El Camino police officers among highest paid in the state
This is the final newsletter for the spring 2024 semester.
The Union’s weekly newsletter will return at the beginning of the fall 2024 semester.
The spring 2024 editorial board signs off. It’s been a pleasure serving you.
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NEWS
El Camino police officers among highest paid in the state
El Camino College’s police officers were some of the highest-paid community college cops in the state, state payroll data shows. Out of over 500 California community college police officers in 2022, only 16 made over $200,000. Of those, five were El Camino officers, according to public pay records made available by Transparent California. Read more.
Unlicensed and Unbothered: Federal and local shifts may soon stir the smoke of the South Bay cannabis industry
Proposition 64, passed in 2016, made personal marijuana use for adults 21 years or older legal while also giving California the power to issue business licenses with hopes of turning the underground cannabis business into a safe and tax-producing industry. While cities like Los Angeles and Long Beach have embraced the change, the South Bay has been more resistant to the budding green industry with the majority of South Bay cities flat-out banning marijuana businesses. This story is part of the California Humanities Project. Read more.
Community colleges lack on-campus dining options for those with special health needs
El Camino College has two open dining options for students on campus and both lack halal, vegan, or kosher meal options for students who have specific dietary requirements. However at Cerritos College, Long Beach City College and Mt. San Antonio College, they are able to cater to students with special health needs due to their culinary student-run restaurants. Read more.
Community colleges struggle with on-campus emergency phones usage, functionality
There are several types of emergency phones located on the El Camino College campus. El Camino Police Department Chief Michael Trevis said the emergency phones are rarely used and even less for emergencies. When they are used, it’s by people who are looking for directions on campus or by people who have mobility issues and need a shuttle for transportation. Read more.
More high school students are enrolling in classes at El Camino
By Kae Takazawa
El Camino offers two programs for high school students in the college district to help them expand their pathways to higher education: the Early College program and Dual Enrollment program. The college has partnerships with 24 high schools for dual enrollment classes including Redondo Union, Shery, South, West, and North High School. Read more.
Community colleges take the lead in lucrative certificates
According to Salary Surfer, the top five most lucrative certificates offered at California community colleges are in electrical systems and power transmission, paramedics, public works, technical communication and geographic information systems. Out of these top five money-making certificates, El Camino College offers one of them, a paramedical technician certificate. Read more.
Students with bachelor’s degrees are returning to college
Returning students with bachelor’s degrees are continuing their education at El Camino College. Whether it be for a career change or to learn a new skill, these students and others alike are coming back to campus. From fall 2019 to fall 2023, over 30% of the 20,000 students on campus at El Camino already had obtained a bachelor’s degree prior to returning back to school. Read more.
Public intoxication, indecent exposure, theft cases reported across El Camino
Cases of public intoxication, indecent exposure and thefts across the El Camino College campus were a part of a total of five crimes reported since the last Police Beat update on May 30. Read more.
ARTS & FEATURES
Passion for justice: Beloved police chief to retire after 16 years at El Camino
Police Chief Michael Trevis will be retiring after 50 years in law enforcement and 16 years of service at El Camino College. Throughout his career, Trevis has worked for several city police departments and school districts. Trevis, loved by several members of the campus community, has left a lasting mark on the campus as he makes his departure this semester. Read more.
Building a home at El Camino: Architecture professor, alum shares his journey
As an architecture student at El Camino in the ‘60s, Dan Richardson never expected to become a full-time professor just decades later. After working in the industry for several years, Richardson now teaches El Camino students the art of architecture and environmental technology. Read more.
‘Let them eat cake’: Curb cake cravings around El Camino
Cake.
No other food evokes a universal feeling of tradition and celebration. Birthdays have them, everyone gathers around the birthday celebrant as he blows out the candles on top of them.
One thing is certain: they’re a staple on special occasions. But we don’t have to wait for one to get them. Join The Union on a cake hunt around El Camino College. Read more.
Battle of the Fries: The best french fries in the South Bay
Fries are a food beloved by many, and come in different shapes, sizes, textures and combinations. According to GRIT, a rural lifestyle magazine, Americans eat a total of 4.5 billion pounds of french fries per year.
From chili cheese, chicken loaded, buffalo and even just plain, join The Union in tasting the best fries in the South Bay. Read more.
Hikes for all: Explore these hiking trails in the South Bay
By Nick Geltz
From Palos Verdes to Culver City, there are a multitude of hikes available for anyone to venture through. Whether you enjoy watching the sunset or are just looking to get some steps in, each of these hikes has a special view you can watch from any part of the trail.
So if you’re looking for an adventure or a brisk walk, join The Union in exploring the top five hiking spots in the South Bay. Read more.
SPORTS
El Camino spring football sets the stage for the fall season
The El Camino College Football team showcased its off-season progress during its spring game on May 29 at Featherstone Field. Led by Coach Gifford Lindheim, the team demonstrated their skills with live reps, featuring standout performances from players like linebacker Kaleb McCutcheon. Read more.
From Athlete to Mentor: Building a basketball legacy at El Camino
El Camino College women's basketball coach Steve Shaw has been a dedicated Warrior since joining the program in 1990. With 25 years at El Camino, Shaw’s legacy includes three Coach of the Year titles and a conference championship, supported by his daughter Carla Shaw, who now coaches alongside him. Read more.
Meet the top 5 Warriors athletes, alumni
El Camino College has long been a nurturing ground for athletic talent, developing and sending numerous athletes into the spotlight of higher-level college sports after they transfer from community college.
This story map dives into the journeys of five standout athletes from El Camino College who have made significant strides in their respective sports careers.
Join The Union and explore the journey of five top Warriors athletes and where they transferred to play. Read more.
EDITORIAL
Commencement is about the students, not El Camino
El Camino College has canceled its student speaker for this year’s commencement ceremony, silencing the voice of students and restricting free speech yet again.
Canceling a student speaker and taking away the opportunity for students to address their campus community defeats the entire purpose of a commencement ceremony.
Commencement should be student-centered, not college-centered. The college’s role is to support students, applaud their success, and allow them to share their stories and achievements, not to censor them. Read more.
Asians need their own space on campus
Asian students at El Camino College need to have their own space on campus.
With 1,919 students making up around 8.7% of the campus community as of the fall 2023 semester, Asians are one of the smaller ethnic groups at El Camino College. However, they don’t have any support groups behind them.
Despite this, most other ethnic groups on campus either have or will be getting their own support centers on campus. Read more.
VIDEOS
By Eddy Cermeno
El Camino College students in the Art Department have some of their artworks currently on display in the Art Gallery. From paintings, sculptures and jewelry, there is a variety of art in many forms to see. After an open house event on May 17, the Student Art Exhibition will take place in the gallery until June 6.
The Los Angeles Sparks have found a home at El Camino College. The Sparks have rented the El Camino College Gymnasium and other facilities for the second year in a row. The L.A.-based team uses El Camino's facilities for its training and practices.
The El Camino College Football Team held its annual spring game at Murdock Stadium on May 29, showcasing the skills and development the players made this offseason in preparation for the upcoming fall season. The Warriors are gearing up for their season opener against Southwestern College on September 7.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Photo courtesy of Stefanie Frith
The combined staff of The Union newspaper and Warrior Life magazine hold up staff awards at a journalism department ceremony in the board conference room in the Administration Building on Wednesday, June 5.
Warrior Life magazine spring issue now available
The spring 2024 issue of Warrior Life magazine is available in print on news racks around the El Camino College campus.
Read the digital version of the issue here.
The Union’s fifth issue is still available
The Union’s fifth print issue of the spring 2024 semester is still available on news racks around the El Camino College campus.
Read the digital version of our newspaper here.
About The Union
The Union is El Camino College’s student-run newspaper and the only local source of news for its college community. Everything published by The Union is done by student journalists. The Union is proud to present the El Camino College community with weekly newsletters delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday morning.
The Union will commit to covering stories that deliver the truth and highlight diversity, equity and inclusion on campus at El Camino College and its surrounding community in Torrance, California.
If you have any comments or questions about this issue of The Union’s newsletter or any of the stories you’ve read, please contact Editor-in-Chief Ma. Gisela Ordenes by emailing her at sablayenya@gmail.com. If you feel satisfied with what you read today, let us know by sharing this newsletter and tagging us on X, Facebook or Instagram.
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