Issue 13

IN THIS ISSUE

Study Abroad

Paint & Sip returns

SSU reopens study abroad programs for students.

PAGE 8.

Paint & Sip honored transgender awareness week with art.

PAGE 8.

Sail to victory Join the SSU rowing club to make new friends and win races.

PAGE 11.

SINCE 1979

VOLUME 85 // ISSUE 13 NOVEMBER 30. 2021 - DECEMBER 6, 2021

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER

@SONOMASTATESTAR

COURTESY // SSU News Copeland Creek is a beloved feature of Rohnert Park, but prone to severe floods that can endanger the campus each year during the rainy season.

Rohnert Park awarded $6 million grant for flood prevention; Copeland Creek affected

ISAAC LOPEZ

STAFF WRITER

D

uring the past couple of months, many students and faculty of Sonoma State have witnessed the changes of weather transitioning from a warm summer into a cool fall season. With the transition of seasons bringing forth much rain, there have been recent reports of flooding problems within the area of Rohnert Park. With problems taking place on the east side of Rohnert Park near Copeland Creek, there have been many cries for help regarding an issue to help control the flooding problems within the county. But with Rohnert Park recently winning a $6 million FEMA grant to help minimize flooding problems, as well as helping to recharge the area’s groundwater, help may very well be on its way soon.

Copeland Creek, which runs through Rohnert Park while also passing by Cabernet Village and the Butterfly Garden, has had several problems regarding an excess amount of water flooding the area. Because of the area’s adobe soil, which doesn’t absorb water as well as other types of soil, problems of flooding have always been

present around the city of Rohnert Park. All these situations have finally led to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s 2020 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant that will help with the problem. This huge grant of about $6 million is set to partially fund the construction of the Copeland Creek detention basin that will help keep the ground more dry. This flood-control project has been planned by the city since 2007 and is now set to officially take effect.

With a plan now set in place by city officials to help mitigate the long lasting flooding problems, many students of SSU are thrilled to hear the news of the $6 million grant.

“I think it’s really cool and impressive that the city was able to pull this off for the residents of Rohnert Park,” explained SSU student Manuel Ponce.

“I don’t really follow much about what happens in this city, but I do agree that this is a great decision conducted by them. I don’t live on campus, but I do have class

see on COPELAND CREEK pg. 4

Man dies in custody of Santa Rosa police MARY HELEN ROWELL STAFF WRITER

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ocal members of the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), the largest Kaiser union, have been on strike for more than two months over wages. To show their support, more than 500 Kaiser Permanente workers joined the picket line outside the main Santa Rosa complex. SEIU plans to picket other Kaiser sites in Northern California.

Chris Keasling, a radiological technician and chief steward for SEIU-UHW who has a union that represents almost 1,500 local Kaiser workers, says, “They’ve been on strike for a total of 62 days now. So we’re here striking in sympathy with them and demanding Kaiser give them a

n Thursday, Nov. 18, 40-year-old Jordon Pas died in custody of the Santa Rosa Police Department after an incident in which Pas was shocked with a stun gun and detained.

According to the news release from the SRPD, authorities received numerous calls from local residents around 1:30 a.m Thursday morning, who reported hearing multiple gunshots and seeing a subject with a gun wandering around Peach Court in Roseland, Santa Rosa.

“Officers arrived on the scene and located a subject matching the description provided by multiple witnesses. The subject was now shirtless and sweating profusely in the cold of night… The man was holding what appeared to be a large landscaping rock in his hand. Officers contacted the man, and attempted to de-escalate the situation, but he would not comply with the officer’s directions,” read the report.

“One officer used his taser to subdue the subject. The man fell to the ground. He continued to resist, but officers were able to place him into handcuffs and transfer him to his side.”

Witnesses claim to have heard a stun gun fire at Pas at least two times.

Not long after being detained, it is reported that Pas suffered from a medical emergency of sorts and was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Further information on the exact cause of death will remain unknown until the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Unit completes their autopsy, a process which Sgt. Juan Valencia, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, said it could take up to four to six weeks.

When authorities first arrived, Pas was seen holding a large rock, not a gun as reports had claimed. However, the area in which Pas had been seen roaming around was searched and authorities found drugs and a rifle, both believed to have belonged to Pas.

see KAISER on pg. 5

see LOCAL MAN on pg. 5

STAR // Nicholas Roth Kaiser engineers and technicians set up their home base on the corner of Mendocino Avenue and Bicentennial Way for the two day strike that started Thursday Nov. 18.

Kaiser workers on strike JHERY MAE MONTEZA STAFF WRITER

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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. 30 - DEC. 6, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Refunds warranted for students whose classes are repeatedly canceled or cut short

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:

“Santa Rosa hires first Black city manager” Read the article on page 5.

Have an opinion?

We’d like to hear from you!

The STAR welcomes letter to the editor

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ith COVID-19 and the struggle that is Zoom University, sometimes a canceled class is helpful - even invited.

The email that reads ‘class is canceled today’ is a relief when you have a mountain of unfinished work to do and no time to do it. But, when you get that email almost every week, that relief turns into frustration.

College students pay to learn curriculum from professors. When a class is canceled or cut short on a regular basis, there’s a lot of class time where no instruction and no learning is taking place. For students who pay tens of thousands of dollars to learn, it starts to feel disrespectful and disappointing when a class that seemed really interesting at first is essentially not being taught thoroughly.

According to a poll the STAR posted on Instagram last week, 36% of respondents said that a class they were taking this semester was repeatedly canceled or cut short. While that isn’t a majority of respondents, there shouldn’t be that many students who experience little to no instruction when they’re literally paying to be there.

If class instruction isn’t taking place on a regular basis - for example if the class is canceled or cut short by the professor close to half of the class periods - then students should be refunded for that class.

One SSU student, who asked to remain anonymous, explained they felt disappointed when a once-a-week Anthropology class at the Santa Rosa Junior College was canceled for almost half the class periods.

“I think it was canceled six or more times,” they wrote. “We were never told why the [professor] canceled. Usually we weren’t told class was canceled [until] like 10 or 15 minutes before the class was supposed to start.”

When a teacher cancels class on a repeated basis, it sends the message to students that their time, money, and effort aren’t appreciated. Students who do pay to put themselves through school, or take out thousands of dollars in loans, feel taken advantage of and aren’t getting the education that they paid for. There needs to be more accountability for professors to actually hold

STAR // Isabelle Barkey

classes for the allotted amount of time that students paid for.

“I don’t feel that I learned as much as [I] could have if the [professor] held classes,” the anonymous student wrote.

According to the Dean of Arts and Humanities Dr. Hollis Robbins, faculty attendance is usually dealt with by department chairs. “Department chairs play the key role in hearing from students about faculty class cancellations. I support chairs in ensuring that students receive the instruction they have paid tuition to receive,” she stated.

However, Sonoma doesn’t have a school-wide policy regarding faculty attendance. After searching through the policy database on SSU’s website, there was only an attendance policy that applied to students.

“Each department addresses faculty absences differently, either ensuring an alternative instructor or rescheduling a class,” Dean Robbins explained. While it is important for department chairs to monitor their faculty attendance closely, the fact that there isn’t a school-wide policy is concerning.

A measure currently available for students to hold teachers accountable for how they conduct classes is through filing a grievance with the Academic Senate. Students can challenge grades and resolve other issues that arise throughout the semester, but the Academic Senate Analyst Laurel Holmstrom – Keyes stated that there hasn’t been a case regarding repeated canceled classes. “Student Grievances need to be based on written policies or procedures,” she continued.

In regards to refunds, she wrote, “The amount of each unit cost is not about the ‘amount of instruction.’ It’s about what it costs the University to offer the course. It is not a commodity. It’s an educational service.”

Regardless of whether it’s a service or a commodity, when the choice to learn is taken away from the student due to a professor not holding class, the school should provide refunds so students can afford to take the class at a different time, with a different professor, and learn the material they paid to learn. Currently, there is no written policy that exists to ensure this.

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.

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 // @wusacaps on Instagram

Editorial Policy: The commentary expressed in the unsigned editorial represents a majority opinion of the STAR Editorial Board on a topic facing the campus community in keeping with journalistic precedents of other major newspapers, and may not be shared by all staff writers. The board encourages readers to write letters to the editor about all topics, including the editorial.

Staff Picks 3

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Seawolves LISTEN! Editor’s Edition: What we’ve been listening to...

Fragile

The Adults Are Talking

By: Ecco2k

By: The Strokes Callie Adams News Editor

Myles Grabau Student Life Editor

Sedona Moragh Graf Opinion Editor

By: Sir Chloe

Empty Cheyenne Carroll Arts & Entertainment Editor

By: Kevin Abstract

Jackie and Wilson

Vengeance

By: Hozier

By: Killstation

Emily Cripe Health & Sports Editor

Isabelle Barkey Photo Editor

Open Door Kylie Rose Lawrence Editor-in-Chief

By: Felly

4 News

NOV. 30, 2021 - DEC. 6, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Ex-mayor of Windsor undergoing investigation ISABEL EPSTEIN STAFF WRITER

O COURTESY // @pressdemocrat on Instagram Mountain lions were seen this year on dozens of motion sensor cameras in the North Bay.

Wildlife sightings increase throughout Sonoma County SIERRA HARVEY STAFF WRITER

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f you drive only 20 minutes south of Rohnert Park you’ll see stretches of farmland and open pasture inhabited by cows, goats, and other livestock. However, Sonoma County is also home to other wildlife that some visitors might be less eager to experience up close. Mountain lions, bears, vultures, and more also call Sonoma County’s landscape home. They inhabit Taylor Mountain, less than five miles from Sonoma State’s campus, and Trione-Annadel Park, just 14 miles away.

On occasions, this wildlife makes its way onto Sonoma State’s campus or in the surrounding towns. Last year, a female mountain had to be removed from roaming around near schools in Rohnert Park, and only last week there was a bear walking around downtown Petaluma. In an area teeming with animals, Sonoma County residents must remain informed about the behaviors of Sonoma County’s wildlife and be prepared for interactions.

Annie Fanelli, a resident of Rohnert Park since 2020, has only recently been surrounded by the wildlife that she now finds herself preparing for a glimpse of. While she’s lived in areas surrounded by farmland and mountains before, this past year was the first time she heard about wildlife getting quite so close. Fanelli heard firsthand that a mountain lion came only steps away from her backyard.

However, despite this, she has maintained that the best defense against a possible mountain lion by your home is a greater understanding.

“I have no problem with ‘so-called’ wild animals- we’re in their territory,” Fanelli said.

Fanelli’s animal-loving philosophy has kept her calm and fascinated by animals moving into new areas or sightings. She believes that understanding animal behavior is key to safety.

“Situational awareness is what’s going to keep you safe,” Fanelli advised. She stressed the importance of understanding the behaviors of the wildlife around your area in order to feel safe and not panicked by the news of a wild animal strolling down your sidewalk.

A similar philosophy is shared and spread by Dr. Quinton Martins, a Big Cat expert, conservationist, and Partner at Sonoma County’s True Wild. He has been studying mountain lion behavior and other wildlife for over 25 years.

Martins said that Sonoma State “is not in the core mountain lion area,” and, if anything, mountain lions may “move along the creek,” as he explained how younger mountain lions may use creeks as pathways. For most cases, however, mountain lions choose to move around people, avoiding them whenever possible. While this is their territory there are only a few mountain lions with established territory in the area and their behavior shouldn’t lead them into densely populated areas. He stressed multiple times that mountain lions in this area seek to avoid people.

“You would be amazed,” Dr. Martins said, “if you overlaid GPS from hikes and mountain lions, how close you’ve come.”

While this idea may seem startling, the one biggest take-away from Dr. Martin’s explanation of mountain lion behavior is that they are “doing everything they can not to be detected.”

Last week in Petaluma, a black bear was spotted walking around near Petaluma Golf and Country Club before climbing into a redwood tree, as reported by the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

“Really the best thing to do is just give thanks, back off, and let the bear do what it does,” said Meghan Walla-Murphy, a wildlife ecologist, tracker and independent consultant, to the Press Democrat.

These experiences of black bears coming into populated areas seem to be on the rise as their populations rise and they move into new territories.

In compliance with new federal and CSU procedures, Sonoma State has recently updated its safety protocols around animals on campus in a memo that went out Nov. 17.

“On November 10, 2021, a revised Animals on Campus policy went into effect at Sonoma State University. Risk Management and Safety Services has been working to align SSU policies with CSU systemwide procedures and policies to ensure compliance and reduce risk..[and] to ensure equity and compliance with new federal and state guidelines,” read the mass email sent out to campus.

New ordinance forces residents to sort their trash JAKE MORRISSEY STAFF WRITER

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andfills alone in California produce about 20% of all the methane from the state. Methane is one of the most notable greenhouse gases affecting the environment. In an effort to combat these greenhouse gases, Sonoma County will be adopting a new ordinance that will affect how residents sort their trash.

Starting Jan. 1, residents will be required to separate organic material out of their regular trash. Organic materials can be anything like food scraps, yard waste and manure. Residents will be receiving a third bin to put these in. It will be a green bin for organic waste, along with the black and blue bins for regular trash and recycling. The City Sustainability Coordinator Travis Wagner noted that meat, fish, and dairy products are now supposed to be put in the green bin.

This is a change that may take some time for Sonoma County residents to get used to, but in the long run, keeping organic waste from the landfills will help significantly with methane emissions.

“This is a significant change in behavior,” said Travis Wagner, via the Sonoma Index-Tribune. “It is going to take a while.”

This ordinance comes in response to the Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy that was passed in 2016 by the state Senate. It stated that local jurisdictions must create an organics ordinance that requires the separation of organic materials by Jan. 1, 2022. While this new ordinance will be put into effect in the new year, enforcement of this protocol is not required until Jan. 1, 2024.

In other news from the city council, Sonoma County resident Sandra Lowe was sworn into city council on Nov. 17. She received 61% of the vote on Nov. 2 to receive her seat at the council. Lowe will be filling a spot that has been left empty since July, when Amy Harrington resigned.

Also on the agenda for city council is the consideration of a new resolution to shorten the application process for commercial cannabis companies within the city. The new resolution is expected to shorten the application time by about 10 weeks. This will be done by cutting down the Request For Proposal response time, eliminating the “zoning verification” letter, and decreasing staff review times, via sonomanews. com.

Although greenhouse emissions have become a huge issue for not only California state, but also the entire world, Sonoma County will start doing its part to limit emissions in the new year. Look out for a new green trash bin to sort out organic materials from other typical forms of trash in the near future.

n Nov. 10 at 8:40 a.m., detectives with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department served a search warrant and raided the former mayor of Windsor, Dominic Foppolis’ house seizing 10 electronic devices to help aid in an ongoing seven-month long investigation.

Last May, Foppoli reluctantly stepped down as mayor after he was accused of multiple counts of sexual assault and misconduct by nine different women, These women have accused Foppoli of sexual assault, abuse or harassment between the years of 2002 to early 2021. Foppoli has denied all allegations that began to surface in April and has yet to be charged with a crime.

According to the Press Democrat, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Juan Valencia said “the search warrant was the first served in the ongoing investigation into Foppoli.”

The search warrant that was issued Nov. 3 allowed investigators to search Foppoli’s electronic devices and data. This included his browser history, bookmarks and favorited web page as well as searching two of his cars. The search was conducted to obtain evidence that would help in proving that a felony has been committed.

According to court documents, the devices taken from Foppoli’s home include two laptops, three iPads, a cell phone, a recording device, a camera, a USB drive and a CD. Investigators were searching for photographs that depict a “Jane Doe 1” in 2002 and a “Jane Doe 5” in 2017. By law, a judge would not have permitted investigators to search Foppoli’s property unless they had presented a strong case that the seized electronics held evidence of crimes, according to Kathleen Pozzi, a recently retired public attorney in Sonoma County.

Usually the Sonoma County’ District Attorney’s Office (DA) would approve the warrant before a judge to establish probable cause but because current Windsor council member Esther Lemus is one of many alleged victims, the DA’s office recused itself.

“It can’t be on a hunch,” Pozzi said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. “There had to be something sufficient enough for a court to sign a warrant. That just tells me that there’s something.”

The San Francisco Chronicle also reports that the raid was a result of a new claim of sexual assault against Foppoli that a woman had made just a few weeks prior. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s office confirmed on Nov. 16 that about a month ago, an additional woman told investigators about a sexual assault that allegedly occured while Foppoli was an elected official.

Traci Carillo, a former prosecutor who is representing several of the alleged victims, including the most recent woman said the alleged assault would fall within California’s statute of limitations for prosecuting sex crimes.

Many members of the community have expressed their concerns with the investigation taking so long however, if a search warrant is executed prematurely it could hurt the prosecution’s case.

According to SoCoNews, Valencia said “With the Dominic Foppoli case, this is a very complex investigation...We want to make sure we’re turning over every stone and looking in every corner to make sure we’re not missing anything.”

Carrillo told KRCB that the developments made on Nov. 10 suggest an arrest is coming. She added she has concerns that some evidence may have been lost, concealed or destroyed in the months since the allegations emerged.

In addition to the local investigation, a second investigation is proceeding in Florida as Farrah Abraham, a former reality television star, reported to the Palm Beach police in April that Foppoli assaulted her at the end of March.

Abraham’s attorney, Spencer Kuvin said that Abraham had physical and digital evidence from the encounter with Foppoli and has turned it over to the police. He also confirmed Abraham has been in contact with Sonoma County investigators.

Foppoli is also the subject of two state investigations into potential violations of California’s campaign and political ethics laws.

Copeland Creek to receive new flood protection measures continued from pg. 1

at the Wine Center which is really close to the creek and I have noticed a lot of big puddles in that area. It is kind of annoying to try to get past them without having your feet all wet and it sucks having to stay in class with water coming out of your shoes. But overall, I think this decision is going to mostly benefit the students and the people living in this area - so I’d say I’m happy for the city.”

Officials have also announced that the basin along Copeland Creek will be expected to contain stormwater flows and to hopefully lower the damage potential of flood events over a 10-year time period. They also noted that stormwater captured in the basin will help create a slower recharge of the groundwater which will also be beneficial to the fish that live around the area, as well as minimizing the flooding effects that have hovered over Rohnert Park residents. A Press Democrat article published on Dec. 2 stated that the start of the basin construction will be determined by FEMA in the near future. Although it is estimated to start taking place around 2022, it was also announced that it would take about three years until the basin could be eligible to be put to use.

It is unclear how construction will influence campus life in the future, but students can expect the possibility of certain areas being closed down around Cabernet Village, the Butterfly garden and possibly more areas.

News 5

NOV. 30, 2021 - DEC. 6, 2021 sonomastatestar.com

SSU former lecturer faces fine, prison for arson charges MARY HELEN ROWELL STAFF WRITER

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COURTESY // NAACP Santa Rosa-Sonoma on Facebook Santa Rosa City Manager Maraskeshia Smith has just assumed her new role.

Santa Rosa hires first Black city manager ALEXIS GONZALEZ STAFF WRITER

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anta Rosa City Council recently selected Maraskeshia Smith to take the reigns as Santa Rosa’s new city manager. Smith will be the first Black city manager for Santa Rosa. She was selected after an extensive search to replace current city manager of Escondido Sean McGlynn.

Smith, who’s currently serving as Stockton’s deputy city manager, has made quite the name for herself with her previous employment being Oakland’s assistant city manager, ushering in many important programs to impact the city of Oakland. The programs included making housing more affordable, helping the homeless, and plans for economic development.

Her arrival comes after Sonoma County was hit with a devastating loss within its government due to alleged racism, as Sheba Person-Whitley, the county’s economic development official, announced her resignation towards the end of October.

Person-Whitley’s departure comes due to what she believes were racist remarks during her time working for Sonoma County’s government.

Santa Rosa City Mayor Chris Rodgers shared how “nervous” he was for Smith to be selected for the role when asked by a reporter from the Press Democrat.

Sonoma County has a controversial and racist history that is still evident today, whether it’s officials and people of color being pushed out of positions of power, or the extensive amount of hate crimes that plague the county.

Hate crimes have been an ongoing issue for the County of Sonoma, and the problem isn’t looking to be slowing down anytime soon. The FBI released data that was provided in a report by the Press Democrat back late Sept. on the rise of hate crimes in Sonoma County, with it doubling in 2020 to 25 cases compared to 2019’s 11 cases. These cases can possibly be due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to an increase in hate crimes and attacks towards the Asian-American and PacificIslanders in Sonoma County and across the nation.

The hiring of Smith is one that not only gives the county of Sonoma a chance of redemption in showing progress towards equality, but it also gives the city and the citizens of Santa Rosa a variety of new opportunities in programs that would benefit the locals living in the city.

Smith has proven to be exceptionally qualified for the position, and her previous work in Stockton, Oakland, and Cincinnati have led to positive changes in the communities. When Smith was hired as city administrator of Oakland back in 2018, Oakland city administrator at the time, Sabrina Landreth, saw Smith’s background in government and former occupation as Cinicinnati’s director of public services as one that presented promising results.

Landreth said that Smith is “recognized as a leader in performance management and data-driven decision making for tracking efficiency and effectiveness of frontline operations, improving service-level performance, and enhancing customer service.” The impact Smith has had in her career is mentioned by Rodgers, City Mayor, as well. He said, “can implement policy and she can back it up with numbers.”

In light of the appointment, Mayor Rodgers expresses how eager he is for Smith to start. “I am very excited for Ms. Smith to be Santa Rosa’s new city manager. Not only is she exceptionally qualified, but she also has a proven track record of lifting others up through mentorship and public service. Ms. Smith will be a tremendous addition to our city and to our community,” in a press statement by Rodgers.

Smith will become the first Black city manager in the history of Santa Rosa, once she starts her role on Jan. 3rd. Her arrival is historic for the city, and will hopefully be a positive change for the community.

Local man dies in SRPD custody continued from pg. 1

“A rifle was located in the area where the subject was detained, and there was evidence that gunshots had been fired in the same area. There was also evidence of controlled substances located at the scene near the subject. Witnesses confirmed that the subject detained by the officers was the same subject seen in possession of the rifle,” stated the SRPD news release.

According to officials, no residents or officers were injured during the incident.

An investigation into Pas’ death and the involvement of the SRPD is currently being conducted by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, and the SRPD is conducting an internal investigation of its own.

On Friday, Nov. 19, the day after Pas’ death, it was announced that eight of Santa Rosa officers and one of the sergeants involved in Pas’ arrest had been put on paid administrative leave.

In a quote for the Press Democrat, Santa Rosa Police Chief, Ray Navarro, assures full transparency on the investigation and the officers involved, “Nobody wants to have something like this happen,” said Navarro. “We want to be transparent in everything that we do and we know the community expects that of us.

The Department is expected to release further information on the investigation, including the names of the officers and body camera footage, within the next week or so.

ormer Sonoma State University lecturer and alleged serial arsonist, Gary Stephen Maynard, 47, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Thursday, Nov. 18.

Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced that Maynard is being charged with four counts of arson to federal property and one count of setting timber afire. If convicted, Maynard could face up to 20 years in prison along with a $250,000 fine for each individual count of arson.

The official news release posted by the Dependent of Justice stated that, “Arson to federal property carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.”

According to court documents, Maynard is accused of starting four separate fires over the course of July and August, the Cascade Fire on July 20, the Everitt Fire on July 21, and both the Ranch and Conard Fire on August 7.

In a phone interview with The New York Times, one of Maynard’s lawyers, Hannah Labaree said, “Mr. Maynard has consistently denied the allegations and he will enter a formal plea of not guilty at his hearing next week.”

The fires were started near the Shasta Trinity National Forest and Lassen National Forest, all within a concerning proximity to the growing Dixie fire. While the fires were extinguished before they could reach any homes or buildings, they were a huge threat to the firefighters working to contain the Dixie fire.

The Dixie fire, which began on July 13 burning through October 25 when it was fully contained, is one of the largest wildfires in California history, burning over 963,309 acres and 1,329 structures.

Maynard was arrested on Aug. 7 for “willfully setting fire to land owned by or under the jurisdiction of the United States” and is currently being held at Sacramento County Jail without bail.

However, authorities first began investigating Maynard back in July when his vehicle was spotted close to where the Cascade Fire had first started.

Originally from San Jose, Maynard was a part-time lecturer at Sonoma State University back in Fall of 2020, teaching two seminars that semester in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies.

Maynard also worked at Santa Clara university from September 2019 to December

STAR // Nicholas Roth Strikers display signs protesting against the lack of action by Kaiser during contract negotiations and advocating for the removal of Greg Adams.

Kaiser workers demand higher wages continued from pg. 1

fair contract with good raises. They were with us inside through the pandemic.”

Outside Kaiser Bicentennial Way the picket line participated in a one-day sympathy strike for members of Stationary Engineers Local 39, and were joined by some clinical lab scientists from the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).

On Nov. 19, the California Nurses Association and National Union of Healthcare Workers protested in Santa Rosa showing that they stand by the side of the International Union of Operating Engineers, which claims that about 600 workers across the region are being paid less than those who have a similar position in the Bay Area.

As a response to the ongoing strike, Kaiser said, “As one of the largest health care union employers in the United States — with nearly 75% of our employees working under collective bargaining agreements — we fully understand solidarity among unions.

But given the demands of Local 39, on top of the already market-leading compensation and highest retirement benefit of any represented employee in our organization, we believe that sympathy strikes are not appropriate in this case. We are asking our staff to choose to be there for our patients, and to come to work.”

Kaiser is trying to sort out the labor differences without a halt in work because it would only hurt the community especially because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement to the public, Kaiser added, “We are optimistic that we can resolve the remaining issues with Local 39 at the bargaining table and reach an agreement that continues to reward our employees and supports health care affordability, just as we have with several unions this week.”

Earlier this month, Kaiser reached a tentative agreement with 50,000 members of the Alliance of Health Care Unions in addition with the pharmacists union and rehabilitation therapist with the help of Kaiser management that prevented labor action. Their union members still have to vote on whether to agree to the three- and four-year deals.

Jason Coester, a local strike captain for the engineers’ union who has been working at the Santa Rosa medical center for 21 years, talked about how the biggest issue has been “lack of communication and willingness” and it took them three weeks to enter negotiations. Coester spoke about being buoyed with all the support from the other unions, and was overwhelmed.

Due to the strike, many of the members of the community and recurring Kaiser patients may be affected. Kaiser stated, “Clinical managers and doctors will continue treating patients along with qualified contingency staff. Some non-urgent medical procedures or appointments may be affected and in advance staff will modify or reschedule.

Lab, optometry, or radiology services have reduced hours or may be closed. For those with treatment, it is advised to call the 24-hour appointment and advice call center.

6 Opinion

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Black Friday overshadowed by Cyber Monday

ALEX GONZALEZ STAFF WIRTER

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lack Friday has to be one of the most exciting holiday traditions. Stores present doorbuster deals for consumers to get them waiting in line before they open, with the promise of exclusive deals on items that are only seen the day after Thanksgiving. Exciting? Sure, but it is a tradition that has slowly been on the decline, and it is not for one reason, but many attributing factors.

The consumer tradition is known for deals on high-end electronics, from price cuts on flatscreen TVs to next-gen game consoles and computer accessories. Such products being in huge demand is no exception this year. This leaves retailers facing troublesome problems with shortages and supply chain crises.

Parts specific to products like the PS5 and Xbox Series X, as well as graphics cards for PCs, have been in a shortage throughout this year in particular. This is primarily due to the lack of supply by the manufacturers, and it isn’t the main problem regarding this year’s Black Friday.

All retailers (in fact, all businesses) have

been facing massive delays in receiving any type of product due to the crisis with the supply chains overseas, as well as shipping delays from the suppliers. This leaves retailers with very little products to put out, leaving customers unsatisfied and unable to fulfill the wish lists they have.

Consumer Marketing Expert Dan Halley explains it best in an interview with Yahoo regarding “what to buy and what to avoid” on Black Friday by briefly stating, “Just go get it.” He explains that due to the supply issues playing a role in retail this year, people really shouldn’t rely on Black Friday for any good deals. Halley goes on to explain, “When Black Friday, Cyber Monday rolls around, you don’t know if there’s going to be deals on [your desired product], number one, and number two, if there will be enough [product] to go around.”

The necessity of being early is another key element in the decline of Black Friday. Doorbusters are undoubtedly an excellent incentive in having consumers swinging by to see what appealing deals catch their eye.

As exciting as these doorbuster deals are, retailers have been making these set deals available earlier and earlier than usual for the past few years. Places like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy, to name a few, have started these deals early from either a day, a week, to even this year, making the deals available the first week of November. This marketing decision puts the excitement towards Black Friday on the decline for consumer interest.

“I would say that ‘doorbuster’ deals being spread out over time have made the hype come down,” comments Hunter Murphy, a consumer of Best Buy, who gives out his opinion on this mar-

College students’ cost of living higher than ever

keting ploy retailers like Best Buy use. Murphy explains in another comment how he had “grown up with the excitement of finding deals in person and walking out with the satisfaction,” and since doorbuster deals are much more spread out, it makes in person shopping the day of Black Friday “a much calmer experience.”

It’s surely not dated, but rather evolving before our eyes. Lisa Marsh, who’s been an avid consumer on Black Friday for the past decade, has seen the changes throughout the years when she’s out trying to secure deals the day of. Marsh mentions how online shopping on Cyber Monday is much more convenient for people nowadays than waiting in the early morning on Black Friday. “Adding the ongoing pandemic, stores have been able to adapt and have turned to marketing their deals online, rather than in-person shopping, which is a convenience to many,” Marsh states while commenting how Black Friday became “much more subtle.”

Camping outside of retail stores, snagging insanely cheap products, and having adrenaline pumping through your veins on Black Friday doesn’t have the same appeal as it used to.

It seems unlikely that we will see the tradition’s hype return to where it once was. This is due to many factors, the main ones being the COVID-19 pandemic, and with it, the rising popularity of Cyber Monday. Other factors also include retailers offering early doorbuster deals days or even weeks before Black Friday. Though it is possible to resurrect this consumer tradition, it would definitely be a far cry from what it once was, and the process would have to be made much easier than it used to be to attract shoppers again.

GOP shines light on safety concerns for school board members

DIANA ORTIZ

STAFF WIRTER

D

espite the dozens of parties, the fun sporting events, and the first taste of freedom from parental authority, being a college student in today’s day comes with an overload of stressful deadlines and a constant need to budget one’s money to help cover the multiple expenses that come with being a college student. As the prices of everyday goods have significantly increased in the past few months, many college students are forced to broaden out their already limited budgets.

In California, gas prices have officially reached an all time high as the state average reaches $4.71, according to AAA. Sonoma State University is an institution where many of its students commute to and from school. Depending on how far the students commute from, the drive to school can become quite costly for students having to commute multiple times a week.

It is also important to consider the fact that many students are also working part-time or even full-time jobs while also being full-time students. For many, this contributes to their travel and gas expenses. According to the New York Times, the main cause for the rise in gas prices is mainly due to COVID-19. The article states, “Gas production fell when demand plummeted last year amid stay-at-home orders, and it hasn’t caught up as commuters and tourists return.”

Another big expense on everyone’s plate is the increased cost of food and groceries. For Sonoma State student Leilah Hoang, purchasing groceries stands out as a major dip in her wallet.

In fact, Hoang stated that she believes groceries are “the main expense for most college students, especially those without a meal plan”. She recalls noticing the increase in food prices when she moved away from her family and back on to campus for the start of the fall semester. Hoang is a senior at SSU and like many other upperclassmen living on-campus, the SSU meal plan is not in her budget, therefore pushing her to rely on grocery store visits to keep her refrigerator stocked. According to ABC 7 News, price jump is a result of the U.S economy rebounding from 2020’s “brief but intense recession”. The article also stated, “The price of meat, fish and eggs went up 11.9% from October 2020 to October 2021. Meanwhile, the cost of non-alcoholic drinks increased 4.5%, fruits and vegetables increased 3%, and the price of dairy increased 1.8%”. Although the high prices point to the U.S recovering its economy, the increase in prices seems outrageous to many California residents.

On top of the growing prices of everyday goods such as food and gas, college students are also met with other challenging expenses such as college tuition and other bills. For example, Hoang is a full-time student, but also works full-time. She states, “I have to pay bills and tuition, so it’s all about understanding how to manage money in order to have extra money to go out with friends”.

As the holiday season comes around and the semester comes to an end, these high prices can seem all the more dwindling.

Many college students find themselves spending time apart from their families because of the high cost of gas prices preventing them from driving home for the holidays, while others are unable to buy holiday gifts for friends and family. Regardless of what each individual’s lives consist of, being a college student is expensive, demanding, and difficult; however, we’re all secretly hoping the degree is worth the stress.

JESSICA STERNFELD STAFF WRITER

W

hile there has been a general rise in crime rates in the U.S. in recent years, according to the FBI, Americans are seeing more of this uptick in smaller aspects of life.

Hate crimes, unruly passengers, and threats against school boards have skyrocketed all across the country.

But as the FBI, led by Attorney General Merrick Garland, attempts to fight against the latter threat, they are met with backlash from Republicans.

On November 16, the GOP Twitter account shared an FBI email from a “whistleblower.” The email itself asked that FBI officials tag “investigations and assessments of threats specifically directed against school board administrators, board members, teachers and staff” with the threat tag “EDUOFFICIAL”.

Yet, the first part of the same Twitter thread from the House Judiciary GOP account states that “Whistleblower Discloses Explosive Documents Showing FBI Using Counterterrorism Tools to Investigate Parents.”

The issues the whistleblower is addressing started back at the end of September: A letter from the National School Board Association got slammed for “[likening] parents to domestic terrorists,” accoring to Fox News. However, the letter never mentioned parents at any point. The letter did mention hate groups, including an instance of two men doing a Nazi salute at a school board meeting. So if that was an example of the “concerned parent” that the GOP is championing, then they might want to examine some things.

The use of “domestic terrioism” is taken mostly out of context in this instance. The NSBA letter actually says, “as these acts of malice, violence, and threats against public school officials have increased, the classification of these heinous actions could be the equivalent to a form of domestic terrorism and hate crimes.”

The NSBA has since apologized for the letter and it can no longer be found on their website. There is definitely some sort of irony that an organization that was supposedly blocking freedom of speech was forced to delete a message that broke no laws.

US Code defines dometic terrorism as activities that are intended “to intimidate or coerce a civilian population” and “to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion.”

People threatening school board members definitely fall under that definition. Even if they were not domestic terrorists, they are committing a crime of violence. Crimes of violence are defined as “threatened use of physical force against the person or prop­erty of another” in US Code.

Granted, these things would be, and should be, examined in a court of law.

The NSBA letter even asks for “a joint expedited review by the U.S. Departments of Justice, Education, and Homeland Security, along with the appropriate training, coordination, investigations, and enforcement mechanisms from the FBI.” The government is not cracking down on anti maskers. It’s cracking down on those who are actively doing crimes. There is a clear line between talking out against mask mandates/ vaccines and threatening bodily harm.

Anyone worried about crossing that line needs to examine what they are saying.

School Boards aren’t asking for an end to free speech, they are asking for safety and justice against those that seek to harm them.

It should not sit right with people that a clearly targeted group reached out for help and was slammed for a word they never used, and never even implied the use of. And if those slamming them for preventing free speech really cared about freedom of speech, the NSBA would be allowed to speak up for itself.

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Arts & Entertainment 7 Spotlight of the Week:

CLÉA UPCHER

F

Artist and lecturer Jenny Braun

STAFF WRITER

or Jenny Braun, lecturer in the art department here at SSU, art has been an ever present source of joy since before she can remember. “It’s hard to say where it started, but I can say that I’ve always enjoyed using my hands to make things and I think it was that affinity to craft and materials that led me into art,” stated Braun.

Braun is a Seawolf through and through. Her career started here at SSU, when she went through the BFA program. “This is where I realized I was an artist. I had so many wonderful and supportive professors and there is such an amazing sense of community,” Braun wrote. After SSU, she continued on to the University of Iowa, where she earned an MA and an MFA in Printmaking and Intermedia.

“For me, printmaking and digital media have so many things in common.

They are both process driven and rely on layers, multiples, and have a certain malleability that I love to explore,” she wrote.

“It’s ok to fail. Our failures bring us new paths and opportunities.”

With Sonoma State making such an impact during her time as a student, she “...was thrilled to have the opportunity to come back to that program and teach,” she wrote. “My favorite part of teaching is supporting and problemsolving with driven students and their ideas,” she continued.

She teaches a varitey of courses at SSU, including, 2D and 3D fundamentals, drawing, and printmaking.

While cultivating the next generation of great artists, Braun continues to work on her own projects and develop her art.

“I have done several semi-permanent murals around Santa Rosa using wheat-paste and silkscreen. I love when I get to work on such a large scale,” she wrote.

Braun is currently working on a variety of new pieces, including, “... drawings that jump off a previous body of work in which I used Snapchat to create abstract digital collages and then made phone-screen sized paintings of those collages. Now I am making some drawings and thinking about the edges of the boundary of the screen,” she wrote.

In addition to this innovative endeavor with Snapchat, Braun has been delving into new territory. “I have… been in an exploring stage and have been making things with new materials. This part of making work is sometimes the most fun because I give myself permission to play with lots of different materials without a specific outcome in mind,” she wrote.

When Braun was asked what she has learned that she would tell her college self, she responded: “It’s ok to fail. Our failures bring us new paths and opportunities.”

COURTESY // Jenny Braun Braun’s newest drawing has a lot of abstract symbolism within it to create a sense of mystery and fantasy.

What’s happening this week? SSU events to look forward to after Thanksgiving break ILEANA ALEMAN

STAFF WRITER

T

he semester is coming to an end and so are the events students break. can attend before the start of winter break.

First year student Braiyan Cortez said “Unfortunately I have not Some events include Music Theatre Scenes on Nov. 30, a had the opportunity to attend any concert events this semester, I’ve Fall Dance Concert on Dec. 1 through Dec. 5, a Music Department been super busy with school, work and adjusting to college life. My Repertory Recital on Dec. 1, a Jazz Orchestra performance and sev- goal is to be able to attend a concert event in the upcoming weeks or eral other concert events. even next semester to see how it goes and get to experience it.”

The “Fall Dance Concert” will consist of four different shows, Students are excited about the concert events, but would also like giving students several opportunities to tune in whenever they are to see more diversity for future events, specifically, in the type of available. This event will be held via zoom and there will be a special concert events held. opportunity where students can enjoy the performance live in BallCortez continued “I don’t only want to be a student at Sonoma, I room B of the Student Center. also want to be involved in as many activities as possible. Some conThe live performance will be held on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. For the op- certs that I’d like to see are maybe anything for the Latino commuportunity to attend the concert live, students need to fill out a google nity - that would be epic.” form that confirms which in person event they are attending and when.

For more information, students can visit the Seawolf Living page and under the events tab look for “Fall Dance Concert” which has a link to the google form and more information on the dance concert.

The Jazz orchestra will be on Friday Dec. 3 from 7:30 pm- 8:30 pm in Weill Hall at the Green Music Center (GMC). As usual with GMC events, admission is free to Sonoma State students with their SSU ID. Students attend events at the GMC because they enjoy the scenery and ambiance it provides.

Grace Victor, a sophomore at Sonoma State, said “I have attended a couple of Jazz band concerts and I am in concert choir so I was also in a concert at the GMC. I enjoyed the feeling of sitting in a nice theatre and watching a good performance. I personally really enjoy going to see things in concert. I like to get a little more dressed up and the GMC is beautiful so it is a great experience overall.”

On the flip side some students are eager to attend events but can’t find the time in their schedule to do so. While students haven’t had COURTESY // @ssutheatredance on Instagram much time to attend on campus events throughout the semester, they Theatre students prepare for “Distanced”, which was choreographed and directed by look forward to coming back from Thanksgiving break and taking Jennifer Martuscelli, for the Fall Dance 2021 performance. advantage of what there is to participate in before the start of winter

8 Student Life

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

SSU’s Study Abroad programs through Global Engagement allows students to go on adventures while taking their classes in different countries.

COURTESY // Hope Ortiz

Global Engagement re-opens Study Abroad programs DANA SCACCO STAFF WRITER

T

hrough Global Engagement on campus, all Sonoma State students have the opportunity to study abroad in various countries through SSU’s Study Away Program. The Study Away webpage on the university’s website states that students who want to study away must consider how long they want to study abroad, what location they want to study in, and what major/minor they will study. Students should also consider their financing options, and if they want to learn a different language.

The programs available to students include: the short term program which is one to four weeks throughout SSU’s summer courses, the one semester mid length program through the National Student Exchange and the long term program which is two semesters through CSU International Programs. Each program has different benefits and any undergraduate student can participate in any combination of the programs for a total of two years.

Hope Ortiz, SSU’s Global Engagement Coordinator and International Admissions Specialist, gave her insight on some of the key steps to study abroad. Ortiz said, “The first step to studying away is to attend an information meeting, which right now is being offered virtually. Our website, international.sonoma.edu, has all of the basic information students need, including the Information Meeting, program information, and info and resources on financing their study away experience. After that general meeting, I meet with students one-on-one to help them finalize their plans and get them started on the application process. Applications are due generally the semester prior to studying away and I work with students to help make sure they are submitting a competitive application.”

All three Study Away programs are available to all majors, and all courses offered count towards graduation. Students participating in any CSU International Program must be enrolled in at least 15 units and students choosing the National Student Exchange Program must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units. It is crucial that students meet with their advisors to approve the courses they will be taking while abroad and how they will count at SSU. Anaïs Wilson, a fourth year Geography, Environmental Studies, and Planning student, shared the importance of meeting with advisors and researching the correct classes to study abroad by stating, “ you have to stay on top your work for the study abroad program and meet with your personal advisor to make sure that studying abroad makes sense for you in terms of your units and graduation time. One of the most important factors is researching what schools and programs have the classes that would correctly transfer over to your units here at SSU. You want to make sure that you’re getting credit

for the classes you are taking.”

The Study Away webpage states that studying abroad is affordable and encourages students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for financial assistance.

The webpage lists that there are lots of scholarships and grant opportunities for students to fund their education studying away. Wilson emphasized that, “students should take advantage to study abroad because it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel and experience a different country for about the same price as attending Sonoma State!”

Ortiz detailed the benefits to studying away, by expressing that, “research shows that studying abroad is one of the most beneficial and influential experiences a student can have in college. Studies have found that the benefits of studying abroad include growth in independence, open-mindedness, flexibility, adaptability, and crosscultural understanding. All are skills that are valued by future employers, and study abroad alumni tend to get higher out of college faster and make more money than their non-study abroad peers. I’ve never had a student complete their study away experience and come back and say they wished they hadn’t gone, whereas I meet many people who say they regret not studying abroad when they were a student.”

Study Away has three language programs that students can participate in. The Advanced Language Program allows students that are proficient in another language to take courses in the host country’s language. The Learn Languages Program focuses on helping students learn another language through beginner and intermediate courses.

Finally, the Study in English Program lets students take courses in English, while giving them the opportunity to learn the host country’s language on the side.

Joe Palaniuk, a fourth year Geography, Environment, and Planning student, studied abroad for one semester in Barcelona. He explained why he wanted to participate in the program and study in another country, by saying, “I always loved learning about different cultures and learning Spanish. I think learning a second language, especially Spanish, is really useful for any career and life in general. I saw studying abroad as the perfect way to travel and learn Spanish. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and live in a different country for an extended amount of time.”

Ortiz urged students to try the Study Away Program by explaining, “all majors can study away, and I hope all students will at least consider studying away. It’s very affordable, oftentimes cheaper than staying at SSU, and students can use their financial aid.

It’s important for students to enter the study away experience with an open mind, and by doing so they will have an amazing, rewarding experience.

Paint & Sip returns for Transgender Awareness Week JAKE MORRISSEY STAFF WRITER

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s the end of the semester is nearing and finals week looms ahead for the students of Sonoma State, many are looking for ways to destress and get their minds off of the work they have to get done. Associated Student Productions has been working hard to provide events for students to participate in all semester long, and they provided the second Paint & Sip event of the semester on Nov. 18. This event was during Transgender Awareness Week, so all students were painting with exclusively blue, pink, and white paints.

The event had two different sessions, one at 6 p.m. and the other starting at 8 p.m., so students were allowed to choose whatever time works best for them. With Weyden & Brewsters’ being closed throughout the Fall 2021 semester, ASP has used the building as an open space to sprawl out and allow students to attend various events. Associated Student Productions provided snacks and drinks, such as coffee, lemonade and Bubbly sparkling water, for all those who attended.

At each Paint and Sip event, Associated Student Productions has an artist come in to lead the painting and crafting. The artist does this step by step to make it easy for all students to follow along. They do this so all students, regardless of artistic ability, can have a fun and easy time painting.

“Our expectations for this event are for students to have fun,” said ASP event director Mariah Madrigal-Hernandez, who put on the event. “All of our events are created for students to have fun things to do on campus and better their college experience.”

This week’s Paint & Sip only provided student artists with the colors pink, blue, and white to paint with, in an effort to show the school’s solidarity and support for Transgender Awareness Week.

While this event serves as a conclusion to the Paint & Sip events that have been hosted throughout the semester, it will be back in the following semester by popular demand. However, Associated Students will be providing students with a few more fun and interactive activities throughout the remainder of the semester.

On December 1, ASP will host an event called “Tunes at Noon” on the Person Lawn. At this event, Big Blue Soul Revue, a jazz band, will be performing live.

Along with the band ASP will be providing SSU t-shirts for students to tye-dye and take home for themselves. On the same day, ASP will also be offering a “Stress-Free Sweets” event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Ballroom D of the Student Center. Students will be able to enjoy holiday-themed treats, like ice cream sandwiches and hot chocolate, after showing their SSU ID card as a way to unwind for the holiday season. The following day, Dec. 2, there will be the last free bowling night of the semester, which will take place at Double Decker Lanes from 10 p.m. to midnight. Last but not least, ASP will be putting on a drive-in holiday movie night in Parking Lot F on-campus, where they will be screening the classic Christmas movie “Elf” starting at 9 p.m. Be sure to take part in some of the final Associated Students events throughout the remainder of the semester, and stay tuned for more events throughout the Spring 2022 semester.

Be sure to check out the Seawolf Living website to learn more about Paint & Sip events and others that will take place in the future. In the spring semester SSU will be integrating more in-person events, and students will see the return of some events from previous years.

STAR // Adrienne Moon Freshmen Christina and Chrystal share their paintings after attending Associated Students’ popular Paint & Sip event.

STAR // Adrienne Moon Artistic students paint with pink, blue, and white in solidarity of Transgender Awareness Week during ASP’s Paint & Sip event.

Student Life 9

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

TRIO offers support for first-generation SSU students

PEDRO ORTEGA PEREZ STAFF WRITER

M

any first-generation students experience anxiety and fear while attending college for the first time. Being the first in the family to set foot in a new environment can be nerve-wracking for most, especially when the first instance of the campus that they see comes from brochures or online tours. In honor of November being first-generation month, SSU screened a film, “First Generation”, presented by Sonoma State TRIO Pre-Collegiate Programs and Student Support Services.

With first-generation students often feeling isolated and lost, Sonoma State aimed to help all first-generation students feel included while they have to say goodbye to their families and take the next step in their lives. Moving away from home represents freedom and responsibility, and Sonoma State is working to aid students in not feeling so alone as they navigate their college journey.

“The whole process was mostly me and my advisor in high school. Mostly me though, I needed to do all the work on searching for financial aid and seeing where I qualify. Still, I don’t know how I did it”, said Larissa Hernandez, an SSU student. “No one in my family had ever come to college. They didn’t know what the requirements were, the application process, or how much it would cost to put me through school”.

This event was geared towards prospective college students that have yet to graduate from high school, in an effort to provide an example of what the college application process looks like for interested students.

According to the 2019 California State University fact book, “Nearly one-third of CSU students are the first in their families to attend college and more than half of CSU graduates are the first in their families to earn a degree.”

The film presented at the recent screening was produced by Adam and Jaye Fenderson and also made possible by the Lumina Foundation for Education, which has a goal of increasing the percentage of high-quality degrees and credentials to 60% by the year 2025.

The film stars Cecilia Lopez, Dontay Gray, Jessica Chevallier, and Kerosoma Leio, all of whom are first-generation students themselves. Lopez is an exemplary student and competitive cross-country runner, Gray is a dedicated athlete who was able to turn his life around after being incarcerated, Chevallier has a strong work ethic and is also a top performer at her school, and Leio is a kind-hearted son whose goal is to make his family proud.

All students featured in the film face their own adversities. They faced challenges in school and in their personal life, but the challenge they had in common was finance.

All students didn’t have the money for college and were either heavily reliant on financial aid or needed to attend another school other than one of their dreams.

COURTESY // triosss.sonoma.edu Sonoma State’s TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) are designed to help first-generation college students navigate their college experience.

Similarly, an SSU student who’d like to remain anonymous, expresses how paying for college has been challenging. “I’m undocumented and didn’t qualify for DACA. Finding work can sometimes be difficult because of my status. My parents also work in agriculture and don’t make much money. Often I have to work multiple jobs that are under the table but also don’t pay enough. It’s stressful because every semester means I am stressed out about the next one, whether or not I can afford it or if I should throw in the towel and quit.”

Overall, being a first-generation college student is a huge accomplishment, and should definitely be treated as such. Setting the example for a younger generation and demonstrating that it is possible to do so. Luckily, there are programs and resources for those who are first-generation college students. With programs such as FAFSA, Dream Act, TRIO, The Dream Center, and more available for students, first-generation college students have more access than ever to resources that will help them succeed.

Seawolves LISTEN! JEFFEREY AVIÑA STAFF WRITER

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nspired by the popular TikTok trend where people asked strangers on the street what they were listening to, Seawolves that were wearing headphones were asked what they were listening to on the spot. The answers ranged from Youtube trailers for upcoming movies, to Spotify sessions with Harry Styles. Sonoma State students have proven to have diverse interests, and music is no exception.

When students are asked, “what are you listening to?”, it’s clear that no one student will deliver the same answer. Whether it reminds you of home, pumps you up, or reminds you of someone in your life, people always seem to find the perfect music to match their mood. While many of the students on campus were more often than not just watching a lecture or sitting through a class, the reasons for the choice of music was also something that was evidently different from student to student.

Those at the gym were looking to be hyped up by their music with upbeat

“I always find myself going back to ‘Whole Lotta Red’ by Playboi Carti and ‘Blonde’ by Frank Ocean.”

- Lucas Mateo Bernal

artists like Snoop Dogg, and students wanting to feel productive would listen to an enlightening podcast, like “Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard”, on the way home after class.

The trend, among many others, can trace its roots back to talkshows on the street, like “Billy on the Street’’ with Billy Eichner, which follows its host while they interact and improvise on the spot with random strangers on the street.

Another example of these would be the classic Jimmy Kimmel shorts that can be found on Youtube, with more interviews with random bystanders on the street.

With many of the videos gaining more than a million views on TikTok, it has quickly cemented itself as one of the more consistent trends on the social media platform. Whether they are listening to stay focused on classes throughout the week, or because they need to get energized for a workout, Seawolves have proven to have a music taste like no other.

“I’ve been listening to songs by lowkey artists from Oakland, like ‘Drip’ by Capolow. I also still really like ‘Losin’ Control’ by Russ. ” - Shirley Garcia

“I’ve been listening to Dax Shepard’s podcast “Arm Chair Expert” on the Britney Spears controversy.

- Cate Smith

“I am listening to “Hacking to the Gate” by Shoujy, the Steins;Gate opening theme.”

- Adam Erskine

“I’ve been listening to ‘Legend’ by Snoop Dogg to hype myself up when I go to the gym.

-Ross Goldschlag

“I’ve been listening to ‘SUGAR’ from BROCKHAMPTON’s album ‘GINGER’.”

-Anna Ristaino

10 Health

STAR // Payton Mullaney Local resident John Garcia getting his COVID-19 booster shot in order to stay safe and healthy this holiday season.

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

STAR // Payton Mullaney Local Rohnert Park community member John Garcia waits in line to get his booster shot.

COVID-19 booster more widely available in U.S. T JAYLINE ALVARADO

STAFF WRITER

he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a press release on Nov. 18, stating that the COVID-19 booster shot is now available to everyone aged 18 and older. The shot is only available to those in said age group who received their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least six months prior to the date of their booster shot appointment.

When getting a booster shot people can mix and match so they can get a Moderna booster shot after they’ve received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

In the press release, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky stated that, ”Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people’s protection against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays.”

According to TIME, getting a booster shot is important because, “[In countries like Israel who’ve been] vaccinated for a longer period of time than in the U.S., infections among vaccinated people are possible, and some of those people are sick enough to need hospitalization.”

Sonoma State alumna Natella Guy stated that she would be receiving her booster shot soon because she believes, “...getting the booster shot adds a little more protection. I have friends in Switzerland who won’t be able to get their booster until January of 2022 due to a shortage.”

The goal of getting a booster shot, according to the TIME article, is to prevent breakthrough infections. That is especially important now as people are travelling and gathering for the holidays.

Fourth year student, Abé Lopez Ibarra thinks the booster shot is a great thing because, “It means another dose to further reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

What does this mean for college students? According to Ibarra,

“With more students getting the vaccine and booster shots, we can slowly continue forward to that sense of normalcy that some of us were able to experience a couple years back. That means more student events, more in person classes, the possibility of Lobo’s and W+B opening up again, more on campus housing, GRADUATION!!! I think you get the idea by now.”

According to Cal Matters, 92% of SSU students are vaccinated. It’s important because it provides protection against COVID-19 especially because “Protection against coronavirus infection among the fully vaccinated has also been waning, partly due to the more infectious delta variant of the virus,” according to NPR. Especially now that there’s concerns about a new variant, Omicron, that’s been discovered. According to the BBC, the World Health Organization has been alerted to a new variant of COVID-19 named omicron which was first identified by South Africa. Scientists are still trying to determine whether this new variant is vaccine resistant and any more dangerous than past variants, but for now there is no new information.

Not much is known about this new variant, but getting vaccinated will always be safer in the end.

Guy also stated, “My brother got both doses Pfizer still got COVID which was his second time since he got it before the vaccine was available. He had mild cold symptoms the second time he got Covid which was probably due to him receiving the vaccine. Who knows what symptoms he would have gotten if he still hadn’t gotten the vaccine.”

Booster shots are available free to everyone over the age of 18, including those who don’t have insurance. As a reminder, the booster appointment needs to be scheduled at least six months after the date of one’s second dose of the initial vaccine. To schedule a booster shot appointment or find a walk-in clinic, information is available at https:// myturn.ca.gov/.

Sports 11

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Athlete Spotlight of the Week: ADDISON SMITH

Julia Pritchard

STAFF WRITER

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lthough soccer season has come to an end, Julia Pritchard, SSU senior and fourth year midfielder for the women’s team, remains thankful for the time she spent with her teammates and the goals she accomplished while at SSU. As Pritchard prepares to graduate, she begins reflecting on what brought her to Sonoma State and how the soccer program shaped her college experience.

Just before her season began to wind down, Pritchard, who was also the reigning captain of the team, walked away with one of the highest honors a college athlete can get: First Team All-West Region. This is a very tough award to get ,as everyone else in the division is also eligible to receive it. Although her season is over, Pritchard looks back at her four year run with fondness and will always thank her teammates and coach for a fulfilling four years at Sonoma State.

In her fourth and final year of being a Sonoma State student athlete, she decided to take a trip down memory lane and discuss why she came to Sonoma State in the first place, she loved the beautiful campus vibe and excellent soccer program as well as the welcoming and friendly atmosphere that all Seawolves, past and current should be well aware of.

Pritchard is currently a senior double majoring in Psychology and Kinesiology, which can be very difficult to balance with being an athlete.

She mentioned how being a student athlete completely ruled her college experience; how she was always on the go, constantly working on stuff as a result. Whether it be school work, practice, or class, she never really has much downtime to relax on or off campus.

When she does have free time, she enjoys bike rides with her boyfriend, watching movie series with her roommates, or going to the beach with friends or family when she journeys back home.

Pritchard strives to have a good balance between her personal life and her athletic/school life, which can be tough seeing as she’s the captain of the women’s soccer team. She described that the balance can be tough, but as a captain she always has to be on for her team and pushing each member to do their best, as well as herself to strive for greatness as they maintain the status of going all the way to the top in the conference championship tournament.

She explained that the conference championship tournament was truly one of the biggest highlights of her SSU soccer career: “...back to back conference champions, [she said] it’s not easy, every year we have to battle our way through ups and downs, such as this year where we had many new freshman starters, and overcome adversity, seeing as we come

COURTESY // @ssuwomenssoccer on Instagram Julia Pritchard was named First Team All-West Region, one of the highest honors a collegiate soccer player can receive.

from a relatively small school.”

This drive and competitiveness is what motivates her team to do the best they can whether that’s on or off the field. She enjoys being on a team that constantly pushes her to do her best and work hard for the spot that she received. Being a captain was stressful at times but she’s happy with where she’s worked hard to get to and said that her program is made for winners and that’s just the type of mentality that she uses to get her through a tough day on or off the pitch.

While Pritchard’s season winds down, she’s forever grateful for her team and coach who helped her get through this journey, as well as the family and friends along the way who helped her through tough times.

All “a-boat” the rowing club

COURTESY // Wendy Lucas The Sonoma State Rowing Club paddles towards victory this Fall.

COURTESY // Taylor Westover SSU’s mens rowing team proudly wears their medals after placing third in the Head of the Lagoon Race.

DANIEL DINERMAN STAFF WRITER

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t Sonoma State, club sports are the saving grace for students looking to stay active, but not looking to commit to a jam-packed schedule.

The SSU rowing club is no exception, as it provides a space for students to represent their school as athletes while maintaining a social life at the same time.

When returning to campus after a year of remote learning, third year sociology major Madison Hernandez never knew she would be a part of, “... one of the friendliest groups on campus,” until deciding to join the rowing club.

The rowing club functions like any other traditional sports teams by participating in things like tournaments, travelling and hosting team workouts. However, they are structured to have more schedule flexibility and are able to hold fun and inviting events that consist of more than just rowing.

Many current rowing club members had little to no prior rowing experience before they joined the team, and there is never any sort of skill requirement imposed on new members. For example, sophomore Erin Whang was invited to attend a practice at the beginning of the semester by her roommate without having ever been rowing before. At first, she was discouraged by the early morning start, but by the end of her workout felt very accomplished and happy to still have the whole day ahead of her after her practices.

For anybody interested or new to the program, it is very important to understand how difficult, yet rewarding it is to perform. “The greatest piece of advice nobody ever gave to me was to not be discouraged after the first

couple days. Be patient, it’s pretty hard,” said Whang.

For most of the 22 person squad, the club is a great way to jump start their return to campus. The team holds bonding events where everybody gets together on top of their training and travelling, and in recent years the club has held the highest GPA standing of all the clubs on campus.

While 5 a.m. practices may not sound like the most appealing thing, members of the club enjoy how free their schedules become after a given session. “Being done with an intense full body workout before most of my friends even wake up is very fulfilling,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez went on to say that the time that would be lost at night where people would normally spend hanging with their friends is, “...made up with just a quick mid-day nap that keeps me functional throughout the day.”

The team’s lack of official SSU sport status has not stopped them from participating in high end competition. They held a scrimmage against UC Berkely’s rowing team in October, and participated in a tournament on Nov. 13 with teams like Humbolt, Chico, UC Berkeley, and Stanford, where the men’s team took home a silver medal.

The club will be holding an information night at 6 p.m. on Dec. 2 on the second floor of the Student Center. With dead week, finals, and the end to a busy semester on the way, the meeting should be relatively short and intends on focusing and answering questions about the Spring season. For anybody interested or looking to find more information follow @ssu_rowing on Instagram.

12 Photo

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Paint & Sip celebrates Transgender Awareness Week

STAR // Adrienne Moon

STAR // Adrienne Moon Amber Kaljumagi, a biology major at SSU, taps into her inner artist at Paint & Sip before Thanksgiving break.

Juniors Caitlyn Dienstag and Haddie Daner attended the Paint & Sip event at W&B on Nov. 18, 2021.

STAR // Adrienne Moon Chrystal, a freshman at SSU, uses colors blue and pink in honor of Transgender Awareness Week.

STAR // Adrienne Moon Seawolves fill Weyden & Brewsters on campus, excited for the Paint and Sip event instructed by SSU Professor Jenny Braun to begin on Nov. 18, 2021.

Sonoma State Rowing sails into the spotlight

COURTESY // @ssu_womens_rowing on Instagram Sonoma State’s women’s rowing club poses together after winning a race in 2019.

COURTESY // @ssu_womens_rowing on Instagram COURTESY // Madison Hernandez Sonoma State’s women’s rowing team in Petaluma on Feb. 20, 2020.

Sonoma State’s rowing team poses for a photo during their team breakfast after an early morning practice.

Kaiser Permanente strikes in Sonoma County

STAR // Nicholas Roth Three strikers display signs, pushing back against the lack of action by Kaiser during contract negotiations on Thursday Nov. 18.

STAR // Nicholas Roth Protesters line Mendocino Ave in strike of delayed contract negotiations by Kaiser Permanente.