Spring 2022 - Issue 3 by Sonoma State STAR

IN THIS ISSUE

LoboFest

Super Bowl

SSU’s annual LoboFest takes place in a number of different ways on campus. PAGES 5, 6, & 7.

Inglewood chooses to fund Super Bowl as homeless population rises. PAGE 3.

Kanye West West airs his personal drama on Twitter and Instagram, forcing fans to watch. PAGE 2.

SINCE 1979

VOLUME 86 // ISSUE 3 FEBRUARY 22 - FEBRUARY 28, 2022

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER

@SONOMASTATESTAR

STAR // Mikayla Fritzemeier Sonoma State University students walk past Darwin Hall on their way to class. For many students, this is their first time on campus.

Students celebrate returning back to campus

WILLOW ORNELLAS STAFF WRITER

onoma State University reopened their campus on Feb. 14 for in-person learning after shifting the majority of their services online at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. SSU is using a variety of strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Students are being protected through the use of COVID-19 safety protocols such as the use of hand sanitizer, daily wellness screenings, and required weekly testing for unvaccinated students. All SSU students eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine booster are required to have proof of their booster submitted to the Student Health Portal by Monday, Feb. 28. If students eligible for a booster fail to get it, they are no longer considered fully vaccinated and will be required to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test on file with SSU at least every 7 days. Students not yet eligible to get a booster will not be required to comply with the weekly testing protocol until the date they become eligible for a booster. All students are expected to fill out a daily wellness screening prior to every arrival to campus. Students living on campus are expected to complete the wellness screening prior to leaving their rooms every day. These wellness screenings are intended to reduce the amount of on-campus COVID-19 transmission. On Monday, Feb. 14, when the majority of students returned to campus for the first time, the COVID Monitoring Team and Student Health Center became aware of a problem that was preventing students

from completing the daily wellness screening on IOS devices. Students experiencing this problem were informed to update their Apple device(s) software to the latest IOS version. Sonoma State is also working to reduce on-campus COVID-19 transmission by continuing to require that face masks be worn inside all campus buildings despite the statewide mandate being lifted. SSU’s Assistant Vice President for Strategic Communications, Julia Gonzalez, stated in an email, “Although California has lifted the mask mandate, public health officials highly recommend the continued use of face masks when indoors, therefore at this time the campus will continue to follow all COVID safety protocols including the wearing of face masks indoors. We will continue to monitor health conditions and change the mask practices when it seems prudent.” Emma Molloy, a 24-year-old Communications and Media Studies major has noticed that despite students being expected to complete the daily wellness screenings, no one is actually enforcing the policy. One of her classrooms is small, preventing social distancing from being possible and as an immunocompromised student that does make her nervous. However, for Molloy, the benefits from being on campus outweigh the anxiety. “At first I was nervous to be on campus again, but after three days I can already tell my mental health has gotten a lot better…Obviously I don’t want

see BACK ON CAMPUS on pg. 4

COURTESY// calstate.edu Former CSU chancellor, Joseph I. Castro resigned from his position last week.

CSU Chancellor announces immediate resignation ADDISON SMITH STAFF WRITER

n the night of February 17, the Chancellor of the California State University system Joseph I. Castro resigned from his position amid mounting accusations coming from his former position at Fresno State University. An article by Kenny Jacoby for USAToday broke the story about multiple instances of sexual assualt cases being mishandled by ex-chancellor during his time as president at Fresno State. When the story broke on Feb. 3, countless students and faculty called on him to resign for weeks until he put out a statement the night of Feb. 17 detailing his departure from the position effective immediately. In his statement to the Board of Trustees, Castro stated, “I have been honored to serve the California State University for more than eight years, including as its eighth chancellor, and the decision to resign is the most difficult of my professional life. While I disagree with many aspects of recent media reports and the ensuing commentary, it has become clear to me that resigning at this time is necessary so that the CSU can maintain its focus squarely on its educational mission and the impactful work yet to be done.” see CSU CHANCELLOR on pg. 4

COURTESY// SSU Associated Students AS encourages students to join SSU’s student body.

Associated Students prepare Seawolves for upcoming election ANA FINGERSON STAFF WRITER

onoma State University’s Associated Students (AS) is holding elections for the new 2022 Senate Executive Board of Directors. As described on the university’s website, AS stands for Associated Students, which is a “student-run auxiliary providing programs and services to enhance the lives of students”, while the senate, “serves as the ultimate management authority of the corporation and are elected from amongst and by the members (all regularly enrolled students see STUDENT ELECTIONS 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. 22 - FEB. 28, 2022

sonomastatestar.com

Kanye West goes to social media to air personal drama and promote abusive behavior

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, Olivia Doane, Daniel Serrano Photographers Montana Lahey, Mikayla Fritzemeier, Noah Clarke

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

“SSU welcomes new faculty amid return to in-person instruction” Read the article on page 4.

Have an opinion? We’d like to hear from you! The STAR welcomes letters to the editor

Publication

he latest pop culture scandal to exponentially capture the media’s attention, surrounds the drama between American rapper Kanye West, his estranged wife Kim Kardashian and Kardashian’s new partner, Pete Davidson. West, who now goes by Ye, took the internet by storm with his attempts to win back Kardashian with several alarming social media posts attacking and harassing Kardashian and Davidson. It is important to note that West is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but the subject of this social media drama goes beyond mental illness. West airing his personal drama to his 14.1 million Instagram followers not only creates widespread negativity, it also promotes harassment, and physical and emotional violence, especially towards women. This type of posting and usage of social media brings awareness to how vital it is for celebrities to use their media platforms more cautiously, as they are setting an example for their millions of fans. As their following grows, there is more of a spotlight put on their actions, so it’s imperative that these celebrity figures are more aware of what they are spreading out into the world. The scary reality is, West is using his influence and platform to glorify his toxic relationship, and the media can’t help but to take a front row seat on the action. Through West’s social media postings, we are watching a domestic abuse situation unfold, in which Kardashian is harassed and stalked online by her ex-partner. West is clearly unable to accept the reality of his failed marriage, and in his twisted attempts to win Kardashian back, he’s trying to play the “hero” in a sweeping public romance. Kardashian has pleaded with West to stop sharing their private conversations, and in a screen shot of their text messages, she wrote to West, “Why can’t you keep any of our conversations private???” With West responding, “because I got a text from my favorite person in the world, I’m your number one fan. Why wouldn’t I tell everyone!!!” In West’s eyes, he might think that he’s doing Kardashian a favor by being obsessively romantic, but these actions are clearly alarming to fans. One social media user expressed, “Kanye West’s behavior is abusive, not romantic. It’s not romantic to refuse to let your ex-partner move on, to use kids as emotional manipulation, to reveal private conversations, and then to claim you do it all from love.” We

COURTESY // @kanyewest on Instagram

can see that he is very publicly displaying manipulation and emotional abuse to not only his wife, but his entire family. Kardashian filed for divorce from West last January, and the rapper still refers to her as his wife, which makes it apparent that West is in denial and cannot respect the boundaries of his ex-partner. Some Twitter users are thinking critically about his patterns of abusive and manipulative behavior towards Kardashian, with one stating, “Kanye is just showing the world how scary it can be for a woman in Kim’s situation. Now imagine someone not having security, financial independence, or a way out.” This response brings up a vital point. Kardashian is lucky to have the means of financial and personal security for herself, and the unfortunate reality is that most women in abusive relationships don’t have these resources. West’s bizarre postings showcase what it’s like for a woman to be trapped with a partner who believes they have much more power. West has a massive impact, his influence and image is seen by millions, and the rapper is known to promote his brand by portraying a “god-complex,” in which he believes his actions won’t face consequences. This image appeals to his fan base, and some of his fans are even encouraging West’s behavior in his attempts to reconcile with Kardashian. West recently prompted more harassment against Kardashian’s new partner by posting, “IF YOU SEE SKETE IN REAL LIFE SCREAM AT THE LOOSER AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS AND SAY KIMYE FOREVER.” This demonstrates that the music artist is taking advantage of his platform to encourage more violence and harassment to win back Kardashian, and believing he can get away with it. West is arguably one of the most popular American rappers of the generation, with a net worth of over 1 billion. West is using his fame and wealth to directly inject his unhappiness into our mainstream media, which in turn, is promoting unacceptable violent behaviors. This dramatic spotlight of him and his family has captured our attention for all the wrong reasons, and opens up the conversation of what’s actually going on underneath the surface. West isn’t just having another episode, he’s abusing his celebrity platform to cause havoc and emotional pain, and the media is indulging in every second of it.

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 // Wikimedia Commons

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. 22 - FEB. 28, 2022

sonomastatestar.com

Opinion 3

In-person classes cause mixed emotions for students

ROSALEE PADILLA

STAFF WRITER

t has been three long years of never ending Zoom calls and mundane conversations with black screens, courtesy of the dreaded breakout rooms. For many college students, this transition to in-person classes may be their first real experience on campus. There is so much to look forward to—a more engaging learning experience, face to face interaction or even just getting to sit in an actual classroom. On the other hand, this switch to in-person instruction brings anxiety and uncertainty along with it. In an email sent to the entire campus community this month, President Sakaki assured students that masks will still be required indoors, and yet the health checks that are supposed to be completed daily are rarely checked by administrators. When students were registering for spring classes, there was no indication of how rampant the Omicron variant would become, so many may have picked courses that were inperson because of declining cases of COV-

ID-19. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse and attendance for in-person classes remains a requirement. In an interview with the STAR, Nicole Valiente, a first year at SSU, spoke of their concerns about returning to school: “It feels a bit reckless that we are returning back to in person classes considering how often we have been getting emails from Sonoma State notifying us of another COVID-19 case on campus. For me, classes in person means I have less time, less energy, more anxiety, and more stress.” There is this push to go back to normalcy, but it feels as though mental health isn’t really being taken into account. There is no longer the ability to turn off a camera to step away and take a breather, instead everyone is being forced to suffer in silence. The rather abrupt transition has only made for preventable overwhelming stress and anxiety. The Kaiser Family Foundation reported that the percentage of adults with anxiety disorders and/or depressive disorders has increased from 11% in Jan. of 2019 to 41.1% in Jan. of 2021. It is understandable that people are eager to get back to life before the pandemic, but it is also important to acknowledge not only the physical issues that COVID-19 has caused, but the mental health issues as well. There are also many concerns surrounding the lengths that Sonoma State is willing. or not willing, to go to in order to insure the safety of their students. According to the SSU COVID-19 Faculty FAQ webpage, “...there are no social distancing requirements indoors and faculty is responsible for cleaning their own hardware in each classroom.” One can only hope that students and faculty continue to put effort into making campus life safe, as the university’s administration seems to be playing no part in regulating such things. Vanessa Díaz, a first year at Sonoma State, described how she has been anxious about getting COVID-19: “The transition from online to in person has been very tiring emotionally, mentally, and physically. It has been nice to see friends I have made in classes but I have also been anxious about contracting COVID-19 and spreading it to my family. I am glad, however, that Sonoma State has continued to require masks indoors.” This is an exciting new time at Sonoma State, but one should proceed with caution. There are still safety protocols to be followed and mental health should be at the forefront of concerns during this transition to in-person classes. The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) building is located behind Salazar Hall in building 17A. You can reach CAPS through the email address caps@sonoma.edu or at the phone number (707)664-2153.

Inglewood prioritizes Super Bowl over homeless

PAYTON MULLANEY

STAFF WRITER

nglewood, Calif. has an ever-growing homeless population, and instead of funding housing or aid programs for these citizens, the city chose to host and sponsor Super Bowl LVI. While over 62,000 people gathered at the newly erected SoFi stadium to watch grown men give each other concussions, thousands of homeless Inglewood citizens spent another night on the streets. Rather than pouring revenue into Inglewood’s homeless community and providing shelter, the city’s money was spent on hosting a sporting event with thousands of attendees that lasted one day. In an article from NBC News, the author

discusses how, in order to present the city in it’s best light, homeless encampments were being forced to relocate for the Super Bowl. In this so-called effort to make the city seem more presentable, what really took place was mass displacement and dehumanization. The city claims that they are going to build housing units for the homeless, yet little progress has been made in terms of resources for mental health, finding jobs, or creating substantial change in these peoples’ lives. One of the encampments allegedly had to be cleared out because, in that same NBC News article previously mentioned, Caltrans said it was a fire hazard. However, this was only two miles away from SoFi stadium, which seems to be the real reason the camp was destroyed. Caelen Brown, a senior at SSU, said, “People being ripped away from where they call home in order to please people they do not care about is not a solution to a homelessness crisis, it is a fake fix to make the city look good, which in return when I found out about this, it painted Inglewood in a very bad light.” It’s important to note that even avid fans of the sport are enraged by what took place in Inglewood. An anonymous Sonoma State student said, “As an avid sports fan, I was excited for the Super Bowl. However, I was saddened to find out about the mistreatment of the homeless. I strongly believe in helping others and a way to do that is through advocating for mental health, and these people do not have a voice, or someone to stand up for them.” Seeing a whole city blatantly disregard how forcing people out would affect their mental health is not only shocking, but disturbing. If funds were going to the Super Bowl, then funds could have been used to ensure help was in place for these people who were forced to leave. Third year SSU student Gabriella Maes said, “I was shocked to find out a city is allowed to push people out without warning, and not even provide them an alternative. I understand that many people think football is important, but people having a safe place to live is even more important.” The homeless are not exempt from being treated fairly due to their living conditions. If the city is going to claim they want to help these people, they need to start now, so that when the Olympics are being hosted here in 2028, history does not repeat itself.

Olympic pressure leads to poor mental health

KHANH DAO

STAFF WRITER

housands of athletes dream of participating in the Olympics, but very few get to compete, and even fewer achieve gold. It is an opportunity to achieve lifelong dreams, but is it worth the crippling pressure? Many athletes begin training at a very young age and continue training well into their teen and young adult lives. They possess the drive and determination to expand their efforts to fulfill their goals. Consequently, the role of an Olympic athlete often comes with consequences and sacrifices to be made. Simone Biles, for instance, was offered a full scholarship to UCLA but declined it because she wished to pursue her Olympic dream. She was brave enough to sacrifice her academic and social

life to achieve her dream. This quickly turned into something the media was happy to cover and make a huge deal about. While some have commended her dedication to the Olympic Games, others see it as a total waste of potential and opportunity. Similarly, the financial commitment required for athletes to participate in the Olympics places additional strain on them to regain their savings. Training, coaching, physical therapy, and medical care are expected to cost upwards of $700,000 during the summer and more than $1.3 million during the winter. Over the long term, a high level of money spent continually can lead to debt. When athletes feel pressure to win gold medals, it can create stress. It is more advantageous to win gold medals, simply because athletes receive numerous sponsorships and publicity. When the athlete is praised and adored for a title and fame, they gain fame and popularity. Conversely, if an athlete does not win any medals or only silver medals, then they receive absolutely nothing in return. Stress is unavoidable for athletes due to the lack of encouragement from their teammates, which causes them to carry that pressure to the Olympic stage. A retired American figure skater from the 2006 Olympics, Sasha Cohen, shared in Michael Phelps’ documentary, The Weight Of Gold, how she fell twice within the first 30 seconds of her performance. In the end, she was awarded a silver medal due to a foul. At the moment, she explains she was quite stunned and devastated. She still finds herself reliving that moment on a daily basis, and she continues to be upset about it. Cohen points out that, as an Olympian, when one fails it matters so much more, since every performance defines one’s identity. This is their life. In addition, the media always comes up with a comment regardless of which direction athletes take, inside or outside the Olympic arena. Media criticism adds additional pressure and noise by illustrating a false story or even a perfect one. In the end, the pressure just builds. To combat this toxic culture, the Olympics should provide mental health services to participants to decompress and improve their performances. Everyone involved must also be more understanding and sympathetic overall when an athlete decides to take a step back and take responsibility for their well-being. Celebrities, athletes and anyone in the limelight who discusses their mental health is generally frowned upon. Rather than recounting the road to success, people are more interested in hearing about success stories.

4 News

FEB. 22 - FEB. 28, 2022

sonomastatestar.com

Joseph I. Castro, CSU Chancellor, has resigned continued from pg. 1

COURTESY // SSU Student Affairs Dr. Michael D. Young, VP for Student Affairs

COURTESY // afd.sonoma.edu Monir Ahmed, VP of Admin & Finance/ CFO

SSU welcomes new faculty amid leadership changes

OLIVIA DOANE STAFF WRITER

onoma State University has announced three new facility changes, in addition to the reopening of the campus amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Classes have reopened on campus and that brings many new beginnings, including the welcoming of the incoming Title IX Officer, Julie Vivas, VP of Administration and Finance, Monir Ahmed, and the new Interim Vice President of Student Affairs, Michael D. Young, who all have high hopes for their upcoming roles at Sonoma State. SSU was proud to announce Monir Ahmed as the new Vice President of Administration and Finance on Jan. 3, 2022. Ahmed is a Cal State Northridge and Woodbury University Alum, where he holds a bachelor’s degree in business and an MBA from Northridge. Prior to his role at SSU, Ahmed held many similar roles on other campuses and served as a founding team member of the UC Merced campus in 2005. Ahmed has been a long-time leader and advocate for students, and has been a wonderful addition to Sonoma State. Julie Vivas, who has been welcomed to Sonoma State as the new Title IX Officer, will begin her tenure on Feb. 22, 2022.

Vivas holds multiple certifications from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Colorado State University, and San Diego State. With her certified training in multiple areas like sexual assault, victim’s assistance, and student judicial conduct, her addition to the Sonoma State facility will be highly valued. Young previously served as the Student Affairs Vice President during the 2016-2017 school year and the university was pleased to welcome him back to campus. Young began his role again on Jan. 3, 2022, and is filling the position following the retirement of Dr. Greg Sawyer as the school prepares to conduct a search for this vital leadership position. Prior to his time at Sonoma State, Dr. Young served as Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs at UC Santa Barbara. Sonoma State University is pleased to welcome these three talented individuals to the community as they begin their important leadership roles. To read more about their new beginnings the campus updates page located on the Sonoma State University website highlights their successes and the wonderful assets they will bring to the campus community.

SSU students: on campus, in-person, and masked up continued from pg. 1 to get sick, and it is scary because I am immunocompromised, but I have my booster. There’s not much more I can do,” Molloy said. For immunocompromised students, or students nervous to attend class in person, SSU currently has more online classes than ever before. “We will continue to offer a greater number of online courses than we did prior to the pandemic. We hope that this will allow students some flexibility. Faculty also have the liberty to pivot to remote instruction, should the risk for COVID increase or a class become exposed,” Gonzalez said. Gonzalez also explained that any immunocompromised students should contact Disabled Student Services and their advisor to ask about accommodations that would best allow them to continue their academic progress at SSU. In line with students returning back to campus, the library recently increased their hours to accommodate more students. The Dean of the Library, Karen Schneider, wrote in an email, “We are excited to have reopened this spring at 75 hours per week, which is slightly less than we offered pre-COVID, and we are monitoring the return to campus to determine hours for future semesters. We are also delighted to announce that if local COVID conditions continue to improve, we plan to offer extended hours just prior to and during final exams this semester.” More students being on campus at once has also increased the demand for

on-campus food and beverage options. David Rodriguez-Mellin, a 21-year-old Sociology major said, “I feel Sonoma State should have at least four food options, I’m assuming COVID is a factor, or just not enough workers, but it would be awesome if they had more.” Associate Vice President for Administration of Finance, Neil Markley, explained in an email that the school’s Culinary Services will likely keep the majority of their on-campus food and beverage locations closed until the fall, however, Lobo’s Cafe will be reopening Feb. 28 at the latest. Markley explained the continued closure of on-campus restaurants is due to being short-staffed. “As the largest employer of students on-campus, we are proud to continue to provide opportunities. Given the COVID delay in our return to campus, our full pool of students was not here to hire. With the students’ return to campus, we are hiring as quickly as we can,” Markley wrote. “Like many organizations rebounding from COVID, it does take some time to return to “normal” operations.” This semester is going to be an adjustment period for everyone. Eamonn Cullen, a 23-year-old Communications and Media Studies major said, “I was a little nervous for in-person classes because I haven’t been in a classroom in almost 2 years, but it was very refreshing to meet new people I’ve been seeing on zoom for the last few weeks, and that nervous feeling went away pretty quickly.”

After the statement was released, the Board immediately went forward with a plan to find a replacement.Steve Relyea will be serving as acting chancellor until a decision has been made. While many were overjoyed Castro stepped down, one man, Rami Zwebti, continued to feel sour about the whole thing. Zwebti was one of many students who wanted to see change concerning the Chancellor’s position; so he decided to do something about it. When the news first broke, he demanded change so he went to Change.org and created a petition to try and get his message out there. His message was clear: Lamas’ victims will be traumatised for years to come, and every day that Castro spent in the chancellors office was another day that the CSU system was telling sexual assault survivors that they didn’t matter. They’re an object, and they don’t matter at all; that is the precedent Zwebti felt was being set. In an interview with Zwetbi, he discussed both Frank Lamas, the professor who had received the allegations and Castro, who was at the time, the president of Fresno State. He wanted them both to know that they were equally involved. Sweeping these allegations under the rug, which had been consistent in Lamas’s employment since his first week at the school, ref lected poorly on Castro, he said. “He [Lamas] is a predator, he made people feel uncomfortable, and if Castro paid any attention to all that, the trauma wouldn’t exist. While Lamas was the predator, Castro was the enabler.” The Board of Trustees has released a plan going forward which includes a revaluation of their policies with Title IX and being on the “forefront of Title IX innovation, accountability, and response.” This policy as well as others moving forward will throw the CSU system into a Institutional Response Group to conduct a statewide investigation to provide insights, recommendations, and resources that will help the State University system take a positive step forward. As many celebrate the departure of the Chancellor, there are still some looking for answers. Rami and other students believe that it’s the start of holding Castro accountable but not necessarily the way for the CSU system to make amends. Moving forward, the CSU system’s plan will implement positive changes that will reinforce that California State Universities policy against sexual assault.

COURTESY// as.sonoma.edu

Student government openings give students a voice continued from pg. 1

of the university) of the organization.” AS creates opportunities for SSU students to engage in the community around them through community service, co-curricular events and activities, childhood education/ development labs, as well as student government. The SSU website states that AS also “provides funding resources to chartered student clubs and organizations, club accounting services, shortterm loans and transitional housing for students.” Fliers were scattered around campus to catch the attenion of students wanting to make a difference around campus, encouraging them to consider joining student government.. These fliers described what positions remain open as well as some information about what steps to take next if interested. President, Executive Vice-President, Vice-President of Finance, Senator for Diversity, Senator of Government Affairs, and Senator of Student Services are all positions students are able to apply for. The flyer also includes a QR code students can scan with their mobile device camera to learn more about the election. AS Student Government Coordinator, Jesse Magaña, J , gave an explanation of the election process and the steps students should take, “Students who are interested in running for an elected role should start with attending an informational meeting. After attending that meeting and learning more about what roles are available they should meet with one of the advisors from the office.” Magaña also suggested checking out the SSU Associated Students Inc, Engage page. “They must then refer to the packet they are given which lists some of the requirements necessary to become an official candidate,” said Magaña. In light of the pandemic and keeping the SSU community safe, AS is holding informational meetings over zoom but is looking forward to in person events in the future. AS members are doing a great job of keeping positivity and motivation in their work. Magaña acknowledges how the pandemic has affected the way elections go but stated, “We are still very much living in a pandemic where students are facing multiple symptoms of COVID-19. So, on our end, we are ramping up efforts to increase voter turnout and are really trying to meet students where they’re at.” Magaña’s statement showed the importance AS sees in contributing to the community around them, by finding ways to keep up the efforts despite obstacles like the pandemic. Participating in student government is a way for students to engage in leadership opportunities and make sure not only their voice is heard, but also every student on campus. Any student who enjoys the importance of making decisions which may impact the way SSU students are supported on campus can look into the elections by applying for the board. If a leadership role feels like too much it is encouraged for students to vote on a board that they feel will benefit themselves and fellow students around them. The application deadline to apply for any of the AS Student Government Executive Board of Directors positions is Feb 25 at 11:59pm. If any student is interested but hasn’t attended an informational meeting, there is one scheduled for Feb 23 from 12:00pm - 12:30pm. The zoom link can be found on the SSU AS Student Government elections page. Information and updates can also be found on the AS instagram page @as_sonoma. For any questions please contact Student Government Coordinator Jesse Magaña at maganajes@sonoma.edu.

FEB. 22 - FEB. 28, 2022

sonomastatestar.com

Arts & Entertainment 5

Students show ‘Noma Pride’ at free bowling night HOLLY DURFEE

STAFF WRITER

ike clockwork, at 10 p.m on the first Thursday of every month, Sonoma State students swarmed the parking lot of Double Decker Lanes in Rohnert Park to bowl for free from 10 p.m. 12 a.m. Double Decker Lanes is located off of Foxtail Golf Resort in Rohnert Park. It is a local, family-owned bowling alley featuring 50 bowling lanes, food, beverages, and an arcade. Double Decker has been a part of the Rohnert Park community for almost 50 years. It is also one of the largest bowling alleys in the North Bay. Associated Students Productions (ASP) event director and thirdyear biology major Maia Madrigal-Hernandez was not surprised by the large turnout. According to Madrigal, “The most people we have ever had at these events is about 340, and the least we have had is 150.” Madrigal explained that this month’s bowling night was pushed back because classes were still online earlier in the month. For this particular Thursday night, the theme was “Noma Pride”, therefore students were encouraged to sport their SSU gears/colors. All that was required for free entry was an SSU ID and a green wellness clearance. Needless to say, students seemed eager to socialize. Groups could be seen dancing along to the variety of music Double Decker Lanes had to offer while taking turns bowling. Each bowling lane glowed, and overall the environment was bright, colorful, and noisy, which many seemed to like. Natali Luevano, a second-year business major, shared, “Honestly, I don’t bowl. I come for the atmosphere. It’s nice to see everyone, and it’s nice to feel like you’re a part of a larger student body.” Luevano is a returning participant and originally heard about the event through the Seawolf Living page. Nathan Khalili, a second-year computer science major, said, “I’ve come to every single bowling night the school has hosted… They are a great chance to get out of the dorms and do something that is not school or work related. Also, the best part about the event is that it’s free.” Furthermore, Khalili said, “These [events] start to die down towards the end of the semester, but I expected things to be really alive tonight because of everyone coming back to campus… I was afraid it was going to become overcrowded.”

Johnny Ochoa, a third-year history major, agreed that these events “...are usually pretty packed.” Diana Ruiz, a second-year business administration major, said that her favorite part of the event is “...seeing everybody and meeting new people.” Although the bar was unavailable to students, an assortment of soft drinks and snacks were offered for purchase at the event. Students had options like pizza, burgers, french fries, and even Beyond Burgers. For those with more of a sweet tooth, cookies, ice cream, and churros were offered as well. Additionally, the bowling alley had vending machines. Some students participated in the theme, however, the attire was generally laid back. As a matter of fact, in speaking about improving bowling nights, Madrigal says that she would like to see more people “...dressed up and spirited.” The next bowling night will be on Mar. 3, and the theme is “Black Out”. To find more information on the event, go to the Seawolf Living page or contact aspevent3@sonoma.edu.

STAR // Mikayla Fritzemeier An SSU student hopes for a strike while watching his bowling ball roll toward the pins at Double Decker Lanes in Rohnert Park on Thursday night.

Seawolves get a taste of the Winter Olympics at The Kitchens

JACQUELINE GARCIA

STAFF WRITER

tudent Involvement celebrated the Winter Olympics by bringing students a taste from all around the world right to The Kitchens on Wed. Feb. 17. The themed dinner transformed The Kitchens into a multi-continental festivity featuring dishes from Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Australia. “We focused a lot on decorations, food, and entertainment. We want students to feel transported to different corners of the world, experience different cultures, and get out of their comfort zone while enjoying great food and playing some games,” said Tia Booker, Student Involvement member and second-year philosophy major. The Kitchen’s doors opened from 5–7 p.m. and welcomed students to dine in or carry out from the multicultural buffet. The event

STAR// Montana Lahey Before grabbing dinner, these Seawolves challenged each other in several of the Olympic themed games hoping to win a prize.

STAR // Montana Lahey Gabby Hensley and Carissa Marquez posing as Seawolves for their Olympic photo shoot.

was included for students who use a swipe from their meal plan, and any guests without a meal plan were able to purchase a meal at the door. Many students walked into The Kitchens unaware of the event, but were very pleased to have a break from the usual menu. “I came in thinking I was going to be eating my usual pizza and fries. I was surprised when I saw all the decorations and a completely different menu,” said Kelly Cortes, a third-year biology major. Students had a variety of options for their dinner; from coconut rice, offering a taste of one of Africa’s traditional dishes; Europe’s goulash; and lemon chicken, a traditional Asian dish. Others started with dessert and enjoyed malva pudding, blueberry scones, and Lamingtons. The different options seemed to make it difficult for students to select only one dish, with many making their way to the tables carrying one plate in each hand.”I don’t usually do seconds, but the food deserves a gold medal. It’s nice to have food you enjoy every bite of,” said Cortes. Students were thrilled to have pandas as their table centerpieces, and informational placemats at each table, where facts about the Olympics and the types of dishes served could be found. Panda selfies became popular as the dinner progressed. “The decorations really make the difference. I can tell they are going the extra mile to change it up. It’s nice to see the effort and it makes me look forward to events like this,” mentioned Marco Thimer, a first-year business major. After dinner, students made their way to the game tables. The three selected games were ring toss, spin the ice hockey wheel, and a shell game with the goal of finding the bobsledder. Tossing the ring became the favorite game of the evening, attracting spectators. The game consisted of two players that were given four rings each, and required to stand behind the provided line. Players then tossed the rings, aiming for one of the five cones, and ended their toss with a mid jump lunge or 360 twirl with jump pose. After one minute, the player with the most rings on the cones was declared the winner. After an unexpected, five-minute, high-energy game between two players, spectators helped to declare the match a tie. Student Involvement’s members provided the winners gold medals and the option between a surprise to-go treat or a Sonoma State hat. “Food and games are always a good combination, and after a full stomach people get an energy boost... We wanted to provide Olympics themed games that are both entertaining as a player and a spectator to give the full Winter Olympics dinner experience. I encourage other seawolves to take advantage of events like this,” said Gabriela Zavala, Student Involvement member and second-year sociology major. Student Involvement will continue to host different themed dinners once a month throughout the Spring semester. To learn more about upcoming events, check out Seawolf Living’s “Events” tab or SSU’s Engage website for more information.

Student Life 6

FEB. 22 - FEB. 28, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

LoboFest presents: Hypnotized LIVE! JAVIER HERNANDEZ

STAFF WRITER

orld-renowned hypnotist, Michael C. Anthony will be performing on campus, giving students a once in a lifetime experience to be put under his trance. Anthony is an award-winning hypnotist that has been on multiple television networks such as NBC and FOX. Anthony’s world-class show will take place Tuesday night, Feb. 22. The show will be from 8-9 p.m. on the third f loor of the Student Center in Ballroom A and will also be available through Zoom for those that aren’t able to attend in person. This event is deeply rooted in the history of SSU and has upheld a special place in the campus community. “I remember one show about 10 years ago where a shy student challenged himself to get on stage and try to be hypnotized…He was the star of the show and he credits that show with starting his time at SSU off in such an amazing way,” said Mo Phillips, director of student involvement. Anthony’s show consists of him mesmerizing the audience and getting them to do odd things while they are under his trance. One of his most famous tricks is causing the audience to fall asleep with a simple snap of his fingers. Anthony is considered one of the best at his craft and offers an unsurpassed experience that everyone should attend if they have the opportunity to do so. “I’m happy to be attending this show because there haven’t been many in person events due to the COVID-19 pandemic”, said Spencer Pearmund, a third-year student at Sonoma State University. “I am also very excited because I have never been to a hypnotist show before and I can’t wait to experience everything that comes with it.” Due to Sonoma County’s COVID-19 health order that prohibited large gatherings, many scheduled in-person events had to be postponed. This hypnotist show is one of the first big in-person events at Sonoma State since the return back to campus. Second-year student, Nathan Khalili, said “I’m excited [to attend this event] because it gives me a chance to get out of my dorm and I get to spend time with my friends.” “Hypnotized LIVE!” is part of Sonoma State’s LoboFest. LoboFest is considered to be a spirit week where students are encouraged to come together to attend events, forming a sense of community here at Sonoma State. A jam-packed week of fun activities is on its way and Michael C. Anthony’s live show is a part of the fun that Sonoma State is bringing to its students. “Laughter is one of my favorite sounds and the hypnotists usually do a

COURTESY // Facebook Michael C. Anthony is also a best selling author and body language expert.

great job of entertaining, but really the students are the show,” said Phillips. “We could have him here three days in a row and the show would be different every day because it is about how the students on the stage are acting, interacting, and reacting to the suggestions that the hypnotist offers! It is safe and good fun.” To find out more about Anthony’s hypnotist show or to join the Zoom live stream, head to http://www.seawolf living.com/featured/2022/1/31/ lobofestnbsp-hypnotized-live-with-hypnotist-michael-c-anthony.

Seawolves SPEAK! “What is your favorite thing about being back on campus?”

RACHEL YETSO

STAFF WRITER

ince the start of the 2021-2022 school year, Seawolves of all grades and majors have been excited to return to a familiar in-person learning experience on campus. With looser COVID-19 regulations, and other campuses across the country returning to the classroom, Sonoma State decided to follow suit. However, despite recent California COVID-19 mandates being lifted, the University is still being cautious and requiring students to be fully vaccinated with a booster shot, and wear a mask inside all non-residential campus buildings. The new Omicron variant created some bumps in the road, but the campus was approved to return to fully in-person instruction by Feb. 12. For many students, the return to on-campus learning has not only been necessary, but has been anxiously awaited. While many students have struggled with converting to online learning, some students have come to prefer completing courses through an online format. Throughout the pandemic, many students were skeptical of how their programs and courses would be able to teach them the necessary skills to be successful after graduation. Some majors, like nursing, have never had the tools to teach

remotely until new and recent technological advancements. Nursing students resorted to new methods of learning from online lectures to a program called i-Human, along with clinical hospital hours. As for other students, the pandemic has not only required them to adapt to major change within their schooling, but has also taken a toll financially and logistically. Other students were forced to move out of Sonoma County due to the pandemic, planning on finishing their degree online. These students have now been forced to commute long distances to campus for classes not offered online in order to graduate on time. Many students within the University still have a combination of in-person and online classes, which makes the logistics of attending classes difficult to work through. Students are all trying to navigate through this pandemic safely without letting it get in the way of enjoying the college experience to the fullest. These challenges and obstacles have caused a lot of anxiety as students get closer to finishing their degrees and moving onto the next chapter of their lives, but many are determined to not let them get in the way of finishing their college careers strong.

“My favorite part has been getting to experience sitting next to your friends in class and running into people you wouldn’t normally see on a daily basis.”

“My favorite part of returning back to in-person learning is that I don’t have to practice on fake patients which will help me feel more prepared for my career.”

-Mackenzie Turnipseed, Senior, Business Marketing Major

- Cat Tolano, Senior, Nursing Major

“My favorite thing about being back on campus is being able to see and officially meet the people that I did zoom classes with for the past 2 years.” -Leanna Leslie, Junior, Early Childhood Studies Major

“My favorite thing about school being back open is attending my MBA classes in person and getting to be with my peers.” -Josephine Marriner, Graduate student, Wine Business Major

“My favorite part about being back on campus is being able to see familiar faces around and not having to be behind a screen.”

“My favorite thing about being back on campus is making new freinds in my in-person classes.”

-Chris Franco, Senior, Business Major

- Mia Middione, Sophomore, Buisness Major

FEB. 22 - FEB. 28 , 2022

sonomastatestar.com

Sports 7

COURTESY // Sonoma State Athletics Junior Thomas Jenkins Jr. rips a drive at the Cal State San Marcos Fujikara Invitational where he posted a 5-under-par-67 in the second round leading the way to a top-5 finish for the Seawolves.

Mens’ golf takes home a top-5 finish at CSU San Marcos

TANNER IVEY STAFF WRITER

he Sonoma State Men’s golf team traveled to Shadowridge C.C., in San Diego, Calif., on Feb. 14 for the annual Cal State San Marcos Fujikura Invitational. The Seawolves were able to secure a fourth-place finish of the 15 teams that attended the event. The tournament included many teams from the CCAA conference, including Cal State Monterey Bay, Dominguez Hills, and San Marcos, the tournament’s winners. Strong outings from Junior Griffin Pace and Thomas Jenkins Jr. led the squad to a top-five finish. The Seawolves would rise a few ranks after the first day, finishing with a team-low 290 in their second round, led by Pace and Jenkins according to SSU athletics. Pace ended the first round with a strong 72-even-par and three birdies. Lucas Happy also concluded his opening 18 holes at 3-over-par, with a one-over performance on the backside. The former NCAA individual west region champion, Jenkins’ had a second-round score of 5-under-par-67, which was the field’s secondlowest of the tournament. “I put myself in contention to win with one round to play, and that’s all you can ask from yourself every week.” Said Jenkins, “I wish I would’ve handled the elements a little better during the final round, and I might be looking at a first-place finish. I look forward to the next upcoming week and using this momentum to play better.”

Jenkins feels the team is on the cusp of greatness and wants a little more out of himself and the team. “The team and I feel we could’ve played a bit better at Shadowridge,” said Jenkins, “...conditions in the final round weren’t exactly scoring weather, and it was tough to battle through some rain and wind.” Jenkins, Pace, and freshman Aidan Oliver all finished in the top 30. Oliver’s low round in the competition was a 2-over-par-74 in round one. Next week, the team will strive to keep their momentum going by traveling to Ruby Hills G. C. for their next tournament. The Sonoma State Men’s golf team has a history of success finishing top five in the CCAA, thirteen of the last fourteen years behind Coach Val Verhunce. Verhunce has also guided the men’s golf team to eight consecutive NCAA Tournament births, the most recent of which was in the Spring of 2021, when the Seawolves men’s and women’s golf programs were awarded spring competition clearance. These next few weeks are critical for the Seawolves and will continue to grow as a team to climb the rankings. The Seawolves can’t help but be happy with this strong start to the year. The Sonoma State Men’s golf team will travel to Hayward, California, on Feb. 20 to participate in Ruby Hills Golf Club’s Pioneer Shootout, where they will take on the East Bay Pioneers.

LoboFest continues to engage students with ‘Pack the Stands’

DANIEL SERRANO STAFF WRITER

oboFest, an annual event aiming to engage students on campus, kicked off on Feb. 1 with the Black History Month opening ceremony. Seawolves continued to show their school spirit in the form of the “Pack the Stands,” an event created to cheer on SSU’s Softball and Baseball teams. On Feb. 19, Sonoma State students of varying ages and grade levels came out to support the baseball and softball teams as they took on their opponents in a double header. The men’s baseball team played against Fresno Pacific University at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. as the women’s softball team played against San Francisco State university at 12 noon and 2 p.m. With the weather sitting in the mid 70’s, the sun was out and the stands were packed. Added incentives were included which helped

STAR // Montana Lahey Fans pack the stands at Softball’s game against San Francisco State this past weekend and recieved free snacks and prizes as a part of Lobofest.

boost attendance and morale for the athletes. The first 75 people who showed up received a free “Pack the Stands” t-shirt and in between games, there was free pizza available for both the athletes and the spectators. Those that brought canned food items to the game had the chance to win more free spirit gear. Sophomore Lily Folz, one of the lucky winners of a t-shirt, said, “Honestly it was a good experience. It was a really nice day and it was cool to see a lot of other people show up and support the team too. Overall, it was a really fun environment.” Fresno Pacific was one of the toughest competitors the SSU baseball team will have to take on this season. Packing the stands with encouraging students helped the team feel optimistic about how the double header games would pan out. Although the baseball team ended up losing both games, the energy and support that the parents and students brought encouraged the team to play their best and make SSU proud. Sonoma State student, Nicolette Bolich, said, “ This game was so much fun to go watch and cheer for, the weather was nice and lots of people came out to support the team. I loved seeing everyone and their friends bring some school pride to the stands.” The environment the crowd created is one that players have grown very fond of. After not having two seasons in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic, athletes have been yearning for the energy produced by the fans. Outfielder, Sean Pauly, shared his opinion on how the crowd impacted the team’s performance: “I think that it almost adds more drive for the team to perform. You look back at the crowd and you see your friends, I even had my dad show up. So I always think it’s a cool experience and it makes you really want to play well,” said Pauly. “Sometimes it can be nerve wracking because it’s added pressure but, a lot of the guys thrive with that pressure. I think the general consensus for our team though, is that we enjoy sharing the experience of playing the game we love with our friends and family.” Every home game is free with a Sonoma State Student I.D. across all athletic departments. To find the baseball schedule along with other sports team schedules, go to https://sonomaseawolves.com. LOBOFEST will continue in these coming weeks with events like Late Night Art, Casino night, and much more. Head to http:// www.seawolfliving.com for more details.

Photo

FEB. 22 - FEB. 28, 2022

sonomastatestar.com

Seawolves enjoy ASP free bowling night

STAR // Mikayla Fritzemeier Seawolves stay safe and wear their masks as they bowl with friends at Double Decker Lanes.

STAR // Mikayla Fritzemeier SSU students fill almost all 50 bowling lanes at Double Decker Lanes in Rohnert Park on Free Bowling Night.

The Kitchens host Winter Olympics dinner

The Kitchens hosted a special Winter Olympics themed dinner on Wednesday night. Seawolves catch up and enjoy each others company as they eat.

STAR // Montana Lahey The chefs at the Kitchens made unique dishes inspired by a few different countries competing in the Winter Olympics.

STAR // Montana Lahey

STAR // Montana Lahey Europe was the inspiration for the meal at Chef’s pop-up, and these Seawolves were eager to try it out.

Several Seawolves wait in line for Australian inspired food. Each station at the Kitchens featured various cusines from cultures all around the globe.

STAR // Montana Lahey