Graduation goes virtual, parking permit refunds should be issued and strategies to avoid COVID-19
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A note from our Editor-in-Chief:
Ever since mid-March, coronavirus changed a lot of things in our lives. I think of those who lost their jobs, got furloughed, got hit with pay cuts or have had their lives altered in a big way. I think of everyone graduating this year who won’t be able to experience their commencement ceremonies like they normally would. I think of those on the front lines not just at our local hospitals but at our grocery stores and post offices.
Out of all the things that may not have panned out the way we would like, I take solace in knowing I have peers, professors and friends dealing with many of the same hurdles I am — we are not alone. While it may be difficult to get through these times, I’ve seen that a few small positives can go a long way. The Union staff is continuing to curate, just for you, a small playlist that fits a new theme every two weeks. This time, we picked throwback songs. Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter to bump our two-hour throwback playlist this morning.
I also wanted to bring to your attention our tip line. If you or anyone you know has been impacted by coronavirus — we’re talking employment, academics, overall lifestyle, family, friends — and would like to talk with one of our reporters about your situation, click the button below to fill out a form and we’ll reach out to you.
As always, you can reach me by email if you have any comments or questions about this newsletter or anything we publish on our site at eccunion.com. I wish you a positive and productive start to the work week!
Warm Regards,
Omar Rashad
Editor-in-Chief, The Union
orashad@protonmail.com
NEWS
Virtual commencement ceremony for Class of 2020 confirmed by officials
By Juan Miranda
Officials confirmed that El Camino College’s 73rd Annual Commencement Ceremony will be conducted virtually. A slide show featuring the Class of 2020 will be presented to honor graduates. Read more
Warrior Food Pantry “Drive-Through Grab-A-Bag” initiative provides students with free groceries
By Christian Moreno
The Warrior Food Pantry has transitioned to a drive-through service, as workers continue to provide students with free groceries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
El Camino College remains undecided on parking permit refunds as other colleges compensate students
By Mikayla Schwartz
El Camino College officials are still in the process of deciding how to proceed with student refunds, including parking permit compensation, following campus closure and the transition to online classes in March. Read more
Experts provide strategies to avoid getting COVID-19
By Jorian Palos
With confirmed cases increasing within the El Camino College community and around Los Angeles County, here are some expert strategies to limit the possibility of contracting COVID-19. Read more
EDITORIAL
Administrators need to issue parking permit refunds this month
By The Union’s Editorial Board
13 community colleges surrounding El Camino College have issued full or partial refunds on parking permits. The Union’s editorial board is calling on administration officials to make the right decision during a time filled with economic downturn. Read more
SPORTS
NCAA expected to allow athletes to earn compensation off their likeness beginning in 2021-2022
By Kealoha Noguchi
The Board of Governors for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) supported the latest rule changes that would allow student-athletes to be compensated for their name, image and likeness. Read more
FEATURES
Sociology professor shows students to embrace death and dying in revived course
By Mikayla Schwartz
Kassia Wosick, a full-time sociology professor at ECC, explains how she teaches students to embrace death rather than fear it. Read more
El Camino College artists adapt to COVID-19
By Stephanie Choi
Due to economic downturn caused by the coronavirus, artists from the El Camino College community are struggling as their incomes rely on patronage and events. In the midst of a pandemic, their business looks a lot different and opportunities become more scarce. Read more
OPINION
Buying in bulk has a much larger cost
By Brianna Lopez
During this pandemic, low-income families are being disproportionately affected by people buying essentials in bulk. We are struggling to find remaining necessities to provide for ourselves and our loved ones. Read more
Instructors need to work hand-in-hand with students to understand them amidst online classes
By Christian Moreno
Virtual classes have affected students far more than transitioning to an online setting. Students’ needs should be met with understanding from their instructors amidst this change. Read more
Has COVID-19 impacted you? Let us know!
Do you have thoughts and opinions about how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting you? Is it affecting your daily life, employment, academics and, let's just be honest, your sanity? Fill out this form to be contacted by a reporter to share your experiences and possibly be featured in a story!
Quarantunes: A playlist delivered to you every two weeks
The times are tough. You might feel unproductive being stuck at home. You might miss your family or friends. We’re all being impacted by the coronavirus in different ways. To cheer you up, we will be curating a new playlist every two weeks just for you.
This week, our mood is “Throwback.” Give it a listen here or click below:
A little bit 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. Whether it’s pulling an all-nighter to write human interest stories or push everything aside in order to deliver breaking news, our entire staff works incredibly hard to keep the El Camino community informed.
With the impacts of the coronavirus far-reaching, The Union has expanded its scope of coverage to include countless communities where El Camino College’s students, professors, employees and community members live. This includes more coverage on coronavirus and its impacts on cities including Gardena, Hawthorne, Torrance, Inglewood, Carson, Lawndale, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach.
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 our Editor-in-Chief Omar Rashad by emailing him at orashad@protonmail.com. If you feel satisfied with what you read today, let us know by sharing this newsletter and tagging us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.