As the fall semester comes to a close, students and staff should take a moment to review the most impactful events that happened this year. Here were the Viking’s biggest stories for 2024.
- ARRESTED PROFESSOR: On Oct. 17, retired LBCC political science professor Donald Douglas was arrested for allegedly smashing the windows of the car of a department head with a hammer. A Canvas message obtained by the Viking said Douglas had threatened multiple professors, one of whom was history professor Sean Dinces. In response, LBCC has implemented extra security and patrols around the T Building as well as keeping the building locked. Students must now call one of the numbers on the paper attached to the door to be let in.
2. KAMALA HARRIS AND LBCC TRUSTEE: It was revealed that LBCC Trustee Uduak-Joe Ntuk had a critical role in Kamala Haris’s political career after he filmed Harris’ California senate race opponent Loretta Sanchez making racist gestures in regards to Native Americans in 2015. Ntuk called that moment his “fifteen minutes of fame.” The election ended with a victory for Harris, making her the second black woman elected senator, and the first in California.
3. GAZA PROTESTS: The ongoing war in Gaza led to protests across many college campuses. Many students are still very unaware of what is actually taking place. The protesters on LBCC’s LAC campus could be seen wearing keffiyehs in support of Palestine. They chanted and gathered in solidarity. A small group of students and community members attended Long Beach City College’s first Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 11 to continue their calls on the school to divest funds from companies that they claim were invested in Israel’s war in Gaza. LBCC’s protest groups were much smaller and more peaceful compared to the ones on university campuses.
4. OLYMPIC WATER POLO COACH: LBCC women’s water polo coach Chris Oeding was an assistant coach of the Team USA Olympic women’s water polo team at this summer’s games in Paris. Unfortunately, the team did not secure a medal. As LBCC’s women’s water polo coach, Oeding has won four state championships in 2003, 2004, 2006, and now 2024. He won two Olympic gold medals as team captain of the men’s water polo team in 1996 and 2000 as well as winning gold in both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 as an assistant coach for the women’s team.
5. PCC BECOMES TTC: Recently LBCC’s Pacific Coast Campus, had its name changed to TTC standing for Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus. After 74 years of the name being PCC, many are still having a hard time adjusting to the name change. LBCC president Mike Munoz believes that the rebrand of the name not only communicates these programs held at LBCC to the public, but highlights them at the secondary campus.
6. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WORKSHOP CANCELLATION: On Oct. 16, a Viking reporter went to cover a domestic violence workshop hosted by Planned Parenthood and was turned away. This was not the first time that a Viking reporter has been kicked out of an event. The Planned Parenthood representative who spoke at the workshop told the reporter she was not allowed to shoot photos, mention Planned Parenthood, or get interviews from the event. About 15 minutes into the event, the representative canceled altogether. This was in direct violation of student journalists’ first amendment rights.
7. FOOD’S BACK AT LBCC: After two years of non reliable food options, signage around campus advertising the opening of a new mobile kitchen, Carson and Clark, had students excited about having a new, affordable food option on campus in replace of the cafeteria. The prices varied from $6 to $11. Carson and Clark which opened in May, is now known as the Mobile Kitchen. In addition to the Mobile Kitchen, a new cafe opened up outside of the L building at LAC. They sell small pastry items as well as coffees and teas. Both new food options are completely cashless.
8. FAFSA DELAY: In February, a FAFSA delay left students waiting for their financial aid and grant money. Students who hadn’t received it yet were left not knowing which college they were going to and did not know how much aid they were receiving. This delay caused panic for students who rely on FAFSA money for school and their well-being before the money eventually got out to the people who needed it.
9. BLACK STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER OPENING: On April 22, LBCC opened the Black Student Success Center inside the L Building to help share knowledge, resources, and support to uplift students in an environment where their educational goals are solidified. The room was described as a space for black students to feel seen and heard. LBCC board of trustees member Uduak-Joe Ntuk played a critical role in creating the BSSC and is the first African-American to serve on the board in two decades.
10. PROFESSORS AND GRADUATION: In May, several professors had concerns over difficulties they had trying to use one of their three contractual days off to miss graduation. Previous contracts did not have any language that stipulated how professors could use their days off, but a new agreement negotiated in part by Superintendent-President Mike Munoz requires a new approval process in order to take the day off for graduation. Munoz believes that the campus community should be there to support each other.