Spring 2023, Issue 9

Tramaine Austin-Dillon recognized in North Bay Business Journal

MARIAH FORSTER STAFF WRITER

Don’t let anyone talk you out of your dream. People will talk you out of your dreams because they don’t understand it,” said Sonoma State employee Tramaine Austin-Dillon, who has recently been considered one of the most influential people under the age of 40 by North Bay Business Journal.

Every year, the North Bay Business journal recognizes influential individuals under the age of 40, who are either innovators changing their industry, professionals advancing in their field, people who possess outstanding leadership qualities, and entrepreneurs.

A reception for the recipients will take place at the Saralee and Richard’s Barn at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on April 26.

Dillon still couldn’t believe the news, that he was being recognized for his leadership in the North Bay community. “I feel loved, appreciated, and seen,” said Dillon. He will be taking his mom with him as his date to the reception along with his friends.

Dillon is a familiar face on campus to many students. He is the interim manager for the office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, a manager at the HUB cultural center, and advisor for the Black Student Union.

Olivia Blades, fourth year psychology student works with Dillon in the HUB. “I really like Tramaine, he’s an amazing individual to work with…he has helped me grow as an individual in learning how to be professional and punctual.”

Dillon states that his role at SSU allows him to gain different perspectives from staff and students that intersects with his work in the community. Dillon was appointed the role of city planning commissioner for Rohnert Park in 2021. “I oversee all new buildings, housing, and business devel see TRAMAINE on pg. 4

New transfer program expected to have positive impact on CSUs

SACHA WEDNER STAFF WRITER

The California State University System announced on March 21 that they will be launching a new transfer program this August that is expected to boost the low number of community college transfer students across the 23 CSU campuses.

A new project, titled the Transfer Success Pathway program will guarantee future admissions to high school graduates and community college students who commit to transferring within three years. In addition to a more efficient pathway for students to enroll in CSUs, it was also created as a response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s California Bill AB132. In regards to the CSU, UC, and California Community College system, this bill expands the Cal Grant program to community college students by eliminating age and time-out-of-high-school requirements.

Data shows tens of thousands of California Community College students transfer to CSUs, with community college transfer students accounting for 95% of all CSU transfers. However, it is important to note that there is a large gap between the number of students who intend on transferring and the number that actually do. Only 19% of California community college students who are interested in transferring do so in four years.

Fourth year psychology major Monica Lising said that the process of transferring is a lot more difficult than most people would assume. “Many of my friends at community college had to stay an extra year or two because it was hard to pass certain courses combined with not having a lot of time to take more units due to things such as jobs, family, and medical attention,” said Lising. “College in the U.S. is expensive and has gone up immensely over the years, so being able to comfortably afford it while having the time to take care of other needs elongates the 4 year timeline.”

In addition to making it easier for community college students to transfer into UCs and CSUs, the Transfer Success Pathway would eliminate some of the issues that the current transfer program faces.

One main issue that community colleges face is the issue with courses required for different schools. Because each CSU and UC have slightly different required courses, there is a chance students won’t end up getting into their school of choice, let alone their major of choice as well.

Third year biochemistry major Austin Pierce says that finding the transferable classes you will need for your major and school is one of the most overwhelming and challenging aspects of community college. “It’s been 3 years since I’ve looked at the transfer process but I would like to see them change how information is displayed. Without the help of my advisor and supplemental events. It would have been a more grueling task,” said Pierce.

In addition, a lack of clarity is also another problem currently facing community college students wishing to transfer.

“I felt lost the entire time and wasn’t sure if my application went through,” said fourth year communications and media studies major Daniel Capone-Buchanan,

RENÉ CASSANO STAFF WRITER

Notto be confused with Thanksgiving Day, Giving Day was celebrated at Sonoma State this past Thursday. This was the third annual celebration encouraging SSU community members to donate to programs and causes on campus.

Participating donors on Giving Day were encouraged to donate at least $5 to school departments, sports, greek life, and many other causes and organizations. On Giving Day, multiple SSU organizations and clubs set up tables at the Seawolf Plaza from 9a.m.-3p.m. The plaza was adorned with decorations, music, and a photo booth, which contributed to the sense of celebration on the campus. All in all, there were five tables working the event. Students and fac-

The SSU men’s baseball team win three out of four games against Dominguez Hills.

STAR// Dennae Taylor Interim Manager for The HUB, Tramaine Austin-Dillon was announced as one of the 40 in North Bay Business Journal’s #Fortyunder40.

COURTESY// @bismarckthenewf on instagram

Bismarck pictured with Provost Karen Moranski and Vice President Gerald Jones. Jones and Moranski dyed their hair blue in celebration that AS elections got over 700 people to vote.

100+ departments and organizations supported on Giving Day

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 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

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.

Correction

Last week, we mistitled SSU baseball pitcher Blake Janowicz on page 7.

Nowhere to go in RoPo

What is there to do in Rohnert Park Calif.? This is a common question that is asked when non-locals visit the area and quite frankly there isn’t much. It is always a bit embarrassing to reply back with the same few things that constantly include Scandia or the local movie theater. A reason why Rohnert Park is so low on things to do is due to the lack of a true “downtown” area in the city. The city of Rohnert Park is beautiful but the absence of a downtown is leaving residents with a desire for more and is hurting the city’s overall popularity and growth. In recent news though, there does seem to be a glimmer of hope down a long tunnel as the city bought a 30-acre lot last year with the plans of it eventually becoming the long-awaited downtown.

The city bought the lot last April off State Farm Drive for 12.5 million according to a Press Democrat article by Paulina Pineda. “In April 2022, the city purchased its future downtown site at the corner of Rohnert Park Expressway and State Farm Drive. Since then, the city has met with developers and planning experts to explore what is feasible for a new downtown,” reads the official website for the city of Rohnert Park.

The STAR reached out to students on their thoughts on the new potential downtown and this is what they had to say. “I would like an arcade or a common area for everyone to have fun. I think it would be a good place to meet people while having a good time. A new social area would give students more opportunities to connect and create new memories,” said fourth-year Hutchins major, Darius Robinson.

A new downtown in Rohnert Park

would do the city wonders and help attract more people to come visit. The area might even help Sonoma State’s enrollment as an influx of more people would create more hype around the area and could ultimately lead to more students visiting the school.

Robinson had this to say when he was asked if he thought the new downtown area would help the city grow. “It would make Rohnert Park more popular and it will hit off really well with college students. It could maybe even help with enrollment and make the city more exciting. The downtown would also make it more convenient for students that don’t own a car and can’t go very far to go do fun things.”

With all things considered, the question now becomes, how long will it take to build the downtown area? According to the Press Democrat article, the city could start building in 2025 after some foundation work, and the first parts of the project could be completed by 2027.

This timeline is hard to believe though, we asked Robinson about his thoughts on the likelihood of the first parts of the area being built by 2027. “Personally, the one thing that is discouraging is the slow construction time. I don’t believe that the first part of the downtown area will be ready by 2027. I feel like the longer it takes to build the downtown the more it will hurt the city’s popularity.”

The city of Rohnert Park deserves a downtown revitalization and this positive update is just the start of what is yet to come. As thrilled as we are by the news of the direction that the city is taking we just hope it happens sooner rather than later.

STAR // Zachary Gonzales

The Passing Over of Jewish representation on campus

holiday is typically celebrated with a seder, a special family meal where food and drinks of symbolic significance are consumed, prayers are sung, and a retelling of the stories leading Israelites to freedom is read.

ELIAS KAPLAN STAFF WRITER

While walking through Oliver‘s Market in Cotati wearing a Star of David on a necklace, an older Jewish woman walks up to me and mentions how little representation Jewish people have in the local area. This was in December when statues are dressed up like Santa, and Christmas lights are hung on the trees down Rohnert Park Expressway, but other cultures aren’t represented in any way locally.

Passover is the Jewish holiday in remembrance of the Israelites being freed from slavery in Egypt, achieving freedom. It is also about the “passing over” of plagues and other forces of destruction. This year, Passover began on April 5 at sundown and will end on the 13. The

The time of Passover is also a time of reflection on Jewish ancestors’ lives and our current ones. Unfortunately, the rise in antisemitism in recent years has become seriously concerning for those of the culture and religion. Thus, in reflecting during Passover, those who celebrate the Jewish culture and religion are forced to reflect on recent horrors.

Several weeks ago on March 14, the Sonoma County Democratic Party cosigned a resolution condemning antisemitism and other forms of hate speech. “An attack on any part of our community based on race, religion, gender identity, or ability is an attack that weakens our social fabric; and standing up to antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination will make us stronger together as a community,” stated the resolution.

A recent report by the Anti-Defama tion League asserted that antisemitic incidents in the U.S. rose 36%

Los Angeles, New York, Portland, and San Francisco have the worst littering problem in the country, according to the Pew Research Center.

in 2022. The Press Democrat has written four or so articles in the last five weeks centered around antisemitism and hate crimes. These articles included an FBI report on an increase in hate crimes, Patriots owner Robert Kraft starting a campaign against antisemitism, and swastikas paired with other images drawn on a Jewish student’s door at Stanford University. Although there have not been many accounts of antisemitism locally, that does not mean those of Jewish religion or culture in our community aren’t affected by it.

Ryan Ristine, the President of Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPI), Sonoma State’s Jewish fraternity, was open to discussing how the recent uprise in antisemitism across the country made him feel. “It is my wish that many of these people who are so hateful would be more open to education or conversation… What I know we can do is to just be proudly present and Jewish in all of our spaces and communities.”

Ristine also mentioned another re source that’s present on campus, Hillel, which is a club for Jewish students and their peers. Sonoma State also offers a Jewish Studies program,

environmentally conscious.

which is convenient for those wanting to learn more about the culture. In addition, the Jewish Community Center of Sonoma County, located in Santa Rosa is another great outlet.

Sonoma State senior Haddie Daner is the president of Hillel of Sonoma County, and she believes that the Jewish representation on campus is small, but there’s room to improve it if students who identified as Jewish became a part of the Hillel community. “We strive for inclusivity regardless of how much someone ‘practices’ the Jewish faith,” she said.

Similarly, Ristine also believes there could be an enlarged representation on campus. “I would love for Jewish students, faculty, staff and administration who aren’t already involved in some way to be more present and active, and I know that my chapter can be a large part of that.” He continued to talk about the inclusivity of other cultures and religions, which is also customary practice in Jewish culture.

Hillel can be reached through their Instagram @hillelofsonomacounty and AEPI can be contacted on Instagram @ssuaepi or by email, at alphaepsilonpisigmapsi@gmail.com.

STAFF WRITER ALLY VALIENTE

Earth Day is right around the corner, and people will celebrate the holiday as they always do. Some will plant new trees or attempt to reduce their energy consumption; others will volunteer with clean up crews and pick litter off the sides of the street or along the coast. Earth Day is seemingly the one day of the year where most people will be environmentally conscious, unfortunately, that is not the case for the other 364 days.

The United States still continues to be the world’s second largest emitter of green house gasses, which comes from fossil fuel contributions. Cities such as

Despite the fact that Earth still struggles with pollution and litter, research shows that Generation Z shows the most concern for the planet’s well-being and influences others to make sustainability-first buying decisions. In a study done by World Economic Forum, the research showed that roughly three-quarters of Gen Zers prefer to buy sustainably rather than to go for brand names and are even influencing other generations such as Millennials and Gen X.

“I do think that our generation definitely is the most sympathetic and active about stopping climate change. I think the millennials kinda do too, but definitely not the boomers. It seems like it’s up to us to clean up the mess other generations have started,” said sophomore Iverson P.

While buying sustainable products are often expensive due to premium raw materials, there are other ways of being

Some ways of reducing waste include composting food scraps, buying in bulk to reduce packaging waste, and bringing reusable bags, containers, and utensils whenever you shop or dine out. Eating a plant-based diet can also help reduce carbon footprint and support sustainable agriculture.

“I try to bike more than I drive, and I always use reusable bags whenever I go shopping. I also try not to use too many plastic products, and I know maybe it doesn’t make a huge difference but if I can reduce the litter population by even a little bit, I think it’s still a win,” said freshman Rochelle N.

For several years, Sonoma State University has been a member of Second Nature and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, also known as AASHE.

SSU also participates in the STARS program, also known as the Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System. The program is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges

and universities to measure their sustainability performance.

According to the official SSU website, the university achieved enough points to garner a Silver rating designation in the spring of 2021 which is valid until 2024. Points can be earned through Academics, Engagement, Operations and Planning & Administration.

Sophomore Eliana K. said that when she was in elementary school, Earth day was a huge deal. “We would spend the majority of the day planting stuff at the school’s community garden and learning about the importance of recycling. Nowadays whenever it’s earth day there’s posts about it on social media and special events in school but it doesn’t seem as celebrated as it once was.”

For students that want to learn more about environmental consciousness, the Sustainability Club is hosting an Earth Day Celebration from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 20. For more information, contact sfscclub81@gmail.com

Does easy access to school maps leave schools vulnerable?

BERNARDO RAMOS STAFF WRITER

H

eading to school with a motivation to learn, interact with friends and the peace of mind knowing that it is a safe place is what every student wants. However, after each mass shooting that happens on a school campus, that dream drifts farther away.

On March 27 a gunman entered The Covenant School in Nashville TN and took the lives of three students and three faculty. This sparked

walkouts from students across the country and protests in Nashville which brought the topic of gun control back into the spotlight. The gunman was a former student and had been planning the attack for months, going as far as drawing maps and conducting surveillance of the school. It’s possible that having a school map online that is easily accessible can increase the risk that it could be used with malicious intent but not having a map won’t stop a person who already has their mind made up.

Our campus’s digital map which has been recently updated is easily found on the Sonoma State website and gives a great view of the campus and points of interest on it. It’s a great resource for new students or guests that are unfamiliar with the campus. The map however only shows the building locations and does not have

any interior layouts which some students see as a minor inconvenience.

Sam Sullivan, a second-year biology major said,“I used the online map once when I was new but since they didn’t have classroom information I was kinda confused”. Even with a map and general idea of where certain buildings are it’s still hard for some to find classrooms.

According to the U.S. Government Accountability office, half of all school shootings were committed by current or former students as was the case in Nashville. So even if there was no map available online the likelihood that a student or former student knows exit routes and specific classroom locations is very high. First-year undecided student Paige Foster said,“If somebody really wanted to cause harm to us on campus and they are a student I don’t see how not

having a map would stop them.” In the rare case that it’s not a current or former student the online map would give them an idea as to where students could potentially be.

Second-year business major Ivan Morales said, “If they know where all the buildings are because of our online map it would make it a whole lot easier to find people just walking to and from class.”

The campus map that we have is an excellent way of getting to know your surroundings and a helpful tool for those who need it. Just like any other tool it can be misused and utilized for things that it was not intended for. Perhaps it would be best to restrict access to campus maps to students and faculty through a portal that requires a login. Taking away online maps or restricting access to them is only a bandaid on a much bigger problem.

How Seawolves stay environmentally sustainable at SSU

Dillon reflects after win

continued from pg. 1

opments in the city.”

As the planning commissioner of the city, Dillon advocates for people who don’t always get support in the community. “I can bring an equity minded lens…such as are we thinking about small businesses, startups, and folks that don’t have access to loans.” Said Dillon.

An example is with housing. Dillon stresses the importance of providing equitable options for housing. “Are we providing enough housing so I can move in with my grandmother, auntie, and my cousin,” said Dillon with a chuckle.

Dillon also wants to ensure that there are opportunities for small businesses. “It’s important to make sure that businesses that are being built are not just typical chains… we want to allow for opportunities for new businesses in the community.”

In this role, Dillon has learned about the decision making process in the city. “It’s cool to see how things work..the city brings us these proposals and we have to review them and see if they fight our mission and what the residents want.”

As a first generation student, Dillon says graduating from college at Washington University is what he is most proud of. It was challenging for him to leave his home in south central Los Angeles.

His life hasn’t always been easy. Dillon graduated from college during the 2008 recession, which refers to the nation’s economic downfall from 2007 to 2009. Dillon recalls having a difficult time finding a job “I didn’t have any job prospects.”

With the help of his faith in God and family, he was able to find his way. “That’s really all we have when we hit rock bottom,” says Dillon. His faith and family is what continues to keep him moving through life today.

Dillon believes in the importance of building community with people who surround you.

“Oftentimes, you have to build your own community,” said Dillon. “You start a new club or hobby and you meet people.”

Dillon already has goals for the future that include earning his doctorate or MBA degree, owning a house, and starting a family some day.

Asbestos again?

CÉLIA ALINE AMARAL STAFF WRITER

Sonoma State officials informed their students and faculty members of the presence of asbestos-containing construction material (ACCM) in the SSU buildings via email on April 4. Sharing this information is a requirement of the California Health and Safety Code. The identified buildings include; the facilities management and corporation yard, PE building and fieldhouse, Ives Hall, Boiler Plant, art building, International Hall, Carson Hall, Nichols Hall, Student Health Center, Zinfandel Village.

According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos is a “naturally occurring fibrous mineral used to strengthen and fireproof materials.”

Most students at SSU were unaware of which buildings contain asbestos. Charlie Blanchard, a sophomore at SSU learned about it when he received the email on April 4. He believes, “it would be helpful if the campus made people more aware of the asbestos and how we can avoid it.”

Sonoma State reassures students on their “asbestos & lead” page on their website that there is not any threat for students’ health unless this fiber becomes airborne due to a compromise material such as aging, deterioration or damage. In that case the fibers can cause diseases such as lung, larynx or ovarian cancer which is why more than 50 countries have banned the use of asbestos according to the national cancer institute.

This is the reason why Sonoma State gave some guidelines to their students such as avoiding touching asbestos materials in walls, ceilings, pipes, or boilers. Do not drill holes, or hang plants or other objects from walls or ceilings made of asbestos-containing construction materials. It is also important to not disturb ACCM when replacing light bulbs.

While this is helpful, Blanchard said, “the campus should make an announcement regarding the actual risks that the asbestos contamination can cause, because I really don’t know if I should be concerned or not.” He expressed worry about the situation. “I feel as if I don’t have enough information to be concerned about it,” said Blanchard

At the moment information has only been given via email or on the SSU website.

The campus informs us on the fact that if ACCM’s have been damaged, it should be reported to the Environmental Health and Safety to insure the community’s health. It is also important to not disturb those damaged ACCM or debris and leave the area immediately (and encourage others to leave the area as well) as it could be hazardous to stay around it.

When navigating inside those buildings, the campus suggests everyone be aware of any potential damage or signs of wear and tear to floor tiles and baseboards.

To have a better idea of the risks related to asbestos, the campus provided a map on their “asbestos and lead program” page on the SSU website.

continued from pg. 1

“Transferring from the JC I had no idea what I was even getting into and felt like such a stranger.”

Beginning with the high school class of 2023, the Transfer Success Pathway will open to first-time and first-year state community college students who were not CSU eligible at the time of their graduation as well as those who were CSU eligible but chose not to attend due to personal and financial circumstances. This pathway also assists those who were CSU eligible but the application for their campus of choice was redirected towards another campus and chose to not enroll as a result. In addition, the Transfer Success Program will also provide CSU’s with a way to establish a stronger connection with students during their time in community college. Upon their transfer, they will receive benefits such as pre-transfer counseling, direct access to CSU libraries, and financial aid information.

Eligible students will be able to apply starting in summer 2023, entering an agreement with the specific CSU campus they wish to attend. To fulfill the agreement on their end, students need to either complete an associate degree for transfer or an established course of transfer at a community college within three years. A CSU transfer planner is also set to be launched at the same time, which will allow students to determine their program eligibility, research different campuses and the programs available and enter into one agreement.

Food and decor draw in donations

ulty could participate in activities or learn more about how they could donate from the groups that were tabling.

The Division of University Advancement was the main focus of Giving Day. There were Crumbl cookies, bundt cakes, and 200 pizzas provided by Mountain Mike’s Pizza. Third-year communications and economics double major Jason Hill was working as a part of the Division of Advancement on Giving Day and said, “there was fantastic energy in the plaza, and it was great seeing everybody come out to celebrate and support. Giving Day is all about celebrating the community at Sonoma State and trying to fundraise for the future.” Seawolves and their supporters evidently came out in full force, because Hill noted all of the provided pizzas, “Were gone in the span of about 30 minutes.”

Apart from joining in on the campus festivities, students could also contribute by spreading awareness about Giving Day and using the hashtag ‘AllForSonomaState’ on social media. Aside from written checks, donations were also conducted online; students could go to givingday.sonoma.edu to send in their contributions, and the page remained open for 24 hours starting the day of the event.

Campus mascot Lobo was also out and about on Giving Day, taking pictures at the photo booth with Seawolves. When asked for a comment, Lobo gave a cheerful thumbs up.

Fourth-year communications major Devon Bly remarked, “[The event] was cool to walk through because it always feels fun when the plaza is hosting events.” He added, “I guess we forget pretty often what we can give back and about all of the organizations [here], so it’s good to have a reminder.”

Hill finished his remarks on the event by highlighting the hard work that the Division of University Advancement put into making it happen. He said, “I love the spirit of the people and how hard the people in my department worked to make the day successful. Even though we dealt with some setbacks like a windy day which knocked over our display at one point, it was still fun.”

STAR// Dennae Taylor

Signs posted warn of the danger of asbestos present in Ives Hall.

COURTESY//

Prospective students gather outside Schultz library on SSU campus.

continued from pg. 1

STAR// Cec Fernandez

Balloons in Seawolf Plaza welcome participants on SSUs Giving Day.

Junior college to four-year transfer may get easier

Arts & Entertainment 5

The premiere of ‘WarCircus’ sells out

en’s fate is left to the Greek conquerors. Everybody is forced to participate in performing for a circus that has been traveling around for thousands of years putting on an anti-war play. The play touched on what it means to be entertained while also asking what it means to be exploited. Trigger warnings include sexual assault and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Nyree Johnson, a fourth-year sociology major, mentioned what she liked most about the play “I loved when all the characters were off on the sides; each sitting at their own vanities, with the spotlight on them when they each gave their own testament.” Johnson mentioned how the performance engaged with the audience. “I thought it was very different, for a play and it was very interactive and I just love a good spotlight moment” Johnson went on to add “The play is a good watch, definitely something unexpected. It is very interactive, it’s very dynamic and chaotic but in a good way.”

had a great performance.” I have a few classmates and friends. I am very proud of them to see how the hard work has paid off.” Obrero stated one of the most impactful moments to her was “ The scene that talks about how a character was raped and sexually assaulted. that’s definitely a serious issue in today’s era” she added “Seeing a character so in depth about it is very compelling and emotion.”

“What I liked most about the play was that it kind of showed that the perspective tells a lot of what we have in Greek history and Greek mythology,” said Alyssia Muela, a third-year math major. Muela continued to say that something that stood out to her in the performance was “Deija Temple she did amazing, she has this presence and ability to make you feel things” She further stated “A significant moment in the play was the blanket with the blood on it, that hit so hard when it was revealed that the blanket was not even the child, it was the blanket the child had when it died.”

The Theatre Arts and Dance Department presents “WarCircus” on April 6 at Ives Hall to a full house. The play is an adaptation of “The Trojan Women.”In the aftermath of the Trojan War, wom-

Miranda Obrero, a first-year early childhood studies major came to watch the performance as part of her class. “We study plays then we take the concept of it and apply it into our own work, it is basically analyzing plays” she praised how the actors

The cast and crew received cheers from the crowd at the end of the opening night performance. To learn more about performances hosted by the Theater Arts and Dance deparment you can go to their webpage and go to the on stage option.

Student Involvement hosts DIY birdhouse making

are provided and free for students. Students are encouraged to be creative, make connections, and get involved with campus activities.

Student Involvement hosts events like these so fellow Seawolves can have a break or have something to do after a long day. Third-year Communications major Saffron Walter said, “I just wanted a little time to relax. I’ve been working all day. I still have some work to do at home like cleaning but I wanted a little bit of a break so I came here.” While painting the birdhouse Walter said, “It reminds me of when I was a little girl. We made these in a class one time and I feel like I can take this home and put it right next to my other one.”

MIA GARCIA STAFF WRITER

Many seawolves have stressful schedules and need something to do to relax their minds. Luckily Student Involvement is here to help. They host events every Friday and Saturday with different arts and crafts projects at the W&B (Weyden and Brewster).

This past weekend the DIY (Do It Yourself) craft of the week was birdhouse making. All materials

Students are supplied with a birdhouse kit, paint, brushes, and stickers. Seawolves can then create and design the birdhouse however they see fit. Student Involvement worker Tia Booker, third-year criminal justice major said, “We do the weekend programs like FNL (Friday Night Live) and the DIYS like today we are doing the bird house making.” There are so many events that Student Involvement hosts that fellow Seawolves should get to know. Booker said, “This is the first time we did birdhouses. However, some of the

crafts are repeated like we will do jewelry making or small terrariums.” More examples of fun arts and crafts would be painting mugs, and fun with burlap, hama beads, and making soaps.

When asked, “What is something you want students to know about Student Involvement?” Booker said, “One that we are not part of AS I think some students think that we are and also we are here if any student needs something to do.” Student Involvement is to enhance fellow student’s Sonoma State experience. Booker also said, “We want people to come out if they don’t have any plans for the weekend, this is something that they can do and meet new people, make new friends, and take home fun crafts.”

If you are looking to help others stay connected on campus Student Involvement is hiring for Fall 2023! Open positions include Student Involvement Programming Assistants (PEAPs) and Summer Orientation Leaders. Apply on Handshake, email, or Google form. Apply by April 1, 2023. For more information about being part of the Student Involvement team or for more student events go to getinvolved. sonoma.edu or follow them on Instagram at ssu.studentinvolvement.

Movie-themed Jeopardy enlivens Friday night

year. The game was played through a PowerPoint put together by Libby Sarto, a third-year kinesiology major with a concentration in exercise science. Sarto has been with student involvement since August. The PowerPoint consisted of miscellaneous movie quiz questions that were found online. Students were told to get into teams of two to three if they had not come up with a team to play with. Some students came with their teams and some paired up with others on the spot. Each team had its own name. Team one called themselves “Tucker and His Friends.” Team 2 was called “2+3=4.” The third group was named “Team Stars.” The final group was named “McJess Meal.”

The categories of Jeopardy consisted of Disney, Marvel, DreamWorks, Adam Sandler(which was a crowd favorite), and Star Wars. “Tucker and his friends” started out the game by picking Star Wars for 300. The question was “Who is the only non-Jedi to use a lightsaber?” They answered by saying who Han Solo is. This was the correct answer.

tion went up for grabs to whichever group “buzzed in” first. This was done by hitting the table the fastest and the loudest. “2+3=4” answered this one right with the answer being “Princess Tiana.” The last group, “McJess Meal,” chose Adam Sandler for 500. The question was “Who is the father of Skeeter in Bedtime Stories?” No one was able to answer this question.

As the second round started, Sarto put a limit on the amount of time groups had to answer the questions, since many groups were sitting there for a while without an answer. “McJess Meal” continued to answer questions from the Adam Sandler category, and continued to get them wrong. The rest of the teams were a hit-and-miss on each turn, except for “Tucker and his friends” who got most answers right.

Jennifer Martuscelli, a third-year dance major with a minor in business, was a part of the group 2+3=4. Martuscelli said “I enjoy going to the student involvement events when I can. They’re fun and entertaining.”

KYLIE PERRY STAFF WRITER

On Friday, April 7, from 8-9:30 p.m., Student Involvement put on a game of Jeopardy which was movie themed. This brought in a decent-sized crowd of about 15-20 students. The event was in Weyden and Brewster and was the first Jeopardy game of the

The next group, “2+3=4” picked Marvel for 200. “Who’s power exceeds that of the Sorcerer Supreme?” The answer, and what they answered, was who is Wanda/the Scarlet Witch. The “Stars” then chose Disney for 300. This question was “Which Disney princess has a living mother and deceased father.” The ‘Stars’ got this one wrong so the ques-

The final question was a bonus one for 1000 points. The category was DreamWorks and the question was “How many opening lines of the Bee Movie can you recite correctly?” This one was close between two groups but William Beales, a thirdyear Electrical Engineer major, part of “Tucker and his friends,” ended up winning the bonus question, concluding with a total of 3,800 points.

KATHLEEN MOOTZ STAFF WRITER

STAR// Dennae Taylor Tucker Jensen, Robert Wiles and William Beales: Winners of Jeopardy in W&B on April 7.

COURTESY // @milosopher on instagram

The cast of ‘WarCircus’ after their performance on April 6.

STAR// Mia Garcia

A student painting their birdhouse.

Color and conversations with The Circle Campaign

OLIVIA KEELER STAFF WRITER

On April 3, chalk colored the pavement just outside the student center. Hutchins students and instructors gathered at a tabling event to launch The Circle Campaign. The goal is to be able to have conversations about race, privilege and systemic issues in an understanding space. Students used chalk to draw circles and promote the message.

Leila Brown, a first year Hutchins major explains, “A lot of people don’t understand what Hutchins is. [The Circle Campaign] is a good opportunity to show what we’re about and the ideas we stand for... It’s a perfect representation of the major.” The creativity and openness was apparent in the students that attended.

Outside the Student Center, the concrete was colorful with chalk. Hutchins students drew flowers, rainbows, peace signs and most importantly, the conversation circles. Inside the circles there were phrases like, “got privilege?” or “let’s talk about race”, inspired by Ijeoma Oluo’s book, “So You Want to Talk About Race.” The colorful setting and personalities at the event allowed for conversations to happen in a peaceful way.

The Director of the Hutchins program, Margaret Anderson, greeted students and began to explain the event, “Everyone is equal around the circle. Every major and student is encouraged to bring their knowledge to these conversations… You’re sharing your power.” She also explained that compassion and empathy is key, “We are all listening to understand each other and making sure we’re compassionate, Empathy opens up.” There was a lot of conversation with Anderson as she held a

leadership role in the event. The 18 year Hutchins Professor seemed passionate about students being able to use their voices. She was explaining how, “Everyone has different opinions. Without differing opinions, the world would be boring.” Although everyone is able to have different opinions, she noted that letting people voice their own opinion is equally as important.

In addition to the event held in Seawolf Plaza, The Circle Campaign will promote their community dialogue with students, faculty and alumni on April 19 in Stevenson Hall. Similar conversations about social issues will be held. The Hutchins Program will be showing a screening of “Descendent” on Netflix followed by breakout rooms to discuss. Everyone is welcome to bring their perspectives on these issues and attend the event. Every Hutchins student seemed excited about these conversations being opened up to the student body, and not just held in their classrooms.

Allison DeStasio, a first year Hutchins major explains how, “The circle represents a community. In Hutchins classrooms, we sit in circles instead of rows… our classes are a safe community and The Circle Campaign represents that.” People visibly felt comfortable as there was lots of smiling and laughter.

Students walking by noticed all of the chalk and phrases and were asking questions about the event. Using art to gather people’s attention worked. “Visual imagery gets people to notice and listen.”, explained Isabel Morroe, a Hutchins major, “It opens their mind.”

The Circle Campaign will be a recurring event.

Seawolves will get the chance to connect with people and find a sense of community and belonging. If you’re looking to have conversations about race, microaggressions and intersectionality, look for the chalk that is scattered across SSU campus.

‘What is Rape Culture and How Can We End It?’

JAKE RENTERIA STAFF WRITER

As part of Sonoma State’s Social Justice Week, SSU Confidential Advocate Susan Pulido spoke to students on April 13 in the Center Ballroom for an event titled “What is Rape Culture and How we Can End It?”

Since 2004, Pulido has had experience in alcohol and sexual assault prevention. She works for students seeking help with sexual violence, dating violence or sexual harassment.

The local rape crisis center located in Santa Rosa had a table outside of the ballroom. This event was a safe place for students to share their own opinions as well as have a discussion on the topics of sexual harrasment and rape. At the event Pulido wrote a triangle on a board and asked students what they thought of when they heard the phrase “rape culture.” Students came up with a variety of topics including victim blaming, male entitlement and masculinity.

Pulido welcomed all suggestions, she seemed eager to go into depth for any and all topics discussed. She

then passed around a stack of printouts for everyone to keep. The sheets were titled, “Rape Culture Pyramid” and “Racial and Sexual Violence Pyramid.” They listed off several different forms of sexual harassment and highlighted how small actions can also be classified and contribute to rape culture. Pulido asked what the audience noticed and many people in the crowd had ideas to share. A long discussion was brought forth about the different levels of acts that can lead to this culture, going into detail on how each and every one can have a lasting impact on someone dealing with these unwanted behaviors.

Students then shared personal experiences where they felt like law enforcement or on campus resources were not doing enough to help people. A student spoke saying that most of the help offered is after the violence has already occurred, instead of focusing more efforts on preventative action in the first place. Title IX was also discussed as it is a prominent training against sex-

ual assault required for all students.

Pulido left off on this question for everyone there, “What are some ways that we can work to change a culture of rape?” What can the students do to put forth an effort to make SSU the safest campus it can be. It starts with the necessary steps such as intervening and saying something if you see a possible situation. “It starts with little things such as a joke… [rape] is institutionalized and it’s ingrained in our culture,” said Pulido.

Students had a positive response to the event because Pulido was there to listen, she really resonated with everyone in attendance and made it known that this was a place where Seawolves could speak their mind. Sonoma State has several resources available if students are in need of it. SSU Police are available 24/7 next to Verdot Village or by phone at 707-664-4444. Resources such as Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) and Confidential Advocate are also available for support.

SSU hosts guitar series with Jason Vieaux

tarist interacted with the audience and had some time to introduce himself before performing his music. At the beginning of each song,he took some time to first talk about the origins and the history behind it. Within Shroeder hall, Vieaux performed to a crowd who was as quiet as a mouse; it seemed like they were laser focused on the renowned artist.

Vieaux himself played with intense focus and noticeable effort as he bobbed his head and swayed his sitting body with the rhythm which he was producing. Concert-goers who were sitting close enough gazed at the intricate finger movements which flowed like turbulent waves in the sea. The 240 seat venue was a perfect setting with beautiful acoustics and great lighting that made the performance feel up close and personal.

The music that Vieaux produced from his single guitar was almost indescribable. It often sounded like he was playing two guitars at once. The artist would sometimes change the tune of one of the guitar strings mid-song to produce a new sound. His music evoked emotion with each and every song. In particular, when Vieaux played “Four Paths of Light. ‘’ The song made the crowd feel emotions of anticipation, grief, joy and adventure. Viewers found that his songs brought out sensations that rarely come from watching feature-length films and coincidentally, it often sounded like you were listening to the soundtrack from your favorite film.

The STAR had the opportunity to catch up with lo -

cal classical guitar player Grant Menon. He liked the event and enjoyed how lively everything was. As someone who practices mostly at home, it meant a lot to him, “to be here in a community that really appreciates and celebrates the music.” Menon appreciated the program Vieaux put together and liked how the performance “covered all the bases of the favorites of the repertoire as well as some new ones that I had never heard before.”

Ethan Boyers who is also a classical guitarist attended and was also a fan of the music program. He enjoyed how the music made him feel and said, “Overall it made me feel really happy.” Boyers especially enjoyed the second half because all of the pieces felt uplifting. He really enjoyed the schedule of the program and said, “I feel like there’s no order to it, but there is an order to it”

Vieaux’s music filled the ears and hearts of the audience as he performed the full set. When he was finished, he received a roaring standing ovation that lasted several minutes. After he initially exited the stage, the artist returned minutes later for an encore. Vieaux played a rendition of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” that once again received a standing ovation. Vieaux is one of many artists who is a part of the “Sonoma Guitar Series.” They have concerts almost every week that extend through April. Information on events and tickets can be found on the Green Music Center’s website.

Grammy

award winner Jason Vieaux took part in the “Sonoma Guitar Series” at the Green Music Center on Friday, April 6. Prior to the concert, the classical gui-

ALEC PADILLA STAFF WRITER

STAR // Olivia Keeler Hutchins students represent their major at The Circle Campaign.

STAR // Dennae Taylor Jason Vieaux performing in Shroeder Hall.

Women’s Golf wins home tournament

TITO FUENTES STAFF WRITER

The Sonoma State Women’s Golf Team hosted their Spring Invite at Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club, winning their first tournament of the year. Despite the saturation on the fairways because of the recent rain, the course play was unexpectedly long, yet the Seawolves capitalized on their home turf.

During the first day of the event, freshman Talia Gutman led the starting five with a three-over-par 75. Followed up by Mia Golovich and Courtney Cervellin shooting a pair of 76’s. Sonoma State maintained control with a seven-stroke lead going into the final round. Seawolf Isley Grguric led the tournament shooting an even par with three birdies and a back nine of two-under-par, while her teammates Brenna Ozel and Aly Hutchinson stayed in the mix shooting 75 and 77.

The second day of the tournament started off early the next morning utilizing the perfect weather. Despite the course being a challenge for everyone because of pin locations and the longer yardages, The Seawolves weren’t held back. Gutman shot the team low at two-over-par. Lauren Garcia was consistent throughout the tournament and shot 78, while teammates Golovich and Cervellin both paired at 79.

Gutman would claim third place overall, continuing her spectacular season. Seawolves Ozel and Hutchinson made the top ten at eighth and ninth place respectively, as well as Grguric tied for fourteenth.

Ozel is in her third year and is majoring in early childhood education.

For Ozel this has been her most challenging year both mentally and physically, yet she has had solid finishes and is determined to follow that path.

“My goal this year was to slow down a little. Playing a collegiate sport means constantly moving and going from workouts to practice to tournaments. I feel like the last few years have flown by, and many student-athletes can relate to this. I also wanted our team to win three events. We just won our first, so hopefully, we can build off that momentum.” Ozel’s teammates keep her motivated, always improving with each other’s support.

Environmental, geography, and management major Gutman said, “Golf is not a game of perfection, and I think at times it’s hard for me to accept that. Once I do, though, I can play the game how it was meant to be played

and move on from the past.”

Gutman has participated in the majority of tournaments this year and finished in the top 20 of all four tournaments during the fall. Coming back from winter break with a new swing and some mental challenges, it took Gutman a couple of tournaments to overcome, yet she showed resilience and secured third place at Santa Rosa Country Club.

team is the bond we have with each other. There have been some moments where I have felt close to being defeated, but my team has always been there to comfort and hype me up. My love for the sport, the team, and my family motivates me to keep working hard on improving in every aspect of my life. I’ve played this sport since I was very little, and it’s hard to imagine a life without it,” said Gut-

Seawolves shine-in series win

because we knew how much more capable we were as a [pitching staff],” said senior Jake Dent.

Sonoma State’s Baseball team walked away from their clash with CSU Dominguez Hills on top, winning three out of their four games. Despite the best efforts of the rain to halt the series after the first game on Thursday, the teams were able to battle it out on the Santa Rosa JC’s field on Friday. The Seawolves came away victorious in both games. This was followed the very next day with a double-

header. The games were split on that occasion. It’s coming at a vital time for the Seawolves as their season has been a mixed bag so far. This se ries win now brings them to 6-12 in CCAA(California Collegiate Athletic Association) play and 12-14 overall.

“The biggest change for us was coming together as a group and ele vating the standard that we played at

The first game started in favor of the Toros, who kept the game tight. The Toros had a one run lead all the way until a four run eighth inning catapulted the Seawolves in front. The competitiveness of the two teams would be showcased even further in game two where neither team managed to score until a walk off single from Mark Hernandez lit up the crowd in the ninth inning. A strong pitching performance from Nik Kamages was a huge part of the Seawolves keeping their opponents from scoring and this trend was not dwindling away anytime soon.

With momentum in their favor going into game three, Seawolves were

would start that sixth inning brilliantly, followed by four more. The six runs left their opposition stunned, sticking in the game for one more inning until conceding another four runs in the next.

Finally, game four arrived. With the series already being won by the Seawolves, the tempo was undoubtedly lessened. A well fought final game gave the Toros their first win of the series as a consolation for their travels. The 6-3 win for the Toros stood only as a reminder about how hard the Seawolves had to fight for their previous victories.

With much of the season still to play, it will be crucial that the Seawolves take this series as a confidence boost into their upcoming matches. A trifecta of Cal State clashes await them on the horizon. A four game series

Sonoma LAX clinch playoffs

On Saturday, the Sonoma State Men’s lacrosse team celebrated the graduating class with their senior day game against the Dominican University Penguins. The Seawolves took the crucial win 18-15, clinching their spot in the playoffs.

Senior Seawolf, Charles Wilson, reflected on his time playing lacrosse at Sonoma State, he recalled his favorite memory. “Our game against Oregon during Spring Break 2022. Our goalie Ben Beeman had a fantastic game, leading us to win by one against a strong Oregon team.”

Wilson first started playing lacrosse in the seventh grade when his cousin, Travis, introduced it to him. He immediately fell in love with the sport and knew he wanted to continue playing it for years to come.

As a midfielder, Wilson credits his work ethic to his father, saying, “He’s someone that always works hard and is dedicated to what he does every day in life. I want to apply what he does to what I do in life, including sports.”

Fellow Seawolf senior, Michael Trujillo credits his teammates as his biggest influences. “They constantly push me to

be the best I can be. I will do what ever I can to be the best player for my team.”

Trujillo, a defensive midfielder, says he tries to emulate his favorite player, Garrett Epple, “I watch his play style closely, and watching him has taught me to be a more aggressive and sound defender.”

Trujillo offered a piece of ad vice for future SSU lacrosse players, “I want them to know that we have worked hard to instill a blue-collar work ethic in our program. And to take pride in being the small school that competes with the big-name schools.”

Wilson added that he wants those future players to enjoy every moment despite the hard days that come along because these special moments are fleeting and never coming back.

Junior Seawolf Danny Beglin is looking forward to his senior season next year, saying, “It’s going to be a challenge filling the shoes of this senior class but that’s what makes it more exciting for me.”

With their position in the playoffs secured, the Seawolves will get

playoff appearance was just four years ago in 2019.

Trujillo said that he is most looking forward to playing against some of the best teams in the country, but that the Seawolves need to work on staying consistent throughout all four quarters to stay competitive.

through adversity. We are all very close and we’ve grown into a family. That’s been a big thing carrying us this whole year. We’re going to do big things.”

The Seawolves will face the University of Nevada, Reno this Saturday in Reno for the final game of the regular season before playoffs start.

COOPER PERRY STAFF WRITER

JUSTIN SIMPSON STAFF WRITER

COURTESY// Evan Roehrig

Courtney Cervellin finished tied for tenth at the SSU Spring Invite.

STAR// Malia Teran #12 Mitchell Stock heads to the face-off x to assist #28 Tanner Takahasi.

STAR// Dennae Taylor Nik Kamages pitched seven scoreless innings during Friday’s 1-0 win.

SSU dominates weekend against rivals Dominguez Hills

April showers sprinkle on Sonoma State

STAR // Malia Teran AXD played a game of cornhole as they tabled and invited passing students to play.

STAR // Cec Fernandez After a break from the heavy rains of March, SSU experienced a touch of April showers.

STAR // Dennae Taylor

Elijah Munoz working to get the opposing team out during the SSU Baseball game vs Cal State.

STAR // Dennae Taylor Cooper Callison helping contribute to a winning game.

STAR // Dennae Taylor

Elijah Munoz follows through as he bats against Dominquez Hills on Friday.

STAR // Dennae Taylor Nik Kamages winds up to pitch against State Dominguez Hills on April 7.

STAR // Malia Teran

Alpha Xi Delta tabling for their upcoming philanthropy event for Autism Speaks.