Week of Monday, May 2, 2022 by Daily Titan

Monday, May 2, 2022

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

Volume 111 Issue 17

Uncertainty surrounds return of WoMen’s Center The center was closed in December 2021 due to financial cuts. AMBER JUAREZ Dept. Editor

AUDREY PARAYNO Staff Writer

The new WoMen’s Center may be located on the first floor of the Pollak Library. (Carlos Cordova / Daily Titan)

The campus WoMen’s Center is scheduled to open in the fall 2021 semester, but there is no exact opening date, location or budget, university officials said. They also said the new center will concentrate on events and programs, but did not offer any specifics. The Daily Titan first reported the December 2021 closure of the WoMen’s Center, which was in Steven G. Mihaylo Hall. Tonantzin Oseguera, vice president of student affairs, said it was her decision to close the center because of a budget cut, and that she told Cal State Fullerton President Fram Virjee of the impending closure. She said in order to abide by an executive order, they needed to move programs

and services to other departments in the university. However, the university never informed students or faculty that the center was closing, precipitating a drive by hundreds of faculty members to restore the center. “At the end of the day, there wasn’t anything else that was remaining other than the actual physical space. All of the services we maintained through the last two years, those never went away. We did not have the staff to keep that space open,” Oseguera said. The new center will be a joint project of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, said Becky Dolhinow, a CSUF women and gender studies associate professor. “The center will be, as far as we know, the first of its kind to join these two units in the CSU,” Dolhinow said. “Traditionally, women centers exist only within student affairs.” Dolhinow said when faculty saw that the center was closed they saw this not only as an opportunity to reopen it, but as an opportunity to

reenvision it. She said that the Division of Student Affairs will use its own faculty advisory council. “We were really hoping to make this new WoMen’s Center something that people who do work on gender and women across campus would feel that they had a place to be part of, and the lack of a faculty advisory council kind of makes that not as available to people,” Dolhinow said. Provost Carolyn Thomas said there will be a faculty liaison position that will specifically work with other faculty to create more programs and to look at gender issues from an academic perspective. “We have a lot of faculty on our campus who really cared deeply about this issue. And that will allow us to showcase their strengths, and allow students who are interested in that connection to scholarly gender issues and questions to make the connection,” Thomas said. SEE WOMEN

CSUF resources for transit students not up to date The university offers more services to individual drivers than public transportation users. GENESIS PAVIA JAQUELINE ROSALES

Despite Cal State Fullerton’s reputation as a commuter campus, the university offers few sustainable transportation options compared to the services for individual drivers, such as parking structures and permits. The Daily Titan has found that CSUF lacks bus stops on campus, and that bus service is infrequent and schedules are unreliable. Outdated transit websites do not provide accurate bus route information, leaving low ridership from CSUF students using Orange County Transportation Authority, or OCTA, services. Bus stops near campus also lack coverings to protect students from dispersed weather conditions. On campus, CSUF does not provide maps or signage directing students to the nearest bus stops. A map of bus routes on the CSUF Public and Transportation Services website are not up to date. OCTA route 24, which is shown on the map, was discontinued, 213 was rerouted west of campus and route 123 is missing. Cassandra Reyes, a second-year graduate student, said she used public transportation to get to school. Taking the bus has been cost-effective, she said, but it often does not arrive at the scheduled time, forcing her to use ride-sharing apps like Uber, which VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

often costs more than $20, compared to a $2 bus fare — significantly more than she planned. “Sometimes it’s severely late, and then that will make me late to class or work,” Reyes said. “I don’t have that flexibility to just get in my car and go because I have to go on the bus’ schedule.”

See Pages 6 & 7

(Matthew Keyser / Daily Titan)

2 Lifestyle

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022

Nicolas Cage stars as himself in parody movie

Movie

REVIEW

“The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” is a cliche comedy. MATTHEW KEYSER Editor

As a love letter to the eccentric career of Nicolas Cage, Lionsgate’s “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” serves as a meta-conceptual exploration into the actor’s legacy that often plays it safe and sticks with a more conventional comedic formula. There are few actors who can pull off playing themselves in a satirical depiction of their life. Cage is fortunately an exception to that claim, as the actor’s real life isn’t too far off from what the film portrays. Known for his manic and overthe-top roles, the film highlights the absurdity of Cage’s career by allowing the actor to poke fun at himself without breaking the fourth wall too much. A neurotic and down on his luck Nick Cage (Nicolas Cage) finds himself grasping to salvage his once-prolific career, as his drive to bring himself back on top has created a rift with his ex-wife Olivia (Sharon Hogan) and daughter Addy (Lily Mo Sheen), both of which are done tolerating his self-involved ego. After failing to get the role of a lifetime and being told by his agent Fink (Neil Patrick Harris) that he owes $600,000 to the hotel he’s been living at, Nick reluctantly takes a million dollar gig to appear at a fan’s birthday party in Mallorca in order to pay his debts. Upon his arrival, Nick meets Javi Gutierrez (Pedro Pascal), a very charming and likable olive-exporting magnate whose infatuation with the Hollywood actor brings out a giddy, childlike demeanor within him. Javi expresses his admiration for Nick and the two strike up an unusual

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friendship that becomes heart-warming. Just as Nick and Javi’s friendship begins to develop, Nick is approached by CIA operatives Vivian (Tiffany Haddish) and Martin (Ike Barinholtz) who inform him that Javi is actually a crime lord who has kidnapped the daughter of the Catalan president. After persuading him to infiltrate Javi’s compound and locate the president’s daughter, Nick becomes an undercover asset for the CIA and must channel his most iconic characters to help him take on what can be described as truly the role of a lifetime. Written by Kevin Etten with director Tom Gormican, “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” is a goofy, action-comedy that’s amusing to watch, but ultimately misses the mark with its direction. The film tries to be too many things at once and loses its focus with its many subplots, making the story feel rushed, and at times, all over the place. The film is pure, unadulterated Nicolas Cage at his finest and will undoubtedly strike a core with his die-hard fans. Compared to the actor’s recent string of direct to video or on-demand films, “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” does deliver something fresh from the Academy Award winner. As a fictionalized version of himself, Cage embraces the chaos by embodying the parody he’s become in pop culture over the last decade. Cage is having fun relishing in the caricature that audiences have always believed him to be. Cage’s narcissism throughout the film is fueled by his alter-ego Nicky, a vile CGI-reflection of Cage’s young-self whose toxic advice reminds him that he’s not just an actor, but a movie star. The film’s biggest highlight without a doubt is the chemistry between Cage and Pascal. Both actors have an undeniable synergy that shines throughout the film. Pascal brings an adorable charm that centers Cage’s manic energy, bringing his character back to a grounded level where

(Lionsgate)

he realizes there is more to life than fame and success. The two share a hilarious moment in which Javi convinces Nick to do LSD with him in order to find inspiration for a script they’re working on. The scene brings out the best in the two actors, as it illustrates both Cage and Pascal’s comedic chops while drawing familiarity from similar stoner-type comedies like “Pineapple Express” and “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” It wouldn’t be surprising if Nick and Javi become the next great stoner-duo as the film has all the traits for a future cult-classic.

Overall, “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” is a film audiences should go into without taking too seriously. It’s an absurd comedy that’s trifled with one-off jokes and crude humor to compensate for a story that feels generic and oftentimes cliche. If you’re a huge fan of Cage, then this movie will be more than enough to keep you entertained. If you’re looking for a high-brow comedy that pushes the boundary of film commentary, then this isn’t the film for you. “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” is now playing in theaters with a rating of R.

Lifestyle 3

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022

Asian American artists and their best songs

Music

REVIEW

(JESSICA CHOI / DAILY TITAN)

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, where Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage people, communities and history is honored. Asian American art has contributed to culture and society in countless ways, one significant contribution being in the music industry. Here is a list of Asian American musical artists and their best songs for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Heritage Month. “Pears” by Weston Estate Weston Estate is a young indie band from North Carolina composed of five members, four of which are of Indian descent. The alternative garage band sound they produce is mixed with a trendy pop twist to create a unique and addictive result. Their number one song, “Pears,” charmed listeners and viewers with their alluring style and voices. The acoustic version of “Pears” was uploaded to Youtube in June of 2021 and has over 1 million views. Their indie charisma in this song unlocks a sense of nostalgia that listeners are immediately drawn to; this is a common theme in all the music they make. The song is a dreamy single that transports listeners to a reflective state. “B.Y.S.” by Keshi The Vietnamese American lo-fi, R&B singer has a clear and sentimental voice, which he utilizes well for his more emotional music style. His songs revolve around romance and heartbreak, but they are catchy and easy to listen to. “B.Y.S.” is a bittersweet song about

“Down to Earth” by Umi Umi’s tender and soulful voice is her key characteristic and the highlight of her music. She is half Black and half Japanese, using her middle name Umi as her stage name; umi in Japanese translates to sea or ocean in English. “Down to Earth” is a heartfelt song that uses a melodic beat to accompany her voice. The song feels like a warm night: enjoyable, drowsy and vulnerable. “Are We There Yet” by Dumbfoundead One of the early Asian American rappers who made his presence known in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Dumbfoundead is a well-known figure in Los Angeles’ Koreatown. He has released newer works throughout the years, but his old songs stay great. “Are We There Yet” is a raw retelling of his immigration to America from Argentina, early music career and overall success. It has a strong drum beat and piano chords that acts as a solid foundation for his rapping. “Are We There Yet” is a personal narrative that connects the artist to individual listeners. “Petals from a Rose” by Yetep Yetep is a Korean American DJ who has a sentimental and ethereal sound in the electronic music space. Within his style, he ranges from feel-good dance tracks to more emotional songs that reflect on difficult feelings. His hit song “Petals from a Rose” features Kyle Reynolds and is about the difficulties of love and heartbreak. The metaphor of love feeling like “picking petals from a rose” is vivid, and the lyrics

“Starlight” by Jai Wolf This Bangladeshi American DJ is widely known for his indie dance song “Indian Summer.” However, another popular song

EDITORIAL

Editor

combine with powerful electronic sounds. His musical abilities as a DJ are exhibited in this song with the captivating build-up and techno powerful drop.

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JESSICA CHOI

one-sided love. The title of the song stands for “by your side” as he sings these lyrics to convey that he’ll be there no matter what, even if it’s not reciprocated. It has an upbeat tune, guitar melody and snappy hip-hop beat that makes listeners put this song on repeat.

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Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with this playlist.

of his is “Starlight,” and has the same irresistible cosmic sound Jai Wolf is a master at creating. “Starlight” features the vocals of Mr. Gabriel and truly harnesses the feelings of the cosmos. “Happier” by Olivia Rodrigo Grammy-winning young artist took the music industry by storm

with her relatable storytelling. She mixes pop and singer-songwriting styles that appeal to a wide range of audiences. The song about wishing happiness to an ex-lover is a refreshing take on a hear tbreak anthem as it taps into the selfishness of former lovers.

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 Sinclair Andruska Melanie Nguyen Opinion Editor Vanessa Siguenza Deputy Opinion Nollyanne Delacruz Opinion Assistant Hugo Rios

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 Tristan Zelden 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 Rosemary Montalvo Daniela Navarro De Sanchez

Social Media Editor Jessica Benda Head Illustrator Gabriela Mendoza-Legorreta Illustrator Assistants Cassidy Molina Tiranjini Pillai Marian Lynn Chin Multimedia Editor Matthew Keyser Faculty Adviser Walter Baranger

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

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

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FOR THE RECORD

For the Record A story in the 4/25 print edition titled “CSUs not prepared for earthquakes” incorrectly stated that Cal State Fullerton had no volunteer building marshals on staff. The article also stated that an audit had shown that several CSU campuses were not prepared for an earthquake — there have been several audits at different universities since 2016. Part two in this series on earthquakes will run on May 9.

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It is Daily Titan policy to correct factual errors printed in the publication. Corrections will be published on the subsequent issue after an error is discovered and will appear on page 3. Errors on the Opinion page will be corrected on that page. Corrections will also be made to the online version of the article. Please contact Editor-in-Chief Lily Lopez at (657) 278-5815 or at editorinchief@dailytitan.com to report any errors.

© COPYRIGHT DAILY TITAN 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The Daily Titan is a student publication, printed every Thursday 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

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022

A guide to pet-safe flowers that are non-toxic Keep your furry friends safe with these six flower options when gift giving. LILY LOPEZ

Editor-In-Chief

Whether you’re buying flowers for Mother’s Day, a birthday or just picking up a bouquet for your home while grocery shopping, this list of non-toxic flowers can serve as a pet-friendly guide when bringing flowers home. To ensure all the flowers are non-toxic to your pets, it is recommended to purchase individual bouquets rather than the one’s already assembled. Unfortunately, pre-made bouquets don’t normally list all flowers used by name. Keep in mind that like most plants, if ingested, flowers may cause your dog or cat to have an upset stomach. Here is a list of the safest non-toxic flowers you can mix and match to create your own floral arrangements and have around your pets. Roses Roses are a classic and safe option for both dogs and cats. They not only smell lovely, but won’t have you worrying about the fallen petals that can make your pet extremely sick if accidentally eaten or chewed on. Roses come in a variety of different colors, making them perfect for any occasion. If your rose bouquets have thorns, it is recommended to remove them or use a taller vase to help hide them.

Restaurant REVIEW

AUDREY PARAYNO Staff Writer

The busy lives of college students often makes it hard to find the time to do anything, sometimes even eating. Most people don’t really think about sushi when it comes to getting a quick bite to eat, but there are some fast and affordable options around Cal State Fullerton that give students the option of having quality fast-service sushi. Here are four places close to campus that are perfect for a quick bite of sushi in between busy schedules.

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Gerber Daisies (Gerbera jamesonii) These are a must-have for pet parents and perfect for brightening up your home during springtime. Gerber Daisies come in bold and pastel shades of pink, red, orange, lavender, salmon, yellow and white. They have small petals surrounded by rings of larger flat petals and a flat center ranging from yellow to light bronze or black. Make sure to read the label carefully when buying Gerber daisies since there are similar flowers from the same daisy family called chrysanthemums or mums that are toxic to pets. Sunflowers (Helianthus) These cheery flowers are safe to have around both cats and dogs and often available at your local market or florist. These bright and attractive flowers may catch your cat’s attention and they may be tempted to play with the petals or take a bite. If ingested by your curious dog or cat, the flowers may cause mild stomach discomfort, but they won’t cause any significant health issues. Either way, if you notice your pet making a habit out of eating any sort of flower, it is best to stop them immediately. Orchids (Orchidaceae) These beautiful monosymmetrical (both halves mirror each other) flowers are not only elegant, but safe to have around dogs and cats. Orchids are tall with a tube-like structure and have three silky petals on each flower. If your pet happens to take a bite, like most flowers on this list it may cause an upset stomach,

(LILY LOPEZ / DAILY TITAN)

but you won’t have to rush to the vet as they are non-toxic. Either way, it’s best to keep them in a place away from your pet to avoid any contact and allow the flowers to bloom. Freesias These are often available as a potted plant or a filler flower in a bouquet sold at your local Trader Joe’s. Freesias are tall, colorful funnel-shaped flowers with swordshaped leaves that always pop up during springtime. The lemon-scented flowers come in shades of white, yellow, orange,

red, pink, mauve, purple and blue. Freesias are non-toxic to both dogs and cats. Waxflower (Chamelaucium uncinatum) Waxflowers are often used as filler flowers that make a great addition to flower arrangements, plus they’re non-toxic to dogs and cats. The flowers are small and come in dark purple or dark red with needle-like leaves. These wildflowers have a lemony scent and can last up to three weeks in a vase. As with other flowers, if ingested they can cause mild upset stomach, but they should not cause any serious

risks to your pet’s health. Toxic flowers If you have a cat or dog who loves to chew or scratch plants, it is best to avoid buying poisonous flowers for your home. The following flowers are toxic to pets, so it’s recommended to keep these out of the household; Lilies, Chrysanthemums Known as “Mums”, Tulips (Tulipa), Azalea, Oleander, Daffodil (Narcissus), Foxgloves, Hydrangea, Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila), Peony (Paeonia), Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus), Iris, Lavender, Eucalyptus.

Four quick sushi spots near campus 1 The Good Fish - 1956 N. Placentia Ave. The Good Fish in Fullerton is less than a 10 minute drive away from campus. It offers guests the option to build their own sushi bowls or burritos. Guests choose their base, proteins and add ons to create the sushi bowl or burrito they want. If you can’t decide, there’s always the option of getting curated bowls or burritos that their menu offers. They also have rolls for guests to choose from if they want to go the traditional route. On top of the sushi options, they have a build your own ramen item, as well as bowls with cooked proteins. The entire ordering process is quick and easy. To help save more on time, there’s also an option to order online and pick it up.

Avocado Roll and Sushi 1701 W. Orangethorpe Ave. Ste. 106 Located in the Fullerton Arirang Supermarket just 10 minutes down the 91 freeway from campus, Avocado Roll and Sushi offers a quick service sushi experience without losing quality. The restaurant is located inside of the market and offers a variety of specialty rolls. They also offer bentos, combos and udon noodles on their menu. It’s a quick walk up and order style restaurant. To save time, guests can also order online through Yelp and have their order ready by the time they get there.

Tokyo Central - 18171 Imperial Hwy About a 15 minute drive into Yorba Linda from the CSUF is the Japanese grocery market, Tokyo Central. Tokyo Central offers a variety of different Japanese cuisine dishes, including sushi, in a grab-and-go section of the store. It offers a variety of rolls, nigiri, hand rolls, bowls and other Japanese foods for people to grab. On top of their grab-and-go section, Tokyo Central has a buffet section where people can get hot food to go. They also offer different breads and affordable ramen. If you want to grab some other snacks and drinks, the rest of the market offers various Asian snacks, drinks and grocery goods for purchase.

Roll and Grill - 1308 E. Chapman Ave. One of the quickest and most affordable options that students can grab is Roll and Grill. It is located just five minutes away from campus and offers guests a variety of rolls and Japanese style bowls. There’s an option to call ahead and place an order to avoid having to wait in line. With very affordable prices for their sushi, Roll and Grill is a great fast and affordable option for Titans when it comes to satisfying their sushi cravings. Sushi doesn’t have to be a whole sit down restaurant experience that breaks the bank. There are several sushi spot options around campus for students to easily grab a quick bite to eat in the midst of their busy schedules. Sushi can be just as convenient as fast food.

News 5

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022

WoMen : Several programs moved to Student Health Services CONTINUED FROM 1 Oseguera said there is currently no set date for the center’s reopening in the fall semester, but said it ideally will be sometime during the first week of classes. She also said they are currently looking at different spaces in the library for the center. “We haven’t yet identified the space, but want to keep it central also to where our other diversity initiative resource centers are,” Oseguera said. The center is looking for a new name, said Karyl Ketchum, the department chair of women and gender studies, and Osegerua. Ketchum suggested that the center might be renamed Womxn’s and Gender Equity Center, spelled with an “x.” Oseguera said programs like confidential advocate, gender violence and prevention workshops have moved to Student Health Services.

“That was the shift that occurred as part of that Executive Order 1095, that asks us to comply, and making sure that those programs and services were accessible for all students, regardless of gender identity,” Oseguera said. She said that the WoMen’s Center was initially funded through the state. Oseguera said the new center will be funded by student fees, but did not specify the amount or how the money would be taken from existing student fees. “Anything that’s funded through the state,” Oseguera said, “can be cut, can be reduced. By putting it under student fees, it’s students who have made the commitment to say this is right, this is the resources that we want, this is what we have. And so we can’t cut it. We can’t touch student fees that way, which is a good thing.” While the center was closed,

Oseguera said the donations to the center were going toward the Adult Reentry and Parenting Student Programs and donors were informed about the center closure. Some of the donations made to the center and Adult Reentry and Parenting Student Programs were redirected to the veteran’s resource center, Oseguera said. Oseguera said that the news of the center’s closure was not shared as widely or as clearly as it could have been, which she attributed to a failure on the part of her and her team. “We had information that said, ‘Hey, here’s where you can go for these different services.’ And so that was a piece that I will say was a leadership failure on my part, on my team’s part, that we didn’t share the information as widely as we needed to,” Oseguera said.

The center held its first workshop of the “We Slay” series 2021 fall semester. (Navtej Hundal / Daily Titan)

With news of a center reopening in place of the WoMen’s Center, students have said that it is a great resource for the students on campus who identify as women to feel safe, connect, and get the support and resources they need. “I think if we open up that opportunity for them, then it really allows them to focus on their education,” said Jennifer Uribe, a third-year biological sciences major. “I think women feel safer, should feel safe, with having a center that’s specifically for them. That will help them feel included, and just wanted on campus and I think that’s a good place for them to find support, and meet new friends with people and stuff like that. So I think it’s a really good thing that they’re opening it back up.” There are other centers and organizations on campus, but having one specifically for women allows for the

women on campus to feel supported and welcome. “There’s like certain things that only women can help women with. There’s like certain bonds that only women can understand. So having a club, a center just for women, it would be an opportunity for women to go when they’re struggling or have any questions that only women can answer,” said Sarah Alseraji, a third-year human development major. Professor Ketchum said she is grateful for the provost’s commitment to reopening the center. “I also feel confident that in the end, the academic affairs side of things and the student affairs side of things are going to come together with strong faculty involvement and strong faculty guidance to create something that’s going to be great for students,” Ketchum said.

A note was left on the door at the WoMen’s Center is located in Steven G. Mihaylo Hall. ( Spencer Otte / Daily Titan)

Faculty petiton spurs WoMen’s Center restoration AMBER JUAREZ Dept. Editor

AUDREY PARAYNO Staff Writer

After reading the Daily Titan article about the closure of the WoMen’s Center, faculty members created a petition on March 7, said Karyl Ketchum, department chair of women and gender studies. The petition has 360 signatures from Cal State Fullerton faculty. Neither faculty nor the Academic Senate had input on the center’s closure and that there has not been an announcement or an explanation of the center’s closure, according to the petition. In response to the petition, the Office of Student Affairs held a webinar for faculty. Becky Dolhinow, a women and gender studies associate professor, said the faculty thought the webinar was going to be an opportunity to ask questions

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but it was more of a presentation. “It moves so far from what we had asked for that a lot of us did not attend. Instead, we had our own organizing meeting,” Dolhinow said. Barbara McDowell, a part-time human services instructor and retired administrator, was the director of the center and adult reentry program from 1988 to 2009. McDowell said she was heartbroken when she heard the center was closed. McDowell said she signed the petition because she wanted to do everything she can to keep the center open and that it’s important to have a center dedicated to women on campus. “It’s extremely important. Although when the center first started in 1972, everything was a woman’s issue. Everything was a concern and unequal and a lot of biases about women,” McDowell said. “Today, the misogyny, the biases about women, discrimination about women, it’s simply more subtle. But it’s

a bit prevalent in our society.” Angelly Barroso, a former student assistant for the center, said she heard about the faculty petition to reopen the center by reading about it online. Barroso worked in the center in fall 2021. However, she said hearing about the petition excited her because it meant that there was attention being brought to bringing back an important resource on campus. She said she wishes that there was more of an effort for support of the center prior to the closure, but seeing the efforts to bring it back still shows that people care. Barosso said during its last semester open, the center wasn’t getting the support it needed to carry on in the way their student employees hoped for. Compared to the other centers on campus, Barosso said she felt that they weren’t supported enough and felt that it was out of place. When she was hired, Barosso said she was drawn to the position because she felt connected to being part of a center where she could incorporate her public

health studies. At orientation, Barosso said that the environment was motivating and so many of the employees had different ideas for how the center could operate. However, as the semester continued, Barosso and many of the employees started to get the idea that the center was closing. “At the time that we were hired, a lot of the duties and roles that we had to do were already kind of dissolving in itself. So there wasn’t a lot to do because everything that we were doing was already being done by another center or another location,” Barosso said. Barosso said that she and some of the other employees were left a little frustrated at the fact that they were hired when it seemed like it was already decided that the center would be closing. The handling of the closure was disappointing for the student employees who needed to find new jobs at the end of the semester, but Barosso said she was more disappointed for the students

that used the center. “I feel bad for the students not being able to reassure them if the center was going to be able to reopen or reassure them of another center that they would be open and willing to go to. That was kind of hard to tell the students, and kind of just not really give them proper closure, at least to the center. I felt like students really needed that also,” Barosso said. Barosso said she heard about the new center reopening in the fall from an announcement by a graduate assistant. It wasn’t about having a place for former employees to go back to, but rather just announcing it. Barosso said the employees already found other jobs on campus, but she still hopes that the new center will be beneficial for students. “I’m just happy that they are opening it again, because I think it definitely was a good space for students. I hope that they’re able to kind of look at the mistakes that we did in the past and how they can improve that,” Barosso said.

6 News

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022

University focuses improvements on student parking

Some bus route maps aligned with the campus are not accraute for students. (Gabriela Mendoza-Legorret / Daily Titan)

CSUF and OCTA CSUF launched a University Pass Program, which gave students free bus passes from 2003 to 2014, while the university lost parking spaces caused by the construction of the Nutwood parking structure. “The first two semesters that I went to Cal State Fullerton, they would give you a free bus pass, but then after that, the bus pass went up to $90,” said Daisy Magdalena, a 2021 CSUF alumna.

In 2015, the free bus program was changed to a discounted program, now known as the U-Pass, which can cost up to $240 per year. Officials said the university was paying a large amount for the free passes. “The passes were considered free, and if it’s free, it feels like nobody’s paying for it, but we were paying for it. We were paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for this pass,” said Elissa Thomas, the field operations and demand manager

CSUF’s U-Pass can cost up to $240 per year. (Heather Eyre / Daily Titan)

of Parking and Transportation Services at CSUF. Thomas said students were selling these free bus passes on Craigslist or giving them away. “A lot of the trip data shows that they weren’t being used for its intended purpose — to support student commutes to and from the campus,” Thomas said. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, CSUF averaged about 500 bus riders a month, Thomas said. However, CSUF lost half of its ridership during

the pandemic, with only 256 U-Passes sold for the spring 2022 semester, which represents less than 1% of approximately 40,000 students enrolled. Johnny Dunning Jr., OCTA’s chief operating officer, said that systemwide bus ridership has been improving this year after a surge in COVID-19 cases late in 2021. “We’re responding pretty well,” Dunning said in an OCTA transit committee meeting in March.

Students boarding bus at stop 26 at College Park commuting from more than 30 minutes away. (Heather Eyre / Daily Titan) VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

News 7

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022 Transportation for students is a problem Accessible public transportation poses four barriers for students nationwide — the cost, the proximity of stops and stations, inconsistent bus schedules and overall unreliability, according to the Hechinger Report, a nonprofit newsroom. Other students with unconventional schedules must carefully plan to get to class on time. “Having to wake up early for 8 a.m. classes, you will have to wake up at 5 or 5:30 a.m. just to get ready, get to the bus stop,” Magdalena said. “Sometimes when you have to go back home, if the bus was too full, the bus driver will say, ‘OK, you have to wait for the next bus to come,’ which will take another 30 minutes.” Students said that they are confused about how and when they can use transportation services. “It was really hard in the beginning because the times are never really accurate when coming to the bus and it also gets there late sometimes,”

said Camila Espinoza, a fourth-year public relations major. “It’s hard to find maps that align with the school because they weren’t really accurate as well, so I had to do my own research.” Thomas said that the issues with the campus website are due to a shortage of staff. “We lost about half of our staff during COVID. One of the staff members that we lost was our communications specialist who oversaw the website,” Thomas said. It appears that parking services get priority for updates on the campus website. Even with a shortage of staff, the Parking and Transportation Services website has added its newest feature ParkMobile which was temporarily introduced in 2020 as Park and Pay. CSUF has also relaunched its offsite parking, which was temporarily unavailable due to COVID-19. Permits and information for off-site parking have also been updated on the website.

Students boarding the bus at stop 26 after waiting an extended amount of time. (Heather Eyre / Daily Titan)

CSULB Comparison Other Cal State Universities and community colleges have options to ease the struggle of accessible transportation. “I think my community college was better at thinking about this because, through one of the programs, I would get a free bus pass every month,” Reyes said. “But at Cal State Fullerton, I haven’t had that support.” Neighboring CSUs have proven that shuttle services, bus passes and overall sustainable transportation made accessible to students are on

average used daily and successfully aid the student body. “This school year, we sold 922 of our 150-day bus passes and 236 of our 30-day, and it looks like, between the two, students account for about 30,000 rides on Long Beach Transit since September,” said Jason Gallup, the sustainable transportation coordinator at Cal State Long Beach. Long Beach State also offers a shuttle service at no cost for students and faculty with extended hours. Three different shuttles move students around the Long

Beach campus and also to off-site housing. “I think (CSUF) should have a much better transportation system for students, especially specifically for students who have to commute from places and they don’t have their own cars,” Espinoza, the public relations major, said. “Because I feel like they mainly focus on parking, but they never really emphasize public transportation.” At Long Beach State, sustainable transportation options, including the shuttle service, are funded by parking revenue, Gallup said.

CSULB transit and OCTA services bus stop located on campus offering a variety of of resources to students that provide shelter and extended seating. (Jaqueline Rosales / Daily Titan)

What is being done? According to CSUF’s Master Plan released in March 2020, any update to parking on campus must include improvements targeted at alternate methods of commuting to campus. Another option CSUF offers is Zipcars, a short term car rental. There are a total of four Zipcars — two at College Park and two at on-campus housing. The rate for Zipcars is $5.50 per hour or $55 per day including gas and secondary insurance, and renters can drive up to 180 miles. “As utilization hits 40% they add another vehicle,” Thomas said. “So we’re at the point now where for fall 2022 we’re gonna ask them, ‘can we please have more vehicles.’” Thomas said she has also contacted OCTA, specifically about route 26, which connects CSUF to the Fullerton Transportation Center via Commonwealth Avenue. “CSUF is only 2.8 miles from the Fullerton Transportation Center, so route 26 is supposed to run back and forth

on time,” Thomas said. “When that bus is late or if the bus driver calls in and doesn’t show, that might mean 15 minutes for the next bus but it means an hour for your next train.” Devin Trejo, a first-year undeclared student, said he has to take the Metrolink rail system every day to get to campus. “This semester some of the times have been kind of off. Usually, the bus that we wait for is supposed to come at 3 p.m.,” Trejo said. “It’s coming after 10 or 11 minutes; it shouldn’t be doing that. It should be coming at 3 p.m.” Thomas said she reached out to OCTA in hopes that they will coordinate its schedules so that there is enough time between a bus arriving and the next train leaving for travelers to reach the train station. “It’s up to OCTA and Metrolink to make that work to ensure a certain level of service,” Thomas said. OCTA has made several improvements near campus, but none specific to CSUF. In cities such as Garden Grove, there

are projects focused on sustainable transportation and successful alternatives such as the OC Streetcar project, which will connect Garden Grove to Downtown Santa Ana, a $423 million project expected to be completed in 2024. In 2010, the City of Fullerton and CSUF proposed a plan for a joint city that would have included a trolley system connecting Nutwood and Chapman avenues, creating a college town for accessible public spaces. However, CSUF never moved forward with those plans. “OCTA is in the process of updating its bus service plans and trying to better serve all of Orange County, including the student population, through more efficient route service. We encourage students to have a say in that process which will continue throughout much of this summer and fall through the Making Better Connections Study,” Eric Carpenter, an OCTA spokesperson said in an email to the Daily Titan. Heather Eyre contributed to this stor y.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, CSUF’s Parking and Transportation Services lost half of its staff. (Heather Eyre / Daily Titan)

CSUF’s University Pass Program started in 2003 and ended in 2014 . (Heather Eyre / Daily Titan)

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8 News

WEEK OF MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

The Culture Couture returns in person after two years The Association of Intercultural Awareness multicultural event featured several diverse student organizations. MATTHEW KEYSER Editor

Culture Couture returned in person for the first time in two years at the Becker Amphitheater on April 28. Hosted by the Association for Intercultural Awareness, the multicultural event highlights the diverse history and traditions of Cal State Fullerton’s cultural clubs and organizations. “This is just an opportunity for all the organizations to come out and show students their mission statements and how much they appreciate their culture, and try to exemplify the diversity here on campus,” said Isabella Galvan, the association’s chair. Galvan said she wanted the event to feel as if students were traveling around the world. Several organizations including the Lebanese Students Association, Filipino Business Association, Students for Justice in Palestine and the Japanese Anime Club were present to spread awareness and inform students about their cultures. “I think what’s really cool is just seeing how these organizations have flourished over time,” said Maysem Awadalla, the association’s events coordinator and a second-year political science major. “(The association) is the funding council for cultural clubs and so seeing them come alive with everything that we funded for them is really rewarding I feel, because you see them present for it, you see them want to do it, and then you watch it all unfold.” The event also included stunning performances from Ballet Folklorico de CSUF, the Mahana Dance Company from Long Beach and a Dabke group from the Sa’id Music and Dance Company in Los Angeles. Ballet Folklorico de CSUF dancers, Odalys Garcia and Arnold Garcia, took the stage and performed the Mexican regional dance of Chihuahua. Influenced by the polka music and customs from Eastern Europe, Chihuahua is a couples dance that highlights the wardrobe and footwork of its dancers. “The wardrobe for this state is a lot shorter skirt so you can really focus on the footwork that’s going

on,” said Jennifer Uribe, president of Ballet Folklorico de CSUF. Uribe said that she wants students to take away an understanding that Folklorico is more than just women in big dresses. “We’re more about the history and understanding that this is a representation of our culture and how we can express just who we are and where we come from,” Uribe said. From the islands of Tahiti, members of the Mahana Dance Company performed a Tahitian dance that displayed the beauty of Polynesian culture. Five students were encouraged to come up to the stage at the end of the performance as they learned a few quick Tahitian dance moves while the audience cheered them on. Galvan said bringing the Mahana Dance Company was important for CSUF students who felt that there wasn’t enough Pacific Islander representation on campus. “I brought them because a lot of people have expressed that there’s not enough Pacific Islander representation, and even though we don’t have a specific Polynesian group here on campus that I know of, I would love to embrace all cultures as much as I can,” Galvan said. Finally, from the Southwest North African region, the Sa’id Music and Dance Company returned to CSUF after 25 years. The company performed a traditional Dabke dance that rounded out the entire event. Dabke is a Levantine folk dance that originated from villages in Middle Eastern countries. The villagers would come together to help patch up the cracks on roofs that were made out of mud. The process that included forming a line and joining hands while stomping on mud, eventually became a dance to unify communities and celebrate with one another. The performance was so well-liked that multiple students ran up on stage and participated in the dance towards the end. Sa’id Judeh, founder of Sa’id Music and Dance Company, conveyed his gratitude for CSUF continuing to be a school that celebrates various cultures. “The good thing about this school, the cross-culture, you learn about all the cultures. I’m from Palestine and my dance company, they’re from all over the world,” Judeh said. “The whole idea, it’s that music and dance is the only language that everybody understands, and we hope that we all live in peace.”

The Sa’id Music and Dance company performs a Dabke dance at the Becker Amphitheater on April 28. ( Matthew Keyser / Daily Titan)

The Mahana Dance Company performing a Tahitian dance for students on April 28 at the Becker Amphitheater. (Matthew Keyser / Daily Titan)

Campus Events for the week of May 2 JAQUELINE ROSALES Staff Writer

The first week of May brings many events to Cal State Fullerton. It concludes the final weeks of the spring semester with many last chances for students to participate before commencement and summer starts. ASI Farmers’ Market Students can enjoy the fresh smells and tastes before the final two weeks of the semester. They are located on the East Plaza of the Titan Student Union every Tuesday. The Associated Students’ farmers’ market brings local vendors selling fresh produce and specialty foods to grab a bite between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. University Band and Pacific Brass Ensemble Conducted by Dustin Barr, attend an evening of instrumental music at Meng Concert Hall as the school of music presents a symphony of sound from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by students and the public online and at the Clayes Performing Arts Center box office on campus. May Plant Sale Students can get an early start to Mother’s

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Day celebrations at the Fullerton Arboretum’s May plant sale which begins on May 6, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The early sale is available for arboretum members and Titan cardholders only. General sale and attendees’ entrance begins on May 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The arboretum will also host a book signing by the children’s author Susanne Strauss on May 6 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and May 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fullerton Jazz Orchestra The Fullerton Jazz Orchestra will feature trumpeter Terell Stafford and director Bill Cunliffe at the Meng Concert Hall on May 6 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a night of improvisational music. Tickets are on sale online and can be purchased at the box office located at the Clayes Performing Arts Center. ASI Spring Concert The long anticipated ASI Spring Concert returns in person after its halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will kick off on May 7 from 4 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. at the CSUF Intramural Fields. The spring concert will feature headlining artists such Miguel and outdoor activities and vendors for an evening of fun. Tickets can be purchased at the TSU or online.

Sports 9

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022

CSUF shuts out Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Center fielder Megan Delgadillo capped the series reaching her 40th stolen base this season. JESENY ESCOBAR Asst. Editor

Cal State Fullerton’s softball team swept all three games this weekend against the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Mustangs at the Anderson Family Field. The series included a double-header on April 30, followed by a solo game on May 1. Megan Delgadillo had a celebratory game two of the doubleheader, breaking CSUF’s individual stolen base record in a single season, with 36 stolen bases. She leads the Titans with 49 runs, 68 hits and a .398 batting average. Consistently topping Big West Conference standings, Fullerton has had a great season with an overall 34-16

record and a 18-3 conference record. The Titans ended the doubleheader with two consecutive shutouts. CSUF did not disappoint with a 10-2 win on May 1. The Titans startled the game with an impressive 5-0 score after just two innings. During the first inning, Daisy Munoz hit a homerun and brought in an extra run from Jessi Alcala. Up 2-0, Fullerton scored three additional runs in the second. Peyton Toto grounded out far enough for Alexa Niel to score a run, and Antuanett Dean scored the next run off of a passed ball. On third base, Delgadillo wrapped up the inning as she scored an unearned run off an RBI single from Alcala. The Titans added one more run during the bottom of the third inning, to lead 6-0. Cal Poly SLO was able to get on the board in the top of the fourth

with two runs, 6-2. Munoz responded by smashing her second home run of the game while Hannah Becerra scored on a wild pitch, to give the Titans the 8-2 advantage. CSUF capped off the series with two more runs as Toto hammered a home run and brought Delgadillo home in the sixth inning. Fullerton dominated Cal Poly SLO during Saturday’s double header as they won both games in five-inning decisions, outscoring the Mustangs 20-0. During the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, Fullerton got out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Delgadillo started off the inning by singling to first base. She then advanced to third base off two back-to-back stolen bases. Delgadillo brought in the first run of the contest off an RBI single from Alcala. Alcala later scored a run of her

Daisy Munoz races to first base at Anderson Family Field against UC San Diego. (Rosemary Montalvo / Daily Titan)

own after Munoz RBI doubled to right center field. The Titans scored three additional runs during the bottom of the second inning to extend the lead, 5-0. Toto brought Delgadillo and Kelly home on an RBI double. Alcala then hit an RBI single to bring home Toto. With two outs and two runners on base, Fullerton scored back-to-back runs in the bottom of the third due to an RBI single from Delgadillo and a stolen home base by Dean to lead 7-0. Fullerton concluded Saturday’s doubleheader in five innings with two more runs coming from Munoz and Lauryn DeGuzman to secure a 9-0 win. The Titans started the doubleheader with a run from Delgadillo after Acala singled down to right field to put the Titans ahead 1-0. Fullerton extended their lead to 4-0 during the bottom of the second inning

with three unearned runs. The first two came from Dean and Neil after Toto’s double RBI, who later scored a run after Alcala’s single RBI. Holding the Mustangs scoreless, the Titans added five more runs in the bottom of the third inning to lead 9-0. With two runners on base, Deshea Hill hit a home run to the left side of the field to bring in Bailey Wallace and Becerra. Neil and Dean scored the final two runs of the inning thanks to two walks. With a nine-run lead, CSUF scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, securing their 11-0 win over the Mustangs. Kelly and Evelyn Sablan scored the final runs with the help of two RBI singles from Delgadillo and Toto. The Titans will have the chance to continue their hot streak in a series at the University of Hawai’i starting May 6.

Evelyn Sablan reaches the base while CSUF hosted UC San Diego on April 16. (Rosemary Montalvo / Daily Titan)

Track and field brings home three events NAVTEJ HUNDAL Deputy Editor

Cal State Fullerton’s track and field team won three events to wrap up the Fresno State Invite on April 30. The men’s team was victorious in the 400-meter relay, 100-meter dash, and 200-meter dash. The 400-meter relay was an eventful one for the Titans after a slow start. Nathyn Scruggs propelled past the competition to help bring Fullerton ahead, adding pressure on Alonzo Floriolli to finish off the last 100 meters. Floriolli dashed toward a first-place finish, and set a time of 40.21 seconds for the team. Fullerton’s winning ways continued into the men’s 100-meter dash as Floriolli and Bibbs finished in the top two placements. The three-sectioned event raised the stakes for the Titans. As soon as the gunshot fired, both runners lifted for takeoff and gained a substantial lead. Neck and neck with one another, Floriolli prevailed with a time of 10.37 seconds, just .01 seconds ahead of Bibbs. The duo didn’t stop there as they also finished in first and second place overall in the 200-meter dash. Both Bibbs and Floriolli were in different sections, but came out victorious in them. Floriolli was behind until he decided to flip the switch halfway through the race to be in a contested run with Myles Ellis. At 20.84 seconds, Floriolli ended with top placement in his section, .07 seconds ahead of Ellis. Bibbs came out of the gates sprinting toward an early lead to win the section at 20.90 seconds. While Fullerton did not win anymore events, VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

some of the athletes showed out in their respective competitions. In the men’s 400-meter dash, Justin Lowe and Tom Willems from Colorado State were on the same pace in the last 100 meters, but Willems accelerated past Lowe for a first-place finish. Lowe ended up in a second-place with a time of 47.38 seconds, 0.16 seconds behind Willems. Trinity Ruelas ran a time of 4:23.43 for second place in the women’s 1500-meter run, which is an impressive performance considering how she started the race. Ruelas started in fifth, but slowly moved through each lap as runners ahead started to wear out. In the final lap, Ruelas trailed California Baptist University’s Anneken Viljoen and Boise State’s Kristie Schoffield. She eventually passed Viljoen and got close to Schofield toward the last 100 meters of the race. However, Scholffield pulled through and took first place. While the men’s 110 hurdles was Tracksmith’s Sam Brixey’s race to win, the gap between second and third place was dangerously close. Near the end of the event, it looked to be a second-place tie between CSUF’s Charles Kelly and Colorado’s Andrew Doctor. However, Kelly finished .01 seconds behind Doctor at 14.14 seconds to end up in third place. Sela Pastrana leaped towards a third-place finish in the women’s triple jump with a jump of 12.54 meters .03 meters behind University of New Mexico’s Mikyla Harkley. It will be a busy week for the Titans as they host Titan Tune-Up and followed by heading to Davis for day one of two of the Big West Multi Championship on May 6. Day two of the conference event will be held at Titan Track Complex on May 7. FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN

10 Opinion

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022

Athletes should not engage with hecklers Players must remain professional and ignore disrespectful fans. ZIMRY HERNANDEZ Staff Writer

The NBA playoffs have attracted ecstatic and unnerved fans cheering for their favorite teams. However, professional athletes are under intense pressure to perform perfectly on the court. Fans that heckle their plays cause them to boil over, resounding with verbal obscenities, gestures and at times physical altercations. Sports arenas need to quickly mitigate any rowdiness that may arise through fines, arrests or escorting unruly individuals, including players, out of the game. There is a lack of mutual respect between professional athletes and fans. These disturbances ruin the exhilarating experience for everyone.Recently, Kyrie Irving made some obscene hand gestures to the Boston fans during game one of the playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets. During the second half of the game, Irving made a tough shot in a close game. After making the shot, Irving turned around and gave fans the middle finger. Not long after that, a video revealed Irving once again giving fans the middle finger. Irving was fined $50,000 for flipping off Celtic fans during the game. As a player, Irving has always been vocal about his displeasures and opinions, and won’t stay quiet if a fan offends him. During that same game between the Nets and the Celtics, a video surfaced of a fan yelling to Irving “You suck!” while he was walking back to the locker room. Irving responded with a verbal obscenity.

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In a postgame conference in April, Irving said he was simply giving the fans “the same energy back to them.” He added, “We’re the ones expected to be docile, be humble and take a humble approach. No, f--- that, it’s the playoffs.” However, Irving isn’t the only player who has had tense interactions with some fans. Russell Westbrook threatened a fan and his wife during a game after they were yelling disrespectful and racially insensitive comments at him. Westbrook was fined $25,000 while the fan received a lifetime ban from the Utah Jazz, the team that was playing at home when this incident occurred. Despite the circumstances in any explosive game, fans and professional athletes alike have to maintain calm composure. If it isn’t a compliment, athletes and fans need to zip their lips. Last year, as fans were barely allowed to attend games in time for the playoffs, a series of poor fan behavior became rampant. These incidents included a fan dumping popcorn on Westbrook, spitting at Trae Young, racist heckling toward a player’s family and many other incidents. To each incident, the NBA and its teams have responded accordingly. The NBA has a code of conduct for fans attending games, which is meant to ensure that players and fans “respect and appreciate each other” and enjoy the game “free from disruptive behavior, including foul or abusive language and obscene gestures.” There is a line between playful and competitive banter and yelling racial slurs, verbal obscenities or making offensive gestures at players. As a response to these incidents, the fan code of conduct will be announced three times during games and has allowed

teams and arena staff to pursue arrests of violators. However, players also need to be held in line. As professional athletes, they are accustomed to the spotlight for the majority of their lives, starting from when they are teens to even after their playing career ends. They know that fans will say anything to crawl under their skin. This does not excuse any fan’s harmful or racially insensitive comments. During an episode with Inside the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal said, “It’s part of the game,” when referring to heckling fans, and mentioned that players should remain a constant professional. He also mentioned that athletes like Bill Russell, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali and others struggled throughout their careers, yet continued to be professional in the face of adversity. However, players need to understand that it is not OK for them to become involved in verbal or physical altercations with fans. As professional athletes, they are trained to deal with many people including the media and the fans. Instead, athletes should ignore heckling fans and focus on improving their plays to the best they can be. If a player has a reputation for violently engaging with fans, the NBA should pursue heavier fines or possible suspensions of that player. Players need to remind themselves that they are professionals and, to many, are considered role models. Stooping down to yell obscenities at fans or gesture improperly only serves toreveal their immaturity and unwillingness to diffuse strained situations. Players need to remember that the majority of fans are great, as Charles Barkley mentions, but the very few that cross the line do not merit their attention.

(CHRISTINA LAVAPIE / DAILY TITAN)

Leisure 11

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022

WRITTEN by Stepheny Gehrig

03/2104/19

ARIES For the week, Aries, you might find that you’re feeling more passionate and romantic. This week, you will be finding romance in places you wouldn’t expect. Keep your mind and heart open to new possibilities.

04/2005/20

TAURUS New adventures are on the horizon and it might cause you to feel apprehensive. Rather than focusing on the unknown, let yourself feel excited about what’s to come. You have great things awaiting, don’t let yourself get in your own way.