The Collegian Issue 1 • Sept. 18, 2026
/delta deltacollegian collegian
deltacollegian.net
‘THIS TYPE OF FREE SPEECH IS NOT ALLOWED’ Instagram video depicts district police officer threatening student with detainment, punishment for posting anti-police flyer COLLEGIAN PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
PAGES 2-3
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Flock cameras at front, back main campus entrances
PAGE 6
District police make arrest in removal of trans-affirming signs
PAGE 7
NEXT ISSUE: ISSUE: Oct. 9 • CONTACT CONTACT US: deltacollegian@gmail.com or (209) 954-5156 • ONE FREE COPY
2 On the Front STUDENT THREATENED WITH ARREST OVER ANTI-POLICE POSTERS
Sept. 18, 2026 deltacollegian.net/news
Instagram video shows district officer incorrectly stating policy, saying posters needed to be stamped or they would be removed BY GUADALUPE FARFAN Opinion Editor
“I work for the police department. I have authority over this campus. This type of free speech is not allowed on this board,” said a Delta College police officer with a nametag reading “V. Barron” in an Instagram video while confronting a student putting up posters on public bulletin boards near the Holt building. The officer then threatened to detain the student. The posters, which read “TAKE THE PLEDGE: I WON’T JOIN THE STOCKTON PD” and showed the names and faces of people killed by the Stockton Police Department, were posted on Thursday, Sept. 10 — the same day the semester’s second Public Safety Career Fair was held for various law enforcement agencies to recruit on campus. The student who placed the posters, Mia, is being identified by her first name only due to fears of retaliation. Mia also works with Families Demanding Justice, a network of families impacted by police brutality. The organization also works closely with the family of Rocco Robinson, a 19-year-old who was killed last year by the Stockton Police Department, and runs justiceforrocco.org, a website that demands the arrest of the officers who killed Robinson. A video of the interaction with Barron was published the next day to Instagram by Dare to Struggle National, Dare to Struggle Bay Area and Families Demanding Justice in collaboration. The video has since received more than 67,000 views, 6,000 likes and 1,000 comments as of 10 a.m. on Thursday. Mia said she was putting posters on the bulletin board in front of Danner Hall when Administrator of Justice Professor David Terry and another event participant approached her. According to Mia, they tore down the poster and told her that because the event
was private and the posters were not approved by the college, she was not allowed to post them. When Mia asked about the policy regarding posters, she said Terry told her he did not want to tell her the policy. Mia then moved on, putting up posters further away from the fair on a different bulletin board closer to Holt. That is where the officer with the nametag “V. Barron” approached her and identified himself as campus police. She soon started recording her short interaction with him. “If I continue seeing you put these up, I will detain you to verify if you are a student. Then this goes to student intervention because this is not approved material for the college,” the officer said in the video. When Mia asked why it was not ap- A bulletin board is seen near the Holt building on Sept. 14. A poster urging people not to join proved material, Barron said it was not his the Stockton Police Department, which was present on Sept. 10, has been removed. COLLEjob to explain why it wasn’t. GIAN PHOTO “I am letting you know your options. You continue, one: It goes to verify whethADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE 3760, PART III er you’re a student or not, it’s a detention. If POSTING OF MATERIALS you aren’t a student, you get a trespass on Bulletin boards labeled for the exclusive use of a particular District agency, division, or this property. If you are a student and you department are not available, for posting materials, by students, staff, faculty, or members continue putting these up, it goes to stuof the public. dent intervention and they can put you on Bulletin boards shall be provided for use in posting materials at campus locations conacademic probation, dismissal, suspension. venient for use by students, staff, faculty, and members of the public. All materials disSo those are your two options,” the officer played on a bulletin board shall clearly indicate the author or agency responsible for its said in the video. production, as well as an expiration date, which is the date thirty days after the material Earlier in the video the officer told her was first posted. The following criteria also apply to postings: she “will go to jail” for tresspassing if she • All posters or banner announcements are restricted to bulletin boards, outdoor wasn’t a student. kiosks, center courtyard banners, and to the building “clothes lines” (fixed cabling). • Expired posted materials may be removed after the passage of thirty (30) days by He recommended she go to an official students, employees of the District or members of the public. on campus to get her posters approved to The “clothes lines” (fixed cabling) devices located on the San Joaquin Delta College cambe put on the campus. Mia asked if all postpus will be managed by the District Marketing Department, which will accept posters or ers were checked for the stamp of approval banners and attach these submissions to the selected device and remove the poster or from the campus. The officer responded banner attachments after thirty days. The Marketing Department does not have editorial that hers was brought to his attention. control over submitted posters and banners and will attach all submissions on a first come, “But you continue putting it [the postfirst served available space basis, unless the submission will not physically function on the ers] up, then I will have to detain you and clothes line device or the submitted material clearly violates section B of this procedure. that’s the end of the conversation, all right? The Marketing Department’s own use of the clothes line devices may take precedence over So have a good morning. I hope you make any submissions. The District’s Chief of Police or designee may place posters and circulate materials referthe right decision,” the officer said in the encing crime alerts, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault prevention and huvideo before ending the interaction. man trafficking on and from any locations on campus as needed to assist in the promotion Alex Breitler, Delta College’s Exof a safe and secure campus environment in matters related to the Clery Act, Title IX, VAWA, ecutive Director of Marketing and
continued from PAGE 3
and any applicable federal, state laws, and/or District Policies and Procedures.
Communication, confirmed to The Collegian that the fair was a public event coordinated by Terry. Breitler also confirmed that officers do not have a legal requirement to stop someone from violating campus policy and that materials on campus can be posted by anyone at any approved location, “defined as a bulletin board, outdoor kiosk, center courtyard banner or one of the building ‘clothes lines.’ Anyone can remove those postings once they have expired after 30 days.” That policy does not apply in this instance, Breitler said. “In the specific case you are inquiring about, the poster was attached to a tree which is not an approved location,” reads the email from Breitler. The Collegian cannot independently verify the location of all the posters in question. A copy of the poster was placed on a bulletin board near the Holt Center on Sept. 10, but has since been removed. In the video posted by Dare to Struggle Bay Area, the Delta officer says “this type of free speech is not allowed on this board.” “As an institution of higher learning the principle of freedom of speech is very important to Delta College, and we are always happy to help explain and clarify the [bulletin policy] to students and community members, and to train employees on how the policy is implemented,” Breitler said in the email. Mia later said she looked up campus policies and confirmed the policy governing the posting of materials, Administrative Procedure 3760. The procedure reads: “Bulletin boards shall be provided for use in posting materials at campus locations convenient for use by students, staff, faculty, and members of the public. All materials displayed on a bulletin board shall clearly indicate the author or agency responsible for its production, as well as an expiration date, which is the date thirty days after the material was first posted.” “I was kinda like, ‘Really? Is it really going to be escalated to this level for a poster?’” Mia said. Mia met with the family of Robinson the day of the incidents and was the first to let them know this was happening at Delta. Samantha, the mother of Robinson expressed her disappointment and feelings about it. “As a mother, my child was killed, and I am out there trying to get his name out there, to post about my son, to get my son’s killers out, and to get justice. It is not acceptable, to us as a family, to me as a mother. It is very disrespectful, to me, my life, and
my story,” Samantha said. When The Collegian reached out for comment, Terry said that the “incident was peacefully resolved.” Mia, however, does not agree. “I don’t think it is resolved,” Mia said. “I see it as an opening to talk to students about what is happening.” Since the video was posted many online have expressed their worries and distaste for the way the campus police officer responded. “What is she going to do about the cops on college payroll violating students’ first amendment [sic] rights?” reads one comment under a Sept. 14 Instagram video featuring Superintendent/President Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson talking about her favorite song. “Quick question; can you define ‘constitutional rights’?,” reads another. Breitler said that the police department is conducting a thorough review of the incident in the video. “Delta College expects every member of its Police Department to treat students, employees, and community members with professionalism, respect, and dignity. Students can report concerns about an officer’s conduct. The District takes those complaints seriously. Complaints are reviewed through established processes, and appropriate action is taken when warranted,” Breitler said in an email. Associate Vice President of Public Safety Rodney Rego also echoed this statement in an email. “As the Associate Vice President of Public Safety, I take concerns regarding the actions of our officers seriously, whether formally reported or not. I am currently conducting a thorough review of the circumstances and available information regarding the September 10 incident and have offered to meet with the student. While that review is ongoing, I have identified areas where training is warranted and am evaluating what that training should include,” Rego said. When asked if the officer in the video was under any review or discipline over his action in the video, Rego said he could not comment. “Any personnel action involving an individual employee is a confidential personnel matter, and I cannot comment on whether any such action has been or will be taken.” Rego said. As of Sept. 17, Lawrenson — who was included in email questions from Collegian — has not given any public statements regarding the incident or responded to requests for comment.
THE POSTER IN QUESTION Take the pledge:
Stand with families whose loved ones have been murdered by the police and people living under the gun of police brutality ever ywhere!
justice
for
Rocco Robinson
the
many
Jory Lester
lives
Jaden 8i7on
stolen
by
Rico RuiEK
stockton
Tracy Oaeta
Altamirano
Antjaunef
Saoun pol
Colby Friday
Rodney
atts
Burrise
police:
Shayne Sutherland
Abelinof
Jame£
Cordo a Cue as
Ri era Jr
Stockton PD is coming to recruit young people on our campus by ofering them a fat check and a pack of lies about ‘serving the community’. The reality is that SPD is the biggest gang in Stockton, and has been getting away with brutalizing and killing our loved ones for decades. We won’t join their ranks!
M W W KW ( V W
READ HO
E
ORE ABOUT
THE P OLICE
OR
EN
HELP US BUILD UP FOR Oííæ THE NATIONALô DAY OF PROTEST AGAINST P OLICE BRUTALITY:
ITH ICE HEN THEY
PRETEND NOT TO
)
Website: familiesdemandingjustice.org Instagram: @familiesdemandingjustice Facebook: Families Demanding Justice
A poster calling for accountability over people killed by the Stockton Police Department was central to a dispute between a Delta student and a Delta police officer. The poster was a project of Families Demanding Justice, which operates justiceforrocco.org, which focuses on the story of 19-year-old Rocco Robinson. Robinson was killed by Stockton police on Sept. 9, 2025. IMAGE FROM JUSTICEFORROCCO.ORG
FROM THE STAFF: Limiting First Amendment for one limits it for all
A
s a First Amendto protect students and ment newspaper their rights. we believe in “I work for the police defending constidepartment. I EDITORIAL tutional rights. have authorOn Sept. 10 ity over this we had an example of campus. This type of free those very rights being speech is not allowed on denied on our own camthis board,” said a Delta pus, enforced by one of Police officer in a video the officers that are sworn posted to Instagram.
Not only was the officer in question denying a student of their constitutional right and citing campus policy incorrectly, the officer couldn’t even explain what she had done wrong. The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law,” so
why does a Delta College police officer think he is entitled to prevent freedom of speech or expression? Why did he say that specific expression wasn’t protected? It’s dumbfounding that this officer thinks he is allowed to deny someone their constitutional right,
especially when they noted it was free speech in the encounter. Free speech is not debatable, free speech is perfectly legal, and a community college police department certainly does not have the authority to infringe on a constitutional right.
4 From The Staff
Sept. 18, 2026 deltacollegian.net/news
More than civic responsibility, voting a powerful tool
W
hy is voting important? age voted in 2024, a decrease from 66.6 Voting is more than a civic percent in 2020, According to the Pubresponsibility; it is a powerful tool lic Religion Research Institute. that lets individuals shape their The Public Religion Research Insticommunities and nation. Voting tute, an independent, nonpartisan nonlets people voice their opinions profit organization that studies how on policies, leadership, and their religion, culture, and politics connect. MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE country's fuPRRI does not take political sides or ture. advocate for specific laws or policies. As the Nov. 3 General Election gets closer, Collegian and KWDC will EDITORIAL provide nonpartisan stories and information about local, state, and naSan Joaquin An official ballot drop box was intional elections. We’ve also teamed up with nonpartisan nonprofit news Delta College stalled on the Stockton campus on source CalMatters to link to its 2026 Voter Guide. For more information, visit deltacollegian.net/special-reports/deadline-to-democracy. provides voter registration inforApril 7, located in front of the Microsmation and resources to help stucopy and Allied Sciences building. This dents register to vote. location is also open to the public for policies and administration. Voters have the You have multiple options for registering convenient and secure ballot drop-off. ability to elect representatives who share to vote thanks to Delta college. Ballots can be dropped off at a drop-off their beliefs and interests. Online: You can complete your registralocation, county elections office, or returned These elected people then make decisions tion online through the San Joaquin Delta by mail. Secure ballot drop-off locations open on key matters including healthcare, educaCollege Voter Registration page or the Calion Oct. 6. tion, and criminal justice. Citizens without fornia Secretary of State portal. Nov. 3 is the last day to vote in-person or the ability to vote lose influence over these On-Campus Events: The college regureturn a ballot by 8 p.m. Polls are open from decisions, resulting in a government that larly hosts voter registration drives and par7 a.m. to 8 p.m. may not reflect the will of the people. ticipates in events like the California Ballot Every voice matters, so sign up for regisVoter turnout in the 2024 presidential Bowl and National Voter Registration Day tration and get ready to cast your vote. election in the United States fell marginally on the Stockton and Mountain House camFor more information on registering or from the historic highs set in 2020. puses. how to visit deltacollege.edu/register-vote According to the United States Census Voters have a direct impact on a nation's Bureau, 65.3 percent of citizens of voting
The Collegian The Collegian is the student newspaper of San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif. The paper is published six times a semester. As a First Amendment newspaper we pride ourselves on a commitment to the students of Delta College while maintaining independence. We reinvigorate the credo that the newspaper speaks for the students, checks abuses of power and stands vigilant in the protection of democracy and free speech.
EDITORS
STAFF
LEVI GOERZEN
DIANA LYNN BONNER ABRAHAM CARRASCO-QUINONES ELSA HILLSTROM
Editor-in-Chief
RYCKIE HEREDIA Editor-in-Chief
GUADALUPE FARFAN Opinion Editor
ALEXANDER MAGANA KELLIE MENDEZ SIENNA PERALTA
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS SADIE CONTRERAS ZAYY LEAL
MIGUEL LUNA VAZQUEZ ALAYZIA TACARDON
EDEN ATTWOOD Feature Editor
D’ANGELO LEWIS
Entertainment Editor
MULTIMEDIA TECH
ADVISER
MATTHEW WILSON
TARA CUSLIDGE-STAIANO
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shima 203/204, (209) 954-5156 or deltacollegian@gmail.com
information about advertising, letters to the editor and editorial standards CONTACT US: For visit deltacollegian.net The Collegian is a member of the California Newspaper Publisher’s Association and the Journalism Association of Community Colleges.
campus kiosk turned into a First Amendment battleground this week. ON THE FRONT: APhotoillustration by Levi Goerzen and Zack Kirk-Newton.
5 News
Sept. 18, 2026 deltacollegian.net/news
Delta hosts voter registration events this week BY KELLIE MENDEZ Staff Writer
Sept. 15 marked National Voter Registration Day. Representatives from the Office of Student Life and the Associated Students of Delta College (ASDC) tabled in the quad as part of a bigger campus and statewide push to register students to vote. Campus representatives collected voter registrations and student voting plans toward the California Secretary of State’s University and College Ballot Bowl. The friendly competition engages higher education campuses compete to register students to vote, encourage students to submit a plan to vote, and showcase civic engagement efforts,” according to the Secretary of State’s office. Students are already participating statewide, with Delta college taking 4th place among all community colleges and 8th place overall in the ballot bowl, as of press time on Thursday, Sept. 17. “Are you ready to make your voice heard? With several important elections approaching, now is the perfect time to regis-
ter to vote or update your voter registration information,” reads an email sent out to students. Director of Student Activities Chris Frymire described the state of voting as constantly changing, along with that it’s important to adjust to the climate. “If you let that keep you from voting you’re letting that negativity win,” Frymire said. Events for the week also included voter registration opportunities at the Sept. 17 College Hour. Collegian, KWDC, and Fierce Mustang Media teamed up with nonpartisan news nonprofit CalMatters to distribute voter guides. Oct. 19 will be the last day to register to vote online with the general election being held Nov. 3. Want to be early and make sure your voice is heard? Turn your ballot in by mail county election officials starts as early as Oct. 5. Dropping off ? Ballots can be submitted in any drop off location, county elections office, or returned by mail. All secure drop off locations will open Oct. 6.
Workers from the Registrar of Voters office talk to students on Tuesday in the Quad. PHOTO BY KELLIE MENDEZ
Want to beat the lines? Voter’s choice act counties open early for in-person voting. Oct. 24. Early access voting centers throughout California will open Oct. 31. To ensure a ballot is post-
marked by Election Day make sure to mail it seven days prior to or on Nov. 3. Planning to mail your ballot on Nov. 3 Get a manual postmark from a United States post office employee.
The last day to return ballots or do in person voting will be Nov. 3. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find more information about the ballot bowl competition at collegehub.sos.ca.gov.
Area 7 board seat only one contested going into November election Current trustee president Jennings running against retired educator Shah BY LEVI GOERZEN Editor-in-Chief
With the upcoming Nov. 3 General Election, there are three trustee positions on the ballot: Area 3, Area 4 and Area 7. Janet Rivera is the incumbent for Area 3, Dr. Charles Jennings is the incumbent for Area 4, and Dr. Catherine Mathis is the incumbent for Area 7. Rivera had announced her retirement from the board in October 2025 in an exclusive interview with The Collegian, however she is on the ballot again for the 2026 elections. Rivera said her reason for running for re-election was to continue supporting the Measure K bond that she campaigned for. Rivera said that by stepping down she would be breaking a promise she made to voters.
“First of all when I ran for the office I represented the whole district six years ago when the voting changed I ran just in my area but I still felt that I represented the whole counties,” said Rivera, “And I made a commitment back when I ran the first time and we made promises to Mountain House and to Lodi.” Rivera and Mathis are uncontested. Jennings is facing an opposition for the first time since he got elected to the board in 2018. “I have dedicated a lifetime to education as a retired K-12 teacher, college professor, dean, and now trustee. While many improvements to local education have been made, there remains much still to do,” said Jennings’ campaign page, “as an educational professional, I understand the need to prepare students for careers and further study.
I know Delta College’s strengths and weaknesses, the areas requiring improvement, and how do[sic] get it done.” Running against Jennings for Area 7 is Dr. Syed “Tony” Shah. Shah is a retired educator and administrator with 26 years of experience. “My 20 years of administrative experience have taught me that education can fundamentally change the trajectory of a person’s life,” said Shah, “as an educational leader, I have worked with students from a wide range of backgrounds, managed budgets, implemented policy, worked collaboratively with teachers and staff, and used data to improve student outcomes,” said Shah in response to an inquiry from Collegian.
6 News
Sept. 18, 2026 deltacollegian.net/news
LOCAL FLOCK CAMERAS DRAW SCRUTINY BY EDEN ATTWOOD Feature Editor
Public comments at a recent Stockton City Council meeting called for the city to reconsider its contract with Flock Safety for automated license plate readers over privacy concerns. While not part of the same contract, Delta College has had Flock cameras on campus since 2025. In 2025 Delta spent $9,000 to have several automated license plate readers, otherwise known as Flock cameras, put on Delta property. In the past year, these cameras have fallen under heavy scrutiny due to alFIRST leged misuse and ONLINE constant live monitoring. Associate Vice President of Public Safety Rodney Rego says there are “three Flock cameras currently on campus, two on the Main Stockton Campus and one at the South-Mountain House Campus.” When asked about when the cameras were constructed, Rego said: “I became Acting AVP of Public Safety in December 2025, and the three Flock cameras currently on campus were already installed at that time.” Critics like the open-sourced mapping project DeFlock say “These cameras collect data on millions of vehicles regardless of whether the driver is suspected of a crime. These systems are marketed as indispensable tools to fight crime, but they ignore the powerful tools police already have to track criminals, such as cell phone location data, creating a loophole that doesn’t require a warrant.” This claim is a direct quote from DeFlocks website. DeFlock was created by software engineer Will Freeman in 2024. The inclusion of these cameras is highly contested given the recent arrest of a Kentucky police officer who used the cameras to track an ex-girlfriend of his. According to an Aug. 26 CNN article, this arrest is the latest in a string of both resignations and arrests of officers misusing the cameras to stalk ex-partners or romantic interests. Given their recent misuse, fears have been brought up about ICE using the Flock cameras to similarly stalk people of interest. While Flock has no direct contract with ICE, their website, flocksafety.com, states: “Decisions about whether, when, and how data is shared
are made by the customer that owns the data, not by Flock.” This means ICE could theoretically ask the police department of a city that purchased Flock cameras for any relevant data as long as it complies with applicable laws. “They are controlled by, and are the responsibility of, the College. They are used only as needed as an investigative tool related to crimes that have already occurred. They are not intended for routine monitoring or surveillance,” said Executive Director of Marketing and Communication Alex Breitler. “There were discussions between the prior administration and Flock about expanding the number of cameras on campus,” said Rego. “I am currently evaluating our public safety needs and the costs and benefits of The Flock camera located at the the technology, and would seek Pacific Avenue entrance to Delta community input before making College. PHOTO BY any decision to expand the curLEVI GOERZEN rent program.” During a city council meeting, ing cameras. They were David Sengthay, president of Stockton discussed at the AuDemocrats Together, spoke in pub- gust Health and Safety lic comment about the Flock cameras Committee meeting, around Stockton. “We found a trans- including newer Flock parency problem. The $3.15 million technology and whether drone amendment approved this prior the District was considMarch, part of a deal now worth over ering expanding its cur$5.4 million through 2031 was coded rent system,” Rego said in the city’s accounting under a proj- in an email. ect string labeled ‘Animal shelter study.’ “My understanding Records show this contract has been is that the cameras were quietly amended for a time since De- approved and installed cember of 2021 for cameras, for 911 in- by the prior Police Detegration, and now for drones. Each one partment administration arriving with little to no public notice.” and former Vice Presi“This is not how a multi-million dent of Student Services dollar, five year obligation should be in 2024 and 2025, before tracked or disclosed to the public,” I assumed responsibility Sengthay went on to say. for the Police DepartThese cameras are supplied by Flock ment,” read the email. Safety. According to Flock Safety’s “The cameras located website they are intended to passively on District property scan vehicle’s license plates, their make, are part of the College’s LOCAL FLOCK MAP model, and other identifying details, public safety system, not COMPILED BY RYCKIE HEREDIA and help investigators locate relevant cameras placed by the evidence in vehicular crimes. City of Stockton.” allow police to deploy drones to emerSince the cameras went up, neither Stockton has had Rego nor Breitler have received direct Flock license plate readers since 2023, but gencies before officers arrive. The apfeedback from students or staff about as of March 31, they’ve approved a $3.15 proval will grant the city of Stockton six drones supplied by Flock Safety, the Flock cameras. million expansion of their Flock system. “I have not received any concerns or This expansion will include a “Drone software integration, and a training and feedback directly regarding the exist- as First Responder” system, which will support contract extending to 2031.
7 News
Sept. 18, 2026 deltacollegian.net/news
USE OF AI TOOLS ON THE RISE IN COLLEGES BY EDEN ATTWOOD Feature Editor
A wide majority of college students confirm using AI in their schoolwork according to one survey. Despite this, Delta does not have a campus-wide policy on artificial intelligence. The study, from Higher Ed Dive, shows around 94 percent of college students can find “at least one reason to be optimistic about AI’s educational applications” and agree to using it occasionally in studies. Higher Ed Dive is a news and analysis source that focuses primarily on education statistics. That same survey shows nearly 61 percent of college instructors said the same. In 2026 Delta college did update their policies on the college’s scholarship essay requirements, adding the
amendment that any usage of AI will immediately disqualify applicants from the scholarship review process. “Students who violate this policy will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct for further action under the Student Code of Conduct,” reads the application instructions. However, when it comes to the use of artificial intelligence in regular school work, any policies or restrictions are left up to individual instructors. In an interview with Delta college student Trisha Yang, she claims some professors do encourage at least some usage of AI in their classes. “Some professors do say that you could use AI in their classes, but only to help you brainstorm and stuff,” said the student. “We were told to utilize ChatGPT to figure out what to do our
speeches on, but obviously we weren’t allowed to fully generate them with AI.” When asked if it was possible that students would use AI for assignments anyway due to the lack of regulations, Yang said “Yes, because professors can’t really control what students do outside of the class.” Artificial intelligence apps like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Open AI are able to pull information from any number of online websites and deliver it in an easy to consume, conversational package. The quick and easy nature of delivering information in this way has led some researchers to express concern over using generative AI in education. “When kids use generative AI that tells them what the answer is …
they are not thinking for themselves. They’re not learning to parse truth from fiction. They’re not learning to understand what makes a good argument. They’re not learning about different perspectives in the world because they’re actually not engaging in the material,” said director of the Center for Universal Education Rebecca Winthrop in a report on the pros and cons of implementing AI in schools. The Center for Universal Education is the leading research center at Brookings Institution, a non-profit think tank based in Washington D.C. Students around campus are already noticing the lack of policy when it comes to artificial intelligence in their school, voicing fears that without proper regulations, it could lead to the tool being abused.
District employee arrested following removal of LGBTQIA+ signs BY GUADALUPE FARFAN Opinion Editor
A district employee was observed taking down pro-LGBTQIA+ posters and subsequently arrested by campus police on May 20, according to Associate Vice President of Public Safety Rodney Rego. Rego initially declined to identify the employee who was arrested, but later provided public records that identified the arrested employee as Matthew Baer. It is not currently known whether charges have been filed. Earlier this year, the Collegian reported that student-made posters had been removed by an unknown party. “We take these incidents seriously. It is important to me that our students, faculty, staff, and guests feel safe and welcome on our campuses, and that they have confidence that incidents targeting members of our campus community will be thoroughly investigated and appropriately addressed,” Rego said. When asked about the investigation, Rego said campus police had determined it to be a hate crime. The case was then handed over to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, however no details of the arrest or investigation have been made public. Rego cited California Penal Code section 13300 as a justification to not release details about the suspect. When asked further questions
the San Joaquin Delta College Teachers Association and the San Joaquin Delta College Horton Gallery. “Anytime we put our work into the public sphere we risk reaction, and I just hope at Delta College we can hold our communities tight right now because when things like this happen it’s quite disturbing,” Russel said. Later in June another investigation took place after staff and students noticed the posters were being taken down again near the Budd building. Campus police quickly identified it as a hate crime, however the individual involved was not a student or employee of Delta and the case was handed over to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office for review and Bulletin board on the second floor of Shima, covered in fliers. Two pro-LGBT posters are consideration of prosecution. The pro LGBTQIA+ posters projseen in the center. PHOTO BY GUADALUPE FARFAN ect concluded in July and the student about the case, no further information around and seeing what was missing artworks will be displayed in the Horwas given by Rego. and checking with people and getting ton Gallery in October. “Everyone should be able to come The posters went up on April 22 texts that certain signs were missing,” around campus on bulletin boards Russel said. “It was very disappoint- to Delta College knowing they belong with all the proper approvals and ing to think our campus would be the here, that they are valued, and that soon after on April 27 students and type of campus for somebody to feel their safety and well-being matter. We faculty began noticing that they were comfortable ripping down student understand how troubling incidents like this can be for our campus combeing torn down. One was in a trash artwork like that.” bin nearby. The posters were created by student munity. When these situations occur, Photography Professor Kirstyn artists in partnership with local queer we are committed to understanding Russell, coordinator for the project, artists under a California Teachers what happened and responding apquickly brought it to campus police’s Association (CTA) LGBTQ+ Safe- propriately, whether the situation inattention. ty in Schools Grant. This grant is to volves employees or non-employees,” “It was very stressful, I felt like I be used to advocate for the safety of said Executive Director of Marketing had to be on guard all the time looking queer students and it was matched by and Communications Alex Breitler.
8 Feature
Sept. 18, 2026 deltacollegian.net/feature
Celebrating man’s best friend in service BY ELSA HILLSTROM Staff Writer
Imagine walking onto your college campus as a person with visual impairment, and you can only use a cane to assist you in getting to your destination. Now imagine the same scenario, but this time you’re also holding on to a trusted companion that can help guide you to your destination. Service dogs aren’t just for visually impaired individuals; trained service dogs are allowing individuals with disabilities to live their lives with freedom as well as companionship. Besides visual impairment, there are a number of tasks that a trained service dog can help an individual with. September is celebrated as National Service Dog Month. When we asked Sandra Valera, Director of Student Support Services at San Joaquin Delta College, we were directed to policy code AP 3905.1, about use of service animals on campus. “The District will allow an individual with a disability to use a service animal in District facilities and on District campuses in compliance with state and federal law,” according to the policy. Delta’s policy aligns with the ADA that states a “service animal for purposes of this procedure means any dog (or miniature horse, as provided herein that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.” Varela responded to an email inquiry with a quote she notes is from the department: “From a DSPS perspective, our goal is to support access for individuals with disabilities. Under district policy, service animals are dogs, or in some cases miniature horses, that are individually trained to perform tasks related to a
person’s disability. Staff may ask only whether the animal is required because of a disability and what task it has been trained to perform. We do not require medical documentation or certification, and service animals must remain under the handler’s control.” According to the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division “Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” Examples of such work NATIONAL or tasks include guidSERVICE ing people DOG MONTH who are blind, alerting peo- Peaches poses for her photo at ple who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, the nonprofit, Animal Friends alerting and protecting a person who Connection Humane Society on is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take pre- Cherokee Lane in Lodi. PHOscribed medications, calming a person TOS BY ELSA HILSTROM with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or SERVICE DOG AWARENESS, performing other duties. Service ani- TRAINING mals are working animals, not pets. A trained service dog is allowed You can train your own dog most anywhere the public is allowed to be a service dog…really. to go thanks to the ADA. The rights of Consider a program online or Animal Friends Connection Humane Society the individual to fly, eat out and enter in person to train your own fur- nonprofit on Cherokee Lane in Lodi. buildings with the accompaniment of friend to be a helper. There are their service dog are protected. several reputable options online become a service animal,” said Delta The work or task a dog has been and if you’re in need of a dog to start, student Karina Sandoval Palma, who trained to perform must be directly there are many available at any shelter, helps out at the local non-profit Sanrelated to the person’s disability. Dogs including the not-for-profit rescue or- doval Palma is studying to become a whose sole function is to provide com- ganization Animal Friends Connection veterinarian. fort or emotional support do not qualify in Lodi. as service animals under the ADA. “It takes time and paThe process can be long and expen- tience with adopting, and HANDLING AN INTERACTION sive, an average two years to train and an it takes time, especially to According to the U.S. Service Animal Registrar, the etonline search iquette for how to act around a working dog boils down shows costs can to one “golden rule”: Don’t distract a working service dog. be more than SERVICE ANIMALS AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS $35,000. 1. Talk to the handler, not the dog The main difference between a service dog and an emo-
RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS OF A FACILITY An establishment’s staff may only ask two questions of the individual if it is not obvious what service an animal provides Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? Staff may not ask: • About the person’s disability • Require medical documentation • Require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog • Ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task
tional support animal is training.
Service Dog • Individually trained to perform a task for their handler • Dogs only and some rare exceptions for small horses • Protected by ADA laws • Must be housebroken • Stay under the handler’s control at all times (usually leashed or tethered) • Human designated as handler Emotional Support Animal • No training required, human designated as owner • ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional • Any animal • Not protected by ADA laws
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Do not talk to the dog (They are a working professional) Do not pet the dog (That will distract them) Do not feed or offer food to the dog (no matter how friendly it looks) Ask permission and accept no Keep your own dog and children back Never question or challenge a handler about their dog or their disability-No interrogations, please
It is best to assume the team is legitimate, respect the handler/owner, and never let a service dog’s calm demeanor tempt you to reach out while it works. Regardless if it is a service, therapy, or ESA.
9 Opinion
Sept. 18 2026 deltacollegian.net/opinion
WHY AI DATA CENTERS RUIN THE ENVIRONMENT. BY ALEXANDER MAGANA Staff Writer
n Sept. 1, the Stockton City Council voted O 7-0 resolution to move forward with a threeyear economic plan that would not exclude data
centers from plans in the area. This comes after over 40 people testify to the Stockton city council about the plan. The Stockton city council made the right decision to not include data centers. The three-year economic plan originally included an AI Data center along with attracting car dealerships to the area, redeveloping areas in South Stockton and the Eight Mile Road corridor, and using an Enhanced Infrastructure Finance District to help the city out. I believe they made the right decision because they prevented a situation where there could be noise pollution, higher electric bills for the Stockton area and damage to our water. When the plan was revealed to the public there was backlash for the data center plan because many people feared that putting data centers around Stockton would cause issues in
the area. In the end it would benefit us in the long run because it would mean our electric bills won’t go up, our water being safe and there won’t be any noise pollution for most people to deal with. In one of the data centers in Seneca Lake, New York the Greennidge Generation plant went from a coal mining plant to being converted to a data center in 2019. By 2023 the data center was consuming millions of gallons of water and causing pollution to the Seneca Lake area putting the temperature to around 108°F and had oil leaks, which caused damage to local wildlife in the area. Residents near the Seneca Lake area could hear the noises emitted from the data center. “There should be no data centers developed or approved by staff without public discussion and without a minimum of this council voting on it,” said Area 6 Stockton City Councilman and Vice Mayor Jason Lee. While the people of Stockton can breathe knowing that there won’t be any AI data center anytime soon, many still fear that one day companies would build AI data centers in the area. If another data center proposal hits the city council proposal we can
use our voices to prevent or to regulate data centers in the area. “When we put that word in a document to say that this is the economic development plan for the city, it is going to activate people,” said Mario Enriquez during the council meeting.
Academic pressure: Are students even learning? BY SIENNA PERALTA
S
Staff Writer
ubmitting an exam doesn’t necessarily lift the weight off students’ shoulders. That doesn’t happen until a specific letter appears on their Canvas dashboard. “When I finish an exam I get very anxious waiting to see my grade,” said Delta student Rhianna Sandoval. “Thinking of my score becomes all I can think about because I tend to only think of the worst outcome.” Exams, assignments, and essays are all responsibilities students handle throughout their academic careers. Yet, how many of them can actually recall the information and concepts from
their coursework? “Motivational psychology in education tells us that the more a student focuses on their grades, the less they focus on learning,” said Professor Cassandra Opiela from the English department. School can feel like a burden. Some feel pressure to constantly keep up their grades or even from expectations set by themselves or their families. “I do feel academic pressure especially since I’m a first generation college student,” said Sandoval. “I constantly feel the pressure of trying to succeed in ways my family never had the privilege to.” Personally, academic validation is something I always sought for. No matter the subject, I needed a certain grade in order to feel better about myself. It greatly impacted my mood and overall perspective on school. Academic pressures not only impact students’ relationship with learning, but also relationships outside of their academics. “It really impacts my life outside of school because I feel that I’m not
able to process personal struggles while juggling my classes,” said Sandoval. Instructors and teachers notice these effects as well. “Efficiency becomes their primary focus. Oftentimes, our relationship can break down because they care so much about their grade and I don’t care about it at all,” said Opiela. “It stresses their relationship with their peers, their relationship with their teacher, and then their relationship to learning is just only about efficiency and not about growth.” Unlike any other class on campus, Opiela practices the concept of “ungrading,” a grading system that does not utilize letter grades or scores for assignments. “My initial reaction was, ‘Oh maybe she is testing us,’” said Delta student Monymorakorth Him and a former student of Opiela. “She did not give numbers like other classes, for example 10/10. She just marked as Check or 1 point depending on if we did all the notation she assigned us.” It may seem intimidating or confusing, however, it prompts students to focus on learning the material and self-growth, rather than the grade they will receive. “One thing I noticed was I did not feel scared of making mistakes that would fail me in the class,” said Him.
“Instead of being scared of making mistakes, I’m more comfortable with my mistakes because then I can reflect and collect proof not just to improve myself but also show her at the end of the semester that I did learn from my mistakes.” As a current student of Opiela, I’ve noticed a tremendous decrease in stress levels solely because I cannot view my grade in the class. I’m fully focused on understanding the material and putting my full effort into all of my work. I am also more open to making mistakes. Not only is there improvement in learning from ungrading, it improves the bond students have with themselves. “I feel more comfortable and close to myself more,” said Him. “I care more about things to improve and reflect for better.” I totally agree with Him. Being apart of a class with no strict grading system has allowed me to reflect on my learning styles and become more confident in my own work. Traditional grading systems greatly affect students’ mindsets and are frequently the root causes to their detrimental relationship with learning and school in general. “If the system is going to continue to perpetuate traditional grades, that’s on us,” said Opiela.
10 Opinion
Sept. 18, 2026 deltacollegian.net/opinion
ILLUSTRATION BY GUADALUPE FARFAN
11 Sports
Sept. 18, 2026 deltacollegian.net/sports
MUSTANGS BEAT MERRITT COLLEGE 6-0 BY RYCKIE HEREDIA Editor-in-Chief
On Sept. 11, the Mustangs soccer team took on Merritt Community College at home, getting their second win of the season. The Mustangs played the game aggressively, starting off with No. 9, Hayden Sandjak, scoring their first goal seven minutes into the game. No. 9, Sandjak, then came back two minutes later to score his second goal of the game getting the Mustangs up by 2. With the Mustangs up by 2, with only 20 minutes left in the first half, No. 15, Silverio Guillermo-Contreras, scored his first goal of the game. “Honestly, I was just trying to do the most out of my opportunity that I have, because normally I don’t start most of the games, so I always take in mind, 100 percent in every match I do play in,” said Guillermo-Contreras. Even though the Mustangs were up 3-0 going into the second half, they had to come back stronger and pick up the pace of the game in an attempt to tire out the other team. “We kind of explained to them, they’re being complacent, and they weren’t setting the tempo of the game. When players don’t dictate how the pace or the tempo of the game should go, then they tend to play slower,” said Head Coach Joshua Bradley. “And since that
team wasn’t pressing us, they were playing slower, and we like to play fast, high tempo and move the ball quickly around the field.” Within the first 10 minutes of the second half, No. 17 Janluca Tejada scored Delta’s fourth goal. With four minutes on the clock left, No. 15 Guillermo-Contreras, made a run with the ball, attempting to score, which had the ball bounce off the Panthers goalie, and while the goalie was down, Guillermo-Contreras shot the ball in the bottom left corner, scoring the fifth goal. With two minutes on the clock, the
Left: Midfield No. 7, Latour Jameson, kicking the corner kick on Sept. 11 against Merritt Community College on Delta’s home field. Top Right: No. 21, Solt Noah, going one-onone against a Merritt Community College player at Delta’s home field. Bottom Right: No. 11, Rigault Gianni. Sprinting to the goal against Merritt Community College on Delta’s home field. PHOTO BY RYCKIE HEREDIA
Panthers kicked the ball out, causing a corner kick for the Mustangs. No. 7 Jameson Latour took a corner kick, witch resulted in No. 3 Ryan Islas scoring the final goal for the Mustangs. The Mustangs then finished the game with a 6–0 victory over the Panthers.
For more information on upcoming games, visit the San Joaquin Delta College Athletics website at deltacollegeathletics.com/sports/msoc.
Delta Mustangs beat Chabot Gladiators 1-0 BY RYCKIE HEREDIA Editor-in-Chief
On Sept. 15, the Mustangs soccer team took on the Chabot Community College Gladiators at home, winning their fourth game of the season. The Mustangs played the game aggressively with the kickoff, forcing the Gladiators to defend. With the Mustangs keeping the ball on the Gladiators’ side of the field for the majority of the first half, the other team got aggressive, causing a foul on No. 9, Maili Hernandez, and causing the other team to get
their first yellow card of the game. With Delta tied with Chabot for almost the whole first half, in the last four minutes of the first half, the Mustangs got a corner kick. With No. 13, Bianca Shelton taking the corner kicks, she led the ball into the center of the box, in hopes that her team would do the rest in making it into the goal. While Shelton centered it perfectly in the box, No. 10, Sophia Magdaleno put the ball in the goal, ending the first half with a 1-0 score. “ When I’m taking a corner kick, my main thing is
just, like, get it in the box, because I’m putting trust into my teammates, but also have enough confidence in themselves and in me to put it there in front of them,” said No. 13, Bianca Shelton. Chabot started the ball in the second half, prompting the Mustangs to defend with greater determination than ever before, with only one goal on the board. Within the first 13 minutes of the second half, Chabot went in hard, determined to score a goal, With the Mustangs and Gladiators given their all, Delta College came out with their fourth win, ending the
game at 1-0. “I think in the first half, we had a lot of possession, and we spent a lot of time on their half of the field, but we weren’t as clean as we could have with our final passes, or with our final decision to goal, so we lack a bit there. I’m really happy and proud that they were able to convert off the corner kick late in No. 7, Alexis Magdaleno goes one-on-one the first half,” said Carmenita Padilla, with No. 24 from Chabot. PHOTO BY acting head coach. RYCKIE HEREDIA
12 Sports Football beats Coalinga 43-27 at home
Sept. 18, 2026 deltacollegian.net/sports
BY ABRAHAM CARRASCO-QUINONES Staff Writer
On Sept. 12, Mustangs’ football faced off against the Coalinga Falcons in the team’s third game of the season located at Lawrence A. DeRicco Field. The Mustangs were trailing 20 to 10 going into halftime. The Mustangs had an 11-point comeback in the second half on a 33 to 7 run including 27 unanswered points leading to a 43 to 27 win for the Mustangs. The win improves the teams record to 2-1. The Mustangs w e r e led by Quarterbacks Devin Rasmussen going 17 for 19 passing with 224 yards and 4 passing touchdowns and Lucas Whitworth going 7 for 13 in passing with 46 yards with also two carries for 51 yards and a rushing touchdown. Other leaders were Running Back Asante Carter for 57 rushing yards, The Wide Receivers Treavon Spivey with 5 receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown. Other Touchdown scorers were Julian Benton, Walter Maymon, Greg Tatmon and Jon Hunter who had the go-ahead touchdown. Wide Receiver Jon Hunter
was asked about the key factors of the second half comeback. “One reason I would definitely say our energy, going into halftime, like we weren’t down in ourselves, losing. You know, we only, we just told ourselves there was only 10 points, and then we came right back on it, like, you know, like nothing ever happened, and we just kept our energy and kept producing play after play,” said Hunter. Hunter was also asked about his go-ahead touchdown reception after being called out of bounds on a 2-point conversion earlier in the game “Not gonna lie, I was a little down on myself, but, you know, when Spivey got his helmet taken off and he couldn’t go into play, I was the 1st man up despite what I was going through my head and I was told to play and I just decided that I needed to execute. I got open, score the touchdown, and the energy was crazy from there.” Quarterbacks Rasmussen and Lucas Whitworth share reps and the lead role for the team for this season. “No, yeah, I think with me and Lucas, I mean, we got a great relationship. He’s one of
my best friends on the team. So, you know, we help each other out every single week. If it’s film, you know, preparation, even on game days, like when I’m in and I come off the field, I’m telling him, you know, what I see. And then he goes in and then he comes back and relays the information to me. So this is a great relationship, and, you know, I’m proud of Lucas today.” Head Coach Gary Barlow was asked about how the team
Men’s water polo takes on Ohlone Left: Supinger Noah, freshman at San Joaquin Delta College, throws a scoring throw deep into the net for Delta’s 11th goal of the game. Right: Sophomore Todd Maddox prepares to score against lined-up Ohlone College opponents. Mustangs lost 13-14 in the first game of the 41st WK Antilla Memorial on Saturday. PHOTOS BY ELSA HILLSTROM
Top: Delta College’s football team celebrating their win against the Coalinga Falcons in the team’s third game of the season located at Lawrence A. DeRicco Field on Saturday, Sept.12. Top left: Quarterback No. 18 Devin Rasmussen warms up on the sidelines against the Coalinga Falcons in the team’s third game of the season located at Lawrence A. DeRicco Field on Saturday, Sept.12. PHOTOS BY ABRAHAM CARRASCO-QUINONES
is looking to rebuild for the future and also about the comeback win. “I’m gonna soak that in and we’re just getting started. We’re
just getting started. We were getting a little understanding of who we are as a team and excited for what the future holds,” said Barlow.