IN THIS ISSUE
Seawolves SPEAK!
Election
Celebrities urge youth to vote. PAGE 6.
Students reminisce about campus. PAGE 9.
Baseball SSU alumn goes pro abroad PAGE 10.
SINCE 1979
VOLUME 85 // ISSUE 6 SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 - OCTOBER 5, 2020
THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER
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STAR // Samantha Billingsly Sonoma State University provides a charging station for electric-powered vehicles.
Gov. Newsom signs executive order to ban gas-powered vehicles by 2035 SIEANNA NARINE STAFF WRITER
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overnor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order last Wednesday that bans the sale of gaspowered vehicles in the state of California by the year 2035. This bill was signed in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. by motivating California drivers to switch to electric cars. This is the most progressive clean-air policy in the United States. The bill bans the production of new gas-powered vehicles after the 15 year mark, but it will still allow gas powered cars to be sold on the used car market. Governor Newsome endorses this bill, stating in an NPR article, “This is the most impactful step our state can take to fight climate change.” A 2018 EPA analysis of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere stated, “The transportation sector produced 28.2% of greenhouse emissions.” The transportation sector generates the largest amount of greenhouse emissions through burning fossil fuels in cars, trucks, ships, and planes. Collectively, cars and trucks account for nearly one-fifth of all U.S. emissions, producing around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global-warming gases for each gallon of gas used. According to a CA.gov article, “Communities in the Los Angeles Basin and Central Valley see some of the dirtiest and most toxic air in the country.” The World WildLife website explains that climate change takes form in our environment by causing more frequent flooding, a longer and more costly wildfire season, and droughts across the Great Plains. Newsome agrees that, “For too many decades, we have allowed cars to pollute the air that our children and families breathe. Our cars shouldn’t make wildfires worse and create more days filled with smoky air. Cars shouldn’t melt glaciers or raise sea levels threatening our cherished beaches and coastlines.” Following the order made by Newsom, the California Air Resources Board will develop regulations that mandate 100% of the in-state sale of gas powered vehicles to end by the year 2035. The California-based Coalition for Clean Air commended Newsom for his decision and gave full support in helping to put this mandate in full effect. This order will lead to a 35% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an 80% improvement in air quality. “The Governor’s Executive Order is a meaningful step in addressing the climate crisis and protecting the health of Californians,” the California-based Coalition for Clean Air told NPR. see GOV. NEWSOM SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER on pg. 4
COURTESY // Csufresno.edu Joseph I. Castro was recently appointed as the eighth CSU chancellor.
Joseph Castro elected as CSU’s first Chancellor of color
SAMUEL SAYER STAFF WRITER
A
s of Wednesday, Sep. 23, the California State University Board of Trustees elected Joseph Castro to be the next CSU Chancellor following Timothy White’s retirement at the end of the year. Castro, a first generation college student and current President of Fresno State, will be the first person of color to serve as CSU Chancellor in the roughly 60 year line of 7 previous chancellors. Castro’s election by the Board represents another landmark for diversity in the California higher education system, as he joins recently selected President Michael Drake of the UC system and Chancellor of California Community Colleges Eloy Ortiz Oakley. This is the first time in the history of California that all 3 branches of public higher education are led by people of color. see JOSEPH CASTRO on pg. 4
STAR // Sarah Gallagher Silver Oak Vineyards, pictured on September 26, 2020, is ready to hire interns for harvest season.
COURTESY // Flickr.com President Trump announced Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee for the United States Supreme Court.
Republican’s push for Supreme Court Justice nomination
JAYLINE ALVARADO STAFF WRITER
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ow that there’s an empty seat on the Supreme Court, the Republican party is pushing for the nomination of a new Supreme Court judge in order to fill the vacancy. Republican, and former presidential candidate, Mitt Romney has spoken out against President Trump, even voting to impeach him. However, they both agree that the vacant seat in the Supreme Court should be filled by the time the election rolls around in November. According to Senator Romney, the nomination should represent the beliefs of a center-right nation, and therefore, a Supreme Court that reflects that. see REPUBLICANS PUSH FOR SUPREME COURT JUSTICE on pg. 5
Sonoma County wineries are searching for harvest interns
TAYLOR CLARK
STAFF WRITER
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ine country brings many people from all over the world to California. Interns, in particular, are drawn to Sonoma and Napa counties to learn what makes California so special when it comes to the craft of wine making. Wineries typically need more help during the harvest season, which starts in August and usually ends in November. Interns who want to pursue a career in the wine industry come from Italy, Australia, and Chile, only to name a few. With the appearance of COVID-19 and President Trump’s restrictions on visa programs, international interns and local wineries are at a huge loss. Local wineries are scrambling to find extra hands to help, and this comes at a time when they tend to be the busiest. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Robert Morris, partner and general manager at the Grand Cru Custom Crush in Windsor, said, “We have five interns when we really should have nine.” Morris figured COVID-19 would affect his ability to find international interns, so he recruited domestic workers. see SONOMA COUNTY WINERIES on pg. 5
2 Editorial
SEPT. 29 - OCT. 5, 2020
sonomastatestar.com
Remembering the Notorious R.B.G.
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 Corinne Asturias, Faculty Adviser Staff Writers Taylor Clark, Emily Cripe, Sieanna Narine, Samuel Sayer, Jayline Alvarado, Natella Guy, 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, Isabelle Barkey Photographers Samantha Billingsly, Sarah Gallagher, Sarah Ramos
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Editor’s Pick This week’s can’t miss article:
“University police remain vigilant...” Read the article on page 8.
Have an opinion? We’d like to hear from you! The STAR welcomes letters to the editor
Publication
R
uth Bader Ginsburg, one of, if not the strongest woman in the United States government, died Sept. 18, 2020. She was 87 years old. Her time as a Supreme Court Justice was spent fighting for women’s rights and gender equality, and Ginsburg was someone that many women, young and old, looked up to as a strong individual who they could rely on to get the message across that women deserve better. Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. in a press release issued by the Supreme Court, said of Justice Ginsburg, “Our Nation has lost a jurist of historic stature. We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague. Today we mourn, but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her -- a tireless and resolute champion of justice.” She was appointed as a Justice by President Bill Clinton in 1993, becoming the second woman in the Supreme Court, the first being Sandra Day O’Connor. She served 27 years in the Supreme Court, where she argued tirelessly for women’s rights and inspired many forms of change in the United States, including the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2009, making it easier for employees to win pay discrimination claims. Her most known achievement on fighting gender discrimination came with her writing of the court’s opinion in United
COURTESY // DonkeyHotey
States v. Virginia 1996, which abolished the male-only admissions policy for the Virginia Military Institute, ruling it was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment. In Ledbetter v. Goodyear in 2007, a case in which Lilly Ledbetter filed a lawsuit against her employer for pay discrimination based on gender, the vote came out 5-4, stating that the statute of limitations starts to run at the time of every pay period, even if a woman did not know she was being paid less than her male co-worker until later. The result was absurd to Ginsburg, she was adamant in calling out the many problems with the reasoning, including that women often don’t know they are being paid less until after they receive their paycheck. She called on Congress to amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and thus undo the court’s decision. After the election of President Obama, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act became part of the nation’s law, with Ginsburg being credited with helping create it. Her efforts in supporting abortion rights, equal pay, and striking down any form of gender discrimination will continue even after her death because of the influence she had on so many people, especially women. The day of her funeral, Rabbi Holzblatt, whose husband clerked for Justice Ginsburg from 2014 to 2015, spoke to the New York Times stating that R.B.G. “did not arrive like a lightning bolt, but rather through dogged persistence, all the days
of her life...Real change, she said, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” With her death, however, political battles have been ignited again. According to NPR, a few days before her death, Ginsburg told her granddaughter, Clara Spera, “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.” Without her, President Trump can appoint yet another conservative to the Supreme Court, shifting the balance in the court to six to three. This would also allow more cases that the Republicans bring to the court to go through, including possibly the challenge against the Affordable Care Act that includes Obamacare. Ironically, the incident displays the blatant hypocrisy that exists on both sides of the aisle. After the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in 2016, President Obama attempted to appoint Merrick Garland to the court, but Republicans successfully stonewalled the appointment and argued that a president should not be allowed to appoint a new Superior Court Justice so close to an election. Today, both parties have gone back on their statement because one of their own is in office and they are both saying the opposite of what they argued just four years ago. This is hypocrisy at its finest, which we can expect from the US government as of late. As a result, one of Ginsburg’s last wishes is being completely ignored for the selfish benefit of others, and there’s nothing she can do about it.
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.
The STAR is published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters. Printing is done by Sonoma Media Group. The weekly publication of the STAR is made possible by Instructionally Related Activities Funding.
Opinions
Opinions expressed in the STAR are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the STAR or SSU. The editorial reflects the views of the STAR Editorial Board on issues it considers to be of particular relevance to the campus community.
Letters to the Editor
Letter writers may expect prompt publication in the newspaper’s op-ed section, as space is available. Letters of up to 400 words will be allowed and must be submitted no later than the Friday before the publication date. Published letters must be free of libel, since the publication is held legally accountable for all content. Although personal controversy will be tolerated, it is the responsibility of the editor to check statements purporting the facts. The STAR reserves the right to refuse publication. STAR // Kevin Flores
Opinion 3
SEPT. 29 - OCT. 5, 2020
sonomastatestar.com
California makes the leap toward clean energy
KATELYN DODGE STAFF WRITER
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n Wednesday, Sept. 23, California Governor Gavin Newsom passed an executive order banning the sale of all new gas-powered cars by the year 2035. Used and preowned cars may continue on the market, but this push puts a timer on dealerships to begin phasing out gas for electric or hybrid vehicles. This order makes California the first state to commit to clean energy, but what does that mean? On Twitter, Newsom laid down his facts, “Transportation is responsible for more than 50% of California’s greenhouse gas emissions. 80% of smog-forming pollution. And 95% of toxic diesel emissions.” The pollution from the massive population of California has contributed to this issue, the emissions from vehicles are the largest part of the problem that plagues us all. Newsom continued with his opinions on California’s current environmental state. “Our cars
shouldn’t make wildfires worse — and create more days filled with smoky air. Cars shouldn’t melt glaciers or raise sea levels threatening our cherished beaches and coastlines.” These are fair points to why removing the sale of new gas-powered cars is reasonable. Some may argue it is not reasonable for the state to get a new electric car in 2020 as it could cost an estimated $30,750, while a new gaspowered vehicle could cost $15,495, according to Edmonds.com, a car pricing website. At half the price, it makes sense that not every person could afford a $30,000 car. However, by 2035, the deadline to stop new gas-powered cars’ sales could change massively by forcing electric cars or hybrid vehicles to be the only new on markets cars. It could drop the price to a more reasonable level for people of all backgrounds. It could also help to push carpooling and help eliminate emissions made otherwise. There have been other criticisms to this executive order, stating that California already
has electricity issues, so how could we reasonably produce enough power for homes, businesses, and vehicles. It is a valid concern, after this past summer for Sonoma County and the heat advisory power outages, it was proven we do not have enough power now. The most significant push back so far has been seen by the Trump administration. As this is a possible hit to the economy, the possibility of losing jobs must be accounted for as well, with it being more than likely some dealerships pull out of California to avoid the eco-friendly change. As Adam Bean, a writer for AP News reports, “White House spokesman Judd Deere said flatly: “President Trump won’t stand for it.” And Larry Kudlow, Trump’s economic adviser, labeled it a “very extreme” position that he doesn’t think other states will follow. Joe Biden’s campaign didn’t comment directly on Newsom’s plan. But spokesman Matt Hill said Biden believes electric vehicles can create “good-paying union jobs,
dominate a fast-growing market worldwide, and meet the demands of the climate crisis.” With fifteen other countries worldwide committing to clean energy, the United States has continued to be behind in our activism. As such, we are noticing an increase in natural disasters, most of which are weather-related. Global Warming has made Sonoma County a target of its abuses over the past four years, fires on top of fires ravish our homes. With the change fifteen years away, this is only the beginning of the battle for the climate crisis and the ability to protect the environment. To stop a massive market like the car and fossil fuel industry is daring for the California governor. For the sake of the planet, fresh air, and protection of California homes, something needs to be done, and if this is the first step, it must be supported. With luck to the future, we all wait with bated breath for the change we all need to be passed.
‘Homekey’ program helps homeless
NATELLA GUY
STAFF WRITER
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n Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the latest round of awards from the state’s $600 million “Homekey” program, which helps cities turn existing buildings into supportive housing during and beyond the pandemic. Newsom announced that the city of Oakland will be receiving $20 million for homeless housing to decrease the number of homeless on the streets. Natalie Orenstein from The Oakland Side said that the Coronavirus relief funds will turn dorms into single-family homes in Clifton Hall, a former residential hall at the California College of the Arts dorm in Rockridge. “Oakland was told Tuesday that two additional Homekey applications the city submitted—to turn an SRO and a hotel into housing for formerly incarcerated residents and veterans— have been put on a waitlist and could eventually receive funding,” said spokesperson Autumn
King. Homelessness is not just a crisis in California, but the entire United States, and it has been long overdue to tackle this pressing issue. Although there isn’t one solution to cure homelessness in America, there are little steps we can take as caring and compassionate individuals. Being homeless can mean one has reached a hardship in life, and while some recover, some sadly don’t ever recover. According to Homelessness Policy Research Institute, “As of January 2019, 27% of people experiencing homelessness in the entire United States are in California. Homelessness in California increased by more than 22% over the last decade. Between 2018 and 2019, homelessness in California increased by over 16%.” Half of Oakland’s $20 million awards will allow the city to purchase Clifton Hall, a former California College of the Arts dorm at 5276 Broadway in Rockridge.
The building has 63 units, 42 of which will become permanent housing for seniors at greater risk from COVID-19. The city plans to prioritize current residents of Project Roomkey hotels, the county’s temporary coronavirus shelters. Doing this is a step toward recovery for many homeless people and maybe a new start for them. The other $10 million will go into Bay Area Community Services, which is a nonprofit organization. BACAS is purchasing 20 single-family homes in East Oakland and turning them into affordable homes for people living on the streets. We should never judge a book by its cover when we see a homeless person on the side of the road with a sign. People can become homeless for multiple reasons such as poverty, unemployment, or lack of affordable housing. Some people suffer from mental health or drug and alcohol abuse. Some were in
domestic violence, physical and/or sexual abuse situations, which has led them to cope with substance abuse. From HowStuff Works, Stephanie Watson said, “The two biggest factors driving homelessness are poverty and the lack of affordable housing. In 2004, 37 million people, or 12.7 percent of the American population was living in poverty, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless. Many of these people live from paycheck to paycheck with nothing saved in the bank. The loss of a job, an illness, or another catastrophic event can quickly lead to missed rent or mortgage payments and ultimately, to eviction or foreclosure.” One can help their local homeless population by donating to a local shelter or providing them groceries or necessities they may need. The chance at a healthy life in America and a roof over their head must not be seen as a privilege, but a right for all.
Clock ticking for climate change
ISABELLA SIMONI STAFF WRITER
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arlier this week, artists Gan Golan and Andrew Boyed decided that they wanted to showcase just how damaging we as a society, as the Earth’s population, have been to the environment. They did this by displaying a large scale digital clock in Union Square in Manhattan, New York. The clock is supposed to expose just how much time we have left, down to the very second, before we have used up all of Earth’s natural resources, and the effects have become entirely irreversible. As of the very moment this article is being written, the clock reads seven years, 98 days, 7 hours, 10 minutes, and 10 seconds. However, that is not all that the digital clock displays. In contrast to the countdown timers vibrant red, there is a striking green section of the clock that showcases available energy from renewable resources. It is referred to as the “lifeline.” “Simply put, we need to get our life line to 100% before our deadline reaches 0,” reads the clocks official website, ClimateClock.world. At its core, the clock’s message is relatively straightforward: to retract the damage we have done and preserve the Earth, we need to reduce our carbon emissions completely. However, this drastic change will not work unless everyone on the planet is on board and fully understands the issue at hand. “Different countries and different communities may have different roles, but we all have to be on the same timeline,” stated Golan for the Washington Post. Though the piece is only supposed to be on display for Climate Week, which runs until Sept. 27, both artists are hopeful that the clock’s impact will be felt and will remain a permanent installation. Golan and Boyed also urge individuals to make their own versions of a climate change clock. Jennifer Hassan, for Washington Post, writes, “The artists are now calling on people to create their own clocks and say they are working with cities around the world to install their own versions.” Seeing this clock slowly wind down should start putting things into perspective for believers and non-believers alike. It is time for us to face the harsh and severe reality: we are running out of time. We must focus our time on government officials who see the science for what it is: fact. Furthermore, enact actual policies that will help us do our part in reducing the Earth’s carbon emissions. It is time for us to look at ourselves and the lives we lead. We must evaluate the simple changes we can make in our day to day lives that will help the lifeline on the Climate Clock reach 100%. Our future generations depend on us to leave them a habitable home, and we have, according to Golan and Boyed, seven years before the chance to repair what we have done is out of our hands. Hassan states, “If Earth’s temperatures increase by 1.5 degrees Celsius, the planet will fall victim to extreme heat waves, fires, droughts and limited water availability.” We have it in our power to decrease the Earth’s overall temperature and prevent the state of the Earth from getting worse than it already is. We see the effects of climate change daily today. It is time to stop talking about change and start acting on the change we wish to see and desperately need.
Trump’s hasty court pick defies RBG’s last wish
NANCY INSUA
STAFF WRITER
O
n Sept. 25, Trump announced his new candidate for the Supreme Court would be Judge Amy Coney Barret, just seven days after the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. New York Times reporters Peter Baker and Maggie Haberman stated in their article the kind of effect a judge like Barret would have on our justice system:“In picking Judge Barrett, a conservative and a hero to the anti-abortion movement, Mr. Trump could hardly have found a
more polar opposite to Justice Ginsburg, a pioneering champion of women’s rights and leader of the liberal wing of the court. The appointment would shift the center of gravity on the bench considerably to the right, giving conservatives six of the nine seats.” At the age of 87, on Sept. 18, Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away, leaving behind an inspiring legacy. Ginsburg was the second woman ever to hold a seat on the Supreme Court, she was a fierce activist who battled cancer and dedicated her life to fighting for human rights and equality. Ginsburg fought for gender equality with cases like the United States v. Virginia and Ledbetter v. Goodyear, ensuring women had equal rights under the law as men. She fought for abortion rights and upheld Roe v. Wade each time legislation trying to dismantle it came to the court. She fought for LGBTQ+ rights and became the only Supreme Court justice to officiate a same-sex marriage. Ginsburg’s accomplishments span the length of her career, as she fought to
protect Americans who were not represented by their government and opened many doors for women in government and beyond. Her passing means a lot for our country’s future, not only have we lost an inspiring activist and champion of justice, but she has left a vacancy on the supreme court, and with Trump still being in office, he is racing to fill her spot. In 2016, nine months before the presidential election, President Obama was blocked by the senate and senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, citing that the American people elect a president first. Then a new justice would be appointed. The republican party is now pushing a very different narrative on what is fair and just as they race to fill Ginsburg’s seat in under 40 days when we elect a new president. Clara Spera, Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s granddaughter, said that while spending time with her grandmother in her final days asked her what her dying wish was and what else she wanted to tell Americans. Ruth responded with, “My most
fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.” “I read it back to her,and she was very happy with that,” Spera said. “When I asked ‘is that it, is there anything else you’d like to say?’ she said ‘the rest of my work is a matter of public record.’ So that’s all she wanted to add.” Trump has responded to her wish by having doubts and claiming it was written by democrats to spread to the public. Having a substantial conservative majority on our Supreme Court would change our country’s course in drastic and harmful ways. Abortion reform is already in discussion, and the threat to human rights seems only to be growing. Ginsburg spent her life fighting for equality and change, being the first of many in our government to do so. She hoped her legacy would consist of continuing that work and progressing farther than she could. Now the pressure is on for Judge Barret to see if she will dismantle this or contribute to the progress RBG made.
4 News
SEPT. 29 - OCT. 5, 2020
sonomastatestar.com
COURTESY // Flickr.com Across the globe, including in Australia (as pictured above), people are protesting climate change inaction and are encouraging others to join them in the gloabl fight.
EMILY CRIPE
Low CO2 emissions during pandemic instills false hope
STAFF WRITER
E
ver since the first COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders rolled out across the globe, greenhouse gas emissions have plummeted, opening up a unique opportunity for some redemption in the Earth’s impending climate crisis. Despite the good news, experts are saying this progress will have no effect on the planet’s rising temperatures. Amidst all the destruction COVID-19 brought to countries around the world, the resulting lack of CO2 emissions was the light at the end of the tunnel for many. Unfortunately, with the drop in emissions, came the complicated downturn of economies across the globe--economies that rely on fossil fuel corporations to keep them afloat. According to CNN, “Global greenhouse gas emissions have fallen due to coronavirus lockdowns. The current economic downturn means future emissions are projected to be slightly lower, but the recent decline won’t have any real impact on long-term climate change.” “The United Nations says it is necessary to phase out fossil fuels to stop catastrophic man-made climate change. But getting rid of them is going to be hard,” CNN reports. They also explain that the decline in emissions, while significant, is virtually obsolete overall, because countries around the world are turning to fossil fuels to save their economies. Fossil fuels are deeply rooted in nearly every country’s economy. They provide jobs, effective energy, and the large corporations managing them pay large taxes, so they tend to be heavily involved in politics and provide large amounts of donations towards government funding. This makes it especially difficult to eliminate their use completely. The Climate Action Tracker, a website that provides climate change data, reports that projected CO2 emissions are far too high to prevent the warming of the continued from pg. 1
Gov. Newsom signs executive order
STAR // Samantha Billingsly Charging stations for electric vehicles are stationed around campus. California has been the first state to take the lead in requiring zero-emission vehicles. There are over 15 countries that have already committed to phasing out gas-powered vehicles and opening the market to producing electric cars. This will begin the robust innovation of electric vehicles and making them more affordable. By moving toward electric-powered cars, the US government claims, “The upfront cost of electric vehicles will project to reach parity with conventional vehicles in just a matter of years, and the cost of owning the car--both in maintenance and how much it costs to power the car mile for mile--is far less than a fossil fuel burning vehicle.” The California-based Coalition for Clean Air told NPR that not only will it help will it cut down the rising levels of global warming, but, “Electrifying transportation will also create jobs and help California move forward in its economic recovery.” Gov. Newsom is taking impactful steps to phase out gas-powered vehicles, and his small actions will amount to great change in later years.
globe by one and a half degrees celsius, which is the point of no return. A one and a half degree rise in the Earth’s temperature would result in dying ecosystems, more frequent and intense natural disasters, and rising oceans that will begin to swallow cities--and this is just for starters. Currently, Climate Action Tracker shows that the global projections of CO2 emissions will sit at 50 gigatons by the year 2030, and to prevent irreversible damage to the planet, that number will need to be about 25. In Sonoma County, many local organizations are coming together to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the effects of climate change. Sonoma County’s 2020 Climate Action Resolution plan outlines an extensive list of guidelines and goals, all with the intention of “...Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.” Said list includes actions such as increasing energy efficiency in buildings, switching from fossil fuels to electricity, as well as increasing the use of renewable energy in water and wastewater systems. Sonoma State is doing their part in saving the planet, as well. In an email sent out to the entire campus community, SSU explains, “Our ‘stacked’ challenges of COVID-19, fire season, enrollment shortfalls, and budget cuts cannot prevent us from pursuing our commitment to the future.” The email goes on to list the various ways the university is actively working towards a more sustainable campus, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by installing solar panels. Installation of the panels will make SSU the largest solar energy producer in the entire CSU system.
continued from pg. 1
Joseph Castro elected as CSU’s first Chancellor of color Castro’s grandparents were immigrants from Mexico, making him the first Mexican-descendent to be elected as CSU Chancellor. He has been President at Fresno State for 7 years, after 23 years of prior service to the CSU system in various administrative capacities, as well as several years of professorship in family and community medicine at University of California San Francisco. As President of Fresno State, Castro has already implemented several practices and policies that have pushed the school towards the diversity currently being sought after in the CSU system. Having received national commendation for his efforts in both recruiting and the graduation of a more diverse student body, Castro has long held the reputation of an advocate for diversity within students and faculty. His program at Cal State Fresno, DISCOVER-e, was introduced to loan technology out to students who might not have access on their own, and also to promote the presence of mobile devices within class proceedings. In this time of virtual learning, his program has helped reduce the number of students who are unable to connect to their classroom, whether it be due to technological limitations or other struggles they may face. Castro will be taking up the Chancellorship on Jan. 4, and faces a busy start with the fires, the ongoing struggles with COVID-19, and the pandemic’s continual financial effects on students and staff alike. Additionally, the current Chancellor Timothy White confirmed that CSUs would be continuing their online learning throughout the Spring 2021 semester, and Castro may be forced to combat the looming $300 million budget cut if Congress doesn’t approve additional stimulus before Oct. 1. Despite this daunting circumstance, the Board of Trustees consider Castro to be fully qualified to take the abundance of issues on, with Board Chair Lillian Kimbell calling Castro “...A leader that inspires greatness in students, faculty, and in the broader community. He is the right leader for the California State University in our current circumstance and for our future.” Castro approaches the Chancellorship with excitement and readiness to assume the position, stating, “There is no other institution that makes this great of an impact on the entire state--the CSU is key to a growing and thriving California. I am truly grateful for and excited about this unique and wonderful opportunity.” Castro is set to enter the office at the start of next year.
SEPT. 29 - OCT. 5, 2020
sonomastatestar.com
News 5
COURTESY // Flickr.com Pentagon Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper speaks at a news conference in January.
Pentagon spent taxpayer money meant for COVID-19 relief on military supplies
KYLIE LAWRENCE NEWS EDITOR
R
ecent taxpayer-backed efforts to battle the novel Coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 200,000 Americans, has instead been spent on purchasing more military supplies According to the Washington Post, “The $1 billion fund Congress gave the Pentagon in March to build up the country’s supplies of medical equipment has instead been mostly funneled to defense contractors and used to make things such as jet engine parts, body armor, and dress uniforms.” The original intent of Congress by providing the relief money to the Pentagon was to help them “‘...Prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.’” But a few weeks later, the Defense Department decided to spend the money differently. According to the Washington Post article, “Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in Senate testimony last week that states desperately need $6 billion to distribute vaccines to Americans early next year. Many U.S. hospitals still face a severe shortage of N95 masks. These are the types of problems that the money was originally intended to address.” The Pentagon reportedly gave defense contractors hundreds of millions of dollars from the fund, mostly for projects that have little to do with the coronavirus response. The Washington Post states, “$183 million was given to firms, such as Rolls-Royce and ArcelorMittal, to maintain the shipbuilding industry; tens of millions of dollars for satellite, drone, and space surveillance technology; $80 million to a Kansas aircraft parts business suffering from...the global slowdown in air travel; and $2 million for a domestic manufacturer of Army dress uniform fabric.” The Washington Post also reports, “Military spending was already nearing record highs when the Pentagon’s virus fund arrived…Meanwhile, U.S. health officials say there are still significant funding gaps in the country’s pandemic response...Hundreds of millions of dollars also flowed to several large, established companies, such as GE Aviation, a subsidiary of General Electric, which received two awards worth $75 million in June. A subsidiary of Rolls-Royce received $22 million to upgrade a Mississippi plant.” Two House Democrats called for an investigation and public hearings on the matter, questioning the legality of how the money was used and calling it “‘unacceptable.’” This report comes as the country’s coronavirus death toll nears 200,000--which, according to Vanity Fair, is “...A looming milestone in the still raging public health crisis.” continued from pg. 1
continued from pg. 1
Republican’s push for Supreme Court Justice nomination
Sonoma County wineries are searching for harvest interns
He also wants “...The next justice to make decisions based on the Constitution and the law.” NPR reports that he would vote “...Based upon the qualifications of the nominee,” if one reaches the Senate floor. According to the Associated Press article, the only two Senate Republicans who are opposed to a new justice before the election are Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine. Both Senators gave the same reason Mitch McConnell did in 2016; that the American people should be the ones to have a say in the election of the next Supreme Court Justice. The nomination and confirmation of a conservative judge would mean that there would be five conservative-leaning judges and four liberal-leaning judges. This could jeopardize Supreme Court decisions like Roe v. Wade and the Affordable Care Act. Vox News states, “Barrett has twice voted in abortion cases, both times in ways favorable to abortion restrictions. And while she’s said she doesn’t believe Roe v. Wade will be overturned outright, she’s also made clear that she’s open to reversing Supreme Court precedent if she thinks a previous decision goes against the Constitution.” This isn’t the first time the death of a Supreme Court Justice has created political turmoil. In 2016, when President Obama nominated Merrick Garland nine months prior to an election year, after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Time reported, “Republicans said that the seat should not be filled in an election year, and refused to hold hearings to consider Obama’s eventual nominee, Judge Merrick Garland.” The Time article contrasted Mitch McConnell’s and other Republican Senators’ statements on the 2016 Supreme Court nominee in comparison to the current Supreme Court vacancy. In 2016, Mitch McConnell stated that, “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President.” Now, McConnell asserts, “We pledged to work with President Trump and support his agenda, particularly his outstanding appointments to the federal judiciary. Once again, we will keep our promise. President Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate.” Senator Ted Cruz echoed the statement in the past that a judge shouldn’t be selected until a new president is elected. This opposes his new opinion that it is now “Critical that the Senate takes up and confirms [a] successor before Election Day. This nomination is why Donald Trump was elected, and this confirmation is why the voters voted for a Republican majority in the Senate.” President Trump announced Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee for the United States Supreme Court. Amy Coney Barret is a judge for the United States Circuit of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, as well as a professor of law at the University of Notre Dame. Barrett was also a law clerk for Antonin Scalia. Presidential candidate Joe Biden has only stated that if he were to be elected president, he would nominate a black woman. But, he hasn’t announced who he would nominate yet. Instead, it seems he, like others, is waiting until after the presidential election to decide who should fill the vacant seat in the Supreme Court. This is an attempt to honor and respect the last wishes of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who adamantly opposed Trump electing a new Supreme Court Judge. Right now, all American citizens are anxiously awaiting news about when and who will fill the vacant seat.
STAR // Sarah Gallagher Joesph Family Vineyards in Healdsburg on September 26, 2020 After reaching out to six interns, they all dropped out and said “We’re not coming. COVID freaks me out. I can’t find housing,” according to the Chronicle. Wineries are already facing a multitude of problems, including the stress from nearby wildfires, potentially damaged grapes from the abundance of smoke, and an overall slower economic return from the constant back and forth of opening and closing under COVID-19 restrictions. These environmental and COVID-19 related issues have affected restaurants and bars across California. Harvest interns normally arrive using the J-1 visa, which grants them the ability to receive training for the job they are interested in. International interns typically travel the world and gather the experience and knowledge needed for future winemakers. They hop from country to country, learning the secrets from each to cultivate their own unique wine in the future. Andy Smith, of DuMol Winery in Sonoma County, came to the US on a J-1 visa himself, in 1994. Because of this, he primarily hires J-1 interns each season. This season, he hired two from Italy, one from England, and one from Australia. Unfortunately, because of Trump’s restrictions on visas, none of the interns he hired were able to arrive, according to the Chronicle. These internships tend to be labor intensive. Most shifts last ten hours, six days a week. Typically, they stay and work anywhere between two and five months. They are often paid very well for the work, with most salaries starting at $18 an hour. They are also treated with daily wine tastings, delicious meals, and the full California experience. Wineries are desperate. Sean Taylor, who is in charge of WineVoyage.org, a website used for harvest internship postings, said, “Normally, a lot of these wineries want someone with two to three harvests under their belt and a [winemaking] degree,” he told the Chronicle. “Now, we’re at the point where it’s like, ‘I just want a competent body.’” Taylor also mentioned that wineries usually finish their hiring months in advance, but this season started with over 40 job postings on his website. For Sonoma State students and others interested, this is an opportunity of a lifetime to get a real, hands-on winemaking experience at some of the most famous and renowned wineries in the world.
6 Arts
SEP. 29 - OCT. 5, 2020
sonomastatestar.com
STAR// Sarah Gallagher Lagunitas brewey is open to the public with extended outdoor seating during COVID-19.
Lagunitas brewery changing stride, still open during pandemic
MAX ROBINSON STAFF WRITER
I
n 1933, Tony Magee was brewing his own mix of beer
bers must live in the same household. This restriction has
The rules for guests aren’t the only change forced by
on a homebrew stovetop kit. After a few successful
been put in place in order to ensure the safety of other par-
the coronavirus. Lagunitas has been allowing non-profit
batches, Magee started to become more comfortable
ties as well as the staff at the Petaluma beer garden. Upon
organizations every Monday and Tuesday to help them
with his creations. Unfortunately, on Thanksgiving night
arrival, guests are now required to check in with a server
fundraise money through beer sales. Unfortunately, due
in 1933, his beer brewing project caused a fire and ruined
in order to be seated. This means no more self-seating, for
to the coronavirus, Lagunitas has been forced to put this
the Thanksgiving turkey.
parties of any size. All seating available at the beer gar-
program on hold, and it will not be returning until 2021 at
Magee then moved his production to the town of For-
den is outside. Lagunitas is not taking any risks by placing
the earliest. Lagunitas made this decision in order to en-
est Knolls, located near the city of Lagunitas, which he
multiple parties indoors, a measure that can certainly help
sure the health and safety of everyone who goes to their
took as the name of his beer. Today, the Lagunitas brewery
to thwart the spread of the coronavirus among attending
Petaluma location, and this policy change also applies to
is located just 20 minutes south of Sonoma State Univer-
parties.
their Chicago and Seattle locations. Lagunitas plan to post
sity, in the city of Petaluma. Many Sonoma State students
Reservations are not available, and all attending par-
attend their beer garden and events, which they have been
ties must find a hostess to locate a table. This means that
hosting for years. That much hasn’t changed.
parties, especially large ones, should be prepared to wait
Although much has changed for everyone, both busi-
to be seated. It should also be noted that parties are only
nesses and individuals, Lagunitas is still able to offer a
seated when all members are present.
good time to all who go to the Petaluma beer garden. Par-
What has changed though, is the terms of attending the beer gardens. As coronavirus has affected individuals and businesses alike, there are now some restrictions that attendees need to be sure of following. The first of the new rules concerns party size. Parties are now limited to ten or less members, and all party mem-
to their website as soon as they feel they can safely allow nonprofits to return.
Luckily, dogs are still allowed to attend with their par-
ties can still expect good beer, local music, and above all,
ties. However, dogs are held to the same social distancing
a safe way to spend time out of the house. So although the
rules and expectations as everyone else. Sorry everyone,
experience is certainly different than before, attending is a
no petting the puppies, no matter how cute they are.
very pleasant experience for all that decide to go.
Jaden Smith’s ‘The Solution Commitee’ ISABELLE BARKEY STAFF WRITER
F
amous actor, singer and songwriter Jaden Smith is once again using his fame and platform for good. Smith created his own new eight-episode
Snapchat series called “The Solution Committee”, which premiered on Sept. 21, 2020, the day before Na-
tional Voter Registration Day. You can watch the series on Snapchat’s discovery page every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. In the trailer for the series, Smith said, “Welcome [to] the show where we bring people together to talk about complex issues,” including “why young people don’t vote.” The unscripted series is planning episodes with a variety of topics centered around activism and politics during this difficult time in America. The first episodes are concentrating on the power of the vote and getting young people more excited about casting a ballot. “Historically, people between the ages of 18 to 23 have been less likely to vote. This is because a lot of young people feel like they don’t have the information or know where to get it. This show is about educating the youth and making sure they feel empowered and ready to vote,” Smith said in a statement. Then he added, “The world is not okay but together we can make a difference.” Later on, Smith plans to delve into topics including racism, race and inequality along with criminal justice and education reform. The first episode featured celebrities including Hal-
COURTESY // ElHormiguero Jaden Smith will be launching an eight episode series on Snapchat discussing activism and politics. change and take part along with providing links to get
Beyond encouraging young people to vote, Jaden and
registered to vote at the end of each episode.
his friends show why we should all care about these
ey Bieber and Yara Shahidi along with a few nation-
“My goal is to motivate as many as I can to become
systemic issues and what we can do to fix them. After
ally known activists. Smith plans to have more celeb-
solution-based activists. The goal is to become experts
working with the fantastic team at Snap on Will from
rity guests in the future including Lena Waithe, Willow
in not just the issues we face, but around the solutions
Home, we know this series can attract real attention
Smith, Janelle Monáe, Common and Phoebe Robinson.
we have in our hands…” Jaden Smith said in a com-
which will hopefully lead to some necessary change.”
Smith stated that this series is him seeking “out the help
ment.
Smith continued, “...I want my generation and
In a press release, the president of Westbrook Me-
the next one to understand that the private and public
understand what we can do to create change around the dia, Brad Haugen, said “On top of being a world class
sectors are both needed to solve big issues. We need to
most important racial and social justice issues of our entertainer, Jaden has dedicated so much of his life to
put pressure on both by voting — with our dollar and
time.” They plan to discuss how viewers can help spread finding innovative ways to shine a light on injustice.
the ballot. Vote, vote, vote, vote!”
of young activists and celebrity friends to explore and
Entertainment 7
SEPT. 29 - OCT. 5, 2020
sonomastatestar.com
Josh Groban’s virtual concert tour begins
EDGAR ZAVALA
A
STAFF WRITER
merican singer Josh Groban is set to launch a series of virtual concerts this upcoming holiday season. Groban will once again soothe our ears with his sweet velvet voice that America knows and loves. The multi-platinum singer is starting his first of three concerts on Oct. 3, with a live performance celebrating a collection of Broadway musical favorites. On Nov. 26, Groban will be performing his brand-new album, titled Harmony, set to release on the same day. His final concert will be streamed on Dec. 19, where Groban will perform his first ever holiday concert for fans to get in the jolly spirit. The Grammy award-winning artist is pleased to be able to bring fans a virtual tour during one of the most peculiar holiday seasons. These concerts will be filmed in person, and are directly streamed to the customer for all three shows. The virtual tour comes with four different packages beginning at $65, which gives Groban fans access to all 3 of the live shows. The second all access package is priced at $175
that gives the audience ability to watch all three concerts as well as three unique tour t-shirts commemorating Josh Groban’s anticipated virtual musical performances. These exclusive memorabilia will be mailed directly to the customer’s homes upon purchase. The final package comes with all of the features previously mentioned as well as exclusive merchandise from Groban at the price of $450. Customers can access all 3 exclusive pre-show VIP Soundcheck as well as a Q&A Event which starts 60 mins prior to showtime. Moreover, this package includes extra songs and a limited-edition t-shirt. $5 from each t-shirt sale supports a charity near and dear to Josh. It also includes a personalized, signed Holiday card from Josh with access to livestream performances on October 3rd, November 26th, and December 19th, 2020. The customer can also re-watch each performance after the event for up to 48 hours for any of the packages. This package comes with exclusive laminated commemorative tickets for all 3 shows, fees not included.
The Tony award winner is very excited to bring this series of concerts to his fans who have been anticipating this for a while. When asked about the inspiration behind this series, Groban stated, “There was a long period during this pandemic where I wanted to just keep it simple. I was doing some live stream performances, very DIY from my bedroom, and even did songs in my shower. It was fun and put a smile on my face and people enjoyed it. Once we realized after many months that this was going to be a lot longer than anyone had hoped, I started to feel the urge to get creative about how best to do my job. And as much as I love singing in the shower, when I put on the hat of wanting the real quality my fans expect of me, I knew another option was necessary. said Groban. Groban went on by saying “We just want to create a series of these that truly allows me and my fans who I miss so much to be a part of something we love together, even if it is virtual, it can still be hugely inspirational and fun for all.”
COURTESY // Lunchbox LP Josh Groban is ready to hit the vitural stage, starting Oct. 3.
Freeform’s ‘31 Days of Halloween’ will drive you batty
MYLES GRABAU STAFF WRITER
W
hile many of us are going to be stuck inside for most of October that doesn’t mean that Halloween is cancelled amid 2020’s coronavirus crisis. In 1998, the Family Channel (now known as FOX) began airing their version of 31 Days of Halloween, which is a programming block specifically designed to take viewers to a “land of enchanted and eerie movies” all month long. Since 2016, Freeform has taken over the schedule for this monthly Halloween celebration, with spooky movies such as Halloweentown, Gremlins, and The Mummy. The programming block was created after 25 Days of Christmas proved successful for Freeform, because the 31 days was originally only 13 days long, lasting from Oct. 19 to Oct. 31. In recent years, Halloween has seen a growing popularity, both perpetuated by social media posts and increasing amounts of spooky movies and TV shows. By Freeform’s logic, they chose to use this growing popularity to their advantage and extend the 13 days to 31, which has already proven to be greatly successful in recent years. It’s no question that many families will take their movie nights no further than the couch, and will be able to enjoy the holidays in the comfort of their own home this year. Starting on Oct. 1, Freeform has between six and eight family-friendly movies scheduled to air each night of the month. Their full schedule is listed on their website, and they kick off the programming block with Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory on Oct. 1. Many of the movies have more than one showing, so viewers can see the movies again if they wish, or can see a movie that they have missed later on in the month. More fan favorites airing throughout the month include Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride and Nightmare Before Christmas, Goosebumps, and the ever-classic The Addams Family. While this programming block was originally targeted toward adult audiences from 1998-2004, strictly airing made-for-television movies, the focus shifted when FOX realized that they could expand their clientele if they expanded the number of movies that they show. Starting in 2006, FOX shifted their focus to younger audiences, airing movies such as Hocus Pocus, The Haunted Mansion, and Monster’s Inc., that are widely enjoyed by children. This shift proved to be a great success for the company, and in 2011, ABC (now Freeform) was able to shift the focus on younger audiences to include Halloween horror related films in the lineup, while also catering to younger audiences at the same time. While it’s no question that there are many Halloween fans in our population, going to haunted houses and other Halloween-themed attractions are going to be remote this year, if not completely cut out of the equation.
COURTESY //TheNickster Halloween movies are taking over television for the month of October.
With haunted houses most likely going remote, the surprise factor will be completely taken out. After all, many true Halloween fans will have already seen many of the movies that are usually included in 31 Days of Halloween. To combat this, Freeform has included a lot of new and scarier films in their rotation for everyone to enjoy this year. After all, who doesn’t love a good scare from time to time?
8 Student Life
University Police Department vehicles are a well-known presence on campus.
SEPT. 29 - OCT. 5, 2020
sonomastatestar.com
STAR// Sarah Ramos
University police remain vigilant despite fewer on-campus students KRISTINA SCHMUHL STAFF WRITER
I
n spite of an 85% drop in students living on campus, and 97% of fall 2020 classes being taken online, the Sonoma State University Police Department has had its hands full taking care of campus facilities. Since the transition to remote learning in mid-March, Sonoma State’s campus has been used for COVID-19 alternative care units, housing the homeless population to prevent transmission of the virus, and as a wildfire evacuee shelter managed by the Red Cross in coordination with Sonoma County Emergency Management. The university signed a contract to use dormitory housing in Verdot Village and Sauvignon Village and the Cooperage as alternative care units in April, in conjunction with Sonoma County Department of Health Services, to allow health care workers to use space on campus for an Alternate Care Site. In a letter from July 1, the university called on the county to vacate facilities to give ample time to clean and prepare for students returning to campus in August and to focus on its mission of higher education. Interim Police Chief Jeffrey Weaver, a 28 year veteran of the Sebastopol Police Department, said the extra activities on campus have been “a big production.” Despite the campus being used to provide assistance to a variety of individuals and organizations, the normal day to day resembles more of a ghost town. “It feels like a holiday or Sunday might normally feel but it’s everyday,” said Weaver. Normally around 3,000 students live on campus, but with social distancing orders, remote learning and many students choosing to live at home to save money this semester, there are only around 450 students currently living in the dorms. The upside of less students living on campus is all residents get their own bedrooms and bathrooms. This is also in compliance with COVID-conciencious guidelines. “We still have people living and working on campus. It is our job to serve, protect and provide a safe, welcoming learning environment,” said Weaver. He added, “It wouldn’t matter if there were only three people living on campus, we would want to make sure those three [live] in a safe environment.” The role of the Police Department has remained the same as it was pre COVID-19 according to Lt. Lee Swicegood who has worked for the University Police Department (UPD) for 16 years. In an email Swicegood wrote, “With social distancing and less students on campus, we ,like everyone else, are forced to adjust to interacting on a limited/distanced basis with staff, faculty and students. The police department has remained the same [as pre-covid] in that we are working the same hours and fulfilling the same purpose... Officers are patrolling 24/7, 365 days a year to ensure that SSU remains a safe place.” Due to budget constraints exacerbated by the novel coronavirus pandemic, the university had to eliminate the role of a 14th officer for the UPD. That role was vacant when the new budget went into effect for the 2020-21 academic year. The department
will be operating with only 13 sworn peace officers on staff under the new budget. “It is ideal to have 14, but we could do 13. With less than 13, there are weaknesses in safety, staffing and have to do overtime, which is not good for budgeting….when we run short, people get hurt, fatigued and the last thing we need is somebody getting hurt,” said Weaver. The responsibility and visibility of the UPD has had to increase, to make up for a loss of nearly 10,000 “eyes,” or people, that would normally be on campus during the week. Around 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students normally attend SSU with around 1,400 faculty and staff members regularly working. On this topic, Swicegood explained, “There are less people, vehicles, bicycles, computers, etc. currently on campus, therefore there are less people, and less property to commit crimes against. We are also being extra vigilant, because criminals know that there are less people on campus and less eyes to see and report suspicious behaviours.” In 2020, historic protests against police brutality broke out across the state, country and internationally. Protesters had demands such as defunding of police departments, ending of racial bias and accountability for violence and injustice. Despite a tense environment between law enforcement and the general public, Chief Weaver is hopeful about how the SSU community will come together once in person again. “After the murder of George Floyd- and I specifically say murder- there has been a national discussion on race and how police intereract with people of color. All CSU [California State University] police chiefs are doing steps to review all policies and training [currently] in place,” said Weaver. In a joint letter to the CSU community on June 4, all 23 CSU police chiefs issued a joint statement “Standing in Unity” and were “...united in denouncing excessive use of force and lack of due care for human life.” In the letter they stated, “We will continue to engage in open dialogue, review our practices, revise our training, improve our cultural education, enforce accountability, collaborate with our community leaders, and maintain transparency.” Because of social distancing, interactions with the public have had to be limited, which, according to Lt. Swicegood, is one of the best parts of the job for most officers. Normally the UPD will host many events throughout the year including forums during orientation for incoming students and their families. He said, “Normally this time of the semester and after [limited interactions in] summer, officers can’t wait for students to get back. Our officers are very anxious for people to return...Our department is eager for personal interactions again.” It is unclear when most students and faculty will be returning to campus. CSU chancellor Timothy White announced on Sept. 10 that all universities in the CSU system will continue with almost fully virtual instruction for the semester starting January 2021.
Club Spotlight:The Vagina Monologues MORAGH GRAF STAFF WRITER
S
onoma State University’s production of The Vagina Monologues, originally written and performed by V in the 90s, has been an annual event for years on the campus, but things are looking a little bit different this year. Instead of the usual production of students reading their poetry, made impossible with COVID-19 guidelines, a performance in the near future may not be possible for the group.
The directors feel very strongly about the community The Vagina Monologues provides for their members and want to make sure there is still a space for newcomers and returning students to share their stories or spend time with one another. Especially in a time of social distancing, interacting with other students who share similar ideals and create a safe space for expressing oneself can help make everyone feel less alone. “Vagina Monologues is important to me because it gave me a space, not just on campus but in my life in general, where I felt really safe to be myself and speak openly about my values and identity. I’ve become a more outspoken person in all areas of life because of Vagina Monologues,” said Vagina Monologues’ Co-Director and SSU student, Victoria Ornelas. As well as building community, Vagina Monologues always strives to send a positive and informative message to students viewing the production or
attending meetings for the first time. The play includes touching pieces, as well as studentoriginals, regarding countless social issues. The impact on students is eye-opening. The original pieces and V’s pieces resonate for lots of folx. So many students find themselves challenged to change old views that they held. The show opens the hearts and minds for some students to a new way of thinking,” said Club Advisor and Campus Confidential Advocate, Susan Pulido. “It’s important as it normalizes consensual, incredibly satisfying sex, and informs us about relationships, and violence against people, specifically BIPOC women, LGBQ+, trans folx, white women, children, etc.” The actual production is held on Valentine’s Day weekend every year and performed by student members of the Vagina Monologues club. While there is some speculation within the group that performing may not be a possibility this year, there is still some decision making up in the air, as well as an unwavering commitment to the club and its members. “This year’s incredible CoDirectors, led by Alexis Walker, and consisting of Savanna Gould, Victoria Ornelas, and Lizethe Rodriguez, are working on ideas as to how to make things work during this time of COVID-19 and social distancing,” said Pulido. Though the current pan-
COURTESY// Instagram The Vagina Monologues promotes the acceptance of all identities and seeks to end gendered violence. demic makes a smoothly-running rehearsal space and performance out of reach, the directors are determined to continue weekly meetings for students to attend. “After getting feedback from our club members it’s looking like Vagina Monologues might be taking a year off from producing a show. Not 100% sure yet. However, we are still a club! So, we will continue to hold space and community for our members and other folks who want to join. We will play games, watch movies, and be in community with one another over Zoom!” said Co-Director and SSU student, Alexis Walker. “Though we may not have a show, we are still welcoming folks to create original pieces if they feel called to do so.” The Vagina Monologues will continue to meet via Zoom every Tuesday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Zoom link can be found in the @ssuvaginamonologues Instagram bio.
Student Life 9
SEPT. 29 - OCT. 5 2020
sonomastatestar.com
The future of food at Sonoma State and how students can have an impact
RACHEL GONZALEZ STAFF WRITER
W
hen it comes to purchasing a meal plan as a college student, it’s important to ensure students that they will be provided with a plan that they will enjoy. According to Sonoma State’s website, students’ cost of attendance for food and housing ranges from $6,000 a year to $16,000 a year. With that being said, it is of students’ interest to know what steps are taken to provide the best experience when it comes to eating on campus. Between Sept. 15 and Sept. 29, Sonoma State University’s Culinary Services will be asking students who live on and off-campus to sign up to participate in the new Food Diary Project, which its goal is to improve the food services offered to its students. Those who are chosen will receive 75 dollars in Wolf bucks as an appreciation of involvement. Out of those who submit an interest form, Culinary Services will choose ten students, half living on campus and a half living on campus, to participate in the Food Diary Project. Students who want to participate in The Food Diary Project can fill out an interest form on the Seawolf Living website. The chosen 10 members will then keep Culinary Services informed, from Oct. 12 through Oct. 25, what they eat and when, where they shop and when, where they eat, how often they cook at home, how long it takes for a meal or snack prep, and the cost for snacks and meals with receipts. Director of Culinary Services, Nancy Keller, says that what inspired The Food Diary Project was her curiosity on how to measure student eating patterns and that the project, “... was created to gain insight into current students eating, cooking, shopping, and spending habits.” Keller explained that because the Culinary Services’ dining venues are closed due to the pandemic, local health orders, and a limited number of students on campus, that the team, “...saw this time as an opportunity to get real data and information from current students.”
STAR // Brandon Sparks Students this semester do not have access to The Kitchens, but plans are still being made to improve them when they do return. Casey Kelly, the Marketing Manager for Entrepreneurial Activities at Sonoma State, said the marketing team is providing support for Culinary Services by offering their expertise on how to reach students and help analyze their data once the project is completed. “Culinary Services had a need to get students involved in this project, and we have the means to reach students through Seawolf Living, social media, emails, and our website” said Kelly. After receiving the student’s “food diaries,” Culinary Services will be sharing the collected data from the ten selected students and present it to the Culinary Services Advisory Board and Sonoma State Enterprises (SSE) Board, where there will be recommendations made for future plans for dining venues, vending, and operations. Culinary Services want to enhance student life and student success by providing a variety of quality and nutritional foods while making an impact on the commu-
nity that they serve. The information that they gather is valuable for getting a better understanding of their student community. “This information is valuable to get a better idea of patterns from our current student community” said Keller. Keller explained why this project should be considered important to the students of Sonoma State, saying that “... Participating in the Food Diary project is an opportunity for students to greatly impact the future of Culinary Services offerings and operations.” Participating in the Food Diary Project will not only provide insight about the student population at Sonoma State, allowing Culinary Services to better understand the needs of Seawolves when it comes to food services, but it will also benefit the future of Sonoma State and help Culinary Services provide an even better experience for future Sonoma State Seawolves. Hopefully this will lead to an amazing comeback from Culinary Services.
Seawolves SPEAK!
AMANDA KOBA STAFF WRITER
W
What is your favorite on-campus memory?
ith the announcement of spring 2021 being online, Seawolves are missing campus more than ever. Sonoma State University’s small campus has created a close knit community between faculty and students. With students continuously joining and leaving the Seawolf pack, incoming and graduating students each have certain moments they remember after their time at SSU. Within the first moments on campus students are creating moments that stay with them, making them feel more at home in SSU. Many students have found their homes in clubs and organizations or with new friends. Most incoming freshmen start their
journey in the residential halls, quickly befriending roommates, and neighbors. They have created long lasting memories on campus with help of friends, staff and events. Students used to be seen all over campus eating, laughing with one another, tabling, and studying. These small moments that, for most, were taken without a thought now are some of the most missed. Now with the inability to do these things students are reminiscing on the days spent on campus. From late night runs to the Kitchens, to playing basketball at the Recreation Center, students shared their favorite on campus memories that have made an impact on their SSU careers.
“My favorite memory from SSU campus was the days the stress relief pups came to campus! They always put a smile on my face.”
“Playing basketball in the Recreation Center. Even if it’s with friends or random students, it was always fun and you were able to make new friendships and homies during that time and create a bond.”
-Aleida Eckland, Sophomore, Hutchins Major
-Dirk Tolson, Junior, Statistics and Spanish Major
“My favorite campus memory was having the opportunity to work at the Campus Recreation Center where I was able to meet new students and connect with my coworkers and gain friendships that I have never thought I would ever be able to have!”
“Big Nite my freshman year and meeting people who are still my friends today.”
-Haddie Daner, Sophomore, Business Major
-Madi Goldt, Senior, Early Childhood Studies Major
“Staring up at the stars when the power went out was pretty wholesome fun.”
“Going through recruitment and running home after getting my bid!”
-Ben McDaid, Junior, Math Major
-Daija Bell, Junior, Psychology Major
10 Sports
SEPT. 29 - OCT. 5, 2020
sonomastatestar.com
Sonoma State alumni Liam Mcnulty goes pro abroad
RYAN WEINER
STAFF WRITER
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iam Mcnulty has had a life-long passion for the game of baseball and the thrill of traveling the world. This summer, he had the opportunity of a lifetime. The Sonoma State University grad was able to combine his two passions as he signed a semi-professional baseball contract with the Tübingen Hawks in Germany’s first division Bundesliga. “It’s such an awesome experience” Liam expressed, ”Being able to meet new people that come from different backgrounds and cultures but share a similar upbringing and passion has been life-changing for me.” Liam arrived on SSU’s campus in 2017 and immediately tried out for the SSU club baseball team. He ultimately secured a spot on the roster and wound up being a key player for the Seawolves in his two seasons with the team. When Liam graduated in 2019, he started working for a startup company in San Francisco. Liam was eventually laid off from his job in early March as COVID-19 cases began surging in the United States. However, he stayed positive and felt as if his time on the baseball field had not yet expired. “I wanted to get back on the diamond so I contacted leagues overseas and sent them videos of my abilities and statistics. Before I knew it I had received a couple offers from teams in Europe,” explained Mcnulty. As Liam finalized his decision, his dream quickly became a reality. On a Tuesday morning, he boarded a plane at San Francisco International Airport, with a one-way ticket to Germany, and then found himself playing for the Tübingen Hawks on that following Saturday. “If it wasn’t for COVID-19, I would not have had this opportunity to travel the world and may have been still working in San Francisco,” said Liam. After living in the big city of San Francisco for 25 years, he packed up his belongings and moved across the world to the small city of Tübingen, Germany. Mcnulty settled into his new home just fine and explained, “my new teammates welcomed me with open arms which
COURTESY // Allan Attridge Sonoma State club baseball alumni Liam Mcnulty takes his talents to play professionally in Germany.
made the transition easy for me. Being able to play the game I love helped me feel as if I was at home.” The city of Tübingen is quite similar to the town of Oxford, England - both of which are home to prestigious Universities and peppered with historical buildings. On a typical sunny day, people sail down the river in traditional boats, also known as punts. Liam’s main mode of transport was by bicycle. “It’s common knowledge to ride a bike here. Many people do not need a car in this small town.” Liam loves it and said, “It’s nice and riding a bike helps me with my fitness and gets me to where I need to go faster than a car would.” When Liam is not competing on the field with his Hawks ballclub, he enjoys adventuring out on
the town, visiting the old castles on the hills of Tübingen, partying with his friends and teammates, and socializing with the locals. According to Liam, he will never forget this once in a lifetime experience. As he plans to return to America this week, he would like to study the German culture more in depth and become fluent in the language. One of Liam’s takeaways from his trip was going “...into Germany thinking the people were going to be completely different than Americans, but they are actually very similar. The only big difference is the language, but the culture is somewhat the same.” Liam would love to return to Tübingen later in his life to visit the friends that he made on his foreign endeavor.
Dak Prescott leads mental health advocacy for NFL SEAN KENNEALLY STAFF WRITER
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oncussions are not the only head injury NFL players worry about nowadays, and the other injury isn’t CTE. It is their current mental health. Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback, Dak Prescott, recently battled depression and anxiety with COVID-19 after his older brother, Jace, committed suicide. In an interview with ESPN, Prescott said “... I sat there and tried to gather what had happened and wanted to ask why for so many reasons. ... And as much as you want to ask why as much as this, I mean, I know my brother, and as we said, he had a lot of burdens on him.” Despite admitting his vulnerability, Skip Bayless, of Fox Sports, criticized Prescott “showing weakness” with his depression. On Bayless’ morning show ‘Skip and Shannon: Undisputed,’ on Sept. 10, Bayless commented he “...has no sympathy for [Prescott] going public…” His co-anchor, Shannon Sharpe, a NFL Hall of Fame tight end, refuted Bayless’ statements by stating “You have to understand… he is still human.” Quickly after Bayless’ remarks, the sports world erupted in emotion. From Michael Phelps to DeMar DeRozan, shooting guard of San Antonio Spurs, athletes, commentators, and fans outcried for Prescott’s strength and Bayless’ insensitivity. Even Fox Sports commented on the situation stating, “We do not agree with Skip Bayless’ opinion on ‘Undisputed’ [that] morning. We have addressed the significance of this matter with Skip and how his insensitive comments were received by people internally at Fox Sports and our audience.” One of the most notable of these gestures for Prescott was by Hayden Hurst, Atlanta Falcons tight end, after their week two loss at Dallas, on Sept. 20. After the
STAR// Creative Commons Dak Prescott takes charge to publicly speak about suicide prevention.
game, Hurst ran over to Prescott to praise him for his opening about the issue. In an article with ESPN, Hurst admitted that his family has been affected by suicide. In the post-game conversation, Hurst said that, “Hey, I’ve got a lot of respect for what you did... Me and my mom have a foundation about suicide prevention. Respect the hell out of you for talking about it, man.” The pair even spoke about collaborating in the future, and both parties are optimistic and thrilled for the idea. Even Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, and a peer of Prescott, applauded him for opening up about mental health. In an interview with Matt Schneid-
man of ‘The Athletic,’ Rodgers said, “I saw what Dak said. I applaud him. I think it’s phenomenal, speaking out, because that’s true courage and that’s true strength. It’s not a weakness at all.” In the end, Prescott continues to lead his team, on and off the field. He garnered the NFC Offensive Player of Week 2, with completing 34/47 passes, for 450 yards, and a touchdown in comeback win. As for mental health, he states that, “[it] is a huge issue and a real thing in our world right now, especially the world we live in where everything is viral… I think it’s huge. I think it’s huge to talk. I think it’s huge to get help. And it saves lives.”
Sports 11 Maya Gabeira surfs biggest wave of the year
SEPT. 29 - OCT. 5, 2020
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COURTESY // stuff.co.nz (Red Bull) Maya Gabeira sets the record for biggest wave of the year and biggest wave surfed by a female. VINCENT SPENCE STAFF WRITER
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hen people think of surfing, the thought that usually comes to mind is warm, summer, and bright skies. But off the coast of Nazare, Portugal in the winter time the waves can rise up to over 70 feet tall. Maya Gabeira set the record for the biggest wave surfed in 2019 on the shores of Nazare by riding a 73.5 foot wave. This is the first time in history that a woman set the record for largest wave surfed during a season. The 33-year-old Brazillian surfer has been surfing competitively since she was just 15 years old. Gabeira won surfing championships early in her career by winning at the Maverick competition, Waimea, Todos Santos, and South Africa’s shark-infested “Dungeons” competitions. Maya described the 73.5 foot wave experience by saying, “I was in the zone. More brave than I am usually. I got really close to disaster. I have never been so close to such a powerful explosion, I had never felt that sort of energy or noise before. It felt really terrifying.” In the Nazare Tow Surf Challenge, it is primarily a male competition and Gabeira was the only woman in the field. Her tow partner, Sebastian Steudtner, helped her get into the best position possible for the wave and Maya took advantage of her opportunity. Wave engineers and scientists at The University of Southern California Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and Scripps Institution of Oceanography came to the conclusion that the wave was 73.5 feet high, beating Gabeira’s own personal record by five feet.
Gabeira’s competitor, Paige Alms, one of the best big wave surfers in her own right, told a reporter from the New York Times about the impact it will have on young women surfers by saying, “I think it’s really important for the next generation of girls growing up to see women accomplishing these things. You can only really dream as big as what you can see.” Gabeira has had a long road to her victory wave in 2019. Seven years ago, Maya wiped out on a 50 foot wave and lost consciousness. She was underwater for several minutes before a tow rope pulled her to safety with CPR saving her life. She broke her right fibula and herniated a disk in her lower back. It took her four years to fully recover with three surgeries. Maya hit rock bottom and lost all of her sponsors. Competitive surfers around the world were telling her that she’d never be able to come back from something like this. Gabeira defied the odds, moved to Nazare full time and began the journey back to the top. She ended up breaking a world record for women’s surfing five years after her accident by riding a 68 foot wave. Women surfers all around the world look up to her because of her outstanding comeback story and what she has been able to accomplish. Gabeira said, “I’m just happy that a woman surfed the biggest wave of the year. It’s possible. Other women can do it. I like to make something that seems so impossible to be possible. Because then it’s so much easier for the next one.”
San Francisco 49ers plan to bounce back from injuries
ELISEO FRAGOSO STAFF WRITER
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hat a tough blow it has been for the San Francisco 49ers, who have been hit with many injuries to key starters on both offense and defense. The 49ers started off the new season with a 24-20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals which took place at Levi’s Stadium. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters, “It’s just a reminder that we’re back at football. I mean, that’s how football goes. We had a number of chances to win that game.” They were without their number one wide receiver Deebo Samuel who sat out with a foot injury, first round draft pick Brandon Aiyuk with a bothering hamstring injury, and cornerback Jason Verret who also was dealing with pain in his hamstring. Even without key players like tight end George Kittle and defensive end Dee Ford, the shorthanded 49ers were able to beat the New York Jets 31-13. It was a good game for both running back Rahmeem Mostert who ran for an 80-yard touchdown on San Francisco’s very first play of the game, and quarterback Jimmy Garrapollo had two touchdown passes before both players sat out the second half because of injuries. Then San Francisco also suffered a tough blow to the defense as both defensive ends, Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas, were carted off the field during the first quarter. Immediately ,tests were done to find out that both players had actually suffered ACL tears in their left knee which meant the end for the young players’ seasons. Coach Shanahan said, “Teams do go through this. We lost our quarterback at the
beginning of the year two years ago. You look at things like Denver, losing a player like Von before the season started. So it’s all very similar to losing a guy like Nick.” Running back Tevin Coleman was another player who left the game early with a knee injury as well. Shanahan and other 49ers expressed concerns about the new artificial turf contributing to some of these players injuries that took place last Sunday. According to ESPN, the Niners coach went on to say, “I know that’s as many knee injuries and ankle stuff and people getting caught on turf as I’ve ever been a part of,” Shanahan said. “From what I saw, the other team did, too. I know our players talked about it the entire game, just how sticky the turf was.” San Francisco will be going back to MetLife Stadium for week three to take on the New York Giants. On offense, San Francisco will be led by backup quarterback Nick Mullens who has played in ten career games so far. The third year quarterback from Southern Mississippi has done well in the past replacing the injured Jimmy G. The injuries to the players will give more playing time to athletes that normally do not touch the field that much like tight end Jordan Reed and Wide Receiver Mohammed Sanu. It should give Mullens more options to throw with the team having injuries to some wide receivers during the first two weeks.
COURTESY// Creative Commons The 49ers struggle with injuries with the intention to bounce back.
12 Photo
SEPT. 29 - OCT. 5, 2020
sonomastatestar.com
Wine tasting and beer gardens remain open
STAR// Sarah Gallagher Silver Oak is open for reservations and tastings for wine lovers and locals.
STAR// Sarah Gallagher The beloved Lagunitas Brewing Company has opened for business with new restrictions.
STAR // Sarah Gallagher Soda Rock’s newest winery is open with the old ruins on the same grounds.
STAR // Sarah Gallagher Rohnert Park’s famous Jaded Toad restaurant is open for outdoor seating.
STAR // Sarah Ramos Two kids played in the surf during this hot week as waves crashed against the sand at Portuguese Beach in Bodega Bay.
STAR // Sarah Ramos Two people admired the waves as they reached the shore at Portuguese Beach.
STAR // Sarah Ramos Visitors saw clear skies and calm waves at Bodega Bay on Sat. afternoon.