TCC Collegian December 2, 2020

collegian.tccd.edu

Miles discovers with great power, comes great responsibility.

PG. 2

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 – Volume 33 • Issue 13 News

Entertainment

Opinion

LEARNING TO DEBATE TCC is offering a new debate course. PG. 2

KICK! PUNCH! IT’S ALL IN THE MIND Sony’s sold out console. PG. 4

COVID-19 SUCKS Editor recounts struggle with sickness. PG. 5

Opinion

Editorial

PRIORITIZE MENTAL HEALTH It’s okay to sit back and relax. PG. 5

SAVE THE TREES The importance of preserving forests. PG. 5

DISTRICT

Spring enrollment impacted by pandemic

File photo/The Collegian

TCC district has decided to continue distanced learning during the spring semester leaving online courses as the only option for students and professors.

ROBERT MORRISON reporter

COVID-19 has already affected TCC enrollment, and students weigh in on their decision to enroll in the spring semester.

Student Cristian Granado said school is less of a priority and he chose to focus on his health and his family by taking fewer classes this spring.

“School is important, but right

now in this moment there are things far more important to me that need my immediate attention,” he said.

Being a person who thrives in a classroom setting, Granado thinks virtual learning will impede his ability to learn the course material.

“Online classes will be a challenge for me because I find that I’m a better learner when I’m able to engage with the professor and students around me,” Granado said.

Student Lexus Rodriguez has

taken less of an educational load since the pandemic started. Being a hands-on learner, she said she doesn't want the pandemic to hinder her learning experience with the important classes in her major.

“Since I found out that next semester will also be virtual, I am no longer taking the core classes I had hoped to take,” she said. “I will just be taking one of my basics again. I will probably continue this plan until we go back to face-toface learning.”

Rodriguez said she will spend less time socializing and working to focus on the few classes she does plan to take online.

Student Van Nyugen said she has adjusted well to virtual learning and doesn’t have a problem enrolling full time in an online learning environment.

“My course load has not been changed drastically since COVID,” Nyugen said. “I have already adjusted to it and adapted my other obligations around it.”

She said she plans to stay on track with her original plan for school and start applying for nursing programs. She is confident that her ability to adapt to new environments will help her continue to thrive in whatever school setting she finds herself in, no matter if COVID-19 is present or not.

“I have goals to achieve and want to take any opportunity that will allow me to reach them,” she said.

SOUTHEAST

Theater program performs an original audio only TCC production JOSE ROMERO ROMERO campus editor

For the first time, SE Campus will host a free audio production of a TCC original play, “A Blast in Kranesville” from Dec. 2-9.

The play is about the rural town of Kranesville, Texas. A mysterious factory explosion creates a chemical mist that triggers a lockdown of the town's residents, leaving the citizens in disarray. The story is told from the perspective of the citizens of Kranesville.

Most school productions are performed in front of a live audience but this semester required a different

approach.

“Once we knew our Fall 2020 Drama courses would be online, we knew our creative project would need to be quite different than presenting a play on the Roberson stage,” director and actor Drew Hampton said.

Hampton realized that a monologue structure in which actors devise the story from scratch would be the most fitting route to take the production. Performing audio-only play turned out to be more difficult than anticipated. During the summer, actor Jesse Humphreys practiced the format, realizing the challenge that doing a podcast would provoke.

“In live settings, actors have

both their physicality and their vocals to rely on in order to convey different emotions,” Humphreys said.

“With an audio-only play, the actors have to convey that same level of emotion and intensity with purely their voice.”

Theater director Angela Inman sees going the podcast format as an opportunity to further develop the abilities of the cast and crew. She took the pandemic as a chance to further educate aspiring actors on pivoting depending on circumstance.

“This project provides our students with an important lesson beyond basic performance skills,” Inman said. “It illustrates the need for theatre artists to persist in the

face of adversity and to use their craft to make sense of circumstances.”

Brad McEntire, another director of the project, shared Inman’s optimism about how the project will allow students to get out of their comfort zones and try something new.

“I am very pleased to have been a part of the project and proud of what the students came up with,” McEntire said. “They [students] really stepped up to this unique moment in their growth and education and showed themselves to be professional, flexible and wonderfully imaginative.”

The podcast will be available

“They [students] really stepped up to this unique moment in their growth and education and showed themselves to be professional, flexible and wonderfully imaginative”

Brad McEntire

director

to the general public for a limited time—Dec. 2 through the 9—on the event website at https://libguides. tccd.edu/ABlastInKranesville.

News

Page 2 • December 2, 2020

TRINITY RIVER

Organizations celebrate frontline faculty

Photo courtesy of James L. West Dementia Center

TCC student organizations collaborated by creating virtual thank you cards for the frontline workers at the the James L. West Dementia Center.

LINDA PUGA

campus editor

TR student organizations got the opportunity to collaborate and give back to frontline workers this holiday season.

Sarah Chavez-Reckling has been the faculty adviser for Power of Representation and Inclusion in Student Matters since the organization – formerly under another name – became P.R.I.S.M in August 2019.

The organization is a safe space for LGBTQIA+ students and allies on TR Campus.

P.R.I.S.M’s organization Senator Rei Vasgas and President Parker Judd expressed interest in having a service project this semester.

After brainstorming, Chavez-Reckling said

they collectively decided to complete virtual thank-you cards for frontline staff working during the pandemic.

“I reached out to the James L. West Center because my grandma used to live there prior to her passing and I knew how hard the staff work to provide care for those with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other memory care needs,” Chavez-Reckling said.

Knowing the staff at the center are an extremely vulnerable population during COVID-19, Chavez-Reckling thought it was a great way to give back to them.

After contacting the James L. West Center, Chavez-Reckling received a list of first names for the organization to create virtual thank you cards and invited other organization volunteers to join them for this project.

Canva was used to create the cards in a

DISTRICT

unique and personalized way, Chavez-Reckling said.

ArtSpace and Sigma Kappa Delta joined in on this project, as well as Cheryl TaylorWest, adjunct Psychology, who provided this opportunity as Service Learning for her students she said.

Mary Maturo, president of Sigma Kappa Delta, heard from organization adviser Jon Anderson about this opportunity after Chavez-Reckling reached out.

“Like many healthcare workers, they’ve had a very hard year and sacrificed so much for members of our community,” Maturo said.

“In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we wanted to let them know how much they were appreciated.”

After discussing it with her officers, Maturo and her team joined in making cards and

alerting their members.

“In total, students created 161 virtual thank you cards and completed approximately 30 service hours,” Chavez-Reckling said. “Once the James L. West Center received them, they printed the cards and displayed them for their staff to pick up from the entrance.”

Cathy Necee Brown, a West Center staff member, sent Chavez-Reckling a picture of the thank you cards put up on the wall for employees to pick up.

“We will send a text to the employee's family tomorrow letting them know to find their very own greeting card,” Brown said.

“This is an absolutely amazing gift full of encouragement and love.”

DISTRICT

New course will provide Students are stressed, communication training instructors want to help ALYSON OLIVER campus editor

TCC’s new Argumentation & Debate course will teach skills that immediately apply to students’ lives in their social interactions, academic studies and careers, according to South Instructor of Speech Communication and Department Chair Paige Carr Lovelace.

South Speech Instructor Timothy Matyjewicz will teach the course during the spring semester. He said its purpose is to open up a dialogue between TCC students.

The course will cover contentious and challenging topics chosen at the beginning of the spring semester, according to Matyjewicz.

A major goal is to include a diverse range of students’ viewpoints while maintaining civility and courtesy during discussions.

People tend to think of debate as something negative or stressful, Carr Lovelace said.

However, debates can be conducted in a way that is respectful, responsible and informed.

Putting a focus on communication is an important part of a good argument, according to Carr Lovelace.

“Really good debaters will listen,” Carr Lovelace said. “They’ll listen to understand.”

She explained that means keeping an open mind and being aware that there is always more to the opposing side than one might think. Furthermore, good debaters consult a variety of sources and not only those that support their stance, Carr Lovelace said.

They respond ethically and responsibly during the debate and know they won’t always get things perfect.

Another focus of the class will be critical reasoning.

This skill can be summarized as “the ability to think and solve problems in the most efficient manner,” according to Matyjewicz.

He said that because critical reasoning is

fundamental in every subject, this course will benefit students no matter where the future takes them.

And according to South Dean of Humanities Vicki Ansorge, critical thinking is crucial to argument, debate and communication.

A debater should know a topic well enough that they could argue both sides, Ansorge said.

She explained when someone knows the other side of an argument well enough, they can deconstruct it and better point out where it is faulty or why their perspective is better.

“The value of learning to think critically and research topics is something that we practice every day,” Ansorge said, “Learning to do it well, learning to do it with good sources, learning to really think through the argument is an asset that every student will use.”

The ability to communicate, in speech and writing, is a skill that is also highly in demand in the workplace, Ansorge said.

The course will also cover philosophy, especially that of Early Enlightenment thinkers, according to Ansorge.

She noted democracy is founded on Early Enlightenment ideas.

Many materials used in Argumentation & Debate will be taken from online or thirdparty resources. It was easier to find more affordable and subject-specific materials this way, Matyjewicz said.

“If you’re interested in taking coursework that is relevant, with some real life practical application, that will be very engaging and will also challenge your critical thinking skills, this would be the class for you,” Carr Lovelace said. With a laugh, she added, “And it will be anything but boring.”

Matyjewicz posed a question to students still on the fence about whether or not to register. “What is the best reason that you think you have not to take the class?” think you have not to take the class?”

CYDNEY WILLIAMS reporter

TCC instructors said they recognize how hard their students work, as well as the overwhelming amount of stress students have been experiencing, and they want to help.

“What I am noticing is a lot of students are willing to do online learning because they have to,” South philosophy professor Jeremy Byrd said. “It’s not their preferred way of learning and it’s a little chaotic.”

It may be harder for students to stay organized and keep a schedule than in a structured face-to-face environment, Byrd said.

But he understands school isn’t the only reason why students are stressed out, as they may face personal problems.

NW math instructor Clifton Parrish said both students and instructors are overwhelmed in this new environment.

Students have brought it to his attention many times just how busy they are. And they miss deadlines because of so many other things going on in their life like work, family issues or problems caused by the pandemic, Parrish said. He can tell students are stressed based on their performance.

“Each week I look through the gradebook for students who have not done any work that week and send them an email asking how it’s going,’’ he said.

South history professor Armando Villarreal also notices when a student is stressed because their work is unsatisfactory or they are turning things in at the last minute.

“If I have a student who is in good standing and they seem to fall off, normally that student will hear from me just so I can find out what’s going on,” Villarreal said.

Parrish said he created a plan to help students get back on schedule.

“Sometimes this is just observing the schedule with them, other times an event has

occurred in the student’s life and we need to work to catch up,” Parrish said. “Recently I had a ‘catch-up’ week with a small bonus for completing four lessons in one week.”

Byrd said he tried to anticipate any problems that may occur and avoid them if possible to provide structure to his students.

“What I did for the 16-week course was put together the same kind of assignments every week so students are familiar with what to do and what’s expected,” Byrd said. “I also try to make the rubric and assignments very clear so everyone can quickly understand my expectations just to provide some balance.”

Villarreal has extended some leeway because of the pandemic. “I’m looking for my students to turn in satisfactory work, not perfect but satisfactory,” he said. “I just ask that my students give me something, you don’t have to explain why the assignment is late or incomplete, but at least show me you tried to work on the assignment.”

Byrd said he understands students can’t fully capture the classroom experience while learning online.

“We have weekly Collaborate sessions and discussion boards to try to create that traditional classroom setting,” Byrd said.“The rubric is set up in a way that allows students to encourage and engage with other students.”

Villarreal said if a student has any doubts, they should just reach out to a professor. The lack of communication between professors and students creates a lot of problems and stress.

“My first piece of advice is do not fall behind,” Villarreal said. “Unfortunately during hard times like this, mediocrity is OK, accept mediocrity and try the best you can.”

Byrd said he wants students to know they shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to their instructors because they all understand how difficult times can be.

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Feature

The Collegian

December 2, 2020 • Page 3

DISTRICT

Photo courtesy of Alonaphoto

TCC students weigh the risks of celebrating the holidays with their families this December. Some opted to gather virtually to prevent exposing loved ones to COVID-19.

Celebrating holidays socially distanced CYDNEY WILLIAMS reporter

TCC students are considering the risk of celebrating the holidays with their families and planning accordingly.

“I will not be celebrating with family this year,” student Eric Norris said. “I will celebrate the holidays virtually, either by using Discord or Zoom.”

He said he fears catching COVID-19 from family members or exposing them.

Student Julia Antu said she usually celebrates Thanksgiving and Christmas with her grandparents in a small West Texas town called Sweetwater, but her family has had some hesitation with traveling.

“Since my grandparents are older, my family decided we will just celebrate the holidays at home,” she said.

Student Andrea Cross said her family will celebrate the holidays a little differently

and with fewer people, but it will still be special.

“We’ll have my immediate family together for a meal and face timing with the family members from out of state and the ones unable to make it,” Cross said.

Cross said students should be safe with their holiday plans but not let the fear of COVID-19 stop them from being with their family. She plans to travel the first week of December but will quarantine before and after she travels.

“The risk of traveling doesn’t scare me at all, we’re extremely safe, and I won’t let fear stand in our way of doing something we enjoy,” she said.

Norris said he won't be traveling anytime soon because he feels Americans proved to be unwilling to sacrifice the comforts of their customary behaviors in order to save lives.

“The risk of traveling is far too great right now for me to risk my own health and

the health of everyone I subsequently came into contact with,” Norris said. “I think a post-trip quarantine would be the only smart and decent thing to do.”

Norris said the numbers of those infected with COVID-19, and the resulting deaths, will dramatically spike in the weeks after the holiday season.

“If everyone were taking this seriously and properly appreciated the health risks of the disease, then I'd feel more relaxed about gathering with them,” he said. “I'm afraid that disinformation has convinced many that COVID is no worse than the common flu, and thus they are more likely to spread it through carelessness.”

Antu said COVID-19 has the potential to get worse during the holiday season, but she understands why people are willing to take the risk.

“I also think people have pretty much the same mindset as my family when it comes

to trying not to travel anywhere,” Antu said.

“The last thing people want to do is not be able to spend the holiday with their family.”

Most people want to be with their family for the holidays but she wants to keep her family safe, unfortunately under the circumstances technology is the best way to see her family and keep them safe, she said.

But Norris said it's important we all forego our traditional Christmas gatherings this year because each of us have a responsibility to our families and our communities to lessen the duration and impact of this pandemic.

“I think we need to avail ourselves of the incredible technology at this moment in time like Zoom,” Norris said. “Technology allows us to have non-physical, face-to-face interactions with people who are geographically removed from us.”

Cross said she hopes other students celebrating the holiday with their families in person areon the safe side.

DISTRICT

TCC district prioritizes accessibility during pandemic FRANCES JAMNIK reporter

The Student Accessibility Resources offices on each campus help students when they experience an accident like breaking an arm, but they also help with learning disabilities such as ADHD, dyslexia and more.

South SAR coordinator Yolanda Thomas said providing students guidance and accommodations can make a big difference in their grades and confidence.

Determining what accommodations a student may need comes down to coordinators such as Thomas meeting with them and discussing what helps them and what doesn’t.

Each student is different and is affected by their disabilities differently, Thomas said.

Meeting students allows her to discuss the way their disability impacts them and helps determine their accommodations.

“The most common accommodations would be extra time for testing, which is pretty common so they would get time and a half,” Thomas said.

When a student comes in, they discuss their diagnosis, which must be given by a medical practitioner. Thomas said if the student had a plan during high school, they would discuss how it helped to give Thomas an idea of whether to continue the plan into college.

Accommodations such as extra time during testing allow students to read through long questions so they have a better chance to succeed on a descriptive test or exam. Thom-

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as said students with dyslexia see sentences flip or letters move around.

The SAR offices located on each campus need specific documents from students showing proof of a learning disability. Pamela Oliver, who works in the SE SAR office, said these are needed to determine eligibility and the sort of help or accommodations to be assigned to the student.

“Our coordinator goes over the documentation and determines if the disability warrants our assistance,” she said.

Other services provided include interpreters for deaf students, extended time for assignments, more private testing areas, textto-speech software and notetaking vendors, she said.

“We help students with ADD, ADHD,

autism, PTSD, etcetera,” she said. “All remains confidential and is not shown on the student’s record.”

NW coordinator Paula Manning said campus offices make services known to high school students through the College Access program.

Manning said the law requires that coordinators and counselors in offices go through an interactive process with each student to determine what accommodations are best suited for them.

However, for students to receive help and accommodations, they need to apply and put in the right documentation.

“In college, it is the student’s responsibility to self-identify themselves to SAR as a student with a disability,” Manning said.

Entertainment

Page 4 • December 2, 2020

GAME STATION REVIEW

New gaming console lives up to the hype MICHAEL FOSTER-SANDERS editor-in-chief

Photo courtesy of Sony Interactive Entertainment

Playstation 5 is Sony’s fifth console in the gaming market. The console has had the most successful lauch of all time.

Sony’s Playstation 5 is the most sought after video game console of this holiday season.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a shortage of consoles was going to be on the menu. But what was not expected was the abysmal pre-order debacle that caused a great number of systems to be bought by resellers and scalped for triple the cost.

But is the hype warranted for the next generation in the Playstation brand of gaming systems?

In short, yes it is.

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room, which is the massive size of the consoles. It doesn’t matter if you chose either version of the system, it’s going to stand out in any entertainment set up, and sure to be a conversation piece whenever company is over. The only complaint is the jarring white color of the system which is due to its size.

Hopefully Sony will offer different color replacement shells for the system, but early adopters lucky enough to get their hands on the console have been customizing their own shells to fill that void.

The system user interface feels next generation and less clunky and than the Playstation 4 UI. Functions are broken up into tabs.

For those who love backwards compatibility, your PS 4 games are listed in alphabetical order separate from the PS 5.

The system set up was quite easy as well.

After downloading the Playstation app and signing in to their Playstation Network ac-

count, the user only has to scan the QR code provided on their gaming screen and their preferences are downloaded in a matter of seconds.

Sony has decided to forgo their traditional Dualshock line of controllers and take the evolutionary with their new Dualsense wireless controller. They stuck with the same tried and true button layout they’ve used for the past 20 years, but the new controller is bigger and sleeker.

When testing the controller, it feels comfortable for long gaming sessions to prevent controller fatigue, and that’s a major plus.

The included title with the system is Astro’s Playroom, and this game showcases all the features of the Dualsense controller such as the haptic vibration that Sony decided to go with instead of the rumble features of the Dualshocks of the past. The player will feel the wind blow or rain falling, immersing them further into the gaming experience of their choice.

Backwards compatibility is great with the system from the PS 4. Games will more than likely get a performance or graphic boost, and this was evident with the title Days Gone.

With the PS 4, the title suffered slowdown when it came to hoards of zombies attacking the player. Playing it on the PS 5, I didn’t see those dips in performance.

The Playstation 5 is a must-have system, but if it cannot be found in stores, wait until more stock is available and don’t feed the scalpers.

BOOK REVIEW

Being a teenager while crime fighting is not simple JOSE ROMERO campus editor

Action, emotion and some good ol’ webswinging is front and center in Brittney Morris’ novel–not graphic novel–, “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales – Wings of Fury.”

Wings of Fury is a prequel to the videogame, “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales” and is set after the events of the 2018 game, “Marvel’s Spider-Man.” Spoilers ahead for the 2018 title.

The book primarily focuses on Miles Morales and his journey as he tries to hone in on his newfound spider powers. Miles’ adventure of self-discovery results in moments of reflection that develop him into a tangible character with believable motivations.

The story begins with Miles and his mom moving in with his grandma after the death of his father. He’s getting adjusted to a new life without his dad but also a new life as his alterego, “Spider-Man.” Miles wants to prove himself to Peter Parker, OG Spider-Man and now mentor, but seems to fail each time he sees an opportunity to prove his worth.

Each character is written with a depth that elevates them from the pages. Peter Parker is perfectly captured with his usual witty humor that is juxtaposed with his sincerity.

Genke, Miles’ roommate and best friend, is another great addition to the story. His concern for Miles feels genuine, creating a heartwarming friendship between the two.

Miles’ anxiety, grief and humor create a charismatic protagonist that the reader can’t help but root for. I can’t help but think that the original creator of Miles Morales, Brian Michael Bendis, would be proud to see Morris’ portrayal of his character.

The dialogue between characters adds

another dimension of depth. Each conversation is grounded, hitting emotional beats when it needs to. The one-on-one chats between Peter and Miles are highlights of the novel. It’s easy to see that Miles is trying hard to impress Peter, leading to his pride overtaking his judgment.

Wings of Fury isn’t afraid to get into some deeper issues. Miles is biracial–mixed African American and Puerto Rican–so his race is discussed quite a bit. At the start of the novel, he has an encounter with a shop owner that he’s trying to help but he’s then falsely seen as the criminal that robbed the store only because they “looked the same.” This event continuously replays in Miles’ head, leaving him questioning what it means to be a “black Spider-Man.” Miles dwells on that question because he knows that that’s something his mentor Peter can’t teach him.

Sometimes, the topic is dropped before it gets somewhere instead of taking the discussion further. I understand that race isn’t an easy topic to discuss, but I wish there were more moments for reflection.

Another negative attribute is that the novel relies too heavily on conveniences and coincidences, resulting in some sloppy writing at times.

Wings of Fury wasn’t the type of superhero story that I was expecting. It’s a mix of action-packed setpieces and powerful character moments. It isn’t afraid to discuss controversial topics, even if it sometimes drops the discussion too early. Overall, it’s an exciting and emotional experience for readers interested in getting more insight into Miles as a character.

Book cover courtesy of Titan Books

Miles Morales fights alongside Peter Parker as New York’s web-swinging masked vigilantes. This book is the prequel to the 2018 “Marvel’s Spider-Man” video game.

Opinion

The Collegian

Viewpoints

COVID-19 wrecked me, wear your mask

MADDY REMINGTON managing editor

I had COVID-19, and trust me, you don’t want it.

I have experienced lots of illnesses, but this one hit like no other.

I got COVID-19 from my mom’s workplace, and everyone in my household got it except for my brother. The only reason he did not get the virus was that he completely isolated himself and only left his room to get essentials, while he was wearing a mask.

This just goes to show that masks and social distancing work to protect you from getting the virus.

The worst part of having this virus was the symptoms. I, admittedly, had nowhere near the worst of it but I spent a week not wanting to leave my bed because of how uncomfortable and mentally drained I was.

The effects that this virus had on my respiratory and nervous system

were unparalleled. I had terrible headaches every day, I was constantly, aggressively coughing to the point where I was in pain, and I could barely breathe.

I also lost my sense of smell and taste, Which, doesn’t seem too bad.

But imagine not being able to taste anything you love to eat, not even ice cream.

Besides the symptoms, I constantly felt regret for going to my job and possibly spreading the virus, even though I had no control over the time I was notified I had been exposed.

COVID-19 took a huge physical, emotional and mental toll on me, starting before I even tested positive.

And yet I have no idea what the longterm implications could be because there is still so much we don’t know about this virus. Please just wear a mask and social distance. The spread of this thing is only getting worse during the holidays. Do everything in your power to prevent yourself from getting this.

Not everyone is going to have it as easy as I did and, some will end up hospitalized. I would rather not hear about students and professors dying because of this virus, so please protect yourself and others.

The only way we are going to beat this pandemic is by listening to the medical experts.

Take some time for your mental health

LINDA PUGA

campus editor

Let’s unnormalize the stigma against mental health.

Why is it that the phrase “mental illness” has a negative connotation? If it’s brought up in a conversation, it’s deemed as a problem rather than a condition.

Why has society treated things like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and many others as though they are something to be ashamed of, when in reality mental illness is something millions of people experience?

I, myself, am guilty of being too scared to be vulnerable. How do I tell someone that I wasn’t at an event because I was on the verge of a panic attack? Or when I don’t get everything on my to-do list done because my head isn’t in the right place and I can’t

quite understand why?

Though these feelings are unexplainable, I’ll say this: they are normal.

Just as having a bad day is normal, so are the impacts of mental health.

Having a diagnosis doesn’t mean having a label, as most people would see you as. Not getting things done doesn’t make you a failure. Not being perfectly happy all day every day doesn’t make you any less of a human being.

I feel sometimes we forget that as much as homework, projects and tests matter, our own wellbeing should be our top priority. Studying for hours on end for an exam does nothing if you end up scatterbrained and unable to concentrate after not getting any sleep.

In the same way, without taking breaks or setting time aside for yourself without work, school or organization tasks in mind, you will put a strain in your mental health without realizing.

Take a mental health day for yourself on a busy week. When you’re going through something, whether it’s a diagnosed condition or problems with family, friends or a significant other, it can be hard to do anything at all on a given day. Celebrate the small victories and remember, you never know what the person next to you is going through.

December 2 , 2020 • Page 5

Editorial

Preserve the forests to rescue the planet

Amber Davis/The Collegian

Deforestation is a fatal problem that is choking our planet, and it needs to be better counteracted before more damage is dealt.

Protections for the Tongass Forest in Alaska were removed on Oct. 29 when the Trump administration exempted it from Alaska’s Roadless Rule, according to National Geographic. This opens it up for the construction of roads and more.

The Tongass Forest is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the world, according to National Geographic. It is home not only to wildlife and trees that are a thousand years old but to Indigenous communities such as the Haida, Tsimshian and Tlingit peoples. The forest harbors their food, medicine, art, history and way of life. This decision will impact the environment, local tourism and the lives of those who call it home.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the Roadless Rule Act puts important protections for forests in place. It does not completely prohibit the building of new roads and other developments. These can be approved by a USDA Forest Service Line Officer.

The Roadless Rule has had a history of being in and out of effect since its introduction in 2001, the USDA said. And rolling it back now is regressive malpractice.

According to Pachamama Alliance, deforestation contributes to greater levels of greenhouse gases, endangers the plants and animals that live in forest habitats, reduces regulation of the water cycle, creates soil erosion and contributes to flooding. Not only that, but it impacts Indigenous communities by taking away their resources like food and tourism and damaging their homelands and

way of life. According to Cornered by Protected Areas, Indigenous people contribute majorly to the conservation of forests. Yet their rights are consistently disregarded.

A handful of industries, such as the beef and palm oil industries, are the main drivers behind deforestation, the UCS said. Implementing preventative policies and making informed, effective decisions when it comes to agricultural growth could all help to reduce deforestation. Affordable and realistic solutions exist. Yet over three million square feet of forests are decimated in one minute, according to statistics from One Tree Planted.

There are steps that individuals, including TCC students, can take to counter the effects of deforestation. While no single person can combat the whole scope of deforestation on their own or live a perfectly eco-friendly life, that doesn’t mean people should feel discouraged from taking any small steps they can to create collaborative change.

For college students low on cash, spending isn’t necessary to take action. According to Greenpeace, people can make efforts such as standing with and bolstering the voices of Indigenous people, pushing for governments and companies to take action in reducing deforestation and educating themselves and others about issues related to deforestation and climate change. They can also make an effort to reduce waste and use less energy, recycle and purchase recycled products, support environmentally conscious companies and make donations.

Deforestation is a large problem that needs attention on a broader scope. But every individual action, no matter how small, is progress.

Letters to the Editor

The Collegian staff welcomes letters to the editor concerning articles that have run in the paper or on other subjects that may be of interest to the general public. All letters should be signed by the writer, who should include his or her Colleague ID or telephone number. The numbers will not be published. They are used for verification only.

Letters should be typed and not longer than 150 words. They will be edited for grammar, style and space and will run as space is available and at the discretion of the editor.

Letters should be e-mailed to: micheal.foster-sanders@my.tccd.edu

Join the discussion at collegian.tccd.edu Facebook.com/ TCCtheCollegian

Meet

the

Staff

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Foster-Sanders

MANAGING EDITOR Maddy Remington

CAMPUS EDITORS Linda Puga Alyson Oliver Jose Romero

LAYOUT & DESIGN Abbas Ghor Amber Davis Kristal Blankinship ILLUSTRATOR Amber Davis

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

PRODUCTION MANAGER Stacy Luecker

ADVISERS Chris Whitley, Jocelyn Tatum

Instagram @TCCtheCollegian

Twitter @TCCtheCollegian

Letter Policy ADVERTSING AND MARKETING COORDINATOR Anna Reust PHOTO EDITOR Azul Sordo WEBSITE COORDINATOR Kristal Blankinship

The Collegian is a weekly student publication serving the Tarrant County College District. Editorial statements and advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the TCC administration.

Letters to the paper should be 150 words or less, free from libel and poor taste and include the writer’s Colleague ID or telephone number (the numbers will not be published).

Letters may be brought to The Collegian office (NCAB 1124A, NE Campus), or mailed to:

The Collegian • 828 Harwood Road Hurst, TX 76054 Office: 817-515-6391 Editor: 817-515-6394 Advertising: 817-515-6619 email: collegian.editor@tccd.edu TCC is an equal opportunity institution that provides educational and employment opportunities on the basis of merit and without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status or disability.

Feature

Page 6 • December 2, 2020

Meet the staff

The hard workers who ensure that the paper gets published

Jocelyn Foster Tatum Adviser

Stacy Luecker Production Manager

Michael Foster-Sanders Editor-in-Chief

Maddy Remington Managing Editor

Home campus: NE Campus Area of study: Philosophy Career goals: Freelancer for NYT Magazine Horoscope: Libra Favorite color: Cobalt Blue Coke or Dr Pepper: Coke Unique fact: Favorite hobby is English horseback riding and jumping fences horseback

Home campus: NE Campus Area of study: Fine Arts and Photography Career goals: Photographer for National Geographic Horoscope: Aquarius Favorite color: Purple Coke or Dr Pepper: Dr Pepper Unique fact: I am a commissioner on the Tarrant County Historical Commission

Home campus: NE Campus Area of study: Radio Television and substance abuse Career goals: To make enough money to throw swanky parties with piano players Horoscope: Aries Favorite color: Obsidian Blue Coke or Dr Pepper: Crown and Coke Unique fact: World-class tetris and pinball player

Home campus: NE Campus Area of study: Industrial and Labor relations and Communications Career goals: Civil Rights attorney for the UN Horoscope: Pisces Favorite color: Emerald green Coke or Dr Pepper: Diet Coke Unique fact: My ultimate goal in life is to go on Wipeout, theTV show, and not wipeout on the entire obstacle course

Abbas Ghor Lead Graphic Designer

Azul Sordo Photo Editor

Amber Davis Illustrator + Designer

Kristal Blankinship Web Coordinator + Designer

Home campus: NE Campus Area of study: Graphic Communications Career goals: To be an expert graphic designer Horoscope: Aries Favorite color: Blue Coke or Dr Pepper: Pepsi Cola Unique fact: I can speak five languages including Swahili

Home campus: NE Campus Area of study: Journalism Career goals: Get paid to travel Horoscope: Leo Favorite color: Blue Coke or Dr Pepper: Coke Unique fact: I am the oldest of eight siblings

Home campus: NE Campus Area of study: Graphic Communications Career goals: Illustrator for Disney Horoscope: Pisces Favorite color: Grey Coke or Dr Pepper: Dr Pepper Unique fact: I paint people’s essences

Home campus: NE Campus Area of study: Visual Arts Career goals: Book layout artist Horoscope: Aries Favorite color: Pale blue and violet Coke or Dr Pepper: Dr Pepper Unique fact: I am currently writing a fantasy novel

Alyson Oliver Campus Editor

Jose Romero Campus Editor

Linda Puga Campus Editor

Home campus: TR Campus Area of study: Journalism Career goals: Music journalist/photographer Horoscope: Aquarius Favorite color: Forest green Coke or Dr Pepper: Dr Pepper Unique fact: I was born in Germany and lived there for four years

Home campus: SE Campus Area of study: Journalism Career goals: Make a trillion dollars or work at IGN Horoscope: Pisces Favorite color: Blue Coke or Dr Pepper: Water Unique fact: I used to play Smash Bros. professionally

Home campus: TR Campus Area of study: Journalism Career goals: News broadcaster or magazine/ newspaper editor Horoscope: Pisces Favorite color: Purple Coke or Dr Pepper: Dr Pepper Unique fact: I am a ninja

Illustration by Amber Davis /The Collegian