Ross Miyashiro will be retiring from El Camino after five years serving the community on Jan. 1, 2023, announced at the previous Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 6.
“It’s a nationwide trend,” Webb said, “It’s not even just the community colleges. A lot of students got jobs once the world started to open back up. [Businesses] were hungry for employees.”ElCamino Police Department Chief, Michael Trevis, a member of the college’s COVID-19 Task Force said the decision to keep masks mandated on campus was based on campus surveys. Camacho
voted unanimously at a meeting held on Tuesday, Sept. 6 in favor of the procurement of an additional 150 laptops that will be part of the El Camino College Laptop Loan & Internet Access Hotspot Program.
Webb said that El Camino’s mask
Students converse at the tables near the Administrations on Wednesday, Sept. 14. Masks are mandated in classrooms, lecture halls, auditoriums and labs as outlined in the class syllabus from a June 2022 update to El Camino’s mask policy. Ethan Cohen | The Union
V@eccunionAnthoLicePresidentofStudent Services
President Brenda Thames also praised Miyashiro for his work and his plan to ensure a smooth transition for the next Vice President of Student Services.“Wewill miss him terribly,” Thames said. “He has agreed to be here for a great transition plan, to provide continuity for Student Services and we’re always so very excited for people who end one chapter of their lives and make room for another.”
Other local colleges such as Cerritos College, Long Beach City College and Riverside City College rescinded their maskingDirectorpolicies.ofPublic Information and Government Relations, Kerri Webb, said that El Camino deviated from Los Angeles County and CDC guidelines for campus safety.
The Laptop Loan & Internet Access Hotspot Program allows all El Camino students to borrow valuable electronic tools such as laptops, calculators and wireless internet hotspots for free.
Anthony Lipari @eccunionAnthoL
The new vice president will be chosen through a contract with PPL Pros Incorporated, the same way the Vice President of Administration Services, Robert Suppelsa, was chosen.
Vaccine Requirements See Page 2 → SOUNDS Art Exhibit See Page 4 → El Camino Victorious See Page 8 → SEE MASKS PAGE 7 → 1946EST.
“We wanted to make sure that we were in that safe bubble,” Webb said. “The Task Force figured that it would be better to err on the side of safety.”
To mask or not to mask?
Masks at El Camino College continue to be mandated per the class syllabus until further notice, deviating from the current COVID-19 guidelines set by Los Angeles County and the CDC.
Vice president of Student Services set to retire
SEE LAPTOPS PAGE 7 →
Anthony Lipari
The Union
President Brenda Thames strongly
recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the purchase of additional laptops to meet the increased student demand this fall.
Board of Trustees approved 150 laptops after student program ran out Delfino Camacho
“It is anticipated that this increase will also fulfill the needs for spring,” Thames said.
That is the question El Camino College students and faculty are pondering
“El Camino is a special place with special people,” Miyashiro said. “I’ve been in higher education 38 years and this particular institution has the best student support programs of anywhere and I spent half my career in a California State University.”
Extra funding for Laptop Loan and Internet Access Program approved
El Camino College’s COVID-19 mask policy, updated on June 20, states that masks are required for specific areas on campus like classrooms, lecture halls, auditoriums and labs based on the class syllabus, according to its website.
It will cost at least $15,000 for PPL Pros Inc.’s services and there will be a process of applications, committees, public forums and decison by the hiring committee.
policy did not have an effect on inperson enrollment at the college.
| The Union
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El Camino College will pay $172,734.98 to purchase new 14-inch HP ProBooks to cover the needs of returning fall 2022 students.
@eccunion Sept. 15, 2022 eccunion.com
Staff members inform students at the El Camino Library that there is no more equipment to lend out on Wednesday, Sept. 6. The program allows students to borrow valuable electronic tools such as laptops and calculators free of charge. Delfino
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Juliette Tafolla, 18, is a dance major who feels that having vaccinations as a requirement helps to keep campus environments safer for everyone. Tafolla said that COVID-19 infection could rise if the campus removes its vaccine requirement on campus.
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The Union staff recommends that the Board of Trustees lift the vaccine requirement at El Camino College.
El Camino’s vaccine mandate.
Students, faculty and staff deserve to have the freedom to choose whether or not to get vaccinated, just as they have the freedom to make El Camino College their home.
Editor-in-Chief Khoury Williams News Editor Ethan Cohen Features and Arts Editor Delfino Comacho Sports Editor and Copy Editor Gregory Fontanilla Opinion Editor Brittany Parris Photo Editor Ethan Cohen Assistant Social Media Editor Ethan Cohen Assistant Social Media Editor Delfino Camacho Senior Staff Writer Khallid Muhsin Staff Writer Samantha Quinonez Staff Writer Anthony Lipari Staff Writer Igor Colonno Staff Writer Jesse Chan Intern William Renfore Senior Photographer Gregory Fontanilla Photographer Ethan Cohen Photographer Will Renfore Photographer Anthony Lipari Photographer Delfino Comacho Photo Adviser Chuck Bennett Advertising Manager Jack Mulkey Adviser Stefanie Frith Vol. 77, No. 1 Sept. 15, 2022 Contact:Advertising:Newsroom:eccunion@gmail.com(310)660-3328(310)660-3329 The Union is published on designated Thursdays by Journalism 11 and 14 students at El Camino College, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA 90506, and is free to the student body and staff. Unsigned editorials and cartoons are the opinion of the editorial board and do not necessarily reflect the views of the student body, staff or administration. Letters to the editor must be signed and must be received one week prior to publication in the Union office, Humanities Building Room 113. Letters are subject to editing for space, libel, obscenity and disruption of the educational process. Single copies of the Union are free; multiple copies can be requested through the Union.
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Editors' Thoughts: Thumbs up, Thumbs down
On Sept. 7, 2021, the El Camino College Board of Trustees voted to make vaccinations mandatory for students, staff, and faculty to access the college campus.
El Camino College has been struggling with student enrollment since the first full semester during the pandemic in Fall 2020. According to the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, enrollment rates at El Camino have decreased by nearly 30% when compared to the fall 2019 semester.Meanwhile, El Camino College has been looking into multiple different methods to facilitate enrollment, including their announcement of offering tuition-free classes for select students during the summer and fall 2022Anothersemesters.great solution to facilitate enrollment would be rescinding the vaccine requirement, as it would allow students who decided against the vaccine to have the option to return to campus.
Ash Hallas | The Union
Thumbs down to not having ATM's on campus.
Over the course of the past year, El Camino College has loosened COVID-19 policy restrictions on mask mandates, wristband requirements, and health screening kiosk procedures. The only COVID-19 policy that has remained unchanged is the vaccine requirement.Whilerequiring vaccinations was the most plausible option for prioritizing safety on campus when the spread of COVID-19 was at its peak, requiring a vaccine won’t make much of a difference for campus safety currently.
17, The Board of Trustees will make a decision to lift or continue
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Columns and letter should be 300-450 words, two per semester, with 60 days inbetween each work. Visit The Union website to learn (eccunion.com/about)more.
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In a contract agreement with El Camino College’s faculty, the college agreed to follow the guidance of both the CDC and Los Angeles County Department on their COVID-19 policy updates.ElCamino had mostly adhered to this agreement. However, many of the COVID-policy updates set by Los Angeles County and the CDC have been significantly delayed or ignored at El Camino College.
Much like El Camino College and CDC officials have suggested, The Union believes that vaccinations are the strongest defense against the novel coronavirus, but it is ultimately the choice of each individual if they want to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and that choice should not come at the expense of anyone’s education.
Multiple surrounding community colleges, including Santa Monica and Riverside Community College have all rescinded their vaccination requirements before the fall semester began in a likely effort to help get more students back onto campus.
Alternatively, Sean Masi, 20, a Business major and Fire and Emergency Technology Associate, said that El Camino College should rescind the vaccine mandate because he believes that the choice should be left to each individual and everyone deserves a right to an Currently,education.thereis not much of an urgency to keep people safe now that vaccines are easily accessible and the spread of COVID-19 has slowed down significantly.OnOctober
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down to campus dining closing at 2 p.m. Thumbs up to the new Makerspace in the El Camino
The majority of students currently attending El Camino College are making the choice to do so, and while vaccination requirements made sense in getting students back onto campus as safe as possible for the past few semesters, the current state of the pandemic has changed.
The Union interviewed several students, staff and faculty to get their thoughts on El Camino’s current vaccine requirement policy and received mixed results overall.
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It's time to get rid of vaccine requirements
The vaccine was their saving grace.
United States Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Charles Cook speaks from the podium as a small crowd sits at attention outside of El Camino's Student Services building on September 8, 2022, during the Veterans Resource Center's "Tribute to the Fallen." A commemoration in remembrance of September 11, 2001. The Union | Will Renfroe
Despite his experiences, Cook is excited about life and ready at any opportunity to share the wisdom he has gained through this sacrifice in serving this nation.
Vaccines were a saving grace for my parents and my family, but they remained our choice.
Paul Rosales, El Camino’s Digital Media & Communications Coordinator, shared stories of the hypocrisies that hold America together, and the need for honest, objective journalism.Thestory of America is not a pretty one. Whole populations were sacrificed to breed, feed, and grow this nation we call home today. We cannot ignore this history.Despite the somber affair, talking with Cook and Rosales left me hopeful.
I understand that they are doing what they think is best for the safety of the students, but I think El Camino should rethink the Accordingmandate.totheLos Angeles County Office of Public Health, COVID-19 positivity rates, hospitalizations and deaths are on a downward trend.
Despite our extreme safety precautions and vaccinations, my parents still got COVID-19 twice. The vaccines and boosters did their job and my at-risk parents came out of it in goodHowever,health.
My grandfather served with the US Air Force and toured Vietnam. Days before he passed, he said, “they lied.”
All students must be vaccinated to attend in-person classes at El Camino College. While medical and religious exemptions are allowed, all other unvaccinated students are not allowed within the premises.
To read more, visit The Union website at eccunion.com
said, I no longer believe that vaccines should be mandated here at El Camino College. I believe it should remain every student's choice.
While many schools adhere to vaccine mandates, some have done away with them. Santa Monica College, for instance, has revoked its vaccination policy but kept its mask mandates while providing programs to educate and offer free vaccines to students.
Near the beginning of 2020, I was afraid that COVID-19 would kill my Footageparents.showcasing crowded emergency rooms and trucks converted into make-shift morgues as news outlets began reporting on rising death rates eventually made my own fear rise. My worries were not completely unfounded.Myparents are both elderly and severely immunocompromised. My father, 70, had open heart surgery to replace a heart valve in 2013 and my mother, 69, underwent a liver transplant to save her life in 2014.
parents, effectively imprisoning them within their own house.
How a tribute to the fallen inspired changes in my life
While the situation is not over, the danger is decreasing.
I credit the vaccine for keeping my family together as I believe vaccines are the best possible way to fight the pandemic.Thatbeing
Two uniformed El Camino College police officers, wearing prestige white gloves, stand about six feetOnapart.command, the two officers grab hold of the American flag on opposite ends, folding the flag inward while taking a step forward. As is tradition, the officers fold the flag 13 times. During each fold, a speaker reads off a famous American quote. This custom played out during
the "Tribute to the Fallen" , a 9/11 remembrance event held in front of the Veterans Resource Center lawn on Sept.The8. main speaker of the event, United States Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Charles Cook, is a Vietnam veteran dressed in uniform, decorated with stripes and medals. He spoke about a unifiedDuringAmerica.hisspeech, Cook brought the raw emotions felt on that September
Sept. 15, 2022 Opinion The Union 3
In mid-December of 2020, the first doses of the newly authorized vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc. first started rolling out.
One might argue that the mandate is to protect those already vaccinated and who wish not to interact with non-vaccinated students. While I
morning when a band of terrorists invaded and violated this nation.
understand the intent, the reality is that the moment students walk off campus, they risk interacting with unvaccinated people. The mandate is more of an illusion of safety than safety itself.
Following their operations, doctors told them they needed to be extra careful. Even something as small as the common flu could kill them.
Referencing how our nation banded together after 9/11, Cook said that when tragedy strikes, Americans are all responsible for protecting and loving this nation and the people who call it home.Cook contradicted this notion that one cannot question America’s integrity and moral standing, challenging America’s promise that “all men are created” while simultaneously basking in the rights and freedoms we so commonly take for granted.
My sister and I would have to be the caretakers for the foreseeable future. The lives of our parents were literally in ourMyhands.sister and I were both designated essential workers. Our jobs required us to be out on the front lines during the first few months of the pandemic.
Will Renfroe @eccunionwillr
Colleges such as El Camino are struggling to bring back and retain students, with some classes this semester being canceled due to low enrollment.ElCamino should allow unvaccinated students to return while keeping their mask and distance procedures in place.
Vaccines kept me safe, but I don't think they should be mandated
What worked for me, shouldn't be the choice for someone else
A 9/11 Tribute honoring the past gave me hope for the future
By March 2021, almost a full year since their health imposed quarantine, my parents got vaccinated. My sister and I interacted with them for the first time in nearly a year.
The “they” in question was America itself.My grandfather expressed his frustrations that America had sent him to fight a war that was based on a lie. Although sympathetic, Cook held firm that though flawed, America is still home, and our duty to treat it as such.Aswe parted ways, I told Cook of my strained relationship with my father. He looked me right in the eyes and said, “fix Meanwhile,it.”
As I spoke with Cook, I told him about my last conversation with my grandfather, a veteran.
Delfino Camacho @eccunionDelfino
We both decided that we could not risk the possibility of infecting our parents. We began changing our clothes outside when returning home from work and would disinfect everything weAlreadytouched.limited in what they could do before COVID-19, the isolation began taking a heavy toll on my
it's my opinion that if you are vaccinated, boosted and still adhering to safety precautions, you will be relatively safe interacting with unvaccinated folks.
While El Camino has nothing but good intentions, I think it is time to eliminate the mandate and instead focus on educating all students who want to learn.
Photo illustration by Delfino Camacho | The Union
“My interest in curating is more about collaborating with artists. I like artists who engage the audience and not just the visual, but also sound or smell and [taste] because it makes a much richer experience,” Miller said. “I wanted to break the silence of the gallery.”
SOUNDS: Art exhibit ‘breaks the silence’
and his dual interest.
On the left, steady thumping beats echo from artist Tom Jenkin’s mixed media piece, “Electric Sticks.”
The art project consists of three
Guests excitedly discuss their interpretations while viewing paintings created by artist and activist Fatemeh Burnes during the community opening of the SOUNDS art exhibit in the El Camino College Art Gallery on Saturday, Sept. 10. In a departure from most art galleries, the SOUNDS exhibit encouraged visitors to make their own ‘sounds’. While the paintings don’t produce sound themselves, Burnes says all art is dialogue. Delfino Camacho | The Union
4 The Union Arts Sept. 15, 2022
Delfino Camacho
On the right, decorated rattles created from bullwhip kelp shake almost non-stop. Entitled “26 Roadtrip Rattles,” the art piece by Peter Rice and Jesus Gutierrez features handcrafted instruments with an accompanying audio recording.
As you crack open the gallery door, you can already hear it.
Miller describes himself as both an artist and a scientist, he has the credentials to prove it.
Miller has a degree in both fine arts and geology. He worked for 10 years with the California Department of Energy and an oil company before returning to school to chase his passion forCarrieart.
Lockwood, a gallery assistant, credits the show’s inception to Miller
“It’s Michael’s brainchild,” said Lockwood. “He’s fascinated with scientific things, and so he was inspired by this idea that he had read about. [Humans] physiological reaction to sounds … and so we wanted to explore that kind of idea.”
Miller said SOUNDS originated with his interest in science and insistence that the human experience is as important as the art hanging on the walls.
“As a kid, I had a ‘museum’ in my bedroom. I was always interested in museums,” Miller said.
C@eccunionDelfinoLANK!Fsshh!Fsshh!Fsshh!CLANK!Artgalleriesareusuallyquiet.THWAANNG!BRRRrrr!TIK!TIK!BRRRrr!THUNK!Butthisisnoaverageartgallery.WelcometoSOUNDS,anew art exhibition currently on display at the El Camino College Art Gallery. The exhibition seeks to explore a connection between humans and sounds by featuring works by various artists.Theexhibition had a general student reception on Wednesday, Sept. 7, and a wider community opening Saturday, Sept.Michael10. L. Miller, Director of the Art Gallery and the little-known Anthropology Museum, and Interim Curator, wanted to ensure visitors hear SOUNDS before seeing it.
electronic and wooden contraptions designated as “sticks.” Powered by simple 9-volt batteries, the “sticks” bang against the table they sit on, the resulting thumps sounding like a threehanded drummer.
Artist, musician and intrument maker Robert Hilton demonstrates one of his hand-crafted intruments made out of wood, metal and wire for visitors and fellow artist during the community opening of the SOUNDS exhibit held at the El Camino College Art Gallery on Saturday, Sept. 10. While it resembles a banjo, Hilton’s custom intrument produces sounds inspired by traditional African and Indian instruments which produce sounds and noises not heard in most western music. Delfino Camacho | The Union
that this is their art gallery and to feel
Arts Calendar
Michael L. Miller, Interim Curator and Director of the Art Gallery and the Anthropology Museum, re-connects a 9-volt battery to mixed media piece, “Electric Sticks” on Saturday, Sept. 10. Delfino Camacho| The Union
5
Plenty of sculptures and paintings silently sit or hang in the gallery, but even the silent pieces engage with sound.Artist and activist Fatemeh
SOUNDS will be on exhibition at the Art Gallery until Sept. 22 and is free for all guests.
Sept. 15, 2022 Arts The Union
Directed by Marlin Darrah Marsee Auditorium Sept. 19 @ 3 p.m. & 7.30 p.m $16 general - $ 14 students
Burnes, who teaches at Mt. San Antonio College, is a also painter.
$21 adults, $10 students
SOUNDS: Art Exhibit Curated by Michael L. Miller Art ClosesGallerySept. 22
Free for everyone
One corner of the Crossovers grid, with its rusty colors and harsh lines, reminds one of bangs and scrapes. Another portion has spring-in spired colors and swirls of lines.
“I was a music major a long time ago, and I was so unhappy in the music department because they re ally [only] dealt with Western and European music,” Hilton said. His soft voice is a sharp contrast to his boisterous instruments.
Although you can’t hear her piec es, Burnes insists that all art, even paintings, is a conversation, “it’s a dialogue.”“Asapainter, I do create spaces, These experiences that you enter, if you choose to,” she said. “My proj ect up front, all the grids, is called Crossovers. Each piece is about the different borders in the world.”
Burnes said she hopes her work illicit sounds from the viewers.
“Comewelcome.onin. I’m usually sitting at the front desk. I like to greet every body myself,” he said.
Artist and activist Fatemeh Burnes next to her painting entitled ‘My Neighborhood’ during the SOUNDS community opening on Saturday, Sept. 10. Burnes said this particular piece was inspired by observations, walks and interactions the artist had while in her Downtown Los Angeles neighborhood. Although her paintings don’t make sounds themselves, Burnes, who is also a professor at Mt. San Antonio College says she hopes her imagery inspires sounds from the viewers. Delfino Camacho | The Union
Music Faculty Showcase
Play: Dear Harvey Directed by Nathan Singh Marsee Auditorium Oct. 14, 15, 21, 22 @ 8 p.m. Oct. 16 @ 3p.m $15 general - $10 students
Every few minutes, whistles pierce the air, originating from an untitled video installation by artist Susan Sil ton. The video showcases an exam ple of Silbo Gomero, a centuries-old whistling language.
Tropical and Exotic Aisa: Discovery Film Series
Visitors who would usually whis per to each other and monitor their volume laugh and talk excitedly. The waves of various noises almost beg visitors to participate and make theirHowever,sounds.not all the artwork on display is audible.
Organized by Berkeley Price Campus Theatre Sept. 16 @ 8 p.m.
Appropriate for SOUNDS, artist Robert Hilton specializes in hand crafted instruments, many of which
→ SOUNDS CONT. FROM PAGE 4
are created from scratch. Visitors flocked to his gallery section, eager to take a close-up look at the oneof-a-kindSpecializinginstruments.in“strings,” many of the displayed pieces look similar to artifacts seen in fantasy settings. Some parts are made of wood, look ing raw, natural, and jagged. Others have metal infused with the wood, inspired by a “junkyard” design.
Hilton said he gets plenty of in spiration from traditional African and Indian instruments, as they provide sounds western music tends to“Mostavoid. musical instruments are based on some subsistence be haviors like stringed instruments that grew out of the bow,” He said. “Flutes grew out of people eating birds and having hollow bones. So I really like to see how those things grow.”Hilton hosted an Artist Talk in the Art Gallery on Sept. 13 and said he hopes students take advantage of the resources available at the Art Gallery.Miller echoed Hilton’s sentiments and said he wants students to know
Today they have over 1,500 members.Suppelsa played golf in college. He went to California State University Dominguez Hills and received his master’s in finance. He later attended Pepperdine University where he received a second master’s in school business administration.
Suppelsa said that he liked the experience because the community was interested in the process of learning about their potential leaders at El AfterCamino.completing the process and becoming the new Vice President, Suppelsa has settled into his role, which is supporting the objectives of President Brenda Thames and the Board of Trustees.
Suppelsa said that he is happy to be at El “I’mCaminothankful for being here, my office door is always open. Even at 9:30 after a board meeting,” Suppelsa said.
friends over ten years ago.
“[He] is doing a good job,” Thames said.One of his biggest accomplishments so far was completing the 2022-2023 budget, which was approved at the Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 6. He wanted to make sure that the budget prioritizes college initiatives to improve student and employee success.“Thefiscal state of the College is healthy and sound,” Suppelsa said, quoting from the opening letter for the new budget written by President Thames herself.
“Our mission with that club was basically, we will take anybody into our club. All you have to do is want to play golf. You don’t have to be good, bad, or indifferent,” Suppelsa said.
According to Supplesa, public forums are common for presidents and vice president of academic affairs, but a rarity for Vice President of
Administrative Services.
Suppelsa talked about institutional resource allocation requests, which help fund projects that can help student success, recruitment, retention, and engagement.
But Suppelsa’s degrees didn’t prepare him for the uniqueness of El Camino after he was selected to take part in a public forum as a part of the interview process.“Todo a public forum for a VPAS is fairly unusual. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen it done,” Suppelsa said.
Robert Suppelsa prepares for a virtual public forum to determine the Vice President of Administrative Services at El Camino College. The countdown is on. Ten minutes. Five minutes. Two minutes.Suppelsa sits down with his glass of water. He’s ready to go.
Robert “Bob” Suppelsa busy at work in his office, located in the Administration Building, on Monday, Sept. 12. Delfino Camacho | The Union
Anthony Lipari Delfino Camacho
Meet the 2022-2023 Associated Students Organization line-up
The mishap, however, didn’t phase him from becoming the new Vice President of Administrative Services.
prioritize during the current fall semester.Highamong the list of priorities for the ASO is the Student Voter Project.“Thewhole purpose of this [project] is to increase student voter registration and turnout,” Abulaban said. “There’s also a ‘ballot bowl’ competition between different colleges and universities in California to see which campus can get the most students registered toBeyondvote.” the social responsibility of increasing student turnout As the new Associated Students Organization president finished up her report, Board Member Nilo Michelin thanked her and the ASO for its continued efforts.
Suppelsa has been in the South Bay since 1963. When he was growing up, he took a liking to golf and uniquely describes the game.
Also present at the meeting was ASO Vice President Luisa Paredes, Student Trustee Sidney Lee, Director of External Affairs Allen Park and ASO advisor and Director of Student Development for El Camino College, Greg Toya. Abulaban presented a report to the Board of Trustees highlighting the special projects and responsibilities that the Associated Students Organization planned to
The list of projects includes more evaluators and advisors for transcript evaluation, modernizing the Writing Center, updating the furnishings in the library, getting 175 more student loan computers, and more academic and lab
Robert “Bob” E. Suppelsa was selected as the new Vice President of Administrative Services last spring, beating out other leading candidate Daniel Villanueva. He officially started June 13, and has worked on projects like the El Camino 2022-2023 budget.
Ready that is until a fourth-monthold, all-gray rescue kitten named Onyx jumps up on the table and spills his glass of water all over his computer.
The 2022-2023 Associated Students Organization cabinet members for El Camino College were introduced during a Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 6, in the Administration Building.NewAssociated Students Organization (ASO) President Jana Abulaban, a two-year psychology major who immigrated from Palestine, kicked off the board meeting by introducing herself and the rest of the “ASO family.”
6 The Union Features Sept. 15, 2022
New vice president is a golfer who loves education
Before Suppelsa accepted the job at El Camino, he was the Vice President of Administrative Services at Los Angeles Harbor and West Colleges, according to the vice president’s website.Shobhana Warrier, assistant to the vice president, said she is glad that Suppelsa is at El Camino.
“We have a long tradition of working with ASO, we look forward to working with you and the new team,” said Michelin.
“Thingsresources.like high-value microscopes [that are more than] just the basic utilitarian things that y’all use but get depleted, like dropping beakers on the floor,” Suppelsa said.
“I’d love to be able to look out at the campus and never see anything from a distance [that] I can say ‘we need to fix that’,” Suppelsa said. “I’d like to have everything fixed,”.
“The funny thing about golf is that golf is one of those games that if you tell people that you’re really good, and then you go play with them, you’ll always play bad,” Suppelsa said with a chuckle.Suppelsa also started the South Bay Public Links Golf Club with his
@eccunionAnthoL@eccunionDelfino
The 2022-23 Associated Students Organization and El Camino Trustees host a meet and greet before the start of the open session during a Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 6. From left to right: Vice President of Student Services Ross Miyashiro, Trustee Trisha Murakawa, Advisor Greg Toya, Student Trustees Sidney Lee, Allen Park, Jana Abulaban, Trustee Kenneth Brown, Luisa Paredes, Trustee Nilo Michelin, Trustee Cliff Numark, Trustee Katherine Maschler. Delfino Camacho | The Union
Library and Learning Center specialist Erika Yates poses next to her office near the Study Center on Monday, Sept. 12. Yates’is responsible for distributing laptops to students who need them. Delfino Camacho | The
A vandalism involving a fire suppression system occured at an unknown time located in Lot H; the case is open and currently being investigated.
“It was a bit disappointing to have to tell students that we didn’t have any more laptops. But only a few days later, our amazing Foundation director Andrea, had a special board meeting and we got that money that we just passed to [get] the 150 new laptops, so that was very exciting,” Lee said.
While other colleges have had varied reactions to the slowing spread of COVID-19, students and faculty from the El Camino community have shared differing viewpoints.
Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 12:55 p.m.
An incident of stalking was reported near the Natural Sciences Building; Campus Police recieved a Campus Security Authority (CSA)
→ LAPTOPS CONT. FROM PAGE 1
→ MASKS CONT. FROM PAGE 1
Lee said that there might be more demand to come this semester, explaining that while touring new additions to the library on the first
Currently, Yates has a list of over 100 students waiting for additional laptops. The list is capped at 100 to ensure that everyone who is on the list will receive a computer.“Thedemand is definitely more than 100 because I’ve had at least 50 to 60 students come in after I kept that list, still waiting and looking for laptops. My email is full of people who are asking me so I know the demand is higher than that,” Yates said.
While the mask policies are in place at El Camino, many local schools differ from the policies such as Cerritos College.According to Cerritos College’s website, “face coverings (masks) are optional for indoor settings. However, face coverings are strongly recommended to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.”
“I don’t really mind it,” Muhia said. “I mean if you don’t want to wear it, don’t wear it. If you want to wear it, wear one.”
“There have been surveys of how the campus community felt about the issue of masks,” Trevis said. “Regular employees felt ‘hey, I feel comfortable wearing my mask,’ others said ‘hey, you know what, I don’t think I need to wear theThemask.’”discussion over the mask mandates at El Camino began as early as the winter semester and continued to be discussed through the current semester.“Aftera lot of discussion over several meetings, this thing has been going on for a little while,” Trevis said.
Yates hopes the program is expanded to cater to a wider range of students, such as working parents who may not be able to take advantage of computer labs on campus due to family-related responsibilities.“Havingacomputer that you can use at home is a great benefit to someone like that and it’s very equitable,” Yates said. “It is very popular, I really don’t see it going away anytime soon and I don’t really think it should.”
Differing opinions on masks discussed around campus
A report of a hit and run occured at 7:44 a.m. near Lot C; the case is still open and currently being investigated.
A report of burglary near the Maintenacne Yard on between 8/27 and 8/27 time unknwon; the case is open and currently being investigated.
Whenever a student needs a laptop or a hotspot, many times it is Yates who physically hands it to them.
“It’s particularly tough in my field because we depend on lip reading,” Ashe said. “Not all deaf people necessarily read lips but many do and it helps. I read their lips and it helps when we’re signing to each other.”
Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 8:33 a.m.
Information courtesy of El Camino College Police Department
Clownin’Union around
Melanie Moreno (right), president of Class Clowns, standing behind her table at Club Rush located near the Student Services Plaza on Wednesday, Sept. 14. Surrounded by colorful props, Moreno invites students to participate in the new club this semester. Members will learn about balloon creations and twisting, juggling and face painting. Ryan Hudgins | The Union
Sign language interpreter, Pamela Ashe, who lives in Hermosa Beach, gave her thoughts on the mask policy explaining how they affect her at El Camino.“I’msick to death of them, just saying,” Ashe said. “I work in other school districts who don’t have to wear them.”Ashe said the requirement of masks in her classroom complicates things with the students she aids.
A report of a threat or attempted injury of another person occured near the Library; no further action was required.
A report of petty theft occured near the Library was found to be false or baseless.
Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 10:53 a.m.
Police Beat
Long Beach City College and Riverside City College have both removed their mask requirements as well.Some colleges, however, still mandate them like Santa Monica College from a statement on Aug. 7.
Jayden Muhia, 20, a computer information systems major, said that he does not mind the mask policies at the“Onecollege.of the counselors told me to wear a mask,” Muhia said. “He had a problem with it and I just wanted to help him help me.”
Associated Students Organization (ASO) Student Trustee Sidney Lee
Monday, Aug. 29, at 7:06 a.m.
day of the fall semester, she received a message that the library had officially run out of laptops to loan.
Wednesday, Aug. 31, at 11:23 a.m.
Speaking with The Union prior to the meeting, Library and Learning Resources Specialist Erika Yates said that the pandemic sped up El Camino’s launch timeline for the laptop loaner program.“Thelaptops were originally bought with money we received for COVID relief and the [computers] were purchased in 2020,” Yates said.
Muhia also said that the choice should be left up to those to make a decision for themselves.
Pamela Ashe, a sign language interpreter from Hermosa Beach, said that the masks make her job harder when trying to com municate with students. She said she is “sick to death of them.” Ethan Cohen | The Union
Friday, Sept. 9, at 2:44 p.m.
The El Camino College Foundation is a non-profit organization first established in 1983. According to the El Camino College website, its mission is “to develop community relationships and raise funds to support student’s success in education and life.”
expanded on the origins of the loan program in a statement provided to The“OurUnion.laptops are actually funded by the Foundation and our Executive Director, Andrea Sala,” Lee said. “She’s kind of in charge of the Foundation and she’s done incredible work, just with making sure that she’s meeting student needs.”
“We got that notice that laptops were out and it’s literally the first day. Not even, it was just half of the day,” Lee said.The large demand for the laptops meant that emergency meetings were held to ensure the Board of Trustees had an opportunity to vote on the additional 150 laptop purchases that would eventually pass.
Friday, Sept. 9, at 9:32 and 10:16 a.m.
Sept. 15, 2022 News The Union 7
Two incidents of battery and one incident of trespassing reported near the Stuedent Services Building and Crenshaw/Manhattan Beach Blvds.; a warning of potential criminal actions was issued and the suspect was released.
Relief for laptop loaner program on its way
Sept. 17, 12 p.m., Jaguar Mini Tournament @ Southwestern College, Chula Vista, (vs. San Diego Miramar)
Sept. 21, 3 p.m., vs. Pasadena City Sept. 28, 3 p.m., vs. Rio Hondo
Sept. 16, 10 a.m., @ Golden West Invitational, Central Park, Huntington Beach Sept. 23, 9 a.m. @ Southern California Preview, Kern County Soccer Park, Bakersfield
Women’s Soccer
The Warriors football team took the field at Murdock Stadium for the first time during its 2022’23 season on Saturday, Sept. 10. Despite a postponed season opener against the Santa Monica College Corsairs, initially scheduled for September 3 due to “health concerns”, the Warriors left the field with a 30-20 victory. The Renegades came into week two with a 59-12 victory against Pierce College in their season opener.
first-half scare, the Warriors’ defense would hold the Renegades to 7 points in the second half, ending the game on top 30-20.
Upcoming sports calendar
The Warriors celebrate after a touchdown during a game against the Renegades of Bakersfield on Saturday, September 10 at Featherstone Field in Torrance. The Warriors defeated the Renegades 30-20 and will play on the road against Ventura College on September 17. Greg Fontanilla | The Union
Sept. 23, 5:30 p.m., @ Southwestern College, Cesar Chavez Tournament (vs. Sunset Water Polo Club Sept. 24, 12:20 p.m., @ Southwestern College, (vs. Las Positas)
Women’s Water Polo
Oct. 5, 6 p.m., vs. Long Beach
would begin to shake off in the first quarter with the Warriors’ wide receiver, Joshua Lorick, being the team’s catalyst for gaining momentum. Lorick would go on to finish the game with five catches, 40 yards and one touchdown, one kick return for 18 yards, and two punt returns for 30 yards.
Sept. 30, 2:30 p.m. @Saddleback College (vs. Oct.Ventura)5,4:30p.m., vs. Mt. SAC
After30-20.the
Cross Country
Sept. 28, 6 p.m., vs. East Los Angeles Sept. 30, 6 p.m., @ Mt. San Antonio
Sept. 30, 10:45 a.m., @ Saddleback College (vs. Merced)
Sept. 17, 12 p.m. @ Mt. Sac, Walnut (vs. Sept.Southwestern)17,5:25p.m., @Mt. Sac, Walnut (vs. Santa Monica)
Sept. 16, 6 p.m., vs. Pasadena City Sept. 23, 6 p.m., @ Cerritos
Sept. 23, 3:10 p.m., @ Southwestern, Cesar Chavez Tournament
The Union spoke with Lorick after the game and said without hesitation, smiling from ear to ear, “I feel good.” After the first-half scare, the Warriors’ defense would hold the Renegades to 7 points in the second half, ending the game on top
Men’s Soccer
Sept. 16, 4 p.m., vs. Palomar Sept. 20, 4 p.m., vs. Glendale Sept. 23, 2 p.m., @ Chaffey Sept. 27, 1:30 p.m., @ Bakersfield Oct. 4, 4 p.m., vs. Cerritos
El Camino freshman running back Marceese Yetts (1) evades Bakersfield defenders on Saturday, Sept. 10, at Featherstone Field. Yetts had 8 carries for 62 yards, averaging 7.8 yards per carry. El Camino defeated the Renegades 30-20. Greg Fontanilla | The Union
Football
El Camino’s first game jitters
El Camino walks away victorious against Bakersfield
Sept. 24, 2:40 p.m., @ Southwestern (vs. Sept.Grossmont)28,4:30 p.m., vs. Rio Hondo
Men’s Water Polo
The Renegades struck first with a 57-yard touchdown pass, catching the Warriors’ secondary flatfooted. During its first possession, the Warriors turned the ball over on downs after a 23-yard kickoff return, and a 7-yard run by freshman running back Marceese Yetts.
Sept. 16, 1:05 p.m., @ Mt. Sac, Walnut (vs. Sept.Sierra)16,5:25 p.m., @ Mt. Sac, Walnut (vs. Crafton Hills)
Women’s Volleyball
Sept. 17, 6 p.m., @ Ventura Sept. 24, 6 p.m., vs. San Bernardino Valley
Sept. 17, 2:40 p.m., Jaguar Mini Tournament @ Southwestern College, Chula Vista, (vs. Grossmont)
8 The Union Sports Sept. 15, 2022
Oct. 5, 3 p.m., vs. Mt. San Antonio
Sept. 16, 1 p.m., @ Irvine Valley Sept. 20, 2 p.m., vs. Fullerton Sept. 23, 1 p.m., vs. Golden West Sept. 27, 2 p.m., @ Pasadena City Oct. 4, 2 p.m., vs. Cerritos Oct. 7, 4:30 p.m., @ Los Angeles City