Thursday, March 3, 2022 by Daily Titan

Thursday, March 3, 2022

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

The Suites housing construction as it appeared in fall 2021. (Spencer Otte / Daily Titan)

Volume 111 Issue 7

The new construction will include a lounge area for students. (Spencer Otte / Daily Titan)

New student housing community to open fall 2022 GENESIS PAVIA Asst. Editor

Cal State Fullerton’s new suite-style student living community, The Suites, will debut in fall 2022 and will provide housing for an additional 600 students on campus. The Suites are the newest addition to the CSUF housing community. The building is located along the Route 57 Freeway, across from the new parking spaces added to the Eastside Parking Structure in 2020. According to the Housing and Residential Engagement website, each suite will house eight students in a four-bedroom apartment with two bathrooms and a small kitchenette. Larry Martin, the executive director for Housing and Residential Engagement, said it’s an exciting time for

students interested in the on-campus experience. “We have our residence halls and our single apartments, and then, our original double apartment-style community, it’s come to the end of its useful life, which happens with housing,” Martin said. He added that as part of the planning for the suites, the university surveyed students across campus to find out what the need was for students looking to live on campus. Martin said that ultimately, the survey supported a suite-style community for second and third-year students to evolve their experience on campus. In addition to the bedrooms and kitchenette, each floor of The Suites will have three Active Rooms that will include a TV, lounge space and an activity table for studying and socializing.

The Titan Lounge will also be a new integration that will lead to a laundry room and an outdoor courtyard. Martin said the construction of The Suites was a multi-year process that was part of a system-wide master plan to provide more affordable housing across the system. The finalized approval for The Suites took place in 2019, which allowed construction to break ground at the end of 2020 while classes were virtual. The construction of the new housing community took 18 months to actualize over what was known as Parking Lot E. “As projects get approved through our campus master planning process, you then figure out how can we then move, you know, those parking places to other areas of campus,” Martin said.

“And so the parking that was displaced by our project have been relocated to spaces out near Titan Hall, which is now part of the campus community.” He added that it was important to make room for the new suites to be close to the other housing communities to maintain a continuous footprint for the residents of Cal State Fullerton. “We then shifted the parking spaces to elsewhere on campus, so still available just in another location,” Martin said. Martin said The Suites are the first step in adding to the portfolio that can help the university expand housing over the upcoming years and create a pipeline for students who see the value of living on campus. Christine Sy, a third-year biology major, said she thinks that the new suites will solve the problem that

upper-level students face when searching for affordable housing after their first year. “I remember I did struggle after I was a first-year, like where I would live, and I had to choose between the options next to campus,” Sy said. “So I feel The Suites are a really good way of a really smooth transition to ‘okay after I live in the dorms, I’ll just live in The Suites.’” Both Martin and Sy share the idea that on-campus housing can bring new opportunities for residents to build a stronger community. “I think they’re going to see some new and exciting options and opportunities for students to not only access the convenience of student housing, but I think really see some additional resources and engagement opportunities to help them be successful,” Martin said.

Baseball snaps four-game skid against Kansas State The Titans took the lead in the eighth with a rare three-triple inning. DAVID GOODKIND Staff Writer

Vincent Lee sets to inbound against UC Irvine inside Titan Gym on Feb. 24. (Marisa Palmerin-Flores / Daily Titan)

Men’s basketball to host UC Riverside for rematch CSUF had their eightgame winning streak snapped by UC Riverside in January. CHRISTIAN WALLING Staff Writer

Cal State Fullerton men’s basketball is set to play the UC Riverside Highlanders in Titan Gym on Thursday at 8 p.m. At 17-9 overall and 10-3 in the Big West Conference,

CSUF is in a tie for first place in the standings with Long Beach State, which holds the same conference record. Long Beach defeated Fullerton in February, which gives the Beach the tiebreaker over the Titans. Riverside currently sits in fifth place in the conference at 8-5 and 10-15 overall, with a one game lead over UC Santa Barbara. The Titans last faced the Highlanders and were on the

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receiving end of a 67-54 loss on Jan. 29. This was Fullerton’s first loss in conference play and ended their eight-game winning streak at the time. CSUF had a poor shooting night as they made nearly 29% of all field goals attempted, while the Highlanders shot 41% from the field.

SEE ASSIST

Cal State Fullerton baseball snapped a four-game losing streak with a late comeback victory over the Kansas State Wildcats at Goodwin Field on Tuesday. The 7-5 win secured the Titans’ second victory of the season. The Wildcats, like the Titans, came into the game struggling with a 1-5 record. Fresh off of an 8-2 win at Cal State Bakersfield, Kansas State started the game with a leadoff double. However, Fullerton’s right-handed-pitcher Fynn Chester bounced back with three straight outs, including a strikeout. Chester pitched three scoreless innings with three strikeouts. In the bottom half of the first, the Titans loaded up the bases with two outs.

Designated hitter Deylan Pigford bounced a ground ball that swallowed up the Kansas State first baseman as he almost collided with the second baseman, which resulted in a run scored for the Titans. In the bottom of the second inning, Fullerton extended the lead, 3-0, with a pair of two-out RBI singles from catcher Austin Schell and third base replacement Zach Lew. Kansas State had a major threat going in the fourth inning with the bases loaded and no outs.

The Titans escaped the inning with a pop-up to short and a double play. Leading, 4-0, in the top of the sixth, the Titans were unable to escape with a clean inning. After an RBI base hit with the bases loaded, Kansas State shortstop Nick Goodwin unloaded them with a three RBI double to left field that tied the game at 4-4. The Wildcats were able to get another RBI via a base hit and took a 5-4 lead. SEE FIELD

Senior outfielder Jason Brandow studies Gonzaga’s hitter at Goodwin Field on Feb. 26. (Daniela Navarro / Daily Titan) FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN

2 News

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022

Upcoming Orange County weekend events CATHERINE NORBY Asst. Editor

OC Blues Collective March Dance - Irvine Dance the afternoon away on March 6, at this year’s OC Blues Collective March Dance starting at 2 p.m. at 10 Longshore Dr. in Irvine. The Social Dance Floor opens at 3 p.m. and beginner to intermediate lessons are provided upon request. There will be DJed blues music. Proof of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination must be provided in order to attend. It is $5 to dance and $10 for a lesson and dance. All money goes to instructors, DJs and the collective to support blues dance. Boca De Oro Festival of Literary, Visual and Performing Arts and Culture - Santa Ana The sixth annual Boco De Oro Festival will take place on March 4, in the Downtown Santa Ana Historic District from noon to 8 p.m. The events will have a wide array of performances, panel discussions, interactive workshops, author talks, readings and more. This year’s theme is “Together We Rise” to celebrate the spirit of recovery, healing, rebirth and reconnection through art. Admission is free. Emo Night Brooklyn - Santa Ana Emo Night Brooklyn is a whole experience, a late night DJ-based dance party at The Observatory on March 4 at 9 p.m. All music will be emo and pop punk, with surprise guests. Tickets are $15 each on Live Nation and

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(Gabriela Mendoza-Legorreta / Daily Titan)

attendees must provide a negative COVID-19 antigen test within 24 hours of the event, a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 48 hours of the event or have proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. Masks are required.

Magic Comedy Show - San Juan Capistrano Watch Justin Rivera master comedy and magic on March 6, at the San Juan Hills Golf Club. There will be a pancake breakfast from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the show will be from 11:30

a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Rivera was a judge favorite on “America’s Got Talent” and has also performed in Las Vegas, as well as around the world. Tickets will be $50 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under. Space is limited, so RSVP as soon as possible.

News 3

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022

CSUF extends deadline for $3 million Scott-Jewett Fund CHRISTIANI AQUINO Staff Writer

(JESSICA CHOI / DAILY TITAN)

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answers. Mitchell said the website has since been updated with a frequently asked question tab in order to help answer some unclear questions students had. He added that many of those questions that were being clarified were what they needed in their proposals.

EDITORIAL

Pomona, CSU Channel Islands and CSU Northridge also received a donation. Saks said that since this is a very new initiative for both the committee and also the students, they wanted to give applicants time to ask questions, while allowing them enough time to be able to formulate those questions and receive

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For the next three years, Cal State Fullerton will award up to $1 million in funding to proposals intended to enhance the student experience. The funding will come from the Scott-Jewett Fund for Innovation and Success, which was created using $3 million of the $40 million donated to CSUF by philanthropist and author Mackenzie Scott and her husband Dan Jewett, in 2021. The deadline to apply for funds under the Scott-Jewett fund was originally set for March 9, but was extended until March 16, 2022, in order to allow students to receive more details on how to apply and answer more questions. The committee chairs of the Scott Jewett fund are Greg Saks, vice president of University Advancement and Joshua Mitchell, president of Associated Students. According to the website, submissions are received by a committee made up of several CSUF representatives. Those who are applying to the fund must write a 750 word proposal outlining what the funds will be used for, a detailed budget and timeline. Applicants must also identify how their project aligns with the social justice principles of the university. The donation was part of a $2.7 billion donation spree by Scott to 286 organizations in underserved communities. In addition to CSUF, Cal Poly

In order to be eligible for funding, applicants will need to complete the online application found on the university’s website. Students must also be able to get an endorsement from a campus stakeholder. Mitchell said that applicants can request up to $150,000 per submission, and encourages everyone to

apply. Recipients are able to write for a multi-year project but at the end of each academic year, they must provide the committee a one-page summary on the status of that project. Funds will be awarded in May, after the committee has reviewed applications.

Editor-in-Chief Lily Lopez Managing Editor Anthony Bautista News Editor Spencer Otte News Deputy Amber Juarez News Assistants Elena Hanna Michelle Ibañez Heather Eyre Opinion Editor Vanessa Siguenza Deputy Opinion Nollyanne Delacruz Opinion Assistants Hugo Rios Jillian Devine

Sports Editor Marisa Palmerin-Flores Deputy Sports Editor Navtej Hundal Sports Assistants Jeseny Escobar David Goodkind Bryan Corrales Lifestyle Editor Jessica Choi Deputy Lifestyle Editor Eder Ramirez Lifestyle Assistants Genesis Pavia Catherine Norby Layout Editor Frank Portillo Deputy Layout Editor Alexander Alvarado

Copy Editor Stepheny Gehrig Deputy Copy Editor Jessica Bernal Copy Assistants Dimitra Doiphode Stephanie Jasso Michelle Ibañez Photo Editor Jon Buzdar Photo Assistants Connor Hedges

Director of Sales Isabel Cambiaso Director of Marketing Dakota MacDonald Assistant Director of Sales Tyler Costa Sales Manager Isabela Veloro

Social Media Manager Annie Kuo Marketing Coordinators Chloe Lau Ivan Calderon Lauren Le Accountant Doris Henriquez

Account Executives Kevin Garcia Clerise Yumul Jay Song Senior Graphic Designer Josephine Tang Graphic Designer Allison Nishi

Editor-in-Chief News Line Sports Line Advertising

Social Media Editor Jessica Benda Head Illustrator Gabriela Mendoza-Legorreta Illustrator Assistants Cassidy Molina Tiranjini Pillai Faculty Adviser Walter Baranger

Distribution Manager Brianna Rodriguez Distribution Coordinators Omar Lopez-Deniz Aurora Chavez Faculty Adviser Michelle Kurland

(657) 278-5815 editorinchief@dailytitan.com (657) 278-4415 news@dailytitan.com (657) 278-3149 sports@dailytitan.com (657) 278-4411 ads@dailytitan.com

FOR THE RECORD Date Error: Feb. 28 A previous version of the article titled “Diverse justices foster social growth,” incorrectly named Ketanji Brown Jackson as Kentanji Brown Jackson. Please contact Editor-in-Chief Lily Lopez at (657) 278-5815 or at editorinchief@dailytitan.com to report any errors.

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© COPYRIGHT DAILY TITAN 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The Daily Titan is a student publication, printed every Monday through Thursday. The Daily Titan operates independently of Associated Students, Inc. College of Communications, CSUF administration and the CSU. The Daily Titan has functioned as a public forum since inception. Unless implied by the advertising party or otherwise stated, advertising in the Daily Titan is inserted by commercial activities or ventures identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the university. Such printing is not to be construed as written or implied sponsorship, endorsement or investigation of such commercial enterprises. The Daily Titan allocates one issue to each student for free.

4 Lifestyle

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022

Column: Tuffy’s Book Nook offers self-help reads Overcome personal difficulties and find your inner-happiness with this list of helpful books.

Kalanithi details his struggle with coming to terms with his impending death. He poses questions and answers to topics many people do not wish to acknowledge. It’s not a happy ending type of book, but it’s an eye-opening realization that sometimes life throws huge curveballs, that sometimes the plan we’ve had laid out isn’t always plausible.

JESSICA BERNAL Deputy Editor

Sometimes it’s difficult to remember to take care of yourself, especially when juggling school, work and home life. If you don’t know which part of your life needs tuning in to, then here’s a list of books that might help you find your inner power, or at least somewhere to start. “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz This is the quickest read on the list and the most insightful. Ruiz gives readers four simple rules to live by. Four rules seem easy in theory, but in practice they may prove to be a little harder than they seem. Ruiz introduces us to the teachings of the Toltecs, an ancient tribe from Mexico City. In the book, he introduces the “Toltecs [as] scientists and artists who formed a society to explore and conserve the spiritual knowledge and practices of the ancient ones.” It is through their teachings that we are introduced to the four agreements: Be impeccable with your word Don’t take anything personally Don’t make assumptions Always do your best In just a few pages, Ruiz will get you

Music

REVIEW A notable improvement from his previous album, “Donda 2” is his best work in years. EDER RAMIREZ Deputy Editor

Even amid the controversy surrounding him, Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, has managed to keep his head up and move forward in his music career. Fresh off the heels of “Donda,” released in Aug. 2021 and named after his late mother, Ye has kept his explosive momentum with the Feb. 24 release of his latest album, “Donda 2.” Unlike other albums that Ye has put out, “Donda 2” is exclusive to the artist’s “Stem Player” product and is unavailable on streaming services. “Donda 2” evolves from its predecessor’s shortcomings, placing more of an emphasis on his usual rap style and beats over the spiritual, gospel-like

(PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JESSICA BERNAL)

questioning whether you actually commit yourself to these four rules or if you simply tell yourself that you do. “The

Alchemist” By Paulo Coelho This is my all-time personal favorite and eye-opening novel. If you’re looking for something a little less selfhelpy, then this is the book for you. It’s not just a work of fiction; it’s a journey of self-discovery. Santiago, the main character, goes on a journey to discover a treasure near the Egyptian pyramids. It’s a journey that makes him face numerous obstacles and what seem like setbacks, yet he finds ways to keep moving forward. It’s a story about pursuing your “personal legend,” your destiny and overcoming the obstacles in your path. This is probably a book most readers are familiar with since it was a

common read in high school, but it is definitely worth another read. Now that we’re older and really trying to figure out what we want to do and who we want to be, you may find that this story holds a lot more meaning and realization now than it did before. “The Art of Happiness” by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, M.D. Like the title of the book states, this is all about finding yourself and dedicating yourself to yourself. Through a series of discussions, Cutler takes you on a journey of conversation with the Dalai Lama – “both spiritual and temporal ruler of Tibet” – so much that it feels like he is speaking to you. To answer some of the questions posed by Cutler, the Dalai Lama brings to light the differences between Western ways of thinking compared to

Buddhist ways of thinking. The Dalai Lama offers his Buddhist understanding of how people can work towards happiness by controlling certain emotions and situations. “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi This memoir, written by Paul Kalanithi, a man who seemingly had it all right before being diagnosed with an incurable disease, will make you question whether you are truly living life to your fullest expectations. Kalanithi was a neurosurgeon and award-winning researcher, all by the ripe age of 36. He was just starting a family, and the beginning of his career before his whole life changed in the blink of an eye. He was then diagnosed with an incurable stage of cancer, throwing him in the patient’s position rather than the doctor’s.

“Psycho-Cybernetics” by Maxwell Maltz, M.D. If you’re looking for something a little more like a self-help read, then this is the book for you. Written by Maxwell Maltz, a cosmetic surgeon, this book will delve into the idea of self-image and how it dictates our lives. Who better to critique the notion of self-image than someone who “fixes” people for a living? Each chapter contains an example from Maltz’s real-life interactions with a patient or another person he’s met, followed by a practice exercise to get you to put his lesson in action. It’s an interesting read, but it may be a little more difficult than the other books on this list. The recurring theme in this list is happiness, particularly finding your happiness. Reading about it may seem easier than practicing it, but starting anywhere is better than starting nowhere. In what seems like a never-ending struggle to figure out who you are, these books might help you answer the questions you didn’t know to ask. So, as Paulo Coelho would say, go find your personal legend.

Ye rises from Kanye West’s fallen image hymns the first album featured. Featuring alongside Ye are a variety of artists, a mix of new voices and reprisals from the original “Donda.” Overall, this installment in his long line of albums is one that sees the artist’s full return to the rap genre, alongside more artistic and emotional themes perfected through his more unorthodox tracks. Note that as of this review’s publishing, only 16 songs of the album’s original have been released to the public. With 18 more tracks expected to be released over time, “Donda 2” is expected to be the artist’s biggest launch yet. At its core, “Donda 2” is an album that’s mostly full of bangers. The best song in the album, so far, is easily “City of Gods,” a high-energy ode to New York City. “Donda 2” is also an album illustrating the many conflicting emotions in Ye’s life right now, from the grief resulting from the divorce with Kim Kardashian to his constant issues with

(Columbia Records)

coping with the media fallout. In songs like “Sci Fi,” “Selfish” and “True Love,” the artist laments and contemplates his current situation, what led to it and how he hopes to maintain a positive relationship with his children. It’s a staple for most Ye albums to have a few songs depicting an honest, human, so these tracks’ inclusions are welcomed by most fans of the artist. But despite the doom and gloom present in the album, Ye also isn’t afraid to vent his frustrations. Most specifically, frustrations regarding

the controversy surrounding him and Kim’s new boyfriend, comedian Pete Davidson. In songs like “Security” and “Flowers,” Ye’s anger comes into full view, directed at both his ex-wife and Davidson. Although these songs can make listeners uncomfortable to say the least, they’re still worth noting since his anger is a recurring theme in “Donda 2.” The album just wouldn’t be the same without it. The biggest improvement from the original “Donda” is the increased emphasis on rap. “Donda,” much like the prior “Jesus Is King” album, had too much gospel-like music, and there was a lot to be desired from the rapper’s work then. “Donda 2” fixes this issue with the inclusion of music that’s more true to the artist’s rap roots. While more rap songs are nice, the beats get a little wacky and makes listeners feel like there is something missing in the backings. “Security” specifically had a

lackluster beat that not even Ye’s rage could save. The various features present in the album never overshadow Ye, perfectly complementing his lyrical talent with their own. Contemporary artists like Travis Scott, Future and Baby Keem lend their bars to the album, with some surprising guests like Alicia Keys, Soulja Boy and the late Xxxtentacion. Xxxtentacion’s inclusion was a pleasant surprise to listeners, with “True Love” instantly becoming a fan-favorite. In summary, “Donda 2” might possibly be the artist’s best work in recent times. It’s an album that packs as much punch as it packs emotion. It’s a raw experience, and the various features present in the album don’t overstay their welcome. But most importantly, it’s an album that any Ye fan will be glad to bump at a red light. From excessive worship to excessive emotions, “Donda 2” was a turnaround that everyone needed.

Five eco-friendly grocery shopping tips CATHERINE NORBY Asst. Editor

Finding sustainable ways to grocery shop can be really difficult, especially because so many common items come wrapped in plastic or were not responsibly sourced. However, there are steps you can take as a consumer to ease your impact and shop greener during your weekly errands. Making a list The best thing you can do before you head to the grocery store is look through your fridge and cabinets, and then make a list of the things you need. First, you should pick what recipes you want to prepare for the week, then, make a list of basics you may like VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

to keep in stock, such as bread, chips, milk, eggs and pasta. Using your phone, a stray piece of paper or a notebook, start composing your list. You can also purchase notebooks specifically for meal planning, if that’s what will help keep you organized. Making a list helps make your grocery trip greener because not only does it help you remember everything you need, it can also help prevent food waste. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, an estimate of 30% to 40% of our food supply goes to waste. By making a list, you maximize your efficiency in the kitchen; you are only buying what you need rather than buying more or forgetting you already have an item at home.

Reusable shopping bags Though this may seem obvious, reusable grocery bags are the way to go. You can even reuse old paper and plastic bags you may have accumulated from earlier trips. If you forgot your bags, always ask for paper over plastic bags because paper bags are biodegradable. If remembering your bags is an ongoing issue, look into Baggu reusable bags. These bags come in a variety of sizes and patterns, and they can fold down really small, making them perfect for your purse or the glove compartment of your car. Because most stores in California will charge you at least 10 cents per bag according to the California Government website, reusable bags help prevent single-use waste and save you money.

Reusable produce bags Reusable produce bags also help prevent single-use plastic waste. Though some stores do offer compostable produce bags, it is still best to reach for something you can use multiple times rather than something you can only use once or twice. You can wash your reusable produce bags between uses, and they come in a variety of sizes to fit all of your needs. Packaging When grocery shopping, you want to opt-in for items that are not wrapped in plastic. For example, look for paper or cardboard packaging when buying milk and eggs, as there are usually paper options for these items. While this may not always be an option, especially when it comes to meat because most meat

products are packaged in styrofoam, plastic or both, try searching for paper or cardboard because of their biodegradability. Composting The last thing you can do to make your grocery trips greener is to compost. This practice essentially recycles your food waste, which can help improve your soil health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate drought impact and recycle nutrients. There are various everyday items that are good for composting, such as coffee grounds, eggshells, vegetables and bread. Though some dairy products and meats are technically compostable, they are not good for backyard compost because of the pests they attract. FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN

Sports 5

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022

Softball to host Judi Garman Classic Fullerton will welcome 12 teams to Anderson Family Field for the annual tournament. JAQUELINE ROSALES Staff Writer

JESENY ESCOBAR Asst. Editor

Fullerton will host the Judi Garman Classic on March 3 as they face the University of Kansas Jayhawks and Fresno State Bulldogs at Anderson Family Field. Bringing in a new month of tournaments and game series, the Cal State Fullerton softball team has a chance to improve their 3-2 home record After last month’s packed schedule of 15 games in 15 days, Fullerton has an overall record of 10-5. The Titans have not faced Kansas since 2006, when Kansas swept Fullerton 4-0, and have an all-time record of 4-3 against the Jayhawks. The Jayhawks prepare to go headto-head against the Titans with most players returning from last season and five new players. Fresno State, the second opponent scheduled for the first day, is a well-anticipated rival and as they face the Titans for the first time this season. The Bulldogs are Fullerton’s oldest rivals of the teams attending, with the two teams first meeting in 1981. Fresno State has defeated Titans on a losing streak for the past two years, but Fresno has a 1-12 overall record this season and is on a seven-game losing streak. Following Thursday’s matches,

Fullerton will go up against the University of Utah and Seattle University on Friday and Saturday. Utah has a losing record, 6-7, and will face the Titans for the first time since 2020, where the Utes won 8-7. Seattle’s softball season will bring another challenge for the Titans as they boast a 9-6 overall record. The Titans are on a winning streak against Seattle, as they beat Seattle in two matchups in 2016. The last match of the Judi Garman Classic is against Weber State on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Weber State comes to Fullerton with an overall 13-2 winning record and an 11-game winning streak on the line — serving as Fullerton’s biggest competition of the Judi Garman Classic. A standout player for Weber State is Chloe Camerero, who leads the Wildcats with a slugging percentage of 1.043, eight home runs and 17 runs, maintaining herself as a formidable opponent for the Titans. For the Titans, sophomore infielder Peyton Toto leads with a batting average of .581. With a .837 slugging percentage and 17 runs scored, Hannah Becerra is one of the many players leading the team this season. The Judi Garman Classic will give the Titans a chance to continue to build on their momentum from an impressive outing last week at the Mary Nutter Classic in Cathedral City. With a game lineup of new and returning opponents, the Titans look to improve their 3-2 home record. First pitch is scheduled for Thursday at 3 p.m. at the Anderson Family Field against Kansas.

Sophomore Megan Delgadillo (right) came in after scoring against Northwestern on Feb. 26 at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. (Marisa Palmerin-Flores / Daily Titan)

Field: CSUF edges Kansas State, 7-5 CONTINUED FROM

Senior E.J. Anosike is left open by UC Irvine defenders inside Titan Gym on Feb. 24. (Marisa Palmerin-Flores / Daily Titan)

Assist: First-place spot at stake in UC Riverside matchup CONTINUED FROM

Similarly, the Titans’ 17 turnovers cost more opportunities than the 10 handed to them in return. At the same time, CSUF excelled on the glass with 11 offensive rebounds while UC Riverside grabbed two. Senior forward E.J. Anosike leads the Titans in scoring and rebounds per game at 16 points and nearly eight rebounds. Senior guards Damari Milstead and Tray Maddox Jr. are second and third in points per game with 11 and nearly 10, respectively. All three players were the top scorers with 18 points a piece in Fullerton’s previous game against UC San Diego. However, these standout performances did not stop San Diego’s upset against CSUF on Feb. 26. With the Tritons currently ranked last in conference and overall, the VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

game was likely to swing in Fullerton’s favor, but it didn’t. Postgame statistics reveal that CSUF was outperformed in free throws, 3-pointers and field goals. With a particularly stark 18% difference in 3-pointer percentages. The Tritons made 12 3-pointers — twice as many from the Titans. Maddox Jr. led the game with four total 3-pointers made. However, Riverside’s freshman forward Francis Nwaorkie led with three triples while three other Highlanders each made two 3-pointers. On average, Fullerton and Riverside’ are evenly matched with the Titans outperforming in points, steals, blocks and overall field goal shooting per game. They are nearly tied in turnovers with the Highlanders boasting a .01% better rate. Individual statistics are also fairly similar across both teams, with a few

notable performances this season for Riverside. The top scorer and facilitator for the Highlanders is sophomore guard Zyon Pullin who is averaging over 13points and four assists per game. Senior guard Dominic Pickett has been the Highlanders best defender, leading with nearly two steals per game. Junior center Callum McRae tops the teams’ rebounds with eight per game. In their last game against UC Santa Barbara, McRae led the Highlanders with a double-double, with 32 points and 11 rebounds. With a close matchup between two teams both coming off of losses — there is much riding on this game for CSUF. It will ultimately contribute to the outcome of either Fullerton or Long Beach claiming the first place spot in the Big West Conference.

The Titans kept the score at 5-4 despite a Wildcat threat in the seventh inning. After a shallow flyout to center, Damone Hale threw out a runner at home in a play that wasn’t particularly close to end the inning. Fullerton punched back in the eighth inning with a barrage of triples. Nate Nankil led off the bottom half of the inning with a triple. With one out and a runner on third, shortstop Jack Haley hit a triple to bring in Nankil to tie the game at 5-5. Haley scored the go-ahead and eventual winning run after a passed ball. With no one on bases and two outs, first baseman Caden Connor hit one down the left field line for his first career triple and scored on a throwing error to make it 7-5 in favor of Fullerton.

Titans right-handed pitcher Michael Weisberg picked up his first win of the season and fourth of his career after 1.2 innings pitched, including three straight strikeouts in the ninth inning. After the game, Fullerton head coach Jason Dietrich talked about the importance of consistency and his hope that this game can serve as a catalyst for success in the upcoming weekend series against Pepperdine. “We’ve been playing hard, just kind of coming up short a little bit because we’re making some mistakes,” Dietrich said. “At the end of the day you just want to play consistent baseball.” The Titans, now 2-5, will host the 5-3 Pepperdine Waves for a threegame series beginning Friday, March 4. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Goodwin Field.

Sophomore J.J. Cruz sets his stance at Goodwin Field against Gonzaga on Feb. 26. (Daniela Navarro / Daily Titan) FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN

6 Opinion

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022

Banning books endangers educational power Obscenity cannot be used to irrationally censor books of historical knowledge. TIM PETERSEN Staff Writer

Banning books in American schools is a foolish mistake. In particular, banning books with educational value weakens the American education system. The continued push to censor important issues like human sexuality, race and political ideas run against core American values. Although protecting children from obscenity and gore is common sense, utilizing common sense is different from censorship. Unfortunately, obscenity seems to be frequently weaponized in defense of censorship when in reality, obscenity is a scapegoat for censoring opposing points of view. Book censorship in American schools is nothing new. One particular case from 1982 made it to the United States Supreme Court. In Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District v. Pico, the Supreme Court ruled that school boards need to abide by the First Amendment when banning a book from school libraries. The main argument from the Supreme Court was that school boards did not have a right to remove books for political reasons. Thus, school boards are violating students’ First Amendment rights by banning books in an attempt to suppress opposing political ideas. Even after this ruling, schools continue to remove books under the guise of obscenity. For instance,

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(MARI CHIN / DAILY TITAN) South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster questioned the screening process for books in the state’s schools. In his letter, McMaster focused on one particular graphic novel, “Gender Queer: A Memoir,” by Maia Kobabe. McMaster claimed the book met the criteria for obscenity. The book in question is heavy in LGBTQ themes. In fact, numerous books about the LGBTQ experience are banned for perceived obscenity. According to

the American Library Association, in 2019, eight of the ten books on the list were restricted or banned for their LGBTQ content. Restricting the ideas of LGBTQ authors ignores the ruling made by the Supreme Court in 1982. Gender identity and sexuality are political issues. Yet, conservative school districts want to restrict access to the voices of the LGBTQ community. In November 2021, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent a letter to the

executive director of the Texas Association of School Boards stating that they need to assure parents that their children will not be exposed to obscene material while attending public school in Texas. The problem is that obscenity is subjective and used as an excuse to censor different ideas. For example, one may skim through a history book and find the topics and images obscene. Yet, society sees the educational value in discussing horrific

historical events with students. Subjectivity is the heart of the issue with banning books. Once a book contains “obscene” images or ideas and receives that label, schools have a license to ban them. One’s opinion will influence what is deemed as obscene. This problem of censorship is not exclusive to the LGBTQ genre. Other banned books on the American Library Association’s list include themes discussing race and racism. Censoring issues of race and racism just because it makes some people feel uncomfortable ignores reality. It is not a delusion worth upholding because it does not safeguard everyone’s democracy. Censoring topics like race and sexuality is irresponsible. The trend in censorship of essential issues will lead to a future of uneducated adults leading to an endless cycle of ignorance. Reading is one of the primary forms of information consumption. It is necessary that children see viewpoints that are different from the ones they grew up around in order for them to become informed citizens. Books allowed in school libraries must reflect and inform students of the world in all its complexity. Most people will agree that kindergartners are not mentally prepared to learn about human sexuality, slavery or the atrocities of the Holocaust, but that does not mean depriving every age group of this information is the right call. Parents should not dictate the content of their children’s education when it impacts the education of thousands of other students. Withholding books that provoke critical thinking is irresponsible and dangerous.

Leisure 7

WEEK OF THURSDAY, MARCH 3

WRITTEN by Stepheny Gehrig