Week of Monday, May 3, 2021 by Daily Titan

Monday, May 3, 2021

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

Student leaders to vote on defunding University Police SEE PAGE

Volume 109 Issue 15

What grads should know MIRANDA LOMBRANA Asst. Editor

Recent adjustments for the 2021 commencement ceremonies have brought a new set of challenges for the university, said Ellen Treanor, the media representative for Cal State Fullerton, in an email to the Daily Titan. Chi-Chung Keung, director of news media services for the university, said that CSUF’s events team in University Advancement is responsible for the development of infrastructure and logistics. The execution of the event in terms of format, content and eligibility, however, will ultimately fall on the university’s cabinet’s hands, requiring many committee meetings and cross-divisional collaboration across university officials, Keung said. SEE PLAN

Feelings of stress and relief fill finals season CLARA UTTENTHAL Staff Writer

Long-awaited finals week is just around the corner for Cal State Fullerton students. As they begin to prepare for exams, quizzes and final projects, students have mixed emotions about the schoolwork that lies ahead. “I’m a mix between stressed and not stressed. I really only have two finals. My

City to review firework sales ROBERTO ROMERO

third class is more like a quiz. That’s not during finals week, and then I have my senior honors project,” said Madeeha Sheriff, a biology major with a concentration in cellular and developmental biology. According to the academic calendar, May 14 marks the last day of class before finals week from May 17 - May 21. However, some professors choose to open exams earlier, so students have more flexibility and freedom.

and questions as well as keeping the course packets for classes nearby, so she is certain she is studying the right concepts. “Writing it down. I like the hand to the paper kind of thing,” Sheriff said on how she best obtains knowledge. Due to Ramadan, Sheriff is currently fasting. “I just found out, during the day, when you’re fasting, your brain can’t focus that well. So what I’ve been doing is I

sleep at 10 p.m. and I wake up to eat food at like, four in the morning,” Sheriff said. “I realised I’m a ‘morning studier,’ so I’ve been getting a lot done starting at like 5 a.m. to noon.” Karch Cabalo, a business major with a double concentration in accounting and supply chain management, said he is distressed about finals coming up. SEE EXAMS

CSUF loses homestand against Hawai’i The Rainbow Warriors took the final three games of the weekend series.

Staff Writer

NICHOLAS COTHREL

The Fullerton City Council will review and discuss the current fireworks sale process at Tuesday’s meeting. Safe and sane fireworks include those that cannot leave the ground or explode, according to a city staff report. Illegal fireworks include skyrockets and bottle rockets, roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers and other fireworks that explode, shoot into the air or move on the ground

After dropping two of three games to start the series against Hawai’i, Cal State Fullerton entered Sunday’s contest looking for redemption, but the Rainbow Warriors’ 12 hits were too much for the Titans to overcome as they lost by the final score of 8-2. Fullerton’s bats were alive over the first three meetings of the series, averaging 10 hits per game against the Hawai’i pitching staff. However, just like the Titans, Hawai’i’s

SEE RULES

Sheriff is set to graduate in May, and she explained her ambivalent feelings toward finals. While she said she knows she’s set in most of her classes, and the hard part of the semester is already completed, it will be her last time taking finals at CSUF. After graduation she plans to enroll in medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania. Sheriff said her go-to study method is to review problems

surging bats prompted Fullerton with a difficult task of conquering the Rainbow Warriors’ eight runs per game during Friday and

Saturday’s double-header. Sophomore right-hander Kyle Luckham received the starting nod for the Titans on Sunday, in which he recorded

the loss after throwing five innings, surrendering six hits, four earned runs and striking out five. SEE SKID 4

Staff Writer

Josh Urps, seen here on April 9, batted 1-3 on Sunday in the Titan’s home game against Hawai’i. (Adam Maldonado / Daily Titan) VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

2 News

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 3

Campus police could face budget cuts Associated Students will discuss allocating more funds to mental health resources. NICOLE MARIONA Asst. Editor

The Associated Students board of directors will meet on Tuesday to discuss a resolution to defund Cal State Fullerton’s University Police to invest more into psychological resources, like Counseling and Psychological Services. CSUF’s Students for Quality Education, also known as SQE, told the Daily Titan via email that they request not to take away all of policing on campus but to have an ‘equitable and humane’ use of school funds. According to the email, SQE stated, “Our work now is to imagine a campus with a different police presence and a greater mental health service capacity.” University Police Capt. Scot Willey said he has been part of the budget process for several years, within a year the police force is currently low on staffing fulltime police officers and that the department has actually been defunding themselves already. “I can tell you from having been in law enforcement for 23 years, you know you’re getting a full police department on a very, very low budget,” Willey said. According to CSUF’s 2020-21 3rd Quarter Operating Fund Budget and Expenditure Summary Report from March 2021, University

Police’s revised budget total was $5,142,838. In comparison, Student Wellness and Care has a revised budget total of $8,634,171. According to the email, SQE stated that during the ASI meeting, they asked for more transparency regarding the police’s budget, as well as help the University Police understand more about diversity, trauma and the LGBTQ community — along with trying to understand why campus police are ‘heavily armed.’ On their Instagram page, SQE is vocal about divesting from the University Police to fund mental health resources as they promote the phrase ‘no harm, disarm.’ ‘No harm, disarm’ raises awareness to police’s violent measures and seeks to prevent further violence from law enforcement, according to the SQE. “CSUF police are armed with deadly weapons and we urgently seek to demilitarize campus officiers,” the SQE stated in an email to the Daily Titan. “SQE knows that allowing our campus police to carry arms is unnecessary and at worst deadly for students.” Willey said the use of weapons are to protect faculty and students from people outside of campus — and not having a weapon in-hand could run the risk of potential violence to continue. Willey said that next week, he will discuss health professionals’ concerns for being the first-responder to handle incidents that can get dangerous with the Counseling and Psychological

Services center . “If we’re talking about just replacing police with health professionals, most of them are anxious about going up to a door on their own without any type of support,” Willey said. According to the email, SQE stated that the University Police have caused an atmosphere of hostility, stress and fear for many faculty and students on campus. CSUF has racially profiled where Black and Latinx students are asked to show identification while staying on campus — and one incident where a police pulled out a gun to a Black student in housing, according to the SQE. SQE also stated that some students fear the police at CSUF, while the campus continues to recruit students from diverse backgrounds without enough mental health resources and structures to support them. “In addition to school, work and family, students should not have to worry about their personal safety when attending school,” SQE stated in the email. “If the CSU is really committed to racial equity and closing the equity and achievement gap, then it should be committed to ensuring students are safe on campuses.” Willey said that during the last two decades he has tried to keep officers from responding to complaints about students skateboarding, riding their bikes or smoking on campus, saying that the department does not do that type of law enforcement. He said they are there

Banking doesn’t have to feel like a finance class.

simply to protect everyone on campus. “It’s not to prey on people of color, it’s not to prey on any of our students,” Willey said. SQE stated their group initiates conversations on the history of issues with CSUF police and how they should focus on mental health first as a preventative measure over the use of police enforcement on campus. SQE stated in the email, that while many predict the police will protect and prevent crime, they said they believe the police are a reactive measure instead of a preventive one. They also said in the email that they believe preventive measures include mental health counselors, therapy groups and crisis response teams on campus. Wiley said in his 23 years of law enforcement, he does see a crisis in mental health and does not agree with the way some people view the department’s approach to mental health. “This is something that we all deal with on a personal level,” Willey said. He said the department does annual training as part of the Behavioral Intervention Team to correctly respond to students with

Rules: Council limited pyrotechnic sellers in 2016 1 Fireworks that are illegal both in Fullerton and California include cherry bombs, roman candles, firecrackers and bottle rockets. Sparklers, snaps and smoke balls are classified as safe and sane and are allowed to be used and sold following specific laws and ordinances, the staff report said. The request to review the current process comes from council member Fred Jung and is supported by Mayor Bruce Whitaker, who opposed the prohibition of firework sales, possession, and use in November. The current process is outlined by a resolution adopted in 2016 by the Fullerton City Council and sets rules for the use of fireworks within the city. The resolution makes the sale of fireworks exclusive to 15 lottery applicants and five alternates. Lottery applications are accepted annually from March 1-31. Applicants are randomly selected every April by the city clerk’s office and once selected may apply for a permit with the fire marshal. The report said that applicants interested in selling fireworks within the city of Fullerton must be a tax-exempt charity, nonprofit, an organization that meets the criteria listed in the resolution, or a school. Schools eligible include elementary through the university levels, or student group, club, CONTINUED FROM

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suicidal thoughts or other mental issues that can cause them to react harmfully to themselves or others. Willey said he has discussed the resolution with faculty, and some aren’t supportive of it, however he said the department supports free speech and free exchange of ideas from students. Members of SQE stated that the resolution has been the main focus of their efforts, with the positive feedback from students, faculty and other organizations. “SQE has been sharing this work and building support across campus and we look forward to getting this resolution passed by ASI and the Academic Senate, and more importantly creating real change and moving humanity forward,” SQE stated in the email to the Daily Titan. Maria Linares, the chair of ASI board of directors and a sponsor of the resolution said she was unsure about what the final results of the resolution would be. “I do not have a prediction as to the votes, but I know our student leaders will show up informed and educated,” Linares said. “I am confident that they will do what is best for our students, especially our most marginalized.”

booster group, or organization formed to support any school program, the report said. The current policy allows for one representative group per educational institution which includes organizations operating outside of the school in support of an official school program like booster clubs. Selected applicants are only permitted to sell fireworks in the city of Fullerton from July 1-4, and a person must be 16 years of age or older to purchase and use fireworks, the report said. Stock must be removed by July 5 and firework stands must be completely removed by July 13. The first time the city council discussed the sale of fireworks since voters opposed Measure U last November, which would have prohibited firework sales, possession, and use. The request to review the process comes nearly a year after the Fullerton Police Department reported an increase in calls regarding the use of illegal fireworks. The city of Fullerton allows for the use of safe and sane fireworks on July 4 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The use and possession of illegal fireworks is a misdemeanor, according to the city’s website. People caught using or possessing illegal fireworks could face fines or imprisonment. The open session for Tuesday’s city council meeting will start at 6:30 p.m.

News 3

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 3

Plan: Guests Media professionals not required to share career insight be vaccinated Cal State Fullerton’s annual COMM Week was held virtually once again.

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NICHOLAS COTHREL Staff Writer

EDITORIAL

Cal State Fullerton’s annual Comm Week materialized in the form of a Zoom panel that featured 40 guest speakers on April 26-30. The event featured various professionals who provided insight on a range of communications-related occupations such as journalism, marketing and social media. The weeklong event allowed students to ask experts in different fields, make connections and network for future job opportunities. From hearing the day-to-day operations of being a multimedia journalist to the art of networking and everything in between, Comm Week had it covered. Joe Little, a multimedia journalist and director of storytelling at NBC 7 San Diego, offered his expertise to students looking to improve their stand-up reels. “Don’t make a news director wait a single second to see your face and hear your voice,” Little said. “Get to your best work. Your best will be on display in what is called the stand-up montage.” Little said the industry can be very competitive for new graduates entering the profession. He also provided students with some pointers on how to stand out in their video features when sending them to

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“Length of time that each graduate and guest is in the event space, the cost of staffing to require to sanitize chairs between each usage, and infrastructure required to keep event attendees distanced.” Guests with disabilities will be accommodated through the Disability Support Services and will have a formal request process for guests and graduates who need accommodations, Keung said. Due to estimated weather conditions during June, Keung said that there will be tents at the check-in area with temporary seating to wait until it’s time for guests to line-up on the field. The line-up on the field will also be shaded with bottled water available to guests, he said. Keung said there will be a waiting area with “pods” of three seats spaced six feet apart and a line-up with painted spaces on the field so guests and graduates are distanced on all sides. “As we typically do for commencement, we will have a tented area close to Student Health and Counseling Center that will have temporary seating, cooling packs and water for anyone who feels overcome by the heat. We also will have medic teams and an ambulance on standby to handle any medical emergencies,” Keung said. There are currently no plans to require testing nor COVID-19 vaccine records for commencement participation, Keung said, but guests and graduates will still be required to wear a mask at all times. However, graduates will be allowed to remove their masks during their walk across the stage and during photos, he said. Faculty has also been invited to volunteer for the event and assist during the arrivals and line-up, Keung said, but there will be no on-stage platform for faculty as all speeches will be conducted during the virtual ceremony. The in-person commencement ceremonies will take place from June 12 to 15. Graduates and guests will check-in for the event at the Titan Track, but the check-in process is still in development because of the addition of guests, Keung said. “The current plan is to wait until registration closes on May 14 and then determine the final participation numbers for each ceremony. Once that is deter m ined the graduates will be given staggered a r r iva l times to m in im ize the wa it times a nd ensure proper dista ncing at the check-in a rea,” Keung sa id.

shadows, and having the camera at eye level and implementing an upbeat image of emotion are all good ways to deliver a quality impression. CSUF women’s volleyball coach Ashley Preston joined Comm Week to share her expertise on the art of communication skills within a sports career. One aspect she emphasized is using LinkedIn to get your work seen by others and meet people in the field. Preston said she makes the players on her volleyball team post regularly on their LinkedIn accounts. “Get your LinkedIn game up. LinkedIn is literally the Facebook for the professionals and the athletic directors,” Preston said. “As much as you scroll on social media platforms, you need to scroll on your LinkedIn. And that’s where you get to showcase and share your stories.” Among those in attendance on the panel were a few students who did not have the same familiarity with LinkedIn as they did with other social media applications. Frank Russell, a CSUF communications professor who also served as one of the moderators for the event, said LinkedIn can be very similar to other social media features such as Facebook and Instagram. “You can share your professional life on LinkedIn,” Russell said. “You can create posts on LinkedIn just like any other social media site. The only difference is you want to make sure that what you’re doing reflects who you are as a professional.”

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1 For both the classes of 2020 and 2021, there are about 24,000 students who are eligible to participate at the in-person commencement ceremonies, Keung said, with each participant now allowed to bring two guests. Keung said the ceremonies will take place on the intramural field at 33% capacity, or about 5,016 people. The university has released several updates to graduating students with information regarding the event. There is still information that is being released as time gets closer to the May 14 registration deadline for the in-person ceremony. The California State University chancellor’s office has had the plans reported to them, said Keung, with all campuses receiving guidance from state and local health agencies. According to the State of California Health and Human Services Agency in the California Department of Public Health, there are requirements for all in-person commencement ceremonies across all COVID-19 tiers, as well as guidance for screening, individual control, entering and exiting the event and event procedures. These guidelines indicate that if multiple commencement ceremonies take place within the same day that they must take place two hours apart. According to the guidelines, individuals should be six feet apart at all times, with the requirement of no handshakes, as well as limiting the exchanging of materials such as throwing graduation caps. The guidelines suggest graduates turn their tassel in lieu of receiving their diploma. The universities could choose to distribute diplomas if done in a safe manner, with table placement of diplomas or sanitation between distribution. Keung said that typically graduates receive a certificate of participation at commencement ceremonies, but in order to comply with guidelines, the university will not be handing out any certification during the 2021 stage walks. More information for the event has been added to the commencement website, including an update on commencement being a standing-only event, with suggestions for guests to wear comfortable footwear for the estimated two to three-hour ceremony. “There are many factors that went into the decision to create a standing-only event,” Keung said. CONTINUED FROM

hiring managers. “You want to be able to show a news director how well-rounded you are,” Little said. “Give it different looks. Also, you’re looking for different emotions. Here’s a happy story, here’s a sad story, here’s a breaking news story. It’s the stand-up montage that goes for about a minute to two minutes at the beginning of your resume that shows the news director ‘look at them.’” On another featured panel, CSUF’s internship coordinator Amber Wilson pointed students in the direction of the CSUF Career Center as an avenue for them to ensure they have their resume outlined accordingly. Wilson said the career center’s services are free to students and recent graduates for up to one year after graduation. The center offers resume reviews, cover letter reviews, mock interviews and a variety of workshops. In terms of the interviewing process, Wilson said to “curate your space” when doing interviews on Zoom. “When they have correspondents who dial in to deliver a little piece on the news, you’ll usually see them in their office with a bookshelf behind them,” Wilson said. “You’re able to do the same thing. You don’t have to buy elaborate office furniture. All you need to do is set yourself up in an area that has adequate lighting that has a very small square of space behind you.” Wilson said staying away from having your back to a window will help avoid

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FOR THE RECORD 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 Jessica Benda at (657) 278-5815 or at editorinchief@dailytitan.com to report any errors.

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4 Sports WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 3 Men’s Skid: Titans drop first Big West series golf opens playoffs 1 “In the MLB they say you get a guy in a stressful situation — by the third time he’s going to crack,” said CSUF head coach Rick Vanderhook after Sunday’s game. “I think that third time turned into a crooked number.” Hawai’i had eight players record a hit on Sunday, but none more impactful than designated hitter Dustin Demeter, who delivered four hits with six RBIs, including a two-run home run. In the top of the sixth inning, Demeter cleared the bases with a three-run double after Stone Miyao worked a walk; Tyler Murray singled up the middle and Scotty Scott reached CONTINUED FROM

CSUF shot 12-overpar in the first round of the Big West championships. TAMEKA POLAND Asst. Editor

Cal State Fullerton’s men’s golf is in fifth place with a score of 12-over-par, 300 after round one of the Big West men’s championship at the La Quinta Country Club in La Quinta, California. The Titans hit the road with five players: Garrett Boe, Harry Doig, Matt Rafter, Trevor McNary and Teagan Andrews. At the top of the leaderboard in team play is Long Beach State with a score of 1-under-par 287, which is 13 strokes ahead of the Titans as they get ready for round two. Cal Poly SLO and UC Davis are not too far behind as they are tied for second place with a score of 8-over-par 296, with UC Santa Barbara in fourth place with a score of 11-overpar 299. While UC Davis holds the second place spot for team play, they currently occupy the top spot on the individual leaderboard as Lucas Carper is in the lead with a score of 2-under-par 70 after round one. However, in a tight match that was separated by one point per position, Long Beach State has three players tied for second place: Hunter Epson, Clay Seeber and Isaac Rodea with a score of 1-under-par 71. Thomas Hutchison from UC Davis holds fifth place at even par. For the Titans, Boe leads the team individually, tied in sixth place with Luke Adam from Cal Poly SLO, John Bush from UC Santa Barbara and Justin Ngan from Hawaii with a score of 1-over-par 73. Fellow teammates Doig is tied for 10th place, Andrews is tied for 23rd place and Rafter is tied for 25th place. However, McNary is having a tough shooting day as he currently sits at 43rd place out of 45 individuals players with a score of 13-over-par 85, looking to make a comeback in round two tomorrow. Fullerton has shown promise as they sit in the middle of the pack at fifth place out of nine teams in the tournament. UC Riverside has struggled in team play as they round out the bottom of the team leaderboard with an overall score of 43-over-par 331. Individually, they sit near the bottom after round one as Jun Seung Yi scored 14-over-par 86 and Taiga Iwasa went 16-overpar 88, placing 44th and 45th respectively. The Titans have been up and down all season as they started the season with a second place finish in the Orange County Classics at Coto De Caza golf club, but have not achieved better than fifth place since back in February. Fullerton looks to move up in the competition as they get ready for round two, set to start May 3 at La Quinta Country Club in La Quinta, California. VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

on a hit by pitch. Upon Demeter’s double, Murray was ejected from the game while standing on first base as a result of arguing calls with the first base umpire. While the Titans registered seven hits, catcher Cole Urman delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth, sending it through the right side of the infield as Deyland Pigford scored on an error by Hawai’i right fielder Tyler Best. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Urman tacked on another RBI to his evening, sending home Isaiah Garcia with a base hit to center field. “Cole Urman is a good baseball player,”

Vanderhook said. “He’s gotten things going. I thought he caught really good and he’s playing at a high level.” Urman was Fullerton’s toughest out at the plate this weekend, distributing six hits over the three games in which he played, including four RBIs. Urman has improved his season average to .320, the third-highest on the team. While Urman’s bat was a bright spot on Sunday, Hawai’i starter Logan Pouelsen gave the Titans very few opportunities to have a big inning. Pouelsen went the distance, as he threw a complete game in which he allowed two earned runs on seven hits

and striking out eight. The Titans move to a 1821 record on the season and 11-9 in the Big West. Fullerton’s conference record puts them tied for third place, trailing just UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara in the Big West standings. “We’re just looking at next weekend — that’s all we can do,” Vanderhook said. “We go out and play baseball. Hopefully Zac Lew, the littlest guy on the team, gets back pretty soon because he’s a pretty big part of the team.” Fullerton will continue their conference slate this weekend, hosting UC San Diego for a four-game series. Game one is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m.

Titans stomp the Mustangs CSUF earned a three game sweep over Cal Poly SLO on the road last weekend. HUGO RIOS Asst. Editor

Cal State Fullerton softball breezed by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in a threegame sweep on Friday and Saturday, which continued their undefeated run in the Big West conference. In game one, pitcher Sophie Frost recorded another win to add to her impressive senior season, and threw her fourth complete game shutout of the season with a line of seven hits, three walks and two strikeouts. Senior Julia Valenzuela led the team with two RBIs and a run scored in three at bats, while senior outfiler

Kelsie Whitmore and sophomore Daisy Munoz both extended their on-base streak to 23 games. Fullerton won the game with a final score of 5-0 in seven innings. Game two was closer than the final score showed, as the Titans only led by two runs heading into the fifth inning. However, Whitmore hit a home run on the first pitch in the inning, sparking a eight-run rally that would ultimately seal the game for the Titans, winning 10-0 in five innings via mercy rule. Whitmore went 2-for-3 at the plate as well, and scored three runs to help secure the victory in the first game of the doubleheader. Frost earned her second win of the series and pitched four scoreless innings, while junior Alexia

Silvas came in for relief and pitched a scoreless inning. Frost now has a record of 18-3 in 23 starting appearances. The Titans were clicking all around in game three as multiple players had great performances to finish the series. Scoring five runs in the first inning, the Titans never gave up their lead and scored in four out of five innings played, winning by a score of 15-2. Whitmore, who earned Big West fielder of the week, went 3-for-3 with a double and two home runs to go along with her six RBIs and four runs scored in game three. She also extended her hitting streak to 14 games as well as extending her on-base streak to 25 games along with Munoz. Freshman KK Humphries also had an impressive night

going 3-for-3, hitting a home run in the first inning that helped push the momentum for the Titans. Pitcher Dani Martinez earned her third win of the season as the sophomore was then followed by a couple freshman pitchers in Staci Chambers and Ellie Zellien who both threw a scoreless inning in relief. Martinez finished with a line of 3.0 inning, two hits, two earned runs, two walks and two strikeouts. The Titans have now won 20 straight series’ in the Big West and have won 25 straight games in Big West play. Fulllerton continues their dominant conference play as they host Hawaii for a pair of doubleheaders beginning on Friday. The first game is set to begin at 3 p.m. followed by a game at 5 p.m.

Sophie Frost, seen here on April 24, tossed two shutouts in the Titans’ victories over Cal Poly SLO this weekend. (Andre Gomez / Daily Titan) FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @THEDAILYTITAN

Sports 5

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 3

Records set at track and field invitationals ANDREA MORA Asst. Editor

Cal State Fullerton’s track and field team split up on Thursday and Friday to compete in a pair of meets at the UC Riverside and Long Beach State invitationals where they set back-to-back new records. On day one of UC Riverside Invitational, Samantha Huerta shattered the previous meet record by 15 seconds with a time of 4 minutes and 23.49 seconds in the women’s 1500-meter, followed almost immediately by Sam Pimentel, who broke the meet record in the men’s 1500m record with a time

of 3:50. Dana McGrath set a new personal record as she placed fifth in the women’s 1500m. In the women’s 3000-meter steeple chase, Sara Hollis won with a time of 10:35.36. Clara Meade finished third place in the women’s 5000-meter with a time of 17:49.64, while teammate Demi Marine finished fifth overall. During Friday’s track events, Charles Kelly broke a CSUF record set in 2018 in the men’s 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.15 seconds, which now leads the Big West conference. Fellow hurdler Matt Kohen also set a new personal best of 14.78, placing fourth overall. In the

women’s 100-meter hurdles, Karyn Best ran a season-best time of 14.69 seconds. In the men’s 400m, Parris Samaniego took first with a time of 48.08 seconds, and Sam Ayala won the men’s 800m with a time of 1:52.79. Nathyn Scruggs finished second with a time of 10.86 seconds in the men’s 100m and took second in the 200m with a time of 21.68 seconds. Meanwhile, in the women’s 100m, Naiah Boardingham took third place with a time of 12.10 seconds, and Deja Allain secured third place in the women’s 200m with a time of 24.80 seconds. At the Long Beach Invitational, Andrea Woods won

with a throw of 119 feet and 11 inches in the women’s javelin, and Sinai Fatafehi placed third in the women’s hammer with a toss of 174 feet and 2 inches. On the men’s side, Davis Yasuda placed third with a throw of 187.1 feet in men’s javelin and Conor Anderson threw 194.8 feet which was good enough to place second in men’s hammer throw. Closing out Saturday’s meet, Sean Ayale marked a new personal best as he placed third overall in men’s long jump with a jump of 23 feet and 4 inches, placing himself seventh in the Big West conference. Iesha Hamm remained undefeated on the season after she

cleared 5 feet and 10 inches in women’s high jump, continuing to lead the Big West as the championships approach. Ty Wallace placed third in women’s triple jump as she leapt 39 feet, 10 ½ inches, and currently holds the second-best triple jump in the Big West by just five inches. Ernesto Collazo won with a jump of 4.81 meters, or 15 feet, 9 ¼ inches in the men’s pole vault while Juwan Seales cleared 49.5 feet for men’s triple jump, placing his mark as the third-best in the conference. CSUF will compete at the Big West championships as the events are set to begin Friday in Irvine.

Charles Kelly (middle), seen here on April 22, broke the school record in the men’s 110m hurdles on Friday at the UC Riverside Invitational. (CSUF Athletics)

Tennis loses semifinal match to Cal Poly SLO The Titans’ season ended on Saturday in the Big West championships. ALLISON SWEIGARD Staff Writer

Cal State Fullerton women’s tennis season came to an end after being defeated by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 4-0 in the

semifinals of the Big West championship. “Unfortunately today there had to be a winner and loser, but just kind of looking back where we started in the fall and the spring and just you know the situation our team was where we didn’t even know if we were gonna be able to fill six players,” said Dianne Matias, CSUF head coach.

Fullerton started the day on Saturday with a win in the doubles matches as they tried to set the tone for the semifinals. YuSeung Suh and Natalie Duffy beat their opponents 6-2 in the first double match of the day. However, the next two matches the Titans fell short of snagging any more doubles points against Cal Poly. Fullerton’s Eira

CSUF’s Juliette Daries had her singles match end early after Cal Poly SLO took the match point on Friday. (CSUF Athletics) VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

Tobrand and Misaki Kobayashi were defeated by their opponents, 6-3 and just a few minutes later Camila Garcia and Jadie Acidera were also defeated by their opponents, 7-5. Heading into the singles matches, Fullerton trailed the Mustangs, 1-0. Kobayashi, the No. 1 singles player for Fullerton, was defeated in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0, by Cal Poly’s Dominique Stone. Moments after, Suh lost to her opponent in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, giving the second singles point to the Mustangs. The clinching point went to the Mustangs at No. 3 singles when Acidera lost to her opponent in a tiebreaker, 6-1. This was the Titans’ first loss in April after they went unbeaten in their last six matches. Juliette Daries, Duffy and Tobrand’s singles matches were all left unfinished. “We did everything we could, unfortunately, Cal Poly just took it to us today. We had opportunities, small windows here and there and we just couldn’t capitalize, but I feel like we competed well, we gave it our all,” Matias said. On Thursday, the Titans

had a strong start in the tournament as they defeated the UC Irvine Anteaters 4-0 in the quarterfinals, which advanced them to the semifinals on April 30 to square off against the Cal Poly Mustangs. The quarterfinals doubles started off rough for Fullerton when Suh and Duffy were defeated 6-4. The Titans made a quick turnaround as Tobrand and Kobayashi won, 6-4. Moments later, Garcia and Acidera also defeated their opponents, giving the Titans the doubles point. In the singles matches, fellow Titans Tobrand, Duffy and Daries beat their opponents in straight sets, giving the Titans three more points and the quarterfinals victory against UC Irvine. For the Titans, this weekend marked the final match for seniors, Acidera and Taylor Valenzuela, including Genevieve Zeidan, who also served as the team’s student assistant coach. With the majority of Fullerton’s core players remaining, the Titans will hope to make another deep run in the postseason when they return to the court next year.

6 Lifestyle

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 3

Six steps to surviving end of semester burnout JESSICA BENDA Editor

At the start of the semester, sending an email was easy. Now, it can be exhausting. College students are closing in on the last month of classes, and many are sputtering through school without any energy left. Daily routine has become monotonous. Assignments are never-ending. After the backbreaking workloads that students have carried, chiropractors will be all booked up. The end of year burnout is notorious, but nearing two full virtual semesters has bolstered the feeling. Trying to pass the classes without any energy is taxing and may seem impossible, but why trip at the finish line? Here’s a survival guide to keep those waning spirits (and grades) up. 1) Get out of the house As healthy as it sounds to stare at a laptop for 16 consecutive hours, too much time working can cause productivity to crumble.

Many know the feeling of a brain stalling out. A sentence takes five re-reads to understand. Words float on the screen. Instagram has been checked five times and YouTube has been opened twice out of sheer boredom. At that rate, it often takes twice as long to finish an assignment. With no in-person classes and working from home, some students can be in their rooms for days at a time. But after an hour-long walk outside, that essay may only take two hours instead of five. So go out to lunch, stop at the store or meet up with a friend. Turns out that moms may have been onto something when they told us to go outside and get some fresh air. 2) Recharge Sleep deprivation should be synonymous with college. After all, students practically keep coffee shops in business, inhaling caffeine to make it through another day of work. While sleeplessness may be the cultural norm, it plays a large part in end of the year burnout.

Lack of sleep increases the chances of negative side effects for students, like an inability to concentrate, anxiety and slipping grades, according to Stanford Medicine. So while it may seem like no big deal to live off a nightly four hours of rest, a lack of sleep may be the reason for screaming brains nationwide. In short, go to bed. 3) Keep an agenda While it may be tempting to stop at the first two steps, it won’t be enough to keep those slipping grades up. As burnout worsens, it becomes easier for little things to slip by. A brief assignment is forgotten, a paper is late and the no exceptions rule for late work becomes a backstabber when a quiz is missed by an hour. When working online, the days blend together and it becomes even easier to forget about assignments or about class itself. Logging each assignment in an agenda can assist in keeping everything straight. Whether it’s a hard-copy planner from Target or the free MyHomework app on

your phone, being able to look at everything due in the week ahead may be able to keep a burned brain alive. 4) Take it one task at a time That new planner will probably be close to full. In 2019, over 80% of students reported feeling overwhelmed by their tasks, according to a National College Health Assessment. That was before a pandemic derailed normalcy as we know it. Often the work ahead feels like too much to handle. So while it’s good to plan ahead, don’t look too far into the future. Try to focus on one thing at a time. Climb the mountain step by step — because if it’s seen as a whole, it may seem like too much to handle. When wrestling with burnout, mindset is a major part of making it through. 5) Complain Often, the advice given to students is to keep their chins up and look at the bright side. While positivity can be helpful, too much of it can lead to them

suppressing their true feelings. Keeping burnout bottled up is isolating, and with thousands of other students feeling the exact same way, there’s no need to keep it all inside. Granted, don’t take it too far and complain constantly. But every now and then, it’s healthy to vent with friends about how draining the semester has been. Chances are, many of them feel the same way. Walking with burnout is tough, but walking with others makes it a little easier. 6) Make plans for the future Don’t look into the immediate future, like at the overwhelming agenda, but focus on what’s beyond that. Make plans for summer. Find something to look forward to, whether that be taking a trip with friends or simply having enough time to clean around the house. When overwhelmed, it’s healthy to have a happy place or something to keep motivation up. Stress is temporary. Grades will fade. And eventually, so will burnout.

Club raises funds for cancer research The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society club’s Man and Woman of the Year competition honors survivors. MARIA MARQUEZ Staff Writer

As the spring season spurs new feelings of hope, Cal State Fullerton’s Leukemia and Lymphoma Society club kicked off its campaign to raise funds and awareness for blood cancer treatment and research. The club, although very new to CSUF, is striving to make a big difference in leukemia and lymphoma research by aiding in the process of providing funds for treatments that go toward oncology and hematology. This semester, the club joined the annual Man and Woman of the Year campaign, which awards the team member who raised the most funds for the club. The campaign began on March 31 and will last 10 weeks, ending on June 13. The team that raises over $50,000 is given the opportunity to select a research portfolio to fund and name after a survivor or in memory of someone who has passed away due to leukemia or lymphoma. If they were to win, the club has decided to donate its funds towards the Children’s Initiative, which helps children receive the right forms of treatment. “There are so many kids that get adult treatments and therapies and sometimes it doesn’t really help, so if we could fund something that is specifically made for children they may have a better VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society club members: (first row) Arleen Galestanian, Molly Jimenez, Tiana Park, Michael Cleland, Dwiti Patel, (second row) Emily Garcia, Cossette Sanqui, Tristan Tran, Frank Osorno, Tananshi Chopra, (third row) Alex Logvy, Ivone Hernandez, Alexis Ruiz, Kate Petach and Julie Woo. (Arleen Galestanian) chance of being a survivor,” said Arleen Galestanian, the club’s president. Galestanian founded the club at Fullerton after seeing one at UCLA that has been successfully reaching more people and creating an impact. The club’s executive board is composed of members who have a strong connection with the mission behind the club’s campaign. “I became very interested because I personally have been impacted in my life in several different instances by leukemia and lymphoma.” said Molly Jimenez, the club’s vice president.

“Looking into the organization they do so much great work to help others, and this was just something right up my alley for joining.” Fundraising director Frank Osorno stumbled across the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through a Reddit post stating that the club was looking for members and executive board members, but his connection goes deeper than that -- at the age of two and a half he was diagnosed with leukemia. “This was a great opportunity to work with the community. It’s something I had never done before, even

though I was diagnosed myself, I really wanted to contribute and help make a change in research, the research that helped me,” Osorno said. For Alexis Ruiz, events financial director, her career goal is pediatric hematology oncology, which is specific to blood cancers. She was looking for a way to get involved on campus to something that was associated with that, and the club was the perfect fit when she saw that the foundation funds many of the treatments that are making progress in the hematology and oncology fields.

“Cancer is one of those things in this world that does not discriminate, anybody and everybody has been touched by it, and I think that’s what makes our club so diverse is that everyone has a connection, specifically to blood cancer,” Ruiz said. “If we can make it so that people in the future have better chances of not hearing those words, that your kids or you have cancer, and it’s not a death sentence and it’s treatable and something that LLS can fund, I’m all for it.” The statistic that 85% of the medications that the clubsupports gets approved by the FDA was the one that caught the attention of club member Amanda D’Ambrosio. D’Ambrosio saw this as the perfect opportunity to get direct practice and experience. “I think you can join the club for all different reasons,” D’Ambrosio said. “A lot of people are like, ‘I’m not a bio major, so i’m not going to join.’ But, there is something in it for everyone.” Every three minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer and every nine minutes someone dies of it. Fullerton’s student chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society welcomes anyone who is passionate about educating others and supporting the LLS community to join the team on the Man and Woman of the Year campaign, as well as attend events that fund the campaign or make a donation on their websites to help them exceed their goal of $50,000.

Lifestyle 7

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 3

Movie REVIEW

TAYLOR ARREY Editor

While much of the world celebrated the beauty of nature for Earth Day on April 22, movie fans strapped in for a launch with Netflix’s newest space exploration suspense film, “Stowaway.” Adventures into space have a long history in Hollywood, but this newest addition starring Anna Kendrick captures a unique side of space exploration with heartfelt moments, realistic themes and beautiful acting that is simply out of this world. Director and writer Joe Penna is no stranger to survival stories. Fans will recognize his name from the rolling credits of the 2018 film “Arctic,” which told a story of a man who was stranded in the Arctic and forced to find a way to live. “Stowaway” unmistakably embraces Penna’s signature portrayal of human survival against catastrophic odds. The film makes no apologies for its quick introduction, opening with a launch sequence that makes it clear that Earth will not be the main setting in this storyline. Viewers learn that Zoe Levenson, played by Anna Kendrick, commander Marina Barnett, played by Toni Collette, and David Kim, played by Daniel Dae Kim, are on their way to Mars for a two-year mission funded by the a company called Hyperion. Zoe is a bright-eyed doctor whose compassion, light-hearted attitude and emotional depth make her a shining star throughout the film. David is a level-headed biologist and a realist, making

Mystery of ‘Stowaway’ takes fans out of this world him an interesting character in life-threatening situations, and Marina is a disappointing, two-dimensional character who often doesn’t contribute to the meaningful atmosphere created by Kendrick and Kim’s characters. True to its title, the ship has a stowaway — Michael Adams, played by Shamier Anderson. Michael is found trapped in the ship’s interior, an introduction that leaves viewers with an endless list of questions. It’s clear from his distress after waking up that Michael did not stowaway on purpose, and his concussion keeps viewers from getting a clear idea of what really happened. The mystery begins, but every mystery needs suspense and this movie knows exactly how to build it. Michael’s entrance damages one of the carbon dioxide scrubbers, leaving enough oxygen for two people. With four people on the ship, David sacrifices his research to create more oxygen with algae, but that only affords them one more supply of oxygen. There are four people on the ship, but someone has to die to keep everyone else alive — a notion that Zoe can’t accept. The suspense of this knowledge is brilliantly laced throughout the cinematography of the film. In a situation that is burdened by the immobile weight of mortality, Penna emphasizes that words are meaningless in that situation and employs a more powerful tool — silence. The film embraces the silence of space as the characters go through their days, allowing the gravity of the circumstances to take center stage. In phone calls to Earth,

viewers hear one-sided conversations from the perspectives of different people on the ship, effectively expressing the crew’s isolation and emotional exhaustion from feeling unheard by the people on Earth. Embedded into the quiet of the film are also moments of dialogue that fill the space with palpable emotions and intense character connections. At times, the dialogue can feel overdone when every little detail is explained by the characters directly, but other moments exhibit a brilliant chemistry between the actors. Anderson and Kendrick share moments that are not only emotionally expressive, but they also perfectly develop the characters with a simple and elegant style of storytelling. If classic Hollywood cinema has made one thing clear, it’s that every space blockbuster involves a dangerous trip into the abyss of a star-filled

sky, and “Stowaway” is no exception to this golden rule of movie magic. The characters’ anxiety is skillfully captured in the musical themes and the suspense of life-threatening situations. Add breathtaking camera work to that suspense, and Penna beautifully depicts the rare duality of space — a fine line between its brutal inhospitality and the allure of its grace. As viewers fall into the storyline, it’s safe to say that all eyes will be glued to the screen for the entire movie. Whether it’s the light-hearted moments of laughter or the gripping emotional dialogues, this script makes it impossible to not be intrigued by every scene. If viewers are looking for a deep dive into emotion, this is the right movie, and the anxiety will keep hearts racing until the last moment. However, viewers should know that this film is satisfied

with leaving questions unanswered — a frustrating story technique that might have people yelling at the rolling credits. To be fair, the mystery of the ending falls completely in line with Penna’s theme about the complexity of survival and the intersection between morality and mortality — there is no easy answer and there will always be questions. Despite its flaws, “Stowaway” positively contributes to an extensive era of space exploration films. The chemistry of the cast combined with the beautiful cinematography makes for a contemplative storyline that properly explores the danger of space, the power of human connection and the importance of doing the right thing. There’s something alluring about launching into space, and there is no doubt that movie fans should join the crew for this heartfelt adventure.

(Netflix)

Exams: Study tips help students cope “Maybe it’s because there’s a lot of added pressure. Because this is, ‘my last semester,’ if I pass all my classes,” Cabalo said. Cabalo is enrolled in six 400-level business classes this semester, and he said that the workload has been tough for him. “Accounting here is really difficult. Plus, I’ve kind of been struggling a little bit, but I did really well on one of my accounting midterms and I’m not exactly sure what’s going to be on the final for my other accounting class,” Cabalo said. “Those give me the most anxiety because it is accounting and it is supposed to be really difficult.” As a full-time student and

VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

part-time worker at Walgreens, Cabalo has found his go-to study method to be the most unconventional one: “What helps me is just like, usually cramming before the exam,” Cabalo said. However, he advises fellow exam-takers to get 75%-100% of their assignments and projects done the week leading up to the final weeks of classes to get those out of the way and essentially only focus on finals. Freddy Ruiz, a kinesiology major, feels good about finals coming up and said that he has his time management skills down. Ruiz gets up at 6 a.m. every day, does his daily chores and workouts, and goes to work. He spends his evenings

studying for about three hours a day on the weekdays. “I’ll study about an hour, take a 30 minute break, then study for another hour. And that’s all I’m doing for the day, and then I’ll go on to the next subject,” Ruiz said. For him it’s important to take breaks and get his mind off school and classes for a little bit. During study breaks, he will typically play his guitar, play some video games, watch TV or stretch. One of Ruiz’s professors uses Proctorio. While Ruiz said he has gotten used to Proctorio, he was thrown off that the test will end if the technology detects any type of sound – a worry that’s hard to control when you’re attending

school from home in a house with family members and pets. “When we first started using it that was my biggest worry like, oh my gosh, I’m not going to finish my test because my little brother is screaming,” Ruiz said. Christopher Flores, a cellular and developmental biology major, said has a favorite song he listens to for 10 hours straight when he’s studying: Bowerlake by Russell Shaw, originating from a video game called Fable. Flores always goes through the course descriptions and looks at the professors’ slides. “I really like using my imagination when I study. So like, get in the zone. Why am

I studying this?” Flores said. As a biologist, Flores said he pictures himself solving a world problem, which helps him better remember what the issue could be applied to in real-life instances. Flores said that his preferred study snack is a little ridiculous, but keeps him awake. “They’re kind of like Splenda. They’re Crystal Light caffeinated packets, because I’m a five year old and don’t like to drink water. I just mix it in with that, and that keeps me up,” Flores said. While students prepare for finals differently and have their own way of studying, there’s one common denominator for all them: in just 14 days, finals week begins.

8 Lifestyle

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 3

Animated shows to binge watch over summer break EDER RAMIREZ Editor

Summer is finally here, and there’s no better way to spend this newfound free time than binging TV shows. Sit back, grab a favorite snack and press play on some of these timeless modern gems.

1. “Regular Show” One of Cartoon Network’s most ambitious series, “Regular Show” is anything but what the title suggests. Created by J.G. Quintel, this 2009 cartoon follows the misadventures of Mordecai and Rigby as they work their days away at the park and find themselves in all kinds of far-out situations, each more random than the last. The show is episodic with an overarching plot with minimal presence, so anyone who wants to get into the series can do so at any point. Through the show’s eight seasons, viewers are treated to zany antics and clever joke setups, combined with a dash of 1980s attitude. The antics of fan favorite characters greatly complement the main duo with their quirky mishaps. The show’s mature humor makes it perfect for viewers of any age. Whether they’re trying to beat an unwinnable game, eating the world’s greatest cheeseburger or having a disastrous house party, the misadventures of Mordecai and Rigby deliver a hearty dosage of laughter and a plethora of quotable moments, all delivered in short and sweet 15-minute episodes. All the seasons of “Regular Show” can be streamed on Hulu.

(Cartoon Network)

2. “Gravity Falls” There’s no other show like Disney’s “Gravity Falls.” Since its debut in 2012, this mystery cartoon has left its mark in animation, owing to it’s tongue-and-cheek comedy and thrilling plot. Taking place in the supernatural town of Gravity Falls, Oregon, twins Dipper and Mabel Pines spend the summer with their Great Uncle Stan and get caught up in a whirlwind of conspiracies. The overall plot centers around the identity of The Author and finding the meaning of anomalies in town. While the show can make viewers gasp in thrill, it has the same ability to make viewers lose their mind in hilarity. The clever writing alongside an intoxicating story culminates into a viewing experience like no other. This coming-of-age story also deals with themes such as family conflict and what it means to be a grown-up. There are messages to be interpreted with a dash of comedy and suspense. Both seasons of “Gravity Falls” can be streamed on Disney+ and Hulu.

(Disney)

3. “Voltron: Legendary Defender” For those looking for a great superhero show, look no further than this Netflix original created by Dreamworks. It’s no secret that franchises revived by the streaming platform have their flaws, but this reboot reached for the stars and successfully passed the status quo. Set in the distant future, the show follows five young teenagers from Earth and their accidental discovery of the mythical Blue Lion, sending them into space and encountering the last two survivors of an ancient alien race. Informed of an ongoing conquest for cosmic domination by an evil race known as the Galra, they become the Paladins, each with a lion at their disposal to form the mighty Voltron and tasked with defending the galaxy at all costs from the Galra threat. Featuring an overarching plot spanning across the show’s eight seasons, this animated show is a fantastic reimagining of a bygone series. The show does an amazing job setting the scene of the distant future with a colorful cast of characters and exhilarating fight sequences. While the show has its filler episodes, it’s hard for the flatness of those few episodes to mar this Netflix gem. Serving as a love letter to veteran Voltron fans, this show will glue viewers to your screen. “Voltron: Legendary Defender” is streaming now on Netflix.

(Netflix)

4. “Avatar: The Last Airbender” Nickelodeon’s classic has seen a resurgence in recent years with its re-release on Netflix, for a good reason. The exploits of “The Last Airbender” and his comrades live in cartoon history as one of the greatest stories told through animation, capturing the hearts of fans around the world with its realistic characters and powerful worldbuilding. Despite its 2005 debut, the show remains as breathtaking as ever. The show takes place in a world defined by element bending, and everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. A hundred years have passed in this war-ravaged world, and siblings Katara and Sokka find the last descendant of the Airbenders encased in ice. Freeing him, they discover that he is the Avatar: the one prophesied to be the master of all bending and restore peace to the world. His name is Aang, and the show follows his quest to fulfill that destiny. Every episode is another chapter of Aang’s growth, presenting a series of stories as part of a grand tale. The show never falters in delivering a plethora of memorable scenes, be it sentimental, heart-wrenching, exhilarating or hilarious. Prince Zuko, the antagonist, is known to be one of the best villains in animation history, and viewers will find his story just as enthralling as Aang’s. With beautifully animated fight scenes, a beautifully written story, and a beautifully drawn artstyle, “Avatar: The Last Airbender” is a must-watch story for every animation junkie. All three seasons of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” are available to stream on Netflix.

(Nickelodeon) Whether fans are looking for a new series to start, or they want to revisit an old favorite, these lighthearted and easy to watch shows will keep viewers entertained for hours. VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

Opinion 9

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 3

TITAN TOONS

CINDY PROAÑO / DAILY TITAN

Tattoos don’t devalue job qualifications Body art restrictions in the workplace deprive employees of self expression. MARIA MARQUEZ Staff Writer

For decades, many workplaces have prohibited employees from having dyed hair, piercings or visible tattoos. While these physical appearances are often seen by employers as taboo or unprofessional, they are nothing more than just creative outlets. The longer this unwarranted stigma and old-fashioned manner remains intact in the workforce, the longer employees are stripped of their right to self-expression. According to the Houston Chronicle, an employer can legally request that employees remove facial jewelry and cover up their tattoos while working, as a dress code requirement. Although dress codes are appropriate and ensure workplace safety, creating an environment where an employee has to cover up with extra layers of clothing because they have a tattoo, facial piercing or dyed hair only promotes hostility and stereotypes. A poll conducted by the Society for Case Research reported that 21% of U.S. adults surveyed had tattoos, with 38% were between the ages 30-39 and 22% between 18-24. Despite over one-fifth of adults having ink on their bodies, tattoos are still seen VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

CINDY PROAÑO / DAILY TITAN in a negative light. According to the Huffington Post, visible tattoos have a predominantly negative effect on employment selection, but is mostly due to the hiring manager’s perception of customer expectations. Clearly, there is a large population of people with permanent tattoos, and this group is very likely to increase as tattoos become more popular over time. With tattoos being more

normalized in society, the idea that someone’s qualifications and experience can and should be overshadowed by a small tattoo on their wrist is absurd and small-minded. Fortunately, not all corporations have clung to dated restrictions. According to CBS News, Disney is now allowing its theme park employees to show their tattoos, as long as they are below the neck and deemed

appropriate. While these small restrictions remain, the permission for cast members to show their tattoos is still a giant step forward from the strict dress code Disney previously upheld and is an example for other businesses to follow suit. If Disney, one of the largest global corporations, can update their restrictions regarding body art and piercings, other businesses can make some

changes as well. The misinterpretation that having tattoos, facial piercings and colored hair makes a person less hardworking than those who don’t is obsolete. Off the clock, when someone’s colorful hair is down and their tattoos are freely shown, they are still the same person reaching sales quotas or even saving lives. The exposure of one’s outer identity does not make them any less trustworthy or professional. According to the History of Tattoos, in 2012 roughly around 45 million people in the U.S. alone had one or more tattoos, 30% of all college graduates in the U.S. have tattoos and 69% of people don’t see people with tattoos any more or less deviant than people without tattoos. Based on this data, the younger generation has at least one tattoo and over half of the public sees no problem with them or sees people with tattoos as unapproachable. It is no longer acceptable for corporations to dictate what we do with our bodies. As society progresses toward a more accepting and inclusive atmosphere, employers have no choice but to revise their dress codes. If employers refuse to accept the changes in American culture , they will soon be out of any new hires. As more and more people find self-expression in tattoos, it is crucial for corporations to let go of outdated perceptions and focus more on personality and work ethic than physical appearance.

10 Opinion

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 3

Olympics protest ruling remains upheld

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE Propaganda does Sports do not not belong at this override fre edom ye ar’s games of spe ech The International Olympic Committee should prioritize athleticism over politics. ALLISON SWEIGARD Staff Writer

The International Olympic Committee announced that it is banning all displays of protest at the Tokyo Olympics this summer. Forms of protesting, such as taking a knee will be prohibited inside of Olympic stadiums, on podiums and during ceremonies. Rule 50 of the committee’s Olympic Charter states, “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.” Therefore, athletes engaging in any form of protest will be penalized. Over 10,000 athletes from all over the world will be competing at the games. Many of these athletes dream of making it to the Olympics and dedicate their entire lives to chasing this dream in hopes of one day making it onto the Olympic podium. It is expected that 206 countries will be competing in the summer games. Each country has different political, religious and racial issues, which makes it difficult for each country to understand the purpose of another’s protest. Acts of protest bring distractions to the games, disrupts its purpose and overshadows

the athletes’ hard work. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Olympic Games were postponed for a year, making athletes wait until summer 2021 to compete. The games have been long-awaited and other issues should not be overshine the talent and backbreaking work they have put in. For example, if a bronze medalist protests on the podium, it takes away from the other two winners who are on the podium. It can distract athletes and fans from the memorable moment that they all deserve for excelling in their sport. Not only is a win important to an athlete, but it is important to their country as well and deserves sincere recognition free of interference. In an athlete expression report from the committee, 67% of athletes said they do not think the podium is an appropriate place to demonstrate or express their views. While, 70% of the athletes said the opening ceremony and field of play are not appropriate places. The Olympics is a place for athletes to gain recognition and display their talents. This international stage is the opportunity for competitors to compete for the number one spot in the world. Athletes have earned the undivided attention of viewers, fans and family to focus solely on their achievements in their respective event, without additional political factors and displays.

The ban undermines the seriousness of the nation’s current social climate. ROBERTO ROMERO Staff Writer

By choosing to uphold the ban on protesting at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics this season, the International Olympics Committee chooses to ignore history. Athletes protesting at the Olympics is nothing new. Olympians have been bringing attention to their causes through demonstration since the games began in 1894. Many of these demonstrations have historically occurred when a group of marginalized people have tried to bring attention to the structures of oppression or political corruption within their nation by telling the world they have had enough. In 1906, Peter O’Connor displayed what is considered the first protest at an Olympic event. O’Connor, an Irishman who competed in track and field, was angered to find out he would represent Great Britain in the games instead of Ireland. At the time, there was a rule that only athletes nominated by an Olympic committee could compete — Ireland did not have one because Britain ruled them during this era. In protest, O’Connor climbed a 20-foot flagpole and hoisted an Irish flag he snuck in that said “Erin Go Bragh,” which means Ireland forever. Luckily his defiance did not cause his expulsion and his protest brought attention to the unfair bias towards his country. He later became a symbol of pride for Ireland. John Carlos and Tommie Smith also demonstrated what could be considered the most famous protest at an

Olympic event in American history. Carlos and Smith were runners at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics who earned bronze and gold medals, respectively. Both Olympians raised their fist in a black power salute at the podium when the American national anthem began playing. This was at a time of high political tension and racism in the United States, as Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated months prior and protests against the Vietnam War spread across the country. Protesting at a sporting event is not exclusive to the Olympics. In the U.S., athletes in several professional sports have used their platform for protest and advocacy. In 2016, Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the national anthem to protest the oppression, social injustice and racial inequities experienced by people of color in the U.S. A move that, despite costing Kaepernick the rest of his football career, brought social justice issues to the forefront of American politics and media. Banning protest from the Olympics would be choosing to ignore the signs of oppression, social inequities and political corruption potentially occurring in an athletes home country. Over 200 countries and territories compete and watch the Olympics. It’s a moment shared between humans from all over the globe as they watch their champion represent their respective countries — an ideal platform for bringing important issues into the international spotlight. With its high status and global influence, the Olympics is one of the best places to protest and express to the world the injustice and social inequities occurring in their country.

CINDY PROAÑO / DAILY TITAN VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

Leisure 11

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 3

WRITTEN by Stepheny Gehrig

Positive changes are on the horizon for you this week. Be patient as those changes will come to you when you need them most.

You might feel like reaching out to those from your past. This week, you will be faced with a lot of longing and nostalgic feelings. Take a chance and reach out to those you’re missing, hearing from them might be nice.

Your dreams this week might guide you to some unexpected answers that you have been awaiting. Learning to let your dreams guide you will prove to be essential this week and will lead you to healing.

You might want to take on bigger tasks and have more on your plate than you anticipated. Remember that as much as you want to take on, you still need time to unwind -- don’t overwork yourself.

You might feel blocked in regards to your artistic side. This week, your creativity will be hindered as you have a lot of things on your mind. Talking things out will help you feel less blocked and get you back on track.

You’ll find that your friendships might become stronger and you might even see some relationships go. Embrace the friendships that strengthen and let go of the ones that don’t.

This week, you’ll finally find yourself with the courage to have some tough conversations that you’ve been avoiding. These conversations, although are uncomfortable, will show benefits right away.

Keep your heart guarded this week. Shocking news could come your way and dismantle your plans. Make sure to keep things in perspective as events this week could easily agitate you.

Your creativity will spike this week. Whether it is making sculptures, creative writing or other hobbies, use this time to create a masterpiece.

This week is very favorable for you to invest in things. Whether it’s stock, a big purchase or just investing in yourself, come up with new ways to save and invest your money.

Virgo, this week you’ll feel like you can sense things. Trust your gut and follow your instincts when it comes to knowing what things feel right and which ones don’t.

Be goal-oriented this week! Learning to set goals throughout the week to help yourself accomplish tasks will be really helpful this week. .

Do you know where Tuffy is? Follow @thedailytitan and submit your answer on Instagram for a chance to win.

Secret Starbucks Refreshers Recipes Now that it’s getting warm, it’s time to try out thse secret Starbucks refresher recipes that people have found online. Unsweetend Passion Tango Tea 1/2 coconut milk 1/2 passion tea Stevia Fizzy Pink Drink 1/2 water and ice Mix Pomogrante Fizz Coconut Milk Keto White Drink Unsweetened Peach White Tea 4 Pumps of Vanilla Splash of Heavy Cream

“Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strengths.” -Corrie Ten Boom

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12 Opinion

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 3

Normalize open conversations about STDs Stigmatizing venereal diseases limits honest discussion and increases transmissions. ALEXANDRA RODRIGUEZ Staff Writer

In the age of online dating and meeting new people on the internet, it is easy to feel the need to put your best foot forward and hide potential flaws. Dating new people and engaging with various sexual partners can be a great means of connection, but it is crucial for this experience to include an open discussion about serious topics like sexually transmitted diseases. In order for STD transmission to decrease and couples to have safer sex, the stigma around STDs needs to be addressed and depleted from our culture. STDs consist of various infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV and AIDS. These common infections are spread from person to person through sexual intercourse. While most can be treated, some are incurable. According to Los Angeles Care, there were more than 275,000 sexually transmitted disease cases in 2016 in Los Angeles county. California has set the record for diagnoses of STDs for three years in a row. With cases rising every year, it is imperative to normalize conversations about STDs between sexual partners. While it can be hard for some to speak about these things comfortably, this openness can help prevent the spread of diseases and encourage honest discussions about sex. In 2016, 504.4 per population of 100,000 had chlamydia, 164.3 per population of 100,000 had gonorrhea and 28.5 per population of 100,000 had early syphilis in Los Angeles county, according to Los Angeles Care. While open conversations can’t eliminate the problem all together, it can slow the spread of STDs and offer vital information for partners to learn to keep themselves safe. It’s easy for people to neglect this conversation, but this carelessness has the power to cause severe detriment to a person’s wellness and can ruin trust between partners. In 2017, Planned Parenthood published an article highlighting the stigma of STDs and the cultural misconception of sex as dirty and immoral. The article stated, “When we separate people into the “guilty” and the “innocent,” we stigmatize sick people and add to their suffering. When we blame them for their own poor health, we lose sight of the compassion we should have for one another. And when we don’t help the ‘other’ be healthy, we all lose, since a healthy VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

society is made up of healthy individuals.” Due to various religions and dated ideologies, people are often taught to be ashamed of having sex and even more ashamed if they contract an STD from a partner. However, the only time anyone should feel shame about their sex lives is when they willingly ignore the sexual health of themselves and their partners. Fortunately, many states have produced laws against those who hide their STD status or knowingly spread a venereal disease. In California, transmitting STDs intentionally to a person is a misdemeanor, and the penalties can include up to $1,000 in fines or up to six months in jail. Attempted transmission is a misdemeanor with lower charges such as $1,000 in fines or up to 90 days in jail. Aside from California, 37 states have also created laws that penalize people who don’t discuss their STD status with their partners. In 21 of these states, people are required to disclose their status with their partners. The prison sentence depends on the state, but it can range from less than 10 years to life for not telling their partner that they have an STD. While state representatives have taken part to reduce the transmission of STDs and encourage discussions about sexual history and STD status, individuals are just as responsible to do what they can to prevent the spread of disease in their own personal lives. As some STDs are asymptomatic, it is crucial for people to get regular STD checkups and notify their partners if a test comes back positive. While some STDs are incurable, there are treatments to prevent its complications or spread. Catching the diagnosis early with regular testing can help stop the spread and protect one’s sexual partners. Along with consistent testing, practicing safe sex is optimal for ensuring one’s own health and the health of their partners. While shame and blame surrounding STDs can make it difficult for partners to have conversations with one another about their sexual history, it is immoral to hide or avoid one’s diagnosis and continue to have sex. Honest dialogues about STDs allow partners to enjoy sex with one another while maintaining health, trust and respect. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @THEDAILYTITAN

Week of Monday, May 3, 2021

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