The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels
The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels
The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels
Ryan P. Cruz

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief

Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021

All content by Ryan P. Cruz
The Eli Luria Library on City College’s West campus has been closed since last March, but library staff has been working to offer the same resources available to students through rentals, online distribution and more. “We have had a lot more students accessing our collection electronically instead of physically,” said Camerin Poulson, library technician. File photo of Eli Luria Library from Feb 19, 2021, in Santa Barbara, Calif.

[Photo] News Briefs: free flu shots for students, library open Sundays

Sydney Hammer, Staff Writer
October 4, 2021
Screengrab from the Rotary Club of Montecito's virtual awards ceremony, where the club granted scholarships to 11 SBCC students for their achievements during this year.

[Photo] Rotary Club recognizes 11 students from City College with scholarships

May 7, 2021
Photo illustration of The Channels editorial board's favorite stories over the years.

[Photo] Editor's List: Favorite stories from our time on SBCC's The Channels

May 7, 2021
Santa Barbara City College will be hosting its second virtual commencement at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 7. This year's ceremony will be hosted through the Full Measure mobile platform, and all speeches will be prerecorded and available on YouTube.

[Photo] News Briefs: Fraternization policy approved, SBCC commencement

Kiki Reyes, Staff Writer
May 3, 2021
The Channels editors' picks for best food in Santa Barbara, starting from top left: Third Window Kitchen, Super Cucas, La Super-Rica Taqueria

[Photo] Editor's List: Favorite restaurants in Santa Barbara with outdoor dining

April 19, 2021
Ezekiel Contreras-Forrest was recently awarded the 2021 Board of Governors Student Leadership Award, and will be speaking at this year's commencement ceremony. Contreras-Forrest said he feels "blessed" to call Santa Barbara his home on April 7, 2021, on West Campus at City College in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Student rises from foster care and adversity to statewide recognition

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-In-Chief
April 12, 2021
Five films featuring local directors, writers and producers comprise the Santa Barbara Features Category at The 36th Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Clockwise from top right, the films include "Climb," "Revolution Generation," "Highway One," "Evan Wood" and "Addict Named Hal."

Santa Barbara Features highlights local filmmakers at SBIFF 2021

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
April 9, 2021
Screen grab from the April 1 Board of Trustees special meeting, where the board unanimously voted to rescind its decision to layoff three classified employees. The board's decision at its Feb. 25 meeting was met with much criticism from the campus community, which spoke out against the layoffs.

Board reverses layoffs of three staff members after community outrage

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
April 5, 2021
Photo illustration using Channels file photos from previous events, featuring women's soccer, women's tennis, women's water polo and men's cross country.

[Photo] Four SBCC sports teams awarded for their academic achievements

March 29, 2021
SBCC community 'disregarded and alarmed' after three staff layoffs

SBCC community ‘disregarded and alarmed’ after three staff layoffs

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-In-Chief
March 15, 2021
Program Manager Grant Dillon sits in front of the New House sober living home on March 14, 2021, at 227 W. Haley St. in Santa Barbara, Calif. Dillion is in recovery after a car accident led to an addiction to painkillers; and now three years sober, he is pursuing a counseling certificate by attending classes in City College's Addictive Disorders Counseling program.

[Photo] From car crash to addict, recovery and school has turned life around

March 15, 2021
Photo Illustration.

[Photo] Cybersecurity keeping SBCC safe online, protecting users and data

March 12, 2021
Illustration by Alloy Zarate, 2020

Cross Currents: Are tiny homes the right start to solve homelessness?

Cassandra Wilkins and Ryan P. Cruz
March 5, 2021
File Photo. Sep. 5, 2017 in Santa Barbara, Calif.

City College scrambles to restore systems after latest power outage

Ryan P. Cruz and Jacob Frank
March 2, 2021
Photo illustration using Channels file photos from previous Club Day events at City College.

[Photo] Five SBCC campus clubs and how to get involved in a virtual format

March 1, 2021

[Video] Voices: “How big of a role does social media play in your daily life?”

Kiki Reyes and Cole Federbusch
March 1, 2021
File photo of the entrance to City College's main campus taken on Feb. 17, 2021, in Santa Barbara, Calif.

[Photo] News Briefs: evacuation center on Wake Campus, costume contest

Sydney Hammer
October 25, 2021
File photo of City College's West Campus Center from Feb 17, 2021 in Santa Barbara, Calif.

City College to ‘reduce personnel expenditures’ to balance budget

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
February 26, 2021
Jonathan "Yona" Estrada at his taco shop Yona Redz on Feb. 19 in Santa Barbara, Calif. Yona Redz started as a backyard pop-up, and opened its first brick-and-mortar location last November at 532 State St.

Yona Redz brings a traditional Mexican favorite to Santa Barbara’s thriving State Street promenade

Ryan P. Cruz
February 26, 2021

[Video] Voices: “Do you believe life will return to ‘normal’ after vaccinations?”

Kiki Reyes and Cole Federbusch
February 22, 2021
The Eli Luria Library on City College's West campus has been closed since last March, but library staff has been working to offer the same resources available to students through rentals, online distribution and more. “We have had a lot more students accessing our collection electronically instead of physically,” said Camerin Poulson, library technician. File photo of Eli Luria Library from Feb 19, 2021, in Santa Barbara, Calif.

[Photo] News Briefs: Queer and Ally club open, poetry awards announced

Sunny Silverstein, Staff Writer
May 2, 2022
Radiography student Mea Escruceria uses a Virtual Reality program to take simulated X-rays on Feb. 19, 2021 in room A-236 in the MacDougall Administration Building at City College in Santa Barbara, Calif. Gaming equipment and VR software have transformed the City College radiology lab into an environment that enables students to practice positioning the patient, setting up the X-ray machine and capturing images without the use of radiation.

[Photo] SBCC students use virtual reality in class to learn medical procedures

February 22, 2021
Board of Trustees denies Gallardo's nomination for state-level position

Board of Trustees denies Gallardo’s nomination for state-level position

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
February 17, 2021
Screengrab from the official website for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. This year's festival will include free drive-in showings from March 31 to April 10.

SBCC teams up with film festival to host oceanside drive-in screenings

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
February 16, 2021
Jean Nell, right, smiles while being serenaded by the barbershop quartet 'Modern Nostalgia' at her 96th birthday party on Friday Feb. 14 2020 at Beach City in Santa Barbara, Calif. Nell lived at her apartment with an ocean view at Beach City for nearly 30 years. She originally moved into the apartments before they were converted into student housing.

Beloved ‘surrogate grandmother’ of Beach City residents dead at 96

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
February 15, 2021
The Goleta Valley Community Center on Feb. 7, 2021, in Goleta, Calif. The community center is a free COVID-19 testing site offered through the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department.

Public health officials unsure when current tier will be fully vaccinated

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-In-Chief
February 8, 2021
$11.8M in COVID-19 relief funding could help SBCC with budget woes

$11.8M in COVID-19 relief funding could help SBCC with budget woes

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
January 30, 2021
For some students, their desk at home is where they spend most of their time attending Zoom classes, working on assignments and trying to stay sane during the pandemic. Reading and journaling daily is a great way to keep your mental and emotional well-being strong during long hours at home.

[Photo] Self-care matters: three ways to stay centered during quarantine

August Lawrence, Opinion Editor
January 29, 2021
The City College campus is mostly vacant, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Employees may receive vaccinations as early as February. File photo from August 2020.

SBCC employees to receive COVID vaccinations as early as February

Ryan P. Cruz and Jacob Frank
January 25, 2021
News briefs: Newsom lifts stay-at-home order, COVID-19 vaccine near

News briefs: Newsom lifts stay-at-home order, COVID-19 vaccine near

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
January 25, 2021
Dave Loveton stands for the national anthem before the City College soccer game against Moorepark on Friday, Nov. 8, at City College in Santa Barbara, Calif.

SBCC fall sports will not play any games this year due to COVID-19

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
December 3, 2020
The Administration Building at City College on Thursday, Oct. 25, in Santa Barbara, Calif.

SBCC moves to formally ban sexual employee-student relationships

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
November 24, 2020
Board cautions students against gathering as COVID-19 cases spike

Board cautions students against gathering as COVID-19 cases spike

Ryan P. Cruz, Associate Editor
November 16, 2020
Screengrabs from the Editorial Board's Youtube favorites.

[Photo] Editor's List: Favorite YouTube Videos

November 13, 2020
Some of The Channels award-winning photos, video and stories that were recognized at the Fall 2020 JACC Conference on Sunday, Nov. 8. The Channels Staff received over 20 awards and honorable mentions, both from submitted work over the past year and on-the-spot contests that took place during the conference.

[Photo] The Channels staff wins over 20 awards at journalism conference

November 10, 2020
Cross Currents: Could Trump take a challenge to the Supreme Court?

Cross Currents: Could Trump take a challenge to the Supreme Court?

Jacob Frank and Ryan P. Cruz
November 9, 2020
City College Board of Trustees Candidates Veronica Gallardo (left) and Erin Guereña (right) are neck-and-neck in the race for Area 3. Gallardo is in the lead by a narrow margin with 50% of the votes on the first night against Guereña's 49%.

Gallardo holds narrow lead with 50% of votes in neck-and-neck race

Ryan P. Cruz and Rodrigo Hernandez
November 3, 2020
Representative Salud Carbajal speaks during the "Blue Wave Virtual Election Night Event" hosted by the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party on Nov. 3, 2020. The first results show Carbajal in the lead against Andy Caldwell for the 24th Congressional District with 66% of the votes.

[Photo] Democrats Carbajal and Bennett both win big on election night

November 3, 2020
Photo Illustration.

[Photo] Video Game Club scores with all-inclusive student engagement

October 30, 2020
TEDxSantaBarbara Executive Producer Mark Sylvester gathered four experts in Santa Barbara who are making strides in their respective fields to create a more sustainable mindset and society on Saturday, Oct. 10. The local event was part of the global TED launch of "Countdown," an initiative to call for immediate solutions to climate change.

Local experts discuss sustainable solutions at TEDxSB virtual event

Ryan P. Cruz and Jacob Frank
October 19, 2020

Spanish colonial themes suppress the rich indigenous cultures in SB

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
October 16, 2020
Board of Trustees Candidates up for election on Nov. 3. Area 2: Robert Miller (top left) vs. Ronald J. Liechti (bottom left). Area 3: Veronica Gallardo (top middle) vs. Erin Guereña (bottom middle). Area 4: Celeste Barber (top right) vs. Anna Everett (bottom right).

Six diverse candidates compete for SBCC Board of Trustees positions

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
October 12, 2020
Board of Trustees adopts final budget, $4.9M deficit projected

Board of Trustees adopts final budget, $4.9M deficit projected

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
October 12, 2020
A memorial put together in Nicholas Claudio's honor for his vigil on Oct. 3 at Sands Beach in Isla Vista, Calif. Claudio's close friends placed items that reminded them of him like pizza, candles with messages written on them, flowers and alcohol.

Community honors the life of City College student in candlelight vigil

Ryan P. Cruz and Rodrigo Hernandez
October 5, 2020
Photo from the GofundMe account set up by Stephanie Gonzalez

SBCC student athlete dies at 25, GoFundMe raises $13k for funeral

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
October 1, 2020

[Video] Voices: “Should State Street stay open to pedestrians after the pandemic?”

Jacob Frank and Rodrigo Hernandez
September 28, 2020
Illustration by Alloy Zarate, 2020

Cross Currents: Are you a dog person or cat person?

Ryan P. Cruz and Desiree Erdmann
September 25, 2020
Proposition 15 vexes Board of Trustees, no resolution drafted

Proposition 15 vexes Board of Trustees, no resolution drafted

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
September 25, 2020
A freshly baked peperoni pie from Revolver Pizza on Sept. 17, 2020 at Revolver Pizza in Santa Barbara, Calif. Owner Nick Bodden keeps his menu limited in order to focus on quality over quantity.

Revolver pizzeria reverberates on SB’s westside

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
September 21, 2020

[Video] Voices: “What do you miss most about life before the pandemic?”

Jacob Frank and Rodrigo Hernandez
September 21, 2020
Board of Trustees reveals $4.9M deficit, talks future of PE building

Board of Trustees reveals $4.9M deficit, talks future of PE building

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
September 11, 2020
File Photo of La Playa Stadium from Oct. 2018

SBCC football players test positive for COVID-19, will be quarantined

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
September 4, 2020
City College Student checks in before the first day of Physical Education classes on Monday, Aug. 31 at La Playa Stadium in Santa Barbara, Calif. All students and staff must complete a health survey before being allowed to participate in on-campus activities.

[Photo] Physical Education brings classes back outdoors at La Playa Stadium

September 4, 2020
Screen Grab of Jazz Improvisation and Guitar Studies instructor Tony Ybarra describing the challenges in teaching music classes remotely during the “SBCC Jazz at the Cutting Edge” webinar hosted by SBCC Foundation president Geoff Green on Thursday, Sept. 4 in Santa Barbara, Calif.

[Photo] Jazz at The Cutting Edge spotlights new direction for music program

September 4, 2020
The footbridge connecting East and West campus was once a bustling destination for City College students who needed to cross campus, now as classes are fully online the bridge is empty on Monday, August 31, 2020 at City College in Santa Barbara, Calif.

City College enrollment plunges, international students fall by 50%

Ryan P. Cruz, Editor-in-Chief
August 31, 2020
Macrotrends.net

COVID-19 leaves millions jobless, unemployment benefits increase

Ryan P. Cruz, News Editor
April 27, 2020
Illustration by Lucy Marx and Kai Zheng

Cross Currents: Is campus closure in response to COVID-19 justified?

Brian Kelly and Ryan P. Cruz
March 20, 2020
Rain from storm clouds above Santa Barbara falls over City College’s deserted campus in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic forcing the college to close campus and transfer to online learning on Tuesday morning, March 17, 2020, on West Campus at City College in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Campus services still available amidst coronavirus pandemic

Ryan P. Cruz, News Editor
March 19, 2020
The Friendship Plaza at City College on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, in Santa Barbara, Calif.

First confirmed COVID-19 case in county, City College closes campus

Ryan P. Cruz, News Editor
March 15, 2020
Senate to keep campus open as long as it can amidst coronavirus

Senate to keep campus open as long as it can amidst coronavirus

Ryan P. Cruz, News Editor
March 12, 2020
District 37 candidate to the California State Assembly election Charles Cole reacts to voting results on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at Persona Pizza in Downtown Santa Barbara, Calif. Cole is the sole republican of seven candidates and currently holds first place with over four thousand votes above Cathy Murillo in second.

Cole leads District Assembly race, Murillo and Bennett close behind

Ryan P. Cruz, Serena Guentz, Sarah Maninger, and Max Mullins
March 4, 2020

Levels of education shouldn’t be predetermined by my background

Ryan P. Cruz, News Editor
February 28, 2020
English Professor Melissa Menendez is one of two faculty appointees to recently resign from the SEM Committee due to frustration with the decision making process.

Faculty appointees resign from committee, ask college for change

Ryan P. Cruz, News Editor
February 21, 2020
File Photo of Jonathan Abboud from Feb. 14, 2019

Exclusive: Racial remark at Abboud derails District Assembly debate

Jun Starkey and Ryan P. Cruz
February 20, 2020
Academic Senate grieves loss of Adolfo Corral with short meeting

Academic Senate grieves loss of Adolfo Corral with short meeting

Ryan P. Cruz, News Editor
February 13, 2020
Adolfo and Mary-Jane Becerra Corrals' four children sit in the front row holding candles for the Vigil remembering their parents on Wednesday, Feb. 12, on the West Campus Lawn at City College in Santa Barbara, Calif. Several hundred people gathered to honor the Corrals and listen to family, friends and co-workers speak.

City College honors lives of Adolfo, Mary-Jane Corral with sunset vigil

Jun Starkey and Ryan P. Cruz
February 13, 2020
Friends, family and community members share memories and prayers at a memorial for Mary-Jane and Adolfo Corral on Cathedral Oaks Road on Monday, Feb. 10 in Goleta, Calif.

Community gathers to grieve loss of Adolfo and Mary-Jane Corral

Jun Starkey, Ryan P. Cruz, and Valerie van den Broek
February 11, 2020
Administrators walk out of senate meeting amidst growing tensions

Administrators walk out of senate meeting amidst growing tensions

Ryan P. Cruz, News Editor
January 30, 2020
Illustration by Lucy Marx

Marijuana dispensaries thrive in SB as cannabis becomes mainstream

Max Mullins and Ryan P. Cruz
January 27, 2020
Illustration by Lucy Marx

The first two weeks: Your Santa Barbara City College survival guide

Lucy Marx and Ryan P. Cruz
January 24, 2020
Tensions rise as senate discusses $3 million grant for Latinx students

Tensions rise as senate discusses $3 million grant for Latinx students

Ryan P. Cruz, News Editor
January 23, 2020
Associated Student Government

Senate expands officer stipends, considers future improvements

Ryan P. Cruz, Staff Writer
December 7, 2019
File Photo

CESJ helps students sign up for CalFresh, food assistance program

Ryan P. Cruz, Staff Writer
December 6, 2019
Associated Student Government

Student Senate creates student accessibility advocate position

Ryan P. Cruz, Staff Writer
November 23, 2019

Voices: “What is your worst date horror story?”

Clara A. Uttenthal and Ryan P. Cruz
November 18, 2019
Associated Student Government

Senate to provide safe space to discuss protests in Hong Kong

Ryan P. Cruz, Staff Writer
November 16, 2019
Associated Student Government

Senate to collaborate with Creative Club for clothing-decorating event

Ryan P. Cruz, Staff Writer
November 9, 2019
Editorial Cartoon

College responds to racist graffiti with ideas to increase tolerance

Ryan P. Cruz, Staff Writer
November 8, 2019
Student advisor for EOPS and Harvard graduate Noel Gomez stands in his office on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, in the Student Services Building at City College in Santa Barbara, Calif. Gomez helped start the Transitions program that helps students affected by the Legal system.

Advisor helps formerly imprisoned students transition into classroom

Ryan P. Cruz, Staff Writer
November 8, 2019
District 1 City Council Candidate Jason Dominguez (right) shaking hands with a campaign supporter after receiving results for the election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. Dominguez held a party at Uncorked Wine Tasting and Kitchen in downtown Santa Barbara, Calif.

District 1 front-runners in close race after initial election results

Ryan P. Cruz and Lucy Marx
November 6, 2019
ASG Student Rep Budget

Senate to use 11% of student representation fee for stipends

Ryan P. Cruz, Staff Writer
November 4, 2019
Associated Student Government

Senate votes on new, required orientation due to racist graffiti

Ryan P. Cruz, Staff Writer
November 2, 2019

City College tackles low enrollment with local high school outreach

Ryan P. Cruz, Staff Writer
October 28, 2019
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