Banner | Vol. 70 Issue 7

CBU community ushers in the new Year of the Rabbit

ChatGPT presents ethical concerns for schools and profs

BY JASMINE SEVERI B&T EDITOR

Recently, a new artificial intelligence technology called ChatGPT has been gaining traction in the tech world. ChatGPT is a natural language processing system that can generate humanlike conversations with users. Created by OpenAI, it is powered by a deep learning algorithm that can understand and respond to user input in real time. It can also generate content based on a prompt, such as thesis statements or even entire essays.

This technology has raised ethical questions as some students have begun to use it to complete assignments, and it leaves schools trying to figure out what policies they need to put in place to address it.

Jennifer Tronti, assistant professor of English and director of the undergraduate English program, said she is aware of this technology and thinks that teachers have to accept that this is a reality now.

“I brought it up in a class and — no names — but people have said that they know classmates (who have used it),” Tronti said. “We know it’s in use already. It’s already something that’s here and around, so I feel that no matter what my personal position is on it, I’m going to have to contend with it and I can do horrible, awful things like make everybody do handwritten essays, which are painful to read. I’m sure they’re painful to write, and I don’t think that’s a great solution.”

Recently, California Baptist University’s Provost O ce sent out an email to the student

body with the subject, “Uses and Abuses of Chat GPT3,” where they addressed this technology and acknowledged both the “potentials and perils it brings.”

“Your faculty are aware of applications like Chat-GPT3 and GPTZero, which can detect, like SafeAssign, AI-generated text,” said Tae Sung, dean of student success and associate professor of English, in the email.

“A group of faculty is currently exploring how such technologies can be used properly to enhance learning through technology in the same way we already use sophisticated computer software to enhance learning.” The email also warned against the abuse of this technology.

“If you choose to experiment with these new technologies, avoid any potential honor code violations,” Sung’s email said. “Do not use AI-generated text as your own. Treat it like any open online source that must be evaluated and, if used, cited properly.”

ChatGPT itself, when asked about the ethical implications and practical applications of this new technology, warns against using it improperly.

“It is important to consider the ethical and educational implications of (using ChatGPT to help with writing essays),” ChatGPT said.

“As a language model, ChatGPT can generate text that may be useful in providing ideas or suggestions for your writing, but it is not a substitute for your own original thinking and writing.”

CBU students use body art as mode of self-expression

Many students at California Baptist University use di erent forms of self-expression, including writing, sports, music, art — but what about tattoos? 38% of U.S. citizens between the ages of 18 and 29 have at least one tattoo, according to a 2019 article in Psychology Today. California Baptist University students are no exception. Students on campus explain their tattoos, their meanings and how they use body art to express themselves. Art tells a story. As author Charles de Lint once said, “Tattoos ... are the stories in your heart, written on your skin.”

One of the reasons tattoos

the work environment is also starting to change. One-third of companies now see no problem with employees “donning visible tattoos,” according to the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Career Exploration Program.

While tattooing is evolving and becoming more acceptable in the workplace, tattoos have also been controversial in the Christian community. Many Christians have been opposed to tattooing the body. Psychology Today reported that 11% of participants who opted not to get a tattoo did so due primarily to religious reasons. One participant gave a response

BIBLE IN ART

Stumpf, senior liberal studies major, captures rare video of a whale giving birth.

gum can enhance alertness and performance in class and on tests.

students weigh in on inaccuracies in the portrayals of biblical characters in art.

THE BANNER STAFF

Editor-in-chief

Emily McGinn

Managing Editor

Alexza Bahnmiller

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Charissa Graves

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Emily McGinn

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Zerenity Lopez

News Editor

Connor Ryan

Asst. News Editors

Megan Madrigal

Miranda Smith

Lifestyle Editor

Jameson Showers

Asst. Lifestyle Editors

Valerie La Ponza

Olivia Lenning

A&E Editor

Zerenity Lopez

Asst. A&E Editors

Jonathan Mejia

Sarah Murphy

Gabi Riggin

B&T Editor

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Asst. B&T Editors

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Sports Editor Michael Marks

Asst. Sports Editors

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about the banner

The Banner newspaper is an award-winning, bi-weekly campus publication that publishes 10 issues a year at California Baptist University.

The Banner, a student-run newspaper, serves the CBU community with accurate, timely and factual reporting on significant aspects of university life, Riverside life and subjects of interest or concern to its readers. The Banner’s content is produced by the student sta and does not necessarily reflect the opinions or interests of the university.

Students, faculty, sta , administrators and others in the university are encouraged to react to published material or to comment on matters of concern. The Banner retains the right to edit your letter upon publication based on grammar and word count. Send letters to Emily McGinn, editor-in-chief of The Banner at emilyanne. mcginn@calbaptist.edu.

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Thanks for reading!

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McGinn | Banner

Is California prepared for oods?

BY CONNOR RYAN NEWS EDITOR

Though the entire left side of California hugs the ocean, the Golden State does not often su er from devastating floods. While a portion of the state’s resources is allotted to anti-flood measures, the government tends to divert funding to pressing short-term issues.

“Part of the challenge of evaluating California flood response is that significant floods are not that common in the state,” said Chase Porter, professor of political science.

“In 2018, 24/7 Wall Street put together a list of the 30 most destructive floods in the history of the U.S. Two of the 30 were in California; one of those two was due to a dam failure. So, to some extent, we are not vigilant in flood preparation because we just don’t experience that much flooding. In 2017, the Public Policy Institute of California noted that California has had 10

significant floods in the state’s history.”

Some argue that regardless of the frequency of flooding in California, our water management and flood control infrastructure is hopelessly outdated. Dr. Elaine Ahumada, professor of public administration, said the issue of poor infrastructure primarily arises from ine cient government policies.

“[The infrastructure] is in need of severe repair,” Ahumada said. “We need to actually spend probably close to millions, if not billions, of dollars to fix it.

“So when we look at the infrastructure that has existed from the start, when the population of California was much less, you had these river channels that were going straight to the ocean to carry water and overflow of water. But now, those are not adequate.”

While there are several opinions on California’s ability

“Part of the challenge of evaluating California ood response is that signi cant oods are not that common in the state. In 2018, 24/7 Wall Street put together a list of the 30 most destructive oods in the history of the U.S. Two of the 30 were in California.

Dr. Chase Porter, Professor of political science

to deal with flooding, the fact that floods rarely happen makes it di cult to have a definitive idea of what needs improvement.

“I do think we are underequipped for floods here in California because we have no suspicion that a really horrible flood will ever come our way,” said Elizabeth Sharpe, junior environmental science major. “We have been in a drought for quite a while, but with that being said, our planet is unpredictable, especially with climate change being as prevalent as it is. California does have some decent flood preventative infrastructure like dams, but we need to be more prepared than that.”

Additionally, Ahumada argues that tsunamis are a more significant threat than most people realize.

“We’ve had 150 tsunamis,” Ahumada said. “In 2022 in January, we had a tsunami that hit Santa Cruz that caused, you know, $5 million minimum damage to just the coastline there.”

The first step toward fixing these issues is to obtain the necessary funding. One way would be to increase taxes. However, with California’s slew of federal, state and income taxes, it would be challenging for citizens to get on board, especially concerning something that will not have

any noticeable short-term e ects.

Another less feasible outcome is renegotiating how much taxpayer money goes to water management. Ahumada raised the idea of decreasing social program funding, but her ideal solution was for government programs to increase e ciency. If more cost-e ective methods are put in place, more funding could be redistributed to infrastructure needs.

At an individual level, citizens can improve the environment from the comfort of their own homes.

“People need to get involved in their own backyard,” Ahumada said. “People will be surprised at how many nonprofits or environmental groups there are just in the Inland Empire. And if people want to actually get involved and be a stakeholder in the community, to be a participant of solving some of these community issues, they really can, especially students who are working on a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, with plenty of opportunities to get involved in our own backyard.”

To improve water management infrastructure, Californians must be conscious of the policies they support and make an individual e ort to create a safer environment.

PIT count reports 15% homelessness increase

BY MEGAN MADRIGAL ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Homelessness is a growing issue in Riverside County, where the homeless population has increased 15% over the last two years, according to NBC Los Angeles. Help agencies host a yearly Point-In-Time (PIT) count of the homeless in the surrounding areas. A wide variety of nonprofits, churches, organizations and volunteers come together and spread out among the 28 cities within the county. It is designed to unite the community by improving the state of the county while simultaneously lending a hand to the public by providing easily accessible resources.

This year, it was held on Jan. 25 from 5:30-9:30 a.m. The purpose of the count is to be able to provide the necessary amount of help and need based on the number of homeless adults residing in the county.

Every year, the PIT count is held by order of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) since Riverside County currently receives funding from the Continuum of Care (CoC) program for its homeless. The CoC is the main corporation that provides resources for those struggling to find shelter in the community. “I’m familiar with the

PIT count,” said Philip Breitenbucher, professor of social work. “By getting an idea of how many homeless there are, that brings in resources to the county, meaning funding. Often bringing people in, they’re really surprised at the amount living out unsheltered. So, it brings humanity to the issue. It may even inspire others to serve and volunteer more in the future.”

There are many reasons why providing resources is an important issue for the county. The most prominent one is health concerns.

“Homelessness is a public health issue,” said Dr. Kendra Flores-Carter, professor of social work. “It is important for us to see it through this lens because only then will we be able to truly address the seriousness of this problem within our community.”

Other organizations that take part in aid for the homeless in Riverside County include Housing First and Home Connect. These organizations work specifically to provide permanent housing to those struggling with homelessness and provide them with an overall improved quality of life. The most di cult part of dealing with this complex social issue is often knowing what programs to begin with, as there are a wide

“Most people are one paycheck away from homelessness. If they lose their job they have nowhere to go. It just becomes this cyclical thing, where people are just being criminalized and they can’t get out of it.

variety of programs involved in addressing concerns.

Some people experiencing homelessness do not even know who they can reach out to or where to start. The stigma around it also adds to the lack of awareness of these types of programs.

“Implementing the housing-first model correctly should be a priority for organizations,” Carter said. “Many organizations report that they are using the housing-first model but are only creating temporary shelters instead of permanent housing for homeless people.

There is a significant flaw in how the housing-first model is implemented within some organizations. Programs like Home Connect and the Homeless Partnership program are a good start for those who are experiencing homelessness.”

There are many steps involved in helping people secure housing. By providing shelter first, program leaders

Janette Sanchez, Graduate student of social work

will better understand the forms of assistance that work best for those in need. With shelter, the most obvious issue at hand is taken care of, then more help can be o ered depending on each person’s situation to ensure they stay o the streets.

“I do think homeless people are misunderstood,” said Janette Sanchez, graduate student of social work. “I think a lot of times people see homeless people and they have the mentality where it’s their fault they’re in that situation. In the U.S. in particular, most people are one paycheck away from homelessness. If they lose their job they have nowhere to go. It just becomes this cyclical thing, where people are just being criminalized and they can’t get out of it.”

Every year, the city needs volunteers to help the Riverside community become a place where no people have to live on the streets so that resources can be directly brought to those in need.

CBU student lms gray whale giving birth on whale-watching tour

BY IGNACIO DOMINGUEZ STAFF WRITER

Matt Stumpf, senior liberal studies major, captured a rare moment o the coast of Dana Point, Calif. with a lucky group of whale watchers. In the open waters o the California coast, the whale watchers witnessed a gray whale, but not just that — a baby calf appeared on the whale’s back.

Stumpf was working as first mate aboard Capt. Dave’s Dana Point Dolphin and Whale

Watching Safari on Jan. 2. Before departure, Stumpf and the crew had been briefed about a whale nearby.

Something was irregular about this whale; it was traveling along an inconsistent path, making it di cult for the crew to locate and get a glimpse of it before it moved to a di erent location.

“We had two boats there watching this whale — two of our faster boats,” Stumpf said. “They had just got on it, and it was getting really close to them.”

For those aboard, there was a moment of worry and confusion when a pool of blood rose on the waters.

“We see blood in the water, and we’re like, ‘Oh,’” Stumpf said. “At least for me, I was like, ‘Something’s happening.’ Maybe it got hit by a crop. Maybe there’s a predator here

that we just don’t know about.”

A few moments later, those on the boat would notice that it was far from a predator; it was a gray whale giving birth to a calf, a scene very unique to the geographic location.

Stacie Fox, a photographer working on the boat that day, knew pregnant gray whales are often in a hurry towards lagoons in Baja California, Mexico, to give birth to their calfs.

“[After seeing blood rise in the water], my immediate thought was like, ‘This is a pregnant female. She’s giving birth. That’s what’s happening,’” Fox said.

Fox’s focus has always been dolphins and whales. For her, this moment was one she never thought she would get to witness.

“[Researchers and scientists] know, in general, they go to the lagoons, but they don’t actually see them give birth or know exactly where they give birth,” Fox said.

Ordinarily, Dana Point does not see the birth of calves. Rather, births occur past Palos Verdes, an area just south of Long Beach.

“It’s just so rare to see,” Stumpf said. “We do see calfs a lot. But to see one be born — that is not something I would ever expect to see.”

Fox described the moment as “a bucket list-type thing.”

Incriminating records found at Biden’s home

BY MIRANDA SMITH ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Federal investigators uncovered more classified documents at President Joe Biden’s Wilmington, Delaware, residence on Jan. 20 in a search that lasted nearly 13 hours. These documents date back to Biden’s term as a senator, as well as his time as vice president under former President Barack Obama, according to the FBI.

Details about the content of the documents have not yet been revealed. While on a twoday summit in Mexico City, reporters shouted questions during various public meetings for details on this investigation, which Biden refused to disclose.

The media has begun to grow frustrated with the lack of transparency that the Biden administration is demonstrating on this issue. In a recent press conference

recorded by The Guardian, upon being confronted to report details about the ongoing investigation, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre avoided the questions she was being asked by repeatedly stating that Biden “takes these documents very seriously.”

“The immediate impulse may be to question either the integrity of our leaders or at the very least, to wonder about if they are appropriately cautious with government materials,” said Dr. Chase Porter, professor of political science. “This impulse will certainly be the gut reaction of partisans, and there may be some merit to it. Alternatively, there is an argument that the classification process is broken, in that too many documents are classified. If this argument is true, then this incident may reveal more about our processes than our leaders.”

“One of the things I’ve always said I want to see is a dolphin give birth, or I want to see a whale give birth,” Fox said. “But you never expect it’s going to happen. It’s a once-ina-lifetime thing.”

Stumpf said that the moment after realizing that the whale was giving birth, they saw a “floppy” head being pushed up by the mother whale. Not even the owner of the company, Captain Dave, had seen this scene in his 25 years on the water.

Stumpf sprinted into action to capture the moment.

“It kind of looked like a Pirates of the Caribbean moment for many of the crew because we were up at the top deck watching, but all our stu is at the bottom,” Stumpf said. “So I think I literally grabbed on the ladder and swung around to go down, get my drone ready and get it up in the air.”

The video capturing the moment the gray whale gave birth has now been viewed by over a million people on YouTube, giving many the chance to witness the special encounter.

Stumpf said that the mothercalf duo is now expected to be traveling down to the west side of Baja California on their migration route.

If all goes well, it is possible that they will get the chance to see the duo again as the whales

Porter continued, emphasizing that morality among politicians is key to e cient policies.

“I would argue that increased transparency and integrity from all our politicians would improve governance,” Porter said. “Our politicians should have the integrity to know when transparency is called for and act accordingly.”

However, some believe that expecting politicians to demonstrate integrity is a lost cause, and instead place their faith in the government structure itself to keep public servants accountable.

“I personally feel like all politicians are corrupt and this does not surprise me at all as our previous president also committed similar acts,” said Sarah Christenson, junior English major. “I think our government is built to withstand issues such as this. For our future presidential candidates, I hope to see someone who truly cares about bettering our country, the safety and betterment of all American citizens and the economy.”

The current circumstances have been compared with a similar seizure of classified documents in 2022. Classified

head back to Alaska later in the year, where they will spend their time feeding over the summer.

As for everyone on the boat, that day was a joyous and touching moment they experienced in nature and a story they will likely tell friends and family in future years.

“I love showing that to people,” Stumpf said. “People come on our boats, and there’s nothing quite like seeing somebody’s face light up who never thought they would see like a whale in real life. And there was one, right there — so that’s really what keeps me going. Certainly, these moments of, “Oh my gosh, I get to witness this.’ That’s awesome.”

documents were discovered by FBI agents at the Florida residence of former President Donald Trump and more were also uncovered at the Indiana residence of former Vice President Mike Pence. The discovery of these documents leaves the American people skeptical about the politicians holding current and past o ce positions.

“I have almost no trust in our government because of stu like this and in recent years, I have learned how untrustworthy most government o cials have become,” said Lanaye Gabourel, senior healthcare administration major. “I think we need a lot of change in various aspects of our government, so in the future, I hope to see new, fresh, moral candidates who can fulfill their promises.

“I hope they are surrounded by people who want to see growth and change within our country. I would love to see the whole government reconstructed.”

Due to the improper possession of classified documents, federal prosecutors have yet to decide if these current and former elected leaders will be facing criminal charges.

NEWS BRIEFS

FACE MURDER CHARGES

Five police of cers face charges of seconddegree murder and aggravated assault following the death of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols, who was left in critical condition following a traf c stop on Jan. 7 in Memphis, Tenn., according to the Memphis Police Department. Three days after being hospitalized, Nichols died. The Memphis Police Department released footage of the incident, showing graphic material of the brutal beating.

TWO DAYS, TWO SHOOTINGS

Two mass shootings took place in California in the span of 48 hours. On Jan. 21, a 72-yearold gunman opened re at an Asian-American dance hall, Star Dance, in Monterey Park, Calif., murdering 11 and wounding nine, according to the Associated Press. The suspect was identi ed as Huu Can Tran, who took his own life after a standoff with police in Torrance, Calif. Just a few hours later, in the quiet agricultural town of Half Moon Bay in Northern California, a 66-yearold man opened re at two locations, wounding eight and killing seven, according to the Associated Press. The suspect in the Half Moon Bay shooting, Chuli Zhao, was later arrested and admitted to the killings.

A 4.2-magnitude earthquake rattled Southern California on Jan. 25 at 2 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter was 10 miles off the coast of Malibu. Several aftershocks followed. Initial reports indicated that the earthquake was felt as far as Fullerton.

EARTHQUAKE HITS SOCAL TOM BRADY RETIRES “FOR GOOD”

After a 23-year career, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady took to Twitter on Feb. 1 to announce his of cial retirement from football saying, “I won’t be long-winded. You only get one super emotional retirement essay, and I used mine up last year, so really thank you guys so much to every single one of you for supporting me.”

Photos Courtesy of Matt Stumpf Matt Stumpf, senior liberal studies major, ies a drone while on a whale-watching trip off the Southern California coast.

WRITTEN BY IGNACIO DOMINGUEZ COPS

Diet soda proves to not be a healthier choice

BY OLIVIA LENNING ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Diet soda first gained popularity in the mid-20th century. Since then, it has become available at virtually every grocery and convenience store, becoming a staple in American households. These drinks claim to o er the same taste and flavor as their real sugar counterparts, without the calories. Despite being zerocalorie products, nutritionists have insisted that these drinks may not be healthier than regular soda options.

“The most commonly found artificial sweetener in diet soda is aspartame, followed by stevia and Splenda,” said Lindsay

Fahnestock, professor of health science. “I tend to consume the Splenda and stevia-based sodas over the aspartame ones when I do have them. This is because there is more and more peer-reviewed information regarding associations between aspartame and various health issues.”

Fahnestock said that both diet and regular soda have risks and recommends consuming as little as possible to maintain a healthy diet. Regular soda contains high fructose corn syrup, which Fahnestock said has been associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

“We know everything has its risks and pros and cons, so being aware of moderation and consumption overall is very important,” Fahnestock said.

Anna Koczwara, junior nutrition and food science major, does not drink soda often, but does drink diet on occasion. Koczwara explained that despite the negative e ects of large amounts of artificial sweeteners, she prefers to save the calories on the rare occasion she drinks soda.

"(Diet soda) has no calories or sugar," Koczwara said. "The

artificial sweeteners can be harmful in large amounts or if consumed often. If I'm only drinking diet soda every once in a while, I feel like it doesn’t pose any harm."

Koczwara shared how artificial sugars are used to imitate the taste of regular soda and the sweeteners that are used come from sucrose to make the drink sugar-free.

“Artificial sugars in large amounts can lead to an increase in insulin in the body and also a ect the way that real sugar is processed," Koczwara said. "Not being able to process real sugar can lead to Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.”

Alana McCormick, junior nutrition and food sciences major, said she prefers regular soda even if it is not the healthiest choice. McCormick explained that these sweeteners are produced in a lab, designed to imitate natural sugar.

“Artificial sweeteners are di erent but have a very similar chemical pathway to normal sugar,” McCormick said. “This chemical pathway is typically created in a lab, and they make the chemical structure so

Natalie Tanaka | Banner Despite the fact that diet soda has no calories or sugar, the artificial sweeteners that it contains can cause harm over time. Such effects can include the inability to process real sugar, leading to Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.

similar that it mimics the flavor of sugar.”

McCormick also discussed the correlation between diet soda, diabetes and the other various negative health e ects of the drink.

“Processed sugars still

cause obesity, increased appetite and poor blood sugar regulation, ultimately leading to diabetes,” McCormick said.

“This occurs because there are no natural calories or energy for the body to breakdown, but the insulin is still released

due to the pancreas mistaking the artificial sugar for natural sugar."

“When real sugar is broken down, it is used to help create energy for your body, and in moderation is helpful for bodily functions."

Fast money is not always good money

BY VALERIE LA PONZA ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR

If college students need one thing, it is money. And if there is one thing college students do not have, it is money. That is where the allure of get-richquick schemes comes into play. Get-rich-quick schemes promise grandeur, prestige and large sums of money for little work. But, as the saying goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Get-rich-quick schemes can range from Ponzi schemes, multi-level marketing, crypto and other digital currencies. But no matter the format, the result is the same: Grandiose claims that no one can deliver on.

Some of the hallmarks of a get-rich-quick scheme include exorbitant claims and promising returns far greater than your initial investment.

Sometimes they ask for an initial membership fee, a start-up cost or another sort of monetary exchange for promises of a return well beyond what you paid.

But, if these schemes are well known to be unscrupulous

what a get-rich-quick scheme is in an article.

“Generally speaking, a getrich-quick scheme is any plan or strategy that promises large amounts of money for little to no investment," Lake said in her article. "The term 'get rich quick' has a less than desirable connotation, since these ventures often fail to live up to their claims.”

Lake said that while there are many di erent types of getrich-quick schemes, they are all the same at their cores and prey on potential victims by promising them grandeur.

and misleading, why are they still prevalent and why do people still fall for them?

Rebecca Lake, financial writer for sofi.com, explained

“Get-rich-quick schemes work by drawing people in and using some type of financial incentive as bait," Lake said. "Potential victims may be told that they’ll be able to make a large amount of money very quickly if they just pay a fee or make an initial investment.

Or they’ll be told that they can get their debts eliminated for much less than what they owe.”

Dr. Keanon Alderson, professor of business management, said that get-rich-quick schemes are widespread. Their roots even trace back in history to snake oil salesmen in the Old West during the 1800s, where salesmen would travel in a wagon from town to town.

“He would sell them some worthless thing in a bottle, but he would tell them all sorts of great claims that this is going to change their life and improve that and their health is going to go through the roof," Anderson said. "We call them snake oil salesmen because they weren’t selling anything of value, but the promises they made and attached to them were huge.”

These schemes are notorious for preying on

vulnerable people, such as single mothers, people in financially compromising situations and college students.

Alderson said even though making money is never as easy as advertised by get-rich-quick schemes, there are still easy ways that busy college students can make a few extra bucks. Thrifting and flipping are some of Alderson’s suggestions for an easy way to make money.

“If you have knowledge of a certain thing — clothing, for example — or something you collect, you can cruise around some thrift stores, and when you see an item for sale that you know is worth more than what they’re asking, you can go on Amazon or eBay and take a look at what people are selling it for on there,” Anderson said.

While the most popular and well-known get-rich-quick schemes include multi-level

marketing and Ponzi schemes, Chris Butsch, freelance writer for moneyunder30.com, explains that get-rich-quick schemes encompass more than those two well-known examples. Butsch also considers cryptocurrency, the lottery, phony job listings, robocall scams, bad online business courses and mystery shopper scams as forms of get-richquick schemes.

From a Christian perspective, these shortcuts are looked down upon.

“The Bible tells us that getrich-quick schemes are not wise and that we get rich over our lifetime with hard work," Alderson said.

(Proverbs 13:11 ESV) illustrates this: “Wealth gained hastily will swindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”

Scripture memorization enhances connection to faith

BY OLIVIA LENNING ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR

The art of memorization is becoming increasingly less prevalent in modern Western society. However, Christians hold the view that the Bible is the unchanging, living and breathing word of God. Despite easy access to pull up Bible verses on our cell phones or quickly look up a verse in one of our many Bible translations, Scripture memory still carries great significance in the lives of believers today.

“Scripture memory helps to keep the Word in my mind and heart,” said Andrew Pepper, sophomore Christian studies and intercultural studies double major. “As I memorize a section, I find myself thinking about it more, and thus it slowly changes me. It keeps me more in tune with God and helps me better understand the nature of his word and his son.”

Pepper shared how crucial it is to be consistent and accountable when approaching Scripture memory. He advised that breaking down longer sections into smaller ones helps to memorize the scripture as a whole.

“Scripture memory is important because it’s important to know the Word for

your life,” said Brianne Jackson, senior theater major with a minor in Christian studies. “We can’t bring our physical Bible with us everywhere we go, and even if we could, we don’t know where every Scripture for every occasion is o the top of our head.”

Jackson explained that need-to-know Scripture is especially important when sharing the gospel in everyday life.

“Scripture memory helps share the gospel on any occasion," Jackson said. "It also allows the Holy Spirit to bring to mind specific Scriptures at the proper time and in the right situations.”

Jackson shared her technique in approaching Scripture memory, which mirrors the way she memorizes lines and scripts within her theater program.

“I have Scripture memory cards that I like to take with me," Jackson said. "I’ll mark up the Scripture into sections and walk around while memorizing the verse just like I would with my lines. When it comes to [solidifying] memorization, I have to repeat it five times in a row or break up the passage and memorize one sentence at a time. I write out the entire Scripture on a piece of paper to

make sure it’s in my mind."

Dr. Adamson Co, professor of theology, shared why he feels Scripture memory is important to every believer’s walk with Christ.

“Scripture memory is an important spiritual discipline because it has a way of reaching inside a person’s heart through a very intentional and very personal way of encountering the truths of the Bible,” Co said. “One Bible passage that supports the importance of this discipline is Psalm 119: 9, 11.”

When asked why Scripture memory is not optional for believers, he explained the connection between intentional thought and behavior. Co argued that memories would inevitably influence our beliefs and behaviors.

“Do we want to be more intentional in the flow of memories that come into our minds which will then influence our living?” Co asked. “For most Christians, the answer is yes. What better way to allow our minds to deliberately collect memories from God’s word, which would then directly move us toward Christlikeness and away from the many other kinds of memories we encounter daily in the world.”

Co explained the direct relationship between Scripture memorization and sanctification, the process of becoming more Christlike.

“Scripture memorization definitely plays a role in sanctification through what Paul calls the ‘renewing of your mind’ (as seen in Romans 12:1-2 ESV) that leads us to Christlikeness,” Co said.

Co provided a couple of methods for memorizing Scripture depending on an individual’s personal

preference when it comes to time and dedication to Scripture memory.

“In my younger days, I used the Navigators’ topical memory system," Co said. The system is a streamlined process to memorizing key phrases in the Bible. "I find it to be very useful and transformative. This method, though, can be very challenging for some people since it calls for a high level of self-discipline. It is well worth one’s time and e ort.”

Co also gave the easier

alternative of simply re-reading certain Scripture texts multiple times and letting one's memory take over.

“I suppose this is what God meant when he [spoke] to Joshua [in] Joshua 1:8 or what the psalmist touted as the mark of a godly man in Psalm 1,” Co said.

Psalm 1:2-3 (ESV) reads:

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water."

Photo Illustration by Zerenity Lopez | Banner

“ The Bible tells us that get-richschemes are not wise and that we get rich over our lifetime with hard work.

Dr. Keanon Alderson, Professor of business

“ We know everything has its pros and cons, so being aware of moderation and consumption overall is very important.

Lindsay Fahnestock, Professor of health science

BY EMILY MCGINN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Extra. 5. Trident. Orbit.

We see these familiar brands lining the walls of check-out lines at stores like Target, Rite Aid and CVS. This multitude of brands and flavors compose the chewing gum industry, which rakes in billions of dollars annually in the U.S.

Many gum-chewers snag their favorite flavor of gum (according to Statista, the most popular is spearmint, as it should be) on their way out of Target simply because they enjoy the taste, but should we be using it for a larger purpose — say, to improve our academic performance? Some studies have indicated links between retaining information and chewing gum, leading to heightened performance on tests.

“Statistically significant di erences were found in test performance between the chewing gum and nonchewing gum conditions on postlesson test performance (Experiments 1 and 2) and alertness (Experiment 2),” read a 2018 study published in Applied Cognitive Psychology. “The findings of this current study

Does chewing gum help you learn?

demonstrate that chewing gum while studying realistic educational materials has a statistically reliable e ect.”

Dr. Kristin Mauldin, associate professor of psychology and director of the sport and performance psychology, said multiple studies have supported this idea of gum-chewing as a way to enhance learning and attentiveness. She said the motion of chewing gum increases adrenaline and leads to more blood flow and increased glucose to neurons in the brain, boosting alertness.

“It’s kind of a general arousal that’s occurring when you chew gum,” Mauldin said. “It’s not unlike if you go out and do exercise — even just some very small amount like a walk — you’re going to be activating your sympathetic nervous system.”

Mauldin suggested that students can chew gum while learning new material in class and while taking tests to boost attentiveness and performance, especially since gum is inexpensive.

“It can give [students] a little bit of that edge,” Mauldin said.

“The di erences [in performance] weren’t huge, but they weren’t terrible in terms of increased display of intelligence scores or academic markers on general exams. That’s enough if you’re a student to be like, ‘Why

MAKING EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS

Twritten by Valerie La Ponza

MATERIALS

One pineapple, kale, one head of iceberg lettuce, Hershey’s semisweet chocolate, 2-3 containers of strawberries, kebab sticks, foam block, double boiler (or a pyrex bowl over a pot of water) or microwave and wide mouth jar/mug as a container with straight or sloped sides

STEP 1

Melt the chocolate, and then dip the strawberries in the chocolate. Twist the strawberry as you lift it from the bowl.

STEP 2

Slice the pineapple

not pop a piece of gum?’”

Kasinda Thompson, junior psychology major, views chewing gum as helpful for herself and other students, especially for those who struggle with staying still.

“It helps me focus when I am studying or listening to a lecture,” Thompson said. “[However], I think gum can be distracting for some other students and

is messy.”

While many studies have concluded that there is a di erence in performance across the board, there have been mixed results as to the type of learning and memory chewing gum can impact and as to the extent of that impact.

“The take-home from that is, why not?” Mauldin said. “If it’s not hard for you to do it, go

for it. You have a piece of gum in your pocket and you think, ‘It kind of sounds good but I’m not sure and I’m in class,’ [you] should probably chew the gum. Is it enough to go out and buy gum? I don’t know — what are your grades like? If you’re an A student, probably not. If you’re on the curb there, you might want to get some gum.”

For those who want to take

advantage of the gum-chewing learning boost but do not have any on hand, Mauldin said creating similar movements with the mouth can lead to the same stimulation.

“So if you forgot your chewing gum, you can sit there and kind of pretend like you’re chewing gum,” Mauldin said. “It would probably have a very similar e ect.”

Strong faith quells anxiety

BY ALEXZA BAHNMILLER MANAGING EDITOR

Anxiety is a state of uneasiness or nervousness usually over an impending or anticipated ill, according to Merriam-Webster. Many students may experience anxiety, especially as they grow closer to graduating and entering the unpredictable environment known as the world. About 42% of college students reported that they experience anxiety, according to a study by the American Psychological Association.

Willow Beach, sophomore double major in psychology and commercial performance, thinks that college students have a lot on their plates that contribute to feeling anxious.

“There’s so many new and continuous stressors in college like homework, personal relationships and jobs,” Beach said. “Additionally, there is the fear of the unknown when it comes to the future and the question of whether we are on the right path or not. And even though we are experiencing the

STEP 3

Shove kale into the base of the container and peel a few layers from the head of lettuce and wedge it into the mug, letting half of the head poke out the top to make a dome. Wedge kale leaves into the sides of the head of lettuce

Among the many delicacies that Americans eat on a consistent basis, where would one rank chicken wings?

Businesses such as Wingstop, Bu alo Wild Wings and just about every major pizzeria franchise serve them daily. Chicken wings are versatile and can be prepared in many ways with a seemingly in nite number of sauces. With such a demand for chicken wings, consumers o en search high and low for a solid 10-piece with fries. Well, ladies and gentlemen, look no further for those who live in the Riverside area because Hotlanta Wings and ings has you covered.

Hotlanta Wings and ings is a hop, skip and jump from

same type of stressors as each other, we all still feel alone in managing them.”

Dr. Sam Welbaum, assistant professor of philosophy, agrees that feeling alone is a big factor of anxiety. He said he believes that contemporary society is more prone to loneliness due to our lack of connection with each other, something social media perpetuates too.

“Anxiety is worrying without an object,” Welbaum said. “It’s worry for worry's sake. And a big cause of anxiety is isolation caused by a lack of community. Right now, our society is disconnected from each other, especially after the pandemic.”

However, Welbaum believes that Christianity can help provide a solution.

“As Christians, we have the opportunity to be part of the Christian community and the relationships that we can build within that community in turn helps with anxiety because we are part of a communal cluster,” Welbaum said.

One way to be involved in religious community is by

attending church services.

Research published in the International Journal of Depression and Anxiety (2019) concluded that in almost every study, faith, prayer and church-based social support were associated with reduced anxiety. There is also a correspondence in that “the higher the worship frequency, the lower the odds of depression and panic disorders,” according to findings on WebMD by researcher Marilyn Baetz.

Although research shows that anxiety can be reduced, there will always be the risk of an unforeseeable future. Welbaum said that not being able to predict our lives is part of the human experience, and as Christians, we can view this

fact through a di erent lens.

“Christian perspective allows us to come to terms with the fact that we cannot predict the future and yet it also gives us the ability to be confident, content and joyful regardless because we know it will be for good,” Welbaum said.

Jeremiah 29:11 reads, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” College students are mere humans and we have a lot to figure out on a daily basis. Even though it may take some time, there are ways for us to manage and to push past struggles such as dealing with anxiety, whether it be connecting with a friend or saying a prayer.

“Christian perspective allows us to come to terms with the fact we cannot predict the future and yet it also gives us the ability to be con dent, content and joyful regardless because we know it will be for good.

Dr. Sam Welbaum, Assistant professor of philosophy

RESTAURANT REVIEW:

Hotlanta Wings and Things

by Jameson Showers I Lifestyle Editor

California Baptist University's campus, a few blocks away from the CA-91's Magnolia exit with an address of and can be found at 3950 Pierce Street. e restaurant is family-owned and has been in business since 2000, according to its website. eir dishes are prepared daily, and their prices are low so that everyone can get a taste of their delicious food. In a world where most plates start at $12-15, Hotlanta Wings and ings recognizes this and keeps their average price around $9. ey o er breakfast and lunch specials that help customers save money while still being able to eat a gut-busting amount of food. e restaurant's menu has a large selection outside their main chicken wing dishes. ey cater

to breakfast, lunch and dinner with combos ranging from fried cat sh sandwiches to sets of pork ribs with salmon. Hotlanta makes three-meat combos possible with a serving of chicken, pork and seafood. If you go just for the wings, you will not be disappointed as they o er bone-in and boneless with 13 sauces to choose from. eir menu brie y explains the taste of each sauce and the corresponding heat level. Supplement the meal with some macaroni and cheese on the side to satisfy your tastebuds and stomach.

Hotlanta has friendly customer service which comes as a needed relief a er the extended wait time for their food. ey o er catering services for larger

events, and they teamed up with GrubHub and DoorDash for customers who wish to have their food hand-delivered to their homes. With all these options at the consumer's disposal, Hotlanta gives an overwhelming number of reasons to say yes to their service. Is your mouth watering yet? Are you tired of paying for overpriced food? Take a look at their Instagram page @hotlanta_west for an up close and personal look at some of their plates. Hotlanta Wings and ings has quality plates with fair portions and great prices. When the craving for chicken wings comes knocking on your door, make sure to put this wing restaurant at the front of your mind.

Photo Illustration by Charissa Graves | Banner

Multiple studies support the idea that chewing gum can be an effective tool to improve brain function related to learning and attentiveness.

Students celebrate Lunar New Year with campus festivities

1. A Chinese dragon performace takes place in Lancer Plaza.

2. Students have the opportunity to make paper lanterns at a station set up in the Community Life Lounge.

3. A group of students pose at the photo booth with a variety of themed props.

4. Students play games where they can guess what certain written words translate to in English.

5. Booths around the lounge o er students the opportunity to get their names written in Chinese calligraphy.

Photos by Madison Sardana and Josselyn Guillen

CBU dive team makes a splash

BY MICHAEL MARKS SPORTS EDITOR

Diving is a distinctive sport, marked by the game’s especially tough physical and mental aspects. The competitions and training regimens can overwhelm even some veteran players at times. Despite this, the dive team has continued to improve since the Division-I transition and has adjusted to competition at the top level well, staying competitive with top schools such as the University of California Los Angeles. The dive team is currently led by Je Couto, head dive coach, who has been with the program for the past 15 years.

While diving may be unique compared to other sports, the events are easy for anyone to learn. There are two di erent types of events within diving: springboard and platform dives. The first springboard event is the low dive, which is 1 meter high and the high dive for the springboard, which is 3 meters high. The platform dives are only done at the DI level and internationally. Within the platform event, there are three events to score points, diving at 5 meters up, 7 meters up and, finally, 10 meters up.

There are six di erent diving categories: the front category, back category, reverse category, inward category, twisting category and a final sixth dive. There is also a category specifically for platform dive:

an armstand. “Each athlete has to perform one front, one back, one reverse, one inward, one twister and then they compete six dives, so in your sixth dive you can double up on what your best category is,” said Couto, “Most of the time its twisters, so you do a back twister and a reverse twister.”

Couto also said that his athletes focus on specific muscle groups during training to enhance their diving. Training exercises also vary based on the type of diving an athlete does.

“[We make] sure with our strength coach we are taking care of our core [and] glutes, strengthening our quads [and] hamstrings [and] making great adjustments for our shoulders upon entry,” Couto said.

“In weights, there’s a balance. For springboard, I want a little more power because the board moves, so I’ve got to learn, ‘How do I compress the board?’ I’m patient in that compression, so it throws me up as I’m jumping. [In] platform, I want a little more fast twitch plyometric explosive movements, so we’re gonna work a lot more on just jumping, box jumps, plyometrics, one-legs — really working on that quick speed.”

Flexibility is also a crucial aspect of diving and makes all the di erence come competition.

“Range of motionflexibility-is essential,” Couto said. “If you can’t get into a

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL DEFEATS GCU

It is a tough time to be a Lopes fan, as the Lancers took the win over Grand Canyon University 78-70 on Jan. 21. This was an impressive game of basketball to behold. Three was the Lancer's favorite number that game because they gave them to us all night. At the end of the first half of play, the Lancers led by six and would more than double that lead to 15 points in the third quarter. The Lopes tried their best to lasso some points with free throws but could not come back.

pike — like a flat position — or you can’t get into a proper tuck position, it takes away from you being able to get into a perfect 10.”

Madison Liu, a senior exercise science major and team member, understands the work it takes to perform well in this sport. While most people think of the physical aspects, and rightly so, every sport has a mental aspect to it. Diving requires mental fortitude to perform at the collegiate level, as the slightest margin of error can be the di erence between success and failure.

“I would say the most challenging aspect is the mental aspect as one can be physically capable of completing a certain dive, but if there is a fear or mental block surrounding the dive, it can be really hard to push through until you have identified and addressed the issue,” Liu said. This mental block can be partly attributed to the inherent risks found in the sport.

“Shoulder injuries are common when entering the water,” said Jacob Penman, sophomore software engineering major and team member. “I have dealt with recurring shoulder injuries that are caused when I enter the water wrong. Physically, this can take up to a month to recover each time. Physical therapy has been engraved into my daily routine to keep my body as healthy as possible.

Evan Honer, senior business administration major, completes a dive at a competitive

Mentally, this brings fear in high-risk dives that I have to overcome so I can improve my capabilities for competition.”

Despite the risks, Penman shared some ways he approaches the sport to improve. This is another aspect where mental strength and visualization are key.

“There are multiple ways to improve dives,” Penman said. “One process I like to focus on is stripping each part of the dive into separate skills to work on. This makes it easier to focus on one skill and master that

WOMEN’S WATER POLO WINS ONE, LOSES ONE

The Lancers took a win and a loss on Jan. 28, the second day of The Joust tournament. The first game against the UC Irvine Anteaters ended in a loss 20-6. Despite the best efforts of our defense, UCI kept the points up throughout the game. However, in the second game against Redlands, the Lancers bounced back and blasted the Bulldogs back. In the last quarter, the two teams shot goals back and forth to a final of 15-5, with the Lancers taking the victory.

before moving on to the next.

Other forms of improvement could be studying videos of diving to see what Olympians are doing di erently than you or visualizing your dives to stay mentally prepared.”

Even if a diver has mastered both the mental and physical aspects, there is still a gap that separates the good divers from the great divers. Maintaining this focus is key for success, with veterans of the sport even struggling at times.

“In my experience, I have noticed that divers who do well

in competition are those who have a good balance between staying loose as they are waiting for their turn in the round and getting focused on their next dive a few minutes before their name is called,” Liu said.

“In big meets with lots of competitors, it is important not to mentally drain yourself by dwelling on your past and future dives but to enjoy the experience through either hanging out with teammates or listening to music, and then get into the zone at the proper time.”

MEN’S BASKETBALL PULLS AWAY AT UT ARLINGTON

Taran Armstrong lived up to his jersey number as he made way for victory, scoring 24 points against UT Arlington in the team’s biggest away win yet on Jan. 25. The Lancers beat UT Arlington 74-66. In the first half, both teams struggled to get the ball through the net but the Lancers eventually broke through and took the lead. UT Arlington shot back in the second half and briefly held the lead until Joe Quintana threw out the threes and secured the victory for CBU.

Sports addiction takes a toll on students and athletes

BY HANNAH GORDON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Playing sports can have a positive influence on a person’s life, but it can go too far. Sports addiction is a real possibility.

“You can be addicted to anything,” said Dr. Ed Garrett, professor of sport and performance psychology.

However, sports addictions look di erent from others in that it is more about associating your identity with your sport than being physically addicted to it.

“Within sports performance psychology, sports addiction probably isn’t talked about as much as identity and how we transition from one identity to the next because that sport has been their ‘addiction’ for 12-15 years,” Garrett said.

Sports addiction is also challenging to identify because of its more abstract nature. Addiction itself tends to be associated more with physical materials than activity.

“I typically think about substances when I hear the word addiction,” said Emily Charnow, sophomore criminal

justice major.

Because we tend to think of substance abuse in association with addictions, many people might overlook less common addictions or those that can be perceived as healthy.

“If you told me that, I would believe it, but I never really thought about [sports addiction],” said Aylee Wages, sophomore graphic design major. “When I think of the word ‘addiction,’ I think ‘abuse of things.’”

An athlete’s identity can become completely caught up within their sport. This depends on where they are in their career.

“From the athlete’s standpoint, it really depends on where they are in their development,” Garrett said. “The sport becomes their oxygen. It becomes a need every waking minute for them to hold the ball, to touch the ball. For [an athlete], it’s a part of them, where it’s hard for them to comprehend life without that.

For them to have experienced 10-12 years of their life — sometimes more — where that’s their life, it’s an addiction.”

An object or activity can become such an influential part of our lives that we get to the point where we feel like we can not live without it. That is when it becomes a negative association. This negative association can be hard to identify for an athlete because of the time and e ort it takes to get to their level. Becoming proficient in a field takes true dedication. The same is true for athletes. Garret said it can become challenging to draw the line between dedication and addiction for athletes.

“For some people, it is life,” Garrett said. “It’s their tattoo.”

Association of identity is also seen in fans.

“You look at the NFL going on, and fans will spend gobs of money just to attend something like that,” Garrett said. “Even on the collegiate level, there are fans who travel long distances because their identity rests in that sport and therefore, it becomes an addiction.”

Fans can be the greatest representation of sport becoming their identity. Whether they buy every piece of merchandise their

team has to o er or get into physical altercations with fans of opposing teams, a fan can dedicate their lives to their team to an unhealthy extent.

An unhealthy association of identity with the sport may negatively impact an athlete.

“One thing it can definitely a ect is your time,” Garrett said. “Every athlete does recognize when they are not associated with society or life in some sense because all their time is being absorbed by their sport.”

At the same time, just the opposite can be true. Garrett supports the notion that there are times when the athlete says, “I’m not spending enough time with my performance or what I need to do as an athlete, and so I need to find more time.”

Another symptom of sports addiction can be enlarged emotions in response to performance. But here at CBU, counselors and psychologists can use an athlete’s identity in Christ to bring their performances into perspective.

“A bad performance can be dealt with very harshly by the athlete as opposed to an athlete

who is on cloud nine because they’re doing great — they’re going to feel better about themselves,” Garrett said. “So, there is a bit of that self-esteem, self-e cacy that we continue to work on within the athletes trying to help them understand whose they are more than who they are.

“God created them for a purpose, and what is that purpose? You’re blessed enough to have the talent and abilities to play here at CBU. Let’s give honor and praise to God for everything, wins and losses.”

But is sports addiction truly a negative reality? Your average Dodgers fan is not hurting anyone, even if an Angels fan may disagree. Garrett agrees that many athletes would not see themselves as “addicted” to their sport and many are not.

“Most individuals and athletes will say, ‘No, I’m not addicted. It’s just part of what I do,’” Garrett said.

For many athletes, their sport is what they love to do, and sports are an overall positive and accepted pursuit. It makes sense for an athlete

to dedicate many hours to their sport because they must practice to be any good.

“A kid that picked up a bat and ball one day probably said, ‘Man, I hope I am a professional or I hope I play at college one day,’” Garrett said. “[There is a] di erent kind of mentality behind the addiction; that’s why the addiction is framed a little di erently.”

The over-dedication to their sport can be seen as positive, especially if the individual does get to a collegiate or professional level. Athletics can often lead to opportunities like scholarships.

“It’s less of an addiction and more of a job,” Garrett said. And sports also have intrinsic value. It often lifts people and gives them something to live for.

“Sports gives hope,” Garrett said. “Athletics has cultural impacts and can truly change an individual’s life for good. So, while sports addiction is a reality, perhaps it is one we can live with.”

Sports addiction may not be relatable to everyone, but it can a ect anybody, in any sport.

Elijah Hickman | Banner

meet on Jan. 6.

Emily McGinn | Banner

Passing comet visible from earth

Comet passes Earth for the first time in 50,000 years

BY JASMINE SEVERI B&T EDITOR

a third of the way to the next star,” Buchholz said. “It’s coming from a distance that’s a third of the way to Alpha Centauri.”

As the teacher of California Baptist University’s astronomy classes, Buchholz saw this as the perfect opportunity to let his students get experience with celestial objects in real time.

After hearing about the comet on social media, Kelsey Bechler, junior environmental science major, learned she was going to take pictures of the comet in her astronomy class when the comet is closest to the earth.

It comes from a distance so far away, it’s probably about a third of the way to the next star.

Dr.

In early February, a comet will pass Earth that has not been seen in 50,000 years. Feb. 1 marked the closest the comet will get to Earth. This orbit means it came from the Oort cloud, a collection of ice on the farthest reaches of our solar system, according to the National Aeronautics Space Administration. The comet is called ZTF, named after the Zwicky Transient Facility at Caltech’s Palomar Observatory in California.

Dr. James Buchholz, professor of mathematics and physics, talked about how far out the ZTF comet came from. “It comes from a distance so far away, it’s probably about

““We just took a picture of the green comet just in time for the best view,” Bechler said. “So we took pictures of that and then we used di erent colored lenses — red, green and blue — in order to see the di erent kinds of filters that are going to come through.”

Another student in the class, Jackson Barnard, senior exercise science major, explained a bit about the process they go through to take the photos.

“We used telescopes of different widths and lengths so that would get di erent pictures of the comet itself, some where it’s just a little dot in the center with a lot of space around it, others where it’s all

that you can see on the screen.” Barnard said. “We also did different lenses — so red, green and blue — just capturing the di erent light from each.” Skynet is a system that allows students to access professional

telescopes to take pictures of the stars, but the pictures come back in black and white, so they use filters to only capture a specific kind of light, then shade it that color and stack the images to get it in full color in a system

called Afterglow. Watch for the comet in the north part of the sky early this February. It will appear with a blue-green hue and it will be visible with binoculars for several days.

Student coffee addiction through the numbers

Life expectancy advancements raise health and safety concerns

BY KRISTIE WISEMAN ASST. B&T EDITOR

The race to increase life expectancy gained momentum with a recent study. Genetic reprogramming was used to increase the life of mice by 7%, according to Rejuvenate Bio, a biotech company in San Diego. The mice were 124 weeks old, comparable in age to a 77-yearold human.

The control group lived for roughly nine weeks after the study began. The genetically-reprogrammed mice lived for about 18.5 weeks. The life expectancy for mice is 129 weeks, meaning the reprogrammed mice lived 7% longer than expected, the equivalent of five years for humans.

Dr. Melissa Antonio, associate professor of biology, explained that genetic reprogramming is able to slow down the aging process due to its ability to “reset” di erentiated cells to a stem-cell-like state.

“The process of genetic reprogramming involves epigenetics, where methyl groups are added to specific gene loci along the DNA, causing those genes to not be expressed, while other genes that are not methylated remain expressed,” Antonio said.

Epigenetics is a branch of genetics that analyzes how our environment a ects our genes. Scientists study these e ects with methylation, the addition

of a methyl group to our DNA. When a methyl group is added, it condenses our DNA preventing the gene from being expressed. The genes without methyl groups are more easily expressed.

This process can be applied to genes related to aging, creating the potential for increased life expectancy. However, the dedi erentiation of cells leaves them vulnerable to unwanted changes that could lead to cancer.

“Introducing cells that have lost their di erentiated fate for anti-aging purposes in animals can lead the cells’ genome to becoming more vulnerable to changes that would cause them to grow uncontrollably,” Antonio said.

When cells are genetically altered, there is an increased risk of cancer. At the cellular level, cancer is caused by unregulated growth due to genetic mutations.

It is unclear what side effects, if any, were present in the reprogrammed mice. The study conducted by Rejuvenate Bio has yet to be peer-reviewed and contained limited documentation on the cells that were reprogrammed.

Genetic reprogramming continues to draw attention from the scientific community despite its risks. Antonio explained that extending life expectancy has consequences, whether prolonged existing

diseases or the development of additional health-related issues.

“It’s a beautiful intellectual exercise, but I would shy away from doing anything remotely similar to a person,” said Vittorio Sebastiano, professor at Stanford University, in an interview with Technology Review.

Aging is a natural process characterized by chronic disregulation of cellular mechanisms. This in turn leads to tissue and organ deterioration. Messing with our body’s natural development can have unforseen consequences.

“We should not be pursuing any method to increase life expectancy because it can cause major problems that are more catastrophic than helpful,” said Valeria Molina, senior biomedical science major. “Who are we to increase life expectancy?”

Looking beyond the medical ramifications, Antonio turns to her faith when examining the consequences of an extended life expectancy.

“Spiritually speaking, we must keep in mind that this is a fallen world we live in, full of su ering and increasing life expectancy is just going to prolong the su ering we bear in this world,” Antonio said. “There is a reason God has limited our time here and I am against the idea of ‘playing God’ and changing our DNA, for example, in order to live longer. I prefer to leave our life in his hands.”

Photo courtesy of Dr. James Buchholz

Photo of the C/2022 E3 (ZFT) Comet taken on the RRRT telescope at the Fan Mountain Observatory in Virginia using the Skynet system.

James Buchholz, Professor of mathematics and physics

Zerenity Lopez | Banner

Continued from Page 1

Chat GPT, while not sentient, still gives permission to use some of its writing in essays or articles as long as it follows OpenAI’s terms of service and is done in a “legal and ethical manner.”

“Using ChatGPT to write essays may be viewed as a form of academic dishonesty and may result in consequences if the work is found to be plagiarized or of poor quality,” ChatGPT said. “Additionally, the use of language models like ChatGPT may perpetuate biases and inaccuracies present in the data used to train the model.”

Dr. Laura Veltman, professor of American literature and associate dean of arts and letters, said she believes the technology could e ectively be used as a supplement instead of a replacement.

“There are some ways I think it could be used e ectively, like perhaps you want to just brainstorm ideas,” Veltman said. “(You tell it), ‘I want to write a paper on Ophelia in ‘Hamlet.’ What are some common thesis statements that people have used?’ So maybe it generates a list or maybe you don’t even ask what people have used but ‘generate a list of Hamlet thesis statements about Ophelia.’ So it gives you some ideas and you’re like ‘Oh, this is interesting. Now I’m going to go research this one.’” Tronti said she is considering implementing this technology in her classes to help students learn how to use it properly.

“I feel like I need to create an exercise in class to have my

students do (something with it),” Tronti said. “Maybe we’ll do it for one of my composition classes later in the semester, so that way we can play with it. But to me, one of those challenges is that I think — and maybe English teachers are responsible a little bit — but there’s this misconception that a research paper is just ‘here’s my list of facts’ as opposed to ‘here’s the relationship between these facts; here’s the argument that I am building based on this data.’”

Jacob Brook, senior history major and employee at CBU’s Writing Center, said the Writing Center recommends that if students use Chat GPT at all, they should use it like a source, and be sure to cite it properly.

“The first thing I would say the AI is lacking is trustability, and the second is clarity. The AI is not always clear. The last thing is that it could hinder your development (in writing and learning).”

Veltman said she is concerned about the possible direction technology like this can go but is interested in seeing where it leads.

“We could lose the kinds of conversations that come from discussing a novel or a poem or a short story or whatever,” Veltman said. “Those grow out of human interactions. If I just tell you to tell me some interesting ideas from a novel, you can do that, but it doesn’t actually make it interesting. There’s no magic in that and I think we’re being less than the creative selves that we were meant to be. I don’t think we were designed to just find information or to pass along information. We’re designed to grow in community with each other.”

Q&A with Chat-GPT3

Jasmine Severi, business & technology editor, asked:

Q: What is the difference between you and virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, Cortana and Google Assistant?

A: “ChatGPT is a language model developed by OpenAI and is focused on generating human-like text, while virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, Cortana and Google Assistant are AI-powered personal assistants designed for everyday tasks and providing information. Unlike ChatGPT, virtual assistants are integrated into devices and have access to hardware functionality. Additionally, virtual assistants have more limited language generation capabilities, but have wider integration with various services and tasks.”

Q: Are you more advanced than Cleverbot?

A: “I am a more advanced version of Cleverbot and other similar language models. I am a transformer-based language model that uses deep learning techniques to generate text. I have been trained on a much larger dataset of internet text, which enables me to understand and respond to a wide variety of questions on many different topics. My training dataset is also more diverse which allows me to generate more diverse and human-like responses. Additionally, my architecture is more advanced than the one used in Cleverbot which allows me to understand context better and generate more coherent and logical responses. So in terms of capabilities and performance, I am considered to be more advanced than Cleverbot.”

Questions from Lancers on campus:

Kyus Kuehny, freshman health sciences major, asked:

Q: Why are plants green?

A: “Plants are green because of chlorophyll, which helps them perform photosynthesis by absorbing light in the blue and red parts of the spectrum and reflecting green light.”

Q: What does iron consist of?

A: “Iron consists of atoms of the chemical element iron. It is a metal that is naturally occurring in the earth's crust and is the fourth most abundant element in the earth's crust. Iron atoms are composed of protons, neutrons and electrons.”

Princess Spencer, freshman criminal justice major, asked:

Q: Who was the 34th president?

A: “Dwight D. Eisenhower.”

Q: What is the purpose of medicine?

A: “The purpose of medicine is to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases and injuries to improve human health.”

KEY FEATURES

Sketch out ideas

Create mood boards

Brainstorm projects

Design diagrams

Add multimedia, including photos, videos, audio, documents, PDFs, links and sticky notes to your board

Collaborate with others by inviting friends and colleagues to your board

WHY I LIKE IT

I like the app because there are no boundaries. It has no structure and maximizes creativity. It allows you to essentially scrapbook digitally and collect thoughts, ideas and photos for free. It also provides a great space for brainstorming. For those who love to be creative in a digital space, this is a great choice for you.

BY MIKEALA ALDREDGE ASST. B&T EDITOR

Seattle Public Schools filed a lawsuit in the a federal district court against several social media platforms — Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat and Google — on Jan. 6.

Seattle Public Schools alleges that social media has worsened the mental health and behavioral disorders of students. The school district says that it makes it more difficult to educate students and forces them to hire more mental health professionals, train teachers and make lessons about social media.

In the complaint, the school district stated its reasoning behind the lawsuit.

“Defendants’ growth is a product of choices they made to design and operate their platforms in ways that exploit the psychology and neurophysiology of their users into spending more and more time on their platforms,” the school district stated in the lawsuit. “These techniques are both particularly e ective and harmful to the youth audience. Defendants have intentionally cultivated, creating a mental health crisis among America’s youth.”

The school district wants social media companies to take responsibility and improve their conduct. The lawsuit said that there was a 30% increase in students feeling sad almost every day for two weeks and not doing typical activities from 2009 to 2019.

While Tiktok and Facebook have not released statements yet, Google and Snapchat did.

Google said it has created systems to allow parents to set reminders, limit screen time and block content on their children’s devices. In 2020, Snapchat released “Here For You” to help anyone with mental health issues by giving sources to expert resources. It also allows

parents to track whom their children talk to, though not the content of the messages they send, and expands more content on the new suicide and crisis phone system.

Seattle Public Schools want the companies to pay for prevention education and treatment on the use of social media.

Brent Jones, Seattle Public Schools superintendent, released a statement to GeekWire after the lawsuit was released to the public.

“We are confident and hopeful that this lawsuit is the first step toward reversing this trend for our students, children throughout Washington state and the entire country,” Jones said in the statement.

mented on what she thinks social media companies should do to better the mental health of students.

Social media companies should suggest healthy lifestyle accounts to people and possibly implement a screen time feature that occasionally shows a post in your feed to remind people about the time they are wasting.

Grace Akintimoye, Freshman architecture major

While Jones is confident that the schools will win this case, Dr. Troy Hinrichs, professor of criminal justice, said he does not think they will.

“Under free speech principles and even basic common sense, social media companies wouldn’t be liable,” Hinrichs said. “Social media companies don’t have a duty that extends to something like that.”

Hinrichs shared his opinion on what changes social media companies should make.

“If the social media companies did lose, I’m not sure what they could do to change,” Hinrichs said. “There are already parental controls that parents, guardians, schools, etc. use — and they are ine ective.”

Grace Akintimoye, freshman architecture major, com-

“Social media companies should suggest healthy lifestyle accounts to people and possibly implement a screen time feature that occasionally shows a post in your feed to remind people about the time they are wasting,” Akintimoye said.

Social media can a ect a person’s psychology in many ways.

“Some individuals can get caught up in a ‘dopamine loop’ in which they consistently crave the rewards associated with getting recognition or attention,” said Dr. Pedro Olvera, associate professor and School Psychology program director.

“Prolonged time on social media can create an unhealthy over-dependence or even addiction to social media, which can mimic the same symptoms associated with those that suffer from substance abuse disorder.”

To improve students’ mental health on campus, universities can take action, as well.

“It’s important that universities provide an avenue for students to seek help if they feel that social media is harming their social-emotional well-being or personal relationships,” Olvera said. “In addition, the California Baptist University Counseling Center is an excellent resource for support. They provide mental health checkups, which can serve as a quick check-in for those who may not feel emotionally well.”

“

Facebook, TikTok, Google being sued by school district in Seattle

Emily McGinn | Banner

Emily McGinn | Banner

Reality TV dating creates false expectations

BY ZERENITY LOPEZ A&E EDITOR

Is it love or is it simply good for ratings? Reality TV dating shows have taken the media by storm. Whether as early on as “The Bachelor” (2002) or as fresh and exciting as “Too Hot to Handle,” (2020) this form of entertainment seems to be the new way of finding love .

But the contestants of these shows seem to constantly have to jump through hoops to build connections that ultimately crumble.

It makes viewers wonder why these people are subjecting themselves to these shows, often fighting to gain the a ection of their fellow castmates. In turn, it begs the question: Is this how we should approach our love lives?

“Reality television dating shows have impacted how realistic expectations should be,” said Rolando Lopez, New York Film Academy alumnus.

“People see how interactions are made on these shows and set a bar for themselves based on unrealistic behaviors. Beauty, lust and optics take center stage in how you should present yourself and because of that, many people change their approach to dating.

These shows normalize speed dating and switching partners for the sake of finding ‘love,’ which does not contribute to long-term committed relationships in the real world.”

Relationships in the real

Body Art

Continued from Page 1

relating to her faith as a Christian and explained that her body is a temple.

Christians often hear a common argument regarding tattooing from 1 Corinthians 6:19 (ESV), “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

At the same time, this topic of getting tattooed as a Christian has become part of a larger conversation. Some Lancers have opted to use this form of expression to aid in glorifying God’s name.

Savvy Freshwater, junior early childhood studies major, said when she got one of her tattoos, it helped her to share the gospel.

“I honestly think Psalm 62:5 is the statement of my faith,” Freshwater said. “It is an every-

world cannot be edited and put together to be a montage of perfection. There are real-life problems that couples may face, and it is unfair to portray something that is simply unattainable. The facade of reality-tv dating shows omits authentic quirks within relationships and awkward firstdate moments and instead replaces them with perfect yacht dinners.

“In real day-to-day life, it is not all sunshine and rainbows all the time and perfectly planned dates,” said Mira Diaz, sophomore pre-nursing major.

“People in real relationships go through hard times and that isn’t always portrayed in these shows.”

Some say that love is a losing game, but no one is lining you up to receive a rose every week to stay on their roster. The idealistic pressure of dating shows can often create expectations of having multiple suitors in real life. A dating world where everyone is perfectly good-looking and readily available, fighting for your endess a ection, does not exist.

College campuses are full of young, single individuals and these examples portrayed on television promote hook-up culture and meaningless flings perpetuated by endless options. These themes, however, may translate di erently on a Christian campus like CBU.

“I think that reality television gives an unrealistic expec-

day reminder for me, and it definitely has been such a conversation starter. I am not just saying that to say it, I have had such a unique opportunity to share the gospel simply by asking what my tattoo means.”

On the other hand, tattoos can come with challenges. Joseph Mitten, senior kinesiology major, said he often receives questions about his tattoos.

“I am not sure if any of mine are truly unique, but I do not care,” Mitten said. “They have meaning to me, which is what is most important. That being said, I do not regret any of my tattoos, but if I had known how often people would ask about their meaning, I would have waited to get the Odin one on my arm. I have explained it hundreds of times, and it gets tiring.”

Just like Mitten sees his tattoos as a representation of his life’s journey, Chic said she views her customers’ tattoo choices as valuable aspects of their identities.

“I do not want to say no to

tation of what a relationship looks like and how someone should be treated,” said Sarah Ferrin, junior interior design major. “There is so much behind the scenes that they do not show us that gives us a skewed view.”

Ferrin is among the majority of the public that recognize that dating on TV is purely fiction, not fact. She said that she does not look to these shows to shape her dating life and that, if anything, certain things show her examples of what not to do.

These sensationalized dates are fabricated by networks to “sell the romance.” Well, view-

someone who wants a specific design that they want to express themselves with because we are all di erent and beautiful in our own style and expression when it comes to tattoos,” Chic said.

Since Chic is a tattoo artist, she can express herself through art on her own body and help others pursue the same goal.

“All of my tattoos are well thought out and are part of my life’s journey,” Chic said.

Tattoos have the ability to hold memories, just like writing thoughts down on paper, and they can be seen as a form of expression.

“I love expressing myself through art in any way that I can — painting, music and I truly just see tattoos as an extension of that,” Freshwater said. “Especially now that I am really taking the time to sketch out and design all these tattoos that are drawn from experiences and people, each of my ideas has a story attached to them that I just want to express through art, specifically in the form of a tattoo.”

ers are not buying it.

Most viewers have recognized that the contestants that supposedly find love on these shows lose those same feelings for one another as soon as the reunion episode airs.

“I believe every one of them wants to be famous for something,” Lopez said. “Whether famous for being the jerk, the hunk, the player, the committed one or the next America’s sweetheart. Any real relationship hunting is secondary, and if they do find the love of their lives, it’s only fueled by the fame and slowly withers as the cameras turn.”

Heartbreak Anthems

for the anti-valentine

zerenitylopez

1. Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol.53

2. Kill Bill- SZA

3. Gives You Hell- All American Rejects

4.Before He Cheats- Carrie Underwood

5. Marvin’s Room- Drake

6. Flowers- Miley Cyrus

7. Somebody Else- The 1975

8. Tears Dry on Their Own- Amy Winehouse

9. Me and Mr. Jones- Amy Winehouose

10. Motion Sickness- Phoebe Bridgers

For the full playlist scan here

The art form dates back centuries. The earliest evidence of tattoo art comes from 5000 BCE, according to the Welcome Collection, and has now reached Lancers at CBU and allowed them to be expressive in their own ways and styles with the help of tattoo artists hoping to help their clientele achieve the style, idea and image they desire.

“I cannot see myself doing anything else,” Chic said. “My quote is, ‘Tattooing is my Passion. Do what you Love. Love what you do.’ [I am] so grateful every day to be able to make someone smile.”

Biblical gures appear with inaccuracies

BY JONATHAN MEJIA ASST. A&E EDITOR

“The Last Supper” and “The Virgin and Child with St. Anne” are paintings from the High Renaissance period, roughly between the 1490s–1520s, that depict biblical figures. It is a reference point used by most people in the West to imagine what these figures may have looked like.

However, these depictions may not be accurate.

“Based on these pieces, and many other pieces in Christian art throughout the centuries, I really do not think that art has done an accurate job of portraying what the figures in the Bible looked like in their time,” said Ian Bell, senior applied theology major.

These biblical figures are centered in Christianity, a faith that originates in the Middle East. Paintings like “The Last Supper” notably depict Jesus and his disciples as Europeans with fair skin tones. These de-

pictions are di erent from the appearances of actual Israelites and Middle Eastern peoples, from where these biblical figures are meant to be derived.

“Since people of Jewish descent and heritage did not make religious figures in visual arts in antiquity, we actually do not know what key biblical figures looked like for sure,” said Dr. Je Cate, professor of New Testament. “But there are plenty of noticeable features in famous biblical paintings that are at odds with what we do know about culture in biblical times and places.”

“The Virgin and Child with St. Anne,” created between 1500 and 1513 by Leonardo da Vinci, may be a prime example of the inaccuracies of Biblical figures. The art piece features St. Anne, the grandmother of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and an infant Jesus. St. Anne is shown looking toward Mary, who is sitting on her lap and Mary is herself looking into Jesus’

eyes. Jesus is shown holding onto a lamb, which may symbolize his passion.

The white European portrayal of these figures makes “The Virgin and Child with St. Anne” inaccurate because they would have had features of Middle Eastern descent rather than European features. Another issue is that St. Anne is not technically referenced in the New Testament canon. St. Anne receives credence in the non-canon Gospel of James.

Another and perhaps most famous piece by da Vinci, “The Last Supper,” also contains inaccuracies. Created between 1495 and 1498, the piece portrays the scene described in Matthew 26:21-28, where Jesus is gathered with his disciples the night Judas betrays him. Besides the ethnic inaccuracy of the figures in this piece, there is also a cultural inaccuracy. Israel was under Roman occupation during the time of Jesus, and due to the Hel-

lenization of the land, Greek culture and customs were imposed on those under Greek and Roman occupation.

Matthew 26:20 (ESV) says that Jesus and his disciples reclined at the table to eat. Reclining in this period would refer to laying down on one’s side and dining around the table.

“The Last Supper” depicts Jesus and his disciples sitting upright, presumably on chairs, entirely on one side of the table. Although the scene attempts to emphasize the dramatic events of the last supper according to Scripture, it still needs to portray biblical accuracy.

“Da Vinci’s famous ‘Last Supper’ painting (1495-1498) has blue skies out the windows even though the Passover Seder would have been after sundown,” Cate said. “And not only are all 13 individuals on one side of the table, as if using a selfie stick, but they are also in chairs at a table, when typical Jewish meals at that time

in art

were eaten at a low table while reclining on one’s side.”

There are more famous High Renaissance art pieces that depict biblical figures inaccurately. “The Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo shows Adam as a European man, God as a bearded man and the angels as babies and humans.

It is uncertain what Adam may have looked like due to a lack of visual description for his appearance, and God is said to be without a physical form.

“The Agony in the Garden” by Ra aello Sanzio, meant to depict Matthew 26:36-46 and other similar verses, is also inaccurate. It not only depicts ethnic inaccuracies, but the time of day is also incorrect. Scripture says that this moment in Jesus’ life would have occurred in the middle of the night since it takes place right after the last supper.

“We can see these two pieces of art, ‘The Last Supper’ and ‘The Virgin and Child with St.

Anne’ by Da Vinci, are very westernized in how individuals dress,” said Dorothy Koopsen, junior Christian behavioral science major. “I believe we have to remember that da Vinci’s main goal was to make a beautiful piece of art. His main goal was not necessarily accuracy of the true events.”

Ethnic and cultural accuracies in art and media have become somewhat of a demand in the 21st century, as people have brought awareness to inaccuracies portrayals of other ethnicities and cultures through protests and boycotts. Regardless, art is always meant to be beautiful and impactful.

“I believe something far more important is for the audience to remember that art is supposed to be beautiful, inspiring and have a new take on the events they are depicting,” Koopsen said. “Art is not the word of God, it is not authoritative, and we should not view it that way.”

Josselyn Guillen | Banner

Some believe that reality TV promotes hook-up culture and unrealistic expectations in relationships, particularly for younger single viewers.

Josselyn Guillen | Banner

Thais Olvera, sophomore pre-nursing student, says that her tattoos are made by the people she loves.

“

All of my tattoos are well thought out and are part of my life’s journey.

Cindy Chic, Tattoo artist

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Music and podcasts offer different benefits for sleep

BY SARAH MURPHY ASST. A&E EDITOR

Sometimes falling asleep seems impossible. You lie awake at night, staring at the dark ceiling, while endless thoughts race through your mind.

Luckily, there are sleep tactics that can help induce drowsiness. A popular choice is to listen to music or a podcast. But which is the better option?

Emma Totaro, junior creative writing major, struggled with falling asleep after the endless days of Zoom calls during the COVID-19 pandemic. The inactivity during the day left her restless at night, so she turned to the podcasts featured on the “Calm” application.

“I listen to ‘Humphrey in Paris’ and ‘Humphrey in London’ a lot,” Totaro said. “It is about this cat, and he goes around these cities and tries to find the best place to sleep. Children’s stories like that help put me to sleep. I certainly find it relaxing to listen to people talk about mindless stu .”

The stress of homework and upcoming tests can fill us with worry, not to mention stress about paying o student loans or getting a job. These anxieties can occupy our minds when we settle down for the night,

REVIEW

BY ALEXZA BAHNMILLER MANAGING EDITOR

“Gloria,” released Jan. 27, marks Sam Smith’s fourth album. Audiences first glimpsed the sound of Smith’s new album nearly a year ago, when the single ‘Love Me More’ dropped on April 18. A self-love ballad, it was the perfect initial song, with a message that trickled nicely into the overall theme of the entire “Gloria” album.

Smith’s third album, “Love Goes,” was released in 2020, and it was filled with songs pertaining to love and anguish, de-

making sleep seem futile. Totaro has found that distracting her brain by listening to podcasts can help her find peace for a restful night.

“When I have trouble sleeping, my mind is just really anxious and racing, or I am not tired,” Totaro said. “These stories give me something to think about that is not worrisome. It is very peaceful to me and I find that I fall asleep faster when I listen to the stories.”

Dr. Carol Minton-Ryan, professor of sociology, prefers listening to music over podcasts since the complex topics can actually prevent your brain from relaxing.

“The disadvantage of podcasts especially if you were not familiar with what they were saying to you is that your brain would want to process it. So it could actually do the opposite and keep you awake.”

That kind of stress can lead to sleep latency and even cause nightmares. However, listening to music before falling asleep may be beneficial to your mental state in the mornings.

Zoe Longsine, sophomore elementary education and Christian studies major, finds that listening to music is what helps her fall asleep at night. She enjoys winding down to her favorite artist, Taylor Swift.

“I listen to her entire dis-

cography. All of it,” Longsine said. “I tried calming music, like classical, and I was just like, ‘Oh, this is so boring, I cannot fall asleep to it,’ which is the opposite of what should happen. So I started listening to Taylor Swift because I love her.”

According to the American Psychology Association, music at bedtime improves one’s subjective sleep quality and can have lasting e ects that carry on to the next morning’s well-being.

Longsine prefers playing her favorite artist because of the joy she derives from it, which eases her mind from worries. She allows the songs to play throughout the night to start her morning o right.

“I have it on a loop, so I wake up to the music,” Longsine said. “I feel like I wake up happier when I listen to music I like.”

Minton-Ryan also enjoys listening to music before going to sleep. Oftentimes, a wide variety of genres play aloud as her bedtime approaches.

“My husband and I love to do YouTube videos and we enjoy lots of di erent music,” Minton-Ryan said. “We enjoy di erent singers and di erent instrumental pieces. It is a way to relax and unwind our day.”

So, why do some people gravitate toward podcasts

while others gravitate toward music?

“Research has always suggested it is personal preference,” Minton-Ryan said. “In other words, if I think podcasts get me to sleep and I want to impose it on you, you may try it and say, ‘It does not work for me.’”

Totaro prefers podcasts because of the comfort it brings to her. She listens to bedtime stories reminiscent of her childhood, which is why she enjoys nostalgia-inducing podcasts over modern music. Listening to songs serves a di erent purpose for her.

“Music is just really stimulating for me, even classical music,” Totaro said. “It is relaxing, but in a di erent way, in that it helps me focus on schoolwork.”

Although podcasts are what help Totaro fall asleep, they have the opposite e ect on Longshine.

“With podcasts, I want to listen to them and not just be like, ‘OK, well, goodnight,’ and fall asleep,” Longshine said. “I want to actually hear the information that they are saying. So I feel like that is why I listen to music because I already know all of the songs.”

Although both of these forms of media provide the necessary distraction that

Photo Illustration by Sofia Guzman | Banner Research suggests that people benefit from listening to their favorite form of media while attempting to sleep, such as relaxing music or podcasts. awake.”

helps calm our minds, it may not have to do with which form of media it is, but rather how its familiarity brings us comfort.

“Research suggests you are better o listening to your favorite stu ,” Minton-Ryan said. “If you were unfamiliar with what they were saying to you, your brain would want to process it. So it could actually do the opposite and keep you

Next time you lie awake with worries racing through your mind, play some soothing podcasts or your top songs. Despite which one you prefer to listen to, always opt for your favorites. When the familiar voice of a narrator or singer plays through your earbuds, your stress can dissolve, leading to a long and blissful sleep.

Sam Smith releases fourth studio album: ‘Gloria’

scribed by The New York Times as “intimacy blown up to the cinematic scale.” Although excellently crafted, “Love Goes” was geared toward the hurt and heartbroken. With “Love Me More,” audiences became aware that this time around, the message was going to be di erent. The new Sam Smith era carries a di erent message — one of healing, realization and most importantly, confidence.

“Unholy” featuring Kim Petras was the second single to drop from “Gloria” on Sept. 22. The single was a commercial success, hitting the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and receiving a Grammy nomination. Making “Unholy” the second single to be released was a smart tactic, especially

since the addictive tune was great for TikTok (on which it began trending) and made fans aware that Sam Smith is back to stay.

The final single that was released from “Gloria” was “Gimme” featuring Ko ee and R&B singer Jessie Reyez. If the other singles were tastes of the album, “Gimme” was a whole bowl. With a beat that is impossible not to dance to, “Gimme” empowers listeners to feel good. Jessie Reyez, a strong vocalist herself who hit the scene in 2017 with “Figures,” not only adds her own personality to the song, but also adds flavor to the entire “Gloria” album, as she is featured in two other songs.

After two long weeks post”Gimme” release, “Gloria” finally landed. With “No God”

following “Love Me More” on the track list, Smith seemingly explains a realization to fans: No longer should we be sad about those who broke our hearts; rather, we should realize that they are not gods. They mess up and we should be confident enough to call them out on it. The song takes a new tune, one that is catchy enough to sing along with after just a couple listens and one that leaves you feeling invigorated. The next song, “Lose You,” catches Smith in a tough spot. The song has an ‘80s dance beat and Smith admits to still wanting a lover back. However, unlike Smith’s previous sorrowful songs, this one is set to a fast-paced track that sends the message that Smith is still in control, and the admission

EDITOR’S REVIEW

BY ZERENITY LOPEZ I A&E EDITOR

With rock and roll, teen romance and a whole lot of disco, “That 70s Show” was a sitcom viewers came to know and love. The show’s spino , “That 90s Show,” was released on Netflix on Jan. 19.

The show features almost all of the original cast members as their original characters. The series is now centered around Eric and Donna’s daughter, Leia Forman. She creates new friendships while staying in Point Place with her grandparents, Kitty and Red, and the new gang of friends gathers in the basement, encountering situations similar to those of their parents did.

The reboot has similar themes to the original series, keeping the nature of the friendship dynamic between the teens.

Unfortunately, the show falls flat in line delivery and the overall plotline of the characters. What was expected to be a familiar comedic experience reads more like a bad Disney Channel

special. The overdramatized “teenage angst” and melodramatic outbursts were corny and made the leading lady come o as quite annoying. The consistent awkward exchanges were not fun to watch but rather cringe-worthy.

As Leia navigates her newfound freedom away from her parents, I became more invested in the plotline that follows the original characters. Seeing the old cast back on screen in the same setting made me reminisce about the old days and look to switch from Netflix to Peacock to watch “That 70s Show.”

“That 90s Show” will fall under the many other reboots that cannot compare to its original counterpart. It is no surprise that I was more enthralled with the original cast members, considering their superior chemistry. After 17 years, they fell right back into their characters roles with ease, reminding viewers that no reboot will compare.

1 of 5 stars.

to wanting one back showcases confidence, not insecurity.

“Perfect” featuring Jessie Reyez is another admission to having flaws. Reyez and Smith seamlessly work together to create a beautiful song, one that reassures listeners that they are enough, with lyrics saying “I’m not perfect, but I’m worth it.”

“How to Cry” proceeds “Perfect,” and it is the song that most resembles Smith’s previous works. However, it still fits the theme of “Gloria” because instead of being self-pitying and sad, it is another upbeat admission to seeing someone as they truly are. Mostly acoustic, Smith’s vocals shine through, and OG fans are sure to appreciate the throwback sound.

The album finishes with a feature from Ed Sheeran on “Who We Love.” Despite being a slower paced track, it concludes the album on a happy note. Romantic and harmonious, it is everything expected from a Sheeran/Smith collab.

Overall, “Gloria” is a masterpiece, meaning that Sam Smith has accomplished the di cult task of making perfect albums back to back.

Yet, the albums are all different, so if you get tired of dancing to “Gloria,” you can take a break with “Love Goes” and vice versa.

The only drawback to the album? The short and sad 33 minute play time. But, I have a good feeling that there will be a deluxe album coming soon... 5 out of 5 stars.

“That ’90s Show”

CBU athletes take extra year off to practice

BY FLORIAN LE PALLEC ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

While student-athletes might like to remain eligible for life, NCAA rules state that Division I student-athletes have five full school years to complete four years of competitive college sports. That being said, they can redshirt a season when they want to lengthen their period of eligibility.

Even though redshirting forces student-athletes to sit out for a playing season by not participating in outside competition, they can still practice with the team and receive athletic scholarships.

Abby Stanley, assistant cross country and track coach, said that some student-athletes need this extra year of eligibility when transitioning from high school to college.

“I think redshirting is helpful for some studentathletes because it can allow them to adjust to college life,” Stanley said. “It gives an athlete more flexibility if there is an injury or something outside of

athletics that they need some time to focus on without losing a season to compete within their five-year clock.”

Since coaches have been dealing with athletes redshirting year after year, they usually know when to advise their athletes to redshirt a season depending on their maturity and level of development. However, student-athletes may not have the choice to redshirt when it comes to injury and health issues.

Emilie Renaud, graduate student in athletic training and member of the women’s crosscountry and track team, dealt with a situation she had never imagined when she had to take a medical redshirt caused by a clavicle fracture in the spring 2020 semester.

“Getting this redshirt was completely unplanned and very challenging for me to accept at first,” Renaud said. “In fact, my season was cut short when I was in a really good shape, so I thought it was the worst thing that could happen to me, and I mostly realized that I

had built my whole identity as a runner for years. My medical redshirt was not only giving me the chance to compete in my fifth year, but I was also able to compete and train with my team more than halfway through the season and was still given the chance to get it back. Unfortunately, being a college athlete does not last forever, and I am thankful that going through this challenging period helped me find my identity in Christ.”

When students step back from their redshirt season, they usually realize the benefits it has brought them, especially in the long run.

Chandler Gorman, master’s of business administration student and player for the women’s volleyball team, is grateful for the chance she had to redshirt.

“In addition to giving me an extra year to develop as a volleyball player, I also gained the strength I needed to compete at a high level,” Gorman said. “Even if it was mentally challenging not being able to travel and compete with

Eligibility requirements push the limits for prospective athletes

BY MICHAEL MARKS SPORTS EDITOR

College sports are the go-between for high school athletics and the professional leagues for many aspiring athletes. It is a necessary step for athletes who wish to continue playing at the professional level ,and for others it is another way to continue playing the sport they love. Despite the di ering reasons for playing, every athlete must undergo the same recruiting process to play at the collegiate level.

What does this process look like? Even though the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sets standardized rules and procedures, every team has di erent needs that vary, impacting the recruiting process. Two important requirements athletes must meet are registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center and completing 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in eight academic semesters or four consecutive academic years from the start of ninth grade, per the NCAA. Athletes must also maintain a GPA higher than 2.3 and have an SAT or ACT combined score that matches their GPA on the Division I sliding scale.

Many student-athletes are familiar with this process and what is required to be on a team.

Tyler Tickner, senior kinesiology major who plays for the cross country and track team, knows what it takes to initially even get noticed by schools.

“To improve my chances

of competing in college, I reached out to many di erent college track and field coaches via email,” Tickner said.

“Typically, they would send out a questionnaire where I would list my personal records, GPA and test scores and other accomplishments. What got me noticed by CBU was my performance in cross country. My senior year, I had run a race, taking a close second place to the nation’s top-ranked athlete; after this performance, Coach Tribble reached out to me about running at CBU.”

With many schools standing out and vying for top prospective athletes year after year, it can be challenging for athletes to find a good fit. Tickner shared what ultimately led to CBU sticking out and his process when looking at schools.

“I liked that CBU’s team was an up-and-coming program,” Tickner said. “I enjoyed the idea of being a part of something in the works. Prior to college, I was not familiar with CBU. However, four years later, we are a program that is competing against the nation’s top-ranked schools.”

Paige Haynes, senior liberal studies major and member of the cross country and track team, understands the challenges of trying to build an image to market to coaches while overcoming adversity.

“The main reason I chose CBU was because of Coach Tribble,” Haynes said. “I got injured a lot in high school, which made the recruiting process very di cult for me. I ran my best season and

then immediately got injured afterward, so I lost the attention of coaches and schools. Coach Tribble was the only coach that still believed in me and wasn’t discouraged by my injuries. That meant so much to me and showed me the type of coach and person that Coach Tribble was and that’s who I wanted to be coached by in college.”

Adam Tribble, head coach of the cross country and track team, was supportive of Haynes in her athletics, so the decision to come to CBU was an easy choice for Haynes, especially when paired with the team, the campus and the education.

Of course, many athletes only make final decisions after meeting with coaches and ensuring a good fit. For Haynes, this process was similar to many prospective college athletes.

“I was able to go on o cial visits to schools where I would stay the night, meet with the team and coach and get to see all that the school has to o er,” Haynes said. “The main point of visits was to meet the team and coaches in person and see what it would be like to be on the team. I first met with Coach Tribble over the phone so we could talk about college, my season and goals. Then I met with him in person, where we were able to talk more about CBU and the program.”

Every athlete has a unique story and perspective on the recruitment process because it is di erent for everyone. These stories of adversity, tribulation and success are inspirational for any aspiring athletes looking to play at the next level.

the team, I got better as an athlete by doing a lot of extra workouts to gain strength. If I had to redshirt again, I would because this is what gave me a fifth year of eligibility to remain a student-athlete. Overall, I

will always remember that redshirting allowed me to get my master’s and led me to CBU.”

While there are pros and cons to redshirting, this NCAA rule is designed to foster the

best development of athletes in both their academic and athletic careers. It is a very powerful tool, especially when properly utilized allowing athletes time to focus on school and the sport they play.

LANCER OF THE ISSUE

Q: WHAT MADE YOU GET INTO DIVING?

“I started diving about eight years ago during my freshman year of high school. I got into diving because I did some tumbling growing up and loved to ip and be in the water. Diving truly is the best of both

Q: WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE CBU?

“I chose CBU because it checked all of my boxes with having a great swim and dive program, the major I wanted to pursue as well as being in an environment where I saw myself growing in my faith.”

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY FROM DIVE?

“There are a lot of incredible memories but some of my most favorite ones include getting to watch beautiful sunsets from the 3-meter board during practice while also getting to be with my amazing teammates day in and out.”

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD BEFORE A COMPETITION?

“Before competition, I like a good smoothie or açai bowl.”

Q: WHAT IS YOUR MUSIC OF CHOICE BEFORE A COMPETITION?

“Our team has collaboratively compiled a dive playlist over the years that is over 30 hours long and I usually listen to that playlist because it has a little of everything.”

Elijah Hickman | Banner

Chandler Gorman, master’s of business administration student, is grateful that she is able to redshirt, as it allowed her the opportunity to pursue her master’s degree at CBU.

MADISON LIU, MEMBER OF THE SWIM AND DIVE TEAM AND SENIOR EXERCISE SCIENCE MAJOR

LANCER ON THE STREET

What do you do to de-stress?

“I usually end up hanging out with my friends because they bring out my inner self.”

“I go to the beach. Have co ee by the beach somewhere. Retail therapy always works.”

Textbooks are not e ective as learning mechanisms

used the textbook in an introductory physics class and in a 2004 study, only about 27% of psychology students in the study read their assigned readings, according to an article in the Journal of the Virginia Community Colleges.

There are several reasons that the use of textbooks has slipped out of circulation for many modern college students.

BY EMILY MCGINN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As college students, many of us spend hundreds of dollars at the beginning of the semester on textbooks that we will never have the time nor desire to read. Many of us sit through lectures about chapters we have not read yet, and professors sometimes expect (or hope) that we know what they are talking about when, realistically, there is not enough time in our days to finish reading assignments. This structuring of curriculum around textbooks is no longer practical nor e ective in our modern college system.

For decades now, reading textbooks has fallen by the wayside across college campuses. In one 2006 study, less than 40% of students surveyed regularly

First, the amount of reading requested of us is often, frankly, unrealistic in light of other responsibilities. A full class schedule ranges from 13-18 units, which means full-time students are usually enrolled in five to six courses. This means that students can end up with five to six classes’ worth of reading, which we are expected to balance with other significant aspects of life. Many of us have to work at least part-time, since school does not pay us to show up and learn. Pair this with striving to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which requires time set aside for exercise, socializing and adequate rest.

So let’s crunch some numbers. In a 24-hour day, a student should get an adequate amount of sleep (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least seven hours), exercise and eat properly (about three hours), go to

class (let’s assume three hours each day based on a 15-unit course schedule) and dedicate at least some time to socializing and the smaller aspects of the day, such as getting ready in the morning (about three hours total). This leaves about eight hours to divide between work and studying, but let’s assume a student works 20-30 hours each week in a part-time position. This will require an average 4-6 hours each day for work, leaving 2-4 hours for studying, and this is all assuming nothing unexpected pops up, which often happens in life.

On average, each page of a textbook will take about five minutes to read, according to Cornell College’s website. For a thirty-page reading assignment, then, a student should set aside two and a half hours. Now imagine having these reading assignments for multiple classes, along with a few papers to turn in every week, exams to study for every few weeks and quizzes and weekly assignments to finish up. It is not a surprise that reading, often bumped to the bottom of the to-do list, falls through the cracks.

Aside from time management concerns, textbooks also lack the appeal and value that perhaps they once did. During this modern age of shortened

attention spans and in light of new educational studies, textbooks can no longer stand at the center of a class curriculum for many disciplines. One 2019 study found that textbooks did not significantly impact learning progress in reading comprehension in primary education, according to the National Library of Medicine. Also, many textbooks have failed to keep up with the new generation, which tends to excel with visual engagement to maintain interest. When we see large, dense (and often boring) blocks of text about class subjects, we tend to lose interest, making textbook learning ine ective and a waste of time.

Rather, facing the facts that textbooks are largely ine ective can help us make class time more e ective. Learning should occur mostly in class through engaging discussions and lectures that go beyond what is in a textbook and incorporate hands-on, experiential and real-world learning.

I do not want to go to class to be told to read a textbook that I paid for and that I did not have time to read because I was busy working to pay for my expenses. I want to go to class to learn something I can apply to my future. Let’s start learning from life rather than books.

Hard copy books remain superior to e-books even in digital age

you have a new book to read. But is it better to use a Kindle or Nook to read over a physical book? Although online reading is easy and convenient to access, it does not o er the quality time of sitting down and seeing the pages you are reading. There is satisfaction in flipping the pages. Suddenly, one side of the book is heavier than the other, and you experience the accomplishment of almost being done with a book.

reading a physical book. First, they are eye-friendly. Many strain their eyes from reading on the computer or their electronic devices. We already look at our screens all day. If we add e-books to that list, our eyes are doomed to be strained.

BY GABI RIGGIN ASST. A&E EDITOR

Students are aware of audio, digital and even free PDFs of books that can be found while searching for textbooks for a class. Of course, you can go into the library or bookstore for physical copies. Despite the high volume, demand and many benefits that e-books provide, they take away from the satisfying and immersive experience that a physical book provides.

Audiobooks and digital books are convenient to use, as everything is consolidated onto one device. In just two clicks,

There is also the collector aspect of physical books — being able to collect each book and having them aesthetically displayed on a shelf can serve as a hobby and showcase part of one’s identity.

Physical books are timeless. There is nothing like the experience of going into a cute bookstore to see the variety of di erent books, in comparison to scrolling and scrolling endlessly, just like we already do on social media platforms. Physical books allow us to submerge ourselves in an experience without the need for technology. Many benefits come from

Many people think physical books are better than e-books and their reasoning ranged from the appearance down to the smell of the paper, according to paper manufacturer StoraEnso. The survey conducted by StoraEnso concluded that in “March 2022, 65% of respondents wanted physical books, versus 21% who preferred e-books and 14% audiobooks.”

Even in our generation, which is accustomed to the digital age, I am not the only one who enjoys a good, old-fashioned book in my hand because from the ages 16-24: “70% said they preferred physical books over e-books.” And older generations say we Gen Z kids don’t appreciate the little things.

Furthermore, during the pandemic, one of the few positive byproducts that came about was the digital cleanse.

Many people participated in a cleansing of social media since being inside for months on end was beginning to transform us into couch potatoes. Because of this, people turned their attention to reading books as a new hobby to obtain instead of using digital devices.

The study also said “a majority of respondents (63%) said they read more during COVID, including nearly 70% in the UK and the U.S. In the youth segment, 64% said they read more and, notably, 76% of young people in the U.S. and 73% in the UK.”

E-books and audio or digital books may be convenient, especially for the average college student with millions of textbooks to “read.” But, as convenient as it is to have everything one or two clicks away, many people prefer physical copies of books. Hard copies are timeless and can be stored and passed between friends without needing Wi-Fi or account switching. You can read a book without worrying about battery life; it is just you and the books.

“I

French lms trump Hollywood structure

BY ALEXZA BAHNMILLER MANAGING EDITOR

As someone who was introduced to French cinema a mere year and a half ago, I could see how it could sound hypercritical to make the claim that French films are much better than American films. On the other hand, if I’ve seen American films for the past 22 years and was able to come to this conclusion after only a year and a half of experiencing French films, it goes to show how incredibly di erent the two are, further proof that one can indeed be clearly better.

To begin, the most distinguishable di erence between the two is plot. I admit, watching French films for the first time can be exhausting, and I won’t judge if you fall asleep here and there. After all, it can be easy to get bored from watching two hours of pure dialogue in which a guy and a girl discuss love and philosophy and one’s whole world view is flipped upside down, leaving audiences to question their own morals and the meaning of their entire existence on Earth (“My Night At Maud’s” (1969)).

But seriously, it can be dicult to sit back and not be given the usual ‘Hollywood style’ format of a film. This style is known as the five-act structure. Act one involves setting up exposition, the rising action begins in act two, the climax begins to build in act three, act four focuses on the aftermath of the climax and act five finishes the film with resolution, according to the Nashville Film Institute. This structure appears with almost every commercial American film, such as “Casablanca” (1943), “The Godfather” (1972), “Back to the Future” (1985), “The Mask” (1994) and more.

However, in the late 1950s, French filmmakers collectively decided to reject this struc-

ture, a movement known as the French New Wave. Thanks to cinema critics such as JeanLuc Godard, François Tru aut and Éric Rohmer, who “pushed against big film studios controlling the creative process,” as a Masterclass article put it, French filmmakers were able to focus on creating what films are meant to be: art. This rejection of a proven-to-be successful structure comes as no surprise as the French were, after all, the first ones to make a film (“Film historians call ‘The Arrival of a Train,’ by the Lumiere brothers, the birth of the medium,” reads an article in The Guardian), so who is going to tell them what to do?

This attitude — one that can’t be bought or sold — is what truly defines the di erence between French and American cinema. The French will make films that tell stories that they feel need to be told, regardless of whether it is ‘exciting’ or ‘expensive’ enough to studios or even audiences. Art shouldn’t be made with marketing as a No. 1 focus, it should be made for the purpose of being thoughtful and, of course, artistic. In my opinion, watching one person walking around and contemplating life as they go through their day (such as in “Cleo from 5 to 7” (1962)), is much more artistic than watching a big-name celebrity go through the same problem-then-solution format again and again. Going against the grain and allowing directors to have complete creative freedom without the fear of studios breathing down their backs ensures that French films right o the bat are going to be more substantial in terms of storytelling.

“Americans go to the movies to be entertained,” wrote Bob Moss, author and film blogger, in his article for Immigrant Magazine. “They do not like having to think a lot as they watch the film and rarely think about its messages or meaning after leaving the theater. European films, however, require constant attention and a good memory. Their goal is to make you think.”

I cannot conclude my argument of French cinema being superior without mentioning the film “Les Enfants du Paradis” (1945) directed by Marcel Carné. “Les Enfants du Paradis” is a perfect film, and if everyone could only watch one film in their entire life, it should be this one. From the mise en scène, to the storytelling and the overall message, it shows what film has the power to do. If new to French cinema, I would suggest viewing “Breathless” (1960), “La Femme Nikita” (1990) or for a newer film, “Lost Illusions” (2021). Just remember one thing: be open-minded.

Shane Sodia Alessandra Horna

Ryan ompson Evrena Ramzy Diana Licon Sophomore Junior

Elementary education major Kinesiology major Communication sciences and disorders major Kinesiology major Business administration major Senior Junior Freshman

“Sleep. I don’t like naps but I just like, just resting my head. Just relax, just think about some things.”

“I don’t deal with the problem. I distract myself with other work and hope for the best.”

drive around and listen to music.”

“

French lmmakers were able to focus on creating what lms are meant to be: art.

Cartoons by Carly Brunner and Santos Garcia