Issue 14 Sonoma State STAR Fall 2020

IN THIS ISSUE

Captivating Dance

2020 Vision

Back to Work

‘Unity through Movement’ thrills audiences on Zoom this week.

Explore an unprecedented year through the lens of SSU students.

SSU makes big changes to sports team workout rules.

PAGE 6.

PAGE 8.

PAGE 11.

SINCE 1979

VOLUME 85 // ISSUE 14 DECEMBER 1, 2020 - DECEMBER 7, 2020

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER

@SONOMASTATESTAR

STAR // Natella Guy The Kincade fire threatened over 90,000 structures and caused widespread evacuations throughout Sonoma County, including the communities of Geyserville, Healdsburg, Windsor, and Santa Rosa.

Sonoma County cities sue PG&E over Kincade Fire damage

SEAN KENNEALLY STAFF WRITER

O

n Nov. 17, eight public entities within Sonoma County filed a lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric for negligence resulting in the Kincade fire. “We will fight until we win,” declared Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore.

Of the eight public entities, Sonoma County, City of Santa Rosa, City of Windsor, Sonoma Water, and Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District are among a few of the plaintiffs. Early estimates predict damages up to $100 million.

The Kincade Fire, according to CALFIRE, burned over 77,000 acres, destroyed over 370 structures, and forced almost 200,000 people to evacuate over the course of 13 days in late October of 2019. The fire ignited northeast of Geyserville, in the Mayacamas Mountains, because of a PG&E transmission line malfunction near the area.

“While we are continuing to conduct our own investigation into the events that led to the Kincade Fire, but PG&E does not have access to CAL FIRE’s report or any of the physical evidence that was collected as a part of their investigation. The transmission

tower in question was inspected multiple times in 2019...All issues that were identified on the tower in question were resolved prior to the Kincade Fire with the exception of one, which related to the painting of the tower,” said Lynsey Paulo, a spokesperson for PG&E, in an email on Friday. Paulo also mentioned that the tower was climbed by inspectors and analyzed through use of aerial drone footage and photos.

Within the 42 page claim, the litigants highlight PG&E’s lack of safety. The case is being handled by John Fiske, attorney for Baron & Budd in San Diego. He led the 2017 PG&E case, as well.

“The utility has ‘a well-documented history’ of ignoring maintenance ‘in order to line its own pockets with excessive profits,’” the suit claimed in a Press Democrat article. In the 2017 case, Sonoma County received $149 million, as part of a $1 billion settlement among several public entities in Northern California.

see SONOMA COUNTY CITIES SUE PG&E on pg. 4

Courtesy // Ted Eytan

STAR // Isabelle Barkey Custodians still work every day to clean an almost empty campus.

A climate strike took place in front of the White House after Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement.

COVID-19 curfew causes controversy in Biden plans to implement major California change to combat the climate crisis

SEAN KENNEALLY STAFF WRITER

ISABELLA SIMONI

L

ast week, Governor Gavin Newsom and State Public Health Officer Erica Pan declared a “limited stayat-home” order in all purple tier counties. The order requires all non-essential gatherings to cease from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., and it will last until Dec. 21 at 5 a.m. Newsom and Pan hope this mandate will lower the number of cases in California. Yet, many across the state are retaliating, especially with the upcoming holiday season.

“The virus is spreading at a pace we haven’t seen since the start of this pandemic, and the next several days and weeks will be critical to stop the surge. We are sounding the alarm,” declared Newsom in a public statement. However, the governor has drawn criticism due to his recent visit to the French Laundry in Yountville.

As of Nov. 29, the state holds over 1.2 million positive COVID-19 cases, with about 19,000 deaths as a result of the virus. The new order aims to contain Coronavirus cases in the 41 purple tier counties, which includes Sonoma County. Within these 41 counties, about 94% of the state’s population will be under this order. see COVID-19 CURFEW on pg. 5

STAFF WRITER

D

espite lame duck President Trump’s inability to concede and transition power peacefully, President-Elect Joe Biden is already talking of changes he plans to make once he takes office in January.

One of the most notable changes is his promise to reconsider the Paris Agreement. Back in 2016, the Obama administration entered the United States into the United Nations plan to combat the climate crisis that is plaguing the world as we know it. Obama pledged that the U.S. would fund a sum of about $3 billion to the Green Climate Fund, $500 million of which he paid, just as he was leaving office.

Then came the Trump administration, with about $2 billion left to add to the former administration’s pledge. Current President Trump decided that he would instead pull the United States from the agreement that more than 180 nations are a part of. see BIDEN PLANS on pg. 5

2 Editorial

DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2020

sonomastatestar.com

So long 2020, don’t let the door hit you

THE STAR Editorial Board

Travis Gillmore, Editor-in-Chief Kylie Rose Lawrence, News Editor Maria Pineda Contreras, Opinion Editor Christy Chew, Arts & Entertainment Editor Devon Pique, Student Life Editor Noah Philpott, Sports Editor Brandon Sparks, Photo Editor Taylor Clark, Digital Editor Kevin Flores, Editorial Cartoonist Isabelle Barkey, Distribution Manager Corinne Asturias, Faculty Adviser Staff Writers Taylor Clark, Emily Cripe, Sieanna Narine, Samuel Sayer, Jayline Alvarado, Sarah Ramos, Katelyn Dodge, Isabella Simoni, Nancy Insua, Edgar Zavala, Max Robinson, Myles Grabau, Moragh Graf, Amanda Koba, Rachel Gonzalez, Kristina Schmuhl, Vincent Spence, Ryan Weiner, Eliseo Fragoso, Sean Kenneally, Sarah Gallagher Photographers Isabelle Barkey, Natella Guy, Samantha Billingsly

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:

“Free period products in Scotland” 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.

Opinions

F

or many Sonoma State students and billions of people around the world, 2020 can’t end soon enough. This year has put everyone through an unprecedented stress test, and the true damage inflicted as a result of the combination of lockdowns, illness, fires, quarantines and economic disruptions remains to be seen.

We have experienced a rollercoaster of a year, a world-class competition of corruption and craziness that paraded as an election cycle, and a financial landscape that can only be described as ludicrous and illogical, as record stock market highs are manifest as if by magic, even though restaurants, bars and entertainment venues have been shuttered for months, and it is impossible to forecast trends in the midst of tumultuous regulations and obstructions to the free market. Everyone knows someone that has been impacted by the shutdowns of major industries, as millions have been laid off and lives have been upended across the globe.

Through all of this turmoil and upheaval, students are left with the worst end of the deal.

Opportunities to earn money are few and far between, and service industry jobs like bartending and waiting tables, that are typically the best paying options for students, are now a thing of the past.

Tuition prices for online courses at four-year universities leave many students feeling cheated, and to those of us paying full price for a fraction of the amenities, it honestly feels like we paid for first-class tickets yet were seated in the baggage compartment of the plane.

Sure, we will receive our degrees and “reach our destination,” but we’re not enjoying the immense offerings that come with interacting with diverse classmates, professors, deans and university staff. After spending months wrangling with virtual instruction after SSU went online in March as a result of the Coronavirus, it is now clear to students that Zoom and Canvas courses can never take the place of inperson instruction.

Sitting at home in pajamas

and meeting through an online platform is not a college experience. Taking social distancing to such an extreme is damaging in the long run, as social interaction and learning the intricacies of developing working relationships diplomatically is a skill that can only be learned through practice.

Those graduating in 2020 are missing out on the hardearned honor of walking across the stage in front of family and friends and celebrating their achievements with fellow graduates.

First-year students are unable to enjoy some of the most important rites of higher education. Campus activities and the ability to socialize and fraternize are an integral aspect of college life. Students need and thrive on the opportunity to work and party together, and the ability to relieve stress through much-deserved celebrations is an integral and vital part of university life, and the absence of these social events is disappointing and detrimental to our existence.

These in-person interactions can not be understated in their value to students’ well-being.

Some are looking for long-term love, while others are looking to have fun and/or hook up at parties and pub crawls, and it doesn’t matter what you’re looking for, it’s the act of looking and enjoying others’ company that makes life fun and exciting. Taking these experiences away from young adults is cruel and unusual punishment.

We are loving, social beings that build communities out of both desire and need, and the more we are driven apart by fear, ignorance and politics, the less healthy we are as a whole. In this time of extreme polarization and irrational fear, we must recognize that we are weaker when divided, and we must overcome our fears and reunite in order to overcome our obstacles. It is through the power of unity that our community can reach our full potential. We work best when we can look each other in the eye, communicate fully with facial expressions uninhibited by masks, and develop physical,

Courtesy // Dorset Photographic

emotional, and spiritual connections that allow us to better understand ourselves and the world around us.

While the Coronavirus numbers may appear to be scary, ad the media has their magic machine on full blast right now hyping mass fear and hysteria, it is important to remember that we have existed as civilizations for millenia, through the worst outbreaks with much less health care technologies than we currently possess. Humans are remarkably resilient creatures, and from a statistical standpoint there is absolutely no reason for society to be reacting with a sense of panic that causes more harm than the virus itself.

If any good comes out of this god-forsaken year, may it be that society gains the mental acuity to see what is happening on a geopolitical level. At this point, everything should be questioned, and nothing should be assumed. If people are willing to take their newly found 20/20 vision and apply it to the bigger picture, critical thinkers will find it easy to see that the same actors benefit from most military ventures and crisis situations like the one we are currently enduring. By examining the means, motive and opportunity of any crime, one can follow the money and find the culprit. It is through education and awareness that the current cycles and vile nature of the status quo is defeated, as evil and ignorance are like cockroaches; when the light of knowledge shines, they flee back into hiding.

It is by coming together that we can overcome any challenge, no matter how insurmountable it may first appear. Divided, we are guaranteed to fail. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer insanity of the current situation, but present in the midst of this chaos are immense opportunities for leaders to step forward and offer progressive ideas and plans that benefit society and offer inclusive paths that create a sustainable future. Now is the time for benevolent, compassionate leaders to come forward and challenge the fallacies that lie at the root of inequality.

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.

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 // elPadawan

Opinion 3

DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2020

sonomastatestar.com

Free period products in Scotland

SARAH RAMOS

STAFF WRITER

L

ast Tuesday, Scotland unanimously approved a piece of legislation that will have a significant impact on menstrual health. This legislation, known as the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill, requires local authorities to ensure that free period products are available, to all, in public spaces—including schools and universities. Scotland is the first country in the world to make this legally required.

This bill is an incredible victory for Scotland and demonstrates rather surprisingly that politicians are willing to discuss and enact legislation to help people who menstruate openly. National Public Radio reported that members of the Scottish Parliament talked about a wide variety of topics that day, including: “endometriosis and heavy

bleeding, why toilet paper and bins for menstrual products are required in restrooms but not menstrual products themselves and the wide base of support the legislation had drawn from men as well as women.”

Having a period is a hush-hush topic for most people who menstruate, and even for those who do not.

Tampons are tucked into sleeves where no one can see them, whispers are shared between classmates asking to borrow a pad, and friends spot-check clothing to make sure there is no trace of bloodstains. Several opportunities are given early on to experience the feeling of period shame.

There is another shared experience among people who menstruate, and one that is arguably the most common: walking into a public bathroom and finding no tampons or pads in sight. Occasionally, public bathrooms provide a dispenser; but finding one that is working, free, or actually filled with period products is not always a guarantee.

The New York Times reported that the measures in the bill were intended to “end ‘period poverty’ — or the circumstances, and in some cases, prohibitive expense that have left many without access to sanitary products when they need them.”

There is a strong case that they will do just that. By signing this bill into law, Scotland is taking de-

cisive action to remove the stigma surrounding periods and normalize it. The country is also ensuring that menstrual health will remain a top priority for its government—an essential practice the U.S. would greatly benefit from.

Monica Lennon, the politician responsible for introducing the bill, tweeted her thanks to her colleagues who supported it and said its passage represented, “A proud day for Scotland and a signal to the world that free universal access to period products can be achieved.”

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister and another supporter of the bill, said on Twitter that she was: “Proud to vote for this groundbreaking legislation, making Scotland the first country in the world to provide free period products for all who need them. An important policy for women and girls.”

This bill signifies a great deal because it tells menstruating people that their health matters. It gives them a voice within their government and, most importantly, creates real, visible change—change the U.S. must strive for within its own political system. By following in Scotland’s footsteps, the U.S. would be able to encourage people to have positive, healthy relationships with periods and remove the fear, embarrassment, and stigma that have surrounded them for so long.

Hwy 1 continues to crumble along Bodega coast

MYLES GRABAU

STAFF WRITER

W

hen one thinks of climate change and the damage it causes to our Earth, one thinks about how gradual the damages genuinely are, making it a lot easier for people to deny just how much destruction it can cause.

However, some irreparable damage caused by climate change can happen in just a matter of minutes, and a beach in Sonoma County is concrete proof of this horrible phenomenon.

Just past Bodega Bay lies the remains of what was once beautiful Gleason Beach, right on the coastline of Highway 1. Day in and day out, relentlessly strong waves crash alongside the coast, drowning the beach and everything surrounding it. When looking back at photos from the 1970s, it is easy to see just how much of the beautiful coastline we have lost, as it used to be lined with gorgeous homes alongside the sandy beach.

Highway 1 seems to hang on by

a thread of the coast, and officials have been struggling to save the road from the crashing waves for decades.

These officials have been pouring millions of our tax dollars into the cycle of collapses, damages, and repairs, all to no permanent avail. Just last year, the highway was reduced to one lane in an attempt to preserve the ability to continue driving along the coastline.

California transportation officials are now beginning to move a large portion of the highway more than 350 feet inland, which is one of many significant efforts by the state to relocate, or “manage retreat,” the infrastructure far enough away from the coast to give the sea level room to rise over the next 100 years.

This project came after more than a decade of planning and was just approved this month. It could not have come at a better time, as both city and state leaders across California are starting to truly realize the social and economic disasters that rising sea levels are beginning to cause. Tami Grove, the California Commission’s statewide transportation program manager, expressed: “It seems daunting, it’s a lot of change to cope with, but it’s also an opportunity for communities to think about: What are the coastal resources we want to have access to 50, 100 years from now?” It is about time that the transportation officials

start to act for the future because sacrifices like this will hopefully give us much more coastline to enjoy in the future.

The compromises that were made did not come without much deliberation beforehand, as officials studied multiple alternatives in order to balance safety codes, traffic needs, fragile habitats and ecosystems, public access to the coast, and other contributing factors that were extremely hard to balance. Caltrans has made giant strides during this massive project, as they crafted a plan to relocate 0.7 miles of the highway with a new 850-foot-long bridge that spans across Scotty Creek where it meets the ocean. On top of this, Caltrans has also agreed to pay over $11 million to clean up abandoned homes and failed road repairs, as well as wetland, creek, and prairie restoration projects.

Gleason Beach is one of many places on this Earth that have been negatively impacted by the effects of climate change, so it’s definitely a good thing to see our leaders putting some time, work, and money into preserving the coastline. Going forward, this will hopefully be a wakeup call to climate change skeptics to see that we need to do our part to preserve our beautiful Earth, so that transportation officials won’t have to make so many compromises in the future for man-made damages.

Parler, the newest right-

wing extremist safe space, booms in popularity

MAX ROBINSON STAFF WRITER

P

arler is becoming the go-to spot for many right-wing extremists and conspiracy theorists that have been banned from other social media platforms. The new forum defines itself as a digital space where users can freely speak their views without fear of being “de-platformed” for what they say.

The rise in popularity of Parler is tied to the events of the recent 2020 election, in which President Donald Trump alleged various counts of voter fraud, even though he had no evidence to support his claims. In July, Parler had a reported 2.8 million users. However, within a week of the Nov. 3 election, that number had grown to more than 8 million.

Right-wing inf luencer and Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes moved to Parler after being banned on Twitter when the platform labeled him a “violent extremist,” and he is not the only controversial figure on the platform.

Milo Yiannopoulos, another member of Parler, was banned on Twitter after he prompted his followers to harass Leslie Jones for her role in the 2016 Ghostbusters remake. Yiannopoulos’ supporters harassed Jones so much that she had to leave Twitter. “Ok I have been called Apes,” said Jones on Twitter, “even got a pic with semen on my face. I’m trying to figure out what human means. I’m out.”

Parler only has two guidelines: First, the platform will not allow itself to be used for crime or unlawful acts. Second, posting spam and using bots on the platform is explicitly forbidden.

Parler’s legal guidelines document is only three pages long and lacks any rules or restrictions on hate speech, racism, or anti-Semitism. Unlike other platforms, Parler also does not fact-check any posts. This means a user could pass on misinformation easier than on any other platform.

Furthermore, since Parler operates on an antideplatforming ruleset, removing misinformation would be against their very ethos.

The social media platform also offers users the ability to moderate the content they see, filtering out sensitive or unwanted information and content. However, these measures were not enough to keep out foreign inf luence from invading the platform, spewing misinformation and sowing confusion and doubt into the American political system.

According to Reuters reporter Jack Stubbs, fake accounts designed to inf luence social media users “got more traction on Gab and Parler” compared to other social media networks like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Parler’s lack of real moderation is quickly leading it to become a hub of contempt.

As Parler grows, it is on the verge of becoming a massive site for right-wing extremists to have a space free from any fact-checking, serious moderation or being de-platformed for offensive content they choose to post. Parler is a meeting place for racist people to feel safe being racist. It is not the “world’s town square” that it describes itself as. It is simply the only place people like Yiannopoulos can say, “Coming up on FRIDAY NIGHT’S ALL RIGHT, I talk to PEDRO GONZALEZ, assistant editor of American Greatness and one of the only acceptable Hispanics.”

2020: The year of police brutality protests

JAYLINE ALVARADO STAFF WRITER

A

s 2020 comes to a close, this year has been a firestorm in protests. Kicked off by the death of Breonna Taylor in March and further fueled by the death of George Floyd in May and countless other victims. It also further highlighted police brutality as well as many other issues toward Black people in America.

These cases gave way to protests that were so intense it caused the National Guard’s deployment in some cities, established curfews and shut down cities. Protesters were brutally run down by police cars and tear-gassed for protesting.

A New York Times article written on the Breonna Taylor verdict highlighted that “Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of New York, including a group in Brooklyn that met outside the Barclays Center and swelled to around 2,000 people as it marched across the Manhattan Bridge and shut down traffic.” They also mention how in Seattle, “Video[s] posted on social media showed police officers on bikes riding over a person who attempted to block their way. Another clip showed an officer being hit in the head with a baseball bat.”

These protests brought attention to the militarization of the police force.

The American Civil Liberties Union states that “Federal programs providing surplus military equipment, along with departments’ own purchases, have outfitted officers with firepower that is often far beyond what is necessary for their jobs as protectors of their communities,” which has led to a “Change in attitude whereby police conceive of themselves as “at war” with communities rather than as public servants concerned with keeping their communities safe.”

The author of “Rise Of The Warrior Cop,” Radley Balko, stated in an interview with National Public Radio that

“Yeah, [tear gas is] banned by several treaties. It’s not supposed to be used on the battlefield. And that’s actually kind of one of the sort of ironies,” and argues that “There’s actually more accountability in some ways in the military than there are in a lot of police departments in the United States.”

George Floyd’s death was reminiscent of Eric Garner’s case in July of 2014, a black man who was held down by a white police officer using lethal force, which resulted in Garner’s death. The Washington Post claims that “Floyd’s death while in the custody of Minneapolis police launched one of the largest waves of civil unrest — and arrests — in the nation since the Vietnam War.” Protests also shined a light on police accountability. In the case of Breonna Taylor, officers were charged for endangering residents in other apartments but not for the death of Breonna herself. According to the New York Times, “Instead, the Kentucky attorney general, Daniel Cameron, who is overseeing the prosecution, said the former detective was charged by the grand jury because the shots he fired had passed through Ms. Taylor’s apartment walls into a neighboring apartment, endangering three people there.”

The same New York Times article states that one of the officers, “Detective Brett Hankison, 44, had been an officer with the department since 2003 and was assigned to the narcotics division. He is the only one of the three officers who opened fire that night with a history of complaints of excessive force, as well as allegations of sexual misconduct.” In the case of George Floyd, it was not until after protests had begun that “Officials pressed a more severe charge against Derek Chauvin, the officer who pinned Mr. Floyd to the ground with a knee for nearly nine minutes while he pleaded, “I can’t breathe.”

These protests have highlighted major issues in our society that need to be addressed, changed, and learned from so these stories are not repeated, and lives are not ended without repercussions. Although these cases have been extremely disheartening, there is something admirable about the spark of enthusiasm that many communities created by standing up and marching together for innocent Black individuals who have lost their lives to police brutality and fight for equality and justice.

Those same communities have left a lasting impact on this abysmal calendar year and this nation’s history that many will never forget.

4 News

DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2020

sonomastatestar.com

STAR // Natella Guy On October 26, PG&E began shutting off power in an attempt to prevent additional fires, leaving an estimated three million people without power.

PG&E sued for Kincade Fire damage continued from pg. 1

The plaintiffs are suing PG&E on account of a wide variety of issues. From structural and environmental damage, each city saw issues with their municipal services, emergency response personnel and services, and also ‘aesthetic value’. With the settlement claim, each litigant can repair their needs and recover from fire damage, as well as issues that have arisen from COVID-19.

“Losing the fall tourist season was devastating to our businesses, most of which are small, family-owned businesses,” said Healdsburg Councilman David Hagele, who served as the city’s Mayor during the Kincade fire, in an interview for the Press Democrat. Current Healdsburg Mayor Dominic Foppolli mentioned in an interview with KSRO, “Even though [the city] did not lose any homes…[fire fighting] creates a lot of residual damage, then we evacuated our entire city for a week.”

In addition to the lawsuit, PG&E is also facing up to $166 million in fines from the public safety power shutoffs. On Nov. 17, two following key events for the case took place: the deadline for each side to make cases, and the start of the 60-day limit for a judge to establish a ruling.

“We can not have these discussions go on for years. We need to put funds in immediately and move on to risk reduction… the future is already upon us,” noted Gore.

Despite the long history, many hope that this settlement will shape PG&E protocols in future years. Gore and others mentioned that PG&E “pulled it together” in 2020, and they hope that PG&E will continue with their new safety processes.

Next fire season will prove whether the cities and PG&E have reached an agreement, and it will also show us whether the cities are prepared to handle more wildfires.

Courtesy // Sonoma.edu SSU’s anti-racism webpage contains lists of movies, books, and podcasts to explore, but lacks in providing a wide array of local and more timely resources.

MORAGH GRAF STAFF WRITER

A

New SSU website falls short in providing adequate diversity resources for students

midst the current demand for social justice, schools across the country have been taking steps to provide resources that promote diversity and inclusion.

Many universities that did not have diversity resources previously available, are now stepping up after the country-wide Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests that took place over the past few months. The demand from students for more involvement has been a wake-up call for many schools, though some have been providing insight and resources for years.

Sonoma State University is one of the many schools to join the movement, and is hoping to inform the students on anti-racism resources. Sonoma State has added a new tab to their diversity website, which lists online resources involving anti-racism.

While it is admirable that campuses have been making an effort to help further students’ education on diversity and anti-racism, some do not think the minimal effort is enough.

“Although the resources are helpful, they lack intersectionality. It seems like it was created because of the Black Lives Matter movement, rather than created to educate people and help connect students to anti-racism resources on campus,” said third-year student Zero Carey.

Since the recent rise in the BLM protests, many institutions and establishments have been scrutinized for claiming allyship at minimal effort to avoid backlash. The SSU’s anti-racism resource webpage is brief and it seems--to many students and professors--that there was not much effort put into the web page. These minimal efforts are performative, and seem to have only been made in fear of being considered in opposition to the BLM movement.

The webpage for anti-racism involves a wide range of historical documents that can be found online, but very few resources that are based at Sonoma State. Additionally, there is a brief overview of faculty associated with diversity, but the campus-based initiatives do not go much farther than that.

“It’s not very interactive or community based; there’s no direct ties to the faculty

and resources we have on campus,” said Carey.

Other schools, such as UC Berkeley, have also joined in and are providing anti-racism resources to their students. Their website is clearly put together by a collaborative team, and it shares resources available on their own campus. For example, the Berkeley diversity website includes numerous anti-racism resources that have been written by faculty members themselves, as well as other articles that can be found in Berkeley’s archives.

Their website provides a vast amount of resources, many of them being more inclusive to a wider variety of groups. Intersectionality is considered by the creators, and there are more current resources available. SSU’s outdated list of historical articles pales in comparison to Berkeley’s interactive website that is abundant with newer, more relevant resources written by esteemed professors at their own University.

“The diversity team did a really thorough job of giving us every resource we could need,” says Kathryn McNeal, a student at Berkeley. “Our campus prioritizes a great sense of community, and our anti-racism resources really reflect that. They provide a lot of information that comes directly from our school and helps us learn about how to become more involved, right on campus.”

It can be difficult to create a sense of campus community within anti-racism initiatives, due to the current COVID-19 guidelines. However, some have suggested that students may feel like the school is making a more genuine effort if more relatable and local Seawolf community resources and initiatives were available and widely advertised.

Unfortunately, a lack of publicity about diversity resources can often leave students unaware of available information. Students can change this cycle by demanding more action from their schools and by asking them to make more of an effort in creating or providing relatable, current, and local resources related to diversity. By asking for these institutions to make more of an effort, a big impact for those that are marginalized can be made within the anti-racism movement.

News 5

DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2020

sonomastatestar.com

How Seawolves handled a hectic 2020 and what to expect for Spring 21’ at Sonoma State KRISTINA SCHMUHL STAFF WRITER

A

s registration season winds down and finals are upon us, the next semester may not be the first thing on some students’ minds. But others may be curious about the status of classes and how things are going to operate at Sonoma State University for the spring 2021 semester. Will Zoom classes remain the norm? Is there any hope of returning to campus if COVID-19 cases decrease? What can students expect from the University?

The California State University system, the largest system of four-year higher education in the country, was one of the first school systems in the nation to announce that they will continue with distance learning for the spring semester. Former CSU Chancellor Timothy White, announced on Sept. 10, that in order to give students and faculty time to plan ahead, they would be making the call to remain almost entirely online going forward at all 23 campuses across the state.

Interim Public Information Officer Robert Elyer said, “Short of some big change, [next semester] will be more or less of the same.... We will be operating under the same rule book as the fall, following local public health orders.”

On-campus activities are currently under extreme limitations with the library, campus dining, the bookstore, and most campus buildings closed indefinitely. Only about 30% of faculty and staff are on campus and they will continue to have a rotating schedule to limit the number of individuals on campus at any given time.

Eyler said that if things looked promising, specifically with a decline in local cases, SSU might re-evaluate the situation during the spring break. There would also have to be a potential loosening of local and state public health orders.

“Things might change if things get better from a COVID standpoint… if [Sonoma County] starts trending more normal we might be able to see labs [at school] opening up. But overall, things will be very similar to this semester for equity reasons, access reasons, etc. We want students to have the same access for paying the same amount of money,” he said.

Eyler brought up access issues because many students at Sonoma State do not live full-time in Sonoma County, but travel from all over California or the U.S. to attend school in Rohnert Park. Opening up labs may seem ideal for some students, but it also poses a potential equity issue if not all students can feasibly have access to on-campus services.

In an email to students on Nov. 13, the University confirmed that for the semester starting on Jan. 25, no more than 5% of classes will be conducted face-to-face on campus. Face-to-face classes will include multiple classes from the Nursing Department, masters degree thesis programs, research-based classes, and advanced Arts department classes, such as Advanced Etching and Woodcutting, or Advanced Ceramics.

Overall, there will be 5 different categories for how classes will be taught. Modes of instruction will be: asynchronous, synchronous, bisynchronous, face-to-face, and hybrid online/face-to-face. When students are registering for classes, there will be a distinctive category showing the type of instruction that will occur for each specific class, located in the mySSU portal.

Students of all levels have been struggling with remote learning since the pandem-

ic began. According to CBS Bay Area, 37% of high school students in Sonoma County are failing at least one or more courses.

The survey, conducted by YouthTruth, a nonprofit organization by the Center for Effective Philanthropy, found that of the 4,500 Sonoma County students surveyed, “feeling anxious about the future” was the number one barrier to distance learning. In comparison, distractions at home and a lack of focus was the main obstacle to distance learning of the overall 20,000 students polled from 9 different states.

Professors at Sonoma State also reiterated seeing a lack of focus in their online classes. Astronomy professor Thomas Targett said, “It is undoubtedly harder than ever for students working remotely to maintain clear focus on their studies without the physical infrastructure of campus.” He recommended that students, “Wake up more than 30 minutes before your class, eat something, take a shower, and sit anywhere else other than bed for your classes, if you can.”

Anthropology major and fall 2020 graduate, Sky Flores, corroborates the difficulty to remain engaged during remote learning. “There is something difficult about being in a classroom that isn’t there. Lack of motivation isn’t just from us as students, but also from the professors. I can feel the frustration growing as we get deeper into the semester and it’s shocking--I always think about how people said they’d love online school or would do so much better with it. But now that we’re here, people are wishing for the classrooms and face-to-face contact back,” she said.

She also said, “Each professor seems to be handling it differently, and there seems to be little consistency across the board in terms of what to expect. I am only taking 9 units this semester, yet its been one of the most difficult semesters I’ve ever taken.”

With things remaining relatively the same for the spring semester, faculty and students will have to balance health and safety, while also finding ways to stay engaged and focused. The novel Coronavirus only seems to worsen as time goes on. According to the New York Times, almost 2 million new cases have been reported in the last 2 weeks alone. At SSU, 14 cases were recently reported off campus and 1 case reported on campus, with an assumption that cases may worsen if individuals visited with family and friends for Thanksgiving break.

While the University may not know how COVID-19 will shape the ultimate format of the spring semester, SSU is working on coming up with a plan for graduation and commencement. In an email, SSU said, “We are still exploring different options for how the ceremony will be conducted, including virtually, a physically distanced inperson gathering, or drive-through celebration.”

Flores, who is graduating in 2 weeks, said, “I am staying hopeful that commencement will happen. I’ve been working for 5 years for this degree and have spent 4 years of my time as a college student working for the University--so I think I deserve to walk.

Hopefully people can do their part in wearing their masks, social distancing, and staying safe to make it a more realistic goal.”

Overall, things will remain close to the same for the spring semester. The University and the CSU system will announce any big changes and for now students will have to be patient and see how everything plays out.

2020

continued from pg. 1

continued from pg. 1

Courtesy // Ted Eytan Protestors in Washington DC voice their worries about the planet’s future.

STAR // Lily Frazier Streets in Rohnert Park were desolate after California announced another COVID-19 rule.

COVID-19 curfew causes controversy

However, many city and county officials are resisting. One of the most notable ‘anti-curfew’ rallies occurred in Huntington Beach, where a few hundred individuals protested on the initial night of the curfew.

Huntington Beach Police stated the protest was peaceful, and they did not write citations for curfew violations. “We are seeking compliance and trying to educate people,’’ said Huntington Beach Lt. Ryan Reilly in an interview with NBC Los Angeles.

Another rally occurred in front of Eric Garcetti’s house, the Mayor of Los Angeles.

Coined ‘Curfew Protest Block Party: No More Lockdowns,’ the rally was a place for citizens, business owners, and restaurant owners to gather and protest. They were particularly upset about the suspension of outdoor dining, which started on Nov. 25, as well.

“This is a different kind of moment, a new level of danger,” Garcetti said to the Los Angeles Times. “If we don’t make these decisions now, there really is only one outcome: We will almost certainly have to shut things down again. And more people will get sick and die.”

As for Sonoma County, law enforcement officials declared they will adhere to the order--to certain extents. “We’re not going to be out there pulling over every car and stopping every person who happens to be out in public between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 a.m.,” said Sheriff Mark Essick for the Press Democrat. However, many officials concluded that there will be a rise in complaint calls, and they will respond when needed.

Essick declared that he will not be rebelling against the curfew, unlike his position

on COVID-19 regulations earlier this year.

Essick gained controversy when he became a strong opponent of earlier COVID-19 regulations, demanding his deputies to stand with him in protest.

As of Nov. 29, Sonoma County has 12,049 positive COVID-19 cases, resulting in 157 deaths. Dr. Sundari Mase, the county health officer, notes that 7.5% of county cases are linked to gatherings, yet range from 5 to 14% across the pandemic--all figures being an underestimate. “Not everybody is giving us a very clear picture of what their risk factors are, what they’ve done. Many people don’t want to necessarily divulge that they’ve been to a social event or gathering,” said Mase, in an interview with the Press Democrat.

Especially with the holiday season coming, and Thanksgiving already passed, many health officials continue to grow weary of holiday travel. Although the CDC vehemently advised against it, the TSA reported that nearly 7 million people traveled during Thanksgiving week. “Americans, in our research, are telling us they are tired of being at home. They don’t want to give up taking trips, and they also want to see their friends and family for the holidays,” said President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association Roger Dow in an NPR interview.

Even with extra precautions being taken, the nation is still divided by the COVID-19 crisis. With over 13 million cases and 266,000 deaths, the United States continues to lead the world in the amount of positive COVID-19 cases. Americans are hopeful for a vaccine in the near future, but the aftermath and recovery process from the COVID-19 virus remains unclear for the nation.

Biden plans to combat the climate crisis

June 1, 2020, Trump stated that the United States would be pulling out of the Paris agreement, and on Nov. 4 of this year, the U.S. began the process of withdrawal, ultimately leaving the agreement. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo stated, “President Trump made the decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement because of the unfair economic burden imposed on American workers, businesses, and taxpayers by U.S. pledges made under the Agreement.”

President-Elect Biden tweeted, “Today, the Trump Administration officially left the Paris Climate Agreement. And in exactly 77 days, a Biden Administration will rejoin it.”

Biden has long spoken about his disapproval of the Trump administration’s mishandling of the climate crisis, and of what he plans to do in office to lead us in the direction of cleaner energy.

His plans include reaching a 100% clean economy by 2050, holding polluting corporations accountable for their influence on the environment and lowincome communities, and enacting the Green New Deal.

Comparing the two administrations and their thoughts revolving around the climate issue, it’s evident that there is a substantial difference between them.

According to National Geographic, the Trump Administration favors Dakota Access pipelines, supports the growth of the fossil fuel industry, and has rolled back the Obama administration’s rules to reduce methane leaks. The Trump administration has also stated their support for the fracking industry, as well as the coal industry.

Trump himself has also stated that he feels as though the issue of climate change is a “hoax.”

The Biden administration stands at the opposite end of the spectrum, in comparison to Trump, with Biden promising to end subsidies to fossil fuel companies, ban offshore drilling, and invest in renewable energy--an investment that Biden says will create many more job’s for hard working Americans.

NPR states that Biden pledges to implement $2 trillion towards a specific climate plan. The article, written by Elena Moore, asserts that, “40% of the funding will be used to support communities disproportionately affected by climate change, as laid out in his environmental justice plan.”

Unlike the Trump administration, Biden has not taken any financial campaign support from the fossil fuel industry.

The New York Times alluded to individuals who could potentially assist the President-Elect in the energy department. The article states that Washington governor Jay Inslee and Ernest Moniz are being looked at as possible contenders. Inslee ran for president with a fierce focus on environmental issues, and Moniz worked for the Obama administration as energy secretary.

The prospect of President-Elect Biden’s plan to tackle the climate crisis seems promising, and with the climate clock ticking, only time will tell if Biden’s plans--if executed as intended--will indeed bring about the change the environment so desperately needs.

6 Arts

DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2020

sonomastatestar.com

Arts and Entertainment continues to persevere despite pandemic

RACHEL GONZALEZ STAFF WRITER

T

he arts and entertainment community has been greatly impacted since the pandemic hit in the early months of this year. Art shows have been canceled abruptly, performances are postponed with no end date, and artists are trying to find their means to survive, not only survive as an artist but an artist during a pandemic.

Here at the STAR, we have reported on many forms of arts and entertainment.

These articles ranged from popular newfound video games like Among Us to local, virtual events at the Green Music Center. With this being said, all the events and trends the STAR has reported on have an underlying similar tone to one another; the arts and entertainment industry is fighting through this pandemic.

Art consumption is a difficult thing to do during a time where the public has to avoid large gatherings or deal with pandemic regulations, such as capacity limits.

According to Francesca Constantini, a staff writer for ABC7, writes that approximately 2 million jobs and $42 million have been lost in the performing arts industry.

She then asks her readers an eerie question for most artists. “...how will the Arts survive and will it change even more?” wrote Constantini.

Take Healdsburg’s Raven Film Center as an example. As reported by the STAR, the Raven Film Center felt it was necessary to close for six months back in September.

As of Nov. 20, the Raven Film Center continues to be completely closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arts and entertainment continue to fight for their industry and business as the world continues to persevere through life with the pandemic. As an act of perseverance, some businesses have taken their art virtual to compensate for the loss they experienced once the pandemic first hit.

Those who are fortunate enough to have found ways to successfully make performances virtual have utilized tools like Zoom to continue their career in art. For example, The Connection Collection was hosted on zoom by Sonoma State University’s Theatre and Arts and dance. The

Connection Collection was a virtual performance that focused on the idea of connecting with others. Having SSU take theatre online reveals theatre can be moved to different platforms, the only potential challenge for other theatre groups would be sustaining themselves to the point of being able to utilize resources like zoom and building a willing audience.

Constantini reported on an artist located in Sarasota, Fla., Shantel Norman, who is a lead singer for a music group called the Jah Movement.

Norman shared with Constantini that at the beginning of the pandemic, the shutdowns were hard on her and the Jah Movement.

“Back in March, performance halls, clubs and restaurants shut down as cases of coronavirus surged throughout the state, leaving performers like Norman without work. However, as other industries sent their employees to work remotely, she decided to do the same,” reported Constantini.

Norman shared to ABC7 that artists like her had to think creatively when it came to wanting to continue entertaining an audience.

“During the pandemic, I learned a lot, and what I mean by a lot is figuring out a lot of different creative ways to still entertain, and as you have probably seen a lot of musicians and artists have done a lot of live streams” shared Norman to Constantini.

The pandemic has created a great number of obstacles and turmoil for most, especially artists who depend on the person - to - person involvement. Taking things virtual seems to be a great substitute for most artists out there who can do so, but there are artists, like the Raven Film Center, who have been too greatly affected by the pandemic and not fortunate enough to even consider bringing their art to virtual platforms.

However, the arts and entertainment industry continues to persevere through the pandemic and the challenges it brings along with it. Like the millennial, local business owner at Honey Co. said at the Soco Market, “keep pushing.”

2020

Courtesy // Pixabay Businesses, including clubs and thearters, have been forced to shut down due to the ongoing pandemic.

Courtesy / Egin_Akyurt Artists are now finding new ways to keep businesses alive despite the struggles during the year.

Fall Dance presents ‘Unity Through Movement’ W KATELYN DODGE STAFF WRITER

ith this semester coming to a close, the Fall Dance hosted by the Sonoma State University Dance Department is nearing their opening night. Unity Through Movement becomes a collection of dances based on the ability to come together and relate to one another, to unite beyond all else. The performance is directed by Sonoma State University’s dance professor, Farrah McAdams, and she was able to open up and talk about what made this year’s performance different.

When asked how students were handling the fall dance being moved online, McAdams stated, “The Fall Dance has traditionally been the concert where all works are crafted and premiered by the students, as well as student production managers, student lighting designers, student musicians, and more, completely student-centered. It is up to the student choreographers, with guidance, to set their rehearsal times, run their rehearsals, and get their piece show ready, with the support of faculty and production staff. But doing all of this virtually has been a brand new experience for all.

Only a few choreographers had experience choreographing for the camera, which can be completely different than choreographing for the live proscenium stage.”

Due to the Coronavirus, the medium entirely changed, the choreography could no longer be stage-based but needed to be performed for the camera but this did not deter these students, as they say, the show must go on. Students are now working harder than ever before to produce an

entirely new production. Monthly, the students and director would get together to do a showing of their work they culminated.

“It has been a long process that had to be decided in a very short amount of time, in order to give choreographers and participants enough information and requirements for them to complete their visions.

We as the whole production team had to move our parts and ideas around quickly to ensure we could best support the students.

There were certainly some new elements to making a production happen that I would not have thought about in the live theater space!“ McAdams stated.

No matter the task though, these students pushed themselves and pushed through the difficult semester. As the days of isolation and seclusion went on, the motivation for students seemed to dwindle, but not for those participating in the Fall Dance. This performance is not just a representation of Sonoma States unity, but for all to enjoy and come together through these difficult times.

“First, I made sure that this full production was something the students wanted in the first place. When the semester started in August, it still felt so unclear how events might unfold and how COVID would continue or amplify the stress of the school experience. So, the choreographers and I met and chatted first about what they felt motivated to do. We could have treated the course as a deeper choreography class with no official production, host a smaller, more intimate showcase- in the end, they

wanted to go for a production with the option to finish their piece but not have the pressure of publicly premiering it. In the end, just about everyone is premiering their work! In short, I don’t think I know what kept the drive for the participants, but having the students decide in the beginning what they were willing to go for, did provide a lot of agency for them to feel good in the difficult but rewarding process,“ Mc-

Adam explained, pride lingering behind every word.

The Fall Dance will be performed from, Dec. 3 to Dec. 6, along with a panel after opening night. Instead of seating and tickets, reserve a spot through Zoom Webinar to watch. There is still time to register so do not miss your chance to catch the brilliant work of these devoted dance students.

Courtesy // Sonoma State University The Fall Dance Department will be performing online from Dec. 3 to Dec. 6.

DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2020

sonomastatestar.com

Entertainment 7

‘The Crown’ is back

Courtesy / Netflix Season four of the ‘The Crown’ is now available on Netflix and continues the life story of Queen Elizabeth, and introduces Princess Diana.

TAYLOR CLARK

T

STAFF WRITER

he show, “The Crown” has been captivating audiences since 2016, trans-

versity who teaches the class, 21st Century Television as Art. After asking him

porting viewers back in time while showcasing a behind the scenes look

about his personal opinions on ‘The Crown’ and the hype surrounding Corrin he

into the royal family and all of their political rivalries and love triangles.

said, “I think the casting is crucial to authentically tell the story. Since it is based

Season four was just released on Nov. 15, and the spotlight has been on Emma Cor-

on true events, the whole world knows these characters. I was shocked when I saw

rin, who plays Princess Diana, ever since.

Emma Corrin because she was such a perfect match for Diana. And in fact, casting

Each season usually takes place over a decade, starting with a young Queen Elizabeth II in the 1940s, and as of season four the show has now reached up until 1990. Every two seasons an entire new crew is cast to play these characters through the decades.

Gillain Anderson as Margarert Thatcher is a stroke of brilliance - she is so believable in the role,” continued Skloot.

Season four took full advantage of the ‘80s time period. The show was usually serious in tone, but with Princess Diana’s ability to quite literally shake up the roy-

Fans of the show and even people who have never seen it before are being

als it also allowed for the show to adapt and change and showcase a more modern

drawn to watch all because of newcomer Emma Corrin’s ability to embody Princess

time period. The ‘80s is known for music, and showrunner Peter Morgan took ad-

Diana’s mannerisms, looks, and speech to a tee.

vantage of this by incorporating songs from artists like Stevie Nicks, Duran Duran,

Corrin had a dialect coach teach her how to nail Princess Diana’s accent, noting that Princess Diana typically ends every last word softer and filled with a kind of sadness as if the last syllable lost a note and disappeared. She also learned how to change her posture and mannerisms.

Blondie, and The Cure, which allowed him to capture the rebelliousness of those artists along with Princess Diana’s demeanor.

Each decade as music tastes shift so does fashion. In the past costume designer, Amy Roberts, won an Emmy for her work on season 3 of “The Crown.” Roberts was

Noting that Princess Diana’s hair was a big part of the character’s look. Corrin

faced with creating costumes that very closely resembled those worn by Princess

said, “It’s something that gave her some distance from the world. . It’s a protective

Diana, the same clothes that sparked international trends, especially wedding dress

thing. The way Diana looks out from under her hair is also playful, though. It’s both

trends. “What do I remember? What do you think about? The sleeves, the bigness

a barrier and an invitation. It’s, look at me; don’t look at me,” according to Vulture.

of that, and that huge, long, great train. That’s what I have to achieve,” said Roberts

Tal Skloot is an award winning film-maker and lecturer at Sonoma State Uni-

according to Elle.

BottleRock Napa announces event in 2021

SAMUEL SAYER

A

STAFF WRITER

s further COVID-19 restrictions indicate the prolonging of quarantining, an unexpected announcement from BottleRock Napa Valley brings the potential of a live show back to center stage. With COVID-19 continuing to maintain a very potent presence in the US, the majority of planned live shows have been and continue to be delayed, rescheduled, or cancelled altogether. However, one local festival has announced that their next show may be sooner than those missing festivals might have expected: BottleRock Napa Valley.

BottleRock Napa Valley has been operating since 2013 at Napa Valley Expo and has hosted a variety of artists over the years, including Weezer, Public Enemy, Foo Fighters, Santana, and many others. Previously, the festivals were held in late May, but when the initial wave of the pandemic rolled through the world, it was pushed back to October of this year as a precaution, in hopes that the virus would have been calmed by then enough for live shows to resume. While there have been attempted workarounds to the outdoor musical performances this year, as seen with organizations like Insomniac Records and Vital Events hosting drive-in raves earlier this year. However, out of an abundance of caution, BottleRock Napa Valley has announced that they will be pushing back the festival to Sept. 3-5, 2021, or Labor Day weekend. The BottleRock team states on their website for the event that

this decision is for the sake of “our patrons, artists, vendors, staff, and surrounding communities and in continued coordination with local and state authorities.” This statement comes shortly after the announcement by California governor Gavin Newsom who announced a return to stricter policies on social distancing and safe COVID-19 practices. However, there is no official listed information yet on the BottleRock site as to what measures the festival plans to take in order to meet the current health guidelines or those that may follow in the coming months.

The lineup of the now postponed festival has also been subject to change. Originally, artists that were scheduled to perform at this year’s festival included groups like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Of Monsters and Men, Blondie, and many others. However, in light of the new festival date, BottleRock Napa’s site has changed the lineup from the previous listing to the promise of a new lineup come early 2021.

Attendees who have already secured a ticket to the festival before the date change are being given options of a refund or simply to keep their ticket to be used next September. The refund period is set to last from Nov. 18 to Dec. 2, and can be done though links provided on the website. Despite the postponement, tickets are still being sold, with prices ranging from anywhere between $187 for a one day ticket and $397 for the full weekend.

Even as the pandemic continues to serve as a source of struggle for the live music industry, from clubs to venues, there are still several companies that are attempting to adapt to this current situation and still deliver festivals to live music fans, as well as keep themselves afloat. Anyone curious about more information on BottleRock Napa Valley can find out more as it develops at bottlerocknapavalley.com.

Courtesy // Instagram BottleRock has recently announced their festival dates for 2021.

8 Student Life

STAR// Isabelle Barkey Fires raged all across California this year in one of the worst fire seasons to date.

EMILY CRIPE

STAFF WRITER

STAR// Sarah Gallagher This year was unlike any students have seen before due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

STAR// Natella Guy Polling places were packed for this year’s historic election

2020: A year like no other

2 life.

DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2020

sonomastatestar.com

020 vision was the mantra for this past year, and it seems almost too fitting--considering the events that took place throughout. This was the year of eye-opening realization, and it permanently altered what was once considered “normal” to reveal a new way of

The COVID-19 outbreak in the United States was the catalyst for a number of drastic changes to normal American life, one of those changes being virtual schooling. Following the announcement of nationwide quarantine orders, schools and universities across the country reluctantly shut their doors, unsure when they would be allowed to open again.

In March, Sonoma State University’s students packed up a week’s worth of clothes and left for spring break, only to find they would soon need to box up their dorms and switch on their webcams for the remainder of the semester. What was once a bustling community of students and faculty, soon became a ghost town in a matter of weeks.

Unfortunately, change did not stop there. As the university began rapidly losing money, mainly due to the lack of Seawolves on campus and low enrollment, difficult budgetary decisions had to be made. Faculty and students began losing their jobs, men’s and women’s tennis was cut, along with women’s water polo, and many campus resources were forced to downsize. Professors, resident advisors, maintenance workers, peer mentors, and many more employees were left without jobs in the midst of said budget cuts. Organizations like the Center for Community Engagement and the HUB were combined, food services were unable to conduct business as usual, and campus housing has been at half capacity since May, leaving most of the residential communities vacant besides Tuscany Village. SSU shifted with the weight of change and did their best to stay above water, but many plans were altered in the process.

As students vacated their dorms and headed home, Sonoma State entered negotiations with the county about converting a section of the residential community into a COVID-19 care site in exchange for upwards of $5,000,000. In April, it was announced that SSU would provide up to 700 beds for the homeless, people awaiting test results, elderly patients, and those experiencing mild symptoms, according to The Press Democrat. Thus, Sauvignon village and parts of the Recreation Center were occupied by these high-risk individuals from April to late Aug., and Sonoma State did their part in providing relief to the community.

Beyond the university boundaries, students retreated back to their hometowns and faculty scrambled to convert their courses to an online format. Zoom replaced almost all inperson classes, students were learning from their beds, and professors lectured from their kitchen tables. There was some serious adapting to be done, and the Seawolf community did just that.

A few months later, the decision from the CSU system to keep universities closed for the 2020-21 school year came, causing lots of stress and uncertainty. Classes would be almost completely online for yet another semester, but this time it would be different. Not only would this be SSU’s first ever fully virtual semester, but new freshmen would be joining the Seawolf community under these unique circumstances. Learning about how to be a college student, while being unable to physically attend said college was a large obstacle for many freshmen, but through virtual orientation and constant support from faculty and peers, they were able to get by.

“This year started off rough in the beginning. It took me a couple months to get used to time management. Now I am entering my second semester, and online college really isn’t as bad as I thought it was,” said freshman Chloe Hartley.

Right as the new semester began, SSU students all across California also had to push through evacuation orders and raging fires. Sept. marked the early beginning of California’s worst fire season to date, displacing thousands of residents from their homes and wreaking

havoc on farmland until early Nov.. Sonoma County knows the pain fire season brings each year all too well, and the multiple large fires that plagued the community this year were a harsh reminder of years past. The Glass Fire that broke out on Sept. 27 was the most notable of the many large fires in the county, and it ran rampant across the north bay for nearly a month. Many lost their homes, some for the second or third time, and evacuation orders dragged on for weeks at a time.

Alongside the stress of the fires and online school, there was a heavy cloud of unrest hanging over America. The Black Lives Matter movement has been around since 2013, but after a black man was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis, BLM became larger than life. In the months following Floyd’s death, protests, social media campaigns, and court rulings revealed a great divide within the country and called for change in many institutions that harbor racism to this day.

Women and Gender Studies Professor Charlene Tung said, “[She and her students] have spent much of [the semester] studying the historical precedents that have brought us to this point, sadly seeing the results of our collective failure to face our deeply ingrained racist and sexist systems.”

To add to the turmoil, 2020 was also an Election year. Democrats and Republicans took to the streets in support of their candidates as they awaited the final count. In the end, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the first woman of color Vice President, emerged victorious and are prepared to make some big changes in the coming years.

In an attempt to create an escape from the harsh conditions of the outside world, Sonoma State’s clubs and organizations have made great use of Zoom and have refused to let the circumstances prevent them from interacting with students. After not hosting Big Nite for the first time in many years, Associated Students has been consistently putting on events every week to keep Seawolves connected and entertained, and many other SSU organizations are doing the same.

Director of Student Involvement Mo Phillips said, “Most days, I may only have one or two people come to a trivia night, or to an event we plan, and I can get really frustrated or depressed, but mostly I am grateful to have the time with that one or two students, and will do what I can to help get them engaged.”

Another beloved in-person tradition that was moved online this year was Rush Week.

Sororities and fraternities were unable to physically meet and welcome their newest members, but the virtual festivities were still the highlight of many students’ semester.

Hartley, freshman and member of Alpha Gamma Delta, said, “As soon as I rushed a sorority, I felt like I actually belonged at Sonoma.”

Second-year student and member of Gamma Phi Beta Sophia Swofford said, “Being a new member without having met a lot of my sisters was a little weird at first, but I’ve been so connected with them, it makes this whole Zoom university thing a lot nicer.”

Zoom was one of the main ways Seawolves adapted and stayed connected through all the changes. Zoom birthday parties, Zoom game nights, Zoom club meetings--everything was suddenly happening on Zoom. The video chat platform created a safe way for everyone to get their daily dose of human interaction, while eliminating the risk of infection.

Though Zoom has been the main line of connection between students, there have also been multiple other modes of interaction that gained popularity during quarantine. In March, Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released, and its arrival could not have been more timely. The game served as an escape for many, allowing players to create their own island and visit friends. Later, the mobile game, Among Us, also became wildly popular. People were able to create servers with their friends and expose imposters to their heart’s content. Though nothing could replace in-person human interaction, these two games helped fill the void for those in need of distraction.

2020

New look to Black Friday this year

AMANDA KOBA STAFF WRITER

L

ong lines, packed stores and fights for the best deal are a thing of the past.

With COVID-19 getting worse, big name department stores have chosen to close their stores on Thanksgiving and offer different ways of shopping for Black Friday in response.

As the holidays approach, companies send out catalogs of sales that will appear on Black Friday hoping to increase their profit by promoting these deals. In previous years, people around the United States would stand in long lines trying to get their holiday shopping done hours before stores open on Thanksgiving after they have had time with friends and family.

With infection rates rising, COVID-19 has impacted the way people shop. Now rules and regulations are being implemented within stores that include social distancing, requiring masks, and lowering the number of consumers in the store. A poll by Deloitte surveyed 1,200 adults from Oct. 9 to Nov. 2 asking how they felt about shopping in person. The survey reported that 57% of consumers said they were anxious in regard to in-person shopping for the holidays due to the pandemic.

Rod Sides, Deloitte vice chairman and U.S. leader for retail, wholesale and distribution, told CNBC, “My guess is that percentage is probably even higher now,” in response to the survey.

With consumers feeling anxious about shopping in stores, companies like Target, Walmart and Dick’s Sporting Goods have been putting out their Black Friday deals early. Target released a statement

that said, “Historically, deal hunting and holiday shopping can mean crowded events, and this isn’t a year for crowds. That’s why our biggest holiday deals will be available earlier than ever, so you can shop safely and conveniently without worrying about missing out on deals that usually come later in the season.

Starting in October and continuing throughout the season, you’ll find Target’s lowest prices of the year on items in stores and online…” when speaking about their plans for the holiday season.

Brea Spencer, a retail worker said, “I’m glad I can actually spend Thanksgiving at home and not worry about going to work and staying there until 6 a.m.” Spencer said she wouldn’t be partaking in Black Friday because she wants... “to avoid crowds as much as possible, and I don’t think it’s right to make someone who works minimum wage sacrifice their health so that we can all go shopping. Most minimum wages aren’t doing enough to protect workers from COVID-19,” when asked about her thoughts about the event.

A report by Sensormatic Solutions, told CNN, “Traditional brick-and-mortar stores saw a 52 percent drop in Black Friday traffic compared to last year.” Stores are now offering services like curbside pickup, and free shipping for online orders to let consumers shop safely. Coresight Research founder and CEO Deborah Weinswig told CNBC, “This is really happening ... there are not huge lines wrapped around buildings. Consumers have adapted very quickly,” when asked about her Black Friday shopping

COURTESY// pixabay.com Because of COVID-19, the packed stores and mass scramble for merchandise Americans are used to for Black Friday deals were made impossible. experience.

In addition to creating earlier promotions, some stores have tried to push consumers to shop online by creating online only deals. Adobe reported that large retailers had 223% increase in their online sales in comparison to their average sale marks in Oct. News outlets and advertisements have been creating articles that show consumers deals that are going on and promoting their ability to be bought online by listing specific department stores and what deals they are having. Some of the items that are included are: electronics, handbags, clothing, and outdoor items.

Though some stores have opened their doors for the traditional Black Friday event, many are now pushing for an online presence so shoppers and workers can have a safe experience. By releasing deals earlier and creating special deals for online only, a change of how consumers shop is being shown.

Student Life 9

DEC. 1 - DEC. 7 2020

sonomastatestar.com

Sonoma State faculty member hosts “Women In Conversation”

SARAH GALLAGHER STAFF WRITER

F

or the past few weeks Sonoma County has had the opportunity to attend an online virtual conference called “Women In Conversation”. Our very own Amy Gutierrez, also known as Amy G, is one of the hosts for this seminar as well as the guest speakers they bring on every episode. Gutierez is a lecturer here at Sonoma State teaching public speaking and sports broadcasting classes. She is now on her 10th season being an in-game reporter for the San Francisco Giants.

On Thurs. Nov. 19th, Women in Conversation held their third online selected topic on self care. Every conversation there is a different topic that can relate to women, whether it is being your most authentic sustainable self, following your passions and dreams, honoring your own space and even what self care is all about.

Being a Sonoma County native, Gutiterez is now talking and interviewing other strong, independent and hardworking women of the county and what their small businesses are all about.

Learning their skills, what made them want to chase their dreams, to use this platform to “inspire and empower” Guiterez says to help other women find their passions and run with it.

On the third episode she interviewed three women: Tonya Soderman, who is the owner and founder of Sonoma Chicks, Chef Duskie Estes and Deb Rock a local entrepreneur and founder of Sonoma Hot Sauce. All three women have so many different talents when it comes to being an icon for strong work for women and men all over the county.

When Soderman was interviewed she talked about how she left her job as a well renowned photographer in San Francisco to move out to Sonoma to start her own dream. Sonoma Chicks is a chicken oasis for hundreds of chickens that get to roam around and be an animal in a safe and natural way. This passion for animals also gave her a new project on taking pictures of them and incorporating her own art medium. “I live and

STAR // Samantha Billingsly Sonoma State faculty member Amy Gutierrez hosted the Women In Conversation conference, highlighting a wide array of topics. breathe the work I do,” Soderman told Gutierrez.

Just like Soderman, Chef Duskie Estes, is a farm to table farmer and a featured chef on the Food Network and PBS. She now focuses on food insecurity, the topic of food waste and is the owner of Black Pig Market.

Estes, like a lot of us, had to completely shift her entire life around when the pandemic hit, but she still found a way to give back to those in need by bringing food and donating it for evacuees to be able to gain access to fresh produce. “It fills your soul when you are helping somebody else,” Estes said.

Lastly, Gutierrez interviewed entrepreneur Deb Rock, the first latina to use seed to shelf practices and she is the owner of Sonoma Hot Sauce. She has the mission to advocate for local farmers in her community to strengthen and empower them. With having a business, she touches, seeds, and processes every single pepper with her team as she wants and is so hands on doing

what she loves.

“Sustainability means to me that more than one person can be sustainable on your own, sustainability is inclusive” Rock says.

With all of these women, Amy Gutierrez really tells us how inspiring these women are and the work they are doing is easily able for all of us that have dreams and aspirations of our own.

“I also feel that giving back is selfish about being self less, that you get so much back when you are able to give back,” Gutierrez said.

From all of these lessons, self care is about not only caring about yourself but it is a ref lection on how we see ourselves and those around us.

For more content and information about Women in Conversation in Sonoma County you can go to https:// www.pressdemocrat.com/article/multimedia/registernow-for-a-free-virtual-event-series/

Seawolves SPEAK!

DEVON PIQUE

STUDENT LIFE EDITOR

T

How did you spend your Thanksgiving?

hanksgiving is normally a time where students retreat from their college abodes to spend time with their families for a day of celebration and feasting. This time of year isn’t just a reminder that the semester is almost over.

It’s a time where we can ref lect on the many blessings we have been given in our lives. Usually, Seawolves would celebrate with big family get togethers or a fully attended “Friendsgiving” but COVID-19 has put a hamper on some of these plans.

Large get-togethers with people outside of our own personal bubbles have become a thing of the past, meaning the massive celebrations we are used to have to be

“I really enjoyed hanging out with my family and spending time with them this Thanksgiving, and I was happy to make candied sweet potatoes for dinner.”

adjusted. Luckily, throughout the year Seawolves, and all Americans alike, have shown their resilience and the ability to adapt.

While Thanksgiving might look a little different than some are used to, Seawolves have still found a way to enjoy their turkey dinners. In a year with an unprecedented amount of turmoil and never before seen changes taking place, Thanksgiving was the perfect opportunity to remember just what we are grateful for. Students talked about how they managed to celebrate their Thanksgiving despite these unique circumstances.

”I went on boat rides in Channel Islands harbor with my family.”

-Andrew Olafsson, Senior -Kelsey Venuti, Senior

“I spent Thanksgiving with my immediate family. We talked, ate, and played board games”

-Emilia Lego (right), Junior

”I just spent time with my family and ate some great food. It was a lot smaller than most years due to COVID, but it was nice to have a quiet Thanksgiving for once.”

-Darrion Murphy, Junior

”Over Thanksgiving break I went with my roommate to her house in Los Angeles. We went to the beach and rode bikes along the sand. I then went home to Stockton and we went to the mountains to cut down a Christmas tree in Apple Hill.”

-Kielle Costello (right), Freshman

”I went home for Thanksgiving break and enjoyed spending time with my family and friends.”

-Jacob Cohen, Sophomore

10 Sports

DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2020

sonomastatestar.com

NBA season plans to start in December to stay on track

NOAH PHILPOTT STAFF WRITER

W

ith the last National Basketball Association season just ending, NBA officials have discussed a shortened off-season and a Dec. 22 start date for the following season. This was confirmed by the NBPA on Thurs. night and will be made official within the next few days. Doing this will be an attempt to stay on the season’s normal cycle throughout the year.

This last NBA season was full of unexpected surprises and bumps in the road because of COVID-19. Games were postponed, players went into lockdown, the season was shortened, and there was even an eight game bubble period. Meaning, at a point during the season, the virus caused a delay for a short period of time and teams began playing in Orlando at the Amway Center. This was to ensure safety regulations for players to perform. The stadium was thoroughly cleaned by professionals after each and every time the stadium was used.

In the end of the season, the Los Angeles Lakers ended up on top with a record of 52-19 and took game six of The Finals versus the Miami Heat. It was a well-fought battle led by Finals MVP Lebron James and Lakers power forward Anthony Davis. Rookie Tyler Hero and veteran Jimmy Butler could simply not handle the dominance of James and Davis. This championship win adds to Lebron’s legacy with four titles, as well as a four time Finals MVP with three different teams. He has also won two Olympic gold medals, is third on the all-time scoring list, and eighth of all time in career assists. The Lakers also insisted that this win was for hall of famer Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant, who had passed in a tragic helicopter crash a few months back. After the results of the finals, James said, “I want my damn respect.” When people refer to being the G.O.A.T. of the NBA, most refer to James, Bryant, and Michael Jordan. Out of these three athletes, James is by far the most overlooked regarding his success in the league and is demanding the respect he deserves.

COURTESY // Creative Commons The NBA has plans to start the season on Dec. 22 in order to stay on its normal pace throughout the year.

After this last unordinary season, NBA officials now announced that the 2020-2021 season will be starting in Dec. Is this the right decision for these athletes and their safety? It has roughly been just over a month since the Lakers took game six in Oct. The real questions of concern regards if there was enough rest time for the athletes and if this is a safe decision regarding COVID-19.

Newly elected President Joe Biden has talked about going into shutdown once again because of rises in cases of COVID-19. He has also required masks to be worn at all times and limited bigger gatherings of people. He was going to order a shutdown of all non-essential businesses again, but has noticed the other side of the argument with expressed concern of our fragile economy because of COVID-19. “Look, it depends on the state,” Biden explained.

Re-opening the NBA season would be a very tough task to ask of these athletes. Not only free agency and training camps have to be conducted by Dec. 1, but these athletes risk further injury by putting their bodies to work so soon. Most players were actually happy to hear this thinking that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Meaning,

COVID-19 is beginning to lighten up. NBA star Damian Lilliard replied with, “Let’s do it then…” Also, Trae Young expressed his excitement by saying, “Good to see the light now…” I feel as if this will be a step in the right direction for the NBA even though it is so soon. Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse was asked if Dec. 22 was too early of a start date for the 2020-2021 season and replied with, “I do not. I think we had about four months off already this year. I think we get four and another two, that’s six. That’s a lot of rest for one calendar year.” He then came back with, “We’re ready to go!”

To conclude, I think this early start to the 2020-2021 NBA season is a good decision going off a sense of normalcy for not only the athletes and their families, but for the sport as well regarding the time of year. There are many bonuses to starting early. For instance, Christmas is typically the regular season’s biggest showcase and the NBA will not have to compete with other sports like the MLB or NFL during their seasons for viewers. Paying the piper of a shorter off-season will also give the league a chance to return to an 82 game season. Players and fans from the area would be positioned to return to normalcy.

NFL names first ever all black officiating crew EDGAR ZAVALA STAFF WRITER

T

he National Football League made an announcement last Tues., Nov. 17, that they will be making history by having the first ever all black officiating crew. The Los Angeles Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be the prime time game that will kick off on Monday afternoon with this historic team of referees.

They will be led by referee Jerome Boger, alongside umpire Barry Anderson.

Also, side judge Dale Shaw, down judge Julian Mapp, line judge Carl Johnson, field judge Anthony Jeffries, and back judge Greg Steed. This is done by the NFL to recognize the league’s history and their commitment to diversify the league and their officiating crews.

“This historic Week 11 crew is a testament to the countless and immeasurable contributions of black officials to the game, their exemplary performance, and to the power of inclusion that is the hallmark of this great game,” said NFL executive vice president of football operations, Troy Vincent.

This is a huge step forward for the game of football and their efforts to give all people the same opportunities. The referees are excited to be part of this historic moment. “I am proud of my heritage and excited about my participation in this historic game. The opportunity to work with a great group of black officials and exhibit our proficiency in executing our assignment is something I am really looking forward to,’’ stated lead referee Jerome Boger in an interview with ESPN. The NFL usually sets up their 17 officiating crews before the season starts and does their best to try and keep them together so that they gain chemistry and

COURTESY // Creative Commons Another first down and progression forward towards racial equality.

work better together. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the crews were set up based on where the referees live so that they can drive to games rather than fly. Johnson, who lives in Louisiana, and Steed, who lives near Washington, D.C., were pulled from other crews.

Four of the NFL’s 17 referees and crew chiefs are African American. Those are Boger, Ron Torbert, Adrian Hill, and Shawn Smith, which is a higher percentage than for NFL coaches or general managers. Two members of its three-man leadership team, senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron, and senior vice president of officiating administration Perry Fewell, are minorities.

The NFL hired Burl Toler, the first black official in any major sports league, in 1965.

The league is finally making progress to diversify its staff in order to get with the progressive times. The NFL recently changed the name of the Washington Redskins to the Washington Football Team until they can find a more finalized team name. The league, which has been criticized by many for their lack of social justice awareness, is on the right track to use their platform for the equal rights of Americans. This was the same league that received backlash for how they handled the Colin Kaepernick protest a couple of years back. This is just one step forward in the path to equality.

DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2020

sonomastatestar.com

Sports 11

SSU implemented in-person workouts for all 11 sports programs

The Seawolves are making moves by allowing face-to-face workouts with ten athletes per workout to stay game ready.

COURTESY // Creative Commons

RYAN WEINER

STAFF WRITER

N

early eight months have passed without the presence of Sonoma State University Athletics. In an unprecedented year, not only for the hard-working student-athletes, but for the entire world of sports. Many dedicated athletes were forced to put a halt to their heavily anticipated seasons and in-person activities. Nearly 250 student-athletes at SSU have not been able to don their blue and white Seawolf uniforms during this time due to the NCAA protocols and restrictions for COVID-19. Since March, student-athletes, coaches, and staff have been managing virtual meetings in order to stay in contact with no in-person meetings at all.

This all changed on Nov. 9 when SSU’s Athletic department implemented on-campus and in-person workouts available for all 11 sports programs. Chelsea Hennan, Health and Wellness Manager for the Seawolves explained, “Our athletic department has organized team-specific cohorts in order to ensure a safe environment for the teams to take part in outdoor workouts together.” These on-campus workouts do not include equipment and will be limited to 10 participants per session. Each cohort was assigned a specific time slot, where they can participate in conditioning exercises or other activities as a group. Each session lasts one hour and is followed by a 15 minute passing period to ensure no interaction between cohorts.

Additionally, all student-athletes are required to maintain a six-foot distance which will be marked off by social distancing signs and they also must wear face-coverings at all times.

“The health & safety of our student-athletes is our top priority,” stated Deputy Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jared Chasey.

“That being said, we are mindful of the importance that training and workouts play in student-athletes mental and physical well-being.”

SSU wanted to provide this opportunity for student-athletes to train outside in a face to face environment, rather than the usual virtual meetings the teams have been conducting. “We wanted our sports programs to get active and get back to a level of physical fit-

ness,” Hennan mentioned. “Being able to physically coach face to face makes it easier to see the imperfections in each athlete and correct them accordingly.” Chelsea made sure to add that safety is her number one priority. She has been easing the student-athletes back into action to minimize the risk of injury.

Although these face-to-face workout sessions have been limited, this opportunity has brought hope to Sonoma State’s community.

“The first step to returning to in-person activities for our department is offering these in-person strength & conditioning workouts to our student-athletes,” said Chasey. SSU’s student-athletes are very appreciative of this chance to regain some normalcy in their lives according to Chasey. “Sports is such an important part of a studentathlete’s identity and these strength and conditioning workouts are one step closer to getting the student-athletes back to playing their sport.”

As many Seawolf fans are speculating on whether or not sports will be back on campus in the Spring, both Jared and Chelsea have optimistic feelings. Chasey is grateful for the support they have been receiving from campus leadership. Jared explained, “we plan to begin sport-specific training in the Spring, allowing our sports coaches to begin in-person training with their student-athletes.” Hennan’s half-glass full personality allows her to see a positive future for SSU sports in the spring as well, “I can only be optimistic, we have to start somewhere and I think this is an exciting first step,” said Hennan.

If Sonoma State is able to move forward with competition in the spring, things will be very different from past seasons. Chasey noted that spectators will not be allowed in the venue but can watch the game via live stream. Chasey also noted that the best thing supporters can do in this time is to continue social distancing, wear face coverings, regularly wash hands, and follow all other guidance from public health officials.

Governor Newsom and other CIF officials announce new guidlines VINCENT SPENCE STAFF WRITER

T

he 2020 calendar year has been anything but ordinary. From March to June, the United States saw no live sports from the professional level, all the way down to high school.

On Nov. 16, the California Interscholastic Federation or commonly known as CIF, put out a statement saying, “In today’s COVID-19 press briefing, Governor Gavin Newsom and Dr. Mark Ghaly from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) disclosed that the youth sports guidance has been postponed. Therefore, the current guidance remains in effect and CIF competitions are not allowed until new guidance is provided.”

This guidance is referring to the CIF statement that came out in mid July. If it is safe to play, Fall sports will start early to mid Dec. With Governor Newsom saying “CIF competitions are not allowed until new guidance,” it is highly unlikely that a new statement will come out before that.

Ron Nocetti, the CIF executive director said in an article by LA Times, “When the guidelines come out, people will see what’s possible.”

Sonoma County is under the North Coast Section of CIF. If everything goes to plan, Fall sports are eligible to start their first practice on Dec. 7 with the season supposed to be starting on Jan. 6.

Playoffs for fall differ with different sports, but playoffs will start around late Feb. or early March.

This year, in the North Coast Section Winter sports will be played in the Spring. Sports like soccer, wrestling, and basketball will all

be played during the Spring. The first day of practice for all spring sports is Feb. 15. Teams will have 45 days to get ready for the season and the first set of games will be played in late April.

Sharing players and playing two sports is something that coaches and players will have to get used to this upcoming season. With a lot of players playing dual sports, they will have to manage their time well, and put in maximum effort into both sports they play. Most schools do not allow their students to play two different sports during the same season, but the CIF overruled that to allow players the chance to play sports that would not normally be in that season.

All of these start dates are still up in the air as our Governor said.

With COVID-19 cases spiking and flu season on the way, many people would like their kids to start playing sports again when it is safe enough to sit in a classroom. Experts believe the earliest that might be is mid Jan. Since summer started in late May, schools that have been in the purple zones have been able to utilize weight training and other sport specific activities all at COVID-19 regulation. This has been the only physical activity that the CIF and the California Government has put out.

Senior’s are excited to get back to playing sports all around the state. As juniors, most of their sports were canceled due to COVID-19 in March. This will be a refreshing renewal of their high school sports.

COURTESY // Creative Commons Governor Newsom declares youth sports will still remain postponed.

12 Photo

DEC. 1 - DEC. 7, 2020

sonomastatestar.com

Fires from years before still scar communities

STAR // Natella Guy The Kincade fire threatened over 90,000 structures and caused evacuations throughout Sonoma County, including Geyserville, Healdsburg, Windsor and Santa Rosa.

STAR // Natella Guy STAR // Natella Guy The Kincade fire started northeast of Geyserville in The Geysers at 9:24 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2019 and subsequently burned 77,758 acres.

(Top) Traffic backed up for miles during fire reconstruction, as construction workers moved debris out of the street.

(Bottom) On Oct. 26, 2020, PG&E began shutting off power in an attempt to prevent additional fires, leaving an estimated three million people without power.

Stevenson Hall construction finally begins

STAR // Isabelle Barkey A chain link fence surrounded Stevenson Hall on Sonoma State’s campus as renovations began.

STAR // Isabelle Barkey

STAR // Isabelle Barkey

One of the construction workers set up to begin renovations on Stevenson Hall this past week.

The Truebeck Construction Company will complete renovations on Stevenson this winter.