Issue 10

IN THIS ISSUE

Free Weekly Comedy Sally Tomatoes hosts events each week with music, food, and entertainment.

PAGE 5.

Alohol Awareness Week Organizations on campus are hosting events focusing on alcohol abuse.

PAGE 6.

Yoga classes at Rec The Recreation Center hosts yoga classes for Seawolves.

PAGE 9.

SINCE 1979

VOLUME 85 // ISSUE 10 NOVEMBER 2. 2021 - NOVEMBER 8, 2021

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER

@SONOMASTATESTAR

COURTESY // SSU News Truebeck construction workers uncovered a time capsule buried by an old Sonoma State sorority 27 years ago while working on the Stevenson renovation.

Time capsule uncovered during Stevenson renovation

SIERRA HARVEY STAFF WRITER

A

lmost 30 years ago, a sorority called Alpha Kappa Alpha, which no longer has a chapter at SSU, and other organizations on campus put their thoughts, aspirations and whatever else they could in a little blue box and buried it. They aimed to show future students what life was like for them as young people of color attending Sonoma State University in 1994.

They did not expect, however, that this little blue box would be pulled out of the mud only 2 years before its expected retrieval during the reconstruction of the Adlai Stevenson Building in April 2021.

“In April of 2021, construction site foreman Laszlo Vincze of Truebeck Construction and his excavation crew stumbled upon an unexpected find: a clear plastic box with a blue lid filled with deteriorating items, and considerable mud and water, buried in the Stevenson Hall courtyard. They’d found a time capsule,” stated Special Collections Librarian Lynn Prime and digitization specialist John Muller in their original article of the find. Vincze brought the box to the Sonoma State Library where Muller and Prime would digitize the contents.

“When I first heard that a time capsule had been found, I expected dusty relics and mementos from decades ago, but instead these were thoughtful and evocative chronicles of another time — and not so different from our own,” said Muller on the quality and contents of the capsule. Prime and Muller were mindful that the capsule’s uncovering did not happen at the hands of the alumni who buried it.

“It’s a sensitive topic, because I am sure the students of 1993-94 in the campus BIPOC community would have wanted to be the ones to uncover their own time capsule, as would have been right.

Since the time capsule contents were inundated with water and mud, we digitized them and hope to get the word out about the materials to alumni so they can make plans for how and whether they’d like to fully reveal the (now digitized) contents and have a time capsule event in 2023-24, even if in a different context.” said Prime while reflecting on her role in cataloguing and uncovering the capsule.

Muller and Prime gave an overview of not only its uncovering but also a preview of the items

STAR // Nicholas Roth Ghosts were out and about on Halloween night this year as locals got into the spooky spirit.

Halloweekend in Sonoma County MARY HELEN ROWELL STAFF WRITER

T

he sounds of eager footsteps and families laughing could be heard echoing through the night on Sunday, Oct. 31, as children ran from house to house collecting candy, thrilled to once again celebrate Halloween in a more normal fashion.

After over a year and a half of holidays being downsized, forced inside, or celebrated virtually, Halloween, a holiday celebrated predominantly outside, was a great low-risk way to kick off the holiday season.

According to the National Retail Federation, one of the largest retail trade associations, “While Delta and other variants remain a concern, vaccines and other measures have made consumers feel more comfortable resuming many of their pre-pandemic activities, including celebrating Halloween.”

They predicted that “this year, two-thirds (65%) of consumers plan to celebrate one of America’s favorite holidays, up from 58 percent in 2020.”

Halloween fell on a Sunday this year which meant a weekend full of fun and festive events for community members of all ages.

On Friday, Oct. 29, downtown Santa Rosa held their annual trick or treating and costume contest where, from 4-6 p.m., stores and restaurants handed out candy to young children dressed in

see 1994 on pg. 4

see SONOMA on pg. 4

COURTESY // Dave Wasson on Facebook The new SAFE response team smiles in front of their new vehicle, ready to begin helping people in need .

Rohnert Park police launch new crisis response team ISABEL EPSTEIN STAFF WRITER

COURTESY // US Drug Enforcement Agency Deputies in Windsor confiscated 40,000 pills that they suspect contain fentanyl.

Deputies find 40,000 pills of suspected fentanyl

JHERY MAE MONTEZA

T

he cities of Petaluma, Cotati and Rohnert Park have implemented a new mobile crisis response model, known as SAFE (Specialized Assistance for Everyone), in an effort to appropriately de-escalate situations and respond to calls that do not require armed law enforcement to be at the scene.

Last April, the Rohnert Park City Council unanimously approved a contract with the Petaluma People Services Center (PPS) to expand the existing program to neighboring cities. The Petaluma People Services Center first launched SAFE services in Petaluma on July 5 and began operations in Cotati and Rohnert Park on Nov. 1. SAFE is modeled after the CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets) program that was founded in Eugene, Ore. in 1989 and has seen a tremendous amount of success in their see SAFE PROGRAM on pg. 4

STAFF WRITER

D

uring a property and narcotics investigation around 8 a.m. on Oct. 24 at Old Redwood Highway, Sonoma County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two suspects and confiscated 40,000 fentanyl pills.

In Sonoma County, there has been an increasing amount of fentanyl circulating around the area. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine, but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a Schedule II prescription drug, and it is typically used to treat patients with severe pain or to manage pain after surgery. The county’s police have made many arrests and confiscated an ample supply of the drug. This is an ongoing nationwide problem, and many are trying to find ways to prevent the spread and deaths caused by fentanyl. see TWO PEOPLE on pg. 4

2 Editorial THE STAR Editorial Board

Kylie Rose Lawrence, Editor-in-Chief Callie Adams, News Editor Moragh Graf, Opinion Editor Cheyenne Carroll, Arts & Entertainment Editor Myles Grabau, Student Life Editor Emily Cripe, Sports & Health Editor Isabelle Barkey, Photo Editor Corinne Asturias, Faculty Adviser

NOV. 2 - NOV. 8, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Lack of resources and information provided to students forced to quarantine on campus

Staff Writers Jayline Alvarado, Alexis Gonzalez, Jhery Mae Monteza, Adrienne Moon, Pedro Ortega Perez, Mary Helen Rowell, Dana Scacco, Joshua Silva, Addison Smith, Jessica Sternfeld, Clea Upcher, Daniel Dinerman, Isabel Epstein, Diana Ortiz, Payton Mullaney Photographers Nicholas Roth, Jake Morrissey, Ileana Aleman

Nichols Hall 323, 1801 East Cotati Ave Rohnert Park, CA 94928 Telephone: 707-664-2776 Business & General Inquiries: sonomastatestar@gmail.com Corrections and News Tips: star@sonoma.edu

Editor’s Pick This week’s can’t miss article: “Director of Sonoma County’s Office of Equity steps down due to racial discrimination” Read the article on page 3.

Have an opinion?

We’d like to hear from you!

The STAR welcomes letters 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.

C

OVID-19 is something Sonoma State’s campus community is being forced to get used to, as the pandemic approaches its second year present in the United States. Most of the university’s COVID-19 protocols are tattooed on the brains of students forever, as they come up in daily life. The only protocol that seems to be a mystery amongst the campus community is how on-campus quarantine works.

On the SSU website under “Information about COVID-19”, it explains that a COVID-19 positive test should result in the patient promptly calling the SSU Health Center and seeking quarantine. There are no further details about what happens before, during, or after said quarantine on the web page.

Keeping students in the dark about what may happen should they receive a positive result creates nothing but fear and uncertainty amongst the community, and may even lead to students being dishonest about their test results.

Dottie Aschwanden, Residential Advisor and fourth year Communications major, recently experienced on-campus quarantine. After reporting that they were feeling ill on the daily wellness check tool, the school immediately placed Aschwanden in quarantine, even though they had tested negative for COVID-19 a few days prior and were simply seeking medical assistance. Aschwanden said, “I was walking to my class one minute and then two minutes later I was walking to collect my belongings and go to quarantine and isolation housing.”

Aschwanden went on to explain that the process of being placed in quarantine began with a visit to the Residential Education and Campus Housing (REACH) office to pick up a bag of food, a key card to the isolation dorm, and an instruction pamphlet.

They then made their way to Sauvignon Village, where they’d be isolated for an unknown amount of time in a dorm meant to house six people.

They then explained that the Kitchens delivered food to them, as they have access to a meal plan, and they were also given some canned food upon arrival at the isolation dorm. Aschwanden was one of the lucky people who didn’t have to worry about where their next meal would come from, but this is not the case for many other students forced into quarantine housing. Aschwanden said, “It would have been un-

STAR // Seth Baldwin

fortunate for anyone who didn’t have a meal plan to be in quarantine housing, because one meal per day to be delivered would be $20. So students either had to have food delivered to the dorm or buy food from the kitchens if you weren’t prepared enough to bring it with you.”

Students on campus who don’t have meal plans have the choice of eating canned mystery foods or paying upwards of $20 to have either the Kitchens or an off-site provider deliver food to them. This detail could be detrimental to students who cannot afford such expenses, and if information like this was more widely available, students would be able to prepare for quarantine more effectively. Instead, the university is not providing any information about what quarantining on campus is like until absolutely necessary.

As Aschwanden recovered from their cold, they said the Student Health Center offered no help to them in treating their illness, even though that’s the whole reason they called in the first place. Instead, they were sent to isolation and forced to come up with some home remedies using what they’d packed in their go-bag. For students without health insurance, this detail is especially alarming, as the Student Health Center is the only place available to many students in terms of healthcare.

Thinking back to the beginning of the pandemic, one may recall that Sonoma State has been quarantining folks in the dorms since April of 2020. In March of that same year, the university signed a deal with the county that offered them $5 million in exchange for the conversion of the university’s dorms into housing for over 150 homeless people over the age of 65 with underlying health risks. That summer, they erected a six-foot tall chain link fence across dorm villages where students had been living not even a month prior.

Now, the fence is gone, but the isolation persists, as a portion of Sauvignon Village remains dedicated to quarantine - except now, the people being isolated are on-campus residents. One would assume, based on the fact that SSU has been working with quarantined individuals for over a year now, that their system would have improved over time and more information about the process would be available to students so that they can prepare.

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 // Dottie Aschwanden

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.

Opinion 3

NOV. 2 - NOV. 8, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Roads on campus not up to students’ standards

ALEX GONZALEZ STAFF WRITER

W

hile driving around Sonoma State’s campus, it doesn’t go unnoticed that the roads could use some TLC. The campus has been open and active since 1961, and it’s seen many changes since then, but for years now, the roads have been a subject of concern among many students.

Uneven pavement, potholes, and a lack of road signs make the drive around the otherwise beautiful campus a little unpleasant. Not only is it a matter of general road quality and upkeep, but of safety for students who provide the majority of

campus traffic.

Conor Gilbreath, a business student at Sonoma State, expressed his thoughts on the matter by stating they might as well get fixed now if it’s possible rather than wait too long and see it get much worse.

Gilbreth comments, “A lot of roads on and near campus are pretty good for the most part, then the rest have crazy bumps, cracks, potholes, and imperfections that can make students trip every step they take, as well as make your car bounce around like it’s offroading.”

To give some perspective on Sonoma State campuses road condition, East Redwood Drive stretches towards the soccer stadium, right across from the Tuscany dorms, and is riddled with potholes, divots, and cracks. Going past Juniper Lane, the road becomes a bumpy unbalanced mess with pavement sinking and rising from the ground.

For the most part, driving on and around campus is a pretty bumpy ride.

Near the University Police building and Verdot Village, on West Redwood Dr, the road contains wild bumps and dips as well

as cracking pavement. Following its drive is a highly lifted crosswalk next to Rachel Carson Hall, with no warning or sign regarding the crosswalk. This gives no warning to where pedestrians may cross a main road on campus that is usually very busy. This poses a danger as it could lead to accidents between drivers and pedestrians.

Student Naomi Matin, an English major at SSU, expressed her grievances regarding the lack of road signs around campus. She states, “There’s a lot of one-way streets on campus that aren’t marked very clearly and it’s a bit confusing at times. I’m constantly seeing people drive the wrong way on the roads over in parking lot F by the Beaujolais and Tuscany villages.” The lack of road signs on campus clearly makes it hard for students to find where they are going, and once again poses potential for automobile accidents to occur.

Parking lots on campus haven’t proved to have any better conditions. In and around parking lot F, there is some need for work. Parts of the tree-lined road are unpaved and almost make it feel like you are

driving through a rural forest.

Students such as Paul Munoz, a third year student at Sonoma State, don’t think much of the conditions of the road but understand how the quality could quickly go south if left unchecked. Munoz comments, “I think it could cause major problems when it comes to transportation in the future, but I think it’s not to the point where it doesn’t draw too much of a significance to disrupt people’s transportations, but that could change in the future.”

The weather is still fairly warm and sunny at the moment, but it’s only a matter of time until the rainy season strikes down on the school for weeks on end, which could lead to the conditions of the roads worsening and becoming even more noticeable and troublesome for the students.

It’s best to strike while the iron is still hot, and with the right motivation and funding, Sonoma State can go ahead and fix up the pavement around campus. With all the traffic and worsening weather the campus sees, the roads could become a real problem in no time if action isn’t taken.

“Animal Crossing” update release highly anticipated

CHEYENNE CARROLL A&E EDITOR

S

ince the beginning of the pandemic, people have been constantly searching for ways to pass the time and distract themselves from reality. COVID-19 has consisted of compulsive symptom-checks online, unstable sleep schedules, and horrific news updates. Depressive episodes and anxiety attacks that stemmed from the crushing isolation of life lived through Zoom became commonplace.

But who could blame students?

For the last 18 months, young people in the United States dealt with the effects of an unprecedented deadly pandemic. In-person social, academic, and professional life grinded to a halt, and students witnessed levels of civil unrest not seen since the mid-1960s. Being bombarded with images of clashing political protests, anti-mask rallies, a rollercoaster of a presidential election, and surging CO-

VID-19 cases would drive anyone to a breakdown.

A CDC study of more than 5,000 participants found that during the pandemic, 31% of adults aged 18 and above reported struggles with anxiety and depression, and 11% reported having “seriously considered suicide.”

Typical coping strategies for stress were no longer useful once quarantine began. Typically, if students felt lonely or anxious, doing homework in a crowded coffee shop or seeing friends helped.

Working, going to the gym, buying self-care gifts were all ways to cope in the past, but by March 2020, those strategies disappeared.

As isolation worsened andmental health spiraled downward, the Animal Crossing: New Horizons video game became a new coping method. It can help students escape from the persistent stress and anxiety experienced on a daily basis during the COVID-19 era.

Nintendo released New Horizons in March 2020, and the only objective is to develop an island.

Gamers can change landscapes, buy virtual items, and earn money for relaxing activities like fishing, catching bugs, and gardening.

Gamers can also visit their friends’ islands and interact online. Users completely design the flow of their game, and the low-stakes game play can be relaxing.

Mental health professionals deemed the game a helpful anxiety tool during these stressful months, and an Oxford study involving 3,000 gamers found a positive association between game play and mental health and well being. Additionally, online circles of individual Animal Crossing users repeatedly praised the relaxing game play and informally self-reported positive effects on their mental health.

Instead of going out to a coffee shop, students can visit eachother’s islands. Instead of online shopping with unemployment funds, students can use “bells” to buy various wallpapers for the game. Instead of watching the news, students can attend to their garden consisting of colorful virtual flowers.

The game provides a peaceful, virtual space to enjoy before tackling another day of pandemic life.

It is a fun and harmless vice to cope with anxiety in the midst of a pandemic, and other young people could benefit from this and similar games as well. Video games can serve as a temporary strategy until we can collectively return to normal.

Of course, video games may not work for everyone. The same Oxford study stressed that individuals who used the games to fill some unsatisfied psychological need in reality might experience negative effects from gaming. In

short, nobody should vicariously live through Animal Crossing, and compulsively playing any video game can result in adverse effects on mental health.

However, when used as a peaceful virtual space to mentally reset and safely connect with friends, video games can be an alternative to endless scrolling on social media, impulse shopping, or risking physical health by breaking quarantine.

In short, video games are not a cure and Animal Crossing does not ‘cure’ anxiety, but having a virtual escape during the shelter-in-place helps people deal with our new reality. Playing video games could potentially help countless other young people temporarily escape the overwhelming barrage of upsetting and unpredictable current events.

The world is difficult right now. Our political system remains uncertain, our social environment is unstable, our physical environment is fraught with sickness. With the soon-to-be released update for Animal Crossing, people can once again healthily escape our anxious society. If digging up virtual fossils or buying virtual wallpapers helps young people cope, then why not encourage it? Video games can provide peace of mind in an increasingly chaotic world, and for young people right now, peace of mind is essential.

Director of Sonoma County’s Office of Equity steps down claiming racial discrimination ALEX GONZALEZ

STAFF WRITER

U

nacceptable and demoralizing: These are the blunt yet meaningful words Alegría De La Cruz, director of Sonoma County’s Office of Equity, used to describe the departure of Sheba PersonWhitley. Person-Whitley stepped down from her position in the Sonoma County office, citing an atmosphere of racial discrimination, and took a new job in the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The decision came after seeing the “untenable” work in Sonoma County, as PersonWhitley described it. She stated that she had to face daily slews of racial bias and microaggression from her peers.

“My time here has been fraught with me doing my very best to perform my duties as executive director while managing the stresses and harm caused as a result of racial bias and microaggression,” Person-Whitley told the Press Democrat.

The resignation of the former executive director makes a huge impact within the non-white community of Sonoma County. Progress regarding racial equality has been a slow burn, and with the loss of people of color in these official positions, like PersonWhitley, it is a concern how the county will further handle policies regarding racial equity.

De La Cruz is one of many who is frustrated with the depar-

ture, as she sees Person-Whitley as an important person for devising a plan aimed at attaining greater racial equity, as well as improving the social justice system within local government institutions. According to De La Cruz, Person-Whitley showcased Sonoma County’s ability to change for the better. ​​ “You look at our kids - they’re Black and Brown, they’re Asian,” De La Cruz states as she cites the need for racial equality in a county that is incredibly diverse.

De La Cruz cites Sonoma’s loss of Person-Whitley as one that wounds progression towards the County’s racial equity.

The County of Sonoma website describes its strategic plan

for racial equity and social justice as one where equity is the only thing that’s seen. Equity means not being able to see a difference in markers of people within a certain group. For example, people would not be discriminated against in work environments based on their race.

A goal for the county is to “ensure racial equity throughout all county policy decisions and service delivery.”

However, the loss of Sheba Person-Whitley may prove to be a setback for the county. Hopefully, county officials can take this as an opportunity to change and give more attention to policies that will improve racial equity.

4 News

NOV. 2 - NOV. 8, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Two people arrested for possession of 40,000 fentanyl capsules continued from pg. 1

COURTESY // SSU News Among the varied contents of the time capsule was a condom, health resources and documents, and photos from the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

1994 time capsule from past sorority dug up on campus continued from pg. 1

and their authors: “Among the artifacts was a commencement speech application composed by Alpha Kappa Alpha member and organizer of the time capsule project, Sandra Jackson-Dumont, who is now director and CEO of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles.”

Jackson’s original commencement speech was intact as well, stating. “The purpose of this project is to sustain the history of students of color and their abundant contributions to the livelihood and cultural enrichment of Sonoma State University. This Time Capsule Project will inspire future students and will make them aware that people of color excel and succeed in spite of never-ending obstacles. It will be a temporary home for glimpses of the past and hopes for the future. Various organizations of color will be invited to contribute items to the capsule that represent today’s society and the role of the ethnic population in it. Also, there will be contributions that exhibit the effects society has had on people of color.”

The focus on social justice was present in almost every element put into the capsule. They not only focused on providing future students a look into the lives of students in 1994, but their advice and hopes for future generations as well.

M.E.Ch.A, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán, is a nationwide society of Chicanx students with a chapter on campus based in helping students find their roots and achieve academic success and political consciousness. M.E.Ch.A included a 47 page document with their hopes and mission statement in the time capsule.

“In hope that the MEChistas of this and other campuses have something on paper to refer to in time of guidance. We have a responsibility to ourselves (staying in school and graduating!), our Tierras (Aztlan), our culture, and to our future Raza — our children. We must educate all Raza about our her/history and the contributions our people have made in this continent, our continent. For we are its descendants and the result of its story.”

M.E.Ch.A’s current mission statement, as posted on their website seen by colleges and universities nationwide, is to “become a leader, connect and learn about your Chicanx identity, be involved in your community, become socially/politically conscious.”

The website also included this statement from the Santa Barbara chapter: “MEChA must bring to the mind of every young Chicanx that the liberation of their people from prejudice and oppression is in their hands and this responsibility is greater than personal achievement and more meaningful than degrees, especially if they are earned at the expense of their identity and cultural integrity. MEChA, is more than a name; it is a spirit of unity, a family, and a resolve to undertake a struggle for liberation in society where justice is but a word. MEChA is a means to an end.”

The organizations and students of 1993-1994 that contributed to the recently uncovered time capsule were focused on social justice and hope for a new generation of Sonoma State students.

This piece of SSU History is accessible at the library by emailing specialcollections@sonoma. edu.

Lynn Prime encourages students “to look at the contents of our fledgling Student Voices campus community archive and consider lending their experiences and voices to the project as a way to engage with what and how today’s students view their campus and community world.”

by fentanyl.

Jennifer Zografos, 37, and Cesar Olvera-Cornejo, 35, were arrested on suspicion of possessing narcotics for sale, transporting narcotics for sale, and conspiracy. In addition, they both had two other arrest warrants for other alleged crimes. Currently, at Sonoma County Jail, Zografos is in custody with a $1 million bail while Olivera-Cornejo is being held without bail.

In the past four years, fentanyl has contributed to 500 deaths in Sonoma County. According to an interview with the Press Democrat, Petaluma Vice Mayor Brian Barnacle stated, “Fifty-two deaths is a lot. It’s clear that fentanyl is an under-reported problem in our community. This is clearly something we need to be focused on.”

There has been widespread use of drugs in Sonoma County, which can be dangerous when falling into the wrong hands since there is a substantial amount of college students in the county.

In the law enforcement ranks, fentanyl has stirred fear due to the increasing overdose deaths. As a result, this has urged agencies to require protective gear, outsource testing and administer anti-opioid drugs to police officers in case they come in contact with the substance.

Petaluma police have started to carry naloxone which is an antiopioid drug that reverses the effects of overdoses. For the first time, it was used on a police officer due to a possible exposure. Petaluma Police Deputy Chief, Brian Miller spoke about officers touching fentanyl, raising concerns about how the skin absorbs the substance and a small amount can lead to an overdose.

According to federal data, during the pandemic, deaths from drug overdoses have skyrocketed across the country and more than 90,000 lives were lost last year. At the moment, Senator Scott Wiener and other lawmakers are pushing to allow Los Angeles, Oakland, and San Francisco to have a hygienic space supervised by trained staff where people can use pre obtained drugs, get sterile supplies, and connect for substance use disorder. Supervised or safe consumption legally exists in Canada, Germany, and Netherlands, which has been attributed with reducing risks of infectious diseases, cutting back on public nuisances and hazards such as discarded needles, and preventing deaths.

The mayor of Petaluma, Teresa Barret, wanted to see more focus on the fentanyl epidemic, and stated, “I think it is something that needs attention and education, something more targeted and at a higher level than DARE or SROs in schools, neither of which I see as effective for this particular issue”.

Ultimately, the battle for fentanyl in Sonoma County is still ongoing. Inexpensive testing kits that show what substances are within a drug are available for purchase online, and using one could potentially save a life. Additionally, there are many resources available in Sonoma County for those struggling with drug abuse.

Local SAFE program launches with workers trained to handle crises continued from pg. 1

community since.

Councilmember Willy Linares shared his thoughts about why the implementation of SAFE is significant to the community of Rohnert Park: “I was interested in reimagining policing in ways that reduce officers being called to incidents that can be handled by a crisis response team. The fact the PPS is a local provider of services is important. This program will not only provide a great service to our community, but it will also create new jobs locally”.

The SAFE team will operate seven days a week and 18 hours each day; however, these hours are subject to change as the program continues to grow. Each shift is staffed by a mental health worker and an EMT who are trained in handling crisis situations.

“With the clients that we’ve been serving, we’ve reduced the frequency of ER visits as well as the duration of the visits, we’ve reduced the frequency of arrests for some people who are frequent police contacts and we’ve also helped to repair relationships between clients and existing service providers.” said Manning Walker, SAFE’s program manager.

These trained professionals may be dispatched, through 911 or the police nonemergency line, to calls including but not limited to disorderly conduct, reports of suspicious activity, family disturbances, reports of suspected suicide or mental distress, drug and alchol abuse. Any person who reports a crime, violence, or a life-threatening emergency may receive a response from the police or other first responders instead of or in addition to the SAFE team.

The SAFE team additionally works with existing homeless outreach teams to help get clients back into treatment and shelter as well as working with clients that have dementia and providing emotional support for families that are in the process of transitioning their loved ones into in-home care or memory care facilities.

The Sonoma State Police Department expressed their interest in joining the SAFE program and are currently undergoing evaluations on what their involvement would be and what next steps would need to be taken.

SSU’s Chief of Police, Nader Oweis said, “From a safety perspective, I think people are afraid to call so sometimes they’ll delay in calling and by then the situation may get worse. We’re trying to provide these resources, whether it’s SAFE, the Mobile Support Team or one of the resources on campus, because we want to keep people safe.”

Annual costs are expected to be $1.1 million a year, which includes the contract with PPS and the cost of a van to support the mobile program. Based on the cost share agreement between the city of Rohnert Park (84 percent) and the city of Cotati (16 percent), the estimated cost to Rohnert Park is $850,820 annually.

To make a report or to receive the SAFE team’s services, call 911 and an emergency dispatcher will answer and determine if the situation requires the SAFE team and/or first responders. Another option is to call 707-781-1234 where one can choose to speak with a 911 operator or a non-emergency staff member.

COURTESY // @bismarckthenewf on Instagram Sonoma State’s beloved “mascot,” Bismarck the Newfoundland, got into the Halloween spirit with a Squid Game costume.

Sonoma County welcomes a more “normal” Halloween with festivities continued from pg. 1

costume with carnival games, bounce houses, and screening of Halloween movies for everyone to enjoy.

On Saturday, Oct. 30, The Rohnert Park Community Center Complex hosted a Halloween carnival and Día de los Muertos Celebration with a haunted maze, costume parade, magician, and more.

At Sonoma State University, Student Involvement and Associated Students hosted several Halloween-themed events on Friday and Saturday for students and the campus community to participate in.

Some of these events included a haunted Halloween scavenger hunt, a Disney-themed Halloween party, and pumpkin carving.

Off campus, students and locals could be seen, and heard, celebrating at the local Cotati bars throughout the weekend.

While it is exciting to be able to celebrate holidays again with others, it is also important to remain vigilant and remember that the COVID-19 virus is still a threat. SSU COVID-19 regulations urge members of the Seawolf community to continue wearing masks around others and being conscious of your actions to protect yourself and the community.

NOV. 2 - NOV. 8, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Arts & Entertainment 5

Sally Tomatoes hosts free weekly comedy event

CLÉA UPCHER

S

STAFF WRITER

ally Tomatoes in Rohnert Park is a one-stop destination for music, food, and entertainment. By day, the venue resembles somewhat of a conference room; come showtime, the lights are dimmed and round tables fill the space around the stage with eager patrons ready to laugh.

“Our comedy show is every Tuesday starting at 7 p.m. It’s a free show with the requirement of purchasing dinner,” said Andrew Campbell, office manager at Sally Tomatoes.

“We have a promoter, his name is Casey Williams. He’s well known in the community. He usually selects around 6-8 local comedians. People also travel… from out of state to come to the free comedy shows.

They work with him… his company’s name is Barrel Proof Comedy,” continued Campbell.

For Tuesday Night Comedy, Williams sources both local comics from the Bay Area, as well as comics who decide to travel to Rohnert Park to perform.

Williams usually hosts the event, and has gotten comedians including Rob Schneider, Carlos Mencia, Michael Kosta, and Felipe Esparza, for past events.

“We bring in 4-6 amazing comics from all over the Bay Area and beyond. DJ Rob Cervantes is in the house playing music before, after, and during the show… Tips for the comics are encouraged, but never required,” Williams wrote in an email. “[As host,] I try to get the audience warmed up and excited to start the show. I introduce each comedian. I also do a fun little tip jar thing. If someone tips $20, we give them a free Barrel Proof Comedy T-shirt.”

When asked about his favorite part of the show, Williams replied, “When it’s over. (Sorry, jokes). I love meeting new comics, and we get them from as far away as New York. Sally Tomatoes has a great reputation for comedy. We have been doing it since 2012. Honestly, my joke answer has some truth to it. There is nothing better than interacting with a happy audience after they just laughed all night.”

The crowd at Sally Tomatoes seems to be loved by both Williams as a host, and the comedians alike.

“This year I’ve [performed here] twice… usually I wait awhile to come back… [Williams] has to cycle a lot of comics through, but it was cool to be able to [perform] two months in a row… It’s always fun. The crowd is always into it,” said Luke Soin, a comedian.

When asked of his experience performing at Sally Tomatoes, comedian Jon Lehre replied in an email, “Always positive! Sally Tomatoes is one of the best venues for comedy in the North Bay and Casey Williams has made it a favorite place to play for local and even national comedians.”

“The crowd is fairly reflective of Sonoma County. They are upbeat and always ready to have a good time… I usually perform there 2 or 3 times a year, more if I’m lucky… I hope to perform at Sally’s again soon but it’s a sought after gig. Even with shows every Tuesday, it can

take a while before a place on the schedule opens up…” Lehre continued.

Sharing laughter in a space with others, especially after over a year apart from one another, seems to have a way of bringing community members and those who perform together in a positive way.

“There’s a sense of community there. We have people who feel perfectly comfortable coming alone, because you’re never alone at Sally Tomatoes. We have the best comedy audience in Sonoma County!”

Williams wrote.

If you would like to take part in the comedy community at Sally Tomatoes, visit Williams’ website and check out upcoming shows and comedians at www.barrelproofcomedy.com/upcoming-shows.

STAR// Cheyenne Carroll Sally Tomatoes hosted their weekly comedy night last Tuesday, Oct. 26. The night featured multiple local comedians, and a socially distanced table arrangement.

STAR // Cheyenne Carroll Headline act Joe Hill, a comedian originally from New York, finished out the night and kept the audience laughing through his entire set.

Wind Ensemble and “Frankenstein” showing at the Green Music Center

ADRIENNE MOON

STAFF WRITER

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o celebrate Halloween, the Music Department put on a screening of the 1931 film “Frankenstein,” at the Green Music Center. The SSU Wind Ensemble performed a live musical soundtrack by Michael Shapiro during the film. The event took place on Thursday, Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m.

This specific event was supposed to happen in 2019, but was cancelled due to the fires during that time period. The performance was then pushed to 2020 and cancelled again due to COVID-19. With all the flooding that happened on Sunday, band director Andy Collinsworth was unsure of if the event was going to occur.

The basic storyline of “Frankenstein” is that a mad scientist, Doctor Frankenstein wanted to create life from a mixture of different dead bodies; however, instead of making an almost human-like creature, a monster was born.

Collinsworth explained why the SSU Wind Ensemble chose the film “Frankenstein.”

“This musical score was written for wind instruments. The most im-

STAR// Adrienne Moon The Sonoma State University Wind Ensemble performed a live soundtrack for the 1931 film “Frankenstein” on Thursday, Oct. 28. The performance was cancelled two years in a row due to fires and COVID-19.

portant question is ‘Why did the composer choose this film instead of other movies to write a score for?’ With the exception of the opening title which lasts for about 45 seconds and the closing credits which is also about 45 seconds, there’s no music in the movie. If you place yourself within the context of film, historical talkie films have only been around since 1929. So this [Frankenstein] was a very early ‘talkie’, and this is really before the days of soundtracks in the conventional text were added to films or movies... With any scary movie, you need music to add to the suspense, it also adds to the ambivance, because if you turn the volume down on a horror movie, it does not make it very scary,” he said.

Chrystal Dael, a sophomore at SSU, talked about how the viewing experience was very different with the live ensemble there.

“I really loved the orchestra, it was actually one of the reasons why I wanted to go. Watching with a live orchestra increased the intensity of the movie. I wasn’t that scared of the movie, however the live music really built up the tension and made it so realistic since I was hearing it live. Other than that, I would love to see them play once more because the music definitely adds up to the experience,” she said.

In regards to the film itself, Dael said “It was a good experience to watch a film that’s very different from modern movies. It was a learning experience for me since I don’t watch movies often, especially older ones. I expected their acting to be less ‘progressed’ since I saw it as a really old movie but watching it really impressed me and showed me how acting back then was very exquisite, and how it was already very well mastered.”

Abigail Barnabas, a freshman at SSU said “It was my first time watching a movie that old. It was kind of slow for me but that would be because of the times, 1930 movies and 2000 movies are very different.

I loved the experience!”

Dael also said that the GMC handled COVID guidelines very well, while also elaborating with “They all checked our vaccination records, and gave us a green bracelet; they strictly followed the rules. I also noticed how people didn’t sit beside other people other than the people they came with and left at least a chair between. So the fact that not only the GMC were careful, but also the people definitely made me feel safer during the event.”

6 Student Life HUB Intern hosts free crochet event

NOV. 2 - NOV. 8, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

DANA SCACCO STAFF WRITER

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STAR // Ileana Aleman Ashley Rydell provides Seawolves free crochet materials, as well as educating them on how to crochet at The Hub.

STAR // Ileana Aleman Sonoma State students join Ashley Rydell at The Hub in order to get some hands on experience on how to crochet and be able to ask for assistance when needed.

onoma State’s student cultural center, the HUB, hosted a one-hour beginner crochet session that was open to all students on Thurs., Oct. 28. Students used the session to relax, and were provided with free crochet materials and snacks, along with crochet video tutorials.

The HUB is a community building safe space on campus that promotes diversity and allows students to create lasting connections. Students can host various events at the HUB that innovate cultural expression and individuality. Thursdays’ crochet event was a self-care crafting program run by HUB intern Ashley Rydell, called “Crochet with Ash.” The crochet program has been held at the HUB in previous years, and meets about three times a semester. At the session, students were given all necessary crochet materials and worked with the HUB staff to learn how to crochet. Crochet lesson videos played in the background and assisted students in the step-by-step crochet process.

Rydell is a HUB intern and second-year Women and Gender Studies student at SSU. She spoke about continuing the program, and gave her perspective on the event.

Rydell stated that, “I wanted to continue this program because I felt it was important to bring back a crochet session to the HUB. This was my first time hosting a HUB program, so I was nervous, but as I’ve held more of these sessions I become more confident each time. It is fulfilling for me to see how happy people can get when they realize they are making something with their hands that they weren’t able to before.”

Rydell further explained why the crochet sessions are fulfilling and memorable to her. She said, “These sessions emphasize the importance of self-care and resting one’s mind when doing cultural work. My favorite part of the program is getting to craft and talk about crochet with other people. Doing yarn crafts is a passion of mine, so being able to build a community around something that makes me and others happy is really valuable to me.”

Rosalie Llave, a second-year English major, attended the session and described how she heard about it initially. “I decided to attend because I first met Ashley on campus at her club table, and she gave me a flyer for this event. I attended because I really like hands-on arts and crafts that don’t involve electronics,” Llave stated.

Llave elaborated on what she enjoyed the most and why students can benefit from attending these arts and crafts sessions. “I really liked this event because the supplies and resources were free for students. I also enjoyed the hands-on aspect of crocheting and how similar it is to knitting, so it made me feel reassured that I could try something new. It was memorable for me to get the opportunity to help others crochet too because I love motivating people. SSU students can really benefit from events like these because it gets them away from electronics and gives them a break from school and stress.”

At the session, each student that attended was given a ball of yarn and crochet hook to start. The atmosphere was calming and students collaborated with each other on how to start each crochet task. Students ate snacks, laughed, asked questions, and got to know each other. After the session ended, students were allowed to stay longer to finish their crochet or take the HUB materials home with them to finish their work.

Shawina Ard, a second-year Psychology student, said, “I really liked the fact that I was able to bring the crochet needle and materials home with me...The crocheting experience was something to remember.”

Rydell mentioned the significance of the HUB and how students can become involved in HUB events. She also stressed the importance of getting to enjoy what the campus community has to offer, by stating, “I absolutely think more students should attend more HUB programs. There are so many cultural programs at the HUB, so there is always the opportunity to learn something new or get involved in community activities. I recommend that people follow the @ssuhub Instagram page to get up to date information on events that are coming up, as well as following our newsletter!”

Campus organizations participate in a hybrid-format Alcohol Awareness Week PEDRO ORTEGA PEREZ STAFF WRITER

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his past week, Sonoma State partnered with other on-campus organizations to host a number of events for Alcohol Awareness Week. These events were presented by the SSU Alcohol and Other Drug Committee, and were held to inform students of the dangers and realities of alcohol and drug abuse. The committee also aimed to give students safer alternatives, and provided many fun and interactive events throughout the week.

Events throughout this week were in “hybrid format”, with an even mix of both in-person and virtual events. An example of a virtual event was a presentation titled “Recognizing the Signs of Marijuana and Prescription Drug Abuse”, which focused on educating students on the effects of abusing these substances.

Along with educational events, students were also offered a number of fun events to attend, such as the “DIY Crafts of the Week” event. At this particular event, the campus community was encouraged to carve pumpkins and create a multitude of crafts.

Students were also encouraged to show off their singing skills with the “Scary-oke” event.

While most events were interactive, a staple for Alcohol Awareness Week is the red flag display on the lawn by Salazar.

These flags were a symbol to represent the 1,824 students that have died from alcohol-related incidents throughout each school year.

This display was meant to catch the attention of those on campus and bring awareness to the severity of unsafe alcohol usage.

A college is a place where students continue their careers in academia, as well as a place where they learn to become independent, budget, manage their time, and many other skills that they take with them into adulthood. Sergeant Neal R. MacKenzie of the Sonoma State University Police spoke with students at a presentation during the week. He believes that,“alcohol and other drug use is a concern in any community, but especially on a university campus. The Sonoma State Police Department regularly responds to individuals that are under the influence, driving under the influence, or suffering from the effects of alcohol and other drug use.

We understand that individuals want to be social and have fun, however, drinking in college is not a given. It doesn’t have to be a rite of passage. The stereotype of heavy drinking in college is not a reality for most Sonoma State students, and most students don’t drink, or drink at very moderate levels. We hope those that do choose to drink or use other drugs do so without putting themselves or others at risk.”

Drinking alcohol is considered a “norm” on many college campuses, whether it be with friends or at social gatherings, on and off-campus. Having a week like Alcohol Awareness week is usually in an effort to deter the number of negative incidents that occur while under the influence. By hosting “alcohol alternative”

STAR // Nicholas Roth The Red Flags wave in solidarity while students walk around campus. These flags represent the 19% of college students who struggle with alcohol abuse each year.

events, students can participate in other activities to substitute drinking. The week-long event served to inform students on how to consume alcohol safely, rather than to deem it completely “taboo”.

Mackenzie also went on to state that, “there are legal and disciplinary consequences for underage drinking, DUI, illegal drug use, and other criminal acts involving alcohol. There are ways to drink without binging or blacking out, experimenting without putting oneself at risk for synergistic overdose, and having fun while still taking care of themselves and those around them. On top of this, it is dangerous to assume the person will be fine by sleeping it off.”

Gisela Ruiz, who is the mother of a student at SSU, feels that having a week to bring awareness to the side effects of alcohol abuse is essential for the student population. After seeing the red flag display, she stated that “many young people feel that they are invincible like nothing can hurt them, so sharing the effects of alcohol abuse is important. I also think that it is normal to drink in college, so providing students with information about it can help them make smarter decisions.”

NOV. 2 - NOV. 8, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Student Life 7

“What’s Fat Got to Do With It” event provides an equitable space for all bodies

COURTESY // seawolfliving.com This three-part discussion-based workshop series invites participants to consider what creating an equitable space for all bodies, especially “fat” bodies, looks like.

PAYTON MULLANEY STAFF WRITER

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n an effort to redefine the word “fat”, the HUB offered a discussion-based workshop series as an equitable space for students, called “What’s Fat Got To Do With It?” This workshop is offered as a valuable resource for many students, aiming to cover a number of topics surrounding fatness, as well as normalizing all body types.

Janae Due, a facilitator for the event, aimed to redefine what it means to be fat, and how this looks different to everyone. Due also shared her opinions on how people need to be taught to “own their fatness.” While this isn’t something to be ashamed of, societal expectations incorrectly teach many people that “calling someone big” is the more respectful term over calling someone fat. However, this is widely seen as “dancing around the idea of what they truly mean,” and Due aims to empower students through the idea of truly “owning their fatness.”

While fat looks different on each person, it isn’t widely taught that weight distribution is different with each and every body. One quote that seemed to come as a shock was that, “body shapes are a huge indicator as to how someone is treated.” An example of this would be how a pear shaped body holds their weight differently than an apple shaped body, and Due defined this to show students that they should love their body instead of comparing it to others.

Our society, and more specifically “hook-up culture”, praises being “thick” but emphasizes the fact that you need to be “thick” in the right places in order to be perceived as attractive. An example of this would be the “more attractive” expectations of carrying extra weight in your butt, compared to carrying extra weight in your stomach. These “societal expectations” are forced onto people as they go through puberty, and are upheld throughout their journey to adulthood. However,

it is rare that these expectations are challenged and that people are taught how to combat the insecurities that are inevitable. It is important for students to find a community that accepts them for how they come and sees their beauty, not one that tears them down.

Due continues on, touching on the impact of “headless fatties” in the media, which is an act committed by the mainstream media to cut the head of a fat person’s body out of a photo or video. This insinuates that “fat people are ashamed of the way their body looks,” so media outlets outright cut their head out of pictures.

By doing this, the media is speaking for the person in the photo/video, and the person “quite literally has no mouth to fight for what they believe. This act is a direct example of the media aiming to make people feel insecure of the way they look.

Students shared their thoughts on “headless fatties”, stating that they think it feels “dehumanizing, degrading, and objectifying.”

Another fact that was addressed during the seminar is how fashion is different for a fat person. Clothing is not generally designed in a way to look as appealing to a fat person as it would be to a thin person. Fat people are limited to very few brands and clothing stores that carry good looking clothes in their size, while thin people have the luxury of finding cute and fashionable clothing at just about any store.

With a helpful workshop like this at Sonoma State, students will feel welcomed by the HUB to talk about their experiences as a fat person, while being able to listen to other experiences throughout recent years. The HUB will continue with this discussion-based workshop, as part of a three-part series to explore antifatness, as well as how to combat it within ourselves and within our community.

“Coffee with DSS” showcases what resources are available for students’ success JEFFREY AVIÑA STAFF WRITER

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his last Thurs. morning, the Sonoma State Alcohol and Other Drug committee sponsored “Coffee with the DSS Crew” in an effort to give information about the dangers of alcohol abuse, as well as explain more about what type of disability resources are available on campus. This is among many events held last week for National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week to help further educate the community about the responsible use of alcohol.

The event was hosted by committee-member Sydney Johnston, as well as Brent Boyer and Michael Eynon from Disabled Student Services (DSS). According to the DSS website, the goal of the department is to “ensure equal access to students with disabilities by providing appropriate accommodations and specialized support services, and by providing guidance to faculty, staff, and the campus community.”

In order to fit the theme of Alcohol Awareness Week, DSS provided some information about binge drinking in their presentation. A flyer at the event displayed 5 statistics about binge drinking, stating that only 40% of students will admit to binge drinking, while 25% say that binge drinking had a negative impact on their academic performance.

“It’s just surprising to me,” says SSU sophomore Jackson Rice, about what constitutes binge drinking. In a two-hour period, four drinks for a woman and five drinks for a man constitutes binge drinking. The flyer also states that there are about 1,500 thousand deaths every year due to heavy drinking and about 600,000 accidental injuries and 700,000 physical assaults.

“It looks like they are just trying to help people who maybe get into trouble drinking alcohol. It’s very informative with Halloween coming up.” Says Rice on the DSS pop up.

Many of the different services that DSS provides were topics of discussion.

Some of the many resources that DSS offers students are assistive technology, alternative media, testing accommodations, and disability management advising. Disability Management Advisor Michael Eynon says that thanks to DSS, “We have a greater insight into what some students can and can’t do, and what they are capable of and how we can help them.”

According to a study done by the American Addiction Centers, Halloween ranked number five among the list of average number of drinks consumed by holiday. The troubling facts of the study also found that 9.3% of men and 6.6% of women also reported that they blacked out from drinking.

SSU alum Michael Eynon has been working in the DSS department since 2018, but has been working at SSU since 2005. Last year, he led a student panel for Disability Awareness Month, regarding students who felt comfortable enough sharing what their conditions are and how it affects them as Sonoma State students. “It was really great and I’m trying to work on getting ready to do it again next semester. I’m just really proud that six of our students felt comfortable enough with me to share what’s going on with them,” said Eynon.

National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week takes place during the third week of October every year and is recognized by more than 1,000 colleges and universities nationwide. NCAAW encourages students to take the lead on how

COURTESY // dss.sonoma.edu Many different services that DSS provides to students were showcased at this event, such as assistive technology, testing accomodations, and more.

they want to participate in raising awareness on their campus and in their community. The Coalition of Higher Education Associations for Substance Abuse Prevention promotes the NCAAW with their 20 higher education associations working to eliminate substance abuse as well.

The Coalition of Higher Education Associations for Substance Abuse Prevention is an organization that aims to end the abuse of alcohol, tobacco, legal and illegal drugs among college students. As stated on their website, they strive to “inspire students to review their lifestyles and make informed decisions regarding these substances.”

Coffee with DSS was one of many events done during Alcohol Awareness Week, and they stressed the importance of getting help when it’s needed. For more information about NCAAW, visit https://coheasap.myacpa.org/ncaaw/.

For more information about DSS services and resources, visit http://dss.sonoma.edu/.

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Health

NOV. 2 - NOV. 8, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Staff Spotlight of the Week:

Susan Pulido

COURTESY // Susan Pulido Susan Pulido’s office can be found at Classico 117 in Beaujolais Village on campus.

ADDISON SMITH

COURTESY // Susan Pulido Pulido often has a table set up in the Seawolf Plaza with information about confidential advocacy.

STAFF WRITER

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t Sonoma State University, when students hear the name Susan Pulido, there is always chatter about how widely loved and respected she is by those who cross her path. A woman who holds many titles, Pulido is first and foremost one of the university’s confidential advocates, and she works day in and day out to help students through some of their most trying moments.

Pulido got started in her advocacy career by first working phones at the Center for Hope and Healing in a small town in Massachusetts. When her partner was offered a position in Santa Rosa, she packed up her life and eventually found her way to SSU where she has remained since 2017. According to Pulido, “[She] saw the job posting for the position on campus and thought ‘this is my dream job, college students and advocacy!’”

Aside from her confidential advocacy position, Pulido has also been the director of the Vagina Monologues in past years, which is a club on campus that puts on a theatrical show about various social justice and feminist issues.

She also works with many different departments on campus by coming to meetings and classes to give presentations about sex, consent, Title IX, and many other topics within her areas of expertise.

Her best advice to those who are lost on the path to getting help and recovering from trauma is: “Knowing that there are resources on campus is really important. Knowing that Confidential Advocacy exists and students receive support and help without anyone at the University being informed about their

situation/story. Knowing that CAPS exists as a confidential resource as well.

The CAPS folks are pretty awesome. Additonally, we have Verity, our local rape crisis and trauma center in Santa Rosa. They’re pretty awesome too!”

Confidential advocacy can be a heavy, exhausting position, and Pulido remains open about the fact that being the person everyone comes to for help can weigh heavy on her shoulders at times. She explains: “The tough days are what motivate me! Knowing that survivors are showing up and doing the work. Knowing I am doing the best I can. Knowing that the students I advocate for are healing as we work together. It’s all about being there for survivors.”

Pulido said she, “...[loves] the energy of students. I love when I have to walk around campus and cross paths with all the students and experience their spiritedness. It truly is all about the students for me. They really fill my soul, they keep me young!”

Being able to visit with students and help them through the abhorrent trauma of sexual violence keeps her going. It keeps her fulfilled with work and helping people is what she does best.

To those who are hearing of her for the first time, Pulido can be reached at her on campus office in Beaujolais Village Classico 117 or through email (susan.pulido@sonoma.edu). Pulido’s ultimate goal is for students to feel safe and unafraid when visiting her office or emailing her and meeting virtually, as she wants nothing but the best for everyone she meets with.

COURTESY // @paintedponynquilts on Instagram Second year students Joey Taddie and Kyle Katzakian attend a campus event wearing masks.

COURTESY // @sonomastateuniversity on Instagram Students walk through campus without wearing masks.

County health officials move to lift indoor mask mandate

ISAAC LOPEZ

STAFF WRITER

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n Oct. 21, Sonoma County health officials announced a plan to lift the county-wide indoor mask mandate for vaccinated groups of under 100 people. This new step forward comes ahead of a Bay Area-wide plan to do away with the mask mandate by the end of the year.

As health officials come to the conclusion that COVID-19 will never be eradicated, Sonoma County is on track to begin adapting to this new reality.

In the event that the mandate is lifted, individuals would no longer need to wear masks in indoor settings such as college classrooms, offices, religious gatherings, gyms, fitness centers, employee commuter vehicles, and other groups that meet regularly. The previous mask mandate guidelines would still apply to the unvaccinated and any gatherings with over 100 attendees.

With Sonoma County taking another step forward by lifting the mask mandate, there is room for an abundance of mixed emotions. Many students will likely be pleased to find that they may soon be able to go to class without having to remember to bring a mask, while many others will be worried about the future. It is still unknown how Sonoma State plans to implement this new rule and how they will be able to track whether their students are fully vaccinated or not.

When asked about their thoughts on SSU possibly lifting the mask mandate, fourth year Communications student Jesus Martinez said, “I feel like this is a really good step moving forward because I know for a fact

that there are many students that are annoyed with having to wear masks during class.”

While the kinks are still being worked out regarding a given venue’s ability to verify individual vaccination status, there are currently some rough guidelines being discussed. Sonoma County health officials announced that hosts and group organizers must maintain a list of all people present if they plan to lift their mask requirement.

Businesses and organizations can continue requiring everyone to wear masks regardless of vaccination status if they choose to do so, as the county does not plan to force anyone to stop requiring masks. A press release put out by county health officials states, “Employers, hosts, and organizers must control access to the setting, and the setting cannot be open to the general public. It does not allow proof of a negative test as a substitute for proof of vaccination.”

With that being said, it is unclear if and when Sonoma State University will start to do away with the mask mandate for in-person classes. Since SSU is a part of the CSU system, they will have to follow guidelines released by the system as a whole, so a county health official’s word may not trump the word of the CSU. Regardless, health officials continue to urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible, regardless of guideline advancements or lack thereof.

To stay updated on SSU’s mask mandate and other COVID-19 news on campus, visit http://covid19.sonoma.edu.

NOV. 2 - NOV. 8, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Sports

A group of students holds a pose during one of Doshia Dodd’s (front left) Buti yoga classes at the Campus Recreation Center.

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COURTESY // @ssucampusrec on Instagram

inMotion yoga classes keep students active and stress-free EMILY CRIPE & ISABELLE BARKEY

HEALTH & SPORTS EDITOR, PHOTO EDITOR

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little known fact about Sonoma State’s Campus Recreation Center is that, aside from the run of the mill sports and activities that are widely advertised, they also host a variety of yoga classes each week. Classes are completely free to students, beginner friendly, and a great way to relieve some stress during a hard week of classes.

InMotion yoga classes are typically taught by SSU students or alumni, but the position is open to anyone with past experience. Instructors welcome all levels of yoga experience, and they will often include modifications for those looking for more advanced or beginner movements. The Rec Center’s website states, “...group classes that allow members to participate in instructed fitness. These classes are a great way to stay active, have fun and meet new people.”

While yoga classes are definitely a great way to stay active and get moving, they’re also a great way to practice meditative movement and stress relief. Yoga is frequently used in practicing stress relief, and it can help one become more in tune with their body, thus making one more aware when they’re being overworked.

According to yoga instructor Doshia Dodd, “Yoga helped me heal old wounds, taught me how to truly love myself and the importance of self-care. This practice has been a positive factor in my life and I became a teacher to share this platform with others in hopes it would be a positive impact on one of my students’ lives as well.”

There are three types of yoga offered at the Rec Center: Buti yoga, traditional yoga, and Vinyasa yoga.

Buti style yoga focuses on movement and is more fast-paced than traditional yoga classes tend to be, as it incorporates some dance-like elements and puts emphasis on building strength. The Rec Center website describes Buti yoga as: “A high-intensity fusion of power yoga, cardio-intensive tribal dance, conditioning, and deep abdominal work.”

The normal yoga classes are more centered on relaxation and meditation. The Rec Center describes them as, “An ancient art based on a harmonizing system of development for the body, mind, and spirit.”

Vinyasa yoga is similar to classic yoga, just with more emphasis on the breath and learning how breathing affects movement. It is essentially, “A breath-centered practice where postures are coordinated to f low from one pose to the next,” as stated on the Rec Center website.

Classes are normally located on the second f loor of the Rec Center in either the Niagra or Silver Strand studios. Currently, classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. until the last day of the Fall semester. There is no need to sign up, as long as participants are current students or paid members of the Rec Center.

The class schedule changes each semester, so to stay up to date on the calendar and to find more information, visit https://campusrec.sonoma. edu/programs/fitness-and-wellness/inmotion

MMA club fights for their place on campus DANIEL DINERMAN STAFF WRITER

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ransitioning between online and in-person activities has caused many changes for clubs and organizations throughout Sonoma State’s campus, including the termination of countless outlets for student involvement and enriching activities. With more students on campus, student run clubs and organizations are starting to provide students with more opportunities to socialize and interact with fellow students. The Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Club has battled against numerous restrictions and hardships that required the club to switch from the Jiu jitsu club to MMA. With the sport at times requiring close interactions and being run entirely by students, they have been forced to limit some of the activities allowed. However, after a fair turnout at their first meeting over the past week, Club President Shaemus Cullen is hopeful to see what the club has in store in the future.

During their first club meeting of the semester last week, everybody had a moment to break the ice with the fellow students in attendance, then a few minutes to stretch and warm up the muscles in the body.

After everybody feels comfortable, the president and vice president get everybody together and discuss some of the moves and techniques that the class will go over through the rest of the meeting.

Each meeting is held at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Niagra Studio on the second f loor of the Recreation Center and typically lasts around 45 minutes. Students are welcomed to stay as long as they like to learn more and spend more time with the people in the club.

The blend of students to attend the club makes it inviting for people of all skill levels and provides a welcoming environment for all of those in attendance. Under the current regulations, the club is only permitted to do a limited amount of jabs and striking, and will focus primarily on kick boxing for the remainder of the semester. As more regulations are lifted, the club hopes to teach more forms of martial arts and gain more traction within the school as something that everybody can practice.

Mixed martial arts can be a great way for students to be more active and exercise in a welcoming environment. While the idea of fighting may turn some people away, students teaching in the club are more focused on techniques and prioritize the idea of feeling comfortable when

COURTESY // @ssu.mma.club on Instagram Two members of the MMA club tabling at the Student Center.

it comes to self defense. The club president understands how intimidating it can be, getting into a ring with somebody, and tries to focus on the mental benefits of the sport: “Knowing that you’re getting yourself into a scary thing teaches people to have discipline. The sport is much deeper than fighting and promotes a healthy body image and self confidence.”

While the club is still limited in what actions it can and cannot do, the basic self defense skills are a great thing to pick up from fellow students on your college campus.

Follow the MMA club on Instagram (@ssu.mma.club) to keep up with recent posts, upcoming events, and stay updated on any and all club activities.

10 Photo

NOV. 2 - NOV. 8, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

SSU students crochet at The Hub with Ashley Rydell

STAR // Ileana Aleman Blanca Renteria (right) helps Safire Teixeira (left) with her crotchet needlework at The Hub.

STAR // Ileana Aleman (Left to right) Terra Bransfield, Shawnia Ard, and Luis Ferreyra learned how to crochet and helped each other out if someone was stuck on their project.

STAR // Ileana Aleman At ‘Crochet with Ash in The Hub’, Sonoma State students focused on learning new crochet techniques while getting to meet people with similar interests.

‘Save a Seawolf’ recognizes alcohol abuse on college campuses

STAR // Nicholas Roth Chelsea Hennan, the health and wellness manager for SSU athletics, displays brochures and Halloween candy as a part of the ‘Save a Seawolf’ drug and alcohol awareness event last Wednesday.

STAR // Nicholas Roth Alcohol and Drug Prevention Educator Steve MacDonald works for residential housing, student affairs, as well as Campus housing.

STAR // Nicholas Roth The red flags put on display just outside Person Theatre represent college-aged students who die from alcohol related incidents each year.

STAR // Nicholas Roth The campus police tabled this past week to promote awareness about alcohol abuse and take part in the ‘Save a Seawolf’ event.