Week of February 16, 2021

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Volume 109 Issue 4

Irvine campus closure shakes CSUF The center, which will close in June, hosted about 180 classes per semester.

CRISTINA ZAPATA Staff Writer

At the end of June 2021, the closure of Cal State Fullerton’s Irvine Center will mark the beginning of a transition period for the university’s affected south county residents.

On Jan. 25, the university’s Office of the President announced the closure of the Irvine Center, citing maintenance costs and other economic challenges

as its main reasons. Looking back on almost 10 years of service, south county residents and students reminisce on the impact of the two-story building on Banting 3 and the effects of its departure.

Cal State Fullerton established its decades-long presence in south Orange County in 1989, in trailers at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, said Dr. Stephan Walk, Cal State Fullerton’s Vice President of South County Initiatives.

Walk said the Irvine Center hosted about 175 to 180 classes, and approximately 3,500 to 4,000 students visited the center each semester.

Along with students and faculty affected by the

transition, some university Irvine-based initiatives include the Irvine-based Startup Incubator, the Small Business Development Center , the student-run PRactical ADvantage team, and the Titans After School Education and Safety program.

Regarding the fate of these programs, Walk said that there has been meetings and planning about the future of these projects.

“There are decisions that need to be made about how and in what form those different initiatives will continue, but they will continue,” Walk said.

SEE DISTANCE

2

University plans for a blend of online and in-person classes ANTHONY ROBLEDO Editor

Cal State Fullerton announced on Thursday that the university is planning for “a blend of in-person and online classes” for the 2021 fall semester.

However, questions linger about the upcoming semester, leaving college students unsure of what to expect.

The university remains committed to the health and safety of students, staff and faculty, according to an email from CSUF Provost Carolyn Thomas and Tonantzin Oseguera, the vice president for student affairs.

“The campus will make appropriate

adjustments to the class schedule to best maintain your health and safety, which may include limiting our in-person classroom capacity and moving a greater percentage of our courses to virtual,” the email read. “We will know more in the months ahead, and we will let you know as soon as we know, should plans for instruction change.”

Ellen Treanor, the media representative for CSUF, said in an email to the Daily Titan that the university will seek guidance from the CDC, the California Department of Public Health, the Orange County Department of Public Health and the Cal State University chancellor’s office.

SEE RETURN

2

Angela Davis’ historic speech speaks to inequalities today The 1972 lecture inspired new conversations about social justice.

TRISHA VASQUEZ Staff Writer

In 1972, Angela Davis stood in front of an audience of Cal State Fullerton students as she rocked the gym with her captivating presence and thoughts on equality, capitalism and political corruption.

Darius Faulk, a columnist for Tusk Magazine’s Black Voices, reviewed an archived footage of Davis’ 1972 lecture in a speculative fiction piece called “Angela Davis Tried to Warn Us.” The article speaks to the eerie parallels between Davis’ speech and the racial tensions that exist in our nation today. In celebration of Black

History Month, Associated Students Inc.’s Social Justice and Equity Commission partnered with Faulk, along with Janica Torres, a Tusk social justice editor. The team conducted a viewing of the Davis lecture, followed by an open panel discussion with Mei-Ling Malone, an African American studies professor, on Friday via Zoom.

Over 130 participants attended and were shown the black and white footage of Davis speaking.

In the 50-minute video, Davis spoke about the slow rise of fascism in America, the problem with capitalism and the racial inequality as well as the widening wealth disparity faced by Black and brown communities. She also said that Asian and Native American communities experience poor treatment as well.

SEE UNITY

4

CSUF Irvine Center will close this summer. (Cristina Zapata / Daily Titan)

Women’s basketball breaks losing streak The Titans picked up their first conference win at home against Cal Poly SLO last Saturday.

ADAM MALDONADO Editor

Cal State Fullerton women’s basketball was clicking on all cylinders Saturday night as the Titans earned its first Big West conference victory of the season against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, snapping a seven-game losing streak while splitting the weekend series with the Mustangs.

Friday night, however, the Titans suffered a hard-fought loss in the first game of the series against the Mustangs, losing the matchup in overtime, 70-65, after overcoming a 16-point deficit and bouncing back on Saturday to defeat Cal Poly, 65-49.

“They are a physical, physical team, and I thought last night they kind of pushed us around a little bit, but we responded tonight and we weren’t gonna let that happen tonight,” said head coach Jeff Harada. “You could tell that we wanted it.”

Cal Poly started Friday’s game with a 13-0 run before Fullerton could score its first basket midway through the first quarter. The Mustangs kept their foot on the pedal throughout the first half, extending the lead by as much as 16 points.

Fullerton was able to finish the half converting on a pair of three-point plays. Forward Kathryn Neff gave the Titans momentum heading into the locker room after hitting a turnaround three-pointer as the half expired.

SEE SHOTS

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Softball returns

CSUF went 2-2 in the Easton Invitational.

MIRANDA LOMBRANA Staff Writer

Cal State Fullerton softball hosted the twoday Easton Invitational tournament Feb. 12-13 and finished with a 2-2 record.

While the Titans were victorious against the Utah State Aggies on Friday and Saturday of the tournament, they fell short against the Oregon State Beavers.

SEE SPLIT

8

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KIM PHAM

Lunar New Year brings floral-filled fun KIM PHAM Asst. Editor

While some people look forward to Valentine’s Day, others are lighting fireworks and gifting red envelopes to ring in the Lunar New Year

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on Feb. 12.

Lunar New Year is celebrated by east Asian countries such as China, Vietnam and South Korea, but the tradition of following the Lunar calendar is relevant in other areas of the world as well, including the United States.

Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in Orange County, home to one of the largest Vietnamese populations outside of Vietnam. As a result, there was no shortage of Lunar New Year celebrations this past weekend.

Last year’s Lunar New Year

featured multiple festivals, parades and firework shows spanning multiple weekends. With such an incredible display of festivities last year, the hope for a wonderful Lunar New Year in 2021 was held in the hearts of many.

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2 News

WEEK OF TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Return: Reopening outline still unclear 1 Treanor said that when deciding how to implement social distancing during an in-person semester, CSUF will try to calculate “space utilization in hundreds of thousands of square feet of buildings and outdoor areas on campus.”

The university has yet to determine how it will accommodate students who do not wish to return to campus and whether there will be class sessions that are offered both online and in person, Treanor said. However, she said that classes will be labeled as either an in-person or online class when students register for courses.

Treanor added that it has not yet been decided whether professors will have a choice on how they choose to teach, CONTINUED FROM

as conversations are ongoing between the faculty senate, the faculty union and members of the administration.

Natalie Habib, a fourth-year business major, said the 2021 fall semester will be her last one at CSUF. Despite finding online learning to be easier, she said that she has really enjoyed being on campus.

Habib said she was involved in four clubs on campus, even holding leadership positions in two of them, which allowed her to feel connected to everybody. The transition to virtual learning has made it difficult for her to maintain strong connections at some clubs.

“But at the same time, we need to be safe. I don’t want to rush everyone back in because just how I’ve seen how everyone acts, no one really

wears their masks,” Habib said. “No one does social distancing and I don’t want to make it worse.”

Josue Becerra, a first-year kinesiology major, said online school “does the job” as professors have adapted to virtual instruction. Although he said he appreciates how accessible resources are online, a downside is the lack of connectivity with the CSUF community.

As someone who has never experienced an in-person semester at CSUF, Becerra said he would, without a doubt, attend class in person in the fall.

“I feel like the majority of students would want to go back on campus, but then I think there would be those portions of students that definitely prefer just the

convenience of being in their house,” Becerra said. “I think it was gonna be split. I’m not sure how much of a split it’s gonna be.”

Lucero Sanchez, a second-year criminal justice major, said she struggles to involve herself at CSUF during online instruction, which comes with drawbacks as she plans to apply to graduate school.

“I need to join clubs and virtually I could not do that, like I could, but it’s just not the same,” Sanchez said. “I haven’t gotten the full college experience; I just only got one semester.”

Sanchez said her decision on returning to campus in the fall would depend entirely on the safety protocols in place.

As someone who’s been in a classroom with 200 students,

she said CSUF should decrease class capacity and promote social distancing.

When Sanchezreflects on her time at CSUF upon graduation, she said she’ll look back at it as both a good and bad period of her life, as she was not quite able to get the complete four-year college experience.

“It’s definitely been difficult to get out and you know, to stay motivated, but hopefully we all get to go back soon,” Habib said. “But I definitely think it’s been hard to give up some things for the safety of everybody, but in the end, it’s worth it. You know, you saved lives.”

Registration for the 2021 fall semester opens on April 12. Students can check when their registration period opens in their student portal.

Distance: School risks disenrollment 1 The Office of the President’s announcement on Jan. 25 stated that Irvine faculty jobs will be “relocated to the Fullerton campus,” and South County students will still find their required classes online and at the main campus.

Walk said that most students who took courses at Irvine were also taking courses at Fullerton, going back and forth between the two campuses.

An exception is CSUF alumnus Cesar Rodriguez, one of Irvine Center’s very first patrons, who worked at Irvine’s fitness center and took classes there while he pursued his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He recalls relying on the Irvine Center to fulfill all of his academic requirements for the entirety of his undergraduate career.

“I took all of my courses in undergraduate at Cal State Fullerton Irvine Campus,” Rodriguez said. “I never once had to commute to the main campus for two years. At the time I lived at Mission Viejo, I saved gas, traffic, parking wasn’t an issue.”

Aside from having a campus closer to home, visitors of the Irvine Center compare the Irvine Center’s parking situation to Fullerton’s. While the class sizes were “comparable” to those at the main campus, Walk said, Rodriguez CONTINUED FROM

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thinks the parking situation was not.

Rodriguez said that when he took classes at the Fullerton campus for graduate school, he had to park far away and used his longboard to get to class, but at the Irvine Center, his experience differed.

“What I’ll really miss is that experience of parking and getting to your class within two minutes. I didn’t have to worry about parking. It really helped reduce anxiety levels,” Rodriguez said.

At the heart of the Irvine center was a Student Success Team with a “holistic” approach, said Andreana Pettersen, senior career adviser at the Irvine Center.

Pettersen, along with academic advisors, financial aid advisors, a disability support service, a psychological counselor and a tutoring squad worked together to serve students of all academic and career pursuits.

“We had this interdisciplinary team of professionals, that were all on one team, who worked right next to each other, door to door to door, and anytime we met, we met as that collaborative team,” Pettersen said. “When it came to serving students, we were better able to look at you as a whole person.”

Michelle Lucio, Irvine Center’s academic advisor for

the College of Business, is the last remaining faculty who started at the Mission Viejo location at Saddleback College. Since her start in 1999, her role at Cal State Fullerton has always been to serve south county students.

Lucio said the Irvine Center had a small, liberal arts atmosphere with the resources of a large university. This transition can impact the university’s prospective student population, Lucio said.

“It does concern me on many levels that we may actually lose students from South County who may make the decision not to come to Cal State Fullerton,” Lucio said.

The university has yet to make decisions regarding the future of a new South County location. While that prospect is unknown, meetings are taking place to organize the moving process of the center’s furniture and classroom teaching technologies, which include over 240 computers.Although some university matters are subject to change in June, Walk emphasized the importance of keeping their dedication to students in the South Orange County area.

“It is the campus’ commitment to be a part of Orange County, all of Orange County, and that’s still part of the plan,” Walk said.

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News 3

WEEK OF TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Social support is criticial to Latinx mental health KARINA GUTIERREZ Editor

As the discussion surrounding mental health dominates the public realm, Latinx are looking into what it means for them.

Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, an assistant professor in the department of human communications, conducted a study on the Cal State Fullerton community where she found that social support from family and friends plays a critical role in the mental health of Latinx students.

“When you feel socially isolated, it can easily be a slippery slope into depression and clinical depression,” Suwinyattichaiporn said.

Stress can be mitigated by social support from family and

friends, according to the study.

Suwinyattichaiporn said she hopes that those struggling can reach out for help and establish a support system.

The data suggests that factors other than mental health professionals can help students within the community to thrive and succeed within higher education. Suwinyattichaiporn said that CSUF could offer classes or training for Latinx parents and students to learn how to better communicate.

“I hope that it’s being emphasized how important connection and family is,” Suwinyattichaiporn said. “I hope that they at least reach out to a few of their friends and family and check in.”

Ariana Mora Mero, coordinator for the Latinx Resource

SWANA resolution receives positive feedback Cal State student leaders continue to push for an additional identity option on Cal State Apply.

Center, said that the center has held events that aim to educate on the topic, pre-pandemic and during. Often the center will collaborate with the Counseling and Psychological Services to provide students a tool kit on how to have conversations with family members, she added.

She emphasized that Latinx students should encourage their family members to attend workshops so they could get a better understanding of how to help.

“Just having those conversations with our elders and discussing that there’s other challenges that we’re experiencing or with going to college there’s challenges that maybe they’re not aware of that we’re struggling with,” Mora Mero said.

Mora Mero said that she has been open about her own struggles with mental health.

She said that for her mother, it was difficult for her to understand why Mora Mero needed to go to therapy and take medication.

She recalled her arrival to California and the feelings of loneliness that she carried, attempting to reach out to her mother for support, which a lot of the feedback was to be happy and not sad. Mora Mero then

reached out to people who had gone to therapy and friends that were open to having that discussion with her, it was there that she found comfort.

“She’s really afraid of the “el que diran,” that’s the best way to describe, just the fear of what would other people say,” Mora Mero said.

Similarly, Emily Godinez, a junior majoring in child development, said that growing up she was unable to freely express herself due to familial disregard. When she mustered up the courage to speak for herself, it was often accompanied by name calling or labeling.

Godinez said the harmful comments caused her to internalize emotions, thus making her non- expressive towards certain family members.

“I had to learn for myself, in school and through my friends and peers, on ways that I can handle my emotions and ways to express them instead of being taught at home like from a young age to have healthy expressive coping mechanisms,” Godinez said.

Bottling up emotions became a frequent occurrence for Godinez, even around her friends, but she said that there comes a point where her group bonds

over family issues, allowing her to open up.

After speaking to her friends, she said it feels as though a heavy weight has been lifted, which allows her to have a good day. She added that it did not feel like a burden to her friends, but if the conversation had taken place with her mother then it would not have gone so smoothly.

“If I would have said stuff like that to my mom she would have took it really personal and with my friends they were just really accepting,” Godinez said.

“Hearing other people’s experiences and just being able to connect with them on a more deeper level like that it’s like a bond and you just don’t feel as neglected.”

Combating the stigma around mental health in the Latinx community will be hard, Godinez said. She said that a lot of people refuse to think about the subject in a different way causing many to not accept the reality of others.

“It’s really hard to get them to understand but you have to keep telling them and be persistent about it because if not there’s not going to be any way to change their fixed mindsets,” Godinez said.

MICHELLE IBAÑEZ Editor

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EDITORIAL

“Modern Day Trauma in the Latinx Community” workshop on Feb. 8, 2020, at CSUF. (Elizabeth Tovar/ Daily Titan)

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Bay, who said he supports the resolution, asked why the resolution was still necessary, since Loeb had informed the student association about the response from the chancellor’s office.

Loeb reminded the committee that while supposed support from the chancellor’s office had been disclosed, there were still things to consider.

“While the chancellor’s office did give us like an oral support, they haven’t given us support in writing,” Loeb said.

“With the pandemic going on, there are things that are of utmost priority with getting the students the resources that they need during this time, so we don’t really want to be put on the back burner.”

Social Justice and Equity Officer Pamela Sanchez-Martinez from Cal State East Bay said she also supported Loeb’s efforts to continue to keep the resolution.

“I do think that since they haven’t given us or the students an actual, real proof that they’re going to commit to this, I think we should still leave in the line that we want it to be part of Cal State Apply, just to have that level of accountability,” Sanchez-Martinez said.

CSSA President Zahraa Khuraibet said that she would follow up with the chancellor’s office to get a written confirmation of support.

The resolution has been updated to acknowledge that the chancellor has verbally supported the proposal, but it currently asks for CSSA to continue to support and advocate for the use of the SWANA category in Cal State Apply, so it can obtain accurate demographics.

“I still continuously feel like we’re often left out in a lot of situations and places, so I really appreciate working with the authors,” Khuraibet said. “And updating so the resolution really reflects a support of the entire SWANA community beyond the scope of just including us in demographic decisions.”

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Efforts to allow students to identify as Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA), instead of identifying as white on the Cal State application continue.

A Cal State Fullerton student presented the possible passing of the resolution to the Cal State Student Association (CSSA) on Saturday.

“Since our last plenary, they have been able to get in contact with the chancellor’s office to discuss this,” said Lauren Loeb, Associated Students’ chief governmental officer at Cal State Fullerton, on behalf of the students representing the SWANA resolution.

Loeb said SWANA received positive feedback from the chancellor’s office and that they were interested. There would be a potential agreement on including the SWANA identity on Cal State Apply, she added.

SWANA students have had to identify themselves as white through Cal State Apply. As students struggle with feelings of invisibility, activists have confronted the administration and urged them to recognize their ethnicity.

“Some of the things we have adjusted to the resolution would be no longer asking that the Cal State Apply application be changed because the chancellor’s office already said that that would happen,” Loeb said.

Loeb asked for support from CSSA representatives instead, as they continue their efforts to make the resolution a reality.

“Now, as this resolution has kind of evolved, we are dedicated to still passing this resolution as a show of the hard work and dedication and advocacy of our students, and also a tool for future CSSA students to use,” Loeb said.

Aside from CSUF, Cal State East Bay is currently the only CSU to have passed a resolution in support of the SWANA community.

CSSA member Ethan Quaranta from Cal State Monterey

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4 Lifestyle

WEEK OF TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Unity: Students discuss social justice 1 “Black and brown, and Asian and Native American people have always been the first victims of oppression and repression in this country. But I think that white people in this country — particularly white working people — should begin to understand that they too are exploited and they too can be victims of oppression,” Davis said.

Faulk and Malone discussed about the parallels from the past and present and actions that can be taken for Davis’ words to remain timeless.

“One of my issues is that I hear people talking about the social change and how they want to fix what’s going on in America but things that they suggest is just like putting a band-aid on the bullet wound because the whole concept behind the founding of America was exploitation of humans for a resource,” said Artist Knox, a participant.

Knox also said that part of solving white supremacy is attempting to understand it.

“If we don’t understand what white supremacy really is at the core, we’re just going to be running around in circles and no matter who’s in office whether they’re Black or Latino, they’re still going to be promoting the same system that created this whole structure in the first place,” Knox said.

The discussion focused on radically restructuring the country’s oppressive power structures and how Davis’ words directly resonate with current problems, such as the prison-industrial CONTINUED FROM

Angela Davis’ original lecture on racial inequality was held in Titan Gym in 1972. (Isaias Ruelas / Daily Titan)

complex and capitalism.

“I like that people are highlighting capitalism first and foremost. Capitalism is a full-on cancer that is destructive and that is at the core of our violent and inhumane society,” Malone said.

In closing, panelists and participants talked about what Titans can do to reduce the truth of Davis’ words in the future. Malone said that mass community organizing and raising critical consciousness is a start.

“I think when we start with our communities, have those tough conversations, with people not

here for these courses, to openly discuss and work towards ‘fixing’ the implicit biases that challenge the UNITY that Angela Davis calls for,” said April Vu, a participant, in the Zoom chat.

The meeting ended with a call and response chant by social activist Assata Shakur led by Faulk.w “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains,” Shakur said.

Joy: Red envelopes foster holiday spirit CONTINUED FROM 1 However, the prospect of live parades and fantastic firework shows were sadly extinguished by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the rollout of vaccines starting in December, these communities were hopeful for a COVID-free new year celebration to usher in the Year of the Ox. Although the world hasn’t returned to normal yet, that doesn’t mean that a year of blessings isn’t on its way.

The cities of Westminster and Garden Grove make up Orange County’s Little Saigon and have become a place of gathering and connection for many Vietnamese traditions and holidays.

Due to its strong sense of cultural identity and

community, the area has become known as the Little Saigon of Southern California. Every year around this time, Little Saigon attracts people from all backgrounds to experience an array of festivities and flora.

Without parades to watch or festivals to attend, the few traditions that have taken place under the restrictions of COVID-19 is a nostalgic reminder of the community we have around us, even if we can’t physically celebrate together.

The Asian Garden Mall in Westminster, for example, arranged a scaled-down version of their annual flower festival. Locals got out of the house for flora and other Lunar New Year items to decorate their homes.

Though the event attendance was expected to be down 80% due to COVID-19 restrictions, guests flooded the mall in masks to purchase orchids, hoa mai trees and bromeliads for their homes.

Even though shopping for decorations is a far cry from attending traditional parades, the presence of a familiar event in the face of last year’s tumultuous changes symbolize hope for a less isolated and COVID-free future.

This Lunar New Year weekend was quiet, but not silent. Even without events to gather at or activities to explore, Lunar New Year has always shown itself in the roots of the communities that celebrate it and, most importantly, in the material items.

For Vietnamese communities,

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this means wearing traditional áo dài garments, typically in bright and lucky colors like red. In the house, Lunar New Year looks like the plate of fruit sitting on the dining table or a pot of orchids sitting in the corner as decor.

Between family members, Lunar New Year looks like a mother giving each of her two children a red envelope of cash. It is also about the children appreciating that their mother always retrieves crisp bills from the bank because a fresh five dollar bill is more valuable than a crumpled one.

If there is one thing the pandemic has taught us, it’s that the holiday spirit doesn’t have to be attached to events, but rather the people we spend it with and the environment that we celebrate in.

2020’s Year of the Rat felt like a whirlwind of chaos, considering the pandemic, civil unrest and natural disasters. The Year of the Ox is professed to bring about stability and resilience — something that people are hoping for in the year of 2021.

Until then, Orange County’s communities are starting to get creative with the things they can do on an online platform. Cal State Fullerton

clubs, such as the Vietnamese Student Association, are operating virtually.

CSUF’s Asian Pacific American Resource Center partnered with the Chinese Studies Society to host a virtual Lunar New Year celebration, revolving around a discussion of how different countries celebrate the holiday.

The Union of Vietnamese Student Associations, hosted the largest Vietnamese New Year Festival in the nation, and they are one of many organizers who have opted for an isolated celebration out of concern for public safety.

Despite the setback, the Union of Vietnamese Student Associations continues to hold virtual events, such as a virtual talent show, to keep their community members engaged.

This Lunar New Year holds special significance to the many communities that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This past weekend revealed that they will remain resilient and joyful, despite the present situation, because they have hope that they will be able to gather again to celebrate 2022’s Lunar New Year in person.

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Lifestyle 5

WEEK OF TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Ten songs to mend a broken heart

The song is beautifully arranged with a climactic ending that feels as if all the stress in the world is gone.

The chorus consists of two words, “No time,” which is a constant reminder that no time should be wasted worrying about the past.

DEVIN PUENTE Staff Writer

Valentine’s Day is a whirlwind of emotions if you’ve experienced a split from a partner. Moving on from a significant other can be difficult, but it’s not impossible.

During a heartbreak, it’s time to turn to the best medicine — music. Music is a part of our daily lives, and a great collection of songs can have an emotional impact that accelerates the healing process.

1. “Truth Hurts” - Lizzo When singer Lizzo released “Truth Hurts” in her 2019 album “Cuz I Love You,” she created the unofficial anthem for confident women after a breakup.

Throughout portions of the song Lizzo repeats, “Why men great ‘til they gotta be great?” showing she will not settle for a man with inconsistent greatness. Lizzo shows off her confidence as she sings about an ex who left her to go back to his previous girlfriend.

Lyrics like “I put the sing in single / Ain’t worried ‘bout a ring on my finger,” epitomize Lizzo’s joy and independence.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DEVIN PUENTE

2. “Go Your Own Way” Fleetwood Mac “Go Your Own Way” from Fleetwood Mac’s iconic 1977 album “Rumours,” is a great example of how going separate ways after a relationship is the best move for all parties despite the lingering feelings.

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The catchy chorus of “You can go your way (go your own way),” is the driving point of the song and a very singable moment — perfect for letting emotions out.

The combination of heavenly production and SZA’s personal narrative makes “Good Days” a perfect song to help you forget about lingering feelings.

3. “It All Feels Right” Washed Out From Washed Out’s 2013 album “Paracosm,” “It All Feels Right” is about memorable moments.

Lyrics like “We’ll be gone a few nights/ Meet up with the old crowd/ Music’s playing so loud/ It all feels right,” express that simple moments can be a major morale boost.

Washed Out’s hazy chill sound makes for a relaxing listening experience that helps the negative feelings fade.

5. “Seasons (Waiting on You)” - Future Islands “Seasons (Waiting on You)” from Future Island’s 2014 album “Singles,” is a synth-pop ballad about a relationship that’s stuck in rotation just like the seasons in the year. Vocalist Samuel T. Herring’s unique gruff vocals add dimension to the lyrics.

The lyrics “You know, when people change/ They gain a peace, but they lose one too,” remind listeners that the stagnant nature of a relationship is too much, and moving on is the only option.

4. “Good Days” - SZA SZA’s latest single “Good Days” talks about taking a deep breath and letting go of the negative energy.

7. “Walk in the Park” Beach House “Walk in the Park” by Beach House is an emotional song about moving on.

Lyrics like “In a matter of time it will slip from my mind / In and out of my life, you would slip from my mind/ In a matter of time,” are indicators that the narrator needs time to heal as the feelings slowly fade.

8. “Wait” - M83 M83’s 2011 album “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming” is an emotional ambient pop album that is highlighted by the song “Wait.”

10. “On Hold” - The xx “On Hold,” from The xx’s 2017 album “I See You,” is about not being on the same page with your partner.

While the narrator’s partner was under the impression they were just taking a break, the narrator has moved on from the relationship for good.

The lyrics “When I lie awake staring in to space/ I see a different view,” indicate that the feelings they once shared are gone. The melodic sound on “On Hold” is a sample used from Daryl Hall and John Oates’ 1981 track “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do).”

For those who are struggling to get past a heartbreak, may this playlist be a positive start to the healing process.

‘To All the Boys’ sequel mixes teen romance and reality

The third installment shocks fans with realistic relationship struggles, artistic vision and satisfying storytelling.

KIM PHAM Asst. Editor

“To All the Boys: Always and Forever” is that chick flick that will make people feel bitter about being single on Valentine’s Day and make even more feel jealous that their boyfriend is not Peter Kavinsky.

Like most romantic comedies produced by Netflix, this film does not shy away from being cheesy. Since the first film’s release, the character of Lara Jean Covey, played by Lana Candor, and her on screen love interest Peter Kavinsky, played by Noah Centineo, have become a well-known fictional power couple. The pairing is known to fans as the duo that proves true love still exists.

With the introduction of a secondary love interest in the character John Ambrose, played by Jordan Fisher in the second film, it quickly became clear to viewers that Lara Jean and Peter were the one true pair. This is largely due to the fact that even though Lara Jean liked John Ambrose, those feelings were nowhere near the amount of love she felt for Peter.

“To All the Boys: Always and Forever” is the third film in the series and was released on Feb. 12. The narrative focuses on Lara Jean’s college decisions and her anxiety about how college will affect her relationship with Peter. Surprisingly, it was very refreshing to stage this as the film’s main issue, especially considering that the foundations of the prior two films haven’t been as relatable to its viewers. Signing a contract for a fake boyfriend isn’t realistic.

As Lara Jean endures torturous thoughts and grapples with her insecurities, Peter also struggles to deal with his future expectations, which includes a girlfriend who attends the same college and a dad who stays out of his life.

As both characters navigate the complications VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

6. “I Don’t Love You Anymore” - Tyler, The Creator Tyler, The Creator’s 2019

album “Igor” showcases the rocky ups and downs between the narrator and their significant other. The song “I Don’t Love You Anymore” represents the final straw as the narrator starts the process of moving on.

9. “Hurt” - Arlo Parks From Arlo Parks’ album “Collapsed in Sunbeams,” “Hurt” is a song about the feelings one goes through during a tough time.

Lyrics like “I know you can’t let go, of anything at the moment/ Just know it won’t hurt so/ won’t hurt so much forever,” remind us that dark feelings are temporary.

Parks’ uplifting message mixed with lush instrumental make “Hurt” a fantastic song for the healing process

of growing up and face the harsh realities of growing apart, viewers are left to wonder if the love that they feel for each other is strong enough to save their relationship.

Cheesy rom-coms may not be the best place to look for practical representations of love or viable relationship guidance, but this final film brought Peter and Lara Jean’s relationship back to Earth by centering the conversation around real and relatable issues that many people in romantic relationships face.

Lara Jean is clearly a hopeless romantic who is not only learning how to be a girlfriend for the first time but also how to prioritize the things and people that she loves in her life.

Peter, a reformed jock and certified “simp,” is undoubtedly in love with Lara Jean. However, he struggles with abandonment issues of his own and, consequently, does not want to entertain the idea of his girlfriend choosing to go to a school far away from his.

Director Michael Fimognari captured these breaks in Peter and Lara Jean’s relationship in a viewer-inclusive way, meaning that audience members may easily find themselves feeling the awkwardness in their conversations or sadness about their future.

Moreover, sprinkled throughout the film were short animated clips to transition between settings within the story, such as from Lara Jean’s vacation in Korea to her home in the U.S. These animations were aesthetic and frequent compared to prior films, providing a seamless artistic shift between one scene to the next.

Another aspect that stood out was the emphasis on family. Lara Jean felt deeply connected to her sisters, and her mother who passed away in the first film. She relies heavily on these relationships and the people she loves to guide her through the passionate emotions that she feels for Peter.

On the other hand, Peter grew up with resentment toward his father, who abandoned him and his mom when he was a kid. As his father begins making his way back into Peter’s life, Peter

heeds Lara Jean’s advice to mend not only his relationship with his father but his failing relationship with her.

Watching how the film plays out, and how one event or piece of advice connects to one another, made for a very satisfying viewing. And if there is one thing that should be appreciated about the film, it’s the fact that Lara Jean said they would make “a terrible rom-com couple.”

Even though this may not have been everything that viewers could have hoped for, it is far from dismissable. “To All the Boys: Always and Forever” teaches us that a possibility exists for the person you’re meant for, but a forever is never out of reach for the person you fight for.

(Netflix) FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @THEDAILYTITAN

6 Opinion

WEEK OF TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Column: Distance damages intimacy The pain of not seeing your partner outweighs the time and effort put in.

NICOLE TRINIDAD Editor

“Goodnight princess.”

“Goodnight my love.” *click* Sent.

Then I fall into sleep’s grasp.

That’s usually how my nights end when the only thing connecting me to who I love is a screen.

I don’t remember most of our dates. I don’t remember when we first met, when he asked me out or when we became a couple.

But I won’t forget May 21st, as it says on my phone, which was his last day before he left to a different state.

We spent as long as we could together, but I had no idea what was in store for us the second he stepped out of my car.

Saying that the COVID-19 pandemic changed a lot of people’s lives is an excessive understatement and sadly, I was not immune to its effects. The struggles that emerged went beyond anything I could imagine and tested my relationships with the people I love, especially my partner.

Through everything we endured within the span of a few months, it has become so emotionally draining and clear that the effects of being in a long-distance relationship is not something I would wish upon anyone.

After being laid off from his job and having no one to help financially support him, my partner made the wise decision to move to a different state so he could work with his father.

I remember when he slept on the floor of his apartment, the nights he went hungry, the life

CINDY PROAÑO / DAILY TITAN

draining from his face, and when all of the built-up stress and pressure came flowing out as I held him close. As a college student with a minimum wage job and strict parents, there wasn’t much I could do to help him. Regardless, he never asked for my help.

Who was I to say what’s best for him? Him leaving was the only option and thinking otherwise was selfish.

But thinking logically sure as hell didn’t make me feel any better. Seeing the videos and social media posts with couples quarantining and enduring new challenges together was painful.

When it seemed the world was falling apart, recognizing how these couples at least have each other and knowing I did not get to have that wasn’t easy.

Other couples in long-distance relationships feel the same strains that I do. A lot of emotions, such as the fear of missing out, anxiety, possessiveness, jealousy, depression and loneliness

come up for many couples who live far from each other.

Carla Marie Manly, a clinical psychologist and relationship expert, said in an article by Elite Daily, “when you’re not with your partner, the positive effects created by the potent blend of phenylethylamine (the love molecule), oxytocin (the cuddle hormone) and dopamine (the reward hormone) is often lacking.”

Our own bodies feel the effects of being away from the ones we care about most. Relationships include physicality and an effort to be close together and without it, they lose their foundation. It doesn’t surprise me to think that long-distance relationships don’t work over a long period of time.

There are also studies that show the benefits of long-distance relationships such as higher-quality conversation, increased dedication, less fights and a reduced chance of feeling held down by partners compared

to couples in close proximity.

And some people are just better at handling long-distance relationships than others.

Plenty of articles, websites, videos, posts and resources are dedicated to helping people get through the trials of long-distance relationships. While those tips are great, there is still that part of me that knows it will never compare to the real thing.

I text my partner every morning and every night. I call or video chat with him as much as possible, considering how conflicting our schedules are. I constantly spam him with memes to distract ourselves from the loneliness we both feel, but life doesn’t stop.

It hurts knowing that I can’t wake up in his arms and feel the comfort of knowing even when the world is flipped upside down, I have him by my side. It hurts knowing that I can’t protect him when he goes to his dangerous construction job. It hurts to think of the unknown and that anything can happen while I am not by his side.

As a partner, I try to be understanding and considerate, but the selfish side of me just wants to be with him and craves to be reunited. The aching pain I feel without him by my side is not something everyone will experience, and that’s what it should be. With all the pressures the world places upon us, the last thing anyone needs is for it to take away the person that brings them comfort.

I sometimes think about whether I am doing enough for him, financially or emotionally. Do I take into account his needs enough and will I be also able to help my own well-being? I like to think I am able to be strong and supportive.

But I miss him.

I miss him every day and can go on forever about everything I miss about him. Considering how much I value closeness and physical touch, I never thought of long-distance relationships as an option for me. It would never work. But after eight months, my mindset on what I need in a relationship goes beyond skin-deep.

The biggest question I ask myself is “why do I do this?” Why do I deal with the anxiety and looming loneliness that hangs over me every day when I don’t see him? Why do I get my hopes up when he visits just for me to cry when he leaves?

The answer to those questions still baffles me. I love him more than I hate long-distance. I still don’t know if that makes me strong for staying or stupid for refusing to leave.

I cherish the little time we have when he visits me. When we are together, it’s like resuming where we left off. It’s so natural, like we were never meant to be apart. Fitting perfectly in his arms, kissing him like it was the first time and seeing the light in his face come back makes all my doubts about us fall away.

I didn’t get the choice to keep my love with me, so to the ones who do, I say embrace that. Love them while you still have the chance because it can be ripped away in an instance.

Being in a long-distance relationship during the pandemic taught me many harsh realities and how nothing in this life is permanent. It is such a drag that my partner and I will have to continue dealing with this. But as I search through this unfair sky, I hope that I’ll see him and land back into my partner’s embrace.

Depop’s instant rise sparks classist careers Reselling thrifted clothing for higher prices steals resources from lower-income shoppers, and makes it difficult for them to buy clothes.

CARA PEDERSEN Staff writer

Depop is the ultimate online thrifting app that has not only become a social media platform for second-hand shopping, but a place where resellers and trendy thrifters have hit their jackpot.

Creating a quick income from thrifting cute clothing, posing in them for pictures and uploading them to Depop in one click sounds like a dream. However, ethics should be questioned when this new occupation starts to hurt low-income families.

Depop was originally an app people could use to give their unwanted clothing a second life by selling them to others.

Though the app is still used for this reason, there are others who have created full-time jobs from reselling dollar-bin clothing for much higher costs which has revealed their own classism in the process.

The issue with users reselling thrifted clothing is that it leads to the gentrification of thrift stores.

Thrift stores and charity shops such as Salvation Army and Goodwill were seemingly made for low-income families and individuals to shop for clothing and items at cheap prices.

When middle-class Depop resellers come into thrift stores and buy items in bulk, the stores, in turn, raise their prices, which makes it harder for low-income families to afford clothing.

Today, trends are based mostly on what popular Instagram users, TikTok users and other social media influencers are wearing. For example, a huge trend for Gen Zers, today is the “Y2K” look. This look consists of early 2000s trends filled with cropped baby-tees, mini bags, tracksuits and butterfly clips — all of which can be found for a couple of dollars at thrift stores and resold to those looking for unique and one-of-a-kind pieces.

These trends are then photographed and posted for a large profit on Depop, and then repeated when new trends emerge.

When middle and upper-class shoppers buy large bulks of thrifted clothing, they can find comfort in knowing they will make their money back and then some. However, this emerging career takes away nicer items from low-income families and struggling buyers.

In addition to offering access to unique clothing, the app also gained popularity from the growing cultural encouragement to buy from individual sellers rather than big brands. Resellers and buyers may have felt better contributing to an app that supports “ethical fashion,” “affordable fashion” and is “anti-fast fashion.”

If someone is selling a used T-shirt to make space in their closet, that’s understandable. Yet, ethics come into question when resellers are VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

CINDY PROAÑO/ DAILY TITAN

making money by stealing resources from the lower class.

Also, resellers contradict themselves by shaming those who purchase fast-fashion because of the unethical way they make clothing, when they are also creating a profit using unethical ways to make money.

These questions have led to Twitter and Reddit rants exposing Depop accounts that have contributed to thrift store gentrification and asking resellers to re-evaluate their business strategy.

Depop resellers may put a bad taste in the mouths of those who used to love to thrift shop, but thrifting is still an incredibly sustainable and smart way to shop if shopping for oneself.

Instead of shopping from large accounts that buy in bulk and upload their products to Depop, consumers should buy from smaller shops that are selling items for reasonable prices.

By doing so, users can help stop the rise of thrift store gentrification and stop contributing to the classist Depop reseller occupation.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @THEDAILYTITAN

Leisure 7

WEEK OF TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16

WRITTEN by Stepheny Gehrig

Your friendships might change this week. During the week, your friendships might feel on edge or lacking.

Working together and voicing your concerns will help you fix them!

Do you know where Tuffy is?

Follow @thedailytitan and submit your answer on Instagram for a chance to win.

This week, you’ll feel burdened by others. Many of your friends or family will depend on you to solve their problems. However, make an attempt to set boundaries and let those around you know your limits.

Small problems may seem bigger than they are this week. You might feel overwhelmed by homework, or even small tasks like cleaning. Finding others who can help you achieve small goals this week can help you put things in perspective.

Follow us @thedailytitan

Sonic Cherry Limeade Recipe Ingredients: • 1 (12 oz) can of sprite • 3 lime wedges • 1/4 cup cherry juice Directions: 1. Fill a 16 oz glass 2/3 full with ice (pellet or nugget ice preferred!)

2. Pour sprite over the ice 3. Add the juice of 3 lime wedges and drop them into the drink 4. Add the cherry juice and serve with straw Makes 1 16oz drink.

Your plans will be interfered by unexpected people reaching back into your life and causing chaos. Even though you have distanced yourself from these people, they will still find a way back during this week. Keep your head up and stay strong in your opinions; don’t let this unexpected reconnection knock you down.

Leo, you’ll be faced with a great urge for change.

Maybe try to change up your schedule by adding in a hike or changing your meal plan.

This week might have you second guessing your choices. Although you may feel that recent choices that you made are wrong for you now, keep faith. Those choices will prove to be beneficial in the near future. you to achieve a goal you have spent a long time working towards. Your hard work is finally paying off; make sure to safely celebrate your accomplishment!

Libra, this week you should look forward to your Zoom calls. They all will go well, with active participation and lots of engagement. This week, you’ll become a social butterfly, try and plan more calls to reconnect with friends who have been distant.

Sagittarius, this week brings you a bunch of change. The change heading your way will be fortunate and for the better. Get ready for change that is coming into your life -- it’ll be exciting!

You might feel an immense amount of pressure or stress from upcoming projects. Set aside some days to strictly work on your upcoming tasks. It may alleviate your load if you ask for some help.

For the week, you’ll be given that boost of energy you have been needing. This energy boost will come and help you finish tasks that have been bothering you.

Trust your gut this week.

You may have a little voice in your head that is telling you what choices may be better for you or not -- listen to it because it’ll be the most helpful voice you’ll listen to.

Pisces, you’ll feel more hardworking than ever.

Diving into work and putting your best foot forward will prove to be beneficial for you.

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Are you looking to make lasting friendships in college? Seeking for true Hope? Well, look no further! InterVarsity Christian fellowship is a club who looks to Jesus as their model and desires to spread the love of Jesus with every college student.

You don’t have to be a Christian to be a part of InterVarsity; rather, if you are curious about faith, interested in growing your understanding of Jesus, or desiring community - you are welcomed here! Our meetings consist of worship, teaching, testimonies, and studying Scripture. If you can’t make it out to large group meetings, we host small groups where students connect with one another through playing games, studying Scripture, and discovering who Jesus is! Check us out here at www.fullertoniv.com

FOLLOW US ON IG: @fullertonivinsta

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

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8 Sports

WEEK OF TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Women’s Tennis lose to San Diego on the road The Toreros swept the Titans in straight sets during doubles and singles play to earn a 7-0 victory.

DEVIN PUENTE Staff Writer

On Feb. 12, the CSUF women’s tennis team suffered its second straight loss on the road against the University of San Diego.

The Titans had a 7-0 defeat against San Diego.

The Titans faced challenges from the start of the match as San Diego swept Fullerton during doubles-play to take the first point. Eira Tobrand and Misaki Kobayashi lost the first doubles match to San Diego’s Solymar Colling and Elizabeth Goldsmith, 6-1.

Natalie Duffy and YuSeung Suh attempted to get the Titans in play for the doubles point as their match against Abigail Destianov and Jordyn McBride was tight at 2-3. However, Destianov and McBride would eventually pull away to win, 6-2, and clinch USD the doubles point.

Even though the doubles point had been decided, Camila Garcia and Natalie Duff lost a hard-fought match against Kati Kukaras and Maria Tyrina, 6-2.

Down a crucial point, the Titans needed to dig deep and play dominant tennis to sneak out a victory down in San Diego. Unfortunately, the Titans were unable to score a single point during singles-play as USD sealed their commanding 7-0 victory early on in play.Fullerton was unable to win a set during singles-play as San Diego

Split: Titans fall to Oregon State 1 The Titans’ first double-header on Friday started with game one against the Beavers and game two following immediately after against the Aggies.

Bringing the heat, the Titans opened game one with a three-run first inning, as Julia Valenzuela hit a two-RBI single. The Beavers scored in the third inning, but the Titans came right back with a run in the fourth inning to make the score 4-1.

CSUF was ahead at the top of the fifth, when Oregon scored with a tworun home run. The Titans were in the lead, 4-3, and kept steady through the fifth and sixth innings.

Fullerton gave up two runs in the top of the seventh inning, giving the Beavers a 5-4 lead. Fullerton was unable to recover, and lost the first game of the invitational against Oregon.

Bouncing right back, the Titans opened game two against the Aggies with leadoff hitter Megan Delgadillo who hit a single and stole second, followed by Bailey Wallace hitting a single. Fullerton had the bases loaded after Daisy Munoz was walked and had the bases loaded, which allowed Irie Siofele to bring in Delgadillo for an RBI. Utah State came back with a threerun home run in the third inning followed by a solo home run to take the lead, 4-1. The Titans however followed in the bottom of the third with three runs, to tie the game.

CSUF scored in the fifth inning, putting the Titans in the lead. CSUF’s Staci Chambers closed out the game with 4.2 scoreless and hitless innings in her collegiate debut, bringing the team to victory to complete day one of the Easton Invitational.

“This gives me a lot more confidence, honestly. It reminded me today that it’s just the same game that I’ve been playing for years,” Chamberlain said.

CONTINUED FROM

Opening day two of the tournament, the Titans and Aggies were set to battle it out for game three. The first inning neither team was able to score, but the Aggies gained the lead during the second inning and scored the first run of the game.

The Aggies stayed in the lead through the next two innings, until the bottom of the fourth when Siofele hit a double to leadoff. She stole third, with Jessi Alcala’s single hit bringing Siofele home, which tied the score.

At the top of the fifth, the Aggies scored by an RBI single. This didn’t stop the Titans as they scored three-runs in the bottom of the fifth, gaining the lead off of freshman KK Humphreys’ first-career home run. Hannah Becerra, also a freshman, hit her first-career home run, and closed the inning with a 4-2 Titan lead.

Utah State scored at the top of the seventh inning, but Savannah Serrata held it down to secure her first collegiate win, with the final score of 4-3.

In the final game of the tournament, the Titans did not prevail against the Beavers as they failed to register a single run in their 11-0 defeat.

After starting with a 3-0 lead, Oregon had the bases loaded when they hit a grand slam home run, making the score 7-0.

At the top of the fourth, the Aggies’ scored a three-run homerun and extended their lead, 10-0.

Fullerton could not come back from their large deficit after the Aggies scored again at the top of the fifth, ending the game with a 11-0 score due to the mercy rule.

The Titans will head to Tempe, Arizona to play against Arizona State on Tuesday with games at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

used their home-court advantage to assert their dominance.

Kobayashi had her hands full against Colling, the No. 68 singles player in the nation. Kobayashi put up a valiant effort as she lost to Calling, 6-0, 6-2.

USD secured its second singles victory after Tobrand lost a hard-fought battle against Elizabeth Goldsmith, 6-3, 6-2.

Despite being down on points throughout the day, Fullerton never stopped fighting to try to gain a point. Juliette Daries lost a crucial first set tiebreak at 7-6 against Victoria Kalaitzis. Daries’ tiebreak defeat was the best opportunity Fullerton had at winning a set.

San Diego clinched the victory over Fullerton as McBride sealed their fourth point with her victory against Suh, 6-2, 6-2. Unlike the defeat last week against USC, Fullerton finished out the remaining matches after the match-clinching point.

The Titans fought hard in the remaining matches despite the team loss being already determined. Duffy fell short in a tough match against Kukaras, 6-3, 6-2.

Garcia played a tightly contested match against Jessi Muljat, but fell short as Muljat won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.

After losing the first set tiebreak, Daries finished off singles-play with a hardfought loss to Kalaitzis, 7-6(5), 6-3.

The Titans’ next scheduled match on Saturday against San Diego State has been canceled with no information about a rescheduled match at this time. This comes after the San Diego State athletic department announced that both men’s and women’s tennis programs have “paused all team-related in-person activities for 14 days out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety” of their athletes, according to a release by the school.

Shots: CSUF shoots 7-7 in third quarter 1 The Titans spent the majority of the second half slowly fighting its way back into the game, eventually tying the game at 46 a piece midway through the fourth quarter. The two teams continued to trade baskets throughout the remainder of regulation. Fullerton guard Anniken Frey hit a step-back three-pointer to tie the game and force overtime.

Cal Poly would eventually run away with the contest in the extra period, handing the Titans its seventh consecutive loss of the season.

Mustang guard Abbey Ellis led the game in scoring, contributing 24 points to go along with six rebounds, six assists and seven steals.

Despite dealing with foul-trouble early in the game, forward Sarah Campisano finished the night with 18 points and eight rebounds.

Fullerton forward Carolyn Gil led the way for the Titans with 21 points, eight rebounds, four assists and five steals, while Frey had 14 points on the night.

Saturday night was much different as Fullerton controlled the majority of the game, competing at a high level from the tipoff. The Titans took control of the lead and never looked back as Neff hit another buzzer-beater three-pointer to close out the first half.

It was lights-out for Cal Poly in the third quarter, as Fullerton’s offense overwhelmed the Mustang’s defense with exceptional ball movement and efficient shooting, converting on all seven of its field-goals and knocking down 10-12 free throws in the frame. The Titans held its lead for the remainder of the contest, CONTINUED FROM

extending it to a 20-point lead halfway through the fourth quarter.

On the defensive end, Fullerton prevented Cal Poly from scoring any easy baskets. The results showed on the stat sheet as the Mustangs shot 31% from the field and 28% from behind the three-point line all while committing 20 turnovers in the game.

Forward Joy Krupa gave a well-rounded performance for Fullerton, mainly causing havoc for the Mustangs on defense. Aside from the senior’s nine points, Krupa contributed eight rebounds, seven steals, six blocks and three assists in the Titans’ victory.

“Once our defense was going there was no stopping us on offense, that was really the key factor of the game today,” Krupa said. She added that the team’s close loss the previous night proved their ability to play better and continue to improve.

Gabi Vidmar, freshman guard, had a second start since the season began in November, and led the game in scoring, with 22 points to go along with four assists.

Although Fullerton is currently placed last in the conference, every team in the Big West will participate in the conference playoffs, except UC San Diego, in lieu of the numerous cancelations that have occurred during the season. With four games remaining on the schedule, it is unlikely that the Titans could change its playoff position and be forced to compete in a play-in-game to advance into the postseason.

Fullerton returns to action on Friday, Feb. 19 and Saturday, Feb. 20 on the road against its cross-county rival, UC Irvine, at 4 p.m.

Men’s basketball at Cal Poly SLO canceled ANTHONY ROBLEDO Staff Writer

The Cal State Fullerton men’s basketball team spent two consecutive weekends off the court as Titan Athletics announced last Thursday the cancelation of their two games against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Friday and Saturday.

This marks CSUF’s fourth Big West conference postponement due to COVID-19. There are currently no plans to reschedule the games.

The Titans last played against Cal State Bakersfield on Jan. 30, and split their two games against the Roadrunners that weekend.

Their first conference games against Cal State Northridge were canceled VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

after a Fullerton athlete tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 18, which resulted in the players self-isolating for two weeks. The Titans rescheduled the games for Jan 16 and 17.

The matchup against UC Davis, which was set forJan. 15 and 16, was also canceled as the Yolo County health guidelines prohibited the game — neither game was rescheduled.

Last week, CSUF’s games against UC Riverside were canceled due to COVID-19 issues.

Fullerton currently sits at 7th place in the Big West conference with a 4-6 record in conference play, while Cal Poly SLO is ranked in the last place out of 10 schools with a 1-9 record.

The Titans are scheduled to host a pair of games against UC Irvine on Feb. 19-20 at 5 p.m.

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