Spring 2022 - Issue 2

IN THIS ISSUE

Independent filmmakers talk about struggles of the pandemic.

PAGE 3.

Santa Rosa farm opens up to sweet hearts for Valentine’s weekend.

PAGE 5.

Immunocompromised students struggle as campus resumes in-person instruction.

PAGE 2.

SINCE 1979

VOLUME 86 // ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 14, 2022

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER

@SONOMASTATESTAR

CSU program provides iPads for incoming students ADDISON SMITH

STAFF WRITER

S

onoma State University is one of the many California State Universities chosen to pilot the second phase of California State University’s Connectivity Contributing to Equality and Student Success (CSUCCESS) plan to distribute iPads to incoming students of the Spring 2022 semester.

SSU and over half of the CSU schools are participating in CSUCCESS’s program to create more equitable opportunities for students. Sonoma State, along with the other universities participating, will be distributing upwards of 29,000 iPads for incoming freshmen and transfer students new to the school for the Spring of 2022.

Currently, incoming freshman and transfer students for the Spring of 2022 have the opportunity to receive a “technology bundle” which includes a new iPad, Apple Pencil, and Apple Smart Keyboard. Students throughout the CSU who receive this bundle will be able to use this technology for school related tasks for the entirety of their undergraduate degree.

The CSU Chancellor, Joseph I. Castro, is excited to see Sonoma State join over half of the CSU schools in “expanding this important program to even more incoming students this spring to help bridge the digital divide and establish a technological foundation for achievement from day one of their college journey.” He hopes that this foundation will lead students and universities alike to advance education and how students learn as a result.

CSUCCESS plans on continuing and expanding to more campuses every year and possibly adding different or more technology in future phases of the project.The CSU chancellor is constantly looking for more ways to expand funding efforts and offer more opportunities to students under the program.

These funds will be used to provide newer technology and opportunities to more incoming students in future CSUCCESS programs.

According to Hazel Kelly, the Public Affairs Manager for the office of the Chancellor, “Throughout the course of the pandemic, access to computing equipment and connectivity was identified as an obstacle for some CSU students. It was clear that the digital divide was one of the greatest obstacles

COURTESY // Montana Lahey

Stevenson Hall is the largest asbestos renovation project on campus. The new building improves many aspects including new floor to ceiling windows and an open concept.

Asbestos announcement raises concern among SSU community ANA FINGERSON STAFF WRITER

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n Feb. 4 an announcement was sent out notifying the entire Sonoma State University community of asbestos found in multiple places on campus.

SSU’s Interim Senior Director of Risk Management, Emergency Services, and Campus Safety Operations Missy Brunetta, released the statement along with a list of buildings and descriptions of the asbestos-containing construction materials.

The buildings included; the Art Department, boiler plant, Carson Hall, Children’s School, Facilities Management, International Hall, Ives Hall, PE Building, Nichols Hall, Zinfandel, residential halls, classrooms, Wine Institute, track, and the Student Health Center.

Over the last seven years, the school has regularly reported asbestos in many of these locations.

Brayton Purcell LLP, a California-based asbestos law firm, posted an article back in April of 2018, highlighting SSU’s ongoing asbestos issues and

see iPADS on pg. 4

stated that the buildings listed in the recent report already contained, “considerable amounts of asbestos”, four years ago.

This is not the first time asbestos on campus has been an issue. The Brayton Purcell article describes an incident back in 2018 where the university was fined $6,000 by the State after, “neglecting to follow safety rules and procedures while removing athletic tracks that contained asbestos,” wrote Assistant Vice President for Strategic Communications, Julia Gonzalez in a statement provided to the law firm at the time of the article’s publication.

A year before, in Sep. 2017, Paul Payne, a staff writer for The Press Democrat, wrote an article on SSU having to pay millions of dollars in a whistleblower trial due to negligence of asbestos present at the time.

This resulted in faculty members and staff who had worked in Stevenson Hall from 2013 to 2015

see ASBESTOS on pg. 4

COURTESY // @theaccount on Instagram

Get your masks ready Seawolves: Spirits rise across campus as SSU confirms that this year’s Spring commencement ceremonies will be held in-person in the GMC.

SSU announces plans to host first in-person commencement ceremony since 2019

WILLOW ORNELLAS STAFF WRITER

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onoma State University confirmed in an email on Friday, Feb. 11, that this year’s commencement ceremony would be held in-person on May 21 and 22.

Out of the 23 California State University schools, 16 have already announced they will officially be hosting an in-person commencement ceremony.

In the email, which was sent out to all eligible graduation participants, Vice President for University Advancement Co-Chair and Commencement Logistics Committee member, Mario A. Perez, along with Operations Director, Green

Music Center Co-Chair, and fellow logistics committee member, Caroline Neyman, provided updated commencement ceremony information.

“Sonoma State continues to follow the guidelines set forth by the county and state public health offices. SSU’s Commencement ceremonies will be conducted in full adherence to the COVID safety protocols and recommendations of public health officials in May,” wrote Assistant Vice President for Strategic Communications, Julia Gonzalez, in an email.

see COMMENCEMENT on pg. 4

2 Editorial THE STAR Editorial Board Myles Grabau, Editor-in-Chief Maych Rowell, News Editor Emily Cripe, Opinion Editor Cléa Upcher, Arts & Entertainment Editor Isabel Epstein, Student Life Editor Nicholas Roth, Health & Sports Editor Dana Scacco, Photo Editor Corinne Asturias, Faculty Advisor

FEB. 8 - FEB. 14, 2022

sonomastatestar.com

SSU administration faced with criticism for lack of support for immunocompromised students

Staff Writers Willow Ornellas, Addison Smith, Ana Fingerson, Khanh Dao, Payton Mullaney, Rosalee Padilla, Holly Durfee, Jacqueline Garcia, Javier Hernandez, Rachel Yetso, Jake Morrissey, Tanner Ivey

Photographers Montana Lahey, Mikayla Fritzemeier, Noah Clarke

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

Editor’s Pick This week’s can’t miss article:

“SSU announces inperson commencement ceremony” Read the article on page 5.

Have an opinion?

We’d like to hear from you!

The STAR welcomes letters to the editor

Publication

W

ith Sonoma State requiring facial coverings to be worn inside all campus buildings and a reported 98.34% of students who are fully vaccinated as of Jan. 28, 2022, the average student will undoubtedly be safe and will most likely experience very mild symptoms associated with COVID-19. However, there still remains a small percentage of students that are at a higher risk of contracting the virus and aren’t being looked out for the way most ablebodied people are – the immunocompromised.

According to the Sonoma County administrator’s office, “vaccines are only 59 percent to 72 percent effective among immunocompromised individuals while being 90 to 94 percent effective among the rest of the population.”

Immunodeficiency arises when there is a malfunction in the immune system, which increases the difficulty of responding adequately to an infection. Due to the increased vulnerability to infection, immunocompromised individuals must take extra steps to protect their health and well-being.

These extra steps include, but are not limited to, receiving two doses of the vaccine as a booster, encouraging those around them to get vaccinated and opting to stay away from large gatherings.

Since the return to in-person instruction that began at the start of the Fall 2021 semester, immunocompromised students are struggling to navigate school during a pandemic. Returning to inperson instruction makes it increasingly hard for immunocompromised individuals to steer clear of large gatherings. Some students are forced to adjust their personal schedules if their classes are not offered online, otherwise they risk falling behind.

Some even have to take a leave of absence if they don’t feel safe attending required classes that meet in-person, which only adds to the list of struggles for immunocompromised students.

When reflecting on her experience as an immunocompromised student, Sonoma State alumna Emily Marfia stated, “I have not been to an in-person class since March of 2020. I essentially completed my entire degree online and I feel wildly underprepared … I felt discarded and lumped in with everyone else who is able-bodied.

There could have been ways to accommodate if

COURTESY // @fulcandles on Instagram

[Sonoma State] really wanted to but they did not.”

While looking at the SSU COVID-19 information page, there seems to be no resources or support for immunocompromised students and their families. On top of this, there is hardly any data to back up the percentage of students that are actually immunocompromised, which makes it difficult for staff to keep track of and accommodate these students. These lack of resources are not specific to Sonoma State, as the resource and information pages among the 23 CSU campuses are seemingly designed with the sole safety of able-bodied students in mind.

Although it may be challenging for Sonoma State to make structural changes as able-bodied students are the majority, this does not mean that small accommodations shouldn’t be made. With the university’s lackadaisical approach in enforcing the COVID-19 safety protocols,this only adds to the stress and anxiety that many immunocompromised individuals have experienced throughout the pandemic.

Immunocompromised students shouldn’t have to be making compromises when it comes to their health and academics. Instead, SSU should be more adamant about making sure that all students, faculty and staff are wearing their masks correctly and being more diligent in checking for a completed daily wellness screening before entering campus buildings and school sanctioned events so that immunocompromised students feel secure enough in attending in-person classes. At the very least, Sonoma State could have additionally offered a larger variety of online courses especially with more than 140 approved in-person classes for the Spring 2022 semester.

It is long overdue that our campus community acknowledges that we have been looking at the pandemic through an extremely privileged lens.

It’s valid for students to feel mournful over not being able to have a proper graduation ceremony or feeling like they have not been fully immersed in the “college experience,” however, these issues are inherently superficial when we take into consideration the amount of fear and the sacrifices that many immunocompromised individuals have lived with for nearly the past two years.

The STAR is published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters. Printing is done by Sonoma Media Group. 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.

Letters to the Editor

Letter writers may expect prompt publication in the newspaper’s op-ed section, as space is available. Letters of up to 400 words will be allowed and must be submitted no later than the Friday before the publication date. Published letters must be free of libel, since the publication is held legally accountable for all content. Although personal controversy will be tolerated, it is the responsibility of the editor to check statements purporting the facts.

The STAR reserves the right to refuse publication.

COURTESY // @pacingpixie on Instagram

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. The board encourages readers to write letters to the editor about all topics, including the editorial.

FEB. 8 - FEB. 14, 2022

sonomastatestar.com

Consumers to blame for social media effects

KHANH DAO

STAFF WIRTER

S

ocial media is free, it always has been and it utilizes the platform it has to generate revenue for itself. The colors, the notifications, the likes are all intentional. So why do we allow social media to consume our lives? The media used to be a leisure activity, something one would read at the hair salon, and today it’s on us from the second one wakes to the moment they go to sleep.

At the turn of the 20th century, as the internet became the newest and hottest thing, social media quickly rose to fame. It started with MySpace, which was quickly replaced

by Facebook, then came Snapchat, Twitter, and Instagram. These massive platforms are all free, generating revenue through ads, sponsorships, and data collection. In turn, users can connect with anyone at any time anywhere in the world. Social media has changed the way that people communicate forever.

In the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, Silicon Valley technology experts, creators and users shed light on the vast consequences of the social media that users have created.

It all started as a way to connect, to see what friends were doing and stay in the know. Today, social media is almost entirely based on strategy. The more ads these platforms run, and the more engagement said ads receive, the more money the big corpora-

tions make. To encourage interaction with planted content, the ultimate goal of these companies has become capturing users’ attention for as long as possible.

Facebook added the like button because people were commenting on posts saying they liked what they saw. These quick interactions explain why reels and Tik Toks are so popular, because their ability to grab and hold onto attention encourages instant gratification. Watch one 15 second video, what’s the harm in watching two? Two then becomes forty and the next thing you know, you have spent hours on Instagram scrolling and you did not even realize it. Hours that Instagram is able to make money off you, the consumer.

In an interview with an anonymous professor here at Sonoma State University, she said, “Facebook used to be a fun place to be and now it’s becoming more of a suggested content, a selling place. Facebook isn’t always what it is now.”

Many people would argue that the environment created by social media is damaging to the users mental health. Health is holistic, so a damaged mental health leads to a damaged physical and emotional state as well. Social media was never meant to be attached to users 24/7, consumers have made the decision to attach themselves to social media in harmful ways.

Users give themselves anxiety and by comparing themselves to everyone else on social media. In the past, consumers were easily able to put down the media given to them because it wasn’t curated to catch their attention and make money off said attention.

People will blame social media for the problems in their lives, but people are consumers. They can make the conscious decision to use the product, or if they think the product is bad for themselves, they can stop using it at any given moment.

Independent filmmakers struggle due to COVID-19

ROSALEE PADILLA

STAFF WIRTER

E

veryone enjoys a trip to the local movie theater; with the smell of popcorn, booming surround sound and the enchanting silver screen. However, since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been considerable changes to how audiences watch movies.

Most major filmmaking studios have had the luxury of pushing back the release dates of their films, hoping to wait for the return of movie-goers. Unfortunately, independent filmmakers do not have the funds to do such things and have taken a major hit as a result, now having to budget for newly introduced health protocols.

Independent filmmakers rely heavily on investors to finance their projects, so their films have to be done in a timely manner in order to pay back said investors. “The changes to industry standards for health and safety will likely remain permanent, so shoots will take more time and cost more money than they did a year ago,” said Joseph Williams, a writer for S&P Global.

Large studios can afford to put significant amounts of money towards the health and safety of their teams, without it taking a major toll on the money budgeted towards their films. Small productions are not so lucky.

In an interview with the STAR, Talena Sanders, a Communications professor at Sonoma State University, discussed how safety is a major concern, especially when working in such close quarters. “I typically work in documentary filmmaking, so the way I produce films is different from a nar-

rative production. In the narrative production world, actors and crew can be quarantined before production, making it more possible to have a covid-free production. In a documentary you’re typically following people through their lived experiences as they happen, so it’s harder to be safe.”

Independent filmmakers have continued creating thoughtful projects, despite the array of setbacks brought on by the pandemic.

Abe Chase, a film major from Cypress College, described what has inspired him throughout the pandemic: “The amount of major events that have popped off during the pandemic has almost made it easier to find subject matter. Things like; Pro-Choice vs.

Pro-Life, the BLM Movement and the Stop Asian Hate movement. I’m primarily a documentary filmmaker, so for someone like me, this period has been really interesting and exciting to go out and find a story to cover.”

Drive-In movies have made a reappearance, which has allowed indie filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their work in an environment that is COVID-19 safe.

The resiliency and drive from these passionate independent artists has definitely been tested and proven during these uncertain times.

With the Oscars just around the corner, it is important to acknowledge smaller productions that are attempting to create art with a much smaller budget. Remember to interact with social media accounts of indie films, liking and commenting on posts can add to the presence of these projects on all platforms. This can create buzz for upcoming release dates and add to the potential success of the artists’.

Looking into patreon subscription or even just viewing films on applications such as Vimeo or Youtube can also help independent filmmakers.

The Sonoma International Film Festival is a great local option to discover and support indie artists and there is a vast array of different films to look into. For more information, visit sonomafilmfest.org.

Opinion 3

Horror films desensitize viewers to gore PAYTON MULLANEY STAFF WIRTER

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s new innovations in horror films continue to emerge, audiences are beginning to grow accustomed to images of gore and death. With directors like Jordan Peele and Ari Aster revolutionizing the genre, horror films are more popular than ever, thus making blood and guts a normal occurance on the big screen and at home.

Gore is morphing from a taboo topic into something viewers have come to expect, especially in horror films. Crime scenes, disembodied heads, violent murders, all of these things are the new normal.

People are watching characters in films get their heads split open from the comfort of their living rooms and not thinking twice about how abnormal that would’ve seemed less than 10 years ago.

A fourth year student at Sonoma State University, Nicole Jester, said, “I am able to tell when the films are fake, however over the years filmmakers have gotten better at making it seem real. However, I am very sensitive to blood when I see it in person, but I have become enthralled in the thrilling violence horror films bring.”

Jester is a horror fanatic and would consider it to be one of her favorite genres.

The genre seems to have built an almost cult following over the past few years, and nobody seems to mind the gore much anymore.

Society is so used to seeing demonic activity, brutal murders, and blood on the big screen that people are not reflecting on how this exposure affects themselves.

Desensitization is a scary thing because people are no longer reacting to violence and gore as once before.

An anonymous student said, “When I was younger, I was very fearful of the gore and demonic activity typically shown in this genre of film, but when growing up my friends would force me to watch horror.”

This student also explained that they felt peer pressured into liking these films, because all of their friends liked horror movies. They said, “I no longer think twice about the film after it’s over, it does not scare me anymore.”

Some films in the genre take gore to an almost comical level, and that’s another factor that contributes to desensitization. If the blood and guts aspect of a film is so over the top that it’s borderline laughable, people no longer take the concept seriously and wouldn’t blink twice at a disemboweled body on the screen in their living room.

Second year student Serena Hayes was very excited for the new Scream movie to come out, because this series is her favorite. She said, “I want to be a mortician, and I attribute my fascination with forensic science to horror films because of all of the dead bodies I’ve seen.”

She understands that these movies are not real, but the interest with dead bodies emerged nonetheless.

Hayes said, “I know I am desensitized because of the comfort I feel working in this profession of how normal death has become from these films.”

People often do not think twice when they pass a bad car wreck or hear about a murder, because horror films have made it so common. Dead bodies don’t frighten people like they once did.

It is too easy nowadays for people to consume violent media because of how prevalent society makes it and how popular the horror genre has become recently.

Even college students are realizing this at a young age, early on in life.

4 News

FEB. 8 - FEB. 14, 2022 sonomastatestar.com

In-person graduation for class of 2022 continued from pg. 1

COURTESY // calstate.edu

CSUCCESS program expected to distribute over 29,000 iPads for incoming Spring 2022 freshmen and transfer students.

‘Technology bundle’ for incoming Spring 2022 continued from pg. 1

to creating a more equitable student journey at the CSU. CSUCCESS builds on campus-based efforts to address digital equity at scale, leveraging the size of the CSU to secure strong partnerships with major national vendors.

CSUCCESS is an important component in the CSU’s efforts to recover from the pandemic and improve student success while eliminating equity gaps as part of Graduation Initiative 2025.”

SSU students who are not eligible for this plan still have the opportunity to use the laptop loan system offered through the Sonoma State Library. The library will provide students with a laptop for the course of the semester which further allows ineligible students access to technology they might not have had access to prior to coming to Sonoma State.

The iPad rollout will be planned through the use of the 2025 Graduation Initiative. Which is an initiative to help increase graduation rates for incoming freshman or transfer students who’s graduation goal is set for that year.

As part of that initiative the technology bundle is one incentive to help incoming students get a leg up over college and really hit the ground running as soon as they start. So far CSU’s have seen an improvement in overall learning environment as well as a boost in students’ morale who are hopping into college for the first time this semester.

Students can receive this bundle through the CSU website by going to Calstate.edu/SUCCESS and clicking on Sonoma State through the drop-down menu.

The ceremonies will be held in the Green Music Center in accordance with all state and county COVID-19 guidelines at the time of the event meaning there will be limited seating indoors for attending family and friends.

The exact times and order of the ceremonies have yet to be finalized, however, the dates of each academic school’s commencement are as follows; On May 21, commencement ceremonies for the schools of Business and Economics, Science and Technology, and Arts and Humanities will be held while ceremonies for the schools of Education and Social Sciences will be held the following day on May 22. The times for each ceremony are listed on SSU’s 2022 Commencement Ceremony webpage.

The annual grad fair will take place Feb. 23-34 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University Store.

According to the commencement website, “Orders for academic regalia and other commemorative items for the Class of 2022 will begin February 23, 2022.”

Students are eligible to participate in the 2022 Commencement ceremony if they graduated in Fall 2021, have applied for graduation in Spring 2022, or have applied for graduation in Summer 2022.

Last month, a survey was set out to all eligible graduation participants.

“Approximately 33% of the Class of 2022 graduates responded, with the overwhelming majority preferring the traditional commencement ceremony held at the Green Music Center (GMC),” the email read.

Many graduating students are excited and relieved about this news following multiple semesters of untraditional ceremonies due to COVID-19 restrictions.

In 2020, the graduating class participated in a virtual commencement , while those graduating in 2021 utilized a drive-through ceremony. This allowed graduating students the opportunity to walk the stage and receive their diplomas while respecting COVID protocol.

Caroline Evans, a 22-year-old Wine Business major, explained she was stressed not knowing what her graduation would look like as she entered the semester, but she’s happy following the commencement email. “If it’s going to be inside the GMC, the ceremony will be gorgeous and I am super stoked. I’m honestly just grateful to get a graduation,” Evans said.

Many students’ families are equally excited about the in-person ceremony.

Abby Reitman, a 22-year-old English Creative Writing major said, “I’m ecstatic that graduation is in person this year because my brother graduated college in 2020 online and I know how much that sucked for him. The rest of my family is very excited as well and already planning the trip up here to celebrate with me.”

One student was nearly brought to tears by the news that SSU would be hosting an in-person graduation.

Abé Lopez Ibarra, a 21-year-old Communications and Media Studies major is relieved at the commencement ceremony news. “Personally, I am super excited for an in person graduation. It’s all my family and I have been looking forward to for the last couple years. So being able to celebrate it with my family and friends is the best news I’ve heard in a while. I was struggling to hold back tears when I heard it was in person,” Lopez Ibarra said.

Any updated details surrounding SSU’s Spring 2022 commencement ceremony will be posted to the commencement website.

COURTESY // Montana Lahey

Special notices posted outside of Ives and Carson Hall warn of asbestos-containing construction materials and advise the campus community to avoid touching or upsetting any of the materials.

SSU releases an updated list of buildings across the campus with asbestos-containing materials continued from pg. 1

each getting “a piece of more than $2.9 million in penalties handed down for violations of occupational health and safety laws.” Stevenson Hall is currently undergoing reconstruction.

The notice put out this year suggests everyone, “avoid touching asbestos materials in walls, ceiling, pipes, or boilers. Do not drill holes, hang plants or other objects from walls or ceilings made of asbestos-containing construction materials.”

Although there are precautionary measures the SSU community can take to protect themselves and others from exposure to asbestos, it is a risk the school is willing to take.

Many students feel nervous about the school’s lack of concern. Sequoia Clokey, a fourth year biology major stated her concern by saying, “As a STEM student who will be in the lab for class or research for multiple hours on end each week, I find it disconcerting that the school is knowingly putting students at risk by not addressing the asbestos situation.”

The notice from the university expressed that there is no reason for students or faculty on campus to feel concerned. “Asbestos-containing construction ma-

terials pose no threat to your health unless asbestos fibers become airborne due to material aging, deterioration, or as a result of damage,” Brunetta wrote.

Despite SSU reassuring students, staff, and faculty that there is currently no safety concern, many are expressing fear and surprise over the choices administrators have made.

Nico Schwartz, a fourth year Childhood Education major stated her concerns. “It’s very disappointing that they are not doing anything really to protect their students and especially children in the Children’s School even when SSU claims that they’re a well kept school. We as students spend a ton of money and the least they could do is put in the time to make sure the buildings are up to date. If asbestos has been there for seven years that’s one thing, imagine the other issues that aren’t being talked about. They’re putting us in harm’s way for their own benefit.”

Great strides like these notifications are what helps Sonoma State’s administration directly communicate with the campus community in a healthy manner.

This notification allows students to adequately prepare for their semesters and keep a safe distance from the buildings that could pose a risk to their health.

FEB. 8 - FEB. 14, 2022

sonomastatestar.com

Arts & Entertainment 5

Local Santa Rosa farm opens up to the public for Valentine’s weekend

HOLLY DURFEE

A

STAFF WRITER

labyrinth of lavender, bees, flowers, and wildlife running along the pathways through the center of the farm was a glimpse of what could be seen at the 11-acre plot Bees N Blooms. The CCOF-Certified Organic farm opened back up to the public for Valentine’s Day weekend between Feb. 12 and Feb. 13 from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. During the event, guests could take in the sights and purchase an assortment of gifts for their Valentine, including lavender gift sets, honeys, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and flowers.

Speaking about the process of opening back up, owner Susan Kegley stated, “We haven’t always done Valentine’s Day weekend. It depends on whether or not we are ready for people… To get ready to open is a lot of work, so we try to wait until the weeds stop growing.

We use what’s called occultation, which basically means blocking out the light to do weed control. Since we are an organic farm, we don’t use herbicides or anything like that.”

Upon arrival, visitors are met with an arch introducing the Lavender Labyrinth; this is the starting point where farm maps are available. From there, individuals can choose to wander freely. The walk through the labyrinth was full of jackrabbits running around and lead to flowers, a tree nursery, and a pond further down with several different routes availible. Fenced geese, ducks, and chickens were tucked in the left corner of the farm, which attracted many, especially children.

At one point, Kegley even opened up the gates to allow two little girls to greet the animals.

Solano County resident Susan Carpenter commented on the attraction, exclaiming, “It’s really cool to have an operating farm for the kids.” Carpenter was exploring the farm for the first time with two others, and is looking forward to coming back once everything is in bloom. The group also made sure to pick up some goodies, “We got salts, sprays, oil, and [lavender] sashes to put under our pillows,” Carpenter stated.

The majority of the people who attended the event were new to the farm. “Most of the people I have talked to have never been here before. This is their first time; they just wanted to stop by and say ‘Hi’,” said Rebecca Rosenzweig, the Agricultural Operations Manager. Rosenzweig pointed out, “The farm opened in 2016, and for the past couple of years, we have been growing exponentially.”

When asked about what’s in the farm’s shop, Rosenzweig explained, “Inside is a bunch of goodies. We have our own bees, [so] we sell our own honey. We also melt down the comb of our honey and make candles!... Susan is actually a chemist, so we distill our

STAR // Mikayla Fritzemeier The entrance to the lavender labyrinth, which is California’s largest. Rows of lavender stretch across the acreage at Bees N Blooms on Sunday afternoon.

STAR // Mikayla Fritzemeier Sonoma County residents walk through Bees N Blooms’ lavender labyrinth on Sunday afternoon.

own essential oils and our own hydrosol, [or] room spray… We have over nine types of lavender, [so] there are different smelling essential oils… There are lotions, oils, cookbooks, regular loose lavender as well as local olive oils, local balsamic, lavender flavored balsamics and oils, books, shirts, and so much more.”

In addition to Bees N Blooms being a beautiful place to enjoy, Rosenzweig explained, “This is also supposed to be a place of learning where we can teach people about the importance of pollinating, regenerative farming and organic agriculture.”

To learn more about the environmentally friendly farm and to keep up with future events, go to www.beesnbloom.com.

Student Involvement welcomes students back to inperson instruction with a fishbowl game JACQUELINE GARCIA

STAFF WRITER

S

tudent Involvement hosted another eventful Friday Night Live on Feb.11 at Weyden + Brewster in the student center from 8–9 p.m. One of the main goals of these events is to provide students various opportunities to engage on campus, as we all begin to return for in-person instruction. “We want our seawolves to start building communities again, after being virtual for so long you sort of forget how to socialize… Friday Night Live helps students get back into the in-person groove,” stated Hailey Glass, Student Involvement member and secondyear music major.

The night was spent playing Fishbowl, a memory game that combines charades, passwords, and Taboo. To set up the game, attendants were split into two teams. Each team member was required to take three strips of paper; choose a word or phrase which could describe the names of a person, place, or thing; fill each strip and place them into a fishbowl. Once all the papers were in, each team took turns trying to guess what words were written in two-minute intervals.

Teams alternated having one player from their team draw from the bowl.

The game consisted of three rounds; each round continued until all the slips of paper were used, declaring a winner after totaling the number of words guessed correctly by each team. In the first few rounds, all players were hesitant to act out the written word in front of their fellow teammates. However, the players eased into the game’s flow as the night progressed, and all hesitation was abandoned.

The energy at the event seemed to be high-spirited, with many participants at the edge of

STAR // Mikayla Fritzemeier SSU students working together to give clues during the fishbowl game on Friday night at Weyden and Brewster’s.

their seats fighting the urge to shout out the word. Others giggled away after placing their papers into the fishbowl. “I thought the name of the game was interesting and thought, why not check it out. I wasn’t really expecting to have it be this fun,” mentioned Leah Vallespin, a thirdyear Biology major.

After twenty rounds and paper running out, the night ended with both teams declared as winners, with prizes like stickers, keychains, hats, and even a Sonoma foam finger, all courtesy of Student Involvement. Both teams displayed great sportsmanship, and they even shared a few selfies to commemorate a successful game night.

Drew Pfeffer, a second-year transfer student, said, “I’m having a great time, this is the best way to spend my Friday night. I recommend this to anyone who wants to get out of their dorm, meet people and have fun.” Students are looking forward now more than ever to having more opportunities to socialize with fellow classmates after two years of virtual life.

Student Involvement’s efforts to organize events like Friday Night Live, and their push to encourage students to explore the campus and interact with different communities seem to be meeting a crucial need as everyone returns to campus. “At events like this, you meet different people that normally you wouldn’t run into because of their major. It’s nice to have a space where everyone comes together, especially after Covid,” said Vallespin.

“Many students don’t know we have events all semester, every weekend [there is] something different… I recommend our seawolves come out and start discovering their campus again,” added Glass, emphasizing that many students were not aware of the in-person events for the spring semester, due to having the first few weeks of the semester online.

Student Involvement will continue to put on Friday Night Live from 8–9 p.m., at Weyden + Brewster in the Student Center, featuring different activities from movies, trivia, Grocery BINGO to open mic nights and more.

To learn more about upcoming events hosted by Student Involvement, check out Seawolf Living’s “Event” tab, SSU’s Engage website, and the Student Calendar for all events.

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CAPS offers virtual drop-in support groups JAVIER HERNANDEZ

STAFF WRITER

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majority of the time, college students face similar challenges throughout their college career, whether it’s stress and anxiety from school or feeling nervous about what the future will bring with all the uncertainty in the world.

The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Sonoma State is happy to announce that they will be offering support through four virtual drop-in support groups. The events began on Feb. 7 and will continue throughout the Spring 2022 semester.

These support groups were formed as a way to help Sonoma State students realize that they don’t have to take on difficult challenges on their own by giving them a space to come together and share those experiences. CAPS is here to support all SSU students and these groups are just a few of the ways that they positively impact our community.

CAPS will be hosting “What To Know About Not Knowing Group: Thriving Through Uncertainty” on Friday’s 12 p.m noon to 12:50 p.m. This drop-in group will focus on students sharing their experiences of balancing the challenges that come with COVID-19 and their coursework. It is meant to be a supportive place where seawolves come together and share how they have coped with difficult situations posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Together, we will work through issues such as COVID, Decision and Change fatigue, isolation, FOMO (fear of missing out), grief and loss, along with anxiety about one’s health, our loved ones and the future, ” said Courtney Avvampato, staff psychologist at CAPS. The second drop-in group that CAPS will be hosting is “Fidget To Focus: An ADHD and Learning Skills Support Group” which will take place Wednesdays from 1 p.m to 1:50 pm.

This drop-in group will focus on helping students deal with and manage ADHD and is open to all students that are interested in learning skills and techniques on how to stay on track with their academics.

A formal ADHD diagnosis is not necessary for this group as “the main topics of conversation concern organization and maintaining motivation to complete assignments whether it be school or life-related. This group can be a great space for anyone struggling to stay on top of their academic schedule,” said Avvampato.

The third drop-in group that CAPS will be hosting this semester is the “Common Thread:

COURTESY // @caps_ssu on Instagram The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) works towards providing Seawolves with a safe space.

LGBTQIA+ Support group” which is scheduled to take place on Wednesdays from 3 p.m to 3:50 p.m.

This group will serve as a safe space for Sonoma State students to come together and be themselves while also receiving support from those around them.

Avvampato said, “This group is designed to provide a supportive, affirming and confidential space for SSU students of LGBTQIA+ lived experience, including those who are questioning, to share common experiences and deepen their self-understanding,” The fourth group that CAPs will be hosting this semester is “The Mindful Self-Compassion Group”.

“Come experience a variety of self-care and mindfulness practices to enhance well-being, feel more centered in the face of difficult situations, and cope with anxiety, stress, and challenging emotions,” said Avvampato.

This group will take place on Mondays from 2 p.m to 2:50 p.m and focuses on Sonoma state students learning about how to show compassion for themselves and others during difficult times.

To find more information on the support groups or how to join, make sure to visit http://caps.sonoma.edu/groups-workshops. CAPS additionally welcomes students to share ideas they have for a support group.

Sonoma State hosts annual Holocaust and Genocide Lecture Series RACHEL YETSO

STAFF WRITER

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he 39th Annual Holocaust and Genocide Lecture Series is starting back up again this semester at Sonoma State as a way to remember and pay tribute to those that unjustly lost their life. This lecture series has been recognized by the the genocide studies community as indispensable and has attracted the attention of local and national media outlets.

The Alliance for the Study of the Holocaust and Genocide was created at Sonoma State in 1983. The event is hosted by Professor Diane L. Parness, Ph. D., who has been the Academic Director of the series since 2014. This years theme is “Persecution as a Political Weapon; Genocide Through The Ages” and the lectures are scheduled to take place virtually on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

The series brings together different speakers from around the world to SSU to have enlightening discussions about various genocides of the past and present. Although the name of the series highlights the Holocaust, lectures include stories from the Armenian, Rwandan, Cambodian, Bosnian, Palestinian, Myanmar, and other genocides across the globe. Topics such as human trafficking and the psychology behind how a genocide occurs are also discussed.

Stated on the Sonoma State website page for the lecture series, “The course explores the intellectual, emotional, and ethical aspects of the Holocaust and genocides and seeks to deepen students’ understanding of organized society, political leadership, democratic participation and human nature.”

Professor Diane L. Parness shares her experience hosting the lecture series for the past 8 years as, “... one of the most inspirational and fulfilling opportunities I have had in over 30 years… Over the past decade many have remarked that this course is one of the most moving and provocative they have taken at SSU.” The course is extremely unique according to Parness because, “No other university in the country offers their students and the surrounding community the opportunity to hear 15 different speakers every year share their experience and insight on genocide. To have sustained a program of this caliber for 39 years is something SSU should be very proud of.”

Political science course, POLS307, enrolls students in the semesterlong series, and requires attendance of all weekly lectures. Along with lectures, there are documentary film viewings, readings, and other course activities. The course satisfies upper division general education credit in area D5, Contemporary International Perspectives. The series enrolls about 100 students each spring semester however, students do not have to be enrolled in POLS307 to attend the lecture series.

Guest speakers include real survivors of various genocides, liberators and rescuers, along with scholars of the surrounding Sonoma community.

Speakers share their personal eye-witness experiences of genocide, keeping the importance of their stories alive.

Continued from the Holocuast and Genocide studies home page,“Our audience is challenged to face the difficult reality of man’s brutality and inhumanity, and to reflect on the common and varied causes of genocide. We

COURTESY // Facebook The 2022 Holocaust and Genocide Lecture series will go through May 10.

also bear witness to the astounding human capacity for resilience.”

Those that are interested in attending the lecture series, must email alliance@sonoma.edu one week in advance to each lecture to receive the zoom link and attendance instructions.

Sports

FEB. 8 - FEB. 14, 2022

sonomastatestar.com

COURTESY //Justin Ferrari Sophomore outfielder Braeden Holliday celebrates his go-ahead grand slam with teammates in a victory against Holy Names Unioversity.

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COURTESY // SSU Athletics Braeden Holliday is batting a team leading .538 through the first six games.

Athlete Spotlight of the Week: JAKE MORRISSEY

Braeden Holliday

STAFF WRITER

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he spring semester has started at Sonoma State, welcoming the first action for Seawolf baseball since the pandemic began.

So far this season, Sonoma State is 3-3 through the first two weekends. One star player, who has stood out within the start of the season, is Junior business major Braeden Holliday, leading the team in multiple statistical categories.

Holliday is a junior outfielder for the Seawolves, who came to SSU from Granite Bay High School. Through the first six games of the season, he is batting .538 and slugging a strong 1.077. To go along with that, he has two home runs, one of which was a grand slam, and 8 RBIs that leads the team.

“He’s put in a lot of really hard work to get to this point, and now all that hard work is paying off, and I’m excited about what he’s doing,” said Head Coach John Goelz, who is entering his 37th year at Sonoma State via sonomaseawolves.com.

According to Holliday, playing for the Seawolves has been a great and welcoming experience all around. “The coaches are very supportive and offer great advice, both about baseball and life. On top of this, my teammates are great guys to be around. It has been a smooth transition and I almost instantly feel like I am a part of the team,” says Holliday.

Off the field, Holliday is studying for a business degree with a concentration in marketing. While he is currently unsure how he wants

to use his degree, Holliday takes school very seriously and strives for good grades. He likes listening to good music, cooking, and watching The Book of Boba Fett with his roommates in his leisure time.

Managing to balance playing for the baseball team and keeping good grades requires lots of dedication. “I head out to the field around 11:45, from there, I take swings in the batting cage for about an hour until practice starts,” says Holliday. “After practice ends around four, some teammates and I go eat in the cafeteria.”

So far this season the Seawolf baseball team is off to a 3-3 start, after winning two out the three games against the Academy of Art University. Their next series will be starting Friday at 2 p.m. against Fresno Pacific University, with a doubleheader Saturday; game times will be 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. In two weeks, the Seawolves open up CCAA conference play with rival Chico State on the road. Even though these games will take place at Chico, all SSU sporting events can be streamed on CCAA Network App for $9.95 a month via sonomaseawolves.com.

With the Sonoma County health order that prevented in-person spectatorship from coming to an end, all Seawolf students and fans are free to come to watch any sporting events.

Braeden Holliday will definitely be an athlete to watch for the remainder of his time at Sonoma State, as this semester has fostered nothing short of a great season for him and the baseball team as a whole.

Senior Forward Zane Sheckherd nails a three pointer in the Seawolves 53-38 loss to the second place Cal State East Bay Pioneers.

COURTESY // Justin Ferarri

SSU downed by top-ranked East Bay

TANNER IVEY STAFF WRITER

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he Sonoma State women’s basketball team played at home this past Thursday, Feb. 10, against the Cal State East Bay Pioneers, where they lost 53-38. The Pioneers are currently second place in the CCAA. .

The Seawolves had a less than ideal start, going down six points in the first three minutes. As the first quarter ended, the Seawolves seemed to have found their momentum. Cielo Gonzalez was one of the driving forces for this last-minute push, giving the Seawolves five of their 12 points along with a couple of rebounds. Despite their efforts, the Seawolves still had a long way to go, trailing 17-12 as the first quarter came to a close.

Cal State East Bay is a tough team, and they presented a challenge for the Seawolves throughout the game. “Their game plan was to be tougher than us tonight,” says Coach Shayewitz. “They came out in the first half and pushed us around. It took us a while to wake up and start fighting back.”

Throughout the season, the Pioneers have earned quite a reputation.

According to Cal State East Bay’s summary of the game, the Pioneers had the best scoring defense in the conference, allowing 55.5 points per contest. This game was a defensive clinic for the Pioneers, allowing the​​ third-fewest points they had given up this season.

Despite the strong defense, the Seawolves were able to hold their own for the first half of the game. With a handful of buckets from Alli

Mcdonald, Chasity Spady, and Amanda Luckett, the Seawolves kept the deficit to just six, entering the second half.

The third quarter was challenging for the Seawolves, where they were held to just two points and outscored 12-2. With a few missed layups, unlucky turnovers, and fouls that didn’t go their way, the Seawolves found themselves in a deep hole. They would end up going down 40-24 by the time the third quarter came to a close.

The Seawolves responded in the final quarter, shooting 4-10 from the three-point line and 5-13 from the field. The Seawolves would win the fourth quarter 14-13 with three-pointers from Gonzalez, Mcdonald, Aaryn Pickett, and Zane Sheckherd. Despite the effort, the Seawolves lost 53-38.

Regardless of the outcome, Shayewitz feels confident in his team and looks at games like this with an optimistic eye. “Every game is a learning experience. East Bay is a good team and first place for a reason. Though I thought we were competitive for most of the night, we still have many things to improve on to play at a high level.” says Shayewitz.

With Cal State San Bernardino on the horizon, Shayewitz feels the Seawolves are in a great spot to make a playoff run. He plans to work with his team on ball handling and dealing with the pressure of solid defenses. The Seawolves’ next game is this Thursday, Feb. 17, at 5:30 p.m. at Cal State Bernardino University.

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Photo

FEB. 8 - FEB. 14, 2022

sonomastatestar.com

Lady Seawolves defeated by East Bay

STAR // Noah Clarke During the Seawolves women’s basketball game, shooting guard Cielo Gonzalez focuses on her free throw against Cal State East Bay on Feb. 10.

STAR // Noah Clarke Shooting guard, Chasity Spady goes up high to defend against East Bay.

STAR // Noah Clarke Head coach, Rich Shayewitz discusses strategies with the team during a timeout against East Bay.

Seawolves greeted with a welcome back breakfast

During the “Share Your Love For SSU” event, students and staff are welcomed back with free donuts and coffee outside the recreation center.

STAR // Mikayla Fritzemeier SSU students and staff spread love and positivity with handwritten messages.

STAR // Mikayla Fritzemeier

STAR // Mikayla Fritzemeier Students and staff share what they love about SSU on colorful heart shaped notes.