March 29, 2022

ASI CANDIDATE DISQUALIFIED 1967 Fresno State’s Award-Winning Newspaper

Wyatt Bible • The Collegian

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Tuesday, March 29, 2022

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Chivas vs. Pumas at Chukchansi Park

ELECTRIFYING FRESNO

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INSIDE: FRESNO STATE FOOTBALL DRAFT HOPEFULS SHOWCASE AT PRO DAY

Photo Courtesy of Miguel Gastelum

'Electricidad' debuts at university

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2022

Edward Thurber disqualified from ASI presidential race

Wyatt Bible • The Collegian

Fresno State student Edward Thurber speaking during the 2022-23 ASI presidential debate on March 18, 2022, at the University Student Union.

By Edward Lopez

Senior News Reporter Associated Student Inc. (ASI) senators announced during the senate meeting that candidate Edward Thurber was disqualified from the 2022-2023 ASI presidential race on March 23.

Sen. Alison Garibay informed the senate that Alex C. Walker, ASI election commissioner, presented the ASI student court with 12 election violations made by Thurber. After a 4-hour, 30 minute discussion, the court ruled in favor of nine of the violations, Garibay said.

Prior to the discussion, both ASI president D’Aungillique Jackson and senator for the College of Arts and Humanities Aidan Garaygordobil recused themselves from the discussion.

The student court unanimously voted on disqualifying Thurber from the 2022-2023 ASI presidential election.

According to Garibay, the investigation into the campaign violation began Monday night following an anonymous tip to Walker.

After discussing the evidence presented to it, the student court found Thurber guilty of slander and defamation of character – including comments directed toward ASI presidential opponents Jackson and Garaygordobil, defamation of organization, five social media violations and illegal production and distribution of campaign material, according to Garibay.

Garibay also informed the senate that the anonymous person who alerted ASI of the initial campaign violation received backlash for coming forward with the information.

“The anonymous complaint did receive slight backlash from filing it, and in the bylaws and policies every candidate is responsible for their supporters’ actions. So, even though he was unaware of what this person had received, he is still responsible for those actions brought against the complaint,” Garibay said.

According to Garibay, Thurber said that the social media violations were a result of him not being aware of the bylaws and policies during the preliminary court hearing.

During the preliminary student court trial, Garibay said Thurber was seen wearing a campaign T-shirt, which the student court cited as being illegally produced and distributed.

Thurber will still be on the ASI presidential ballot.

However, he is unable to continue campaigning per ASI presidential campaign rules following his disqualification.

Thurber said he found the announcement of his disqualification as regrettable and misinformed, noting that the student court has yet to release the report detailing in-depth the allegations levied against him.

“I would like to state that the student court, at this time, has not delivered their report. So

any information until this point can’t be confirmed as they may have adjusted some points from what they told me previously,” Thurber said.

“There are a number of specific details to this case which are significant, and the omissions of some or all of these greatly affect public perception and the legal ramifications of the ruling and the appeals process,” he added.

Thurber can appeal the decision once the re-

port is released to the public, which is expected to take five days, according to ASI director of operations James Martinez.

If Thurber appeals the decision, Carolyn Coon, vice president of student affairs, would have to decide to either uphold or deny the decision of the student court.

Upholding the student court decision, disqualifying Thurber, would require a special election for the remaining two ASI presidential candidates, D’Aungillique Jackson and Aidan Garaygordobil.

If the ruling is denied by Coon, the current election would continue, counting all the casted ballots as normal with no need for a special election.

Garibay also encouraged the ASI senate to approve the special election as a contingency that the student court ruling is upheld.

“This is also to ensure that a president will be installed this cohort in June. We also want to avoid the executive vice president stepping in as acting president and senate secretary as acting executive vice president until late September or early October until this is resolved,” Garibay said.

“It’s not fair that if he is taken out of the election, or if he’s still here and students are still voting for him, those votes could be null and void. That is not fair,” she said.

Following the discussion, the ASI senate voted in favor of the special election. Garaygordobil abstained from the vote. Jackson did not vote, as the current ASI president cannot vote in senate roll call votes.

If the student court’s ruling is upheld, the special election is expected to take place prior to the end of the spring 2022 semester.

2022-23 ASI election results

By Jannah Geraldo Editor-in-Chief

Listed below are the results of the 20222023 ASI election. The votes were tallied by the League of Women Voters.

• President: Not announced due to the disqualification of candidate Edward Thurber and “a preliminary student court decision under review.”

• Vice President of External Affairs: Caroline Alvarez (1,211 Votes) • Vice President of Finance: Gabriel Parra (846 Votes) • Craig School of Business: Sahaj Arora (111 votes) • Jordan College of Agricultural

• • • • •

Sciences and Technology: Amy Suarez (143 votes) Lyles College of Engineering: Roger Villagomez (19 votes) Kremen School of Education: Alysa Garaygordobil (115 Votes) College of Science and Mathematics: Raul Trujillo-Avila (206 votes) College of Social Sciences: Jasmine Sevilla (167 Votes) Senators At-Large (Top 11): Allison Gallardo, Emmanuel Agraz-Torres, Karen Carrillo, Megan Torres, Miguel Perez, Rebecca Perez, Samantha Snow, Varun Raj, Zachary Ortiz, David Klein

TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2022

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

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Additional water refill stations, club sports grants approved

By Edward Lopez

Senior News Reporter Associated Students Inc. (ASI) approved a menstrual equity initiative, new water refill stations, club sports grants and the appointment of a senator to the subcommittee in the March 23 ASI senate meeting.

ASI approved a $6,500 menstrual equity initiative spearheaded by Senator of Operations and Resident Affairs Megan Torres after a lengthy and heated debate.

Torres’ initiative drew criticism from the ASI senate for not informing the executive cabinet and ASI director James Martinez about how the proposal would be funded.

“Well, financially, I really only would have required the support of [Vice President of Finance Anou Vang] being seen as though she is more aware of our financial situation because that is her title and [vice president of external affairs Caroline] Alvarez has been there to support me in my project on a direct basis,” Torres said.

“So, I feel as though they were the ones relevant in this situation.”

Martinez clarified to the senate that, by not informing the cabinet or himself about

the proposal, necessary rules and regulations to purchase the menstrual products were not followed. Martinez noted that he was not made aware of the proposal until during the senate meeting.

“There are provisions that are triggered within the bylaws and policies where we have to put it out to bid to special vendors,” Martinez said.

“Also I would like to be informed about these as it impacts the budget, which I’m primarily responsible for along with the ASI president.”

Torres acknowledged that she had only informed cabinet member Vang about potential funding resources they could utilize. Vang noted that they could potentially fund it through the reserves pool, she said.

Initially, the proposal projected cost was $5,000.

However, Torres requested an additional $1,500 citing a need to restock menstrual products across campus with the hope that the university would help the initiative later down the line.

“It was going to be dependent on when our university meeting was because if the university meeting had been scheduled earlier, then

I wouldn’t have proposed this because then I would have felt confident in our stock and depending on how that meeting went that would be determined if I was choosing to present this proposal or not,” Torres said.

The discussion item was approved for vote during the meeting. The proposal passed with 11 senators voting in favor, one abstention from Torres, and one nay from Nigel Vigan, senator for the Craig School of Business.

Senator for College of Science and Mathematics Jacqueline Campos Ledemzma presented an initiative to create new water refill stations in both the Science I and Science II buildings.

The proposal seeks to replace the water drinking fountains on the second and third floors of the buildings with water refilling stations. Currently, only the first floor of both buildings have water refill stations.

Ledemzma acknowledged a cost increase since the initial proposal. The water refill stations were totaled at $1,645 per unit, but now have a new estimated cost of $6,580.

Ledemzma told the ASI senate council that Fresno State’s Facilities Management partnered with her, offering to waive the cost of installation and labor cost should it get approved.

“I believe in my proposal. I think that this is not only increasing accessibility, it’s also promoting sustainability and also improving our overall sanitation on campus,” Ledemzma said.

The proposal passed unanimously.

ASI senators also approved two club sports grants, $1,200 for the kendo club and $3,000 for the women’s water polo team.

The kendo club requested $1,200 to purchase new sparring equipment also known as kendōgu (“kendo equipment”).

The women’s water polo team intends to use the funds towards renting out the Clovis East High School Olympic-sized swimming pool for practices, coaches fees and new equipment.

Both proposals were approved unanimously.

Vigan was elected to the academic senate subcommittee of student ratings.

Prior to the vote, Senator of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Karen Carrillo requested that the senate elect her instead of Vigan for the position.

“This is something that I am truly passionate about and I care about. And this is one of those reasons why I believe I’d be best fit to serve on this committee because I want to be the voice of the students,” Carrillo said.

Fresno State discusses with CFA about masks indoors

By Manuel Hernandez News Editor

When the university announced that masks would no longer be required on campus, professor Hillary Jones said she was caught off guard by the news.

Since she taught on Mondays and Wednesdays, and the announcement was made on a Thursday morning, Jones said it was an obstacle because the opportunity to talk to her class about wearing masks had already passed.

“I have students that have specifically expressed concerns about being on campus,” she said. “For their health, for their kids and for all sorts of reasons.”

Following Thursday’s announcement, faculty received an email from administration the same day about class policies differing from the university’s policy.

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Xuanning Fu, who sent the email, initially said “classroom policies may not differ from the university policy” when it comes to mask requirements.

In a Canvas announcement sent the day the mask requirement was lifted, Fresno State

Julia Espinoza • The Collegian

Fresno State students wearing masks at a “Sustain” event. On March 14, it was announced on Canvas that faculty would be able to enforce a mask mandate. reversed its decision and added a new amendment to the new mask policy.

The amendment gave faculty the option of setting up class policies that can require students to wear face coverings during in-person classes, according to the announcement.

The extension to the policy was effective immediately, and professors can decide whether

or not they are going to enforce masks in the classroom.

Fu said, when the mask mandate was first lifted, the university consulted Fresno State’s COVID-19 task force. The task force includes students, faculty, staff, representatives from the California Faculty Association and the Joint Labor Council, he said.

The campus received guidance from the California Governor’s Office, California Department of Public Health and the Fresno County Department of Public Health.

Fresno State also consulted with local educational partners, the Academic Senate and the Campus Preparedness Team, according to Fu. “However, after consulting with a number of faculty members who shared safety concerns specific to their classroom environment, we advised faculty that they would be allowed to make decisions for their classroom based on their specific in-person classroom environment,” Fu said.

He said during these discussions faculty, members expressed concerns that certain classroom environments limited their ability to socially distance and effectively keep students safe without a mask requirement.

Jones will be one of the professors enforcing masks indoors as a class policy for students who are still concerned about their safety from COVID-19.

“I’m going to make it classroom specific because of those students… I have a student in every class that needs this, so it’s just easier to do it across the board,” she said.

TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2022

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

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Meet new associate VP of university communications

By Manuel Hernandez News Editor

Lauren Nickerson came into the position of associate vice president for university communications in January with a lot to unpack. One of her first events moderating open forums for faculty, staff and students to discuss university issues, controversies and the Title IX task force.

“I understand that there were hard topics being brought up, but I think, as a campus, being able to come together and to speak about those honestly and even more importantly to support each other…is really important,” Nickerson said.

As a Central Valley native and Fresno State alumna, Nickerson said she is familiar with the community, and as a result understood the importance of the open forums despite only working just two months officially at Fresno State.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Media, Communications and Journalism (MCJ), with an emphasis in public relations.

Nickerson lived in Clovis most of her life but her life heavily revolved Fresno State, with both of her parents being alumni and her dad working as a faculty member for years on campus.

“I have a love for this university. I have a love for what it does. I’m from the Valley, so I understand it intimately; how important this campus is to everything in our community,” she added.

Completing her first event in her position and seeing her name on the screen as a Fresno State administrator was “humbling,” Nickerson said.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity… I spent most of my career in healthcare and graduate medical education, so for me, working in a mission-driven environment is really important,” she said.

It became full-circle for Nickerson when she came back to work at her alma mater. The most important lesson Nickerson said she learned during her time as a Fresno State student was “transparency and honesty.”

Nickerson described her job as “telling the story of the university” through research or news about the campus community, as well as being a “transparent and honest” place for people to receive information.

During her time at Fresno State, she was involved in Fresno State’s TALK, a student-run public relations firm, when it was in its beginning stages, as well as the campus’ branch of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) organization, which is also student-run.

Now, Nickerson is a sitting member on the

Courtesy of Lauren Nickerson

Fresno native and Bulldog alumna Lauren Nickerson officially came into her position on January. board of PRSA and credits Fresno State for giving her those opportunities. As a student, she remembered how guest speakers would come to her class, showing what a career in her major was like.

“When I was a student, one of the things that I wanted to know is, when I graduate and I get a job…what would that look like? What will that feel like?” she said. “MCJ did a fantastic job for me at connecting me with professional opportunities.”

One guest speaker who came to her class was a local public relations practitioner, who she got an internship with. She was even involved in The Collegian as a contributor on an article about the importance of voting in 2008.

Nickerson said she remembered when Betsy Hays, chair of the MCJ department, was her

college adviser. Now, Hays is her coworker and was her co-moderator in the open forums. “[Hays] was very much a mentor and later a friend,” Nickerson said.

“I remember sitting in her class and thinking when I grow up, I want to be Betsy. She’s effervescent and kind and smart and capable.

So I learned a lot about professionalism and how to say hard things [without being] unkind when you say it [from her].”

Hays remembered Nickerson as a great student and said she “had the blessing of having her in class as well,” as a student.

“I absolutely remember that she just has always been a star,” Hays said.

She said she was thrilled when Nickerson got the job at Fresno State, and after knowing how much of an impact Hays had on her, she

had a “very emotional reaction in the best possible way.”

“My teaching philosophy is always to make sure that everything that we do is very intentional and strategic to support the students…

Encourage them to continue that learning afterwards because it will never be enough what you get here, and I think Lauren personifies that,” Hays said.

After Fresno State, Nickerson enrolled in USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, studying for her master’s degree in its communication management program.

She was also the director of marketing and communications for the Central California Faculty Medical Group (CCFMG) for the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) branch campus in Fresno and helped support the faculty and patients.

She said CCFMG had many connections to her job now at Fresno State, in terms of serving the community and working with Fresno State alumni who attended and worked at UCSF, Fresno.

She also found “fantastic models of leadership” there, like Dr. James W. Davis, who was appointed the chair of surgery at the UCSF, Fresno, and Dr. Randall Stern, the chair of the CCFMG board of directors. “[Stern and Davis] were wonderfully supportive and even when I got the job here at Fresno State and I had to tell them that I was leaving, which was really hard because I did love my job and I loved the team that I worked with. Everyone there was nothing but kind,” Nickerson said.

Going to work at Fresno State was a “big leap” for Nickerson. She said that while she had moments of self-doubt, her former co-workers also helped boost her confidence, encouraging her that she’d do great.

“You are absolutely a product of your support system, and I’m very grateful to have a very wonderful support system,” she said.

Nickerson said she is aware that her job at Fresno State is going to be difficult, and that she came in during a tough time.

Two months in, she said she is still getting settled and trying to figure things out, but is committed to serving the university for a long time.

“We’re dealing with some really challenging topics and some really challenging issues.

We’re not going to have all the answers, but I am proud to work alongside an administration that is committed to that transparency… and wants to do better, wants to make changes that are needed for the campus,” she said.

TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2022

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

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Fresno State and ASI hosts student open forums

By Manuel Hernandez News Editor

Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval held an open forum for students in collaboration with the Associated Students Inc. (ASI) on March 24 at Room 118 of the North Gym Building.

It was moderated by Vice President for University Communications Lauren Nickerson, who handled in-person questions, and Betsy Hays, chair of the Media, Communications and Journalism department. In addition, ASI President D’Aungillique Jackson helped answer questions.

Fresno State students asked questions about former university president Joseph Castro mishandling Title IX cases and sexual harrassment complaints against former faculty member Frank Lamas.

Jiménez-Sandoval said he met with the CSU Board of Trustees about an independent investigation on Castro’s case that was announced

by CSU officials in March. An investigator and another national firm have been identified, he added.

“These revelations are only recent to the public. So, why didn’t Fresno State wait until it was public to handle it?” one student asked.

Jiménez-Sandoval responded that human resources (HR) confidential policies do not permit Fresno State to disclose any information to the public, even if administrators know something has happened.

“That’s just to let you know that the issues that are happening within HR are not known to other members of the cabinet. They’re known to a few selected individuals,” Jiménez-Sandoval said.

“

Trust is a long-term process.

I’m a new leader to you because I’m a new president, with just a little bit over a year. I have come under situations that were not created by my own actions…

I don’t want to brush things under the rug.

— Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Fresno State president

The president also made it clear that the settlement and investigation was handled by the CSU’s Office of General Counsel, Fresno State’s CSU campus counsel and Castro.

This led to questions of whether members of the CSU involved in Lamas’ settlement would be removed from their positions.

“That means there are multiple individuals within the CSU who are making the decisions that are happening along the process and along the way, and it is not my decision to say whether they will be removed or not,” Jiménez-Sandoval said in his response.

He also said the victims did not receive any part of the financial settlements, and he said he is not in a position to explain why because he was not involved in those processes. This led to students asking if he is a “trustworthy leader” or not. Jiménez-Sandoval said it’s still important to disclose his history and make it clear to the students that he’s here to help.

“Trust is a long-term process. I’m a new leader to you because I’m a new president, with just a little bit over a year,” he said. “I have come under situations that were not created by my own actions. I would hope that people do know that… I don’t want to brush things under the rug.”

Jackson followed the president’s remarks in his defense as well, saying he talked to her and ASI after the news first broke about Castro. She also said conversations were conducted with administrators, Student Affairs, faculty and staff. Jackson then talked about how sexual harrassment is a systemic problem.

“I can guarantee you that this is the man who’s going to fight for us and he’s going to listen to what we have to say and implement those changes,” she said of Jiménez-Sandoval.

Hays read another comment questioning if other administrators under Jiménez-Sandoval’s cabinet were trustworthy, due to some of them having worked under Castro’s administration as well.

After reading the reports and paperwork, Jiménez-Sandoval said the administration “followed the protocols.” In previous open forums, he has also made it clear that he trusts the administrators currently working with him.

“Unfortunately, sometimes there are circumstances that may be personnel-related that we’re not always able to share or may not be able to share at the time,” Vice President for Administration Deborah Adishian-Astone added.

Adishian-Astone also said that any TItle IX or HR complaint filed was conducted properly and handled accordingly by certain policies and in consultation with the Office of General

Counsel.

Hays presented another comment from the virtual audience regarding complaints students want to file, and said the viewer expressed concern that complaints not directly related to Title IX will be ignored and neglected.

Like previous open forums, Jiménez-Sandoval made it clear that this is the purpose of the Title IX task force: to look into things beyond those cases including discrimination, harassment and retaliation (DHR). Micro and macro aggressions will also be investigated, he added.

“If there are issues, we want to know about them, and we will also resolve them. It is not only the urgent ones,” Jiménez-Sandoval said.

Jackson said ASI’s website and the university president’s website both have anonymous forms where people can report any issues as well.

Jiménez-Sandoval said this is the first task force of its kind that is trying to create an “intersegmental or interconnected system” within the CSU that will support victims in all areas they need support in.

“I am taking this as an opportunity for Fresno State to be the leader in this process, and I’m taking this as an opportunity for Fresno State to really lead with a system and a process that works for our people, for our community,” he said.

A question asked online and read by Hays stated that graduate students make $250 a month per class they teach.

“We have to teach more classes to afford Fresno rent, which makes it much harder to focus on our studies. This salary has not increased in at least five years,” the comment said.

Jackson responded that, while she was not aware of the situation, it showed the need of a dean for graduate studies.

She noted that graduate students often receive little financial aid, and have increased difficulties in applying for grants and scholarships.

Jackson said this is indicative of a “systemwide issue,” such as the Title IX case.

“We really have to take time to figure out how we’re supporting those who… go to the next level with their education,” Jackson said.

A&E

TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2022

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

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‘Electricidad’ premieres in Fresno with all-Latino cast

By Ashley Flowers A&E Editor

University Theatre is bringing its fifth production of the season, “Electricidad,” to Fresno for the first time through April 2.

“Electricidad,” written by Luis Alfaro, re-imagines Sophocles’ “Electra,” an ancient Greek story of revenge, as a “Chicano tragedy” in east Los Angeles.

The all-Latino/a cast helps emphasize and embody the Chicano culture with sporadic use of Spanish throughout the play.

“I needed a cast of actors that was familiar with a culture and familiar with the language, and Fresno State is a great place for that. We have a lot of actors that have connections to Latino culture, and specifically Mexican culture,” said director and Fresno State faculty member Gina Sandí-Díaz.

It’s Sandí-Díaz’s fifth play for Fresno State, and part of her continued efforts to highlight Latin American voices in her production choices, according to the director.

“It digs really deep into Aztec roots and how our cultures - you know, Chicanos, Cholos - also have a robust and millenary culture that is sustaining us... So, I think it’s beautiful to have a story that represents Chicano culture in that way,” Sandí-Díaz said.

The story is about Electricidad, played by Jennifer Rodriguez, a young girl who wants revenge after her mother murders her father, but is waiting on her brother’s return from Las Vegas for help. “[Electricidad] is fiercely loyal and is very proud to be a chola. Throughout her life, she was surrounded with the machismo, toxic masculinity, and throughout this play we watch her try to navigate it and eventually pave a path for herself,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez is a junior from the College of the Sequoias transferring to Fresno State to pursue a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts. This is her debut performance on the main stage, and she said she is “really honored to be a part of an all-Latinx cast.” “‘Electricidad’ brings to Fresno State culture an understanding of Latinx theater, which is often not seen within the Central Valley,” Rodriguez added.

Ellie West, a theatre arts major in her final semester at Fresno State, plays Electricidad’s mother Clemencia and described the character as a “warrior feminist chola.” “‘Electricidad’ is a good choice to bring to Fresno State because it is a Latinx retelling of a Greek tragedy and a female heavy show, giving more opportunity to our own community here

Courtesy of Miguel Gastelum

Top: Cindy Sanchez Landeros (left) as Ifigenia and Jennifer Rodriguez (right) as Electricidad.

Bottom: Ellie West as Clemencia, Electricidad’s mother. at Fresno State,” West said.

The cast and crew has not been as impacted

by COVID-19 compared with previous productions during the pandemic. Although Fresno State no longer enforces a mask mandate, it remains careful with Zoom rehearsals by continuing to encourage masks.

“We stayed masked until we began our tech rehearsal. Though the mandate is lifted, as a cast, we have to be extra careful to make sure no one gets sick so we can share the story we have been working on,” Rodriguez said.

Sandí-Díaz said that, while no cast members tested positive for COVID-19, sickness did affect production. Ensuring understudies are cast and precautionary measures are taken is a necessary step toward protecting theatre participants from sickness, according to the director.

“I think that one of the valuable lessons of this is that, as artists, as a collective art form in theater, we need to start paying attention to this. We shouldn’t keep pushing like we were pushing before the pandemic,” Sandí-Díaz said.

“I hope that moving forward, we keep some

of those precautions in place,” she said.

Performances began on March 25 and continue this week March 29 - April 2 from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes before curtain time, and latecomers will not be permitted.

Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for Fresno State faculty, staff, alumni and military and $10 for all students. Children under 12 are not allowed entrance due to mature content.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative result from a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the performance day is required for entrance.

TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2022

THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

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Off-Campus Student Life connects with commuter students during Spring Fest

By Adam Ricardo Solis Reporter

The Fresno State Off-Campus Student Life (OCSL) Program gave students an evening to roller skate, enjoy live music and more at Spring Fest at Campus Pointe last Thursday evening.

Evita Soares, a graduate assistant, said OCSL wanted to give commuter students a place to feel connected and that the purpose of scheduling Spring Fest around midterms was to give students a chance to revitalize and have a break from their usual routine.

Soares said the intention of Spring Fest was to celebrate students’ hard work since coming back to school and adjusting to in-person classes.

The OCSL serves commuter students and aims to provide them with resources and tools to help them academically and socially on campus.

“Ultimately, we wanted this event to allow students to meet other people, especially because a lot of students have been online this entire time. This may be their first semester [that] they’re actually in-person, and we wanted to make sure their in-person [experience] is more than just academics without connections,”

Soares said.

Entertainment for students included live music from DJ Diko, a trackless train ride, roller skating, glitter tattoos, airbrush tattoos and caricature drawings. Victor E. Bulldog stopped by for pictures with students, as well.

Madison Kent, a junior majoring in business management, said Spring Fest was the first school event she had ever attended and described the atmosphere of the event as fun.

She offered advice for students on the fence about going to events like these, or who are too shy to go by themselves.

“Go for it. I would say grab a friend. Grab someone you know, because that always makes it way easier,” Kent said.

Julia Cliff, a senior majoring in sociology, said she appreciated being able to attend events like Spring Fest for free as a student.

“I think it’s a really cool thing, to get people together and get engaged, too. Being a student, especially after COVID with being online for so long, to finally be in-person is starting to go back to normal,” Cliff said.

Cliff said that since starting at Fresno State online and adjusting to in-person classes she has been a little anxious, and events like Spring Fest have helped her feel like life is going back

to normal.

“It can be very tiring, working and going back to school right after, so stuff like this, where you just hang out and you’re not spending your time doing homework, [is] nice,” Cliff said.

Events like Spring Fest where students can become more engaged and do more activities

“make it feel more like you’re actually going to college,” Cliff said.

The next OCSL event will be another “Good Morning Commuters” event, where students arriving to campus in the morning can pick up free donuts, coffee, tea, fruit and more on their way to class on April 6 from 7 - 10 a.m. on Jackson and Barstow avenues.

Wyatt Bible • The Collegian

Students take photos with Victor E. Bulldog during OCSL’s Spring Fest.

TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2022

THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

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MCJ Student Film & Video Showcase held in-person for first time

By Alexa Barraza Contributor

Fresno State’s Media, Communications and Journalism (MCJ) Department hosted its Student Film & Video Showcase event in-person for the first time since its virtual transition at the Alice Peters Auditorium on March 22.

The event consisted of students’ work including broadcast journals, documentary films and narrative films. It also showcased videos produced by public relations students who partnered with film and media students, alongside a news video reported by The Collegian.

The first event was canceled in March 2020 and then transitioned to Zoom in 2021 due to COVID-19.

“There are all of these distractions on our computers… One of the nice things about the showcase being in-person is that folks will just sit there and enjoy and really get a break from their digital lives,” said MCJ chair Betsy Hays, who assisted with the event.

Hays said that this is an obstacle many other event coordinators are overcoming, but leaves room for creating ambitious plans for the future.

Wyatt Bible • The Collegian

One of the student films shown at the MCJ Student Film & Video Showcase was “A Love So Structural,” directed by Carla Sanchez Parra.

“I think it would be fun to [look] for ways to expand beyond film and video, because that’s not the only type of work our students do, and it might be fun to reincorporate the judging component of the professionals,” Hays said. “That’s something we have done over the years, but not all the time, so I think it would be neat to ask, ‘We’ve done it all these different ways, what are

some of the pieces we want to reincorporate in the post-pandemic?’”

MCJ faculty members nominated their students’ work to be featured in the showcase.

Carla Sanchez Parra was one of the students selected for directing a narrative short film “A Love So Structural.”

“I don’t think I’ve shown the film to anybody

besides the people who worked on it and my very close friends,” Parra said. “This was like our baby. Having people that weren’t directly involved in it and seeing it – that’s crazy.”

Student attendees were excited by future plans for the showcase, with students like Guadalupe Gonzalez, cinematographer of the narrative short film “A Love So Structural,” seeing the event as a great opportunity for students to share their creative endeavors.

“This was actually a good experience, [and] because of COVID, we had to do everything by ourselves like a one-man-band... Collaborating with people, I feel like it gave me a good feel of how it would be in the future if I were to pursue this as a career, which I am hoping to do. It was a nice experience, and I know that these lasting connections [could] lead to collaborating on future projects,” Gonzalez said.

The event was part of the Fresno State College of Arts and Humanities’ annual Arts in Motion Showcase, a weeklong series of events celebrating the college’s students, their passions and accomplishments, according to its website.

Future events will be shared on the social media pages for the MCJ department and the College of Arts and Humanities.

‘Don’t Touch My Hair Please’ webinar teaches importance of Black hair

By Viviana Hinojos Reporter

The African American Programs and Services (AAPS) in collaboration with the Cross Cultural and Gender Center (CCGC) hosted the “Don’t Touch My Hair Please” webinar virtually on March 25.

Marisa Williams, the student coordinator at AAPS, said the intention of the webinar was to educate people about Black hair and the importance of it.

Community members, students and faculty joined to learn about the culture and history of Black hair, while also taking home some hair tips.

The webinar started with a brief history lesson in protective hairstyles, such as cornrows, which dated back to 3500 BCE. Williams explained that different hair styles, particularly the different types of protective styles, could tell other people what clan or tribe an individual belonged to, as well as their religion, marital status and age.

On March 18, the Crown Act was passed in the House of Representatives to prohibit “dis-

Screenshot captured by Viviana Hinojos

The Zoom webinar showed instances of cultural appropriation by celebrities. crimination based on an individual’s texture or style of hair.” Williams said that the act comes after years of discrimination in the workplace due to decades of natural Black hair being seen as unprofessional.

Bryanna Caesar, student coordinator for gender programs and services, spoke about discrimination still being legal in 42 states, with no laws to protect people for how they choose to wear their hair to represent their culture.

“Even though we are moving so far ahead there is still a lot to be changed, and one of those changes that we need to start with is appropriation,” Caesar said.

Appropriation is the action of taking something for one’s own use, typically without the owner’s permission, Caesar said. Pictures of Kim Kardashian with cornrows, Adele with Bantu knots and Gigi Hadid with dreads were shared as examples of appropriation.

“It’s really important because for Black people our hair can be considered ghetto or unprofessional, and non-Black people wearing these styles are considered classy, innovative or trendy,” Williams said.

Although some appropriate these hairstyles for a fashion statement, it can also be very dehumanizing for others, according to Williams and other attendees.

“When people come up and touch my hair, it feels like I’m an animal in a petting zoo,” Caesar said.

Caesar described these moments as people wanting to be in one’s personal space to look at one’s Black hairstyle, but not caring enough to learn about it.

The aim was to have attendees leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation for Black hairstyles, Black culture, and the history behind them, according to Williams.

“In the future, we hope to hold many more events that focus on Black hair and mainly the Black community,” Williams said.

Future events will be announced on @fresnostatecccgc’s Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

OPINION

PAGE 9

TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2022

New Halo TV show turns Master Chief into a meme

By Adam Ricardo Solis Reporter

“Halo: The Series” began streaming on Paramount Plus last Thursday, but was less of an adaptation of the video game series and more of a show inspired by aspects of the games.

Episode one, “Contact,” focused on the Spartan super soldier Master Chief’s individualism and tried to flesh out a character that seemed different than the one fans may be more familiar with.

The first episode had some great special effects and did not shy away from showcasing unique sci-fi elements from the games, including a fight scene in the first act that may hook fans.

The scene strays from the familiar with its interpretation of Master Chief’s first encounter with the antagonists of Halo: the Covenant, a group of aliens fighting Master Chief for reasons that have yet to be revealed.

If you’re looking for a faithful adaptation of the Master Chief collection, showing the story of how Master Chief earns the nickname “The Demon” from the Covenant, you’re going to have to hold your breath: this is not that show.

Instead, “Halo: The Series” is a sci-fi show that is interesting enough to casually watch each week if you’re waiting for a new season of your favorite show or are a Halo fan looking for a laugh.

Minor spoiler alert and eye roll warning if you’re a Halo fan and haven’t watched the show yet: The most notable deviation from the source material was when Master Chief removed his helmet for a full face reveal during the third act of the episode, which led to screenshots of Master Chief overreacting and left Twitter filled with memes until the next episode.

Twitter was flooded with complaints about the face reveal, with many viewers saying it was a poor choice to do a face reveal in the first episode rather than lead up to it.

The Collegian is a student-run publication that serves the Fresno State community. Views expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or university.

(Adrienn Szabo/Paramount+/TNS)

Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief in the new TV show “Halo: The Series” that began streaming on Paramount Plus last Thursday.

Others said it makes Master Chief a joke, arguing that his identity was left to their imagination in the games, but now on Twitter it’s just a series of memes.

Much of the blame lies with showrunner Steven Kane, who publicly shared that the games were purposefully ignored during the process of creating the show at points, with creators instead focusing on a character-driven story.

While Kane may have butchered Master Chief’s reputation due to this decision, he did

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accomplish his goal of making a show that is character and world driven.

With a majority of the characters receiving fleshed out backstories and worlds being shown in-depth, Kane makes a sci-fi that relies on distinct locations and interesting character dynamics to keep the story interesting, rather than the established content from the games themselves.

There are many homages to original games for the fans within the first episode alone, but the writers took many familiar game moves and

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moments and left behind the context of those moments.

The Paramount Plus will continue to stream every Thursday at 12:01 a.m., with the second episode coming out on March 31.

However, long-time fans of the games aren’t going to find much to appreciate. If viewers want to watch something new or character focused, Kane’s “Halo: The Series” may appeal to them.

But video game fans themselves may continue to be disappointed.

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2022

PAGE 10

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

Bulldog tennis clinches two wins conference opening weekend

Melina Kazanjian • The Collegian

Pang Jittakoat (left) and Carolina Piferi (right) in their singles match against Colorado State on March 27 at Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center.

By Tyler Van Dyke Reporter

After clinching her set and helping the Bulldogs get a match win over Wyoming on Saturday, sophomore Carolina Piferi was put in the same position on Sunday against Colorado State.

The Italy native has no fear in these clutch moments and was the deciding factor in earning a 4-1 match win for the Fresno State women’s tennis team again on Sunday.

Piferi easily won both of her sets on the No. 6 by scores of 6-3 and 6-2 over CSU’s Sarah Weekley “That was the second clinch for me in conference, so it’s really nice having all the girls cheer for you and to be the deciding game. It’s just amazing claiming it for your team, so it’s really nice,” Piferi said.

The doubles matches

Melina Kazanjian • The C ollegia n

started off the day on a high note for the Bulldogs as they were able to take the doubles point, winning 2-of-3 matches over the Rams.

Doubles partners on Court 1, Pang Jittakoat

and Matilde Magrini took care of their opponents Matea Mihaljevic and Radka Buzkova winning 6-2.

On Court 3, doubles partners A.C. Hummel and Cristina Flaquer won their match 6-2 as well over Colorado State’s Tracy Guo and Sarah Weekley, clinching the doubles points for the Bulldogs.

As the team headed to singles, the Bulldogs’ lineup included Jittakoat at No. 1, Magrini at No. 2, Flaquer at No. 3, A.C. Hummel at No. 4, Carlotta Nonnis Marzano at No. 5 and Piferi at No. 6.

Flaquer, a junior from Spain, finished off her singles match first for the Bulldogs earning them their first point, handily winning both of her sets 6-4 and 6-2 on Court 3.

Finishing right behind her was Jittakoat, beating Colorado State’s Buzkova in dominant fashion with scores of 6-3 and 6-2.

The junior from Thailand has been the Bulldogs No. 1 for the entire season and has been dominant throughout.

Jittakoat said she doesn’t want all the spotlight on her, noting her confidence in her team.

“I feel pretty confident with the team, not just with myself, I think we are a really good team and all of my teammates really support me and help me to get better. Also, when I play it feels like I need to put one point on the board to help get my teammates more confidence to help win the match,” Jittakoat said.

The Bulldogs improved to 12-3

overall on the season, and Jittakoat talked about their mindset going forward after a good start to their conference season this weekend.

“We just want to keep going on and keep improving, even though it’s not at the end of the season yet, but we still want to keep going on and hope to win more matches,” Jittakoat said.

Head coach Denise Dy said these games were crucial victories, especially with CSU beating Colorado – a PAC12 school– earlier this year, and Wyoming – which the Bulldogs lost to last season.

Dy said that she is really proud of the hard work that the team has put in and it is a great feeling to start off conference winning like this.

“I think that it is obviously a great feeling to start off 2-0 in conference. I think that it really shows how much hard work this team has put in and it just shows for itself,” she said.

Dy also mentioned that Fresno State is going to have a very tough match coming up against San Diego State next weekend.

“Next weekend, we have a very tough weekend against San Diego State who has an all-American on the singles side, and UNLV, who has always been a very big tennis school.,” she said.

“I am looking forward to those two matches.

I think we can do well next weekend and have a great shot to go all the way but, yeah, it’s gonna be hard. We have to go one match at a time.”

The Bulldogs will host another tennis weekend with UNLV and San Diego State at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center.

Saturday’s tennis match against UNLV is currently scheduled to start at 2 p.m. and Sunday’s tennis match against San Diego State will be at 2 p.m. as well.

Bulldogs win semifinal over T-Birds

By Estela Anahi Jaramillo Sports Editor

The Fresno State men’s basketball team has continued to show their potential in the Basketball Classic tournament as they entered the semifinal round against Southern Utah.

Heading into this semifinal game, Southern Utah beat the University of Portland 77-66 last week.

The Bulldogs and T-Birds were two of 12 D-1 teams left competing in the country entering this game.

Last week the Bulldogs overcame the second-half deficit with the help of their bench.

The ‘Dogs took the win over the Penguins with a score of 80-71. Some of Fresno State’s star players weren’t present in the game, but showed the talent of their bench players and Bulldog Orlando Robinson.

Robinson took back the leading scorer title in the semifinals.

The Bulldogs clinched the win against the T-Birds with the score of 67-48. The Bulldogs now move to the finals and are set to play Coastal Carolina on Thursday March 31.

TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2022

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

PAGE 11

Bulldog football hosts largest Pro Day since 2019

By Aidan Garaygordobil Reporter

Fresno State’s football program hosted its Pro Day event at Bulldog Stadium on March 24.

The ‘Dogs had 13 players perform in front of 20 representatives from 19 individual NFL teams.

This year’s Pro Day was the team’s largest since 2019, when they had 19 players perform in front of 33 scouts representing 28 pro teams.

Of those 19 players, wide receiver KeeSean Johnson was the only player to be picked in the 2019 NFL draft.

The event showcased each player competing in drills specific to their position, alongside more traditional ones such as the 40-yard dash, 225-pound bench press and the vertical jump.

Fresno State’s all-time touchdown leader Ronnie Rivers drew considerable attention as the only player to have been invited to the NFL combine. The former Bulldog running back utilized the opportunity by improving his 40-yard dash by seven-tenths of a second with a time of 4.53 seconds.

He also put up impressive performances in several drills he did not perform at the combine, benching 19 reps of 225 pounds as well as putting up a 4.34 second shuttle time and 6.91

second three-cone time.

Defensive backs DaRon Bland and Deonte Perry stood out amongst the group, with Bland putting up the fastest 40-yard dash time with a 4.42 while also performing the largest vertical jump at 35.5 inches. Perry led the entire group in the broad jump with a 10-foot, 4-inch measurement, while also putting up the second fastest 40-yard dash time with a 4.45 second performance.

Offensive and defensive linemen Alex Akingbulu and Kwami Jones put up considerable numbers in the bench press. Jones led the group with 26 reps, with Akingbulu close behind with 25 reps of his own.

All-Mountain West Honorable Mention defensive end Arron Mosby also took part.

However, he performed his drills as an outside linebacker. The defensive standout ran a 4.71 second 40-yard dash while benching 22 reps of 225 pounds and performing a 30-inch vertical leap.

Fresno State has had three players drafted within the last three years, the last two being linebacker Mykal Walker – who was present at the 2022 Pro Day – and guard Netane Muti, taken in the 2020 draft.

Tyler Van Dyke • The Collegian

Ronnie Rivers celebrating with his teammate Raymond Pauwels Jr. after their win against UCLA on Sept. 18, 2021.

Jessica Hall wins individual champion for Fresno State Classic

By Estela Anahi Jaramillo Sports Editor

Kayla Barber • Fresno State Athletics

Fresno State womens golf team celebrates Jessica Hall winning individual champion at the 2022 Fresno State Classic Tournament.

Jessica Hall became the first Bulldog since 2014 to win as individual champion at the Fresno State Classic Tournament.

Hall became the third Bulldog in history to medal at Fresno State’s home tournament, which was held last week.

She now joins Taylor Siebert who medaled in 2008 and Madchen Ly who medaled in 2014.

In her junior season, of the six tournamnets she competed in, she appeared in the starting five for each tournament. She averaged 74.44 in 18.0 rounds last season.

She entered the third round of the tournament leading the field at first place, but the pressure was put on Hall in the final 18 holes as Hawaii’s Momo Sugiyama responded with a late push.

Despite the pressure at the end, Hall remained calm and kept her spot in first place with a strong showing in the back nine, securing an even par shot on hole 18 for the win.

She led the field of 87 with a 6-under-par 210 (70-70-70). This first career tournament win comes hand-in-hand with her second-low-

est tournament score of her career.

The Fresno State team finished third place overall for the Fresno State Classic, Hawaii taking the first place team win.

The Bulldogs improved significantly in this tournament compared to their last tournament shooting 19-over-par with a 883 (293-294296).

Other Bulldogs also performed well at the tournament, notably freshman Yu Shang who finished second for the ‘Dogs, placing 18th with a 6-over-par 222 (76-72-74).

Jinyoung Yun tied for 30th with a 8-overpar 224 (72-78-74). Harriet Lynch and Morgan Polley tied for 48th with a 229. Lynch finished with scores of 79-74-79 and Polley who competed ad an individual shot scores of 80-74-75.

Lory Paradis finished 60th and shot 17-over (233) with scores of 75-80-78.

Fresno State’s second individual Delana Basanisi finished 74th with a 238 (80-75-74).

The Bulldogs travel to their first out of state tournament with the Chambers Bay Invitational on April 11-12.

This will be their final regular season tournament before the Bulldogs prep for the Mountain West Championship on April 18-20.

TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2022

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

PAGE 12

Pumas vs. Chivas unites La Raza at Chukchansi Park

By Estela Anahi Jaramillo Sports Editor

Colored powder covered the field and chants from both teams’ fans created excitement at Chukchansi Park on March 23 as the Chivas and Pumas played a friendly fútbol game for Fresno fans.

Red and white decorated the stadium for the Chivas, with a hint of blue and gold for the Pumas. Fresno fans showed up with anticipation for the two Liga MX teams, and those included some lifelong Chivas fans from Fresno State.

Fresno State football kicker, Abraham Montaño, visited his roots once again as he watched his favorite team growing up play live. Montaño is used to being on the field, but onWednesday night he was in the stands cheering on his favorite team.

Montaño saw Pumas practicing at Fresno State’s soccer facilities the day before the game. Once he heard both teams were playing at Chukchansi park the following day, Montaño purchased tickets to watch them play.

“I wanted to attend the game for one because I am a diehard Chivas fan,” Montaño said. “I’ve been a Chivas fan since I was pretty much born because I was born into it. My whole family are Chivas fans.”

Growing up with a long history of watching and playing soccer, Fresno State student Alexis Rodriguez watched his favorite team, Chivas, play in Fresno for the fourth time.

Rodriguez first heard of the game through social media, but didn’t believe that they were actually coming to Fresno until he saw more traction about the game.

His family is also long time Chivas fans and enjoy watching professional soccer, so they se-

Wyatt Bible • The Collegian

Chivas and Pumas clash Wednesday night, March 23 at Chukchansi Park in front of over 12,000 fans. cured tickets as they came back to the Central Valley.

“Doesn’t happen often that your favorite soccer team comes close to where you live. We knew most of their star players were gonna come as well,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said that he’s followed these teams in Liga MX for a very long time and watched the Mexican league games every week supporting the Chivas with his family.

“As a soccer player, to experience a moment like that was amazing. Watching the game with my family makes it even better. Soccer is the greatest sport in the world. People always enjoy their time at a soccer game,” Rodriguez said.

Montaño was also excited to see the star players from the Chivas. Just like himself, many fans didn’t expect the Chivas to bring

their starting players. When the Chivas players entered the field at Chukchansi Park, the crowd exploded as they saw the faces they normally see on TV. “I got to see a lot of the star players. Unfortunately I didn’t get to meet them, but it’s ok just being able to see them there and see them play live was definitely something very nice, like a very great experience,” Montaño said.

Rodriguez explained that the atmosphere of these games was something he looked forward to the most. He anticipated the full stadium at Chukchansi because of the strong connection that Fresno fans have with soccer, especially with the much-anticipated return of professional soccer in Fresno.

Despite ending the game as a tie, fans left the stadium content as they walked down Ful-

Wyatt Bible • The Collegian

Chivas goalkeeper Miguel Jimenez (left), Pumas Angel Garcia and Chivas Jesus Sanchez (right) in their friendly at Chukchansi Park on March 23, 2022.

ton Street, honking their horns and celebrating with other fans over their favorite team. Montaño explained the connection of soccer with Fresno fans, because of the large Latino community in the Central Valley.

“I think it showed by the attendance. I think it was a sold-out crowd and there were maybe over 10,000 people, so I think it just goes to show that there’s a big connection with those teams here. And you know, just fans in general that they support the team. They support the sport and there’s passion for it,” he said.

Both Rodriguez and Montaño said their favorite moment was when Chivas’ Chistian Calderon scored a goal. The game remained scoreless for the majority of the first half until the Chivas scored the goal, which was when Chukchansi Park really came to life.

“There was beer thrown and smoke in the air when Chivas scored. It’s always exciting to see your team score. The fans were incredible every minute of the game,” Rodriguez said.

Montaño noted that seeing the fans come together was an unforgettable moment, even up to the point when his favorite team scored the first goal of the game.

Montaño and Rodriguez both said their experience at the game was exciting. For Montaño, attending his first game in almost a decade because of his busy schedule with sports was a great homecoming to the sport he loves.

“It was great, I really enjoyed it and now that I know that [the] Mexican teams come play here, then I’ll definitely be going to any game that I can,” Montaño said.

The energy inside Chukchansi Park was described by fans in one word: “electrifying.”