The Collegian - Published April 21, 2023

Box office death by streaming

The Collegian Grad cap inspiration for spring graduates

ENTREPRENEUR POP-UP EVENT RETURNS

BY VANESSA GOMEZ Staff Writer

The second student entrepreneur pop-up market was held Thursday, April 13. Delta College students who operate small businesses were able to sell products and services on the Dolores Huerta Plaza.

Fifteen vendors were at the market, selling items ranging from jewelry to plants to miniature figures of nerd memorabilia.

Daniel Macveth, who sells stickers under the business Tired Cat, said he likes the idea of a pop up.

“It makes it so much easier to sell to other people, so I think it’s a great opportunity,” said Macveth.

The market is organized by the Business 29 class, taught by Dr. Andrzej Kobylanski. “The Chancellor of California Community Colleges wanted to infuse the spirit of entrepreneurship in the community colleges,” said Kobylanski. “Five campuses were selected and given seed money, which is how we could afford the stands.”

The first pop-up was held in 2019, originating from a class project the Business 29 students had to complete.

“The students had to learn how to run and organize a

business, and with the incentivization from California Community Colleges, they organized the pop-up shop,” said Kobylanski.

Several of the students who were at the market learned how to run a business outside of a classroom.

Devin Brown, who sells 3D printed figurines of items from movies and videogames, said he learned mostly through the Internet.

“It has mostly been trial and error,” said Brown. “But I learned how to run my business through Youtube videos and guidance from my parents.”

Kobylanski said some students who have been figuring out how to run a business on their own have reached out to him for further help.

“You can learn online up to a certain point. If you want to scale up your business, then you need to know the more intricate parts of entrepreneurship,” he said.

This is the second time the market was held, with hopes that it will become an annual staple. In 2019, there were 29 vendors, including a collaboration with Delta’s Culinary Arts department. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the market from happening in 2020

GRADUATION 2023

and 2021. This year, there were only 15 vendors, but Kobylanski is optimistic for the future.

“As students return from campus, we will likely see bigger events,” he said. There have also been students who participated in the event and are interested in learning more.

“The good thing about the market is that it is a great place to test their business and get a feel for it,” said Kobylanski. “There are students contacting me who are excited to learn more and improve their business.”

Lavender Graduation one of many events recognizing students

BY GRACIELA GABRIEL Feature Editor

Delta’s Pride Center is hosting a Lavender Graduation on May 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the quad outside of Danner Hall.

The event invites any graduate from Summer/Fall 2022 and Spring graduate for 2023 who identifies themselves within the LGBTQ+ community.

This event is for students who are graduating or part of the Pride Scholar program and frequents the Pride Center. It is a time to come together to celebrate those who are graduating.

The Lavender Graduation is an annual event for Delta; however, since the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic the event has been small and virtual.

This year the Lavender Graduation will be one of the biggest events for Pride Center.

Delta receives grant for ‘Living Lab’ project

BY ARIANNA JUÁREZ Editor-in-Chief

The event will include food and music. Graduates who register will be given certificates and rainbow stoles to be worn at the May 18 graduation ceremony at Stockton Arena.

Delta College has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to conduct campus-based research on native bee populations.

The project’s goal is to identify these unique bee species found on Delta’s campus and compare them to other bee species found nearby. With this knowledge, Ustach and his interns will be able to create more inviting habitable conditions on campus for these native species.

MORE EVENTS

View a list of graduation events on Page 8.

Pride Center Student Program Specialist Jasmin Arroyo thinks it is important for this event to be celebrated because it allows students to be themselves in their ceremony.

“I know some schools, high schools or colleges have gowns separate by gender but with the lavender graduation coming as they are lesbian, gay, bisexual invite their LGBTQ partners or parents it allows students to be themselves in their ceremony,” said Arroyo.

LAVENDER, page 8

Biology professor Dr. Paul Ustach will lead the lab project with the help of two student interns.

“Research is a great opportunity for students to immerse themselves in science,” says Dr. Ustach.

Ustach and his student interns are tasked with identifying existing bee species on campus. Instead of tracking the more widespread domestic honey bee, this project aims to gather data on other native bees in the area.

While domestic honey bees primarily pollinate the many food crops found in the San Joaquin Valley, native bees play a more significant role in the region’s greater biodiversity. According to Ustach, local native bees pollinate local plant life instead of the highly cultivated crops pollinated by standard honey bees.

“This project sets the foundation for transforming urban landscapes into suitable habitats, increasing chances for a more stable and diverse ecosystem,” said Ustach.

The project will be conducted until the end of summer and will be presented in “research seminar format.”

Other community colleges throughout the state of California will also be participating in this research and presenting their findings. According to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), wild bee populations have been steadily declining since 1990. The GBFI says that this decline in native bee populations poses threats to the stability of the ecosystem.

See GRANT, page 8

Top: Sam Swanson and Katie Jantz of BabyGirl Bakery sell baked goods during the second annual student entrepreneur pop-up.

Left: Natalie Abanavas sells t-shirts and stickers.

PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA GOODMAN

Should you rate your professor?

BY ANDREA RIVERA Staff Writer

Haveyou ever looked up a teacher before you took a class? Did you possibly use the popular website called RateMyProfessors.com? Why are we allowed to rate our teachers?

During certain times teachers are rated by students when they are up for tenure, or given evaluations every three years here at Delta College.

In my 14 years of education, I never considered rating my professors. It always felt a little intimidating to me to rate teachers. I always thought they would find out these are my comments or my ratings and result in backlash. And because it sometimes feels like some teachers do not take their comments seriously.

Recently, as I entered my final year, it dawned on me that maybe I should. Teachers tell students all the time at the beginning of each semester, “How many of you looked me up on RateMyProfessors? Were there any new comments?”

Normally, I thought it was annoying or silly for a teacher to ask this question. It’s like a teenager asking if their posts have a lot of likes. However, under the circumstances, they should be reading those comments — especially coming out of a time like COVID-19 when the only form of communication was through the internet.

From my own experience, my education was always lacking unless I spoke up and made it known to my teacher that I needed to be taught in a different way. But never did I think how I was feeling could be how another student was feeling. Teachers should know how students are retaining the information that they attempt to hammer into our brains. I want to believe that when a teacher hears from their three year or tenure evaluations, they work to change and ask why a student feels this way.

We should be comfortable sharing the pros and cons of a teaching style we experienced and certainly encouraged to do so, not because we’re

told to boost a rating or paycheck but because we want to help the next student.

Delta college student Justine Louie said that the feedback is important.

“I think teachers should take into consideration feedback from their students,” said Louie. “I always use RateMyProfessors to choose my professors. I think it is beneficial when registering for classes. I don’t believe every review that is said. However, if generally every review is good then I tend to put that professor at the top of my list.”

As stated in the policies for RateMyProfessors. com, the most popular website used by college students today, “Our moderators will never edit a rating to make it comply or remove a rating simply because it is a low score or negative review.”

I believe this is a perfect place for students to freely express their experiences, rate professors and schools. For myself I take comfort in the fact that the moderators of the site are taking into consideration the quality of the post, and not letting students just slander a teacher, but putting valuable information up to make informed decisions.

The site also allows students to rate schools as well as professors, which is just as helpful for new or transferring students when deciding on a school.

For me this year it will be profitable because I can read from other students their experiences at a prospective school and look for the qualities that match my standards. Students love to express their opinions when given the opportunity and a safe place.

Although all posts/comments remain anonymous on the website and in teacher evaluations, teachers should be evolving and growing their teaching styles, as do we when getting our grades back on tests, quizzes and homework.

Being heard about how a teacher has affected me and how much actual information I gathered from a class is important to me because I’m a different person compared to my seat desk buddy. After all, not every student is the same.

Anti-houseless design an

BY DYLAN JAEKEL Feature Editor

Hostile architecture, also known as defensive architecture, is architecture used as a deterrent. Its architectural design is meant to guide the behavior of the public in private and public spaces. It is used to deter activities such as skateboarding, littering and loitering.

In particular, this type of architecture can be used to deter houseless populations from finding shelter or a place to sleep.

“By structuring our relationships, these features of the built environment control and constrain our behavior. The architected urban landscape reg-

ulates, and the architecture itself is a form of regulation,” said the paper “Architectural Exclusion: Discrimination and Segregation Through Physical Design of the Built Environment” from the Yale Law Journal, published in 2015.

The growth in this type of architecture has gained traction over recent years and can be notably seen in larger cities and urbanized areas, including San Francisco; however, this type of architecture is all around us.

Spikes on the ground under an overpass, fencing under outdoor staircases and bars separating seats on a park bench are all examples of hostile architecture.

“Spikes on the ground near building alcoves or window ledges are an obvious example

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.

of hostile architecture, clearly intended to prevent anyone from sleeping in those areas,” said The HomeMore Project, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that aims to provide shelter and resources to houseless people.

Some present strategies currently used to design hostile architecture are derived from the design philosophy of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED).

“Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a multi-disciplinary approach of crime prevention that uses urban and architectural design and the management of built and natural environments,” says The International Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Association

website.

“CPTED strategies aim to reduce victimization, deter offender decisions that precede criminal acts, and build a sense of community among inhabitants so they can gain territorial control of areas, reduce crime and minimize fear of crime.”

Taking away seating or changing design to be uncomfortable in order to keep certain people away can lead to other groups being affected as well. Those with disabilities, the elderly and the pregnant will be significantly affected by this architectural design.

Hostile architecture may be seen by some to encourage those who are houseless to seek out shelters, but shelters often fill up. Those who can’t get a bed

at a shelter or may feel unsafe in one are left with fewer options for safe shelter for the night.

The use of hostile architecture can be seen as dehumanizing as it tries to ward out “undesirable” behavior, making houseless people feel unwanted.

“People experiencing homelessness already face hardships and obstacles that only continue to marginalize them. Hostile architecture is dehumanizing and unethical,” said HomeMore’s website.

Creating hostile architecture does not fix the problem of houselessness, just as it does not prevent skateboarders or people from littering; it just creates more problems for individuals who don’t need them.

Labels for Latin American people vary

BY ZANIEL WALDO Staff Writer

Sincethe founding of the United States, people of Latin American ethnicity and lineage have seen various terms and labels created for their classification.

Among the many, such terms include Hispanic, Latino, Chicano, and Afro-Latino.

My personal favorites are Chicano and Mexican-American.

At one point, Chicano was used in a derogatory manner against Mexican-Americans. Nonetheless, in a political act during the 1960s, Mexican-Americans would change its connotation when they adopted it as a term of cultural identity.

They fought to be identified as Chicanos, which is incredibly important to me.

In recent years, LatinX has gained a surge in popularity, with many organizations adopting the name for Latin ethnic-based events.

The new generation who use the term hopes to be inclusive of the larger number of immigrants and their descendants from all Latin American nations. They see a shared experience of struggle and a kinship that will move us forward together. They are also fighting for gender equality and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people.

Although it appears that the current generation has fully accepted LatinX, there is a division in the accep-

tance of the term’s usage.

Among many Delta students, there was like-mindedness on the dislike for its continued use.

Andrew Solbtor, a third-year Delta college student, said his upbringing in Mexico makes it hard for him to identify with the term.

“I personally don’t see the point in using LatinX. I think we should keep trying to find these new terms. We should just try to make sure they’re incorporating our culture and not incorporating outside influence. It’s easier to say the letter x in a word in English than it is in Spanish so it’s kinda like we’re bringing in outside influence into Latin American culture to try and fix this issue when we can do that with the way our language has developed,” Solbtor said.

The aspect of outside influence finding its way to dictate and classify Latin ethnic people is a serious point to consider.

In the U.S. government’s official classification of Latin people, many cultures were left feeling misrepresented and obsolete.

When filling out any official form, the only two options for us were Hispanic and Latino. Even though I would spend most of my life checking off those terms, I never fully identified with them.

Delta student Nayely Mendez was also critical of the use of LatinX and Latino and how it may promote a continuous colonial classification of Latin ethnicities.

“There’s not really a gender base concept within the Spanish language. I understand why by using LatinX and ChicanX that you incorporate all genders, but you’re taking a language that already doesn’t have that genderization as much. For Hispanic and Latino it’s a concept of colonialism to label us and grouping everybody excludes all the traditions and cultures that we have,” Mendez said.

Sarah Seekatz, Professor and Cultural Awareness Program Chairperson at Delta, noted her learning experience from her mentor in college.

“There has never been one word that all folks agreed on to talk about Latinx folks. It didn’t exist historically, and it doesn’t exist today. I think that’s because what we call ourselves (and what we choose to call others) is a political act, an act that has power. I choose to be informed on the history of each term and use the ones I think are the most appropriate and am grateful to see others exploring the same,” Seekatz said.

From my experience speaking with Latin ethnic people on campus, I found there is an agreement in that there is a benefit to having various different labels for Latin ethnic people to identify with. It allows everyone to feel connected to their culture and not struggle with cultural identity. Although there may always be the struggle to find the one term for everyone to unite under, for now, at least the people can bridge their cultural identities to feel connected to their respective traditions.

DECONSTRUCTING THE ANGRY BLACK WOMAN

Emotional day turns into changed perceptions, hurt for student seeking help

BY CHRISTINA GOODMAN

Photo Editor

Whenyou look at me what do you see? A strong Black woman? A woman with a nice smile? Do I seem ap proachable? Appear likable?

Or do my oversized-hoop earrings and nose ring reinforce Black stereotypes? Are you scared I’m going to say something to you? Does the normal volume of my voice make you anxious?

Do you see me?

Or do you see an angry Black woman?

That’s a question I’ve had to dive into recently when I took a stand for myself. Earlier this semester, I became emotion al after encountering a challenge that could have prevented me from graduating.

Graduating has been a goal for me since 2019. The pandemic detoured my initial finish goal, but by earlier 2021 I was back taking classes, checking off class by class on my General Education and major course lists.

A situation related to my application to graduate came up. It left me raw, emotional, damaged, confused and disap pointed. I nearly left campus and vowed to never come back. A year before I would have done that. I would have walked away. I would have given up.

Instead, I chose to do something I had learned in my journalism classes in the past year. I went to ask questions. I pushed myself to advocate for myself.

I ended up in a campus office asking to speak to a counselor to figure out why my education plan didn’t seem to match with the path I needed to be on. I had questions. I wanted answers. In that office, I found judgmental stares.

When a worker was talking to me all I could hear was the sound of the adults on Charlie Brown. So that I didn’t get more upset, I decided to get up, walk out and compose myself.

As I walked out people asked me if I had everything figured out.

They wouldn’t stop asking me questions — and all the while my emotions were building and tears were flowing. I felt as if I was backed into a corner and I couldn’t get out of it. All I wanted was to leave the office. I couldn’t even open the half door that let students in and out.

I was on an emotional roller coaster.

I exploded and started telling the students that were in there to make sure they have everything in order. Yes, I was cursing. Yes, my voice was louder than usual. But I wasn’t angry. I was hurt.

I didn’t feel listened to. I felt cast off. I felt as if no one wanted to solve my problems. When I asked to be left alone, I was not given the space I needed.

I was distraught. I was crying.

Instead of the moment I was asking for, campus police were called. That felt like betrayal, particularly because these were people who had seen me on better days. The police, to their credit, handled the situation in a way that could have easily gone different.

That situation propelled me on to seek help from higher ups, to end up in a high-level administrator’s office, and to figure out the situation.

I wasn’t angry on that day. I felt no one could help me.

The looks on the faces of those in contact with me showed me the reality of that stressed mental state: I had become an angry Black woman.

That hurt me to my core.

I can’t shake the feeling to this day. Now when I talk to people I am on edge and guarded, constantly aware of how I might be perceived. That bothers me. I don’t want to step into those offices again. The angry Black woman identity is one that doesn’t go away. My smile now masks the emotions. I’m still cry ing inside.

In today’s society, we work to make sure we don’t label people wrong. Labels are harmful. Labels change perceptions.

As a Black woman, I often get looks when I talk my normal way, which is perceived as loud. I am stereotyped for the way I present myself. I am made to think less of myself to conform to a standard that doesn’t fit me. Society wants me to downplay myself.

So my passion and standing up for myself makes me angry.

Speaking my mind and wanting to be heard makes me angry.

Feeling emotional and being hurt makes me angry.

Even if I am not.

SELF PORTRAIT BY CHRISTINA GOODMAN

DELTA PROVIDES TUTORING HELP

BY DYLAN JAEKEL Feature Editor

As the end of the semester is approaching, final projects and exams are too. Studying on your own is always an option, but having some help can sometimes make a world of difference.

Students are encouraged to attend tutoring at Delta to receive academic support and to further their academic goals. Tutoring can provide opportunities that may not be available when studying and working alone.

Tutoring can be for those who are struggling on a certain topic for class or for those who may just need a refresher.

“There is sometimes a stigma that tutoring is only for students who are struggling. That just isn’t true! Tutoring is for everyone,” said Jordan Giannoni Harless, Delta’s faculty learning centers coordinator.

Tutoring is a way to bolster an individual's academic success.

“It’s a way to engage with course materials, get questions answered, meet classmates, form study groups and learn from peers who have been through the same courses,” said Giannoni Harless.

Delta provides tutoring resources to students that cover a wide range of topics at multiple locations. Tutoring is provided at the Goleman Library tutoring center, the writing success center, the math and science learning center, at the Mountain House campus, at the ESL lab and online via Zoom.

Delta’s various tutoring centers all provide an environment that is inviting and understanding. Tutors are taught how to best interact with the individual seeking tutoring.

“Students can expect to enter a welcoming environment when they attend tutoring. Our tutors are trained to be patient, ask questions that invoke critical thinking, and help students develop problem-solving strategies and study skills that will allow them to continue to learn independently once they leave the learning centers,” said Giannoni Harless.

The Goleman Library provides drop-in opportunities for students in need of writing help or who are taking classes in subjects such as business, social sciences, foreign languages and humanities. The Math and Science Learning Center also provides drop-in opportunities for math and science subjects, including computer sciences. The English as

a Second Language Lab provides drop-in tutoring opportunities for all students enrolled in Delta’s ESL program. Details regarding schedules and tutoring appointments can be found online on Delta’s website.

“The resources provided vary from center-to-center, but some of them include various hand-outs for different types of essay writing, microscopes for examining slides for science classes, and models for courses like Chemistry and Anatomy,” said Giannoni Harless.

The learning centers are also aiming to provide more resources to students in the future.

“We’re also in the process of developing online plagiarism, study skills and time management workshops that students will be able to access anytime. We hope to have those ready by Fall 2023,” said Giannoni Harless.

If receiving tutoring does not seem appealing, maybe becoming a tutor does.

“We are always recruiting new tutors,” said Gianonni Harless. “In particular, we need tutors for Writing and English, Chemistry 1A and 1B, Anatomy, Physiology, Math 1 and 2, Math 12, and Physics.”

Opening day on the Delta kicks off with boat parade

Delta dance department performs in Danner Hall

BY CORINNE NESMITH Staff Writer

On April 13 the Delta dance department held an event in Danner Hall.

Two different performers, Associate Adjunct Dance Professor Philip Agyapong and third-year student Chelli Nunuz, did two dances each, then the event finished with a group dance. There was frequent audience participation, giving it a relaxed and playful feel.

The first dance was described by Agyapong as “a afro-pop dance, which normally has some similarity to hip hop with the intent, mostly movements that

reflect the statement of modernized youth and what they want to say to authorities about political issues and a statement they want to tell to people.”

The second dance, performed by Nunuz, was a fluid dance done with flags to celebrate “moments of joy, harmony, expressing one’s inner feeling of joy through movements,” according to Agyapong. She danced barefoot, her hair up in braids, and in flowing white clothing, creating an angelic effect.

The third, by Agyapong, was an evocative African war dance, something

that was created “as a way to remember the challenges they had through war and [their] conqueror spirit and how they led into their present being.”

It was intense and emotional, with calls being made back and forth from the performer to the audience.

The fourth, by Nunuz, was “an expression of self and who she is, and what she wants to share with everybody in the space and what she wants people to get about her.” It had clear music and clear, precise movements. There was a sense of serenity and strength from her motions.

For the last performance, the audience was invited to come to the front and participate themselves. The group did a social dance, created to bring people together which stands for community and connection. It included a freestyle for every dancer to bring something of their own to the experience. The event ended with people hugging, laughing and exchanging compliments.

Classes Dance 5D, Dance 5C, Dance 5B, Dance 5A, Dance 3 and Dance 4 taught by Agyapong are available in the upcoming Fall semester on TBA date and times.

The skies and waters were clear on April 15, marking the opening day on the Delta. To celebrate the day, a wild west themed boat parade took place. Boats traveled from Windmill Cove to Weber Point, clad in decorations. Some boats played music, while one housed a trumpeter. PHOTOS BY DYLAN JAEKEL

TIP YOUR HAT TO THE CLASS OF 2023

BY JADA PORTILLO Opinion Editor

With graduation just around the corner you may not know how to decorate your graduation cap or don’t have any ideas for what to put.

It’s simple, head to your local art stores like Hobby Lobby or Michael’s and pick up some pom poms, letters, rhinestones, stickers, anything you want to add to your cap.

BUTTERFLY AWAY

With these seven graduation caps hope fully you can recreate your own and get in spired by the selection of decorative hats. Some items used decorating these gradu ation caps are hot glue, cardstock paper, tape (washi and regular), rhinestones, flowers, watercolor, paint and more.

Your Butterfly Away can be any color you want, but for this example, it’s purple. Using glitter purple cardstock paper, purple flowers, butterflies, purple rhinestones and pink glitter letters. Tape your cardstock paper down, use some hot glue and get to decorating!

DISNEY ADULTS

We’ve all seen Mickey Mouse on caps but be original this graduation season with zombie Mickey Mouse. Using lots of hot glue to recreate the blood at the cap and painting the dried glue red. The ears are styrofoam painted black with red paint splotches and super glued on the hat.

POM POM LAND

You may not have any ideas, but sometimes all you need are random items like eyeballs and pom poms. Using pipe cleaners, pom poms and eyeballs, I superglued everything down then added a few letters to the cap. I’d recommended using thick letters since those stay on easier rather than thin letters like the ones on this cap.

RHINESTONE GALORE

Get into the Y2K mood with some rhinestones on your cap with Fierce the Mustang glittered up. Using gray glitter letters and many rhinestones but make sure not to get a sheet of rhinestones instead use sticker rhinestones for an easier process. Note that depending on the texture of the cardstock paper, the rhinestones may fall out.

RECORD PLAYER

With this craft get creative and decorate the vinyl with your favorite song or make it funky. With white cardstock paper as the vinyl and regular paper folded into a rectangle and box, you have your very own record player cap. Adding a cardstock paper under the vinyl can be optional.

STARS

Don’t know what to put? Just go crazy with your cap and somehow it’ll look nice, hopefully. Cutting out extra pieces of cardstock paper I taped down squares and super glued some origami stars. To add to the craziness of the cap many rhinestones were used. For the stars I used regular colored paper and cut sections for the stars.

THANK YOU QUIZLET

Quizlet saved many students at Delta so let’s all say thanks to Quizlet. Cutting out random pieces of colored paper I glued the paper on cardstock paper. Afterward, I placed a mini graduation cap and scroll.

CinemA

end times

BOX OFFICE DEATH BY STREAMING?

Let’s all (not) go to the movies as online subscription platforms perform better

BY JELISSA KING Staff Writer

Beforequarantine, taking myself on a movie date became a monthly ritual. Going to the movies was my way of “treating yo self.” The thought of going to the movies is exciting to me. Sitting in the theater eating buttery popcorn, while being startled by the loud surround sound was the highlight of the evening. The movie theater provides a unique atmosphere to the film you’re watching.

However, during quarantine, the convenience of streaming services became a daily ritual. The idea of streaming new-released films at home is more beneficial than going to the movies. You’re in the comfort of your own home, not spending any money on tickets, popcorn, soda, and candy.

The benefits of staying at home and watching a movie makes sense. But what about enjoying the movie theater experience? The thought of movie theaters is not popular with all, however, as demonstrated by Delta student, Randal Bautista.

“I hate going to the movies! There’s always that one person in the theater that is always loud and inconsiderate. I would rather be at home and watch a movie,” said Bautista.

People that work in the entertainment industry have hinted that streaming apps are killing cinema. Award-winning director and screenwriter, Jordan Peele, released the film “Nope” last summer in 2022. The plot of the film is to chase and catch the otherworldly phenomenon on film. However, there is more meaning to the film than meets the eye. In Peele’s in-

terviews, he vaguely mentions the word spectacle. But what does it mean?

When the film was released, I bought my ticket the next day. The film is about two siblings that work in the film industry and they are experiencing UFO disturbances on their property. When watching the film I saw a deeper meaning. I saw the two siblings trying to save cinema and its art form. The UFO symbolized the streaming services taking over cinema and making it a spectacle. All the characters in the film had the same idea to profit off of the UFO sighting. Where exploitation becomes its own spectacle.

Award-winning director Martin Scorsese has a similar opinion in his essay “II Maestro,” published by Harper Magazine in early 2021. The essay talks about cinema and how it should be respected as an art form.

Scorsese

also mentions the exploitation of cinema by huge corporations.

“We can’t depend on the movie business, such as it is, to take care of cinema. In the movie business, which is now the mass visual entertainment business, the emphasis is always on the word ‘business’ and value is always determined by the amount of money to be made from any given property,” Scorsese wrote.

Streaming eliminates the ambiance of the theater experience, decreasing the value of the American tradition of cinema.

However, this doesn’t phase some people.

“I believe the movie theaters will become obsolete in the next ten or fifteen years. It’s all about the convenience of staying home,” said Bautista.

Stockton gets ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo Drama production of ‘Epic Proportions’ ends year

BY BRYAN RAMOS Sports Editor

Cinco de Mayo is coming up soon. Many think that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican independence day, but Mexican independence day actually falls on Sept. 16.

Cinco de Mayo is actually celebrated because the Mexican army defeated the French army in the Battle of Puebla back in 1862. According to History.com, the battle lasted from dawn to dusk and the French eventually retreated. This was a historic victory and sparked the resistance movement in Mexico.

The U.S. also helped out Mexico by sending their soldiers down and by putting political pressure on France.

According to the New York Times, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican heritage. This holiday is celebrated by Mexican-Americans in the U.S. and is also celebrated in Puebla, where the battle took place.

According to History. com, it is celebrated a lot in the U.S. because Chicano activists in the 60’s wanted to raise awareness as they saw it as a symbolic victory for the indigenous population against

European colonizers. There are quite a few fun ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

CAR/TRUCK SHOWS

Car shows have been popular among Mexicans too, especially among Chicanos. Truck meets have been on the rise lately between Mexican-Americans, being similar to lowriders. You can always just find them driving around with the flags waving in the street!

FESTIVALS

Cinco de Mayo festivals and parades will pop up most likely when the date gets closer. But according to visitstockton. com, there will a Cinco de Mayo festival hosted at the Weber Point Events Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 7. This is a great event to attend with family.

CARNE ASADA

Cinco de Mayo falls on a Friday this year so that’s a good day to have a carnita asada/ barbeque in your yard with some friends and just spend quality time.

BY VANESSA GOMEZ Staff Writer

Delta Drama’s Spring production will be the Hollywood spoof “Epic Proportions.”

The comedy, which follows brothers Benny and Phil as they work in a 1930s Hollywood production, is inspired by the Biblical epics made in what is considered Hollywood’s “Golden Age.” Those movies, while cultural and financial juggernauts in their time period, are no longer as popular or as acclaimed.

“Epic Proportions” challenge is to appeal to a contemporary audience while still being a parody of those old movies.

“The fun is in immersing the audience in this Old Hollywood setting,” said Greg Foro, Professor of Drama and director of the play. “The difficult part is making the play feel authentic to the time period.”

Foro credits costume designers Johnathan Singer and Jennifer Johnson with making the play feel as authentic as possible. The immersion will begin even before the curtains go up, as the entrance to the Tillie

Lewis Theatre will be decorated like an Old Hollywood movie set.

When it comes to the comedy, the cast and crew are not too worried about alienating people with the time period.

“The costuming is what really helps set the play in Old Hollywood,” said Jon-Michael Porter, who plays Phil. “But good humor translates well to a modern audience.”

The play premiered in 1986, but the cast thinks the play written by Larry Coen and David Crane, one of whom has written for the show Friends, will hold up.

“There’s jokes about the film industry, a lot of wacky antics, a love triangle,” said Foro. “These are all gags that a modern audience is familiar with, so it really won’t be that alienating.”

But with the slapstick style of comedy, careful planning and directing is necessary to deliver the humor.

“In this production, everything has to be calculated,” said Codey Court, who portrays Benny. “Comedic timing is extremely important, unlike drama, which gives you a bit more room to

breathe.”

The other challenge the two main actors face is portraying two different characters in the play.

“The characters are actors,” said Court. “So we are acting as actors.”

“The job of the character is to be an actor,” said Porter. “But at their core, they are brothers, and that relationship remains even when they are acting.”

“Epic Proportions” stands out from the rest of the productions put on this season due to its sheer scale.

“It’s a very elaborate production with a large ensemble,” said Foro. “It’s like being a conductor; you’re thinking of managing all the actors and crew before even getting into the thick of the action.”

The actors also have to stand out against all the hustle of the ensemble. “It’s important to be engaged, because it can be so easy to lose focus,” said Porter. “But it’s definitely a tiring show.”

“Epic Proportions” will run April 28, 29, May 5 and 6 starting at 7 p.m. and April 30 and May 7 starting at 2 p.m.

FITNESS COURT INSTALLED

College Night at Pacific Ave Bowl

BY BRYAN RAMOS Sports Editor

It’s been around a year and so since Delta sports teams had a competitive game in their own fields.

For the past 2 seasons or so, Delta’s sports teams have only been training on their fields and currently playing games at University of the Pacific. The Delta baseball, softball and track and field teams are the current teams affected by this.

BY JELISSA KING Staff Writer

Did you know that Pacific Avenue Bowl offers all college students discounts on Thursdays?

College Night on Thursdays runs 9:30 p.m. to midnight. All students need to bring is a student identification card.

Prior to the pandemic, the cost for College night was $3 per game with $1 shoe rentals. Prices have gone up since College Night was re-implemented.

Dave Fresca, the nighttime supervisor at the bowling alley and has worked at the establishment for 20 years.

“We were closed for almost eighteen months. Due to Covid, and so we came back, we had to make up from all that lost revenue. So now it’s $4.50 a game and it’s $3.50 for shoes,” said Fresca.

College Night still represents a great bowling deal for under $10. College Night also offers discounts at the arcade and drinks at the bar. To drink at the bar, patrons must be 21 and older, and must show proper identification.

Pacific Avenue Bowl has been a local staple in Stockton for 65 years. During winter and summer, the bowling location offers leagues from Sundays to Thursdays.

Delta golf shows improvement

BY JOE DEMASI Staff Writer

Delta’s men’s golf team has started to take off.

On April 12 in Oakdale, the Mustangs placed fourth out of eighth, their best placement of the season, led by Alberto Garibaldi who scored 77, and Liam Tacla who scored 80.

They have big conference matches against Sierra and Monterey College next week. The men and women play in different seasons with men playing in the spring and women

playing in the fall.

Coach Tony Troncale is a “PGA Golf Professional”, which takes years of practice and it means golfers at Delta can learn from a real professional in the sport, who is still active.

“Occasionally I compete in tournaments,” Troncale said. “But coaching keeps me busy.”

Both men’s and women’s teams have had success advancing to Northern California Regionals and state championships.

According to the San Joaquin Delta College

athletics website, there are nine men on the golf team and they are all freshmen and sophomores.

Former Delta College student Julisa Martinez played for the women’s golf team. She is in her last year studying Economics at the University of Montana and plans to attend law school after she graduates in Fall 2023.

“I learned a lot playing golf in Stockton and I was encouraged by my family to play because my goal is to go to law school and become a lawyer and golf

gives me a good outlet to talk with people from work while playing and to enjoy it in my free time,” said Martinez. Golf opens doors for students. “It gives them a lot of opportunities for different careers, especially women who are able to play golf because it opens up a lot of opportunities to talk business on the course or during tournaments,” said Troncale. “Golf is an extremely difficult sport so it teaches patience and good life lessons.”

According to the PowerPoint presented on the July 16, 2022 board meeting, some of the defects on the fields include raised track areas making it a tripping hazard. Other damages for other fields include worn out carpet on the baseball/softball field and lettering on the end zones of the football field being 2” shorter, which are both tripping hazards

Delta’s fields are now in the process of being fixed, it’s just a matter of time.

Tony Espinoza, Delta Athletics Director, said the timeline will be finalized once he gets more details.

“We are currently working with facilities and the bridging architect to finalize the project before it goes out to bid,” he said. “Once they identify a contractor, we will finalize a timeline.”

The PowerPoint presentation on March 2 stated that Siegfried is the Bridging Architect firm that’s working with the district for the request for a qualification proposal.

According to the PowerPoint presented at the Sept. 6, 2022 board meeting, the estimated cost for the fields and irrigation is $12,059,643.

As of April 18, there are no recent estimates yet of the cost.

“There is no clear cost estimate for the fields yet because there’s no agreement yet. “Once finalized, I’m assuming the details will be discussed at an upcoming board meeting,” explained Espinoza when asked about a rough cost estimate of the field repairs.

Espinoza said that this specific meeting about the field costs will take place depending “...on when the project is finalized.”

This could mean that Delta’s athletic teams can go back to playing home games in their true home field in the next couple of years.

Above: Damage on turf of the football field made the field unsafe. Damage on the track area of the field also make the area unsafe COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTOS BY SAADIQ AFZAL

Top left: A bowler watches as ball hits the pins. Top right: A sign at Pacific Ave Bowl shows details about college night. Above: Bowler rolls ball down the bowling lane. PHOTOS BY JELISSA KING

Workers install a portion of a new fitness court area in front of Holt Center on April 19. The fitness courts will be used by several academic areas, including the Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Academy.

PHOTO BY BRYAN RAMOS

Electron Microscopy hosts open house

BY CHRISTINA GOODMAN Photo Editor

Delta College’s Electron Microscopy program held an open house on Apr. 6, welcoming visitors to learn more about the technology and the program.

Electron Microscopy (EM) is a technique for obtaining high resolution images of biological and non-biological specimens, according to University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School.

The Delta College program, which was established in 1970, offers two certificates and two degrees in the subject.

The program focuses on two main tracks: materials and crystalline materials. Certificates of achievement and associate degrees are available for both tracks. The program is also acceptable for transfer.

Electron Microscopy is a program that

allows students to use different types of microscopes to view items at nano-scale.

A Micron is a “1/1000th of a hair diameter, Nano Scale is 1000X smaller than a Micron,” says associate professor Rachaellien Trinh.

Trinh said the program has over 60 microscopes and eight electron microscopes.

Electron microscopes can be used to examine defects, look at structure and details, verify characteristics and validate physical and elemental properties of materials.

The program is located in Delta’s Center for Microscopy and Allied Sciences near the Holt Center. The open house event welcomed the campus and community members.

Trinh said she most looks forward to “seeing (the program) evolve and grow in interest and keep up with current and future technology.”

Delta police wait on communications upgrade

BY JADA PORTILLO Opinion Editor

New communications equipment for Delta College that would improve communication throughout campus was approved by the board during a Jan. 17 meeting, yet the equipment hasn’t arrived to campus.

The new equipment consists of behind-the-scenes infrastructure, which includes repeaters, antennas, and new radio channels according to Police Sergeant and Public Information Officer Jim Bock.

According to notes from the meeting, in October 2020 the California Department of Justice issued Bulletin 2009-CJIS which stated that all California law enforcement agencies must encrypt their radios to prevent the release of Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

Because of the law, the San Joaquin Delta College Police Department will not be able to communicate with allied agencies once every law enforcement agency in the county complies with the new law.

“This creates significant delays in getting critical information relayed between dispatch and the officers on a call for service,” Bock said.

Campus police are currently not in compliance with California law or FBI/DOJ policies.

“At this time, we have not received the communications equipment,” Bock said. “We are still several months out, as the equipment must be custom built, provisioned, and tested at the Motorola factory before delivery and installation can take place.”

In 2017, Delta reached out to Motorola and learned their entire communication system was considered unusable. According to Motorola, Delta’s entire communication system would be at end-of-service by Jan. 1, 2022. The equipment Delta police have are not repairable anymore by their manufacturer, Motorola.

Though the new equipment has yet to make it to campus, last year the department made a purchase for all of the end-user components including portable radios, mobile radios and dispatch consoles, according to Bock.

Once the equipment arrives, campus police will have the latest technology used by other police agencies for better, reliable communication between the Mountain House campus of Delta and other police agencies.

With the purchase and arrival of the items, campus police won’t need to purchase communication devices for several more years according to Bock, who added that campus police will have maintenance, upgrades and service included to make sure that the system remains responsive and relevant for years to come.

“We understand that the equipment cost is substantial and we want to thank the Board of Trustees and Delta executive cabinet for understanding the importance of having reliable police communications,” Bock said.

“Our primary goal is student safety and this communication equipment is the backbone that enables our ability to maintain the safety on our campuses.”

GRANT: Research opportunities to be available for Delta students

continued from PAGE 1

The NSF’s grant will provide Delta faculty and students with an opportunity to address local sustainability issues all while providing unique research opportunities that are not often available on community college cam-

puses.

While many four-year institutions provide students with fieldwork opportunities in their pursuit of science degrees, the opportunity to engage with this type of fieldwork is less available for students who opt to attend a community college and transfer.

Delta’s Board of Trustees listed their “increased awareness of the importance of involving community college students in undergraduate research” in the Memorandum of Understanding attached to this grant approval during a meeting on Mar. 21.

The NSF’s “Campus as a Living

Lab” grant has involved various college campuses all over the country in similar scientific research work.

According to the California State University website, there is over 68 ongoing “Campus as a Living Lab” research projects at 21 out of the 23 CSU campuses.

LAVENDER: RSVP for LGBTQ+ student celebration event due today

continued from PAGE 1

As center specialist, Arroyo helps students navigate their Delta College journey.

“My role as student program specialist for the Pride Center is to serve as a resource for LGBTQ students who understand their identity and lived experiences but can also guide them through their journey at Delta. I organize both educational and community events. I think students will benefit and oversee the Pride Scholar program where students get one on one academic support, “ said Arroyo.

Lavender Graduation is a nationwide event that was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, a Jewish lesbian who was denied access to attend the graduation of her two biological children because of her sexual orientation.

Sanlo helped create the first Lavender Graduation at the University of Michigan in 1995, according to the Human Rights Campaign. According to the Human Rights Campaign by 2001, there were over 45 Lavender graduation ceremonies at colleges and universities nationwide.

Today many other colleges and universities follow up with this ceremony and continue to have a Lavender Graduation.

Arroyo said it is also a big step for some students who attend the event because and are given stoles, particularly in showcasing their LGBTQ+ identities.

“Students attending are making bold decisions who are attending because

UPCOMING GRADUATION EVENTS

General Graduation Ceremony, 6 p.m. May 18, Stockton Arena

Career/Technical Education Graduation, 6 p.m. May 12, Atherton Auditorium

Phoenix Project Ceremony, 6 p.m. May 4, Upper Danner

La Raza Graduation, 2 p.m. May 8, Atherton Auditorium

Puente Graduation, 3 p.m. May 9, Danner Hall

Torch of Excellence Ceremony, 5:30 p.m. May 10, Tillie Lewis Theatre

CalWORKs & EOPS Student Recognition Celebration, 6 p.m. May 11, Danner Hall

AANHPI Graduation, 10 a.m. May 13, Tillie Lewis Theatre

ADN Spring Pinning Ceremony, 6 p.m. May 17, Atherton Auditorium

CNA Certificate Ceremony, 2 p.m. May 25, Tillie Lewis Theatre

Psych Tech Pinning Ceremony, 6 p.m. June 21, Atherton Auditorium

Veterans Graduation, 12 p.m. May 9, Dolores Huerta Plaza

they have not come out, or people will know you are part of the LGBTQ community if attending this event or wear rainbow stoles that will be given to the school’s graduation ceremony,” said Arroyo.

The RSVP deadline to participate in the Lavender Graduation is 5 p.m. on April 21. Students can RSVP at tinyurl.com/Lav-Grad-23

From left to right, Mahea Marquez, Professor Rachaellien Trinh, Nayelhi Almanza, and Rosemarie Moris at the open house. On the right, an electron microscope in Delta’s microscopy lab in Holt.

PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA GOODMAN