Spring 2023, Issue 13

So…what are your plans after graduation? PAGE 2

Hollywood writers band together to fight for fair compensation. PAGE 3

VOLUME

SSU and CSU system faced with new lawsuits

On April 28, two new lawsuits alleging sexual harassment and retaliation have been filed against Sonoma State University faculty members and administrators, California State University system and its board of trustees.

The lawsuit was filed by Clea Felien, an assistant professor with Sonoma State’s Arts & Hu manities School. In the complaint, she claims that she was made a target of unwanted sexual ad vances by a tenured professor within her department named Nathan Haenlein. The Press Democrat reports that Felien’s harassment began during her recruitment in 2017 and continued through 2019.

SSU Interim President Mike Lee, Haenlein, the CSU Board of Trustees, Chancellor Jolene Koester, former Art & Art History Department Chair Christine Renaudin, and Hollis Robbins, former Arts & Humanities dean were named as defendants in the suit.

A separate lawsuit filed by Robbins on April 27 alleged sexual harassment by McCallum and retaliation by Sakaki, according to the Press Democrat.

Sergeant Jason Hight

On Wednesday, May 3, the Sonoma State University Police had an event honoring im portant members of the SSU community as well as swearing in a new sergeant, Jason Hight. The night was described by the SSU Chief of Police Nader Oweis as, “A night of giving back, commitment, dedication and hard work. We truly try to make sure everyone feels safe.”

The event was held on campus at The Cooperage and had about 100 people in atten dance including family members of award recipients and police officers. Hight was sworn in by Oweis at the end of the event. Oweis explained, “Three people went for the sergeant position internally. Jason has been with Sonoma State since the beginning of COVID-19, and he never got to be formally sworn in the first time, so this will hopefully make up for it.” He also explained that sergeants aren’t sworn in very often, so this was an important event.

Oweis went on to say that a sergeant is the key to any police department, devoting hours and commitment as well as being on duty when no one else is. Hight was previously a detective for the Marin County District Attorney. He worked on cold cases and was also a field training officer.

Oweis concluded the event by saying, “Promoting someone as sergeant is one of the unique and special things I get to do.”

While the swearing in of Hight was the concluding part of the event, there were also many awards handed out by the chief to award their hard work. The intern program at the University Police Department used to be one or two students, but there are now 12 interns see AWARDS on pg. 4

SSU staff rally for more support and fair wages

n April 17, student workers in the California State University system filed over 4,000 cards with the California’s Public Employee Relations Board declaring the formation of a student union that will help represent and fight on behalf of the 10,000 predominantly undergraduate student assistants who work throughout the CSU system’s 23 campuses. If successful, these students will be officially represented by the California State University Student Employee Union. This proclamation is the largest non-academic student organization effort in all of U.S. history.

Later that morning, students held a virtual press conference to announce their call to action, and would be joined by CSU academic and support staff unions, including California Faculty Association president Charles Toombs and-

dressing issues like stagnant pay and limited 20-hour work weeks. A rally was held that day on SSU campus where protestors gathered at Ives 101 from 11:30 a.m. - noon, and from there, marched through Seawolf Plaza and the quad. This protest at Sonoma and the other 22 CSU campuses, also follows recent protests

STAR// Dennae Taylor alazar and Stevenson Hall on Sonoma State campus from the Wine Spectator

SACHA WEDNER STAFF WRITER

OLIVIA KEELER STAFF WRITER

STAR// Cec Fernandez Brian Schneider of Facilities speaking at the CSU worker rally outside of Salazar hall on SSU campus.

THE STAR

Editorial Board

Rosalee Padilla, Editor-in-Chief

Nicholas Roth, Copy Editor

Ana Fingerson, News Editor

Mikayla Fritzemeier, Opinion Editor

Adriana Gonzalez, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Cec Fernandez, Photo Editor

Zachary Gonzales, Student Life Editor

Javier Hernandez,

Sports & Vibes Editor

Corinne Asturias, Faculty Adviser

Staff Writers

Célia Aline Amaral, Rene Cassano, Mariah

Forster, Tito Fuentes, Mia Garcia, Elias Kaplan, Olivia Keeler, Kathleen Mootz, Alec Padilla, Cooper Perry, Kylie Perry, Bernardo Ramos, Jake Renteria, Justin Simpson, Ally Valiente, Sacha Wedner

Photographers

Forget the crap and toss your cap

Dennae

Taylor and Malia Teran

Nichols Hall 323, 1801 East Cotati Ave Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Telephone: 707-664-2776

Business & General Inquiries: sonomastatestar@gmail.com

Corrections and News Tips: star@sonoma.edu

Publication

The STAR is published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters. The weekly publication of the STAR is made possible by Instructionally Related Activities Funding.

Opinions

Opinions expressed in the STAR are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the STAR or SSU. The editorial reflects the views of the STAR Editorial Board on issues it considers to be of particular relevance to the campus community.

Editorial Policy

The commentary expressed in the unsigned editorial represents a majority opinion of the STAR Editorial Board on a topic facing the campus community in keeping with journalistic precedents of other major newspapers, and may not be shared by all staff writers.

Looking

down at the black rental robe that matches the ones behind you, names are being read, and the crowd is cheering. Are you sweating? It’s the third weekend in May and you’ve waited years to get to this point, to celebrate this accomplishment; your college graduation. As you wait for your name to be called, so that you can stride across the stage, there’s something in the back of your mind. Could it be your celebratory dinner? Or maybe you’re simply trying to spot your family in the crowd. More likely it’s the thought of your post-graduation plans and having to find an answer to the dreaded question “What’s your next move?”

Students likely relate to fellow graduating senior Alice Tikoibau when she says “...Geez, can’t I just go through this chapter in my life before discussing the new one!?”

For many students, the moment they announce their final year of college they begin to experience the overwhelming thought of finding a job, let alone a career that utilizes their degree. Through a poll via Instagram the Sonoma State STAR discovered that 84% of graduating seniors do not have a job lined up after graduation.

Higher education students attend college in order to gain an education and to receive a degree that is intended to make it easier for them to find a career opportunity in the world. However, in a FAQ with EmployedHistorians. com, they stated that according to Indeed, it takes the average graduate about seven and a half months to find a job.

Thankfully, Sonoma State students are granted access to The Career Center on campus up to a year after they graduate. The Career Center can assist with resume building and even interview prep. Having this resource post-grad can be beneficial considering many students are worried about other factors; most commonly their living circumstances after graduation.

Soon-to-be Sonoma State alumna Willow Ornellas explained how her first moves after graduation actually concern where she’s going to be living and how her life will be functioning post-graduation. Ornellas, who is a former

News Editor for The STAR, stated, “I guess you could say I’m compartmentalizing all of the things that will be happening in my life immediately after graduation so I can rest easy at night knowing I have a plan and way to execute it.” Finally, Ornellas shared how this plan helps her feel confident in the changes occurring, and “it gets people off my back!!”

With the chaos of trying to find a job, trying to figure out your place of living, and actively still being a student, it can be hard to stop and remember that at the end of the day, a notable milestone is being accomplished.

As previously mentioned, students go to college to earn a degree to better their chances at a job or career. For some students that is their family norm and what is expected of them. For others, they may be transfer students receiving their second or third degree. But for many students here at SSU, graduating college is an accomplishment their families have yet to see. Approximately 48% of graduates at Sonoma State are also first-generation students.

However, a lot of students such as Melina Osmundson feel as though they still haven’t done enough despite knowing they’ve completed this milestone. Osmundson shared, “I do feel accomplished finishing my degree! I sometimes worry that I need to accomplish more but I do feel accomplished.”

While there are a lot of emotions to be feeling during this time, Ornellas acknowledges how graduating is a huge weight lifted off her shoulders as well. “... I’ve realized how much stress school has consistently brought to my life… [Finishing school] makes me feel more like myself again and my mental health is already improving.”

There are a variety of options and pathways to discover post-grad. Some will find themselves at grad schools and possibly a Ph.D. program. Others may have a job lined up, or may be going a completely different path toward a trade school. Regardless of where a student started, the path the student took to get there, and what their next step is; a milestone has been reached and an accomplishment has been made.

Streaming changed Hollywood; writers deserve compensation

came after writers had failed to reach a deal with production companies on a new contract. The issue is there are a few key points that they disagree on, including pay, streaming compensation and how the writers rooms are set up.

Ashly Burch, who has been working on Apple TV show “Mere Mortals” spoke of the challenges writers face today amid studios and streamers demand for content.

tum of Solace” and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” were not able to have rewrites because there were no writers available.

Last Tuesday, Hollywood writers put down their pens and hoisted placards. They took to the streets in demand of high pay, shorter contracts and having more writers on shows. The Writers Guild of America (WGA), the union that represents screenwriters, has had a three year deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). AMPTP is responsible for negotiating contracts between the WGA and big picture companies. The strike

“If you’re beginning staff, like a story editor, it’s not sustainable to live off of this profession anymore,” Burch told The Times.

This is not the first time Hollywood writers have gone on strike; back in 2007 writers went on strike for 100 days. According to Daily Mail, “The strike cost Hollywood 2.1 billion dollars.” The purpose behind it was the way DVD sales and video demand were being handled.

The strike resulted in shows such as “The Office” and “Big Bang Theory,” being cut short while scripts for films like “Quan-

Some celebrities have weighed in on their thoughts on writers being paid more money. Amanda Seyfried, most known for ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘Mean Girls’ mentioned her thoughts, “I don’t get what the problem is. Everything changed with streaming and everybody needs to be compensated for their work.”

Streaming has changed the way the world consumes hollywood movies and shows. With access to thousands of titles at your fingertips, streaming allows for the viewing of new and old content, but the creative minds behind the scenes are not being compensated properly.

“I feel like writers should be compensated for their work on the shows because they don’t get recognized for shows as much as actors are,” said Talia Ordonez, a second year psychology major. “Writers

work really hard on shows and it is hard to find new stories to make people interested, the writers are the most important part because they are the ones giving the story even though the actors are performing,” Ordonez continued.

Charlene Regalia, a fourth year psychology major said, “I think it is difficult because there is a problem with reruns but I think it is fair for them to get some compensation for their work.”

Makayla Boardman, a second year psychology major, shared her thoughts on why actors should support the writers in the strike, “Without the writers you have no story.”

If we continue to enjoy content days or years after its initial release, all parties involved in the creative process deserve to be compensated and valued. Writers should get paid fairly for their work. If it wasn’t for them, the shows and movies that we love would never be brought to life.

‘Ok, boomer;’ dealing with generational differences

thing,” is what sparked the “Ok, boomer” movement on the internet.

Clearly, the ideologies of baby boomers and Gen Z are different. This difference is often referred to as a generational gap. Generational gaps refers to the differences of beliefs, ideologies belonging to two or more generations, according to investopedia.

about racial discrimination. This is not to say that there are no baby boomers who are activists, but rather social justice is more of a priority for Gen Z.

or lower for Gen X and Baby Boomers saying that they would be willing to work more for higher pay,” said Anton Brisinger.

MARIAH FORSTER STAFF WRITER

Many of us have had a conversion with someone of a previous generation and while we may not have vocalized our thoughts, we were thinking “Ok, boomer”.

The phrase “Ok, boomer” has become popular in the last few years. There are memes and TikToks about this phrase and it is used to dismiss or disregard those in the baby boomer generation. Those who were born in the baby boom generation, which means they were born between 1946 and 1964, are often considered old fashion or conservative to Gen Z and millennials.

In an article written by the New York Times, Taylor Lorenz describes the phrase as Gen Z’s response to any old person saying something condescending about young people. Statements such as “kids today don’t get it” or “young people today are so sensitive about every-

While differences between generations have always existed, because of technological advances such as social media, these differences are being magnified. One of the biggest differences between the two generations are their contrasting views on society and politics.

For example, baby boomers are more likely to identify as conservative than liberal according to the Gallup. Younger generations such as millennials and Gen Z are more racially and ethnically diverse than previous generations.

One student believes that the stark difference between baby boomers and Gen Z has to do with education. “Things that were taught 50 years ago in the education system are different from what is taught now,” said Axel Garcia, fourth year sociology major. He continues to add that there is more of a focus on cultural education in Gen Z than there was in previous generations.

This could be the reason why Gen Z is more culturally aware and outspoken

Melissa Madrigal Lorenzo, third year psychology major believes that social media has played a role in magnifying the differences between baby boomers and Gen Z. They continue to state that even the way the two generations use social media is different.

“Baby boomers love Facebook and Gen Z loves Tiktok.” said Madrigal-Lorenzo.

While most can agree that the baby boomer generation holds different values from Gen Z, there are some overlapping similarities. Garcia states that he agrees with baby boomers’ view on working hard and being family oriented.

In contrast, Madrigal-Lorenzo doesn’t exactly agree with this idea. “I do and don’t agree with emphasizing the importance of work; working their whole lives until they retire at an old age. Everyone knows the importance of money but I never agreed with the idea of working until you die.”

There have been studies that suggest that Gen Z is the most hard working generation according to StartUps Magazine.

“58% of Gen Z said that they would be willing to work nights and weekends for higher pay. This number decreased with each previous generation, with 40%

Madrigal-Lorenzo stated that she sometimes catches herself agreeing with baby boomers when they say “it’s because you’re always on that damn phone.”

“But then I snap out of it and realize my phone didn’t cause what they are upset about,” said Madrigal-Lorenzo.

With there being obvious similarities and differences between the two generations, how do we fill in the gaps? More specifically, how can two people from different generations with contrasting ideas and beliefs work together?

Garcia suggests that one way to accomplish this is by having structured training about how to interact in the workplace or school setting.

Madrigal-Lorenzo suggests that becoming more aware and accepting of this difference is key to bridging the gap. “Having both generations know about each other’s culture/beliefs can help them understand each other better. I think in a school/ work environment the two can also focus on their similarities rather than differences and work together when it comes to technology.”

“You don’t have to accept what someone is saying, but you should respect them,” said Garcia.

Easy access to sports betting may lead to gambling addictions

Certain laws in California make it legal for betting under the terms of “daily fantasy providers,” not a typical sportsbook. The most popular app, PrizePicks, uses a workaround of the law to stay legal while providing users a chance to select players and bet on their under and over totals, as typical sports betting goes.

RENTERIA STAFF WRITER

Even though Californians voted an overwhelming “No” on Prop 27, which would have allowed for online sports betting, the industry is still seeing a rapid increase in popularity among youth. Now that it is easy to place a bet on your phone, you can make a bet with your morning coffee or during that class you don’t really pay attention in.

Since making sports bets online while in the state of California is not allowed, several new apps have popped up and taken the industry by storm.

When asked if he’s ever gotten into sports betting, computer science major Adam Lyday said, “I have heard of how popular it is but I have never got into it myself, I think it would be fun for people who like sports.”

How it works is fairly simple, if you are 18 years of age or older you can make any account, deposit money with any kind of card or paypal, and start playing. They often offer promotions to hook new users in, these kinds of deals are especially attractive to high school and college age students, looking to make some money while watching their favorite team.

PrizePicks will set a line for a certain player’s state, say 24.5 points, and it’s

your job to pick whether they will go over or under that amount. Putting together your guess for multiple players is what’s referred to as a parlay. If your guesses are correct, you will win four to 10 times the money you put on the line, depending on how many players you picked. This format gives you endless options to pick from as they offer almost every sport you can think of.

Throwing around a few bucks every once in a while can seem pretty harmless, but oftentimes this can lead to gambling addictions. A drawback of easily accessible apps like PrizePicks, FanDuel and DraftKings (available in other states) is how it is introducing gambling to the next generation of kids. What can start out as small amounts of money can lead to much bigger problems, spending money you don’t have and the typical saying “I can stop whenever I want.”

The feeling after losing money and wanting to put more in because this time you’ll “make it back,” and the feeling

after winning and thinking it will never stop. Kids can start habits that won’t benefit them when they grow up. While gambling used to be older folks heading to casinos, the internet has opened a whole new problem into the world of gambling.

Online betting has become almost commonplace in association with sporting events. It has influenced a younger generation and been normalized in our society in the past few years. Senior Grant Reynolds had never participated himself but said, “I have friends who would tell me about the sports games they were betting on, and it definitely feels like you have more stakes in the game.”

While it is mostly fun and games, it is important to realize the problems getting into gambling can cause. Placing bets in moderation and stopping when it doesn’t become fun anymore will help anyone looking to get into sports gambling to have an enjoyable and responsible experience.

JAKE

STAFF WRITER KATHLEEN MOOTZ

SSU includes community awards with new Sergeant induction

continued from pg. 1

graduating this semester. Oweis wanted to bring more students into the program to give them more opportunity as well as grow the work that they do.

Officer John Howard, who works closely with interns, presented them with a Chief’s Appreciation Award, as well as spoke about their future and growth within the department. There were students from many different majors and were explained to have a great dedication. A few of the interns have been with the department for a couple of years, so they seemed proud to have been receiving recognition for their work.

Alongside interns, a few members of the SSU community received awards as well. There were four Distinguished Service Commendation awards handed out for people who went above and beyond to serve SSU.

Andre Bailey, an advisor at SSU, received this award for his service to SSU, the police department, and the Male Success Initiative. Bailey has been on this campus for 30 years and is retiring. Oweis described him as, “Not just a mentor, but what some call the rainbow.” Bailey gave a speech after receiving his award, saying, “This is a tremendous honor and I would like to say thank you to Nader. The past president made two important decisions, our chief of staff and our chief of police.” Bailey wrapped up his speech with, “Sonoma State is in great hands. Thank you to the entire campus community.”

Another award given was to Adelino Alves, a custodian at SSU. Alves was explained to be someone who works above and beyond to keep Sonoma State clean and clean buildings he is not assigned to. Alves is noted for saying, “important people come through here, it has to be clean.” He had a smile on his face the entire time he was receiving his award.

At the end of the event, Oweis said, “We wanted the community to be a part of those receiving awards, not just the recipients and police department. Thank you to everyone.”

Unionizing protests seen across CSUs

continued from pg. 1

and strikes by student workers across the country, from UC Berkeley, Dartmouth, the University of Pennsylvania, and more.

To many workers, this call for change was long overdue. CSU teaching assistants and academic workers are already represented by The Union of Academic Student Workers at the California State University, while other student workers, who often perform non-academic work such as staffing reception desks, serving customers at the cafeteria, and helping run student centers, currently have nothing.

“Having some type of security during the school year can give the students a peace of mind,” said third-year Liberal Studies major D’Vonna Kiwovele. “I think that mobilization is long overdue because students who work at SSU are also faculty as well. The students help the school function and without the students who give their heart and soul to their jobs, it would not go smoothly in my opinion. I think having a union will unite the students who work for the school and help bring more students to work for the school as well.”

Student workers can find on-campus jobs to be easy and convenient sources of income, considering their hours can be molded to accommodate their preexisting schedules, and the location is convenient for anyone already living on or around campus. However the problem arises when they realize they are often paid minimum wage and face 20-hour caps on their work schedules, which can make making up missing hours difficult, especially if they are already working pretty close to that limit anyways. The lack of any paid sick days or paid leave, and the fact that many departments pay their employees once per month are also notable flaws in the system.

“As college students taking anywhere between 12-20 units per semester and many who must support themselves to go to school, calling out even a few days from work means you are immediately out of several days’ pay,” says fourth-year anthropology major Benjamin Heany, “Just a few days can significantly impact students’ ability to provide for themselves, especially with rising costs nationwide.”

This isn’t the first time the union has taken these issues towards the higher ups. In March 2021, the union filed a petition with the California’s Public Employee Relations Board to add student assistants to its existing bargaining units, but the CSU system disputed the claim that student workers shared enough similarities with other university support staff to not be folded in with them.

Faced with these uphill battles, CSU student workers have taken matters into their own hands, launching the #LetUsVote and #LUVStudentWorkers. Just like how social media was used as an effective tool for UC organizers when planning strikes, the CSU Student Workers Instagram has been used to help spread awareness and organize. The page currently has over 2,000 followers, and features testimonials from different CSU student workers, memes, and updates about current efforts, such as providing a LinkTree with previous articles written about the union, post templates, and a union card student workers are encouraged to sign.

In order to learn more you can visit the CSU Workers Union’s page at studdentassistantunion.org, where you can also get involved and sign your union card, as well as following their instagram page at @csueu_organizing.

Students find community thanks to MEChA’s ‘Noche De Baile’

RENE CASSANO STAFF WRITER

Mexican and Latine Sonoma State University students got a chance to celebrate their culture and have a good time on April 28 with SSU club Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán’s Noche De Baile featuring live music from local band La Banda Congora.

Students from any background were welcomed to join and get down, but MEChA’s Internal Vice President Robbie Campos felt a lot of pride/orgullo that night culturally. “Orgullo in our Culture. Orgullo in our Presence and Orgullo for being there in the moment.”

According to SSU’s website, MEChA is a “cultural, political, and social chartered student organization” that has existed in some form or another since the early 60s, shortly after SSU opened its doors in 1961. As the first Raza organization at SSU, they have always dealt with different issues and proper representation for Hispanic/Latine students. MEChA adopted its current name in 1970. El Movimiento Estudiantíl Chicano de Aztlán roughly translates to The Student-run Movement of Chicanos from Aztlán, which is the original homeland of Aztec people that stretched from about what is now known as Oregon to Texas.

From 6 p.m. - 10 p.m., Ballroom A of the Student Center was transformed into a dance floor. The band arrived ready to rock in matching customized sparkling red suits with a traditional full brass, woodwind, and percussion band. The turnout for the event was massive, and according to Campos, about 200 students participated. He said, “The most I’ve seen is about 100-110!”

Fourth-year math major Jay Magana-Fierro said “I was filled with immense joy to hear that there was going to be a live banda on campus playing for us! I was also excited to dress up in vaquero, it was very affirming and euphoric.” Similarly in an after-event survey sent out to participants, Campos said “a lot of them said this was the first time they were EVER able to express their culture at SSU.”

Robbie Campos, a third-year Psychology major and Spanish minor, was the lead organizer for the Friday night event. He realized a ‘Noche De Baile’ event had not been thrown at SSU since 2018 and said “Why not do it bigger and better than ever done before and make history while we’re at it?” When he brought the idea to MEChA President Blanca Ruiz, they agreed Noche would be a great opportunity for MEChA to express their culture and they know how to have a good time whenever they can.

Speaking on other campus organizations that helped with ‘Noche’ Campos said “We had a TON of help from Bianca Delgado from Student Involvement & Shelly from the HUB. Without them, I don’t think I would have been able to host such a big event.” The HUB Cultural Center also helped MEChA reach its funding needs to make Noche De Baile happen.

The whole event was planned in the span of three weeks, which was a tall task for an event of this size. On how he persevered through his work, Campos reminded himself that “I knew what I wanted, how I wanted it, and when I wanted it and I was very determined.” That pride in one’s determination is ultimately what enabled so many Seawolves to express their own pride during Noche De Baile.

Students show concern and support amid allegations

continued from pg. 1

Interim President Mike Lee did not respond when the STAR reached out for an interview. Several students, who wished to remain anonymous, have expressed their concerns and disappointment in light of the situation.

One third year business student said, “I love this campus. I love all the professors I’ve had and friends I’ve made. But with the scandal from last year and another one right now, it really has me wondering if I made the right decision coming here.”

Another first year communication student expressed that Sonoma State was receiving attention within the last year, but for all the unfortunate reasons. “All I can say is ‘Yikes!’ Someone needs to be held accountable and not give some lame, half-assed apology.”

This comes a little over a year since news broke of sexual harassment and retaliation complaints regarding then SSU President Judy Sakaki and her husband, Patrick McCallum.

The California State University system and Sakaki were accused of paying out $600,000 to former provost Lisa Vollendorf after Sakaki reportedly retaliated against Vollendorf by making defamatory statements.

Lee assumed leadership of Sonoma State last August of 2022 after the departure of former president Dr. Judy K. Sakaki, who resigned from the presidency on July 31, 2022.

Lee’s interim appointment will span for the remainder of the 2022-23 academic year. CSU Trustees will soon begin a national search for a regularly appointed president to lead the campus.

Arts & Entertainment 5

BFA Exhibition showcases at the University Art Gallery

Eachsemester the University Art Gallery hosts the Bachelor of Fine Arts(BFA) Exhibition to showcase and highlight the work of the university’s graduating seniors. From now until May 20, work from Dawn Marie Brown, Sophia Larsen, Rachel Sculley, and Isiah Warren is on display at the University Art Gallery on the north end of campus.

One of the talented artists who the STAR was able to catch up with was Isiah Warren. In his display,

he showcased a gallery of photos that portray the culture of the rap music industry in a way that looked to show viewers a different side of rap from an artistic point of view. Warren’s photos were especially notable because they come naturally and candidly. His pictures are active documentation and he explained that “I use whatever is around me at the moment, rather than searching.” In his artist statement, he explains that rap artists are everyday people who work tirelessly to make art that tells their stories and culture in an influential way. Warren’s exhibit consisted of photographs of famous rappers and producers that he has grown close with. He explained that they have brought him into their circle to document the world of rap from a closer perspective. Warren enjoys being able to exhibit an inside look at the industry and said he loves being able to “show the humanity of these artists who are often seen as gangsters or thugs, but in reality, are hardworking artists.” His project looks to break the barrier between the rap industry and the audience by showing off more artists who represent their upbringings and their environments through art.

Dawn Marie Brown, another artist, approaches her work in a slightly different way. Her art revolves around creating and exploring the metaphysical internal space within herself. Brown utilized cardboard in a few of her pieces which were

particularly interesting. She said she likes using cardboard because she believes the “material immediately imbues the pieces with metaphorical weight and meaning.” Brown explained how cardboard has many properties in common with the human body such as being fragile, man-made, and compostable. Brown also noted how it will eventually break down into its most basic elements and eventually return to nothingness. Brown was thrilled to have the opportunity to display her work in the round for the viewer experience. She specifically emphasized the ability of viewers to explore and digest the work while being engaged in all of the senses. She also explained how that internal space takes form in both vaguely familiar residential spaces, as an artifact of my youth, as well as completely removed liminal unknowable non-space. Brown elaborated on how she approaches the development of each piece and she said, “The fabricated world that she illustrates takes the viewer into her mind to illustrate deeply personal raw emotion as an internal response to the external world.” Brown was very appreciative to see the fruits of her efforts and she felt it was a really nice way to end her career at SSU with her art displayed all in one place.

This art exhibition is open from 11 am until 4 pm on Tuesdays through Fridays as well as from 12 pm until 4 pm on weekends from April 27-May 20. It will be closed on Mondays and holidays.

Sonoma Film Institute presents: ‘Fisherman’s Friends’

You could watch the third installment of a beloved superhero franchise that has witty dialogue, fastpaced action sequences and fan-favorite characters. Or you could watch a heartfelt, comedic story about a group of British fishermen who unexpectedly make the biggest-selling traditional folk album of all time.

The movie Fisherman’s Friends was shown on Friday, May 5 in Warren Auditorium and hosted by the Sonoma Film Institute. Around 9 individuals attended the screening, which allowed attendees to choose any seat they desired.. The film began right at 7 p.m. and ended at 8:40 p.m. There is a $5 suggested donation fee but students are able to get in for free.

The Fisherman’s Friends is loosely based on the real-life story of the “Bouy” band who scored a topten single on the UK charts. The film adds more to the story by adding a rom-com element. The first half of the film focuses on a music manager Danny who’s try-

ing to convince a group of ten fishermen who he stumbles upon during his vacation to let him manage them. After he goes fishing with them he earns their respect and they sign on to record an album. They are able to record an album and then try to find a record label that will distribute it.

The film was released in 2020 but because of COVID-19, it didn’t receive much attention. Thanks to the Sonoma Film Institute Seawolves and film enthusiasts had a chance to see it on a big screen in Warren Auditorium which had a movie theater feel to it. Frederick Harris, who is a 66-year-old Rohnert Park resident, was happy to talk to the STAR about what his thoughts were on the film and the Sonoma Film Institute’s program. Fred said, “It was a fun film. I enjoyed the sea shanties that were sung.” Harris who is a self-proclaimed movie buff also mentioned how much he enjoys being able to see movies on campus he said,

“This program is so great it gives me a reason to get out of the house and see something that doesn’t usually get shown in real movie theaters.”

Without a doubt, some of the best scenes in the film included the parts when the sea shanties were being performed. Unfortunately, the romance element of the film did throw off the pacing and didn’t seem like it belonged in the film. Still by the end of the film those who attended the movie gave a small round of applause. The Fisherman’s Friend was a feel-good movie with a lot of heart that would be a breath of fresh air for anyone getting tired of superhero films. The Sonoma Film Institute hosted these screenings every week this semester, showing a different movie every Friday and Sunday. Unfortunately, the screening of Fisherman’s Friend was the last film that was scheduled to be shown this semester, which was the 50th anniversary season for the program.

Saturday night crafts at Weyden and Brewster

crafts. It went from 7-8 p.m. and had a big turnout. There were about 12 students to begin with but more trickled in as time went on, some even coming towards the end of the event to get in a quick paint session. Most students came in groups or pairs and some came by themselves.

On the tables lay a white covering along with the white canvas bags, different stations of various acrylic paints, paint brushes, cups of water, plates, and paper towels. The colors were purple, yellow, white, green, red, blue, orange, and black. Someone mentioned how there was no dark green color but were able to make it themselves with the green and black paints.

Music was put on in the background a few minutes into the event, starting with “Hey Ya!” by Outkast, a very energetic song to start out the evening. The next song played was “Dancing Queen” by Abba and similar songs of that type. Students sang along to the music as they painted.

His friends attest to this statement.

Another student was painting a lily. Olivia Alamillo, a first year in human development came to this event with three of her friends. They were having a contest to see who could paint the best picture. Alamillo used orange and green for her lilies. Cristal Martinez, a first-year in liberal studies, was painting her name in bold letters and putting some decorations along the sides. Martinez and Alamillo were both sketching their design in pencil before painting over it.

KYLIE PERRY STAFF WRITER

Saturday night craft event at Weyden and Brewster got messy as students filled the tables to paint free canvas bags. REACH and Student Involvement put on the event which is a weekly occurrence with different

Many students decided to paint flowers on their bags to fit in with the theme of Spring. Some did freehand and others looked for inspiration online. One student painted a scene with trees, birds, and a sunset. “This is me at the GMC watching the sunset.” Eduardo Avila, a first-year psychology major, says that you can find him spending his evenings on the Green Music Center lawn, watching the sunset.

The W&B center was filled with talking and laughter among friends. One student who came in a little late to the event said that she was already messy and she just got there. A couple of other students were discussing how to draw a strawberry, and one mentioned starting out by drawing a heart. Many students made mistakes when painting, but there was an abundance of canvas bags to go around for this very reason. Everyone shared the paints and would go over to another table to borrow a color they did not have.

Alamillo and her friends held the final decisions of the contest towards the end of the event. Alamillo got first place, Avila came in second, and Martinez came in third. Makayla Bea, a first-year liberal Studies major, got fourth place with her painting of polka dots.

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STAR // Dennae Taylor Seawolves painting their artwork.

STAR // Dennae Taylor

Inside Outside Inside Outside, 2023 from Dawn Marie Brown at the BFA Exhibition.

Lots to shop for at Lobos Market

The Seawolf Plaza saw one of its most successful events of the semester last Thursday with Lobo’s Market. Seven small business owners and local vendors were invited to set up shop at SSU. Business owners had different items such as jewelry, clothes, and utilities. While not all tables set out had been occupied, the ones that were had plenty of spectators looking, with many turning into customers. There were students, Alumni, and even some business owners looking to promote their products; giving the event quite the resume.

The International Education Exchange Council or (IEEC) had their table filled with books available for purchase for only one dollar. This one price fits all strategy

invited students to help the clubs fundraising efforts with their selection of books being able to be bought, swapped out, or even added to via donations to if they had books they had books they no longer wanted. All donated books went to the Better WorldBooks organization, which “provides books to communities in need around the world and in support of environmental programs.” As Paige Berendsen of the IEEC put it, there was “A little bit of everything” in their book drive, with customers getting a rare chance to find a cheap book that might have been on their radar. Students also got a taste of some of what Wolf Coffee had to offer. They had samples of their coffee as well as their chocolate, which attracted a lot of attention. Wolf Coffee will soon be an even more familiar name to SSU students, as they had recently announced their partnering with the Green Music Center for the entire summer concert series. Already having been served at the Toast Kiosk on campus, Wolf Coffee is aiming to make its presence known here amongst the collegiate community. Nick Castelli, owner of Wolf Coffee, described the journey saying, “The business has been around for 33 years, I’m the second in the family to be owner and I’ve been doing it for five years now, but it’s difficult being a three person operation.” Castelli hopes the Lobo’s market opportunity will really get their name out there on the campus.

Lobo’s market surely proved to be a bit of everything, with everything from mental health services to local vendors getting a platform from which to promote from. One of the tables going under the radar of many passerbyers was the summer jobs booth. The student center is looking for applicants for a variety of positions this coming summer break. Madison Mercado explained how “lots of seniors are leaving,” creating many job opportunities. The main jobs that the student center is looking for are Housekeepers, Cellars info desk personnel, and Event operations

personnel. Students can get up to 40 hours starting at 17.75 at what Mercado praised as a “Fun environment in the student center”.

So whether it’s securing some sweet summer income, sampling some local coffee, or getting a super deal on a book, Lobo’s Market was the place to be. It was a great reminder of what the student population is capable of producing as well as the local area around us here in Sonoma county. It’s not everyday here at SSU when such a plentiful market comes right to students.

Latino Family Education Summit guides prospective students

MIA GARCIA STAFF WRITER

On April 15, Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. invited students from middle school, high school, and adults to attend the Latino Family Educational Summit. This organization consists of bilingual workshops where first-generation families can learn about higher education, financial literacy and mental wellness at Sonoma State. Elementary students were invited as well, however instead of workshops, they went to a carnival hosted by the fraternity of Nu Alpha Kappa. The Latino Family Educational Summit was a huge success with 300 attendees altogether.

Many first generation families have a hard time learning and understanding the process of education, such as what a student needs to get into college, what resources are provided at a college, and school courses students can take. Sorority President Lambda Theta Nu, Serina Cabrera, lead of the Latino Family Educational Summit. Cabrera is an SSU senior majoring in applied statistics.

In an interview with the STAR she said, “[the Latino Family Educational Summit] is to help guide not only high school students but all members of the family to gain knowledge about higher education.” At the event, all age groups were included in the agenda. resentations for middle school and high schoolers in-

cluded how to prepare themselves for college. For the students who have been accepted and entering college, the non-profit organization 10,000 Degrees presents A-G requirements and overall financial aid info and about what resources are out there to help them navigate college. For the parents, the Santa Rosa Junior College presentation included how to support their child going to college and what financial resources they can utilize.

This workshop is for all students; even students who may not wish to attend Sonoma State. Cabrera said, “[Lambda Theta Nu] extended the invitation to everyone to keep in contact.” It’s nice to know that these mentors will help students when they need it or have any questions because they were once in their shoes. Cabrera, a first generation student said, “Being the first in my family to attend a four year university out of high school was a huge accomplishment… however, I found myself struggling in the adjustment, the curriculum and overall finding my place.”

After researching programs that Sonoma State had to offer. After becoming involved with Sonoma State, she finally felt like she found her place. Over the years, Cabrera: became an SSU cheerleader, served as President of her sorority, was Vice President of Soci-

ety for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), Secretary of the Pi Mu Epsilon club, Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Honors Member, worked in a Mathematics Epidemiology Research Group, and was a Learning and Academic Resource Center (LARC) Statistics Tutor. She continues on by saying, “it has been rewarding to be able to mentor underclassmen in a similar place where I was just a few years ago.”

Latino Family Educational Summit is a Lambda Theta Nu Philanthropy event that is put on nationally. Each chapter of the organization hosts a Latina Youth Leadership Conference in which the chapter here at SSU made that into a bigger event for not onlyLatinas, but the whole community. These workshops that are provided here helped give an informative perspective to parents, future and current college students.

The main idea is to give these students an ease of mind and help them step by step understanding the college process. Learning about the experience of sorority sisters from Lambda Theta Nu and seeing a campus can really help future first generation get a sense of what they are getting into before college. This kind of work will help keep the Latino community strong and connected to higher education.

FREE Yoga classes held at the Rec Center

Every Monday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. SSU students have enjoyed the free yoga class offered at the recreation center, it’s one of the six free group classes offered this semester at SSU.

According to the Campus Rec on the SSU website, “Yoga includes various styles that combine physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation”. This idea is taught by Kim Purdy, a staff member and yoga instructor who uses these techniques. In an Interview with the STAR Purdy says the exercise is, “a beneficial outlet for stress reduction because yoga helps balance the moment of challenge and moment of stress.”

Purdy has been certified in 2014 and hosts two classes on campus: one for students and another for staff members. She has great feedback from both and it shows in her class attendance. On average, 22 people

attend and at one point during the semester, the class hosted 40 students. Because of this great attendance of regulars she stated, “I was able to take my group further and still take time to check on beginners who would join for the first time.”

Annabelle Alibert, a Fulbright Language Teaching

As sistant (FLTA) who is originally from France liked attending the yoga classes a couple of times throughout the semester. She stated “I went to that specific yoga class before because I love the instructor, the soothing effect and the opportunity to do a physical activity on campus surrounded by other students.”

A graduating student, Molly Clemons, is a regular at this class. She relates the benefit of stress management of doing yoga and also states “SSU makes it easy for students to try yoga and it is free. I want to continue to do yoga but I am graduating so it’s gonna be harder

and more expensive”.

Alibert also saw this class as a great opportunity. She said “The yoga class is at a convenient time and is easy to attend without additional fees right before dinner and it aligns with my goals to move but also relax and anchor myself in my body… I think it has helped me release stress and tension.” Clemons also notices similar benefits. “Since I started yoga I am more mindful,” she said.

Purdy was asked why teaching yoga at SSU. She relates that, “Beside the convenience of having both my job on campus, I like to teach to SSU students and staff members”. She advised whoever would want to try it out “college is a great time to try yoga and it is a wonderful tool for everybody.” Yoga would be offered at the same time with Purdy next semester, every Monday at 5:30 p.m.

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CÉLIA ALINE AMARAL STAFF WRITER

STAR // Dennae Taylor Cositas Contreras offered cute conchitas key rings and a variety of handmade resin items.

STAR // Dennae Taylor Seawolves check out the many goods at Lobo’s Market.

COOPER PERRY STAFF WRITER

Historic season wages on for SSU

After an outstanding season by the SSU Softball team, a program record tying seven members of the squad were selected to CCAA All-Conference teams. On March 3, it was announced that the #15 ranked Seawolves would also take home the Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year and Coach of the Year awards. Those named to the All-CCAA Firstteam include Jordyn Martinez, Giana Hays, Anna Zoia-Buescher and Nichole

Sarra. Representing the All-CCAA

Second-team are Cassidy Romano, Rylee Nishimoto and Charlie Johnson.

Zoia-Buescher was named CCAA

Most Valuable Player for her incredible performance this season, with a .486 batting average. Zoia-Buescher proved herself to be one of the best college softball players in the country, ranking #7 in batting average in all of Division II.

Zoia-Buescher became the first Seawolf softball player to be named MVP and sits in the top five in the conference in batting average, slugging, on-base percentage, OPS, runs, hits, triples and stolen bases.

In addition to her Second-team selection, Johnson became the first Freshman of the Year winner in program history after putting up an impressive record this season. At one point during the season, Johnson pitched 69 straight innings without giving up a run. This stretch reduced her ERA to just 0.27 and was ranked as the lowest ERA in the country at the time.

Johnson’s current ERA is 0.98, leading the conference and boasting a 9-3 record with only 26 allowed runs, tied for the fewest in the CCAA.

Jennifer Bridges took home CCAA Coach of the Year after leading the Seawolves to a an overall record of 35-13 and a 23-8 conference record. She also led the team to their first regular season title.

gious. This group has truly all bought into the same goals and they are determined to see them come to fruition.”

Coach Bridges has become one of the most successful coaches in SSU athletics history, posting a .643 winning percentage in her 13 seasons. She claimed her 500 career win including her stint at Whittier College before coming to SSU in 2010. Her 461 wins at Sonoma put her only 18 behind the all-time softball coaching leader, Paul King.

Bridges also noted that sophomore, Carissa Marquez, does not get enough credit for her contributions to the team. “She has been our glue this year. She tore her labrum last spring and has been redshirting through her rehab this whole year. She truly keeps this team alive and focused on enjoying our time together and she reminds us with her incredible enthusiasm how fun it is to compete and play this sport.”

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COURTESY// @sonomaseawolves on Instagram

Bridges praised the leadership group on the team, “We have nine seniors and the grit and heart that comes from this group of seniors is conta-

Looking back on this successful season, Coach Bridges said, “Honestly there have been so many great moments this season, but getting to see the teams excitement when we announced Anna and Charlie’s big awards was really special.”

Baseball senior class closes out season

Sonoma State University’s Baseball team finished their regular season on Saturday with a series against San Francisco State University and their senior night in celebration of their graduating players.

The Seawolves finished 3-1 against SFSU out of a four game series played from Thursday to Saturday last week. As the team waited out a storm to play their last game of the season, the team’s graduating senior class was honored pregame. The program was then able to finish their season strong against the Gators, winning 10-5.

The Head Coach of the SSU Baseball team, John Goelz, has been with the program for nearly 40 years. He spoke about how seriously impactful being a coach at SSU for so long has been for himself. His experiences from meeting kids when they were 10 years old, bringing them onto the SSU program, and going on with their lives, even having some of those graduates come and coach beside him today.

When asked about what it’s like go -

ing through so many senior classes, Goelz gave an example showing the depth of the bond between alumni and the current program. He spoke about when the team traveled down to Cal State Los Angeles to play this season, they had more fans in the stands than LA did. Goelz is constantly showing his appreciation and gratitude for the way sports can bring people together, even if it’s 20 plus years after athletes have departed from the school and the program.

He then referred to a letter written to him by SSU Alumni and former player of his, Jeff Tudor. Tudor is known for being the youngest chief of police in the city of San Leandro’s history; but in this letter, it was evident that Tudor got his leadership style amongst many other traits from coach Goelz during his time playing baseball at the university ten years ago. Goelz purpose is to help every player step into manhood as they finish their time in school. “The rewards that come

from coaching are life-changing for me,” Goelz said, hoping that it is also as significant to the players as it is to himself.

Senior pitcher Jake Dent spoke about how being a part of this program has pushed him to go outside of his comfort zone when it comes to his work ethic on or off the field. “We all pull one rope as leaders, not as individuals,” said Dent in response to being asked what his time on the team has taught him. As far as his favorite memories with the team go, he mentioned the last-minute Giants games, canned food drives and “competing with my brothers until the last pitch.”

Michael Benz, another senior hurler, summed up his most significant takeaway from his time with the program by explaining kaizen, the Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement. “I’ve already applied this to my professional life and it is surprising how far just a change of mindset can set you ahead,” said Benz.

There were six graduating seniors whose careers were celebrated on Saturday, Jake Dent, Nick Roth, Michael Benz, Vito Rodin, Ryan Wilmoth and Ian Anderson. The SSU Baseball program closed out their season with a 2222 overall record and 16-20 in conference play.

Seawolves fall out from tournament

This past weekend the 2023 CCAA Softball Tournament was held at Cal State Dominguez Hills’ Toro Diamond. The tournament featured a modified format that mirrored the baseball championship tournament. The first day (Wednesday) saw four lowest-seeded teams compete in a single elimination game. The remaining teams were reseeded for a double-elimination tournament that took place from Thursday to Saturday.

Despite the challenges, the Sonoma State Softball Team showed great sports-

manship, determination and resilience throughout the tournament. Winning one game and losing three, they fought hard against tough competition, making their fans proud.

On Thursday May 4, the No. 1 seed Seawolves first faced off against the No. 4 seed Chico State. The Wildcats came out swinging, scoring all their runs in the first inning. A string of hits would put the Wildcats up 3-0, allowing them to keep control throughout the game and secure the

win 3-0.

Sonoma fought tooth and nail in game two to stay alive in the tournament. The game against the No. 2 seed San Bernardino would last for eight innings. The Yotes’ offense was moving from the start, scoring one in the first and three in the third. The bats came alive for the Seawolves in the third inning as Cassidy Romano homered in Giana Hays making the game 4-2. San Bernardino answered back with a run, but first baseman Skylar Linnane hit a home run the following inning to keep the fight alive. That momentum would carry the game on as Romano hit her second home run of the game tying it up 5-5. In the bottom of the eighth Sonoma started off with a walk. Lauren Mirtoni pinch hit for Regan Hunt and layed down a sacrifice bunt moving Maddy Martinez into scoring position. With two outs Rylee Nishimoto hit a double to right center field, scoring the winning run and taking the game 6-5.

On Friday, the Seawolves went on to play No. 3 seed Cal State Dominguez Hills. A slow start for both teams until the fourth inning, where the Toros

offense livened up. A homerun would make it 1-0 then in the fifth inning, Dominguez Hills strung some hits together to put up four runs, making the game 5-0. In the sixth inning, Sonoma showed some life, Anna Zoia-Buescher hit a single, Hays walked, both advanced on a wild pitch and then scored on an error by the third baseman. The Toros tightened up, securing the victory with the final score 5-1.

Romano finished the tournament with three hits, two home runs and four RBIs. Romano had great success this year on and off the field. Romano said this year as a senior has been incredible. “Having such a strong team and being able to watch my teammates grow and do amazing things has been something I can appreciate.”

Senior Jordyn Martinez believes that this team was one of the hardest working teams she’s played for and that her squad motivates her everyday. “I know how much work my teammates are putting in, and I want to be a good captain for them and lead by example. That is my motivation when I come to the field every single day.”

TITO FUENTES STAFF WRITER

Anna Zoia-Buescher won CCAA Player of the Year, Charlie Johnson won CCAA Freshman of the Year and Coach Jennifer Bridges won CCAA Coach of the Year.

COURTESY// Scott Kimmelmann

The team celebrates a walk-off win at last weeks CCAA Softball Tournament.

COURTESY// Justin Ferrarri Baseball celebrated its graduating class with senior weekend during the team’s final home series of the season.

Lobo’s Market brings small businesses to campus

STAR // Dennae Taylor Students enjoyed the opportunity to destress.

STAR // Dennae Taylor Ceramic swan made by Sophia Larsen.

STAR // Dennae Taylor The exhibition showcased a variety of art pieces and is available to be viewed in the Art Gallery until May 22.

STAR // Dennae Taylor

The event ws hosted by the Student Health Activities Club (SHAC).

STAR // Dennae Taylor

The dogs were from Paws As Loving Support (PALS).

STAR // Dennae Taylor

Homemade candles from Beeyond Boutique on display at Lobo’s Market.

STAR // Dennae Taylor Intricate beadwork creations from Mornin Gloria’s at Lobo’s Market on May 4 in Seawolf Plaza.

STAR // Dennae Taylor

Booths filled Seawolf Plaza and tooka dvantage of the foot traffic from lunch hour.

STAR // Dennae Taylor

The owners of Herrera de Corazón for a picture with their many goods.