham got involved with the Stockton Arts League and other foundations to help better serve the artists in need, es-

pecially during the pandemic.

“It’s like our riverbed is dry,” he stated. One way these organizations helped was to distribute $100,000 to 100 local artists each receiving $1,000 during the pandemic.

“Our vision is an artistically vibrant and independently wealthy Stockton, owned by its residents,” Abraham proclaimed.

Hatch workshop currently offers monthly memberships with full access to all equip-

ment, as well as basic memberships to artists that just need the space. Available seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you are interested or would like to get involved check out their webpage at www.hatchworkshop.org

“One place is not going to change everything,” Abraham said just before the end of the interview, recognizing there is always work to be done within the community.

Recommended reading for your spring

BY DYLAN JAEKEL Feature Editor

TINMAN- SARAH WINMAN

A man must navigate his life after the loss of love. A beautiful story and the first book ever to make me cry. (Fiction, LGBTQIA+)

THEHOTZONE:ATERRIFYINGTRUESTORY - RICHARD PRESTON

A story about the origin and incidents of the Ebola crisis. A truly scary and thrilling read. (Nonfiction, Science)

THEBOOKOFJOY - DALAI LAMA, DESMOND TUTU

A documented conversation between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Reverend Desmond Tutu. An inspirational read that will make you want to live life differently.

(Nonfiction, Spirituality)

HUMANKIND- RUTGER BREGMAN

The author challenges the idea of human self-interest and selfishness. Turns everything you may know about people and the world upon its head. (Nonfiction, Sociology)

THE TRAYVON GENERATION - ELIZABETH ALEXANDER

Analyzing both the past and present, Alexander reflects on how race and racism shapes America today.

Inspirational and makes you want to hold yourself and others more accountable.

(Nonfiction, black voices)

LESSERKNOWNMONSTERSOFTHE21ST CENTURYKIM FU

A collection of 12 short stories which are both weird and wonderful. A roller coaster of stories, some of which won’t let you put the book down.

(Fiction)

THE SIXTH EXTINCTION - ELIZABETH KOLBERT

A timeline of extinctions and the signs of our next major extinction. A book that inspires you to protect the world we have now for a better future.

(Nonfiction, Science)

THE BUDDHIST ON DEATH ROW - DAVID SHEFF

A man in prison finds Buddhism and tells his story. An emotional read that will take you on your own journeys through philosophy and spirituality.

(Nonfiction, Spirituality)

WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE - SAMRA HABIB

A memoir of a queer Muslim woman navigating religion, love, and life. A very thought-provoking and powerful story.

(Nonfiction, LGBTQIA+)

RED AT THE BONE - JACQUELINE WOODSON Told through the eyes of multiple generations, a family tries to navigate their lives and their relationships with each other. Beautifully written and very emotional; a story of perseverance.

(Fiction, Black voices, LGBTQIA+)

Top: Photo of Hatch building from Union St. Above left: The Hatch music room. Above right: The Hatch Garden. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELAZAR ABRAHAM

BASEBALL TEAM KEEPS GOOD FORM

BY BRYAN RAMOS Sports Editor

Delta’s baseball team beat the Feather Drive baseball team 13-1 on Feb. 10. They’re in great form, going 9-0 this season as of Feb. 15.

Head coach Reed Peters thinks pitching was one of the main things that got them the win and gives credit to the whole team.

“Our pitching, doing very good on the mound, you hold anybody to one run you should win that game,” Peters said. “We got some big hits late, and a couple of home runs that broke it open.”

Infield Jayshaun Wise praises the whole team, especially the pitchers for the win.

“David Rodriguez did his job, Will Watson shoved, everybody that came in shoved,” said Wiise. “Our hitters did our job, we got hits so we needed them.”

Pitcher David Rodriguez also put full trust in himself and the team for the win. “We just went out, trusting myself, trusting the guys behind me, trusting the offense.”

“It was a good team win, great team win actually, all around.” Rodriguez adds.

Jayshaun Wise hit a home run but he only thought about keeping their energy.

“Tried to keep the energy up, it’s the bottom of the game, but we’re up 11-1,” said Wise. “I just want to keep the energy up, keep the boys up, that’s pretty much it.”

Peters thinks hard work and good health will keep the momentum.

“We got to keep working hard, stay healthy,” he said. “Guys got to take care of their bodies, stretch and make it through the long haul.”

BY ANDREA RIVERA Staff Writer

On Feb. 9, the Mustangs softball team played their first game of the season at the University of Pacific softball field against the Solano Falcons, winning 4-0.

The long-awaited game came after two prior delays, with one attempt being rained out and the other called off after the opposing team’s bus broke down. The Mustangs softball team was eager to get out on the field to show off their talents.

“We’ve done really well on communicating to each other and handling our hardships together…” said Danyelle Godoy. “It’s our first game performing so I’m just hoping we can come out and show what we do as a team together,”

Sophomore Madison Nelson pitched for the entirety of the game, and excitement roared through the air as Godoy started the night off with a triple to right field. By the bottom of the fourth inning, the Mustangs managed to get sophomores Sydney Featherston and Allie Perea on base by freshman Gianna

Carrion,

Finally by the bottom of the sixth inning freshman

game’s turning point came “when we started scoring runs, started getting more hyped, felt like we put up a little more runs,” said Godoy.

Third time a charm for softball team Delta track team, Hope Church host crab feed Feb. 24

Coach Jim Fisher was thrilled to win game one this season. “Today was more about figuring ourselves, what we’re good at and not good at,” said Fisher. “We’re gonna build from here.”

Although the game took place off of Delta College softball field due to our fields being in very poor condition, the Mustangs softball team made their adjustments and even took advantage of one of the missed games as an opportunity to practice and learn the different field.

When asked how playing at University of Pacific field differs or changes the way the team play Fisher stated, “The game is faster over here in the dirt, they have a bigger yard than we do… and honestly it’s lights,” he said about University of the Pacific’s fields. “You can’t practice underneath lights which is tremendously different. It’s not an excuse, but hopefully at some point it will be a benefit to us.”

BY ANDREA RIVERA Staff Writer

Delta College’s track team partnered with Hope Church of Stockton in hosting a Crab and Shrimp feed at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the church location, 1565 S. Oro Ave. in Stockton.

The event will “host all you can eat crab, shrimp, pasta, salad and bread with a raffle, live music while benefiting both organizations.” Tickets are $65 per person.

For more information and ticket sales please contact (209) 942- 4258.

bringing them to score 2 points due to a hit by Carrion and an error made by the Falcons.

Erica Tovar and Featherston were on the bases with tension in the air, and were brought home by sophomore Dessa Zavala, with a single to right field scoring two points. The

Above: Mustangs infield player Tyler Tobey tries to go for the hit. Bottom Left: The Mustangs celebrate as pitcher William Watson strikes out opponent in the heat of the moment. Bottom middle: Mustangs pitcher Jake Guardiancic prepares to pitch against the opponent. Bottom right: The Mustangs walk to form a huddle after they beat Feather Drive 13-1 on Feb. 10.

PHOTOS BY BRYAN RAMOS

Above: Mustangs utility athlete Alle Perea prepares to hit the ball from the batter box while outfield Danyelle Godoy is at third base on Feb. 9

PHOTO BY ANDREA RIVERA

ROBBERY SUSPECT CAUSES CAMPUS-WIDE LOCKDOWN

BY VANESSA GOMEZ Staff Writer

On Thursday, Feb. 9 at 2:32 p.m., Delta College district police issued a lockdown warning for the campus.

It was reported that an armed person was in the Cunningham parking lots. The lockdown lasted for 52 minutes, and was cleared at 3:24 pm.

An armed robbery had taken place outside of the campus, by the Weberstown Mall.

The suspect was seen fleeing towards the direction of Delta College.

Once informed that the suspect may be on campus

PHOTO BY CHRISTINA GOODMAN

grounds, the district police sent out a Mustang Alert to all students and faculty.

According to the district police, in partnership with University of the Pacific police, after thoroughly searching the Delta College grounds, they confirmed that the suspect was not on campus, and lifted the lockdown.

“While it’s unfortunate that this happened,” said Alex Breitler in an email, “it did give us another chance to use our relatively new emergency alert notification system, including text messages, emails and social media posts. Hopefully this made everyone aware of the situation in a timely manner so they could stay safe.”

Delta also has two faculty-based emergency teams that assist in emergency situations.

The Campus Evacuation Response Team (CERT) ensures that buildings are safely evacuated during an event, as well as helping with traffic control and medical response.

The Emergency Response Team (ERT) are in charge of making sure there is effective communication between students, faculty and police during an emergency. According to District Police Chief Robert Di Piero, no one has yet been arrested in this case.

Public COVID testing site will remain

BY CHRISTINA GOODMAN Photo Editor

Since Feb. 8, 2021 Delta has offered Covid-19 testing in the Shima 2 parking lot and the planned cut off day was Aug. 8, 2021.

The testing site caused long lines that had people waiting for hours and sometimes causing difficulties to students and staff trying to access campus.

Since then, the demand for testing has visibly slowed, with the Shima 2 lot now most often occupied by barriers, a single storage

Basic Needs Center hosts Spring Campus Resource Fair

BY GRACIELA GABRIEL Feature Editor

On Wednesday, Feb. 8, Delta College’s Basic Needs Center Hosted its Spring Campus Resource Fair.

This event took place in the upper hall of Danner Hall. The fair had different clubs/programs, giveaways, and food for students.

The fair was to help students become familiar with what resources Delta provides for students and also have the opportunity to talk one-onone with administrators regarding these programs.

“We want to bring awareness of Delta’s resources to better the likes of students and want everyone to feel welcome. Also use outside extra resources food, housing, and mental

well being,” said Jaime Merlon, the Student Program Specialist for the Basic Needs program.

Among those tabling were the Pride Center, DARTE ( Direct Adults on the Right TrAC for Employment), and representatives from some of Delta Colleges Transfer and Career Pathways (TrACs).

Also included were the Associated Students of Delta College (ASDC), The Basic Needs Center, California Mini-Corps, the Veterans Resource Center, the campus police department, Disability Center, EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs and Services) Phoenix Project and KWDC.

The EOPS program was there to give a chance for students to sign up

crate and two nearby cars.

Testing is still available, however, with some extra services.

“COVID-19 testing is still available in Shima 2, though a different company is now offering the service as of last December,” said Alex Breitler, Delta College’s director of marketing and communication.

“One new feature is that the Shima 2 testing now also includes some treatment assistance options for those who test positive.”

The Shima 2 “Test-to-Treat” site is open to the general public Monday through Friday from 9

for the program. The program helps students with free textbooks, financial support, priority registration with classes, faster access to counseling services, and financial awards for those who follow the program requirements and as long as they take 12 or more units.

Another resource program Delta has is DARTE which offers free college classes, laptops, and books. The program is designed for the working adult to help out with career paths and get a jump start on college.

Programs like Veterans Resources Center and Disability Support Program were there to remind students these services are in Delta to help them.

Financial aid, graduation deadlines approaching

BY BRYAN RAMOS Staff Writer

On March 2 and 3, there are three important deadlines to meet in terms of finances and graduation.

On March 2, the Cal Grant GPA verification, the FAFSA application, the CA Dream Act application, and SJDC Scholarship applications are all due.

The FAFSA application is the main form of financial aid. The application is sent to schools you’re interested in and they determine the help you get based on your information.

Filling out the FAFSA means your GPA for Cal Grant already gets verified.

The CA Dream Act is an application similar to FAFSA. The difference is that this helps undocumented stu-

continued from PAGE 1

far-reaching implications.

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, some changes Americans can expect include higher out-of-pocket costs for COVID treatments. Free over-the-counter tests will become much more limited, and insurance companies will no longer be required to cover testing without cost-sharing.

dents.

The SJDC scholarships applications will also be due March 2. This application helps you qualify for various scholarships Delta has to offer this academic year.

March 3 is the deadline to apply for A.A. or A.S. degrees, or certificates of completion for the Spring 2023 semester. This semester’s commencement will be on May 18.

To see these deadlines you can go on Delta’s website and go to the financial aid section located under student services and go to “important dates.”

The FAFSA website also has information about their application and the Dream Act.

You can register for commencement by going into MyDelta and register there or go to Delta’s website and look at the slideshow on the home page

a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The site offers not only testing, but also treatment options and medication (if eligible) for those who test positive,” said Breitler.

Students and staff have an additional option available, however, in the Locke Lounge Test Center.

“It’s very important to remember that the Shima testing is for the general public,” Breitler said.

“We encourage Delta College students and staff to utilize the Locke Lounge test center since all results are integrated into our COVID-19 tracking system.”

ADMIN: More locations planned

continued from PAGE 1

campus. So currently they are doing an inventory of all restrooms for restroom safety and then we will increase the number that we have.”

With a potential increase in more gender-neutral restrooms in the upcoming future for Delta, administration sees the importance of having these restrooms on campus since there are issues coming from students, faculty and staff, and the public, Lawrenson also noted.

In addition, having these restrooms available on campus limits the walking our guests, staff and faculty, and students endure when they are in far away buildings like DeRicco and the Math and Science Building.

“It [gender-neutral restrooms] allows employees, students, and guests to use facilities safely and comfortably. It’s important for parents who need to assist their child that may be a different gender, people who may require assistance from a caregiver of a different gender, and for people who are transgender and/or non-binary,” said Maldonado.

Having gender-neutral restrooms on campus also creates a safe place for transgender students to use the restroom without experiencing harassment in a same-sex restroom.

“We’re trying to create a safe environment, particularly for our transgender students to make sure that they have a safe place they can go,” said Lawrenson.

“This is part of our strategic plan in terms of equity and inclusion and creating a safe campus climate,” said Lawrenson. “And I have heard from some of our student advocates on campus and also faculty and staff about concerns over this issue and this is how we’re addressing it.”

Delta’s plans for more restrooms on campus are soon to come.

“I’m hoping we can come together and move toward the next steps to create more all-gender restrooms on campus,” said Maldonado.

Changes are subject to each individual’s health plan, however.

Though we are entering a new phase in the fight against COVID-19, students at Delta are encouraged to continue to remain vigilant and remain home if they are feeling sick.

Students can call the Nurse Triage at 209-888-0480 if they are feeling sick or are unsure if they should come to campus.

The locations of the gender-neutral restrooms are on the first and fourth floors of Shima, two in Danner Hall, and two in the forum building. There are also two gender-neutral restrooms on the Mountain House campus.

For a map of the restrooms, you can visit Delta Pride on the Delta College website.

COVID: Students are encouraged to remain viligent, stay home if they are feeling sick