The University of Oregon is conducting a national search for a permanent vice president for student life, creating a search committee to assess candidates and make recommendations to UO President John Karl Scholz for final decision. Applications are open until March 28.
The vice president runs the Division of Student Life, which oversees activities and services at the Erb Memorial Union, the University Career Center and the Department of Physical Education and Recreation. The Division of Student Life also includes the Office of the Dean of Students.
The vice president manages the division’s operating budget of $45 million.
President Scholz announced the search on Oct. 2, 2023. Kris Winters has been serving as the interim vice president since July 2022.
candidate is that they understand the student perspective of life on campus.
“If that person doesn’t have the ability to authentically understand what it means to be a student at the University of Oregon today, they are not the right person for this role,” he said. “They need to be able to take that student experience and translate it to their colleagues, many of whom have not been in higher education or education for more than 30 years.”
Jacobson said he hopes to promote student feedback on the search during spring term by inviting students to his office hours and to ASUO’s weekly meetings to discuss what students would like to see for their vice president for student life.
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Cooper Gast Taylor Baumgardner
ON THE COVER Rows of records are
at the House of Records in Eugene, Ore., on March 15, 2024. (Alex Hernandez/Emerald)
The job posting states that the vice president is responsible for implementing a strategy for the Division of Student Life that aligns with the institution’s strategic plan. According to the Office of the Provost, UO’s five-year strategic framework includes enhancing education, promoting access and retention, retaining diverse and high-quality students and faculty and enhancing infrastructure to ensure academic success.
The vice president for student life is the liaison between administration and UO’s student government — the Associated Students of the University of Oregon.
The search committee includes a range of faculty, including the Dean of Students, vice president of UO’s human resources department and the associate director of physical education and the recreation center.
Finn Jacobson, the ASUO vice president who took office in May 2023, is the only student representative on the committee. To Jacobson, the most important aspect of a
“I prioritize communication,” Jacobson said. “The first paramount, I would say, is the ability to communicate and translate experiences across various different perspectives.”
As one of President Scholz’s primary advisors, Jacobson said it is important for candidates to have innovative ideas for structures the university should adopt in the future to “make sure we’re serving students best.”
The requirements for candidates is a Master’s degree, seven years of leadership experience and five years’ experience with budgeting.
In a statement to the Daily Emerald, UO communications said that the finalists will host open Q and A sessions on campus where all faculty and students can ask questions and provide feedback. The dates are still being finalized.
After hosting final candidates on campus, the search committee will make its final recommendations to President Scholz who will make the final decision.
Tuition and cost hikes, a public delay of the thermal heating system recommendation and a tense public comment session took place during the Board’s two-day winter session
BY YSABELLA SOSA, GREY KAMASZ AND TAREK ANTHONY • DESIGNED BY GABRIELA MARTINEZOn March 11 and 12, the UO Board of Trustees met to vote on increasing tuition, how to move toward a more sustainable future and to listen to students’ feedback and critiques for UO.
The Board of Trustees is the governing body for the university and holds a fiduciary, management and sustainability responsibility for all students and staff.
Undergraduate tuition will increase by 3% for the 2024-2025 academic year, though this increase will only be for first-year and undergraduate transfer students due to the Oregon Promise for fixed tuition rates.
Incidental fees will increase by 2.65% for all students, and the rise of costs for housing — according to room type and meal plan — were also approved by the Board, with the average housing rate increase to be at about 5%.
Graduate student tuition increases range from 0% to 3.5%. The UO School of Law proposals consisted of a 5% increase for Juris Doctor and Conflict and Dispute Resolution programs and an 8.4% increase for the Master of Laws program.
The Clark Honors College differential tuition is set to increase by 0.25%.
The task force presented its recommendation to the board for the first time on Monday. UO students anticipated a final decision for the university’s new thermal heating option in March, but President John Karl Scholz and the Board will take more time to make a recommendation due to planning out the university’s finances for the project.
The task force compared four options for UO’s new heating system: Business as usual, where nothing is changed.
An electrode boiler, which replaces natural gas boilers with electrode boilers.
A heat recovery chiller, which chills water in the atmosphere.
Geo-exchange plus a heat recovery chiller, which adds a geothermal element to the chiller.
Many students have advocated for option 4 — the heat recovery chiller with an alternative source option — due to it having the highest estimated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. If or when Scholz moves forward with Option 2B, which was recommended by the task force, or any other option, it would be presented to the Board as a request for approval for a capital project.
Before the March 12 meeting, the UO Climate Justice League and UO Students for Justice in Palestine rallied for “student futures” outside of the Ford Alumni Center, where the meeting was held.
The rally hosted several speakers, all of whom advocated for UO to join the Boycott Divest Sanctions movement, demanding UO’s disaffiliation from “Israeli-backed companies” and/or the approval of Option 4.
“We [CJL] know that our issues of climate justice and Palestinian justice are
intrinsically connected,” CJL student campaign coordinator Valentine Bentz said. “It is the same people who invest in genocide and war crimes that choose not to invest in planning community.”
The initial time slot for the public comment session of the Board’s meetings was set for 30 minutes. However, due to the volume of speakers, the session lasted nearly 80 minutes.
Jack Dodson, a UO freshman and environmental science major, spoke on the thermal heating systems transition and his support for Option 4.
“The cost of Option 4 is significant, but there are a variety of funding routes that the university can pursue including grant writing, traditional fundraising and credit programs,” Dodson said. “We can fund this transition without putting a financial burden on students.”
Toward the end of the session, multiple Jewish students discussed their fear of antisemitism on campus and expressed what they thought to be a lack of action by UO to protect Jewish students.
One student, Rayna Davis, said that expressions at pro-Palestinian rallies such as “from the river to the sea” and “intifada” called for “violence against the Jewish people in Israel” and have made it “increasingly difficult to navigate campus life.”
Tensions between pro-Palestine advocates and Jewish students mounted toward the end of the public comment session. Some SJP members from the crowd audibly disagreed that the expressions were antisemitic, with one member saying that “we are not anti-Jewish, we are anti-genocide.”
The tension led Board Chairman Steve Holwerda to remind the crowd of the university’s support of freedom of expression, asking attendees to show respect for opposing views.
“We want you [attendees] to support the right for people to express what they believe, safely and respectfully,” Holwerda said. “This is a difficult time on campus and we understand that everyone in this room can make it better [if] you walk out and respect each other.”
The next Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for June 3 and 4. The board will update its website with more information as the date approaches.
On March 5, the Native American Student Union released a statement on its social media condemning the fact that the Associated Students of the University of Oregon has scheduled a concert on the same day as the Mother’s Day Powwow for the second year in a row.
“I think my first reaction and reaction still is I was disappointed, but not surprised,” Tiera Garrety, a co-director of NASU, said. “ASUO’s actions time and time again show that they don’t give much thought to the other organizations around them.”
NASU describes the Powwow as “the most important indigenous cultural event of the year.” This year will mark its 56th anniversary, making it the single longest-running event on campus and longest student-run powwow in the country.
The powwow is a several-day celebration honoring mothers, native educators and graduating seniors with traditional ceremonies, dances and a salmon bake. It draws in attendees from around Eugene and the region as a whole, providing a gathering space for many different Pacific Northwest Indigenous communities. By scheduling another large event at the same time, Garrety said ASUO is causing them “direct harm.”
“I’ve gone to other powwows in the middle of Montana where I say I’m a UO student and they say ‘Oh I’ve heard about your powwow,’” Garrety said. “This isn’t just something that impacts the community here, but Indigenous communities all across North America.”
mistreated NASU. Last year, it planned to slash NASU’s budget in half due to NASU missing certain budget deadlines the year before.
“The budgeting process has everything to do with what’s going on with the concert,” Garrety said.
It was a thoughtless and cruel decision that ignored the struggles NASU and its members had during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indigenous communities were some of the most impacted by COVID-19 in the entire country. A Princeton study found that Native Americans had a COVID-19 mortality rate that was 2.8 times higher than white Americans. This is due to the long-standing structural racism and adverse socioeconomic factors in the U.S. that Indigenous people face. With its carelessness, ASUO dismissed all of this, holding a minority student group to unreasonable standards.
At the Jan. 17, 2023 financial council meeting that decided NASU’s budgeting fate, the community packed the room. ASUO then blamed the budgeting decision on its leadership from the year before, who have since graduated. This time, ASUO members don’t have that excuse.
“In terms of the broader scope, this powwow isn’t just an event where we come together and have fun and celebrate who we are,” Garrety said.
”It’s an event to show the kids that come that despite all the narratives they may hear from oppressive forces they don’t belong in education, they do belong in education.”
There’s also an event at the powwow to honor missing and murdered Indigenous women. Indigenous women face incredibly high rates of violence and murder. Due to deliberate incompetence from
the government and law enforcement agencies, few of them receive justice. Per the CDC, murder is the third leading cause of death for Indigenous women and most of these are committed by nonNative people on Native-owned land. This is yet another reason why the powwow is so significant. It gives space to mourn those lost and raise awareness about the issue as a whole.
“They need to ensure that the weekend of Mother’s Day is a protected date where no ASUO function can occur,” Garrety said.
The ASUO concert is being paid for with money from the surplus fund, which is made up of all the unused money under ASUO’s control from the I-fee all students pay in their tuition. The fund is larger than it’s been in the past due to student organizations having lower attendance rates during the pandemic and not being able to hold in-person events.
It was money originally meant for student organizations and instead of giving it back to them, ASUO feels the need to organize a $350,000 concert. While surplus money is available for student groups to request, ASUO holds the final say on its uses. While ASUO can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars whenever it would like, NASU has to fundraise to hold the powwow, causing the group further financial stress.
Indigenous students make up just 0.6% of UO’s student body, and they have to fight for every resource they have. ASUO clearly puts its own interests and vanity ahead of the well-being of organizations run by students of color, and it needs to do a lot better.
“What we appreciate as support is not perpetuating extractive relationships and being in community with us the whole year, not just November,” Garrety said. “We pride and honor ourselves in building relationships with people.”
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time ASUO has
Hip-hop has turned into a global phenomenon during its 50+ year existence. Its evolution from a disco-adjacent subgenre of dance music (see Rapper’s Delight by The Sugarhill Gang) to the boisterous, arena-packing juggernaut it is now has certainly been remarkable. Throughout its gradual rise to the top of popular music, hip-hop has stayed the course, despite facing its fair share of attempts to delegitimize the genre for a plethora of reasons, but one has remained a constant: race.
Before I get further into this, I want to make abundantly clear that I am no expert. I am a white man who comes from a middle-class family, and I grew up in one of the whitest cities in this country. I do, however, have decades of experience listening to and consuming this genre of music to help me understand where so much of hip-hop comes from. As a person who is regularly learning about racial issues through hip-hop, I believe I have gained enough knowledge through this avenue to advocate for the importance of using hip-hop as a tool to further one’s understanding of race.
An obviously important aspect of hip-hop’s racial impact is its lyrical content. Dating back to some of the earliest hip-hop tracks, you can find a gold mine of explicitly racialized lyrics, and more often than not, these are written as a response to real-world issues. See the lyrics from Public Enemy’s MC Chuck D from “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos”:
“I got a letter from the government the other day / I opened and read it, it said they were suckers.” While brief, this lyric epitomizes the core foundations of hip-hop. At the time this song was released, former president Ronald Reagan was nearing the end of his term in office.
In 1984, Reagan signed the Comprehensive Crime Control Act, which had significant implications on the War on Drugs during that time. While on the surface level this bill may have been proposed to counter crime, it had generational impacts on people of color. Mass incarceration, police brutality
and the criminalization of poverty — among many other harmful effects — perpetuated racial inequities that have impacted people of color for centuries. From the beginning, hip-hop has been an outlet for people in marginalized communities to creatively express themselves while critiquing the systems that harm them.
Zachary Wallmark, an associate professor of musicology at the University of Oregon, states that a lot of the hardcore movement in hip-hop can be attributed to Reagan’s contributions to the War on Drugs.
“In many ways, the hardcore moment in rap is a direct consequence of increasing numbers of young people in areas that have been neglected being pulled into drugs through addiction, through selling it [and] possession,” Wallmark said. “This is a time where having an ounce of weed in your pocket in certain states could get you a felony charge and prison time, totally derailing your life.”
On the flip-side, a consistent criticism of hip-hop is that it pushes harmful and dangerous messages, particularly those about violence, sex and drugs.
While that may be true, that lyrical content is usually a double-edged sword. Many people who critique hip-hop for these “hardcore” elements consume forms of media that put out similarly violent content, just in a form of media that is easier to digest for them.
Wallmark states that all genres speak on the heavier aspects of life to some degree.
“There’s no such thing as a musical genre with its hands totally clean because music is a reflection of human life,” Wallmark said.
“Let’s critique this music for its flaws, while also understanding that no form of artistic expression is perfect. But then also, let’s examine why this deep antipathy toward something might be rooted in the way people are socialized in this country.”
While many things have changed throughout the course of the last several decades, many of the problems communities of
color face are rooted in the same policies put in place decades ago. Hip-hop music from the mid-to-late 1980s and early ‘90s presented ideas that were considered radical at the time, but in modern-day discourse, are considered to be common knowledge. Musicology graduate employee Matt Yuknas spoke on the dynamics of those lyrics having an impact on policies today.
“Those ideas that were presented, that were radical, have started to become more ingrained into the culture,” Yuknas said. “Seeing how those lyrical tropes became a part of the mainstream is important to see how the racial dynamics began to enter political conversations.”
Artists like Public Enemy, N.W.A. and Ice Cube are a few notable pioneers of blatantly politicized hip-hop. Even though music is a direct reflection of human life, political messages like the ones these artists put out were uncommon up until that point. They also bring up topics that resonate with real-world topics today, with lyrics from Ice Cube’s “My Summer Vacation” ringing particularly true to this day: “And the white pride don’t like Northside / And it’s a riot if any one of us die / No parole or probation / Now this is a young man’s summer vacation / No chance for rehabilitation / ‘Cause look at the motherfuckin’ years that I’m facin’ / I’ma end it like this ‘cause you know what’s up / My life is fucked.”
UO Hip-Hop Ensemble Director Sean Peterson further advocates for hip-hop being an innately human experience.
“Musicking across racial lines has been an important way musicians in America have overcome racial prejudice,” Peterson said. “You may be told that people
as part of lived experience.”
While there is a seemingly endless amount of modern hip-hop to consume to further your knowledge on racial issues, there is a unique perspective to gain from listening to hip-hop from yesteryear. Understanding the history behind the issues at the forefront of so many conversations in current times is an invaluable tool to expand your understanding.
Of course, the lyrical content of a song is essential in understanding the message the artist is trying to convey. But the musical aspect of a song is arguably equally as important in that regard. So much of hip-hop’s production aesthetics come from African diasporic roots, and the production of a song can elevate the meaning and impact of the words.
“Music is such a rich medium, and the lyrics are the low-hanging fruit in meaning,” Wallmark said. “Where does a backbeat come from? Where does heavy bass come from? What is the origin point of this approach to timbre? Without an acknowledgement of the sonic properties of hip-hop music, we might be missing a big part of the story.”
Take this example from the song “Two Worlds Apart” by Little Simz: the laid back soul sample filled with pitched up backup vocals, airy guitar lines and a mesmerizing flute give ample space for Simz to rap freely. There are tons of artists who incorporate traditionally Black styles of music to enhance the sound of their songs, and the inclusion of those sounds makes it an inherently Black experience.
Kobe Anthony, otherwise known as MEMODEMO, is a senior at UO and a member of UO’s Hip-Hop Ensemble. He has vast experience as a producer and creator of hip-hop music, especially within the realm of rhythm games. He incorporates a wide array of sounds into his music, and he connects this with the ever-growing influence of hip-hop’s musical aesthetics on other genres of music.
“Anything that you’re gonna hear that’s popular has some type of hip-hop influence in it,” Anthony said. “It blends so well with everything because people are fundamentally attracted to rhythm, and it makes way for a lot of people to interpret things in a way that they would
However, Anthony notes in recent years hip-hop has turned into a means for mass consumption and content creation, which has induced a loss of art in the genre.
“The idea of hip-hop as a subculture isn’t really a thing anymore, which on one hand is good, but the whole point is for hip-hop to provide a voice for people who don’t really have that,” Anthony said. “But it’s turned into a performative act. It’s a look now.”
Although hip-hop has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the popular sphere of music for decades, no genre is without its flaws. Part of being a popular genre of music is subjecting its devoted advocates to corporate, washed-out songs that will do numbers. Hip-hop has a long history of perpetuating misogynistic tropes and harmful stereotypes against people of color, but the immeasurable impact of hip-hop cannot be ignored.
It has done wonders for introducing people to the Black experience, political discourse toward drug consumption and gang life among many other things. Understanding hip-hop is to understand it is a Black experience, and hip-hop is an invaluable tool to further one’s understanding of race in America and beyond.
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On Feb. 21, the University of Oregon’s Interfraternity Council announced all affiliated fraternity chapters suspended social gatherings involving alcohol for the remainder of the winter term.
Translation: philanthropies only, and no basement parties or darties even as it gets warmer. This was met by many mixed emotions on campus; most were positive, considering the original problems leading up to this formal statement.
But, naturally, many were disappointed. Underclassmen are expected to be frat groupies every weekend; what are they supposed to do now with their time? This gives freshmen time to adventure around a town they have lived in for nearly six months, and likely a town they know little to nothing about. For freshmen and sophomores, this is an opportunity to break down the stereotypical dynamics that they must worship frat men to have a social life for their first two years.
And, quite frankly that notion just isn’t true. You can develop a friend group that does stuff on weekends other than figuring out where to pregame before heading to frat row. Take advantage of the public transportation system that stops right in front of student housing. It’s getting warmer every day, so walking is the easiest option to find something new. While off-campus housing is mostly in neighborhoods, there are so many options to turn to at West University and as you head toward Downtown.
The number one adventure I would recommend is the Saturday Market, and enjoying the market is much easier without a hangover from the night before. It’s comforting, casual and full of eclectic tents that will leave you both confused and curious. The food is relatively cheap, giving you a break from dining hall food without breaking the bank and having to beg your mommy or daddy to Venmo you back.
I also cannot recommend enough asking someone you may not usually consider to be in your “friend group,” to join in the fun. I remember these girls, who I thought were so cool, invited me to the market with them, and even though we didn’t stay friends, I was grateful for the memory and the adventure that came along with it. It may seem like everyone has their friend groups figured out this late in the year, but many still feel very alone or that their social life isn’t up
to par with what it should be.
Another option with the sun and warm weather is the parks right off campus. Again, who wants to try and enjoy nature when they’re hungover? The answer is literally nobody. But, after a nice, refreshing night of sleep, you can actually enjoy your Saturday. Hendricks Park is a great option, but my personal favorite is Washburne, which is right behind Tom’s Market and the restaurants on 19th Avenue.
Finally, the last thing I recommend for the quintessential Oregonian adventure is any or all of the hikes in the area. A hike gives you time to catch up with a friend or catch up with yourself and your mental status. You get to release some endorphins with the journey
and sit down and reflect once you have reached the top. Reflect on yourself and who you want to be for the final week we have left this term. Or reflect on who you want to be next term and envision yourself as your best self.
All in all, we are letting this frat pause turn into a time of healing and self-love, not depression and self-hatred. If you find yourself truly depressed and hating your life as an underclassman with no frats in it, take it as a wake-up call to invest in yourself. Self-love should never be put on pause, nor should spending time with the genuine people in your life, not the sloppy drunk pledge.
(Stephanie Yang/Emerald)
Hollywood’s biggest night, gathering show business’ brightest stars from across the globe, graced living rooms nationwide last Sunday.
Sporting limited surprises, a smattering of powerful speeches, standout performances and illconceived jokes, the 96th Academy Awards were a mixed bag — a great night for cinema that left plenty to be desired.
Late-night TV’s Jimmy Kimmel took the stage as the ceremony’s host for the fourth time. His material wasn’t especially unfunny or cringe-worthy, but it felt so safe and bland. Now, as a seasoned veteran in this role, it’s pretty clear he’s going through the motions. His bit about Robert Downey Jr.’s past struggle with drug addiction was entirely unnecessary, and his jab at movies being too long was uninspired. For a night designed to celebrate film, outside of the awards themselves, there wasn’t much celebrating. It’s time for a fresh face at the helm.
The production itself was well done, though hardly memorable. While I enjoyed seeing a batch of previous winners introduce each acting nominee, I’m disappointed there were no clips presented. When I’m watching an awards show, I want to actually see a snippet of each nominated performance to get a
taste of what makes them so special.
In typical awards show fashion, the presenters were fun but forgettable. I enjoyed Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt taking jabs at each other with some friendly “Barbenheimer” banter. John Cena going full frontal while presenting Best Costume Design was amusing in its ridiculousness. Al Pacino going off-script and appearing utterly confused while presenting Best Picture was absolutely hilarious and a fitting bookend to the night.
The performances from each nominee recognized in the Best Original Song category were mostly well-done, including one incredible standout. Becky G’s performance of “The Fire Inside” from “Flamin’ Hot” was a short snoozefest. Jon Baptiste’s “It Never Went Away” from “American Symphony” was heartfelt but ordinary.
“Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)” from “Killers of the Flower Moon,” performed by Scott George and the Osage Singers, was a raw, powerful inclusion. Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell’s sweet and soft “What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie” was strikingly moving.
But the absolute peak of the entire night was Ryan Gosling’s performance of “I’m Just Ken” from “Barbie.” The man is oozing with confidence. His
The 96th Academy Awards aired on ABC on March 10, honoring 2023’s most outstanding achievements in film
unabashed joy and commitment to the character solidifies it as one of the most entertaining moments in Oscar history. I challenge anyone not to smile while watching Gosling and his fellow Kens reenact this goofy song.
The awards themselves were majorly predictable but still exciting. Even if some great films were missed out on, the slate of winners this year was excellent. “Oppenheimer” led the way with seven trophies, including the top prize. “Poor Things” impressed with four statuettes, including a big win for Emma Stone in Best Actress. My favorite win of the night was “The Zone of Interest” for Best Sound — one of the most inspired, encouraging selections I’ve seen from the Academy. The night as a whole was huge for international films, including wins for “Anatomy of a Fall” in Best Original Screenplay, “The Boy and the Heron” in Best Animated Feature and “Godzilla: Minus One” in Best Visual Effects.
While the Oscars don’t seem too keen on spicing up their traditional production, the night was still plenty of fun. Despite Kimmel’s overstayed welcome and a handful of lows, a diverse group of filmmakers were recognized for their incredible work, and that’s what it’s all about.
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MARCH IS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH, MAKING IT THE PERFECT TIME TO DELVE INTO LITERATURE CELEBRATING THE RESILIENCE OF WOMEN AND SHARE THEIR INSPIRING STORIES WITH OTHERS
In honor of Women’s History Month, I’d like to recommend three books with stories that feature empowering women. March is the time of year that shines on the achievements and societal contributions made by women of all backgrounds (although it should be done every day), as well as honoring their resilience through challenges.
I deeply appreciate these books that serve as positive representations of women facing their struggles and coming out on top. Through their stories, we can be inspired and empower ourselves to pursue our dreams and break down barriers.
In this fictional novel, Nina Mistry hit rock bottom when she spent her 30th birthday in jail alone in her pajamas after spontaneously joining a protest defending refugees. She was forced to survive one night without carbs, wine or Wi-Fi, and worst of all, she found herself devoid of anyone to celebrate with. Once she was out, still freshly separated from her fiancé, she now had to move back into her childhood home where her older brother battles depression and their highstrung, traditional Indian mother picks apart every decision she makes.
Her career as a freelance journalist was not going the way she anticipated, which made her feel inadequate compared to her friends who were too busy getting engaged and having successful lives of their own. While in her jail cell, she received a self-help book titled: “How to Love Yourself (and Fix Your Shitty Life in the Process).”
Having nothing left to lose, she applied some of its practices to her life, and she made it her mission to create a list of 30 inner attributes that she loved about herself, focusing solely on
qualities unrelated to her appearance or other external factors, before her next birthday. She persevered through the humiliation that came from her career, broken engagement and other encounters with her list, consistently adding to it every time she gained insight about herself from these situations.
This book is a collaboration between two women: Mayra Cuevas, an award-winning journalist for CNN, and Marie Marquardt, an award-winning author. Together, they write from alternating perspectives through the characters of Malena Rosario and Ruby McAllister.
Malena Rosario was displaced from her beloved Puerto Rico by Hurricane María and relocated to Florida with her mother. Going to her new school in Florida braless after a bad sunburn, the school administration shamed and pressured her into covering up.
Ruby McAllister is known as a feminist activist with a bold attitude. Now in a Florida high school, after being previously overshadowed by her sister in Seattle, she grapples with uncertainty about her future and doubts her abilities to change the world. So when she notices Malena being forced to cover up, she stands up for her.
These two teenagers join forces to lead a rebellion against the school’s dress code enforcement. In their journey together, they confront their insecurities, biases and privileges. These girls find strength in friendship, feminism and advocating for both their beliefs and themselves.
“Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies: And Other Rituals to Fix Your Life, from Someone Who’s Been There” by Tara Schuster
For anyone seeking a self-help book, I suggest giving this one a try.
Tara Schuster is an entertainment executive who advocates for mental health. In her late 20s, she had accomplishments in her career working with shows like “The Daily Show” and contributing to the viral success of “Key & Peele.” She appeared
to have mastered adulthood; however, she struggled with depression, anxiety and shame stemming from her upbringing with little parental involvement.
In this nonfiction book, we follow Schuster’s journey in re-parenting herself and practicing self-love. Through daily rituals, she managed to change her mindset, body and relationships for the better. She offers advice on cultivating gratitude with a “fake it until you make it” mentality, eventually leading to genuine feelings of gratitude over time. She also guides healing emotional wounds, overcoming self-limiting beliefs to regain control of life and silencing selfcriticism from the inner frenemy.
Schuster aims to empower readers to seize control of their own choices to create a life that they truly love. It also helps that her humorous approach makes the guide more relatable, almost like chatting with a close friend, making it the ideal book for personal growth.
These stories can not only have the power to move readers but also underscore the significance of highlighting women’s strength and perseverance. Celebrating Women’s History Month through literature is a meaningful way to honor women’s experiences and achievements. I hope these stories, and many others, continue to empower readers long after this month ends.
(Stella Fetherston/Emerald)
With former Duck Jessica Drummond at the helm, Oregon lacrosse’s future begins now.
BY LILY CRANE DESIGNED BY EVA ANDREWSA blur of green could be seen from the opposite sideline of the fans. Riley Taylor was performing the worm while the rest of the team danced to “Shout.” Oregon lacrosse had much to celebrate as time was ticking before its first win of the season Feb. 9.
It was a small moment that perfectly sums up the beginning of a 5-1 start the Ducks have had to their season. All their success begins with joy and camaraderie.
The past few years haven’t been the easiest for Oregon lacrosse. Last season, the Ducks went 1-9 in Pac-12 play and won five games overall. Bringing in a new coaching staff, a lot of people didn’t necessarily expect them to drastically change that record. But six games in, Oregon has equaled its win total in the entirety of the 2023 season.
“It just shows that we’ve worked hard all offseason and that it’s possible if we put the pieces together,” attacker Morgan McCarthy said about the program’s start after a win against Marist. “If you stay true to it, it’s gonna happen.”
Part of the group’s early season turnaround can be credited to their new head coach Jessica Drummond, who helped the Ducks to a record-tying best start in program history in the first four games.
“[Drummond’s] been such a great addition to this team,” midfielder Anna Simmons said after the first win of the season. “I could not be more excited to play for her.”
Simmons is one of the many players that has benefited from having Drummond at the helm. It took her only five games to double her 2023 goal total, jumping from eight goals to 16. Simmons is also the youngest of six captains named to the squad.
But Simmons isn’t the only player that has seen increased production.
Sophomore Rachel Pallo
broke the single-game program record for draw controls with 11 against Saint Francis, before breaking it again in the next game against Marist with 12. Players such as Thayer Hubbard and Kylee
“This is our home turf and setting the tone right this season is awesome.”
JESSICA DRUMMOND head coach
Manser have gone from playing few to no games in 2023 to receiving frequent minutes.
Oregon’s strong start isn’t simply just the result of the work it put in. It also stems from the sheer confidence the Ducks have in themselves —- both individually and as a collective.
“I think that just comes down to us believing,” Drummond said following the Marist win. “Why can’t we do that? Why not us?”
Throughout the non-conference slate, players have expressed how they believe they can go as far as they set their minds to. It’s a true embodiment of the word “alpha,” one of the three core values for Oregon’s season, along with pride and discipline.
Drummond knows well what it takes to win at this level. She played for the Ducks from 2009 to 2012. She had a successful Oregon career, still ranking top 10 in program history for draw controls, ground balls and caused turnovers. During her senior season, she helped lead the Ducks to their best season in program history, winning the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament title.
The value of pride is the gratitude of wearing green and yellow. Drummond and the Oregon roster have been adamant throughout nonconference play that winning at home is a point of emphasis for them, just like it was when Drummond was a player.
“When you step on the field, giving all you can to make sure you get that win at Papé,” Drummond said after the first 3-0 homestand. “This is our home turf and setting the tone right this season is awesome.”
Pride also shows up in the little moments on the field. After every goal scored and every “Shout” played, the Ducks always appear to relish their time on the turf.
“When you’re out there, have fun and just enjoy the game,” McCarthy said. “It makes it that much easier to do well.”
There’s certainly going to be bumps in the road for a young team with a first-year head coach. A non-conference loss to No. 22 Rutgers reminded Oregon that it still has a ways to go to reach the top. The Ducks have shown, however, that they’re determined and believe that they can get there. Their next step is conquering the final Pac-12 season, beginning with a matchup against Cal.
ACROSS
1 Gave a darn
6 Personal bearing
10 Spongy earth
14 __ and kicking
15 Like a quaint shoppe
16 Unknown author, for short
17 Hors d’oeuvre often seasoned with paprika
19 Looped in, on email
20 Corp. VIP
21 Quite
22 Infant’s cry
23 Skin pictures
25 Calm and dignified
28 Picnic side dish
31 Double-reed woodwind
34 Charged particle
35 Helena’s st.
36 Creamy dip for buffalo wings
40 __ mater
41 “__ moved on”
42 Parrot in Disney’s “Aladdin”
43 New England seafood sandwich
47 Securities backed by the govt.
48 Fought
53 Raw mineral in a mine
54 Supermarket area with fresh cheeses
56 Hitchhiker’s hope
57 Foggy state
59 Minnesota medical center, or where one might learn how to prepare 17-, 28-, 36-, and 43-Across?
61 Scat legend Fitzgerald
62 Brick __ pizza
63 Tiny spot
64 Overly compliant
65 Floating ice chunk
66 Auto body blemishes
DOWN
1 Military academy enrollee
2 Name said to activate an Amazon Echo Dot
3 Fastener in a girder
4 Kick out
5 Oscar winner Benicio __ Toro
6 Not showy
7 Actor Robert who hosts the podcast “Not Today, Pal” with former co-star Jamie-Lynn Sigler
8 Envelopepushing
9 Opposite of pos.
10 Expensive nut from Hawaii
11 Advance slowly
12 Fish-to-be
13 Conclude
18 Sauteing acronym
22 Director Craven
24 Oil cartel acronym
25 “The Brady Bunch” trio
26 Dance that takes two
27 NYC summer hrs.
29 TV station, e.g.
30 Shoe front
31 Wrinkleresistant synthetic fabric
32 Hoodwink
33 Winning game after game
37 Makes haste
38 Binge-watcher’s device
39 River sediment
40 PC key near the space bar
44 Casual shirt
45 Like a kiwi
46 Not of the clergy
49 Utter nonsense
50 Lightweight fabric
51 Formal decree
52 Cruise ship levels
54 Singer Grohl who founded the Foo Fighters
55 Watchful sort
57 __ and haw
58 Hoppy beer
59 Disorderly crowd
60 1960s hallucinogen, for short
