California State University, Bakersfield
December 2, 2020
Vol. 46, No. 8
ASI passes ethnic studies and racial discrimination resolutions
By Ray Dean Reporter
CSU Bakersfield’s Associated Students Inc. passed two resolutions addressing racial diversity on Fri, Nov 20. Last week, on Fri, Nov 13 CSUB professors Alicia Rodriquez, Tracey Salisbury and Jorge Moraga presented a proposal seeking support from the ASI board for the establishment of an ethnic studies department. ASI voiced their support of the proposal by passing SB105 which stated, “ASI supports elevating the Ethnic Studies concentration in Interdisciplinary Studies into an Ethnic Studies Department at CSUB in order to facilitate the
implementation of AB1460 and provide support for the faculty members who will be hired to the teach the courses.” AB1460 is the law California governor Gavin Newsom signed requiring all students in the CSU system to take a three unit ethnic studies course. The text of SB105 went on to read, “ASI urges the Academic Senate to support the proposal brought forth by the Ethnic Studies faculty which seeks to elevate the Ethnic Studies concentration in Interdisciplinary Studies into an Ethnic Studies Department at CSUB.” Ilaria Pesco, ASI executive director, said, “Dr. Rodriquez, Dr. Moraga and
Dr. Salisbury are going to be presenting this [Ethnic Studies proposal] officially to the Academic Senate. And it’s really Academic Senate that approves whether or not there can be a new department on Campus. And so, if they do that the goal would be that it would start for fall [2021].” One of the proposal’s goals is to establish a major in Ethnic Studies. However, such an undertaking goes beyond the requirements of AB1460 and is a conceivably larger task than establishing a three unit course. Frankie De La Pena, ASI vice-president of finance, who presented SB105 said, “The program and
the degree is a process, and it’s going to take some time but Fall 2021 is when they’re going to hire at least two full-time lecturers to provide enough courses for freshmen to fulfill their three unit requirement.” The executive board of ASI also addressed racial bias and diversity within their own ranks by passing SB106. This comes on the heels of vice-president of Campus Life, Nadia Mendoza-Mendez’s resignation over comments she made to a black CSUB student. SB106 reaffirms ASI’s commitment to their mission statement, which reads in part, “ASI seeks to assist in the protection of the rights and interests of
individual students and the student body as a whole.” SB106 goes beyond affirmations. The resolution calls for ASI executive members and its directors to collaborate during the 2020-2021 Winter break in order to establish a Zero Tolerance Policy and changes to their bylaws which will be presented to the ASI Board of Directors meeting on Jan 29, 2021. SB106 also calls for ASI to work with Claudia Catota, chief diversity officer and special assistant to the president, to create and implement mandatory sensitivity trainings for all of ASI, including students who are interested in running for office.
ASI members would be required to take a total of three trainings. One prior to running and then one each semester—fall and spring. ASI elections code will also be changed to reflect this. “I think that this is extremely important and so this is one step in the right direction. And as I said before, implementing policies like this and ensuring that they are effective is extremely important. So with that being said, this is our commitment to establishing these beginning Spring 2021,” ASI president Vanessa Chicaiza said. Both resolutions passed unanimously.
CSUB to use Bank Mobile for online financial aid, scholarship disbursement Spencer Shepard Reporter CSU Bakersfield decided to switch to Bank Mobile to disburse financial aid and loans for CSUB students as of Nov. 2. Bank Mobile allows for the disbursement process to be more comfortable for students because it does not have the frustrating process of creating a bank account like the previous form of disbursement. The former way of disbursement was reliable for some with two-day refunds. But, some students dealt with issues of getting returns after the semester had begun. These issues left students unable to pay for classes, purchase books or parking
passes for the semester until the refund is received. A poll by The Runner showed that 32% of students have experienced difficulty with the previous forms of disbursements. However, not all students are unfamiliar with Bank Mobile. Students who are familiar with the Bank Mobile system likely transferred from community colleges like Antelope Valley, Bakersfield College, and Cerro Coso. These Kern County community colleges implemented the Bank Mobile system years prior. Refunds and financial aid disbursement are thought to arrive sooner through Bank Mobile. “Many students will get their refunds quicker through Bank Mobile,”
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or get mailed a check. Bank Mobile also offers a few features that could be beneficial to students, such as a downloadable app that allows for mobile check cashing and mobile bill payments. Passport, part of Bank Mobile’s Student Success Program, is a reward system for students that make smart money management, academic achievement, and good financial behavior by collecting virtual stamps. The stamps give entry into the Student Success Sweepstakes for a chance to win up to $10,000 to pay off student loan debt. Students who would like to know more about Bank Mobile can visit their website “bankmobilevibe. com” for additional information.
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Illustration by David Hernandez/The Runner
Julie Oberlies, an Associate Controller of Student Financial Services said. Students continuing at CSUB in the Spring of 2021 should update their disbursement form to receive their refund. Bank Mobile’s account is a reasonably straightforward process to follow. All a student needs to do is log onto their myCSUB and then go to the Manage Your Refunds link in the Finances Section. “It is easy and only takes a few minutes,” Oberlies said. Then the student will need to follow the directions on the Bank Mobile page. From there, the student can either deposit into an existing account, create an account with Bank Mobile,
Features
2
December 2, 2020
The Runner
Community leaders seek to destigmatize food insecurity Melanie Romo Assistant Features Editor Community members gathered on Nov. 18 for CSU Bakersfield’s Associated Student Inc.’s (ASI) Runner Hour to talk about stigmatized topics every community has faced: hunger and homelessness. Wednesday’s discussion focused on bringing awareness to the topic overall in an effort to destigmatize it and build empathy that can lead to action. The hour-long Zoom event was a discussion that included a Q&A. The Q&A at the end of the event allowed for the attendees to chime in with questions, although there were many opportunities to participate during each panelist’s section by using the chat function or unmuting their mic. CSUB’s president, Lynnette Zelezny, was among participants and during the event offered responses for the questions aimed towards attendees. Speakers included Jason Watkins, Assistant Director for Basic Needs, Olivia Warren, Campus Advocate, and Ruth Miles, counselor at the CSUB Counseling Center. Watkins began the discussion by defining terms relevant to the topic, including food insecurity and the word homelessness. “It’s way more common than many people think, and especially, for all of you students who are joining us today, I want you to know that if these are things you struggle with, you are not alone,” Watkins said in regards to the reality of people who face these issues. To involve the attendees in the conversation, Watkins welcomed them with an ice breaker. Watkins presented participants with different scenarios, and instructed them to write down the first thing that came to mind when presented with the scenario. One example of a listed scenario was “A person smelling of stale liquor is buying aspirin at 6 a.m.” Multiple attendees voiced their thoughts on what they thought was going on in each given scenario, including the previous example. One participant shared that they initially thought the person in the scenario was buying painkillers because they had been drinking. In response to participant’s feedback, Watkins offered a different response to those given by the participants. “They spilled a bottle of rum
when they were reaching for their breakfast cereal, bumped their head on the cupboard, and now they are attending to their wound,” Watkins said. After describing this possibility, Watkins explained that the point of the exercise was to break the stigma associated with these types of scenarios, and make people wary of the preconceived notions made when the reality might not be what they think. Watkins continued by debunking myths on homelessness and food insecurity. Moreover, Watkins told attendees to pay attention to research, and emphasized the importance of educating oneself in order to lessen the fundamental attribution error he said everyone makes. According to Watkins, fundamental attribution error happens when an individual “[overestimates] the influence of personality/disposition and [underestimates] influence of situations.” Warren used the opportunity to share information on vulnerable populations that she identified as being more at-risk for food insecurity and homelessness. She included children, college students, and minorities in the vulnerable populations.
empathy by defining the word; she defined empathy as “the ability to feel what other people feel.” Moreover, she distinguished the difference in meanings between similar sounding words sympathy and empathy. “Sometimes people will wonder what’s the difference between sympathy and empathy. Sympathy is more of a feeling bad for someone… Empathy takes it a step further, where we’re really connecting with the emotions of what someone might be going through,” Miles said. Miles discussed the importance of empathy and described some barriers to empathy while interacting with attendees by asking what they themselves thought. Morgan Griffin, a CSUB alumnus, wrote some barriers to empathy. Griffin wrote in the chat that selfishness was one barrier, then shared her feelings towards empathy and her personal relationship with it. “I believe that life experiences and hardship can foster empathy,” Griffin wrote. Miles verbally agreed with this, but also said how the opposite can be true as well. Miles said experiences can make people less empathetic beIllustration by Paige Atkison/The Runner cause they went through it and have the mindset that others can Warren said multiple reasons to have healthy meals,” Warren too. why these individuals are at a said. To conclude her topic on empahigher risk to be susceptible to Behavior is another aspect inthy building, Miles listed for atfood insecurity and homelessfluenced by hunger and hometendees some of the ways to inness. lessness. crease empathy toward others. Low socio-economic status “We talked about foster youth These were a call to action. and mental health, and physiand children. So, maybe it can A few things Miles told particcal health are significant factors affect their behavior in school if ipants that they could do includin why these groups can be more they don’t have somewhere to ed obtaining honest feedback at-risk. go home after they leave school, from others, looking and reflectHowever, Warren reminded par- or the only meals they’re getting ing on personal biases, and takticipants that these may not alis when they’re at school,” Waring the time to think of and ask ways be the reasons. ren said. questions. “It’s more than like what JaWarren asked attendees to list The end of the event was reson said- those myths aren’t some ways they can help the vulserved for questions. No attendtrue... That if they’re mentalnerable populations. ees took this opportunity, but ly ill, that they’re always vioUtilizing the chat function, they instead thanked the speaklent, that they’re something like Miles offered the option of volers for their presentations on the that. Most of the time, it’s not the unteering for existing programs topic. case. Sometimes people can just that intend to help these individuWatkins also mentioned that go into a hard situation,” Warals and also mentioned “[talking] students who attended were to ren said. more openly about these topics receive an Uber Eats gift card by Warren discussed the effects of in a non-judgmental way to resending their student ID to Rubihomelessness and hunger. duce stigma.” celia Alvarez, Director of the OfAccording to Warren, one exZelezny wrote that the idea of fice of Student Rights and Reample includes how homescholarships and comprehensponsibilities, over the private lessness can negatively impact sive support could be one way of message feature on Zoom. pregnant women by creating helping. Watkins took the last few minpregnancy complications. Numerous others’ responses to utes to thank those who attend“If there’s a mother that is preg- the question typed in the chat ined, commending them on taking nant, they can still be homeless, volved changing one’s mindset the time and effort to learn about and it can complicate the pregin order to benefit others and not issues and taking it one step furnancy. Maybe they don’t have an just themselves. ther. address so how are they going Miles continued the discussion “You’re part of the solution to go to the doctor? Maybe they with a presentation on how to here,” Watkins said. don’t have insurance, they’re build and express empathy. not able to feed themselves and Miles began her discussion on
Opinion
The Runner
3
December 2, 2020
BTS album brings hope to listeners By Lischa Mears Opinions Writer “BE,” the album self-produced by BTS, is a warm sonic hug that gives listeners hope for the future in the cold darkness of 2020. BTS is a South Korean boyband that consists of seven members: RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook. Through demonstrations of hard work and meaningful themes instilled in the band’s music, such as the prioritization of mental health, BTS has formed a strong connection with countless individuals around the globe known as ARMY or Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth. Following the postponement of their world tour, for the previous album “Map of the Soul: 7,” the members of BTS have utilized their time to ascend
their artistry by documenting the creation of “BE.” In creating personal music that motivates listeners to move forward, BTS has presented the idea that music transcends language and provides comfort in times of hopelessness. This idea is further elucidated by the eight tracks of “BE” that was released on Nov. 20. Consisting of various genres, from alternative hip-hop to acoustic ballads and electronic dance music, the diverse sounds of the tracks highlight the central theme of perseverance in the face of great devastation. This theme is portrayed by the strategic sequence of the album that reflects the fluctuating feelings of experiencing a global pandemic. Beginning with the title track “Life Goes On,” BTS
describes the new normality of the world and expresses that, despite the life-changing severities of the pandemic, life will continue towards a brighter future. As listeners reflect with BTS on the current state of the world, they will feel a great sense of comfort in the stunning vocals of the band and impactful message of looking towards the future. In “Fly to My Room,” the band conveys the restrictive feeling of being trapped in your room during lockdown. As the song reaches its climax, the members highlight the optimism of the situation in feeling safe, creative and enjoying delivered food. The uplifting beat of this track will encourage listeners to see the bright side in staying home while danc-
ing the feelings of sorrow away. In the following song “Blue & Grey,” BTS are transparent in the difficulties of suffering from anxiety and depression. As members lament about the crushing weight of sadness and mental illness, the captivating chorus transitions to a hopeful outlook of acknowledging the true state of their feelings in the future to avoid suppression. In making this transition to an emotive, acoustic ballad, listeners will cease their dancing and experience a tsunami of tears while collectively finding comfort in the song’s final chorus. As the album progresses to the songs “Telepathy” and “Stay,” the members sonically express the eternal connection with their fans. “We are far apart phys-
ically but we always stay together. That’s the message we wanted to put into this song,” said Jungkook in a global press conference at Seoul’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza. With this message in mind, the two songs include upbeat sounds of retro pop and electronic dance that encourage listeners to lift their spirits and find solace in the members as they overcome difficulty together. In the song “Dis-ease,” BTS utilizes word play to emphasize the widespread reality of mental illness and the pressure to relentlessly work during the pandemic. In a similar manner to previous tracks, the hiphop beat shifts in the final bridge with a positive message of waking up each day to fight and become stronger with each pass-
ing day. “‘BE’ is both a proclamation and a promise. It’s okay to rest, it says: to simply exist, to survive, to be,” critic Aja Romano wrote in her review on Vox. As the album reaches its conclusion with “Dynamite,” the record-breaking single released in the summer, listeners are left with an internalized hope for the future. BTS take listeners on a journey that extends beyond the confines of their homes with music that touches the soul. The thematic message of simply ‘being’ and persevering through devastation diminishes feelings of helplessness and gives listeners hope. As listeners experience this emotive journey, the darkness of 2020 fade in the presence of the album.