Daily Wildcat | Spring 2023 Commencement & Year-In-Review | May 2023

THE DAILY WILDCAT

Look how far we’ve come

The Class of 2023 has been through a lot since fall 2019. And while the path to the graduation stage is never easy, the connections and knowledge gained can make it all worthwhile in the end. Congrats, graduates, you’ve made it.

10 Class of 2023 looks back on last four 16 Film student excited for the next steps

Online therapy 33 Lasting effects

Editor-in-Chief

JT Thorpe editor@dailywildcat.com

Managing Editor

Nate Stenchever nates@dailywildcat.com

Training Coordinator

Kate Ewing mentors@dailywildcat.com

News Editor Sam Parker news@dailywildcat.com

Assistant News Editors

Annabel Lecky

Kiara Adams

Comics Editor

John Konrad johnk@dailywildcat.com

7 Career-ready The pressure of being a D1 swimmer 10 Athlete profile 28 Visualizing what self-care can look like

To find all of the Commencement-related content, check out pages 4 through 27. To find all of the content related to Year in Review, check out pages 28 through 46.

Photo gallery 38 WBB and MBB season recaps

Arizona basketball

THE DAILY WILDCAT

Sports Editor Ryan Wohl sports@dailywildcat.com

Assistant Sports Editor

Mason Duhon

Arts & Life Editor Amanda Mourelatos arts@dailywildcat.com

Assistant Arts & Life Editor Emilee Ceuninck

Opinions Editor Olivia Krupp opinion@dailywildcat.com

Photo Editor Tia Stephens photo@dailywildcat.com

Multimedia Editor Nate Stenchever nates@dailywildcat.com

Copy Chief Tereza Rascon copy@dailywildcat.com

Assistant Copy Chief Hannah Palmisano

Social Media Coordinator Kiara Adams kadams@dailywildcat.com

News Reporters

Cole Fields

Anna Lineberry

Bailey Ekstrom

Caitlyn Murphy

Erika Howlett

Danielle Hartshorn

Kanishka Chinnaraj

Kristijan Barnjak

Sabina Hernandez

Vivek Aking

Lindsey Johnson

Samuel Ellis

Cartoonists

Jamelle Texeria

Mary Ann Vagnerova

Farrah Rodriguez

Emilie Marie Cuevas

Dietz

Jonathan Bonilla Leon

Sela Margalit

Chloe Raymundo

Brianna Golden

Sports Reporters

Delaney Penn

Aidan Alperstein

Jason Dayee

Madison Carney

Mary Grace Armistead

Nathaniel Levin

Photographers and Multimedia Reporters

Caitlin Claypool

Jackie Cabrera

Marison Bilagody

Gracie Kayko

Antonia Muskat

Noor Haghighi

Annika Rogozin

Kohichiro Yamada

Amelia McAnear

Danielle Main

Olivia Malone

Arts & Life Reporters

AJ “Stash” Castillo

Juliana Siml

Elle Nangia

Talia Doninger

Maayan Cohen

Desarae Tucker

Andrea Campos

Korayma Lamadrid

Josh Stephan

Opinion Writers

Kelly Marry

Noor Haghighi

Luke Lawson

Sophia Hammer

Kate Herreras-Zinman

Ben Pope

Olivia Malone

Korayma Lamadrid

Zaynab Dashti

Emma Shea

Copy Editors

May Otzen

Ash Johnston

Sohi Kang

Becca Freund

Dylann Sweeney

Emily Abundis

Designers

JT Thorpe

Nate Stenchever

UATV 3

General Manager

Leah Britton gm@UATV.arizona.edu

KAMP Student Radio General Manager

Annika Reimers gm@KAMP.arizona.edu

ABOUT THE DAILY WILDCAT: The Daily Wildcat is the University of Arizona’s student-run, independent news source. While publishing daily online at DailyWildcat.com, its print edition is distributed on campus and throughout Tucson during fall and spring semesters. The function of the Wildcat is to disseminate news to the community and to encourage an exchange of ideas. The Daily Wildcat was founded in 1899. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in the newspaper or DailyWildcat.com are the sole property of the Daily Wildcat and may not be reproduced without the specific consent of the editor-in-chief. A single print copy of the Daily Wildcat is free from newsstands. Unauthorized removal of multiple copies will be considered theft and may be prosecuted. Additional print copies of the Daily Wildcat are available from the Arizona Student Media office. The Daily Wildcat is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the Arizona Newspapers Association.

EDITORIAL POLICY: Daily Wildcat editorials represent the official opinion of the Daily Wildcat opinions board, which is determined at opinions board meetings. Opinion columns, guest commentary, cartoons, online comments and letters to the editors do not represent the opinion of the publication, but that of the author.

CORRECTIONS: Corrections or complaints concerning Daily Wildcat content should be directed to the editor-in-chief. For further information on the Daily Wildcat’s approved grievance policy, readers may contact Susan McMillan Daily Wildcat adviser, in the Sherman R. Miller 3rd Newsroom at the University Services Building.

NEWS TIPS: (520) 621-3193 The Daily Wildcat is always interested in story ideas and tips from readers. If you see something deserving of coverage, contact the newsroom at storyideas@dailywildcat.com or call (520) 621-3193.

years Student spotlight COVER PHOTO: TIA STEPHENS | The Daily Wildcat

Parting words from the Daily Wildcat editor-in-chief

easy juggling three majors with a pandemic right in the middle. And I’m happy that I can leave with saying I’m truly proud of what I’ve accomplished here.

and pride in serving the public in working at the Wildcat, along with some of my best friends.

BY JT THORPE @JT_Thorpe_

What’s up, Wildcats?

I can’t believe the time has finally come. I’ve been studying for my undergrad here at the University of Arizona since fall 2017 — I know, it’s been a long time. But it wasn’t

Early on in college, I was lucky enough to find community through marching band and my co-ed, service-based music sorority, but I was still terrified of what life would be like after graduation. While I always knew I wanted a career in writing, editing and multimedia, I was never sure where until I stumbled upon an open copy editor position at the Daily Wildcat in January 2020 — and my life changed forever.

I found a deep passion for journalism

I am filled with melancholy in saying goodbye to this newsroom, but I will always cherish the memories I’ve made here, from working on newspapers until 2 a.m. and cry-laughing over ambitious InDesign choices to countless newsroom BeReals and trips to Jimmy’s Pita and Poki. I also feel incredibly honored to have served as the editor-in-chief of this student paper for two non-consecutive semesters and proud to have helped keep our community informed, created some really

amazing print editions and so much more. Whether you subscribe to our weekly email newsletters, read our daily online content, follow us on social media or read our newspapers, thank you for supporting student journalism and believing in us. And thank you to my Wildcat team. I don’t know where I’d be without you.

As always, Bear Down and go ‘Cats, JT

Thorpe

Editor-in-Chief

California politician Michael Tubbs to speak at the University of Arizona’s 2023 Commencement

BY JT THORPE @JT_Thorpe_

The University of Arizona invited California politician Michael Tubbs to be the Class of 2023’s keynote speaker at Commencement this May.

“I didn’t graduate too long ago,” he said in the announcement reported by UA News, “and I look forward to providing hard-earned insights on charting your own path and working to make change as the graduates seek to do the same.”

Tubbs was voted in as the youngest

mayor of any major city in U.S. history at the age of 26 in 2016. He is now a special advisor for economic mobility and opportunity for California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

As student body president, graduating UA senior Patrick Robles got to be part of the group that played a role in choosing who to invite to the graduation ceremony.

“I actually met Michael Tubbs last year at the [Tucson] Festival of Books,” Robles said. “He was on a book tour for his memoir and I went to go listen to him speak. I got the book signed and we hit it off.”

In coming up with names for potential keynote speakers, Robles suggested Tubbs because he was inspired by the politician’s story, drive for change and dedication to helping his community.

“During the pandemic, I watched his documentary on HBO called ‘Stockton on My Mind,’ and I was immediately inspired by these young leaders that create change,” Robles said. “When I learned that he was to make his memoir, I knew I wanted to buy it and read it. And I was inspired.”

So far in his political career, Tubbs has spent much of his efforts on fighting poverty. One of his most popular moves as mayor was his experimental guaranteed income program, where certain community members were given $500 a month.

Under his mayorship, Stockton also

won the All-American City award two years in a row and was “named the second most fiscally healthy city in California,” according to the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School.

Tubbs was also known for raising over $20 million to create a Stockton-based scholarship and mentorship program so that more young people could have a chance to go to college.

“Michael Tubbs will inspire our graduates to pursue their hopes and dreams, just as he has done,” UA President Dr. Robert C. Robbins said in the announcement reported by UA News. According to Robles, the group who decides on who to invite to be the keynote speaker typically reaches out to several individuals in case anyone turns the offer down.

“It’s great that we were able to get [Tubbs to accept the offer],” Robles said. “He let us know right away, but we did have to work out all the scheduling details and Commencement details. It was a group effort.”

The UA’s 2023 Commencement celebration will begin at 7:30 p.m. May 12 at Arizona Stadium on campus.

“I’m looking forward to being able to truly celebrate together as a Wildcat community with the incredible accomplishment of graduating from the University of Arizona,” Robles said. “Time flies.”

TIA STEPHENS | THE DAILY WILDCAT A SEA OF CAPS top the heads of the University of Arizona graduates during the make-up 2020 Commencement Ceremony outside of Old Main on campus Nov. 5, 2021. The ceremoney was held during the fall 2021 Homecoming, a year and a half after the students received their diplomas in May 2020 as the original ceremony was canceled on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Daily Wildcat senior editors reflect on their time at the UA and the student newspaper

BY KATE EWING @mariakewing

My whole life I’ve been in a rush. I always like to get things over with, ready to put the past far, far behind me. But then I came to the Daily Wildcat, and

suddenly, it made sense why people have a love/hate relationship with graduating. Nothing has made me come rushing to a halt quite like the realization I finally have something that’s hard to part ways with.

I love my Daily Wildcat team, which at this point, I consider as close as family. Serving the University of Arizona community as a news reporter/editor/ photographer/social media and training coordinator here in the newsroom I love

has been the greatest joy of my college life.

I really hope every person gets the chance to find a place where they belong like I have within this newsroom. It’s important for me to say, I got lucky. I never intended for my college journey to pan out the way it has, but it’s clear to me now that every extra minute I’ve spent enrolled at the UA was an extra minute I’ll cherish with Wildcat staff making content I’m proud of.

The people I work alongside are amazing, talented individuals who make me believe journalism is a worthwhile pursuit. The laughter shared during one of many days at my desk is irreplaceable and I’m so incredibly grateful I took a risk and sent in that application. So thank you to everyone who makes closing this chapter so bittersweet, I’m in no rush to say goodbye for once.

— Kate Ewing, Training Cordinator

BY TEREZA RASCON @rascon_writer

Being a part of the Daily Wildcat has changed my life for the better. My first two years of college, I felt like I was floating

in the wind, just going through life with no passion or clear idea of what I wanted to do in my life. This isolating feeling was exacerbated when the COVID-19 pandemic put the world on hold, especially for college students alike.

But through this isolation, it allowed me to reflect on what I was truly passionate about, what brought joy to my life, and that was English. I loved to write, I loved to edit and I had put these passions in

the backburner in hopes of pursing an education that was profitable. When I changed my major from Finance to English, it was terrifying, but the Daily Wildcat helped me get my grounding and I made amazing connections along the way. I started out as a Copy Editor and now will be ending this chapter of my life as the Copy Chief.

I am definitely going to miss the Wildcat. I’ll miss spending endless hours in the

newsroom, talking with my colleagues about classes and life. I have learned so much from my fellow Wildcats and I am just so thankful to have found a community that is so open-hearted and passionate. I hope future students get the chance to experience the same welcoming and inspiring feeling that being a part of the Wildcat has instilled in me.

— Tereza Rascon, Copy Editor

BY RYAN WOHL @ryan__wohl

During my four years at Arizona, joining the Daily Wildcat in August of 2020 was

the best decision that I made. From starting as a reporter on the sports desk to being the sports editor I gained valuable experience in many different areas that will help me in the future. I am very thankful for the Daily Wildcat for all of the opportunities that it has provided me across my three years at the newspaper.

I will miss my time at the Wildcat, but I now have experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. Coming into Arizona, all I wanted to do was to cover Arizona sports and I am forever grateful for the Daily Wildcat giving me my first opportunity to do so.

— Ryan Wohl, Sports Editor

BY JOHN KONRAD @vomit_party

BY TIA STEPHENS @tia_stephens_

I found the Wildcat in my second year at Arizona. I started as an Arts and Life reporter during the pandemic and immediately

felt welcomed in. During that isolating time I found a sense of community in the virtual newsroom. I became the Photo Editor in my second year and knew I had really found my place. The Photo Desk had been shut down since March 2020 and I got the chance to start back up the vital visual sector of our student paper. Each interaction I have with my

peers here has felt like a gift. Seeing those around me so passionate about upholding the ideals of journalism gives me so much hope. I’ve had the opportunity to be inspired by my photographers and fellow editors alike and I feel so lucky to have been a part of such a prolific collegiate newspaper.

— Tia Stephens, Photo & Multimedia Editor

It’s a testament to the flexibility and accessibility of student media that I was able to waltz into the Daily Wildcat newsroom with my silly bird doodles and leave two years later as the founding editor of a new desk. That’s something that just doesn’t happen in the increasingly opaque world of publishing, where platforms are hard to come by and creative expression is conditional.

The 2023 graduating class has gotten a raw deal between a global pandemic, persistent institutional failures and personal hardships, but despite all that, there are still passionate and driven students showing up every day to produce great work for the campus community. I’m grateful to have stumbled into the world of student journalism, and honored to call the Daily Wildcat staff my peers and friends.

— John Konrad, Comics Editor

Graduating seniors reflect on their time at the University of Arizona

BY DESARAE TUCKER @DailyWildcat

As the spring 2023 semester comes to a close, graduating seniors are taking the time to reflect on the last few years of their lives.

The class of 2023 started its college experience with certain expectations, but those quickly changed when the COVID-19 pandemic began during the spring 2020 semester. Many of these freshmen expected college to give them an opportunity to fully form connections with people, but the shift to online classes greatly hindered that.

Lily Anh Zau Cong, 22, is graduating from the University of Arizona this spring with a major in dance and minors in

global education and mathematics. Cong moved from Yuma to attend the UA’s prestigious dance program.

Cong said she feels that the UA prepared her for adulthood by helping her become more independent. She also learned how to better advocate for herself with adult decisions.

In some cases, when you go into college for one thing, chances are you end up going a different route. This was the case for Cong, who has been training in ballet since a very young age. She expected to stay in the ballet world when leaving university, but ended up really enjoying modern dance and would like to go that route in her career.

Cong shared that she

has accepted a company contract in St. Louis, Missouri, that starts in the fall. Eventually, she would like to move to Europe to dance.

Tempest Athena Keller, 21, is graduating with a major in criminal justice studies and a minor in sociology, shared that she’s nervous about graduation. With no clear plan of what she wants to do after, Keller said she wants to take some time to adjust to adult life without having college and classes to go to every day. While Keller said eventually wants to use her criminology degree to be in forensics, she said that right now, she’s more interested in the sociology aspect.

Since January, she’s been interning at Dismas

Charities, an organization that helps people who were incarcerated adjust back into society. This experience has given her more of an idea of what she might like to do after college.

“Maybe being a social worker or someone who helps the people who have been incarcerated reintegrate into society,” Keller said.

Keller explained that one of her fears about adulthood is that she won’t achieve her goals. She hopes to be in an enjoyable stable situation while making a difference in the world. “It’s scary being in the real world as a full adult,” Keller said.

Lincoln Opara, 22, is graduating with a major in biochemistry and minors in ecology and

evolutionary biology. Opara chose the UA because he liked the “small town feel” of Tucson, similar to his hometown, Casa Grande, Arizona.

He explained that college was some of the best years of his life and he was able to learn a lot of lessons that he’ll take into adulthood. Balancing personal life and work life was one of them. Opara said, “You get out what you put in.” Opara suggested spending a good amount of time on academics because, “it is all worth it in the end.”

Opara stated that he wants to take his biochemistry degree and go into the medical field. After graduation he would like to do some internships at his local

clinics in Casa Grande. Becoming a pediatrician is his long-term goal. “I found wanting to be a pediatrician a great way in causing real change in people’s lives, and I like working with kids,” Opara said.

Opara said, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.” Opara suggests reaching out to your professors and your TAs and making sure to put yourself out there and take risks.

The graduating class of 2023 went through some stressful years trying to navigate their way through college but have finally made it to graduation.

“It’s not about following the herd. Invest in yourself to make the choices that best suit you,” Cong said.

2023 COMMENCEMENT | FUTURE OUTLOOK

Future educators graduating from the University of Arizona are excited to inspire the next generation

BY TEREZA RASCON @rascon_writer

As the spring 2023 semester comes to a close, the University of Arizona College of Education’s graduating seniors prepare to enter the workforce in their chosen field of study and reflect back on their time in the department.

Ashley Taoka, an elementary education student with a bilingual endorsement in Spanish, will be teaching kindergarten in the Marana Unified School District at Estes Elementary School.

Becoming a teacher is something that Taoka has always wanted to do. She chose to study at the UA due to the Bilingual Elementary Education Program to study Spanish along with elementary education.

The bilingual education program is something Dean Robert Q. Berry III, the newest dean of the College of Education, takes great pride in.

“[It] is almost exclusively taught in Spanish, which then provides an opportunity for our bilingual education program to meet the needs of the vast array of students in our community,” Berry said. “Our students [get] to be certified bilingual educators and elementary educators. […] It is a significant impact and serving the broader community as well.”

He also takes great pride in the Indigenous Teacher Education Program, for students who are involved in this program (who usually come from an Indigenous community) can use the knowledge gained to give back to these communities.

“The language is being used to Indigenize teacher ED, and it honors these communities [and …] their perspectives that may not be in a [traditional] teaching ED program that are required for the Indigenous communities, that

we have to know and understand and respect,” Berry said.

For the first two years, education students take the typical prerequisite and foundational courses but are also expected to complete 60 unpaid hours of field experience in a K-8 public school, which requires an Arizona IVP Fingerprint Card.

After a student completes these requirements, they then can apply for professional admission in the spring and, if accepted, they will go on to complete courses related to the professional program.

Letty Molina-Gutierrez, a senior academic advisor within the College of Education, explained how the program, while trying to maintain that college experience, tries to get students in the classroom as much as possible in order for them to see if this profession is truly something they’d like to pursue.

“We require the 60 hours because [students] think, ‘I’ve been in school. I know what a teacher does. I’ve been to classes.’ But when you go in and look at it with a different lens, that’s the teacher and you’re sitting there observing, some students come out of that observation experience and say ‘you know what, it’s not really what I thought I wanted to do,’” Molina-Gutierrez said.

While Taoka had lots of positive things to say about the program, she did mention how there is room for improvement.

Because of how the program is structured — with students spending a huge chunk of the day at schools from Monday through Thursday — it is very demanding, leaving almost no room for students to have a part-time job.

“A lot of people, they come home from student teaching, change, eat dinner and then go work at a bar or as a waitress at

night, things like night time jobs and weekend jobs,” Taoka said. However, Taoka said Berry has really been listening to the concerns of the students this semester and has made efforts to help these struggles.

“[The Dean] has made some accommodations to help people who just really couldn’t sustain it, such as giving us the opportunity to have scheduled work days,” Taoka said. “He also made us aware of some workstudy programs […] like tutoring and things that are less labor intensive.”

The College of Education also offers various financial resources for students in the undergraduate program to take advantage of.

Anthony Espericueta, a graduate student pursuing a master’s in teaching & teacher education, is a part of the Teach Arizona Program, an accelerated master’s program at the UA. Espericueta is currently a student teacher at Desert View High School and has hopes of becoming a social studies teacher upon the completion of his program.

He has always wanted to be a teacher since he was in high school. He chose to study at the UA due to his pride in the Tucson community and exposure to the UA from collaborations with his alma mater, the Sunnyside Unified School District.

Since he initially didn’t go through the College of Education undergraduate teachers program, he gained most of his teaching experience from teaching special education at a small private school. He heard about the Teach Arizona Program through his old government teacher who was involved in this program.

“The Teach Arizona Program offered […] everything that a future educator needs to be

certified and get ready for a career in education,” Espericueta said. “My experience with the College of Education and the Teach Arizona Program has been a wonderful experience.”

Espericueta also receives financial support from the Arizona Teachers Academy, which funded the American Government Civics Exam he needed to take in roder to be certified to teach government. He also mentioned how the College of Education has been especially supportive, as he recently agreed to take on his mentor and old government teacher’s classes full-time due to the teacher needing to take a leave of absence.

Advice he has for future student teachers is that during

internships, they should fully immerse themselves in the school, such as participating in community events, attending pep assemblies and fundraising events.

With an increase in school shootings in America, Espericueta said at the end of the day, he feels someone has to be there for the students.

“We still need teachers. We need individuals who are passionate and determined to really make a difference,” Espericueta said. “Despite the concerns that there [are] in getting into the field of education, what’s really driving me is wanting to inspire future generations […] they’re going to be the ones who are leading this world.”

BRIANNA GOLDEN | THE DAILY WILDCAT EDUCATION MAJORS AT THE University of Arizona are required to complete 60 unpaid hours of field experience in K-8 public schools, which makes it difficult to get a job and leads to financial stress. However, despite the challenges, education majors are excited to inspire the next generation.

OPINION: The pressure to graduate in four years is real — and unreasonable

questioning if graduating later is such a risk after all.

Money aside, what is the rush to graduate in four years?

four years.

BY NOOR HAGHIGHI @DailyWildcat

The race to beat time and your peers at 6 a.m. the morning of registration day is stress-inducing. You may wake up on time and refresh the page immediately at 6 o’clock, but that does not always guarantee you a spot. If you can’t enroll in the classes you need, you are at risk to graduate past the four year mark. However, as I wrap up my sophomore year, I find myself

Kristen Saban, a senior graduating in December, said, “All my friends from here at the university and my hometown are graduating. I see people taking their grad pictures and moving on with their lives, and I’m not doing that. I feel like, since everyone is moving on, I should be too.”

Saban expressed that she is lucky enough to attend the UA on a scholarship guaranteed for eight semesters. Without the funding or the flexibility of taking online classes, however, she said there would be a lot more pressure to graduate in

Nevertheless, Saban recognizes the pros of taking an extra semester to graduate. She plans to “hold onto school resources such as the Writing Center, Microsoft Office and Adobe” in the process of applying to graduate school. At the same time, the eight month break between graduation and the start of grad school will allow her to take up internships and feel more prepared for the next chapter.

Being a university student is a constant reminder of the Western practice of rushing. We are taught to work and take classes during breaks, rather than rest our minds and bodies.

We are taught that entering college as an undeclared major means you’re confused or unprepared. We are taught that taking a gap year or graduating late causes us to fall behind. But there is not one singular standard that defines the meaning of “falling behind.” Everyone learns at their own pace, so taking breaks and slowing down the process are respectable choices.

Sophomore McKenna Manzo describes the expectation to graduate in four years as “unrealistic.” She stated: “There is no ‘on time.’ More than your capability, it’s more so a matter of how you want to look at school. Everybody looks at school differently and everybody learns at a different pace than others, and I think you just have to keep in mind that just because you see somebody else on a completely different path than your own, it doesn’t mean you have to match your pace with somebody else’s pace.”

It may not be obvious, but while students are constantly being told to “catch up” and “get

ahead,” they are being instilled with a competitive drive to beat their peers.

Even as an underclassman, Manzo, like Saban, feels that this stress is induced by comparison to peers. “A lot of it comes from seeing the people around you: seeing how successful they are or how many internships they have and seeing how set up they are for after college only as sophomores. Seeing them grow faster than you makes you feel like you have to be up to their same speed when, in reality, everyone’s path is different […] that doesn’t make you any less than the person you’re comparing yourself to,” Manzo said.

Proponents of four-year college plans often make the argument that each semester should exceed the credit requirement; it is said that students should also choose a major early on and stick with it. What about the students who are overwhelmed with course loads of more than 12 units? Taking anything more may cause them to get lower grades, which is ultimately more harmful than graduating in more than four years.

What about the students who have many interests and become unhappy with the major they chose at the onset? Should they be expected to continue with an unfulfilling career path or sacrifice a little more time to complete a degree they are proud of? Young people should not have to maintain a singular focus in college. This is an unreasonable expectation. From the age of 18 to the age of 21 — practically from children to adults — we are evolving and establishing our identities to be accepted into the world. Part of that development is found in the exploration of careers and interests. If the

opportunity to try a variety of options is denied, students who are seeking an education without one major in mind are unjustly neglected.

The A Center at the university is an active advocate of taking time to choose a major. The UA does not require students to declare a major until they are in junior standing and, in the meantime, The A Center is where help is provided. Undeclared majors can seek assistance from The A Center advisors in exploring majors and finding internships.

The UA has a four-year graduation rate of only about 50%, making it even more curious that four years remains the nationwide standard. Some argue that numbers shouldn’t be a measure of success. In that case, a refreshing model that expects “lifelong in-and-out, come-andgo education” is encouraged. Although not everybody is in and out of school their whole lives, it makes sense to set a standard for continuous growth.

Going forward, I think I’ll keep in mind the importance of an ongoing education. No matter whether I graduate before, after or right at four years, my experience is not any less valuable than those around me. I’ll be maintaining my health better with less anxiety about fulfilling this unreasonable expectation to suffocate the college years with all work and no rest. I encourage you to ease yourself of that fear as well and to realize that you can take your time.

— Noor Haghighi is a secondyear student exploring ways to harness her passions in environmental science and journalism. She loves wildlife photography and portraiture, fashion, music and film.

MARY ANN VAGNEROVA | THE DAILY WILDCAT OPINIONS WRITER NOOR HAGHIGHI argues the pressure for university students to graduate in the typical four years stems from the common Western practice of rushing. This mindset leads people to fall into the cycle of feeling like they’re “falling behind,” but with no singular or standard definition of what this means, what’s the point of trying to conform in the first place?

From STEM major to future physician: Anthony Nunez Romero’s college journey

BY SABINA HERNANDEZ @DailyWildcat

As the end of the semester approaches, Anthony Nunez Romero, a STEM major who is on the verge of graduating in just a few weeks, discussed the difficult but remarkable journey he has ventured over the last four years. He shared insightful experiences, goals for the future and advice for future students interested in the STEM field.

Nunez Romero is studying in physiology and medical sciences, with a minor in biochemistry. These fields provided him with a strong foundation in the study of the human body as well as a comprehensive understanding of human health and disease.

Upon graduating, he plans to work in a research lab, studying bone regeneration therapies.

Bone regeneration therapies are medical treatments aimed at the growth and repair of bone tissue. This could be either achieved by using advanced technologies or through the natural healing process. This experience will allow Nunez Romero to apply his knowledge and skills to this practice and serve as a stepping stone for his long-term career goals.

Nunez Romero’s ultimate goal will be to attend medical school where he would become a licensed physician, which will allow him to help patients from all different backgrounds.

“I have always found myself attracted to medicine and the unique interactions it offers between the provider and patient,” Nunez Romero said. “I also value leadership and would like to one day mentor students who are trying to achieve their dreams as well.”

During college, Nunez Romero said he learned many valuable

lessons about perseverance and personal growth.

“Failure is often required in order to learn and grow,” Nunez Romero said. “It is hard to grow as a person if you have never experienced rock bottom, whether that be academically or personally. I also learned that it is okay to ask others for help if you are struggling in any area of your life. College is already hard enough so there is no need to force yourself to go through rough times alone.”

Pursuing a STEM degree is a very challenging experience and many other students majoring in this field can agree. With the rigorous coursework, extensive assignments and tests and frequent labs, it can become very overwhelming, so as Nunez Romero stated, it is okay to lean on

others for help and that at times failure can coexist with success.

Nunez Romero had this advice to give to any students who are currently or interested in being a STEM major: “It is hard but not impossible,” he said. “If I could redo everything, I would take advantage of all the resources that the school has to offer such as [Supplemental Instruction] sessions, office hours, tutoring, CAPS, Campus Pantry, Campus Closet, and more. Many of these resources are free and can make college so much easier as long as you are willing to put in the effort. Above all else, I would tell future students to practice gratitude daily.”

By focusing on the opportunities and growth that a situation can bring, a student’s

mindset becomes more resilient which in turn helps them become a stronger individual when navigating difficult times. This is valuable advice for not only STEM majors but any student at the university.

Throughout his college years, Nunez Romero has actively participated in numerous extracurricular activities that allowed him to gain experience and even more knowledge about his field. For all four years of school, he was in Flying Samaritans and was most recently co-president.

Becoming co-president taught him a lot about “leadership, patience, and providing patient care with limited resources.” He has also participated in research at the Orthopedic Research

Laboratory under Dr. David Margolis and Dr. John Szivek.

“This was by far one of my favorite experiences since I learned to not be afraid to ask questions and how to work with others on difficult projects. I was also a volunteer at Tu-Nidito for the past four years where I worked with children suffering from the loss of a loved one,” Nunez Romero said. “I believe this experience taught me a lot about empathy and patience as well. Learning how to manage grief varies greatly depending on the person and their circumstances, so there is always something to learn about.”

Nunez Romero expressed excitement about the next stage in his life following graduation.

“I am very excited to be graduating. I am always looking for the next challenge so I am sure that this year of opportunity will be full of learning experiences. I want to experience and see all the new things life has set out for me,” Nunez Romero said.

As he reflects on his college experience, he said he can feel gratitude for the impactful years he has had at the UA.

“Although I was very stressed during these past four years, I had a great time at the University of Arizona and would not have wanted to be stressed out anywhere else. These were the most transformative four years of my life and I do not regret a thing,” Nunez Romero said. “The dream is to become a physician, but if that doesn’t work out, I will try to carry my ambitiousness elsewhere.”

Nunez Romero also expressed his heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to his family members for their unwavering support over the years, as well as to the Helios Education Foundation for sponsoring his undergraduate degree.

COURTESY OF ANTHONY NUNEZ ROMERO

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA STUDENT Anthony Nunez Romero is graduating this May after studying physiology and medical sciences with a minor in biochemistry. He said he is excited to see where his future takes him.

The 2019-20 freshman class had an entirely different college experience

It felt like the end of the world

By Ileana Hubert, El Inde Arizona

When Emily Wright began attending the University of Arizona in August 2019, she expected one big thing out of her experience: parties.

Over her first spring break in 2020, she went home to Gilbert and learned like everyone else, that she wouldn’t be returning to Tucson.

She sat with her friends in a Hungry Howies restaurant, watching a television report about the early spread of COVID-19 and joked about how it felt like the end of the world.

Bombarded with vague emails from the school, Wright had to pick up her belongings from the Gila dorm before returning to Gilbert indefinitely.

For Wright, 22, spending so much time with her family was a blessing. Her parents were excited to have the whole family living together once again.

Wright was originally a deaf studies major. The combination of glitching, deaf professors and the necessity for

interpreters made pandemic-era learning over Zoom extremely difficult. Eventually, she changed her major to journalism and religious studies. Now, after deferring a semester of her studies, she is set to graduate winter 2023.

A chance to reconnect with nature

By Skylar Zannini, El Inde Arizona

Although online learning wasn’t the plan for Colorado native Gillian Beauchamp when she came to the University of Arizona in 2019, she took the unprecedented situation as an opportunity to hone her digital skills and spend more time outdoors.

“At the time I didn’t think it was ideal,” Beauchamp said “but I feel like I came out of it with a lot of really good skills in technology.”

She also learned a lot of valuable online communication skills, whether it was through Zoom chats or professional emails.

Beauchamp, an education major, went home to Boulder, Colorado, to “reconnect with nature” during quarantine.

“The only outlet anyone had was going on walks,” Beauchamp said, referring to the national trend of people going for walks around their neighborhood when they were tired of being cooped up

indoors.

Beauchamp said she plans to put her pandemic tech skills to good use when she graduates and pursues a career working at a nonprofit that supports young unhoused people.

JACQUELINE CANETT | THE DAILY WILDCAT UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA STUDENTS walk wearing face masks in front of Old Main on campus in October 2020.

MEGAN EWING | THE DAILY WILDCAT SIGNS AROUND CAMPUS REMIND University of Arizona students to wear masks amidst the COVID-19 pandemic Sept. 28, 2020.

COURTISY OF EMILY WRIGHT COURTISY OF GILLIAN BEAUCHAMP

It’s finally time for the University of Arizona’s “COVID-class” to move on

A public health major is inspired

By Alli Burgess, El

Inde Arizona

After Emily Forysiak realized she would never be a rock star like Hannah Montana, the then 5-year-old Surprise, Arizona, native set her sights on being a doctor.

When she was in high school, Forysiak said she was shocked and angered and inspired to study public health by the Flint, Michigan, water crisis.

Bringing it full circle: her freshmen honor’s college seminar was all about Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the pediatrician who took a stand for the citizens of Flint.

When the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to her freshman year, Forysiak said her field of study seemed more important than ever.

“Within our generation I’ve seen a lot more people caring about public health and kind of understanding it and listening to the science,” the 22-year-old said.

Forsyiak will graduate with a B.S. in public health with a global health emphasis and minors in biochemistry, government and public policy.

She will attend Columbia University this

fall to get her master’s degree in public health with an emphasis on infectious disease epidemiology.

A championship through her screen

By Joseph Flores, El Inde Arizona

Lila Gelband should have been in San Antonio helping the Arizona women’s basketball team at the NCAA tournament in 2021.

Instead, she watched the game on the screen of her laptop.

That tournament in 2021 would have been Gelband’s first as a women’s basketball manager, but because of COVID-19, she was not allowed to travel with the team after the NCAA capped the amount of support staff allowed to attend.

Adding salt to her wounds: she and other managers who were left behind were still receiving texts from those who were working the game.

“We got all the text messages of who has this, are you bringing that,” Gelband said.

COVID-19 impacted Gelband’s travel plans but not her love of the job.

When classes went virtual after spring break 2020, Gelband stayed in Tucson hoping to keep helping the team. Arizona was expected to host the 2020 women’s

NCAA tournament, but it was canceled. “I was kind of frustrated and nervous,” Gelband said. “I was really wanting to be involved. It was fun.”

MEGAN EWING | THE DAILY WILDCAT UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA STUDENTS enjoy a social distanced picnic near Old Main Sept. 28, 2020.

JACQUELINE CANETT | THE DAILY WILDCAT A SIGN OUTSIDE CENTENNIAL HALL reminds the University of Arizona community to social distance to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in October 2020.

COURTESY OF EMILY FORYSIAK

Local businesses weigh in on student workers and their collegiate journeys

BY AJ STASH CASTILLO @comicsconverse

For many students at the University of Arizona, graduation is the first step to beginning their dream careers. While still in school, it’s common for students to hold down other jobs in the meantime to make extra money. This means local businesses are used to a cycle of students throughout their time at the UA, whether they’re customers or student workers.

Ben’s Bells, mainly located in Downtown Tucson at 40 W. Broadway Blvd., hires both student workers and volunteers. It sell ceramic bells to hang around Tucson as a symbol of kindness, and hosts workshops, field trips and more.

While many students desire a job on campus, working at a nonprofit such as Ben’s Bells can provide unique experience, according to Monique Conway, the marketing and events manager.

“It’s been really cool to see what people are interested in because

a lot of people don’t think about nonprofit, once they graduate, as a career path,” Conway said. “So it’s nice being able to show them the different aspects of taking photos of our products or coming into the studio and taking pictures of volunteers and sharing it on social media. There’s a lot of different things you get to do and promote as a nonprofit.”

Ben’s Bells was created in 2003 and has since expanded to four locations: two in Tucson, one in Phoenix and one in Bethel, Connecticut. But the bells have been found as far as Singapore, according to the Found Bell Locations map.

The bells and the organization’s message have become a staple in Tucson, even leading people to pass on flower-shaped kindness coins to others as an act of kindness. There are also several murals located at different local schools and around the city as a way to symbolize community and kindness.

Conway said she feels like working at a nonprofit can open up new paths for students that

they didn’t know existed before.

“I’m the one that does all the interviews with the UA and [Arizona State University] students, so it’s fun to see them and hear the questions that are asked,” Conway said. “I tell them to look at the difference between for-profit and for-nonprofit, and a lot of the times people don’t think about that. My passion is in nonprofit. It’s just not where all the money is at, but it gives you a purpose.”

Ben’s Bells has another location in Main Gate Square at 816 E. University Blvd., open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Downtown Tucson location is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There are also a variety of retail shops near the UA campus that often hire students, such as Creations Boutique. Creations Boutique and its sister store, Sky and Sand, are located on Fourth Avenue.

Lisa Warman, the director of retail, said working in retail can help students learn integrity and time management skills.

“If they are in college, and we’ve had a couple that have been in high school, we just try to teach them the best leadership skills possible,” Warman said. “In a retail setting, you’re always pivoting, you’re always multitasking. There’s many different facets: operations, merchandising, customer experience, branding.”

Warman took on Creations Boutique about 13 years ago when it was an outlet store, rebranding it into a boutique.

While she said they don’t hire many student workers, the few that are hired often learn more lessons to apply to themselves, their work or school.

“One memory that pops into my mind is when we hired someone from the University of Arizona who was in the Retail and Consumer

Science Department,” Warman said. “It was when pop-up shops were brand new and we had one over at the UA […] and just watching them shine not only in an area they’re comfortable with, which would be work, but also in their area of learning and expertise at the UA was just so rewarding to me because I got to see all of the skills they’ve trained on come to life.”

Creations Boutique is located at 444 N. Fourth Ave. and is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Local restaurants are another type of business that regularly hire students, like Caruso’s Italian Restaurant. Located in Downtown Tucson, Caruso’s and other businesses in the area are often popular when it comes to students looking for work since the Sun Link streetcar provides accessible travel.

Despite the high interest in work, Caruso’s general manager Ande Motzkin said there are a lot of factors that come into play

when hiring students.

“There are huge hurdles when hiring student workers. First and foremost is school. That’s a hurdle for us because of the schedule. My personal belief is that school is first and foremost and the second is my business,” Motzkin said. “Usually, I will ask students for their schedule […]. I also ask them to be very open with me and tell me as soon as things come up, like exams.”

Caruso’s is located at 434 N. Fourth Ave. and is open 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday and is closed Mondays.

Motzkin said it’s amazing to see student workers grow up in front of her eyes and come back to visit after they graduate from the UA. She also offered words of encouragement to the graduating class of 2023.

“Be diligent, have integrity, be humane, use humanity. I think nothing in life is easy, but anything worth having is worth fighting for,” Motzkin said. “Stay kind to one another and stay committed to your communities.”

GRACIE KAYKO | THE DAILY WILDCAT CARUSO’S IS A POPULAR Italian resturant among University of Arizona students, especially since it can be reached by the Sun Link streetcar. General Manager Ande Motzkin prioritizes flexibility when it comes to hiring student employees.

GRACIE KAYKO | THE DAILY WILDCAT

A TABLE WITH ACCESSORIES is displayed amongst racks of clothes in Creations Boutique on Fourth Avenue, which offers youthful styles that appeal to Unviersity of Arizona students. Director of Retail Lisa Warman emphasizes the importance of gaining leadership skills before graduating.

Congratulations to our Spring 2023 Award-Winning Seniors and Humanities

We are proud of you and know you will make a lasting impact on the world!

Ambassador Graduates!

2023 OUTSTANDING SENIOR & AMBASSAD0R IVANA KLYMKO Spanish, Physiology & Medical Sciences

AMBASSADOR ISELA AGUILAR GAMEZ Applied Humanities & Spanish

AMBASSADOR JENNIFER GAXIOLA Spanish, Global Studies & Political Science

AMBASSADOR XIMENA VELAZQUEZ HERNANDEZ Spanish

AMBASSADOR EMMERY KELLY Spanish, Physiology & Medical Sciences

AMBASSADOR KIDRON MARTIN Religious Studies & History

AMBASSADOR NAOMI REYNOLDS East Asian Studies

AMBASSADOR MELANIE ZHANG East Asian Studies & Business Management

What it’s like for a first generation college student to make it to graduation

BY ANNABEL LECKY @ablecky_23

“The truth is that this stuff is complicated and it’s hard. There’s not many people who can do it by themselves. It really does take a village to support just a single person.”

Just two years ago, Ashley Wyn was attending community college near her family home in Maryland. Amidst a pandemic and the whirlwind that is the college application process, Wyn spared no effort to find the right fit.

Having parents who did not attend college amplified her struggles while applying to schools, as they were unfamiliar with the American school system and the financial burden that many aspiring students face during their decisions.

After some time in community college, Wyn decided she wanted to try out a more “traditional” college experience, such as the one in her favorite movie, “Legally Blonde,” with sports teams and Greek Life. Enrolling in a university would also allow her to pursue a program where she could study neuroscience and cognitive science, with an emphasis in neurobiology.

“As a transfer student, it was everything that I wanted,” Wyn said. “I wanted to be at a big campus. I wanted to be at a university that was very spirited and that’s what the University of Arizona felt like.”

As the first of her siblings to go through the college application process, Wyn

noted that it was definitely worthwhile after her time at the UA, but getting to this point of graduation was no simple endeavor.

“I feel like there’s a bit of a learning curve when it comes to parents of [first generation college students] feeling the need to be there for their kids’ college experience, like family weekends and Homecoming,” Wyn said. “And again, that’s something that a lot of other families and students had their support system come visit and for my family, it wasn’t that way.”

For the parents of first generation students, it may not even be with malintent, rather just the “lack of intuition” to partake in these events, Wyn explained.

“Sometimes it can be a very lonely experience. That’s something that I would want to give my siblings, a presence for their college experiences, too,” Wyn said.

While managing a fulfilling social experience as well as an academic one, Wyn said she believes her mentors in college were the pinnacle of her success.

“I don’t know if it’s just coincidence that a lot of my professors are also first gen students, but it was really comforting to just talk to my professors and figure out how they took their educational path,” Wyn said. “And to know that not everyone’s path looks the same […]. The traditional pathway doesn’t work for everyone if they don’t come from a traditional background.”

Wyn said another learning curve she experienced included learning how to network with professors and other professionals. While many students either learn how to do this from their parents who went through college or make connections through them, first generation students must find out on their own.

This led Wyn to utilize her resources more than someone who may already have that support at home. Especially in a STEM major, forming study groups and talking to TAs boosted Wyn’s confidence in this field.

“You really want to be around people that understand the struggles of being a STEM student as well,” Wyn said.

As parting advice to other first generation college students, Wyn said it may be common to compare yourself to other people you meet, especially those who had the advantage of families with generations of knowledge about higher education, but it’s a counterproductive thing to do when everyone is different.

“I feel like that would be my biggest recommendation to first gen students,” Wyn said, “to not compare themselves to people who don’t have similar backgrounds, who don’t have the same history, who don’t have even the same culture, different values — there are different pathways.”

After graduation in May, Wyn said she hopes to attend medical school and has begun her application process already.

MARY ANN VAGNEROVA | THE DAILY WILDCAT BEING A FIRST GENERATION college student can be difficult for a surplus of reasons. For one, according to first generation University of Arizona student Ashley Wyn, you have to figure out how to network all on your own.

Graduating film student is confident in chosen career path, ready for next steps

BY KORAYMA LAMADRID @Koraymalamadrid

Hadas Bar, 21, will be graduating in May from the College of Fine Arts with a degree in film and television.

Looking back at her four years at the University of Arizona, Bar feels confident with the career path she chose.

“I feel very fulfilled as a film and television major. I get to play around all day, then get a degree at

the end of the day,” Bar said.

She wasn’t as confident as she is now when she first began applying to colleges. She had never thought about majoring in film or worked on any film projects. In high school, writing, making art and photography were more her speed.

But when Bar began applying to colleges as a physiology student, she knew it wasn’t the right fit for her.

“I started applying as a physiology major because it seemed like the most logical thing,” Bar said. After putting some thought into it, she realized that she could not see herself going down that path. She did not want to be a therapist or psychiatrist.

She began applying to colleges as a film major and didn’t have her mind set on any school. Acquaintances of Bar had previously attended the UA and explained how they enjoyed their time there.

After some research on the film program, she found out the UA has one of the best film programs in the country.

Bar decided to come down from her Los Angeles family home to visit the campus and immediately fell in love with the community and environment.

After four years of being behind stage and cameras, she will now be the star of her own movie, walking on stage for her diploma.

Bar’s inspiration for the art of film

A big inspiration for Bar is her grandfather, Adam Greenberg. Greenberg was a cinematographer in the early 70s to the 2000s and worked on “The Terminator,” “Alien Nation,” “Snakes on a Plane” and “La Bamba.”

Growing up with a cinematographer grandfather, Bar had an appreciation for the arts and film. As early as she

can remember, watching films was never for her entertainment, but out of appreciation for the art of film.

When Bar had told her family she wanted to go into the industry, they fully supported her, except her grandfather.

He was averse to the idea of her entering film because he new the poor treatment women receive in the industry.

“I told my grandfather I was going into film when we were eating dinner one day. We were silent for 20 minutes before he told me it was a hard industry for women,” Bar said.

Now Greenberg is thrilled that Bar is going to graduate and start her career after graduation.

“He is my biggest supporter, he thinks I am going to be the biggest director one day,” Bar said.

The obstacle of COVID-19

It was Bar’s second semester in college when COVID-19 cases began to rise in Tucson and classes and campus were shut down. Being away from school and attending online classes interrupted her education and experience.

Looking back, not being able to get hands-on experience affected Bar the most, especially during the spring semester of 2021.

Senior film students begin to work on their thesis projects during this time, which requires help

from the lower classmen. Getting that behind-thescenes experience in her first year would have properly prepared her for the future semesters.

Aside from her education, being quarantined was a struggle for Bar, who made sure to stay away from big gatherings, parties and got COVID-19 tested at least twice a week.

She was living with immunocompromised

family members and wanted to be on top of her health.

Bar decided to come back in the spring semester of 2021, essentially missing a whole year from in-person classes and any social gatherings. When she applied for her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts she knew she would miss out on hands-on experience.

CONTINUE ON PAGE 17

COURTESY HADAS BAR

HADAS BAR’S SENIOR THESIS film, “The Art of Leaving Home,” will be shown at the senior film festival on May 6 at the Fox Tucson Theatre.

COURTESY HADAS BAR

IN CREATING HER SENIOR thesis film, Hadas Bar was inspired by the 2017 film “Lady Bird,” especially because of its mix of drama and comedy.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

“I wasn’t there to even use the equipment everyone else was using. I had to [use] makeshift equipment like lighting, props and use my friend as a model,” Bar said.

Although she missed many learning opportunities and experiences, she did not feel behind in her education.

Bar was excited to return to campus and pick up where she left off.

Senior film process

Bar began working on her senior thesis project before the summer even started last year. She began the production process in fall 2022.

Bar usually writes drama with hints of comedy and was inspired by the 2017 film, “Lady Bird.”

“I was watching ‘Lady Bird’ for the hundredth time, and the relationship between the mother and daughter carried me through the film,” Bar said.

The film follows a teenage girl as she tries to navigate through her senior year of high school. Her biggest obstacle in the film is trying to navigate the relationship she has with her strong-willed mother. Although Bar said this relationship does not illustrate the relationship with her own mother, she saw other relationships from her life pop up in her head while watching.

“In the Jewish culture, we have this funny thing called ‘Jewish guilt.’ We always have to be there regardless if we have problems with people. [You] put family before yourself which can lead to toxic situations and it can make you hold back in life,” Bar said.

Bar’s film is about a Jewish girl who wants to leave home but has guilt stemming from her overcritical grandmother. She wanted to talk about a tightknit community that makes you put yourself second, according to Bar.

While her film showcases

serious topics like toxic family relationships, it also has a comical effect to it. Bar laughs thinking about her own experiences with some of her family members.

It’s funny because, although it’s your life, family members constantly remind you that it’s not actually yours, according to Bar.

Her film, “The Art of Leaving Home,” will premiere at the I Dream in Widescreen senior film festival on May 6 at the Fox Tucson Theatre.

Bar’s whole senior year was dedicated to her senior film project, and she had some help along the way. Kyle Openshaw, 22, helped Bar in the logistical aspects, to let her focus on the creative aspects.

Openshaw is studying film and television and first met Bar at the beginning of their UA college journey. The duo has grown close after attending the same

courses and working on projects together.

After helping Bar with her film, Openshaw is thrilled to watch the finished product.

“To see her put so much effort into something, she put a lot of herself [into] the project. So to see that come to life is amazing,” Openshaw said.

The extra push Bar needed to reach film goals

The university’s film program and professors have helped Bar expand her film knowledge, acording to Bar.

Professor Jacob Bricca, 52, has been one of the many professors to have deeply impacted Bar’s education in film and arts.

Bricca has been teaching for ten years and is an associate professor and head of production area, film and television at the UA. Bar has taken multiple courses from Bricca and he was Bar’s post-production advisor for her senior thesis.

Over the course of the semester, Bricca has pushed Bar just enough to reach her film goals, without pushing her over her breaking point.

“He is a great professor. He really cares about making our work the best it can be and listening to what we want rather than inflicting his own opinions on us,” Bar said.

Bricca has loved working side by side with Bar as she navigated through her senior film. She is an amazing photographer, cinematographer and a “very good writer to boot,” Bricca said. “I think she could be successful in a variety of fields. I hope she

gets to follow her passions and finds other great collaborators to work with.”

Post-graduation path

As graduation creeps around the corner, Bar is more excited than scared. She plans to move back to Los Angeles and start her filmmaking career right away.

Bar has a positive outlook on her career path after graduation and believes that she is prepared enough to start her career. She describes herself as a creative, hard worker that can also have fun on set.

“It’s a really exciting

change in my life and I don’t think it can go wrong at this time. I have no inkling that I won’t make it in the industry,” Bar said.

Bar is determined to reach her dreams of making it in the industry. Bar has no plan B because she said she believes that if you don’t have a plan B, it will only push you harder to work on your plan A.

After four years of being behind the camera, Bar is finally wrapping up the production of her own life.

For once, Bar will be the star of her own movie as she walks across Centennial Hall to receive her degree.

University of Arizona student Hadas Bar delves into her decision to major in film, her inspiration, obstacles she’s faced, her senior film project and more

COURTESY HADAS BAR

HADAS BAR’S SENIOR THESIS film, “The Art of Leaving Home,” will be shown at the University of Arizona's senior film festival on May 6 at the Fox Tucson Theatre.

COURTESY HADAS BAR

AS SOON AS SHE graduates this May with her undergraduate degree in film from the University of Arizona, Hadas Bar plans to jump right into pursuing her film career. Her first step is moving back to L.A.

UA seniors break the taboo surrounding gap years

BY ANDREA CAMPOS @DailyWildcat

Graduation season is upon us, an important and well-deserved milestone for our senior Wildcats! Planning for what comes next can be tricky, even scary at times, but should never be an isolating experience.

Joel Moreno is a senior studying information science. Moreno recalls having a lot of good memories from his four years at the University of Arizona. One of his favorites being a football game against Arizona State University, where UA fans rushed the field.

When it comes to gap years, Moreno has more negative than positive feelings arise, although he has considered it.

“A lot of it is negative because I feel like I’d be wasting a lot of time where I could be doing something. At the same time, taking a gap year is a good opportunity to destress or even just think

about what I really want to do. It’s kind of mixed feelings,” Moreno said. Moreno contemplated what taking a gap year could look like for him.

“I would probably travel around a little bit. Maybe do some volunteering to get some experience. Or maybe just do nothing and relax,” Moreno said. “Mostly, I would want to take a gap year for the extra time but also saving money.”

Moreno advises future seniors to not rush through their time at the UA.

“I wish I had more time here at the UA. My advice is just to take your time, have fun and relax,” Moreno said.

Johana Quintero, a double major in financial planning and family studies, feels uncertain regarding gap years.

“I really don’t know what I want to do just yet. Even though I am a senior graduating, I still have no clue what I want to do.

That’s why I’ve considered a gap year,” Quintero said.

For Quintero, a gap year would involve working in order to save money for graduate school.

“I would also try internships. Really just put myself out there and explore different options. Financially wise, I think I’d save a lot of money. I don’t want to go into grad school and get a degree in something that in the future I might not practice. Taking that year could really help me find what my passion is,” Quintero said.

Quintero admits taking gap years can be risky but emphasizes the importance of putting yourself out there.

“Growing up, my mom always said once you step out of school, it is tougher to get back in. You get too invested in making a certain income, and you think you might not need to go back to school and get that education,” Quintero said. “Graduation is approaching and you might not feel like you

have everything set after, but things pull through and you will be successful.”

Enoch Spiro is a senior studying studio art. Spiro enjoys the everyday student life, like going out, getting food and talking to friends.

For Spiro, taking a gap year brings up feelings of comfort and an opportunity to regroup.

“Figuring out what you’re doing. I mean, most people can’t find a job unless you have done a lot of internships or get really lucky,” Spiro said. “More time to plan. A lot of people rush into things, and that’s not the best way to do it. Then it’s easier to make mistakes. Planning is good.”

Spiro provided a glimpse into how he would spend his time if he took a gap year.

“Probably try to network. Work on my art portfolio. See if I can get any jobs later, so preparing,” Spiro said. Taking time off can have

its benefits, Spiro added, particularly concerning mental health but also some disadvantages.

“Getting extra time to relax after school. Four years of school is a really big commitment,” Spiro said. “If you’re not working during that time, you’re probably not getting that experience. You’re losing out on potential money. You have to go back home with your parents. A year is a lot of time, so if you’re not really doing anything, it’s kind of a waste.”

Bridgette Lamkin, a psychology student with a minor in sports nutrition, feels regretful she did not take a gap year during her four years.

“I feel like I missed out on a year because of COVID-19 and somewhat wish that I had taken some time to figure out what I really want to do because now I am graduating in May and I am still not sure exactly what I want to do,” Lamkin said.

In terms of taking a gap year after graduation,

Lamkin says it’s a possibility.

“It would give me some more time to think over what I would really like to do with my degree and if I want to continue studying it and going back to school,” Lamkin said. However, Lamkin did express her anxieties surrounding gap years.

“Getting a bit lazy and out of a routine of going to school. I might get a little bit lost after that gap year,” Lamkin said. “I think it’s a really good opportunity to take a step back from what you’re doing and figure out what your next step is,” Lamkin said.

Lamkin’s advice for Wildcats is to take advantage of the college experience.

“Take advantage of the university’s opportunities, like all the clubs and all the resources within the university,” Lamkin said. “I think a [gap year is a] really good opportunity to take a step back from what you’re doing and figure out what your next step is.”

BRIDGETTE LAMKIN

ENOCH SPIRO

JOHANA QUINTERO JOEL MORENO

WE CELEBRATE!

Congratulations to our Franke Honors Graduates!

CONGRAT ULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS

TO OUR GRADUATING STUDENT WORKERS!

24/7 Support & Office of Student Computing Resources

Javier Alday BS in Aerospace Engineering

Moises Garcia-Duarte BS in Information Science & Technology

Carson James Hayes BS in Electrical & Computer Engineering

Christian Martinez BS in Computer Science

Sophia Mikulewicz BS in Information Science & Technology

Matthew Ricci BS in Computer Science and BA in Linguistics

Jamie Scott BS in Chemical Engineering

Service Management

Sean Lested BA in Games and Behavior

Juan Diego Reisinger MS in Accounting

Extended Services

Catherine Michel Leyva BA in Spanish

Information Security Office

Brendan Berton BS in Information Science & Technology

Human Resources & Organizational Development

Anthony Silva BS in Care, Health, and Society

Trellis CRM

Elsie Bold BS in Computer Science

Campus Web Services

Kyle Clements BS in Computer Science

Trevor Lee BSBA in Management Information Systems

Ben Nylen BSBA in Management Information Systems/ Operations & Supply Chain Management

Graham Sands BSBA in Management Information Systems

Emily Seo BSBA in Management Information Systems

Arizona Mobile

Mackay Sennyey

BSBA in Business Economics and Business Management

Brandon Webb BS in Information Science

WE SEEK WE CONNECT WE CREATE WE EVOLVE

OPINION: My freshman year at the UA felt like I was in a vivarium

BY OLIVIA MALONE @DailyWildcat

With my freshman year at the University of Arizona coming to an end, I think the best thing this campus could be compared to is a vivarium. A quick Google search will define a vivarium as “an enclosure, container, or structure adapted or prepared for keeping animals under semi-natural conditions for observation or study.”

I would like to place an emphasis on the word seminatural. From my experience, college is a place of newfound independence for most. Many of us are living on our own or with someone new. We are in charge of our diets, expenses and basically every moment of our time. It is said to be our first bit of time in the “real world.”

All of these things were to be expected, though it made them no less jarring. I watched myself and others struggle to learn how to pick a properly priced container of fruit, fix a broken light, deal with an intoxicated friend and learn our limits.

Within my first month at the UA, I was perplexed by the politics of Greek Life, the frequency of parties and other aspects of a college town that make our time here so unique from living off of a college campus.

We are in our vivarium, a place as close to the real world as possible, but because of its purpose, placement and population, is unique. Aside from settling into my newfound independence and struggling

with the tribulations of grocery shopping, I learned that while the UA feels like an island at times, it is not exempt from what is going on in the rest of the world.

One of the most difficult events in the UA community from this year was the killing of professor Thomas Meixner. The head of the Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences Department was hot on campus last semester, and a former graduate student is charged with the murder. According to the Gun Violence Archive, 5,778 people have been killed in gun violence in 2023 as of April 27. The fact that it happened on our campus is shocking, but not necessarily unpredictable.

I remember walking back from a lecture on gender and contemporary society and receiving the UAlert on my phone that a shooting had occurred. A cloud hung over campus for a few days, and then life moved on.

This was something I did not expect to happen in my vivarium, but upon thinking about it just a little more, I suppose I should have.

We were also faced with grotesque anti-abortion protests on the UA Mall, moving counterprotests and the repeated presence of an older man on the Mall banishing all queer people, Jewish people, etc. to hell because of who they are, sometimes just yards away from campus tours for potential new students.

Essentially, my freshman year consisted of a repeated cycle of feeling settled into a sort of utopia where I had menial adult responsibilities and lots of school work, and then being thrown back into reality by events I am

used to seeing in the news.

As my freshman year progressed, I would find myself at times feeling more jaded. Throughout the year, I saw more and more of the things my adult parents told me I would experience in the real world, and each time I did, more of the cynicism I resent in adults began to come out in me.

I knew this was not an isolated experience either. One thing the semi-natural environment of the college vivarium gave me was a sense of community. We are all around the same age, all in a new environment. Most of us are fresh on our own, and many of us are still figuring things out. These shared traits are something I

have gained great gratitude for.

As I see myself getting frustrated over an urgent care bill for my fifth cold or flu of the year, or feeling depressed when twisted events or people are present on my campus, I know I can turn to nearly whoever is right next to me and they will be able to empathize, whether we agree on certain things or not.

I entered the UA prepared for either a utopian land of parties or a hard taste of the real world, and, in the end, I got both.

The UA is not exempt from dealing with the serious problems that plague our society, but in the same way, the student body is able to help each other and in that way, they

can help the world.

We are not as tired as our parents just yet, which I know because I have seen fiery counter-protests, passionate clubs and eager-to-learn minds in every corner of campus.

The vivarium is a unique place for our minds to grow, and I am leaving this year thankful for the semi-natural nature of the UA’s vivarium because it is nurturing passionate students who are becoming tired of society’s faults.

— Olivia Malone is a freshman studying law in journalism with a minor in family studies and human development. She enjoys being outdoors, making music and traveling.

OLIVIA MALONE | THE DAILY WILDCAT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA’S Old Main was the first building ever made on the school’s campus. When it first opened in 1891, it used to hold all classrooms, dorms, offices and a library. Nowadays, the building houses university employee offices and event rooms. Over the decades, Old Main has become an iconic association with the university.

2023 COMMENCEMENT | SPORTS GRADS

Recognizing Arizona student-athletes graduating this May

BY DELANEY PENN @delaneypennn

The University of Arizona will see student-athletes from almost all sports walking the stage during the 2023 Spring Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m. at Arizona Stadium.

Baseball

George Arias Jr. (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Chris Barraza (Senior): two seasons as a Wildcat (2021-23)

Tony Bullard (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Tyler Casagrande (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Derek Drees (Senior): one season as a Wildcat (2022-23)

Nik McClaughry (Senior): three seasons as a Wildcat (2020-23)

Colton Moore (Senior): one season as a Wildcat (2022-23)

Basketball (Men’s)

Matthew Lang (Fifth year): one season as a Wildcat (2022-23)

Jordan Mains (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23); spent first semester as a student manager in 2019

Basketball (Women’s)

Lauren Fields (Senior): one season as a Wildcat (2022-23); will transfer upon graduation

Jade Loville (Fifth year): one season as a Wildcat (2022-23)

Shaina Pellington (Fifth year): three seasons as a Wildcat (202023)

Cate Reese (Fifth year): five seasons as a Wildcat (2018-23)

Beach Volleyball

Sarah Blacker (Fifth year): five seasons as a Wildcat (2018-23)

Grace Cook (Senior): one season as a Wildcat (2023)

Dilara Gedikoglu (Senior): three seasons as a Wildcat (2020-23); started on indoor volleyball in 2020-21 season, joined beach volleyball for 2022-23 seasons

Summer McDonough (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Jordyn Nichols (Senior): four

seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Alex Parkhurst (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Alana Rennie (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Hope Shannon (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Kali Uhl (Senior): four seasons as a WIldcat (2019-23)

Caroline White (Graduate student): one season as a Wildcat (2023)

Cross Country

Peyton Heiden (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Sailor Hutton (Senior)

Meggie Karp (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Football

Jashon Butler (Redshirt junior): five seasons as a Wildcat (2018-23); will transfer upon graduation

Josh Donovan (Redshirt senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Hunter Echols (Redshirt senior): one season as a Wildcat (2022-23)

Paiton Fears (Redshirt senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Jalen Harris (Redsirt senior): six seasons as a Wildcat (2017-23)

Issaiah Johnson (Redshirt junior, possible graduation): five seasons as a Wildcat (2018-23)

Isaiah Mays (Redshirt junior, possible graduation): three seasons as a Wildcat (2020-23)

Traemaine Savea (Senior): one seasons as a Wildcat (2022-23)

season as a Wildcat (2022-23)

Izzy Pacho (Redshirt senior): five seasons as a Wildcat (2018-23)

Swimming and Diving (Men’s)

Ty Coen (Fifth year): five seasons as a Wildcat (2018-23)

Tai Combs (Fifth year): five seasons as a Wildcat (2018-23)

Marin Ercegovic (Fifth year): five seasons as a Wildcat (2018-23)

Hunter Ingram (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Wyatt Matson (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Sebastian Odent (Senior): two seasons as a Wildcat (2021-23)

Swimming and Diving (Women’s)

two seasons as a Wildcat (2021-23)

Track and Field (Men’s)

Dominic Gehr (Senior): six seasons as a Wildcat (2017-23)

Jordan Geist (Senior): six seasons as a Wildcat (2017-23)

Jacorey Jones (Senior): three seasons as a Wildcat (2020-23)

Jeffrey Sillers (Senior): three seasons as a Wildcat (2020-23)

Track and Field (Women’s)

Talie Bonds (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Katie Daily (Senior): six seasons as a Wildcat (2017-23)

Peyton Heiden (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Dante Smith (Redshirt junior, possible graduation): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Christian Young (Senior): five seasons as a Wildcat (2018-23)

Golf (Men’s)

Chaz Aurilia (Senior): three seasons as a Wildcat (2020-23)

Aidric Chan (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Cal McCoy (Graduate student): two seasons as a Wildcat (2021-23)

Chase Sienkiewicz (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Golf (Women’s)

Gile Bite Starkute (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Gymnastics

Sirena Linton (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Danielle Nosek (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Libby Orman (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Soccer

Mariah Dunn (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Madison Goerlinger (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Hope Hisey (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Softball

Ali Blanchard (Senior): one season as a Wildcat (2022-23)

Brianna Hardy (Senior): one

Erin Lang (Senior): three seasons as a Wildcat (2020-23)

Axana Merckx (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Delaney Schnell (Graduate student): six seasons as a Wildcat (2017-23); 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games silver medalist

Gracie Sleeman (Senior): three seasons as a Wildcat (2019-21, 2022-23)

Tennis (Men’s)

Jared Horwood (Fifth year): five seasons as a Wildcat (2018-23)

Hiroki Sakagawa (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Jonas Ziverts (Fifth year): five seasons as a Wildcat (2018-23)

Tennis (Women’s)

Lexi Ryngler (Senior): two seasons as a Wildcat (2021-23)

Salma Ziouti (Graduate student):

Neysia Howard (Senior): five seasons as a Wildcat (2018-23)

Meggie Karp (Senior): four seasons as a Wildcat (2019-23)

Alexa Porpaczy (Senior): five seasons as a Wildcat (2018-23)

Diana Ramos (Senior): five seasons as a Wildcat (2018-23)

Xahria Santiago (Senior): two seasons as a Wildcat (2021-23)

Skylar Sieben (Senior): five seasons as a Wildcat (2018-23)

Volleyball

Zyonna Fellows (Fifth year): five seasons as a Wildcat (201823)

Dilara Gedikoglu (Senior): three seasons as a Wildcat (202023); started on indoor volleyball in 2020-21 season, joined beach volleyball for 2022-23 seasons

NATHANIAL STENCHEVER | THE DAILY WILDCAT

AN ARIZONA FOOTBALL HELMET sits on Arizona field before a game against ASU in the last game of the 2022 season. Arizona beat ASU for the first time in four years.

NATHANIAL STENCHEVER | THE DAILY WILDCAT

AN ARIZONA SOFTBALL SITS on the fence at Mike Candrea Field on April 15. Arizona was swept by UCLA in a three game series.

OPINION: Three graduating seniors share advice on what they’ve learned in college

BY KELLY MARRY @kellycmarry

In the last four years, these three seniors have experienced so many ups and downs, from being sent home in March of 2020 to seeing the football team win its first game in years. They have also learned hard lessons and showed perseverance throughout these years.

Graduating is a massive accomplishment. As the semester comes to a close, three seniors look back on their time at the University of Arizona. Reflecting on their time here brought up memories of their clubs, hanging out with friends and attending sporting events. It also brought up things they’re going to miss, like the beauty of the campus, the people and the atmosphere.

Erika Brittain is double majoring in English and professional and technical writing with a double minor in theatre arts and library and information science.

“I will miss the people the most. Throughout my four years here, I’ve been so fortunate to get involved in various organizations here on campus,” Brittain said.

Carmen Rivero is double majoring in English and political science.

“I really like the campus and its walkability, so that’s definitely something I’ll miss. I also love all the little spots I’ve found to study and do homework,” Rivero said.

Emily Alviti is majoring in criminal justice and minoring in journalism.

“I will miss the atmosphere walking around campus the most,” Alviti said.

Four years is a long time, and in that time, they had amazing experiences. They went through hardships, but came back stronger

than they were. They advised their underclassmen on how to make the most of their time by using the resources their tuition pays for, joining clubs that align with their interests and living in the moment.

“Make the most of the university’s resources. We pay so much in tuition, and there are so many things we can access as students,” Brittain said.

There are so many resources available that many students don’t know about. We have student access to various databases, like academic journals. The library rents laptops and cameras and has CATalyst Studios, where people can do 3D printing, laser cutting and embroidery. The Campus Pantry provides free food, and Campus Closet provides free business attire. Our tuition pays for a lot, so you might as well use everything the university offers.

“I would suggest finding an activity or club you’re passionate about and to attend events during

the first few weeks of school just to get to know the campus and meet different people,” Rivero said. “You don’t have to maintain the same friends or same activity during the entirety of your time here, but it will at least provide you [with] a space to familiarize yourself with your environment as you enter this new chapter.”

Coming to college can be scary especially if you don’t know anyone. Clubs and other activities allow students to meet new people and build lasting relationships throughout college. If you can’t join any clubs, try talking to people in your classes and building rapport with them.

“Live in the moment and be yourself. Don’t worry about what others think of you, and do what makes you happy because college flies by too fast,” Alviti said.

Sometimes it can be challenging to think about your present experiences and instead think about stressful situations from the past or worry about the future,

but living in the present can help you be happier and enjoy the life you’re living now.

College holds a special place in these three students hearts, and they will never forget their experiences at the UA. It seems to me, the friends they made, the adversity they conquered and the laughs they shared will be in the back of their minds for the rest of their lives. They are excited for what’s to come post-graduation.

Brittain is returning to Phoenix and looking for a job or internship in the publishing industry.

Rivero is unsure of her plans right now, but she is excited about what’s to come.

Alviti plans to gain more experience in the court system before attending law school in the fall of 2024.

— Kelly Marry (she/her) is a sophomore studying journalism and public relations. She loves to read and travel in her free time.

ERIKA BRITTIAN EMILY ALVITI CARMAN RIVERO

CONGRATULATIONS

TO ALL OF OUR SPRING 2023 GRADUATES

ENGINEERS BEAR DOWN TO CHANGE THE WORLD

2023 COMMENCEMENT | COMICS

BY JOHN KONRAD @vomit_party

And that’s a wrap!

Two years and 50 comics later, I’m ready to put “Birdseed” to rest as both I and our pigeon protagonist JJ graduate college.

I’ve grown attached to these anxious little birds over the past couple years, but it’s time to let them leave the nest and fly away.

Thank you to the Daily Wildcat , the cartoonists on the Comics Desk and everyone who’s read “Birdseed” for helping keep the newspaper comic strip tradition alive. Writing this comic was one of my favorite memories from college, and it wouldn’t have been as special without all of you.

Thank you for reading “Birdseed,” a (not quite) weekly comic for birds with student debt.

If you’re interested in keeping up with John Konrad, you can find more of his work on his Instagram: @vomit_party

‘Birdseed’ creator John Konrad is graduating after running the Daily Wildcat Comics Desk for two years

BY AMANDA MOURELATOS @amandamou02

Comics at the Daily Wildcat were nonexistent since 2012. But this changed once one of the former Arts & Life editors encouraged John Konrad to revive them at the student newspaper during his sophomore year in 2020.

While Konrad was the sole cartoonist in the newsroom in the beginning of the effort, the Daily Wildcat now has a flourishing Comics Desk full of diverse artists thanks to him.

And now it’s time for the editor to move on as he gradutes this May from the University of Arizona. Konrad, a senior studying studio art with an illustration emphasis and management information systems, has always been drawing. When he entered his senior year of high school he became serious about art. Entering college, he was ready for art school. His parents, however, wanted him “to have a practical degree.” He knew he wasn’t going to give up art, so he made the choice to double major.

When the pandemic struck, Konrad found a positive in being forced to spend more time at home.

“I think that was a little bit of a blessing in disguise ‘cause when I was just stuck at home for months on end, there was nothing to do but draw, and so I think during that time I got even better and even more serious about it. That kind of got me set on a sort of trajectory to where I am now,” Konrad said.

A popular comic series called “Birdseed” has been Konrad’s brainchild since the first episode was published by the Daily Wildcat on March 3, 2021. He was inspired by classic comics such as “Calvin and Hobbes,” “Peanuts” and “Nancy.”

“I wanted to take some notes from them and create a funny, accessible strip with characters that you hopefully got a little bit attached to and you understood the character’s motivations, who they were and how they would act from comic to comic,” Konrad said.

Since he is now graduating, Konrad decided to end “Birdseed” on an even number. He “got to number 50, and it felt like the right time to end it.”

MaryAnn Vagnerova, senior and artist on the Comics Desk, has been creating comics on the desk since early 2022. She has published comics such as “Creature Comforts” and “The College Cowboy.”

“Honestly? He’s one of the most incredible people I’ve met during my time at the university — he has so many ideas, and he is so

consistent with the output of his work. He’s always trying new things, and he puts in the work,” Vagnerova said.

Sela Margalit, a sophomore, is one of the newer recruits for the comics desk and will be taking over Konrad’s role as the comics editor next semester.

“Every time I open a newspaper, the comics page is always the first thing I turn to, and I would not want to imagine a paper without the vibrance and life of drawn illustration,” Margalit said. “His diligent leadership, considerate nature and creativity are second to none. When I first joined, he displayed such a passion for the medium and took the time to go through the fascinating history of the paper with me.”

Jamelle Texeria Jr. is a

third-year Project FOCUS student also graduating this year, and was the second person to officially join the comics desk.

“I remember the time I joined the Daily Wildcat, nervous and afraid for my future as an artist/ cartoonist,” Texeria said. “John was the guy to assist me through my journey here at the Daily Wildcat. Without him, the comics desk wouldn’t have been as amazing as it is now, and I wouldn’t be at the Daily Wildcat creating some of the most memorable cartoons in my life.”

Even though “Birdseed” is coming to an end and Konrad is graduating, the Comics Desk will not disappear as it did once before. Margalit is ready to take on the role as editor and keep the desk alive.

“His work for the Daily

Wildcat has overall been an absolute blessing,” Margalit said. “Even though nothing could replace seeing that hallmark pair of glasses in the newsroom, I hope to carry on that legacy as the new editor of the Comics Desk.” Margalit said.

Outside of college, Konrad plans to stay in Tucson and continue contributing to his webcomic that he has been working on since his senior year of high school. His goal is to get a comic published through an official publisher in the next five years.

He’s also thankful he got a business degree in the end.

“That will keep me afloat enough financially that I can work on my craft in the meantime,” Konrad said. “The goal is to have a full-time creative career eventually.”

DANIELLE MAIN | THE DAILY WILDCAT JOHN KONRAD, COMICS EDITOR at the Daily Wildcat, revived the student newspaper’s Comics Desk in 2020 after honing his artistic skills during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. He is graduating from the University of Arizona this May after studying studio art with an illustration emphasis and management information systems.

JOHN KONRAD | THE DAILY WILDCAT JOHN KONRAD REVIVED THE Comics Desk at the Daily Wildcat student newspaper with “Birdseed,” his comic about birds attending college. Read the whole 50-comic series online at DailyWildcat.com/staff/john_konrad.

2022-23 YEAR IN REVIEW | LASTING EFFECTS

‘An abundance of caution’: Hydrology department looks to the future amidst eerie reminders of October shooting

BY BAILEY EKSTROM @EkstromBailey

As the 2022-23 school year comes to an end, the Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences department continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Oct. 5 murder of beloved faculty member Thomas Meixner. Justin Headley — a graduate student and teacher’s assistant within the Hydrology Department —

came forward about his and his peers’ experience looking back on the year.

Headley was sitting in on Meixner’s course, “Fundamentals of Water Quality,” on the day of the shooting.

“I had taken the class before, but I was intentionally sitting in on [professor Meixner’s] lectures again because I admired him so much as a teacher,” Headley explained.

After the lab, Meixner and those enrolled in the course left the room where the lab took place and went downstairs. Headley, who had stayed behind to clean up after the lab, heard gunshots minutes later. Headley noted that the HAS department has been “really great, accommodating and understanding” of the fact that “whether they are students or staff, nobody this

past year is operating at 100 percent.”

“For a lot of people on campus, it was one incident that happened one day in October and then every day since then has gotten a bit better[ …]. For all of us in HAS, it’s been this weight on us […], this wound that heals a little bit but then opens back up,” Headley said.

Despite the traumatic nature of the incident, HAS leadership has taken on the task of paving the way to a safer campus.

Interim HAS department head Christopher Castro emphasized the department “has a vital role to play in re-imagining safety at the University of Arizona,” and is organizing an “HAS town hall to focus on this topic,” in a letter to the community.

There is also debate regarding the role that the Harshbarger building — a site of trauma for many HAS students and faculty — will play in the future of the department.

Castro stated, “The intermediate option could possibly involve a re-entry plan to Harshbarger, with due accommodation for those that would prefer to be physically located elsewhere. The longer term option would either be relocation to a completely renovated building or construction of a new building,” emphasizing that the decision has not been made.

Headley expressed the feeling that while “there is a sincere effort being made by some people to at least want to make things safer,” he doesn’t “think the effort has been made to actually make things safer.”

Headley specifically

mentioned UAPD Chief Paula Balafas, feeling that she “owes the Meixners and the entire community an apology for first, letting [the shooting] happen in the first place, and second, misleading the community with what she said during her press conference.”

The press conference in question occurred in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Balafas used the phrase “see something, say something,” when addressing the university community. This theme continued when the university held a class entitled “Recognizing and Responding to Concerning or Threatening Behaviors” on Feb. 21.

Headley, who chose not to attend the class, explained that multiple department members felt that the class was in poor taste.

“We did see something and we did say something […]. They are trying to make it seem like it’s our fault […] like we didn’t recognize things or we didn’t say enough,” Headley said. “I don’t think these wounds that the university has can ever truly heal unless the UAPD […] admits that they failed.”

Headley also cited concerns about the school’s response to an alleged “threat” against the James E. Rogers College of Law.

As previously reported by the Daily Wildcat, an email was sent to PSY 378 students by professor Tammi Walker on April 10 claiming that “there is a threat at the law school” and that “they have canceled all law school classes and meetings for the afternoon and evening.”

Headley feels that the

law school incident and the university’s response are glaringly similar to the debriefing HAS students received about Murad Dervish eight months before the shooting.

“This incident with the law school is so eerie. It’s legitimately scaring students in the HAS department because it is the exact same playbook that was used on us. You send an internal email to just this one small group and then you refuse to elaborate on whether there is an actual threat. You just say, ‘out of an abundance of caution we’re canceling classes’ — those are the exact words that were used on us,” Headley said.

Headley’s observation rings true.

The February email to HAS students that Headley referred to stated, “We do want to stress that this is out of an abundance of caution.”

The email sent by professor Walker on April 10 read, “As far as I know, this is just out of an abundance of caution.”

An email the following day sent to law students and faculty by members of the senior leadership team at the James E. Rogers College of Law claimed that they “made [the decision to cancel classes] out of an abundance of caution.”

As of April 27, no further details have been given about why classes were canceled in the first place. Robbins did email the UA community to announce campus safety officials believe there is no “credible threat to our community at this time,” but he also said all law classes would remain online for the remainder of the semester.

BRIANNA GOLDEN | THE DAILY WILDCAT IN FRONT OF THE John W. Harshbarger building on the University of Arizona campus, students, faculty and staff set up a memorial for Thomas Meixner after he was shot and killed on campus Oct. 5, 2022. The school’s administration faced backlash after removing the memorial as many in the community believed the move came too soon after the shooting. Shortly after the removal, community members remade it.

A closer look at the University of Arizona’s campus safety failures

BY KIARA ADAMS & BAILEY EKSTROM @dailywildcat

Released Monday, March 27, the security report on the University of Arizona’s response to events before, during and after the on-campus killing of professor Thomas Meixner highlights four main areas of failure across multiple departments.

UA President Dr. Robert C. Robbins hired the PAX Group security consulting firm three weeks after the Oct. 5, 2022, shooting.

The PAX Group “supports leaders and organizations in navigating crises and conflicts with facts, authenticity, trust, and relationships,” according to its website.

In an Oct. 10, 2022 email to the university community, Robbins shared the report would be due to him in 75 days. Three months passed from that deadline by the time the report was finally released. Robbins held a press conference the same day the report was released in the McKale Center media room on campus. There, he estimated the university paid the PAX Group around $250,000 to create the report.

As the report lays out, the main areas of failure the PAX Group found within the UA are: the Threat Assessment Management Team, University Crisis Response, the University of Arizona Police Department and Communications.

Along with analyzing each of these failures, the PAX Group offered recommendations on how to improve for the future, with 33 in total.

Threat Assessment Management Team

The Threat Assessment Management Team was found to not be running an effective TAMT in a way that is viewed as best practice for an organization of its size and scope.

The report stated that due to the inefficiency of the TAMT, it led to multiple opportunities for the alleged shooter, Murad Dervish , to continue to “harass and threaten” University of Arizona community members.

The lack of an effective TAMT led to organizational stress of administrative entities such as the Dean of Students, Office of the General Counsel and the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences.

The report called the stress on administrative functions, “a decentralized and fractured approach to managing the risk which limited coordination and communication.”

It was revealed that TAMT did not have a full-time leader, dedicated support or formalized meetings and reviews. The lack of each of these things are stated to have, “limited its effectiveness to fully assess, coordinate management, and implement a strategy (including advocacy) for protective orders, mental health or community interventions and the arrest(s) of the Subject.”

UAPD and Dean of Students were both responsible for leading the TAMT together, but it was found that neither department was equipped to properly assess and manage threats alongside pre-existing departmental duties.

One of the recommendations offered to the TAMT was that there should be an established president of the TAMT allowing the team to “begin properly developing policies, processes, and guidelines.”

Alongside the establishment of senior leadership, the report recommended that the TAMT lead should meet with the president “at least annually and on an as-needed basis.”

University Crisis Response

Another area of failures found was in regards to how the university handles crises. The report blatantly stated that drills

and training for emergencies are not prioritized by senior leadership and that Emergency Response Plans for each unit/ department are encouraged but not mandated by senior leadership.

Emergency response fundamentals were found to be considered inconsistent across departments on campus, furthering the fractured responses to threats and harassment of UA community members.

The final thing that was found to be inconsistent is the understanding of risk, or what is considered to be a threat, and what should be deemed “concerning.”

This lack of consistency across departments left them to manage things internally until situations reached a level of potential violation of the University Code of Conduct or threats of violence.

The report said, “without consistent, dedicated crisis response, the University is forced to move from crisis to crisis, which results in overwhelmed assessment and response teams and continued misunderstandings between involved parties.”

Four university initiatives came in the wake of the Oct. shooting: Training for the Community, Counseling and Psych Services Crisis Response

Team, Crisis Communications Plan and a Centralized Camera Policy.

Training for the community includes a request from Robbins via email on Jan. 18 that the community reviews or participates in the active shooter training offered. CAPS proposed a crisis response plan for an Alternate Response Program to establish a designated trauma response and mental health crisis team.

The university’s Central Marketing and Communications team is in the process of proposing a “Crisis Communications” plan that

CONTINUED ON

BEN TISDALE | DAILYWILDCAT

FATHER EMMANUEL TAYLOR GIVES a speech at the candlelight vigil honoring the life of Thomas Meixner on Oct. 7. The speech took place on the University of Arizona campus in front of Old Main.

Read in-depth about the campus security report released in March detailing how the school handled the events before, during and after the Oct. 5 shooting

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

they are planning to implement immediately.

Lastly, the university has started comparing policies from other PAC-12 universities to help establish a centralized security camera policy.

By centralizing the security cameras on campus it allows all university units with security cameras to adhere to one institutional standard.

One recommendation handed down from the PAX Group regarding University Crisis Response is for CAPS to develop a, “six-month, strategic post-crisis plan from the CAPS and Life & Work Connections, Human Resources, and Marketing & Communications teams.”

University of Arizona Police Department

The PAX report outlined

numerous flaws in law enforcement’s response to Dervish’s behavior before the shooting, finding that “there were multiple missed opportunities by UAPD to engage, disrupt, or arrest [Dervish] prior to the incident.”

The report identified multiple violations of the terms of Dervish’s expulsion that could have resulted in his arrest, including coming onto campus and messaging faculty members after being prohibited from doing so.

PAX reported that UAPD did attempt to arrest Dervish once in April, but failed to apprehend him because he refused to come out of his residence.

PAX also highlighted a clear disconnect between the Tucson Police Department and UAPD. Before the shooting, TPD received a tip from a handgun seller who refused to sell Dervish a handgun because

Dervish informed him that he was going to use it to kill himself and others. UAPD did not know that this interaction occurred until after the incident because TPD did not inform them.

In addition to UAPD and TPD failing to communicate, the Pima County Constables’ Office failed to serve Dervish with an order of protection filed by a HAS faculty member. The order of protection was filed after Dervish continually harassed multiple faculty members both over electronic communications and on one occasion, after the expulsion in person.

In addition, PAX stated that the university community’s attitude towards law enforcement has changed along with “national dialogue regarding law enforcement,” and reiterated a 2021 report’s findings that identified “the need for a cohesive strategy for community and stakeholder

engagement, and enhanced transparency.”

PAX did not explicitly refer to a catalyst in this attitude change, but paradigm shifts such as the Black Lives Matter movement were a significant catalyst in sparking “national dialogue” about law enforcement agents and procedures in recent years.

This has resulted in many Americans, especially historically discriminatedagainst groups, becoming wary of law enforcement on a national scale.

Overall, PAX suggested that the university must take steps to improve inter-agency cooperation between UAPD and local law enforcement in addition to increasing community outreach to repair community sentiment towards law enforcement.

Communications

The report identified flaws with both how the university communicates internally and with the community.

It states that a vacuum of information was created during “critical, early moments in managing the threat” because the “communications at the University [are] decentralized across all departments, including the President’s office and UAPD.”

PAX primarily discussed flaws in the UAlert system, stating that many students and staff members didn’t receive the alerts because of subscription errors. They noted that in the university’s email system, “mass emails are often identified as spam on the university’s server,” resulting in a “5-15 minute buffer or delay before the system could identify the mass UAlert email as not spam.”

While the UAlerts were delivered eventually, 5-15 minutes can be critical in an active shooter situation.

At Monday’s press conference, Robbins revealed that he was in Washington D.C. during the shooting, and did not receive a UAlert himself because of a problem with his subscription.

“I didn’t renew [the UAlert subscription] in a timely manner

so I was eliminated from the list,” Robbins said.

The report also discussed a statement by the Chief of Police after the shooting, describing it as something “you can’t even predict,” and telling the community to “see something, say something” and to “do something.”

This statement made it evident that the Chief of Police was not properly informed of the numerous complaints and requests for help by HAS and the student body, Dervish’s multiple violations of his expulsion, Dervish’s history of harassment at San Diego State University and Dervish’s failed attempt to purchase a handgun from the online vendor.

As the report stated, the statement “angered those who had been asking UAPD to arrest the Subject for nearly one year.”

The report called on the university to update the UAlert system, create a plan to centralize communications to maintain consistency during emergencies and develop preplanned responses that can be quickly tailored to the specifics of a situation.

Additional comments from Robbins

Throughout the conference, Robbins noted that he holds himself personally responsible for the systemic failures that allowed for the continuous harassment by Dervish.

“I am angry at myself that I did not do more to prevent this tragedy,” Robbins said.

He informed the press that implementing the recommendations of the report will take time and cooperation from the entire community.

“There are gonna be many detailed and very difficult conversations that are going to need to be had in the coming weeks and months,” Robbins said.

Robbins ultimately acknowledged that there was a lot of work to be done, but that “together with our faculty, students, staff and campus security efforts, the University of Arizona is already safer than it was in October.”

BEN TISDALE | DAILY WILDCAT

A SIGN SHOWS SOME cards to write a message to the Meixner family at the candlelight vigil honoring the life of Thomas Meixner on Oct. 7. The vigil took place at Old Main on the University of Arizona campus.

2022-23 YEAR IN REVIEW | SYSTEMIC ISSUES

UA president addresses recently released, long-awaited report detailing campus safety failures

BY JT THORPE @JT_Thorpe_

The University of Arizona released the promised campus safety and security report Monday, March 27, analyzing major areas of systemic failure in the school’s handling of the fatal shooting of professor Thomas Meixner.

The UA President Dr. Robert C. Robbins held a press conference that afternoon to address the report and answer media questions.

The document, over three months past due from the initial deadline reported by Robbins, details four main areas where the UA needs improvement when it comes to crisis management and lists 33 recommendations on how the school can improve.

“I am angry at myself that I did not do more to prevent this tragedy,” Robbins said at Monday’s press conference.

“I’m determined to honor Tom Meixner’s legacy by making any and all necessary changes to keep our campus safer […]. The UA is already safer than it was in October. Once all the recommendations have been implemented, we will be even safer.”

Ineffective procedures

As the report notes, while the Oct. 5, 2022 shooting was “shocking and disturbing, it was not unforeseeable.” In fact, PAX Group, the security consulting firm that created the analysis, highlighted three overall concerning themes reflected in the

UA’s crisis management, including “understanding and managing threat.”

Several members of the UA’s Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, including Meixner, reported harassment from alleged shooter Murad Dervish for months leading up to the incident.

The report also lists three specific moments when the UA Police Department and the Threat Assessment Management Team could have intervened with Dervish, including a February 2022 incident where he was seen on campus in violation of his expulsion.

“I think, for the most part, we do a fairly good job of identifying who [people banned from campus] are and either arrest them or ask them to leave the campus,” Robbins said Monday.

A list of people banned from the UA campus can be found on the UAPD website, though Robbins said this case was “different” than most exclusionary orders in that it was more personal.

From analyzing actions taken by UAPD, or lack thereof, the report found that “UAPD tended to leave the decision on ‘next steps’ to faculty, staff, or students,” but “most often, charges were not intended to be filed by these individuals out of fear of retaliation.”

Robbins said he hopes revamping the ineffective TAMT, as the report suggests, will help improve the school’s ability to identify and manage threats.

The TAMT website lists 10 current members, including

UA

Despite recognizing TAMT’s and UAPD’s failures, Robbins expressed confidence in this leadership.

“I think, going forward, we’re going to work on what we need to do to better follow policies and procedures around who we can arrest, when we can arrest them, how we can get charges actually filed,” Robbins said Monday. “I think that there’s clearly a lot of room [and] opportunity for improvement.”

Accountability

According to Robbins, the lack of communication — one of the four areas the report suggests improvement in — and FERPA concerns in regards to Dervish, played a huge part in the handling of the events leading up to the shooting.

“I think out of an abundance of caution, there was a reluctance to share information with other departments or other individuals, because of these privacy concerns,” Robbins said Monday.

He also said he should be held accountable for everything that goes on at the UA, though the report lists systemic failures found within specific departments.

“There are going to be many detailed and very difficult conversations that’ll have to be had in the coming weeks to months,” Robbins said at the conference. “I can’t comment on personnel issues publicly, but we’ll be doing a lot of soul searching

and looking at all the data and the actions that were taken.”

An apology

Another overall theme the UA failed in, according to the report, was “providing a consistent, empathetic, and compassionate response.”

A lack of compassion from the UA was also noted by the faculty committee who were tasked with reviewing the UA’s crisis management and compiling community perspectives on campus safety and concerns.

At Monday’s press conference, Robbins said he apologized for criticizing the faculty committee’s report, titled “Oversight and Response Failure: Broken Trust. Lessons From the Events Surrounding the Murder of Professor Thomas Meixner.”

After the faculty report was released in February, a public statement from the UA claimed the committee made “sweeping conclusions based in large part on misleading characterizations and the selective use of facts and quotes.”

Shortly after, the committee released a resignation letter addressing

both the feedback from the administration and the fears of retaliation amongst the members, noting the UA’s leadership had “displayed an unhealthy attitude toward safety and organizational culture.”

The letter also said the university declined to address which parts of the faculty report were allegedly untrue.

“I regret that we sent out that statement criticizing the faculty,” Robbins said Monday. “All they were trying to do was to bring awareness of what we need to have a safer campus. And I focused too much on the details and not the big picture of just waiting for the PAX report.”

Moving forward

The UA has begun working toward implementing the PAX Group’s recommendations, according to the March 27 email from Robbins to the school’s community.

One update includes automatically enrolling all students, staff and faculty into the UAlert system.

A month before the campus shooting, members of the Associated Students

of the University of Arizona, the school’s student government, discussed UAlert’s ineffectiveness in a separate incident involving reports of an armed gunman on campus near the Student Union Memorial Center.

At Monday’s press conference, Robbins said the school is looking into alternative or additional emergency alert systems after many members of the UA community called on the UAlert system to be replaced altogether.

An upcoming change to the UA’s crisis management includes the installment of retired FBI agent Steve Patterson as the Interim Chief Safety Officer starting May 1.

Patterson, who has been assisting the school since November 2022, will be responsible for “implementing the PAX Group’s recommendations and coordinating safety initiatives across” the UA while the search for someone to take over begins, according to Monday’s email.

The PAX Group’s full safety and security report can be found on the UA’s main website at arizona.edu/ issues.

Chief of Police Paula Balafas and three other UAPD leaders.

KATE EWING | THE DAILY WILDCAT PRESIDENT DR. ROBERT C. ROBBINS speaks at a press conference on March 27 regarding the release of the PAX safety report. The report outlines the University of Arizona’s institutional issues and safety concerns.

Recapping UA student goverment’s 2022-23 year

BY KATE EWING @mariakewing

The Associated Students of the University of Arizona spent the 2022-23 academic year passing five new resolutions, doling out funds for club initiatives and involving itself publicly in several political and administrative issues on campus. This is a look back at some of the major highlights and moments in student government.

Resolutions

According to ASUA own Year In Review Report, the Senate has also passed five resolutions this past year. These five include a resolution clarifying the use of senate funding, a campus-wide survey to be sent to the student body at the beginning of the year to determine areas of need or concern; two resolutions surrounding Sun Link fare free transit and a resolution outlining the UA Mall use requirements to make it more accessible.

ASUA President Patrick Robles said his time spent working on projects for the community when he was younger helped create connections with local government officials who aided in various ASUA executive and senate efforts present day.

“My roots are deep here in Tucson […] I worked with Mayor [Regina] Romero in high school to get a crosswalk installed,” Robles said. “It’s surreal to have those relationships come to fruition.”

Robles said one thing he would have liked to accomplish with ASUA this year was 24/7 library hours or a 24/7 study space for students.

“Once those lights start flickering at 11:50 it’s quite frustrating,” Robles said. He said he hopes that becomes a reality so students can have a quiet and safe space available to them for studying purposes.

Budget and funding

Robles said the “$560,000 give or take” ASUA budget comes directly from revenue obtained from a MLU deal with the UA Bookstore where they receive a percentage of sales and student service fees from programs.

Separate from the $250,000 approved by the ASUA appropriations board to fund various club projects this year, organizations that were unable to receive funding through those avenues would pitch to ASUA Senate to cover costs of things like club trips, T-shirts, tabling materials, etc.

ASUA Senate funded requests from

Student Health Advocacy Committee; the Women and Gender Resource Center, Feminists Organized to Resist, Create, and Empower, University of Arizona Emergency Medical Services and more, amounting to $20,000 dispersed across organizations during the year.

Sun link fare free transit

The Tucson Sun Link had initially announced it would return to a fee based system in January 2023 for its services. In response, ASUA created the #WhyIRide campaign and joined a larger conversation about how to serve the Tucson community with access to public transit at no cost to riders.

Throughout the year, ASUA members created the two aforementioned fare free transit resolutions, spoke to government officials, created and disseminated surveys to the UA student community and met with UA administration about assisting in funding the cost to keep Sun Link services free. The #WhyIRide campaign was successful in extending fare free transit until this June.

SNAP Benefits

SNAP benefits are set to be discontinued nationally on May 11. ASUA met with Gov. Katie Hobbs in March to discuss possibilities for keeping these benefits secured for students past this date.

“Fare free transit, that’s how you get to

school. SNAP benefits, that’s how you get your food,” Robles said. “It is incumbent that the incoming executives pick up these initiatives while coming up with their own.”

Spring Fling 2023 canceled

Four years have passed since the last Spring Fling was been put on at the UA for students and the Tucson community. ASUA put out a statement on Nov. 18, 2022, letting students know that Spring Fling was canceled again.

The reasons for the cancellation cited were “our student government has been significantly understaffed, navigating internal challenges, and actively rebuilding our infrastructure so it will better serve the student body in the future.”

ASUA added in this statement its members are dedicated to putting on Spring Fling in spring 2024 for its 50th anniversary.

Political involvement

Members of ASUA became active participants in political movements this year as Tucson was rocked by high tensions surrounding abortion care, living costs and food insecurity for students, and various safety concerns on the UA campus.

Following the Oct. 5 shooting in the hydrology department where professor Thomas Meixner was killed, ASUA served on the General Faculty Committee on Safety

for All to offer input for how a safer campus environment could be achieved at the UA. According to the ASUA year in review report this involved “co-authoring their interim safety report, defending its’ criticisms by our administration, and calling on President Robbins to create a safer campus.”

ASUA also sponsored $10,000 for students to be able to receive grief/emergency counseling at the UA’s Counseling & Psychological Services after the shooting.

Members of ASUA also served on a meal plan committee where they advocated for fee-waivers and a reduction of cost for mandatory meal plans for incoming freshmen.

“Your student government successfully fought to ensure that the cost could be reduced for students experiencing financial hardship and that waivers would be available for students who cannot afford the cost,” the ASUA Year In Review Report stated.

Most recently, ASUA released a statement condemning the UA administration for allowing an anti-abortion display on the UA Mall from April 12 to April 13, sponsored by the College Republicans club.

“It takes a village to accomplish what we did this last year,” Robles said.

ASUA Elections

ASUA candidates had a more competitive race for executive officer and senate positions this year compared to last. Robles went unopposed the year he ran for ASUA president, but this year Alyssa Sanchez secured the role for the 2023-24 academic year after competing against four other people. There were 1,582 votes casted in the 2023 ASUA general election altogether.

Honorable mentions

Administrative Vice President Lauren White, who oversaw programs and services, helped work on a spotlight series that was posted to social media showcasing the work and events being done within organizations like WEB, SafeRide, Pride Alliance and more.

Executive Vice President Nico NieriLang was in charge of overseeing the ASUA Senate and ASUA recognized clubs. During his role in office he put on the first inaugural club talent show where “any ASUA approved club could compete.”

Coming in first place at the talent show was the UA Folklorico group Miztontli, who received the $500 prize and $100 off the 2023-24 club registration fee.

COURTESY OF ALEX RAY SANCHEZ

THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF the University of Arizona met with Gov. Katie Hobbs and members of her staff on Saturday Feb. 25. The groups discussed the extension of SNAP benefits for students facing food insecurity on campus.

2022-23 YEAR IN REVIEW | PHOTO SHOWCASE

Daily Wildcat photographers recap the year in photos

Throughout the 2022-23 school year, Daily Wildcat photographers documented stories in our community. Now with the spring semester coming to a close, we want to showcase some of their best work from the year.

NOOR HAGHIGHI | THE DAILY WILDCAT

AMELIA MCANEAR | THE DAILY WILDCAT

JACKIE CABRERA | THE DAILY WILDCAT

JACKIE CABRERA | THE DAILY WILDCAT

ANTONIA MUSKAT | THE DAILY WILDCAT

2022-23 YEAR IN REVIEW | PHOTO SHOWCASE

DANIELLE MAIN | THE DAILY WILDCAT

ANTONIA MUSKAT | THE DAILY WILDCAT

BEN TISDALE | THE DAILY WILDCAT

BEN TISDALE | THE DAILY WILDCAT

KOHICHIRO YAMADA | THE DAILY WILDCAT

BEN TISDALE | THE DAILY WILDCAT

JACKIE CABRERA | THE DAILY WILDCAT

2022-23

YEAR IN REVIEW | YEAR IN SCIENCE

Celebrating another year of scientific achievements at the UA in 2022-23

BY COLE FIELDS @DailyWildcat

The University of Arizona is well known for its rigorous scientific community. From our programs in engineering and astronomy to life and health sciences, the programs at the UA are some of the most high-achieving science communities around. There have been more developments to count this year, but here are a few that really stood out. A focus on mental health has branded the semesters following COVID-19. With more awareness of this pressing issue, our community has made an

effort to support those struggling with shifts in mental health.

Psychology doctorate Lia Falco, who is informed about the lingering mental health effects after the pandemic, helped to explain why we have been seeing these trends.

Another study this year highlighted the impact of insomnia and reduced sleep on students’ mental health, finding that it is vitally important to get the proper amount and quality of sleep, something that most UA students would admit they don’t get very often.

Yet despite these challenging circumstances, the UA still shot for the stars, literally. The Lunar

and Planetary Laboratory was chosen to head NASA’s OSIRIS-REx sample return mission, continuing the university’s long history of leading the way in the frontier of space.

The UA wouldn’t be half as renowned as it is without the dedication of our many faculty researchers, five of which earned an incredible honor this year. They were declared AAAS Fellows by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, following a tradition that dates back to 1874. These few are among many who do important work at the school. While there were those who won distinguished awards, others published

CONGRATS! CALS GRADUATES 2023

findings without so much recognition. A new development from researchers working on human diseases revealed a treatment for a notoriously hard-to-treat condition, triple-negative breast cancer. These scientists continue to pave the way for medicine.

Various departments in the science-oriented schools made their mark on the community with outreach events like the booths in the Science Zone at the Tucson Festival of Books. With insects, reptiles, solar telescopes and sustainable school buses, they introduced hundreds of people to the world of science that happens

here at the UA.

As we move forward into the post-pandemic future, the UA will continue to push the boundaries of science in a way that has distinguished it before. The discoveries and achievements made this

year are only the tip of the iceberg of what is yet to come. From visiting a comet to treating cancer, the community continues to amaze and excite with achievements no one thought were possible — that is, until they were!

EM MARIE CUEVAS | THE DAILY WILDCAT

Looking back on the Arizona women’s basketball season

BY NATHANIEL LEVIN @NRL248

The Arizona women’s basketball team finished the 2022-23 season with a record of 22-10 and 11-7 in Pac-12 play. The Wildcats reached the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year, and Arizona topped 20 wins for the fifth consecutive season.

Arizona stayed inside the AP Top 25 throughout the entire season, climbing as high as No. 12 in week five and as low as No. 25 in week 19. Additionally, the 2022-23 season included ranked wins over No. 18 Baylor University, the No. 18 University of Oregon, the No. 4 University of Utah, the No. 21 University of Colorado Boulder and No. 14 UCLA.

Through the first two months of the 2022-23 season, Arizona put together an impressive 12-1 start. However, the Wildcats struggled to carry their momentum into the second half of the season, going 9-7 during the final two months of the season.

Stars of the season:

The Wildcats were led by three seniors: guard Shaina Pellington, forward Cate Reese and forward Esmery Martinez.

During the 2022-23 season, fifth-year senior Pellington was

the face of the Wildcat offense, leading the team in scoring per game, total assists and shooting percentage. Her 13.4 points per game and 3.6 assists were both career highs for her, while also shooting a career-best 53.7% from the field.

Fellow fifth-year senior Reese was just behind Pellington, averaging 13.2 points per game, along with 5.8 rebounds per game which was second-best on the team. Reese leaves Arizona as one of the all-time greats for the program. She ranks second in program history in career total rebounds (961), second in games played (153), fourth in career double-doubles (22), fifth in total points scored (1,951) and top-10 in several other categories.

Senior Esmery Martinez was another key asset for the Wildcats this season. She transferred in from West Virginia University, where she played her previous three seasons. She had an immediate impact on the Wildcats, recording two double-doubles in her first three games. She finished the season averaging 10.5 points per game, which was third-best on the team, but she ranked first in rebounds, averaging 8.6 per game.

NCAA Tournament:

The Wildcats were hovering

around a possible No. 4 or No. 5-seed in the NCAA Tournament throughout the entire season. However, after closing the season on a three-game losing streak, they slipped down to a No. 7-seed and were matched up with No. 10-seeded West Virginia in the Round of 64. The Wildcats controlled the game from the start and held a 40-33 lead at halftime. West Virginia made a little run at the start of the second half, but the Wildcats pulled away late in the third quarter and never looked back, cruising to a 75-62 victory.

After defeating West Virginia in the Round of 64, the Wildcats took on the No. 2-seeded University of Maryland in the Round of 32. Arizona trailed Maryland nearly the entire first half, but a late run in the second quarter gave them a 33-32 lead at halftime. Unfortunately, Maryland came out aggressive to start the second half and were able to pull away from the Wildcats, turning a 1-point deficit into a 19-point lead at the end of the third quarter. In the end, Maryland outperformed Arizona, defeating the Wildcats 77-64.

The top five games of the regular season:

1. No. 22 Arizona defeats USC 81-75 in 2OT (Feb. 5, 2023)

An ugly start to the game caused the Wildcats to trail 2418 at the half. However, Arizona rallied back in the second half, as the teams traded baskets throughout the half. In the closing seconds of the game, USC looked like they were going to squeak away with the victory, but Jade Loville hit a gametying jumper with less than 40 seconds left to send the game to overtime.

Overtime was back and forth, and Arizona tied the game up once again thanks to Maya Nnaji hitting a jumper with 6 seconds left. One overtime wasn’t enough to decide the game, as the game then went to a second.

This time, Arizona was able to hold off USC, winning 81-75 in 2OT.

2. No. 22 Arizona upsets No. 14 UCLA 71-66 in OT (Feb. 3, 2023)

UCLA dominated nearly the entire game, leading by double digits several times. With just under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Arizona was trailing 61-50 and looked depleted, so they called a timeout to regroup. Arizona came out of the timeout energized and proceeded to claw their way back into the game. The Wildcats went on an 11-0 run to tie the game up and send it to overtime.

Arizona outpaced UCLA in overtime and defeated the Bruins 71-66 in OT. The Wildcats closed the game on a 21-5 run after trailing 61-50 late in the fourth quarter.

3. No. 15 Arizona defeats No. 18 Oregon 79-71(Jan. 8, 2023)

Arizona hosted Oregon, in a ranked head-to-head matchup that was back and forth the entire way. The game included 21 lead changes, with neither team ever taking control of the game. Arizona trailed early, as Oregon took a 35-34 lead into halftime. Throughout the second half, the teams traded

baskets, but in the closing minutes of the game, Arizona used a 12-4 run to pull away to a 79-71 victory.

4. No. 18 Arizona upsets No. 4 Utah 82-72 (Feb. 17, 2023)

Arizona lost a heartbreaker against Utah on the road in the first matchup earlier in the season, losing 80-79 on Jan. 15. Arizona was looking for redemption in front of their home crowd. Arizona jumped out an early lead and controlled most of the way other than a period of back-and-forth basketball in the second quarter. Arizona held a 44-40 lead at halftime and was able to extend their lead to 10 points at the end of the third quarter. Utah cut its deficit down to 4 points nearing the end of the game, but Arizona seemed unfazed and held on, winning 82-72.

5. No. 18 Arizona defeats the University of California, Berkeley 63-56 (Dec. 31, 2022) Arizona controlled the entire game against Cal, leading by as much as 16 points in the first half. However, Cal slowly cut the deficit down to a single point in the closing minutes of the game. However, Arizona held off Cal’s late-game rally, winning 63-56 on the road.

AMELIA MCANEAR | THE DAILY WILDCAT ARIZONA WOMEN’S BASEKTBALL PLAYER Esmery Martinez finishes an attempted shot against Stanford University Feb. 9, in McKale Center. The Wildcats lost the game 84-60.

NATHANIAL STENCHEVER | THE DAILY WILDCAT KAILYN GILBERT, A GUARD on the Arizona women’s basketball team, is named player of the game and awarded the honor of beating the drum for the number of wins up to that point. The Wildcats had earned two wins at this point in the season on Nov. 13 in McKale Center. The Wildcats won their second game 87-47.

2022-23 YEAR IN REVIEW | MBB SEASON

Looking back on the Arizona men’s basketball season

BY RYAN WOHL @ryan__wohl

Year two of the Tommy Lloyd era was quite the roller coaster. It felt like it had some of the highest of highs and lowest of lows in years. In a year that saw Lloyd and the Arizona men’s basketball team lose three players in Bennedict Mathurin, Dalen Terry and

Christian Koloko in the previous summer to the NBA Draft, they still figured out a way to not only get back on track but stay at the top of the mountain of college basketball and the Pac-12 Conference.

Azuolas Tubelis led Arizona to winning 28 games in the regular season while also winning its second straight Pac-12

Tournament championship in Las Vegas. Tubelis was also on the Pac-12 first team and named an All-American.

Five days after leaving Las Vegas, a nightmare became a reality. No. 2 seed Arizona lost to No. 15 seed Princeton University in the Round of 64 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. The Tigers defeated the Wildcats 59-55 in that game.

This was the last stand for the first version of Lloyd’s Wildcats’ Sweet Sixteen team two years ago. As previously mentioned, Mathurin, Terry and Koloko went to the NBA, Justin Kier is in the G-League and now the final two big pieces Tubelis and Kerr Kriisa are gone. Tubelis recently announced that he will enter the 2023 NBA Draft while Kriisa transferred to West Virginia University. That team will go down as an all-time great ‘what ifs’ for the Arizona basketball program.

It might be hard to reflect on a year full of positives but the last image of the season was the Wildcats losing in the first round of March Madness. Although the end was filled with negatives, Arizona had a great season in the second year of the Tommy Lloyd era.

The Wildcats finished season as No. 8 in the final AP Poll and won the Pac-12 Tournament championship while having an All-American on the team in Tubelis.

Lloyd surpassed former University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill head coach Bill Guthridge for most wins in their first two seasons with 61.

When Lloyd came to Tucson, Wildcat fans hadn’t seen their team in March Madness in the previous three years. In the past two seasons Lloyd took Arizona to a Sweet Sixteen while making the tournament in

both seasons.

Lloyd established a new and improved foundation for Arizona basketball to succeed for the foreseeable future.

Former five-star recruit Kylan Boswell will be the new starting point guard the next time the Wildcats see action. In 15.3 minutes per game this season, Boswell averaged 4.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game on 45% shooting from the field and 39% on 3-point shots.

Although he did not put up outstanding numbers, Boswell showed superstar potential and proved he can be the next great point guard at Arizona next season.

Oumar Ballo had a breakout season for the Wildcats and will be back next season. He averaged 14.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while blocking 1.3 shots per game. With Tubelis gone, Ballo’s offensive opportunities should increase.

Arizona big men Dylan Anderson and Henri Veesaar will likely see bigger roles next season after showing promise in limited minutes this season.

Pelle Larsson will return for his third season at Arizona after being a key piece of the 2022-23 team. He averaged 9.9 points and 4.3 rebounds on 35.6 shooting from deep per game. In his final season in college basketball, a big offensive jump is on the horizon.

Talented four-star forward KJ Lewis will be joining the Wildcats next year as well as five-star recruit Carter Bryant. As of April 27, they are the only Arizona commits for their 2023 class so far.

Arizona also recruited Jamari Phillips for its 2024 class. Phillips is a four-star shooting guard from Chandler, Arizona.

AMELIA MCANEAR | THE DAILY WILDCAT

WILDCATS OUMAR BALLO (10) and Pelle Larsson (3) jump to block the ASU offence’s shot in McKale Center, Saturday, Feb 25. The Senior Day game against ASU was lost 88-89.

RYAN WOHL | THE DAILY WILDCAT

TOMMY LLOYD, HEAD COACH of the Arizona men’s basketball team, celebrates with his team after winning the Pac-12 championship game against UCLA on Saturday, March 11.

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A look back on the Arizona football season indicates what’s to come

BY MASON DUHON @masonduhon

The 2022 Arizona football season saw the team finish at 5-7. What may seem like a mediocre record is actually a vast improvement over the 1-16 record the team compiled during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Arizona football set a precedent for improvement last season and saw more of their offseason moves pan out as planned.

Offensive improvement

The Wildcats finally locked in an athletic, high-upside starter at the most important position on the field: quarterback. After Grant Gunnell’s departure in 2020, Arizona struggled to find consistency under center. The Wildcats started a hodge-podge of signal-callers including Jordan McCloud, Will Plummer and Gunner Cruz.

Before the 2022 season, former Washington State University quarterback Jayden de Laura announced his commitment to Arizona. With McCloud transferring out, there was little competition for the starting job and de Laura took over on day one.

The passing game was truly unlocked in 2022. In 2021, Stanley Berryhill III led the Wildcats with 744 receiving yards. No other player on the team put up more than 350 receiving yards all season. 2022 saw both Dorian Singer and incoming transfer Jacob Cowing post 1,105 and 1,034 yards, respectively.

Freshman Tetairoa McMillan, the highest-graded recruit to ever sign with Arizona, led the team with eight receiving touchdowns to go with his 702 yards.

The rushing attack saw significant improvement as well. The entire Arizona team put up six total rushing touchdowns in 2021. In 2022, running back Michael Wiley eclipsed that mark on his own with eight rushing touchdowns. Eight

players attempted at least one rush in 2022, which was down from the 16 that attempted at least one rush in 2021. This concentration of attempts actually led to a higher yield, with 1,728 net rushing yards.

In 2020 and 2021, the Arizona offense averaged just 17.4 and 17.17 points per game, respectively. In 2022, the Wildcats put up 30.83 points per game, the highest on a per-game basis since 2018.

Looking ahead

The offense can become even more explosive in the 2023 season now that de Laura has a full season of experience in head coach Jedd Fisch’s system. Cowing will be the primary receiving threat with Singer transferring to USC. McMillan, Wiley and tight end Tanner McLachlan are other noteworthy starting receiving options. The additions of freshmen Jackson Holman, Malachi Riley and Kevin Green Jr. will provide serviceable depth.

Wiley is poised for yet another strong season on the ground after doubling his 2021 rushing totals, going from 302 net yards to 771. In total, Wiley posted 1,227 net yards from scrimmage to lead the team in offensive production to go with his combined 11 rushing and receiving touchdowns.

Defensive swarm

In 2021, the defense was more cohesive when compared to the offense. They posted 22 sacks for a loss of 139 yards, four interceptions, five forced fumbles and 755 total tackles. However, the coaching staff worked with players already on the roster between 2021 and 2022 to improve their production.

There was a dramatic increase in the number of total tackles made in 2022, with 853. Defensive back Jaxen Turner, linebacker Jerry Roberts and defensive back Christian Young each posted over 75 combined tackles and

had exceptional years. Seven players posted at least 50 tackles in 2022, which was a dramatic improvement from 2021 where only three players posted at least 50 tackles.

Turner had a stellar year where he led the team in solo tackles (54), total tackles (79) and interceptions (2). He was also tied both for the team lead in fumble recoveries (2) and for second in forced fumbles (2). He also notched one pass breakup, one sack and two tackles for loss.

Roberts was second on the team in total tackles (78) and led the team in assisted tackles (44). This comes along with three quarterback hits, one forced fumble, one fumble recover, and one pass breakup. Young was third on the team in total tackles (76), but was second in both solo tackles

(47) and assisted tackles (29). He also posted 6.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

The defense vastly improved their ability to get the ball back into the hands of the offense. In 2021, the team posted just six total turnovers. 2022 saw that number climb to 16 turnovers. Turner led the team by forcing four turnovers on his own.

Looking ahead

The defense still has a lot of room to improve. Many of the meaningful categories saw an upward trend. Touchdowns allowed, rushing, passing and total yardage allowed, opponent third-down conversion rate and opponent fourth-down conversion rate all increased from 2021 to 2022.

The losses of Turner, Roberts

and Christian Roland-Wallace to the transfer portal and Young and Hunter Echols due to eligibility leaves many holes to fill. With a focus on the offensive side of the ball in the transfer portal in the 2022 offseason, the 2023 offseason saw an increased emphasis on the defense in the portal.

The headline portal acquisition is former five-star prospect and University of Oregon linebacker Justin Flowe. Joining him are former four-star defensive linemen Bill Norton from the University of Georgia and Tyler Manoa from UCLA. Former four-star linebacker Daniel Heimuli from the University of Washington and former threestar linebacker Orin Patu from the University of California Berkeley look to solidify the linebacking core with Flowe and standout sophomore linebacker Jacob Manu.

AMELIA MCANEAR | THE DAILY WILDCAT DORIAN SINGER (5) AND Tanner McLachlan (84) celebrate a touchdown in a game against USC on Oct. 29 at Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats would go on to lose the game 45-37.

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MAY DAY: DRSR/CLHG

I dissent.

Calibrate optical aperture as per 5/1/89 vs 3, 7 for validity correction responding to A LYDIAN MODE:

“Call no man happy--”

Re Summer Tour: This Pela(s)gian sends his regrets to the brothers of Phi frat-- and since you’re counting, to 6 sig figs : “If you go… then I will never come…” Though I’d give my right hand to be wrong sub specie aeternitatis: ἀποκατάστᾰσις.

I was 16 when I got my yellow pin, then I counted the angels on it, then I pricked my thumbs-- well, you can guess the rest. All because it was easier than doing the math homework.

CORRECTION TO 12/2022: THE 2nd USURPER WILL HAVE BECOME THE 3rd WHEN 43 IS…. CONFIRMED.

“If it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all.” Every modernotheist prays for an omnipotent God, because then He can be fooled. “Vengeance is Thine,” sayeth the last man, “as long as it is mine.”

38.495,22.8475 Nothing beside remains.

Corrected translation of 12/02/22 use of BG 11.32

5/2019: “Reform without enforcement is Camelot without Merlin.” You made Mark Twain’s point.

1. If Hobbes taught math, why isn’t the (un)Holy Trinity equilateral? It was; but from the Boss’s perspective, might makes right .

LEITMOTIV: “Allegorical rigidity has infected the motiv like a disease.” (The purpose of art is to repress the truth so it can return as art. ¬Freud)

2. Motto of The Artificial Person, Inc.: “Summum malum”-- the sum of all men.

10. Yes, yes, Nd2-but who knows who went last? 11. We know what it means, but do you know what it’s for? 12. What the liars tell the rubes so they can teach them how to want.

3. NB outside the walls wh ile [2.54.3]

4. “And lo!”

It is precisely such seeming eccentricities that actually give the game away.

Why would you wish for the end of this font?

9. We should take him at his word.

8. Three things missing from this Chick’s stoning.

IN MEDIAS RES

Ω E

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Counterclockwise, mofr the corrected job:

13. When you call for pigs on sticks, people will bring their own sticks and find their own pigs.

5. Cheating? Bikini? All of today’s sexual fantasies begin here.

“If ignorance is bliss, why aren’t more people happy?” They are, but it doesn’t count unless someone is counting.

But why a Letter of Marque? The important thing is to say whatever comes to mind.

PIRATE : SAIL ::

6. Song of Regret, in the Lydian mode ©

Because Because some men some men just want just want to watch to watch the world the world burn burn

7. “ It was decid de that I would forget.”

Busulfan against ontological cancers-which divide barely every 400 years? The method is worse than the disease, and nothing is left of the host. Ontology recapitulates ontogeny, and anyway nobody knows the difference. Jeremiah too would ask to be released from these cares.

orphans of a kind? Luke 15:11: “And when the he found the lost children the way that they were he gathered them all alike and he said unto them, ‘I should have thought that a pack of British boys-–you’re all British, aren’t you?-- would have been able to put up a better show than that.’”

You have made an inside joke intensely interesting, thank you. It’s not for me to judge by which method one begins to learn God-- but can it be yours? Res ipsa loquitur, tabula in naufragio; Gentlemen--I wash my hands of this weirdness.

Whom did Roger Chillingworth kill? (2pts.)

UA unveils Sustainability & Climate Action Plan

BY SAM PARKER @samparker849

The University of Arizona Office of Sustainability recently announced the creation of a Sustainability & Climate Action Plan, the primary goals of which are for the university to reach zero carbon emissions by 2040 or sooner and to address the many challenges posed by the climate crisis.

Trevor Ledbetter, the director of the UA Office of Sustainability, explained that conversations about a need for carbon neutrality have been going on for a long time, but serious discussions about the university’s strategic plans began in 2018. During this year, the university set an interim goal of reducing scope 2 emissions (emissions that a company creates when the energy it uses is produced)

on the UA’s Tucson campus to zero by 2025, which was accomplished through the universities renewable energy agreement with Tucson Electric Power.

While achieving carbon neutrality is the main goal of this plan, Ledbetter also hopes for the plan to take a more holistic approach to sustainability and mitigating harmful effects of the climate crisis.

“We also currently don’t have any formal sustainability goals beyond carbon neutrality, so part of this process will be setting institutional goals around water, around waste, around potentially teaching learning outcomes and how we integrate sustainability as a cultural value at the University of Arizona,” Ledbetter said.

In 2021, the university began working with consulting firm

Brailsford & Dunlavey in order to start gathering data and determining who to reach out to and how to engage the campus community for this action plan.

“We’ve been building up the engagement of the university community into the action plan over the last month, month and a half,” Ledbetter said. “We launched as a small advisory team that does include students, faculty and staff, and that will be doubling in size over the next month as we fill in working groups.”

These working groups will be established in April or May, along with an executive steering committee that will help approve different elements of the climate action plan.

At the April 11 Sustainability & Climate Action Plan Kick-Off, Jillian Buckholz, sustainability advisor at Brailsford &

Dunlavey, explained the role of these working groups throughout this process.

“These are going to be subject matter experts, people that are really passionate about a particular topic. Those recommendations from the working groups will come up through the core team and the advisory team moving up to executive leadership for recommendation,” Buckholz said. “And then again, the Executive Steering Committee will make final decisions on what will go into the product as well. Membership on these groups specified here is still pretty fluid. There’s room for students […]. So, if you are a student, please see yourself as part of this structure too.”

Poulami Soni and Halley Hughes, the co-directors of Students for Sustainability, are the only students currently serving on the advisory team.

Hughes is hopeful about the direction of the action plan, especially because of the diverse backgrounds of the people on the team.

“Other people on the advisory team are employees on campus, and it’s actually really diverse in terms of how they’re choosing to involve leadership, which is what makes me hopeful,” Hughes said. “There’s not only people who are dedicated to research, there are people who are in charge of investments, in charge of athletics, in charge of housing and recreation, there are people there who do retail. So, we’re really pulling from a lot of places in the university, which is really exciting to see.”

UArizona Divest is another student group involved in conversations about the climate action plan. The group met with the Strategic Planning and Budget Advisory Committee, as well as Ledbetter and Sabrina Helm, an associate professor of retailing and consumer

sciences at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and a co-chair of the action plan, to discuss their ideas and requests for the plan.

Samantha Wetherell, a student leader of Divest, noted that the UA was doing good work in their reduction of scope 1 and 2 emissions, but made recommendations for how to reduce scope 3 emissions, which are “the result of activities from assets not owned or controlled by the reporting organization, but that the organization indirectly affects in its value chain,” according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

“There is the issue of how do you reduce those, because they are the most indirect emissions. They are things like conference travel for professors or commuting time, and including in scope 3 emissions specifically, is investments,” Wetherell said. “So, we’re trying to advocate for what we think is the best way to decrease those scope 3 emissions, through divestment, through investing in socially responsible investment.”

Wetherell and other student leaders of Divest are optimistic about the future of this plan, but they believe it has the capacity to be more expansive and involve divestment as a primary goal.

Another goal of this climate action plan is “fostering a culture of environmental awareness and appreciation” in the campus community, according to the UA Office of Sustainability.

“There has to be significant behavior change at the university,” Ledbetter said. “Change is hard, and conscious change can be harder if you’re asking people to do things differently. So it’s really

COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY

STUDENTS, FACULTY AND COMMUNITY members attended the Sustainability & Climate Action Plan kick-off event on Tuesday, April 11. Attendees were invited to hear about the plan, offer their input and participate in activities related to the plan.

The school hopes to achieve carbon neutrality and more by 2040

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45

important, especially on the staff/faculty side to make it as easy as possible, because we have folks who have been here 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 years and doing things differently is going to be a much bigger ask for them than for a student body that turns over every [four to six] years.”

Ledbetter mentioned that, in order to make this transition as smooth as possible for these faculty members, there will be incentive structures implemented to help support this behavior change.

In terms of educating students in the campus community, Ledbetter referenced a variety of initiatives, from teaching students how to recycle properly to taking broader action by integrating concepts like sustainability and climate action into course curriculums.

“In an ideal world, everyone who graduates from the University of Arizona, regardless of their major, understands how those concepts connect to them,” Ledbetter said. “Whether you’re in retail and consumer sciences, you understand how fast fashion and sustainability intersect. If you’re a marketing major, you understand how greenwashing impacts consumers and how companies leverage sustainability to sell a service or a product.”

Student involvement, not just in receiving education about this issue, but also having a strong voice throughout this process, remains a priority for members of the advisory team, especially Soni and Hughes.

“There are going to be a ton of opportunities for students to have say and input. There’s going to be workshops and working

groups where students can bring their expertise and perspectives,” Hughes said. “It is interesting and empowering to have a student perspective sitting on an executive team to make sure those people are being held accountable to what the students bring to the table.”

The UA’s Sustainability & Climate Action Plan also places an emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Divest leaders believe that a part of this inclusion must involve listening to and supporting marginalized communities throughout this process.

“You have to be conscious that maybe some students are emitting more from their transportation, why is that? Not everyone can afford an electric vehicle,” Wetherell said. “So you can put all this electric vehicle infrastructure in place, but there has to be an understanding and supporting of why certain people emit more, and have a conscious effort in that plan to support those students to make a more sustainable transition.”

Ledbetter also highlighted the importance of community involvement and engagement throughout this entire process.

“Even if someone is coming from no background in sustainability, it is really important that we hear from those voices and to understand their perspective and where they’re coming from with regards to these topics,” Ledbetter said. “We’re really good at engaging with the people who are already a part of this world, so to speak. But we’re really trying to engage folks in as many ways as possible to meet them where they’re at.”

Hughes also believes it’s unreasonable for people to

think sustainability is out of their reach.

“It is not over your head, it is not something you can’t contribute to. You 100 percent can contribute to this, and you should because it’s going to shape student experiences for a very long time,” Hughes said.

The kick-off was an example of attempts at this engagement. Students, faculty and any members of the community were invited to the kick-off meeting to ask questions, participate in activities and voice their opinions on potential solutions and strategies for this action plan.

Helm spoke about the necessity of hearing student voices at this April 11 event and in the conversations to follow.

“The actual plan itself will be designed for an inclusive and equitable process. It’s meant to engage University of

Arizona students, faculty, staff and community members, and that is one of the reasons why we invited all of you here today, because you will be asked to help us as valued members of our community,” Helm said. “Your input is really needed. And you can help us identify solutions that will help make the university a more sustainable, equitable and resilient place to learn, work and thrive together.”

Students are invited to fill out a campus community input survey sent out in an email by President Dr. Robert C. Robbins. Wetherell noted that this is a great way for students to have their voices heard and give input on what initiatives should be included in the plan.

Those involved in the plan are aware that it is an ambitious goal, but the leadership team is confident that it can happen.

“This plan is really aggressive, which is nice. It is ahead of most countries’ pledges and even the Paris Agreement in terms of when we want carbon neutrality to happen, which is 2040, which is insane because that’s really fast,” Hughes said. “But everyone’s really committed to that, and I think it’s an ambitious goal, but it’s something that we can complete.”

“I cannot stress enough how important that widespread support for this action is. We need to keep this momentum because our carbon emissions are increasing […]. After the pandemic, our university is on track to business as usual. Returning to business as usual is simply not an option,” Helm said at the kick-off. “We need to be bold and determined to make change, and look around the room. I am encouraged. I feel strongly that we can do it.”

COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY SABRINA HELM, AN ASSOCIATE professor of retailing and consumer science at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and a co-chair of the Sustainability & Climate Action Plan, spoke at the at the April 11 Sustainability & Climate Action Plan Kick-Off.

“The biggest benefits of studying abroad were being able to experience a new environment, develop as an individual, and create memories of a lifetime while furthering my education.”

– Madison Frees: UA Barcelona Spring 2021

Drop-in Hours: Mon to Fri 2pm - 5pm at the Global Lounge

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