Wednesday, February 22, 2017

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

Wednesday February 22, 2017

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New bill aims to freeze tuition

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva pushes for legislation.

ZACK JOHNSTON Daily Titan

KATIE ALBERTSON / DAILY TITAN

Mayor Bruce Whitaker and Councilwoman Jennifer Fitzgerald weigh in on the future of the Jamboree development in the low-income Valencia neighborhood at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.

City council delays lowincome housing vote Jamboree project decision moved to unknown date.

SARAH WOLSTONCROFT ASHLYN RAMIREZ Daily Titan Fullerton City Council voted 4-0 Tuesday night that it would defer its decision on the Jamboree affordable

housing project until a date uncertain.

Councilwoman Jennifer Fitzgerald recused herself because Jamboree is one of her clients for Pringle and Associates, a lobbying firm.

The Jamboree Housing Project provides quality housing with the intent to transform lives and strengthen communities, according to the Jamboree Housing

Project website.

The housing, which will be along West Valencia Drive, West West Avenue and South Ford Avenue, will provide 46 rental housing units at certain sites within the Richmond Park neighborhood.

“I think this partnership with Jamboree would be a positive addition to the community,” said Sharon Ellis, the CEO of the Orange County chapter of Habitat

For Humanity.

Jamboree is requesting $7.83 million in city assistance—$3.9 million from a 2010 bond and $3.93 million in land.

The company also plans on filing for tax credits, which could help boost its funding by an estimated $8.63 million, according to the staff report.

SEE COUNCIL

3

Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva presented the Student Protection Act at Sacramento State University Tuesday morning, which aims to place a moratorium on tuition fees for California State Universities and Community Colleges.

The CSU board of trustees is set to vote on a systemwide tuition increase in about one month, most likely before the bill will be able to go through the legislative process, Quirk-Silva said during a press conference.

If the bill passes, CSU tuition will be frozen until the end of the 2019-2020 academic year, regardless of whether the boards approves or rejects the tuition increase next month.

Quirk-Silva said that she hopes the board will seriously consider the financial concerns of the students and how much increasing tuition

will affect them when they make their decision next month.

“This moratorium will give students and their families peace of mind that the already high cost of higher education will be capped for the near future as the legislation works on longterm funding solutions,” said Quirk-Silva, who represents the 65th Assembly District.

Quirk-Silva cited the 1960 California Master Plan for Higher Education, “which reaffirmed California’s longtime commitment to a principle of tuition-free education to the residents of the state.”

Despite the state’s commitment in the master plan, tuition fees have “skyrocketed,” Quirk-Silva said.

The cost of the CSU’s tuition and fees has grown 923 percent since 1985, according to the bill.

“As we know now more than ever, our students are struggling not only to pay their rent, to be able to work, to pay for food and other essentials, but also to go to college,” Quirk-Silva said.

SEE TUITION

3

Titans claim victory over professional team Cal State Fullerton makes Dinos offense extinct for four innings of play while debuting a variety of new pitchers.

BRYANT FREESE Daily Titan After losing to the NC Dinos 10-1 last season, Cal State Fullerton baseball took the exhibition game rematch 4-3 Tuesday night at Goodwin Field.

The Titans started off strong with two runs in the first inning, proving they could compete against the professional baseball team, which is part of the Korean Baseball Organization. Head Coach Rick Vanderhook said facing off against a professional team was “super” meaningful.

“They saw some decent arms and the pitchers had to figure out that those guys only struck out two times all night,” Vanderhook said.

Lead-off hitter Dillon

Persinger got it going for Fullerton at the plate with a ground-ball single to center field. Persinger was able to reach second base with ease on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Timmy Richards drove him in with a RBI double to right center.

Sophomore outfielder Ruben Cardenas sent a pitch down the left field with two outs to drive in Richards and put the Titans up 2-0 in the first inning.

Fullerton gave Joe Wills, the right-handed junior transfer from Rio Hondo Community College,the nod to start the game on the mound for his unofficial debut as a Titan.

SEE BASEBALL

8

Film shows a zombie’s heart and guts

A&E 4

“The Girl with All the Gifts” brings an interesting perspective to the familiar zombie apocalypse.

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KATIE ALBERTSON / DAILY TITAN

Fullerton baseball has started the 2017 season winning three out of four games. Tuesday night, the Titans took a 4-3 victory over the NC Dinos professional team from South Korea at Goodwin Field.

Trump’s campaign revives democracy

Opinion 6

One may not need to agree with the president’s policies to see how valuable they are in society’s political awakening.

Titans host UCI in key Big West matchup

Sports 8

Cal State Fullerton will face Anteaters on Thursday night in a contest between two of the conference’s hottest teams.

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PAGE 2 FEBRUARY 22, 2017 WEDNESDAY

Titan Tusk Force to host Fully Fest

NEWS

Free student event will aim to foster campus community.

TAYLOR ENGLE Daily Titan

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 2. Errors on the Opinion page will be corrected on that page.

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Fully Fest will feature carnival attractions, a surprise performing artist and booths run by student athletes in the Dumbo Downs parking lot across the street from the Student Recreation Center Friday.

The event will also feature food trucks and a spirit lounge run by the Alumni Association.

“We want to provide something for students to show their Titan pride and come together as a campus community,” Titan Tusk Force director Jeanette Esquivel said.

Esquivel said the event will be much larger than it was last year because the surprise performer is a nationally recognized artist rather than a student performer.

The event will also be free to attend.

“We broke down (the budget) and our main goal was to make this event free,” Esquivel said.

“We never had the idea to charge students because we know how hard it is to be a college student.”

DUMBO DOWNS PARKING LOT

TENNIS COURTS

STUDENT RECREATION CENTER

TUFFY LAWN JASON ROCHLIN / DAILY TITAN

Fully Fest will be held in the Dumbo Downs parking lot on the corner of West Campus Drive and Gymnasium Drive.

Fully Fest is part of an effort to build a stronger relationship with the Athletics Department, Esquivel said.

“Something that we’ve heard from our athletes is that they want to be students as well, not just student athletes. They want to interact with our student body,” Esquivel said.

Between Feb. 18 and Feb. 23, five sports games were selected by the Titan Tusk Force where students could attend and receive

food vouchers to use at the food trucks that will be at Fully Fest.

“That’s just another encouragement for students to support our athletes and to increase attendance,” Esquivel said.

The Titan Tusk Force has been working with ASI Productions, the Alumni Association and the CSUF Athletic Department since October to plan the event. The event begins Friday at 5 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m.

CORRECTION The Feb. 21 article “Hermanos Unidos brings 14 universities to the TSU” indicated that Hermanos Unidos was a club on campus. It is actually a nonprofit organization.

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A shootout with a suspected gang member in Colima Monday resulted in the death of Whittier police officer Keith Boyer and the injury of officer Patrick Hazell, according to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

A vigil was held for Boyer outside the Whittier Police Department headquarters just a few hours after his death.

Meanwhile, Hazell was brought to the UC Irvine Medical Center where he is in stable condition.

The suspect was identified Tuesday as Michael Christopher Mejia, according to the OC Register. Mejia was brought to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center with injuries and is expected to live according to Lt. John Corina of the LA County Sheriff’s Department.

- JASON ROCHLIN

Fullerton arsonist arrested Eun “Esther” Cha, 24, has been arrested by the Fullerton Police Department Sunday on suspicion of arson. Cha is believed to be responsible for up to 28 fires since September, according to the OC Register.

She was found in the 1200 block of North Gilbert Street trying to light the contents of a large trash bin and bushes under an electrical panel on fire. Many of the previous fires were set in the same area.

Fullerton Police Sgt. Jon Radus declined to give details on why Cha was considered a possible suspect earlier, but he said she admitted to setting multiple fires in the area in the past. She is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Sheriff’s deputy fraudulent

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One dead, two injured in shootout

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Former Orange County sheriff’s deputy Nicholas Zappas, 36, has been sentenced to six months in jail after being charged with 11 felony counts of insurance fraud and seven counts of perjury under oath, according to the OC Register.

After slipping on a fire hose and injuring his back, neck and left shoulder, Zappas filed for worker’s compensation and was given doctor’s orders not lift more than 10 pounds.

However, prosecutors said Zappas lifted more than 200 pounds while engaging in CrossFit during the time he was receiving compensation, showing he failed to disclose his true abilities and lied under oath.

- JASON ROCHLIN

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NEWS

PAGE 3 WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2017

CSUF first Coverdell Fellowship partner in California AMBER HAMILTON Daily Titan COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Sharon Quirk-Silva, 65th District Assemblywoman, presented her Student Protection Act at Sacramento State University Tuesday aiming to freeze tuition increases until the end of the 2019-2020 academic year.

Tuition: Moratorium would last until 2020 1

Quirk-Silva said that the bill could get approved by the end of the legislation cycle in September.

“An investment in education is an investment in our future,” Quirk-Silva said.

The bill is being sponsored by the California Faculty Association (CFA), said Kevin Wehr, Ph.D., president of CFA’s Sacramento chapter.

“We see the impact of financial stress on our students’ ability to prepare for class, to buy books, to have time to study, let alone their health and well being,” Wehr said.

Isaiah De La Cruz, a sophomore at Cal State

East Bay, voiced his support for the bill during the press conference.

“

As we know now more than ever, our students are struggling not only to pay their rent, to be able to work, to pay for food and other essentials, but also to go to college.

“

CONTINUED FROM

SHARON QUIRK-SILVA 65th District Assemblywoman De La Cruz said he works three jobs, takes 16 to 17 units per quarter

and takes care of his infant daughter.

“It’s tough waking up early in the morning and realizing I have a 14hour day ahead of me. It’s tough worrying about the future so much that I forget to live in the present,” De La Cruz said.

He also voiced his concerns about the potential CSU tuition increase, comparing the price of the increase to that of eight cans of baby formula, half of a student’s rent or two months of groceries.

Quirk-Silva said that she will continue to work with the state and its support budget to avoid the possible shortcomings that would result from freezing tuition costs.

Cal State Fullerton’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences became the first Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship partner in California for the field of anthropology.

The Coverdell Fellowship offers financial aid to accepted applicants which includes waiving any out-of-state fees, as well as internship programs working directly with Peace Corps recruiters while still earning credits.

“It’s something I’ve been hoping to do for a long time,” said anthropology professor John Patton, Ph.D. The partnership proposal was headed by Patton with the assistance of Lynn Sargeant, associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Jack Hobson, director of Study Abroad.

Patton said CSUF President Mildred Garcia also supported the initiative.

“Since coming here, we’ve been looking at applying for an international master’s, but the Peace Corps stopped taking applicants for that. So when

I contacted them more recently to ask about where that stood, they invited us to apply for Coverdell,” Patton said.

Former Peace Corp member Ravi Dutta said opportunities like the Coverdell Fellowship are important to Peace Corps members that return and want to continue their education.

“

We’re going to start talking to both department chairs, faculty and deans of colleges to try and put together this larger packet so that we can cover all the sectors that the Peace Corps is interested in.

JOHN PATTON Anthropology professor

“

Students in Humanities college can work with Peace Corps recruiters.

Dutta said Peace Corps members return with a vast amount of field experience and can use that knowledge with fellowship programs like Coverdell to advance to the next levels of public service.

“I think it’s great news to hear that you have this new Peace Corps fellowship program,” Dutta said. “I’m really happy to hear that.”

During his years in the Peace Corps, Dutta said

he worked in Namibia on a program called Parents and Communities for Education that aimed to strengthen educational opportunities for the children of the parents who were raised with inferior information under apartheid.

Dutta said working with the Peace Corps helped him realize how important their work is.

He also said it gave him a better understanding of American history and the impact America has had on the world.

In the coming year, CSUF will also be making a larger campus-wide effort with the ground work for an undergrad Peace Corps prep certificate program, though Patton said this is still in its very early phases.

The prep certificate program will also involve fields other than anthropology, such as health science, education and environmental studies.

With the Peace Corps becoming more selective with their recruiting, the prep certificate program would give students priority admission and placement.

“We’re going to start talking to both department chairs, faculty and deans of colleges to try to put together this larger packet so that we can cover all of the sectors that the Peace Corps is interested in,” Patton said.

Council: Rents deemed ‘too high’ 1

“I know … how extremely marvelous Jamboree housing is. They will give us certain promises, certain commitments to help people be on their own. It isn’t so much about money, it is about people being able to get off the street and into a decent home,” one resident said during public comment.

Welton Smith, vice president of Housing Development for the Jamboree Corporation said that Habitat for Humanity, St. Jude and CSUF will help bring resources to the marginalized community the homes are geared for.

“Jamboree coming in will improve the health of the citizens of Fullerton and the economic stability of the city, ” said

Jessie Jones, director of CSUF Center for Healthy Neighborhoods.

Tracy Bryars of St. Jude said she was very much in support of Jamboree housing because “housing has a huge impact on a person’s health.”

“

Housing has a huge impact on a person’s health.

“

CONTINUED FROM

TRACY BRYARS Healthy Communities Initiative manager at St. Jude Councilman Greg Sebourn said the land and funds must be used for affordable housing and that the partnership between Jamboree and Habitat for Humanity was the “best bang for the buck”

in that neighborhood.

However, while most people during public comment were in favor of the development, Mayor Pro Tem Doug Chaffee said that while he wasn’t opposed to the project, the rents were too high, which ultimately contributed to the council’s decision to continue the item.

The 20 units that were slated for rent at 60 percent of the area’s median income (AMI) is too high, Chaffee said. He said he would like to see that number lowered to 50 percent of the AMI. “I have worked on a lot of affordable housing projects,” Chaffee said. “I do not oppose the project, but I want to help more people and have our money go as far as it can.”

KATIE ALBERTSON / DAILY TITAN

Fullerton residents came to show support for the Jamboree affordable housing project and argued that the development would help the health of low-income residents.

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A&E Jidenna’s debut piques curiosity

PAGE 4 FEBRUARY 22, 2017 WEDNESDAY

Up-and-comer shows in debut album why he is “The Chief.”

CHRISTOPHER SHEATS II Daily Titan

In his debut album with Wondaland Records, a small division of Epic Records, Jidenna shows the industry exactly why he’s “The Chief,” and leaves listeners with a peek of what the artist has in store.

Jidenna makes his debut at age 31, but don’t let that fool you as his style translates perfectly into this era’s seamlessly progressive rap genre.

With the intro song “A Bull’s Tale,” the artist gives you a glimpse of his early youth living in Nigeria and his rise to fame.

He uses traumatic events from his past that he references in the song: “I made a promise, when I was six and guerillas ran up on us,”

recalling a time his family was robbed at gunpoint.

Jidenna also shows listeners his diversity in the song “Bambi.” The artist shows off his range of singing talents in a playful tune where he confesses his growing feelings for a dame, but his treacherous ways seem to get in the way.

“To run the jungle, I must be a lion, Or be a cheetah but neither is fine, Don’t wanna hurt my dear love of my life,” is a line that shows off Jidenna’s wit as he must be atop the food chain but knows that both are predators that consume deer.

The artist was featured in the hit Netflix series “Luke Cage,” where his single “Long Live the Chief” premiered in the episode “Just to Get a Rep.” It’s an uptempo track that gives listeners a chance to understand Jidenna’s use of the term “chief,” which

he dedicates to his late father.

He makes references to his opportunities to pursue other career paths in this single.

Specifically in education, with the line “That’s why I got admitted but I still rejected Harvard,” throwing shade at the very prestigious university.

“The Let Out” is a track that one might hear playing late night at the club, as the beat transitions smoothly for dancing and the hook catches one’s ear: “Yeah, yeah, Why they looking at the wave, Yeah, yeah, Y’all can bring it our way.”

Another song where Jidenna is able to show off his versatility is “Adaora,” which is littered with that word as he praises a woman for seeing beyond his faults. The song’s ending verse even has a touching line: “She love my every side, Even my devil eyes,” noting the lustful stares he

gives her.

Then Jidenna gives listeners a feel good song heading into the spring with “Some Kind of Way,” which has a very pop feel to it and separates itself from the other tracks on the album.

With the final track, Jidenna gives us heavily worded verses and a soothing chorus in “Bully of the Earth.” It’s a very compelling song as the artist uses lines to call out the recent state of politics: “We won’t hail to the new king.”

“Bully of the Earth” has even more personal messages as the string instrumentals are accompanied by the lines “You’re not a man til’ the day your father dies, You’re not a woman til’ you make your momma cry.”

Jidenna puts together a very intriguing and diverse debut album that will likely see follow-up projects from the record label.

COURTESY OF EPIC RECORDS

Jidenna, in his premiere album “The Chief,” puts together a very intriguing and diverse debut that is a taste of a promising career.

Film’s lead zombie sets herself apart from pack Adaptation of exceptional novel brings the brains.

MARIA ONG Daily Titan “The Girl with All the Gifts” is a horror, drama and thriller movie that paints a story of a not-too-distant future where most of humanity is wiped out by a fungal infection. Highly intelligent, overly polite and seemingly innocent children appear to be the key to survival.

The backdrop of the story is set in rural Britain. At the center of this dystopian

world is an infected adolescent named Melanie (Sennia Nanua) who accompanies a scientist, teacher and two soldiers as they embark on a journey for survival.

Melanie is very polite and courteous to everyone around her; far from the typical zombie she’s made out to be. However, her captors (the army soldiers) don’t appear to see her as an innocent and harmless child. She is strapped to a wheelchair and brought with other children, similarly restrained, to a makeshift classroom where they are taught miscellaneous lessons.

Sgt. Eddie Parks (Paddy Considine), along with other

military personnel like privates Kieran Gallagher (Fisayo Akinade) and Dillon (Anthony Welsh), supervise the children and treat them with hidden fear.

Similar to Jonathan Levine’s “Warm Bodies” (2013), the film defies logic.

What makes zombie apocalypse movies so popular is the way they catch audiences off guard, which is exactly what the opening sequences in this film does.

Audiences will find themselves caught off guard and questioning the mentality of director Colm McCarthy (“Outcast”): Why is the military treating these children like dangerous criminals?

Melanie and her classmates have perfectly normal physical appearances that cleverly hide just how sick they are; a sniff of any bodily fluid slowly transforms them into chattering little monsters eager for a snack or two. There is no mistake that the adults are in charge.

Leading the adults is the stern Dr. Caroline Caldwell (Glenn Close), who—in an unexpected twist—turns out to be the story’s main antagonist. Her only purpose is to learn why the children are different from the zombies outside of the base by studying their dissected tissues.

She believes that the cure

for the virus can be found in one of the children being held at the military base.

The six-time Academy Award-nominated actress is best known for her bold roles, including Cruella De Vil in Stephen Herek’s 1996 version of “101 Dalmatians.”

With her frozen expression and military standard buzz cut, Close delivers an outstanding performance, proving once again just how versatile she can be.

Helen Justineau (Gemma Arterton) is the teacher responsible for educating and studying the children.

Justineau treats the children vastly different from the rest of the adults. Although she

still remains cautious, she treats her students fairly.

Newcomer Nanua delivers a career-defining performance by bringing gentleness to her character, setting her apart from the grotesque, unthinking, flesh-eating zombies from the past. It’s not all that hard for the audience to favor her as well.

McCarthy’s adaptation of M.R. Carey’s novel is beyond exceptional. For the die-hard zombie apocalypse fans out there, the film still delivers the classic and somewhat typical plot devices of the genre.

“The Girl with All the Gifts” hits cinema screens in a limited release Feb. 24.

Cal State Fullerton invites ‘Gentlemen’ The Young Theatre tackles Shakespeare starting this Friday.

SARAH EL-MAHMOUD Daily Titan William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy “Two Gentlemen of Verona” may have been written centuries ago in Early Modern English, but this Friday, it will fly off the pages and resonate with audiences at Cal State Fullerton.

The scene is set in 1910 Italy with best friends, Valentine and Proteus, parting ways in Verona. They eventually both fall in love with the same girl: Silvia. Undoubtedly, comedy ensues.

Director Mark Ramont recently worked on the campus play “Pride and Prejudice” in fall 2016 and is a CSUF professor of directing. This marks his second time directing a Shakespeare play; his first time was in the ‘90s.

“I chose this play because of Shakespeare’s understanding of passion and desire and the impact they can have on loyalty, friendship and commitment. Shakespeare shows us how sexual desire can completely overwhelm us and make us more than a little crazy and how it can cause us to do things that harm those we love most, as well as ourselves,” Ramont said in an email.

Senior acting majors Rose Rodriguez and Eric Flores will play the parts of father and daughter, Duke of Milan and Silvia, respectively. They each play roles of opposite genders than themselves.

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COURTESY OF JORDAN KUBAT

Actors Casey Bowen (left) and Dan Keilbach (right) play Speed and Valentine, respectively, in “Two Gentlemen of Verona.”

role of the Duke as “kind of like a Disney parent,” such as King Triton from “The Little Mermaid” because he thinks he can control his daughter but is unaware of what goes on behind his back.

“I really wanted to play the opposite gender because I thought it would challenge me, because I haven’t played anything like that before,“ Rodriguez said. “But it’s not all about going into a deep voice and pretending I’m a man. It’s more like convincing yourself ‘I’m a man.’”

Flores said he approached the role of Silvia like any other character and thinks audiences will root for her because of her strong will and sassy personality.

“All of the characters that I’ve played here at Cal State Fullerton have been so far from me, have been unlike me at all and weirdly enough, Silvia was probably

the closest to me, personally,” Flores said.

Rodriguez also feels that audiences will be able to relate to the characters above all despite the foreign nature in language of a Shakespearean play.

“Understanding the primacy of the language and communicating that to the actors has been challenging,” Ramont said in an email. “What’s been tremendous fun is coaxing the life and humor out of the material. It has required a sense of abandon and play from the acting company–being outrageous and silly, while still being truthful–and they’ve really risen to the challenge.

It’s been a blast.”

“Two Gentlemen of Verona” will be playing at the Young Theatre at the Clayes Performing Arts Center from Feb. 24 to March 12. General admission tickets are $14 and $12 for CSUF students.

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A&E A pro-choice nun in “The Knick” reflects women’s health.

DARLENE CASAS Daily Titan I clenched my abdomen as I watched a scene where a young woman is found on her bed drenched in her own blood before being rushed to the Knickerbocker Hospital. “There’s too much blood. That’s no miscarriage. We need to get in there now,” said Sister Harriet (played by Cara Seymour), one of the midwives at the hospital. She and her colleagues operated on the bleeding woman, but she did not survive.

This is one of many heart-wrenching scenes in the Cinemax drama series “The Knick,” which depicts the intriguing lives of those who work at New York City’s Knickerbocker Hospital in 1900. Given the time period, the show features caustic racism and blatant sexism.

Without a doubt, the men run the hospital and the women are forced to juggle the sexist hostility of their environment.

A majority of the female characters are victimized, whether it is from poor health, abusive relationships or straight-up misogyny. However, one of the show’s central arcs displays an interesting take on women’s health and

PAGE 5 WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2017

abortion practices in the early 1900s.

Although the second season ended in 2015, the series shines light on topics that are relevant in today’s discussions around funding Planned Parenthood. Sister Harriet is one character in particular that is fascinatingly complex and is blanketed by her benevolent actions. She is an Irish Catholic nun who runs the hospital’s orphanage, but she also secretly conducts abortions. Her devotion to her religion is evident, but her devotion to helping others, especially vulnerable women, is unmistakable.

Sister Harriet reminded me of Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood. Harriet’s abortion practices take place 16 years before the first birth control clinic in the nation opened in Brooklyn. The endeavor led Sanger to prison, according to a study from the American Journal of Public Health. Sanger was a nurse of Irish descent like Harriet. Sanger decided to enter the medical field after witnessing her mother’s early death, a result of 18 pregnancies that weakened her body.

In 1912, Sadie Sachs induced her own abortion leading to her tragic death.

After seeing Sachs die of blood poisoning, Sanger decided to launch the birth control movement.

It is interesting how this series draws parallels to Sanger’s experiences (minus her support for eugenics).

“The Knick’s” pro-choice nun does not have such intentions, although the show brings up the controversial issue in season two.

My favorite partnership in the series is the unlikely bond between Harriet and

COURTESY OF CINEMAX

While the medial procedures displayed are truly graphic in nature, the Cinemax television series “The Knick” also offers insights on sexism, racism and women’s rights during the 19th century.

Tom Cleary the ambulance driver (played by Chris Sullivan). At first, Cleary was disgusted by Sister Harriet’s secret, but after seeing the petrified face of the dying woman, he had more empathy. Empathy is a quality that is seldom taught, but it can shine through the most unexpected circumstances.

Becoming business partners over unwanted pregnancies was not the most conventionally cute bond, but that is what makes it interesting. Their bumping attitudes form an amusing friendship. It’s safe to say that Cleary is not the most virtuous man, but behind his blunt nature, he truly cares about Harriet.

One of the unwanted pregnancies that ground

my gears a bit was Cornelia Robertson’s (played by Juliet Rylance). Robertson is the head of the social welfare office and daughter of one of the board members of the hospital. She becomes pregnant by her secret lover, Dr. Algernon Edwards (played

by André Holland), a phenomenal doctor who is constantly beleaguered because of the color of his skin.

Robertson asked Edwards to abort her fetus, especially since she was betrothed by another man. But Edwards could not do it. He defied Cornelia’s wishes for the sake of his own views.

Lack of empathy to say the least, and a bizarre reaction– knowing that Cornelia bearing his child during a time drenched in racism would

have ruined them both.

Harriet ends up being arrested and disgraced by the Catholic Church; a heartbreaking scene as she humbled down before her Mother Superior.

“I could say that God sent an angel down to instruct me or there was something divine about it, but there wasn’t. The women just needed help and I helped them,” Harriet said. “So it’s true. I am what they say I am.”

Harriet is eventually released and foregoes her role as a nun. She continues her business partnership with Cleary by selling contraceptives. These contraceptives, which could consist of animal intestines or latex, were illegal at the time due to

Comstock Laws.

These federal laws made it a crime to distribute obscene materials or items used for abortions or birth control, according to a study from the American Journal of Public Health.

It is wild to imagine anyone getting fined or imprisoned for selling condoms, but that was the case for 63 years in the United States, between 1873 and 1936.

I don’t want to dwell on the morality of such laws or practices. Sister Harriet’s and Cornelia Robertson’s experience are complex and personal. Laws around women’s health change and so does historical context. “The Knick” illustrates how the need for empathy is timeless.

‘Nioh’ is equal parts tough and fun

Team Ninja brings the hardcore gaming goods.

KYLE BENDER Daily Titan

In the year leading up to its release, it has been difficult in discussion to pry “Nioh” apart from its clear, explicitly stated inspiration, “Dark Souls.” However, Team Ninja’s latest grueling action role-playing game and Playstation 4 exclusive wears its influences on its sleeve and in many respects, surpasses the games it borrows from.

Before the game even formally starts, “Nioh” makes a strong first impression, allowing players to decide among three graphics settings dedicated to increased visual fidelity, performance or a mixture of the two. This may seem like a miniscule detail, but for the game’s demanding and panic-inducing combat, these options are an absolute necessity.

(WARNING) “Nioh” may feel like a wholly inaccessible and unfair game to anyone who has no experience with “Dark Souls” or the revival of punishing action games that’s spawned from it. Anyone who enjoys that growing niche of video games will absolutely adore this demanding experience.

It will come as no surprise that Team Ninja does not want its players to succeed in “Nioh.” The game is antagonistic in nature and patronizes anyone who thinks they are starting to comprehend it. It is not simply meant to be beaten. It is meant to be overcome and battered by a frustrated player who slowly but surely gains a better understanding of what it means VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM/AE

to be a samurai.

That being said, diligent new players willing to put in the time to conquer the game’s daunting barrier of entry can expect a rewarding experience in a game world that is brilliantly fleshed out.

Set in 17th century Japan, the narrative of “Nioh” may initially seem foreign and convoluted, but upon closer inspection, players will find a surreal retelling of one of Japan’s most important historical military struggles, the battle of Sekigahara. The game is riddled with major historical figures from Japan’s Sengoku (civil war) period, including the protagonist William, named after the first Western samurai William Adams.

Despite the game’s narrative intricacies, the gameplay loop is equally rewarding and frustrating. Tasked with slaying yokai (demons), pirates and samurai, players will be put to the test as they navigate labyrinthian gauntlets of seemingly never-ending enemies.

To dispatch the towering demons and speedy samurai, players must learn enemy behavior to find openings to attack. Similarly to its inspiration “Dark Souls,” Nioh’s combat is focused on managing stamina, the resource that allows players to attack. Outside of stamina management and sheer difficulty “Nioh” borrows less from “Dark Souls” than it may seem.

There are only five types of melee weapons (swords, katanas, axes, spears and kusarigama) to choose from and three ranged weapons (bows, rifles and cannons). What the game lacks in quantity, it makes up for in depth. Each weapon has three stances: high, low and

mid, which focus on damage, dodging and a balance between the two, respectively. Players will slowly learn that no stance or weapon is perfect and that switching between them frequently is necessary to succeed.

Within the game’s combat is the guardian spirit system, one of the many ways “Nioh” elegantly pays homage to Japanese spiritualism. Guardian spirits are mystic entities in the form of beautifully-designed and brightly-colored spirits that are each attached to one of the historical figures of the game. Every guardian spirit allows players a tremendous advantage in combat and is accompanied by a well-animated cinematic explaining the backstory of its initial owner.

Unlike “Dark Souls,” the game foregos an open world approach for closed-ended missions. Nioh’s semi-linear missions always seem to end just before the mild repetition of their environments starts to wear thin on the player. The game’s oppressive, atmospheric rendition of Japan is littered with collectible Japanese forest spirits called Kodama, which provide stat bonuses to warn players early on that the game is done explaining its mechanics and systems.

Where players in “Dark Souls” often hit a physical wall or area they can’t overcome because of their skill or level, players in “Nioh” hit a metaphorical wall as they encounter the game’s intimidatingly deep systems.

Once players manage to get a solid grasp on the moment-to-moment combat, it begins to feel like an elegant dance between two adversaries as steel clashes. Sadly, the phenomenal combat is interrupted by a loot system

COURTESY OF KOEI TECMO

It will come as no surprise that Team Ninja, the developer of “Nioh,” does not want its players to succeed. “Nioh” is antagonistic in nature and is meant to be overcome.

that requires navigating a user interface made up of an overwhelming amount of information. Stats, percentages and varying levels of equipment rarity truly break up the flow of the game. They bog down the experience as players must frequently delve into menus to change equipment to ensure their trek through war-torn Japan is as safe as possible.

Beyond that, there are entire sections of character stat progression that go completely unmentioned. Unless players are willing to wander around the game’s menus, there will be at least one helpful system or mechanic they won’t encounter until late in the game; far past when they probably should have found it.

Roughly a dozen hours in,

players will finally understand the necessary systems in all their complexity and breathe a sigh of relief. With this hard-earned understanding, players will be able to manage the outrageous amount of equipment thrown at them and properly address the leveling system.

Thankfully, the boss battles make up for these shortcomings in a major way. After a player has explored the mission to their heart’s content, cutting down enemies along the way, they are given the distinct opportunity to tackle a boss that puts their skills to the test. The shiny pieces of equipment are exciting, but engaging the truly inspired bosses in combat is the real reward of “Nioh.”

Initially, failure will be inevitable as players must

deconstruct the attacks of the bosses to look for openings. Each one of the 24 boss fights is a unique encounter that feels like a puzzle as much as it does a fight.

The sense of immense and overwhelming accomplishment when a boss finally falls after hours of attempts perfectly captures the best parts of the experience that is “Nioh.”

“Nioh” is a celebration of all the aspects of its inspirations that successfully carves its own place among the games it draws from.

Team Ninja has proven with this release that a derivative work can proudly stand on its own as it takes concepts from spiritual predecessors and runs with them into riveting, unexplored territory.

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OPINION Trump made America think again PAGE 6 FEBRUARY 22, 2017 WEDNESDAY

President has inspired thought despite a divisive campaign.

AMBER HAMILTON Daily Titan During the 2016 presidential election, Donald J. Trump ran on the idea of “Making America Great Again,” and ended up becoming our 45th president.

Trump deserves our appreciation because he has already succeeded in his goal: He has made America great again, just not in the way he intended to.

Between his rocky campaign trail, which was rife with controversy, the general lack of respect he received from his own political party and the scorn he took from his opponents, Trump never stopped believing in his ability to win.

Once he did win, his cabinet choices were heavily scrutinized and protests against Trump’s election or policies, like the #NotMyPresident rallies or the Women’s March, have been a common occurrence.

The United States has always been a democracy and Trump’s win helped remind the country of this salient fact.

Children used to be told they could be anything they wanted when they grew up; even the president. But that thought seems like an empty platitude lately, considering the elitist nature of establishment politics.

Yet, Trump’s win shows that anyone really can become the president. Even someone without any political experience, a history of saying and doing some pretty outrageous things and without the support of the party he is running under, that anyone really can become the president.

After the dramatic win for Trump, public protests have become common in the news and on social media.

Again, this is something to thank Trump for. When was the last time a president had to deal with constant public outcry? Unless you’re old enough to remember the Nixon era, you may struggle to answer that question.

Trump may have divided the nation, but he also inspired it to stand up for its beliefs. When Trump does

something society doesn’t agree with, those affected feel empowered enough to speak up. In some sense, he single-handedly is responsible for the political awakening of this era.

There’s a reason that Time magazine named Trump their 90th “Person of the Year.” “The revolution he stirred feels fully American,” according to the Time website.

It’s not as if the minority groups affected by Trump’s policies, like the travel ban, haven’t suffered under previous presidents. Former President Barack Obama deported more undocumented immigrants than any other president in U.S. history, according to Snopes.

Obama also put in place a short-term plan that greatly halted the number of incoming immigrants from countries like Iraq, according to CNN. Former President George W. Bush started the Office of Homeland Security after the events of 9/11 to greatly restrict immigration.

Women’s and LGBTQ rights have always been under attack by conservative politicians; this is nothing new to Trump nor his cabinet.

But while those acts were seen as controversial in the past, America hasn’t truly seen anything as controversial as Trump.

But even after all of the controversial acts those past presidents committed, they haven’t risen to such a level of accidental inspiration as Trump has.

Trump’s cabinet has also helped in this inadvertent awakening of America’s public.

The public outcry against Betsy DeVos’ nomination to Secretary of Education was loud enough and caught the attention of enough congress members that Vice President Mike Pence had to make the first tiebreaker vote for a cabinet member in U.S. history.

This was followed by enough scrutiny aimed at Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn that he was forced to resign from his office in a mere 27 days. That resignation was followed by Andrew Puzder withdrawing before his confirmation hearings even occurred because of all the public scrutiny.

Trump’s win has raised the political awareness of the population to levels not seen since the mid 1900s, according to data from Pew Research Center.

Along with this political awareness, the public has finally figured out that they need to be aware of what they read and watch.

CATHERYN EDWARDS / DAILY TITAN

Donald J. Trump’s campaign divided the country like it’s never seen before. But the aftermath and controversial decisions he’s made have led to unprecedented unity.

Questioning authority is a vital part of independence, a value that Democracy thrives on.

From the controversies of the alt-right, fake news, agenda-driven news organizations or even the “alternative facts” scandal, the public

has taken a crash course in media literacy whether they wanted it or not.

So, you don’t have to like Trump. You don’t even need to respect the man. It doesn’t matter if you voted for him or not. Just remember that regardless of how you feel

about Trump, you should at least be thankful for the impact his victory had on America.

What made America great in the first place was its people and their passion for democracy, a passion that has been sorely lacking for quite

some time. All it took was a common enemy for the people to wake up and realize that the first amendment isn’t just to talk back to cops.

So, thank you Trump. You have made America great again, even if you completely stumbled into it.

An open letter to professors about dumb questions

Silence fails to stimulate classroom conversations.

ZACK JOHNSTON Daily Titan Dear Cal State Fullerton professors, please stop asking students vague and/or obvious questions during lectures. Trust me, it’s not a good idea.

As I approach the end of my fourth year at CSUF, I

am noticing this trend in some professors, and for the sake of my sanity, it needs to stop.

These professors will ask their class a series of painfully obvious questions, most likely to check that they are listening or ask a terribly broad question to encourage some sort of conversation that will land at their intended point.

When teachers attempt to liven up a room full of snoring young adults with a question like “What is racism?” It doesn’t really help anyone. Questions like those have no easy answer that everyone can agree upon. It brings more disruption than growth.

I don’t know if this is some tactic that gets taught in credential programs, but

as someone on the receiving end of this exchange, I can assure you it doesn’t work.

Students don’t like it and it’s actually counterintuitive.

I find that this happens more often with lower division courses, perhaps as a way to acclimate freshmen to college life. However, if students are not grown up enough at this point to take their classes seriously then that is their fault and it shouldn’t be your job to coddle them.

The most infuriating questions by far are the obvious ones. These professors are likely trying to engage the class and keep them attentive, but with each inane inquiry, students tune out more and more.

When professors do this, it implies that they don’t

know what they’re talking about, but for some reason I do. Why should I come to class if what you’re essentially telling me is that I could just teach myself this?

And as for the vague and broad questions to encourage discussion, students see this as irrelevant and a waste of time. When a professor uses this technique, they lose any sense of authority or mastery of the topic they are trying to teach.

In psychology, diffusion of responsibility refers to a large group that is faced with a task, each individual in that group only feels a fraction of the responsibility to take action. This is exactly what is happening in classrooms.

The fact of the matter is, if I’m paying thousands of dollars a year for school then I expect to actually be taught something. Don’t waste time asking me the questions that you’re ultimately going to answer yourself anyway. Teach me! Show me that you have much more of an understanding of a topic than I do, that this isn’t something I can just learn online and that it is in my best interest to listen to you.

And it is not that asking questions or wanting discussion is bad, but it’s that these are not the right questions to ask.

Don’t ask me the obvious question, ask me the hard one. The one that is going to make me think differently than I have before. The

one which the answer I give can be original and thoughtful and can actually create a genuine conversation.

The job of an educator is not simply to regurgitate information nor is it to pander to students in almost patronizing ways. The jobs of an educator is in the middle; someone who possesses a clear and full understanding of a complex topic and someone who can relate to students and meet their sense of curiosity with educated answers.

So the next time you want to ask something like “What is America?” stop for a second and think, “Is this really the best way to make my point?” After all, you’re the professor, aren’t you?

Signed, broke and frustrated college student.

SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR The Daily Titan welcomes letters from the community in order to uphold its duty as a public forum. To submit a letter, email it to editorinchief@dailytitan.com.

Letters will be held to the standards listed in the submission policy found at dailytitan.com/letterspolicy.

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LEISURE

PAGE 7 WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2017

THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS

RIDDLE PROVIDED BY Riddles 1 APP

It’s true I bring serenity, And hang around the stars, But yet I live in misery, You’ll find me behind bars.

•WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22:

With thieves and villains I consort, In prison I’ll be found, But I would never go to court, Unless there’s more than one.

I E H M U Z N O T T I R B L S

Ashley Bathgate, cello 8pm to 10pm

•THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23: Los Angeles Percussion Quartet 8pm to 10pm

•FRIDAY FEBRUARY 24:

HINT 1: First Letter is S HINT 2: Last Letter is S HINT 3: Number of Letters is 1 LAST RIDDLE’S SOLUTION: SHOE

SOLUTION WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT ISSUE.

CSUF New Music Ensemble and Guests 8pm to

SUDOKU

10pm, The Two Gentlemen Of Verona 8pm to 10pm

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DAILY QUOTE

4 1

9

“Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts.”

– Native American Hopi Proverb

2 3

“Everyone who is successful must have dreamed of something.”

– Native American Maricopa Proverb

3

“Do not judge your neighbor until you walk two moons in his moccasins.”

– Native American Cheyenne Proverb

6

9 4

5 1

8

4 7

8 9

5

2 6

1 5

7

8

2 3 1

7 9

WORD SEARCH

The Daily SuDoku: Tue 22-Feb-2005

medium

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Like our Facebook page & post your answer to win a prize!

NATURAL DISASTERS & SEVERE WEATHER:

LANDSLIDE, FREEZING, THUNDER STORM, SHOWERS, WHIRLWIND, TSUNAMI, FLOODS, TORNADOES, DRIZZLE, LIGHTNING, TREMORS, HOT, EARTHQUAKE, GALE, HAIL, DROUGHT

HOROSCOPE PROVIDED BY tarot.com

ARIES

(Mar. 21 - Apr. 19)

You’re poised to conquer the world no matter what comes your way. You’re emboldened to seize what you desire without stopping to ask while warrior Mars calls your 1st House of Self his stronghold.

TAURUS

(Apr. 20 - May 20)

Although you Bulls are known for your stoic nature, everyone’s fuse runs out at some point. Your patience is quite short today as little irritations pile up until you’re sure the next one will be the final straw.

GEMINI

(May 21 - Jul. 20)

The pressure builds deep within you and it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what is causing your sense of apprehension. You might even bow out of work early to contemplate your feelings now that the cautious Capricorn Moon meets domineering Pluto in your 8th House of Transformation.

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CANCER

(Jun. 21 - Jul. 22)

It’s hard to find your place before someone else makes their move, like an endless game of duck-duck-goose.

Between your past experiences and your future aspirations, a compression takes place that seems to be funneled into your relationships.

LEO

(Jul. 23 - Aug. 22)

Your long-term goals seem far off in the distance today, but that only makes you want to run faster to reach them.

You’re ready to do whatever it takes to bridge the gap between you and your future, but the mightiest tools for success may be right under your nose.

VIRGO

(Aug. 23 - Sep. 22)

Your natural propensity for serving others has made you very familiar with the feeling of being spread too thin.

But things are different now, because it seems like you’re nearly at an emotional tipping point.

LIBRA

(Sep. 23 - Oct. 22)

Although you normally walk the path of compromise, you feel you must boldly assert yourself to be taken seriously today. A tense interaction with someone close to you may call your fundamental beliefs into question, initiating a major evaluation of the whys behind your behaviors.

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)

It’s not that any one event tipped the scales, but rather an accumulation of small occurrences that prompts you to feel like something has to give. You’re ready to kick a habit that is holding you back, but that’s quite a task when your immediate environment has shaped itself around it.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)

A little risk never hurt anyone, or so you say when others question your latest strategy for an exorbitant escapade. On a normal day you would stand by your plan, but today’s events may lead you to a very different place.

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22 - Jan. 19)

The ground beneath your feet seems more like a volcanic zone, and you feel the heat rising up through your shoes. Handling professional concerns is easy enough on its own but when domestic issues start getting in the way, you want to put out the fire before it spreads.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)

You’re so passionate about a topic that you can’t gobble up information fast enough. However, the verve with which you grasp for more knowledge may be an overcompensation.

PISCES

(Feb. 19 - Mar. 20)

You can sense that the emotional atmosphere is turbulent from the start, and you may feel the need to barricade your defenses. Although you believe in authenticity, you might have to remake yourself to fit into the societal slot you’ve found yourself in as possessive Pluto squares off with pushy Mars.

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SPORTS Baseball: New starters fuel Fullerton PAGE 8 FEBRUARY 22, 2017 WEDNESDAY

CONTINUED FROM

1

Wills pitched three innings while giving up no runs and three hits.

The bottom of the fourth saw the Titan bats come alive again. With one out and no runners on base, Cardenas smashed a home run to left field for his second RBI of the night to give Fullerton a 3-0 lead. However, CSUF wasn’t done for the inning.

One batter later, freshman Sahid Valenzuela got on base with a single, which JT McLellan followed up with a deep shot to right center field to drive Valenzuela in from first base and take the 4-0 lead over the Dinos.

Because it was an exhibition game, Fullerton didn’t want to use any one pitcher for extended time, giving multiple guys their unofficial debut on the mound in a Titan uniform. Redshirt freshman Erick Cha entered the game in the fourth for Fullerton. Cha gave up three hits and one earned run in two innings of work

for the Titans.

After just two innings, Fullerton looked to fellow redshirt freshman Josh Rios. Rios went two innings pitched, giving up two hits and one earned run, allowing the Dinos to creep back into the game 4-2.

Dillon Brown came in for relief to get the final three outs of the game. The Dinos made things interesting in the ninth, getting one run across the plate while still having runners on first and third with two outs. Ultimately, Brown was able to get the final out of the game to seal the deal for the Titans.

“I think it allows us to judge where we are personally,” Cardenas said. “We did well against Stanford so it’s nice to see how we do against a professional team, especially bringing in all of our pitchers.”

The Titans will get back to regular season play Wednesday night when they host San Diego State at Goodwin Field for the fifth home game in seven days.

CSUF catcher Chris Hudgins (right) talks to pitcher Dillon Brown (left) in the ninth inning of Tuesday night’s 4-3 victory over the NC Dinos. Hudgins saw his first game action after missing the first three games with an injury.

six games. All five victories have come against Big West opponents. The Titans have a 7-5 conference record, tied for fourth in the standings with Cal State Northridge.

“There is a different level of resilience with this group.

They trust each other,” said Titans Head Coach Dedrique Taylor. “Their confidence in themselves and their confidence in each other is really starting to play out on the floor.”

Both teams are coming off a pair of victories Saturday in which they posted 79 points, with CSUF beating

UC Davis 79-72 and UC Irvine beating UC Riverside 79-60.

The Titans’ victory against UC Davis helped both themselves and UC Irvine (16-12), as it gave CSUF a big win against the then-conference leaders and gave the Anteaters the lead in the Big West with a 9-3 record.

The two teams met earlier this season at UC Irvine with the Anteaters coming out on top 87-67. Wednesday’s matchup is being played at Titan Gym, giving the Titans a slight advantage over UC Irvine. The Titans are tied

KATIE ALBERTSON / DAILY TITAN

CSUF to host best team in Big West

Men’s basketball tests its winning streak against the Anteaters.

TODD HADLER Daily Titan

The Cal State Fullerton men’s basketball team looks to continue its hot streak as it takes on the Big West Conference-leading UC Irvine Anteaters Wednesday at Titan Gym. CSUF (13-12) is on a three-game winning streak and has won five of its last

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for the most home wins in the Big West with 10, while the Anteaters have the best away record in the Big West at 7-7.

The key for CSUF is senior guard Tre’ Coggins.

Coggins, who leads the Big West with 17.4 points per game, shot 0-10 from the field in Fullerton’s previous matchup against UC Irvine. The leading scorer in that game for the Titans was sophomore guard Kyle Allman with nine of his 13 points coming from the freethrow line.

The leading scorer for

UC Irvine in the first meeting was senior guard Luke Nelson with 20 points. Despite playing in 10 of UCI’s 28 games, Nelson leads the team with 14.8 points per game. He was sidelined for the first 15 games of the season with a pulled right hamstring.

Nelson has scored more than 10 points per game in eight out of the 10 games he has played, leading UC Irvine to a 9-1 record when he is in the rotation.

Nelson is followed by senior guard Jaron Martin and 7-foot-2 senior center

Ioannis Dimakopoulos, who are each averaging more than 10 points per game.

The all-time series between the two teams is tied at 52-52 but the Titans’ last win against UCI came in March 2012.

“Particularly with their size, that will always be a deficit for us,” Taylor said.

“I think if we can just continue to worry about what we can control and really, really work on those things, we’ll see what happens on Wednesday.”

Harrison Faigen contributed to this report

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