November 30, 2021

MEN'S BASKETBALL SUFFERS FIRST LOSS Fresno State’s Award-Winning Newspaper

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Kalen DeBoer leaves Fresno State

Adam Ricardo Solis • The Collegian

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Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Moving on...

Jannah Geraldo • The Collegian

...moving forward

Task force to consider renaming library

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INSIDE: THEATRE CULMINATES SEMESTER WITH PREMIERE OF 'WILDERNESS'

NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

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Officials to discuss renaming Henry Madden Library

By Zaeem Shaikh Editor-in-Chief Fresno State announced in a campuswide email Monday afternoon that it is assembling a task force to consider renaming the university library because its namesake, former university librarian Henry Miller Madden, held antisemitic views and Nazi sympathies.

University President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval said he was informed about the discovery by Fresno State professors Bradley Hart and Lori Clune, who shared the initial research that revealed Madden’s beliefs.

“I recognize that this news will deeply impact those in our community in a variety of ways. First and foremost, I want members of our Jewish community to know that we stand with you and against both the historic and ongoing antisemitism that remains all too present in our society,” Jiménez-Sandoval said in the email.

Jiménez-Sandoval said that Michael Lukens, executive director of governmental relations, will chair the task force that will review the renaming.

He also condemned some of the views Madden has expressed in the past.

The task force is “poised to meet this week,” Jiménez-Sandoval said in an email to The Collegian.

When asked about the potential timeline of their work, he added that the timeline cannot be rushed given the large volume of information.

“These views run entirely contrary to Fresno State’s core values of diversity, equity and inclusion and the efforts of our campus community to live by those values. The views attributed to Dr. Madden are more than allegations; they are reflections of his beliefs as captured in his own words, and in documents he curated and donated to the Library before his passing,” Jiménez-Sandoval said.

Madden, who served as librarian at Fresno State for 30 years, held a love for Germany at an early age.

He was born in Merritt Hospital in Oakland, California, in 1912, raised by his mother Martha Ann Miller after his father Henry Joseph died due to the influenza epidemic of 1917.

This recent revelation is the latest in a string of buildings and landmarks that have been revealed to be named after controversial historical figures.

At a time when these figures are being examined across the country, Fresno State’s latest discovery has pushed officials to reflect on the university’s own history.

Vendila Yang • The Collegian

University President Saúl Jiménez- Sandoval informed students of plans to discuss renaming the Henry Madden Library.

Madden’s past antisemitic views While attending Columbia University, Madden’s antisemitism grew. The Collegian’s own initial research in the university archives found that Madden often wrote in letters about his disdain for the Jewish community.

Hart’s book “Hitler’s American Friends: The Third Reich’s Supporters in the United States” briefly touches on Madden’s love for Germany and the Nazi regime.

According to Hart’s book, “Hitler’s American Friends,” Madden referred to New York as a “second Jerusalem,” in which he perceived Jewish people had taken over the economy and said that Jews “are genuinely alarmed for fear that some day the Americans will follow the example of Germany and put them in their place.”

His views even turned violent, Hart’s book details, in a letter to a friend where Madden said he developed a violent and almost uncontrollable phobia against the Jewish community.

He included insensitive language and slurs and said he “trembles with rage and hatred” when he sees them.

“They are the oppressors… Whom do I hate more than the Jews? They have oppressed my mother, stolen her savings from her, chained her with interest servitude, made a Via Dolorosa of her life,” Madden wrote in the letter. “They must go!”

In the 1930s, Madden’s admiration for Adolf Hitler also grew. In a letter to a friend, Hart notes that Madden wrote “Heil Hitler!” “Heil Deutschland!”

Madden’s ties to Germany Columbia was a place where Madden found other students with similar views. Hart said in

an interview with The Collegian that the former University President Nicholas Murray Butler was “essentially enabling Nazi propagandists.”

Columbia was one of several universities that gave platforms to pro-German voices at the time.

One of Madden’s close acquaintances at Columbia was William Oswald Shanahan, a history doctoral student who had done undergraduate work at UCLA. Hart detailed in his book that Shanahan sent Madden letters that included “doodled swastikas” and closed with “Heil Hitler.”

One of the reasons Hart became interested in researching individuals like Madden and Shanahan was that they were “eyewitnesses to the Third Reich,” he said, referring to Nazi Germany.

“I wanted to really look at these young people, especially, because older people going there obviously that’s interesting as tourists, but their views were already set,” Hart said in an interview with The Collegian. “I wanted to look at the young people who were more impressionable and answer the question why did they go there, and does this influence their later careers in any way.”

Fresno State tenure After World War II, Madden received his doctorate in history at Columbia and enrolled in the school of Librarianship in University of California, Berkeley. He then moved to Austria where he received a letter from then-Dean of Instruction at Fresno State Mitchell Pirie Briggs, offering him a job as college librarian at Fresno State College in 1949.

According to “Henry Madden and the German Travelers in America, Madden’s personal collection of works describing early travel expe-

riences of Germans in California, ”Dean Mitchell Pirie Briggs, who was tasked with finding a person to fill the role, sought the advice of Stanford history professor Ralph Haswell Lutz.”

The text explained that Lutz recommended Madden, who was a former student of his. Madden, without hesitation, accepted despite never visiting Fresno beforehand.

“After all, the job wasn’t in my home state, [and] although I’d never been to Fresno, at least it wasn’t Iowa,” Madden said, according to the text.

Madden remained the college librarian for most of his life. He eventually declared his intention to retire on Aug. 31, 1979, according to Madden’s collection.

In a 1978 Fresno Bee article, “Henry Madden loves books and his Porsche,” George Hostetter wrote that “there is a concentrated effort being made by Madden’s fellow workers and associates to have the new wing of the CSUF library named after him.”

Hostetter said the problem with the proposal was that a California State University rule states a person must be dead before a building may be named after them. He added in the article that a request was made for Madden as an exception to this rule.

Once then-University President Harold Haak approved the recommendation, he then had to send the nomination to the CSU Board of Trustees who gave the final approval.

The campaign was eventually successful as the Board of Trustees approved the name change. Written on an invitation card found in the university archives, friends and associates of Madden gathered on Oct. 11, 1981, at the south lawn of the library to celebrate the naming of the library in his honor.

“When I look about me and see tinkering and busy work, in an ever rising tide, replacing reading and writing among our students, I am happy to say farewell to my successors in the Library, to wish them well, and to let them know that if anyone is to win the battle, it is they who will do so,” said Madden in his farewell address at the ceremony, detailed in his personal collection.

It’s unclear whether any of Madden’s antisemitic and pro-Nazi remarks ever appeared in published works.

Hart said he spoke to people who knew Madden, and they didn’t know about his past beliefs.

“They were very surprised when I told them that I found this,” Hart said in an interview with The Collegian. “This is not something he broadcasts in his later years for sure.”

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

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ASI approves $3k men’s rugby team grant at meeting

By Adam Ricardo Solis Reporter After dealing with financial troubles at the beginning of the semester, the men’s rugby team will receive a $3,000 grant after Associated Students Inc. (ASI) approved the funding at its meeting on Nov. 17.

The grant, to be used for both the fall 2021 and spring 2022 semesters, is intended to support the club financially for equipment, uniforms and paying league dues.

Mike Darling, executive director of the men’s rugby club, said that without the grant it would be very difficult to maintain the team as is.

“The vast majority of our kids are first-generation college students, and their resources are more limited than some students and it just allows us to have a team,” Darling said.

Darling said the amount of support given to club sports from Fresno State is something to admire, and is something he is proud of.

“It would be almost impossible to sustain a team without the support of club sports, and Fresno State is a model. When we talk to the other teams, I would have to say that I’m very

proud of the fact that this is the school we’re at,” Darling said.

Darling said the team’s president, vice president and treasurer in particular put in great effort in applying for the grant.

The grant isn’t the only form of support the team has received this semester.

Recently the team started practicing at the Softball East Tailgate Spaces, the field next to the Fresno State Aquatics Center.

They previously played at Rotary West Park, where players would often encounter red ants, flies and mosquitoes.

On a few occasions, players have had their cars broken into, and some of their belongings stolen.

Darling said he loves being on campus for practice now.

He doesn’t miss the anxiety of having to plan practices at the old field, noting that practicing at Fresno State is reassuring.

“Our kids are safe, we’re on campus, the police force is diligent in seeing that this campus is a safe place, and what a relief for us as the coaches because we’re responsible for these students,” Darling said.

With the grant set to help the team this

fall and spring, Darling hopes to increase the amount of participation in the rugby club on campus and is working on promoting the team to anyone who might be interested in trying something new.

“We hand out cards that I get made in the

Fresno State print shop. I’m getting some long placards made right now,” Darling said. “But I just know there’s a couple of 100 boys and girls on campus that, if we could communicate with them and get them to a practice, that they too would want to be part of our team.”

Fatal hit-and-run collision

By Jannah Geraldo News Editor California Highway Patrol (CHP) has identified two suspects and recovered the vehicle Monday believed to be involved in a hit-andrun collision that killed a Fresno State student three days earlier.

Devan Nicole Elayda, 23, was killed in the collision that occurred on Nov. 27.

It occurred on eastbound Highway 180 near Cedar Avenue in Fresno, according to a news release from the CHP. Officers said investigations indicated that Elayda pulled over near the center median of Highway 180 and exited the vehicle in order to switch seats with a passenger.

As Elayda walked around the vehicle, a passing driver fatally struck her and fled the scene, according to officers.

Fresno State sent out a campuswide email to students addressed from Interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management and Dean of Students Carolyn Coon regarding the collision.

“Our hearts are with Devan’s family and friends and our Fresno State community who are feeling the loss from this tragic accident,” Coon said.

Officers ask that anyone with information regarding the collision contact the Fresno CHP office at (559) 262-0400 or Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7876.

Callers will remain anonymous.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

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What’s new for spring 2022: in-person courses, vaccines

Jannah Geraldo • The Collegian

Students walking along the club walkway across the University Student Union.

By Edward Lopez & Jannah Geraldo Reporter, News Editor Fresno State students can expect developments in hybrid courses and continued requirements for vaccine certification in the spring 2022 semester.

Interim Provost Xuanning Fu outlined the university’s current goals of offering education through the HyFlex format while the university continues to grapple with the evolving nature of the COVID-19 virus.

Currently, the university requests that all departments retain a minimum 50% of their course sections to be delivered in-person, on-campus as well as in-person, off-campus course sections, according to Fu. In-person, on-campus courses include those held at Fresno State. In-person, off-campus courses are courses not held at Fresno State.

“And the reason we want to maintain 50% is because this fall we have about 65% of class sections again in-person. We have 57% of all students this fall who are taking in-person class[es],” Fu said.

The decision behind the move centered around observations and feedback given to the administration regarding student performance in in-person classes versus virtual learning.

Fu noted that freshmen during the fall 2020 semester and current freshmen suffered academically.

“As you may have already heard, our freshmen last fall, and this fall, are the students who got affected the most by COVID. Freshmen from high school have never met their professor or adviser and they suffered the most,” Fu said.

In response to the issue, the administration seeks to make as many courses first-time fresh-

men might take in-person whenever possible, giving freshmen the option to be present on campus.

“So, we want to offer the key student success courses, science lab... and first-year math as much as possible in-person. So give students the maximum level choices [of] at least the 50%,” Fu said.

Fu acknowledged that not every discipline can be taught virtually, which is why students will see a fluctuation of in-person classes across the colleges.

“You have to be taking some of these [courses] in-person because you just can’t learn with the same learning outcome if you do it remotely… You can’t milk a cow virtually, you have to go to the farm and touch the cow and learn how to do this,” Fu said.

According to Fu, opinions regarding the HyFlex courses have remained largely positive, emphasizing the flexibility HyFlex courses offer in not only protecting students, but also providing an alternative means to attend the class.

“I think it’s very effective to give students some flexibility, especially those who may live far away from the campus,” he said.

In order to account for the increase in HyFlex classes next semester, the administration is looking into equipping more classrooms with HyFlex capacity, with the ultimate goal of creating an engaging learning environment.

Fu acknowledged that the current level of funding Fresno State receives to help train professors for HyFlex may not remain constant, which will affect the number of HyFlex courses.

“So far and for the spring 2022 [semester], we are using the HEERF relief fund to help train faculty in using this technology because of this.

[Faculty training] is significant and time-consuming... and faculty need to be compensated

and encouraged to do this,” said Fu Once the currently allocated HEERF funding ends for HyFlex courses, Fu said that the university remains committed to providing HyFlex courses through other avenues of funding.

Additionally, sanitization efforts and the availability of masks and sanitizing gel will continue into the spring semester, alongside free COVID-19 testing, said Debbie Adishian-Astone, vice president for administration and chief financial officer.

For spring 2022, free COVID-19 testing will be held in one of the gyms located in the Student Recreation Center (REC). It was previously conducted in the Satellite Student Union (SSU) during the fall but will be moved as the SSU will reopen in the spring for events.

A majority of facilities at the university will reopen during the spring, all with COVID-19 policies still in place.

“You know, we just don’t want to do anything hastily, and then cause problems. But, I think there’s a lot more openness. Like, for our facilities they’re now all open,” said Carolyn Coon, dean of students and vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Fresno State.

Coon noted that officials are still discussing

whether or not the bowling alley and nap pods located in the University Student Union (USU) will open in the spring.

According to Adishian-Astone, as some intramural sports have not yet returned due to concerns regarding close contact, utilizing one of the REC gyms will ultimately be beneficial for the campus community.

“So, we’re trying to make it a win-win because the Student REC Center is also very convenient for drive-up for anyone who is symptomatic, and then it’s very accessible with parking for anybody coming in to do their tests,” Adishian-Astone said.

Fresno State received $111,055,184 of the $1.8 billion federal institution support provided to California State University (CSU) campuses by the CSU. “But those funds do expire [and] have to be expended by May of 2022,” Adishian-Astone said.

Any transfer students applying for Fresno State in the spring will be required to complete self-certification for the COVID-19 vaccine before they are allowed to register for classes.

Any student who has not completed self-certification will not be able to register for spring 2022.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

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A&E

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

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Theatre’s first semester in person after COVID-19 finishes with ‘Wilderness’

By Ashley Flowers A&E Editor With the premiere of “Wilderness” on Dec. 3, Fresno State University Theatre will complete its first semester of on-stage performances after COVID-19 sidelined many would-be performers’ plans.

Aleiya Kelly, who plays the role of the 911 Operator, had always had an interest in theatre, but was reluctant to audition for a role due to COVID-19.

“So this is currently my second year being at Fresno State, with my first year strictly being on Zoom. I have always been interested in theatre and wanted to be a part [of theatre]. At first I was hesitant to see how the theatre department was going to do projects with COVID-19 protocols, though as soon as we were allowed back on campus and auditions were in effect, I just went for it,” Kelly said.

Other productions at the University Theatre have closely followed campus COVID-19 protocols, with cast members using hand sanitizer during plays before touching different cast members or communal items to minimize risk.

Precautions like this put Kelly at ease.

“To make sure each and every one of the cast and crew stayed safe, it is a requirement to wear [a] mask at all times inside the building unless you are acting, unless it was your specific scene. We were very spread out following the six feet protocol, it was highly encouraged to get various COVID-19 tests, check temperatures at the door and get hand sanitizer as soon as you enter. Instead of thinking of it as drastic measures, it was more so made as daily measures to stay safe,” Kelly said.

Kathleen McKinley, a long-time director of plays at Fresno State who directed the first post-pandemic production of “DARKSIDE,” shot as a live action graphic novel and streamed to the audience last fall, is directing “Wilderness” this December.

McKinley similarly noted the importance of following strict COVID-19 protocols during rehearsals and performances in enabling the return to in-person productions.

Some “Wilderness” cast members are longterm performers at Fresno State and are excited to return to the stage. Diego Barba, who plays the role of a counselor named Taco, has been attending Fresno State since 2018 and participating in shows ever since.

“I first started theatre at eight years old and immediately fell in love with it. Fresno State’s theatre department is outstanding and

Courtesy of Miguel A. Gastelum

“Wilderness” features an expansive cast portraying six different real families and featuring their experiences with wilderness therapy. well-rounded, so majoring in Theatre Arts Acting was a no-brainer for me. Doing shows at Fresno State is so rewarding and has provided me with memories that I will always cherish,” Barba said.

What the cast members do have in common is excitement to bring the unique “Wilderness” to University Theatre for its Fresno premiere.

“Wilderness,” described as a “pulsating documentary theatre piece,” tells six real families’ stories, encompassing the vast array of pressures families face today.

The play deals with topics such as mental health, addiction and gender and sexual identity issues. Director McKinley describes the play as a “docudrama.”

“The text and stories are derived from real life interviews with parents and teens who participated in several wilderness therapy programs,” McKinley said. “‘Wilderness’ is unique in the way its characters are presented – [they] are real people [whose] stories are drawn from real-life interviews conducted for the show. The interview aspect is worked into the show technologically in a way that I have not seen at a Fresno State show. The honesty and innovativeness of our production will draw students’ attention,” Barba said.

These elements include projected video, live vocals and original choreography by Koryn Wicks.

“The production creates multiple worlds: the high desert of Utah when the kids are cli-

ents in a therapy camp, the virtual worlds of video calls and the world of the memory and dreams expressed through monologues, music, movement and projections,” McKinley said.

Some characters don’t even appear onstage during the production. Matthew Yang, a sophomore at Fresno State majoring in Theatre, speaks from behind the stage for his role of a therapist named Mike. “‘Wilderness’ is such a beautiful play that talks about mental health and trauma that lingers within us. The play does an amazing job

of telling the audience about how important mental health is and that it can really impact our children,” Yang said.

“What is really unique about this show is that it is really relatable not only to students, but with all different age groups as well. It might make you laugh or well up your emotions, but every part of the play is going to keep you engaged,” Kelly said.

“Wilderness is relatable,” agreed cast member Alyssa Benitez. “Any kid or college student who had issues growing up or traumas growing up will relate to this show. It’s a painful show but it is also full of hope.”

“Wilderness,” written by Seth Bockley and Anne Hamburger, and directed by Kathleen McKinley, opens with performances at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 7-11, with a 2 p.m. performance on Sunday, Dec. 5.

Performances will be held at the John Wright Theatre at Fresno State. Tickets are available for sale now at $17 for adults, $15 for Fresno State faculty, staff, alumni and military, and $10 for all students. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. Latecomers will not be allowed entrance.

Proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination or a negative result from a COVID-19 rest performed within 72 hours of the performance is required to be admitted, and masks are required while audience members are in the theatre.

The production is intended for mature audiences only. Children under the age of 12 will not be permitted entrance.

Courtesy of Miguel A. Gastelum

“Wilderness” features several unique elements such as projected video, live vocals and original choreography by Koryn Wicks.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

PAGE 7

Transgender Remembrance Day honors losses and shares resources

By Edward Lopez Reporter Drew Harbaugh, president of the Fresno Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) chapter, spoke about the struggles of living a genuine life as a transgender man in society.

“Too often, we trans folks are seen not for the complex human beings that we are but were reduced down to just our transness into the struggles we endured as we strive to live authentic lives,” Harbaugh said.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was hosted as a virtual vigil by the Fresno State Cross-Cultural and Gender Center (CCGC) on Nov. 19 to honor the transgender lives lost to violence.

The day of remembrance initially began as a vigil held to honor the loss of Rita Hester in 1999, who was murdered due to her transgender identity.

For Harbaugh, being transgender is only one part of his rich and complex identity. He is an avid reader of books, a critical care nurse, woodworker, photographer and a father.

In sharing his story, Harbaugh said he hoped that the audience remembered the loss

of lives of transgender individuals, not simply because they are transgender but rather for being human and taken from this planet.

“We don’t want our trans siblings whom we have lost this year and whom we’re here to honor today, to be remembered only for being trans and only for the worst day of their lives,” Harbaugh said. “We’re here to acknowledge that these were vibrant, beautiful, complex people who live lives full of both joys and struggles.”

The CCGC and Trans-E-Motion, a non profit organization offering support and advocacy for the transgender community and allies, have hosted the Transgender Day of Remembrance at Fresno State since 2014. Due to the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the memorial was held virtually over Zoom this year.

Guest speakers ranging from transgender singers, local advocates and transgender individuals shared their stories at the vigil.

Two music video performances were shown in the vigil, both of which were produced by individuals affiliated with the Fresno Madera Imperial Dove Court.

Kye-Lah Deleon and Vanity O’Hara Moore provided a music video for the program.

Much like Harbaugh, Deleon and Moore sang about the difficulties of being a member of the

LGBTQ+ community and how it is difficult to be genuine not only to themselves but to others.

The vigil served as a platform for viewers to find out about the LGBTQ+ resources available at Fresno State and across the Central Valley.

Fresno State graduate student and secretary of Trans-E-Motion Ben Nehring began the virtual vigil by sharing information regarding LGBTQ+ resources people can find in the Valley.

Brenda Villalobos represented the CCGC and presented the available resources for LGBTQ+ individuals at Fresno State.

“Our LGBTQ+ programs and services provides an open and safe and inclusive space for our campus to promote education, self-exploration of identities and intersectional and intentional events and services,” Villalobos said.

Christine Muro of the Fresno Housing Authority provided resources people could reach out to in order to receive help with housing issues and homelessness. Rebecca Rodriguez, case manager of the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC), also discussed the multitude of economic resources available such as the “Q Closet,” which provides masculine and feminine clothing, hygiene products and peer support groups for free.

Spencer Salazar, the trans program coordinator for The Source, an LGBTQ+ resource center, emphasized the importance of helping guide individuals through their transition using these resources available to the community to help ease the process.

The final portion of the program was dedicated to the individuals who died this year for identifying as transgender persons.

The program also took time to remember local LGBTQ+ advocate and Fresno State alum Zoyer Zyndel who died last year on Dec. 26.

Zyndel worked with the Fresno Rainbow Pride committee, served with the Fresno Madera Imperial Court of Doves and was the former president of PFLAG. Estevan Parra Guerrero, program coordinator for the CCGC, narrated the video that accompanied the names of those who lost their lives. Parra Guerrero emphasized that there were many more lives unaccounted for and that they are deserving of remembrance as well.

“We recognize all the lives lost. We honor and remember every life is precious. Rest in power,” Parra Guerrero said.

The vigil concluded with a moment of silence followed by a support group session for individuals seeking assistance.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

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Upcoming holiday events in the Central Valley

By Miranda Adams Reporter The year may be coming to a close, but the holiday festivities are just beginning.

“This is my favorite time of year,” Fresno State student Mandy Vega said. “Everywhere I go, it either smells like cinnamon or there’s a beautiful display of holiday lights.”

Christmas Tree Lane is perhaps the most popular light display in Fresno. This year the 99-year-old tradition features 140 homes and 2.5 million lights.

The two-mile display runs along N Van Ness boulevard from Shields to Shaw avenues. Although the event is drive-thru style, visitors are welcome to walk or ride their bikes.

“Walking down Christmas Tree Lane has been a tradition in my family since I was a kid,” Fresno State student Jesus Camera said. “A few years ago, I found out about Candy Cane Lane, and it’s definitely worth checking out, too.”

Clovis’ Candy Cane Lane is located around Cindy Avenue and will be open until Christmas.

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is also celebrating the holidays with ZooLights, a festive light display throughout the zoo.

In addition to miles of themed decor, this annual event also features live entertainment and Santa’s Spirits alcohol stations for guests 21 and older.

The third Friday of December is national ugly sweater day. Visitors wearing their ugliest sweaters to the zoo on Dec. 17 to receive discounts on food and drinks.

ZooLights will be held Dec. 3-5, 10-12, 17-23 and 26-30 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $16 for adult non-members.

“I know everyone gets excited by the lights,” Fresno State student Jhoselin Moore said. “But I’m more looking forward to watching holiday movies and drinking my hot cocoa.”

Enjoy the season with a drink and a show at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theatre. “Elf the Musical” is playing until Jan 9.

The comedy is based on the 2003 holiday film that follows Buddy the elf in search of his true identity. Student tickets start at $19.

The Central California Ballet will be performing the Nutcracker at the William Saroyan Theater on Dec. 11 and Sunday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available for sale now.

A Magical Cirque Christmas will be on stage at the same location on Dec. 29.

The evening performance will feature a variety of entertainment including acrobatics and mystifying tricks that have been praised by

Larry Valenzuela • The Collegian

Houses along Van Ness Boulevard from Shields Avenue to Shaw Avenue are decorated at Christmas Tree Lane.

Copperfield himself.

The Fresno Philharmonic will also be performing at the William Saroyan Theatre this holiday season. Listen to its enchanting scores this Saturday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Visit the Fresno State Concert Hall the next day to listen to fellow Bulldog talent.

The Fresno State choir will be performing a holiday choral concert this Sunday, Dec. 5 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for students and university employees.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is also bringing holiday music to the Valley.

Catch its rock remixes of popular Christmas songs at the Save Mart Center on Thursday, Dec. 2.

“I love, love, love Christmas music,” Fresno State student Cecily Romero said. “But my favorite part about Christmas is celebrating with family and giving back to people who may not have the means to celebrate the season.”

Visit River Park this weekend for the Toys for Tots Marathon to donate a new unwrapped toy to a child in need, or join the Hells Angels on Thursday, Dec. 4 for their 23rd annual toy run at the Intimo Cocktail Lounge.

Participants with motorcycles can ride with the Angels after donating to deliver toys across the city.

OPINION

PAGE 9

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

Goodbye The Collegian. It’s been an amazing ride

By Zaeem Shaikh Editor-in-Chief I still remember in September 2018 walking into Betsy Hays’ office and telling her I wanted to change my major to media, communications and journalism.

Only a month had passed since I started going to Fresno State, and I wasn’t sure how to feel. Honestly, I was regretting my decision to go to school here. I had seen many of my close friends head to prestigious schools, quickly make their own friend groups and acclimate themselves to their campus environments.

Meanwhile, I was doing everything but adjusting. Before the first day of classes, I planned to switch to my major from business administration to engineering. Then, on a whim, a few weeks later I wanted to switch my major.

When I finally told my parents I wanted to major in journalism, they looked at me dumbfounded. Albeit, it was out of love. They wanted me to pursue a career that offered high-paying jobs and several opportunities. Journalism felt like the opposite with dozens of newsrooms shutting down.

I had also never shown any prior interest in journalism before besides occasionally reading the weekly Time magazine. Yet despite their views, I still walked into Hays’ office and handed in my change of major form.

I didn’t know what I wanted to do or what I was going to do next. The only thing I knew was that I wanted to work at The Collegian. I didn’t even know much about the paper, but I knew it was the next step given that I was majoring in print/digital journalism.

Two semesters later, I finally sent in my application for The Collegian to be the sports editor. I didn’t even know that much about Fresno State sports besides the high-profile names – Orlando Robinson, Ronnie Rivers.

But Samantha Domingo, the former managing editor, and Anthony De Leon, the former editor-in-chief, saw that I was passionate and took

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.

a chance on me.

From there, my journey at The Collegian began. That first semester was a window into how rewarding and how difficult the rest of my time here would be. There were many highs from getting to travel to Las Vegas to cover the Mountain West women’s basketball championship to many lows with the beginning of the pandemic.

I still remember sitting in the office in the middle of March 2020 with all of the other editors and thinking “is this it?” We all weren’t sure what to expect and what would happen with the future of the newspaper.

Nevertheless, the newspaper persisted.

De Leon continually pushed me to be a better writer and a better journalist. I’ll never forget those times we spent sitting late on Zoom calls near the end of the semester and for most of the summer.

For the time that I led the newspaper soon after, it was an extremely difficult transition.

The Collegian wasn’t printing a newspaper, and it was completely digital. I spent most of my days stuck inside my home and avoided interacting with others. As a staff, we were all dealing with our own mental struggles, many of us had financial troubles and some had family members who were sick with COVID-19.

On top of that, we had to contend with being full-time students taking virtual classes for a full semester for the first time. I’m just really grateful that through this time people chose to set aside their time to work for us and produce impactful journalism for all Fresno State students.

When we finally got to get back to the newsroom for the first time in person, the experience was amazing. It’s the little things you miss being together with everyone: the banter, the rants on classes, the talks completely unrelated to work.

I was still a nervous wreck. How could I not be when I was the only editor this semester who had ever produced a physical newspaper for The Collegian. And that was more than a year

The Collegian California State University, Fresno 5201 N. Maple Ave., M/S SA42 Fresno, CA 93740-8027 News Line: (559) 278-5732 Business Line: (559) 278-5735 Advertising Line: (559) 278-8179

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Jesús Cano • The Collegian

The Collegian is Fresno State’s student-run newspaper and will celebrate its 100th year in 2022. ago.

But we did it thanks to everyone on our staff who continually put in the effort to provide great content to our readers every week. This paper is about more than one person. It takes a network. For that, I want to thank all the people I worked with.

Thank you Anthony and Sam for taking a chance on someone who didn’t have the highest belief in himself. I can’t say enough good things about Anthony who helped me become the journalist and person I am today.

Thank you to all the editors I worked with: Andrea, Larry, Anjanae, Julease, Marc, Ashley, Manuel, Halle, Peter, Armando, Kameron, Jannah, Stacy and Jesús. Thank you for putting up with me and for believing in the work we do.

Thank you to all the reporters, contributors and photographers I had the chance to work with. Thank you for dealing with my constant edits and late Slack messages.

Thank you to the advisers: Tim Drachlis for teaching me everything I know about journalism, Betsy for being our biggest supporter, Jan Edwards for leading our advertisement staff

Zaeem Shaikh Jesús Cano Jannah Geraldo Ashley Flowers Manuel Hernandez Kameron Thorn Stacy Hurtado Marc Anthony Lopez Adam Ricardo Solis Miranda Adams Tyler Van Dyke

Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Photographer General Sales Manager Local Sales Manager Distributor General Manager Financial Manager Advertising Faculty Adviser Editorial Faculty Adviser MCJ Department Chair

and bringing revenue to our product, Kevin Fries for diligently managing our finances, and Rich Marshall for catching all the copy errors I missed.

I entered The Collegian as a naive 19-yearold and now leave it two years later with so many memories.

Before I finish, I wanted to make a special announcement: I’m extremely excited to announce that Jannah Geraldo will lead The Collegian in the spring as the next editor-in-chief.

I hired Jannah as a reporter last year and was able to see her quickly excel with a great news judgment and a knack for finding unique stories. She writes some of the cleanest copy I’ve seen, and that’s an understatement.

During her time as a reporter and a news editor, she’s shown she can not only report amazing stories but also lead reporters in writing great stories of their own. I can’t wait to see the work she’s able to accomplish as the editor-in-chief. With that, this is me signing off.

The Collegian gave me so much, and I hope I gave something back to this amazing network in return.

Edward Lopez Sydney Morgan Melina Kazanjian Lexee Padrick Hannah Hieber Edward Lopez Richard Marshall Kevin Fries Jan Edwards Timothy Drachlis Betsy Hays

The Collegian carries four different ethnic supplements inserted several times throughout each semester into its print publication. Each supplement is produced by its own staff and advisers and is separate from The Collegian.

The news stories or opinions in the supplements do not reflect those of The Collegian.

Each member of the campus community is permitted a copy of The Collegian. Subscriptions are available for $25, on a semester basis. Staff positions at The Collegian are open to students of all majors. All content Copyright © 2021 The Collegian.

Letters to the Editor (collegian@csufresno.edu): All letters submitted to The Collegian should be between 250-500 words in length, must be type-written, and must be accompanied by a full name and phone number to verify content. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all material for length, content, spelling and grammar, as well as the right to refuse publication of any material submitted. All material submitted to The Collegian becomes property of The Collegian.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

THE COLLEGIAN • OPINION

PAGE 10

SPORTS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

PAGE 11

Jesús Cano • The Collegian

Jesús Cano • The Collegian

Fresno State forward Orlando Robinson spins off defender for a post move against Cal on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, at Haas Pavilion.

Fresno State guard Donavan Yap gets blocked while attempting a dunk against Cal on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, at Haas Pavilion.

Bears break Bulldogs’ undefeated record in win

By Manuel Hernandez Sports Editor The Fresno State men’s basketball team was looking to continue its undefeated season against Cal Sunday night.

The ‘Dogs hadn’t started the year off with a 5-0 record since the 2015-2016 season. Increasing the streak to six would be a first for the team since 2006.

The team was riding on the momentum of winning the 2021 Venue Twin Southern California Surf Division Championship, where forward Orlando Robinson won the MVP. But the Bears were able to end the Bulldogs’ hot streak on Nov. 28 at Haas Pavilion with a 65-57 win.

“It was a game of mistakes,” head coach Justin Hutson said.

Cal capitalized on its height advantage against Fresno State, starting off well by winning the tipoff. Bears’ forward Andre Kelly had a one-on-one battle with Robinson in the first half, with Kelly scoring 10 points, making 5-for5 of his shots from the post.

Robinson responded with 7 points and was able to get a couple blocks on Kelly – but he wasn’t the only big facilitator for the Bears. Cal forward Grant Anticevich took advantage of a court filled with Bulldog guards. He finished the first half with 7 points himself, shooting 3-for-4 from the field.

“I knew I had to guard [Kelly] one-on-one, but I didn’t expect them guarding me one-onone,” Robinson said. “Usually, most teams want to double-team me. Like, limit my chances all together. They pressured me, and I knew it was

coming. Battling him was cool, but I knew that I needed to be aggressive for my team to win.”

The Bears started the game with a 7-0 run, leaving the ‘Dogs scoreless in the first three minutes of the game. Robinson was able to put points on the board for Fresno State with a baseline jump shot, but Kelly answered back with a post hook over Robinson that the Bulldogs couldn’t counter, as they turned over the ball.

Turnovers seem to be a crutch for the ‘Dogs, as they average 12.2 turnovers per game.

“Us not falling in our offense and being too thirsty, starting with me, is a big part of [the turnovers],” Robinson said.

The energy shifted for Fresno State with around 14 minutes left of the game when Campbell was scratched in the eye and unable to return for the rest of the game. With an offensive spark like Campbell gone, the ‘Dogs found themselves in a dry spell, relying on Robinson’s post scoring. By halftime Cal was leading Fresno State 28-21.

“We didn’t do a good enough job moving the ball around and spacing it to break down that defense,” Hutson said.

In the second half both teams went backand-forth. Cal blocked Fresno State’s first possession, but Robinson got a block of his own in the following play.

Fresno State was able to tie it at 37 with around 10 minutes left, and tied it again at 40, but both times Cal regained the lead with 3-pointers.

That second tie was the last time the ‘Dogs would get close to the Bears.

Fresno State still had hope, down single dig-

its with 2 minutes left. But the Bears drew the ‘Dogs into the post, leaving a wide-open shooter to hit the dagger 3 in the corner.

A couple plays later Robinson put pressure from the wing, almost forcing a shot-clock violation.

The ball was nearly deflected, but a Bears

guard caught it before it crossed the line.

Cal threw it up in the final second and swished the 3, making the stadium go wild.

With Fresno State long since having lost control of the game, the Bears ended as winners.

Robinson led with 25 points, nine rebounds and four blocks.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

PAGE 12

Fresno State head coach leaves program for Pac-12 job

By Manuel Hernandez & Jesús Cano Sports Editor, Managing Editor Fresno State football head coach Kalen DeBoer has left the program to become the new head coach at the University of Washington.

The Washington Huskies made the deal official on Monday afternoon as they shared a video of athletic director Jen Cohen taking a flight to Fresno, where DeBoer was seen signing a contract.

“While we are saddened to see Coach DeBoer leave Fresno State, we are grateful for his service to our university and our community over the past two years,” Fresno State Athletic Director Terry Tumey said in a prepared statement.

“We did all that we could to keep Coach and his family in Fresno, but we understand that this is an incredible opportunity for them.”

Tumey said the department will move “swiftly and diligently” as it searches for a new head coach.

“My family and I are so grateful for the opportunity to lead such a storied program and be part of this prestigious institution,” DeBoer said in a news release. “The tough, hard-nosed tradition of Washington football speaks for itself, and it was obvious throughout this process

Melina Kazanjian • The Collegian

Former Fresno State head coach Kalen DeBoer becomes the new coach at the University of Washington on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. that UW is committed to competing at the highest level. This is a perfect fit for me and I would like to thank Jen Cohen and President Cauce for their trust. We could not be more excited to get to Seattle and get to work.”

DeBoer’s tenure at Fresno State began in 2017 as the offensive coordinator. He spent two seasons with the team. In 2018, Fresno State went 12-2 and won the 2018 Mountain West

championship against Boise State and captured a victory in the Las Vegas Bowl against Arizona State.

Following that season, DeBoer became the offensive coordinator at Indiana in between his two-year stint with the Bulldogs in 2019. Helping lead the Hoosiers to an 8-5 record, Indiana had its best record in over 25 years, and it was its first time being nationally ranked.

He also had a 67-3 record as the head coach at the University of Sioux Falls, his alma mater.

DeBoer was appointed as Fresno State’s head coach after Jeff Tedford stepped down in 2019. Fresno State went 12-6 under DeBoer’s two seasons at the helm.

“I could not be more excited to welcome Kalen and his wonderful family to the University of Washington,” said Cohen in a news release.

“We set out to find the best fit for Husky football and we found an individual that exemplifies everything this program represents. Kalen is a winner and champion, plain and simple. He has succeeded at every stop because he does it the right way and is committed to a culture of excellence for Husky football student-athletes.”

DeBoer should see a big pay day in Seattle.

At Fresno State, DeBoer’s salary was $7 million dollars over five years, which also included opportunities for incentives.

On the other hand, former Washington head coach Jimmy Lake made $16 million over the course of five years but was fired after 13 games with the Huskies.

Bulldogs running backs coach Lee Marks will serve as the interim head coach and will lead the team in a bowl game, which the Bulldogs will find out about in the upcoming week.