IN THIS ISSUE
Sasheer Zamata
Mask Mandates
Jobs, Anyone?
Zamata spreads feminist awareness through comedy on campus. PAGE 5.
Students voice their concerns on the changing mask mandates at SSU. PAGE 3.
Seawolf Living hopes to hire interested students to fill positions. PAGE 6.
SINCE 1979
VOLUME 86 // ISSUE 7 MARCH 29. 2022 - APRIL 4, 2022
THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER
@SONOMASTATESTAR
COURTESY // givingday.sonoma.edu SSU prepares for upcoming events in April such as Giving Day and Lobo’s 5K Fun-a-thon.
Give back to the community through upcoming events Russia bans social media platforms
COURTESY // dole77 on Unsplash
Russia restricts social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook amid its war with Ukraine.
RACHEL YETSO STAFF WRITER
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n Thursday, April 7, Sonoma State University will be giving back to the community through Giving Day, a 24-hour online event with the sole purpose of raising money and creating a stronger sense of community. This will be the second annual Giving Day at Sonoma State. All funds raised on Giving Day go directly to Sonoma State students through scholarship money and increased funding for programs and initiatives that assist students and the future of Sonoma State. There are currently 75 different programs, clubs, sports teams, scholarships, departments and other organizations accepting donations through Giving Day. A minimum gift amount of $5 is required to participate, however, there is no limit to how large or how many donations can be given. All contributions are tax deductible and all payments are processed using a secure online giving form. Through an online portal, participants can pick and choose exactly what campaign or program they wish to send a donation to. Mail in checks are also acceptable forms of donation, and must be made payable to Sonoma State University with Giving Day in the memo section. Visit https://sonoma.edu/give to view all the different ways you can donate to help support the University and students. A unique factor about Giving Day is that it is primarily online, therefore social media plays a large role in spreading the word about the event and receiving donations. According to their FAQ page, “Your voice makes our Giving Day a success. Post about our Giving Day on all of your social networks. You can also download digital images in our Social Media Toolkit to help promote the Giving Day.” The Social Media Toolkit provides a guide to help promote the event through downloadable photo advertisements and captions available for all to post. Students, Faculty, and other SSU community members who choose to spread the word via social media are strongly encouraged to hashtag their posts with #AllForSonomaState. Later that week on Saturday, April 9, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Associated Student
NOAH CLARKE STAFF WRITER
T
he current war between Russia and Ukraine has now taken its effect on Social Media capability. Tik Tok, the Chinese-owned social media platform declared on March 13, that it had banned live streaming and uploading of new content from Russia. This action was taken after Russia’s executive branch, the Kremlin, officially criminalized the spreading of what they labeled to be fake news regarding its invasion of Ukraine. Global news media outlets temporarily suspended reporting in Russia following this law finalized by national Legislation. This was done to protect Journalists who are now threatened with up to 15 years of jail time for spreading “fake news” related to the war. Following this development, Tik Tok executed the order to ban the creation of Russian made content. However, the video sharing app is allowing Russian made content created before the act to remain uploaded. Tik Tok released a statement on twitter expressing their point of view, “In light of Russia’s new ‘fake news’ law, we have no choice but to suspend live-streaming and new content to our video service while we review
see UPCOMING EVENTS pg. 4
see RUSSIAN MEDIA BAN on pg. 4
STAR // Tanner Ivey SSU student Lucas Townsend can’t help but smile at the idea of no longer wearing masks around campus.
SSU amends mask guidelines
WILLOW ORNELLAS STAFF WRITER
S
onoma State University President, Judy Sakaki announced in a school-wide email on Wednesday, March 1 that SSU will not be requiring masks in most indoor settings on-campus beginning March 21. The same day Sakaki announced SSU’s evolving mask rules, China put 54 million people on COVID-19 lockdown after seeing a spike in cases. Elysha Ozanian, a 32-year-old history major has been doing everything in her power to avoid contracting COVID-19, and now she’s worried her chances of exposure will greatly increase because of this rule. “I think that we are a month into a decline and people are getting see SSU MASK MANDATE on pg. 4
COURTESY // www.forbes.com U.S. Senate passes legislation that moves make daylight saving time permanent by 2023.
Senate approves permanent daylight saving time JAKE MORRISSEY STAFF WRITER
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n March 13, the greater majority of the United States all turned their clocks back an hour to put daylight saving time into effect. This year, along with every year, daylight saving was met with complaints about people losing an hour of sleep, or forgetting to turn their clocks back and being late for appointments. This raises the question: what is the point of daylight saving? This year the same question was running through the minds of the Senate as they presented a bill to put an end to daylight saving. see DAYLIGHT SAVING 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, Sports & Health Editor Dana Scacco, Photo Editor Corinne Asturias, Faculty Adviser
MARCH 29 - APRIL 4, 2022
sonomastatestar.com
Students disappointed with on-campus eating experience
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, Danny Serrano Photographers Montana Lahey, Mikayla Fritzemeier, Noah Clarke
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Editor’s Pick This week’s can’t miss article:
‘SSU amends mask guidelines’ Read the article on page 1 and 4.
Have an opinion? We’d like to hear from you! The STAR welcomes letter to the editor Publication 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.
W
hile Sonoma State’s campus is known for its lively on-campus eateries and coffee hangouts, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many students to lose access to their favorite places to eat, hangout, and study with friends. With classes coming back in-person, the familiar feeling of community on campus is returning, with Lobo’s Pizza and Pub and other snack and drink spots opening back up for students. However, many students still have their own gripes with these food spots on campus, generally surrounding the limited hours of operation, and the high prices for food and beverages. Lobo’s is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., which doesn’t give students who have afternoon classes the opportunity to take advantage of the “college experience” that’s supposed to come with returning to campus. Even with the pub closing before dark, the food and drink prices are hardly friendly to a student budget. $7 for a beer and $9 for a salad, $14 if you want chicken, shows the university is in it more for a buck, and less to cater to its students. Second-year Business administration major, Jason Doktorzyk, said, “I think the food at Lobo’s is overpriced for what you’re given. As a college student on a budget I want to have somewhere on campus besides the cafeteria where I can get reasonably priced food.” Doktorzyk has yet to turn 21, so he hasn’t even taken into account the prices of alcoholic drinks on top of his meal. Lobo’s is not the only one charging a pretty penny for its services. Sip, the on campus coffee shop in the student center, prices their drinks close to what Starbucks charges. They charge $4.45 for a 16 oz. cold brew and $2.75 for a plain coffee, if you want any creamer that’s $.70 on top. These services are meant to help students within their day to day lives, instead of making budgeting more of a challenge. The real problem lies with the food served at Sip; $8
COURTESY // culinary.sonoma.edu
for a breakfast burrito and $12 for a small plate of sushi is a hefty price for budgeting students to pay for the convenience of having eateries on campus. College is supposed to be a time for students to grow, mature, and pick up life skills that will help them transition into adulthood. The restaurants that are on campus don’t help students learn to be financially responsible because they are there to gouge students and as opposed to supporting them. This challenge to budgeting also rings true with the Kitchens, the on-campus cafeteria, and the way they set up how students spend their money there. Although the Kitchens provide a wide variety of food and drink options, the prices are still too high for college students that may have been hoping to rely on it. If you want to just go every once in a while, and not get a meal plan, it is a $14 entry fee, complete with unlimited food and drink of your choosing. In addition, the meal plans offered through the school might have options with the least stipulations for accessing the cafeteria, but the issue lies with the options through the cafeteria. These “all access meal plans”, “Seawolf All Access” and “Weekday all access,” don’t seem to offer as much as they’re selling to students. A few of the dining areas through the Kitchens aren’t even open to students, such as Sizzle and Passport, with no price cuts in the meal plan offers whatsoever. These meal plans are each north of $2,000 and allow students to get food as they see fit, but they continue to add steep challenges to how students are able to budget their funds during their time away at college. Although the university may do a great job of making sure people have options on campus to eat that many other schools don’t, they need to do a better job at coordinating the hours and reevaluating the prices they charge. The prices and hours do not align with all student budgets, as well as the many different schedules that students have.
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. to any letter and to edit for length. Letters must sign all contributions and the editor must verify the signer and the writer are one in the same through personal conference. To send a letter to the editor, email star@sonoma.
COURTESY // restaurantguru.com
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.
3 Opinion SSU acts passively on asbestos concerns
MARCH 29 - APRIL 4, 2022
sonomastatestar.com
ANA FINGERSON
I
STAFF WRITER
t’s no secret that Sonoma State University has been ignoring the presence of asbestos throughout campus. The SSU community has been notified of exposure on a yearly basis for the past seven years. It started in 2015 when Thomas Sargant, a former SSU employee, noticed a chalky substance on the roof of the physical education building. He reported it to the department director, who made a negligent decision to only cover it in paint. Sargent showed concern when instead of hiring a trained contractor to clean the roof beforehand, the department director ordered a maintenance worker to disperse it with a leafblower. As a result of Sargent’s whistleblowing, the university took it upon themselves to terminate him after 24 years of employment instead of attempting to solve the asbestos issues in any manner. He later sought out $15 million dollars in damages alleging that the retaliation of the top ranking officials was the cause. SSU has been sending out an annual special notice of the presence of asbestos to the community since the initial discovery in 2015. The notice is provided in pursuant to the California health and safety code section 25915. SSU acknowledges the negative impacts asbestos exposure has, but feels they are monitoring and making sure it’s safe enough to proceed without adjusting any structures. The notice reads, “Do not drill holes, hang plants or other objects from walls or ceilings made of asbestos-containing construction materials.” Expecting humans, young adults and even the children in the children’s school to not make mistakes and possibly risk exposing themselves to asbestos is a little unrealistic. It wasn’t until the 2021-22 school year that students were no longer re-
siding in the Zinfandel residence halls. On the list of buildings on campus containing asbestos the whole Zinfandel village is lit up in magenta, signifying significant quantity and distribution of asbestos and lead in construction materials. Before SSU decided to take students out of these affected halls, how did they make sure nobody was getting exposed? Why did it take so long to remove students from these residence halls? Mariah Brown, a third year psychology major, lived in Zinfandel during her freshman year at SSU. Brown said she feels incredibly upset knowing they allowed students to live in these buildings considering the issue was present way before her and others resided there. “It’s a serious issue that can lead to a series of health problems including cancer… I am definitely worried at how much I hung on my walls not knowing the risk. I didn’t realize decorating my dorm would lead to so MIKAYLA FRITZEMEIER STAFF WRITER much worrying about my health,” said Brown. ne of Gen Z’s favorite hobbies is being nostalgic, Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance found in conand sometimes that hunger for the old days can lead struction materials used for insulation. Asbestos.com states, to harsh realizations. As streaming services begin “When asbestos dust is inhaled or ingested, the fibers can beacquiring television shows that Gen Z grew up watching, it come permanently trapped in the body. Over decades, trapped asbestos fibers can cause inflammation, scarring and eventu- is becoming more apparent just how inappropriate some of the content is. ally genetic damage.” Popular Nickelodeon shows from the 2010’s like “VicExposure to asbestos can cause cancer and more specifitorious” and “iCarly” were the foundation of many peoples’ cally a rare and aggressive form called mesothelioma, which childhoods, and looking back, it’s alarming how often the happens to be exclusively caused by asbestos. The university spent about $3.5 million on legal fines re- characters were sexualized and how casual the writers were garding the neglect of asbestos-ridden buildings. For example, with innuendos. An example of this sexualization is an episode of “Vic$725,000 dollars was dispersed to all teachers and staff who torious,” which shows Cat, played by a 16-year-old Ariana worked in Stevenson Hall from May 2013 to March 2015. SSU is most likely putting more focus on other projects Grande, wearing only a bikini top and denim shorts, getting and jobs they find a higher priority, which is jarring consider- sprayed with water guns by teenage boys. This was not the ing this is a major health issue that can lead to lifelong ail- only time in the show that the underaged actors were scantily clad. A lot of the outfits were tight and revealing, and only ments. The asbestos issues aren’t something light the school can the girls would be dressed this way. Many jokes in these shows involve an adult making neglect much longer. Everyone understands procrastination strange comments towards the younger characters or just well and how stressful the consequences can be, but procrastination is for essays, not clearing poisonous building materials being inappropriate with them. In “iCarly” it is implied that out. What is SSU’s plan if they run out of finances and also Freddie, a teenage boy, has seen Carly’s older brother, who come to a place where the asbestos cannot sit there any lon- is an adult, naked at least twice. In “Victorious”, there were ger? It’s better to take care of the issue when able than to wait many instances of grown adults attempting to hit on the younger characters. and risk worse repercussions. A lot of the dialogue in these shows are meant to be jokes that are sexual in nature or imply something like molestation or rape, which is very inappropriate and jarring to hear as an adult. Exposing children to these types of jokes is showing them that it’s okay if it’s for a laugh. Samantha Schrum, a Communications major at SSU, two years into the pandemic. believes that the sexualization of underaged actors is very In most places, not just in California, masks aren’t required indoors, and that is without knowing the population’s off-putting: “I’ve been thinking about when I get older and vaccine rate. Most universities in California have dropped start a family and I don’t want my children seeing that,” their indoor mask policy, allowing their students to choose to Schrum said. “As a kid you don’t think of these things, but wear a mask or not. If Sonoma State wasn’t comfortable al- now as an adult it’s gross.” It is true that most kids won’t even understand the inaplowing students to choose whether or not to wear their masks propriate content in these shows, but that doesn’t mean they in the classrooms, why not leave it up to the professors? Whether it is a small lab class, or a large lecture, the need to be hearing it in the first place. The creators of these professors could choose based on the class if they want to shows made a conscious decision to include inappropriate content in media they knew was being consumed primarily continue requiring masks or not. Dominic DiGrande, a Communications student, said, by children, and that is wildly concerning. If these so-called “It would be nice for the professors to choose if we can wear jokes are meant to go over the heads of young viewers, then masks or not. All students in classes have the vaccine and the why even include them? Instead of making entertaining shows that don’t exploit booster against covid which is very helpful in stopping the spread of covid. I also think that the school should continue young actors, popular Nickelodeon showrunner Dan Schneito follow county guidelines regarding masks.” At this point der got away with making teenagers act out strange and in the pandemic, most people are moving back to normalcy poorly hidden fetishes. Long after his shows stopped airing, while shifting to a mostly mask-less society. At the same it was revealed that Schneider’s alleged foot fetish may have time, how is that possible if there continues to be absurd rules influenced many of these plot points. Many episodes of both “iCarly” and “Victorious” had a like this one. lot of scenes that were centered around feet. This includes While there are always going to be some people that are unhappy, it would be beneficial to update the mask mandate characters touching and drawing on each other’s feet, pourto give people more of their own choice on wearing a mask or ing ketchup on someone’s feet. One episode of “Victorious” not. There will still be people at the library that will choose to was about the main characters using toxic fish to eat the dead wear their mask, and that’s great for them, but to have such an skin off their feet to make them smooth. Schneider left Nickelodeon in 2018, around the same odd requirement of masks being worn just in the classrooms time that he was under investigation by ViacomCBS, Nickis honestly useless at this point. Anisya Lustig-Ellison, a third year POLS major, said, “I elodeon’s parent company, for allegations that arose during think it’s odd to require masks in classrooms but not any other the #MeToo movement. Since Schneider’s departure from indoor setting.” Anisya continues, “In other indoor settings Nickelodeon, the network has produced shows like “Side there is just as much talking, breathing, and close contact. Hustle” and “Danger Force” that seem to be more appropriI would like it if the school took away the mandate in ALL ate for their intended audience. It can be difficult to keep children away from the sexuindoor settings or required masks in ALL indoor settings.” In order to advance, Sonoma State needs to listen to alization and crude content that slips through the cracks, and their students and hear their concerns. The school should writers, producers and creators should be held responsible come up with a better alternative, like allowing the profes- for making it that way. Creating kid friendly content that sors to choose the mask policy per class or allowing the adult does not exploit child actors should be a priority moving forward in the television industry. student population to choose for themselves.
Sexualizing minors in children’s television
O
New mask rules boggle students
MONTANA LAHEY
Y
STAFF WRITER
ou leave your house, go to the store, or maybe you get a workout in at the gym. Regardless of the task, you realize that you’re not required to wear a mask to accomplish any of them. Now consider this fact when analyzing the specifics of SSU’s new mask mandate that requires everyone to wear a mask in classrooms, but nowhere else. How does that make sense to thousands of students who walk around daily without wearing a mask? On March 11, the state of California lifted the indoor mask mandate. K-12 schools followed right behind and lifted their mandates on March 12. Sonoma State, however, waited until March 21 to ease, not lift, their current mask mandate. Why keep masks required in the classrooms, but not in the gym or larger shared study spaces? What good is wearing a mask in a class with under 20 people when the hallways after a lecture gets out are filled to the brim with students? The rules are inconsistent and vague, leaving a lot of room for confusion. “I personally don’t see a difference between wearing no mask in an instructional setting versus going to the campus rec or the kitchens,” said an anonymous Sonoma State student, “I think it would make more sense to drop the indoor class mask mandate completely and I would feel safe regardless.” While it is impossible to please everyone, or even accommodate everyone, it is possible to listen to the majority and allow them to make their own choices. At the end of the day, the student population is made up of adults that pay thousands of dollars to attend this school. They are capable of making their own decision to wear a mask or not, especially
Rising gas prices push consumers towards electric cars
JACQUELINE GARCIA
A
STAFF WRITER
s gas prices inch closer and closer to $6 per gallon, many Americans are looking for a car that will go farther on a gallon of gas, or maybe one that doesn’t use gasoline. For some, that may mean considering purchasing an electric car. It’s no secret there’s a big push for people to consider electric cars; they are said to be more cost-efficient and better
for the environment. Just last month, the Biden administration rolled out a plan to allocate $5 billion to all states to fund a more extensive network of public electric vehicle chargers in highways and communities. According to a CNBC article, to ensure a convenient, reliable, affordable experience for all users over five years. Unfortunately, electric cars are usually more expensive to buy than gas-powered cars. Prices can run anywhere from $30,000 to $40,000, but some states offer incentives and discounts to make them more affordable. States like California are already promising to end the sale of gas diesel cars in 2030.For instance, as part of California’s fight against climate change. California residents can receive up to $7,000 to purchase a hybrid electric car and up to $2,000 reimbursement after purchasing an electric or hybrid car. Andrew Hollow, owner of a Nissan LEAF,
mentioned The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) that promotes clean vehicle adoption in California by offering rebates to purchase or lease new eligible electric cars. Had a lot of impact on his decision to purchase the LEAF as his first car fresh out of college. Hollow said, “I was looking for a car that was going to last long and cost less; purchasing an electric car felt like the best option.” “I’ve noticed a lot of younger people interested in electric cars. They like the low maintenance and no gas concept,” said Miguel Hernandez, Lugo Sales associate at the Santa Rosa Jim Bone Nissan dealership. While electric cars cost more to buy, they’re more affordable over time. Depending on location and time, fuel an electric car costs about $700 per year. By comparison, a gasoline car can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500 a year to fill up. Electric cars are also cheaper to maintain and service because of the fewer
moving parts, and they don’t need oil changes. When it comes to efficiency, electric cars have an advantage as well. Electric cars are able to hold about three times more on a full tank than gas-powered cars. Electric cars also convert about 59% to 62% of energy into the car movement, whereas gas-powered cars convert 17% to 20%. “I purchased my car last summer to decrease my carbon footprint. I know fully electric cars don’t mean 100% emissions-free, but we gotta start somewhere,” said Alberto Calderon, owner of a Volkswagen ID.4. Despite drawbacks such as lithium-based batteries, taking more energy to manufacture than gas-powered cars, and inventory shortages taking up to 10 weeks to deliver, electric cars still seem to be the best cost-effective, environmentally-friendly mode of transportation. It is up to the consumer to decide if one pro can outweigh all the cons and whether electric cars will be part of their future.
4 News
MARCH 29 - APRIL 4, 2022 sonomastatestar.com
Will there be an end to daylight saving? continued from pg. 1
COURTESY // SSU News Those interested in paticipating in Lobo’s 5K Funathon are encouraged to register by April 4.
Get ready for Giving Day and Lobo’s 5K Funathon continued from pg. 1
Productions is hosting Lobo’s 5k Funathon. Participants are encouraged to register for this scenic 5k around Sonoma State’s campus and lakes by April 4. Show off your Noma Nation spirit, walking or running in the Funathon. There will be drinking water, music, and bubbles provided, along with a photo opportunity with Lobo at the end of the course. Participants will meet at Arbor and SSU Lakes for check-in at the Start line. For more information on the event, contact aspevent1@ sonoma.edu.
Changes to mask mandate halfway through semester
Two days after daylight saving time Florida Senator Marco Rubio proposed a bill to stop daylight savings and keep clocks set at the same time year-round. The bill unanimously passed the vote in the Senate and became known as the Sunshine Protection Act. Rubio clearly had the same thoughts about daylight saving as many American citizens. “If we can get this passed, we don’t have to keep doing this stupidity anymore,” said Rubio, via Politico.com. “Why we would enshrine this in our laws and keep it for so long is beyond me.” The bill now must get passed by the House of Representatives to move onto the president’s desk. The legislation that Rubio made would not take effect until 2023, to not affect airline f lights or train rides that have already been scheduled. At Sonoma State, daylight saving came right before the last week of school before spring break. This is a week that is commonly used by professors to do midterms for their classes. Many students around campus complained about the loss of an hour, saying it messed up their sleep schedule. “The time change kind of threw me off,” said business major Adrian Berreto, a junior at SSU. “I was really tired for a few days afterward. Supporters of daylight saving time reason that when it ends in the fall, everyone gains an hour for a 25 hour day. They also reason that when daylight saving occurs, it stays brighter outside later. Sunset comes around 7:30 in Rohnert Park, now that the time has changed. “I like how it stays bright later in the day,” said sophomore Nick Loudermilk. “It sort of feels like the start of summer. The idea behind daylight saving time is to maximize the amount of sunlight people can experience in a day. By moving the clocks forward and moving them back, people can add an extra hour of sunlight into their day after they get off work, via nationalgeographic.com. Congress has also tried to permanently end daylight saving before. This occurred in the 1970s and ended because the overall public did not approve of the change. Whether or not the change to daylight saving will actually happen, remains to be seen, as well as what the public will think of it. The bill still must pass a vote in Congress before it can even reach the desk of President Biden and be signed into law. For now, the public will be forced to move their clocks an hour ahead, and push them back in the fall when daylight saving ends, as usual.
continued from pg. 1
really excited. We just tapered off the Omicron variant but we can’t just pretend that we’re 100% in the clear. There are other countries in the world that are already dealing with another variant and it seems like we’re just ignoring it,” Ozanian said. “Asian cultures have been wearing masks when they’re sick so as to not spread germs for decades. This is not a new thing in the world, it’s just a new thing to Americans to care about not getting the person next to you sick. Our Americanism is showing.” Masks will still be required in all indoor instructional settings through May 20 for all students. “Instructional settings are any classroom, laboratory, or other space that is actively being used for the delivery of scheduled or university-organized academic activities where students and faculty are present,” the email read. Unvaccinated students are still required to participate in weekly COVID testing in order to access on-campus facilities, but will not be required to wear a mask in non-instructional facilities. People actively working in or receiving treatment from any campus medical facility and/or clinic is still required to wear a mask, meaning masks will still be required inside the Student Health Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Athletics treatment facilities. Masks will continue to be provided for anyone on campus near the Seawolf Service Center, the Student Center information desk, and the University Library circulation desk on the second floor. “...divisions, departments, faculty, and staff are not permitted to require masks unless the activity warrants additional safety measures and is approved by SSU’s Office of Risk Management and Safety Services. This applies to all department offices, suites, and on-campus and off-campus operations and events,” the email stated. Students will still be required to complete the daily wellness screening prior to their arrival on campus or departure from their on-campus housing every day. This can be accessed through the health portal. Julia Gonzalez, Vice President of Strategic Communications at SSU said, “Except for in instructional settings, masks are no longer required in most indoor settings at SSU, however, masks continue to be strongly recommended. Masks remain an important tool in protecting those who are not yet vaccinated or are immunocompromised from COVID-19.” Gonzalez urged students who feel more comfortable wearing their masks indoors to continue to do so. Gonzalez explained the easing of face mask requirements does not impact SSU’s continued recommendations to regularly wash your hands with soap and water, use the provided hand sanitizer, report all COVID-19 exposures or symptoms, even if you’re vaccinated, get tested at the COVID-19 testing center on campus if you were exposed or have symptoms, and continue to practice social distancing whenever possible. Students that do test positive for COVID-19 can return to non-instructional or outdoor campus spaces mask-free can do so 10 days after the onset of symptoms or the date of their first positive test. Students may be able to return sooner than 10 days if cleared by the Student Health Center or another physician, however, they will be required to wear a mask. “We are relying on students honestly reporting symptoms on their wellness screening and not coming to campus when sick,” Gonzalez said. If a student in class does test positive for COVID-19, only unvaccinated students will be required to quarantine for a minimum of five days. If the student tests negative after five days, they can return to campus. However, they will be required to still wear a mask until 10 days have elapsed following their exposure. “If a classroom is significantly impacted by an exposure, the instructor has the ability to shift modality to online until everyone can return to the class, assuming the subject matter is suitable for online delivery,” Gonzalez said. “It just seems ridiculous to me that we’re going from “If you don’t have a booster then you can’t be on campus” to “Well if you quarantine for 5 days you can still come back to campus even if you’re Covid positive, you just have to wear a mask.” Completely different sides of the spectrum,” Alyssa Watts, a 22-year-old Early Childhood Development major said. Watts is more worried about falling behind than they are about getting sick, and possibly being hospitalized or even dying. Teachers enforce strict participation policies that don’t give students the room to get sick, so students can’t afford to miss class. All of Watts’ classes are in-person meaning every class they attend they’re being put at more of a risk. “I definitely will continue wearing my mask, but it’s much less effective if I’m the only one wearing it. I understand the feeling of wanting things to go back to normal, but life will never be the same again and I would rather take measures such as wearing a mask indoors to avoid catching COVID,” Watts said.
COURTESY // www.nytimes.com There are still many steps to be taken if there is to be an end to daylight savings.
TikTok bars Russian users continued from pg. 1
the safety implications of this law,” Tracking Exposed, an online company that aims to analyze platforms algorithms and operations found another detail. The company discovered that Tik Tok is censoring far more content than initially declared. The platform is also blocking access to most foreign accounts such as content from American and European users. Tracking Exposed used VPNs and Russian IP addresses to try and access non-Russian content from Tik tok. The company found that no videos from European and American accounts were available in Russia, this included institutions such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations. None of the 10 most-followed global TikTok accounts were accessible. Russia’s communication regulator, Roskomnadzor made the executive decision to ban Instagram as a whole. The Federal agency gave the people and influencers a 48 hour grace period to say farewell to their followers. How will this affect social media influencers and celebrities who depend on these platforms to fuel their content? Russian reality TV star and influencer, Olga Buova expressed her feelings towards the social media ban. Buova states, “I feel like a large part of my life is being taken away”. Buova shared her thoughts on the matter through a video she posted before the platforms were taken down. Russia made the decision to get rid of the platform due to the action that Meta made in allowing posts calling for violence against Russians. The US based company made an exception to its policy inciting violence so long as it expressed political opposition to Russian forces. Meta made it clear that messages instructing animosity towards normal Russian citizens would remain prohibited. Although this change does not directly affect anyone within our community, it still left some local students pondering. Sonoma State student, Clint Soderer explained his thoughts on the social media bans in Russia, “It’s a bummer that this war has now found a new way to affect innocent people, however it may be effective in limiting Russia’s ability to flip the narrative.”
MARCH 29 - APRIL 4, 2022 sonomastatestar.com
Arts & Entertainment 5
Faculty Composers bring Jazz to Schroeder Hall
ADDISON SMITH
T
STAFF WRITER
he Faculty Jazz Composers, comprised of six jazz professors, performed along with a few other music professors at Schroeder Hall on March 17 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for numerous students, faculty, and community members. It was an overall quiet night for Sonoma State University students; many had gone home or were packing to leave the next day for Spring Break, but Schroeder Hall lit up the night with the Faculty Jazz Composers concert. The jazz concert was accompanied by two other performances: an electronic performance by professor Thomas Limbert, and a performance by cantorial soloist Erica Wisner and pianist Yvonne Wormer. Many students in the crowd knew who the professors were, so when they took to the stage the excitement for what was about to be heard was palpable. Limbert took to the stage to perform and discuss COVID-19 and the excitement he feels knowing this year has been moved to mainly in-person. His first song, The Cotati Howl, encapsulated his feelings about quarantine and the shelter-in-place orders that were placed at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the song, he provided context about how he created the tune, “Everyone in my neighborhood at a set time each night, would howl to the moon. The more I listened, the more I started hearing tunes and melodies in the cacophony of howls that I heard, so I started recording three minutes of howling each night and eventually put beats and a chord to it.” Limbert then left the stage as soft, deep blue lights flooded in. The song was around three minutes long and filled the room with a mixture of howls and yips from adults and children alike along with an intermittent string and bass line that played throughout. Ryan Ristine, a junior and music education major, shared his feelings on the performance, and said, “I enjoyed the first performance more than anyone else; I listen to a lot of transcendental atmospheric music and that piece was right up my alley which I really loved.” After the first performance, and a quick instrumental and technical change, two faculty collaborators, Erica Wisner and Yvonne Wormer, performed a beautiful piece that seemed to move the audience with the combination of piano and voice that filled the hall. Once the second performance was finished, the leading act entered the room. Six professors and one special guest arrived on stage for a night of jazz. Dr. Douglas Leibinger on trombone, Randy Vincent on guitar, Ken Cook on piano, Ian Carey on trumpet, Cliff Hugo on bass, Kendrick Freeman on drums, and special guest Rob Sudduth on saxophone. The band played six songs written by the members themselves, some of the songs included Fruitcake, Questions, and Nemuri Kyōshirō. Each song featured solo performances from the members, who were able to show off their skills with their respective instruments. One of the final songs of the night, Nemuri Kyōshirō, was created by Carey, from the idea that he “... really wanted to create a tune that
Joe Henderson would play on.” He named the song Nemuri Kyōshirō after the famous samurai film. The final song was called “New Corral”, written by Leibinger and performed by the whole band. It started with a very heavy piano intro and ended with a flourish from the whole group, followed up by cheers from the crowd and a hearty “goodnight” from Leibinger. Tickets were free for faculty and students with a student ID, and $12.00 for community members. The audience was screened for COVID-19 vaccination status, and wristbanded at the door. To find more events at the Green Music Center, head over to the music page on Sonoma State’s website.
STAR // Holly Durfee Rob Sudduth (left) on the saxophone, Ian Carey (center) on the trumpet, and Doug Leibinger (right) on the trombone play in sync with another at the Faculty Composers Concert in Schroeder Hall.
STAR// Holly Durfee SSU Faculty Jazz Ensemble performs one of their several pieces at the Faculty Composers Concert in Schroeder Recital Hall.
Sasheer Zamata spreads awareness through comedy
ROSALEE PADILLA
O
STAFF WRITER
n March 16, Sonoma State welcomed famous comedian Sasheer Zamata to campus. This event was put on by ASP, Associated Student Production, and was located on the third floor of the student center in Ballroom D. In honor of Women’s History Month, Zamata’s set focused on feminism and female experiences in society. Zamata is well known for writing and starring in shows like “Home Economics”, “Woke,” and “Saturday Night Live.” When asked by an audience member after the show about what inspired her to get into comedy, Zamata discussed how programs like “Mad TV” and “Comedy Central” really got her creative juices flowing. The stand up show that Zamata put on mostly revolved around the female experience, and how often women are mistreated in society. “I really enjoyed Sasheer’s show!” said Alyssa Samuli, a junior at SSU. “She was super funny and it was refreshing to hear jokes that I could relate to as a woman.” Zamata’s show was very relevant in that she discussed things like catcalling and even institutional sexism. Women’s History Month is all about the recognition of contributions that women have made in society. Zamata discussed that when
COURTESY // Tim Wilbur Students pose with comedian Sasheer Zamata during photo op at March 16 comedy show.
first starting out as a comedian, she was afraid the masses wouldn’t like her because many deemed her shows somewhat political. Later she realized it was her choice, what to do with her sets, and she has now leaned into the title of “political comedian”. Mia Bass, a student at SSU, discussed how she felt after hearing Zamata’s set, “I liked the fact that Sasheer’s comedy includes current events and social issues. Not only does it make her jokes funnier, but it also makes them more relevant. I think it’s so important to educate others on important issues and using comedy as a more appealing approach is so smart!” ASP’s main goal is to provide “... social, educational, and engaging events for all Sonoma State University (SSU) students.” as seen on their website. Zamata’s comedy and activism aligns well with this goal. An article on her website, sasheer.com, discusses Zamata’s involvement with the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project, which aims to empower all women in the fight for equality. This movement bars the discrimination of those from different economic, racial, and gender backgrounds. ASP made sure to make the event very interactive for students. Before the show there were pop quiz questions; if students answered correctly they would win an SSU t-shirt. After the show there was a fifteen minute Q and A with Zamata, with many thought-provoking questions coming from students. Students were also given the chance to meet Zamata one on one. ASP placed pieces of paper with the word “Winner!” written on them, under five students’ seats in order to decide who would get chosen. Sonoma State ID, as well as health screenings, were checked at the doors to best ensure that this event was safe for students and faculty. Associated Student Productions put together multiple events this month in honor of Women’s History Month, like A Rose For You on March 1, which allowed students to write what they appreciate most about womxn and to receive roses with affirmations. The next event being put on by ASP is an Open Mic Night on April 6. If you would like to try your hand at stand up, this event will be held in the Alumni Amphitheater by Person Lawn. All you need is a green wellness clearance and your Sonoma State ID!
6 Student Life
MARCH 29 - APRIL 4, 2022
sonomastatestar.com
Seawolf Living is looking to hire students
PAYTON MULLANEY
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STAFF WRITER
ocial media, marketing and photography are all such important skills to have in a world consumed by media. Having an outlet to teach and expand one’s knowledge on these resources is crucial, which is exactly what Seawolf Living aims to do for Sonoma State University’s students. Seawolf Living is a part of the SSU Entrepreneurial Activities Marketing department and is currently looking to grow their team. The idea of working for Seawolf Living is to help students gain knowledge and resources in a field they are interested in and relates to their major while enjoying the team they work with. Seawolf Living strives to be more than just a job for students by creating a sense of community within the department. Sophomore and current Social Media Coordinator, Valentina Hidalgo said, “My job working at Seawolf Living has been the highlight of my college experience so far.” Hidalgo is seen all over campus on the big screen in the Seawolf Plaza, interviewing students and on SSU’s social media posts. Through her job at Seawolf Living, she has been able to have creative freedom to make posts that are relatable to students. “Since joining the SL Squad, I have become so involved on campus and have made many amazing relationships,” said Hidalgo. Students are currently able to apply for the positions of Creative Communications Coordinator, Marketing Coordinator and Digital Content Creator. Most students who work for Seawolf Living go on to find careers in these areas. The students that work for Seawolf Living essentially become the faces of SSU. Seawolf Living is looking for students who will provide constructive criticism, have strong project management and organizational skills, as well as those who have a positive and professional attitude. The Creative Communications Coordinator role is geared towards students who enjoy writing and want to be a voice for their peers. The job entails completing a lot of work on the computer, such as creative writing, emailing and creating three blog posts per week. Some other job responsibilities include acting as a brand ambassador for Seawolf Living, assisting with updating department websites, assisting with creating videos and more. Qualifications for this position include experience in copywriting, social media, or PR (Public Relations), experience with Adobe Creative Suite as well as excellent written and verbal communication. Casey Fabbri is a communications major and is currently the Creative Content Coordinator. Fabbri said, “Seawolf Living has given me hands-on marketing experience and allowed me to expand my writing and communication skills. I also get to work with a team of hardworking stu-
COURTESY // @seawolfliving on Instagram The Seawolf Living squad welcomes new members to their team. Applications close April 1 at 12 p.m. dents on lots of different projects on campus.” As a fourth year student, Fabbri was able to meet like minded people and not only form relationships with them but learn from them as well. Fabbri started at Seawolf Living as an internship and later was offered a full time position. The Marketing Coordinator is for any student who is interested in being in the know of what is happening around campus and making sure that people are working diligently in their positions. Responsibilities of this position include assisting the marketing department with daily administrative tasks, monitoring trends in marketing and making recommendations to apply these trends to departments, being the social media content creator for Residential Education and Campus Housing (REACH) and Conference and Events Services (CES) and more. Qualifications include but are not limited to marketing experience with a business or organization and experience with updating websites. “I love my job because it has given me endless opportunities to grow personally and professionally,” said Sophia Siotos, the current marketing coordinator. “I have been able to get hands-on experience with marketing and brand strategy which will help me immensely post-grad.” The last open position is a Digital Content Creator. This position is for anyone who loves all things graphic design and photography. The responsibilities of Digital Content Creator include creating print ready graphics, capturing student life on campus, filming and editing. Applicants for this position must be knowledgeable of Adobe Creative Suite. Students who work for Seawolf Living typically work 15 to 20 hours a week with a starting wage of $16 per hour. The Seawolf Living team encourages all interested students to apply. “I couldn’t recommend working at Seawolf Living more. It has truly defined my college experience and in my opinion, it’s the best job anyone could ever have,” said Siotos. Students can apply for Creative Communications Coordinator, Marketing Coordinator, and Digital Content Creator by going to http://www.seawolfliving.com/hiring or by logging onto MySSU and clicking on the Handshake box. Applications close April 1 at 12 p.m. noon.
SSU recognizes influential women, locally and nationally
COURTESY // http://diversity.sonoma.edu Sonoma State pays tribute each March to the women who founded Women’s History Month. The month of March originally began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa. OLIVIA DOANE
W
STAFF WRITER
omen‘s History Month, instituted by former President Jimmy Carter, is widely known across America as a month to recognize women and the vital roles they have played throughout history. It began as a local celebration created by five women right in our own backyard, in Santa Rosa, California. The leader of these five influential women, Molly Murphy MacGregor, was a 24-year-old high school history teacher when she started the movement. MacGregor looked back on the last few decades since founding the National Women’s History Project, “It was a very different world, in the late 1970s, it seemed like the history of women in the United States had been written in invisible ink,” she told GMA during an interview last year in March of 2021. With Sonoma State primarily being a female dominated campus, there were a plethora of events in the month of March that showcase talented women in all fields of life. Students were able to visit these events in person, or if provided, over Zoom. As early as Feb. 28, the events for Women’s History Month began at SSU, calling it Women’s HERstory Month, as many of the events showcase talented female leaders, speakers and activists as they talk about their individual unique stories. Author Elizabeth Quiroz, comedian Sasheer Zamata, and former Division I basketball player Tykera Carter have been just a few of the many women Sonoma State had the pleasure of welcoming to campus to share their stories. Some other events that took place over the month of March include a salary negotiation workshop, lesbian culture and womxn’s music, everybody: a body positive event and showings of films made by and for women. Natalia Rose, an Early Childhood major, discussed the importance of recognizing the women in our everyday life. “Women are powerful. Being a daughter to an incredible woman, I see how much she does for me and the sacrifices she makes on a daily basis, while still working hard to provide for our family,” said Rose. “I have nothing but amazement for how driven she is and how much she does that may go unnoticed by others”. With Women’s History Month coming to a close at the end of this month, there are still a couple events on campus students are able to attend. On Tuesday, the HUB Cultural Center will be honoring local Latina leaders in our community. This event will take place from 5-6:30pm on the second floor of the Student Center. Panelists include Alma Bowen, Founder and Executive Director of Nuestra Comunidad, Mercedes Hernandez, creator of SoCo Market, and Alma Magallon, a leader in the Latino business community. To conclude Women’s History Month, the final event students are able to attend will be held on Wednesday, in the Alexander Valley Room of the Student Center from 11 a.m.-noon. This event is called, ‘“I Don’t Want To Be The Only One”: BIPoC Women Faculty On Being The Change They Want To See’. The focus will be on some of Sonoma State’s female faculty who will share their stories of navigating their way through life as a BIPoC faculty, educators, researchers, and leaders. Their hope is to guide students of the same background to imagine themselves as leaders too. More information about all of these events are available on Sonoma State’s website. To read more about the past and few upcoming events, visit http://diversity.sonoma. edu/2022-womens-herstory-month.
Sports
MAR. 29 - APR. 4, 2022
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7
COURTESY // @ccaad2 via instagram Senior right-handed pitcher Camille Rodriguez won her second straight CCAA pitcher of the week after throwing back to back complete game shutouts.
Athlete Spotlight of the Week:
Camille Rodriguez
JAVIER HERNANDEZ STAFF WRITER
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tudent-Athletes are some of the most committed and dedicated people in the world. They have to train every day for their sport, but they have to also make sure they are keeping up with their studies. Sonoma State Softball pitcher Camille Rodriguez is no different from any other student-athlete pursuing their dream of playing a sport in college while working hard towards a degree. Rodriguez was named back-to-back CCAA pitcher of the week for March 7-13 and March 21-27 after her near-flawless performances against No. 22 ranked Cal State Monterey Bay, and Cal State San Bernardino. The right-hander pitched 12.2 innings over her two starts, with the latter start being a complete game. Over the two starts, she only gave up seven hits, two runs and had an ERA of 1.10. “After finding out I was named CCAA Pitcher of the Week, I was extremely thankful. Hearing I received this award made me eager to work harder,” said Rodriguez. “It made me feel so valued to see that all of the hard work my team and I have been putting in has been recognized by others. This will only motivate my team and I to work even harder to be the best we can be for the rest of the season.” Rodriguez is a fourth-year student at Sonoma state and is studying Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science. After she graduates from Sonoma State, Rodriguez plans to apply to a PA school and become a Dermatology PA. Head Coach, Jennifer Bridges, said, “Camille is a true competitor. I think that’s what really makes her good. Yes, she’s got good stuff... but seeing her determination and grit on the mound gives her that extra edge over batters. Her composure is fantastic, which gives her defense a great deal of confidence and helps her perform her best in those shaky situations.” In her free time, Rodriguez enjoys spending time with her family and
friends because she loves their company. Rodriguez also loves giving back to her community. She said, “I love giving back to my community and sharing my knowledge of the game with younger pitchers while teaching from my experiences. It makes me feel so good being able to be a figure for young girls to look up to in my community.” Rodriguez preaches how important it is to have time-management skills as a student-athlete because there is so much going on throughout their week. Her favorite technique to stay on top of things is writing things down in her planner. This helps ensure she is on top of deadlines and accomplishes everything she has set out for the day. “My teammates are the biggest factor in why I have been so dominant. Pitching with them behind me is the best because they have my back no matter what, and I have theirs. They are in my back pocket hyping me up every pitch, and they are the reason for our success with their strong defense and offense,” said Rodriguez. This is Rodriguez’s last season, and she is making sure to take it all in and enjoy every moment that she is out there with her teammates. The team is like a second family to her, and she wants to make her senior year memorable with all of them. This past weekend, the Seawolves took on Cal State San Bernardino and extended their win streak to eight games with their fourth straight sweep. Rodriguez was a significant x-factor once again in the victories as she pitched two complete games while extending her scoreless inning streak to 18. The next home game will be on April 22 as the team starts a long trip of away games starting with the Tournament of Champions in Turlock on Friday. For more information on the Sonoma State softball team make sure to head over to, https://sonomaseawolves.com/sports/softball.
Seawolves’ split series with Pomona
DANIEL SERRANO
S
STAFF WRITER
pring break was relaxing for most students, but the Seawolves’ base- against the scoreless Seawolves. The starting catcher Cole Brodnansky, ball season was in full swing. The baseball team had a long weekend who’s a graduate student and history major, started the first and last game with games on Friday, a doubleheader on Saturday, and a game on of the series. As the captain of the infield, Brodnansky always tries to keep Sunday to cap off the weekend against Cal Poly Pomona at Seawolf diamond. his team as optimistic as possible because they could easily ignite a rally at The Seawolves started on a sour note as they lost 8-0 in Friday’s 11-inning any given moment. “Things may not have gone our way the first two games, marathon, and 13-0 in their first game on Saturday. However, they managed but we felt that we were in both ball games and had a chance to win,” said to split the series evenly, as they won the last two games of the series, 7-1 Brodnansky. and 8-7. After this series, this puts the Seawolves at 5-11 in conference play. After dropping the first two games to Cal Poly Pomona, the resilient Early struggles in the series were prevalent as Sonoma was nearly no-hit Seawolves struck back in the two final games with huge wins. Through by Pomona pitcher Will Rudy. After that tough loss, the Seawolves went on perseverance and optimism, the Seawolves were able to even out the series to drop game two of the series in their first game of Saturday’s doubleheader with two wins of their own. You can catch the baseball team’s next game on behind Seawolf walks and a grand slam by Pomona. The Seawolves were April 8 at the Seawolf diamond after they go on the road to play S.F. State not done fighting; they unloaded with ten hits and seven runs, taking game next weekend. three 7-1. They went on to take the series finale on Sunday with an 8-7 victory. They split the series evenly, with two wins and two losses. Tanner Fonoti, a junior and American multicultural studies major, received the win in Sunday’s game, throwing 4.2 innings. Fonoti struck out 3 and didn’t walk anyone. He also only allowed 3 runs on 6 hits. Fonoti and his teammates had a lot of time to prepare for this battle with Pomona this weekend. “Spring break was great. It helped us all just relax and lock in for this weekend. School can be stressful sometimes, and not having it this week really took some weight off our shoulders for sure,” mentioned Fonoti. Cal State Pomona was hot coming into the Sonoma series this past weekend. Having a positive mindset was very important for Fonoti and his teammates before the games. “Well, we knew this weekend wasn’t going to be a walk in the park; they’re a really good ball team. But, not as good as us,” added Fonoti. Staying positive was on top of Fonoti’s priority list and helped him become the winning pitcher in Sunday’s contest. Pomona is no joke; before this series, they had come off a sweep of Cal COURTESY // Justin Ferrari State East Bay and were red hot, according to goccaa.org. They continThe Seawolf baseball team celebrates after successfully winning the last two games ued their momentum into the first 2 games with a total of twenty-one runs to split the series at 2 games a piece.
8
Photo
MARCH 29 - APRIL 4, 2022
sonomastatestar.com
Seawolves finally go maskless on campus
STAR // Khanh Dao Jodecie Sanchez heads to the cafeteria and walks through campus without her mask on for the first time.
STAR // Khanh Dao Jacob Gino (left) and Tyrone Fernando (right) practiced Filipino martial arts on the lawn without wearing their masks.
STAR // Khanh Dao Students Kallista (left), Luis (middle), and Claudia (right) promote outdoor activities and clubs for the Recreation Center without wearing masks.
STAR // Khanh Dao In her favorite study spot on campus, right in front of Salazar Hall, Kristina Mena is enjoying her green juice while studying.
SSU hosts Faculty Composers Concert at GMC
STAR // Holly Durfee The SSU Faculty Jazz Ensemble takes the stage at Schroeder Hall to perform during the Faculty Composers Concert.
STAR // Holly Durfee The Jazz Ensemble is captured performing on various instruments together during SSU’s special Faculty Composers concert.