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FEBURARY 9, 2017
Administration supports Dreamers
STACY SORIANO | VIEWPOINTS
Riverside City College student and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program member Blas Morales stands in front of the entrance to RCC’s Quadrangle. JOSE MARQUEZ @RCCviewpoints
College presidents from Riverside, Norco and Moreno Valley have voiced their support for students under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Blas Morales is one of the approximately 300 undocumented students, referred to as Dreamers, at Riverside City College, according to Wendy McEwen, dean of Institutional Effectiveness at RCC. Morales wrote a small article that was published on the New York Times website about how cutting DACA would impact him and students in similar situations. “During his campaign, he (Trump) promised to end DACA which is a protection to shield Dreamers like myself, who came here to the United States as children” Morales said, “If he does end this program, I won’t be able to legally work here and I’m probably gonna end up being deported.” Morales also mentioned some of the benefits that DACA provides. “(DACA) protects you from deportation and also gives you a (social security number) and a work permit,” Morales said. During Obama’s administration in 2012, he signed an executive order initiating the DACA program that currently protects more than 700,000 individuals from deportation nationwide. California has the highest amount of
DACA recipients with roughly 216,000; about a third of the total recipients. Under the DACA program, many recipients are brought to the United States at a young age where they have no control over being undocumented. There are certain requirements that they must meet which can be found at www.uscis.gov. About 87% of DACA recipients are currently employed by U.S. businesses throughout the nation. According to some data collected by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, a report was found to conclude that ending DACA could weaken Social Security and Medicare funds by $24.6 billion over a decade, along with contributing businesses to cause some turnover costs of about $3.5 billion President Donald Trump has said conflicting comments, but has not issued specifics regarding DACA. While the fate of the program is still up in the air, RCC administration has gone out of their way to assure students that they will turn away any officials that command confidential documents and/or information pertaining to particular students to the Office of the Chancellor which would then direct them to the District’s Attorney, as it violates the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act laws. RCC President Wolde-Ab Isaac issued a statement that student privacy would be protected unless they were required by law to hand it over, even then they would verify if the order was legitimate. “Number 1 FERPA law doesn’t allow us to share any information with anybody.”
Isaac said. “We have a legal office in the Chancellor’s office, so that any court orders should be sent to them. To verify that it is a true court order. There are real legal reasons for that ... So none of your information is gonna be shared with anybody.” College presidents from Moreno Valley, and Norco College backed up what Isaac had stated. “If somebody comes in and to my office from immigration and wants student information, I’m not giving it to them,” said Norco College President Bryan Reece. “If you came into my office right now with a court order from the federal government, I’m gonna send you to the district office and to the attorney because there’s also clear federal law and state law which says that I’m never supposed to give these documents away.” Riverside Community College District
police and college staff are on the same boat, Sergeant Robert Kleveno said their procedures will stay the same. “No. No our policies have not changed… We do not work with the federal government,” said Sergeant Kleveno when asked if the district police were given any changed orders in relation to undocumented students’ status. Some students, faculty, and members of the school’s administration such as Benjamin Vargas Jr, an educational advisor for La Casa, are concerned about whether the school is going to stick to what they promised. “Our school put out a statement that they’re gonna not be involved,” Vargas said. “And we hope that we can believe in them, but as a human being you always gotta have that doubt. You always gotta have that second, ‘oh well what if?’”
See DACA on Page 2
Signing day at RCC RCC football players sign commitment letters. See page 4
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Feburary 9, 2017
News Briefs
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BOT elect new officials Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees elected Tracey Vackar to the position of vice president and Janet Green as secretary Dec. 14. Virginia Blumenthal will continue to serve as president.
Campus closed Riverside City College will be closed due to National holidays on Feb. 17 and 20.
RCC secures overflow parking Riverside City College has secured overflow parking for the first month of the spring semester starting Feb. 23 March 13. The overflow will be located across the street at Calvary Presbyterian 4495 Magnolia Avenue.
RCC students safe from ban
News
LYNDA GIUSTI-PARRA @RCCviewpoints
Donald Trump’s executive order banning travel to the United States from seven countries has left some at Riverside City College concerned about the impact it could have on students on campus. The president issued the executive order Jan. 27 which placed a temporary travel ban on Syria, Libya, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Sudan and Yemen. The order has since been placed on hold and is under review by the ninth circuit Court of Appeals. The case went to court Feb. 7, but no ruling has been made. Carey Jones, an RCC student, expressed disappointment in how the executive order makes the country look to those who want to immigrate to the United States. “I think it’s sad that we’re refusing people who are in need of our help,” Jones said. “We have a big, beautiful statue in New York that’s supposed to be welcoming people and that’s not happening.” Michael Haley, an assistant dean at RCC who has been helping to orchestrate RCC’s International Students and Programs department, said the school’s current international students have nothing to worry about and RCC is welcoming to students from other cultures. “Our current international students and their visas are in good standing,” Haley said. “If they’re traveling out of the country, they should be allowed to come back to the U.S. with no
LYNDA GIUSTI-PARRA | VIEWPOINTS
Assistant Dean Michael Haley, International students and Program Specialists Joy Wells and Lara Zhang and International Counselor Rhonda Aycock.
problem.” The argument in favor of the ban is backed by the provision that Congress added in 1952, according to an article in the LA Times. “The president ‘may by proclamation and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens and any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants’ whenever he
thinks it ‘would be detrimental to the interests of the United States.’” Everett Long, an applied digital media adjunct instructor at RCC empathized with the executive order explaining what they felt was the purpose of it. “For 90 days our government is just trying to figure if all of the foreign travel policies will keep our nation safe,” Long said.
Administration vows for students DACA from Page 1 Isaac mentioned events such as student forums that occurred last semester as some of the things the college is doing to provide a safe environment for all students. “We’ve had gatherings,” Isaac said, “We’ve had (student forums) led by equity chair Professor Kristi Woods, we’ve had a meeting with Assemblyman Jose Medina who was here to give presentations, we’ve had a chat with the students … It’s an ongoing discussion.” All three college presidents from the District, faculty and staff from many student service programs have entailed that they will always be available for students who want to talk about current issues or raise some concerns.
Reece discussed the Board of Trustees and their current plan for a way to make the community feel more safe. “The Board of Trustees are currently undergoing a process where they can clearly adopt a statement for how all officials from the District should go through with these situations such as having absolute no tolerance for hate speech,” said Reece. “We need to create an environment where students can openly exchange ideas in a civil approach.” In regards to education, college presidents from the District all said that they are currently discussing a proposal with their fellow colleagues and Board of Trustees in creating a collective Legal Defense Fund for students. They said they are focusing on creating this fund with as many, if not all the
California Community Colleges to contribute to ensure that they are in a state that is behind all students regardless of their personal background and/or situation. Vi e w p o i n t s a t t e m p t e d to reach Board of Trustees President Virginia Blumenthal for a comment through email but received no response. Misty Severi contributed to this article.
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February 9, 2017
SPORTS
“Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t,”
- Jerry Rice
Football players sign letters of intent LAURA M. TAPIA @LMTreporter
The Riverside City College football program has turned out approximately 131 Division I transfers in seven seasons, they added 13 more during the Feb. 1 traditional signing day ceremony held in the Hall of Fame room. Among those committing to four-year programs was defensive back Tareke Lewis, who committed to Utah over Arizona and Oregon. Lewis said he could play anywhere, but the relationship with the coaches is what stood out to him. “My relationship with Sharrieff Shah … he always checked up on me,” he said. “It was beyond football our relationship.” Three defensive back players committed to Arkansas Pine Bluff, Arnell Anderson expressed his excitement about getting the chance to play with teammates Shaq Jones and Chad Hill.
“We feel the opportunity to play together again is out of this world.” Anderson added that they are all good friends and plans of staying in touch with other players are already underway. “Right now we are already planning on getting an apartment together … we want to play with each other. We had a fun season (although) it didn’t end the way we wanted it to end.” RCC was National Central League co-Champion (5-1). Riverside ended its season with an 10-2 overall record and a season-ending loss against the Fullerton College Hornets in the Southern California regional final. Defensive lineman, Ernest Bagner said he chose Florida Atlantic over Texas A&M because he had already committed. The regular signing period started Feb. 1 and continues through April 1. For the full list of signees and where they committed please visit ViewpointsOnline.org
LAURA M. TAPIA | VIEWPOINTS
Riverside City College football players sign mock letters of intent during the traditional signing day ceremony in the Hall of Fame room, Feb. 1.
UNLIMITED BUS RIDES WITH YOUR STUDENT ID Thanks to the Go-Pass program, students at Riverside City College get unlimited rides on Riverside Transit Agency buses. Whether it’s a lift to class, work or the movies, or a CommuterLink express bus to the beach, just swipe your student ID for endless rides anytime we operate, anywhere we go. For schedule and route information, call RTA at (951) 565-5002 or go to RiversideTransit.com.
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LIFE Norco College remedies 6
February 9, 2017
“I don’t want my life to imitate art, I want my life to be art,”
The Mustangs help feed the hungry of Riverside and San Bernardino County JACKIE MASLOW @JackieMaslow
In an effort to give back to their Riverside community, the Norco College Music Industry Studies Program is organizing a benefit concert in alliance with Feeding America on March 18. Full-time MIS Instructor, Brady Kerr at Norco College is overseeing planning for the event. “$1 makes 11 meals, so each person that comes to the concert is essentially providing 55 meals to the hungry,” said Kerr. According to the Feeding America website, 42 million people face hunger in the U.S. today—including nearly 13 million children and more than 5 million seniors. The Feeding America network is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, working to connect people with food and end hunger. Planning for the event began in December when T.J. Stoneking, a student in the MIS Program, took his idea of a canned food benefit concert to Kerr. Together they partnered with Norco College and their local Feeding America chapter to turn the idea into an official
IMAGE COURTESY OF BRADY KERR
Norco College Music Industry Studies Program will a benefit concert with Feeding America to help end hunger in Riverside and San Bernardino County on March 18, at The Little Theater on the campus. event with a greater opportunity for community outreach. “I wanted Norco Music to have more opportunities to play live and reach a bigger audience,” Stoneking said, “I knew that simply asking the (usual) crowd to see a show wasn’t going to work, so I figured giving the audience a chance to be a part of something that could impact literally hundreds of people would be a great reason to come check us out.”
While discussing the significance of the event, “[Norco Music is] a part of the community,” said Kerr. ”We want to put Norco Music on the map as, not only great music, but also people that give back to their community and represent their college in a positive way.” The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. with admission priced at $5. All proceeds go directly to the local Feeding America Food Bank representing both Riverside
and San Bernardino County. Attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods to donate to the cause. Attendees who bring five canned goods will receive a $5 voucher toward the purchase of Norco Music’s newest studio album, “Collision Course,” which is set to release April 21. For more information on hunger in America and ways to get involved and take action in your community, visit www. feedingamerica.org
the day of love?
@Ayo_Paola0817
You do not need to be in a relationship or dating someone to celebrate Valentine’s Day. There are many people that like to celebrate Valentine’s Day. In the Times article, “The truth about Valentine spending,” the
Movie & Theater Brief Hairspray
Who says you have to be in a relationship to celebrate
PAOLA PALACIOS
- Carrie Fisher
National Retail Federation said that 55 percent of Americans celebrate the day of l o v e . Wi t h t h e consumer spending on average $116 according to statisticbrain.com. Being single on Valentine’s Day is not a bad thing. There are many different ways that one
can celebrate the holiday without the need of an other half. Va l e n t i n e ’ s Day is a day in which a card or gift is given to someone special according to Webster’s dictionary. You do not necessarily need t o give someone a gift or a card. Y o u can go to the
thriller “Rings” to go for the antiValentine’s Day mood. Going to the movies with friends is not the only thing you can do. You can have a little get together at someone’s house and have a party. You can have a bring your own and have everyone share what they bought. Or in some cases have a certain theme to your party. It can be anything from Star
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Va l e n t i n e ’s Day mood, the much anticipated movie “Fifty S h a d e s Darker” is hitting theaters Feb. 10, or you can go for the
Wa r s to Harry Potter t h e m e o r just make up your own. Overall e n j o y yourself this day. Do not feel bad because you don’t have that special someone to celebrate with. You are loved either way and someone will come one day. Just wait there is no need to rush. If you just lost someone that you thought was the special
Performance Riverside is presenting Hairspray at the Landis Performing Arts Center at Riverside City College on Feb. 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 10, 11, 17 and 18. Tickets are First Class $50, Sec A: $43 ,Sec B:$36 and Sec C: $29, for any student with an RCCD ID the pre-sale is $15 and $20 on the day of the performance. If you have any questions you can contact the Performance Riverside box office at (951)222-8100 or log onto www.PerformanceRiverside.org for more information.
Cinema Culturas Free film workshop Café con Cine Take 1: Mexico’s Golden Era at the Staff Sergeant Salvador J. Lara Casa Blanca Library on Feb. 11, 1, 25 and March 4, 11 and 18. The workshop will be in Spanish at 1-2:30 p.m. and in English from 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. In the workshop participants will learn about Mexican cinema and culture, acting techniques and telling your own story. To enroll or have any questions email cinemaculturaas@gmail.com or call (951)544-2959.
Malala Screening Riverside City College Film, TV and Video Program will be giving a showing of the film He Named Me Malala followed by a open discussion on Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. in the Digital Library. It is open to RCCD students to create awareness of international issues and to explore positive ways to get involved.
Dickens Festival The 24th annual Riverside Dickens Festival will be Feb. 25-26 in downtown Riverside between University Avenue and 11th Street. The festival is used to promote literacy and provide educational entertainment. It will also expand awareness of social similarities between the Victorian Era and the present. For more information visit www. dickensfest.com or call (951)7813168.
7
February 9, 2017
Views
RCCD in need of resolution
Our district needs to follow in the steps of SDCCD in caring for those under DACA
Editorial
With the fear of Donald Trump’s administration undoing Barack Obama’s executive order on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, undocumented students are looking to their college’s administration for help. Approximately 94.9 miles south of Riverside City College, the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees passed a resolution to reaffirm its support of its students, so far the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees does not have a similar resolution. The resolution that SDCCD passed affirms the district’s support for its diverse student population, including those who may lack legal authorization to be in this country; commits to not cooperating with any federal effort aimed at creating a registry of individuals based religion, national origin, race, or sexual orientation; precludes immigration officials from being on campus absent legal authority; and pledges to avoid acting on behalf of federal agencies enforcing immigration laws, according to the SDCCD website. Both the Riverside and Norco presidents signed an open letter, along with other college and university presidents urging Trump to uphold DACA. The RCCD Chancellor Michael Burke also issued a statement shortly after the election. “I want to reassure everyone in the RCCD that the values of this district remain unchanged, Burke said in an email sent to all of RCCD on Nov. 10. “We remain a welcoming and supportive place for all … we remain committed to our employees and students regardless of their religious affiliation, their gender, their ethnicity, or their immigration status.” While the District’s three college presidents and some administration have expressed support for undocumented students and others who may feel marginalized, they should pressure our BOT members to pass a resolution similar to the one in San Diego. DACA, is a immigration policy that provides two-year administrative relief from deportation and a work permit, subject to renewal for those who meet the specific qualifications, according to UC Berkeley. Originally established by former President Barack Obama, this policy is targeted to those who were brought to this country as minors through no
fault of their own. President Donald Trump has said conflicting comments regarding DACA, first saying during his campaign that he would repeal it, but has softened his stance since. In a recent interview with Time magazine Nov. 28, Trump said, “We’re going to work something out that’s gonna make people happy and proud. “They got brought here at a very young age, they’ve worked here, they’ve gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And they’re in never-never land because they don’t know what’s going to happen.” This leads people in the program with confusion and fears of what this might mean for their future. For the undocumented students in RCC, this would mean some students who already have their educational path established would be in fear of deportation. Students who are already pursuing their dreams schools to find careers they are passionate in are having the rug ripped out from under them. Our college should do something to ease those fears. Passing a resolution would be a good step toward that. We also feel as though getting rid of DACA would create a deficit in the benefits given by those
in the program who have a higher education and jobs. The people that receive DACA are benefitting our country by contributing to every sector while also increasing earnings and employment rates, according to the Center for American Progress. Those with DACA feel a part of the country by having access to driver license and state identification cards. Taking away DACA would not only take away the social inclusiveness of the recipients, but it would take away the careers that these people have worked hard for. Center for American Progress estimates that the cumulative U.S. gross domestic product would be diminished by $433.4 billion dollars over the next 10 years, which would have a traumatic effect on our economy. It’s not fair for those who have done nothing but be law-abiding citizens and provide an economic boost for our country to have their careers and jobs be taken away at the hands of Donald Trump’s administration. The RCCD Board of Trustees should pass a resolution to protect the students who have worked hard and contributed to the community and colleges within the district.
Viewpoints’ editorials represent the majority opinion of and are written by the Viewpoints’ student editorial board.
LETTERS
STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Laura M. Tapia (951) 287--2522 viewpoints@rcc.edu INTERIM MANAGING EDITOR Dominique Redfearn viewpoints.managing@gmail.com ADVERTISING MANAGER viewpoints.advertising@gmail.com JOURNALISM SPECIALIST Matt Schoenmann matthew.schoenmann@rcc.edu FACULTY ADVISERS Allan Lovelace Matt Schoenmann
TO THE
INTERIM OPINIONS EDITOR Jonathan Ramirez viewpoints.opinions@gmail.com
INTERIM NEWS EDITOR Misty Severi viewpoints.news@gmail.com INTERIM SPORTS EDITOR Laura M. Tapia viewpoints.sports@gmail.com
INTERIM LIFE EDITOR Paola Palacios viewpoints.artsentertainment@gmail.com
INTERIM PHOTO EDITOR Stacy Soriano viewpoints.photo@gmail.com
INTERIM ONLINE EDITOR Tyler Reese viewpoints.online@gmail.com
REPORTERS
Jackie Maslow Lynda Giusti-Parra Marcus Cocava
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