Daily Titan | September 19, 2022

Arboretum donations take a hit as university imposes paid parking

Special needs group loses space

Cal State Fullerton shut down a designated room for disabled students in the Pollak Library when the university transitioned to virtual instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. The room has remained closed since then, said to Abled Advocators members.

Guests adjust to the $4 hourly expense that began this August.

Donations take a hit as visitors pay new lot usage fees

SINCLAIR ANDRUSKA Editor

The Fullerton Arboretum no longer has free parking for visitors during the week, adding further costs to already lofty campus parking fees and resulting in guest complaints.

ParkMobile, Cal State Fullerton’s mobile payment app for campus parking, spread to the Fullerton Arboretum parking lot at the start of this semester, charging four dollars an hour. (Parking remains free on weekends and Fridays after 5 p.m.)

The arboretum is not responsible for the new cost as enforcement falls under CSUF Parking and Transportation services.

The arboretum also does not receive the parking fees that guests pay. Instead, the money from ParkMobile goes into an account that

funds maintenance on other parking lots and structures on campus, which includes the arboretum parking lot, said Elissa Thomas, the field operations and transportation demand manager for CSUF Parking and Transportation.

Nika Chavez, a third-year art major and arboretum employee, said the addition of paid parking has also hurt the number of donations they receive.

“It went from like, maybe I collect like 100 plus dollars a day, or something like that. Like sometimes

they’re bad days, sometimes they’re good days. But now it’s just like sometimes we just barely get like $30 or nothing,” Chavez said.

Membership fees help support the arboretum and can range anywhere from $59 to $1,000 dollars. On Tuesdays, which are days that only members and CSUF students can enter, members do not receive free parking, said Jewel Rogers, a fourth-year computer and game animation major and

SEE PARKING 3

Pollak Library lacks power outlets

Charging ports are in demand for student devices

KIRSTEN MAGLUNOG Sta Writer

After struggling to find available power outlets in the Pollak Library, students often resort to sitting on the floor or next to walls to power their devices.

However, there are other options available besides power outlets installed in the library walls or tables, said Rommel Hidalgo, the associate vice president of Information Technology.

“So what we’re doing is three types of things we recommend: it’s the round tables for charging, it’s the docking stations on the tables, and then the power banks,” Hidalgo said.

And, the Division of Information Technology plans to install 20 more charging stations in busy areas of the library to expand charging

availability, he said.

As Cal State Fullerton’s primary study area, students use the space and resources like power outlets to work on assignments, access course materials or relax in between classes.

“I have classes from 8:30 in the morning to 4 p.m. so my phone tends to die or my laptop tends to die so I just find an outlet and charge it,” said Bryan Marquez, a student at CSUF.

On each floor of the library, students can use charging stations to plug in their devices. These stations provide charging wires and wireless charging surfaces for students to use, Hidalgo. The Division of Information Technology plans to install 20 more charging stations in busy areas of the library to expand charging availability, Hidalgo said.

“It’s very hard to find available outlets. Like I try to find some outlets near tables or chairs but sometimes they aren’t available,” Marquez said.

“I couldn’t find an available outlet so I’m just here on the floor.”

Hidalgo also said the docking stations on the first, second and fourth floors of the north wing allow

Abled Advocators is an organization that supports students with disabilites. They provide resources to their students and works to disband stereotypes about disabilities.

Students in Abled Advocators and Disability Support Services had a designated room in the first floor of the North Wing of the library called the Computer Lab, said to Director of Disability Support Services Lori Palmerton.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, CSUF moved to virtual instruction, temporarily closing down on-campus resources, including the Computer Lab. When students returned to campus in the fall 2021 semester, the lab remained closed.

DSS decided to close down the lab after Information Technology installed retractable tables and assistive software to all computers in the library. Because students with disabilities were given equal access to assistive resources throughout the library, using a separate room for this software was no longer necessary, Palmerton said.

The room was given back to the library as a result of this closure.

The lab included computers with essential software such as Jaws, Kurzweil and Dragon NS, all of which were used to assist disabled students, Palmerton said.

It was also a “place of community for other people with disabilities to meet each other and form friendships and community with other students,” said Abled Advocators President Kaelyn Rojas.

Though CSUF expanded services to other areas of the library, students in Abled Advocators showed concern for how the Computer Lab’s closure may affect DSS students.

“The goal is to create accessibility everywhere, not just in a limited space which I totally agree with,” Rojas said. “But there’s no other designated space like how other communities on campus have their own designated space.”

Currently, the library provides

ANNISA CHARLES / DAILY TITAN

CSUF student Bryan Marquez sits on the oor to charge his phone.

KIRSTEN MAGLUNOG / DAILY TITAN

KIRSTEN MAGLUNOG Sta Writer

CSU trustees add $530 million to budget

$50 million has been allocated to facilities and infrastucture

CHLOE HONG Sta Writer

The CSU Board of Trustees voted to increase its already $7.7 billion operating fund budget with a goal to fairly compensate staff, according to its committee on finance. They approved a nearly $530 million budget increase request for 2023-24 at last Wednesday’s meeting.

This budget request includes the following line items: $55 million for CSU’s Graduation Initiative, $20 million for student’s basic needs which includes housing and food security, over $260 million for faculty and staff pay, and $50 million each for health premium increases; academic facilities and infrastructure; and increasing resident enrollment.

In 2021, the Chancellor’s Office, the California State University Employees Union, Service Employees International Union and Teamsters Local 2010 advocated for funding for a non-faculty staff salary study, according to a legislative report released by the CSU in 2022.

The purpose of this $2 million study was to evaluate the CSU’s existing staff salary structure, salary issues, develop recommendations and estimate the financial implications of those recommendations. The results identified three major areas of concern: wage stagnation, outdated

and inconsistent job frameworks, a lack of growth potential and pay transparency.

This study found that CSU’s staff salaries have fallen behind the market median — about 12%. Some jobs were more than 20% below the market median.

“We did those salary studies because our salaries have fallen really behind the market. We are trying to catch up, these are equity adjustments,” said Trustee Julia Lopez. There is a similar salary study for faculty that is currently ongoing and aiming to finish in the early spring, according to the committee on finance.

Another consideration is Senate Bill 410, which would require CSU to implement a nine-step salary system for non-faculty employees. For the first five years, there would be an annual 5% increase in salary, then three separate increases of 5% every two years and then a final increase three years later for a total of nine steps over 15 years.

If this bill is passed, the cost for the first year alone would be almost $300 million — and $878 million in ten years. Since this mandate is not currently funded, the CSU would need to take it from current funds.

However, the CSU identified an accumulated backlog- — a projected list of uncompleted work that needs to be dealt with — -of critical facility renewal which was at $5.8 billion as of 2021.

This backlog reflects how facilities built in the 1950s through the 1970s have not received the adequate funding necessary to replace building components like elevators, roofs, ventilation and electrical systems. To

significantly reduce or eliminate the growth of this backlog over the next decade, an annual investment of $1.1 billion is needed.

“The $50 million dollars in academic facilities and infrastructure, the proposal is to bond off that. So that means that we expect that the legislature, like the compact, would commit then each year to a 50-year allocation of that, and that’s a risk for

us,” said Trustee Jack McGrory.

He said that if they lose that $50 million, they will absorb that debt service obligation for the next 20 to 30 years. “So we need to be aware of that as we approach this, that that 50 million dollars is a tough one because it expects a multi-year commitment from the legislature to fund that debt service requirement,” he said.

The system needs more money to

address their priorities, as well as a way to increase revenue so they will not be as reliant on the legislature and tuition, said Superintendent Tony Thurmond.

While the Board of Trustees ultimately decided to go through with the proposed budget amount, they will amend the budget request once they receive the results of the faculty study.

Members reviewed nancial investments for the following school year.

CHLOE HONG / DAILY TITAN

Parking: Staff face backlash

CONTINUED FROM 1

arboretum employee.

Both Rogers and Chavez said that they would have to pay to park in the arboretum lot during their shifts.

Since 1976, the Fullerton Arboretum had been run by the Fullerton Arboretum Authority. This was an agreement between the city of Fullerton and the Cal State University Trustees to grant the Arboretum Authority use of university-owned land as an arboretum. The Authority ended Dec. 3, 2020, which placed the arboretum back into the hands of the CSU, as they no longer receive funding from the city of Fullerton.

Since the addition of paid parking, arboretum visitors have had multiple issues with the ParkMobile app. There is a clipboard the staff keep at the front entry where they record all the complaints they receive. Staff have written almost 40 different user complaints from Aug. 22 to Sept. 13. The first day ParkMobile was implemented at the arboretum, the staff noted that 11 people left the arboretum because of parking issues.

Complaints listed on the clipboard included lack of accessibility for elderly guests and non-English speakers, app malfunctions, and payment methods being rejected by the ParkMobile app.

Support: No plans to reopen computer lab

“There’s a grandmother with her grandchildren that come by every week,” Rogers said. “When it started, I helped her set up the app. And now she’s like, well, I guess we’ll just go to the waterfront and back.”

Chavez said that some visitors were aggressive towards the staff about the change in parking even though parking is out of their control.

Fullerton Arboretum director, Gregory Dyment, said paid parking will help boost business at the arboretum.

“I think people will start to get used to the idea that they can come here and be sure to get a spot. Yeah, and it is gonna cost them four dollars an hour. But where else can you go in Orange County?”

Rogers, who works on weekdays at the arboretum, said she has noticed a change in visitors since the arrival of ParkMobile.

“The paid parking lot, from what we were told, was to prevent students from parking there, which I can get, but during the weekdays, the parking lot is so dead anyway, that I don’t feel like it matters. But I have noticed a decline in visitors at the arboretum,” Rogers said.

Dyment said he also noticed a decline in visitors after the parking change. In an email to the Daily Titan, he said, “Perhaps the reason for fewer visitors is that visitors must pay to park if they

Electric: Library gives alternatives

CONTINUED FROM 1

students to use monitors while simultaneously charging their devices.

Then there are the portable chargers, handheld power banks that students can borrow from the university to charge their devices throughout the day. This option can help mitigate charging concerns for students who struggle to find vacant charging stations and resort to sitting on the floor when seats near power outlets are occupied, Hidalgo said.

Portable chargers are available for daily checkout at the Student Genius Center on the first floor of Pollak Library North. Hidalgo said the university has 200 portable chargers available with potential plans to provide more resources depending on the demand for students.

“They can take it with them and then you could use the USB or a three-prong outlet to plug in your

device so that you don’t even have to sit on the floor near the wall,” Hidalgo said. “You can just check it out, borrow it for the day and then find a spot where you can sit.”

Students sometimes must wait for power outlets on the walls to become available if they wish to charge their devices.

“Sometimes there are people there so it’s hard to look for other tables because you know those tables in the middle –– they don’t have outlets,” said Sarah Cortez, a political science student, after finding an available power outlet on the second floor.

Cortez and Marquez suggested adding power outlets to cubicle desks and circular tables to make them more accessible to students who wish to charge their devices.

Hidalgo said the division of Information Technology is taking more suggestions from students regarding the expansion of charging options in the library.

CONTINUED FROM 1

space for other resources on campus including the LGBT Queer Resource Center, the Chicana/Chicano Resource Center and the University Honors Center.

There is a room available for DSS students on the fourth floor of the North Wing of the library, but students must reserve it in advance to utilize the space. In the Computer Lab, students were allowed to walk in without a reservation.

“We didn’t need to reserve,” said Abled Advocators Vice President Joshua Galvan. “I was a little bit baffled because you gave us this space to use but then all of a sudden, you guys closed it down.”

Though the library and Titan

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DSS does not plan to reopen another designated space for disabled students since all computers in the library are now equipped with assistive software, Palmerton said.

“Put yourself in somebody else’s shoes,” said former Abled Advocators President Jose Castillo. “How would you feel if they took something away from you and it’s the only resource you have on campus that you feel is actually adequate to help you and pretty much increase your success in college.”

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“You shouldn’t take away a service or space that was already provided and then not communicate why this is happening, and not find an alternative or work with them,” said CSUF alumni Janica Torres.

Maria Linares, a CSUF student and former ASI student leader who helped advocate for the opening of the lab, said through email that, “I hope we can continue to prioritize conversations and advocacy for students with disabilities while also including them in decisions that will impact them.”

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The designated space was located in Pollak Library North room 106 prior to the pandemic.

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Find hidden treasures at The Brick Basement

mature,” she said. “My husband and I always tell them, ‘if you need help at home, let us know we’ll come over and we’ll do whatever we can for you there, too.’”

FERRY BAYLON Sta Writer

Nestled in the heart of downtown Fullerton, The Brick Basement antique mall transports shoppers to a place filled with unique treasures, fabulous trinkets, beautiful glassware and classic gadgets. For the past 20 years, The Brick Basement has served as a place of comfort for new and returning customers.

Upon entering the red-framed glass doors, shoppers are immediately bombarded with an exquisite, season-themed welcome sign and colorful merchandise of all varieties.

The extensive assortment of items is arranged in a systematically chaotic fashion, and dividers indicate different antique dealer booths. The 17 dealers are not always present at the store, but they occupy specific areas where they can display their merchandise. Each space is uniquely designed by the dealers’ tastes and distinct styles.

A small sign in one of the store’s corners points “to the basement,” leading customers to the store’s lower level. After descending a wooden staircase, customers find displays for framed posters, lampshades, vases and candle holders. But unlike the upstairs, the basement is a bit more of a disorganized mess rather than strategically placed items to appear like an aesthetically pleasing mess.

Behind the Brick Basement is Carol Walker and Nathan Piliero, its co-owners. Before purchasing The Brick Basement eight years ago, Walker owned and ran an antique store in Yorba Linda for 20 years. Walker started as a dealer in The Brick Basement, showcasing her treasures in a designated area. Once the previous owners decided to sell the place, Walker didn’t pass up the chance.

Walker said that over the past eight years, she has built a rapport and

Luis Rodriguez, a frequent customer and Cal State Fullerton student, was first introduced to The Brick Basement by a friend he met while taking a fashion design class.

“I think it has a lot of cool, unique stuff that a variety of people would like,” Rodriguez said.

Walker emphasized the importance of customers like Rodriguez, for a small business, especially during the pandemic.

“The pandemic was very difficult for all small businesses, I feel blessed that we were able to manage and walk our way through,” Walker said.

Amid the pandemic, Walker said she had to make the difficult decision of cutting back store hours.

“When you run a business, you have to think about all the costs of running it; and so you had to compress it to ensure that things were going well for you and for the dealers,” Walker said.

Avid fans of antiquing and thrifting, Magdalena Jimenez and Dylan Banuelos visited the antique mall after finding out about it online. Jimenez said she and her boyfriend often like to visit downtown Fullerton.

“We go to thrift and stuff like that, so I wanted to see if I could find anything cool here,” said Jimenez.

Walker believes that great customer service is the most important aspect of a business.

“If you don’t make them feel welcome, if you don’t find out what they’re looking for, if you don’t allow them freedom to walk around— you lose business because they don’t want you to hover,” Walker said. “They want to have freedom.”

For those who want to save money and connect with the community, The Brick Basement is the perfect hidden gem where customers can shop to their heart’s desire.

For more information regarding store hours and new item arrivals, customers can find them through Instagram and Facebook.

Fight the urge to throw away makeup through these sustainable tips.

FERRY BAYLON Sta Writer

Have you ever looked at the bottom of your makeup or skincare items and

one-of-a-kind

relationship with her customers.

“You want to make sure that if they need something, even if it isn’t

in the store, that you’re available because a lot of my customers are more

Eco-friendly ways to recycle used makeup

your products are necessary.

In an attempt to live sustainably, here are some tips to help you sort through the mess and finally say goodbye to the drawers full of expired lipstick, eyeshadow and random skincare products.

Organization is key

Make a list of the products you own and organize them under these basic categories: throw, keep and donate.

FERRY BAYLON / DAILY TITAN

wondered what the graphic of a jar with an open lid means? Most people ignore the Period After Opening symbol because, frankly, not everyone knows what it is.

The number and letter in the illustration indicate how long a product can be used after opening. Though most items contain preservatives to keep them fresh for long periods of time, products eventually lose effectiveness. So, consistent checkups on

Once you’ve gathered everything to throw out, do not flush leftover products into the toilet or sink. A more environmentally friendly way to dispose of residue inside bottles and jars is to wipe them clean instead of rinsing the packaging, according to Recycle Coach. If a product cannot be completely emptied by wiping, throw it into the trash, as it will go directly to a landfill — a better option than rinsing products out in the sink.

Consider recycling or refills

Determine whether a product packaging is recyclable — typically plastic bottles, glass jars and tin palettes.

Next, find a suitable organization that accepts old packaging Some brands like The Body Shop accept empty packaging, provided they were bought from them and are cleaned

and dried out.

Beauty brands like Hourglass, Glossier and Fenty Beauty offer refill options for some of their products. Instead of buying an entirely new bottle, you get to cut down on waste while getting refills of some of your favorites.

Buy fewer and better products

Resist the urge to buy more products that will end up exactly like your stale, half-used picks. Don’t be peer pressured into purchasing the next thing that comes out on social media. Are you really going to commit to that 15-step skincare routine, or do you have a fear of missing out because your favorite beauty influencer is doing it? Know your skin well, and go for a few products that will work well.

Try donating or swapping

If you think the product is good as new and can be used by someone else, the first thing you should do is disinfect any areas that may need it. The next step is to look for a charity or organization that will take your donations.

Project Beauty Share is a nonprofit organization that distributes donated items to women and families in need.

You can ship items to their team, but be sure the products are still usable and in good condition.

If you have a lot of products lying around with no intention of being used, consider sharing or swapping with family and friends. Who knows, someone might be in dire need of a new tub of moisturizer.

Check expiration dates

Keep tabs on your products’ expiration dates to make sure you’re not harming your skin and wasting products in the long run. Once opening a new product, check out the PAO symbol and note down when you opened it to determine how long it will remain usable. Try to use the product diligently to prevent waste.

Cosmetic chemist Vince Spinnato said ingredients and chemicals will break down over time, so those with sensitive skin may develop rashes if they are using a product after its indicated expiration date.

It may seem like a challenge in the beginning, but once you get the hang of practicing sustainability in your routine, it will feel more doable and natural. Your wallet (and the planet) will thank you for it.

A hodgepodge of trinkets is the charm of this antique mall.

The Brick Basement is located in Downtown Fullerton at 113 North Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA.

FERRY BAYLON / DAILY TITAN

Carol Walker has ran The Brick Basement for eight years alongside co-owner, Nathan Piliero.

FERRY BAYLON / DAILY TITAN

Review: Blackpink born to make album for the ages

Blackpink showcases duality with their second album.

ALEXANDER ALVARADO KEZIA SANTOSO

Asst. Editors

Nearly two years after BLACKPINK’s first full-length album, the South Korean girl group shut down disbandment rumors with their long-awaited sophomore album “BORN PINK.”

The album only contains eight tracks, but it promotes the unique colors of Blackpink and their identity as a group. “BORN PINK” delivers a mixture of hip-hop, satisfying pop tracks and instrumental ballads.

“Pink Venom”

The song kicks off with a classic hip-hop beat, accompanied by traditional Korean instruments like the geomungo. In the background, the members hypnotically chant “Blackpink.” The release focused on the group’s hip-hop identity, with references to The Notorious B.I.G’s “Kick in the door,” and Rihanna’s “Pon De Replay.”

Blackpink aims to show that they can be strong, courageous and a deadly force, but also charming, sweet and loving — reflecting the contrast between the colors black and pink.

One of the members, Jennie, explained that the contradiction between the color pink and the deadly venom signifies Blackpink’s versatile sides.

The song’s arrangement needed work as it was incredibly patchy and rough, which is expected of Teddy Park, Blackpink’s main producer.

Besides the chorus being catchy and addictive, the song felt disorienting.

“Shut Down”

“Shut Down” sampled Italian violinist Niccolò Paganini’s classical piece “La Campanella,” giving the song a dark and mysterious vibe.

The producers and composers did well in bringing a classic composition and blending it with modern hip-hop sounds for an urban vibe.

The song opens with the group’s iconic tagline, “Blackpink in your area.” The music video is also filled with parallels to previous music videos, giving longtime fans a treat.

“Typa Girl”

“Typa Girl’’ begins pretty mellow before the beat drops and is followed by a trap beat. This song brings stimulating and addictive effects to the ears.

The group exudes confidence and empowerment in this song as they sing about being the type of girl that everyone swoons over. The chorus phenomenally combines the members’ vocals in unison.

“Yeah Yeah Yeah”

Members Jisso and Rosé showcase their writing skills with “Yeah Yeah Yeah.” The song describes unexpectedly falling in love with someone that seems too good to be true.

With its nostalgic beat and lovesick lyrics, “Yeah Yeah Yeah” perfectly encapsulates Blackpink’s “pink” concept. The group’s bubble-gum pop sound jumps out, giving fans a sound they have anticipated.

“Hard To Love”

“Hard to Love” is by far one of the top three songs on the album. With Rosé as the only vocalist in the song, her wary tone gives the song what it needs to come to life as she warns her lover to keep their distance. It contrasts “Pink Venom” and “Shut Down” sonically and lyrically but flows well with the composition of the album. The beat drop and guitar riffs

are everything you could want from a Blackpink song. Rosé may be ‘hard to love” but the song sure is not.

“The Happiest Girl”

“The Happiest Girl” is the sixth track on the album sung by all four members. Despite its title, Blackpink delivers an emotional ballad accompanied by a piano performance.

Although the person in the relationship has left, Blackpink sings of doing everything in their power to not cry and be “the happiest girl in the world.” Compared to the rest of the ballads in their discography, this song outshines. The decision for a piano performance instead of a guitar performance was the perfect choice.

“Tally”

“Tally” starts off with a smooth guitar introduction before shifting to a pop sound with hints of rock and hip-hop.

The lyrics convey their nonchalant attitude:The members sing “‘cause no one’s keepin’ tally, I do what I want with who I like,” and, “while you’re talking all that s**t, I’ll be getting mine,” reiterating their unbothered stance. Blackpink embodies a free yet chic mood by emphasizing they’ll do as they please, despite what others say.

“Ready For Love”

Although “Ready For Love” was promoted through the mobile game PUBG Mobile before the release of “PINK VENOM,” the song itself felt highly rushed.

Parts of this song appeared in the Netflix documentary “Blackpink: Light Up The Sky” and fans demanded for the song to be released. While the fans may have gotten their way, it left a bit to be desired. Still, the album ends on a happy note that leaves listeners satisfied with Rosé’s outro and the new experimental direction.

Column: Tuffy’s Book Nook rejects censorship

Banned Books Week

celebrates the freedom to read.

What unites “Captain Underpants,” “To Kill A Mockingbird” and the Harry Potter Series? According to the American Library Association Office of Intellectual Freedom, all of these well-loved books have been targeted, challenged or censored from schools and local libraries.

The ALA and other organizations observe Banned Book Week from Sept. 18 to Sept. 24, a celebration across the country to highlight the importance of accessing books. Celebrate this year by heading to your local library and checking out these boundary-breaking reads.

“Attack of the Black Rectangles” by Amy Sarig King

King’s young adult novel, published this month, offers a nuanced and up-to-date opinion on school censorship and how students can stand up against it.

When student Mac Delaney finds that his school copy of “The Devil’s Arithmetic” contains words crossed out with a black marker, Mac and his friends face their teachers, principal and school board to fight for their right to the truth.

Although King wrote the novel with a younger audience in mind, there is enough humor and heart for older audiences to appreciate. Honest and

relevant, King does not shy away from sensitive topics; instead, she looks at the censorship of history, freedom of speech and political beliefs with balance and nuance.

“All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson George M. Johnson is the 2022 Honorary Chair for Banned Books Week. His memoir is No. 3 on the top challenged books of 2021 for its language, discussions of LGBTQ topics and sexual content.

Johnson weaves personal narrative, political thoughts and personal letters to their family members in this touching memoir about the intersection between their queer and racial identity. While Johnson retells

painful moments, they also highlight joy and love. Johnson treats the reader with such familiarity that reading feels like catching up with an old friend.

This book will make you laugh, cry and light a fire underneath you to make a difference in the world — and to hug the ones you love a little tighter.

“Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe

According to the ALA, this graphic novel was the No. 1 challenged book from libraries and schools in 2021, censored for dealing with LGBTQ topics and sexual content.

In Virginia, politicians brought petitions to the court alleging that the

2019 memoir violated the state’s obscenity laws. The petitions urged that the book should not be sold to minors, and the judge dismissed the case last month.

The novel details Kobabe’s sexuality and gender identity journey through beautifully illustrated graphics with precise clarity and honesty. Kobabe addresses sensitive topics with heart, humor and honesty, producing a stunning work on identity exploration which is often confusing yet gratifying work. This is the perfect book to read if you have been in a reading slump: Kobabe’s stream-of-consciousness narrative style pulls you through each page, making it hard to put down.

“Banned Book Club” by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada

Kim Hyun Sook only wanted two things: to pass her college classes and make her parents proud as a first-generation student. But in South Korea during the early 1980s, military forces clashed against student protestors fighting government censorship. When Hyun Sook stumbles upon a secret student book club, she is faced with a choice: Stay silent or stand up against incredible violence.

“Banned Book Club” is an amalgamation of Hyun Sook and her college friends’ experiences with censorship and political upheaval during their college years. This graphic novel is perfect for manga fans, as it is filled with punchy dialogue and action-packed, black-and-white illustrations.

Hyun Sook’s character arc from a timid freshman terrified of breaking the rules to a confident political activist was inspiring. It was amazing to see the tactics Hyun Sook and her friends crafted to share censored information, from disguising books with false covers to printing a secret newspaper.

It is easy to get lost in the highstakes action of the story and forget that it’s based on real-life experiences from the author. Even in the face of state-sanctioned violence and the threat of being kicked out of college, members of the secret club demonstrated the courage to educate themselves and risk their lives to protest undemocratic institutions.

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EMILY DOWNER Editor

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ARIES Need a little retail therapy, Aries? Remember that the key for this week is moderation. As much as we love a material moment, this is also the perfect time to organize aspects of your life (your room, schedule, etc.) other than your budget.

TAURUS While having a plan can help you keep your goals on track, we need to see some passion! Let yourself feel those emotions and use them to help you power those ambitious dreams.

GEMINI Changing your vibe to fit different situations can be tiring, Gemini! Impostersyndromecanaffectpeopledeeply, including yourself.This week, focus on yourself. It’s okay to say no to that event you don’t feel like going to if it means having some time for yourself.

CANCER Big night out this week, Cancer? Go have fun! You needed a little break from your daily routine. However, still be wary of things resurfacing from your past, whether that be old friends, exes, etc. who still think of you.

LEO Prepare for some uncomfortable conversations, Leo. As much as you voice your opinions and make your truth be heard, there are people who strongly disagree. That being said, this may also be a good time to finally open up that can of worms.

Answers to the puzzle are located at the bottom of the page.

VIRGO The party continues, Virgo! Though your birthday is coming to a close this week, continue rejoicing in all the little things life has to offer. Go ahead and take chances, but try not to leave your head in the clouds for too long.

WRITTEN by Kelly Yap

LIBRA Happy Birthday, Libra! You may be feeling renewed and ready to take on challenges this week. It also doesn’t hurt to put yourself out there again and connect with new friends or potential love interests (or not!).

SCORPIO Having a lot on your mind, Scorpio? Reach out to your friends; they’re there to support you as a shoulder to lean on. Be open to communicating how you feel, and you will be rewarded for speaking your truth.

SAGITTARIUS Take matters into your own hands, Sagittarius! You are typically highly proactive and see things until the end whenever something needs to be accomplished. Do not be afraid to take the lead where it is lacking this week.

CAPRICORN It’s very easy to get caught up in the rat race of life, Capricorn. Try not to feel too hung up over what people say to you (or behind your back) and keep doing you. At the end of the day, you know yourself best; don’t let anyone persuade you otherwise.

AQUARIUS Life’s a thrill, Aquarius. It may be time to reconsider who in your life truly has your back as you venture through life’s craziest moments. Remember that it’s all about balance and meeting in the middle in your relationships.

PISCES Love is in the air! Whether with friends, family, and people you love, spend some extra time with them this week. Feel free to mingle with new people and gain some new perspectives. It may open doors to fascinating new opportunities.

United Nations Association of the USA, Fullerton Chapter (UNA-CSUF)

UNA-CSUF aims to educate students on global issues and advocate on behalf of the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We plan our events around our four chairs: Climate and Energy, Global Health, Women and Girls, and Peace and Security. Our other events revolve around updates in the UN or we host relaxing socials. Stay updated with our meetings and events from our Instagram! @unacsuf

For your club or organization to be featured, email production@dailytitan.com with photo(s) and a description with no more than 125 words.

1. Who was the frst non-English-language performer to win the prize for artist of the year at the VMA’s?

A) Bad Bunny B) Becky G

C) Rosalia D) Karol G

2. What was the name of Tuffy the Titan’s girlfriend in 1992?

A) Tiffany B) Tina C) Tiffy D) Tessa

The dark side of Title IX mandatory reporting

ARIANA MOLINA Sta Writer

Title IX was created to prohibit sex discrimination among students and create a safe environment. To uphold that, some faculty and administrators at Cal State Fullerton are required to report abuse to Title IX administrators.

While this may seem like a good move to help get justice for survivors, Title IX mandated reporting doesn’t provide the help and support that survivors need.

The main issue with the policy is that it violates the survivor’s autonomy as employees on campus are required to report to the Title IX office when they are told or witness sex discrimination. Even when the person requests anonymity, they are required to give all names of the parties involved.

This jeopardizes the trust between students and their professors or other faculty members. Sometimes, students just want to share their experiences with someone they can rely on without the pressure of getting reported.

The lack of privacy without consent discourages students from coming forward, which is the opposite of what mandated reporting is set out to do.

There is also no guarantee of what the outcome would be. Pamela Fiber-Ostrow, a full-time professor of political science, said that when the case goes into an adjudicatory phase, it is more of a court proceeding and less of an academic proceeding.

“Involving a student can be really traumatizing,” Fiber-Ostrow said. “It can involve a lot of relationship problems, not just the person who is being confronted, but also the families and other things that they weren’t prepared for.”

A survivor may want to regain control over the incident in order to recover from what happened. When survivors lose that control, it can create mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety, according to the article “Mandatory Reporting is Exactly Not What Victims Need” by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Survivors have already gone through a traumatizing event and the reporting and investigation will not make it any better. There is a risk of traumatizing survivors during the subsequent legal process that should not be ignored, especially when justice is not guaranteed.

There are exceptions for the policy to take action. When the person wants to be confidential and not disclose their name, the Title IX administrator will have to consider the factors of whether or not to disclose the information. This applies when the perpetrator is a physical threat or there’s a power imbalance between them and the survivor.

Not all employees have the duty to report. According to the CSU Title IX policy, physicians, psychotherapists, professional licensed counselors, licensed clinical social workers, sexual assault and domestic violence counselors and clergy who work on or off campus whose role involves medical or mental health treatment or counseling, are exempt from reporting. Anyone working in the Women’s Center and health center are also not required to report.

When reporting to the Title IX office, if the complainant chooses to

meet with them, they would do an intake meeting. During the intake meeting, they go over options to make an informed choice on how they want to go forward with the incident. They also have the choice to not respond to the Title IX office and still be given resources that are available to them.

Although students can choose not to go forward with the complaint, there should be a step to allow students to go to Counseling and Psychological Services or the Women’s Center for support and affirmation between the report filing and the intake meeting.

“There hasn’t been great efforts on campus with regards to physical fliers, physical information or ensuring that faculty members posted in their syllabus, have it on their Canvas, where students can go see confidential advocates,” Fiber-Ostrow said.

There needs to be more information about the resources on campus where students can go for help or confidentiality. The Women’s Center and Student Health Services need to operate at an elevated level that allows them to mediate the Title IX process with students and support them throughout their whole journey from reporting to the proceeding.

To give back control to the survivors, they must be given more control to choose how their case is handled. They should have the right to choose what they want to do with their information. Have faculty ask the student what they want to do instead of just reporting because they’re required to.

Faculty can also give the students resources on campus that are confidential and can help them recover.

If schools provide more support systems and the choice to come forward without fear, then reporting may become a feasible option for survivors of discrimination, assault and violence.

Survivors lack mental health and peer support after abuse is reported.

Men’s soccer ties on the road

GOTTIE CHAVEZ Asst. Editor

After scoring two early goals, Cal State Fullerton men’s soccer settled for a tie against the University of San Diego Toreros Sunday afternoon at Torero Stadium. The Titans are now 4-2-2 overall.

CSUF’s goalkeeper Tesuya Kadono recorded four saves, increasing his season total to 27 saves.

The Titans scored the first goal of the contest in the 17th minute from a corner kick cross from midfielder Sebastian Cruz. Cruz crossed the ball to defender Ernest Cueva who then kicked the ball back to the center of the box where defender Giovanni Calderon shot the ball through the back of the net.

This is the first goal of the season for Calderon. In addition, this is Cruz’s fourth assist and Cuevas third.

The Titans extended their lead with a goal by Cruz in the 35th minute. Cruz was assisted by a through ball into the box from forward Reziq Banihani. This was Cruz’s seventh goal of the season and Banihani’s sixth assist.

The goal from Cruz keeps him tied for first in the country with seven goals and Banihani’s assist keeps him tied for third in the country with six assists.

The offensive onslaught would be short-lived as CSUF went on to have just two shots in the entire second half.

University of San Diego’s midfielder Alex Churness earned his third collegiate brace to bring the Torero’s back and even the score.

The Toreros had three shots early in the second half before the Titans had their first scoring opportunity in the 50th minute.

University of San Diego was the enforcer in the second half as the team continued to apply pressure on the Titans’ backline early and often in the second half and nearly scored after a shot from Ross Johnstone bounced off the crossbar.

The Toreros finally broke through in the 62nd minute after a goal by Churness cut CSUF’s lead to one.

University of San Diego’s midfielder Cesar Bahena, kicked the ball into the box, finding Churness who kicked the ball past Kadono.

The Toreros went on to tie the game in the 86th minute after Churness’ second goal of the match. Churness was assisted from a pass into the box by midfielder Rhys Gourdie. A minute later, the Toreros missed on their opportunity to win after a missed shot attempt by midfielder Mason Tunbridge.

Sunday’s match was a physical encounter as both teams combined for 31 fouls and four yellow cards.

This was the teams’ 31st time facing each other in their history. CSUF won their last matchup 3-1 last September.

CSUF has two non-conference games left on the schedule before beginning conference play.

The Titans next matchup is against the University of Incarnate Word on Wednesday at 10 a.m. before they head to Westwood to face No. 25 UCLA on Saturday.

Women’s soccer falls to University of San Francisco, 2-1

NAVTEJ HUNDAL Editor

Cal State Fullerton women’s soccer lost, 2-1, against the University of San Francisco Dons on Saturday at Titan Stadium, leaving the Titans with a 3-3-3 overall record.

After Fullerton defender Meghan Schroh was given a yellow card, San Francisco’s defender Jamesen Ward scored the game-winning goal from the penalty spot in the 85th minute.

Rising star goalkeeper Mia Ranson had a career-high of 10 saves, increasing her season total to 50 saves.

“Without Mia Ranson at goal, this could have been a very ugly game for us,” head coach Demian Brown said.

The Dons wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as forward Marissa Vasquez netted the ball on the goal’s upper left side within the first minute. Defensively, the Dons prevented the Titans from going past the midfield toward the goal box as CSUF did not attempt a shot on goal in the

first half.

Despite only trailing by a goal, CSUF caught a break on the defensive end as the Dons missed consecutive shot attempts in the middle of the half.

In the 23rd minute, San Francisco missed three shot attempts that would have extended their early lead. After Ranson blocked the Dons’ forward Lindsey Chau’s shot attempt, Chau had another opportunity seconds later

but was prevented by CSUF. With one more attempt, Dons’ midfielder Alex Carpio shot out of the goal’s right side.

Trailing 1-0 at the end of the first half, CSUF had its backs against the wall as the team could not get anything working offensively, but its struggles quickly turned at the start of the second half.

Titans tied the game at 1-1 in the 49th minute after defender Emelia

Owen kicked the ball on the goal’s left side in between two Dons, marking her third goal of the season. Throughout the next 36 minutes of the game, both teams were locked in defensively as they prevented one another from taking the lead. During that time frame, the Dons missed 11 shot attempts.

One of San Francisco’s notable misses was during the 66th minute of the game. After Ward kicked the ball towards the left side of the goal, Ranson saved the shot by hitting it towards the goal post’s upper left side and away from Don attackers.

Down 2-1 with less than two minutes left, the Titans relied on Owen, whose game-tying attempt was saved by Dons’ goalkeeper Megan Nail.

Despite the close game, Brown said that CSUF’s slow start and speed of play led the team to be a step behind San Francisco. With CSUF set to commence conference play against Cal State Northridge this week, Brown said that CSUF needs to figure out what type of team they need to play as.

“We have to figure out how we’re going to establish a better rhythm of play, ready to come out and press us like San Francisco did today,” he said.

CSUF will play CSUN on Thursday at the Performance Soccer Field at 7 p.m.

Volleyball extends win streak to 5

JONATHAN

Cal State Fullerton volleyball extended their win streak to five games with wins against the California Baptist University Lancers and Grand Canyon University Antelopes over the weekend, improving to 6-2 overall.

After the Titans defeated California Baptist University, 3-1, on Friday, they followed up with a 3-2 win

against Grand Canyon University on Saturday. Against the Antelopes, outside hitters Julia Crawford and Lyla Traylor led the team with a combined 28 kills. Setter Elizabeth Schuster led the team with 45 assists and 18 digs. CSUF fell 2-0 in the first two sets as the Antelopes’ outside hitter Melanie Brecka proved to be the team’s catalyst with 11 kills through the opening sets.

Facing a deficit, the Titans came out in the third set with a sense of urgency.

After opening the set with a 9-5 lead, the Titans went on 10-5 scoring run to lead 19-10 with the help of kills from Crawford and Libero Nadia Koanui serving back to back service aces. The Titans would go to win the pivotal set, 25-18.

The Antelopes committed 11 errors

in the fourth set with four out of the last five points for the Titans coming from errors. In addition, Crawford carried the momentum from the previous set with four kills in the set, putting points for the Titans as they evened in sets with a 25-21 victory.

The Titans completed the reverse sweep in the final set as the Titans earned 11 out of 15 points off of kills, resulting in the team’s comeback victory. After Grand Canyon University’s outside hitter McKenzie Wise committed an error to put the Titans in a game-point scenario, Schuster’s final kill sealed the win for the Titans.

Against California Baptist University, Crawford and junior middle blocker Marisse Turner led the Titans as Crawford had a game-high 14 kills followed by Turner’s 13. Schuster dished out a season-high 45 assists

with Traylor recorded a career-high in digs with 24.

The first set was a battle, but the Titans escaped with a 25-23 victory. The set was sealed with a kill by Titans’ outside hitter Danielle Jefferies.

The second set saw the Titans holding on to their lead for a majority of the set with Jefferies putting a finish to another Titans’ set victory, 25-21.

The Lancers opened the third set with a commanding 14-1 lead that ultimately ended in a set victory for the Lancers, 25-15. The Lancers were not out yet, as they started the fourth set with a 17-9 lead. However, the Titans erased the deficit with a 16-3 scoring run to win 25-20 in the match-deciding set.

CSUF will begin conference play against Cal State Bakersfield on Friday at the Icardo Center at 6 p.m.

Fullerton has won six of their first eight games this season.

GONZALEZ Sta Writer

CSUF comes up short after San Francisco’s last-minute goal.

Defender Emelia Owen scored the Titans lone goal on Saturday.

NAVTEJ HUNDAL / DAILY TITAN

Outside hitter Julia Crawford prepares to spike ball against Gonzaga University on Sept.9 at Titan Gym.

NAVTEJ HUNDAL / DAILY TITAN