WELCOME BACKStudents celebrate a new semester at the PCC — Focus, Page 8 and 9 Joshua Miller/Viking

State of the College addressNews, Page 2

“We can, and we must, do more for our students.”

-Eloy OakleyLBCC president

Board to consider bond measure

News, Page 6

Religious community gathers for Ash Wednesday mass

Citystyle, Pages 6 and 7

GG Building opens at the PCCCitystyle, Page 10

Up America” from the White House.

Oakley also said LBCC in-cluded new a c c e l e r a t e d programs for En-glish and math

departments, a new V Building for the Math and Cu-

linary Arts De-p a r t m e n t s ,

expanded a new tutoring n e t w o r k , implanted a

new on-line

counseling program and secured state funding to help students fill in gaps in their academic achievements.

The 10-year president said LBCC’s plans include increasing the number of stu-dents who transfer, graduate and get certif-icates while decreasing the time it takes for students to do so.

LBCC was the 10th  best college to give transfer de-grees in the state and 463 degrees were given last year, Oakley said in his speech that was punctuated by ap-plause more than a dozen times.

LBCC was also awarded a $5 million innova-tion award from the state to expand the Long Beach College Promise from one tuition-free semester to a tuition-free aca-demic year.

Executive Vice President Lou Anne Bynum provided opening remarks, Board of Trustees President Doug Otto made ad-

ditional comments and Academic Senate President Karen Kane introduced Oakley after providing a compelling story compar-ing LBCC’s Viking spirit and its commu-nity with the 12th player that is prominent with Seattle Seahawks pro football fans.

The Pledge of Allegiance was present-ed by ASB President Dalziel Arambula and

the National An-them was played on the trumpet by student Sandra Ene Saucedo before lunch was served to guests.

Lunch was pro-vided by the Grand Food and Beverage Co.

Oakley said, “The thinking was that so long as we

opened the doors and gave (students) an opportunity to go to college and take class-es, our job was done. Today, that’s just not acceptable. We can, and must, do more for our students.” He also called on the com-munity to mentor students.

NEWS2 February 18, 2016

Sense of community praised

“It makes me excited to see what’s in store for LBCC. You can tell that (President) Oakley is in-vested in the students.”

-Tabby LarsonLBCC Ambassador

Story by Omar ReyesStaff Writer @salar0895

Photos by Denise JonesCo-Editor in Chief @DeniseJonesLBCC

LBCC President Eloy Oakley acknowl-edged several students and their success and announced a possible third construc-tion bond ballot measure in the eighth State of the College address on Friday, Feb. 5, in the Hall of Champions at LAC.

Tabby Larson, 20, a creative writing major and Ambassador, said, “It makes me excited to see what’s in store for LBCC. You can tell that (President) Oakley is invested in the students. The State of the College ad-dress makes me proud to graduate because LBCC has a good reputation.”

Nearly 450 people attended the event, said Stacy Toda, LBCC’s associate director of community relations marketing. Toda said the first LBCC State of the College ad-dress was in January 2008.

The bond measure could be placed on the June state primary ballot by LBCC’s Board of Trustees.

Students recognized by Oakley in-cluded twins Martel and Markel Cooper, first-generation college students who have maintained high GPAs and plan to become athletic trainers.

The Cooper twins, 21 and kinesiology majors, said they were honored to be rec-ognized. Markel said, “Since we first start-ed, we didn’t have all these programs like the Promise Pathways program. We have all these new things and it will only get better.”

The Coopers grew up and still live in a low-er-income area of Long Beach and were men-tored in their neigh-borhood as youths.

Also recognized was Amanda Ste-vens, a 21-year-old English education major and honors student who has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her entire LBCC career. Two other students, Kelley Zell-ner and Brian Ortiz, starred in PSA “Head’s

SEEING DOUBLE: Twins Martel, left, and Markel Cooper from Compton were recognized by President Eloy Oakley during his speech in the Hall of Champions on Friday Feb. 5, for overcoming adversity and being the first in their family to attend col-lege. The brothers plan to graduate in June, both majoring in kinesiology.

President’s State of the College address commends students,employees for school spirit.

MR. PRESIDENT: Eloy Oakley speaks to the audience during his State of the College address.

NEWS 3February 18, 2016

Homeless students receive aidTwo trustees help lead effort to pay rent and provide supplies. Story By Melina ParisStaff Writer

@ ParisMelinaPhotos By Henry Hollaway

@YummyHenry

As the holidays approached in Decem-ber and people were getting ready for an-ticipated cheer, LBCC Trustees Ginny Bax-ter and Sunny Zia were preparing to help housing-challenged students.

Wanting a solution, they formed an associate group of the LBCC Foundation called Helping the Homeless.

It started as a result of conversations Zia and Baxter had with a veteran in need. Baxter had funds from donors in an ac-count she keeps specifically for veterans for special situations.

“Because he was a vet, when he found this apartment we were able to help him with his first month’s rent and security de-posit,” Baxter said.

During the Fall LBCC Board meetings Baxter and Zia announced they were start-ing the program. Many people wanted to help. They started a committee of 10 peo-

ple, the two trustees, community members and Angela Fowlkes of Financial Aid and Virginia Durivage in Student Life at PCC.

“Sunny and I made an appeal for peo-ple to send us non-perishable items or donations,” Baxter said. “Several people in-cluding faculty and community members donated money and Sunny got the people at Port of Long Beach to donate toiletries. One man donated 23 boxes of non-perish-able food, toiletries, all kinds of stuff, amaz-ing.”

Right now, pantries are being built on both campuses to hold multiple supplies, including hygiene products, for students in need to access one day a week from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

So far, the efforts have put four people into apartments and helped nearly 20 peo-ple with supplies. The committee has put word out about the supplies, but still need publicity. Recipients have to be LBCC stu-dents and they have to be needy, Baxter and Zia said.

“No student should have to go hungry or choose between a meal and education,” Zia said. “We don’t leave students behind. That’s what College Promise is about, com-ing together as a community and a village.”

The committee works with students creatively, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Whether transportation vouch-

Suspect still being sought in nighttime campus attack near K Building

By Omar ReyesStaff Writer

@salar0895

A student was assaulted near Building K on the LAC on Tuesday night, Feb. 9, po-lice said.

According to a text alert, the Long Beach Police Department responded to an incident at 9:21 p.m. after the victim in-volved in the crime was hit in the face and a cell phone was stolen.

The victim’s name or gender has not been released nor has the extent of injuries. It is unknown if the victim was a student or a employee.

LBCC released a description of the sus-pect, who is described as an African-Amer-ican male, 5-7 to 5-8, 150 pounds and wear-ing a black shirt with horizontal stripes on half of the shirt and black pants.

“It’s pretty surprising because you

would think this campus is relatively safe because we all come here to learn,” said Gary Cambron, 23, a geology major taking an art course.

Cambron suggested police presence should be increased in the area and said students should walk around campus in numbers.

Trevor Norris, art gallery coordinator at LBCC, said the incident was “horrific” and suggested students to be aware of their surroundings. Norris said, “If you’re look-ing around and see someone suspicious, then you might be more aware.”

LBCC has released tips for students to be safe while on campus, which include dialing 9-1-1 immediately if an emergency occurs, a crime in progress or if people see an incident requiring police.

Students and employees who are alone may use evening safety escorts available at both campuses. They may call (562) 938-4910 or (562) 435-6711.

Anyone with information on the inci-dent may contact the Long Beach Police, City College Section at (562) 938-4807 or visit the Public Safety Building X at the LAC.

ers, books or scholarships, help is based on student’s individual needs, Zia and Baxter said. Representatives from the Long Beach Unified School District, Cal State Long Beach, the Long Beach Health Department and even a field representative from As-semblyman Patrick O’Donnell’s staff are all partnering with Helping the Homeless.

Baxter said, “We’re trying to keep peo-ple in school and help them, that’s our mo-tivation. As far as we’re concerned, this is ongoing.”

Donations may be brought to the Foun-dation Building O2 at 4900 E. Conant St. at the far south end of the LAC.

SUPPLIES FOR HOMELESS STUDENTS: Boxed and canned food items are stored in Trustee Ginny Baxter’s LBCC Foundation office in Building O2 at the LAC. The sup-plies are available for homeless students and were a result of donation requests by Baxter and Trustee Sunny Zia.

Student assaulted near K Building, phone stolen

NEWS4 February 18, 2016

$19 health fee provides tests and aidNew mom uses office to pump breast milk for her baby boy.

Story and photo byJerick E. LeBlancStaff writer

@JerickJake

As a new mother of a baby boy, Dianna Forte, 25, a social work major, has found a unique reason to use the health office at the LAC.

“I had a baby five months ago and this is a place that I go so I can ‘pump’ in be-tween classes,” Forte said. “It’s a place that I come to relax and they make it really pri-vate and convenient for me to be able to do that.”

Insurance is not necessary as LBCC stu-dents can access clinical care on-campus at the Student Health Services on weekdays as part of their $19 health fee.

Other services offered range from tu-berculosis testing, glucose, cholesterol, anemia testing, preg-nancy testing, vision screening, first-aid treatment and blood pressure testing. The staff also provided prescriptions and evaluation, treatment and referrals in some cases.

Nursing major Caroline Anderson, 44 said, “I come here to get all the immuniza-tions I need for the nursing program.”

Student Health Services are offered at LAC and PCC and shuttle services are provided to assist students. The offices are

staffed by nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and health care technicians.

“I like going to LAC because they are so nice here and so patient with all of my questions,” Anderson said.

What’s included with enrollment are emergency con-traceptives, over-the-counter med-ications and on campus health-re-lated referrals to other health care providers in seri-ous cases.

Culinary major Sharon McNair, 61, said, “Part of my culi-nary program requirements is regular skin testing for class. I come here to get it done as part of my class and the services here are not only convenient but they are very nice.”

According to the Student Health Ser-

vices website, “We promote optimal well-ness by role-modeling healthy physical, emotional, and social behaviors. Providing awareness of long-term health benefits for students and their families, by modify-ing or removing health-related barriers to learning.”

Student Health Services can provide testing as well as referrals for Hepatitis B immunizations, MMR immunizations, flu vaccinations (seasonal), as well as physical exams, ranging from $15-$72 fee, by the nurse practitioner.

Business hours for both PCC and LAC are Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-noon. Further information may be found on studenthealth.LBCC.edu and by calling PCC (562) 938-3992 or LAC at (562) 938-4210.

“I come here to get all the immunizations I need for the nursing program.”

-Caroline AndersonNursing major

CHECKING IN: Dianna Forte, 25, a social work major, visits the health office for services she needs between classes. A new mother, she is taking advantage of the services available to her to better care for her health and wellness.

Story by Hunter HollawayStaff Writer @YummyHenry

The Board of Trustees may decide Tues-day, Feb. 23, to place another bond measure on the June ballot, college officials have an-nounced.

During the State of College address Fri-day, Feb. 5, LBCC President Eloy Oakley

said the bonds would be aimed at critical needs such as preparing students to trans-fer and continuing renovations of the aging buildings on campus that have yet to be re-stored.

The proposal’s push to restore the cam-puses, many buildings were built in the 1950s, would also continue the most recent Measure E. The total of $616 million bonds acquired in 2002 and 2008 helped create

the culinary arts facility and math student success center on LAC, secured PCC’s first major overhaul in 35 years and funded oth-er major renovation projects.

“If our trustees decide to place this bond measure on the ballot, I ask you to please consider lending your support,” Oakley said. “Let’s finish the work we’ve started and complete the transformation of LBCC.”

Further details regarding the new bond proposal will be solidified Friday, Feb. 19, Trustee Virginia Baxter said Wednesday,

A survey last fall revealed that about 65 percent of likely voters in the district would support the additional taxes, college officials have said. Approval requires 55 percent.

At 5 p.m. Feb. 23, the Board of Trustees will vote on the issue in T1100.

Board considers bond measure

NEWS 5February 18, 2016

18172_10_25x8 OL.indd 1 12/14/2015 4:19:47 PM

Story and photoby Kelli ReynoldsStaff Writer

@Kellikinz

After 10 years working in LBCC’s Child Development Center, Director Stacey Smith-Clark said on Friday, Feb. 12 she gets “to work to improve their lives as well” and she has been named National Coalition of Campus Children’s Center’s 2016 Director of the Year.

The coalition is a non-profit education-al membership program organization that provides children with programs that focus on higher learning through new and vary-ing opportunities.

Before her time at LBCC, Smith-Clark helped open a children’s center at Loyola Marymount University. She credits stu-dents and their families as the source of passion that gives her such a love for the

National award for compassion

job. “A lot of people get into this type of job because they love children, but besides that, I actually really enjoy the adults and getting to work to improve their lives as well,” she said.

Social work major Tracie Mendez has two daughters age 2 and 3 in the preschool program at the center. She said what she loves about it is “not only the childcare, but they learn social skills being around other

kids.” She also added the program allows them time to be outside and be involved with activities when she doesn’t have the time.

The center at LBCC is “committed to enhancing the quality of life for students, children and families throughout the life span. Embracing the diversity each student brings, the department strives to empower individual learners through personal and professional growth,” as outlined by the LBCC website.

Smith-Clark said the center works to provide a caring, valuable learning envi-ronment, one where students can take their children during the day when they have classes. “I love seeing students being able to succeed because they have the childcare they need,” Smith-Clark added.

Smith-Clark will attend and accept her award during the 44th annual coalition conference in March in South Carolina.

CARETAKER: Stacey Smith-Clark greets the preschool students. She has won the National Coalition of Campus Children’s Center’s award for 2016.

NEWS6 February 18, 2016

Story and Photos by Sara GuernseyStaff Writer Twitter: @saraguernsey1

Viking Voyager rolls out with an ex-tended schedule

A new schedule for the Viking Voyager has been put into effect for the Spring se-mester.

The Voyager is the free shuttle that transports students and employees com-muting between the PCC and LAC. The bus makes stops at PCC, Lot D at LAC and Veterans Stadium. This semester, the hours of operation for the shuttle service have been significantly increased. In the past, the shuttle ran Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m., with pick-ups every half hour in the mornings and evenings and every hour during the midday hours.

Starting with the Spring semester, the shuttle schedule has been extended and runs Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. with the final pick-up at 9 p.m. In ad-dition, the shuttle also now is available Fri-days, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. both with a final pick-up time of 2:30 p.m. The frequency of shuttle pick-ups also has been increased, as the shuttle now runs every half-hour during all hours of operation. A complete shuttle schedule is available on the school website, lbcc.edu.

The free shuttle between the two cam-puses offers service to hundreds of students daily. One of the students, Mark Reyes, 23, a biology major, has been taking the shuttle for three years. He described the condi-tions on the shuttle before the new sched-

ule was implemented, saying, “People were cramming in before, standing in the aisles, all the way up to the driver’s seat.”

He said that because of the new sched-ule, the buses have “shorter lines, more available seating and less people standing.” He said he is grateful that the shuttle runs more frequently, so that he no longer has to pay to ride the Long Beach Transit bus to

make it to his classes on time.The shuttle, funded by Student Equity

and the LBCC Associated Student Body, is run by the Professional Parking compa-ny. The company also provides this service to Cal States Long Beach and Dominguez Hills and UC Irvine, said one of the driv-ers of the Viking Voyager, Bruce Lovelady. Lovelady worked with the company for

seven years and will turn 65 this year. Lovelady likes working for the com-

pany because “they are always coming up with something creative.” Lovelady was only recently transferred to drive at LBCC, but already, he said he believes the Voyager is a wonderful service for students that al-lows them to have more flexibility in their schedules.

Campus shuttle offers longer hours

ALL ABOARD: Mark Reyes, 23, a biology major, boards the Viking Voyager at LAC on Thursday, Feb. 11. The Voyager recently increased their hours and frequency of operation. Reyes said he is appreciative of the new hours because he no longer has to pay for the Long Beach Transit bus.

By Carlos OchoaStaff Writer Twitter: @CarlosOchoaLBCC

Prospective pupils utilize helpful programs to assist in transfer process.

One of those options at LBCC is the Community College Partnership.

Albert Moreno, a student-volunteer and peer mentor for the University of California Los Angeles’ CCP center, said the main focus of the program is to give “knowledge and skills necessary to transfer to a top university.”

CCP reaches out through peer mentors such as Moreno, who spread information by holding on-campus information booths.

Moreno said he works mostly with mi-nority, undocumented, poor and disabled students, but said the program is open to anyone who meets the CCP criteria.

As a transfer student and former schol-ar at LBCC, Moreno said he understood

the “obstacles and hardships students have experienced,” which sparked an interest to help future transfer students.

According to the 2016-2017 transfer admission guide, students who chose to use the transfer pathways offered by the center were admitted at a rate between 60-73 per-cent between majors where the acceptance rate was only 10-20 percent for students who were not a part of the program.

Another program is the Transfer Ad-mission Guarantee (TAG) workshop of-fered by the Career and Transfer services.

According to the LBCC transfer center site, the workshops help students reach UC level criteria by September, to become ad-mitted by fall semester the upcoming year.

Transfer coordinator Ruben Dario Page, said the primary focus of TAG is to “educate students on how to prepare for ‘the guarantee’.” Page said TAG “helps get those juices flowing for transfer early on” in a student’s college career.

Page said it takes some pressure off stu-dents by guaranteeing admission to at least one UC school as long as the requirements are met by the TAG deadline; information

Useful new tool helps transfer students

that could be provided by the LBCC trans-fer center.

Along with TAG, the UC website holds a Transfer Admission Planner (TAP) which Page said helps UC schools connect to stu-dents and extend opportunities by know-ing what courses students have taken and plan to take. The transfer coordinator said schools can see what students are interest-ed in and send reminders and recommen-dations.

Students can make an appointment for the TAG workshop on the LBCC website.

Moreno wanted to remind students who are struggling to keep up their ambi-tion and hard work and take advantage of the resources available.

Page wants students who are eager to transfer to “really keep your options open.”

For any information, students are en-couraged to visit the transfer center.

Carlos oChoa/Viking

TRANSFER TOOLS: Alexis Medalla, 19, an art major, works quietly in the Career & Transfer Center, located in A-1098 at the LAC. The Career & Transfer Center helps students attain their goals of transferring to continue their education.

NEWS 7February 18, 2016

Students, staff marked for Lent

“People who don’t usu-ally come to masses do, there is some symbolic about the ashes on their head.”

-Sister Sufern KhooVerbum Dei Nun

By Jon PeacockManaging Editor @jonjpeacock9

Students and college employees gath-ered to celebrate the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10, in T1200 at the LAC.

About 30 people attended the Mass. Jesus Perez, 19, a business major, said,

“Personally, it can help find myself spiritu-ally … got to find God somehow.”

The celebration began with confes-sions from 11:15 a.m. to noon and continued with a Mass organized by Dele Ladejobi from noon to 1 p.m. Ladejobi, a full-time librarian, orga-nized the Mass.

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent. Consisting of penance, reflection and fasting in preparation for Easter. Ladejobi said, ashes are placed on the foreheads of Christians and Mass participants as a re-minder of human mortality and as a sign of mourning and repentance of God.

“Ash Wednesday Mass at LBCC is an opportunity for the LBCC community to

conveniently participate in this crucial event,” Ladejobi said.

She added that Ash Wednesday at LBCC started when she was the club ad-viser for the LBCC Be the Change Catholic Club.

“This club is no longer charted but we continued with the tradition of Ash Wednesday,” Ladejobi said.

Sister Sufern Khoo from Verbum Dei-High School said, “We usually have

20 to 30 people, it’s important for them because they usual-ly can’t make it … I would come for five people.

“People who don’t usually come to mass-es do, there is some symbolic about the ashes on their head.”

Roland Ticzon, a buyer in the LBCC purchasing department, said, “It reminds you of the sacrifice that God made to save us.”

“I enjoy coordinating and continuing this tradition at LBCC because everyone benefits immensely from having a Mass conveniently located on campus,” Ladejobi said.

HOLY SACRAMENT: The Rev. Brian Doran from Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Long Beach officiates Ash Wednesday Mass.

ASHES: The Rev. Doran administers the sacrament of Ash Wednesday to a student, while Dele Ladejobi, a LBCC library employee waits her turn.

Story and photos by Joshua MillerCo-Editor in Chief

@joshua_miller8

The smell of hot dogs and the sound of live music filled the air at the PCC during the annual Welcome Back and Student Resource Fair on Thursday, Feb. 11.

Along with music performed by The Kraze, a Southern California cover band, and free food, sever-al booths were set up for students to sign up for extra-curricular activities with their favorite clubs.

“I think it turned our pretty good. I really liked the music,” said Victor Fuentes, 19, a dance and busi-ness major.

The event was planned by Robert Devlin, repre-sentative of student services for the PCC. “This gives LBCC students an opportunity to meet with the ser-vice providers and answer any possible questions they may have,” Devlin said.

Food was free to students only if they spent time at five booths, talking to a service provider and re-ceived a happy-face sticker from each one.

Campus welcomes students with music and food

FOCUS8 February 18, 2016

WELCOME: Students listen to cover band, The Kraze, and enjoy free food as they celebrate Welcome Back Day on the Lawn at the PCC on Thursday, Feb. 11.

LET’S DANCE: Virginia Durivage, director of Student Health Services, left, dances with Christine Wiley, 26, a psychology major.

KEEPING THE BEAT: Mark Paul, drummer for cover band The Kraze, performs for students at the PCC.

“I think it turned our pretty good. I really liked the music,” said Victor Fuentes, 19, a dance and busi-ness major.

The event was planned by Robert Devlin, repre-sentative of student services for the PCC. “This gives LBCC students an opportunity to meet with the ser-vice providers and answer any possible questions they may have,” Devlin said.

Food was free to students only if they spent time at five booths, talking to a service provider and re-ceived a happy-face sticker from each one.

“It forces students to talk with people at each booth, instead of just getting the free food and leav-ing,” Devlin said.

The PCC schedules its fair in a different week than its Join-a-Club Day, which is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 25. The LAC has both events today, Thursday, Feb. 18, in the Front Quad from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and on the Central Quad from 2-4 p.m. Rain could move the events inside.

Randy Padron, 18, representative of communi-cation for the PCC, said, “We’re all students and we

want to give back to all the students. It doesn’t matter what you’re in, whether it’s trade or business or nurs-ing, it’s just a day to come back and see the depart-ments. EOPS, DSPS, counseling, we have them out here to support all the students. Student Life are all here today to give food and give back to the students.”

Padron hopes to continue to work with his peers to bridge the gap between the campuses. “We want to show everyone we are all equal. We are all Vikings.”

Campus welcomes students with music and food“We want to show every-one we are all equal. We are all Vikings.”

-Randy PadronPCC representative of communication

FOCUS 9February 18, 2016

WELCOME: Students listen to cover band, The Kraze, and enjoy free food as they celebrate Welcome Back Day on the Lawn at the PCC on Thursday, Feb. 11.

TICKLE THE IVORIES: Billy Meza, lead singer and keyboard player for The Kraze, right, plays along with bass player, Keith Rouster, left.

MUSIC MIX: Vocalist Nodesha Felix performs with her band The Kraze as they per-form at the PCC.

NEWS10 February 18, 2016

Story and Photo By Hayley HartStaff Writer @hayleylhart

The official opening of the GG Building on Wednesday, Feb. 17, marks a step to fur-ther support for students at the PCC.

Justin Dimas, 18, a nursing major, said, “It’s a really nice building. It looks futuris-tic.”

The $23.4 million building, also called the student services center at the ceremo-ny, contains Financial Aid, Counseling, CalWorks, Disabled Students Program and Services among other services.

The Viking Express, which is similar to a small corner market and the Cafeteria with menu options of salads to Mexican food are also inside the building. At the center of the two-story building is a court-yard with seating and a water station con-sisting of a water fountain and bottle fill-up area.

Outside the building, a covered patio includes several picnic tables and a barbe-cue area.

Bryant Aras, 19, an undecided major who is considering law enforcement or cu-

linary arts, said, “It’s really beautiful look-ing. It is an attractive building. I really like windows.” Aras said of the outdoor patio, “It’s a comfortable place to eat.”

At the start of the ceremony, Vice Pres-ident of Administrative Services, Ann-Ma-rie Gabel, said she has been at LBCC for eight and a half years and “this is my 11th ribbon cutting event.”

Board of Trustees President Doug Otto said, “We will continue to meet the de-mands of our students.”

Otto said, “Long Beach has been sup-porting students for 90 years” and he hopes the city will support student for another 90 years.

LBCC’s President Eloy Oakley said the building is “the most essential building for student success.”

Oakley said, “Our mission is to educate students. The PCC is the heart of that mis-sion. We’re the growth. We’re the future of Long Beach. The PCC is the oasis of oppor-tunity in the heart of Long Beach.”

Otto, Oakley, Vice President of Student Support Services Greg Peterson and col-lege spokesperson John Pope gave thanks to the construction team, architect team, and the LBCC facilities team led by Gabel.

CHILL SPACE: Students eat and work on homework under the covered patio of the new GG Building. The area includes picnic tables and a barbecue area.

GIANT SCISSORS: Board of Trustees members and LBCC President Eloy Oakley cut the ribbon for the official opening of the GG Building at the PCC on Wednesday, Feb. 17.

Oakley gave a special thanks to the voters who passed the bond measures in 2002 and 2008, which has allowed for the construc-tion at the college.

Oakley said when people ask him if he

is greedy to ask for another bond measure to support further growth for the college, he responds, “I will fight for every penny to ensure student success and their future.”

$23.4 million center unveiled at PCC

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ART GALLERY

JOIN-A-CLUB DAY

ENROLLMENT AND FINANCIAL AID

SPORTS

Information meeting and registration packets for 65th annual talent show avail-able Feb. 22 Monday from 12:30 p.m.in LAC E119 Fishbowl

“FlashBack Fridays” is 2016s themeStudents, employees and alumni are invited to participate.Contact trobertson@lbcc.edu or (562) 938-4666

Baseball

Feb. 18 Grossmont at 2 p.m.

Feb. 20 Santa Ana at noon

Softball

Feb. 18 at Cerritos at 3 p.m.

Feb. 23 at ECC Compton at 3 p.m.

Men’s basketball

Feb. 19at Cerritos at 7 p.m.

Feb. 24Playoffs to be determined

Women’s basketball

Feb. 19at Cerritos at 5 p.m.

Feb. 24Playoffs to be determined

Women’s and men’s swimming and diving

Feb. 19 South Coast Conference Pentathlon at Rio Hondo College at noon

Feb. 20South Coast Conference Pentathlon at El Camino at noon

Women’s Tennis

Feb. 18 at Cerritos at 2 p.m.

Feb. 25Mt. San Antonio at 2 p.m.

Contact: Chris Ruiz, sports information specialist, at (562) 938-4243

PCC(562) 938-4485MD146Monday-Thursday8 a.m.-6 p.m.Friday: 8 a.m.-noonSaturday-SundayClosed

LAC(562) 938-4485A1075Monday-Thursday8 a.m.-6 p.m.Friday8 a.m.-noonSaturday-SundayClosed

Limited services Friday: noon-4:30 p.m.Specialists unavailable, front desk open for questions.

Financial Aid videos -Internal Revenue Service-Data retrieval tool-California Dream Act-Correcting federal student loans -Veterans benefits

More details on lbcc.edu.

Enrollment services call center(562) 938-4485

SPRING SING

Ob-ver-sa-tionsAn exhibition of reciprocal portraitsFeb. 17-March 17

Gallery hoursMonday and Thursday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.Tuesday and Wednesday noon-8 p.m.

artgallery.lbcc.edu(562) 938-4815

POLICE SERVICES

PCC-LAC SHUTTLE

SCHOOL BREAKS

Viking Voyager runs every 30 minutesMonday-Thursday: 7:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.Last run leaves at 9 p.m.Friday: 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.Stops at PCC, LAC D Building and Veter-ans Stadium

Flex Day: Tuesday, March 15Spring Break: Monday-Sunday, April 4-10Easter is Sunday, March 27

Feb. 18LAC: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Front Quad 2-4 p.m. in Central Quad

The Long Beach Police Department serves LBCC with issues regarding security, lost and found items, thefts or other crimes.

Evening safety escorts available for stu-dents and employees at LAC and PCC.

(562) 938-4910 or (562) 435-6711 to report a crime or arrange a safety escort.

OPINION12 February 18, 2016

Student refused counseling helpEducation

canceled

LETTERTO THEEDITOR

My name is Brandon Richardson and I am writing you in regards to the recent de-cision by Vice President of Student Affairs Terri Long and the English Department to cancel Journalism 1A and the City maga-zine editors class, “due to low enrollment.”

I have been immersed in the journalism program at LBCC for the last two years, having discovered a new passion during my first semester at the college after a five-year absence. The first class that piqued this interest was City magazine. The journalism program at our school has given me a new perspective on the world and changed my life, as I know it has done for countless oth-er students, both past and present.

Aside from my personal frustration of this class being dropped—needing the units to receive my scholarship that I worked hard for, this being the last journal-ism class for me to take and many classes now being full—it is especially disconcert-ing that the school would effectively put a stop to City magazine for this year, as it has been published for nearly four decades by aspiring journalists and graphic designers, many of whom were new to journalism, but went on to successful careers because of it.

It is very disappointing that the staff writers and photographers from last se-mester, who were looking forward to see-ing their hard work in print, as they should, may see nothing of the sort. I can say from experience that seeing a hard copy of a story or photo, be it in the magazine or newspaper, brings on an amazing sense of accomplishment, especially for new writers and photographers. This is what City mag-azine does, but last semester’s students have had that opportunity taken from them.

In Superintendent-President Oakley’s State of the College address earlier this month, he spoke of the Viking spirit and of school tradition and pride, even acknowl-edging me for the Journalism Association of Community College’s recent recognition of the last issue of City magazine, which I was editor in chief of, as being the top student-produced magazine in Southern California. The decision to cancel two key classes in creating this publication seems to go directly against those sentiments. It would seem that turning a profit has come before giving the students the best possible education once again, despite Oakley and LBCC being so progressive in attempting to bring the college experience to everyone.

Brandon E richardson

FormEr Viking nEws Editor in chiEF

FormEr city magazinE Editor in chiEF

It was the middle of January and a stu-dent was in the middle of turmoil. After writing a story for The Viking on the ben-efits of personal counseling at LBCC, the student remembered all the information she discovered writing that story. She then made a humbling call to do some-thing that was difficult for her: ask for help.

She called to request an appointment for personal counseling and was told no.

Although politely, this was the an-swer she was given. Understandably, she described being dumbfounded. She was told that counseling was only available for “current” semester students.

It was winter and she was enrolled for spring, so this made her ineligible for a service.

She is registered for a full-time load for spring, it is her last semester before grad-uating, being a student in good-standing both financially and academically did nothing to help her case. She was told to wait until the semester that started a

month later.No additional help or support, no ho-

tline number to call, no suggestions on what to do in the meantime. She was just politely told to hold on to her grief until a month passed.

By no means do we suggest the wom-an who took her call did anything wrong; we believe she was acting in accordance with school protocol. Our concern lies in the protocol.

What if she had been a student content with taking her life and this had been a fi-nal cry for help? Shouldn’t simply being enrolled for any future term be enough?

To be turned away with nothing is not a helpful or adequate response. This is especially so considering this writer had just told thousands of students via news-paper that personal counseling was a safe haven.

And while it still probably is to some degree, it’s best for all students to know that that safe haven is only extended to you under certain circumstances.

EDITORIALCo-Editors in Chief:

Denise Jones @DeniseJonesLBCC Joshua Miller @joshua_miller8

Managing Editor Jon Peacock @jonjpeacock9

Opinion Editor: Will Ranos @Touchstone_Will

Sports Editor: Juan Carlos Galvez @J_Images1

Online Editor: Hayley Hart @hayleylhartPhoto and Images Editor:

Staff Names:Jeff Dahlquist

Sara GuernseyHenry HollowayJordan Horton

Fantasie JacksonJerick LeBlancCarlos OchoaChyna Owens

Melina ParisOmar ReyesKelli Reynolds

Nicholas SteeleSusan Usas

George Zuniga

VIKING NEWS

The deadline for news, advertisements and letters to the editor is the Thursday before pub-lication.

The Viking will be published Feb. 18, March 3, 17 and 31, April 14 and 28, May 12 and 26 and June 9. The Viking is published by Journalism 80, 81, 82, 83, 86, 87 and 88 students of the LBCC English Department, with funding from the Asso-ciated Student Body.

The Viking newsroom is located at LBCC, LAC 4901 E. Carson St., Long Beach, Calif., 90808, Room P125, mail code Y-16, Telephone (562) 938-4285 or contact the staff by email to viking-news@lbcc.edu or on social media.

The views expressed in the Viking do not reflect the views of the advisers, administration or the ASB.

First copy free, each additional $1.Have an opinion?

The Viking welcomes letters to the editor. Writers must identify themselves by showing their ASB card, driver’s license or ID card and email. Only names and major will be published with the letter.

Joshua Miller /Viking/ @joshua_miller8

OPINION 13February 18, 2016

CITY VIEWS“What did you enjoy doing over Winter Break?”

By Omar Reyes and Juan Carlos Galvez at LAC on Wednesday, Feb. 10, and PCC on Tuesday, Feb. 16

Riley Mccann, 18,Business MajoR

“Snowboarding at Big Bear.”

lauRen GRay, 27,PsycholoGy MajoR

“Driving up the coast of Cali-fornia.”

Kyle RiveRa, 21,Business MajoR

“Going to San Francisco to see Wiz Khalifa.”

Kionna Mau, 18,law MajoR

“Baking cookies, drinking hot chocolate, and watching Net-flix.”

Daisy GaRcia, 18,cRiMinal justice MajoR

“Getting pedicures and going to Disneyland.”

steven ochoa, 20,unDeclaReD MajoR

“Hanging out with friends.”

chynell casiano, 18,Political science MajoR

“Annoying my friend.”

joshua Kalel, 23,PsycholoGy MajoR

“Taking a trip with my mom up to Northern California.”

Raul coRtez, 22,KinesioloGy MajoR

“Hiking and playing baseball.”

KatRin MaRtinez, 18,KinesioloGy MajoR

“Catching up with old friends who were also on Winter Break.”

SPORTS14 February 18, 2016

By Juan GalvezSports Editor Twitter: @jc_images1

LBCC national championship player returned to train Vikings

Championship mind-set continues for

coach Neo Aoga after the LBCC football ended the Fall season with a second-place conference finish and a 20-year celebration of his own national championship as the quarterback with the Vikings in 1995.

“To be successful in the sport, the biggest thing you need to do is take care of school first,” assistant head coach Neo Aoga said as “You have to take care of class-room work because if you’re good on the field that will take care of itself.”

With an overall record of 10-2, Aoga can relate many of his experiences coach-ing to his playing days.

Aoga recalled a memorable moment from his playing days when the Vikings were down, 45-17, to Palomar with only 11 minutes left in the game. The fight and will to win pushed the team forward and with a huge turn-around, LBCC won, 49-45.

Aoga, who just completed his 15th year as a Viking assistant coach, also said he feels football has changed from when he played, from a simple offense then to now that coaching, involves more passes and

Former Viking QB back as coach

Joshua Miller/Viking

HIKE: Assistant head coach, Neo Aoga, observes players during a practice in Veteran’s Stadium, Feb. 17, at the LAC. Aoga formerly played Football at LBCC as a student and has been coaching Vikings for 15 seasons as of 2015.

By Juan GalvezSports Editor Twitter: @jc_images1

The Long Beach City Vikings wom-en softball team brings in another victory during yesterdays away game against Mt.

San Antonio with an end score of 4-0. After an end of 7 innings the Vikings were able to rally up runs by Tristin Zazueta, 2 RBI’s by Doreen Corella, and Sarah Maldonado.

During the top of the 1st an error at 3rd base 2 RBI were scored by Zazueta and Daisy Velasquez giving the Vikings a 2-0

lead. At the top of the 4th inning Vikings still

leading 2 to nothing with a single out an error at 2nd base brings in another RBI by scored by Andrea Barba putting the Vi-kings up 3 runs to non.

Top of the 5th Brianna Alvarez strikes a

double then advancing to 3rd base. Off an-other error at 2nd base Zazueta reached 1st and bringing in Alvarez with another RBI.

Bottom of the 7th inning after 1 out a double play to 1st base ends the game with LBCC 4-0 win.

Juan galVez/Viking

SWING: Shortstop Brianna Alvarez swings for the ball during an away game at Mt. San Antonio. The Viking softball team is 5-5 for the season.

defiantly more athleticism. The successful 2015 season included

a No. 1 national ranking. With the expe-rience from playing on the field to now coaching, Aoga and the rest of the Vikings hope they can use all those tools to build a successful team for the seasons to come.

Aoga is known to many as possibly the best football player ever at LBCC, and to him, it’s great to get all the love and support from people, but said many great players have stepped on the field for LBCC.

Starting next Fall, Aoga’s son will be joining the LBCC Vikings and trying to

earn his own starting spot on a team. Many people thought that would be football, but the son will play volleyball. Since his son was young, Aoga would bring him along to the football practices around the same time of volleyball practice and ever since then, volleyball was the son’s choice.

Pitcher tosses shutout in Vikes’ victory

SPORTS 15February 18, 2016

Tennis team wins

Story and Photosby Jon PeacockManaging Editor @jonjpeacock9

In a baseball game played with tem-peratures in the high 80s, the Vikings suf-fered a 5-1 loss against Oxnard on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

“We need to learn to make the adjust-ments you have to make against a guy that’s

pitching pretty good,” LBCC coach Casey Cook said, “This guy pitched pretty dang good today, located his fastball well,”

Though El Niño is supposed to be pres-ent, it was nowhere to be found near LAC’s Joe Hicks Memorial Field.

The Vikes struggled to make runs and had a total of three errors and left 11 men on base.

Oxnard struck first in the top of the third. Long Beach countered with a run of

its own at the bottom of the third. In the top of the fourth, Oxnard scored

two runs and two more runs in the eighth. “We made a lot of mistakes today. The

good thing about a game whether you win or lose is that it gives you something to work on the next day in practice,” Cook said, “They got a lot to learn, that’s part of the deal, just try to teach them whether you win or lose.”

Viking sophomore infielder Conner

Steer said, “I think we can take away that we really need to focus on a lot more things.

“We had a lot of confidence coming into this game. We were on a nice little roll there, but I think we need to focus back on the little things and focus on the details.”

The Vikings now have a 4-5 record and Cook is one win away from becoming the most winningest baseball coach in LBCC history. Cook is tied with former coach Joe Hicks at 513 wins.

The Vikings can’t handle the heatON THE MOUND: Starting pitcher Michael Hurtado pitches against the Oxnard Condors, on Tuesday, Feb. 16. The Vikings lost, 5-1.

Story By Jeff DahlquistStaff Writer

The women’s tennis team dominated Victor Valley, earning a 9-0 victory in a South Coast Conference match Tuesday, Feb. 16.

The victory is a definite confidence booster for the team after a difficult 8-1 loss against Desert on Thursday, Feb. 11.

Tuesday’s match was played in 89 de-gree temperature. Victor Valley forfeited two singles and one doubles match.

Currently, the Vikings have a record of 1-5 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

Three of LBCC’s players won in straight sets. Freshman Mimi Mercado (No. 2 sin-gles), sophomore Jasmine Hyancinth (No. 3 singles) and freshman Maria Gonzalez (No. 4 singles) all won 6-0, 6-0. The victo-ries excited the team heard by the cheering

from the benches after each match ended.LBCC breezed past Victor Valley in all

six singles matches. During the pre-conference matches,

LBCC had a record of 0-5. Despite that rough start to the year, things are shaping up for LBCC after the easy victory.

In addition, LBCC women’s doubles team defeated Victor Valley with a power-ful team of Mercado and Hyacinth going 8-0 against Victor Valley’s team of Victoria Craig and Paige Jones.

Brittany Ruelas and Kelly Zellner brought home a win for LBCC, finishing 8-3 against Oslyn Wilson and Alehandra Sanches.

The Vikings travel to Cerritos today, Thursday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m., and their next home game is against San Antonio on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m.

Jeff Dahlquist/Viking

POWER TOSS: Freshman Mimi Mercado serves against Victor Valley in the South-ern Coast Conference match Tuesday, Feb. 16. LBCC won 9-0, at the LAC.

Beach volleyball to begin in 2017Story By Jon PeacockManaging Editor @jonjpeacock9

Beach volleyball will officially be com-ing to LBCC in Spring 2017.

Chris Ruiz, sport information special-ist, suspects that a couple players from the

LBCC women’s volleyball team will be par-ticipating.

Athletic director Randy Totorp spoke to a journalism class on Tuesday, Feb. 16 and included the subject.

Beach volleyball is a club sport and in Spring 2017 will become an official sport and compete with 26 other Community Colleges in the state, Totorp said.

@LBCCVikingNews

LBCCVikingNews

@LBCCVikingNews

LBCCViking.com

February 18, 2016Volume 89, Issue 8

Published Since 1927

Joshua Miller/Viking

Former national champion quarterback trains new

generation of VikingsSports, Page 14

Softball team records shutout Sports, Page 14

Tennis team wins big over Victor Valley

Sports, Page 15