The Viking Vault food pantry has remained largely empty by mid-week for the past two months, reminiscent of empty market shelves during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The food insecurity situation on-campus has not improved. The cafeteria remains shuttered. Other food options, such as the bakery, bistro and food trucks, remain out of the affordable price range for many students.
Anthony Vargas, a second semester Business Administration student, is grateful for the Viking Vault yet equally frustrated with the bare shelves.
Empty shelves lined the wall of the Viking Vault Food Pantry at LAC. The Viking Vault has been quickly emptying out before the end of the week. (Jules Raisdanai)
“It sucks or whatever, but there’s not much I can do about it. I just try to work with what we got,” Vargas said. “I would like to see the (school) administration provide more funding to keep the shelves stocked and maybe provide healthier food options.”
Justin Mendez, Director of Basic Needs and CASA program, stated that demand for the Viking Vault has peaked for the spring term, as the pantry serviced nearly 1,600 visitors weekly (approximately 400 per day).
“We have been getting a delivery on Monday, an additional delivery on Tuesday and then picking up more food on Wednesday. By the end of the day, it’s going out,” Mendez said.
Mendez is grateful that students and community members are aware of the resource, yet feels the situation on-campus is adding to the pantry’s traffic.
“I think that the lack of availability of affordable food options is a contributing factor. I’m not saying that’s the only reason: you know, because who doesn’t like free food?”, said Mendez.
Mendez also mentioned off-campus factors, which is driving community members to the pantry.
“It goes beyond our campus: it’s general inflation, the cost of eggs is up to $7. We have a partnership with the LA Food Bank and don’t like turning people away”, Mendez said.
Mendez acknowledged the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office for providing the Basic Needs program with funding, along with Student Equity, and additional support from Executive Vice President Dr. Nohel Corral.
Past hot meal events have been sponsored by community organizations such as the Bixby Business Association, the Port of Long Beach, Lola’s Restaurant, and others, though these partnerships are infrequent and spontaneous.
Mendez shared that the Basic Needs program temporarily partnered with the Culinary Arts program during COVID-19, and loved the collaboration because it helped resolve two campus issues: providing homeless students with meals and providing culinary students an opportunity to complete required coursework and hone their craft.
Mendez encourages students to approach the District with similar ideas for partnership or opportunities to address the on-campus food insecurity issue by emailing basicneeds@lbcc.edu.
The 49th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach returns to the scenic circuit of Downtown the weekend of Apr. 19. The festivities start on Thursday, with opportunities for LBCC students to get access to free events, free transportation and free or discounted tickets throughout the weekend.
While for some the steep price of race weekend may seem daunting, there are still festivities open to the public at no cost starting Apr. 18.
The first event of the week is a ceremony, honoring motorsports drivers, to be held on Thursday, Apr. 18, and it will be completely free to the public.
Japanese motorsports driver Takuma Sato and British motorsports driver Katherine Legge will be inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame Beginning at 11 a.m. on S. Pine Ave. in front of the Convention Center.
Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis drifts at turn ten of the circuit at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Press Day on Apr. 9. Bakchis finished second overall in the Formula Drift USA championship in 2023 and third overall in 2021, 2019 and 2017. (Izzy Juarez)
The pre-race celebrations continue with fan-favorite Thunder Thursday at The Pike Outlets, sponsored by Visit Long Beach. It is free to the public and runs from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The event features freestyle motocross demonstrations and an IndyCar Series pit stop competition taking place on Shoreline Drive featuring two teams and four cars.
The night features live music, race car displays, a classic car show and the Auld Dubliner, a local Irish pub that will be hosting a beer garden.
Friday Apr. 19 marks the first day of practice and qualifying races with the spectator gates opening at 7:30 a.m. with open seating in all the grandstands.
Tickets are a $40 value, but as a sponsor of the event, Long Beach City College offers free admission to all LBCC students, who can also access discounts for Saturday and Sunday.
To order a free ticket visit gplb.com and select Acura GPLB – Fri General Admission and enter the promotional code LBCC38 at checkout.
The day features practice and qualifying races from GT America, The International Motor Sports Association, historic Indy Cars, stadium super trucks, IndyCars and super drift challenges.
Opportunities to get the autographs of IndyCar drivers like Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden and Alexander Rossi, as well as defending series champion Alex Palou and Valencia’s Colton Herta at the IndyCar fan appreciation activity, beginning at 5 p.m. in the IndyCar Paddock and open to all spectators.
The night concludes with a 6:30 p.m. concert presented by Acura, free with your race ticket. The event features a music act on the Convention Center concert stage in front of the Long Beach Convention Center’s Terrace Theater.
Ricky Taylor, driver for Honda Racing, giving hot laps for attendees during Press Day at the Long Beach Grand Prix. Race weekend is from Apr. 19-21 and will feature various races, activities and more throughout the weekend. (Ian Salazar)
The weekend continues on Saturday and Sunday with races from the same groups on Friday. Tickets for Saturday begin at $82 for general admissions and Sunday starts at $87. But as a Long Beach City College student, general admission goes for $65 and Sunday for $70.
To purchase your discounted tickets, go to gplb.com and select General Admission for either Saturday or Sunday and enter the same promotional code LBCC38 at checkout.
Also throughout the weekend a Lifestyle Expo/Family Fun Zone will be held on Saturday and Sunday in the Convention Center, free to all race-goers with a ticket. The Expo features more than 100 exhibits focused on cars, home, travel, recreation and lifestyle.
For those seeking a free transportation option, Long Beach Transit offers free service via the Passport bus, which serves the Long Beach area from the Queen Mary to Tenth Street and Pine Avenue with 18 stops in between. To find the Passport schedule go to ridelbt.com.
Síngle day prices go for $20 each day but metered street parking is available in surrounding neighborhoods.
As anticipation builds for next year’s 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, this year’s festivities are sure to be a preview of what’s to come.
Connor Shanahan sits in his Formula Drift vehicle awaiting laps around the circuit at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Press Day on Apr. 9. Born in Ireland, Shanahan is a regular winner on the British and European stage at his age of 20-years old. (Izzy Juarez)Formula Drift driver Kazuya Taguchi along with the pit crew getting ready to give laps for attendees during Press Day. Formula Drift along with IndyCar and GT America will be racing during the Long Beach Grand Prix from Apr. 19-21. (Ian Salazar)Kazuya Taguchi, a professional drift driver, inspects his Toyota GT86 sports car at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Press Day on Apr. 9. Taguchi was born in Japan and made his way to the United States in 2018. (Izzy Juarez)Formula Drift driver Rome Charpentier, makes a drift at turn ten of the circuit at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Press Day on Apr. 9. Born in America, Charpentier grew up going to Long Beach Grand Prix and dreaming of becoming a race car driver. (Izzy Juarez)GT America driver for ST Racing Samantha Tan giving attendees rides on the track during Press Day. GT America is set to race on Saturday, Apr. 20 during the Long Beach Grand Prix. (Ian Salazar)Chris Forsberg drifts alongside another Formula Drift driver at turn ten of the circuit at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Press Day on Apr. 9. Forsberg, born in America, drives a Nissan Z and has competed in every round of Formula Drift since 2004. (Izzy Juarez)Two Nissan Silvia S15’s sit alongside each other at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Press Day on Apr. 9. Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis, founder and CEO of Feal Suspension, (left car) finished second overall in the Formula Drift USA championship in 2023 and third overall in 2021, 2019 and 2017. (Izzy Juarez)An official Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach pace car sitting in front of a scenic downtown Long Beach at the Acura GPLB Press Day on Apr. 9. The race circuit spans 1.968 mi with 11 turns going through some of the most well known Long Beach staples. Race week begins Friday, Apr. 19 with practice and qualifying races. (Izzy Juarez)
The Vikings ended the month of March on a wrong note as they lost 12-3 against Santa Ana Dons Mar. 27 at home.
The Vikings faced off against Dons in the second game after a loss 13-2 on the first of two series on the road.
The Vikings are still in the lead of the South Coast Conference 11-1 while the Dons are first in the Orange Empire Conference at 7-2.
Vikings head coach Casey Crook mentioned to his team that they could face the Dons or another team in a potential first round playoff game as they improve for the important games they’ll face.
“We need to do a lot of work next month improving our fundamental baseball skills,” Crook said.
On a positive note for the Vikings, first baseman Luke Davis got the RBI in the bottom of the third inning along with right fielder A.J. Quezada, who got two runs in the sixth and eighth innings, preventing the shutout.
“We didn’t have the best week but we’re gonna move on and focus on next week,” Davis said.
While the Dons showed their performance featuring Thomas Williams and Jimmy De Anda bringing in 12 runs in the first five innings but only allowing one error.
The starting pitcher Miles Dismute lasted two innings in the game as the Dons scored three runs in the second inning.
The Vikings brought relieving pitchers Brian Pham, Benjamin Dorantes and Jay Carr in the later innings who hadn’t pitched often in previous matches.
“All of those pitchers need to improve fundamentally and execute their pitches better,” Crook said.
The Vikings will be able to improve in the final days of March as their game against the fourth-place Mt. San Antonio Mounties on Apr. 2 ended in a 18-5 win for the Vikings.
Long Beach City College hosted their 18th annual induction banquet Hall of Champions on Thursday Mar. 21 at The Grand in Long Beach to commemorate former student athletes, coaches and support personnel for their contribution to LBCC’s athletic history.
The Hall of Champions induction is to honor and give an opportunity to recognize the achievements of athletics at the school.
The Hall of Champions 2024 class of inductees is represented by alumni dating all the way back to 1953 and ranging in a variety of sports such as track and field, football, golf, volleyball, softball and basketball.
The banquet included a social hour followed by a parade of champions, speeches from all of the inductees and dinner.
Hall of Champions inductee Jonathan Charette, former volleyball player at LBCC and former LBCC volleyball coach says he owes all of his success to the programs at LBCC.
“I feel like I am still digesting this great honor and recognition. I’m very happy that I am able to do it at this part of my life and I get to share it with my family. Long Beach City College has been a big part of my life. I’m at a loss for words,” Charette said.
Other inductees such as Kekuiokalani Fletcher also said they owe a lot of credit to their current endeavors because of their time spent at LBCC.
Fletcher played women’s volleyball at LBCC in 2000, where she then went on to play division one volleyball in Louisiana, ranking 16th in the nation for women’s volleyball.
Fletcher now owns her own club volleyball team called Rise in Louisiana where they are currently traveling all over the states competing for titles.
“I never thought that I would be back here 24 years later. I am so grateful for my coaches back at LBCC for giving me a fantastic season. LBCC set the foundation down for my career, it was such an amazing experience and the resources I was given catapulted me,” Fletcher said.
The speeches throughout the night were heartfelt and filled the room with laughter and tears as the inductees shared old memories, their pride for Long Beach, and their gratitude to be honored.
“Long Beach is my home away from home,” inductee Oscar Gonzalez said.
LBCC has earned 93 state championships, more than any other community college in California and The Hall of Champions banquet is an opportunity to acknowledge the talent and hard work of the people that contribute to that greatness and the greatness to come.
Long Beach City College’s women’s beach volleyball team beat Cerritos as each pair of players won on all five courts on Mar. 22.
All players were driven with their blocks, kills, serves and so much more, making it hard for their opponents to win on any of their periods.
Court one was played by sophomore Tainea Allen and freshman Enaya Vaielua, which they believe to think they played really well together.
“Today, I really liked how me and Enaya were having a lot of fun playing and being able to work on trying new things together,” Allen said.
Allen and Vailua are cousins who grew up training together, so they know what to expect from one another when teaming up.
“We’ve always trained together with her [Allen] dad since we were little so we kind of already know what to expect from one another,” Vaielua said.
“We’ve been taught the game the same way and trained together constantly growing up, so when playing on the court it feels as if we’re just practicing at the park like we used to,” Allen said.
Sophomore Tainea Allen jumping to hit the ball over the net. LBCC beach volleyball swept Cerritos Community College 5-0 on Friday, Mar. 22. (Neil Gagna)
They believe that since they are aware of each other’s goals, it motivates them to work harder during the games to get them where they want to be.
“It is very encouraging to be able to play with her [Allen] because I know that she really wants to play beach volleyball, so it really pushes me to want to do better so she can have that extra boost,” said Vaielua.
Right now, both of them are focusing on getting better day by day so they can really show out for the tournament together.
“I am looking forward to the team tournament because I feel that if our team grows on and off the court, and improves 1% everyday then it’ll show collectively at that tournament,” said Allen.
The South Coast Conference Pairs Prelims Championships is coming up around the corner and the Vikings are focused on getting as many teams as they can to make it all the way up to State.
“I’m trying to get into states for my first beach season, the team is looking forward to Winning Conference Champs this season and also trying to have as many teams make it to state,” said Allen.
The Vikings lost 3-2 and swept 5-0 against El Camino and Desert in their following games.
Students in need will be able to receive free phones and tablets at the LAC Viking Vault on Thursday.
Students who are eligible for federal aid or other student aid programs such as CalWorks or EOPS are among those who qualify for a phone or tablet.
Those who need a device must come with a valid state or federal I.D. as well as a physical copy of their state benefits card. Student I.D.s will not be considered a valid form of identification.
The devices are free, but there is an $11 activation fee, which will give the user up to five years of internet access.
In collaboration with LBCC’s Basic Needs Program, Cortez Hollis and Sophia Weston, who work on behalf of Outreach Program Services of America, will be manning a booth outside the Viking Vault where students can go pick up a device.
According to Hollis, one can qualify either for a phone, tablet or both based upon need.
Lupe Garcia, student at LBCC attends Outreach Program Services of America booth setup outside of the Viking Vault on Monday. Outreach Program Services will be back to pass out technology on April 11th. (Andrea Lawrence)
Unlike many technology-loan programs on campus, students do not have a time limit with their device.
“The great thing is they don’t have to give (the device) back, they have it for life,” Hollis said.
Hollis and Weston will also be at LAC on April 18 during the Veterans Services fair to give and set up devices for students.
Vanessa Morales, an employee for LAC’s Viking Vault, has noted that many students who come to the vault are often in need of a device for their school work.
“I hope (the program visits) stay consistent, because we have had people walk through our doors and ask when they will come back,” Morales said.
According to Weston, the two have distributed and set up devices for students at various different colleges across Orange and L.A. county for the last year and a half, having served hundreds of students at LBCC in particular.
Cortez Hollis and Sophia Weston, Outreach Program Services of America agents set up a booth outside of the Viking Vault on Monday.
Outreach Program Services will be back to pass out technology on April 11th. (Andrea Lawrence)
Now more than ever, the hybridization of digital and physical spaces continues, with many important services such as registering for housing assistance, food assistance or even tuition assistance streamlining their application process to be entirely online.
With many students at LBCC living below or slightly above the poverty line, programs such as Hollis and Weston’s can help students by alleviating some of the pressures often associated with seeking higher education.
Twenty-three different employers with current job openings came to LBCC looking to hire students and any individuals who participated in the spring hiring event.
This event took place Mar. 26 at the LAC campus in building T1200 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This job fair was hosted by the workforce development team and Wendy Sanchez, an LTE job development coordinator.
Students and friends of students at LBCC joined in on the career expo.
“I am a mother now and I need benefits. I am here to find inspiration and an understanding to know what I’m signing up for,” said part-time student and full-time mother Autumn Griffin.
Various employers including Disney, the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), THC Design and many others set up booths.
“I am so thrilled to not only be here but to see the enthusiasm from the students about a cannabis company on a college campus. I’m happy because I feel like our presence kind of debunks the stigmas. Cannabis companies are real companies and are just as legitimate as the other brand sponsors that are here,” said THC Design representative Tracy Hayes.
Signal Hill Police Department joined in the event hoping to show that there are more opportunities they offer other than being an officer.
Job openings with the police department include dispatchers and booking inmates.
Many students attending this event come to find guidance and encouragement that is offered by various companies and fields of work.
“I am looking for a job and taking whatever opportunity I can get,” said full-time student Vanessa Lemus.
This spring hiring event ensured that participants were left with a glimpse of the various opportunities available. It is a recurring event that takes place once a semester in the fall and spring.
Students for Quality Education, Students for Justice in Palestine, and other activist groups marched down the hill of Shoreline Village Drive on Mar. 26th to protest in front of the California State University Systems Chancellor’s Office in downtown Long Beach.
Last year, the CSU Board of Trustees instituted a systemwide tuition rate increase totaling 34% spread out over the next 5 years. The current base tuition does not include mandatory campus-specific fees, which can add to the cost of attendance. These fees may increase separately from the tuition increase during the next five years while the CSU system tries to cover a projected $1.5B deficit.
But student protesters aren’t buying the CSU’s argument. Throughout their protest, the students criticized their university and Chancellor’s administration alike for failing to provide services in critical areas like housing and mental health, while executive compensation and perks like free housing and vehicle allowances have not been curbed.
Student Protest of CSU Tuition Hike over 5 Years
Students from CSUs and student organizations such as Students for Quality Education march down Shoreline Drive to CSU Chancellors Office to protest planned 5-year tuition hike. (Jules Raisdanai)
“All students, particularly students of color face financial struggle. And I think that we all feel it, not only ourselves,” said Jalen Lomeli, a Latinx scholar and CSUF student who had transferred from Rio Hondo Community College.
Lomeli stated that most of the protestors are close to graduating, but were there to advocate for future CSU students. When asked if the increases helped maintain campus services, Lomeli expanded that she has experienced the opposite.
“I have seen downsizing of a lot of programs that low-income students and people of color need at my campus specifically. And it’s really harmful to us, to our community. It feels almost targeted because we know the data, we know that as students of color, low-income students, we need these programs and it’s awful to see that other things are being prioritized above us.”
Students for Quality Education member Noah Galbraith concurs with Lomeli, stating that budget priorities at his home campus CSU-Los Angeles are in areas furthest from education.
“This is a protest to take back the CSU, to reinvest its money into the things that serve the students’ mental health and education, and divest from things like war mongering companies Boeing and Raytheon Technologies, and also the police unions on-campus: none of this stuff really has to do anything with education which is what the CSU should be about.”
Galbraith graduated with an Associate in Social Justice from Mt. San Jacinto Community College and transferred to CSULA as a Chicano Latino studies major.
When asked if he had advice for future CSU transfer students, Galbraith stated the following.
“It was all you. Every step that it took to get to where you are or to the position and education that you’re in…was all you. It had nothing to do with the institution itself. The grind doesn’t stop when you get to the CSUs. In fact, it’s going to be just a little bit more of a grind in my opinion.”
Along with previously reported FAFSA delays affecting Financial Aid awards, current LBCC students that plan to transfer to a CSU should prudently visit their future campus and plan their college finances accordingly.
Long Beach City College recently started up two programs, thanks to a $4 million grant from the federal government.
The grant was specifically given to LBCC due to its federal designation as a college that predominantly serves minorities, which allows the college access to specific government grants in order to better assist its students.
Called a Postsecondary Student Success Grant, the college received the grant in order to build a program for students who did not attend college directly after high school or who left the education system and are now returning to college.
These students, called “indirectly matriculated” students may face more difficulty navigating college registration and resources, as the process may have changed or students may not have been taught how to register and find resources in high school.
The result of this grant is the Success and Completion Achievement Network (SCAN) program that works with designated counselors and peer navigators to help qualifying students.
Peer navigators are LBCC students hired to help SCAN students connect to campus resources and navigate things like class registration or scheduling appointments for any student services they may need.
Forrest Wilson III, member of the college navigation program.
The College Navigation Program helps new students who have been out of school for a long period of time. They help put them on the right track as they get back into school. Here he is talking to students over the computer and giving them instructions. All the members were students who were getting back into school after being gone for a while, and needed help. (Zuri Minor)
The program emphasizes the need of having a community with shared experiences in order to find success, meaning peer navigators also have experience as indirectly matriculated students.
Alongside SCAN, LBCC has also implemented the Postsecondary Achievement and Success Opportunity (PASO) program.
PASO is specifically focused on assisting Hispanic students, due to the college receiving funding as a Hispanic serving institution.
On the other hand, SCAN more broadly focuses on students of color, and students over the age of 25 who indirectly matriculated to LBCC.
According to Interim Director of Academic Success and Support Services Alice Martinez, the school received the grant in January of 2024 and began work on getting peer navigators and counselors trained to start assisting students.
Currently peer navigators are reaching out to students who qualify through email or phone call to get them enrolled in the program.
“At the moment, because the grant called for specific criteria of who would be a student identified for SCAN, we worked closely with our team to ensure that we were selecting students and giving them the option to opt in,” Martinez said.
Oscar Diaz, a peer navigator for PASO, explained that alongside making phone calls to his students, he makes phone calls for students to help them access financial aid services or help them apply for grants and programs like EOPS.
“Because we are students, and have been (in the same place these students are) we can help them,” Diaz said.
Peer navigators and counselors work both in person and remotely to best serve students’ needs.
The program currently has offices in the LAC A building, room 1144, as well as sharing space with the First Year Experience Center in the basement of the E building.
Many students strive to succeed in college and some students with disabilities might require more help than others.
These students need accommodations like ramps, disabled parking, interpreters for the blind, notetakers and computers programs like text to speech or ZoomText on the computers that will help these college students.
LBCC seems to only put in the bare minimum to help assist their students with health conditions or impairments.
Most of the accommodations that LBCC supplies to their disabled students are hard to use or receive.
The school takes a while to build programming to help the visually impaired participate in events and classes.
As well as the time frame, some things around campus that are meant to help disabled students are unhelpful, such as ramps on campus that are too dangerous for someone in a wheelchair to use without assistance.
The college does want to help students, and installs door opening buttons for disabled people to get through without assistance, but these buttons are usually only on first floor doors or bathrooms, and not on bathroom doors on a building’s second or third floor.
The buttons are also difficult for visually impaired students to find independently if they are unfamiliar with the layout of a building.
The signs around LAC can be confusing since many of the signs around are very small and difficult to read.
Disabled Students Program & Services help students in the classroom and outside of class.
The problem with DSPS is that there is only one building at LAC and PCC and not enough staff to help disabled students get accommodations.
Students also may not even know what DSPS can help them with or how to access that information.
The college needs to improve on putting more ramps and railings near staircases, keeping the elevators functional and putting more disabled parking.
LBCC may think it is doing enough for its disabled students and following ADA guidelines, but those basics are not everything disabled students need to succeed on campus.
Some ways are to help include hiring more employees in DSPS, more custodians to keep the elevators functional and make sure that only a disabled person with a placard is parking in the disabled parking spots.
LBCC needs to make the school more accommodating for their disabled students. Students in college want every opportunity to succeed and so do disabled students.
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